Community Corner
Maplewood Year In Review 2012
From Superstorm Sandy to a double homicide, from a contentious BOE election to controversy in the schools, here's a look back at 2012 in Maplewood.
January
Two Maplewood Village Businesses Burglarized
Cash was removed from one register and the entire register was removed from two businesses in the Village in late January.
Find out what's happening in Maplewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Who's Interested in a Mandarin Charter? Three Families Give Their Reasons
Amidst vociferous opposition, three proponents of the Hua Mei Charter School told their stories. The school's application was later rejected by the state education commissioner.
Find out what's happening in Maplewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
February
Maplewood Residents to Get New Trash Hauling Option
In the wake of the town's decision to , residents received different options from Waste Industries and Waste Management.
Crane's and Highland Place Announce Merger
Two local businesses join forces.
March
Police Investigate Two Suspicious Deaths
A man and woman were found dead at 5 Northview Terrace; police later arrested and charged Dwayne Flourney in the murders of his grandmother, Sandra Flourney and his father, Brian Flourney.
Former AFL/ABA Star Lonnie Wright Passes Away at 67
The South Orange resident and Newark native was the only man to play in both the ABA and the AFL in the same season.
High School PE Teacher Passes Away Suddenly
Columbia High School health and physical education teacher Mark McCombs passed away suddenly after a brief illness.
April
Race and This Election
Issues of race came into play in the highly contentious 2012 Board of Education election.
Profiles: Six Candidates Run for Three Seats on Board of Ed
Two incumbents — Wayne Eastman and Jennifer Payne Parrish — ran along with four newcomers: Jeffrey Bennett, Amy Higer, Madhu Pai and Karen (Tia) Swanson. .
May
Sweet Relish and The Laurel Coming in Maplewood
Two new businesses -- a gourmet grocery and a bistro-inspired restaurant -- opened their doors. (Sweet Relish later closed and reopened as Olive & Lizzy).
SOMS Students End Week with Walkout
South Orange Middle School students demonstrated outside school over the denial of tenure for two popular eighth grade social studies teachers, Steven Cohen and Kathleen McCort.
June
School officials cancelled an annual student comedy sketch performance when a spoof of a teacher hit too close to home. The show went on at a location off school premises.
School District Statement on FNL Performance Cancellation
The district presented its side of the story.
Local Accident Victim Needs Your Help
HK Community Fund spearheaded a donation drive for Maplewood resident Cheryl Galante, mother of three who was seriously hurt in a car accident.
July
Kohl Angelo Passes Away
12-year-old Kohl Angelo -- Maplewood Middle School student, soccer player, brother to Austin and Branden, son to Kelly and Peter -- passed away after a long battle with brain cancer.
The Maplewood and South Orange communities rallied around the Angelo family, hosting Kick it Kohl fundraisers, art auctions, bakesales and other events. The HK Community Fund coordinated a donation initiative and matched contributions.
South Orange Men Charged in Maplewood Robbery
Four South Orange men were charged for the July 3 beating and robbing of another South Orange resident on Woodland Road in Maplewood.
August
Mother and Daughter Arrested in Drug Bust
Detectives arrested a mother and daughter after searching their Academy Street home and seizing over a half pound of marijuana, prescription narcotic pills, and an undisclosed amount of cash. Police discovered the drugs and cash while serving a search warrant for the house, on the 500 block of Academy Street, near Columbia High School.
Shots Fired at South Orange Teens
Two South Orange teenagers had shots fired at them on Irvington Avenue, following an altercation with a driver of a car in Maplewood near the South Orange border.
September
UPDATE: Maplewood Police Report Rash of Burglaries
Six homes and two businesses were broken into in one week.
Car Crashes into House Near High School
A car crashed into a residence on Valley Street near the corner of Parker Avenue across from Columbia High School, injuring the driver and causing minor damage to the building. Firefighters removed two people from the car and put out the engine fire.
The Cupcake Corral Needs You
Popular local bakery-cafe seeks a business partner.
October
The day after Hurricane Sandy, the majority of Maplewood was without power.
Sandy: What You Need to Know in Maplewood
The Mayor and township officials reported on street closures and downed wires in a press conference.
November
PSE&G Releases Latest Power Restoration Plan
Days after Sandy, many residents were still without power.
UPDATED: PSE&G Estimates Sunday for Maplewood Power Restoration
The utility company provided a revised plan for restoration.
December
A man allegedly robbed Bank of America on Maplewood Avenue, making off with just over $1,100 dollars.
Maplewood - South Orange to Remember Ann Thompson
Mother of three, beloved wife, Ann Thompson was memorialized this Friday at St. George's Church.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
