Local Beat is the NJ News Commons’ weekly roundup of the best reporting by community news sources.
JUDGE RULES RAHWAY MUST RELEASE POLICE VIDEO
A Union County Superior Court judge has ruled that city officials in Rahway must release body camera footage of a police response to the mayor’s recent car crashes. Mark Hrywna of Rahway Rising says Judge Robert Mega ordered the city to release the videos within seven days after the order is signed.
MORRISTOWN APPROVES MUNICIPAL I.D. PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
The Morristown council on Tuesday unanimously approved a voluntary municipal I.D. program that allows anyone over the age of 14 to receive photo identification cards if they can prove residency – including undocumented immigrants. Kevin Coughlin of Morristown Green says members of the local clergy, along with immigration advocates, immigrants and their children, and the town administrator told the council that the I.D. program will help undocumented residents open bank accounts, access healthcare services and use the town pool.
FIFTY YEARS AFTER NEWARK BURNED, GATES TELL STORY OF CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Mark Bonamo of TAP into Newark has released a four-part series that looks at the 1967 Newark rebellion and the impact that the riots had on the city over the last five decades. The first installment in the series looks at the iconic metal shutters and gates that were installed in the wake of the upheaval and serve as a protective barrier for local businesses after closing time.
BRICK CITY LIVE LAUNCHES EVENTS TICKETING SERVICE
Andaiye Taylor of Brick City Live launched the alpha version of a new proprietary events and ticketing service, called Brick City Live Tickets. The service offers features similar to leading online ticket providers but, unlike some of the more common event hosting platforms, BCL Tickets lets event hosts keep half of the processing fees.
JERSEY SHORE NATIVE TURNS MOVIE MAKER
Sara Grillo of Jersey Shore Online sat down with local movie star Kevin Interdonato to discuss the upcoming release of his new movie, Bad Frank. Interdonato grew up in Howell, N.J., but had to put his acting career on hold in 2004 when he was deployed to Iraq for a year-long tour of duty in Sadr City, where he saw heavy combat.
EAST BRUNSWICK ORGANICS: WHERE TO GET THE BEST PRODUCTS IN TOWN
Maureen Berzok of TAP into East Brunswick asks whether it’s possible for East Brunswick residents to live an organic lifestyle by finding and purchasing enough of the right products around town. As Berzok soon learned, living the organic life is more difficult than you might think.