Bell is hoping to revive a program that went 2-27 over the last three years.

After going 2-27 over the last three seasons, players from Newark West Side are starting to see the light.

“When we say light, we’re saying we have a chance,” senior two-way lineman Koodir Thompson said during Monday’s North Jersey Super Football Conference Media Day at Clifton Stadium. 

A chance is what West Side graduate and former East Orange head coach Marion Bell is bringing back to his alma mater.

After a disputed exit from East Orange, Bell spent last season as an assistant for a Roselle team that finished 10-2 and featured one of the state’s most prolific offenses.

Now, Bell is trying to turn around a West Side team that was shut out or held to one score in eight of its nine losses.

“The message off the bat is believe and trust the process,” Bell said. “It’s the same thing when I was at East Orange. We were 2-8. Last year, West Side was 2-8. The kids at East Orange trusted the process, and we went to two state championships and won one.”

Sophomore quarterback Chrishod Walker is a believer in the process. According to Walker, West Side’s roster size is growing, and the team is working towards its season-opener Sept. 1 at Belleville.

“I already see a difference in the program,” Walker said. “The program is moving faster and faster. We’re getting more kids, our name is getting out there, and we’re starting to be the talk of the town.”

While dethroning Newark juggernauts Weequahic or Shabazz is still a long way away, Bell is not shying away. He thinks his team will be a contender in the American Blue Division and is looking for a playoff berth in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3.

“The plan is to be good now not later,” Bell said. “I think the kids that we have, they understand that we had a great offseason. Now, we just have to translate it to the field.”

Bell was 69-49 during his 11 seasons at East Orange and led the Essex County school to the North 1, Group 4 title in 2007. Also under Bell’s guidance, East Orange sent 53 players to the NCAA ranks, including Philadelphia Eagles rookie Rasul Douglas.

Bell's East Orange tenure came to an end before the 2015 season when he was not rehired for his 12th year. At the time, Bell said the decision by the Board of Education came down to “low-ball politics”.

“Looking back, I learned a lot,” Bell said. “I thank God for (former principal) (Irene) Nichols. She gave me the opportunity to be a head football coach, and I think I turned out to be pretty good at it.”

Now, it’s on to a new challenge, and his players at West Side are buying in.

“We’re academically strong, physically strong and all of our players are coming together from the third string kids to the first string kids,” Walker said. “We all have everyone’s back. Those are my brothers at the end of the day.”

Pat Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatLanniHS. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.

A 20-year-old Newark man has been charged with robbing purses from the Gucci outlet in Secaucus and altering his license plate to further the offense.

JERSEY CITY -- A 20-year-old Newark man has been charged with robbing purses from the Gucci outlet in Secaucus and altering his license plate to get away with the crime, authorities said.

Jamal R. Johns, of Lenox Street, appeared in court on Thursday on charges he grabbed two bags in the store and shoved a security guard to the ground as he ran out, the criminal complaint says.

He is also charged with using tape to alter his vehicle's license plate in connection to the May 16 incident, which was captured by store security cameras, the complaint says.

During the investigation, a person being questioned as a possible suspect in the incident identified Johns, the complaint says.

The judge said there is a warrant for Johns' arrest for a violation of probation when he appeared on the Secaucus charges in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City on Thursday via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.  

At the hearing, he was released with conditions of supervision pending trial regarding the Gucci incident, but the warrant out of Monmouth County will hold him until that matter is addressed. It was later discovered that he also has a failure-to-warrant appear warrant out of Monmouth County.

A judge on Monday said he could not force St. Theresa School to re-enroll Sydney Phillips and Kaitlyn Phillips.

No arrests or suspects after slaying, according to authorities.

NEWARK -- A 22-year-old Newark man was fatally shot in the city's South Ward early Tuesday, authorities said.

Tyiere Parks was shot around 12:15 a.m. in the 800 block of Clinton Avenue, near Fabyan Place, according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose and Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino. Police initially responded to the area for reports of gunfire.

Parks died around 1:10 a.m. at University Hospital, according to the prosecutor's office.

"At this time, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made," the officials said in a joint statement.

Officials did not immediately release more information on the slaying, including a possible motive for the attack.

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

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Authorities say crack cocaine, heroin seized.

NEWARK -- Essex County Sheriff's detectives seized heroin, crack cocaine and arrested two men -- including a reputed Bloods street gang member -- in Newark's North Ward, officials said Tuesday.

Jamal Horne, 39 (Photo: Essex County jail) 

In response to complaints about drug dealing and gang activity, undercover detectives were watching the area near 9th Street and 4th Avenue Monday afternoon, according to Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

Investigators saw Jamal Horne, 39, of Newark, loitering in front of an abandoned building on North 9th Street, the sheriff said. Within minutes, a taxi pulled up and the passenger spoke to Horne, who retrieved items from a plastic bag that was hidden under fallen tree branches.

Authorities said Horne exchanged the items for cash with the passenger, identified as Omar Gely, 35, of Bloomfield.

Detectives pulled over the taxi and Gely surrendered two vials of crack cocaine along with six heroin-filled glassine envelopes stamped with "Sunshine" in blue ink, Fontoura said. Gely was charged with drug possession while the taxi driver was released.

Sheriff's detectives arrested Horne at the abandoned building, where they recovered a plastic bag containing 86 vials of crack cocaine, 62 decks of heroin with similar markings and about $100 in suspected drug money, officials said.

Horne was charged with drug distribution-related offenses.

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

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Victim stabbed in the shoulder and leg late Monday, according to police spokesman.

BLOOMFIELD -- A 33-year-old man was stabbed in his shoulder and leg after a "business dispute" turned violent in Bloomfield Monday night, a department spokesman said.  

The 51-year-old suspect has been identified, but has not yet been arrested, according to Bloomfield police spokesman Ralph Marotti. The stabbing occurred on Dodd Street around 8 p.m. after the two men were involved in the argument.

The injuries were not considered life-threatening, the spokesman said.

Authorities did not immediately release more information on the attack.

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

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NEWARK -- A city police officer suffered a knee injury Tuesday night while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect whose gun went off during a struggle with his victim, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. Officer Al Mendez responded to 39 Bryant St. around 7:30 p.m. on a report of shots fired and an armed robbery in progress. Mendez was...

NEWARK -- A city police officer suffered a knee injury Tuesday night while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect whose gun went off during a struggle with his victim, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

Officer Al Mendez responded to 39 Bryant St. around 7:30 p.m. on a report of shots fired and an armed robbery in progress. Mendez was hurt while trying to handcuff Hanife D. McCall, 24, of Newark, Ambrose said. McCall was struggling during the arrest, Ambrose also said.

The gun was found at the scene, police said.

Mendez was treated at a hospital and released.

Police plan to charge McCall with robbery, aggravated assault against a police officer, resisting arrest and weapons offenses.

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

Using data from the National Weather Service, we created a map that shows the cloudiness forecast for every five square miles in the United States. Watch video

Search for your address, or click on a location on the map for more information.

As the so-called "Great American Eclipse" draws near, the forecast for the big event is beginning to come into focus. 

And while New Jersey will not experience 100 percent obscuration of the sun as the moon's shadow crosses the nation, viewing conditions are looking better than in much of the country. But if you're headed to the southeast, the closest region to the Garden State in which a complete eclipse will occur, you may want to cross your fingers. 

Using tens of thousands of data points from the National Weather Service, NJ Advance Media compiled an interactive map (above) that shows what percent of the sky is expected to be obscured by clouds on the afternoon of Aug. 21. 

23 great spots to watch the solar eclipse in N.J.: A statewide guide

The eclipse will be visible across the United States from about 10:15 a.m. to about 4 p.m., depending on your location. In New Jersey, the eclipse will begin at 1:22 p.m., reach is maximum obscuration (about 75 percent of the sun will be covered) at 2:45 p.m. and come to an end around 4 p.m.  

Whether you're traveling for the eclipse or just staying home, use the map above to see how the forecast for the big day evolves.

It will be updated daily.  

Stephen Stirling may be reached at sstirling@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @sstirling. Find him on Facebook.

The city on Tuesday said it was going to reimburse retirees who are facing higher co-pays on their prescriptions after switching to the state health benefits plan.

NEWARK -- Two weeks after an uproar unfurled at City Hall over Newark's transition of employees to a new health benefits plan, questions swirled over why it was taking so long to address a key concern - retirees facing steeper prescription medication costs.

Business Administrator Jack Kelly assured the City Council on Tuesday that former employees affected by the change would be reimbursed for those costs through a debit card-like program. 

"We plan on keeping our promises that we made to our retirees," Kelly said. He added that the council will vote on contracting New York-based The Difference Card to administer the cards and reimbursements on Aug. 22. 

"Yet again this is coming late we're not going to have time to fully vet the vendor," said Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins, who has been critical of changes to the city's health insurance since January. "The question still remains -- how are we going to fix it and when are we going to fix it because there are people whose lives are on the line."

It won't just be up to the council to approve the debit cards. According to an Aug. 4 letter from the state to the city obtained by NJ Advance Media last week, should Newark want to offer a reimbursement fund to employees or retirees, "a request for approval must be discussed" with the Division of Pension and Benefits.

The city submitted that request on Aug. 8 but has not heard back. The state did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the issue. 

"On the city end, that should have been planned out a little bit in advance and ready to roll out Aug. 1," said Chuck West, president of the Newark Firemen's Union. "There are a lot people being damaged by it."

"It took them eight months to get permission? They knew this was going to happen," said Anthony Tarantino, president of Newark Fire Officers. 

The City Council approved moving to the state's health benefits plan as a cost-cutting measure in January after proposals by the administration to hire a Jersey City-based broker to transition to a self-insured health care failed to pass. 

Kelly acknowledged the city was "a little bit short-sighted" in the move.

"We should have had those cards sooner," he said. 

Under his proposal, retirees will be given a "difference card" to cover any cost above what retired employees contractually must pay for their prescriptions -- no more than $1.50 or $5 for former public safety workers. 

Retirees, who were switched to a new prescription plan, will use the cards to pay for a majority of the cost. The remaining balance -- slightly higher costs for brand name medications -- will be paid out of pocket and reimbursed by the company.

"Most of the co-pay will be adjudicated right at the time (of purchase)," Kelly said. "For the balance that's left over, they will be mailed a check." 

On Aug. 1, the city transitioned its current and retired employees to the state's health benefits plan -- prompting immediate criticism as retirees complained of gaps in their coverage and drastic increases to their prescription co-pays.

One retired police officer previously told NJ Advance Media he went to pick up his wife's rheumatoid arthritis medication for which he usually pays $1.50 and was charged $623. He left the prescription at the counter. 

Kelly said the city was also planning on sending out another mailing to all retirees for those who may not know about the new health plan.

"We are trying to do our best," he said. 

Cost savings questioned

Mayor Ras Baraka also addressed the council on Tuesday, reiterating his support of moving to the state's plan.

"One way or another (the retirees) are going to be reimbursed," he said, adding that the reimbursement costs, paid by the city, would not cut into the $13 million Newark expects to save in the switch. Current employees maintained their prescription plan, only retirees changed plans. 

"We're always going to save money in the direction that we're going," Baraka said. 

Tarantino, however, questioned those numbers and said the health care changes would not save money but instead defer a $13 million payment into the 2018 budget. 

Baraka maintained moving to the state health plan was allowing the city to hire more police officers and plug its budget deficit.

"We have to do something different here in Newark ... that does not drown us all in providing health care to all of our employees," he said. "We're going to move into self-insurance, fighting over a broker is what caused us to waste time."

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. 

Uvaldo Melgar, 46, was convicted of assaulting girls, ages 7 and 10.

NEWARK -- A 46-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday in Essex County Superior Court to 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting two young girls he was babysitting, officials said.

Uvaldo Melgar (Photo: ECPO) 

Uvaldo Melgar was convicted after a three-week trial in November of abusing the girls, ages 7 and 10, who he was supposed to be caring for at his family home while their mother worked, according to prosecutors.

"This sentence brings finality and a sense of closure to the victims and their families,'' said Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Peter Polidoro, who tried the case.

Judge John I. Gizzo sentenced Melgar to 12 years in prison, a term he must complete 85 percent of before being eligible for parole, for aggravated sexual assault, according to officials. The judge gave him an additional six years in prison for child endangerment.

Melgar must also registered as a sex offender under Megan's Law and faces possible deportation after serving his state prison term, the prosecutor's office said.

Federal immigration officials could not be immediately reached for details on Melgar's case.

Records show Melgar remained held at the Essex County jail Tuesday.

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

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Mayor Ras Baraka wrote this in response to what he says is the unions' campaign of misinformation.

By Ras J. Baraka

Police and fire union members showed up in force at a recent City Council meeting to complain that union retirees have lost their health benefits because the city is transitioning employees to the State Health Benefits Plan.

They were dead wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth.

No retirees have lost their benefits. The union members at the council meeting were parroting some of the misinformation they have been fed by their union leaders.

I don't know why the police and fire union leaders are using scare tactics and distorting the truth in a desperate attempt to block the transfer of city employees and retirees into the State Health Benefits Plan.

I can't understand why these union leaders are working so hard to maintain the status quo when the transfer will save taxpayers millions of dollars while guaranteeing that employees and retirees will receive the same benefits that they are now receiving.

In order to counter the scare tactics and campaign of misinformation being waged by the police and fire union leaders, I am presenting the facts that they don't want the people of Newark to know:

1.  More than 90 percent of the Police and fire retirees live outside of Newark.

2. Actively employed members of police and fire unions receive, on average, a total compensation package exceeding $150,000 annually.

3. The cost to provide health insurance for active and retirees was $104,000,000 last year. 

4. To maintain the same plan this year the city would have been required to spend thirteen million dollars more. This would cost the average homeowner an additional $375.

5. Under the State Health Benefits Program retirees and their families will continue to receive nearly free health coverage for life. Despite that, Police and Fire unions are complaining that they may now have to pay postage to seek reimbursement.   

In addition to the city providing retirees with a generous pension and lifetime health benefits, the city also reimburses retirees for Part B Medicare premiums -- the reimbursement can be as much as $4,600 annually.

6. The cost for active employees will not increase in 2018 and the cost for retirees will actually decrease by 4 precent as a result of joining the state plan.  The move to the the state plan is a financially prudent initiative that saves money for employees and taxpayers as well.

7. We cannot allow heath costs to bankrupt the city and drive property taxes further through the roof.  Heath care costs consume nearly 18 percent of the city's operations budget.  The city is committed to honoring its labor contracts and we are also committed to keeping Newark affordable for residents.

8. It is not uncommon for members of the police and fire unions to leave with severance payments, paid by the city's taxpayers, of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

9. The Baraka administration was forced by the courts recently to pay former police officers for accrued time they allegedly had on the books and earned under the previous administration.  During the period when this time was accrued, supervision of police hours was lax and its accuracy questionable.

10. The courts required the city to pay one retiree $389,533 for accrued time; another was paid $277,269 and three others were paid nearly $150,000 each and yet another retiree is claiming that he has earned accrued time worth more than $800,000. Many of these accruals took place at the same time the U.S. Attorney General was finding that police officers were routinely violating the civil rights of the same people who pay their salaries. 

Ras J. Baraka is mayor of the City of Newark.

Newark's transition to a new health benefits plan for current and former employees was strongly criticized by union leaders

NEWARK -- Mayor Ras Baraka is accusing the public safety unions of waging a campaign of misinformation and "distorting the truth" as the city rolled out a new health plan for current and former employees.

"I can't understand why these union leaders are working so hard to maintain the status quo when the transfer will save taxpayers millions of dollars while guaranteeing that employees and retirees will receive the same benefits that they are now receiving," Baraka said in a statement and an op-ed submitted to the media laying out the facts about health care. 

The city transitioned its current employees and retirees to the state's health benefits plan on Aug. 1 but union leaders said retirees were not properly informed of the changes and suffered gaps in coverage and medical care. 

"I was disheartened by (Baraka's) reaction," said Chuck West, president of the Newark Firemen's Union. "For the most part, the four unions are trying their best to get their people enrolled as painless as possible."

But Baraka said the unions were using "scare tactics" to block the enrollment of employees and retirees into the health plan. He said most retired police and firefighters (90 percent) live outside Newark and left with average compensations packages of more than $150,000 and health coverage for themselves and their families for life.

With health care costs absorbing 18 percent of the city's budget, Baraka said moving to the state plan would save taxpayers $13 million, about $375 for an average homeowner in the city. 

"We cannot allow health costs to bankrupt the city and drive property taxes further through the roof," he said. "The city is committed to honoring its labor contracts and we are also committed to keeping Newark affordable for residents."

The four police and fire unions sued the city over the changes arguing the state plan does not offer a more expensive and expansive coverage plan required in their contracts known as the "traditional plan." A Superior Court judge in July agreed with the unions, saying the city had to offer the traditional plan for active and retired members.

Anthony Tarantino, president of Newark Fire Officers said a small percentage of active and retired employees opted into the traditional plan and the unions were willing to negotiate with the city. 

Tarantino said he sent 485 applications to retirees to help them enroll in the state health benefits plan. 

"The city did not do their homework on this, it's really bad," he said. "It's almost like (Baraka's) blaming us. I'm disappointed."

"Months ago the unions went before City Council, we asked them to put the brakes on this transition, give it more time," added James Stewart Jr., president of the Newark FOP Lodge 12. "We met with the (business administrator) we told him this is going to be a disaster. Nobody listened."

But during Tuesday's City Council meeting, Baraka said the city needed to do something to address escalating health costs. Under the state health plan, costs for current employees will not increase and will decrease by 4 percent for retirees.

"There's always going to be hiccups and issues but we have to work them out. We have to negotiate with the unions," he said. He said the city needed to find a solution "that does not drown us all in providing health care to all of our employees."

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. 

The company plans to add 200 jobs by 2020 at its new facility in the former Hoffman-LaRoche campus

Victim suffered wounds to his shoulder and leg, according to police.

BLOOMFIELD -- A 51-year-old man was arrested Tuesday night and charged with stabbing an acquaintance in an incident at a Bloomfield residence that was captured on the victim's security camera, police said.

Andre Roberts (Photo: Bloomfield Police Dept.) 

Andre Roberts, of East Orange, attacked the 31-year-old man on Dodd Street after the two were involved in a disagreement around 8 p.m. Monday, according to Bloomfield police.

A relative of the victim allowed Roberts in the home before he started arguing with the man, police said in a statement. Roberts pulled a folding knife and stabbed the man in his shoulder and leg.

The assailant fled before officers arrived, but he was identified shortly after the assault, police said.

The man's injuries were not considered life-threatening and he was released from an area hospital, according to officials.

Roberts was charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

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

Heroin, cocaine and marijuana seized, according to police.

NEWARK -- Sixty-nine people were arrested in a weeklong sweep that also netted three guns and various drugs, which have an estimated street value of approximately $10,000 around Newark, officials said.

Police launched the operation from Monday through Sunday, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. The operation followed similar crackdowns that came in response to complaints of drug activity in various parts of the city.

The arrests led authorities to recover 562 decks of heroin, 376 vials of cocaine and 269 plastic bags of marijuana, the public safety director said in a statement. Officers also seized nearly $5,000 in money from drug activity.

The arrests included a 16-year-old Newark boy, who police said tossed a bag holding a gun as he ran from a drug deal near Mercer and Lincoln street. Officers recovered the loaded .45 caliber handgun, which was reported stolen in Pennsylvania.Police charged the teen with weapons offenses.

A 17-year-old Newark boy was also arrested in the same incident and charged drug offenses for allegedly having 69 glassine envelopes of heroin.

In a separate arrest Saturday, police served a search warrant at a deli on 16th Avenue, near Fairmount Avenue, and charged 37-year-old Khalif Halloway, of Newark, with gun and drug-related offenses, according to officials.

Christopher Lucas, 26, of Orange, Joseph Boynes, 24, and Kevin Garnes, 53, both of Newark, were also arrested on drug-related offenses in the deli search, police said. More information on the raid was not immediately released.

Authorities on Sunday arrested Ingmar J. Connell, 28, after they spotted the Newark resident conduct a drug transaction in the 100 block of Garside Street, according to police. Officers seized a loaded .380 caliber handgun, 13 vials of cocaine, and a glassine envelope of heroin in that arrest.

Officials said the other arrests made in the sweep were for various drug-related offenses.

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

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Firefighters complained of pain after the crash.

NEWARK -- A Newark Fire Division sport utility vehicle collided with a car and overturned as it responded to another crash in the city Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

A deputy fire chief and an aide were in the marked emergency vehicle when it crashed at 16th Avenue and South 13th Street, according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

The two fire officials complained of pain from the wreck, said Capt. Derek Glenn, spokesman for the city's public safety department. There were no life-threatening injuries from the crash.  

The SUV was headed to reports of an accident with people trapped at Clinton Avenue and Irvine Turner Boulevard.

No civilians were hurt, the spokesman said. 

A photo shared on Twitter showed the SUV on its roof and a car with front-end damage nearby.

The crash was reported shortly after 5 p.m.

Newark U/D Apparatus Crash 15th Ave & S.13th Street Deputy 1 GIG Rollover Accident/ Signal 308 No Entrapment. pic.twitter.com/DFdCRdypj9

-- NorthJersey FireNews (@NJFires) August 16, 2017

NEWARK -- A cardiologist from Somerset pleaded guilty Wednesday after billing the government for hundreds of medical tests he never actually conducted, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said. Apostolos Voudouris, 44, has agreed to pay more than $476,000 as part of a civil settlement and another $238,000 in restitution. Voudouris began providing medical services under contract at the...

NEWARK -- A cardiologist from Somerset pleaded guilty Wednesday after billing the government for hundreds of medical tests he never actually conducted, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said.

Apostolos Voudouris, 44, has agreed to pay more than $476,000 as part of a civil settlement and another $238,000 in restitution.

Voudouris began providing medical services under contract at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in East Orange in 2006. Between 2011 and 2015, he submitted more than 350 false claims, fraudulently receiving $238,000 in fees.

He faces up to 10 years in prison when he's sentenced in December.

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

MAPLEWOOD-- Police used racial epithets when they slammed a teenage youth to the ground following a fireworks celebration last year, the teen alleges in a federal lawsuit. WABC 7 reported that Jason McDougal said he was complying with officers' commands but was still maced, kicked and beaten July 5, 2016, immediately following Maplewood's fireworks celebration. "Maplewood police officers herded children,"...

MAPLEWOOD-- Police used racial epithets when they slammed a teenage youth to the ground following a fireworks celebration last year, the teen alleges in a federal lawsuit.

WABC 7 reported that Jason McDougal said he was complying with officers' commands but was still maced, kicked and beaten July 5, 2016, immediately following Maplewood's fireworks celebration.

"Maplewood police officers herded children," attorney Robert Tarver told the station. "He was 16 years old at the time. In the dead of night. Away from their homes."

The suit is just the latest development stemming from the events of that night, when some residents say police racially profiled a group of African-American youth, resulting in four arrests.

Early this month, Robert Cimino, the chief of police, and a captain, Joshua J. Cummis, were both placed on administrative leave. The township committee also called for Cimino's removal.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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

The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 will happen Monday, August 21 (8/21/2017). Use this eclipse map when it's time for you get your viewing glasses and watch the celestial phenomenon. The path of the solar eclipse is one thing, but this map shows anticipated local cloud cover for the entire United States.

 Click on a location on the map for more information when it's time to view the solar eclipse of 2017. Our eclipse viewing map was last updated at 12 p.m., Aug. 16. 

The Great American Eclipse is just five days away, and for much of the country the forecast for the solar eclipse is looking good.  

The Garden State won't see a complete solar eclipse during the Monday event, though it is shaping up to be one of the best places to watch the celestial phenomenon. At this point, the southeast looks to be one of the most likely places where the complete obscuration of the sun will also be obscured by clouds. But a lot can change between now and when it's time to view the eclipse.

23 great spots to see eclipse in N.J.

Using tens of thousands of data points from the National Weather Service, NJ Advance Media compiled an interactive eclipse viewing map (above) that shows what percent of the sky is expected to be obscured by clouds on the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 21.

The eclipse will be visible across the United States from about 10:15 a.m. to about 4 p.m., depending on your location. In New Jersey, the eclipse will begin at 1:22 p.m., reach is maximum obscuration (about 75 percent of the sun will be covered) at 2:45 p.m. and come to an end around 4 p.m.

Whether you're traveling for the eclipse or just staying home, use the map above to see how the forecast for the big day evolves.

Stephen Stirling may be reached at sstirling@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @sstirling. Find him on Facebook.

Climb aboard for a look at fun places from the past.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association has a listing of "Lost Amusement Parks in New Jersey" containing more than 50 parks that once existed in New Jersey but are now simply fond memories.

Some -- such as Bergen County's Palisades Amusement Park, which closed in 1971 -- were known statewide; others were not renowned.

The site notes, for example, that Arcola Park in Rochelle Park operated from 1926 to 1929, and "the entire park burned in a fire except the pool," which makes quite a bit of sense when you think about it. A fire destroyed part of Riverview Beach Park in Pennsville in 1966, leading to its closing, and Island Beach Park in Burlington suffered two fires in 1928 and 1934 that led to its demise.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Fires at these parks usually centered on roller coasters, built of wood; the first all-steel roller coasters didn't start appearing until the 1950s.

The most commonly cited reasons for parks closing, however, were automobiles and highways. With the opening of the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, it became easier for vacationers to travel to shore points that offered amusement parks; smaller local parks couldn't survive the loss of revenue in a business that only brought in income part of the year.

Here's a gallery of places we went for rides and fun in New Jersey. Don't see one you're thinking of? You'll most likely find it in one of these other galleries:

Vintage photos of amusement parks, circuses and fairs in N.J.

Vintage photos of amusement parks, fairs and circuses in N.J.

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