The Citations:
PASSAIC COUNTY
Air Quality Action Day Yesterday: Dangerous particulate spikes across the region.
Weather Whiplash: Paterson braces for another wintry mix.
New Green Space: Paterson opened Vista State Park, it opened in November, but I just discovered as it is relatively new, maybe you can too![northjersey.com] [patersontimes.com],[tapinto.net]
ESSEX COUNTY
The air was awful here too: Essex remained under the same Air Quality Action Day impacting Newark and the Oranges.[northjersey.com]
Aircraft emergency shuts down Newark Airport:
An aviation emergency forced the temporary closure of Newark Liberty International Airport, causing flight disruptions and rerouting across the Northeast. Airport officials and the FAA confirmed the incident; operations resumed after emergency protocols were lifted.
Ash Wednesday in Newark:
At St. Patrick’s Pro‑Cathedral, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin marked Ash Wednesday, by supporting those kidnapped by ICE. [https://religionnews.com/2026/02/18/cardinal-tobin-celebrates-ash-wednesday-mass-at-newark-ice-facility/]
Montclair residents revolt over a 30‑year tax abatement at Lackawanna Plaza:
A skeptical public confronted township experts over the proposed long‑term tax abatement for the developer of the 8.2‑acre Lackawanna Plaza site. Residents pushed back on the financial modeling, weak community benefits, and what is perceived as a lack of transparency. [https://montclairlocal.news/2026/02/a-skeptical-public-presses-montclair-over-lackawanna-plaza-tax-deal/]
$1 million for Newark youth STEM programs:
The United Community Corporation (UCC) secured $1 million in federal funding to expand STEM opportunities for Newark students, launching a program aimed at building long‑term tech capacity and educational equity. [https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/newark-nonprofit-ucc-awarded-1-million-federal-grant-by-u-s-rep-lamonica-mciver-to-launch-youth-stem-innovation-and-exploration-program/]
The local “Yes/Yes vs. No/No” school vote drama intensifies:
Competing Letters to the Editor continued circulating around Montclair’s upcoming school vote — some passionately urging residents to vote Yes/Yes, others pressing No/No. The latest round activated a bit of snark on FB groups and parental anxieties before ultimately landing back on shared concern for Montclair’s kids. Montclair Local
And the Superintendent entered the chat:
Montclair’s superintendent issued a letter stating plainly that a “No” vote will cause immediate fiscal pain and a loss of district autonomy, even as the letter avoided taking an outright editorial stance. Montclair Local
UNION COUNTY
The harm of misogyny remembered in Cranford, as mother of Isabella Salas reminds people to keep the murder of Maria Niotis and Isabella as the focused.
Union County Hazard Mitigation Plan final meeting.
Roselle Park closes the Chestnut Street Parking Lot. [mycentraljersey.com] [ucnj.org] [unionnewsdaily.com]
HUDSON COUNTY
ICE access banned from county property.
NJ Transit cancels 27 trains, then five trains, then three train; Portal Bridge cutover slashes service 53%. Remember this is Chris Christie‘s fault!
Jersey City faces $250M deficit, ward meetings coming. [nj.com] [hudsonreporter.com]
MORRIS COUNTY
Water‑main break hits Morris Township.
Highlands school funding crisis.
Planning Board meets tomorrow; hybrid hearing continues.[thelegaladvocate.com][dailyrecord.com][morriscountynj.gov]
