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NJ Hate Watch: Why Bergen County Just Topped the List for Antisemitic Incidents in 2025

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Antisemitism in NJ: Bergen County Named #1 Hotspot as Violence Reaches Record Highs

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A chilling new report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reveals that antisemitism is becoming “normalized” across the Garden State. While the nation saw a slight dip in overall incidents, New Jersey remains a volatile exception, ranking third in the nation for antisemitic acts, trailing only New York and California.

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Main Street Melee: New Jersey Man Charged After Assaulting Relative and Officers in Hackensack

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Hackensack Police Arrest Man After Late-Night Main Street Altercation and Assault on Officers

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, A noise complaint on Main Street early Sunday morning escalated into a series of criminal charges for a Leesburg man, including assault on law enforcement and property damage.

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Missing in NJ: Hackensack Police Issue Urgent Alert for Teen Last Seen at Teaneck Bus Stop

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URGENT: Hackensack Police Search for Missing Juvenile Last Seen in Teaneck

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, The Hackensack Police Department has issued an urgent public appeal for help locating a missing juvenile who has been unaccounted for since late April. Authorities are asking residents in Northern New Jersey and New York City to keep a sharp eye out and report any sightings immediately.

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MetLife Stadium Swaps Turf for NJ-Grown Grass: Why the World Cup Demanded a $13M Upgrade

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New York New Jersey Stadium Goes Green: NJ-Grown Grass Installed for 2026 World Cup

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just weeks away, the transformation of MetLife Stadium into the world-class “New York New Jersey Stadium” has reached a major milestone. On Thursday, May 7, crews officially began laying the high-tech, New Jersey-grown grass surface required by FIFA for the upcoming international tournament.

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COVID 2.0: Deadly Cruise Ship Outbreak: 3 Deceased, WHO Tracking Passengers in 12 Countries as Rare Virus Surfaces

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New Virus Alert: 3 Dead on Cruise Ship as Rare Hantavirus Outbreak Triggers Global Search

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The world is on high alert after a deadly outbreak of Hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship resulted in three fatalities. Health officials are now racing against time to track down passengers across 12 countries, including the U.S. and various European nations, before the virus can spread further.

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NJ’s Wealth Gap Widens: Why Thousands of High-Earners Are Leaving for Florida and Texas

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The Great New Jersey Wealth Exit: Why $2.5 Billion in Income Fled the State

file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, New Jersey is facing a significant fiscal wake-up call. According to the latest IRS migration data analyzed by the Tax Foundation, the Garden State isn’t just losing people—it’s losing its tax base. Between 2022 and 2023, the state saw a massive “wealth flight,” with billions in adjusted gross income (AGI) heading south toward lower-tax climates.

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Into the Mountains: Your Guide to a Relaxing Getaway

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A mountain escape sounds simple at first, yet a relaxing trip takes thoughtful planning. Clear priorities make all the difference. Start with timing. Peak seasons bring energy and full calendars, while quieter months create space to slow down. Budget deserves equal attention. Lodging, dining, attractions, and small extras add up quickly without a plan in place. 

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge naturally come up in the planning process because they complement each other so well. One leans into a cozy mountain-town atmosphere, while the other offers lively attractions and broad entertainment options. Together, they create a balanced setting where visitors can enjoy peaceful scenery without giving up engaging activities. 

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What Frequent Travelers Look for in the Perfect Stay

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You drop your bag in a place that looked decent online, and within minutes, you are shifting things around, trying to make the space work instead of just settling into it. It is not terrible, just slightly off in ways that keep bothering you, and that feeling tends to stick for the rest of the stay.

In places like Pigeon Forge, it stands out more. There is a mix of busy spots and quieter corners, plus those mountain views you do not want to rush past. Where you stay shapes how you experience all of it. A tight or awkward setup wears you down, while the right place lets you slow down and take it in properly.

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In a Significant Blow to the Village Finances Judge Rules Valley is Exempt From Property Taxes with its Appeal Pending

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Ridgewood’s $5 Million Budget Gap? The Valley Hospital Tax Ruling Explained

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The legal battle over Valley Hospital’s tax status just took a sharp turn, leaving the Village of Ridgewood facing a potential “windfall” that looks more like a financial crater. Here is the breakdown of Judge Nicholas Ostuni’s recent ruling and what it means for your tax dollars.

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Ridgewood School Budget Crisis: Why Your Taxes Are Rising as Busing and Staff Are Cut

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Your Ridgewood Property Taxes Are Going Up—Here’s Why

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education has officially greenlit a $135.5 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year, but for local families, the news is bittersweet. While the budget ensures the district remains operational, it brings with it a significant property tax hike and “radical” cuts to services that parents have relied on for decades.

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Downed Power Line Sparks Wooded Fire Near New Milford Swim Club

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Emergency crews were dispatched to Trotta Drive, near the entrance to the New Milford Swim Club, following reports of an arcing wire

photos courtesy of the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New Milford NJ, A quick response from the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department prevented a dangerous situation from escalating early Wednesday evening after a primary power line snapped and ignited a fire near a popular community landmark.

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More Anti-Work, Anti-Business from Trenton: The End of the Side Hustle in New Jersey

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End of the Side Hustle? NJ Adopts Controversial ABC Test Rules for Independent Contractors

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, New Jersey’s gig economy just hit a massive roadblock. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the state’s business community, the Sherrill administration has officially adopted a Murphy-era rule that drastically tightens the definition of an independent contractor.

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Bailouts or Fairness? Instead of concentrated “bailouts,” the $94 million Should be split among all 564 New Jersey municipalities

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Bailouts or Fairness? Senator Testa Demands Governor Sherrill Split $94M Aid Hike with All NJ Towns

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Is your hometown getting its fair share of state funding, or is your tax dollar going to bail out “budget messes” in New Jersey’s biggest cities?

State Senator Michael Testa (R-1) has officially thrown down the gauntlet, issuing an open letter to municipal leaders across the Garden State. His mission: stop Governor Sherrill’s plan to funnel a $94 million municipal aid increase to just a dozen select communities and, instead, distribute it equally to every taxpayer in New Jersey.

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The West Milford Board of Education has Votes to Shut Another Elementary School

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West Milford Schools in Crisis: Paradise Knoll Closing as State Aid Plummets $9M

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

West Milford NJ, The “Highland Pride” is facing a harsh financial reality. For the second time in less than four years, the West Milford Board of Education has voted to shutter an elementary school, leaving parents reeling and the community questioning the future of the district.

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To stay afloat, Hackensack School District is Executing a High-stakes Plan to Borrow $9.1 million

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Hackensack Schools in Crisis: $169M Budget Vote Looms as 100+ Staff Face Layoffs

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, The Hackensack Public School District is racing against a ticking clock. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, school officials are set to vote on a massive $169 million budget that could fundamentally reshape the city’s schools—and not for the better.

Continue reading To stay afloat, Hackensack School District is Executing a High-stakes Plan to Borrow $9.1 million