ESSEX COUNTY, NJ - In response to the ongoing challenges of food insecurity and the financial strain caused by inflation, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the organization of a Spring Emergency Food Distribution Event. Aimed at supporting families in need, the event will distribute 1,000 boxes containing non-perishable food items on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event will take place on Thursday, March 28, at 9 a.m. at the Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center (Entrance via Heller Parkway), Newark, NJ
The event will proceed regardless of weather conditions.
Essex County Executive DiVincenzo emphasizes the critical need for this initiative, saying, “Many families are facing food insecurity because of inflation and the rising costs of food and energy. We are pleased to present this Spring Food Distribution Event for those who are in dire need and to make sure all our families have access to nutritious food."
For residents planning to drive to Branch Brook Park, entry is advised through the Heller Parkway or southern entrances. Access from Mill Street and other northern entrances will be restricted to prevent left turns into the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center's parking area.
Those arriving on foot are encouraged to approach the distribution site at the Cherry Blossom Center Welcome Center. It is advisable for pedestrians to bring a cart for convenience.
Please note that bus entry will be restricted for the event.
This initiative is part of Essex County’s broader commitment to addressing hunger, with over 70 food distribution events previously organized across the county. These efforts have contributed to the distribution of an estimated three million meals, showcasing Essex County’s dedication to its residents’ well-being.
]]>NEWARK, NJ –, The Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its annual Women’s History Month celebration at the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge on Wednesday evening, March 13th.
This event commemorates the legacy of women’s rights and achievements, and recognizes women leaders in Essex County for their contributions to their communities. Bloomfield Councilwoman Jenny Mundell was among three honorees for this year's event. Millburn Mayor Annette Romano and Leslie Ingram Lewis of Mind Body Spirit P.T. in Bloomfield were also honored.
“Tonight we remember the strides toward women's civil rights we enjoy, and the people who have sacrificed to bring them about,” said Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares. “We also acknowledge the threats to women's freedom that persist – to bodily autonomy, to reproductive rights, to maternal health – and the work that remains to be done. We are thankful for the strong women in our lives and communities of every background. They are the hearts of our communities. Congratulations to all our honorees!”
About the honorees;
Bloomfield Councilwoman Jenny Mundell, presented by Commissioner President Pomares, has served on the Bloomfield Town Council since 2017. She is also a Vice President of Development for RWJBarnabas Health.In 2023, when the local synagogue was firebombed, Jenny took a lead role in bringing key local, county, and state stakeholders together to ensure the community felt safe and supported.
Leslie Ingram Lewis, presented by Commissioner Brendan W. Gill, is passionate about and committed to improving the overall health and well-being of others. A former fashion model and pre-law student, Leslie is a registered and certified fitness instructor, personal trainer and entrepreneur. She is a highly regarded fitness expert and wellness coach, and owner-operator of Mind Body Spirit, Personal Training in Bloomfield. With over 40 years in the fitness industry, Leslie tailors her approach to individuals of all ages, focusing on nutrition, strength training and overall health and wellness.
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MAPLEWOOD, NJ -- Frank Sanchez, the principal of Columbia High School, was arrested last Friday, March 8 on charges of Second Degree Felony of Child Endangerment and Simple Assault.
According to a statement from Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant prosecutor for Essex County, Sanchez was put on administrative leave in early January.
Sanchez turned himself in on Monday, March 11 at the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in Newark.
Sanchez is accused of engaging in a fight with a student at Columbia High School in March 2023. The student in question was an African-American girl.
During the Feb. 29 meeting of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education, several people spoke in favor of Sanchez, asking for his anticipated return. Dr. Frank Gilbert, acting Superintendent of School, stated that Sanchez would not be returning before March. He further said on that date that "Sanchez is still being investigated."
Gilbert issued this statement to TAPinto SOMA: "I am deeply saddened by the news of charges against the Columbia High School principal, the latest in a series of unexpected events that have happened in our District during this school year. No matter what our feelings may be at this time, our focus must be on meeting the needs of Columbia High School students, their families, and staff. I am working with my administration colleagues to make sure we continue to fulfill our obligations to the people we serve."
]]>East Orange/Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. highlighted improvements in East Orange and Orange during his 2024 State of the County Address at the Essex County Hospital Center on February 29th. The speech was an opportunity for the County Executive to share accomplishments of the past year and outline initiatives planned for the coming year.
“Essex is a government that is anticipating needs and always evolving. From newborns, to children, to families, to seniors – at every stage of life we are always there to help people. We are improving the landscape for today and tomorrow” was how DiVincenzo began his speech.
Prior to the speech, a short video highlighted the impact that Turtle Back Zoo, Watsessing Park, Independence Park, Branch Brook Park, South Mountain Recreation Complex and the Donald Payne School of Technology have on children and was narrated by children who have special connections to those places. In addition, a video message of congratulations from Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. was played.
He highlighted that the sound fiscal practices he has followed have enabled the ECUA to pay off $102 million of debt and be debt free, ECIA to reduce its debt in half, and for the County to pay off the $405 million for the Correctional Facility and retire all the $58 million of debt for our Hospital Center. “Our decisions will prevent future generations from being burdened,” he said.
DiVincenzo outlined a multitude of capital improvement projects that will be conducted this year. The list includes updating softball, baseball and soccer fields and tennis and paddleball courts, renovating the Parks Administration Building, modernizing Weequahic Golf Course and the two-mile rubberized walking path in Weequahic Park, completing construction of the new Bilal Beasley Community Center in Irvington Park and the new Sheriff Armando and Mary Fontoura Community Center in Independence Park, starting construction of the community center in Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange, NJ, and building the new Barry Ostrowsky Animal Welfare Center in Turtle Back Zoo and continuing the construction of the Essex County Wynona Lipman Family Courts Building in Newark.
“Modernizing facilities and opening new buildings are important, but naming them in honor of past leaders builds confidence, pride and passes their legacies onto the next generation,” DiVincenzo said. The Samuel Okparaeke Career Exploration & Technology Room was dedicated at the Essex County One-Stop Career Center located at 50 South Clinton Street in East Orange, NJ, to remember the former director who worked to empower and help others rejoin the workforce. Three bronze busts were added to the lobby of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Building to honor Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Thurgood Marshall and Civil Rights activist Rabbi Joachim Prinz. The County Executive added that a bronze bust of East Orange’s own, the late Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver will be dedicated in the spring.
Over the last six years, each of the Essex County Schools of Technology District’s have been modernized – Donald Payne School of Technology and Newark Tech in Newark and the West Caldwell School of Technology in West Caldwell. Students in the district also are excelling, taking classes at area colleges with some earning an Associate’s degree at the same time as their high school diploma. The Essex County College Satellite Campus also was redone with a new school building, soccer field and parking deck.
“Preparing for the future does not look the same for everyone. Our new continuing education and employment training program at our jail is helping to create lasting skills that can help inmates transition back into the community and workforce,” the County Executive said. He also spoke about a new initiative – the Restorative and Transformative Justice Hub Pilot Program – “to address the real issues that are negatively impacting the lives of our juveniles and hopefully keep them from ending up in our Juvenile Detention Center,” he added.
“Since the beginning, we have been laser focused on revitalizing our Parks System and providing recreation facilities that meet the changing needs of our residents,” he said. Among the many improvement projects were the opening of the Wally Choice Community Center in Glenfield Park in Montclair and the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branch Brook Park in Newark. The Ronald Rice Sport Complex in Vailsburg Park in Newark was opened with new football, baseball and softball fields and a running track and Francis Byrne Golf Course received a comprehensive update.
“These projects immediately transform our landscape. But they have long-term impacts that benefit the community by giving young people up-to-date, safe fields where they can play with their friends, learn the game and understand the importance of sportsmanship,” he added.
Turtle Back Zoo also enjoyed a historic year and set a new attendance record of almost 980,000 visitors. Another highlight was the opening of the new Island Giants Exhibit featuring alligators and Komodo dragons. This exhibit was named in honor of Commissioner Patricia Sebold for her support of the zoo and Parks System.
“We have press conferences, open new facilities and dedicated buildings. All of this would not be possible without our 3,600 employees, collaborative partners, constitutional officers and agency chiefs,” DiVincenzo said. “When I look in the faces of our children and grandchildren, I see our future. They are why we do what we do. And I want to make it better for them. Our vision for the future is always about Putting Essex County First!”
]]>Essex County high school juniors working toward a career in law enforcement may have an opportunity in an upcoming internship program.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is offering a four-week internship that is a mix of workshops, guest speakers and class trips, Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II announced. Nicole Graves-Watson, the Community Justice Coordinator, manages the program.
“The Summer Youth Internship has been fundamental to the growth of so many high school students from Essex County who now work professionally in criminal justice and law enforcement,” Graves-Watson said in a news release. “So, if you are a high school junior with an interest in these fields, this is the internship for you.”
The program runs July 5 to Aug. 2, 2024, officials said. Classes start at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m., and students who complete the program will receive stipends, officials said.
The internship is only for Essex County students who will complete their junior year in June 2024.
Applications for the internship program are on the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office website.
Students will be chosen for the program and the ECPO Community Justice Advisory Board will make the final student selections based on the following criteria, officials said:
The application deadline is March 18. For more information, contact Graves-Watson at nicole.graves@njecpo.org.
]]>East Orange, NJ - County officials confirmed that Essex County’s Code Blue procedures are being enacted because the temperature is forecasted to drop below 32 degrees. Essex County is extending its Code Blue protocols from Saturday, February 24th at 8 p.m. to Sunday, February 25th at 8 a.m.
“Providing our homeless residents with a warm place to stay during extreme weather conditions is important for their safety and well-being. We thank our participating shelters and warming stations who are working with us to open their doors in these times of need,” DiVincenzo said.
“Our homeless residents need a warm place to stay when winter weather gets this bad. The organizations opening their doors are providing a great service and helping us protect the safety of these vulnerable residents,” Fontoura said.
For residents in East Orange who are single men, Joi's Angels is providing warming station services, along with other sites throughout the County.
When a Code Blue is declared, a network of warming stations operated by the County and its municipalities and shelters operated by the community-based organizations will be opened. The warming stations identified include a variety of public libraries, senior centers, civic and community centers, school buildings, houses of worship, firehouses and first aid squad buildings. Warming stations are generally open during the day and may not provide overnight accommodation. However, shelters do provide overnight accommodation. In addition, shelters that regularly require occupants to leave during the day will suspend that practice, so people can stay indoors.
To find a full list of participating shelters, visit www.NJ211.org or dial 2-1-1.
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