Essex County Daily Buzz: Jun. 3, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Essex County Clerk’s office released unofficial 2026 primary election results for the county executive race. Joseph Divinvenzo Jr. won the Democratic primary with 54,061 votes and Maritza Mathews won the Republican primary with 5,275 votes. Both names will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Essex County Clerk’s Office

Essex County Clerk’s office released unofficial 2026 primary election results for at-large county commissioners. Christine McGrath, Abdur Yasin, Deborah Engel, and Wayne Richardson won the Democratic primary with 38,543 votes, 32,657 votes, 31,211 votes, and 30,549 votes. Demetrius Eley, Douglas Freeman, Daniela Ferriera Almeida, and Shawa DeFrank won the Republican primary with 4,569 votes, 4,568 votes, 4,489 votes, and 4,107 votes. All names will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Essex County Clerk’s Office

Essex County Clerk’s office released unofficial 2026 primary election results for the county commissioners in District 4, which includes West Orange. Leonard Luciano won the Democratic primary with 12,401 votes and Adam Kramer won the Republican primary with 3,124 votes. Both names will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Essex County Clerk’s Office

Essex County Clerk’s office released unofficial 2026 primary election results for the county commissioners in District 5, which includes Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, Nutley. Carlos Pomares won the Democratic primary with 13,479 votes and Frank Contella won the Republican primary with 1,532 votes. Both names will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Essex County Clerk’s Office

Family pride night at the zoo planned by Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange on Jun. 10. The event is from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and will feature decorated exhibits, and a dance party in the ampitheater. Tickets can be bought in advance online or at regular zoo admissions.
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Turtle Back Zoo

Introduction to native gardening planned at West Orange library on Jun. 10. It is from 7-8 p.m. Led by Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex. It will discuss the benefits of native plants.
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West Orange Public Library

Acoustic performance by Brand New Steadys planned with Meadowland Park Conservancy on Jun. 10 in South Orange. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at Meadowland Park. Food available for purchase. Wine and beer garden on site.
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South Orange Village

Nutley Little Theatre is accepting director submissions for its 2027-2028 season. Interested directors can submit up to three plays and a letter of interest by email.
Nutley Little Theater

Seniors ages 60+ and people with disabilities can learn about available county services on Jun.10 in Newark. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Weequahic Park. There will be information about food access, healthcare, and transportation. Free admission.
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Essex County Division of Senior Services

Ribbon cutting for Ironbound Community Corporation’s community refrigerator is Jun. 10. It begins at 10 a.m. at 29 Cortland St.
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Ironbound Community Corporation

Adults can attend introductory acting and improv classes at N.J. School of Dramatic Arts in Montclair, scheduled to start Jun. 10 and Jun. 13. Both courses run for six weeks and are held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Registration is available online.
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New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

Human Needs Food Pantry seeks donations of new children’s underwear. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours, or sent directly though the pantry’s Amazon wishlist.
Human Needs Food Pantry

Registration is open for NJSDA’s youth summer theater camp in Montclair. Classes begin in July and August at St. John’s Church. It includes acting, improv, and musical theater programs. Registration available online.
New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

Essex County Clerk’s office released unofficial 2026 primary election results for Maplewood’s township committee race, which only show the Democratic race because no Republican candidates filed to run. There are currently two open seats on the committee. Victor De Luca won the township committee nomination with 3,417 votes.John Sullivan won the nomination with 2,869 votes. Both names will appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 3.
Essex County Clerk’s Office

Free outdoor concert with Tycoon Dogs planned with Maplewood Village Alliance on Jun. 6. It is from 6-9 p.m. at Ricalton Square.
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Maplewood Village Alliance

Maplewood children in grades 1-5 can attend the recreation department’s craft camp, scheduled from Jun. 22-26. It meets from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 60 Woodland Rd. Enrollment is $375. Registration is available online until Jun. 19
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Maplewood Recreation Division

Children in grades 7-11 can register for Maplewood recreation’s ultimate frisbee camp, scheduled for Aug. 10-14. It is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Maplecrest Park. Enrollment is $120 for Maplewood residents and $145 for non-residents. Registration closes Aug. 7.
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Maplewood Recreation Division

Juneteenth community festival and food distribution planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Jun. 13 in Irvington. It is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 50 Union Ave. There will be food, resources, haircuts, giveaways, and more. Free admission. Rain date is Jun. 27.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Self-paced career training offered through Essex County’s Lit Hub in East Orange and Irvington. It is open Tuesdays and Fridays at Bilal Beasley Center in Irvington and weekdays at 50 S. Clinton St. in East Orange. Both locations are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Services include GED and ESL preparation classes, resume development, workshops, and more.
Essex County Division of Training and Employment

Pancake muffin cooking class planned virtually with Glen Ridge library on Jun. 10. It is from 6-7 p.m. Registration is required. Designed for youth.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Brain health lecture planned virtually and in-person at Glen Ridge library on Jun. 10. It is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Led by AARP. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Pickled watermelon rind online cooking class planned with Glen Ridge library on Jun. 10. It is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

East Orange Mayor Ted Green will address the city’s business community on Jun. 10. It begins at 6 p.m. at Guiding Star Church.
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East Orange City

Bloomfield residents can attend an information session on Jun. 10 discussing a proposed ordinance, or local law, to change the process for collecting sewer fees. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 1 Municipal Plaza. Registration is required. It will also be live-streamed on the township Facebook page and WBMA-TV. Residents can submit questions about the ordinance by emailing InfoSession@BloomfieldTwpNJ.com by Jun. 8.
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Bloomfield Township

Essex County Clerk’s office released unofficial 2026 primary election results for Bloomfield’s township council race, which only show the Democratic race because no Republican candidates filed to run. Rosalee Gonzalez won the first ward council nomination with 916 votes. Greg Babula won the second ward council nomination with 1,159 votes. Sarah Cruz one the the third ward council nomination with 908 votes. All three candidates names will appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 3.
Essex County Clerk’s Office

“Whispering in the Pines” storytelling event planned at Bloomfield library on Jun. 10. It is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and will explore N.J. legends.
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Bloomfield Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey college students can apply to intern with Sen. Andy Kim’s office by Jun. 26. The internship is from September to December out of Barrington or Jersey City offices. Interns will answer phone calls, accompany staff to local community events, draft memos, and more. Applications are available online. Add to 📅.
Senator Andy Kim

Rep. Analilia Mejia and Joe Hathaway won the primary election for N.J.’s 11th congressional district, according to the Associated Press. Mejia won the Democratic primary with 47,849 votes and Hathaway ran in the Republican primary unopposed. Both names will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for the general election. The winner will represent parts of Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties.
The Associated Press

Rep. LaMonica McIver and Carmen Bucco won the primary election for N.J.’s 10th congressional district, according to the Associated Press. McIver won the Democratic primary with 35,847 votes and Bucco ran in the Republican primary unopposed. Both names will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for the general election. The winner will represent parts of Essex, Union, and Hudson counties.
The Associated Press

Sen. Cory Booker and Justin Murphy won the primary election for N.J.’s U.S. Senator seat, according to the Associated Press. Booker ran in the Democratic primary unopposed and Murphy won the Republican primary with 80,004 votes. Both names will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for the general election. The winner will represent N.J. at the federal level.
The Associated Press