Superintendent Dr. Johnson said a false report that arrived about 2:45 p.m. prompted a lockdown at Hoboken High School; law enforcement swept the building, found no weapon and no injuries, and the district plans a debrief with the Hoboken Police Department.

The Bayonne City Council on Jan. 21 approved a slate of financial‑agreement ordinances tied to urban‑renewal projects while residents and council members pressed for clearer, binding community benefits, more parking and school funding. City officials said negotiated redevelopment packages include community‑benefit payments and required infrastructure provisions.

The Bayonne Planning Board approved an amended site plan for the South Cove redevelopment that shifts a hotel to Building C and consolidates residential units into two 29‑story towers, clearing the way for 696 apartments, a 125‑room hotel and a 300‑foot height while adding parking and requiring resolution‑compliance conditions.

District officials told the board the preliminary 2027 outlook shows an estimated $5.6 million operating deficit under current assumptions, reviewed capital and technology requests and discussed options including a medical waiver, reserves use and bus leasing; the board approved routine minutes, personnel and finance items and a proposed calendar with one abstention on a calendar subitem.

Business Administrator Joy Nixon warned of mounting cost pressures in the 2026-27 budget (health benefits and transportation increases) and outlined a compressed timeline tied to a March state aid release; the board approved emergency relocations for Arthur Rand students and several consent and personnel items.

The Hudson County Board adopted public‑hearing ordinances regulating traffic-calming and parking/loading zones in Jersey City and Hoboken and introduced an ordinance to appropriate funds for 2026 road and bridge improvements; commissioners discussed related grant and bond figures as read in the meeting record.

Town leaders said police, county detectives and neighboring departments searched Westfield High School after a reported firearm threat at 11:31 a.m.; no weapon was found, the lockdown ended about 2:49 p.m., and the Juvenile Bureau is investigating.

Dozens of residents used the public-comment period to urge the commissioners to limit or condemn ICE activity, and several speakers asked the county to join Roxbury and other towns in opposing a proposed Department of Homeland Security warehouse-to-detention conversion in Roxbury.

Superintendent Steve Santelli told the board the Jan. 26 Arthur Rand Elementary School fire was contained to one classroom but smoke and air-quality testing have driven a wide remediation effort; the district relocated students to Roland Rogers, GTMS and Pomona and approved emergency reopening and relocation measures.

Sussex County commissioners voted to authorize the county director to sign a contingent‑fee retainer with the Keith Law Firm to join 18 New Jersey counties in litigation over a New Jersey Attorney General decision affecting a $3 million PFAS settlement; vote recorded by roll call.

A civil-rights advocacy group told Sussex County commissioners its Newton Green policy likely violates the First Amendment; county counsel said proposed changes will be reviewed in executive session and a draft ordinance and permit may be brought to a future meeting.

After extended public comment about recent ICE activity, the Hudson County Board approved an amended resolution to form an immigration community safety committee. Advocates said the resolution lacks funding and enforcement and asked for an emergency family fund, a county-paid resource navigator, enforceable deadlines and a public rollout; county officials said an investigation into a recent courthouse incident is ongoing and a sheriff's policy will be posted.

Staff said the Lower Raritan Middlesex County Water Resources Association concurred that Middlesex Borough's updated stormwater ordinance and plan conform to NJDEP regulations, and that the HB Warehousing sewer service area amendment was approved by the Board of County Commissioners and is now with NJDEP for state review.

Superintendent Diane DiGiseppi told the board Verona High School reported 21 incidents to the state SSDS this reporting period, including eight confirmed harassment, intimidation and bullying cases; the district also announced NJGPA adaptive testing for juniors March 16–20 and clarified portfolio appeals and alternative assessments.

The council confirmed appointments of William Vakera as finance director, Sarah M. Levine as corporation counsel, and William Vicura as acting chief financial officer in unanimous votes; several councilmembers acknowledged the city's reported $250M deficit and urged rapid work on fiscal stabilization.

County planners described the Ride On Demand microtransit pilotand plans to test a commingled fleet that would serve both on-demand microtransit and reservation-based paratransit. Staff cited ridership, equity metrics and a targeted Q4 commingling pilot.

After extensive public testimony alleging long-running enforcement failures and unpaid fines at Portside Towers, the Jersey City Municipal Council voted to create a Rent Protection Special Investigation Committee and approved related resolutions unanimously as part of a broader package of measures.

District leaders told the board they have held informational sessions, recorded a referendum town hall, and are using a website, social media, newsletters and lawn signs to encourage turnout for the March 10 referendum; the board emphasized outreach and urged voters to attend upcoming meetings.

A competitive state DCA lead‑remediation grant awarded to Jersey City was increased then cut back to $1.5M because of low participation; city officials said outreach and staffing shortages limited take‑up and proposed mailings with tax bills and more cross‑training of inspectors to increase applications.

Jersey Central Power & Light told Monroe officials that three recent outage events affected up to 5,000 customers and described planned system upgrades—including four circuit ties, three substation upgrades and smart protection devices—totaling about $4.7 million and expected by 2028.

Finance staff presented resolution authorizing 2025 appropriation reserve transfers to cover contractual obligations incurred through 12/31/2025, noting large health benefits and utility lines; council asked for itemized breakdowns and supporting analyses.

Councilmember Gilmore introduced an ordinance to create a rent‑protection special investigative committee with at least five council members, a formal public‑meeting schedule, an internal report within 90 days and a final report within 180 days, and a maximum one‑year term; council debated timing, subpoena staffing and whether immediate enforcement should follow findings.

On Feb. 11 the Ridgewood Village Council adopted Ordinances 4071–4075 (overlay zones and affordable‑housing set‑aside changes) and approved first readings for capital/bond ordinances 4084 and 4086 with hearings set for March 11, 2026.

Council reviewed nominations for the director of finance (William Vicura) and corporation counsel (Sarah M. Levine). Vicura emphasized controls, compliance and outreach for budget recovery; Levine outlined law department staffing shortfalls, missed deadlines, and a plan to increase in‑house capacity while managing conflicts when council and administration interests diverge.

After more than two hours of public comment, the Ridgewood Village Council voted to adopt a package of overlay zoning ordinances (4071–4075) that officials say preserves the village's legal immunity from developer suits; residents and legal experts warned the measures depart from the master plan and risk litigation.