Sandy Cleanup Costs, Increase in School Violence, Montclair Ambulance Worker Dies in Crash, and Holiday Guides

Montclair is bracing to pay out more than $400,000 for overtime and cleanup costs associated with Hurricane Sandy, according to early estimates.

The Montclair School District is expecting to get a bill for more than $100,000 to repair damage done by Super Storm Sandy, according to early estimates. 

Interim Business Administrator Nick Puleio said on Monday that the district is still evaluating the cost for repairs of the storm that knocked out power to several schools and canceled classes for more than a week, but he believed the final number will be at least six figures. 

Montclair Ambulance Worker Dead in Newark Crash

A Montclair ambulance attendant is dead following a multi-vehicle crash Monday in Newark that left three others injured, authorities said.

The number of incidents of violence and vandalism reported in Montclair schools in 2011-12 was up by about 19 percent compared to the previous six years. 

The district’s annual Violence and Vandalism Report was presented to the Board of Education at its Monday meeting by Assistant Superintendent Felice Harrison.

Montclair Public Library Launches Annual Fundraiser

The Montclair Public Library Foundation has launched its annual fundraising campaign.

Due to continuing declines in budgetary funds, the library has set this year’s goal at $200,000. In addition, the library will publish an essay series entitled, "My First Chapter," each week written by different literary figures. The first installment can be found below.

Brookdale Park Gets Nearly 140 New Trees

Workers planted 136 young trees throughout the Bloomfield side of the park Wednesday, which also spans Montclair, thanks to a more than $20,000 urban grant.

Letter to the Editor: 'I Give Thanks'

One resident reflects on the positives that Sandy provided.

The 2012 Holiday Book List

From great family reads to picture books to page-turners, this is our list of the must have books this holiday season. And if you have a suggestion, click on the link and add it to the comment section at the bottom of the article!

We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s.

How to Handle Holiday Stress

The Montclair Community Pre-K offers some advice for you and your family during these hectic holiday times.

Saint Barnabas Warns of Cold and Flu

As cold and flu season gets into full swing, Saint Barnabas Medical Center reminds residents that there are many precautions to take to stay healthy.

County News: Chaos Breaks Out at Newark City Hall Following Controversial Vote

The Newark Municipal Council meeting ended in chaos Tuesday after Mayor Cory Booker tried to cast the deciding vote in favor of a replacement for former Council President Donald Payne, who was elected to Congress earlier this month.