The Week's Top Stories in Newark

In separate incidents this week, three people, including a 17-year-old girl  and an 18-year-old man, were shot and killed in the city. Early on the morning of July 12, Newark resident Gregory Smith was murdered on Ellery Avenue in what authorities described as a targeted shooting.

Suspects in three murders were also arrested, on July 10, following a joint effort by city police, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the US Marshals. A fourth suspect, Alchane Mayes, 18, of Newark and Henryville, Pa., was also arrested and is one of two people charged in the shooting death of a cab driver early on the morning of July 7.

The Newark Municipal Council deferred a final vote on whether to grant an easement for the for the construction of underground power lines to the proposed Newark Energy Center. Hess Corp., which is building the plant in the East Ward, has promised the city a package totalling $24 million if the easement is approved.

Mayor Cory Booker has been selected to help shape the platform of the national Democratic Party ahead of its convention Sept. 3.

The municipal council Friday introduced a more than $590 million city budget first presented by Mayor Cory Booker in February. The action was taken as the state of New Jersey threatened to deny a city application for $24 million in aid unless the budget was introduced. The council, which has been at odds with the Booker administration over the budget, complained that they have been provided with little detail about the spending plan. Meetings with city department heads are expected over the next few weeks, with a final public hearing scheduled for next month.

Also this week, the Newark Police Department launched a scholarship program for city students. Nine Newark youth received awards each named for fallen NPD officers.