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Livingston prom brings seniors together

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The event featured dancing and a singalong with local senior group, the AARP Livingstones.

ex0417senior02.jpg Livingston High School senior Kyle Baskinger and Livingston resident Marie Scioscia were named King and Queen of this year's Livingston Intergenerational Prom on April 12. 

LIVINGSTON -- Livingston High School's senior prom for students is still weeks away, but the school's Intergenerational Senior Prom was held on April 12.

Senior citizens from the township turned out in formal finery for the annual event hosted by high school students and community leaders.

The school's Stage Craft workshop designed decorations reflecting the theme "All You Need is Love."

The event featured dancing and a singalong with local senior group, the AARP Livingstones.

LHS senior Kyle Baskinger and Marie Scioscia, an active senior citizen volunteer, were named King and Queen of the prom.

The annual gala is sponsored by Livingston Public Schools, the Township of Livingston and the Livingston High School Key Club.

To submit news for the Senior Spotlight column, please call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

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N.J. teachers charged in sex cases involving students (PHOTOS)

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The number of teachers accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with students continues to grow in N.J.

The recently announced investigation into Thad Alton, a teacher at the Pingry School in the 1970s, last month over allegations of sexual abuse of students at the prep school four decades ago was just the latest in a series of similar cases in New Jersey.

In the past few years, dozens of teachers in the Garden State have been accused of similar impropriety.

Listed below are many of the state's teachers who have recently faced charges involving sexual relationships with students. All of these teachers have been removed from their classrooms:

Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

WATCH: Passover Matzo made in N.J. Manischewitz factory

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Come along on our tour. Watch video

NEWARK -- The Manischewitz factory has been busy these past weeks, pumping out thousands of squares of matzo for Passover, which begins April 22.

The crunchy flatbread is a fixture of the Jewish holiday, serving partly as a Biblical reminder of how the Jews ate unleavened bread after being driven out of Egypt.

About 700 squares of matzo are made each minute in the Newark factory, according to company officials.

The entire production process for a sheet --starting with the mixing of the flour and water -- can take no longer than 18 minutes, so the bread doesn't "rise," they said.

"Even though you don't have any leaven or any yeast or anything like that, the rabbis have established that if you mix flour and water and let it sit out, it will start to rise. The challenge of matzo is it's kind of the bread of affliction, it's not risen, it's not anything extravagant," said Rabbi Yonah Hayum, a full-time rabbinical supervisor.

Premium unleavened: N.J. is a hotbed of matzo

Passover is a big deal for Manischewitz's business. According to CEO David Sugarman, about 35 to 40 percent of his business "is done in the 10 weeks leading up to Passover."

But matzo is just one of dozens of kosher products offered by the growing company, several of which are made in Newark. Among other offerings, there are macaroons, soups, jarred gefilte fish, new gluten-free products and new chocolate hazelnut macaroons, and kosher Welch's grape juice, thanks to a new partnership.

In all cases, "the ingredients need to be kosher...the equipment needs to be kosher...(and) the process needs to be kosher," Hayum said.

The company, founded in 1888, currently operates in about 12 countries, including in North America and Europe, and has plans to expand to about 8 to 10 more countries, Sugarman said.

It already is the "number one kosher food company in the world," he said, but "anywhere that there is a Jewish population, there should be Manischewitz products."

In its long history, the company has seen its share of change.

It was located in Jersey City before coming to Newark, explained matzo-maker Sam Ostrovsky, who has worked for Manischewitz for 27 years.

On Thursday, Sen. Robert Menendez toured the facility, accompanied by Sugarman. Menendez complimented the "Made in America" products and the growth of the company.

He said that he is trying to ensure that American products face fewer hurdles entering markets abroad.

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook

Yoga fundraiser to benefit Humane Society

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All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of New York.

 
SHORT HILLS -- A "Fit for Fido Fundraiser" will be held at POE Yoga in Short Hills on April 21 at 7 p.m.

While supplies last, participants will receive a free yoga mat and "hot sauce" pillow.

Admission is $30 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of New York.

The yoga studio is located at 531 Millburn Ave. in Short Hills. For more information, call 917-584-8385 or email sydneymasters2@yahoo.com.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

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Here's why Uber belongs in Newark, and here's why it doesn't | Opinion

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The CWA and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce have written opposing views on how to settle the battle between Newark and Uber. Pick a side:

It looks like an open war between Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and corporate officials at Uber with both parties campaigning to get what they want.

Baraka is demanding Uber to "pay their fair share" by acquiring licenses to operate in the city and the airport. 

Uber officials are forcing the mayor's hand by saying it will stop its operations in the city if regulations are implemented. On Thursday, Uber introduced the "Baraka Ban" feature on its app, which when clicked explains why future Newark customers may not be able to use the service.

Is a compromise on the horizon?

Two New Jersey leaders submitted op-eds to express their positions on what needs to happen in this battle. Below are condensed versions of their original submissions:

***

Uber should comply with taxi laws or it should leave Newark

In recent years, Uber, Lyft and similar companies have operated illegally in Newark and other parts of New Jersey. One would think a popular company like Uber would want to follow the law in New Jersey just like they do in New York City.

Uber and other app services have no legal standing in New Jersey. There are laws on the books that specifically state that in order to be a commercial driver for passenger services, you must first pass a comprehensive fingerprint background check, carry commercial insurance and regularly inspect your vehicle.

Without these, you can't be a driver for hire and you will be ticketed and potentially towed. What makes the safety of New Yorkers more valuable than the residents of New Jersey? 

One theory is that Uber is afraid that New Jersey passengers will find out who they actually hired as drivers and be subject to yet another lawsuit like the $25 million suit in California for misleading the public.  It was determined that Uber hired convicted rapists, identity thieves, burglars, kidnappers and murderers.  These felons would never have been hired by a taxi or limousine company since they conduct comprehensive background checks using fingerprint data.

Fortunately for public safety, elected leaders in Trenton and in cities like Newark, are moving forward with legislation that will require Uber and other app-based companies to follow the same rules as taxis.  

Uber should come to their senses and work with officials in building a level playing field between companies like Uber and the taxi industry.  Once everyone is playing by the same rules, consumers will have a real choice and the market can decide who succeeds or fails. 

  --  Lionel A. Leach 

Leach is president of CWA, Local 1039, the parent organization of the United Transportation Alliance of New Jersey. (Complete op-ed column)    

***

Don't push Uber out, New Jersey depends on businesses like it

Adaptability and innovative thinking are now imperatives for success and a company that can't adjust -- or won't -- is destined to be pushed aside.

Government also must adapt to the realities of the marketplace and  find ways to help businesses in these new and changing industries flourish rather than seek to protect the outdated status quo through onerous regulation.

That's why it's distressing when a company like Uber, with its innovative approach to an age old customer demand is faced with the real possibility of leaving Newark at a time when our all of our cities are in desperate need of economic revitalization.

Uber is exactly the type of business a city such as Newark needs. Uber's drivers use the company's ride-sharing platforms to work when they want, for as long as they want, allowing them to carve out time for child care or other employment.

This is the type of innovative thinking that will help our economy thrive.

Cities that have embraced Uber, such as Evesham Township in Burlington County and Summit in Union County, have solved longstanding public problems -- lack of adequate parking  and drunk driving among them -- while realizing the economic benefit of increased customer traffic to its shops and stores. 

We don't think Uber or any other business should receive preferential treatment and we don't believe Uber is asking for it. What we do believe is that all businesses should be given a level playing field on which to operate. 

We urge our state and municipal governments to embrace innovation and allow our community to grow and prosper. Our state's economic future depends on it.

-- Michael Egenton

Egenton is executive vice president of government relations at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. (Complete op-ed column) 

***

Pick a side and vote in the informal, unscientific poll. Tell us in comments how this debate should be resolved. 

--

Follow NJ.com Opinion on Twitter@NJ_Opinion. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

Jury to hear man choked woman in front of child weeks before murder

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Andre Higgs is charged with killing Latrena May on May 1, 2015, about five weeks after allegedly choking her

NEWARK -- At Andre Higgs's murder trial on charges of fatally shooting the mother of his daughter, jurors will be able to hear evidence that he allegedly choked her during a domestic dispute about five weeks before the killing, a judge has ruled.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler on Friday granted a motion by prosecutors to permit evidence at Higgs's trial about that March 25, 2015 incident between Higgs and Latrena May. The incident allegedly occurred in front of their then-four-year-old daughter at May's home on Tremont Avenue in East Orange.

On May 1, Higgs, 43, of Watchung, is accused of fatally shooting May during an argument outside the home while their daughter was inside the residence. Higgs has indicated he plans on arguing he was intoxicated at the time of the killing.

Due in part to that intoxication defense, Wigler found the evidence of the prior incident is admissible, because it relates to Higgs's state of mind when the fatal shooting occurred.

"It's something that goes directly to establish state of mind, intent," the judge said.

Higgs's attorney, Thomas Ashley, said during Friday's hearing that Higgs "vehemently denies" he was involved in the alleged choking incident. Given May's death, Ashley argued in part the evidence should be inadmissible because there are no other people who could testify about witnessing the incident.

Ashley told the judge that he and Higgs "should have a right to cross-examine those who are his accusers, and unfortunately Ms. May cannot be, but there are no other witnesses."

But Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who is handling the case, said Higgs "shouldn't benefit from the fact that he killed the only witness to this incident."

Edwab argued a 911 call made by May soon after the incident provides evidence that it occurred and supports its admissibility at the trial.

During that call, May told the dispatcher in a shaky voice that Higgs left the home after he had "put his hands around my neck and he choked me in front of my daughter."

Latrena MayLatrena May 

Wigler agreed with Edwab and ruled the 911 call provides "clear and convincing evidence" that the incident took place.

In addition to allowing the 911 call to be presented to the jury, the judge also indicated prosecutors could present certain testimony at the trial from East Orange Detective Steven Plumer, one of the two officers who responded to the home following the 911 call.

Plumer could testify about his observations inside the residence, including that he saw bruises on May's neck area, according to Wigler.

But the judge said it would be inappropriate for Plumer to testify about what May allegedly told him. Plumer has claimed May said the altercation stemmed from Higgs's allegations that she was "sleeping with other men," and that May said Higgs "was gonna come back and kill her."

Wigler said May's alleged comments "would be problematic and hearsay."

Authorities have said Higgs and May were arguing on the porch of her home on May 1, 2015 when May flagged down a police office patrolling the area. Higgs then shot her three times and the officer shot Higgs, authorities said.

After being shot, Higgs went into the house with the weapon before he was apprehended, authorities said. A 27-year-old teacher at Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange, May was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Higgs was later released on $1 million bail. But after he was charged with causing a drunken crash on Christmas in Middlesex County, Wigler imposed a more stringent bail requirement in the murder case and Higgs was returned to the Essex County Correctional Facility in January.

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

N.J. Chamber of Commerce: Uber deserves a level playing field | Opinion

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The chamber argues Uber offers innovative thinking that will help N.J.'s economy thrive. Newark should give the ride-sharing company a fair shake.

By Michael Egenton

It is a basic tenet of economic success that a business thrives when it understands and responds to the needs of the marketplace. 

However, responding to those needs has become a tougher challenge as we move further into the age of technology. A business either finds new and innovative ways to meet customer demands or it goes the way of the dinosaur.

No longer can a company rest on its laurels or rely on outdated business models and past successes to keep afloat. Adaptability and innovative thinking are now imperatives for success and a company that can't adjust -- or won't -- is destined to be pushed aside.

Government also must adapt to the realities of the marketplace and find ways to help businesses in these new and changing industries flourish rather than seek to protect the outdated status quo through onerous regulation.

That's why it's distressing when a company like Uber, with its innovative approach to an age-old customer demand is faced with the real possibility of leaving Newark at a time when our all of our cities are in desperate need of economic revitalization.

Uber is exactly the type of business a city such as Newark needs. Uber's drivers use the company's ride-sharing platforms to work when they want, for as long as they want, allowing them to carve out time for child care or other employment.

This is the type of innovative thinking that will help our economy thrive.

Cities that have embraced Uber, such as Evesham Township in Burlington County and Summit in Union County, have solved longstanding public problems -- lack of adequate parking  and drunk driving among them -- while realizing the economic benefit of increased customer traffic to its shops and stores.

We believe every city in New Jersey should follow suit.

At a time when our cities face crippling unemployment and shrinking tax bases, Uber provides much needed jobs for almost any qualified driver with a car.

We don't think Uber or any other business should receive preferential treatment and we don't believe Uber is asking for it. What we do believe is that all businesses should be given a level playing field on which to operate. 

We believe the state of New Jersey should welcome innovative new companies such as Uber and allow them every opportunity to survive on their merits under the same set of rules as companies and industries that already exist in our state. To do otherwise is to shut off the spigot of innovation and opportunity.

We urge our state and municipal governments to embrace innovation and allow our community to grow and prosper. Our state's economic future depends on it.

Michael Egenton is executive vice president of government relations at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

N.J. taxi union: Uber should comply with taxi laws | Opinion

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The CWA president argues that if Uber doesn't want to play by the rules, it shouldn't operate in Newark. Watch video

By Lionel A. Leach 

In recent years, Uber, Lyft and similar companies have operated illegally in Newark and other parts of New Jersey. These drivers have received thousands of tickets as a result. One would think a popular company like Uber would want to follow the law in New Jersey just like they do in New York City.

However, that's not the case.

Despite its use across the country, Uber and other app services have no legal standing in New Jersey. There are laws on the books that specifically state that in order to be a commercial driver for passenger services, you must first pass a comprehensive fingerprint background check, carry commercial insurance and regularly inspect your vehicle. Without these, you can't be a driver for hire and you will be ticketed and potentially towed. 

But this doesn't need to happen. Uber can simply do what they do in New York and comply with current taxi laws. Instead, these billion-dollar companies fight legislation. They barrage lawmakers with attack ads. They throw tantrums and threaten to leave New Jersey.

Why? What makes the safety of New Yorkers more valuable than the residents of New Jersey? 

One theory is that Uber is afraid that New Jersey passengers will find out who they actually hired as drivers and be subject to yet another lawsuit like the $25 million suit in California for misleading the public. In this case, Uber claimed they had the "best" background checks in the industry. They assured passengers that they would be safe because of these checks. 

However, after a review of the drivers hired by Uber in San Francisco and Los Angeles, it was determined that Uber hired convicted rapists, identity thieves, burglars, kidnappers and murderers. These felons would never have been hired by a taxi or limousine company since they conduct comprehensive background checks using fingerprint data.

Fortunately for public safety, elected leaders in Trenton and in cities like Newark, are moving forward with legislation that will require Uber and other app-based companies to follow the same rules as taxis. That's it.  Nothing secret or scary. Unless Uber has something to hide, I can't imagine why its such a big deal.

Strangely it is a big deal.  When Newark officials announced an ordinance that would treat taxis and Uber the same way, they threatened to leave the city.  Since then Uber has resorted to political attacks usually reserved for political campaigns.  And for what purpose?  Why can't a billion-dollar corporation follow the same rules as a local small business?

The truth is they can.  They do it right across the river everyday. Uber should come to their senses and act like grownups and work with officials in building a level playing field between companies like Uber and the taxi industry.  Once everyone is playing by the same rules, consumers will have a real choice and the market can decide who succeeds or fails.  That is, after all, the American way.

Lionel A. Leach is president of CWA, Local 1039, the parent organization of the United Transportation Alliance of New Jersey.  

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Man who stabbed wife 16 times in front of son loses appeal

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Abbijial Sloan is serving an 85-year prison sentence for the 2007 killing of his wife in Newark

Abbijial SloanAbbijial Sloan 

NEWARK -- A state appeals court on Friday affirmed the conviction of a man who killed his wife in front of their young son in 2007 by stabbing her at least 16 times at their Newark home.

Abbijial Sloan, 48, had argued in his appeal that his trial attorney was ineffective for not exploring a defense based on his mental health in connection with the Aug. 23, 2007, killing of 37-year-old Nicole Sloan.

But the appellate panel upheld the 2014 decision of Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin, who rejected Sloan's argument in denying his petition for post-conviction relief.

In that ruling, Ravin noted that Sloan "failed to provide any evidence regarding his mental health to show prejudice caused by counsel's alleged deficiency," according to the appellate decision.

"Judge Ravin cited the lack of evidence to show that the result of the trial would have been different absent the other alleged deficiencies in counsel's performance," the decision states.

Sloan was convicted by a jury on Nov. 18, 2010, of murder, endangering the welfare of a child and two weapons offenses. On Jan. 18, 2011, Ravin sentenced Sloan to 85 years in state prison.

The incident occurred at the family's home at 230 Alexander Street in Newark, where Sloan beat his wife and stabbed her at least 16 times with a large kitchen knife in the presence of their then-3-year-old son, authorities said.

Authorities have said the killing was captured on a 911 call that Sloan's wife made before being fatally stabbed.

On the call, she begs for help and the son can be heard in the background crying as Sloan repeatedly stabbed his wife, authorities said.

When police officers later arrived at the scene, Sloan confessed to them that "he stabbed his wife because she was cheating on him and 'deserved' it," according to the appellate decision.

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run of Jersey City man

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A man was struck and killed near Mulberry and Market streets in Newark.

NEWARK -- A 24-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that claimed the life of a Jersey City man April 9, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced Friday.

Mahmoud M. Baza, 31, was crossing Mulberry Street at Market Stre

strothers.jpeg.jpgShawniece Strothers (Essex County Prosecutor's Office)  

et around 6:40 a.m. when he was hit. The driver fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle a few blocks away, authorities said.

The prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force, which includes Newark detectives, arrested Shawniece Strothers of Newark Thursday following an investigation, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said Friday. Strothers, who was charged with aggravated manslaughter and death by auto, was being held at the Essex County Jail on $350,000 bail.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

After war of words, Newark and Uber make a deal

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Uber threatened to pull out of Newark if proposed laws were passed

NEWARK -- The administration of Mayor Ras Baraka announced Friday that a deal has been struck allowing Uber to continue operating in the city.

"The city of Newark and UBER have reached a tentative agreement which will keep UBER in Newark, protect the business interests of the taxi and limousine industry and provide a boost to the city's economic development and leadership in technology," Baraka said in a statement.

A Baraka spokesman declined to release details of the deal, stating the particulars will be made public at a press conference sometime "in the coming days."

Uber also confirmed that a deal had been struck but also refrained from releasing any specifics in its statement.

"We are pleased we reached a tentative agreement with Mayor Baraka. We look forward to continuing to provide transportation options and economic opportunity to Newark and its citizens," spokesman Craig Uwer said.

Uber and the city have been at loggerheads for months, with Baraka and other city officials claiming the car services enjoy an unfair advantage over taxis licensed by Newark. Representatives of the traditional cab companies also say services like Lyft and Uber threaten to put them out of business. 

The city had previously proposed a ban on the car-hailing services at Newark Liberty Airport and Penn Station, an effort that initially floundered when the Port Authority and NJ Transit both declined to enforce it. But ticketing resumed following a rally by cab drivers at city hall.

More recently, the city proposed a number of fees to be imposed on what the company says are an estimated 2,000 Uber drivers who work in Newark. Those fees total far more than what cab drivers pay, Uber contends, an assertion disputed by unions representing the cab companies.

In response, Uber this week threatened to leave the city.

 

Cyber attack temporarily shut down Newark police computer systems

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Hackers implanted a virus in the department's servers, blocking access to programs used to track data and dispatch officers.

Newark Police Department(file photo)

NEWARK -- A cyber attack against the Newark Police Department computer network shut down various systems used by the department for several days last week, NJ Advance Media has learned.

Officials did not specify when the attack began, but sources told NJ Advance Media that the attack started at some point last week. 

Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose confirmed that department staffers were unable to access the systems for three days while staffers worked to clear servers of a virus implanted during the attack.

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/04/after_war_of_words_newark_and_uber_make_a_deal.html

The virus temporarily locked down the servers, blocking access to the computer program used by the department to track and analyze crime data, and also the program used to dispatch police and emergency officers.

"The virus did not disrupt the delivery of emergency services to our citizens," Ambrose said. A backup system was used to dispatch emergency officers while staffers worked to restore the programs, said a spokesman for the department.

According to department officials, there is no indication that any information stored on the affected servers was compromised.

Per protocol, the department reported the breach to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the FBI and the New Jersey State Police, officials said.

Department officials declined to disclose what security measures failed during the attack. But additional safeguards have been implemented to "further reduce the likelihood of another infection," Ambrose said.

Officials declined to say if any suspects had been identified in the attack. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Uber agrees to $10M fee, driver background checks in deal with Newark

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Under terms of the deal, Uber will pay the city a $1 million annual fee to operate at Newark Liberty International Airport for the next 10 years.

NEWARK -- Hours after announcing the deal that will allow Uber to continue operating in the city, the office of Mayor Ras Baraka on Saturday released details of the tentative agreement.

Under terms of the deal, Uber will pay the city a $10 million fee to operate at Newark Liberty International Airport for the next 10 years.

The company has also agreed to provide $1.5 million in liability coverage for all drivers in its network, conduct background checks of each one and to install and enforce a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol abuse policy.

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/04/heres_why_uber_belongs_in_newark_and_heres_why_it.html
 
"In proposing to regulate Uber in Newark, my goals have been to protect the safety of Uber riders, to require Uber to pay its fair share including fees and permits under the same kind of regulations as other businesses in Newark," Baraka said in a released statement. "This agreement achieves just that."

Uber also applauded the deal. "Uber is proud to be the first ride-sharing company to reach a compromise with the City of Newark," said spokesman Matthew Wing. "We thank Mayor Baraka for his leadership in making Newark the first City in New Jersey to embrace comprehensive and fair ride-sharing regulations."

Lionel Leach, president of CWA Local 1039, the union that represents nearly 300 taxi drive and has pushed for regulations to "level the playing field" playing field between taxi and rideshare companies said the agreement fails to meet that goal.

"This is an agreement for 1$0 million that benefits the city and the rideshare companies, not the [taxi]drivers. "Based on what I see right now, the only thing that it creates an unfair balance."

The agreement, which has yet to be approved by the Municipal Council, appears to have brought to a close the extended negotiations between city officials and the company that in recent weeks turned acrimonious.

Baraka and other city officials have claimed that Uber and other car services enjoy an unfair advantage over taxis licensed by Newark. Representatives of the traditional cab companies also say services like Lyft and Uber threaten to put them out of business. 

The city had previously proposed a ban on the car-hailing services at Newark Liberty Airport and Penn Station, an effort that initially floundered when the Port Authority and NJ Transit both declined to enforce it. But ticketing resumed following a rally by cab drivers at city hall.

More recently, the city proposed a number of fees to be imposed on what the company says are an estimated 2,000 Uber drivers who work in Newark. Those fees total far more than what cab drivers pay, Uber contends, an assertion disputed by unions representing the cab companies.

In response, Uber this week threatened to leave the city.

Staff writers Dan Ivers and Paul Milo contributed to this report.

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Crews battle major fire in Bloomfield (PHOTOS)

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Several area departments on the scene

BLOOMFIELD -- Fire crews from several Essex County departments battled a multi-alarm blaze on Charles Street in the township Saturday. 

Thick smoke was visible from the Garden State Parkway and adjacent Home Depot store around 7 p.m. A township fire official said the fire had reached at least three alarms.

"We have some displaced residents that will be staying at the Civic Center this evening," Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia wrote on Facebook after visiting the scene. 

Venezia said police, township firefighters and fire crews from communities including Irvington, East Orange, Clifton, West Orange and Verona responded to the blaze.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahycFind NJ.com on Facebook.

Redwood Tea celebrates women

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Students serve tea to wrap-up Women's History Month activities.

ex0417schoolwestorangeredwood.jpgRedwood Elementary School second-grader Tyler King with her younger brother, Joshua, at the class' "Tea Time in 2J."  

WEST ORANGE -- The second-graders in Kimya Jackson's class at Redwood Elementary School wrapped up their Women's History Month activities March 31 with "Tea Time in 2J," a high tea to honor women in history and the women in the children's lives.

Family members were invited to join the students at the tea. The children, who were dressed formally for the occasion, shared their Women's History Month projects with their guests before honoring the most important women in their lives -- their mothers. Guests were served tea, muffins and fruit.

To submit school news send an email to essex@starledger.com.


How Newarkers are celebrating city's 350th birthday

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Thousands of dollars in grants have been given to residents to develop celebrations.

NEWARK -- A play about the funeral business. A literary festival featuring books about the history of the Brick City. A ward-wide high school reunion.

The three varied events are just a few of those happening in Newark as part of the city's yearlong 350th birthday celebration; and these three are among dozens that were conceptualized and developed by residents.

According to the organizers of "Newark Celebration 350," about 56 of the more than 150 events taking place to commemorate the anniversary were born from average residents who attended ward meetings last year that solicited celebration ideas.

"We wanted to solicit suggestions from the people," said Junius Williams, the chair of Newark Celebration 350 and the Director of the Abbott Leadership Institute at Rutgers University - Newark. 

Grammy winners to headline Founders' Weekend

"This is indeed a community gathering, not something coming from the top down."

Though many of the events lined up were set up by the committee and large entities in the city like the Prudential Center and NJPAC, organizers have said the celebration should come from the residents, and the NC 350 committee has put its money where its mouth is. It has given out dozens of grants, ranging from $150 to $25,000 each, to residents so they could produce the events they thought up.

NC350's entire $3 million budget was raised from donations, organizers have said.

Starting with a city-wide kickoff last October, residents have been attending a long list of events that touch on various elements of the city's past, present, and future. The spate of events, Williams said, is as varied as the population of the state's largest city. Ideas from residents of every ward have been produced.

"Every ethnic group (in the city) has been involved in the planning," Williams said. "It is broad-based, and all inclusive."

Some upcoming events include:

  • April 18 - Puritans, Protestors, and Patriots: Newark in the Colonial Period at NJPAC
  • April 23 - Irish Heritage Celebration at Military Park
  • April 23 - Climate Justice Tour at Level One Bakery
  • April 23 - Queer Newark Oral History Project at the LGBTQ Community Center
  • April 26 - Newark Citizen Historian Initiative: Preserving Your Digital Life at the Rutgers-Newark Dana Library
  • May 9 - 20 - Newark Restaurant Week

For more information about these and dozens of other NC 350 events, click here.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Shooting death in East Orange under investigation

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The man was shot on Warwick Street

EAST ORANGE -- The Essex County Prosecutor's Office on Sunday was investigating the death of a man on Warwick Street.

The man was shot to death, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly said. He had no further details.

The prosecutor's office investigation is ongoing, he said.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Here come the cherry blossoms ... and they are pretty spectacular (PHOTOS)

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The cool spring has the trees blooming at different time in Newark's Branch Brook Park.

NEWARK -- Spring has arrived and the cherry blossom show is going full tilt in Branch Brook Park. 

The Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural affairs is running the festival that features a variety of events. People were all over Branch Brook Park Sunday, taking in the sights.

The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival runs through April 24.

The park now boasts 5,000 cherry blossom trees, larger than Washington, D.C. The trees bloom in a variety of colors and the cool weather this spring has some of the trees blooming at different times, so the colors are still coming together.

Ed Murray may be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Ed on Twitter at @EdMurrayphoto. Find NJ.COM on Facebook.

1 dead after shooting in Orange, authorities say

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The shooting near the city's train tracks caused major delays on NJ Transit routes

ORANGE - Authorities are investigating after one person was killed in a shooting early Sunday night.

Orange spokesman Keith Royster said detectives with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office's Major Crimes and Homicide Task Force had been on scene on Cary Street near the NJ Transit tracks.

The shooting reportedly broke out shortly after 7 p.m.

Thomas S. Fennelly, a chief assistant prosecutor for Essex County, also confirmed the shooting death, but said an investigation was in its early stages and declined to share additional details. 

NJ Transit said service along its Morris-Essex line was delayed anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour due to unspecified "police action" in the Oranges.

Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

N.J. pets in need: April 18, 2016

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Spring allergy season is here; dogs and cats can suffer too.

Spring allergy season is here. And, what many people don't realize is that dogs and cats can suffer, too.

According to animal dermatology specialist Nadine Znajda, pets absorb allergens through the skin and can develop skin or ear infections.

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"It's the itch that turns into a rash," said Znajda. "Pet owners often say 'my dog has hives,' but the underlying cause is usually a skin infection stemming from allergies."

Owners should take special notice if their pets scratch themselves excessively, rub their faces along furniture, lick their feet for extended periods or scoot their bottoms across the floor. If these signs are observed, contact a veterinarian to see if allergies might be the cause.

As a preventive measure for dogs that have exhibited signs of allergies, owners can wipe a dog's face, underside and paws with unscented baby wipes after a walk.

Here's a gallery of dogs and cats in need of adoption in northern and central New Jersey. More adoptable pets can be seen here and here.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

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