Thousands in Cash, Goods Taken from Belleville Home

Latest in a series of burglaries and burglary attempts in recent weeks

A home in Belleville was burglarized Feb. 7, police reported. The residents of a Cedar Hill Avenue apartment returned home around 12:44 pm and noticed the front door had been damaged and the home had been ransacked. Taken was $5,000 in jewelry and $10,000 in cash, the victims told police. The robbery occurred sometime after 6:30 that morning, the victims also said. The incident is under investigation. The incident is just the latest burglary or burglary attempt of a home to be reported in Belleville and Nutley during the last several weeks.

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A Snowstorm Comes and Goes, Young Nutley Poet Honored

The week's top stories in Belleville and Nutley

The area experienced its first significant snowfall of the season Friday, when a massive system dumped about a foot throughout North Jersey. Although the storm forced early school closings and the cancellation of weekend activities, the worst effects were felt farther north and east. By Saturday afternoon, local roadways were largely clear and mass transit systems were back on their normal schedules.  The students at a school for special needs students in Nutley were preparing Valentine’s Day cards for their peers at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Ct., the site of December’s mass shooting. Two different shoplifters striking at the same Walgreens location in Belleville   were caught this week following quick action by store staff. One …

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Towns Get Large Federal Grants and Baseball/Softball Registration Underway

The week in review in Belleville, Nutley

During the trial of Nutley resident Paul Bergrin, a once high-profile defense attorney now charged with murder and racketeering, a former Belleville resident testified Bergrin coerced her into giving false statements to authorities to help her father, a Bergrin client. A Nutley resident was nominated to become a commissioner of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grants were awarded to groups within Belleville and Nutley as well as the communities themselves. The funding will also be used for local roadway repairs. Registration began this week for Belleville Recreation’s baseball and softball leagues.   Retailers this week have gotten permission to charge a fee of 4 percent on credit card …

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Belleville Hires School Security Consultant, Nutley Man Charged in Massive Fraud Scheme

The most popular stories in January on Patch

Missed some of the headlines during the past month? Following are the most popular stories on Belleville-Nutley Patch in the month of January. Belleville police Jan. 24 arrested two women on prostitution charges following an undercover investigation of a Washington Avenue business. A third woman, the suspected madame, was believed to have fled the country,  A man with homes in Nutley and Lyndhurst was among those charged in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme involving properties in Newark and Elizabeth. A Belleville gift store was heavily damaged in a fire early on Jan. 13. A burglar entered a Nutley home while an occupant of the residence was upstairs. The burglar fled before being spotted by the resident. A number of burglaries …

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The Week Ahead in Nutley and Belleville

Free yoga, a thermos giveaway and more

Here’s a roundup of some events going on in Nutley and Belleville this coming week: The Belleville Board of Education meets 7 pm Jan. 28 at the Belleville High School Library, 100 Passaic Ave. On Jan. 28, Zumba with Janel will be offering classes on the popular excercise. Class will be held at 86 Union Ave. in Nutley. The cost is $10. Also on Jan. 28 and throughout the week, Modern Auto Parts, 82 Rutgers St., Belleville, will be offering a free hot-cold thermos with every purchase of 4 quarts or more of Amsoil motor oil. Nutley’s Yantacaw School, 20 Yantacaw Pl., will be holding an online shopping fundraiser daily this week. TNT Fitness in Nutley will be offering a free yoga class 9:30 am Jan. 31. The Nutley Rotary Club will be meeting 12:…

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Belleville PD Makes Prostitution Arrests, High-Profile Trial of Nutley Resident Begins

The week's top stories in Belleville and Nutley

Belleville police Thursday arrested two women for allegedly working as prostitutes out of a Washington Avenue business. The business’s owner was also charged but had not yet been arrested. A Nutley man was among those charged in a massive, $10 million mortgage fraud scheme, the US Attorney’s office announced. The scheme, carried out over four years, involved properties in Newark and Elizabeth. The trial of Paul Bergrin, a Nutley resident and prominent Newark defense attorney, began this week. Bergrin, whose list of former clients includes rap stars and alleged drug dealers  is accused of tampering with witnesses against his clients, among many other charges. Signups for Nutley’s Little League begin Sunday, with another session held next …

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Belleville Rec Offering Winter Programs

Kindergym and cheerleading available

The Belleville Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for two winter programs, Kindergym and Cheerleading Clinics Kindergym features organized games and activities for participants and is open to children in grades K-2. The program takes place on Tuesdays (kindergarten) and Thursdays (grades 1-2) from Tuesday, Jan. 29 to Thursday, March 21 at the gym of School 7.  The Cheerleading Clinic program is designed to teach basic skills of cheerleading and is open to grades 1-8. This program runs on Mondays and Wednesday nights depending on grade beginning Monday, Jan. 28 at the School 8 gym. Applications are available at the Belleville Rec House office, 407 Joralemon St., on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. Registration …

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Belleville Hosting 'Operation Warm' Saturday

Area needy invited to pick up a donated winter coat

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Belleville Tree-Lighting is Saturday

Township kicking off season with Santa parade

The Township of Belleville will hold its annual Holiday Tree Lighting this Saturday, Dec. 1, at Belleville High School, 100 Passaic Ave. Beginning at 4 pm and going until 10, there will be a holiday flea market and gift show in the high school. Beginning after 6 pm, there will be a number of attractions, including visits with beloved characters, trackless train and horse rides, zeppole and hot chocolate stands as well as snack and goods stands run by Belleville organizations. A parade bringing Santa’s sleigh will step off at approximately 7 pm from the corner of Joralemon Street and Franklin Avenue, then proceeds down Joralemon to the high school. The tree lighting is scheduled to take place at about 7:45 pm. Santa will be available for …

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