Week in Review: Hazmat Cleanup, Pedestrian Safety Operation, School Survival Guide

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Police snagged dozens of motorists for failing to stop for pedestrians in Caldwell crosswalks Thursday. The blitz was part of an operation designed to educate police officers, but it turned out to be a lesson for drivers, too.

Concerns over a chemical spill in Caldwell snarled traffic on Bloomfield Avenue Thursday while local and county officials conducted an investigation. The Essex County Hazmat Unit, based out of Nutley, checked storm drains across half the town, as well as the nearby county park pond, but found that a cleaning product discovered in one storm drain had not spread.

A winning $255,603 Cash 5 ticket was purchased in Caldwell Tuesday night. Did you check your numbers?

Weeks after the borough's governing body for the Caldwell Police Department, an officer broke his leg during a required training course.  Officer Michael Kraynanski suffered a broken leg during a drill on August 21 and is scheduled to return to light duty on Monday.

Here's everything you need to know at the start of a new school year...and then some.

Students in the Caldwells returned to school this week with shiny shoes and brand new backpacks. Share your photos of those big smiles (or perhaps tears) with Patch readers in this First Day of School Photo Gallery.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Teresa Akersten at Teresa.Akersten@patch.com.