Local Beat is the NJ News Commons’ weekly roundup of the best reporting by community news sources.
VOTING BLOCK CONTINUES AS NEIGHBORS MEET FOR POLITICAL POTLUCKS
Three more partners in the ongoing Voting Block collaborative reporting series published stories this week. NJ Pen profiled neighbors on E. Stiles and Haddon Avenue in Collingswood. Montclair Local hosted a political potluck with residents in Montclair’s Cloverhill Place neighborhood. And Village Green hosted their own potluck with the residents of Elmwood Avenue in Maplewood. Check out their stories below, and visit votingblocknj.com to read the rest of the series.
- Voting Block NJ: Collingswood Neighbors Keep the Peace by Talking Politics Less, Town Culture More by Matt Skoufalos of NJ Pen
- Maplewood Residents Ages 9 to 90 Hash Out Political Divide on Elmwood Avenue by Donny Levit of Village Green
- Political Potluck: Murphy candidacy prompts unease in Montclair by Linda Moss of Montclair Local
- Video: Montclair residents discuss governor’s race at Voting Block potluck by Linda Moss of Montclair Local
HURRICANE RELIEF CONCERT IN JERSEY CITY RAISES $30K FOR PUERTO RICO
A hurricane relief concert held in Jersey City raised $30,000 for the citizens of Puerto Rico that are still in dire need after the island was devastated by two major hurricanes. John Heinis of Hudson County View says the groups responsible for the fundraiser also managed to collect more than 7,000 pounds of supplies, which include food, water, and diapers.
MORTGAGE FRAUD CHARGES SNARE DEVELOPER OF NEWARK’S NEW DPW GARAGE
A real estate investor behind Newark’s new Department of Public Works garage was arrested on federal charges this week along with three others for using “straw buyers” to fraudulently obtain mortgage loans from a bank. Mark Bonamo and Elena Knopp of TAPinto Newark say Victor Santos was charged by federal law enforcement authorities with conspiracy to commit bank fraud for allegedly attempting to fraudulently obtain mortgage loans totalling more than $5 million.
GHOST RESEARCHERS SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION
Chelsea Lynch and Pat Kibby of South Jersey Ghost Research came to Toms River to speak about their work as paranormal investigators. Chris Lundy of Jersey Shore Online says the researchers broke down the various types of recordings and explained what a paranormal investigation actually entails – including all the boring parts where they spend hours just walking around and waiting for something to happen.
AS WESTFIELD’S ELECTION NEARS, SIGNS DISAPPEAR (VIDEO)
The Westfield mayoral and town council election is less than a month away, and election signs have started to disappear from residents’ front lawns. Jackie Lieberman of TAPinto Westfield says someone posted video footage to the Westfield Facebook group showing a man removing “Brindle for Mayor” signs from the front of an office building. Members of the group quickly identified the man and the signs were returned, but other candidates have also discovered their signs missing or vandalized.
OTHER NOTABLE LOCAL STORIES THIS WEEK:
- Author tells Morristown book fest: Kelly may be all that stands between Trump and nuclear war by Kevin Coughlin of Morristown Green
- Bramnick Holds Q & A, Advises Cranford Residents Against 750 Walnut to Hire Legal Counsel by Leah Scalzadonna of TAPinto Cranford
- Livingston Family Brings Awareness to Son’s “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome” by Danielle Santola of TAPinto Livingston
- “A Beautiful Mind” Nobel Prize Winner is Honored by New Jersey Congressional Representatives by Maureen Berzok of TAPinto East Brunswick
- Developer Eyes 3 Options For Synagogue Property by Virginia Citrano of MyVeronaNJ