Principal Hit By Car, 'Cafe Kids' Top News

Hopatcong and Sparta saw snow, ice, and spring-like temperatures this week as we said goodbye to January. The news was similar to the weather, with varying issues and topics to report on. Let’s take a look at this week’s biggest stories.

Click on the headline for the full article.

Solar Project Payment Dispute Lands in Federal Court

Cheaper electric power stemming from Hopatcong School District’s solar energy project has been tarnished by a legal battle, now with three different subcontractors going unpaid for work they provided more than a year ago.

Pope John Principal ‘Seriously Injured’ in Crash

School principal Gloria Shope was walking on Andover Road when she was struck by a vehicle, according to police. Shope sustained injuries to her shoulder and chest area, but they aren’t considered life-threatening, police said. The driver of the vehicle was an 18-year-old Stanhope man.

An 18-year-old Sparta High School student was arrested recently after showing up to school with a knife, marijuana, and thousands of dollars of cash with him. Eric Roberts was charged with distribution of narcotics on school property, among others.

Pub 199 Owner: ‘I’ll Be Back’ By Memorial Day

George Markou, owner of Mt. Arlington’s Pub 199, which was ravaged by a fire in January, said he’s already working on rebuilding the popular restaurant. The owner expects to be up and running before the unofficial summer kick-off weekend of Memorial Day.

‘Café Kids’ Mixes Learning With Real-Life Experience

With a $2,000 grant from ING, teachers Danielle Kovach and Patricia Pietrzak have begun turning a classroom into a “Café Kids” with the goal of using cooking, food service and all related duties as a way to enforce classroom studies through real-life activities.