Montclair’s Top Local News Stories: 2024 Year In Review

MONTCLAIR, NJ — It’s been a memorable year in Montclair. Catch up with some of 2024’s top news stories here (click headline to read the article).

GOVERNMENT/POLITICS

Watch 2024 State Of Montclair Speech: ‘Progressive, Diverse’

Sean Spiller's "State of the Township" speech included comments on business, home values, rent control, debt reduction and traffic safety.

Departing Montclair Council Members Share Their Thoughts (WATCH)

With every changing of the guard, a chance for reflection also takes place. Here's what Montclair's former town council members had to say.

Baskerville Picks Up Torch In Montclair, New Council Sworn In (VIDEO)

It's a whole new ballgame for Montclair's municipal government. Watch the swearing-in ceremony for the entirely new town council here.

Montclair Council OKs Tax Hike In 2024 Municipal Budget

Another property tax hike is headed Montclair's way.

Montclair Will Pay $1.25M To Settle ‘Whistleblower’ Suit With CFO

Montclair's chief financial officer alleged that she blew the whistle on some potentially illegal behavior – and then saw retaliation.

Montclair Sued Over Retaliation Claims – Again: Reports

The town's affirmative action officer says he was retaliated against after he affirmed other employees' claims of discrimination.

Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller Launches NJ Governor Campaign (VIDEO)

Montclair's outgoing mayor is running to replace Gov. Phil Murphy in the 2025 election.

Mikie Sherrill Declares Run For NJ Governor In 2025

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has officially thrown her hat into the ring for the governor election in New Jersey.

Hundreds Gather In Montclair For Joint Jewish, Palestinian Fundraiser

"As a Jewish community, we came together to celebrate our hope for a future of dignity, safety and peace for both Jews and Palestinians."

Montclair’s Hero Astronaut Stumps For Trump; Buzz Aldrin Explains Pick

Montclair's hometown hero, Buzz Aldrin, touted advances in space exploration under Trump, including the creation of the U.S. Space Force.

Montclair Council Supports 'Ranked Choice Voting' In Local Elections

The council is backing a proposed New Jersey law that would allow towns to offer ranked choice voting in local elections.

Financial Audit Of Montclair Released: Comments, Recommendations

A report details the results of a financial audit of Montclair Township. Here's what it found.

Climate Change Protest Unites Different Religious Faiths In Montclair

An extreme heat wave didn't stop protesters, who bashed fossil fuel, demanded more clean energy and urged an end to "business as usual."

Longtime Chair Of Montclair Planning Board Steps Down

John Wynn first joined the Montclair Planning Board nearly three decades ago. "I will miss doing this," he said at his final meeting.

Montclair Cyberattack Update: Some Info ‘Compromised,’ Report Says

Some Montclair residents and town employees recently got letters saying their info was compromised during last year's "cyber incident."

EDUCATION

Montclair School Board Election Results Certified: See Final Tallies

Eric Scherzer, Jada Roman and Holly Shaw have emerged victorious in the race for Montclair Board of Education.

Montclair School Budget Passes Final Vote From Board: WATCH

"We kept the tax increase to the 2 percent cap, which benefits all those living in town – with or without children in the schools."

NJ Quintuplets Make History As They Graduate From Montclair State University

Being a quintuplet is exceptionally rare. Rarer still is all five attending the same college and graduating on the same day.

Montclair Will Delay Plan To Lock Up Students' Phones During Class

The Montclair Public School District is hitting the pause button on a plan to make students lock up their phones while class is in session.

What’s The Plan For Montclair Schools? 5-Year Blueprint Approved

The Montclair Board of Education has signed off on a five-year strategic plan for the local public school system.

Tuition Hike Coming At Montclair State University: See What You'll Pay

"I regret that we have to raise tuition, but rising costs leave us no other choice," the university's president said.

16 Outstanding Montclair Teachers Honored With Judy Weston Awards

The annual awards are a tribute to the late Judy Weston, a longtime Montclair resident and champion of public education.

NJ Grandmother Earns Her Degree After Five Decades

Rosalyn Coppola, a 72-year-old grandmother who has been taking college classes over the past five decades, will finally earn her diploma.

Montclair School Upgrades Are $3.7M Under Budget, District Says

"These savings will be realized by the taxpayer, and that is a win for all," a Montclair school administrator said.

CRIME/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Earthquake, Aftershocks Rock Montclair (What To Know)

An earthquake rocked the East Coast on Friday morning, and yes – it was felt in Montclair, authorities say.

5 Ways To Take Action On Drone Mystery: NJ Congresswoman

"New Jerseyans' patience is getting very thin, including my own," Rep. Mikie Sherrill said.

Flood Waters Rise In Montclair: Cars Stuck, Nonprofit 'Wrecked'

A heavy storm caused severe flash flooding across the region – including in Montclair.

Montclair Business Left In Shambles When Floor Collapses After Storm

No damage was found in the nearby buildings, Montclair public safety officials said.

Montclair Man ‘Ruthlessly Ordered Murders,’ Found Guilty: Feds

A Montclair resident committed crimes while running a "large-scale narcotics enterprise" in the Essex County area, prosecutors said.

Shooting In Montclair Wounds Bloomfield Teen; Suspect Still At Large

Montclair police found a Bloomfield teenager with a gunshot wound to the stomach.

Montclair Cop Is Recovering After Shooting, Woman Faces Charges

Prosecutors: A Montclair cop who was struck by gunfire has been released from the hospital, but the woman who shot him remains hospitalized.

Support Surges For LGBTQ Community In Montclair After Bomb Threat

How do you counteract hate and ignorance? With "intellectual freedom, diversity and inclusion," the Montclair Library says.

ATM Skimming Device Found At Montclair Bank Drive-Thru: Police

Another ATM "skimming device" was found at a bank drive-thru in Essex County – this time in Montclair, authorities say.

Montclair Cops Give Woman Lifesaving Aid; Family ‘Eternally Grateful’

A Montclair resident stopped breathing while she was on the phone with her sons. Here's what happened next.

Bear Spotted In Montclair; Police In Verona Issue Alert

It isn't the first recent bear sighting in Essex County. In most cases, you should simply leave them alone, wildlife experts say.

Montclair Apartment Building Evacuated Due To Carbon Monoxide

MFD: "Dangerous levels" of carbon monoxide were found in the basement and "elevated levels" of the gas were found in the hallways.

Montclair Sees Wave Of Burglaries, Car Crimes: Police

MPD: Recent incidents include home burglaries, stolen cars, a police chase and a man who broke a vehicle's window with a bat.

Uber Eats Driver Carjacked In Montclair, Thrown From Vehicle: Police

When car thieves struck, a driver tried to stop them by standing in front of the car and putting his hands on the hood, police said.

Bloody Fight Erupts In Montclair School Board Parking Lot: Police

A violent fight involving construction tools and "vehicles ramming into each other" erupted outside a Montclair school board building.

REAL ESTATE/DEVELOPMENT

Montclair Gets Its New Affordable Housing Quota From State

How much housing does Montclair have to create or rehab over the next decade? Here are the numbers – and some background on the controversy.

Property Taxes In Montclair (See Latest 5-Year Breakdown)

Taxes increased in Montclair last year. Here's how much of your money went to schools, the township and the county.

Montclair Chooses Developer For Lackawanna Plaza, Project Advances

The wheels are spinning on one of Montclair's highest-profile real estate projects in decades – which still faces multiple legal challenges.

New Plan For Beloved Montclair Movie Theater Gets A Green Light

Plans for the Bellevue Theater in Montclair now include creating new retail storefronts and adding three apartments.

Construction Starts On Montclair Senior Center, Feedback Needed

There's some good news for older adults in Montclair: construction has begun on the town's long-awaited senior center.

BUSINESS

Hardware Store In Montclair Closing After More Than A Century

Saunders Hardware on Valley Road in Montclair is one of the town's oldest operating businesses. That will come to an end soon, reports say.

Optimum Is Kicking Off Work In Montclair (What To Know)

There may be some "temporary inconvenience" as the company installs high-speed fiber optic lines throughout Montclair, the township says.

Women Business Leaders Gather In Montclair To ‘Uplift One Another’

The conference included some inspiring words from immigrant success story Adenah Bayoh, a restaurateur and businesswoman in Essex County.

OBITUARIES

Montclair School Superintendent Dies; Jonathan Ponds Mourned

The Montclair school board had just renewed Ponds' contract this spring. Hearts are "sad and heavy" in the district.

Famed Essex County Mentalist ‘Amazing Kreskin’ Dead At 89

Kreskin rose to fame in the 1970s for his mind-reading prowess. He was born in Montclair and lived in the Caldwells.

Flowers For The Fallen: Montclair Mourns 9/11 Victims

Nine local residents died in the September 11 attacks. It's a tragedy that the town's former and current mayors say they will never forget.

Montclair Council Memorializes Late Library Leader: Ronald Murphy

In addition to his distinguished library career, Ronald Murphy was an "advisor, mentor, friend and surrogate father to countless others."

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