Bloomfield: Police blotter, Aug. 31

Police blotter items reported in Bloomfield as of Aug. 31, 2016.

Africa's elephants rapidly declining as poaching thrives

The number of savanna elephants in Africa is rapidly declining and the animals are in danger of being wiped out as international and domestic ivory trades drive poaching across the continent, according to a study released Wednesday.

Archbishop's statement supports Paramus Catholic administrator's firing

The Archbishop of Newark, John J. Myers, issued a statement Wednesday standing by Paramus Catholic High School’s decision to fire an employee because she’s in a same sex marriage, saying her lifestyle could “create confusion and uncertainty in the moral formation” of students.

Paterson man charged in knockout pleads guilty to assault

Caesar Najera of Paterson said he was walking to a bodega last December to send money to his family in Guatemala when two teenagers approached him on a street corner.

Clinton speech to stress American leadership in world

Hillary Clinton plans to address America’s leadership in the world during a speech in the battleground state of Ohio, arguing that Republican nominee Donald Trump would undermine the country’s greatness while she would maintain it.

Magazine moves up Millburn High School in N.J. rankings

Millburn High School has moved up in New Jersey Monthly’s biannual rankings from fifth place in 2014 to fourth place in 2016 among 337 public high schools from around the state which the magazine ranked.

Scenes of old and new commerce in Vernon

Ground has been broken to begin the construction of a new Taco Bell on Route 94. Scenes of old and new commerce fill the center of town in Vernon on Aug. 16.

Brazil's President Rousseff ousted from office by Senate

Brazil’s Senate on Wednesday voted to remove President Dilma Rousseff from office, the culmination of a yearlong fight that paralyzed Latin America’s largest nation and exposed deep rifts among its people on everything from race relations to social spending.

PSEG warns of scams targeting small businesses

Public Service Electric and Gas Co., New Jersey’s largest utility, warned customers, particularly small businesses, to be alert to scams demanding immediate bill payment via a pre-paid card.

Chance that Muslim holiday could fall on 9/11 has religious leaders on edge

For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, a Muslim holiday that traditionally draws large, buoyant crowds could coincide with the anniversary of the bloodiest terrorist attacks in American history. The optics of large crowds, dressed in holiday attire, gathering for prayers and celebrations in public spaces on a day of mournful remembrances of 9/11 has put religious leaders on guard.