Bloomfield’s Top News Of 2023: Patch Year In Review (2025)

It's been a memorable year in Bloomfield. Catch up with some of 2023's top news stories here.

Posted Mon, Dec 25, 2023 at 9:03 am ET

GOVERNMENT/POLITICS

Venezia Will Resign As Bloomfield Mayor After Winning Assembly Seat

Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia says he will resign on Jan. 9. Here's what will happen next.

Average Property Tax Bill In Bloomfield Is Growing, Latest Data Shows

See where Bloomfield landed on a list of the highest – and lowest – property taxes in New Jersey.

Bloomfield Council OKs Town Budget At Sparsely Attended Meeting

No speakers showed up for public comment at this year's municipal budget hearing in Bloomfield.

Price Of Water Is Going Up In Bloomfield; Council Approves Rate Hike

It's the first time in more than a decade that prices have gone up for water usage in Bloomfield, the town's mayor said.

Homelessness In Bloomfield: Results From 2023 'Point In Time Count'

Bloomfield has the fourth-highest number of people experiencing homelessness in Essex County, an annual study says.

Bloomfield, East Orange Will Pay Man $190K For Settlement: Report

An Essex County man accused police of using an "unfair" photo array method and failing to follow up on his alibi prior to an arrest.

Lights At Lion Gate: Debate Over Athletic Field Lighting In Bloomfield

A proposal to install field lighting at an urban wetland/park in Bloomfield has some residents up in arms.

EDUCATION

Montclair State, Bloomfield College Merger Finalized: What To Know

It's official: say hello to Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. Here are some important things to know if you're a student.

Bloomfield School Board Election Results Certified: See Final Tallies

Stephanie Parry, Nadeisha Greene and Kasey Dudley emerged victorious in Bloomfield.

NJ Names Bloomfield Educator As 'Teacher Of The Year' In Essex County

A social studies guru at Bloomfield High School earned a prestigious nod as one of New Jersey's 2023-2024 "Teachers of the Year."

Proposed Bloomfield School Budget Has Tax Increase: See The Details

VIDEO: Bloomfield's school superintendent offered a deep dive into the proposed budget.

Bloomfield Deemed 'High Performing School District' For Second Time

"It's undoubtedly a great day to be a Bloomfield Bengal," a school official said.

CRIME/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Bloomfield Crime Rate Remains Historically Low, New FBI Data Shows

Crime rates in Bloomfield went up after dropping amid the pandemic. But a look at the larger picture shows big improvement over the years.

Video Shows Man Hurl Fiery Molotov Cocktail At Bloomfield Synagogue

Bloomfield Rabbi: "No act of hate can stop the power of religious freedom." (Read our update here)

Ex-NJ Cop Sentenced For Killing Nurse While Drunk Driving: Prosecutor

A former Newark police officer from Bloomfield fatally struck a Garfield resident with his car, then drove home with the body.

Getaway Driver Found Guilty Of Murder In Essex County

A jury convicted a Bloomfield man for taking part in the slaying of a Newark resident who worked at a gas station in Irvington.

Family Claims Bloomfield Police Raided Wrong Home In Lawsuit: Report

Former Bloomfield residents are alleging that police had the wrong address when they broke down their door and detained them.

68-Year-Old Man Found Dead In Watsessing Park: Essex County Prosecutor

A man's deceased body was found in a creek at Watsessing Park, authorities said.

Bloomfield Has A New Top Cop; Ricci Takes Reins Of BPD

George Ricci is the 14th police chief in Bloomfield Police Department history.

Fire At Bloomfield Building; 1 Firefighter Taken To Hospital (UPDATED)

A Bloomfield firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. No other injuries were reported, authorities said.

Dog Rescued From Fire At Bloomfield Apartment Building

Bloomfield firefighters arrived at the scene to find that all of the residents were out of the building – except for a dog.

Dognapper Stole 3 Dogs From Parked Car In Bloomfield: Police

The victim parked their car outside a store in Bloomfield and went inside. That's when the thief struck, authorities said.

'Very Shy' And Scared Dog Rescued From Bloomfield River

First responders in Bloomfield came to the aid of a stray dog who was found in the Second River.

WEATHER/ENVIRONMENT

Canada Wildfire Smoke In NJ: Expert Answers Common Questions (VIDEO)

A professor at NJIT in Essex County has answers to some of your most pressing questions about the hazy smoke wafting across New Jersey.

Weird Lights Seen In New Jersey Skies: 'Elon Musk, Is This You?'

The sightings lit up social media across New Jersey. Some said they were UFOs – others had a different theory: Space X satellites.

Acorns Aplenty: Why So Many In Brookdale Park This Year?

"Why are there so many acorns?" If you're asking this question in Montclair and Bloomfield, you're not going nuts, a nonprofit says.

Rabid Skunk Bites Human In Bloomfield Near Border Of Glen Ridge

The bitten person received immediate medical attention and treatment after the encounter, Bloomfield officials said.

Bloomfield Has An Official 'Town Flower' – Here's What It Is

This flower with striking yellow petals and a dark center represents the "natural beauty of Bloomfield," an official said.

Pride In Bloomfield: Annual Cleanup Day Attracts Hundreds Of People

More than 300 people in Bloomfield joined together to carry out a town-wide cleanup at more than 30 locations throughout town.

Too Hot For School: 3 Half-Days In Bloomfield Amid Heat Wave

Students in Bloomfield will get a partial break from classes this week. Thermometers are expected to jump across New Jersey.

REAL ESTATE/DEVELOPMENT

Tenants Rage At Bloomfield Landlord Over Evictions, 'Harassment'

The kicker? He's not even supposed to be renting out the building in the first place, a group of fed-up Bloomfield residents say.

Essex-Hudson Greenway Takes Leap Forward: Here's Where It Will Begin

An old railway will become a hiking-biking path in Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus and Jersey City.

2 New Apartment Building Proposals Move Forward In Bloomfield

Developers want to build two six-story, mixed-use buildings with apartments, parking and retail space in Bloomfield.

Home Of 'Death Seat Burger' For Sale Near Nutley, Bloomfield Border

The Old Canal Inn is on the market for $2.19 million. The building comes with a liquor license – and a hauntingly spooky local legend.

Work Begins At Vassar Field, Clarks Pond South In Bloomfield

Construction work has begun on two Green Acres-funded projects, with a goal of finishing before baseball and softball opening day.

BUSINESS

Nevada Diner In Bloomfield Reopens After Kitchen Fire

The Nevada Diner is back in action. And the Bloomfield restaurant has a special deal on the table as they reopen.

Bloomfield Restaurant Owners Will Open 2 New Eateries In Town

The owners of The Brookdale will get two new eateries: an Italian restaurant with cocktails and wine, and a dessert bar/bakery.

Opening Day Nears For Bloomfield's First Microbrewery

Varitage Brew Works has unveiled the "first beer to ever be proudly brewed in Bloomfield."

Bloomfield Gelato Shop Known For Its 'Jersey Attitude' Is Closing

APEM Creamery and Sorbetteria is closing. And its co-owner is giving an unflinchingly honest explanation about the reasons why.

Bloomfield Supermarket Workers Earn Their Way Onto Cheerios Boxes

Two workers at the Brookdale ShopRite recently found themselves staring at boxes of Cheerios with their own faces on them. Here's why.

Retired NBA Star's Company Will Sell Weed In Bloomfield

New Jersey native Al Harrington will be returning to his home state for two cannabis-fueled launch parties.

This Bloomfield Senior, Dentist Is A 'Legend' In His Community

Bloomfield resident Dr. Martin Siegel earned an award as part of Essex County's annual Older Americans Heritage Month Celebration.

Woman Follows Dad's Footsteps After Training At NJ Auto Repair School

Victoria Vaughan made a big career switch and hasn't looked back. "It's been the best decision I've ever made," she says.

New Mediterranean Restaurant Opens In Bloomfield: Rumi Café And Grill

Bloomfield's newest restaurant features a menu inspired by the rich culinary traditions of countries like Greece, Turkey and Lebanon.

Colmont's Deli In Bloomfield Closes Its Doors Permanently

Colmont's Deli at 220 Hoover Avenue has closed, a message on its social media profiles said.

New Banners Brighten Up Downtown Bloomfield

Dozens of colorful "pedestrian pole banners" are being put on display in Bloomfield's main commercial district.

Working With Weed: NJ Cannabis Dispensary Shares Tips For Job Seekers

A cannabis dispensary in Bloomfield is hiring. And there's still hope for landing the job of your dreams – even if you're a newbie.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL

NJ Teen Dies After Car Crash In Brookdale Park

A 16-year-old from Glen Ridge died after a crash in the Bloomfield section of Brookdale Park, which also extends into Montclair.

Car Fatally Strikes Woman In Bloomfield; Driver Remained At Scene: PD

A woman died after a car struck her in Bloomfield, authorities said.

Bloomfield To Eliminate 10 Crossing Guard Posts, Authorities Say

Bloomfield residents may still see a regular crossing guard presence at the 10 locations – unless "personnel shortages" take place.

Locust Avenue Bridge Replacement In Bloomfield Hits The Finish Line

The "modernization" in Bloomfield was part of a larger project to replace four culverts and bridges throughout Essex County.

NJ Transit OKs $4.7M For Bloomfield Train Station Upgrades

A major renovation project at Bloomfield Station is moving full speed ahead, officials say.

Major Sewer Collapse In Bloomfield Will Affect Traffic For 3 Days

A "major sewer collapse" took place near the Garden State Parkway in Bloomfield. It will affect traffic until Friday, officials said.

OBITUARIES

9/11 Museum Remembers Birthday Of Bloomfield Victim

Catherine Nardella of Bloomfield was among nearly 3,000 people who died in the September 11 attacks. She was 40-years-old.

Trailblazing Nurse From Bloomfield Dies At 90: Adelphia Lucas

Lucas was a trailblazing nurse who integrated several hospitals in the 1950s and 1960s. She was also a popular Election Day poll worker.

Bloomfield Police Honor Memory Of Late Dispatcher

The room where Joseph Raimo once worked to safeguard his neighbors is now adorned with a memorial wall in his honor.

OTHER NEWS

These Inspiring Bloomfield Women 'Embrace Equality,' Officials Say

Bloomfield council members gave a well-deserved shout-out to some inspiring members of the community for International Women's Day.

Bloomfield Rabbi Earns Award For Serving Jewish Community

Marc Katz, a rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, earned a "Star of Essex" award from the county for 2023.

LGBTQ Leader In Bloomfield Earns Award For Community Service

A Bloomfield resident was honored at the Essex County Board of County Commissioners' inaugural Pride Month celebration.

Bloomfield Teens Help Underprivileged Kids Get Swimming Lessons

Tyna and Tyler Davis raised more than $5,500, which paid for swimming lessons for 22 Bloomfield kids.

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