The Top Bloomfield Stories of the Year

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. 

Bloomfield Schools Supt. Jason Bing Resigns

Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Jason Bing surprised many in the district by abruptly leaving his job as schools chief in May following a prolonged school budget crisis that brought staffing cuts for the district. In September, the Jersey City school district hired Bing as its chief academic officer.

Bing was replaced by BOE Director of Human Resources/Labor Relations Nicholas Dotoli, who acted as interim Superintendent of schools until the Board appointed Bloomfield Middle School Principal Salvatore Goncalves Superintendent in October. 

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. 

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. 

Tiseo's Skate Shop Celebrates a Fallen Friend and Builds a Community 

The Tiseo Skate and Bike shop is named for Bloomfield native and celebrated BMX competitor Joe Tiseo, who died in a 2001 motorcycle accident. The shop’s owner, Scott Eaton, counted Tiseo, the namesake for Bloomfield’s skate park, among his closest friends and said that his life was dramatically and positively influenced by him.

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.