Memphis Advocates Apply More Pressure

Animal advocates pleaded with Bloomfield officials Monday night to allow Memphis the pitbull to be adopted.   

If the advocates have their way, Mayor Raymond McCarthy will override the decision of Board of Health Director Karen Lore, who has refused to allow the pitbull to be adopted. But there was no indication this would happen.

"You have the power to go get those keys and let Memphis out of his cage," one ardent protestor told McCarthy. "You can be a hero!  That can be your legacy."

Newark Man Sentenced for Smuggling Ring

Nacip Pires of Newark was sentenced to 46 months in prison Thursday for overseeing an operation that brought hundreds of illegal immigrants into the country, including women who became strippers at bars in Newark, US Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement. 

Pires, 48, worked with five others to smuggle immigrants from Brazil, India and other nations. One of those co-conspirators, Claudinei Pereira Mota, 35, is also from Newark and pleaded guilty late last year to a charge of conspiring to bring aliens into the country. 

Medevac Transports Verona Trauma Victim

A man with multiple stab wounds was airlifted to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson Monday after a medical rescue helicopter landed on a Verona field.

Witnesses said the man, who's name was not released, appeared to be in his 50s and because of his wounds, he needed to be transported to the nearest trauma hospital.

Verona LukOil Hikes Price to $8.89/gal

Harjinder Kehal, owner of the LukOil gas station at 655 Bloomfield Ave. in Verona, has seen it all in his 15 years as gasoline franchise dealer in Verona.

That is, until Wednesday morning.

At around 10:30 that day, Kehal joined about 50 other LukOil's around the state setting the price of gasoline on his pumps at more than $8 a gallon to protest the extra 5 to 20 cents LukOil suppliers charge franchises.

'Save our Water' Approved By Newark Council

More than a hundred spectators burst into applause following a Newark Municipal Council vote Tuesday for a citizen-initiated ordinance prohibiting the formation of a utility authority without voter approval. That ordinance, however, is now being reviewed by the courts and may yet be defeated. 

“It is my honor to move in favor of the people’s ordinance,” Councilwoman-at-Large Mildred Crump said moments before the vote was taken.

Man Assaulted and Robbed on Jacoby Street

A Maplewood resident was assaulted and robbed in the 100 block of Jacoby Street while walking home from a bus stop last week, according to the Maplewood Police Department.

The man had gotten off the bus at Springfield and Boyden avenues shortly after 9 p.m. on Sept. 6 and was walking to his house when he was hit from behind and robbed of his iPhone and iPod, said Det. Lt. Michael Marucci.

Montclair Hit By Robberies, Burglaries

Residents reported burglaries on James Street, Prospect Avenue, Gordonhurst Avenue, and elsewhere, as well as robberies on North Mountain Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue.

Residents, Officials Debate Lion Gate project

In anticipation of a vote on the proposed Lion Gate-Scientific Glass development project, residents and township officials at this week’s council meeting expressed fear and concern about overcrowded schools in the district.

“While I’m very happy to hear about commercial and residential development in the township, I want to ensure that the Board and its officers know the impact that further development will have on its schools,” said Bloomfield School District Attorney Nicholas Dotoli during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Camp Horizons Closes

After 28 years in business, Livingston-based Camp Horizons has closed, owner Neil Rothstein said this week.

He blamed Newark Academy for the closure saying the school declined to renew the camp's lease.

"The camp is over," said Rothstein. "We're very sad to leave." The camp has been located at Newark Academy for 28 years. Camp Horizons shared the campus with sports camps and summer academics offered by the school. "The school plans to expand the summer offerings," said Rothstein.

Livingston Participates in Preparedness Month

In an effort to help the town’s residents be aware in the case of emergencies, Livingston has decided to participate in this year’s National Preparedness Month. 

Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families and businesses to take action and prepare for emergencies.

Millburn School Board to Hire Classroom Aides

At Millburn's Board of Education meeting this week, the board approved hiring part-time aides as a result of the student enrollment preliminary figures. Those numbers showed an unexpected rise in Deerfield Elementary's kindergarten and Hartshorn Elementary's third grade class size.

"This has caused, shall we say, challenges for us," Superintendent Dr. James Crisfield said. "I've spoken with the principals at both school and we've identified some people that are going to be very helpful."

Coach Enthusiastic About Millburn Field Hockey 

Millburn's new field hockey coach Sarah Pallino has a positive outlook about this year's team and feels the key to success revolves around the team's 10 seniors.

Maplewood Man Finds State's Best Ethnic Foods

When South Orange and Maplewood residents wonder where to find great Italian food around, they turn to EthnicNJ.com. The local website, founded by Maplewood's Anthony Ewing, maps and reviews ethnic food around the Garden State.

"Since launching EthnicNJ.com in May 2010," says Ewing, "the website has really taken off. Readership has grown dramatically. The site's coverage has expanded to map over 700 restaurants serving 60 different ethnic cuisines."

What Can County Surrogate Judge Do for You?

When campaigning for his position last year, Essex County Surrogate Judge Theodore N. Stephens II heard the same question over and over from residents, "What the heck is a surrogate?"

Stephens recounted this when he made a presentation about his responsibilities at the West Caldwell Council conference meeting last week.

The Surrogate Office, Stephens explained, administers in family law matters, specifically in the areas of wills, estates and trusts, as well as processes adoptions, assigns guardianships and manages a minor's intermingled trust fund.

Church Celebrates New Worship Space

Life Source Church has found a new home in the Caldwells. 

The church will mark its third anniversary and celebrate its new worship space at 31 Fairfield Ave., in West Caldwell, on Sunday, Sept. 16.

“This move to our new facility allows us continue our commitment to be a contemporary Christian church for western Essex County as our church is steadily growing,” said Lead Pastor Jonathan Papa.

Life Source Church opened on Sept. 13, 2009 at 6 Washburn Place in Caldwell, according to Papa.