Belleville business cited for ignoring social-distancing orders, mayor’s office says

The operator of a crowded Belleville farmer’s market was issued a summons Friday, April 3, for…

PLEASE DON’T LITTER!

While the nation and the world continue to deal with the Coronavirus, one smaller yet important…

Essex County COVID-19 cases see big jump overnight, spokesman says

Reported cases of COVID-19 continue to jump in Essex County, according to official numbers released by…

Essex Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura tests positive for COVID-19

Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, who also serves as a commissioner on the New Jersey…

Archdiocese of Newark institutes strictest-in-the-nation funeral directives

The Archdiocese of Newark and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin have issued new directives for funerals, weddings…

Essex County COVID-19 testing center opening Thursday, March 26

Essex County will open a drive-thru testing site for Essex County residents who are symptomatic of…

First Belleville COVID-19 death reported by Mayor Michael Melham

Belleville has had its first fatality linked to the coronavirus. Mayor Michael Melham extended his deepest…

Belleville declares local State of Emergency to close daycares; Clara Maass treating 4 for COVID-19, two of whom are from Belleville

Officials in Belleville have declared a local state of emergency as they continue to take measures…

Funerals & wakes in a Coronavirus world

One of the areas where there’s been a little more grey area than elsewhere is how…

Patient (a non-resident) at Clara Maass Medical Center first to test positive for COVID-19 in Belleville

A non-Belleville resident at Clara Maass Medical Center has tested positive for the Coronavirus at the…

Mass suspended this weekend, Catholic schools to close all next week 

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, announced today he has dispensed the faithful of the…

Belleville announces cancelations and procedures in wake of Coronavirus outbreak

Mayor Michael Melham has announced several measures to ensure the safety of Belleville residents in the…

EDITORIAL: Kennedy snub at Belleville Council meeting was telling

Admittedly, The Observer hasn’t covered a Belleville council meeting in a while. However, thanks to technology,…

We are fortunate to have so many great local women leaders

Welcome to Women’s History Month, celebrated each and every March. We are at a point in…

Archdiocese announces major precautions to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus

The Archdiocese of Newark is taking seemingly unprecedented steps to help combat the spread of the…

BAGS BANNED

An ordinance that will ban the distribution of single-use plastic bags at most businesses in Kearny…

Kevin Kennedy, former Belleville councilman, dead aged 63

If there were a dictionary solely dedicated to the Township of Belleville, there’d be an entry…

Belleville’s Castro: A true senior leader

The 2019-2020 boys’ high school basketball season was about to begin and Belleville High School veteran…

Is appointment to Belleville Planning Board illegal?

A group of concerned Belleville residents who have formed a coalition say Mayor Michael Melham has…

Belleville boys’ hoops on a tear

When veteran basketball coach Jim Catalano decided to return to his roots two years ago and…

Belleville wrestlers surviving super schedule

Before the 2019-2020 high school wrestling season began, Belleville High School head coach Joe Pizzi believed…

The top news stories of 2019

Click the headline above to read the Top stories of 2019 in The Observer.

Observer Sports 2019: Year of the Golden Bear — Lyndhurst state title run earns top spot in Top 10 Sports Stories

It’s safe to say that the final year of the decade was extremely memorable in local…

Ho, ho, ho, whaddya know? It’s Santa Hague once again

Well, you better watch out and better not cry, you better stay still and don’t be…

WHAT MIGHT THEY FIND?

In a rectangular plot of land behind the Dutch Reformed Church in Belleville, scientists and students…

At all Belleville schools, the water is safe, Melham says

Acting solely with an abundance of caution, and with the new school year approaching, Mayor Michael Melham…

Belleville boys’ soccer: Going strong at 6-0

The Belleville High School boys’ soccer team won only three games in all of 2018. That…

Belleville back Leigh brings Buccaneers to three straight wins

Before the 2019 high school football season began, Derek Leigh kept himself very busy in anticipation.…

Buccaneers off to a flying start at 2-0

Jermain Johnson couldn’t ask for a better start to the 2019 high school football season for…

Operation Short Storm nets $1 million in marijuana; 11 of 31 arrested live in The Observer’s readership area

NEWARK — Nearly a dozen people who live in The Observer’s readership area were among 31…