10 Most Read September Montclair Patch Stories

Montclair School Board Appoints Assistant Principal

The Montclair School Board has chosen Major Jennings—the former head coach of the Montclair High School basketball team—to replace Samantha Morra as assistant principal of Mount Hebron Middle School. Jennings will serve in the position on an interim basis while the district seeks to first find a permanent principal to replace Guy Whitlock—who was transferred to the district's central office a few months ago—and then to find a permanent assistant principal to replace Morra. The school board also decided to suspend Morra—with pay—pending an investigation into "recent activities." 

Teacher Arrested For Alleged Sex With Student To Be Arraigned

The West Orange High School female teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student is scheduled to be arraigned next week in Newark, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair, was arrested and charged with allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student, whom she taught in her honors English class at the high school. The relationship began about July 15 and ended on Aug. 28, according to the prosecutor’s office. 

New York Buyers Buoy Montclair Housing Market

Montclair's housing market continues to pick up, fueled by growing interest from New York City buyers, according to local real estate agents. "We saw a resurgence of Manhattan and Brooklyn buyers this past spring and that should continue in the fall though we likely worked through some of the pent-up demand among buyers awaiting the bottoming out of the market," said Richard Stanton, owner of Stanton Realtors.

Republican Group's "Obama's Failing Agenda" Bus Tour Hits Montclair

Election season is in full swing and Americans for Prosperity, a free-market organization, announced that its "Obama's Failing Agenda" bus tour would stop in Montclair on Sept. 20. The bus tour paid a visit to Montlcair State University at 7 p.m.

Montclair Slammed By Four Burglaries In Four Days

Over a four-day period, four Montclair homes were targeted by burglars, according to Montclair Police. Residents reported burglaries on Prospect Avenue, Enfield Terrace, Greenwood Avenue, and Washington Street.

Council Rejects Bids To Improve Edgemont Park

Once again, the Township Council has rejected bids for the completion of improvements at Edgemont Park because they exceeded the cost estimate of $800,000. At Tuesday night's council meeting, Councilor Robin Schlager admitted she was disappointed with a process that's already been underway for years. "But, to be fair, we want to do the right thing and get the right bid and the right contractor," she said.

South Park Street: Many Details "Yet To Come"

A nice crowd turned out recently to enjoy art, food, and music as part of the Montclair Center Business Improvement District's celebration of the progress that's taken place so far on the redevelopment of South Park Street. But although everyone enjoyed their sneak peek at the new-and-improved street, there are still additional changes to be made, said Luther Flurry, the BID's executive director. "First, at a physical level, many details that will give South Park Street a finished look are yet to come," he said. "The trees have been picked and should be planted in October."

Lawyer Gives Spirited Defense Of Demoted Principal

It's been more than a month since Samantha Morra, former assistant principal at Mount Hebron Middle School, was demoted. Yet the fate of Morra—who's been suspended with pay—is still a hot topic. At Monday night's school board meeting, Morra's attorney, William Nossen, offered a spirited defense of his client during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Montclair Welcomes Trio Of New Businesses

Montclair's economic engine seems to be roaring ahead, with at least three new businesses opening up around town.

Two More Burglaries In Montclair

A home and a church have been burglarized in Montclair, one on North Willow Street and the other on Wilde Place, according to Montclair Police. The incidents follow a string of four burglaries that occurred the week of Sept. 14 on Prospect Avenue, Enfield Terrace, Greenwood Avenue, and Washington Street in Montclair.