CAMDEN, NJ — With New Jersey’s rate of transmission (Rt) nearly doubling in a month - from 0.87 in early July to 1.48 today — Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that he will again tighten caps on indoor gatherings.

“We believe that some of this increase is attributable to the number of indoor house parties and other events which we have been seeing across the ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Long-term care facilities account for 66 percent of the total deaths in West Orange that have been attributed to the coronavirus, according to data posted by Mayor Robert Parisi on his Facebook page Monday morning.

Of the 185 total COVID-19 deaths in the township since the start of the pandemic in March, 34 percent of them have occurred in private residences.

There ...

TRENTON, NJ – Despite reporting that there were no in-hospital COVID-19 deaths during the 24-hour period ending 10:30 p.m. last night for the first time since March 10, Gov. Phil Murphy expressed disappointment over the increase in the positivity rate in the state during his COVID-19 press briefing in Trenton on Friday, July 31.

"The spot positivity rate for tests from July ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Long-term care facilities account for 66 percent of the total deaths in West Orange that have been attributed to the coronavirus, according to data posted by Mayor Robert Parisi on his Facebook page Monday morning.

Of the 185 total COVID-19 deaths in the township since the start of the pandemic in March, 34 percent of them have occurred in private residences.

There ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — There are no West Orange residents in intensive care units for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, Mayor Robert Parisi announced on his Facebook page.

"Today is the first day since March 20 without any residents being in ICU or critical care as a result of COVID-19!!," Parisi posted.

There were two additional cases of COVID-19 reported in West Orange on Wednesday.

WEST ORANGE, NJ — There were two additional cases of COVID-19 reported in West Orange on Monday, according to Mayor Robert Parisi.

The total intake of cases in West Orange was 1,455, with no additional deaths reported on Monday. Deaths are included in the "total intake" number and remain "active" until a full investigation is complete. The total number of COVID-19 ...

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — This week's Essex County Emergency Food Distribution Event will be Thursday, August 6, at St. Matthew AME Church in Orange to help families negatively impacted by the Coronavirus. The 1,000 boxes of food that will be distributed are meant to benefit families who are not able to afford food. 

It will be held as follows:

Date: ...

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — This week's Essex County Emergency Food Distribution Event will be on Thursday, July 30, in  Independence Park in Newark. The 1,000 boxes of food to be distributed are meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work due to the pandemic and are facing food insecurity. 

It will be held as follows:

Date: ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — In order to raise funds for various community and global health initiatives, Saint Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC) invites area residents to bike, run, walk or swim on Sunday, Aug. 9 as part of a virtual 5K for CycleRed.

SBMC is committed to being “in and of the communities” it services. The Social Impact and Community Investment (SICI) practice is a ...

Parents split on online instruction as prospects for fall opening shaky

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

New Jersey’s seismic shift last spring to remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — On July 9, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Eveny de Mendez provided the public with an update about the ongoing work with the district's Diversity, Equity and Access Committee.

Last week, a racial bias survey was been sent out to staff members which will help them explore their interests in several areas including understanding ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Following on the heels of Kelly Elementary School, Liberty Middle School, and West Orange Township, Redwood and Washington Elementary Schools have received Gold and Bronze recognition in the Safe Routes to School Recognition program. The recognition is given in partnership with EZRide, the Transportation Management Agency, and in cooperation with West Orange ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Many residents in West Orange woke up Wednesday morning to homes that still had no power after Tuesday’s brief but powerful tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Isaias left many downed trees and wires, caused many road closures and knocked out power to large portions of the township.

Not even Mayor Robert Parisi could offer any accurate insight on when power would be ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — (updated 8:30 p.m.) Tropical Storm Isaias took the measure of West Orange Tuesday, uprooting trees and knocking out power to large areas of the township.

The storm, which carried with it wind gusts in excess of 50 mph on a day when the area was under a tornado watch, felled more than 40 trees, according to West Orange police.

In a post on the department’s ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Knowing that choosing a pet care provider should be taken as seriously as choosing a childcare provider, brothers Robert and Michael Gonnello are making that decision easier for Livingston-area residents by bringing a highly successful doggy day care franchise to the community.

Opening in September at 81 Dorsa Avenue in Livingston, The Barker Lounge will provide ...

NEW JERSEY — Jewish homes across New Jersey have been opening their mailboxes each week for generations, and receiving news of interest about the Jewish world around them in the New Jersey Jewish News: from the hyper local — such as start times for holiday services at different synagogues and who is memorialized in the obituaries — to local, national, Israeli, and ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Improvements to make the Junction Train Station at Turtle Back Zoo more handicap accessible have been completed, it was announced by Essex County on Tuesday.

The improvements will be unveiled Wednesday morning, according to the office of Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo.

Additionally, the county will announce a long-term partnership agreement with Investors ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The NJSIAA recently released the Phase 2 Guidelines for high school teams returning to the field. These guidelines will be in place as of July 27, after teams successfully complete Phase 1.

Phase 2 allows for increased team activities as it pertains to skills and drills development and permits schools to use indoor facilities if approved by the school district. Once ...

TRENTON, NJ – During his COVID press briefing on Tuesday, July 22, Gov. Phil Murphy took the time to clarify Monday’s Exec Order on the resumption of contact drills and practices for high-risk sports and activities.

“All contact activities can only be conducted outside,” the governor said.

Yoga and pilates studios, which are not licensed health clubs, fall under the ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Many residents in West Orange woke up Wednesday morning to homes that still had no power after Tuesday’s brief but powerful tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Isaias left many downed trees and wires, caused many road closures and knocked out power to large portions of the township.

Not even Mayor Robert Parisi could offer any accurate insight on when power would be ...

TRENTON, NJ – Despite reporting that there were no in-hospital COVID-19 deaths during the 24-hour period ending 10:30 p.m. last night for the first time since March 10, Gov. Phil Murphy expressed disappointment over the increase in the positivity rate in the state during his COVID-19 press briefing in Trenton on Friday, July 31.

"The spot positivity rate for tests from July ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Turtle Back Junction is now more handicap accessible, and the miniature train ride at Turtle Back Zoo has a new corporate sponsor.

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, Jr. announced a long-term partnership agreement with Investors Bank to become the official sponsor of the miniature train ride at the zoo on Wednesday. Improvements also have been completed to make ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Turtle Back Junction is now more handicap accessible, and the miniature train ride at Turtle Back Zoo has a new corporate sponsor.

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, Jr. announced a long-term partnership agreement with Investors Bank to become the official sponsor of the miniature train ride at the zoo on Wednesday. Improvements also have been completed to make ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Improvements to make the Junction Train Station at Turtle Back Zoo more handicap accessible have been completed, it was announced by Essex County on Tuesday.

The improvements will be unveiled Wednesday morning, according to the office of Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo.

Additionally, the county will announce a long-term partnership agreement with Investors ...

NEW JERSEY — July 27 is National New Jersey Day. Today we're going to find out what's unique about the Garden State, and maybe settle some serious issues.

New Jersey was the third state to ratify the Constitution of the United States of America, the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights. New Jersey's central location amidst the thirteen colonies during the colonial ...

NEW JERSEY — Since Tropical Storm (or Hurricane, depending on the news outlet) Isaias has taken out power to 20 percent of Essex County, thousands have been left with no refrigeration. 

FoodSafety.gov has a chart for determining how long foods will stay fresh and usable after a power outage.

According to the site, "Your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange High School Class of 2012 graduate Raul Ausa will be ordained as an Episcopal Priest by Bishop Carlye J. Hughes. He currently serves as a Deacon and is working with the Diocesan staff in Newark through Aug. 31.

The diversity of West Orange Schools is demonstrated not only culturally, but by the career paths of its many graduates, and Ausa is no exception.

NEW JERSEY — Jewish homes across New Jersey have been opening their mailboxes each week for generations, and receiving news of interest about the Jewish world around them in the New Jersey Jewish News: from the hyper local — such as start times for holiday services at different synagogues and who is memorialized in the obituaries — to local, national, Israeli, and ...

MILLBURN, NJ — The challenges posed by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic have also led to some unique opportunities in the local real estate market.

“After March 15, the housing market froze, and nobody came to see properties, Until the end of April the market was frozen,” said real estate broker Ben Zhang of Western-Eastern Realty in Millburn. “We could not show any ...