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West Orange

Thursday, December 6, 2012

FBI Seeks Help Identifying TD Bank Robber

FBI releases photos of Monday's robbery at TD Bank.

  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking the public’s help identifying the man who robbed a TD Bank on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange on Monday. The man, described by the FBI as approximately 5’10” tall and 210 lbs., with a large build, salt-and-pepper hair and a goatee, approached a bank teller at approximately 1:15 p.m., brandished a silver semi-automatic handgun and demanded money be placed into a blue bag, officials said. The man was described as wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, a dark sweater, blue jeans and dark shoes, according to the FBI. After getting the money, officials said the man fled on foot and was seen walking north on Pleasant Valley Way. The FBI released several photos of the man on Wednesday.  West Orange…

jim

6:04 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012

That's Andy Reid, the Eagles' Head Coach.   more ›

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

"Homeless to Harvard" Woman is Keynote at NCJW Event

Bestselling author Liz Murray will speak at National Council of Jewish Women event.

  Liz Murray, New York Times bestselling author and subject of the movie “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story,” will be the keynote speaker for the 2012 Opening Event of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Wilshire Grand Hotel (350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange).  From the NCJW/Essex press release:  Overcoming incredible odds to elevate herself from a teenager living alone on the streets to winning a full Harvard University scholarship, Liz has been featured on ABC News "20/20,” "Good Morning America," the "Today Show" and CNN.   Liz’s life is a triumph over adversity and a stunning example of the importance of dreaming big. Her life as the child of cocaine-addicted …

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Holiday Lights Spectacular Returns to Turtle Back Zoo

Admission is free to this family-friendly annual event.

  The following information is from the Essex County Executive's Office.   The Sixth Annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is back at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. The exhibit features 50 animal and holiday-themed figures including bears, tigers and elephants illuminated by over 100,000 lights, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. The event runs at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex (560 Northfield Avenue) through January 1st. From now until Dec. 14, it is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. After Dec. 14, it is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is free. “Turtle Back Zoo will be turned into a Winter …

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Codey Arena Open as Relief Center During Hurricane Sandy

West Orange facility open to residents, pets beginning Sunday 7 p.m.

Essex County Codey Arena in West Orange will open as a relief center beginning Sunday 7 p.m. for residents during Hurricane Sandy, county officials announced. Essex County and the American Red Cross will provide bedding and water those who lose power or need to reach a safe place during the storm, expected to make landfall in New Jersey late Monday. Accommodations for pets will be provided at Codey Arena. All activities at the arena have been canceled and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of next week. The Essex County Parks System will close park roadways beginning Sunday at 7 p.m. as a precautionary measure to protect motorists and pedestrians from fallen trees. "Weather forecasters are predicting that New…

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Orange Reservoir to Undergo Big Changes

A new open-air pavilion, boathouse with paddle boats, and large parking lot expected to be constructed by Essex County at unused reservoir.

Visitors to the South Mountain Reservation will be able to rent paddle boats, bicycle on paths, go fishing and ice skating at the Orange Reservoir, based on plans released by Essex County officials. The county has leased the reservoir, adjacent to the complex and said plans for the new attractions will bring dollars to the county. The 115-acre reservoir will be redeveloped into recreational grounds where people can rent paddle boats, walk, bike, fish and ice skate, among other things. “For a number of years we have been talking about this area and hoping, really hoping that we would someday reach this conclusion,” said Essex County Freeholder Patricia Sebold. “Everyone benefits.”    The county’s plan to redevelop the Orange Reservoir came …

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Ralph

2:28 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012

Adam- The entire complex is part of what the county built and I welcome the investment to make it an even nicer attraction. We certainly need to deal with the back taxes, but this is a win for WO. I have yet to take anyone their and not have them come away with a positive impression of our town. What the town should concentrate on doing is helping to attract new businesses along Northfield Ave by…   more ›

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Upgrades to Richard Codey Arena Unveiled

The $2.2 million project to Rink 2 includes a new refrigeration system, boards and bleachers.

  The first upgrades to the second ice rink at Essex County’s Richard Codey Arena since it opened in 1983 were unveiled yesterday.   The ribbon cutting of the $2.2 million project drew county officials and elected representatives into the chilled air of Rink 2 on Monday. The work included modernizing the refrigeration system, repainting the rink, adding a new concrete floor under the ice surface and outside the rink, and replacing new boards and bleachers. The improvements, said Daniel Salvante, director of the Essex County Department of Parks, “have really put us into the 21st century as far as how we can maintain the ice.” Salvante added the upgrades, begun in April, could not have come to at a better time. The rink is constantly used by…

Patriot

8:22 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

$2.2 million dollars on an upgrade? Are you mad? In this economy? This is nothing but reckless abandon. Absolutely disgusting.......just another method of bankrupting our country and destroying the middle class with Agenda 21 principles. taxpayers do not want our hard earned taxes spent this way. Anyone connected with this should be run out of town and never allowed to hold another position.   more ›

Friday, September 14, 2012

Shillelagh Club Will Put the 'Bald' in St. Baldrick This Saturday

This annual fundraiser returns to help fund cures for childhood cancers.

  The Shillelagh Club is going bald for St. Baldrick’s this weekend when it hosts its annual fundraiser to combat children’s cancer.  People will line up on Saturday to get their hair buzzed to raise funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to finding cures for childhood cancers.  Kevin Kinney, of West Caldwell and who is organizing the event, said about 70 people have already signed up to get their heads shaved by volunteer barbers, such as those from JT’s Barbershop in Verona.  The event continues to draw people year after year from not only West Orange, but the Caldwells, Verona, Montclair and various other communities. The fundraiser will also feature live bands, step dancers, food, and drinks.  “Every year we try…

hazel smith

4:33 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

My husband who is a local Realtor is having his head shaved at this event tomorrow. Its a wonderful way to raise money and show support. These people work really hard collecting donations . Its a great day for people to get together and show their support. My husband lost his Mom August 3rd from Cancer ,so tomorrow he is having his head shaved in his moms memory. Please show up at the Shillelagh …   more ›

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

11 Years After 9/11: 'Essex County Remembers'

Many gather at Eagle Rock Reservation Tuesday morning to recall the terror attacks that changed America forever.

  One of the many who looked out from the September 11 Memorial at Eagle Rock Reservation early Tuesday morning was Richard Harris, a flight attendant for United Airlines. “I have never been to a memorial service,” said Harris. “It was emotional because I knew all the people on that flight, Flight 93." Harris was scheduled to work on Flight 93 that day eleven years ago, which crashed in Shanksville, Pa., but he changed his schedule to work on another plane.  This year, however, he said he wanted to attend a ceremony. “I have to move forward,” he said.   Eleven years ago, crowds watched from Eagle Rock Reservation as the New York City skyline was blackened by smoke after planes hit the World Trade Center buildings. On Tuesday, many returned…

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Mike Bolger

1:54 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012

A beautiful message that we should all embrace.   more ›

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Essex County Remembers 9/11 Tuesday

A ceremony will mark the 11th anniversary of the terror attacks at the September 11 Memorial in West Orange.

  Essex County will hold a memorial service at Eagle Rock Reservation Tuesday morning in West Orange to remember those who died 11 years ago in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.  Overlooking the New York City skyline, Essex County Remembers will mark the eleventh anniversary of the tragedies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m.  The program will include family members who lost a loved one, elected officials, and clergy members from various faiths.  The observance will be held at the reservation's September 11 Memorial, where there stands statues and the names of all 3,000 victims who died that day.  In addition, the county unveiled at the memorial a 7,400-pound piece of steel from the …

Steve

3:21 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Who is the woman on the right in the picture and why is she not covering her heart like the rest?   more ›

Friday, August 17, 2012

Legislators Protest Proposed Voter ID Law

Jasey, McKeon and Spencer join NJ Citizen Action to bring attention to a growing national trend.

  A handful of Essex County legislators stood alongside the state’s largest watchdog coalition Thursday on the lawn of the John P. Renna Jr. House to protest against a proposed voter ID law that is said to disenfranchise elderly, minority, and poor voters.  “What a giant step backwards,” said Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex) about voter ID laws which have been passed across the country. “It is a thinly veiled attempt to oppress votes, and particularly votes of those who might tend to vote Democratic.”  Assemblywomen Mila Jasey (D-Essex) and Grace Spencer (D-Essex), and Congressional candidate John Arvanites joined McKeon along with New Jersey Citizen Action at the Renna House to speak against the laws. New Jersey currently does not have …

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Steven Serebrenik

8:33 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012

Sounds like you have a problem with religion more so than worrying about voting rights...   more ›

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