By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent KEARNY – In February 2008, the Town of Kearny, described by one elected official as being “on the cutting edge” of the issue, prohibited smoking — or the carrying of any lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe “or other similar device” — within the boundaries of 11 municipally owned playgrounds. That [...]

  By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent KEARNY – The numbers are in, and the news is more than good. The Town of Kearny’s Uniform Crime Report Index for 2012 shows an 18% decrease in crimes compared with 2011. That represents a 10-year low. This, despite a Police Department operating with a significantly reduced force.

By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent NORTH ARLINGTON – Opposition by the Democratic majority and Mayor Peter Massa notwithstanding, North Arlington voters on March 12 approved a referendum authorizing the Board of Education (BOE) to borrow up to $3.38 million for a revamped high school Foley Field athletic complex. Paying off the debt figures to cost [...]

  By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent LYNDHURST – Eight years after riding off into the political sunset, former Lyndhurst Mayor James Guida has resurfaced. Guida, previously voted in five times to the Township Board of Commissioners, will be looking to do it again as a surprise entry on the ballot in this year’s municipal election [...]

  A Belleville man who was a 12-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office was convicted of official misconduct last week following a jury trial in Newark. His offense? Stealing $70 in cash from a crime scene. The defendant, George Ruiz, 46, had also been employed by the Essex County Department of Corrections for [...]

KEARNY – Shortly before 2 p.m. on Monday, March 11, Police Officer John Fabula, on patrol on Passaic Ave., noticed an oddly-dressed man standing next to a car in a parking lot near Bergen Ave. Despite the relatively balmy weather, the individual was bundled up in a hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap, and had [...]

Belleville A fish fry, hosted by Belleville Elks Lodge 1123, 254 Washington Ave., will be held on Friday, March 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for children’s chicken dinner. The fish fry includes: soup, fish (or chicken) and chip dinner, cole slaw, dessert, water, soda, tea [...]

  Congregants of the Iglesia de Dios Luz y Vida Christian Pentecostal Church were finishing their worship service on the second floor of 602 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North when they heard frantic knocking on the entrance door. “A lady had come up the stairs from outside and was shouting, ‘Come out, there’s a fire,’ [...]

In this week’s edition of The Observer, our Ron Leir updates the major Harrison fire from two weekends ago. Also, will Kearny ban smoking in parks? Karen Zautyk takes a look. Plus — good news for Kearny residents — crime is at a 10-year low. Karen takes a deep look into that. All of this [...]