Brutal Slaying Conviction, Police Officer Remembered Top Local News

The Democratic organizations in fourth North Jersey counties -- Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Hudson -- all endorsed Mayor Cory Booker, a candidate for US Senate. Booker is the heavy favorite in a four-way August primary for the Democratic nomination.

A community farm officially opened this week on Hawthorne Avenue. In addition to growing low-cost produce to be sold through the Greater Newark Conservancy, residents will be able to keep their own fruit and vegetable gardens at the site.

A jury in Newark found Nadiyah Venable, 23, guilty of murdering another woman in a dispute over a man both had been involved with romantically. Venable faces 30 years to life in prison when she’s sentenced in September.

A public vigil was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Newark police officer Melvin Lisojo. The 35-year-old father of three was killed when a drunk driver ran a red light and slammed into his squad car while Lisojo was responding to a report of shots fired.

Singer Whitney Houston and Ray Chambers, a philanthropist who has donated to Newark-based institutions and causes, are among those who will be inducted into the New Jersey of Fame later this year, the group announced.