Livingston news

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 Livingston High School boys’ varsity volleyball team won two of its three recent matches. The Lancers defeated West Essex, 2-0, on Tuesday, April 30; dropped a 2-0 match at St. Peter’s Prep School on Thursday, May 2; and defeated Payne Tech, 2-0, on Friday, May 3. Shown above, Lancer junior Sebastian Chung elevates to score on a serve against the West Essex Knights. Don Schwartz Photos

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At the April 29 Board of Education meeting, interim superintendent of schools Jim O’Neill discussed the increased exposure children now have to coarse language, hate and violence.

“We frequently hear educators, sociologists and others say that young people today are exposed to information and issues they previously did not receive until they were much older,” he said. “This reality is now evident in every community in the United States.” O’Neill added that the most alarming thing students are now confronted with is the “increasingly commonplace” violence in schools. He ran through a flurry of recent headlines focused on school shootings, gun laws, and active shooter drills.

O’Neill said the district plans to do its part to help its students navigate through these experiences, by increasing awareness and discussing any issues that may occur. But it is not simply mass shootings that pose a threat; there are incidents that are far more common and more insidious.

At the Monday, May 6, regular meeting of the Township Council, an ordinance was passed to allow a conditional use of block 6300 in the Coventry section of town, which will permit an assisted living facility to be built on the property if it is approved by the Planning Board.

The hearing had been left open on the agenda for five consecutive meetings, several months’ time, as residents living in the area have expressed concern about adding vehicles to an area with existing traffic problems, among other issues. The Council, citing obligations to fulfill affordable housing requirements and provide options for a growing aging population, were always likely to move forward with this ordinance. But they did not rush this decision through, and we applaud them for it.

Renee Lopomo of Livingston died Thursday, May 2. She was 94 years old. Visitation took place Monday, May 6, at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. A funeral Mass was offered Tuesday, May 7, at St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church. A committal service followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

Mrs. Lopomo was born in Newark and lived there until 1962, when she moved to Livingston. She was a parishioner of St. Philomena Church, and volunteered at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. She also worked for Sunlight Life as a secretary, and was a judge for the Essex County Board of Elections polling centers.

Mrs. Lopomo was predeceased by her husband, Rocco, and her brother, Benjamin Sciarrillo and his wife, Geraldine. She is survived by her children, Patricia Biello, and Rocco Lopomo, Jr.; and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Livingston High School varsity baseball team swept the first round of the Greater Newark Tournament. The team defeated the North Hunterdon Lions, 2-1, on Tuesday, April 30; the Newark Academy Minutemen, 5-3, on Friday, May 3; and the Caldwell Chiefs, 4-2, on Saturday, May 4. Three Lancer pitchers held North Hunterdon to a single run. Shown above, left, Lancer Robert Sayle scores before the throw can be made to North Hunterdon catcher Trey Prismatic. Homeplate umpire Mike Testa signals the score. Above, right, Lancer middle relief hurler Ray Larsen throws a third strike fastball during the middle innings. Don Schwartz Photos

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