Miller Leaves X FACTOR, Shopping Season Kicks Off in Maplewood

Maplewoodians celebrated Thanksgiving this week, and the official holiday shopping season kicked off with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

Other big news included a new assistant principal at Tuscan School, and Maplewood teen Beatrice Miller being voted off THE X FACTOR in an emotional Thanksgiving night episode:

UPDATE: Bea Miller Sent Home from THE X FACTOR

Maplewood Middle Schooler and hometown hero Beatrice Miller was voted off THE X FACTOR on Thanksgiving night. "I just want to tell my sisters that I love them and I'm sorry," said an emotional Miller, who barely choked back tears.

"You're a true star in my eyes," said Miller's mentor, Britney Spears.

Miller, who was ranked in the bottom two contestants according to viewer votes, had to "sing for her survival." The judges voted to send Miller home.

MMS Teacher Becomes Tuscan Assistant Principal

Kevin Mason, a science teacher at Maplewood Middle School, will become the new assistant principal at Tuscan Elementary School.

Ridgewood Row is Ready For The Holidays

The "Little Block that Could" bounces back from Hurricane Sandy to get ready for the holiday shopping season.

NJ Transit Releases New/Old Schedule for Monday

Despite the return of Midtown Direct regular service, commuting for Maplewood and South Orange residents is still not quite smooth sailing post-Superstorm.

Maplewood Village is Holiday Shopping Mecca

The Village -- recently profiled by MSNBC as a quintessential American downtown -- is ready for the holidays.