See what $1,690 to $4,395 a month will get you in the town's trendy downtown.

MONTCLAIR -- Hundreds of tenants are getting a brand new view of Montclair, thanks to the recently finished second tower of a new development that is reshaping the hip town's downtown.

"We are becoming a part of the Montclair community," said James Driscoll, senior vice president of LCOR, the project's developer and owner.

"We want to continue to play a strong role."

The two new Valley & Bloom towers are already making a big imprint on the downtown landscape. After breaking ground on the two six-story buildings at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Valley Road in 2013, the first building opened to residential and commercial renters last July. Building II officially opened to renters earlier this month.

Montclair breaks ground on 1st hotel in 8 decades

Altogether, the buildings, which cost about $100 million to construct, contain 258 rental units of varying sizes, 20,000 square feet of office space, 22,000 square feet of retail space, and 571 parking spaces.

So far, retail and office spaces have been leased to tenants like Sotheby's Realty, AT&T, and Regus shared workspace suites, Driscoll said.

The new Building II's apartments range in size from 501 square feet to 1,189 square feet. Studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units start renting from $1,690 to $4,395 a month.

For the price, renters not only gain access to their own apartments, but to a smattering of shared amenities, including a cafe, children's playroom, fitness center and yoga studio, a courtyard, and a rooftop lounge with views of the New York City skyline.

Along with the development of the MC Hotel - which is being developed by the Pinnacle Companies and broke ground nearby earlier this week - the two Valley & Bloom buildings are part of the Montclair Gateway Redevelopment Plan, which is renovating formerly abandoned lots near the town's NJ Transit rail lines and dining and shopping corridor.

"It's a great ratable for our town," Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson said about the development. "We're hoping that...the new residents here will give a boost to our local restaurants and businesses."

The residential towers should also give a boost to the town's budget. According to town spokeswoman Katya Wowk, the two towers brought in about $300,000 in tax revenue over the past six months - a figure the town expects to go up as more units are rented. According to LCOR, the company entered into a PILOT program with the township in which its payments will be regulated and 10 percent of the rental units will be set aside as affordable units.

About 85 percent of the units in Building I are leased, and Driscoll said he expects both buildings to be fully leased out by the end of the year. Most tenant are singles or married couples in their late 20s through early 40s, many of whom have moved from New York, Jersey City, or Hoboken, he said.

"They are trying out Montclair, and this is a great place to do it," he said. "You can feel the vibrancy of downtown, and we are excited to be a part of that."

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

Isaiah T. Peterson was gunned down at approximately 7:19 p.m., officials said.

EAST ORANGE -- A 27-year-old South Orange man was killed Thursday evening in a fatal shooting near McKay Avenue and Ayr Street, officials said.

Isaiah T. Peterson was gunned down at approximately 7:19 p.m., said Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.

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

Emergency medical personnel later transported Peterson to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Carter said.

At this time no arrests have been made. An investigation into the killing by the prosecutor's office Homicide Task Force is ongoing, Carter said.

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

There is no indication of foul play, authorities say.

Authorities are investigating the death of the East Orange man. (File photo)
 

NEWARK -- Police are investigating the death of an East Orange man whose body they say was found in a restaurant bathroom.

At about 12:30 a.m. Friday, the 54-year-old man was found unresponsive in the bathroom of the restaurant in the 400 block of Springfield Avenue in Newark, city police spokesman Capt. Derek Glenn confirmed. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, Glenn said.

From the early stages of investigating the man's death, police said there is no indication of foul play. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy, police said.

Authorities are in the process of identifying the man, police said. Though it does not appear suspicious, the death is still under investigation, authorities said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).

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

Haniyyah Barnes is serving a four-year prison sentence for throwing a two-year-old Shih Tzu into oncoming traffic Watch video

NEWARK -- For the second time in nearly two months, Haniyyah Barnes was sent to state prison on Friday in the case where she killed her neighbor's two-year-old Shih Tzu by throwing it into oncoming traffic during a 2011 parking dispute.

Barnes, 29, of Newark, was sentenced to a four-year prison term on a burglary charge for breaking into her neighbor's city home before ultimately grabbing the dog by the throat, going back outside and throwing her into oncoming traffic, where she was struck by a vehicle and killed.

Before Superior Court Judge Richard Sules handed down the sentence, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Michele Miller reminded him about "the heinousness of the crime."

"Nobody should ever commit the kind of heinous acts that Ms. Barnes committed on that day to anyone, let alone a defenseless animal," said Miller, adding that "her behavior was abhorrent and should be punished accordingly."

Barnes declined to make a statement on Friday before she was sentenced.

The four-year sentence on the burglary charge will run concurrent to the four-year prison sentence Barnes received on Feb. 24 on charges of animal cruelty, theft and criminal mischief.

Barnes was convicted by a jury on Oct. 13 of those three offenses, but jurors could not reach a verdict on a second-degree burglary charge.

To resolve the matter, Barnes pleaded guilty on April 8 to a downgraded charge of third-degree burglary and a disorderly persons offense in exchange for the concurrent four-year prison sentence.

Barnes will receive credit for nearly six months of time served and there is no minimum period she must serve before becoming eligible for parole.

As part of her sentence, Sules ordered Barnes to pay restitution to her former neighbor and said Barnes is prohibited from purchasing, owning or residing with domestic animals for 10 years. Under the sentence, Barnes also must not have any contact with the victim, the victim's family or the Newark residence where the incident occurred.

The judge also said Barnes must attend anger management courses and a certified drug and alcohol counseling program.

Barnes had pleaded guilty in April 2014 to burglary, animal cruelty and theft charges. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors had agreed to recommend a six-year prison sentence. But Sules allowed Barnes to withdraw her guilty plea in February 2015.

When the Aug. 26, 2011 incident took place, Barnes and Nazirah Bey lived two doors down from one another on Fabyan Place in Newark, and they had an arrangement in which Bey allowed Barnes's mother to park in her driveway.

In pleading guilty, Barnes said she rang the doorbell at Bey's home in order to get Bey to move her car out of the driveway. After no one responded to the doorbell, Bey admitted to forcing the door open and entering the home without permission.

After the Shih Tzu, named Honey Bey, began barking, Barnes grabbed the dog by the throat, went back outside and threw her into oncoming traffic, where she was struck by a vehicle and killed, prosecutors said.

A Newark police officer was sitting in a patrol vehicle nearby and witnessed Barnes throw the dog into the street, prosecutors said.

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

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Livingston Animal Shelter.

The Livingston High School Animal Alliance Club will participate in the second annual Livingston Pet Expo on May 1. 

LIVINGSTON -- At the second annual Livingston Pet Expo, to be held at The Shoppes at Livingston Circle on May 1, dogs and cats from local shelters will be on hand to meet potential adopters.

At least eight shelters and rescue groups will attend with dogs and cats of all sizes and ages available for adoption. The expo, hosted by the Friends of the Livingston Animal Shelter, also will feature a pet photo booth and a "Cutest Pet" contest.

All proceeds from the event, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m., will benefit the Livingston Animal Shelter; last year, more than $1,000 was raised.

The Shoppes at the Livingston Circle are located at 277 Eisenhower Parkway. For more information on the event, call 973-885-9796 or email friendsoflivingstonshelter@gmail.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.

 

"Thank God," whispered the mother of 12-year-old Gywan Levine Jr. of Jersey City as the Newark man charged with fatally shooting him on the street in 2013 was found guilty of the boy's felony murder this afternoon and will face from 30 years to life in prison when sentenced on July 28.

JERSEY CITY -- "Thank God," whispered the mother of 12-year-old Gywan Levine Jr. as a Newark man was found guilty this afternoon of fatally shooting her son on a Jersey City street in 2013.

Farrarhd H. Gunter, 36, was convicted of felony murder and aggravated manslaughter of the Jersey City boy and he faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on July 28.

The jury took roughly one day to find Gunter guilty of the fatal shooting on Rutgers Avenue in Jersey City that occurred during a robbery on May 17, 2013. Gywan Jr.'s father, Gywan Levine Sr., 34, was also shot in the incident. 

Gunter, who has 10 prior convictions and is on probation for a firearm offense, showed no emotion as the jury foreman pronounced his fate. The victim's mother, Fania Williams, bent over a courtroom bench sobbing among a dozen friends and family members.

"It felt excellent," she said later of the verdict. "(Gywan) was 12. He didn't deserve to die. But he is still gone and we have to live with that void. ... I feel like now he can rest. It's been a long three years."

Referring to Gunter -- who testified in his own defense that he wasn't involved in the robbery and shootings -- Gywan Jr.'s mother said "He took my child's life. I hope he feels some kind of guilt."

Gunter was also found guilty of the armed robbery of Levine Sr., who was shot in the leg. He was also convicted of crimes that occurred minutes later on Woodlawn Avenue, including the armed robbery of one man and the aggravated assault of a man who was also shot in the leg.

Finally, Gunter was convicted of firearm offenses. He was found not guilty of murder, but felony murder carries the same penalty. Felony murder is participating in a crime during which a person is killed, even if the defendant did not personally kill the person.

Janice S. Everett, 28, of Rahway and Shawn Harris, 36, of Irvington were also charged in the boy's homicide, but they pleaded guilty to lesser charges and agree to cooperate in Gunter's prosecution. Everett testified that Gunter admitted to the shootings two different times -- that night and then again the following day. Harris did not testify.

Everett faces up to 10 years in prison and Harris up to 20.

The three were arrested after one of them attempted to buy a pair of sneakers online using Everett's cell phone and one of Levine Sr.'s credit cards.

"We are gratified that the jury came to what we think is a just verdict," said Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Rinaldi, who tried the case. "Hopefully this helps bring closure to the family and sends a message that this kind of violent crime on the streets of Jersey City will not be tolerated."

The trial lasted about two weeks, and also included testimony from Levine Sr., who said he ran when he realized that he and other men he was with were being robbed. He testified that Gywan Jr. was playing basketball nearby.

"I'm relieved," said Gywan Levine Sr., 34, who seemed exhausted as he walked out of the prosecutor's office with his son, Amaad, 8, after the verdict was given. "We all have a lot of pressure off our shoulders. I'm looking forward to the sentencing date and once again justice will prevail."

The bi-state agency raises concerns about tentative agreement between Newark and Uber. Watch video

NEWARK -- A tentative deal between Newark and ride-hailing company Uber has hit a roadblock.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark Liberty International Airport, raised concerns this week about the city's proposal to receive $1 million per year over the next 10 years from Uber in exchange for the right to operate at the airport.

Most of the airport is within the Newark city limits in New Jersey, and the Port Authority leases the land from the city.

State laws in New Jersey and New York give the Port Authority sole discretion in "all details of financing, construction, leasing, charges, rates, tolls, contracts and the operation of air terminals," according to language in the New Jersey statute. The Port Authority operates JFK and LaGuardia airports in New York in addition to Newark Liberty. 

Last weekend, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the tentative deal with Uber that included the fee for operating at the airport.

In a statement to The Associated Press this week, the Port Authority said it has expressed its concerns to city officials and that it plans to "discuss the matter with Newark officials in hopes of finding a resolution."

Baraka's office didn't respond to a request for comment Friday or say whether the city and Port Authority have discussed the Uber deal this week.

The Uber proposal was supposed to be considered at a Newark city council meeting Wednesday but wasn't voted on. Taxi drivers protested outside the meeting, and say ride-hailing has significantly cut their profits and that the proposed Uber deal is unfair to them.

Newark Liberty Airport handles more than 30 million passengers annually and is among the 20 busiest U.S. airports.

A spokesman for San Francisco-based Uber declined to provide statistics on how many pickups and drop-offs the company makes at the airport. Craig Ewer said Uber is continuing to operate at the airport and has about 13,000 eligible drivers in New Jersey, a number he said includes about 2,000 Newark residents.

"We're confident that the Mayor and all interested parties understand what is at stake for the 2,000 Newark residents who rely on Uber to earn extra income," the company said in an emailed statement Friday.

Newark and Uber had been in a public spat recently over taxes, licensing and background checks. In February, city officials said Uber drivers would be ticketed or towed if they operated at the train station or airport, but the plan was later shelved. At the time, the Port Authority issued a statement saying it wouldn't prevent Uber drivers from operating at the airport.

A man was shot in Newark following January's blizzard for using a neighbor's shovel, police said.

NEWARK -- A 33-year-old woman who police said was hiding out of state was arrested Thursday for her alleged role in the shooting of a man over a snow shovel in January.

Taquannah Martin was arrested Thursday in Tobyhanna, Pa., where fugitive apprehension detectives learned she was staying, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. She was being held in Pennsylvania pending extradition to New Jersey.

Man shot in snow-shovel dispute

Martin is the second person arrested in connection with the shooting, which occurred the morning after the city was buried beneath more than two feet of snow Jan. 24. The victim, a 38-year-old man, told police he found a shovel on the ground and dug out the driveway of an elderly neighbor on Lindsey Street.  

As he was clearing the driveway, the victim said he was confronted by a neighbor, Saqirah Davis, who claimed the shovel belonged to her. The man returned the shovel and exchanged words with Davis before heading to his own home, he told police in January.

As he was making his way home, the man said he was again confronted by Davis, who was accompanied by three other people. On orders from Davis, someone in the group  shot the victim, striking him in the buttocks, police said in January. Martin is not believed to be the shooter, a department spokesman said Friday.

Davis, 36, was arrested the day of the shooting. The victim was treated at University Hospital and released.

Police continue to look for additional suspects. Anyone with information about this or any other crime are asked to call the department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers' tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). All calls remain confidential.

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

Police took the 37-year-old suspect into custody Friday afternoon.

Shaquan Archie (photo provided)

NEWARK -- Police have arrested a 37-year-old city man wanted for allegedly shooting the teenage daughter of his former girlfriend, officials confirmed.

Shaquan Archie was taken into custody Friday afternoon by police officers patrolling near the 400 block of Summer Avenue, said Newark Police Department spokesman Captain Derek Glenn.

According to investigators, the incident began at approximately 10 p.m. Thursday evening after Archie arrived at the South 12th Street residence of his former girlfriend.

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Police said Archie and the 16-year-old victim engaged in argument after she answered his knock at the front door. As the argument escalated, Archie allegedly shot the teen and then fled from the scene.

The full extent of the victim's injuries was not immediately made clear. But following the shooting, she was taken to University Hospital for treatment, where she remains in critical condition, Glenn said.

Archie has been charged with the shooting as well as several other weapons-related offenses, he added.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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

Millburn music teacher argued she suffered medical conditions from mold that she said was growing in her classroom.

Millburn schools declined to comment on the ruling. (File photo)
 

MILLBURN -- A New Jersey music teacher was awarded an approximately $1.8 million verdict after a judge ruled that her asthma and other chronic lung problems were caused by a mold issue in her classroom.

According to a written decision, Essex County Superior Court Judge Christine Farrington ruled Monday that the Millburn Board of Education owed music teacher Mary Jean Alsina the nearly $2 million for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Alsina, a tenured teacher in Millburn, filed suit against the district in 2013 after she said she was exposed to mold while working in a specific room in the middle school. According to the decision, Alsina argued that she had complained about a musty smell in the room, dripping water from the ceiling, stains and seepage on the walls, and what she believed to be mold growing in the room. Though she argued that the district tested the room and that the school's custodial staff cleaned up the area, Alsina said she did not feel that they adequately addressed the problem, the decision states.

Top paid teachers in Essex County

Alsina was diagnosed with adult onset asthma and other lung conditions, which she and her doctor attributed to the conditions in the classroom, the decision says. She reduced her position at the school from full- to part-time to tend to her medical issues, and as a way to avoid teaching in that classroom, it says.

When Alsina began discussing the mold issue with her colleagues, students, and district parents, she argued that the school's administration retaliated against her, further reducing her schedule to one day a week, and removing most of her duties in the music department.

"My client feels vindicated," Alsina's attorney, Gina Mendola Longarzo, said in a phone interview about the decision. "She's very honest, she didn't exaggerate. ... (The school) tried to discredit her, and punished her, but it was worth all of the suffering."

A spokeswoman for the Millburn school district declined to comment on the suit, noting that it concerns both personnel and legal issues. Longarzo said she anticipates the district will appeal the ruling.

According to Longarzo, Alsina is still employed by the district, giving music lessons one day a week. Though Longarzo said Alsina may choose to resign from the post, she is still hoping to draw attention to what she believes is a mold issue at the school.

"You can't mess with the safety of your students and teachers" Longarzo said. "That's really what this was all about."

The district spokeswoman declined to comment on the mold allegations, but according to a 2012 Patch article, school officials did address the issue with parents at the time.

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

The Mother of Dragons comes to Verona Watch video

As you get ready for Sunday's big "Game of Thrones" premiere, here's a medieval morsel to whet your appetite for swordplay, intrigue and dragons.

"Knights of New Jersey," a web series set in the world of "Rennies," or Renaissance fair actors, is what its creator calls a "mashup of 'The Office' and Medieval Times."

The project pairs modern-day sensibilities with Renaissance-player panache and Jersey geography. 

"So, what's up? You want a dime bag of Mendocino kush?" asks one character named Squire Tom, addressing Lord Mayor, a man in a feather cap. 

"Could you make it two?" the man answers. "The Bergen County witch's coven meets next Tuesday." 

Mike Hadley of Montclair writes and directs the "Renaissance fair comedy series," which takes full advantage of New Jersey's stately landmarks. The latest episode, which debuted this month, was filmed at Lambert Tower in Paterson and Kip's Castle in Verona.

Squire Tom (Benny Elledge) and Sir Robert (Kurt Smith) in the web series 'Knights of New Jersey.' (Peter Trilling)
 

"Believe it or not, there's two castles within five miles of where we live," says Hadley, 53, a writer and director who has worked in TV, off-Broadway theater and commercial video. He launched the series in December and will screen four episodes as a short film at both the Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival in Asbury Park on Sunday and the Montclair Film Festival in May.

In the latest episode, titled "Daenerys, Mother of Dragons, Returns," Sir Robert (Kurt Smith), the series' armor-wearing, cellphone-toting protagonist, encounters a group of "Game of Thrones" cosplay enthusiasts fronted by a Jersey version of the platinum-haired Khaleesi. Most of the time, the denizens of the Ren fair, including employees and costumed guests, employ Hollywood flourishes like "m'lord" and "m'lady." They also reference the Garden State Parkway and Bon Jovi -- Sir Bon of Jovi, if you will. 

Hadley says he enjoys riffing on the pressures actors face in maintaining a fidelity to ye olde faire life, but was initially scared they would be offended. 

"I was thrilled to find that the people in the Ren fair community, they loved it," he says. 

The "Knights of New Jersey" cast features both traditional actors and performers with Renaissance fair experience, including those with combat performance credentials. He received assistance from the New Jersey Renaissance Festival Players with casting and costumes. Hadley says he may shoot some scenes at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire in Bordentown this summer. 

Hadley, who majored in history at Columbia University, claims some form of nerddom but calls himself a mere "interested observer" of Renaissance fairs, not a participant. In Rennie lingo, he's a "mundane" -- a regular customer. As Hadley explains, if he were to attend in costume, he'd be considered a "playtron."

"Some of them are very open-minded about people who come to the fair, and then there's other Rennies who are a little more hardcore," he says. 

But yes, he'll be watching "Thrones" along with all the other "GOT" fans this weekend. 

"I can recall reading short stories in sci-fi compilations written by George R.R. Martin," he says.

Hadley's wife, Deborah Villarreal, serves as executive producer. The budget for the first four episodes was a modest $10,000. He says he's looking to turn the project into a half-hour comedy for streaming television, and is going to be pitching studios and producers for additional funding.

"We're hopeful that we can take this to another medium beyond the web," Hadley says. But even then, any guest appearances from dragons may be a ways off, unless the Knights of New Jersey come upon the Holy Grail. 

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup. Find NJ.com Entertainment on Facebook.

An anonymous tip led police to the residence, where police found alcohol being sold without a license to patrons, police said.

(file photo) 

NEWARK -- Police arrested three in an overnight bust of an unlicensed after-hours club on South Orange Avenue, officials said.

An anonymous tip led police to the residence, where officers found alcohol being sold without a license to patrons, said Newark Police Detective Hubert Henderson in a released statement.

At approximately 3:30am, detectives and officers responded to the location where they immediately arrested an individual, 34-year-old Delwyn Evans of East Orange, for possession of marijuana.

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Once inside, officers were approached by the promoter of the party and the owner of the establishment, who were not able to produce any credentials or a liquor license.

The promoter, identified as 36-year-old Kester Pandlitz, and owner, 63-year-old Clephane Burgess, both East Orange residents, were arrested and the establishment shut down. Detectives confiscated 28 bottles of liquor and over 210 bottles of assorted beer. They also recovered over 145 grams of marijuana.

Pandlitz now stands charged with aiding and abetting an unlicensed liquor establishment. Burgess has been charged with the unlawful possession alcohol and maintaining an unlicensed liquor establishment.

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

The $35K renovation included an expanded kitchen and dining area and gorgeous new floors.

N.J. Home Makeover is a new feature on NJ.com. To submit your renovation for consideration, email home@starledger.com with your full name, email address, phone number and town/city. Attach "before" and "after" photos of what you renovated.

When Justine K. Walia moved into the West Caldwell ranch with Michael C. Mills, the couple dreamed not only of their future together, but of the possibilities for a vintage house that had once belonged to his grandparents.

The 2013 wedding proposal came a few weeks after she moved in, following their six-year courtship. On Aug. 5, 2014, there'd be the wedding at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. The next year, they'd began to take on the 1,700 square feet of their 1965 house.

They had a bit of a head start. Michael and his two brothers had previously owned the house, having purchased the three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick and frame structure from their grandfather in 2006. The young men had already renovated the master bathroom and installed new hardwood flooring in some parts of the house.

The renovation

But after the couple bought out Michael's brothers, they thought more about the roof over their heads (they replaced it) and envisioned a kitchen that could become the heart of their home.

A wall and a door stood in their way.

So, Michael tore down the wall between the dated kitchen and cramped dining room. To make room for more kitchen cabinetry and counter space, he relocated the back door to the nearby family room.

"It really wasn't as difficult as it looks," says Michael, a union sheet metal worker with construction experience and family and friends to help. The kitchen was gutted down to the studs to prepare for its transformation. The project required a plumber to move a gas line, and the couple opted to hire skilled trades to install the flooring, wall tiles, cabinetry and granite counter tops. Still, they did as much of the work themselves as possible.

"Our goal was to have the kitchen up and running for Christmas," says Michael, who began the ambitious project early last November. "Our appliances went in two days before Christmas," he says with a chuckle. "It was functioning, so we met our goal. It was done, but not done-done."

After hosting the holiday feast, the couple did the finishing work of painting and installing decorative effects. But even in a space that was slightly incomplete, they were able to show off solid wood, semi-custom Schrock cabinetry in white; a suite of stainless steel appliances from Samsung; a new center island with a built-in KitchenAid microwave; and Italian porcelain tile flooring that resembles wood. Their guests circulated with ease in the open-floor-plan kitchen and dining room while the couple took pride in a renovation that cost them about $35,000.

"Keeping cost down is always a top priority," says Michael. "There's the satisfaction of doing it yourself, too."

With an older house, there are, of course, more projects in their future. "It's still kind of grandma and grandpa's house in a way," says Justine, a school social worker. Next up is this year's project: the backyard and exterior work around the relocated back door, which leads to an enclosed patio that also needs updating.

"We love to entertain, and right now the area where we entertain outside is all ripped up because of the door moving," she said. As the couple plans a new deck for their outdoor living area, Justine notes that the kitchen update turned out exactly as she had envisioned it for their home together. "I just walk in, and I feel like this ours."

What they renovated

The kitchen and dining room

Who did the work?

Cambridge Kitchens, Wayne, designed and installed cabinets; Barolli Tile, Oak Ridge, installed flooring and backsplash; TriState Stone, Newark, installed the granite countertops and Bardi Plumbing & Heating, Verona relocated the gas line and a baseboard heating system.

How long it took

The major construction took approximately seven weeks, from Nov. 5 to Dec. 22, 2015. Finishing touches were completed over the next few weeks.

How much they spent

About $35,000

Where they splurged

On the kitchen cabinetry and flooring. "We went with some higher-end options, which caused us to go over budget," Michael said. "But we were more than happy with the end results."

How they saved

The couple managed the project themselves and shopped for the best prices on appliances and materials. "We shopped around for estimates based on recommendations from friends and relatives," Michael said. "After meeting with the potential contractors, we narrowed the field down to those who we felt were on the same page, both conceptually and budget-wise."

What they did themselves

"With the help of family and friends, we were able to handle the planning, demolition, framing, electrical, sheetrocking and painting ourselves," Michael said.

What they like most

The overall floor plan. "We were able to relocate the original outside entrance door to another room, adding more counter and cabinet space," Michael said. "We also removed the wall between the original kitchen and dining room, thus opening up space for a large island which is much more functional and inviting than the original design." 

What they'd have done differently

"Really, the only issue was the time of the year," Michael said. "Going through a project like this in November and December, during the holidays, was trickier than we thought. Outside of personal inconveniences, we also had to work around contractor availability, material deliveries and delays for inspections. Other than that, though, we wouldn't change a thing. We are ecstatic about how the project turned out."

Kimberly L. Jackson may be reached at home@starledger.com. Find NJ.com Entertainment on Facebook.

The injuries were not life threatening.

NEWARK -- A man shot three people early Sunday at a bar on South 10th Street, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

Newark Police found three people with gunshot wounds at about 1:42 a.m. on the 600 block of South 10th Street, Ambrose said in a news release.

The victims were two women, ages 34 and 45 and one man, 41 years old. They are all Newark residents.

They were sent to University Hospital for treatment. The 45-year-old was hospitalized in stable condition, while the other two were released.

Detectives are investigating several leads, Ambrose said. Police know there was one shooter and that he was involved in a dispute before the shooting.

Anyone with information can leave a confidential tip by calling (877) NWK-TIPS or (877) NWK-GUNS.

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

Find out which N.J. schools were named national Green Ribbon Schools this year.

Intensive recycling programs, new solar panels and classroom lessons on protecting the environment paid off for five New Jersey schools that were named the "greenest" in the nation by a federal program last week.

The U.S. Department of Education released its list of Green Ribbon Schools Friday, honoring schools and districts that made significant efforts to reduce their environmental impact, increase the health of students and bring sustainability lessons into the classroom.

The honorees included 47 schools, 15 districts and 11 colleges across the nation. Their extensive efforts to be more "green" were chronicled in a 151-page federal report.

N.J. has 5 of the nation's top schools, report says

"Earth Day reminds us of the great strides we've made to address climate change and protect our planet, but there is still a long way to go to ensure that our children and grandchildren can experience our earth's natural treasures just as we have," said Christy Goldfuss, managing director of the White House Council of Environmental Quality.

New Jersey's Green Ribbon schools are:

Whitehouse School in Whitehouse Station: About 70 percent of the elementary school's grounds are school gardens, wetlands, forest and native grasses, according to the federal report. The school was also cited for adopting green cleaning policies to reduce exposure to chemicals, promoting pre- and post-holiday shape-up programs for students and providing parents with a place to recycle beauty product bottles and ink cartridges.

Egg Harbor Township High School: With the help of students, the school increased recycling in its building by more than 4,000 percent in four years, according to the federal report. The high school also  introduced students to composting, began a healthy breakfast program and installed a solar array that generates 15 percent of the school's power.

Essex County West Caldwell Tech in West Caldwell: The 343-student vocational school's efforts to offer healthy alternatives to students included eliminating sugary drinks and replacing many snack options in the school store, according to the federal report. The school cafeteria offers fruits and vegetables from local farms. The school has also worked sustainability and environmental topics into vocational training programs, including having horticulture students raise trout in the classroom from eggs.

Triton Regional High School in Camden: Rooftop solar panels produce 45 percent of the high school's power, according to the federal report. The school was also cited for its two greenhouses, butterfly garden and plans for an organic garden. One of the school's Advanced Placement classes presented Camden's mayor and town council with environmentally sound proposals for unused land in the city.

Raritan Valley Community College in Somerville: The two-year college signed a deal with the Environmental Protection Agency to take steps to reduce its environmental impact and costs, according to the federal report. The campus has created no-mow areas and a rain garden on campus. It also collects rain water for use in toilets and garden irrigation. One of the college's new buildings has a two-story wall of plants to help filter airborne toxins and the campus offers free electricity for electric cars and premium parking for employees who carpool.

In addition to the five schools, a New Jersey official won the program's Director's Award. Bernard Piaia Jr., director of the Office of School Facilities at the New Jersey Department of Education, was honored for his efforts to advance green schools around the state.

The priest suffered minor injuries.

NEWARK -- An East Orange man attacked a priest early Sunday, police said.

Shawn I. Swinton, 33, was acting strangely after entering a church on the 500 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

Swinton attacked the priest before fleeing, Ambrose said.

Several other priests and parishioners followed Swinton toward the intersection of Broad and Market streets and flagged down a patrol car. Officers Julio Rivera, Waldemar Arocho and Christopher Freestone arrested Swinton.

Swinton was charged with simple assault and is also being held on a warrant with no bail.

The priest was treated at University Hospital for minor injuries and released.

Anyone with information can leave a confidential tip by calling (877) NWK-TIPS or (877) NWK-GUNS.

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

Dogs and cats throughout northern and central New Jersey are in need of permanent homes.

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.

"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."

Courtesy of petworld.com 

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.

Montclair-based Mosaic Strategies Group helped Women on 20s develop their successful campaign to change the bill

MONTCLAIR -- It took nearly a century to get a woman on the front of the $20 bill, but only about a year for a small New Jersey company to contribute a vital two cents to the effort.

Since April 2015, Montclair-based Mosaic Strategies Group has helped manage a website for Women on 20s to make the country's currency co-ed -- one that finally paid off big last week when the U.S. Treasury announced Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.

With a total of six employees, the small digital strategies shop's work often flies under the radar. Last year, however, partner Francesca Larson found herself on the receiving end of a call from Barbara Howard, one half of the duo behind Women on $20s.

The group's campaign to put a woman on a paper bill was snowballing at a breakneck pace, and Howard and partner Susan Ades Stone were struggling to keep up. In Larson, they found an ally with both the necessary technical chops and a passion for their cause.

"Our little campaign grew into a very big campaign. It was something very difficult to manage by ourselves," said Howard. "I knew she was a person that could actually help us forge ahead. She's doing this because she lives and breathes it."

Mosaic stepped in to help support a poll the organization narrowed from 15 potential choices down to 4 finalists and assisted with a design for a bill featuring Harriet Tubman, attracting attention from news outlets and social media.

"(The poll) was a way to engage people on the issue," Larson said. "To get them talking about why it was important and what it means for women's equality."

The Treasury quickly took notice of the campaign, and in June 2015 committed to putting a yet-to-be-determined woman on the $10 bill.

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Nearly a year later, the government has committed to placing Tubman on the $20 bill, and Women on 20s is being credited for much of the change of heart (along with a Broadway-fueled rise in popularity for the face of the $10, Alexander Hamilton).

Though Howard said she and Stone were pleased with the news, they have already begun the next phase of their campaign by advocating for the Treasury to fast-track the changes. Under current plans, the Tubman bills would reportedly not enter circulation until as late as 2030.

"It's a historical point where people have been able to affect a change, a long overdue change in a very novel kind of way," Howard said. "It's a win, but it's a beginning to hopefully usher in an new era of respect for women, and for all people. "

For Larson, the year represented tremendous professional success for her small firm, but also a rare chance to help change the course of U.S. history.

"This has been a labor of love," she said.

Correction:An earlier version of this article misstated the precise point when Mosaic Strategies Group began assisting Women on 20s' campaign.

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

Six hospitals have received straight A's since the Leapfrog safety report card debuted in 2012.

TRENTON -- One-third of New Jersey hospitals dropped a grade or more in the latest national report card judging how well they kept their patients safe by protecting them from infections, bed sores, and harmful errors during their stay.

New Jersey ranked 22nd in the nation - a steep drop from fifth place last year, and the lowest the state has ever scored in the nine reports issued since 2012 by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit health care watchdog organization.

But comparing to prior reports would not be fair because some of the criteria changed, and Leapfrog has started grading on a tougher curve, said Linda Schwimmer, president and CEO of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, a Leapfrog-affiliated organization.

New Jersey ranks 5th in hospital safety

Hospitals are now judged on patient surveys grading their interaction and communication with nurses and doctors, and the incidence of life-threatening infections such as medically resistant staph infections, Schwimmer said. 

Of the 67 hospitals that participated: 

• 23 received an A, 9 fewer than the last round;
• 16 received a B, 1 more than last round;
• 26 earned a C, 6 more than last round;
• Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center is Secaucus earned the only D;
• Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark received the only F.
• The AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus and AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus showed the most improvement by going from C's to A's.

Hospitals that received straight A's every time are Englewood Hospital and Medical Center; Hackensack University Medical Center; Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; Jersey City Medical Center; and Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville.

Created with the input of national medical experts, Leapfrog's report card remains a powerful tool for educating the public, prodding poor-perfoming hospitals to improve and rewarding high-achievers, Schwimmer said.

 "There will always be more work to be done in our area to provide the best care for the families living in our communities," she said. "While we are proud to work with all of our hospitals and recognize the commitment they are making to improve care, we are particularly concerned about the 'D' and 'F' hospitals in our state: Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center and Saint Michael's Medical Center, respectively."

"We hope that the release of these scores will...galvanize their leaders to make some serious system-wide changes to improve the quality of patient care."  

Officials from Saint Michael's, a nearly 150-year-old hospital acquired out of bankruptcy by Prime Healthcare Services in March, previously have said they do not participate in the survey because their computer technology is limited. They have also criticized Leapfrog for relying on "outdated" information. Leapfrog bases the hospitals's grades on publicly available data.

"Given the long duration and uncertainty of the regulatory review for the sale of Saint Micheal's Medical Center to Prime Healthcare Services, the hospital has not had the resources needed to participate in the Leapfrog survey," said Bruno Tedeschi, spokesman for St. Michael's said Sunday. 

"However, in about a week, the ownership of the hospital will be turned over to Prime Healthcare, which has long emphasized the seriousness and importance of quality and safety monitoring and understands the value of top-notch quality-of-care reporting. Prime is fully committed to participating in the Leapfrog survey in the future and having Saint Michael's scores truly reflect the high quality of care that we provide for our patients."

Meadowlands declined from a C last fall. The hospital, which has suffered from financial difficulty and endured several management shakeups, has earned A's, B's and C's in earlier reports. 

A separate study commissioned by Leapfrog estimated 33,000 lives could be saved in the country if all hospitals "performed as safely" as A hospitals.

Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, which administers the Hospital Safety Score, said hospitals can save lives through their commitment to patient safety.

 "Those are the lives of your neighbors, your friends, and your family, protected at hospitals that don't give up on the quest to be safe," said Leah Binder, Leapfrog's CEO. "Ultimately, we want all hospitals to be A-level, because our communities deserve no less."

Vermont topped the list, with five of its six hospitals earning A's, and Wyoming ranked at the bottom, with none of its six hospitals earning A's, according to Leapfrog.

See the full report at hospitalsafetyscore.org

Correction: Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville received its first C in this report. An earlier version of this story said the hospital's grade had never slipped below an A. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

The mini Montclair chef will be on the May 10 episode of the show's second season.

MONTCLAIR -- Set your DVR to get some cooking advice from a New Jersey 12-year-old.

Montclair sixth grader Zoe Gelsi is set to be one of the contestants on the new season of The Food Network's hit kid cooking show "Chopped Junior." Gelsi's episode - which includes a challenge asking the pint-sized chefs to make an appetizer of cow tongue and shrimp - airs May 10.

"I was so nervous on the day of filming. I was too nervous to eat breakfast," Gelsi said about competing on the show. "But after I got there, there were a lot of people to help, and the judges were really nice."

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On the show, a team of three celebrity chefs judges four kid competitors who are given a new basket of oddball mystery items each round to craft into a tasty dish. Each round, one kid chef is eliminated, until the ultimate winner goes home with a $10,000 check. The 13-episode second season follows a slew of competition shows on the network that showcase the skills of kid cooks.

"These talented young competitors, who grew up watching Food Network and Chopped, bring an abundance of energy, creativity and cooking skills to the table," Didi O'Hearn, Food Network's Senior Vice President Programming, said in a press release about the new season.

Though Gelsi stayed tight lipped about the outcome of her episode, she did say that she tapped into the cooking skills she's been picking up from her mom and other family members since she started cooking at about age 4. After filling out an online application and doing a field interview, Gelsi's mom found out that she had been picked for the show in December. She saved the news for Gelsi's 12th birthday later that month.

"It was obviously the best birthday present ever," Gelsi said of learning that she'd be on "Chopped Junior."

"I've been watching 'Chopped' forever. ... I also like to act, so being able to cook and be on TV at the same time were my two favorite things combined."

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