Greetings South Orange! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Outdoor Yoga Experience and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. South Orange Police Blotter for July: Three Phones Stolen at the Pool; DWIs; Shoplifting; Bike Thefts (villagegreennj.com) — South Orange police logged a busy July, with multiple cellphone thefts at the community pool, several shoplifting arrests on South Orange Avenue and Valley Street, and a string of bicycle and package thefts around town. Officers also handled DWIs, warrant arrests, ordinance violations like public urination and smoking in Spiotta Park, and a missing child who was safely reunited with family.
2. South Orange Village Announces Start of Construction on Phase 2 of the River Greenway Project (villagegreennj.com) — Construction has officially begun on Phase 2 of South Orange's River Greenway, extending the path from Third Street through Waterlands Park to Chyzowych Field with a new pedestrian and bike bridge targeted for January 2027. Expect visible work near the DPW yard, Waterlands Park, and the pool area as the village uses $4 million in grants to build a safer, car‑free corridor for walking and biking.
3. U.S. News & World Report Rankings Don't Reflect Latest Data, Say Sanchez & Bing (villagegreennj.com) — South Orange-Maplewood families may notice Columbia High School's state ranking dropped this year, but district leaders say newer data show real gains, especially in graduation rates and AP performance. Superintendent Jason Bing and Principal Frank Sanchez highlight initiatives like Freshman Academy, expanded AP offerings, and added mental health supports that they say are already boosting outcomes beyond what the latest U.S. News rankings reflect.
4. Essex County Rally Calls on Lawmakers to Pass Polluters Pay Act (foodandwaterwatch.org) — Essex County officials and advocates gathered in Newark to push for New Jersey's Polluters Pay Act, which would charge major fossil fuel companies to fund climate resiliency projects and create thousands of jobs. South Orange is among the towns that have passed resolutions supporting the bill, which backers say would shift climate costs off local taxpayers and toward corporate polluters.
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Ok South Orange! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
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