Water Runoff, Nutley Sues Verizon Top Essex News

10 Suggestions Given to Reduce Rahway Runoff

Storm water management experts proposed 10 regional practices to deal with water infiltration for the 24 municipalities affected by the Rahway River watershed, which spans three counties, Essex, Morris and Union, in Thursday evening's conference.

Nutley Fighting Loss of Telephone Tax Revenue

The Nutley Board of Commissioners voted this week to join a lawsuit with Hopewell Township and the New Jersey League of Municipalities to keep from losing $200,000 in taxes from Verizon.

Because the number of residents using land lines has dropped, the company has notified the township it no longer expects to pay taxes on its telephone pole and electrical lines, said Commissioner Thomas Evans, the director of the township’s Dept. of Revenue and Finance.

Councilman Supports Adoption of Pit Bull

Following another forceful public comment session at last night’s township council meeting, Councilman Bernard Hamilton said the adoption of Memphis the pit bull had to be resolved for the good of the township.

“From my perspective, when there’s activity without results or resolution, chaos continues.  We need to cut the chaos.  We need to make a decision.”

He said the two most important issues are the image of the township and the protection of the shelter, both of which were being compromised by the months-long standoff between animal advocates and the township.

Livingston Resident Pleads Guilty to Kickbacks

A Livingston resident pleaded guilty on Wednesday to using his internal medicine practice to participate in a cash-for-patients scheme with a diagnostic facility in Orange, N.J. Dr. Dinesh Patel, 58, agreed to pay back thousands of dollars in bribe money he received in the past two years, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Eminent Authority on NJ Land Use Laws Dies

Longtime Caldwell municipal attorney and a statewide authority in land use matters Stuart R. Koenig died Saturday. He was 65.

Koenig died suddenly while playing tennis, a sport that he loved, at the Bradford Bath and Tennis Club in Cedar Grove.

Koenig was a partner in the law firm of Stickel, Koenig & Sullivan in Cedar Grove, where he lived.

Newark Man Dead After Stolen Motorcycle Crash

A Newark man is dead after crashing a stolen motorcycle into an ice-cream truck Monday night in Irvington, authorities announced.

Derrick Singleton, 23, died after crashing a 2011 Suzuki GSR 1100 motorcycle into the passenger side of an ice-cream truck at 7:34 p.m. in the area of Adams Street and Orange Avenue, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Verona's Hobcaw Cafe Closes

After slightly more than two years of serving the Verona community with fresh, Southern-inspired food, Verona’s popular Hobcaw Cafe permanently closed its doors Tuesday.

Nancy McArthur, a National Gourmet Institute graduate opened the restaurant in May 2010 offering seasonal menus, featuring Southern-inspired food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, using only fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

The cafe closed for a number of reasons, McArthur said. It was impossible to make the numbers work while preparing all meals from scratch, from fresh ingredients, while ensuring substantial wages for her employees, she said.

Nutley's 'Tan Mom' Gets Help

Using her name and fame, the 'Tan Mom' of Nutley, Patricia Krentcil, has teamed up with the author of 'The Skin Regime' in a series of webisodes on Youtube about improving her skin.

Currently featured on Dana Ramos's website for her book, 'The Skin Regime; Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin' , Krentcil stars in her first two webisodes, 'Tanning Mom Gets a Face Peel' and 'Adorable Anna.'

Montclair Hit By Four Burglaries In Four Days

Over a four-day period, four Montclair homes were targeted by burglars, according to Montclair Police.

Residents reported burglaries on Prospect Avenue, Enfield Terrace, Greenwood Avenue and Washington Street.

The Grove Parking Application Gains Approval

After two months of deliberations and hearings, the Cedar Grove Planning Board approved an application from The Grove catering hall for 39 new parking spaces Tuesday night.

The board’s 7-1 approval, following a three-hour meeting, is contingent on several conditions being met by the facility including the elimination of grass islands for additional parking, granting certain off-site parking conditions and allowing smaller buffer zones in certain areas.

Parade Celebrates Puerto Rican Heritage 

New Jersey's largest display of Puerto Rican pride hit the streets of Newark Sunday with the 51st annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.

The parade, hosted by the Puerto Rican Heritage Statewide Parade of New Jersey, is the largest event of its kind in the state, said Jacqueline Quiles, the group’s president.

This year, the parade, which included U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and  paid homage to the town of Barceloneta.

Police Arrest Irvington Man for DWI

An Irvington resident was arrested for driving while intoxicated after he drove his car into a garage while attempting to park, according to Capt. John Perna of the Maplewood Police Department.

South Park Street: Many Details "Yet To Come"

A nice crowd turned out Saturday to enjoy art, food, and music as part of the Montclair Center Business Improvement District's celebration of the progress that's taken place so far on the redevelopment of South Park Street.

But although everyone enjoyed their sneak peek at the new-and-improved street, there are still additional changes to be made, said Luther Flurry, the BID's executive director.

"First, at a physical level, many details that will give South Park Street a finished look are yet to come," he said. "The trees have been picked and should be planted in October.

South Orange Welcomes Six New Businesses

Six new businesses will hold openings today in South Orange, including  BCB Bank, located at 200 Valley St., Valley Portuguese BBQ, located at 311 Valley St., Spa Lady, located at 55 Academy St., Love & Yogurt, located at 65 S. Orange Ave., Stuff Village Mercantile, located at 50 West S. Orange Ave. and Kimaya Kama, located at 108 West S. Orange Avenue.

Bloomfield Students Closer to Nature

At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, Bloomfield Middle School Principal Sal Goncalves said a new “Living Classroom” initiative will be put into action this year, based on the success of a free program run by the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission this summer.

The program was originally the brainchild of Lois Ross, who conceived of the idea 15 years ago.

Township Will Rent Lights for Memorial Park

The Maplewood Township Committee approved a resolution on Tuesday to rent temporary lighting for the south field at Memorial Park, at a cost not to exceed $28,000. The lights would enable local sports teams such as Cougar Soccer to hold night practices.