Week in Review: Pot Clubs Pushed to Close, Junior High Teacher Wins Award, Mall Makes Changes

An hosted by the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City was held on Thursday and Newark residents had a chance to ask mayoral and city council candidates numerous questions ranging from their priorities to their stance on medical marijuana. A discussion on the was also held.

As news came this week that federal prosecutors are , Newark Patch readers took part in a poll asking whether medical marijuana should be sold in the city. The consideration on whether to grant a is planned to go forward before the city’s planning commission on Tuesday.

A science teacher received one of the highest awards in the county. was one of two county educators named as the . He moves onto the California Teacher of the Year competition, whose winners will be announced in November.

General Growth Properties is spinning off 30 of its malls including into publicly traded Rouse Properties Inc. The change in mall management comes with a plan to spend $230 million on the malls with a goal to increase occupancy rates and improve the facilities for shoppers.

NewPark Mall representatives released a report this week that five new stores are opening in the shopping center and two – Wanabe and Little Angels – have relocated. The new stores are Zagg, Inspire, Napoli, Sam’s Jewelers and Fanzz. Spirit Halloween is also open for the Halloween season on the upper level near Macy’s.