Joe Malinconico, NorthJersey.com Journalist Profile

Articles

Paterson NJ budget rejection prolongs city’s fiscal impasse

4 days ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

Show Caption Hide Caption Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park named one of USA TODAY's best viewsExplore Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey, named one of USA TODAY’s Most Treasured Views in America for 2025. The Paterson budget impasse pitting the council against the mayor has stretched into its eighth week, with neither side showing signs of backing down.
Seeking a challenge, these Paterson high schoolers already have college degrees

5 days ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

High schoolers from Clifton, Passaic and Passaic County Technical Institute also earned degrees through the program. Adrian Bertucci, Elianny Polanco and Sally Zakria were among the inaugural Paterson group. They wanted to challenge themselves with a more rigorous academic environment. PATERSON — Some students danced on stage as they received their diplomas. Others wore decorative hats, or clothing emblazoned with political messages. The applause from the audience was enthusiastic and energetic.
Feds to remove asbestos and lead from Paterson factory ruins near Great Falls

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Joe Malinconico

PATERSON — Workers for the Environmental Protection Agency are ready to start removing asbestos and lead contamination from factory ruins at the Great Falls national park on June 2. Federal officials acknowledged the risks involved in the $4 million environmental cleanup project in notices the EPA distributed during the last week of May for people who live near the site.
Will Fast Break Cafe be a slam dunk for a Paterson mall?

1 week ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

Mayor Andre Sayegh said he expects the sports lounge to bring life to Center City Mall. The owner, Shane Gerald, also opened a restaurant on Vreeland Avenue in Paterson and then started a food truck. PATERSON — The empty sports bar at Paterson's Center City Mall went out of business about a decade ago, and it has symbolized the ongoing struggles besetting the downtown shopping complex.
Challenger Kenyatta Stewart competitive in fundraising for NJ 35th District Assembly seat

1 week ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

Kenyatta Stewart — whose funding includes $31,000 in loans he made to his own campaign — sits pretty much in the middle of his two main rivals in fundraising. Al Abdelaziz, the former Paterson councilman appointed by Democrats to fill a vacant 35th District Assembly seat in January, has collected $173,231 in donations. Another candidate, Orlando Cruz, a Passaic County commissioner, has received $47,100 in contributions.
Council hates Paterson's solar trash bins. So they just bought 55 more

2 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

“This is a clear waste of money,” asserted Councilman Michael Jackson, “throwing it right in the trash.”City administration officials said the solar trash compactors have been unfairly disparaged. PATERSON — One after another, members of the City Council expressed their criticism on May 20 of the 90 solar-powered trash compactors that were installed in Paterson’s commercial business districts last year.
Paterson NJ names school for late councilwoman Maria Magda O'Keefe

2 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

School board president Eddie Gonzalez said Magda O’Keefe’s contributions in helping Paterson’s Latino residents were unmatched. PATERSON — School 24 will be renamed after Maria Magda O’Keefe, who served on Paterson’s City Council from 1984 to 2000. Magda O’Keefe went into politics after owning and operating a popular beauty salon in Paterson’s 5th Ward.
Woman who said Paterson police used excessive force gets $60,000 in settlement

3 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

Gabriela Vasquez, who was 17 at the time of the incident, said one officer punched her and another hit her with his open hand during the encounter. The police accused her of kicking them while they removed her from the car. PATERSON — A woman who said five local police officers used excessive force while arresting her on marijuana charges in 2019 will get $60,000 to settle her federal lawsuit against the city and the officers.
Paterson NJ jewelry store robbed of about $500K by masked men

3 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

3-minute readShow Caption Hide Caption Surveillance video of Paterson NJ jewelry store robberyWatch this video from the surveillance camera as a jewelry store in Paterson is robbed by masked suspects.
Paterson councilman says he was dizzy from car crash impact, not drunk at scene

3 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

“She hit me right in the middle of my car,” Velez said of the other driver. “Plus, I had the airbag explode in my face.”The other driver, Knolaisha Washington, had posted videos of Velez immediately after the crash, recordings she argued showed that he was drunk. PATERSON — Councilman Luis Velez said he felt dizzy after a motor vehicle crash in the early morning hours of May 12 and that some people may have mistaken his being stunned for drunkenness.