10 Most Read August Verona-Cedar Grove Patch Stories

Businessman Denies Race Behind Obama Statue

The owner of a local storage business who dressed a monkey statue in an anti-Obama T-shirt said Wednesday the statement was not racially motivated.

“It was not meant to be racial," business owner Rick Bond told Patch.

Bond, a former councilman and police officer, placed the statue in front of his Cedar Grove business, Don-Ric Self Storage at 405 Little Falls Road but removed after people started complaining.

“I absolutely never thought of it as racial,” Bond said. “It’s ridiculous.”

The monkey statue sported a T-shirt saying “OMG Obama Must Go.” 

Verona Man Arrested For Damaging Statues

Verona police have arrested a 30-year-old township man they believe was responsible for using a hammer to damage several religious statues at the Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona police said Wednesday morning.

Elliott S. Bennett was charged with third-degree criminal mischief for using the hammer to damage statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus and St. John at the church, located at 32 Lakeside Ave. in Verona on Aug. 12.

Local High Schools Ranked by Magazine

Cedar Grove school officials are elated with a magazine’s report showing the district advanced 29 places in a poll of the state’s top high schools.

However, officials in Verona are questioning that district falling 17 places in the poll.

Both schools are cautioning the rankings are being taken “with a grain of salt.”

New Jersey Monthly’s recently released biannual 2012 ranking of 328 Top NJ High Schools shows Cedar Grove schools advancing from a 2010 ranking of 103 to a 2012 ranking of 74 while Verona fell from number 53 on the 2010 list to number 70 this year.

Grove Petitions Board for Additional Parking

Representatives from The Grove catering hall asked the Cedar Grove Planning Board Aug. 21 to add 39 parking spaces to its venue and to allow off-site parking.

The Cedar Grove Planning Board is expected to vote on the measure at its Sept. 18 meeting.

In the past, representatives from The Grove and the township have had an adversarial relationship.

Residents have charged overflow parking from the catering hall causes parking and traffic issues in the streets surrounding the business. 

Snooki Gives Birth in Livingston

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, one of the stars of 'Jersey Shore,' gave birth Aug. 26 at  in Livingston. 

Lorenzo Dominic LaValle was born just before 3 a.m.

Verona Woman Killed July 31

A 54-year-old Verona woman killed July 31 while crossing Bloomfield Avenue in Verona did not cross in a crosswalk, according to Verona Police Chief Douglas Huber.

Marie Trusits was struck by the car at 8:45 p.m. near 370 Bloomfield Ave.

Newark Teacher Killed In Verona Remembered

A 54-year-old Verona woman, who was recently a Newark teacher, was remembered by students and colleagues as funny and a strict disciplinarian who protected her students.

Marie Trusits was "a soft-spoken teacher who wouldn't yell unless she had to," according to 2007 St. Michael's graduate Priscilla Calderone.

Motorcyclist Injured in High-Speed Crash

A 27-year-old West Orange man, who police say was traveling 116 miles per hour on a motorcycle, was injured after crashing into a median. 

Cedar Grove police said Vincent M. Stanziale was speeding on the motorcycle south on Pompton Avenue in the township near the Pilgrim Shopping Plaza at 3:22 a.m. Sunday. 

Police said the motorcycle struck a median at the southern end of the shopping center. 

After striking the median, Stanziale then hit a “No U-turn” sign and was ejected from the motorcycle and skidding more than 300 feet before landing at the intersection of Pompton Avenue and Vincent Place.

Rescued Greyhound's Tour Stops at Petco

Rescued greyhound Giles Express, who arrived at a Tennessee animal shelter after being abandoned with another dog near death, recovered from his condition and visited the Verona Petco Aug. 19.

Children Help Mother's Fight Against Cancer

The family of Beverly Marcogliese hosted a benefit Love Bev Walk at Verona Park on Aug. 25 to help their mother, who is suffering from a rare and late-stage form of esophageal cancer.