UNIONLEADER

Union native Ray Liotta, who died last summer, has been back in the news recently, acting in the movie “Cocaine Bear” and having a star dedicated to him posthumously on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Liotta was 67 years old when he died in his sleep on May 26, 2022, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, during the filming of “Dangerous Waters.”

Liotta had already finished his work on “Cocaine Bear,” which is currently being shown in theaters, at the time of his death. He plays a drug lord trying to recover his lost product.

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The star in Hollywood was dedicated on Feb. 24 with his daughter Karsen collecting the recognition on his behalf. Liotta’s star was the 2,749 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures.The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has managed the Walk of Fame since 1960.

“Ray Liotta’s all-around career made him a triple threat and sadly his passing was devastating to the entertainment world,” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “The characters he portrayed will always be etched in Hollywood’s film history.”

Among those at the star unveiling were actor/director Elizabeth Banks and actor Taron Egerton. Banks spoke during the ceremony, saying she had always admired Liotta and that he was charming and “a little mischievous.”

“Cocaine Bear,” which Banks directed for Universal Pictures, opened in theaters on Feb. 24, the same day as Liotta’s star ceremony.

Liotta grew up in Union and graduated from Union High School in 1973.

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Above the New Jersey Hall of Fame on May 7, 2017, in Asbury Park. He was also inducted into the Union High School Hall of Fame. Above right, Liotta as he appeared during his days at Kawameeh Junior High School in Union and, lower right, Liotta’s UHS Class of 1973 high school yearbook photo.

In celebration of National Women’s History Month 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners presented Jen Maxfield, Emmy Award-winning reporter and anchor for NBC New York, to discuss her first book, “More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories,” on Tuesday, March 7, at Union College of Union County.

The event took place at the Student Center at the Union College Cranford Campus, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford.

“We are honored to bring Jen Maxfield to our Union County community, especially during Women’s History Month,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “She has had a long tenure in the journalism world covering stories at all levels and it is through her work, as well as mentoring students and professionals along the way, that makes her a true inspiration to all.”

“Jen Maxfield is a wonderful example of the enriching contributions that women have made to the profession of journalism throughout the history of our nation, and we are very proud to welcome her to Union County,” said Commis- sioner Vice Chairperson Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded.

Each year, the National Women's History Alliance designates a theme for Women's History Month. The 2023 theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” in celebration of women who have engaged in both journalism and storytelling across a wide range of media including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news and social media.

Maxfield is also an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, where she teaches broadcast journalism, and she has extensive experience as a professional coach.

This special Women’s History Month program in Union County is made possible by funds from the New Jersey Historical Commission and is presented by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information about this event and other activities and programs of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

Above left, Union High School junior wrestler Alissa Alcindor, who was seeded first at 235 pounds, pinned her opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals before being pinned herself in the finals by Talisha Lewis. Alcindor finished in second place for Region 4. Above center and above right, Alcindor competes at 235 pounds during the Region 4 competition. At left, Alcindor shakes her opponent’s hand at the Region 4 competition. At right, Alcindor walks off of the mat following one of her matches.

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