Eight weeks into the job, Gov. Chris Christie dealt a harsh if not unexpected blow to school districts and municipalities in wealthier towns. Most towns in the Independent Press coverage area have lost more than 80% of their state aid for education, leaving school superintendents and boards of education scrambling to come up with budgets by next week. Municipal... Full story »

Contributions to health benefits for all, no pension for new employees CHATHAM TWP. — Township Administrator Tom Ciccarone gave committee members an overview of the 2010 budget saying that local revenues were off, salaries had decreased slightly and that costs were up by more than $200,000. “On the revenue side we have taken a hit and when the state aid... Full story »

CHATHAM TWP. -- The Marionette Players, who have been performing for 47 years at the Bickford Theater at the Morris Museum, will bring Alice in Wonderland to life this weekend. The performances are scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, March 14 and at 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 20. Joining the Players this year will be Brightest... Full story »

The ongoing project to create connections between I-78 and the Garden State Parkway at Interchange 142 will require a shift of I-78 eastbound local traffic and the closure of an eastbound local lane starting Friday night, March 19 and continuing for several months. Additionally, one I-78 eastbound crossover ramp from the express lanes to local lanes will be closed and... Full story »

Flood waters continue to recede along the Passaic River in Chatham, but that doesn’t mean the flooding has stopped. A maroon Volvo bobs around, floating just beyond the Central Avenue bridge that connects Chatham Township with New Providence. The car was left there yesterday, Monday, March 15, because the water was too deep for it to be towed away.... Full story »

MADISON — Measuring indoor air pollution caused by paraffin and soy candles. Building a new, clearer hearing assistance device that can be replicated for cell phones and radios. Assessing inequalities in how high schools compete in national science competitions. These are just three of the 40 projects selected to compete at the Intel Science Talent Search 2010, a program of... Full story »

By Marianne Ivers CHATHAM – A new, more expansive ordinance proposal regulating tattoo and body piercing establishments as well as adult entertainment uses, will be voted on at the March 22 council meeting. The new ordinance was introduced on March 8. Last summer “a serious inquiry” to Borough Engineer Vince DeNave prompted the council into action and members introduced an... Full story »

CHATHAM-TWP. -- Chatham Township Mayor Nicole Hagner proclaimed March as American Red Cross month presenting Colonial Crossroads Chapter Executive Director Christy Hodde with a commemorative plaque. "This kind of acknowledgement is wonderful," Hodde said. "We are a very vibrant chapter that is connected locally while we respond at the state, national and now international level." With its network of 500... Full story »

The fallout from this weekend's storm will continue well into next week. Long Hill Township has declared a state of emergency and all schools there are closed tomorrow, Monday, March 15. The Passaic River, which is at 7.27 feet is expected to rise to over eight feet on Monday, according to a release received Sunday evening from Berkeley Heights Emergency... Full story »

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood warning for the Passaic River in Chatham. At 7 p.m. the stage was close to 6.4 feet, the flood stage is listed as 7.0 feet. According to the NWS, the flood stage is expected to rise to near 6.9 feet by early Monday afternoon. The NWS forecast that rainfall amounts of... Full story »

There’s a lot of disappointed people out there in Morristown. The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled for only the second time in its history – the first time was for a big snow storm. According to published reports, the Morris St. Patrick’s Parade Committee met twice today, then decided to defer to safety concerns, as the weather became... Full story »

CHATHAM -- Published reports today indicate that a discipllinary hearing within the police department will determine the appropriate action to be taken against Chatham Police Sgt. Roy George for allegedly leaving a loaded gun in a backpack on a street in Westfield. According to the report here the officer had been picked up by police on Oct. 12, for allegedly... Full story »

MADISON – In a press release received by the Independent Press, Samuel Cavaliere announced his candidacy for a seat on the Madison Board of Education. The text follows: "Mr. Cavaliere, will be running for the seat on the Board of Education currently held by George Martin. This is the first time that Mr. Cavaliere has run for the Board of... Full story »

By the Madison Area YMCA MADISON -- On November 4, 2009 the Madison Area YMCA received approval from the Borough of Madison's Technical Coordinating Committee to proceed to a public hearing with its future facility development plan. Special meetings of the Zoning Board of Adjustment are being scheduled to consider the project plan. The project application includes a new state-of-the... Full story »