Elections, Homicide, Athena Top Local West Orange News

Charles, Casalino Win School Board Seats

Incumbent Michelle Casalino will join newcomer Ronald Charles on the West Orange Board of Education following Election Day wins Tuesday.

Casalino was the top vote-getter in the four-person race for two seats. Charles finished second and was followed by Joseph Sorbino and Adam Kraemer.

Board member Paul Petigrow dropped out of the race in September.

Authorities Investigate W. Orange Homicide

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the death of a West Orange woman on Oct. 31.

Lelia Whatley, 22, was found unresponsive at her Washington Street residence early last Wednesday and was pronounced dead at the scene, said Katherine Carter, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Whatley's death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy Monday found she died of asphyxiation, Carter said.

Nor'easter Causing West Orange Problems

The nor’easter that brought snow and windy conditions to West Orange Wednesday brought scattered power outages to the township, township officials announced around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The township said their main concern is restoring power to “the few remaining streets and homes that are still without service.”

In fact, Mayor Robert Parisi told residents in a reverse 911 call PSE&G officials may temporarily turn off power to residents currently with power to restore power to nearby wires.

How Did W. Orange Vote in Presidential Election?

West Orange voters continued the trend of supporting Democratic presidential candidates at the polls again in 2012, overwhelmingly supporting Barack Obama, according to the latest figures.

Frelinghuysen Wins 10th Term in Congress

Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen will return to Congress for his 10th term following an Election Day win over Democratic challenger John Arvanites.

Frelinghuysen, who represents the 11th Congressional District representing Essex County towns including Nutley, Bloomfield, Montclair, the Caldwells, West Orange and Livingston, beat Arvanites, who is the former mayor of Roseland.

Guests Enjoy West Orange Buffet

Three local West Orange synagogues, the Lubavitch Center Shul, Congregation Achwas Achim Bnai Jacob & David and Congregation Ohr Torah invited anyone without power to a hot dinner buffet at Congregation Ohr Torah on Sunday.

The meal was well attended, according to Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, director of the Lubavitch Center.