Belleville and Nutley’s Top Stories Of 2016: Roche Site Sold / Heroic Acts / Teen Suicide / Clown Scare / Cannibal Cats

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Belleville and Nutley have seen tragedy, hope and excitement in 2016. Take a quick look back as you greet the new year. (Click on the headlines to read the article)

Former Roche Site Sold: Bloomfield Developer Buys Nutley, Clifton Property

• "Substantial improvements” are planned for the pharmaceutical giant’s 116-acre former North American Headquarters campus, developers say.

Nutley Man Saves Woman After Deadly Car Plunge Into River: PHOTOS

• “I was just paying it forward,” the humble hero told police after risking his life to save a stranger.

Belleville Man Sexually Assaulted Teen, Films School Sports Events: Prosecutor

• “Ethan Chandler allegedly had sex with the young teen on at least three occasions in his apartment in Belleville,” prosecutors stated.

'This Was Not A Joke:' Dad's Video Cry For Help After Daughter's Fatal Bridge Fall In Nutley

• A father took to video and social media to show his grief after his teen daughter fell from a Nutley overpass and onto the Parkway, in traffic.

Belleville ‘Revaluation’ Coming In 2018: Will Your Taxes Rise?

• What is a “property revaluation,” and what does it mean for Belleville homeowners?

Nutley Schools Ban Clown Costumes For Halloween 2016

• Another Essex County school district has banned clown costumes this Halloween in light of the recent national “creepy clown” scare fad.

Belleville Man, Cigar Shop Owner Didn’t Pay $442K In Taxes

• Authorities have charged a Belleville man who operates cigar shops in West Caldwell and Lyndhurst with failing to pay $442,000 in taxes.

Nutley Dumps Trash Provider, Switches Service

• Nutley officially has a new trash removal provider. Here’s what you need to know.

Belleville Cops Find 28 Pounds Of Packaged Marijuana

• A Belleville man was arrested after allegedly picking up packages containing the cannabis stash outside the home, police say.

Nutley Police Find Cannibal Cats Enduring Gruesome Conditions In N.J.

• Nutley police say that more than a dozen dead cats were eaten by their starving housemates.

Belleville Father Charged With Shooting Son: Police

• The 56-year-old father was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a report says.

4 Belleville Cops Arrested After N.J. Bar Brawl With Civilians

• The arrested officers - residents of Nutley, Belleville and Wayne – allegedly got into a fight at a North Arlington bar, prosecutors say.

Want more? Take a look at these other intriguing, highly-viewed stories across New Jersey you may have missed.

N.J. Verizon Workers Prep For Massive East Coast Strike

Up to 5,000 Verizon workers in New Jersey may walk off the job, union leaders say.

N.J. Marijuana Legalization Bill Would Treat Weed Like Tobacco

The proposed law would also allow New Jersey residents with prior pot possession arrests to apply for record expungement.

'NeverEnding Story' Returns To New Jersey Movie Theaters For Limited Run

Falkor flew again on the big screen at theaters across the Garden State.

Cops Seize $171 During Arrest, Court Wants $175 To Get It Back

A county prosecutor's cash forfeiture policy makes it "cheaper and easier to seize people's property," civil rights activists say.

WATCH: Cruise Ship Battered During Storm, 4 Injured

The seasickness began when Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas was caught in a severe winter storm off the coast of the Carolinas.

Gang Bust: 71 Alleged Members of the Grape Street Crips Arrested For Drugs, Murder In New Jersey

The gang allegedly “controlled drug trafficking” in Newark, plotted to kill an FBI agent and intimidated witnesses.

United Airlines Announces Record Profit, Workers Protest Low Wages

Are United Airlines’ "record-setting" profits trickling down to its employees?

America’s New ‘Oldest’ Person Lives In NJ: Adele Dunlap, 113

The supercentenarian is a former smoker and eats "anything she wants," her son said.

Time For Chris Christie 'Fat Shaming' To End, Experts Say

Should Christie’s weight be a source of public discussion?

Should Teen YouTube Daredevil Be Charged With Crimes? (VIDEOS)

The N.J. teen has allegedly climbed the World Trade Center and a 50-story building in NYC, and hung in the air 100 feet above Central Park.

N.J. Mom Says Boy Scouts Kicked Out Her Transgender Son

The 8-year-old – born a girl but who identifies as a boy – was allegedly asked to leave his Cub Scout pack due to his gender identity.

Should Menstrual Cramps Qualify For NJ Medical Marijuana?

Got bad menstrual cramps? If a proposed law passes, you may be able to get medical marijuana in New Jersey.

Where Have UFOs Been Spotted In New Jersey? [MAP]

Seeing a UFO in New Jersey is more common than you think. Find out where they’ve been spotted here.

Largest Planetarium In USA Coming To New Jersey

New Jersey will soon have the “largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere” thanks to a $5 million gift from a former teacher.

He’s Back: ‘Naked Trump’ Statue Perches On New Jersey Rooftop

A naked Donald Trump statue greeted New Jerseyans on their morning commutes to the Holland Tunnel.

N.J. Mall Easter Bunny Charged With Aggravated Assault After Brawl

Videos shows N.J mall Easter bunny getting into a brawl with customers. Man in suit was charged with aggravated assault and "fare hopping."

Feds Arrest 82 In N.J. During Massive Immigration Sweep

The ICE arrestees came from more than a dozen countries, including Mexico, England, China, Cuba and Egypt, officials in Newark say.

Essex County Has Most Homeless Residents In NJ: Study

For the second year in a row, Essex County is home to the most homeless residents in the state, according to a study.

Election 2016: Essex County Reacts To Trump Victory, Clinton Defeat

Check out our roundup of Election 2016 reactions and social media comments in Essex County, New Jersey.

ICE Immigrant Detainee Dies In Essex County: Prisoner Death Toll Increases

8 prisoners have died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody this fiscal year, federal officials say.

Essex County’s Blue Line: These N.J. Towns Support, These Residents Don’t

Are the blue lines a much-needed show of solidarity for police officers, or a politicized traffic hazard? Take our reader poll here.

Photo: Nutley Police Department

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