Around Verona: COVID Updates + School Masks + Ukraine

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Patch reviews last week’s top stories in Essex County (click headline to read article). Want more local news? Sign up for Patch email newsletters.

Coronavirus:

NJ Moves Essex County To 'Low' COVID Activity Level

'Freedom Convoy' To Support Truckers Will Pass Near Essex County

Newark Lifts COVID Mandates For Indoor Masks, 'Vaccine Proof'

'Zero Patients With Active COVID' At Busy North Jersey Hospital, CEO Says

Masks Optional For Montclair Schools After 'Dramatic' COVID Drop

Masks Soon Optional In West Orange Schools, Buses: Superintendent

Mask Mandates: Livingston Schools Become Mask-Optional Monday

'Staff Will Not Be Monitoring' Millburn School Masking On March 7

Mask Mandate: Maplewood Drops Indoor Rule As COVID Rate Declines

Parents Fight Mask Mandate Continuation In Maplewood Schools

Politics/Government:

NJ Antiwar Activists Say US Isn't Blameless For Ukraine-Russia

Newark Suspends Lukoil Gas Station Licenses

Bloomfield Resident Fears For Her Family In Ukraine

Belleville Church 'Praying' For Ukraine On Ash Wednesday

Pro-Ukraine Rally To Be Held In Livingston

Nutley Glows Blue, Yellow In Solidarity With Ukraine

West Orange Students Planning 'Durag Protest,' Principal Says

Essex County GOP Women Hold Successful 'Lincoln Day Dinner'

Students Lead Rally For 'Climate Action' In West Orange

Other news in Essex County and New Jersey:

Black History Month: Racial Gaps Still Plague NJ, Advocates Say

Essex County Man Was Racially Profiled During Arrest, Advocates Say

Maplewood Teachers' Union: We Need Open Windows, 'Social Justice'

SZA To Perform As Part of Maplewood Race Integration Celebration

Belleville Dumps Garbage Contractor After 'Inadequate Service'

Livingston Grandson's GoFundMe Honors Grandmother

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