Vote Falls Short, Retail Vacancies, New Pope Top Local News

Referendum Vote Fails by 382 Votes

A $17.5 million referendum to improve athletic facilities at Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School has failed by 382 votes.

Board of Ed Will Reflect on Direction for Fields

Many members of the local school communities were disappointed in the outcome of Tuesday's special election, and the Hanover Park Regional High School District Board of Education will need time to decide how to address the future of the district's fields, Superintendent Carol Grossi wrote in a letter to the community Wednesday.

Route 10 Retail Area Has Among Highest NJ Vacancies

Livingston-East Hanover's Route 10 retail corridor has one of the highest vacancy rates in the state, according to a Goldstein Group report.

New Pope Francis Elected: East Hanover Priest Reacts

At the news that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected to be the new pope, the Rev. Owen Moran of St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover said he was "thrilled and excited."

A Florham Park woman was scammed out of $9,500 last week after a caller pretending to be her grandson had her wire the money to Peru so he could be bailed out of jail, according to borough police.

Mixed Success for Other NJ Referendums

Of the eight special elections on school construction around the state Tuesday, half of the proposals passed, including a question for athletic facilities in North Arlington in Bergen County, according to a New Jersey School Boards Association news release.