Essex County Daily Buzz: Aug. 6, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Free outdoor concert with E Street Shuffle, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band, planned with Essex County parks on Aug. 12 in Cedar Grove. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Cedar Grove Park.
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Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Bloomfield Youth Band seeks monetary donations to support its building rental fees and insurance premiums. Donations are accepted online.
Bloomfield Youth Band

Cabaret class planned with NiCori Studios and Productions on Sep. 13 to Nov. 1 in Bloomfield. Times vary. Located at 375 Watchung Ave. There will be a culminating showcase.
NiCori Studios and Productions

East Orange-based contractors and suppliers can attend an information session discussing contracting opportunities in the city on Aug. 12. It is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Embark Lobby, 533 Main St. It will discuss ways to be involved in work at The Crossings at Brick Church Station. Registration is available online.
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East Orange City

Tex-Mex beef taco cooking class for youth in grades 8-12 planned at East Orange library on Aug. 14. Participants will make the stew from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Registration is not required. Limited to the first 12 attendees.
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East Orange Public Library

Free skills-building session for toddlers planned by Glen Ridge library on Aug. 13. The program is from 9:30-11 a.m. Participants will trace patterns, color, and practice eye-hand coordination. Registration is not required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

“Fatherhood Summer Celebration” planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Aug. 15 in Irvington. It is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Irvington Park. There will be family activities, a mobile barber, a clothes drive, and more. Registration is required.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Outdoor concert with The Men of Soul planned with Maplewood arts and culture on Aug. 14. It is from 7-9 p.m. at the Springfield Avenue Gazebo. There will be food trucks and arts and crafts. Free admission.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Escape room planned at Maplewood library on Aug. 14 in the Main Branch. It is from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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Maplewood Public Library

Community meeting reexamining Montclair’s master plan report planned on Aug. 10. It begins at 6 p.m. at Montclair library’s Bellevue Branch and will discuss the Upper Montclair Business District.
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Montclair Township

“Jamboree and Block Party” planned with Montclair Jazz Festival on Aug. 15. It begins at 12 p.m. at Lackawanna Station. There will be live music, food and artisan vendors, and family activities. Free admission.
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Montclair Jazz Festival

Vintage crawl and record fair planned at Lackawanna Station on Aug. 15 in Montclair. It is from 12-8 p.m.
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Lackawanna Station

“Bring Your Own Book” club meeting planned at Newark library on Aug. 12 in the Main Branch. It is from 6-8 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Newark Public Library

“Riverfront House with DJ Omar Abdallah” planned with Newark parks on Aug. 14. it is from 5-9 p.m. at Riverfront Park.
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Newark City Parks Foundation

Free market for families affected by detention and deportation planned with North NJ Democratic Socialists of America on Aug. 15. There will be clothes, furniture, baby clothes and diapers, school supplies, toys, groceries, and more. It is from 3-8 p.m. Location available upon request.
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North NJ Democratic Socialists of America

Live animal show planned at Nutley library on Aug. 13. It begins at 2 p.m. Limited to Nutley residents registered for the summer reading program.
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Nutley Public Library

Food distribution planned at Orange library on Aug. 15. It is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People must bring their own bags. Food includes produce and groceries.
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City of Orange Township

United Asian Voices of West Orange seeks vendors, sponsors, performers, and students for its Diwali Festival, scheduled for Oct. 11. It will be from 1-6 p.m. at West Orange High School. Applications available online.
United Asian Voices of West Orange

Concert with Jersey Sound planned with Belleville recreation on Aug. 13. It begins at 7 p.m. at Belleville High School. Food trucks are on site.
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Belleville Recreation Department

Community blood drive planned with American Legion Auxiliary Unit 105 on Aug. 14 in Belleville. It is from 4-6 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church. Appointments are encouraged.
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American Legion Auxiliary Unit 105

REGIONAL NEWS

“The State of Safe Drinking Water in NJ Conference” planned with NAACP-Oranges and Maplewood on Aug. 15 in South Orange. It will include conversations with advocates, policymakers, and community leaders discussing safe drinking water across N.J. Free admission. Breakfast and lunch included. Registration is required. Add to 📅.
Oranges & Maplewood: NAACP

A total of 654 police officers in N.J. were fired, demoted, or suspended for more than five days in 2025 over misconduct, ranging from poor attendance to excessive force, according to data from the state Attorney General’s office. That number is the highest since N.J. started reporting disciplinary action in 2020. In 2025, the offenses included domestic violence, harassment, violating pursuit policy, testing positive for drugs while on duty, mishandling evidence, abuse of power, excessive force, misplacing firearms, and accepting bribes to smuggle weapons and contraband to people in jail. Officers who received major discipline represent 169 law enforcement agencies across N.J. The state Department of Corrections showed the most misconduct, with disciplinary reports running for 150 pages. The state Attorney General’s office also released data showing that internal affairs detectives opened more than 16,000 investigations involving 10,000 unique officers in 2025 with about 40% of incidents ending in written or oral reprimands.
New Jersey Monitor