Hannah Olmo started with one dance class. Eight years later, her program has grown into something much bigger — and earned her the state's highest teaching honor. Hannah Olmo accepts flowers last Spring when she was named Morris County Teacher of the Year. Last week, she was named N.J. Teacher of the Year. (Photo/Karen Fucito) Eight years ago, Hannah Olmo arrived at Dover High School with a goal: give students a place where they could express themselves, build confidence and

New advisory committee to study impact on community and businesses. Dover Mayor James P. Dodd started Tuesday's town council meeting by tabling the parking-meter ordinance that has dominated discussion for weeks and then announced the formation of a parking advisory committee, appointing resident Jason De Jesus as well as council members Sandra Wittner, Daniella Mendez, and Christopher Almada, to study the issue. He urged a quick resolution, to bring revenue to the town and

A busy downtown, overcrowded housing, and looming developments all contribute to challenges. Council may decide tonight. The parking-meter issue remains unsettled as Dover Town Council modifies a variety of challenges. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The description sounds almost quaint: “Tightly packed, pedestrian-scaled neighborhoods.” The phrase is from a planning report called the Municipal Self-Assessment (MSA), which the Town of Dover first filed in 2008 and updated in 2022. The M

Mutual Morris offers Solidarity Market event on Saturday, August 22. The kids in our homes might not want to hear it, but it's almost time to get back in the classroom. With virtually every local household facing some form of financial challenge, parents are learning how to find solutions for stretching their dollars. Enter Mutual Morris and the Dover Free Public Library. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, Mutual Morris, a local mutual aid group that frequently ho

Monday ceremony will celebrate new chapter for legendary program after one-year move to Madison . Joe Kubert had his hand in creating many comic-book storylines of heroic feats and dramatic comebacks for iconic brands. Then he and his wife, Muriel, moved to Dover in 1976 and opened The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. Forty-nine years later, a pair of former students of the world-renowned school bought the school and moved from its weathered former home to s

Margarita Cielo Balbuena released after two months in Elizabeth Detention Center. Margarita Cielo Balbuena (left) is reunited with her sons,Saul and Osmar Ruiz, and husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo. After two months of incarceration in the Elizabeth Detention Center, Margarita Cielo Balbuena was back where she feels at home -- Tres Hermanos, the Rockaway Mexican restaurant she owns with her husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo. The couple, detained in a harrowing traffic stop by ICE agents

Hundreds rally at JFK Park to oppose ICE activity in Dover. The no-ICE rally drew a multi-generational crowd. (Photos by DOVERNOW.com) At 11:45 Sunday morning, a young man standing at the southeast corner of JFK Park was managing to coax a semi-melodic tune from a small air horn. He waved a sign that read, "IMMIGRANTS MAKE EVERYTHING GREAT." He motivated passing drivers on Route 46 to honk their horns in solidarity. "I am here to support the community," he said. He didn't wan

He and his wife, Margarita Cielo Balbuena, were arrested by ICE agents in Dover on May 23. Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were sent to Elizabeth Detention Center after being stopped by ICE agents on May 23 in Dover. A Dover man taken into ICE custody with his wife on the way to their Rockaway restaurant was released Monday after more than a month in the Elizabeth Detention Center. Dover residents Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were taken into

In a Dover shop, Sal Lepre preserves a disappearing craft, a life defined by purpose rather than profit. By Mariana Simioni | Photos by Karen Fucito When Sal Lepre isn't fixing footwear, he's reading the paper and watching the world go by from his chair. Entering Sal's Shoe Repair is like stepping through a portal into post-WWII Naples, Italy, where a nine-year-old boy is learning the trade that would shape his future. Snapping back to Dover 2026, Sal Lepre's shop smells of

Former Parking Enforcement Director facing allegations in the 2025 Town Council election. Fernando Barrios hasn't worked at Dover Town Hall for months. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) Former Dover Parking Enforcement Director Fernando Barrios is facing charges of “attempted election fraud through false voter registration” in the 2025 First Ward general election. According to the investigation and a complaint filed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of the Public Integrity & Acc

Big D’s Hot Dog truck has been a community staple for 20 years. Dominick Angelone shares stories from his room with a view. Dominick Angelone has been feeding Dover and making friends for 20 years. (Photos/Jon Esquivel) Dover’s open doors make everyone hungry. From the smell of Colombian coffee and fresh pastries mixing in the morning mist to hot tacos and empanadas in the afternoon or grilled fish and meat, the streets are full of delicious restaurants. But some days you jus

Photos show agents struggling with Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena on Saturday morning. Osmar Ruiz reaches for his father, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, who is held down by three ICE agents. (Photo/Karol Ruiz) Dover residents Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were taken into ICE custody around 10 a.m Saturday near the intersection of Park Avenue and Hillcrest Avenue. Margarita Cielo Balbuena, right, records her husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, being restra

Township, state, and federal officials demand environmental review for former warehouse. Protestors voiced their opposition to the proposed conversion of a Roxbury warehouse into an ICE detention center. (DOVERNOW.com photo/Karen Fucito) The proposed use of a 470,000-square-foot Roxbury Township warehouse by the Department of Homeland Security for an ICE facility has been put on hold pending a review of the environmental impact of housing up to 1,500 detainees in the region.

Proposed Ann Street development project calls for cutting down as many as 1,500 trees. The home at 180 Ann Street features a heavily wooded 11-acre parcel. (realtor.com) Dover and its Shade Tree Commission proudly embraces its status as a "Tree City, USA" town by the Arbor Day Foundation. Thursday Night, members of the Dover Planning Board heard a proposal from Marc Walker, Practicing Engineer from the Dykstra Walker Design Group on P26-02, a project that would turn the sing

All ensouraged to join 29th annual 'Red, White & Blue Sunday' service on September 20. Faith Family Fellowship Baptist Church will celebrate the 29th annual "Red, White & Blue" special day of appreciation to honor the men and women who serve the Dover and surounding communities as Police, Fire, and EMS workers. It will be held on Sunday, September 20 at Faith Family Fellowship on 126 Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Dover. The events are as follows: 9 a.m. continental breakfast 10 a.m.

Five-count lawsuit stems from wiretapping case dismissed by Morris County Prosecutors Office. Dover Police Det. Lieutenant Oxmani Corona has taken legal action in response to actions that he claims were taken against him by Mayor Dodd and town officials over false wiretapping claims. Dover Police Detective Lieutenant Oxmani Corona has filed a lawsuit against Dover Mayor James P. Dodd, CFO Dr. Edward Ramirez, and the Town of Dover, claiming that he was targeted as part of a 20

North Jersey organization's next steps depend on resident feedback to create an action plan. Story and photos by Heath Rumble Jason Rowe and Fabi Soto addressed the people who came to The Amp Arts to explain how Norwescap can help Dover get assistance. Fabi Soto and Jason Rowe wanted to hear suggestions from Dover residents on how to revitalize Dover. The pair from Norwescap gained valuable insights from community members already connected to local helpers. Norwescap, short f

Four-hour meeting marked by heated comments from Mayor Dodd, residents about a variety of topics. Dover Town Council member Chris Almada listens to attorney John McDonough discuss redevelopment of the Harry Loory site. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The Dover Town Council meeting Tuesday evening featured the usual topics: residential and business-district parking, development, financial challenges, and development without adequate parking. The 51-page agenda should have tipped off atte

Club Colombia is accepting donations to help those in need. Monday's powerful earthquake in Western Colombia has caused significant death and destruction in dozens of cities and towns in the region. President Abelardo de la Espriella says the death toll is at more than 180 people and rising, with more than 4,000 people missing, and more than 1,500 buildings and homes destroyed or damaged. This devastating event has left the significant Colombian population in Dover searching

Creators and fans enjoy 'Basement Bash' to celebrate the imaginative spirit. Story and photos by Heath Rumble The creative spirit filled The Amp in the Richards Building during the 'Basement Bash' to close the Fourth Annual Dover Art Week. Dover Art Week, celebrating the local creatives community, got a joyful sendoff at The Amp, a new arts center and performance space that recently opened in the Richards Building on Blackwell Street. The third installment of the "Basement Ba