🌱 Patch AM: Around Maplewood: Gun Violence + Phone Ban + Lawsuits + Real Estate + ICE

Morning Maplewood! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Maplewood’s new mayor, gun violence trends, and big Essex County changes
• Why neighbors say this Maplewood intersection is still too dangerous
• What Maplewood residents should know from the latest police blotter

Also on today's calendar: Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026 and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: I am on a seafood diet. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: A p.m. rain or snow shower, with a high of 45 and low of 29 degrees.
• Monday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 41, low: 30.
• Tuesday: Sunny; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 45 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Around Maplewood: Gun Violence + Phone Ban + Lawsuits + Real Estate + ICE (patch.com) — Maplewood readers get a quick roundup of major Essex County stories, including a change in Maplewood’s mayor and the 2026 State of the Township address. The collection also highlights countywide drops in gun violence, debates over a statewide school phone ban, immigration-related protests, lawsuits, development projects, and other issues likely to affect local residents.
   

• Pedestrian Suffers Possible Broken Leg After Being Stuck at Prospect & Oakland on Jan. 8 (villagegreennj.com) — A pedestrian was hit by a turning car while crossing at Prospect Street and Oakland Road in Maplewood on January 8 and was taken to University Hospital in Newark with a possible broken leg. Police say the Irvington resident was in the crosswalk when struck, and the driver received a citation that could carry serious penalties. Neighbors say this intersection remains dangerous despite traffic calming measures.
   

• Maplewood Police Blotter: Residential Burglary and Attempted Burlgaries, Motor Vehicle Theft, (villagegreennj.com) — Maplewood police report several recent crimes, including a residential burglary, attempted break-ins, thefts from vehicles, and a pedestrian struck at Oakland Road and Prospect Street. Residents are urged to secure homes and cars, and can request a free Home Security Survey from the Maplewood Police Department to improve safety.
   

📸 Around Maplewood

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Maplewood

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday January 11

• Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026
  Meadowbrook Country Day Camp, 73 E Valley Brook Rd, Washington Township
  11:00 am

Friday March 6

• Taylor, Simon King / Three American Troubadours
  One SOPAC Way, South Orange Village, NJ, 07079,
  7:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday January 11

• Open-Hearth Cooking Demonstrations and Tastings
  Durand Hedden House & Garden Association , 523 Ridgewood Rd , Maplewood
  1:00 pm

Tuesday January 13

• MMS Band Concert
  Millburn Township Public Schools , 434 Millburn Avenue , Millburn
  7:00 pm

Wednesday January 14

• *Snow Date - MMS Band Concert
  Millburn Township Public Schools , 434 Millburn Avenue , Millburn
  7:00 pm
• Board of Recreation
  Gero Park Recreation Center , 333 White Oak Ridge Road , Short Hills
  7:30 pm

Thursday January 15

• SOMSD Community Townhall (Virtual)
  South Orange Middle School , 70 North Ridgewood Road , South Orange
  6:30 pm

Friday January 23

• The Maplewood Strollers Present: Narnia The Musical — Maplewood Arts & Culture
  Burgdorff Cultural Center , 10 Durand Rd , Maplewood
  7:00 pm

Saturday January 24

• Click, Clack, Moo
  Wilkins Theatre , 1000 Morris Ave , Union
  10:00 am

📣 Maplewood Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday January 11

• Fitness Open House • New Year! New You!
  JCC MetroWest | Fitness Center , 760 Northfield Ave , West Orange
  10:00 am
• January/February Art Exhibit Opening Reception
  JCC MetroWest | Gaelen Gallery , 760 W Northfield Rd , West Orange
  11:00 am
• Caldwell Parsonage Open House
  Union Township, NJ Calendar , Caldwell Parsonage 909 Caldwell Ave , Union
  12:00 pm
• Frozen The Musical
  Paper Mill Playhouse , 22 Brookside Dr , Millburn
  1:30 pm
• Jay Daniels
  Teaneck Public Library , 840 Teaneck Rd , Teaneck
  2:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Maplewood PatchAM possible:

• Avellino Custom Masonry — (908) 879-8699
  Family owned business in business for over 30 years.
• Dogtopia of West Orange — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• HZY GOODS — (973) 200-3030
  HZY Goods Dispensary in East Orange Now Open!
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Orange Mattress — (732) 428-4125
  Call or Stop by for Daily Deals

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Seton Hall University posted a job opening for Adjunct Instructor, Animation & Game Design in South Orange. Apply here.
• Mathnasium posted a job opening for Assistant Math Learning Center Director - Part Time in Union. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maplewood here.

🗞 Nearby News

South Orange

• South Orange Planning Board Returns to In-Person Meetings (tapinto.net)
• SOPAC Announces Jazz in the Loft Performers for 2026 Spotlighting Evan Sherman, Diego Urcola, Marel Hidalgo, and Yotam Silberstein (villagegreennj.com)

Irvington

• Former Giants star Antonio Pierce shines in head coaching interview: ‘Blew me away' (nj.com)

Millburn

Ok Maplewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I see food and I eat it.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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