West Orange’s Top Stories Of 2016: Back To School Boycott / Zoo Giraffes / College Student Strangled / Giant Water Slide

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange has 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)

West Orange Teachers Boycott Back To School Night

• “Our morale is at an all-time low,” the West Orange teachers’ union says.

College Student Strangled To Death, Found In West Orange Park

• Butler, 20, a local college student, was found deceased in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, New Jersey.

Giant Water Slide Coming To West Orange

• The giant, three-lane water slide will stretch across several blocks, West Orange city officials say.

West Orange Schools, Police Investigate ‘Bobby The Clown’ Instagram Post

• “Bobby the Clown” posted a photo of West Orange High School and wrote “this school next hahaha,” authorities say.

Giraffes Arrive At Turtle Back Zoo

• The $7 million giraffe exhibit is “designed to mimic the African Savannah” in the heart of suburban New Jersey.

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 in Verona, and is moving to Montclair and West Orange, police say.

Wildfires Spread Smoke Odors Across New Jersey, Including West Orange

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

Her Legs Won’t Stop Growing: East Orange Bride-To-Be Battles Lipedema

• Bride-to-be Katia Page knows that her fiancé loves her. Still, living with lipedema — also known as “painful fat syndrome” — isn’t easy.

Robot Avatar Helps Cancer-Stricken West Orange Child Attend School

• A pair of N.J. school teachers say that an awesome robot stand-in is helping their ailing kindergarten student to “feel connected."

West Orange Student Inspires With #1000BlackGirlBooks Campaign

• “I was sick of reading about white boys and dogs,” the West Orange student told a reporter.

Take Your Pokemon And Go! West Orange Homeowner Files Lawsuit Against Nintendo

• Did the developers of Pokemon Go cross a line when they created Pokestops on private property?

West Orange Man, Ex-Cop, Will Sail 5,000 Miles To Fight Brain Cancer

• When West Orange resident Michael Mault sets sail for a 5,000 nautical mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean, it will be in honor of the departed.

West Orange School Renamed After NJ Astronaut Brothers: Scott, Mark Kelly

• Pleasantdale Elementary School in West Orange will soon have an out-of-this-world new name.

West Orange Student Fights Cancer, Claims Diploma

• A battle with leukemia didn’t stop James Tiernan from making memories alongside his fellow students.

44 Animal Cruelty Charges For East Orange Shelter Admin

• The East Orange city administrator allegedly failed to provide water for almost two dozen dogs and cats, authorities charge.

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: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

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