The Caldwells Top Stories Of 2016: Big Fire / Fatal Crash / Johnny Sack / Football Coach Retires / Full-Day Kindergarten

CALDWELL, NJ — The Caldwells 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)

Caldwell Fire Damages Multiple Homes

• A home fire in Caldwell summoned emergency responders to Orchard Square on Friday afternoon, reports say.

Caldwell Woman Dies In 5-Car Crash, Cop Injured

• The West Caldwell crash took place when a vehicle struck other cars that were stopped at a traffic light, police say.

Caldwell Bodybuilder Captures N.J. Prize, Flexing Way Into Professional Ranks

• Caldwell’s Tyler Cohen flexed his way to victory at the 2016 NJ State Open.

Sopranos Landmark: Johnny Sack’s N.J. Home Hits Market In The Caldwells

• For $1.5 million, you can live in the same North Caldwell house that the Sopranos’ “Johnny Sack” called home. See photos here.

Longtime James Caldwell High Football Coach Will Retire

• Ken Trimmer, long-time football coach at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell, has announced his retirement after 53 years.

North Caldwell Cops Assist In Large Drug Bust: Father, Son Arrested

• The bust resulted in one of the largest drug seizures in North Caldwell and Woodland Park history, authorities say.

Caldwell School Officials Are Pondering Full-Day Kindergarten

• Reader Poll: Are you in favor of creating full-day kindergarten in Caldwell-West Caldwell?

History Is Made: Caldwell University Women's Basketball Team Ranks Nationally

• For the first time in school history, the Caldwell University women’s basketball team has ranked nationally.

Caldwell Man Threatens To Kill Cops With Knife: Police

• Caldwell police closed off Bloomfield Avenue during the tense standoff.

West Caldwell Cigar Emporium Owner Didn’t Pay $442K In Taxes

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

WATCH: West Caldwell Singer Lands Spot On 'The Voice'

• Listen to Essex County’s Joe Vivona croon through his audition session for the hit TV show here.

Wildfires Spread Smoke Odors Across New Jersey, Including Caldwell

• Affected towns reportedly include Livingston, Caldwell, Parsippany, Roseland, West Orange, Towaco and Fairfield

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: NBC Entertainment

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