Most-Read Long Valley Stories of January

From snow to sleet to 50-degree temperatures and everything in between, January kicked off 2013 in a memorable way. There were plenty of stories to help ring in the new year, so here’s a list of the month’s biggest articles.

This tragic incident from our neighboring town of Mt. Olive saddened a region, as two teens–Clyde Schimanski III and Nick Cianciotto III, both 15–fell through the icy waters of Budd Lake one night while ice fishing. The two perished that night, and their bodies were recovered over the next 48 hours.

In the course of a month, a Long Valley man was arrested twice after leaving the scene of an accident, crashing different cars in the two incidents. After being located the first time, police found a sawed-off shotgun and drug paraphernalia in the home of Patrick Mackewicz.

Taste of Europe Lands in Downtown Long Valley

Maria Baniel is an electric engineer and stay-at-home mom. Actually, Baniel was those things. She’s now one of Long Valley’s newest business owners after opening The Café & Wine Bar on West Mill Road. Baniel’s objective is to bring a taste of Europe to Long Valley in the way of wines and craft brews, along with bistro-style foods.

Philanthropic Pizza Offers ‘Pride’ in Town

Bob and Heidi Prudente grew up in Long Valley and love giving back to their community. The owners of Bob’s Long Valley Pizza, Bagel & Deli are donating $2 from each sold ‘Pride’ promotion to a different Washington Township organization each month this year. Find out more about the philanthropic effort in the story.

‘Unacceptable’ Sick Bank Deal Rejected by Teachers

A conversation between the West Morris Regional Teacher’s Association and Board of Education that began in September of the current school year has come to an end and without an agreement. Teachers were seeking approval from the board to implement a sick bank that would allow faculty members to donate unused sick time to an ill colleague who is out of days. The board’s proposal was not acceptable, according to the association.