Newark, NJ|News|
NJ Gives Parents More Time To File COVID Special Education Claims
The battle to regain crucial services their kids lost during pandemic shutdowns continues for many New Jersey parents.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
New Jersey: Finding Our Way Forward
The coronavirus shutdown brought civic life and commerce to a standstill for months. These stories of revival show how communities, businesses, schools and essential institutions in New Jersey are finding ways to reopen, recover and move forward.
Related:Finding Our Way Forward
Newark, NJ|News|
NJ School Mask Mandate Ends, But Some Districts Stand Firm
Students across New Jersey left behind a familiar school supply item when they returned to classrooms on Monday: their face masks.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
‘Zero Patients With Active COVID’ At Newark Hospital, CEO Says
Two years ago, University Hospital was so overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases that a U.S. Army medical team was sent to help it cope.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
NJ Moves Essex County To 'Low' COVID Activity Level
Essex County is also in “Low” status with the CDC. See recent case/death totals for each town and city.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Montclair Will End Indoor Mask Mandate Early Amid COVID Drop
The town’s coronavirus mask mandate was set to expire on March 31. Here’s when it will end, instead.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Military COVID Staff Applauded As They Leave Newark Hospital
A team of 25 military support staff have been lending a hand at University Hospital during the omicron surge.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Gym Worker 'Pivots' After Job Loss, Opens His Own Business
When the coronavirus pandemic began, Widchard Jilus lost his job at a corporate gym. Now, he’s launched his own business in Newark.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Feds Launch COVID Wastewater Tracker; NJ Keeps Eyes On Its Sewage
Monitoring poop for signs of the coronavirus isn't new in New Jersey.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
NJ Democrat, GOP Lawmakers Agree: Nursing Home Probe Needed
A pair of state senators want an investigation into New Jersey's response in nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Mets Star Gives Surprise ‘Thank You’ To Newark Hospital Workers
Video: Pete Alonso of the NY Mets told staff at University Hospital they are “absolutely amazing” for protecting the community from COVID-19
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Excluded NJ Fund Still Open; Undocumented, Ex-Inmates Eligible
Undocumented immigrants and people re-entering from the criminal justice system are among those who qualify for $2,000 in COVID relief.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
NJ Senator Blasts COVID Lockdowns, Cites Controversial Study
A new study claims that lockdowns weren’t nearly as effective as expected when it comes to preventing COVID-19 deaths.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark COVID Vaccine, Mask Mandates Will Continue, Mayor Says
Newark is extending some of the state’s toughest vaccine and mask mandates.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
NJ Will Restore ‘Raided’ COVID Fund; Immigration Activists Cheer
Gov. Phil Murphy said the state will replenish a fund that gives financial aid to people “excluded” from unemployment and stimulus checks.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
NJ ‘Excluded Immigrant’ Fund Was Set Up To Fail, Advocates Say
The idea was simple: Get much-needed funds into the hands of families who are ineligible for other forms of COVID aid. So what went wrong?
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Essex County's Popular Cherry Blossom Fest Will Return For 2022
The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival was canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Immigrant Rights Advocates Blast NJ For ‘Raiding’ COVID Fund
A fund meant to help “excluded” New Jersey residents is out $34 million. It’s “beyond comprehension,” the Legislative Latino Caucus said.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
‘High Demand’ Seen At COVID Testing Megasite In East Orange
A federal coronavirus testing site in East Orange will stay open until Jan. 24 because of “high demand and need” in the area.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Montclair Extends Mask Mandate Until Spring, But Adds Exemptions
Montclair’s 30-day indoor mask mandate will last significantly longer. But there are some new exemptions, too.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|
Half-Day Schedules At Gloucester Township Schools To Continue
Both of Gloucester Township's school districts will continue to operate on an early dismissal schedule due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
COVID Deaths For Vaccinated Workers Plummet: United Airlines CEO
About 3,000 United Airlines employees are currently positive for COVID-19. But no vaccinated employee is currently hospitalized.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Vaccine Checks ‘Suggested’ For Visits At Newark Senior Buildings
Newark Mayor: “We are recommending that when people come into those buildings, that they are in fact, vaccinated.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
These Bills Could Help New Jersey Solve Its Teacher Shortage
A proposed law would make it easier for retired educators to return. Another would nix the state residency requirement for school workers.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|
Camden County Adds 3 COVID-19 Test Locations Amid Spike
Camden County is expanding COVID-19 testing capacity amid the recent spike in new cases.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
Moorestown, NJ|News|
NJ School Mask Mandate To Continue, Murphy Says
The NJ State Legislature is considering granting Gov. Phil Murphy a 45-day extension of emergency powers, instead of the 90 days requested.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Vaccine Mandate For Businesses Will Last Until February
Newark’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses kicked off Monday. The city will take a look at its “impact and effectiveness” on Feb. 1.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|
Gloucester Township School Districts Modify Schedules For COVID
Both the Gloucester Township K-8 and Black Horse Pike Regional school districts have modified their schedules due to staff shortages.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
Essex County Cancels 2022 Deer Cull Due To Coronavirus
Over the past decade, thousands of animals have been killed as part of the county's annual deer management program.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Cherry Hill, NJ|News|
Cherry Hill Schools Expand Remote Learning Guidance
The Cherry Hill Public School District released updated guidance for what would lead to a student to learn remotely amid a COVID-19 spike.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
Possible Staff Shortages May Force School Closures In West Orange
Administrators are preparing for potential “staff shortages” over the next two weeks, including instructional faculty and bus drivers.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Cinnaminson, NJ|News|
COVID-19 Cases, Staff Shortages Put Strain On NJ Hospitals
"The number of cases we're seeing today blow anything we've seen since the start of the pandemic out of the water," Gov. Murphy said Monday.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Working Kitchens Keeps Spreading The Love, Fighting Hunger
The “Newark Working Kitchens” project has delivered 1.2 million meals to senior, low-income and disabled residents since the pandemic began.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
NJ Is Seeing 'Omicron Tsunami' As COVID Cases Rise, Governor Says
Gov. Murphy: A new mega COVID-19 testing site will help get a handle on just how bad an “omicron tsunami” is impacting the Garden State.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|
Black Horse Pike Schools Go Virtual Amid COVID-19 Surge
The Black Horse Pike Regional School District will shift to full-day virtual instruction for the upcoming week.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
Cherry Hill, NJ|News|
Cherry Hill Plan To Stay In Person In 2022: Superintendent
COVID-19 cases have been rising significantly in recent days, but the superintendent said there are no plans to shift to remote instruction.
Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Top Coronavirus News Stories Of 2021 In Essex County
2021 has been another year filled with heartbreak, triumph and progress in Essex County. Catch up with some of our top stories.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Mask Mandates Return To New Jersey As COVID Spreads
More cities and towns in New Jersey have announced indoor mask mandates. Some are citing the omicron variant as one of the reasons.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
COVID Testing Megasite In East Orange Will Serve All NJ Residents
The CDC is bringing a free coronavirus testing site to New Jersey to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Visits Suspended At Essex County Jail, Hospital To Prevent COVID
Visitation has been suspended at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark and the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
West Orange Saw Jump In COVID Cases Before Christmas: Officials
Mayor: “As we come to the holidays, we are preparing to begin the new year the same way we began this year – with COVID cases on the rise.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
