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.
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.
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.
Continue reading Downed Power Line Sparks Wooded Fire Near New Milford Swim Club
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.
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.
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.
Continue reading The West Milford Board of Education has Votes to Shut Another Elementary School
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.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, In a case that strikes at the heart of child welfare protections, a former New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) employee has admitted to a scheme involving fraud, deception, and the attempted sale of confidential information.
Continue reading NJ DCF Employee Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Illegal Payments
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The landscape of the Garden State is about to look a lot different—and much more connected. At a standing-room-only event in Newark, NJ TRANSIT officially signaled to the world that it is open for business.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A potentially devastating house fire was quickly contained Tuesday morning, May 5, 2026, thanks to the rapid intervention of the Ridgewood Fire Department.
photos courtesy of the Rutherford Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Rutherford NJ, A Tuesday morning commute took an unexpected turn in Rutherford, New Jersey, when a vehicle veered off the road and struck a local building.
Continue reading Morning Crash in Rutherford: Vehicle Strikes Building at 1 Orient Way
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, History is coming alive in Ridgewood—with a lethal twist. In celebration of America250, the Ridgewood Historical Society is inviting the community to trade their 2026 routines for a night of 18th-century intrigue.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bergenfield NJ, A Sunday morning shopping trip turned into a violent encounter for a River Edge resident at a local Walgreens. At approximately 8:30 a.m. on May 3, Bergenfield police responded to a reported carjacking at 406 South Washington Avenue, where an 80-year-old woman was targeted while sitting in her vehicle.
Continue reading Bravery and Arrest: 80-Year-Old Woman Fights Off Carjacker at Bergenfield Walgreens
Photos courtesy of Woodlands Wildlife Refuge
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oakland NJ, For weeks, the Lim family of Oakland, New Jersey, captivated the community with footage of a mother black bear and her four cubs “denning” comfortably under their home. But when the family moved on in late April, a heartbreaking discovery was made: two of the cubs had been left behind.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, In a landmark decision that has sent shockwaves through Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the practice of racial gerrymandering. By narrowing the interpretation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Court’s 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais (April 2026) effectively ends the requirement for “majority-minority” districts—a move that could fundamentally reshape the American political map.
