Essex County Daily Buzz: Apr. 30, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Orange public school students are eligible to receive free dental exams and x-rays through the Orange Dental Center. Services are available at the Center, 325 Central Ave. Appointments are accepted online.
Orange Public Schools

Middle and high school students with disabilities can attend a panel on May 4 in Maplewood discussing transitioning schools. It is at 7 p.m. at Columbia High School. Designed for students entering grades 6 and 9. The panel will feature experts on middle and high school students. It is hosted by Special Education Advisory Committee SOMA. Free admission.
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Columbia High School Home and School Association

Newark Water Coalition seeks volunteers to clean the Passaic River shoreline along Newark’s Riverfront Park on May 9. It is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 709 Raymond Blvd. Registration is required.
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Newark Water Coalition

Public speaking workshop planned with Islamic Alliance of NJ on May 6 in Bloomfield. It is from 7-8 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civc Center. Attendees will learn how to minimize nerves, improve delivery, and speak with confidence. Free admission. Registration is required.
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Bloomfield Township

AAPI heritage celebration and potluck planned with South Orange recreation on May 17. It is from 1-4 p.m. at the Baird Community Center. People bringing a dish can sign up online. Free admission.
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South Orange Village

“Parent University Cohort Close-Out Celebration” planned with East Orange public schools on May 6. It begins at 7 p.m. at 199 4th Ave. and will celebrate adults who completed the Parent University program. There will be food, giveaways, chair massages, and more. Free admission. Registration required.
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East Orange Public Schools

Bloomfield residents can attend a virtual information session on May 7 discussing a proposed ordinance, or local law, to change the process for collecting sewer fees. It begins at 6 p.m. on the township Facebook page and WBMA-TV. Residents can submit questions about the ordinance by emailing InfoSession@BloomfieldTwpNJ.com by May 4.
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Bloomfield Township

Children ages 4+ can make Mother’s Day cards on May 7 at Newark library’s Weequahic Branch. It is from 4-5 p.m. Supplies provided. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required.
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Newark Public Library

People parking on Alva Street in Belleville from 2-6 a.m. must obtain residential permits. They are available at the code enforcement department at town hall on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. People can call code enforcement at 973-450-3410 to ask questions about required documentation.
Belleville Township

Belleville recently dedicated a street to former mayor Angie Paserchia, who died in 2015. The street is on the corner of Kimball and Harrison Streets.
Belleville-Nutley Patch

Belleville public schools is hiring a pre-K teacher. Application is available online until May 14.
Belleville Public Schools

Out Montclair seeks local performers for its 2026 Montclair Pride parade, scheduled Jun. 13. Performers must apply by May 15. Open to dancers, singers, artists, poets, bands, and more. The parade is from 12-8 p.m. at Lackawanna Station. Apply online.
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Out Montclair

Youth ages 5-14 can attend Montclair YMCA’s “Camp at the Lake” sessions this summer in West Milford. Programs include day camp, outdoor camp, and sports camp from June to August. Located at 131 Germantown Rd. Registration is required.
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YMCA of Montclair

Ten trees were planted in Irvington as part of an ongoing beautification campaign with the township’s Camptown Business Improvement District and the NJ Tree Foundation. They are located along sidewalks near the intersection of Chancellor Avenue and Woolsey Street.
Essex News Daily

Stargazing session planned with Glen Ridge library on May 4. It is from 9-10:30 p.m. at Hurrell Field and led by with the Morris Museum Astronomical Society. Registration is not required. Youth younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Candidates running for Newark’s mayoral seat will participate in a public forum on May 4. It is from 6-8:30 p.m. at Sport Club Portuguese, 55 Prospect St. in Newark. Participants are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Debra Salters, Douglas Davis, Jhamar Youngblood, Noble Milton, Tanisha Garner, Nasheedah Singleton, and Sheila Montague. Hosted by NAACP-Newark and Ironbound Community Corporation. Election day is May 12. Register online to attend.
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Patch-Newark

South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race appointed Maddy Gabriel as its program coordinator. Gabriel will support program planning and execution.
South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

Music concert fundraiser benefitting Nutley Educational Foundation planned May 8. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at Nutley High School’s auditorium. Performances are by The Duprees, Tee Tones, and Nutley High School Jazz Band. Proceeds will also go towards the Nutley High School music department. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Nutley Educational Foundation

Youth in grades 6-12 can sample American Asian and Pacific Islander snacks at Nutley library on May 7. It begins at 3 p.m. and is in celebration of AAPI month. Registration is not required.
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Nutley Public Library

“Parents Prom” fundraiser for ages 21+ planned with Gregory Elementary School PTA on May 9 in Glen Ridge. It is from 6:30-11 p.m. at the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge, 219 Ridgewood Ave. Proceeds will go towards playground upgrades. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Gregory Elementary School Parent Teacher Association

Montclair Film is accepting festival internship applications until Jun. 5. Interns will help with the festival’s day-to-day operations before, during, and after the event dates, scheduled for Oct. 16-25. The internship is from August to November. To apply, email resume and cover letter to production@montclairfilm.org. Stipend available after completing the internship.
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Montclair Film

The Brookdale, a bar and restaurant in Bloomfield, recently closed. It opened in 2020 and was located at 1099 Broad St. Its owners will continue to operate Ladyfingers Bakery and Bar, located at 1109 Broad St.
Montclair Girl

Adults ages 55+ can attend a social night planned with South Orange recreation on May 8. It is from 5-8 p.m. at The Baird Community Center. There will be trivia and dinner. Admission is $10. Tickets are available online for purchase. Attendees can reserve transportation by calling 973-821-5866. Must be reserved by May 5 at 12 p.m.
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South Orange Village

REGIONAL NEWS

Gov. Mikie Sherrill published an online budget transparency portal, N.J. Report Card, that outlines proposed statewide spending plans for 2027. It includes descriptions of proposed funding for programs and a breakdown of costs. In March, Sherrill presented a $60.7 billion budget proposal for 2027 with investments towards education, transportation, and property tax relief. The proposed annual budget is 4.5% higher than last year’s while the annual rate of inflation is at 2.4%, meaning that spending increases are adjusted to keep up with rising costs. The final state budget draft is due on Jun. 30.
New Jersey Monitor