Livingston New Jersey news

New quarantine procedures from the New Jersey Department of Health were put in place on Tuesday afternoon, the school district announced in a letter to the Livingston public schools community.

The new protocols will take effect with cases that are contact traced that afternoon, superintendent of schools Matthew Block said; principals will contact any students and staff currently in quarantine who now qualify to return to school.

The letter spells out quarantining requirements for positive symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; for close contacts of positive cases; and requirements about returning to school following a quarantine.

Positive but asymptomatic individuals will now return to the classroom after five days. If the student is symptomatic, they will return 24 hours after their symptoms subside.

Block also reiterated Governor Phil Murphy’s extension of the school mask mandate for the foreseeable future.

During the first regular meeting of 2022, the Livingston Township Council passed its first resolutions of the new year and introduced ordinances. Township water, pools, body worn cameras, and pickleball courts were also among the topics briefly discussed at the meeting.

The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

At the start of the meeting the Council listened to Samay Malde, who explained his proposed Eagle Scout project to the group. To inspire students and improve mental health, Malde wants to post signs around the town, specifically near the schools and on school buses, sharing motivational quotes.

Adelynn Adiguzel, who was born to Jessica and Rusty Adiguzel of 48 Fellswood Drive on January 5, is the winner of the Tribune’s 64th annual First Baby Contest. The little girl was born at 12:16 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, weighing seven pounds, three ounces. She joins a 2½ year old brother, Lucas.

Julian Daren Steinberg, who was born to Jennifer and Ricky Steinberg of 315 Cider Mill Court, was last year’s winner. Jeffrey Frank Thornton, who was born January 1, 1957 to Dr. and Mrs. William A. Thornton of 48 Walnut Street, was the winner of the Tribune’s inaugural first baby contest.

As it has for more than six decades, the West Essex Tribune is welcoming the first baby of the new year with an assortment of gifts generously donated by our advertisers.

The gifts that Adelynn will receive include:

Broadway Elite, a $100 gift certificate;

Former Livingston resident Lucia Rose Caballes died December 28 at the age of 87. Funeral services were offered yesterday, Wednesday, January 12, at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home of Roseland. Services were followed by a funeral Mass offered at St. Raphael Roman Catholic Church in Livingston. Interment took place at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.

Born and raised in Jersey City, Mrs. Caballes lived there for 35 years before settling with her husband and children in Livingston in 1969. She was a parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and later, St. Raphael’s in Livingston. She was a graduate of P.S. #27 and Dickinson High School. She also attended the Seton Hall University Annex, all in Jersey City.

Prior to becoming a mother, Mrs. Caballes was a bookkeeper in the garment business and later, a legal secretary.

The Livingston High School boys’ track and field team recently participated in the Ocean Breeze Freedom Games. A select group of athletes competed against athletes from all over the northeast and as far away as Maryland and Virginia.

The hurdlers were first up on the track. Running in the most competitive Red Division were Lancers Ray Oji, Matthew Ho and Lanz Canent. “Each would be facing the toughest opponents of the year in a highpressure race where small mistakes can cost the race,” said coach Nancy Petryna. Oji finished with a time of 8.83, Ho at 8.87, and Canent with a season’s best time of 10.20. Kondwani Lwamba competed in the White Division, where he finished eighth with a time of 10.48.

Ronald James Bushwell, 88, of Livingston died in his home on Sunday, January 9, surrounded by his family.

He was born in 1933 in Jersey City. He received a bachelor’s degree in insurance from the University of Connecticut, where he also played on the basketball team.

After graduating from college, he joined the United States Marine Corps and earned the rank of Captain. After he was released from the Marines, he began his insurance career with Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance in East Orange. He worked in the insurance field for over 60 years.

Dr. Hugo E. Gallo-Torres, M.D., Ph.D., passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

Born in Talara, Peru, on August 16, 1934, Dr. Gallo-Torres received his medical degree from the Universidad de San Marcos in Lima, Peru, where he was in the top three of his class, earning him a scholarship to continue his studies.

Dr. Gallo-Torres emigrated to the U.S. in 1963, and earned a master’s degree in nutrition and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in New York City. He completed his medical degree at Tulane University in New Orleans; all his degrees were completed on scholarships.

Dr. Gallo-Torres was the Director of Gastroenterology for Hoffmann LaRoche for nearly 20 years; the company was based in Basel, Switzerland and he lived there with his family for several years.

SOCCER PLAYERS HONORED: Six members of the Livingston High School boys’ varsity soccer team were honored at the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey awards banquet on Sunday, January 9, at the Pines Manor in Edison. Shown here are Noah Fisher, Charlie Grossman, Zach Feldman, Jared Fiske, and Logan Paredes. Not shown but also an awardee is teammate Lucas Chisarick.

ONLY NATURAL: Artists’ work is currently on display at the ACL Gallery, located at 2115 Town Center Way. The current theme is “It’s Only Natural,” and the exhibit will run through Sunday, February 27. Regular gallery hours are Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Masks are required. The gallery is free to attend. For more information, call 973-868-9626. Hugh Mahon Photo

Former Livingston resident Jeffrey Bruce Geffner died in his Englewood home on Wednesday, January 5. He was 56 years old.

Mr. Geffner was raised in Livingston and was a graduate of Syracuse University.

He was an insurance broker of HUB International for many years. An avid golfer, he was a former member of Crestmont Country Club.

Mr. Geffner was the son of Stephen Geffner of Livingston and the late Myra Geffner. He is survived by his children, Carly and Ross, and his sister, Marcy Krueger and her two children.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel of Livingston.

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