News

Livingston police this week are investigating a residential burglary; an incident of inappropriate touching; several break-ins and thefts from motor vehicles; the theft of a motor vehicle; and a possession of stolen property incident.

Home Burglarized

On Saturday, May 18, at 8:18 p.m., Livingston Police responded to a residential burglar alarm at a home on Westmount Drive.While checking the house, officers found the back door unlocked. They found muddy footprints leading into the home and up to the bedrooms, and found evidence that an unknown person had rummaged through the bedrooms.

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At its meeting on Monday, May 13, the Livingston Board of Education announced that it intends to approve the hiring of Dr. Matthew J. Block as superintendent of Livingston Public Schools (LPS). The official vote on his appointment will be held at the Board’s meeting on Monday, May 20, after the County approves the appointment.

“After countless resumes and hours of interviews, the Board is glad to announce its intention to hire Dr. Matt Block as the new superintendent,” said Board president Charles “Buddy” August. “I want to thank all my fellow Board members and staff members for the endless hours they contributed to what we believe will be a successful partnership with Dr. Block.”

Today, Thursday, May 16, Block is scheduled to meet with various stakeholder groups in Livingston.

BUDDY POPPIES FOR SALE: The Livingston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2856 is currently selling “Buddy Poppies” to raise funds to help veterans. Shown here, Don Klenke, a member of the VFW and a veteran of the Korean War, sells a Buddy Poppy to Erol Bal and his daughter, Diellza. Since World War I, the poppy has been a symbol of remembering and honoring those who have died in the service of their country. Poppies are made by hospitalized veterans, and proceeds benefit a wide variety of veterans’ programs. Don Schwartz Photo

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Livingston High School will use a semester calendar, rather than the existing system of four marking periods, in the coming school year.

Principal Mark Stern and assistant principal Danielle Rosenzweig presented the program to the Board of Education on May 13.

Grades will be accumulated in two semester grades rather than four marking period grades, they said. The change is designed to decrease the workload and stress that both faculty and students say occur at the end of each marking period.

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Two suspects are at large after leading Livingston Police officers on a chase in a Livingston resident’s stolen vehicle last weekend.

At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, a Whittier Way resident called police to report that he had seen a suspicious person walking in his driveway. The person realized that he had been seen by the resident, and ran back to a waiting silver Mercedes SUV. The SUV left the area heading toward Westmount Drive.

Police officers were dispatched and responding to the area when Livingston police officer Todd Compesi saw two Mercedes-AMG SUVs being operated in a reckless manner at the intersection of Shrewsbury Drive and Route 10.

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The Livingston Police Department, Fire Department, and the Essex County sheriff’s office all responded to a bomb threat in town last week.

At about 11:06 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, the manager of DSW on West Mt. Pleasant Avenue called police to report that the store had received a bomb threat. The employee said that a man called the store through the main number with the threat.

Several police officers and firefighters responded to the scene. DSW and the adjoining stores, TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack, were evacuated as a precaution.

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Continued funding and a constant stream of donated hotel-size toiletries, new cosmetics, family clothing, shoes, diapers, women’s products and myriad specialty items have facilitated a full and busy spring season for Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), announced founder and director Jeff Friedman. “Thanks so much to our Livingston friends and neighbors for making it all happen,” he said.
Friedman continued, “When considering a possible monetary contribution to LPI, it’s vital to know that we are a 100% volunteer organization. That means virtually 100% of personal and organizational contributions go toward ‘providing for the poor, homeless and disenfranchised.’ As mentioned in previous weeks’ Tribune pieces, it’s logical to request the consideration of keeping a portion of one’s philanthropic giving local – in this case, Livingston.”

Livingston firefighter Frank Leck was honored by the Livingston Fire Department at its recent annual dinner dance. The event, commonly known as Ladies’ Night in other local fire departments, is held with firefighters and their spouses and guests in attendance as well as Fire Chiefs and their spouses, and guests from other area fire departments. During the event each year, anniversary awards are presented to commemorate years of service.

At this year’s event at Cedar Hill Country Club, firefighter Franklin T. Leck was honored for 60 years of service to the Livingston Fire Department, becoming only the second member in the department’s history to reach that milestone. Retired Chief Charles W. Schilling was the first; he retired this past January after 73 years of active service with the LFD.

The roof of the United States Post Office on West Mt. Pleasant Avenue caught fire Tuesday evening, May 7. A new roof was being installed on the building, and a seam-sealing machine overheated and ignited the glue. There was minor damage to the roof, but none to the interior, and employees were able to resume work immediately. This photo was taken by Ethan Schwartz, 14, of West Orange, from a passing vehicle. Ethan Schwartz Photo

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The annual Kiwanis Karnival opened in Livingston on Tuesday night, May 7, and will run through Saturday, May 11. The Karnival, a primary fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club, is being held at the carnival grounds on East Northfield Road, east of Northfield Center. Hours are Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 6 to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, 2 to 11 p.m. The Karnival includes rides, games, and food. Rides require tickets, which may be purchased on-site; credit cards are accepted for ticket purchases. Saturday, May 11, will be “hand stamp day;” patrons may pay one price to ride all day. All proceeds from the Kiwanis Karnival go to charities that benefit the community. Shown here, the Tuesday night opening of the Karnival provided fun for all. Jerry Siskind Photo

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