LAST DAYS OF RESTAURANT WEEK

Check it out if you haven't. And if you have, check again...

POWER INTERRUPTION...AGAIN

UPDATE: Now two quick power interruptions this afternoon and police scanner reports stoplight out at Tuscan and Prospect.


For the second time this week, a quick power interruption appears to have hit at least parts of town. With temps still in the 70s, you cannot blame high power useage.


What's up?

HOME INVASION 911 CALL RECORDING

Police released the 911 call for the home invasion that occurred on Academy Street on March 8, 2012 at the request of Maplewoodian.com.


It is short, but clearly shows an occupant fearful and an operator frustrated over getting the address correct.

Reminder, here is the police blotter report of the incident that was issued days later.

March 8, 2012: Robbery. The Police Department is investigating a home invasion style robbery that occurred on 3/8/12 at approximately 10:25 pm. The victims report that three black males armed with handguns kicked down the door to their Academy Street residence and demanded money from the residents. The suspects fled the scene in what is described as a late model Nissan product, four door color black. To report information regarding this incident, please contact the Detective Bureau at 973-762-3400 Ext. 7905.  


No further information on the incident has been released by police.

MAIN LIBRARY CLOSED THIS WEEKEND

This notice in from the township today:

Due to building improvements, the Main Library on Baker Street will close at 4pm on Friday, March 23^rd and will remain closed on Saturday, March 24^th.  The Hilton Branch Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 24^th.  www.maplewoodlibrary.org 

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH URGES "WATCH AND PRAY" IN RESPONSE TO ATTACK

As St. Joseph's Church continues to wrestle with the vicious beating of one of its employees, the police have yet to release any new information on the suspect who was found in the Rectory basement and severely attacked an employee.


But the church is reaching out to parishioners.


This notice will appear in this Sunday's church bulletin:


WE MUST CONTINUE TO WATCH AND PRAY: 
We thank God for the strength and grace given us this past 
week as we wrestle with the shocking act of a violent intruder.  
We thank God for protecting our sister who is now 
recuperating, thanks to all your prayers.  We are grateful to 
the Maplewood Police Chief, Robert Cimino, and the 
Mayor, Victor DeLuca for their care and concern and for 
their assurance of help in providing us a more peaceful and 
secure environment so we can put this ugly incident behind 
us.  I thank my staff and all our parishioners that in such a 
difficult time the power of your faith came truly alive.  
Please continue to watch and pray


Meanwhile, another e-mail was sent to church members urging them to remember to keep watch on their children and make sure to pick them up from Sunday school or offer a note that allows them to leave on their own.

DOUBLE MURDER SUSPECT IN COURT TUESDAY

News-Record reports on PATCH:

Dwayne Flourney, 26, of Maplewood is scheduled to be arraigned in Newark on Tuesday, March 27, for the killings of his father and grandmother on Northview Terrace on March 10 — according to the News-Record.

Flourney was arrested in Phillipsburg, NJ on March 13 and charged with the killings. The bodies of his father, Brian Flourney, and his grandmother, Sandra Flourney, were discoveredat their Northview Terrace by Maplewood Police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office on Monday, March 12.

ESSEX COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE TODAY

Essex County Prosecutor's Office to Hold Youth Conference for Boys

	Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor's Office will hold its first youth conference to address issues of particular significance to teenage males on Friday, March 23, 2012. More than 200 male students from various high schools in Essex County are expected to attend the "From Boys to Men" youth conference. The goal of the one-day summit is to inspire young men to reach their goals and learn about resources available in their communities. This invitation only youth conference will be held at the Essex County Police Academy, located at 250 Grove Avenue in Cedar Grove from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Murray will give the welcome address. Motivational speaker, Hashim Garrett, will discuss his troubled adolescent years and describe to the audience how he overcame obstacles. A panel discussion will be held to answer the question, "What is a man?" Students will explore the facts of becoming a man verses fiction. The conference will include an interactive segment designed to engage students about the consequences of life situations. It will also include a session about career opportunities. Representatives from various social service agencies will be on hand to provide information to students about resources available. Students will also participate in workshops that focus on Internet Safety, Cyberbullying, Gang Violence and Driver's Education. It is our hope that students will leave this conference with a better understanding of themselves and careers. If you need additional information, please contact Assistant Prosecutor Gwendolyn Williams at 973-621-5381 or Community Justice Coordinator, Nicole Graves-Watson at 973-621-5377.

MAPLEWOOD VILLAGE BULLETIN BOARD BEHIND GLASS

You likely saw this shiny new glass bulletin board in Maplewood Village that replaces the cluttered up previous one.

Less clutter, yes. But any notices must now be posted through the Maplewood Village Alliance, under lock and key.

Says Mayor De Luca in an e-mail: "Similar to the kiosks on Springfield Avenue, which have to go through the Partnership, the bulletin board is being overseen by the Village Alliance."


A quick look today had all three windows filled with Restaurant Week notices.