Those passing by Vailsburg Park along South Orange Avenue, whether for commuting or for dropping off and picking up Speedway School children, see and hear other people playing these days  There were other sounds, including the roar of racing motorcycles, that came from that park up to a century ago.

All of those other sounds ended in a crash that killed eight men and boys at the Newark Stadium-Motordrome at about 5:15 p.m. Sept. 8, 1912. The crash led Newark's elders to ban motorcycle racing within city limits to this day and turned the motordrome and the 30-acre private Electric Park over to the Essex County park system.

The 8,000-seat Newark Motordrome opened on July 4, 1912 and regularly ran heats, features and match races on Sunday afternoons. Paying customers from in and around Newark would ring the 60-degree, quarter-mile wooden saucer to see motorcycle riders of national repute compete at speeds approaching 90 to 100 mph.

The Motordrome, except for the steeper banking, was similar to the older 12,000-seat Vailsburg Velodrome across the street. The velodrome drew local and national oval track bicyclists and fans, making Newark a bicycle haven 1890-1930. (The new Speedway School, set on the velodrome site, is actually named for nearby Speedway Avenue - an Irvington-Vailsburg street that first served as a drag strip for Victorian era horse owners.)

IRVINGTON - Township Police Director Joseph Santiago told "Local Talk" here June 26 that Police Chief Michael Chase is back at his post since at least June 20.

"There was a disciplinary hearing scheduled for June 19," Santiago told "Local Talk" between the township's department head and regular council meetings. "What Chief Chase and I did was talk things over and sorted priorities out. I look forward in working with the chief as I have had in the past - the 40 percent reduction in crime in the last three years is testament to that cooperation."

Santiago was referring to what was to have been a disciplinary, non-public meeting that was to have been held either here in the Municipal Building or in the adjacent Police Headquarters.

A hearing officer would have presided over the meeting since Santiago himself had complained against Chase and suspended him since May 24. Both parties had agreed on a presiding officer May 29.

 Miracle Ground Charity has been distributing food and household items to the needy since 2006. They feed the needy approximately 1000 to 1200 each and every month. They distribute from their home at Miracle Ground Charity, 677 South 11th Street in Newark.

 On June 16, 2012 they started distributing in Irvington for the first time. They received the support of Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, and now they will distribute on the third Saturday of every month at the Civic Square in Irvington.

     The program was announced between the hours of ten in the morning and noon. However, the needy stood in the line as early as six in the morning.

On Tuesday, May 22nd Habitat for Humanity Newark celebrated the completion of its first home outside of the City of Newark with a dedication ceremony on Tuesday. The house, located in Irvington, became the home of a hard-working nurse and her four children as the keys were handed to her during the memorable ceremony.

Habitat Newark supporters and members of the Irvington Township Council and local business community joined representatives of house co-sponsors TD Ameritrade and LeClairRyan for the ceremony.