Disability Pride Parade & Community Inclusion Fair Returns to Montclair on May 30 The celebration there will include speakers, performances and live music from 12 to 3 p.m.

Essex County Senior Legacies Writing Contest Awards Ceremony Montclair resident Linda Russell wrote “Living My Dreams,” which was selected as one of the winning stories. Russell writes about her early fascination with Montclair, opening a business in town and getting an apartment on Lorraine…

Tour Historic Homes in Newark’s Forest Hill Neighborhood A number of homes on the tour have served as locations for motion pictures and commercials and one home was a compound for Newark’s most famous opera singer.

Delaney Hall Detainees Release 3rd Letter After Hunger Strike, Protests After a Memorial Day weekend marked by protests and a hunger strike at Delaney Hall in Newark, people detained inside the federal immigration detention center sent a message to supporters outside: keep fighting.

Free People to Open in Downtown Montclair at Landmark Bloomfield Avenue Building Free People has signed a long term lease and are presently working on improvements.

Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Montclair Schools Will Move Ahead, Judge Rules The judge’s order gives the school district 20 days from the date of the order to search for the documents and file its certification to the court. That gives the district until June 9.

Sam’s Table Launches 2026 FIFA World Cup Pop-Up in Montclair The idea pulls from café and wine bar culture across Europe during big summer matches, where food, wine and conversation carry just as much weight as what is happening on screen.

MHS and IMANI Partner on 9th Grade Summer Transition Program IMANI is now accepting applications for its highly sought-after Summer Transition Program, designed to prepare rising 9th graders for a confident and successful start at Montclair High School.

Thinking About Running for Montclair School Board? Here’s What to Know A sign at the Montclair Board of Education's Central Office on Valley Road. (MATT KADOSH/MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Residents interested in running for the Montclair Board of Education this fall have until July 27 to file nominating…

Mounties Baseball, Softball Looking to Turn Season Around in States But if the Mounties baseball and softball teams want to at least win one game they will have to do it on the road.

Pride Choir Presents ‘Wondrous Journeys’ Concert Two nights, one unforgettable journey — Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6.

Obituary: Arthur Carleton Walker Known for his sense of humor, he always had a joke to tell, a funny story to share or a prank to pull. With his radiant smile and infectious laughter, he could brighten any room he walked into.

Obituary: Iris Mae Dyson She was a devoted mother to her sons, Dr. Duane Dyson and Michael Dyson. The stories the family could tell about the boys’ childhood would have made a funny book. She loved telling those stories.

Montclair Remembers: Memorial Day 2026 "It means remembering the people beside us, the voices we still hear, the moments we never forget, and the reality that some gave everything so the rest of us could come home."

Montclair Kimberley Baseball Holds Serve for Now in Battle with Montclair Montclair Kimberley made it three straight wins over Montclair with a 5-4 victory at Woodman Field. The Cougars 6-19 as of May 23 while the Mounties were 12-13.

Obituary: Carl Francis Dolabaille Mr. Dolabaille was born in Tunapuna, Trinidad, and settled in Montclair in the late 1980s. He was a mechanical engineer.

Montclair African American Heritage Foundation to Host 36th Annual Parade and Festival on June 6 The annual event honors the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans in Montclair.

Obituary: Roberta (“Bobbie”) Polton She had a distinctive and memorable presence—her short silver hair, warm smile, and colorful glasses made her a recognizable and beloved figure around town. She took genuine delight in being greeted by former students, their parents, favorite shopkeepers, and…

Enjoy ‘Music Under the June Moon’ in Anderson Park on June 6 Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and gather your favorite people for a magical evening of music beneath the stars at Anderson Park on Saturday, June 6. The 10th annual “Music Under the June Moon” concert, presented by the Chamber Music…

After an Outstanding Run, Montclair Dolphins Dive Into Long Course Season The team comes into the season in high spirits after several podium finishes for swimmers in the championships at the end of the winter season. 

People’s Organization for Progress to Host Forum on Voting Rights in Montclair “We decided to have this forum after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in the Louisiana v. Callais case. That ruling effectively killed the 1965 Voting Rights Act,” said Hamm, who has lived in Montclair for…

Oratorio Society of New Jersey To Hold Mozart ‘Requiem’ Summer Sing Celebrate choral music at the Oratorio Society of New Jersey’s Summer Sing with Mozart’s Requiem and vibrant American spirituals.

Voting Begins With Access and Education (Letter to the Editor) The League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area (“the League”) had its annual meeting this week. This year the focus of the League’s efforts will be threefold – voter registration, voter education, and candidate forums. (The League is…

Montclair State University Archivist Paul Martinez Honored with 2026 Preservation Service Award The Preservation Service Award is presented to individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in advancing historic preservation in Montclair through research, advocacy,…

Baristanet Profile: Mindy Fila Meet Mindy, a Montclair resident who spends her days working alongside Cookie Monster and Elmo and her nights dreaming about her next visit to Star Tavern.

How Essex County Towns Are Responding to New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Mandate "For many, many years, for a lot of people – such as teachers or nonprofit executives or people who work in the municipality who are just starting their careers – they don't have any housing options to be able to live…

Valet Parking Supports Downtown — Don’t Ban It (Letter to the Editor) The letter writer says: "Valet parking is not the cause of parking congestion. In many ways, it is part of the solution."

What the Blue and White Club Victory Says About Montclair (Letter to the Editor) The letter writer says the Montclair Athletics Blue and White Club’s successful effort to save freshman sports represented more than fundraising — it reflected the power of community.

MKA Girls Track, Field Falls Just Short of ECC Title, Montclair Boys, Girls Show Off Future The Montclair Kimberley girls track and field team was able to go toe-to-toe with the big school, West Orange, only to just miss out on topping the Mountaineers in the recent Essex County Championships.

These Essex County Rooftop Bars Serve Elevated Cocktails With a View Cheers to spritzes and skyline views!

Enjoy the weekend!

YMCA of Montclair Hosts 43rd Annual Montclair Run The event features a Grand Prix 10K and a family-friendly 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk. The USATF-sanctioned 10K race is a fast & flat course that runs through two scenic parks.   

MontClairVoyant: It’s Mythological That Montclair Is 100% Ecological Montclairvoyant focuses on environmental issues.

Montclair Council Split on Rules for Valet Parking. Some Want it Banned While council members supporting the ordinance said the restrictions are appropriate, opponents argued the town should instead enact an outright ban on valet parking. What do you think?

District Says It Has Addressed Several Audit Findings, More Work Remains The district may also still be eligible to recover approximately $2 million in unclaimed state grant funding, but the business office has not had sufficient staffing or time to pursue the funds.

Tune In Tonight: Montclair’s Stephen Colbert Takes ‘The Late Show’ Stage One Last Time It’s the end of an era for late-night television and for one of Montclair’s most recognizable residents.

Montclair Art Museum Names Kate Kraczon Chief Curator "Kate brings an extraordinary ability to work closely with artists, develop exhibitions that matter, and create experiences that resonate with audiences. She understands that museums can be both rigorous and welcoming, intellectually ambitious…

Montclair Film’s ‘Movie Night Under the Stars’ Returns With Cars, Canines and an Animated Favorite A summer lineup with something for everyone, pups included.

New to the area? Our guides to living in Montclair (and the Essex County area) are your new best friends. They’re packed with valuable resources, local insights, hidden gems and essential information to help you navigate and fully enjoy our township. montclairlocal.news/guides/

We’ve rounded up the best things to do in the Montclair area this weekend, from live music, films and theater to fun social happenings. Plus, there are some great picks for kids, so the whole family can get in on the action. montclairlocal.news/things-to-do...

Montclair Athletics Blue & White Club Secures Funding for Freshman Sports for 2026–27 School Year “Thank you, Montclair,” the organization said in its statement. “This community showed up when our student-athletes needed it most.”

Montclair Raises Parking Meter Rates for First Time Since 2018. Here’s How Much Township officials said the increases will help regulate curb space and fund parking infrastructure improvements. But some objected to the higher costs and the extension of meter hours from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

MKA Boys Lacrosse Takes It Personally in Win over Rival Montclair The Cougars' victory ended a seven-game losing streak to the Mounties.

‘If You Build It, They Will Come’: Dan & Day’s Music Festival Quickly Captures Montclair’s Attention It started as a simple idea: what if uptown Montclair had its own music festival? After a quick Instagram launch, hundreds of locals are already paying attention — and it might just be the start of…

The Hudson School: An Independent Education Built for the Age of AI (Sponsored) “Our small classes and close connections are no longer just 'nice to have.' They are a force-multiplier that amplifies rigor and accountability in ways that help students to resist shortcuts and embrace the…

AAPI New Jersey Lantern Festival Returns to Montclair With Music, Food and 1,000 Lanterns The free community event is on May 30 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Edgemont Memorial Park in Montclair.

Witness Says Montclair Blue Herons Fought to The Death. Expert Says Birds ‘Very Territorial’ The great blue heron found dead in Montclair’s Edgemont Park Pond over the weekend appeared to have been fighting with another heron before it died, according to a witness who saw the birds struggling in…

West Orange Residents Push Back After Pride Flag Removed From Town Hall Steps "I think some people thought this was just decoration," she added. "But it really was something that made me as a resident feel like I belonged here and I was seen and I was respected and protected."

14-Year-Old Beat Unconscious in Montclair Saturday Night, Police Say The Montclair Police Detective Bureau is investigating.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Christian Dorsey at 973-509-4721.

The Emotional Hurdles of Retirement: Why Emotional Readiness and Financial Planning Go Hand in Hand (Sponsored) Nexus Wealth Management helps you transition to retirement with a focus on emotional well-being and financial planning.