State-of-the-Art Rec Center Unveiled in North Ward

With a rock wall and a golf simulator, The Waterfront offers a variety of activities to residents.

The sliver of Newark’s North Ward near Rt. 21 has long been packed with industrial sites, large apartment buildings, tire shops and a profusion of other mom-and-pop businesses. But the area has also been lacking in public recreation facilities, someplace where residents could take part in activities to strengthen body and mind year-round. That changed when The Waterfront, a 26,000-square foot rec center, recently opened its doors on Grafton Avenue.  “When I was running for office seven years ago, as I was canvassing here, one of the things I heard repeatedly was ‘get us a recreation center,’” said Anibal Ramos, who represents the ward on the Newark Municipal Council. Ramos was among several officials who spoke Wednesday during a ribbon-…

• Photos (5)

Leaf Collection Schedule for All Newark Wards

Pickup begins Monday, Oct. 15 in South, Central and West Wards

Newark's Leaf Recycling Collection program beings today, Monday. Leaf pickups will be made in the South, Central and West Wards on Mondays and Tuesdays between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Leaf pickups in the North and East Wards will be on Thursdays and Fridays between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be no pickups in any ward on holidays. Newark residents age 62 and older, showing proper identification, can receive up to 15 brown paper biodegradable bags free of charge from the city. The bags may be obtained at the city Recycling Office (62 Frelinghuysen Ave.). “Through the cooperation of our residents, I am confident that we can keep our storm sewers free of leaves and ensure that we can dispose of our leaves in ways that contribute to a more …

• Photos (1)

Crane Collapses into Newark Home

Workers in process of removing a large tree when incident took place

A crane used during a tree removal service crashed into the roof of a Newark home Thursday, after the truck it extended from became unbalanced and tipped over. A boom truck from Millennium Tree Service and Landscaping Design was in the process of cutting down and removing a large piece of wood around 4 p.m. at 267 Elwood Ave. when the weight of it caused the truck to tip, police said. As a result, the crane collapsed onto the roof of the single-family beige and brick home. No one was injured in the collapse, including the crane operator, police said. Tony Damiano, of Newark, said he nearby the home, situated across from Branch Brook Park, when he heard the crash. "Next thing you heard was a slam," he said. "I pull around here and there's a…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Newark Gears Up for National Night Out

29th annual crime-prevention event will be held Tuesday night at Kasberger Field

It will be a night out for Newarkers Tuesday, as public safety workers and residents will come together for National Night Out at Kasberger Field in the city's North Ward. Now in its 29th year, the national event a campaign to raise awareness about crime  and drug prevention. Beginning at 2 p.m., members of the Newark Police and Fire departments will duke it out in an annual softball game, followed by a matchup between the police department and Essex County Sheriff's Office. Last year, Newark police routed the county prosecutor's office, 11-2. Newark's National Night Out is open to the public and will have music, bouncy rides, a dunk tank and other fun activities for children and adults. Newark's fire and police departments will also host …

• Photos (2)

Abington Ave. School Rallies Around Demoted Principal

Dina Velez bumped to vice principal after contract not renewed

Supporters of a recently demoted Newark principal, including two city councilmen, flooded Tuesday night's school board meeting to protest the move as unjust and a detriment to the school. Dina Velez received notice Friday that her contract as principal of Abington Avenue Elementary School was not renewed for next school year, resulting in demotion to vice principal, her tenured position. "I just want to express my disappointment," said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. during public session. He was joined Tuesday night at Rafael Hernandez School by Councilman-at-Large Luis Quintana in support of Velez. "We're just here in support of Miss Velez and her efforts and achievements at Abington Avenue School." Velez has spent 18 total years …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (8)

Newark Catcher Lands Minor League Contract

Anthony Santiago follows in brother Hector's footsteps to Chicago White Sox

For Anthony and Hector Santiago Jr., playing baseball together is a black and white kind of thing. The Newark brothers grew up playing for North Ward little league teams and even competed together for county and state titles at Bloomfield Tech (with Anthony catching southpaw Hector Jr.). Now, the two have the rare chance to reunite again on the diamond – this time in the big leagues. Anthony, 22, inked a minor-league deal with the Chicago White Sox last weekend, the same team his older brother, 24, was called up from nearly one year ago. "Just to think that one day I might actually be able to (play with him) again, in front of 40,000 fans, I pray for that to happen," said Anthony sporting a black and white Sox cap and t-shirt. "My brother'…

• Photos (7)

Grand Opening of Harmony Square in North Ward

Some apartment units will go to victims of domestic abuse, single young mothers

Officials celebrated Wednesday the grand opening of the Apartments@Harmony Square, a $10.2 million rehabilitated housing development in the Newark's North Ward that will house victims of domestic abuse and single mothers. The 16 market-rate condominiums, 10 of which will go to whom Mayor Cory Booker called the city's "most vulnerable" residents, were developed by M&M Development LLC, a women-owned real estate firm based in Newark. The Harmony Square housing development, located at 98-102 Broad St., is comprised of two mid-rise buildings containing 20 to 21 condominiums and two duplexes, each containing two condominiums. Other phases of the project include 45 newly constructed condominiums, 12 of which will be affordable and 33 "emerging …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Retired Essex County Sheriff's Officer Carjacked in North Ward

Officer fired shots at suspect, who fled in vehicle

A retired Essex County sheriff's officer was the victim of an armed carjacking in Newark's North Ward Monday night, according to the Newark Police Department. The officer was stopped at a red light at Elwood and Clifton Avenues at approximately 9 p.m. when a vehicle pulled in front of him, officials said. A passenger brandishing a handgun jumped out and demanded the officer to exit his vehicle. The officer fired his weapon after being "struck" by the alleged suspect, who then fled in the officer's vehicle, officials said. It is unknown at this time if the suspect was shot. The officer's vehicle has not been recovered. NPD has not identified the officer involved, pending an investigation by the Carjacking Task Force. A description of the …

• Photos (1)

Man Charged with Aggravated Assault After Shooting Two in City's North Ward

Authorities: Shooting occurred as a result of 'domestic discord'

Authorities have arrested a Newark man Wednesday night for the shooting of two people in the city's North Ward, according to Det. Hubert Henderson, Newark Police Department spokesman. Garland Jones, 42, allegedly shot a man and woman near Broadway and Grafton avenues at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday as a result of "domestic discord," according to Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio. The two were transported to UMDNJ for treated and are expected to survive  non-life threatening injuries. Information provided by the two victims led detectives from the Newark Police Major Crimes Task Force to find Jones at 688 Summer Ave. after he fled the scene. With the assistance of the city department's Emergency Services Unit, officers gained entry to the …

Field of Dreams: Newark Schools Stadium Officially Opens

Officials hope brand new stadium will gain legendary status

The previous Newark Schools Stadium, the Old Lady of Bloomfield Avenue, was condemned two years before Willie Cowans began matriculating at Barringer High School. Since 2008, the Blue Bears' senior running back has been waiting to sprint across the turf inside the New Lady of Bloomfield Ave. "I thought I was going to graduate before I get to play here," Cowans said. Finally, Friday morning marked the dawn of a new Newark Schools Stadium, which opened officially when new Superintendent Cami Anderson cut the ceremonial blue ribbon. It came nearly eight hours before Barringer's season-opening football game against rival Livingston, but not a minute too soon for student-athletes throughout  Brick City's school system. "I've been waiting to …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (24)