Follow local news and events in West Orange with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Aug. 17, 2026 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
LEGO drop-in session for ages 7+ planned at West Orange library on Aug. 24. It is from 4-5 p.m.
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West Orange Public Library
“Queer Reads and Teas” planned at Bloomfield library on Aug. 22. Attendees will share and discuss their favorite queer stories from 2-3:15. Registration is not required. Free tea and iced coffee provided.
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Bloomfield Public Library
“Nat Turner Slave Rebellion Commemoration” planned with People’s Organization for Progress on Aug. 21 in Newark. It begins at 5 p.m. at Nat Turner Park. Nat Turner Rebellion, also known as the Southampton Insurrection, began Aug. 21, 1831 in Southampton County, V.A.
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People’s Organization for Progress
Carla Ferreira, an English teacher at Newark public schools, was named the state Department of Education’s 2026-27 Essex County Teacher of the Year. Ferreira teaches at the Newark School of Architecture and Interior Design.
Newark Public Schools
Free books and backpacks for children planned with Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema on Aug. 22 in Newark. It starts at 11 a.m. at Westside Park Community Center. Breakfast will be served. There will also be raffle gift cards for school uniforms.
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Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema
REGIONAL NEWS
Adults who have been affected by the criminal justice system can apply to “Reentry Rebuild Rise,” a free career readiness program. It begins Sep. 1. Participants are paired with a case manager and career readiness coach, and then introduced to employers. Open to people on parole, probation, pre-trial intervention, intensive supervision program, family court involved, or those who have been formerly incarcerated. Applications are available online. Add to 📅.
Reentry Rebuild Rise
Lakeland Bank will remain under court oversight until September 2027 after it engaged in redlining in Newark, according to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi. The ruling comes after the federal government attempted to end the bank’s five-year consent decree, which Lakeland agreed to in 2022 to resolve allegations of intentional discriminatory practices. Cecchi said that Lakeland must still establish a $12 million subsidy fund for people seeking a mortgage, improvement, and refinance loans.
New Jersey Monitor
