Newark Daily Local Headlines: ICE crash, Cityplex death probe, and school repair funding

Top local headlines

1) Newark mayor blasts ICE pursuit after multi-vehicle crash

City officials say a federal immigration operation in Newark ended with a vehicle pursuit and a crash that injured multiple people. Mayor Ras Baraka said agents tried to stop a van, the driver fled, and the chase ended in a collision involving several vehicles, including one carrying three children. Newark police were not part of the pursuit and responded after the crash, the mayor said.

Federal agencies had not publicly released details on why the van was being stopped or the condition of everyone involved. The mayor urged federal officers to follow New Jersey limits on vehicle pursuits, especially on streets still being cleared after the recent snowstorm.

2) Death investigation after body found near Cityplex

Authorities are investigating after Newark police found an unresponsive man in the Cityplex movie theater parking lot near 16th Avenue and Bergen Street late Friday morning. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office took over the case and described the investigation as active and ongoing.

Officials have not released the person’s identity or cause of death, and they have not said whether foul play is suspected. Neighbors can expect a continued police presence in the area as investigators work through the circumstances.

3) $6.3 million headed to repairs at two Newark high schools

The Newark school board approved plans to use $6.3 million in state funding for building repairs at Technology High School and Weequahic High School. The money comes through a Schools Development Authority grant aimed at urgent needs and preventing further deterioration in older facilities.

District officials said the work includes routine but critical maintenance such as inspections, treatments, and other repairs tied to long-term upkeep. The decision comes as the district continues pressing for more help to address aging school buildings across the city.

Also on the calendar

Applications opened this week for a Newark-based summer Teaching Artist Certificate program run through a partnership between NJPAC and Rutgers University–Newark, with sessions set for late June through July.

Sources

https://apnews.com/article/49b03ddb28a15d4d12be7872950fa113
https://www.rlsmedia.com/node/62593
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2026/02/27/new-jersey-biggest-school-district-gets-state-funds-fix-old-schools/
https://www.njpac.org/press/applications-are-open-for-the-teaching-artist-certificate-program/