Week In Review: Prosecutor's Office's New Chief, FEMA Center Opens, Veterans Ceremony

Prosecutor's Office Appoints First African-American Woman to Key Post

Quovella M. Spruill -- or “Q,” as she’s known around the Leroy Smith Public Safety Building in Newark -- on Friday officially became the first African-American woman to be named deputy chief of the county law enforcement agency, where she will help oversee a staff of 120 investigators and other personnel.

The membership of the Newark Teachers Union Wednesday night voted to accept a new contract that will make the city the first school district in the state to offer teachers bonus pay based on student performance.

Gov. Chris Christie made his rounds Friday morning lauding the historic Newark teachers contract as a win for the city's teachers, principals and students.

Hurricane Sandy dealt a heavy blow to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission plant in Newark, but the facility has largely been able to continue treating effluent pumped into the region’s waterways, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday.

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened its doors Monday to assist those still dealing with the mess left behind by Super Storm Sandy. Located at the Willing Heart Community Care Center (555 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark), the center is a one-stop shop for all Sandy and nor'easter Athena recovery resources. Residents can apply for disaster and recovery grants on site, as well as obtain information on things like homeowner mitigation, disaster unemployment and low-interest disaster loans for small businesses.

Newark residents got a stylish delivery last Friday from Tommy Hilfiger, the fashion giant that donated 8,000 pieces of clothing to the city in wake of Super Storm Sandy.

The Newark Bears proudly announce that pitcher Omar Javier will enter affiliated baseball after signing a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants. The right-hander’s contract was purchased by the Giants on Monday.

Newark veterans and first responders got a special salute Monday with a flag-raising ceremony in the North Ward. The flags were raised at Christopher Columbus Plaza, located on Bloomfield Avenue and N. 8th Street, and before the

The patients at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center recently got a special visit from Olympic gymnast John Orozco. Orozco, who received a standing ovation from hospital employees as he walked into the cafeteria, was in the city for the Kellogg's Tour of Champions Gymnastic event at the Prudential Center last weekend