Essex County Daily Buzz: Jul. 28, 2026
News, events, and civic info for Essex County for Jul. 28, 2026.
Follow local news and events in Essex County with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Jul. 28, 2026 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Wax in the Stacks Record Club meeting planned at Bloomfield library on Aug. 3. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Attendees share and listen to records together. Register by emailing alex.russo@bloomfield.bccls.org or calling 973-566-6200 ext. 215.
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Bloomfield Public Library
Children can attend Bloomfield Soccer Club’s fall 2026 programs. The season starts in September. Registration is available online.
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Bloomfield Soccer Club
Bloomfield Animal Shelter seeks adoptive families for cats and kittens. Reduced fees are available through Jul. 31. Applications are available online.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter
Veggie English muffin pizza cooking class for youth planned virtually with Glen Ridge library on Aug. 3. It begins at 11 a.m. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library
Free outdoor concert with The Verdict planned with Essex County parks on Aug. 4 in Irvington. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Irvington Park.
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Essex County Parks
Youth and adults can learn about federal-level representatives on Jul. 29 at Maplewood library’s Main Branch. It is from 5-6:15 p.m. and is part of the library’s summer civics series. Registration is not required.
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Maplewood Public Library
Niheema Malloy was recently sworn in as Maplewood’s chief of police. Malloy’s appointment follows the retirement of Albert Sally.
Maplewood Township
“The Attack On Voting Rights And The War On Black People” forum planned with People’s Organization for Progress on Aug. 3 in Maplewood. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Maplewood library’s Main Branch.
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People’s Organization for Progress
Montclair Animal Shelter seeks donations of laundry detergent. Items can be purchased through the shelter’s Amazon Wishlist.
Montclair Township Animal Shelter
Toni’s Kitchen is hiring a full-time social worker. Responsibilities include overseeing guest registration, expanding services, team management, program evaluation, case management, and supportive counseling. Email resumes and expression of interest to guestsupport@toniskitchen.org.
Toni’s Kitchen
Concert with Rebirth Brass Band as part of Montclair Jazz Festival’s Soundcheck Series planned on Aug. 4 in Montclair. The event is from 6-10 p.m. at the Wellmont Arts Plaza.
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Montclair Jazz Festival
“The Psychology of Divorce: A Practical Guide for Coping with Separation-Related Challenges” class planned with Montclair library on Aug. 4. It is from 6:15-7:45 p.m. at Van Vleck House and Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St. Enrollment is $65.
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Montclair Public Library
Free movie screening of “Yes Day” planned with Newark recreation on Aug. 4. It is from 8-11 p.m. at Military Park.
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Newark Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services
Newark seeks community feedback on transportation gaps for food assistance in an online survey. Responses will inform ways residents access food resources.
Newark City
Nutley Little Theatre is accepting director submissions for its 2027-2028 season. Interested directors can submit up to two plays and a letter of interest by emailing SeasonplanningNLT@gmail.com. Deadline is Dec. 15.
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Nutley Little Theater
Rise Aerial Yoga and Fitness recently opened in Nutley. It is located at 196 Franklin Ave. It is open Mondays through Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Rise Aerial Yoga and Fitness
Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange has a new playground apparatus, water features, and rubber surface. It also has a new playing surface at the basketball court.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Grove Park in South Orange will close for construction on Aug. 1. It will have new walking paths, landscaping, benches, and trash receptacles. The playground will remain open.
South Orange Village
Keepsake Studios, a tattoo shop, recently opened at 17 Scotland Rd. in South Orange. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
South Orange Downtown
REGIONAL NEWS
Workers at companies with 15 employees will receive family leave benefits under a state law signed in January by then-Gov. Phil Murphy. The law previously applied to companies with at least 30 employees. It allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and earn up to 85% of their weekly pay, with a limit of $1,119 in 2026. Eligible employees must have worked with their employer for at least three months and worked at least 250 hours within that period. The law also entitles workers to their previous position or one with equivalent pay, benefits, and seniority upon returning from family leave. It went into effect on Jul. 17.
New Jersey Patch
Author
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Related Articles
“The Attack On Voting Rights And The War On Black People” forum at Maplewood library Aug. 3
From People’s Organization for Progress.
N.J.’s expanded family leave protections went into effect Jul. 17
From New Jersey Patch.
Toni’s Kitchen hiring full-time social worker
From Toni’s Kitchen.