Honestly, if you live in North Jersey, you know the vibe. One minute you’re grabbing a coffee on Bloomfield Ave, and the next you’re hearing about a massive transit delay or a political shakeup that changes the local tax map. Keeping up with essex county news new jersey isn't just about reading headlines; it's about knowing which bridge is closed and why your property tax bill looks the way it does.
January 2026 has been a whirlwind already.
From the passing of a political giant to the sudden "sirens wailing" moments that Patch reporters scramble to cover, the county is in a state of flux. It’s loud. It’s busy. And frankly, it’s a lot to keep track of if you’re just trying to live your life.
The Big Shift in County Leadership
We have to talk about Joe DiVincenzo. He’s been the Essex County Executive for over 23 years. That is a lifetime in politics.
Earlier this month, "Joe D" officially kicked off his re-election campaign for a seventh term. Whether you love the constant construction at Turtle Back Zoo or you think the county spends too much on "beautification," his influence is everywhere. He’s currently touting the county's high bond ratings—basically saying the county’s piggy bank is in the best shape it’s ever been—but he’s also warning that rising healthcare and pension costs are going to make the next four years a massive challenge.
Remembering Richard Codey
On a more somber note, the county is still mourning the loss of former Governor and State Senator Richard Codey. He passed away at 79 just a week or so ago. Codey was the longest-serving legislator in New Jersey history. He was a guy who could talk to a President and then go sit in a West Orange diner and talk to a guy who just lost his job. His absence leaves a huge vacuum in the West Orange and broader Essex community.
Transit Chaos and the Portal North Bridge
If you commute from Newark, Montclair, or the Oranges, you’ve probably heard the name "Portal North Bridge" in your nightmares.
Here is the deal: The old bridge is 114 years old. It’s a swing bridge, which means it literally swings open to let boats through. When it gets stuck (which is often), the entire Northeast Corridor stops.
The Update: Amtrak and NJ Transit are finally in the "cutover" phase. Starting in mid-February 2026, they are moving the first track over to the new, fixed-span bridge.
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- The Bad News: This means temporary service changes. Midtown Direct trains from the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines are being diverted to Hoboken.
- The Workaround: You’ll have to take the PATH or a ferry to get into Manhattan during these peaks. It's going to be a headache for a few weeks, but once that old swing bridge is demolished, the "it’s stuck open" excuse for being late to work should finally disappear.
Public Safety: What’s Really Going On?
You see the alerts. "Shelter in place." "Home burglary in progress." It feels like a lot lately.
Just this past week, a school in Essex County had to go into a "shelter-in-place" mode because an empty gun magazine was found on the grounds. Thankfully, it was just the magazine, but the anxiety it caused parents was very real.
Crime Statistics vs. Reality
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Theodore Stephens II, has been busy. We’ve seen a string of convictions recently for older cases—murders from 2015 and 2020 are finally seeing justice. But the "right now" news is focused on property crime.
There has been a noticeable spike in high-end auto thefts and "interruptions," where residents actually catch burglars inside their homes. Towns like Millburn, Livingston, and North Caldwell are seeing more of these "smash and grab" or "key fob fishing" incidents.
The ICE Protests in Morristown and Essex
While the raids happened in Morristown, the reverberations hit essex county news new jersey hard because of our local leaders' involvement.
Commissioner Brendan Gill has been extremely vocal following the recent ICE sweeps. He spoke at a rally where he mentioned his own daughter was taunted at school about deportation. It’s getting personal. There’s a massive "March of Resistance" planned for MLK Day, and the community tension is palpable. The county recently installed restrooms near the ICE detention center in Newark after years of complaints from activists, but the core issue of how local police interact with federal immigration authorities is still a massive, unresolved debate.
New Spots: Where to Eat and Hang Out
It’s not all politics and bridge delays. Essex County’s food scene is actually exploding in 2026.
- Montclair: Farmhouse Fried Chicken is taking over the old DaVinci’s spot on Bellevue Ave. It’s supposed to be "elevated" fried chicken. Think sandwiches, not just buckets.
- Belleville: There is a new Food Truck Park coming to Washington Avenue. The Mayor is trying to get the Lomo Peruvian truck to be a permanent fixture there.
- South Orange: The SOPAC movie theater is finally back. It reopened around January 16th under new management (Box Office Cinemas). If you’ve missed having a local screen, it’s time to go back.
- Newark: Alpha Fit Club just opened on Union Street. It’s high-intensity circuit training for those who actually kept their New Year's resolutions for more than two weeks.
Real Estate: Why Is Rent Still So High?
If you’re looking for a house in Maplewood or Montclair, good luck.
Millennials are still flooding into what real estate agents call the "Cultural Core" (Montclair, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge). Because people can work hybrid jobs now, they want the "smart-growth" lifestyle—basically, they want to be able to walk to a bar but still have a yard for a goldendoodle.
This has kept inventory at record lows. Even with interest rates being... well, annoying... prices haven't dropped. In fact, a lot of sellers are now focusing on "Class A" features—outdoor kitchens and home offices—because that’s what’s driving the $1M+ price tags in towns that used to be affordable.
What You Should Do Next
Staying informed in Essex County means more than just scrolling through Twitter. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here are the practical steps you should take:
- Check the NJ Transit "Portal North" Schedule: If you use the Montclair-Boonton or M&E lines, download the app now. The mid-February diversions to Hoboken will mess up your morning if you aren't prepared.
- Sign Up for Town-Specific Alerts: Essex County is a collection of "fiefdoms." What’s happening in Nutley isn't the same as what's happening in Irvington. Use the "Swiftreach" or "Nixle" alerts for your specific zip code to get real-time info on road closures or police activity.
- Watch the June Primary: With Joe DiVincenzo running again, the June 2, 2026, primary is actually the "real" election for many county offices. If you want a change in how the parks or taxes are managed, that’s the date that matters.
- Support Local Food: If you’re in Montclair or Belleville, check out those new openings. Local restaurants are struggling with the same inflation the County Executive mentioned, and they need the foot traffic.
Essex County is a weird, loud, expensive, and beautiful place. Whether it's a bridge from 1910 finally getting replaced or a new fried chicken joint opening up, there's always something moving. Just make sure you leave ten minutes early for literally everything—the traffic isn't getting any better.