Verona and Cedar Grove Top Stories Of 2016: Overbrook Asylum / Lifesaver / Police Blue Line / School Asbestos

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Verona and Cedar Grove 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)

Overbrook Asylum Hospital Demolition: N.J. Urban Explorer Shares Video, Photos

• It’s a dark place with a dark past. But soon, the abandoned Overbrook Asylum in Essex County will be turned into an $11 million park.

Verona High Grad Helps Save Construction Worker’s Life At Montclair State

• A Verona High School grad and Montclair State University police officer recently helped to save a construction worker's life, reports say.

Verona Joins ‘Blue Line’ Movement In Support Of Local Police

• Several Essex County towns have joined the “Blue Line” movement in support of police and first responders nationwide.

Cedar Grove Model Train Store Will Honor Late Owner With Temporary Reopening

• Find out why Al Puntasecca of Tony's Train Town will be remembered by model enthusiasts and the local business community alike.

Asbestos Found In Cedar Grove Schools: Will North and South End Be Ready For New Year?

• There’s a chance that neither school will be ready in time for the 1st day of school, Cedar Grove’s superintendent says.

Rapper Fetty Wap Shows Up To Cedar Grove Courtroom With $175K Stacks Of Cash

• Maybe it was a political statement. Or maybe Willie Maxwell II just couldn’t find his checkbook.

Cedar Grove Teens Robbed Near St. Catherine School

• Cedar Grove police are searching for a trio of men who allegedly knocked three local teen girls to the ground and robbed them.

Black Bear Seen In Verona, Moving Towards West Orange and Montclair

• The bear was spotted in a wooded area behind the Pilgrim Plaza on Pompton Avenue, police say.

Verona Car Crash Victim Airlifted To Hospital, More Details Released

• The car crashed through the exterior wall of a building and trapped the driver, Verona fire officials said.

Ex-Verona Teacher Made $266K Gift To N.J. School, Honored Posthumously

• The Verona High School library will be renamed in honor of Arthur Acquaviva, otherwise known to students and staff as “Mr. A.”

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: Wheeler Antabanez

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