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Ramapo College Students Solve 35-Year Cold Case: The Identity of ‘Becca Doe’ Revealed

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New Jersey Students Solve 35-Year Mystery: The Girl Known as “Becca Doe” Finally Has a Name

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

MAHWAH, NJ – For 35 years, she was a ghost in the system. Found dead in an Albuquerque motel in 1991, the 18-year-old girl known only as “Becca Doe” remained unidentified for decades—until a team of students at Ramapo College stepped in to restore her identity.

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Police: Man Exposed Himself, Struck Officer in Fair Lawn Parking Lot Confrontation

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Fair Lawn Police: Man Arrested After Lewd Act in Parking Lot and Assault on Officer

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

FAIR LAWN, NJ – A disturbing incident at a local business led to the arrest of a Fairfield man this past weekend after he allegedly exposed himself and attacked a responding officer.

The Fair Lawn Police Department released details on Wednesday regarding the confrontation, which occurred in a parking lot on one of the borough’s busiest commercial stretches.

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Fair Lawn Actor Matthew Pellicano Jr. Swings by Midland Park Senior Center After Springsteen Screening

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A “Boss” Surprise: Young Bruce Springsteen Actor Stuns Seniors at Midland Park Center

photos courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco

the staff of the ridgewood blog

MIDLAND PARK, NJ – It was a day to remember for local residents at the Northwest Senior Center. After settling in for a special screening of Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, the audience received a surprise that brought the “Jersey Shore” magic straight to Bergen County.

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Hackensack’s $146M Budget: Insurance Spikes and Infrastructure “Neglect” Drive Big Tax Increase

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Hackensack Property Taxes to Surge 10%: Why Your Bill is Climbing in 2026

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

HACKENSACK, NJ — Homeowners in the “City in Motion” are facing a significant financial squeeze this year. Hackensack officials have unveiled a proposed $146.45 million budget that includes a staggering 10.25% municipal tax hike, driven by skyrocketing healthcare costs and past budgeting errors.

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Saved by the Bell: Coach Robert Franklin Reinstated Ahead of $134M Ridgewood School Budget Vote

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Ridgewood Teacher Reinstated: BOE Reverses Layoff Decision Ahead of Crucial $134M Budget Vote

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – In a last-minute reversal that has energized the local community, the Ridgewood Board of Education has confirmed that popular gym teacher and wrestling coach Robert Franklin will no longer face a layoff.

The decision comes just days before the district’s high-stakes $134 million budget hearing scheduled for May 4, 2026.

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Trump to Sign Bill Ending 76-Day Historic Government Shutdown

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Shutdown Over: House Votes Unanimously to End Record-Breaking 76-Day Government Standoff

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a historic unanimous vote, the House of Representatives has passed a Senate-led bill to end the 76-day partial government shutdown—the longest in United States history. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for an immediate signature, bringing much-needed relief to federal agencies and workers nationwide.

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Make America Healthy Again: House Crushes “Liability Shield” for Chemical Giants in Landmark Farm Bill

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MAHA Victory: House Strips Controversial Pesticide “Liability Shield” from 2026 Farm Bill

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement just secured a massive legislative win on Capitol Hill. In a bipartisan show of force, the GOP-led House voted to strike down special protections that would have shielded pesticide manufacturers from legal liability.

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Closter Man Caught in NCIS Undercover Sting

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Closter Man Arrested in NCIS Sting: Bergen County Cyber Crimes Unit Issues Charges

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

CLOSTER, NEW JERSEY – A joint investigation between the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has led to the arrest of a Closter resident on charges of attempted child endangerment.

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Celebrating Decades of Faith: Rev. Msgr. Ronald J. Rozniak Receives 2026 Seminary Honor

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Honoring Faith and Leadership: The Meaning Behind the “Family of Nazareth” Award

photos courtesy of OLMC

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In the heart of the Catholic community in Northern New Jersey, few honors carry as much weight and spiritual significance as the Family of Nazareth Award. Presented annually by the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Newark, this award recognizes those who have dedicated their lives to the “New Evangelization” and the support of the priesthood.

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The “World Cup Tax”: Is Your Zip Code Targeted for a 3% Sales Tax Hike?

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World Cup 2026: Will a New “Meadowlands Tax” Hit Your Neighborhood?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NORTH JERSEY — Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a historic moment for the Garden State, but a new proposal to fund the festivities has ignited a firestorm in Trenton and Washington.

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) is sounding the alarm over a controversial plan that could see sales taxes spike for families and small businesses living in the shadow of MetLife Stadium. In a pointed letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill and state legislative leaders, Gottheimer made his stance clear: the World Cup should be a win for the economy, not a burden for the taxpayer.

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Big Cuts: How Upper Saddle River Balanced a $2.6M School Budget Gap

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Black Balloons and Budget Cuts: Upper Saddle River Slashing 27 School Positions to Fill $2.6M Hole

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ — A somber atmosphere filled the room at the recent Upper Saddle River Board of Education hearing, as teachers arrived clutching black balloons—each one bearing the name of a colleague whose job is being eliminated.

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New Jersey’s Energy “Policy Problem”: Why You’re Paying More for Less Electricity

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Is Your Electric Bill Skyrocketing? Why New Jersey’s Energy Crisis is Hitting Your Wallet—and How to Fix It

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON, N.J. — If you feel like your monthly utility bill is becoming a second mortgage, you aren’t alone. New Jersey families are facing a dual crisis: electricity costs are surging while the reliability of the state’s power grid is plummeting.

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Ridgewood High Band Picked for “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Honor in Philadelphia’s Massive 250th America Anniversary Parade

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Ridgewood High School Marching Band Selected for Historic America 250th Anniversary Parade in Philadelphia

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood High School Marching Band

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The pride of Ridgewood is headed to the birthplace of American independence! In a massive win for the local arts community, the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Marching Band has been officially selected to perform in the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade in Philadelphia.

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School Budget Crisis: Giving Up School Budget Vote Has Consequences

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Is Your Tax Bill Funding Students or Bureaucracy? The Ridgewood School Budget Crisis

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood residents are facing a frustrating reality: school taxes are climbing, yet the classroom experience is being stretched thin. As the Board of Education (BoE) prepares for a pivotal vote this Monday, May 4th, many in the community are asking if the current 4% tax levy is truly necessary—or if it’s the result of a system that has lost its checks and balances.

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Miracle on Route 17: You Won’t Believe How This Driver and His Dog Survived a Rollover Crash

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Miracle on Route 17: Driver and Dog “Adam” Escape Overturned SUV in Ho-Ho-Kus

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, A routine Wednesday afternoon commute turned into a scene of chaotic relief on Route 17 Southbound today. At approximately 3:00 PM on April 29, 2026, a Honda Pilot flipped onto its roof near the Racetrack Road exit in Ho-Ho-Kus, leaving witnesses fearing the worst.

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