SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Friday, June 5, South Orange residents – symptomatic or asymptomatic – can be tested for COVID-19 at a drive-through location in the SOPAC parking lot.

The Township of South Orange Village, in partnership with The Smith Center for Infectious Diseases, will be holding the testing from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm for residents who want to be tested.  The ...

NEWARK, NJ — Recognizing its status as one of the areas most affected by the coronavirus. Essex County expanded its testing to some of Newark’s more hard-to-serve populations this week, including the Ironbound’s immigrant community. 

Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Newark), who was part of the team that set up a pop-up site in the parking lot of the Seabra ...

TRENTON, NJ — Garden State eateries continuing to hurt because of COVID-19 will get further relief June 15 when the state will begin allowing for in-person outdoor dining.

Gov. Phil Murphy, in announcing the executive order Wednesday, said he himself has a reservation for June 15 although he didn’t say where.

“I hope folks with some confidence feel they can get ...

TRENTON, NJ - In the wake of days of civil unrest across the nation, Gov. Phil Murphy addressed New Jersey's efforts by law enforcement at collaboration and trust-building with the public while also unveiling a new data point to bolster his decision to move the state farther along its path toward restarting its stalled economy in the wake of COVID-19.

Yesterday Murphy used ...

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Deputy Chief Albert Sally told the Community Board on Police that the Maplewood Police Department will “use restraint” during any protest in the township.

Sally’s remarks came during a discussion at last night’s meeting, held via Zoom, about police behavior during potential local protests. Deputy Chair Kasia Piekarz asked, ...

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Village President Sheena Collum has responded to the open letters from the state police and fire unions released earlier today, in an email to union representatives at the state and local level and the Village Board of Trustees:

I offered to Firefighter [James “Jimmy”] Jennings [president of South Orange FMBA Local 40] that I would be available to ...

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A coalition of New Jersey LGBTQ+ and ally organizations will lead a march and rally in support of #BlackLivesMatter, to protest racial injustice and systemic racism and to raise awareness that white privilege in the queer community has gone unrecognized, unowned and unchallenged.

Walk With Us For Black Queer Lives will march and rally on Sunday, June 7.

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday kept up his praise for New Jersey residents marching for George Floyd, but admitted he was concerned over a spike in COVID-19 cases as a result of the crowds.

“Yes, I’m concerned but it’s not a reason not to protest,” the governor said this afternoon at the George Washington Ballroom in Trenton at his daily press ...

EVANSTON, ILL. — National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced today more than 3,300 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the Finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

Locally, Ryanne M.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange Maplewood School District Board of Education, Superintendent Ronald Taylor, and the Administration have issued the following message, their reflection on the social justice crisis sweeping across our country:

“In this country, American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.”
― Toni Morrison

We as ...

RED BANK, NJ -- Scott Wingerter, Editor of TAPinto Red Bank, joined Host Stephanie Willoughby to share a story from his community about a local nonprofit organization who held an online art auction to raise money to feed the needy.  

Lunch Break is a Red Bank organization founded in 1983 to help underemployed people make ends meet, said Wingerter, but it has evolved into much more.

CAMDEN, NJ -- Steven Rodas, Editor of TAPinto Camden, spoke with Stephanie Willoughby about the recent protest held here in solidarity with George Floyd that has put the city in the national spotlight for both its peaceful nature and police participation. 

Hundreds gathered in downtown Camden on Saturday, May 30, but what made this protest stand out from the thousands of other ...

CLINTON, NJ -- Tara Stone, Owner of Grounded for Life Cafe, recently appeared on TAPintoTV’s Sunday morning show on News 12 Plus, where she spoke to Host Stephanie Willoughby about her experiences as a small business owner navigating the pandemic. 

Stone described Grounded for Life as a plant-based restaurant “borne from a need to bring healthy and compassionate food, ...

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Library has released its multi-phase plan for restoring patron services. The phases will be implemented with the health and safety of the public and staff as top priorities.

Moving from one phase to the next is dependent on local and state assessment of risk. Under an Executive Order by Governor Murphy, libraries are to remain closed to the public until at ...

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced today that the 2020 Essex County Summer Music Concert Series and Fireworks displays have been canceled because of the Coronavirus.

“Our Summer Concert Series and Fireworks Spectaculars are much anticipated events that attract spectators from throughout Essex County and beyond. They are an ...

TRENTON, NJ – Gov. Phil Murphy outlined a series of guidelines Thursday for the thousands of bars and restaurants across the state to follow when they begin to welcome back patrons on June 15.

Although non-essential retail businesses will follow familiar rules that have been observed for months at supermarkets, pharmacies and other essential businesses, there could be a decided lack ...

TRENTON, NJ -- Make your restaurant reservations and hair appointments now.

Gov. Phil Murphy today announced at his daily COVID-19 press conference that effective June 15, outdoor dining at restaurants can commence, and non-essential in-person retail can begin.

A week later, on June 22, salons and barber shops can open. However, the opening date for gyms and health clubs is still ...

NEW JERSEY — Eight days after the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer saw at least 21 protests across New Jersey on Tuesday, including a die-in protest in South Orange. 

Gov. Phil Murphy in a press conference Wednesday said these have been peaceful demonstrations, despite the crowds at some — with Mayor Michael Soriano estimating as many as ...

$5k and $2k Grants Available; Emergency Child Care Assistance Program to Continue through June 30th

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson today announced the immediate availability of up to $20 million in grants to assist child care centers and youth camps in meeting health and safety guidelines in response to COVID-19.

Child care centers ...

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday kept up his praise for New Jersey residents marching for George Floyd, but admitted he was concerned over a spike in COVID-19 cases as a result of the crowds.

“Yes, I’m concerned but it’s not a reason not to protest,” the governor said this afternoon at the George Washington Ballroom in Trenton at his daily press ...

 MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair YMCA will be distributing boxes of produce to families on Friday, June 5, officials have announced.

150 boxes of fresh produce will be available on a first come, first served basis and no registration is necessary. The distribution will take place from 9am-11am, until the food is exhausted. They will be giving away food every Friday morning for the ...

SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The COVID-19 outbreak may mean a glitch in some summer travel plans. Fears of becoming stranded on a cruise or infected during air travel have many holding off on faraway trips. Alternatively, at the Jersey shore, homeowners are getting ready for a full season of summer guests. Many have added some extra steps to their usual protocol so their short-term guests ...