Essex County Daily Buzz: Dec. 22, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Essex County declares a “Code Blue Activation” from Dec. 21-24 due to forecasted temperatures below 32 degrees. People seeking shelter can visit participating facilities at Joi’s Angels located at 114 S. Arlington Ave. in East Orange and Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corp. located at 346 16th Ave. in Irvington. A complete list is available at NJ 211’s website.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

“Winter Wildlife Explorers Camp” planned by Essex County Environmental Center on Dec. 30-31 in Roseland for ages 6-10. There will be shared stories, crafts, campfires, and forest explorations from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Belleville seeks volunteers to wrap gifts for its Three Kings event on Jan. 2. It begins at 5 p.m. at Belleville Senior Citizens Recreation Center. Pizza is provided. RSVP by email.
Belleville Township

Three Kings Day celebration planned at Belleville High School on Jan. 6. It is from 5:30-7:45 p.m.
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Belleville Township

Belleville youth ages 9-14 can attend the recreation department’s four-week little league baseball clinic, scheduled to start Jan. 17. It meets Saturdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Belleville Indoor Facility. Enrollment is $25. Registration is required.
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Belleville Recreation Department

Children can take home a paper roll penguin craft at West Orange library on Dec. 29. Crafts are available all day at the youth services department. Supplies are available on a first come, first served basis.
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West Orange Public Library

Kwanzaa celebration planned with SOMA Justice on Dec. 27 in Maplewood. It is from 5-7 p.m. at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd. Free admission. Registration is required.
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SOMA Justice

“Noon Year’s Eve Party” planned at SOPAC on Dec. 31 in South Orange. It is form 12-1 p.m. and will include music, food, and a cash bar. Registration is required.
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South Orange Performing Arts Center

Science fiction book group meeting for adults planned with South Orange library on Jan. 3. It is from 1-2 p.m. at The Baird Community Center. Members will discuss “Early Riser” by Jasper Fforde. Registration required. Open to non-library cardholders.
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South Orange Public Library

N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission mobile unit to be stationed in Maplewood on Dec. 29-31 and Jan. 2. Services are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at DeHart Park. Appointments for registration renewal, REAL ID, and replacement title accepted online. Disability placards and license plate returns do not require appointment.
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Maplewood Township

Financial literacy lecture planned at Orange library on Jan. 3. It is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include information about retirement savings and mortgages. Register by phone or text.
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Orange Public Library

Nutley library will host holiday activities for children every day from Dec. 26-31. Registration is not required. A list of activities is available online.
Nutley Public Library

Nutley seniors can register for the recreation department’s memoir-writing class, scheduled to start Jan. 6. It meets Mondays from 10-11 a.m. through Feb. 10. Admission is free. Registration is required.
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Nutley Township

Newark Winter Village will host a “Festivals United Newark Night” on Dec. 24. It is from 4-8 p.m. at Mulberry Commons. There will be ice skating, food, and more.
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Newark Happening

“Women in the Trades: Management and Information Technology” webinar planned with Newark on Dec. 28. It is from 12-1 p.m. Registration is required.
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Newark City

Author reading planned with Newark Culture Club on Dec. 28. It is from 4-7 p.m. at 563 Broad St. and will feature authors Maisy Card and Annell López. Book-themed cocktails will be available for sale. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Newark Culture Club

Poetry jam planned with Qaalii’s Cafe on Jan. 3 in Newark. It begins at 7 p.m. at 41 Halsey St.
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Qaalii’s Cafe

Three Kings Day celebration planned at Essex County College on Jan. 6 in Newark. There will be gifts and face painting from 3:30-7 p.m. at the gymnasium. A rain and snow date is scheduled for Jan. 8.
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Newark Councilman at Large Luis A. Quintana

Montclair-area youth ages 12-18 can earn volunteer hours while making cards for residents of Family of Caring on Dec. 29-30 at Montclair library. It is from 3-5:30 p.m. Participants will earn 30 minutes of volunteer credit for every card they make. Registration is not required.
Montclair Public Library

Financial aid information session with Higher Education Student Assistance Authority planned at Montclair library on Jan. 5 in the Main Branch. The free event is from 6-7:30 p.m. and designed for families. Attendees will learn about available state-based grants, scholarships, and loans. Registration is required.
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Montclair Public Library

Youth in grades 6-12 can attend Glen Ridge library’s crochet classes Jan. 6-7. It begins at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

East Orange’s 2025 Kwanzaa celebration is scheduled for Dec. 29. It is from 5-7 p.m. at the Bowser Family Senior Center.
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East Orange City

Book club meeting for adults planned virtually with East Orange library on Dec. 29. Attendees will discuss recently published fiction titles at 5 p.m. Register by email.
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East Orange Public Library

Bloomfield residents ages 7-21 with learning and developmental disabilities can sign up for Bloomfield recreation’s basketball program, scheduled to start Jan. 10. It meets Saturdays through Feb. 14 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Bloomfield Middle School. Enrollment is $75. Registration available online.
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

REGIONAL NEWS

Gov. Phil Murphy pardoned and reduced sentences of 24 currently or previously incarcerated people in N.J. That brings the total number of Murphy’s pardons to 307 since December 2024, the most by any N.J. governor in state history. Pardons officially forgive the recipient and relieve them of some consequences from conviction. Pardons were given to people throughout the state who were charged with larceny, shoplifting, and drug possession, among others. People can file clemency petitions online at nj.gov/clemency.
Governor Phil Murphy

New Jersey residents can attend a webinar discussing the autonomy and self-determination under the state’s Adult Protective Services on Jan. 8. It is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will be led by NJAPS, healthcare professionals, and advocates for senior safety. Attendees will learn about the APS system, indicators of abuse and neglect, and ways to respond to crisis situations that uphold autonomy. Registration is required. Free admission.Add to 📅.
New Jersey Department of Human Services