With ongoing need across the township, the Belleville Public Schools are planning the second distribution of emergency food relief on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Center for Academic Success & Achievement (C.A.S.A.), 522 Cortlandt St.  Donors are urged to drop off items beginning now. The school district coordinated its first food drive for distribution on Nov. 5. More than 200 families and 1,000 students were served, and the shelves are now empty. School officials estimated there are still 800 families and 1,200 students in need of ongoing support.

Veteran East Newark law enforcement officer Junior Fiori was promoted from sergeant to the rank of captain at a Nov. 12 meeting of the East Newark Mayor and Council. Seen with him are members of his immediate family. This is the first time in more than two decades East Newark has had a police captain. Cap tip, Jun.

The Town of Kearny hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on the 11th of November. Seen here are images from the solemn ceremony which was attended by scores of area veterans, residents and dignitaries.

Moments after Harrison had lost in the Hudson County Tournament final, Mike Rusek walked onto the grass pitch at Sports Illustrated Stadium to talk to his players. And as Rusek individually met with one disappointed player after another, he repeated the same message as they walked off the field, that the focus was now on November and the state tournament. “I’m already saying it to kids while shaking their hands. We only got to be undefeated in November. That’s our slogan for the next month. Just undefeated in November,” Rusek said on Tuesday night following Harrison’s 2-0 loss to St.

It would have been easy for the Belleville girls volleyball team to write off 2025 as a lost season. Afterall, on Oct. 18, the Buccaneers were 5-13, eliminated by Cedar Grove in the first round of the Essex County Tournament and looking unlikely to qualify for the state tournament. Instead, Belleville has gone 6-0 since then, including its first tournament championship in years when it defeated Bard in the final of the Essex County Invitational, 25-11, 25-7 on Oct. 29. Teams that lost in the first round of the Essex County Tournament move over to the Invitational.

When the Nutley girls soccer team arrived back at school following a 6-0 loss at the hands of Newark Academy on Oct. 21, an impromptu, late evening team meeting was needed to help right a season that had suddenly gone off the rails. The message was taken to heart and Nutley has been undefeated since. Two days later, the Maroon Raiders tied Clifton, 2-2. Since then, Nutley posted emphatic wins over West Milford, Cedar Grove and Rahway, outscoring their opponents by a 17-1 margin. Now 12-6-1 on the season has earned the No.

For the second consecutive year, the Kearny Policemen’s Benevolent Association has been selected by Target Corporation as a recipient of the Heroes & Helpers Grant. Since 2009, Target has hosted Heroes & Helpers events across the country, pairing local public-safety partners with children for a joyful holiday shopping experience. “Since Target opened its doors in Kearny, the PBA’s partnership has blossomed into a meaningful collaboration that continues to uplift the community,”PBA President Mina Ekladious said. “This relationship is made possible by the tireless efforts of the members of the Kearny PBA, whose commitment to service reflects the vital role of organized labor in building stronger, more connected neighborhoods.

Democratic Mayor Carol Jean Doyle cruised to an easy victory over three-time mayoral candidate Republican Sydney Ferreira to earn her first full term as Mayor of Kearny in one of the most lopsided victories in Kearny electoral history. Her entire slate of Town Council candidates were also all re-elected rather handily. It was one of the most contentious races in recent memory, harking back to the mid- to late-90s when campaigns here last got this nasty. Though the election results have not yet been certified, with 100% of the districts reporting, Doyle earned 5,674 votes to Ferreira’s 3,029.

The Lyndhurst Police Department’s investment into technology has once again yielded great dividends. That’s because on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at 1:35 a.m., Sgts. Richard Jasinski and Nicholas Abruscato, and Officers Edward Montoya, Anthony Morreale and Jorge Fernandez responded to 230 Clay Ave. (National Electronic Transit Corp) on a report of two suspicious males wearing reflective vests who reportedly entered the enclosed property — and it all led to one of the reported suspects being arrested. According to Capt. Paul F. Haggerty, the LPD’s public-information officer: The aforementioned property had fallen victim to a commercial burglary recently.

The First Presbyterian Church of Arlington and the Kearny-Belleville Elks hosted a blood drive Nov. 1, with 50 people donating. Church members made soup and pies for all who donated. The Elks thank Susan Clydesdale Harris and her congregation for all they did to organize and run this event and to all who donated. Seen here giving blood is Chris Brown of the Kearny-Belleville Elks.

With the federal food assistance program being delayed during the ongoing government shutdown, the Belleville Public Schools are helping to ensure local families do not go hungry. The school district is coordinating a food drive, seeking non-perishable items or gift cards to pay for emergency meals. Items will be available to residents Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Center for Academic Success & Achievement (C.A.S.A.), 522 Cortlandt St. Donors are urged to drop off items beginning now. The distribution hours of operation on Wednesday will be noon-2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit and the Lyndhurst Police Department are jointly conducting a shooting investigation here. According to the Lyndhurst Police Department: On Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, the Lyndhurst Police Department received information from the Paterson Police Department a shooting may have occurred overnight on Valley Brook Avenue in Lyndhurst on the 1500 Block (Meadowlands section.) The Lyndhurst Police Department responded to the area and observed evidence confirming a shooting had taken place. Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit were notified, responded to the scene and conducted a joint investigation with the Lyndhurst Police Department.

As the White House and Congress fail to recognize the dreadful impact SNAP cuts will have on the public, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy is using the opportunity to do what the feds won’t as he hosted a meeting with officials from the 12 Hudson County municipalities announcing a countywide response to imminent cuts caused by the government shutdown. “In times of crisis, the Hudson County community comes together to help their neighbors. And as this federal government shutdown continues, Hudson County government will be there to provide support for the most vulnerable in our community,” Guy said.

Two out-of-towners found out the hard way — committing crime in North Arlington never ends well. Such was the case in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, as the North Arlington Police Department apprehended Lewins Carmona, 19, of the Bronx and Stavin Alvarado Rodriguez, 25, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, who were caught in the act of attempting to steal mail from a blue US Postal Service mailbox near the North Arlington Post Office. According to NAPD Lt. David Hudak: The arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation into a series of mail thefts that had been plaguing the area since July 2025.

Kearny Police Officer Sean Wilson has completed the New Jersey State Police’s 125th Crime Scene Investigator Class. This intensive 280-hour course trains officers in advanced techniques for processing complex crime scenes. Participants master critical skills such as evidence collection, forensic photography, fingerprint analysis and crime scene reconstruction. Wilson joins an esteemed group of Kearny Police Department graduates of this program, including Retired Capt. Timothy Wagner, Det. Frank West, Sgt. Neil Nelson, Officer Jonathan Dowie, Det. Jordenson Jean and Det. Chris Medina. His new skills will further strengthen the department’s ability to serve and protect the Kearny community, the department says.

Joan D. Finnerty Joan D. Finnerty, formerly a lifelong resident of Harrison, died surrounded by her loving family Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at the Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida. She was 91. The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison at 1 p.m. Friends and relatives of Joan and her family may attend her Memorial Gathering at the funeral home Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 from 9 a.m until noon.

With great sorrow, Caela and Ryan Garden announce the passing of their strong, kind and caring mother, Maureen A. Garden, who died peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at the age of 59. She was married for 28 years to Scott, who preceded her death in 2021. Her children were her greatest source of strength through difficult times, and her constant source of laughter and joy.  Welcoming her into Heaven, along with Scott, were her beloved father, the late Patrick Joseph Hehir, cherished nephew, the late Corey Baker, and dear friend, the late Will Price. 

Voters will chose a mayor and four members of the Kearny Town Council as well as two members of the North Arlington Borough Council on Election Day 2025. Early voting is already underway across New Jersey. Kearny’s mayoralty features a race between incumbent Carol Jean Doyle, a Democrat, and Sydney J. Ferreira, a Republican who ran in 2021 for the same position as a Democrat and again in 2023 as a Republican. In Kearny’s First Ward, incumbent Democrat Marytrine DeCastro faces the GOP’s “Smiley” M. Whala.  In the Second Ward, incumbent Democrat Jose Rodrigues squares off against Republican M.

The Belleville Historical Society recently presented The Observer with an American flag that was flown above Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor Sept. 14, 2025, the anniversary of the Battle of Fort McHenry which was the inspiration for the writing of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ during the War of 1812. Most are unaware the British invaded America 29 years after the American Revolution in an unsuccessful attempt to regain the colonies. The Belleville Historical Society made its annual trip to have flags flown above the fort by the National Park Service, which the society presents to veteran and patriotic organizations and individuals.

Florence Nixon Florence Nixon (nee McLaughlin) died Oct. 22, 2025. She was 94. Born in Newark , she lived most of her life in Kearny before moving to Shohola, Pennsylvania, eight years ago. Visiting will be Tuesday, Oct. 28 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. Graveside prayers will be at 12:30 p.m. in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny, conducted The Rev. Joe Mancini, pastor of St. Stephen’s Church. Flo was retired from the West Hudson Hospital Billing Department. She had been active in the Kearny Woman’s Club and the St.

The Lyndhurst football team did all it could on Friday night when it defeated Park Ridge, 35-7, but at that point all they could do was watch and hope for the best. A win alone wasn’t going to be enough to get Lyndhurst into the state playoffs. Indeed, it needed two from the group of Vernon, Waldwick and Becton to also lose this weekend So as the Golden Bears were playing, some eyes and thoughts were focused on what was going on at the same time in Wood-Ridge, Waldwick and West Milford.

Kearny head tennis coach Michael Silpoch was looking at potential lineups before the start of the season this summer and envisioned big things for Kamilly Bravo and Keyla Petrillo if they happened to end up on the same doubles team. “Throughout the reasons, what I thought would work tremendously well was if Keyla took the jump up to first doubles and Kamilly stayed at first doubles,” said Silpoch. “Through challenge matches, it kind of worked itself out (that they would be partners). “They’re two very talented players that could have done very well in singles competition, but they were destined to do the things they did at first doubles this year.”

Up until last week, Meya Ranges’ senior season has been about pacing and patience. All offseason, Ranges worked on better pacing herself on the course so she could finish races stronger. Then, during the regular season, Ranges was held out of some of Nutley’s dual meets with bigger goals in mind - the Essex County and upcoming NJSIAA state and sectional championships. On Friday at Cedar Grove Park, that training and approach paid off in a big way. Ranges’ smashed her previous career-best when she ran a 19:09.07 to claim third place at the Essex County Championships.

The smart and fast work of the North Arlington Police Department, combined with a stellar use of technology, led the department to rapidly locate woman who had absconded with her child for whom she did not have custody and who made her way to the City of Brotherly Love, Lt. David Hudak, of the North Arlington Police Department, said. According to Hudak: On Oct. 10, 2025, the North Arlington Police Department responded to a report of a 7-year-old child who had been taken without authorization during a supervised visit at a residence in the borough.

The North Arlington Board of Education will no longer seek to acquire Queen of Peace’s LaSalle Center on Ridge Road — either through eminent domain or through negotiations with the Archdiocese of Newark. North Arlington School Business Administrator Samantha Dembowski made the announcement Oct. 28 and Superintendent of Schools Stephen Yurchak forwarded a copy of a letter written to the archdiocese noting its intent to end the overall process to The Observer and other media outlets. It appears the property and land would not have been economically viable after renovations and significant, necessary asbestos remediation.