Eight men, including three from Bloomfield, were arrested during a Wednesday night bust that officials say shut down a prescription drug ring operating in Essex and Warren counties. Prosecutors say oxycontin, a highly addictive pain killer, was the primary drug fueling the 1,000 pill-per-week business according to a report on NJ.com.
Bloomfielders Anthony Giammona, 57, and Ronald P. Richie, 45, both of Delevan Avenue and Richard Faranda, 57, of James Street, allegedly provided prescription drugs to accused ringleader Frank J. Stillo Jr. of Pohatcong. The three men were charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled and dangerous substances.

Continue Reading

This past Tuesday, a Montclair woman was up early at 6:30 a.m. getting ready for work. She opened up her jewelry box, crammed full with a collection of pricey bling, and selected a pair of earrings. When she returned home at 6:30 p.m., she went up to her second floor bedroom and found the jewelry box – empty.
Montclair Police say the woman, who lives on Overlook Road, reported the burglary and provided a long, detailed list of missing earrings, rings, and necklaces with a total value of $8,500.

Continue Reading

A Bloomfield man reported that he was jumped on a Montclair street for no apparent reason. Montclair Police received the report on June 18, four days after the incident.
The victim told police he was leaving a building on Greenwood Avenue on Sunday, June 14, around 1 a.m. When he reached the street, he alleges three men came out of nowhere and jumped him, flattened him on the ground, and kicked him repeatedly.

Continue Reading

Montclair’s 59th annual Independence Day Parade isn’t just going to rock because Baristanet and Barista Kids are part of it. The line-up for performances and entertainment includes everything from a Bolivian dance troupe to an organ that produces the “Happiest Music on Earth.” Will you be there? Click through the jump for descriptions; then tell us your July 4th plans in comments.

Continue Reading

The annual Sunset Classic is tonight, more race details here. Expect road closures between 7 and 9 p.m. on the following streets:

Glen Ridge Streets:
All side streets traveling toward Bloomfield along Ridgewood Avenue, starting at Osborne Road traveling North toward the Country Club to Sunset Avenue.
Ridgewood Avenue will be open to traffic, expect an increase in volume and delays.
Police Officers will be posted along Ridgewood Avenue.
Bloomfield Streets:
JFK Drive from Belleville Ave to Hoover Ave, and Broad Street (including most
side streets) between Belleville Ave and Yantecaw Ave.

The old Olympic shop recently shed its scaffolding for the big reveal: a Tudor facade so authentic, you could almost imagine von Trapp kids sticking their heads out the window and breaking into song. Why limit Upper Montclair’s Tudor appeal to that stretch between Bellevue and Lorraine on Valley? Katherine Loscalzo wants more of that Alpine village charm extended up the street, where Michael Pavel, the same developer who brought you the Olympic’s new looks, is proposing a multi-use complex on Lorraine Avenue, west of the Lukoil gas station. According to Loscalzo, the new development, if completed, will be the largest commercial development in Upper Montclair.
Loscalzo has organized an effort to save Upper Montclair’s historic character. You may have seen her flyers at Starbucks; she’s also set up this email address for folks interested in joining this effort. “Upper Montclair has a strong sense of place. It feels like a small community with a village-like character,” writes Loscalzo. “This sense of place is part of Montclair’s’ value; attracting and retaining residents, and therefore, creating business growth and long-term success for the community. One bad development can destroy this forever.” She’s urging residents to attend the planning board meeting on July 13th, 7:30 p.m., when the board will vote to approve or request alterations for the project. Click through to the jump to see the changes to the development Loscalzo and other concerned neighbors are requesting and a rendering.

Continue Reading