Monkey Statue Reappears, Disappears

The Cedar Grove monkey statue dressed like President Barack Obama is no more.

Neighbors in Cedar Grove said they saw the statue, which people said had racial implications, outside Don-Ric Self Storage on Little Falls Road on Saturday.

While no one knows what happened to the statue, it was gone on Monday.

Verona Man Arrested For Damaging Church Statues

Verona police have arrested a 30-year-old township man they believe was responsible for using a hammer to damage several religious statues at the Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona police said Wednesday morning.

Elliott S. Bennett was charged with third-degree criminal mischief for using the hammer to damage statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus and St. John at the church, located at 32 Lakeside Ave. in Verona on Aug. 12.

Grove Petitions Board for Additional Parking

Representatives from The Grove catering hall asked the Cedar Grove Planning Board Tuesday night to add 39 parking spaces to its venue and to allow off-site parking.

The Cedar Grove Planning Board is expected to vote on the measure at its Sept. 18 meeting.

'Ambitious' School Construction on Schedule

Summer construction at Cedar Grove schools have been an “ambitious project,” but in several cases the work has been completed ahead of schedule, the architect in charge of the construction told the board of education Thursday night.

Architect Robert Donahue gave the school board a construction update on several revitalization projects at the board’s first meeting since June 26.

Local High Schools Ranked by Magazine

Cedar Grove school officials are elated with a magazine’s report showing the district advanced 29 places in a poll of the state’s top high schools.

However, officials in Verona are questioning that district falling 17 places in the poll.

Residents Deliver for Local Charities

A new study released Monday by The Chronicle of Philanthropy shows Essex County residents, and especially Verona and Cedar Grove residents are generous with their donations.

Charitable donations for non-profits and religious institutions in the state for 2008 ranked New Jersey in eighth place in the country, according to the report.

Frelinghuysen Meets, Greets Area Constituents

U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen made campaign stops at two area restaurants Wednesday night to introduce himself to new constituents in the redistricted 11^th Congressional district.

Frelinghuysen (R-11th District) stopped at the Verona Diner, 676 Bloomfield Ave. and The Grasshopper Restaurant in Cedar Grove, 292 Grove Ave., and introduced himself to Essex County residents, many of whom didn’t know the incumbent or realize he represented them in Washington.