Politics & Government

10 Most Read Stories in August

Here is a rundown of what caught residents' attention last month.

Nolvin Garcia, 24, or Orange, was arrested Aug. 18 night in Laredo, Texas, by US Border Patrol Agents, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Garcia is wanted in connection with the murder of Jacques Nelson, 32, of Orange.

 

Two men arrested in the  on Nestro Roadon on Aug. 20 are reported gang members, according to the West Orange Police Department. 

Find out what's happening in West Orangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

The first armed robbery on Aug. 21 happened at the Exxon gas station, at 486 Prospect Ave. Two men approached the gas station and robbed an attendant of about $300 at 10:23 p.m. One of the men reportedly had a semi-automatic handgun. 

Find out what's happening in West Orangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The second armed robbery happened near the Rosedale Cemetery at about 10:55 p.m. A woman and a juvenile were approached by two men with silver handguns on the street in front of home on Watchung Avenue. After taking two cell phones, a wallet and cash, the two men fled on foot.  

 

James O’Neill was appointed interim superintendent by the Board of Education on Aug. 7. 

O'Neill, a former superintendent in both Roxbury and Chatham schools, will replace Superintendent Anthony Cavanna and serve until June 2013. Cavanna is still on paid-administrative leave and is reportedly still receiving his full salary. 

 

The West Orange and South Orange chief financial officer John Gross was arrested and allegedly charged with driving while intoxicated in Maplewood on Aug. 2, according to the Maplewood Police Department.   

 

David Seitzman, 47, of West Orange, and Steven Marchesano, 33, of Lake Hiawatha, were arrested on Aug. 22 after a package containing more than 7 pounds of marijuana was mailed to them at a West Orange address.

The two were charged with marijuana possession, distribution and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, according to police.

The Edison redevelopment continues to remain in limbo as the Planning Board does not vote on the changes to the site plan for a second consecutive meeting at the start of the month.

 

Concerned neighbors in the Heights section of town took action on Aug. 24 by holding a neighborhood watch meeting after a recent armed robbery on Watchung Avenue. The meeting was attended by a handful of residents, Council President Victor Cirilo, Councilman Jerry Guarino and West Orange Police Sgt. William Varanelli. 

 

Three separate residential burglaries at the start of the month were said to be related by the West Orange Police Department. 

 

A large sign stating, “Shame on Kessler Institute,” has been held in front of the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, at 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, during the second week in August. 

Carpenters Local 253, who is part of the Northeast Regional Council for Carpenters, placed the sign there and believes a company hired by the Kessler Foundation, a nonprofit charity dedicated to medical rehabilitation research, is not paying its carpenters a wage that meets “area standards.” 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here