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Essex County, NJ

Best Public High Schools In Essex County Revealed In New Rankings Best Public High Schools In Essex County Revealed In New Rankings
Best Public High Schools In Essex County Revealed In New Rankings Essex County is rife with top-rated schools. US News & World Report released its list of best high schools in the nation this week — and many of them are in Essex County. ALSO SEE: Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings The rankings were determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Glen Ridge High School came in at No. 11 in all of New Jersey, and No. 1 for Essex County. According to US News & World Report, here are the top-rated schools in the county: No. 10: James Caldwell …
Wayne Responders Save 46 Dogs From Fire At K9 Resort, Officer Suffers Smoke Inhalation Wayne Responders Save 46 Dogs From Fire At K9 Resort, Officer Suffers Smoke Inhalation
Wayne Responders Save 46 Dogs From Fire At K9 Resort, Officer Suffers Smoke Inhalation A police officer suffered smoke inhalation and 46 dogs were rescued from a boarding facility when a fire broke out at an industrial complex in Essex County Saturday night, April 20, authorities said. Police officers from Fairfield, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, and Wayne responded to the Pio Costa Industrial Complex on Bloomfield Avenue in Fairfield around 9:35 p.m. on reports of smoke condition, local police said. The blaze was reported to be located in building No. 9, which houses multiple businesses, including K9 Resorts Hotel, a full-time dog boarding facility. Officers were&…
6-Car Crash Kills 41-Year-Old On Garden State Parkway: State Police 6-Car Crash Kills 41-Year-Old On Garden State Parkway: State Police
6-Car Crash Kills 41-Year-Old On Garden State Parkway: State Police A 41-year-old North Carolina man was killed in a multi-car crash on the Garden State Parkway in Essex County early Wednesday, April 17, authorities said. Tarron Francis was heading north in a Nissan SUV when he was struck by a Dodge passenger vehicle around 12:45 a.m. in Irvington, said Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police. The impact caused a chain reaction crash involving four other vehicles, two Toyota SUVs, a GMC SUV and a Kia passenger vehicle, Lebron said. Francis died as a result of the crash, and the driver of the Dodge sustained moderate injuries and was tak…
NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge'
NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' A student at an Essex County middle school was hospitalized on Tuesday, April 16, after he tried the "blackout challenge." Two students at South Orange Middle School took part in the dangerous stunt, popular on social media, which involves holding one's breath to the point of passing out, Lynn Irby Hill, the principal, said in a letter to parents. The first student passed out but was treated by the nursing staff, Irby Hill said. The second student had difficulty resuming breathing and was taken to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation, Irby Hill said. Assistant Principal Jim Waldro…
SEEN HER? Concerns Grow Following Unconfirmed Call That Missing Englewood Woman Was Dead SEEN HER? Concerns Grow Following Unconfirmed Call That Missing Englewood Woman Was Dead
Seen HER? Concerns Grow Following Unconfirmed Call That Missing Englewood Woman Was Dead 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚: A caller's claim that a missing single mom had died hasn't been confirmed, said authorities in Englewood who've stepped up their search for her. Concerns initially were raised when Cynthia Anderson, 33, who'd recently been homeless, stopped communicating with friends, police said. They became extremely worried when none of them could find her, Lt. Fred Pulice said. "No one's been in touch with her for a while," the lieutenant said on Wednesday, April 17, nine days after Anderson was last heard from. "There's genuine concern." One of the friends got a call from a masked number tha…
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
POLICE SHOOTOUT: Montclair Officer, Suspect Both Shot In Exchange Of Gunfire, Prosecutor Says POLICE SHOOTOUT: Montclair Officer, Suspect Both Shot In Exchange Of Gunfire, Prosecutor Says
Police Shootout: Montclair Officer, Suspect Both Shot In Exchange Of Gunfire, Prosecutor Says A police officer and suspect were both injured in a shooting on Monday, April 15, authorities said. An individual in a residence began shooting at a police officer on the 100 block of Forest Street, Thomas Fennelly, a spokesman for the Essex County Prosecutors Office said. The officer was hit but was able to return fire, striking the suspect, Fennelly aid. The officer and suspect were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Fennelly said. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating, Fennelly said. 
Paterson Man, 43, Dies In Crash With Dump Truck, Guardrail On Route 80: State Police Paterson Man, 43, Dies In Crash With Dump Truck, Guardrail On Route 80: State Police
Paterson Man, 43, Dies In Crash With Dump Truck, Guardrail On Route 80: State Police A 43-year-old Paterson man was killed after he crashed into a truck on Route 80 in Essex County on the early morning of Friday, April 12, authorities said. Sixto Torres-Duran was driving a Mazda eastbound on Route 80 in Fairfield when he lost directional control, ran off the roadway to the right and crashed into a guardrail just after 2:45 a.m., Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. After hitting the guardrail, the Mazda re-entered the roadway and crashed into a Kenilworth dump truck, causing the truck to overturn, Lebron said. Torres-Duran sustained fatal injuri…
Georgia Fugitive Found Bleeding In Backyard Shooting, 4 Men In Custody: Police Georgia Fugitive Found Bleeding In Backyard Shooting, 4 Men In Custody: Police
Georgia Fugitive Found Bleeding In Backyard Shooting, 4 Men In Custody: Police Four Newark men including two with prior arrests were arrested after a man was shot in Union Township on Monday, April 8, authorities said. Quazir Robinson, 18, Dabson Fofana, 21, Yaleem Prothro, 23 and Mecca Latham, 23 have all been charged with aggravated assault and numerous weapons offenses in the shooting of a 44-year-old man in the backyard of a home at  Carnegie Place near Laurel Avenue, Union Township police said in a release. The victim was found having suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh and graze wound to his arm, and was profusely bleeding while lying on the ground …
'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More 'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More
'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More The leader of a notorious Essex County street gang that dominated the region's drug trade was convicted by a federal jury of three murders, among other counts, authorities said. Michael Healy, 43, of Montclair, "ruthlessly ordered murders so that he could protect his narcotics operation and continue to sell large quantities of dangerous [drugs],” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said after federal jurors in Newark returned their verdicts on Wednesday, April 3. Healy "recruited men to kill someone he thought was an informant, and even when they killed the wrong person – a bystander – he ord…
Former Newark Public Safety Director Accidentally Shot Himself — With Someone Else's Gun: PD Former Newark Public Safety Director Accidentally Shot Himself — With Someone Else's Gun: PD
Former Newark Public Safety Director Accidentally Shot Himself — With Someone Else's Gun: PD Anthony Ambrose, who has a lengthy career in law enforcement in Essex County, accidentally shot himself with another person's gun on Friday, March 22, police said. Responding to many unanswered questions about the shooting, Cedar Grove police issued a news release laying out what happened to Ambrose at 2 Village Park Road, where Ambrose keeps an office as a private investigator.  Ambrose previously served as chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and public safety director for the City of Newark. After the discharge, Ambrose was taken to the hospital by another m…
WINNERS! North Jersey Mega Millions Players Score Big Bucks WINNERS! North Jersey Mega Millions Players Score Big Bucks
Winners! North Jersey Mega Millions Players Score Big Bucks They may not have won the billion dollar jackpot like someone in Monmouth County, but several North Jersey Mega Million players still had reasons to celebrate on Tuesday, March 26. Lottery players in Essex County, Hudson County and Somerset County had tickets that matched four of the white numbers, winning $10,000. The ticket sold in Essex County was bought with a Megaplier multiplier and won $20,000. The tickets were sold at Krauszer's Food Store in Belleville, New Hilltop Exxon in Union City and Lucky Spot Convenience Store in Somerville. The winning numbers were  07, 11, 22, 29 and …
Former Essex County Chief Of Detectives Accidentally Shoots Himself: Prosecutor Former Essex County Chief Of Detectives Accidentally Shoots Himself: Prosecutor
Former Essex County Chief Of Detectives Accidentally Shoots Himself: Prosecutor Authorities are investigating after Anthony Ambrose, the former chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, accidentally shot himself on Friday, March 22. The incident occurred at a private office complex in Cedar Grove, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said.  He was treated and released at a nearby hospital for a non-life-threatening wound, Stephens said. Ambrose joined the Newark Police Department in 1986 and became chief in 1999. He was an undersheriff in the Essex County Sheriff's Office and was public safety director for Newark from 2016 to 2021. A…
Family Of Newark Cheerleader Critically Injured In Crash Takes Legal Action Family Of Newark Cheerleader Critically Injured In Crash Takes Legal Action
Family Of Newark Cheerleader Critically Injured In Crash Takes Legal Action The family of an 18-year-old Newark cheerleader critically injured in a crash outside of her school last month has taken legal action against the Newark Board of Education and others they say are responsible for the accident. The family of Chiara Jones, the 18-year-old Newark cheerleader who was critically injured after she was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle outside her high school while coming home from a competition, announced on Monday, March 25, they have filed a notice of claim against the school district.  Chiara Jones was struck by a vehicle outside Arts High School while getti…
Paroled NJ Drug Dealer Admits Trafficking Kilo Of Coke Armed With Trio Of Guns Paroled NJ Drug Dealer Admits Trafficking Kilo Of Coke Armed With Trio Of Guns
Paroled NJ Drug Dealer Admits Trafficking Kilo Of Coke Armed With Trio Of Guns 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: An ex-con from Newark who spent 13 years in state prison will be doing federal time after admitting that he trafficked a kilo of cocaine while packing three guns. Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 36, was paroled in March 2022 after serving time for drug dealing and illegal weapons possession convictions out of Morris County in 2009, records show. Gonzalez faces significantly more time now that he's pleaded guilty in federal court to having and conspiring to sell coke and fentanyl and illegally possessing guns and ammo, among other counts. Unlike the state of New Jersey, the federal prison s…
NJ Woman Convicted By Federal Jurors Of Having Cocaine, Meth Fed-Exed To Her Home NJ Woman Convicted By Federal Jurors Of Having Cocaine, Meth Fed-Exed To Her Home
NJ Woman Convicted By Federal Jurors Of Having Cocaine, Meth Fed-Exed To Her Home 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: An Essex County woman who took her chances with a federal jury rather than accept a plea deal from the government was convicted of having cocaine FedExed to her apartment. Authorities intercepted two parcels addressed to "John Brown" in Newark in March 2021, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Mahogany Hawkins, 32, answered the door when an undercover officer posing as a FedEx driver delivered both of them, he said.Detectives knocked on the door again, identifying themselves as police this time, the U.S. attorney said.Hawkins said she was “getting dressed” and didn’t respon…
End Of An Era: Longtime Essex County Sheriff Not Seeking Re-Election End Of An Era: Longtime Essex County Sheriff Not Seeking Re-Election
End Of An Era: Longtime Essex County Sheriff Not Seeking Re-Election After 34 years, there's going to be a new sheriff in town in Essex County. Armando Fontoura, who was appointed sheriff in 1990 and been elected to 10 terms is not seeking re-election, a spokesperson for the Essex County Sherriff's Office said.  Fontoura is the longest tenured sheriff in Essex County history. Prior to becoming sheriff, Fontoura was a teacher in the Newark public school system and later a Newark police officer, achieving the rank of captain and serving as chief assistant to the police director. In 1986, Fontoura was appointed Essex County Undersheriff.  As sheriff…
NJ's Aaron Rodgers, Possible VP Pick, Denies Spouting Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories NJ's Aaron Rodgers, Possible VP Pick, Denies Spouting Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories
NJ's Aaron Rodgers, Possible VP Pick, Denies Spouting Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories Aaron Rodgers, who lives in Essex County, is denying a CNN report that he believed the children killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre were actors. In a statement on X, Rodgers said the CNN story was not true. "I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place," Rodgers said.  "I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community." Mark Blanston, …
Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing At Jersey School Field: Police Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing At Jersey School Field: Police
Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing At Jersey School Field: Police A helicopter operated out of an Essex County facility made an emergency landing at a Jersey Shore school field Thursday, March 14, authorities said. The commercial passenger helicopter operated by Zip Aviation of Caldwell touched down on a baseball field behind Middletown High School North, adjacent to Marvin Road, Middletown police said. The pilot, who is not being identified at this time, saw the field and determined that it would be safe to make the emergency landing after an indicator light came on, police said. He was the only occupant of the helicopter. There…
New NJ QuickChek Features No-Fee ATMs, 12 Fueling Stations New NJ QuickChek Features No-Fee ATMs, 12 Fueling Stations
New NJ QuickChek Features No-Fee ATMs, 12 Fueling Stations A new QuickChek has opened in Essex County. QuickChek recently opened a new 4,542-square-foot store in Belleville at 190 Cortlandt Street. The store celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, March 5.  Russ Mensch The store offers no-fee ATMs, 12 fueling stations, outdoor seating and 51 parking spaces.  The location will be open 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. QuickChek has been expanding throughout the Garden State, recently opening locations in East Hanover and Scotch Plains.
Paterson Woman Steals Sex Toy From Essex Adult Emporium: Fairfield PD Paterson Woman Steals Sex Toy From Essex Adult Emporium: Fairfield PD
Paterson Woman Steals Sex Toy From Essex Adult Emporium: Fairfield PD A Paterson woman was arrested and charged with shoplifting after she took clothing and a sex toy from Essex Adult Emporium on Friday, March 8, authorities said. At 2:10 p.m., Rose Torres-Rice entered the store, selected several pieces of item and the toy and placed them counter, Fairfield police said.  She then asked to use the dressing room, but as she was being escorted there, she returned the counter, took the items and left the store, police said. Torres-Rice took $225.24 worth of items from the store. Torres-Rice, who was wearing a red-hood sweatshirt, was spotted at the Red Roof…
Essex County Doc Who Overprescribed Pills Forfeits Practice: State AG Essex County Doc Who Overprescribed Pills Forfeits Practice: State AG
Essex County Doc Who Overprescribed Pills Forfeits Practice: State AG An Essex County doctor has been forced to give up his practice after the state charged him with indiscriminately prescribing high volumes of controlled dangerous substances to patients he treated for addiction. Dr. Marc Watson, a vascular surgeon who had a practice in Cedar Grove, prescribed high volumes of stimulants, narcotics and depressants without sufficient medical justification, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.  Watson engaged inadequate physical exams, patient monitoring and record keeping, Platkin said. Watson admitted he had no formal training in addiction medicine …
5.9K Without Power In Passaic County (UPDATE) 5.9K Without Power In Passaic County (UPDATE)
5.9K Without Power In Passaic County (Update) Wind gusts nearing 50 miles per hour left thousands of New Jersey residents without power Monday, March 11. According to the National Weather Service, winds are expected to die down in the evening with a wind advisory in effect until 11 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 50. As of 4:15 p.m., the following areas did not have power: JCP&L: Hunterdon County: 4,264 without power mostly in Bethlehem, Glen Gardner, Hampton, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon, Readington Middlesex County: 8,359 without power mostly in Monroe Township Morris County: 10,049 mostly in…
Solar Eclipse Will Close NJ School Early Solar Eclipse Will Close NJ School Early
Solar Eclipse Will Close NJ School Early Concern over kids looking at a solar eclipse has caused a school district in Essex County to close early next month. Livingston Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Block announced in a letter to parents on Wednesday, March 6, that on Monday, April 8, the elementary and high school will dismiss at noon while the middle schools will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. The solar eclipse will be occurring at 3 p.m. and Block said they are concerned unsupervised children might be drawn to look at the eclipse, damaging their eyes. Concerns over driving during the eclipse also factored into the early dismissa…
Bob Dylan Biopic Starring Timothee Chalamet Shooting In Passaic County Bob Dylan Biopic Starring Timothee Chalamet Shooting In Passaic County
Bob Dylan Biopic Starring Timothee Chalamet Shooting In Passaic County In New Jersey, the times are about to be a changin'. "A Complete Unknown,", a biopic about Bob Dylan starring Timothee Chalamet will be shooting in the Garden State.  The movie is set to film in Hudson, Essex, Passaic and Cape May counties from the end of March through May, Steven Gorelick, the director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission said. The film is directed by James Mangold, who previously directed the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line."  "A Complete Unknown" has been gestating for years and Dylan is an executive producer on the film, Mangold …
NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor
NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor A 53-year-old East Orange police officer faces up to 80 years in prison after being convicted of assaulting his 9-year-old son in 2018 on Friday, March 1, authorities said. In February 2018, Devin Higgs, a West Orange resident, brought his son to the hospital for injuries that Higgs said were from a fall, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said.  The child had suffered 22 fractures on his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, along with bruises, scars and marks on his body, a sign of child abuse, Stephens said. Neither Higgs nor his son had explanations for his injuries, …
Suspended Driver Arrested In Valentine's Day Nutley Hit-Run That Killed Paterson Man: Cops Suspended Driver Arrested In Valentine's Day Nutley Hit-Run That Killed Paterson Man: Cops
Suspended Driver Arrested In Valentine's Day Nutley Hit-Run That Killed Paterson Man: Cops An arrest has been made in a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a 22-year-old Paterson man and injured another person. Dhkir Robinson, 42, is believed to have been behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck Winston Perlaza and a second victim Wednesday evening, Feb. 14 on Milton Avenue in Nutley, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II and Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said. Perlaza was taken to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and pronounced dead soon after, Stephens and Strumolo said. A second pedestrian was also taken to a local hospital for non-fatal injuries…
Foot Or More Of Snow Could Fall In Passaic County In Major Storm, NWS Says Foot Or More Of Snow Could Fall In Passaic County In Major Storm, NWS Says
Foot Or More Of Snow Could Fall In Passaic County In Major Storm, NWS Says The National Weather Service says parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania could see more snow than what was initially predicted due to a shift in the storm track. In an updating briefing published Monday, Feb. 12, the NWS said 12 to 18 inches of snow could fall in parts of Sussex County, NJ and the Pocono Mountains. ALSO SEE: North Jersey School Closed, Delayed Ahead Of Major Winter Storm The weather map shows between 8 and 12 inches expected in parts of Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Essex, Warren, Somerset and Hunterdon counties, where winter storm warnings have been issued. Winter weather a…
New Trial: NJ Man Convicted Again For Murder Of Wheelchair-Bound Roommate New Trial: NJ Man Convicted Again For Murder Of Wheelchair-Bound Roommate
New Trial: NJ Man Convicted Again For Murder Of Wheelchair-Bound Roommate A 59-year-old Essex County man faces up to life in prison after he was convicted of killing his wheelchair-bound roommate for the second time on Thursday, Jan. 25, authorities said. A witness told police they saw Edwin Andujar holding a bloodied knife while standing over Thomas Parent in his wheelchair at 26 Wallace St., in 2014, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said.  Parent was suffering from multiple stab wounds to his abdomen and back and a gash on  his arm, Stephens said. When police arrived, Andujar told said, "I stabbed him, I couldn't take it anym…
GOTCHA! NJ Duo Charged With Beating Gas Station Attendants In Armed Tri-County Robbery Spree GOTCHA! NJ Duo Charged With Beating Gas Station Attendants In Armed Tri-County Robbery Spree
Gotcha! NJ Duo Charged With Beating Gas Station Attendants In Armed Tri-County Robbery Spree Two men wanted for beating attendants during a two-day spree of quick-stop armed gas station robberies in three New Jersey counties were captured by federal agents, authorities said. Ex-con Ahmad Singletary, 24, and Joseph Young, 26, both of Newark, committed three of the robberies last Sept. 5, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Four more holdups -- also in a single day -- followed exactly a week later, the U.S. attorney said. Singletary "threatened, assaulted, and struck victims in the head" with a Ruger 9 mm P95 handgun, injuring all of them, a complaint filed by the ATF says. Th…
$50K Powerball Ticket Sold At NJ ShopRite $50K Powerball Ticket Sold At NJ ShopRite
$50K Powerball Ticket Sold At NJ ShopRite It was a lucrative trip to the supermarket for a lottery player in Essex County. A Powerball ticket sold at ShopRite in Bloomfield matched four of the five numbers, plus the red Powerball, winning $50,000 in the drawing held on Monday, Jan. 22. The winning numbers were 24, 25, 43, 52, 63 and the red Powerball was 21.