Borough council approved a plan to knock down the abandoned Raritan Mall and put up a five-story apartment building with nearly 300 units and retail space. Over the years, the mall has dealt with structural issues caused by constant flooding.

Former New Jersey Assemblyman Alberto Coutinho was recently killed in a crash in Newark. Born in the Ironbound Section of the city, Coutinho became the first Portuguese-American to serve in the State Legislature. He was 56 years old.

Priya Jain was officially sworn in as the 21st Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Jain had been serving as acting commissioner since January and was unanimously confirmed on March 23rd.

Gene Shalit recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Raised in Newark and Morristown, Shalit is best remembered as a film and book critic who worked for the Today show from 1969 until 2010.