Most Read Bloomfield Stories of 2013

Booth Where 'Sopranos' Cut To Black Reserved in Memory of Gandolfini 

In tribute to Sopranos star James Gandolfini, the owners of the Bloomfield ice cream parlor and restaurant Holsten’s reserved the booth where the last scene of the HBO series was shot. The booth, where the Soprano family shared onion rings and listened to Journey, had a small sign reading "reserved." Holsten's owner Chris Carley kept it unoccupied for days in Gandolfini’s honor. 

Elderly Woman Dies in Haines Street House Fire

Esther Utkewicz, an elderly resident of Bloomfield, died from smoke inhalation in a house fire on Haines Street in December, Bloomfield Fire Department and County officials said. Bloomfield fire official Samuel Infante said the fire started in the basement and was likely caused by an unattended cigarette burning into a couch. The Essex County Prosecutor's office said the investigation is active and ongoing. 

Schools Budget Debate, Controversy 

The Bloomfield budget passionately discussed and debated starting late February, when the School Board voted down an “Armageddon” budget that would have entailed the loss of 100 school staff members in an 8-1 vote.

The budget passed by a divided school board at their special meeting on Tuesday, March 5, entailed the loss of 86 teaching jobs for the district, as well as between four and five secretaries and two to four members of the administrative staff. Then-Superintendent Bing passed a budget that preserved all district jobs. That budget was later amended, with school officials having to make cuts. 

Three Teens Accused of Armed Robbery of Gas Station 

Three teens were arrested in connection with a late-night robbery of a Bloomfield gas station in July police said. Nana A Osei-Bonsu, 18, of Bloomfield, Khaalid A Gray, 19, of Newark, and Bashir Sutton, 19, of Orange, were charged on multiple counts. Police said Sutton and Gray entered the Bloomfield Avenue gas station shortly before midnight and confronted an attendant counting money in a back office. Gray pointed a handgun at the attendant, demanding he turn over two envelopes full of money, police said. Khaalid allegedly assaulted the attendant as he tried to activate an alarm while Sutton tried to open the cash register.

Police Suspension for Military Service Unfair, Bloomfield Officers Say 

Patrol officers Michael McCracken and Hector Cartagena werea accused of falsely claiming time taken off from their police jobs as time spent serving in the military as Air Force reservists. The officers have been suspended without pay since Dec. 4 in advance of hearings about their jobs.