News

The Livingston Board of Education heard a presentation on the 2024-25 budget at its meeting Tuesday night.

Assistant superintendent Mark Stem spoke about the implementation of EduPlanet21, an online platform where educators write and revise their curriculum. EduPlanet21 gives parents access to the curriculums and increasing transparency.

Stem reported that new courses and programs are being added to the district. Math in Focus will be growing into the sixth grade, while Word Study programs will be implemented in kindergarten and first grade.

The gifted and talented music program will be expanded to grades six through eight. The curriculum for AP Microeconomics will be written this summer. A costume design course will be offered next fall. Dance 4 will also be implemented, allowing students to fulfill all four years of their physical education requirements with dance courses.

This week, the municipal courts heard a number of cases, including charges of a broken door at Cooperman Barnabas, disorderly conduct, and fraudulent checks.

Criminal Mischief

A Newark man was arrested and charged with criminal mischief at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center on September 3. Marquise Granger, 30, kicked, pushed, and subsequently damaged a magnetic door. Damages totaled $2,532.08.

When reviewed by the Essex county prosecutor, the charge was downgraded to a disorderly persons charge. Granger pled guilty and was assesseda $300 fine, plus $33 in court costs; $75 for the Safe Neighborhoods Fund; and $50 for the Victims of Crimes Compensation Organization( VCCO). Granger must also pay $2,532.08 to Saint Barnabas Health.

Disorderly Conduct

LIVINGSTON GIRLS’ WRESTLING IN TOURNAMENT: The Livingston High School girls’ wrestling team competed in the Essex County girls’ tournament on Friday, February 16. The competition was held at Nutley High School. Two members of the team placed in their respective weight classes. Shown above, left, Livingston High School’s Ashlea Budzinski placed first within her weight class, receiving a gold medal. At right, Izadora Boneares placed second.

Livingston won the Essex County championship at the 2024 Essex County Mock Trial tournament, held over six weeks in January and February. The team will advance to the regional tournament to be held in New Brunswick at the end of February.

The Essex County tournament is sponsored by the Essex County Bar Association and the Essex Vicinage (part of the New Jersey state court system) and consists of 22 teams from public and private high schools in the county. Teams from Millbum, Montclair, West Orange, and other schools participated this year.

Livingston prevailed over Verona in the final round of the tournament at a trial presided over by New Jersey Supreme Court justices Ann Patterson and Michael Noreiga. Patterson has served on the New Jersey Supreme Court since 2011 and was previously the Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey. Noreiga was appointed in 2023 by Governor Phil Murphy and is the first former public defender to serve on the Court.

LIVINGSTON WRESTLERS IN DISTRICT 10 TOURNAMENT: The Livingston High School wrestling team competed at the NJSIAA District 10 tournament on Saturday, February 17, in Nutley. Three wrestlers placed in the tournament earning the opportunity to advance to the Region tournament this Friday and Saturday in West Orange. The three wrestlers will need to place in the top four at their respective weight classes, to advance on to the NJSIAA State Tournament in Atlantic City from February 29 through March 1 at Boardwalk Hall. Shown here, are Joseph Jean Marie, who placed first in the 165 pound weight class; Alexander Diorio, who also placed first in his weight class at 157 pounds; and Chris Taddeo, who placed third at 138 pounds. 

The Livingston School district will open schools for a single session day on Friday, April 5, said superintendent of schools Matthew Block, in a letter sent last Thursday to the LPS community.

Due to a calculation error, this year’s Livingston Public School calendar only built in one, rather than two snow days, Block explained. With two snow days already used, the district will have to make up the one day of school to meet the State-required 180 days of school for students.

When all snow days are used, the calendar, which was approved two years ago, states that the district will begin adding days beginning with the Friday of spring break, and work backward through the spring break week as needed.

April 5 will be an early dismissal day, said Block. He acknowledged that many families have plans for the spring break, and that there will likely be an elevated absence rate that day of both students and staff.

Three individuals are facing shoplifting charges in unrelated incidents that occurred over the past week, Livingston Police said.

On Friday, February 16, Najimah Sheffield of Newark was arrested and charged with shoplifting at Macy’s in the Livingston Mall. Sheffield was apprehended by Macy’s loss prevention employees for allegedly concealing multiple items, including watches, handbags, and clothing. Sheffield was processed by the Livingston Police Department and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility.

On Saturday, February 17, Vlad Gora of Flanders was arrested and charged with shoplifting at Nordstrom Rack. Gora was apprehended by Nordstrom Rack loss prevention employees for allegedly concealing multiple items including women’s makeup, fragrances, and accessories. He was processed by the Livingston Police Department and released on a summons with a court date.

The Livingston Police Department is continuing its long-time program of increased patrols on various township streets this week, according to Chief Gary Marshuetz.

In the upcoming week, the police will perform radar enforcement on Edgemere Road, East Cedar Street, South Orange Avenue, Baker Road, and Burnet Street. In addition, they will also address other travc safety concerns.

The enforcement on the abovenamed streets will begin on Friday, February 16, and run through the fol - lowing Friday, February 23, at which time the added patrols will move on to new areas of the township.

Enforcement on Hearthstone Ter- race, Winchester Road, Shrewsbury Drive, North Hillside Avenue, and Walnut Street will continue through Friday, February 16.

Check next week's issue of the Tribune for the newest list of streets receiving increased patrols.

A South Orange man is facing charges after he was found looking through ovce drawers at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), a representative for the Livingston Police said.

On Friday February 9, Quenton Hunt of South Orange was arrested for theft, possession of stolen prop - erty, and criminal trespassing at CBMC.

Hunt was found looking through ovce drawers and was in possession of a wallet that did not belong to him, according to police.

VEHICLE DESTROYED IN BLAZE: At about 6:45 a.m. on Monday, February 12, officials responded to a car fire on Laurel Avenue near Route 280. The driver of the vehicle said that she observed smoke from under the hood and, upon further inspection noticed that there was a fire in the engine compartment. The Livingston Fire Department, along with the West Orange Fire Department, arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported, however, the car was completely incinerated. The cause of the fire was not determined as of press time.