Reita Greenstone, Former Essex County Freeholder

Lived in Livingston, two-time board member who lobbied for women's and senior's rights, mental health issues.

Dick Clark Dead At 82: Ringing In 2013 Won't Be The Same

Clark was often called "the world's oldest teenager" because of his youthful appearance

  Dick Clark, who brought rock and roll to the masses as the longtime host of "American Bandstand," is dead after suffering a heart attack, according to several news reports. The always smiling 82-year-old TV producer and host had been at St. John's Hospital in Los Angeles after undergoing an outpatient procedure on Tuesday, according to TMZ. Clark reportedly suffered the heart attack following the procedure and died on Wednesday after failed attempts to resuscitate him. The Mount Vernon, New York-born Clark endured a long list of health troubles over the years and had a stroke in 2004 that caused him to retire as host of "New Years' Rockin' Eve," the show he created in 1972. Although Ryan Seacrest took over as host, Clark made brief …

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Homegoing Service for CHS Teacher Mark McCombs Scheduled for Sunday

Friends and family will remember McCombs at the Orange United Methodist Church.

Friends, colleagues and students who want to remember CHS health and physical education teacher Mark McCombs are invited to his homegoing service to be held this Sunday, April 1, at the Orange United Methodist Church, 281 Park Avenue (Corner of Park Avenue & N. Day Street) in Orange, NJ. McCombs died suddenly earlier this week after a brief illness. He leaves behind a wife and four children. The viewing will take place from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Service begins at 3 p.m. Condolences can be sent to The McCombs Family at the following address: 1344 Denmark Road  Plainfield, NJ 07062.

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District Mourns Loss of Mark McCombs

South Orange-Maplewood School District releases statement on teacher's passing.

  The following statement was released this afternoon by the South Orange-Maplewood School District: Wednesday morning at Columbia High School began with Dr. Lovie Lilly informing students of the loss of Mr. Mark McCombs, a beloved Health and Physical Education teacher.  Dr. Lilly shared that: “Throughout his tenure at the school, Mr. McCombs touched the lives of many, many students, faculty and staff.  The results of Mr. McCombs outstanding teaching and his insistence on high expectations for all students will live on forever.” Key staff members spent time with each of Mr. McCombs classes today to support his students.  A Grief Speaks counselor worked with Physical Education staff, administrators, and students throughout the day.  Staff …

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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.

How many men could say they intercepted a pass from Joe Namath or scored over Julius Erving?  And then how many can say they helped 2,000 minority youths in New Jersey from underprivileged backgrounds become medical doctors?  Well Lonnie Wright could say he did all of that and more in his illustrious life. Wright passed away in his South Orange home on Friday due to congestive heart failure.  He was 67. Growing up in Newark, Wright was a natural athlete from an early age.  He attended South Side High School, where he earned All-City, All-County, All-State and All-American honors in both football and basketball. He also starred for the track and baseball teams and was inducted into the Newark Hall of Fame in 1988. He then went to Colorado …

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Community Coalition On Race Remembers Donald Payne

CCR releases statement remembering the late congressman.

We Remember Congressman Donald Payne We are saddened to hear of the death of Congressman Payne.  Raised in Newark and a graduate of Seton Hall University, he was the first African American to represent New Jersey in Congress.  He served as a Member of the House of Representatives from New Jersey’s 10th District since 1989, was an ardent spokesman for education, served as Chairman of the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, and worked on behalf of human rights issues throughout the world. We last saw Congressman Payne at our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance this past January.  He joined the Coalition and our community members nearly every year for this event.  We feel especially honored …

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Whitney Houston Laid to Rest in Westfield

Procession arrived at noon Sunday for burial ceremony at Fairview Cemetery. Nearly 100 fans shouted 'We love you, Whitney' as hearse turned into the cemetery.

The vigil at Fairview Cemetery began at first light Sunday morning. There were no mourners, just reporters and photographers mingling congenially as they staked out a good spot for their reports back to the network morning shows or a position for the perfect photo of the funeral procession bringing Whitney Houston to the cemetery for her burial. Police officers arrived before daylight, at 6 a.m., to secure every possible corner of the Fairview property, from the Cranford border along Union County College to the south and E. Broad Street to the north. At the western end of the cemetery, Gallows Hill Road was closed to prevent any neighborhood street from messing up any potential route in which the procession of hearses and limos that would …

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Don Thomas Will Be Memorialized at Saturday Service

The longtime resident will be remembered on Saturday morning

Don Thomas, longtime South Orange resident, who died in January at age 79, will be remembered on Saturday. A service will be held on February 18, at 10 a.m., at Saint Andrews & Holy Communion Church. A repast will be held in the parish hall after the service. Born in 1932, Thomas lived in a house on Lenox Place for close to eight decades.  Following the deterioration of his health, Thomas made the decision to sell the house in the summer of 2011 and move to Maplewood's Winchester Gardens. Thomas graduated Columbia High School in 1950 and then went to Columbia University for his undergraduate degree, Seton Hall University for his masters and finally Rutgers University for his doctorate.  He spent 10 years as an English teacher in Livingston…

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Don Thomas, Author and Font of Local Lore, 79

Thomas will always be remembered for his love of his town and his church.

South Orange and Maplewood lost a true treasure on Saturday as longtime resident Donald (Don) Thomas passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 79.  Born in 1932, Thomas lived in a house on Lenox Lane in South Orange for close to eight decades, before moving recently to Winchester Gardens in Maplewood. Thomas graduated Columbia High School in 1950 and then went to Columbia University for his undergraduate degree, Seton Hall University for his masters and finally Rutgers University for his doctorate. He spent 10 years as an English teacher in Livingston, followed by another 20 as a guidance counselor in Westfield.  However, Thomas’ lasting legacy may have been his involvement with The Episcopal Church of Saint Andrew and …

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