Read more. Via Star-Ledger. 5:12 am

The only management position of the 12 belongs to assistant director of recreation and cultural affairs Judy Wukitsch

Read more. Via Patch. 6:57 am

Solecki, 49, a worker for the U.N.'s high commissioner for refugees, headed the group's Quetta office. After 61 days in captivity and constant efforts by the U.N. to gain his release, he was found with his hands and feet bound on a mountain road by a local restaurant owner, according to the Associated Press.

Read more. Via Star-Ledger. 7:05 am

Municipal bond trader Steven Steglitz, one of the most divisive figures in South Orange politics, is back. Read more. Via Patch. 6:50 am

The DPW crew is extending the infield at one Meadowbrook field about two feet into the outfield, putting additional pressure on infielders to cover their ground while making lighter work for outfielders, who will always be playing shallow thanks to physics and a fence. Via Maplewood Dispatch. 9:58 am

Mr Pynchon had to cancel at the last minute. (It's a reading of a short story with Selected Shorts). Via Patch. 8:11 am

“I'd get one piece of mail, then I wouldn’t get any mail, then I’d get two pieces of mail, then I’d get 20 pieces of mail,” said Elissa Malespina, who lives on Massel Terrace, though she says she’s spoken to enough South Orange residents complaining of their mail service to conclude that the problem isn’t confined to her area. Malespina also said that she and her neighbors arrange to pick each other’s mail up when someone goes out of town, since they've previously requested a hold on the mail which then never goes into effect, and complaints to the post office fall on deaf ears.

Read more. Via Patch. 5:10 am

Read more. Alexander is also a Rutgers distinguished alumni. (Alexander's wife taught the Dispatch editor's fourth grade class at Jefferson School). 5:39 am

"There absolutely could be a scenario that some or all of the layoffs might not take place," Douglas Newman said. "That's a direct function of the results of conversations we're now having with the union." Newman said discussions with the union, Local 32 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, would continue. He said the talks had so far been cordial and productive.

Read more. Via Star-Ledger. 5:36 am

Read more. Via Patch. 4:46 am

As for a CafeDad, don't expect it anytime soon. "Men don't relate to each other the way women do," Shue said. "It wouldn't make any money. And besides, they already created a CafeDad. It's called ESPN.com."

Read more. Via Star-Ledger. 7:53 am

One impressive $100 eBay purchase. Via NY Times Local. 12:12 pm

Read more. Via MOL. 8:03 am

Goldberg, Gould, Bauer (as Pure Progress); and Steglitz, Nieves, Favors. Read more. Via Patch. 8:00 am

Read all about it. Via Patch. 6:56 am

Despite the layoffs, budget cuts and savings, residents still face an 8.5 percent increase in the local tax levy, according to the budget plan.

Read more on NJ.com. Update:NYTimes local coverage has excerpts of public commentary. Via Star-Ledger. 6:55 am

Village Administrator John Gross made a presentation on the Village's budget predicament, which would necessitate a 26 percent municipal tax hike if no dramatic action is taken, averaging out to a $1,035 increase per South Orange home.

Read more. Via Patch. 6:49 am

At the (for this occasion) ironically named Jubilee Hall at 7:45pm this evening. 9:59 am

As many as 18 residents may be running for the three 4-year trustee positions this May. Sources indicate former Trustee Janine Bauer, who ran with the Calabrese ticket last time, may be on a slate again this year. Longtime resident and man-about-town Tom Morris may also toss his hat into the ring. Other rumors indicate sitting Trustee Stacey Jennings may not run, but last minute changes in ticket lineups are commonplace in South Orange. Among the issues expected to get attention this election cycle are cuts to various departments in order to keep tax hikes as low as possible and questions about village management of grant funds. 6:44 am

Assignment in hand, I headed into the village ready to bring new knowledge to local residents about jelly doughnuts, or, donuts, depending on where you buy the soft, sugary treats.

First stop was a local gourmet market, Eden Gourmet, which turned out to be a grave disappointment. Fresh, warm sugar/cinnamon was all they could offer. I explained to the baker that I was writing for a global search organization and that their lack of said item might bite them in the long tail, but he just gave this reporter a blank stare and asked if there was anything else he could help with. Unbelievable. This is going into the story, I muttered and headed across the street to Dunkin Donuts.

Now we're talking. Even if there were no sign outside, the moment you step foot into this establishment you know they sell doughnuts. Two patrons were sitting at a table, drinking coffee and yelling at one another about American Idol, so I ordered my specimen and headed out to find a quieter location eight feet from South Orange avenue on a bench. The key to eating a jelly doughnut is to commence at the filling's entry point. This was more like it. It tasted just how a jelly doughnut should taste. Now I needed to round up at least one more so I could call my survey scientific.

Starbucks just had glazed, so I grabbed one.

The waffle place was no help. They requested a story on waffles and I told them I'd have to fly the idea past HQ in Silicon Valley. I indicated it might help their cause if they sent a sample before I made my call and left contact information for each member of the board of directors.

Local diners didn't have any, but offered to seat me and serve a toasted bagel. I indicated bagels were done last week by the guy who owns the store 50 feet from their establishment. The hostess began speaking what was Greek to me very quickly while angrily gesticulating in the direction of the bagel review author's establishment, so I left, glazed Starbucks doughnut still in hand.

I ducked back into the gourmet market and bought a jar of Scottish strawberry preserves with champagne. This survey was going to be scientific even if I had to make the jelly doughnut myself. I paid, went back to the street bench and carefully placed some of the strawberry jam on the glazed doughnut. Home run! This doughnut had none of the fake internal flavorings and the crispness of the glaze beneath the jam was a moment of awakening. I had hit my 400 words. 8:40 am