This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Booker: 'Leading Newark Is the Greatest Challenge of My Life'

Cory Booker says community collaboration is the secret to Newark's progress, in this series sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. As the mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, Cory Booker says he understands the importance of leadership. But he especially acknowledges the importance of inspiring and engaging local leaders to assist in achieving community goals. Q. PATCH: What is the biggest challenge you’ve taken on?   A. BOOKER: Leading Newark is the greatest challenge of my life, but it’s not a policy challenge.  I’m proud we’ve notched victories — fought to improve education, create jobs and cut crime. But the challenge has been the…

•  16 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

Booker Releases Emails On $100 Million Donation to Newark Schools

Newark officials released 36 emails about the $100 million donation Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made in 2010 to city schools.

After Newark officials were order to release emails about the $100-million donation Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made to the city’s schools in 2010, they showed it never happened. The emails revealed the donation was dismissed by one of Mayor Cory Booker's top aides as too small, according to NJ.com. However the emails also showed Newark philanthropist Ray Chambers was in favor of it. “It is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit and ruling from the judge to force the City of Newark to turn over public documents," the American Civil Liberties Union Legal Director, Ed Barocas, said. "We and our clients will now review the documents. And if there are no bombshells in these emails, the public has a right to ask why the city was so adamant in …

• Photos (3)

County News: Chaos Breaks Out at Newark City Hall Following Controversial Vote

Police subdue angry members of audience following attempt to replace Payne on council

  The Newark Municipal Council meeting ended in chaos Tuesday after Mayor Cory Booker tried to cast the deciding vote in favor of a replacement for former Council President Donald Payne, who was elected to Congress earlier this month. One man, Earl Best, a community activist known as Street Doctor, was hospitalized after being sprayed by police with pepper spray, he said after being released from University Hospital. South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka said his mother had also been sprayed. Baraka said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos called for a vote on Shanique Speight. Baraka, Councilwoman-at-Large Mildred Crump and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif then left the dais after Ramos failed to acknowledge a motion by Baraka. West Ward …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Opens

One-stop center in Newark has information on assistance for homeowners, small business owners

The FEMA Disaster Recover Center opened its doors Monday to assist those still dealing with the mess left behind by Super Storm Sandy. Located at the Willing Heart Community Care Center (555 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark), the center is a one-stop shop for all Sandy and nor'easter Athena recovery resources. Residents can apply for disaster and recovery grants on site, as well as obtain information on things like homeowner mitigation, disaster unemployment and low-interest disaster loans for small businesses. "We want to make certain all those who sustained losses or damages from the recent storms understand exactly what they have to do in order to determine if they're eligible for aid – and that they receive that aid," said …

• Photos (2)

PHOTOS: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Newark

Annual walk attracts thousands to city for fundraising walk

Military Park in Newark Sunday hosted the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk for the 13th consecutive year. The Brick City walk helped raise more than $180,000 for breast cancer research through the initiative. Last year, the popular walk attracted more than 12,000 people and raised more than $345,000 to fight cancer. Click through the photos above to see more.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (26)

Cory Booker, Stephen Colbert Are "Hot in Jersey"

The Mayor of Newark appeared on the Montclair resident's show, The Colbert Report

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was once Montclair resident Stephen Colbert's "threat to America," when he described America's diversity as "delicious."  Recently Booker was "Alpha Dog of the week," according to the host of the Colbert Report, for pulling a woman from a burning building.  "Am I on fire?" asked the host. "In New Jersey," replied Booker, "you are hot." Booker, who appeared on Colbert's show on October 16, told Colbert, "Newark is doing extremely well," citing economic development and growth. Colbert congratulated Booker for having Manischewitz come to Newark.  "Mazel, baby, mazel," said Colbert. Booker spoke at length about his online activism project Waywire.  Waywire, often seen in print as #waywire, is a video social network "…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Rajapaul

6:37 am on Monday, October 22, 2012

Seems like an issues based, online town hall. An excellent idea for elected officials. Another great idea Cory.   more ›

Ole! Spain Wins on Penalties, Advances to Euro 2012 Finals

Fans in Newark's Ironbound party it up after game

Despite a heartbreaking loss for Portugal, Spain's penalty shootout victory Wednesday in the Euro 2012 semifinals was still a cause for celebration in Newark's Ironbound community. Fans from both sides of the Peninsular War poured onto Ferry Street shortly after Spain ousted Portugal, 4-2, in penalty kicks following 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime. And, though it was a community divided going into Wednesday's game, huge Spain and Portugal flags waved in unison during a blowout bash at Iberia. "It feels really great to see Spain win because I'm of Puerto Rican descent," said Will Caballero, who caught the game at Manu's Tapas Bar and Sushi Lounge. Spain, the reigning World Cup and Euro champs, are vying to become the …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (9)
• Videos (1)

Portugal vs. Spain in Euro 2012 Semis: Who Will Win?

Neighboring countries face off Wednesday in European Championship semifinals

An all-Iberian matchup is heating up with just days to go until Spain and Portugal meet in the European Championship semifinals. Coming off an explosive 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic last week, Portugal will have to stave off defending World Cup and Euro champion Spain for a spot in the Euro 2012 finals. The two teams play Wednesday in Donetsk, Ukraine. No doubt the rivalry between the neighboring countries is one with which Newarkers are familiar. The classic showdown is more than 90 years old, with Spain maintaining its dominance in 37 head-to-head matches against Portugal, when its national football team first debuted, according to Union des Associations Européennes de Football (UEFA). Portugal will likely be looking for …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Newark Man Guilty of Animal Cruelty after Kicking Dog in Eye

Dog forced to have eye removed as a result

A Newark man has pleaded guilty to one count of third degree animal cruelty after he kicked a small dog in the face, causing its eye to pop out. Oswald Hall, 61, kicked his girlfriend's sister's dog Zoey, a Chihuahua, in the head on New Year's Day this year while wearing boots, said Assistant Prosecutor Dawn D'Amico, who handled the case. The dog's eyeball popped out as a result of the kick and had to be removed. Both the sister and the girlfriend were living with Hall at the time of the incident. Hall also pleaded guilty to animal cruelty for striking his girlfriend's dog in the head on Sept. 22, 2011, causing the animal head trauma. Both incidents of animal cruelty involved different dogs, according to Katherine Carter, spokesperson for …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Local History: Locals Lost on the Titanic, While Others Perished or Witnessed Tragedy

The Titanic sank in April of 1912

As the world looks back a hundred years to the April 1912 sinking of RMS Titanic, local communities can note survivors, victims, and even passengers on the Carpathia. Some 10 New Jersey residents, including some from the Oranges, were on the ill-fated ship, while a local family traveled on the Carpathia, which came to the Titanic's aid. At noon on April 10, 1912, the Titanic set sail from Southampton, England. Her first port of call was Cherbourg, France, followed by a stop in Ireland. On the night of April 14 into April 15, the ship collided with an iceberg. Within ten minutes, the ship's five watertight compartments were taking on water. By midnight, the crew was advised to prepare lifeboats and muster passengers. The Titanic's …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (3)