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Mayhem at the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey

Ramsey Mayhem

photo coutesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

March 7,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ramsey NJ, Mayhem of sorts on Tuesday afternoon, 03/06, at the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey after a 4-door sedan struck an exterior support column in front of Five Below, striking a passing vehicle in the process, then mounted a curb and wiped out a traffic control sign. A parked tow truck called by police to remove the wrecked sedan was hit by another vehicle. Ramsey Police and Upper Saddle River EMS responded to the incident. All drivers and passengers refused medical aid. At least one (1) vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. An additional tow truck was observed responding to the area to evaluate another vehicle involved in the crash. Damage to the shopping center structure appeared to have been cosmetic in nature only.

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Governor No Show , No Sign of Phil Murphy During First State Wide Emergency of His Term

phil murphy

March 6,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, this week during the Nor’easter over 200,000 fellow New Jersey residents originally lost their power and as of yesterday still over 80,000 people are shivering in the cold , one question remains, and one question only where is the governor?

Governor Phil Murphy has been a complete no show during his first emergency . The word is the no gov has been partying with has been comedian George Lopez , instead on focusing on the state he was elected to govern .

Carlos Gutierrez said in a Facebook post , “Saw George Lopez at The Stress Factory on Friday, but that puto does not allow cell phones or pictures of him taken during his show, so I took a pic with New Jersey’s Governor, Phil Murphy instead, lol”

Funny if it was governor Christie our lame brain media with be 24/7 with why he is not out shoveling peoples driveways .

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Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz is running for Bergen County Executive

Norman for Bergen

March 5,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bergenfield NJ, Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz made it official on Sunday with his as promised announcement that he is running for Bergen County Executive. The announcement comes on the heels Steven Lonegan’s declaration of war with the Bergen GOP .

Over 150 people showed for event ,noticeable absent was embattle Bergen GOP Chair DiGaetano . In fact, no leaders from the current BCRO or Bergen County Republican Organization attended the event.

Only John McCann who is running for the GOP spot to face U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer put in an appearance. Steve Lonegan was at State Senator Gerald Cardinale’s birthday party , the Senator and his wife have endorsed Lonegan in his race against McCann to represent the GOP against Gotteimer.

(Photo above Jim Arakelian with Michael Homaychak, Norman Schmelz and Fernando Alonso.)

(John McCann)

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Driver Rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center after Head On Crash with Utility Pole in Glen Rock

glen rock crash

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

March 5,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, The driver of a dark colored SUV was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Center’s main campus following a Harristown Road, Glen Rock crash on Sunday evening, 03/04. The vehicle slammed head on into a utility pole near 371 Harristown Road. Glen Rock Police and EMS personnel responded to aid the victim. A paramedic team from The Valley Hospital assisted Glen Rock EMTs. The vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. PSE&G’s electric division was summoned to assess the struck pole’s condition. A significant fluid leak was attended to by the tow truck’s driver.

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Bergen County Republican Organization chairman stripping county committee’s right to endorse their candidates

"Steve" Lonegan

Fellow Republicans,
We have them on the run. The so-called “moderates” of the GOP’s Whitman-wing who run the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) have shown us how weak they really are.

It’s now official. The BCRO has suspended their own rules, suspended the process of endorsing a candidate, and instead of a county convention the BCRO chairman will “give” the endorsement to the “moderate” of his choice.
The BCRO chairman is a figure from the Whitman-era who presided over the loss of Republican control in the Legislature nearly two decades ago and then came back to preside over the demise of the BCRO last year. Now he wants to ensure that Nancy Pelosi is the next Speaker by putting together a ticket that will tank in November.

It is the first time in memory that a BCRO chairman has played the authoritarian and taken away from the members of the Republican county committee, the right to choose which candidates they will endorse. The BCRO chairman has done this because he knows that his candidate for Congress, John McCann, doesn’t have the support to win a county convention.

The BCRO chairman has taken away the county committee’s rights because he knows that its members don’t want McCann — the consigliore of the elected Democrat who is responsible for losing Republican control in Bergen County, Sheriff Michael Saudino. And the members know that McCann began his campaign for Congress while on the payroll of this Democrat.

You all know me. No matter what you think of me, you all know where I stand on the issues. Some of you might accuse me of being too unwavering, unwilling to compromise, but nobody has ever doubted where I’m coming from.
As we watch the Christie era in the rear-view mirror, we need to decide on what kind of party we intend to be. We need to chart a course for the road ahead.

That’s very easy for someone like me. The course is free market conservatism, defending freedom at home, and our interests abroad. It is the message of our Republican Party Platform. Simple enough. If you call yourself a Republican, you should value Republican principles.

Unfortunately, that is not who is leading the Republican Party in Bergen County these days. There are too many who look to cut deals with the Democrats — and not for idealistic policy aims — but for their personal benefit. Their vision of the Republican Party is a defeatist one, where they seek to benefit from the crumbs swept from the Democrat table. The policies they advocate consist of slavishly mimicking a watered down version of the Democrats’ own post-Western, post-Christian, anti-Freedom agenda.

You’ve probably heard it around the county, and around the state, that a conservative cannot win — anything. The fact is that the only Republican to win statewide office in over twenty years was both Pro-Life and Pro-Second Amendment. The fact is that those Republicans who get the most votes in New Jersey are consistently the most conservative. The liberal wannabe Republicans can’t turnout their base and those they want to convince have someone better to vote for — a Democrat.

This “moderate” nonsense is like a religion with some of our so-called “leaders” — those who practice the Janus-faced religion of being all things to all voters. Even though every study and every poll shows that they will not convince a Democrat to vote Republican in this starkly divisive climate, they hold true to the faith that turning-off a dozen conservatives is worth every liberal vote they pick-up.
The way forward is clear for 2018: Maximum Republican and conservative turnout. A full effort.

Of course, there are some within our party who are working against this. Some who are personally enmeshed with the Democrats. It’s happening in other parts of the state as well. Democrats are playing in our primary. In every congressional battleground in the state, there is a former Democrat running as a Republican or a liberal Republican with Democrat-ties claiming to be a conservative. Every one.

They are there for one reason: To make us spend money so we won’t have it to hit the Democrats in the General Election. Here in Bergen County, I am facing an opponent who was described by the Bergen Record as the “right hand man” to Democrat Sheriff Michael Saudino. Let’s not forget that it was Saudino’s feud with the Republican County Executive that lost us control of our county. Saudino, followed that up by joining Hillary Clinton and Josh Gottheimer on a ticket that crushed the BCRO. Through it all, my opponent remained employed by Sheriff Saudino, as his trusted consigliore, and actually started his campaign while still on the Democrat’s payroll.

Now we all know where Sheriff Saudino stands on this election. He’s backing fellow Democrat Josh Gottheimer for re-election this year. So are Mayors Harry Shortway of Vernon and Harry Shortway of Midland Park. They held an event for my opponent at their family bar in Passaic County. Did you follow that? They are endorsing Democrat Josh Gottheimer in the General Election but held an event to help my opponent in the Republican primary. Meanwhile, in a neighboring district, the insider-backed “Republican” candidate wouldn’t tell a room full of Republicans how he voted for President in 2008 (Obama vs. McCain), 2012 (Obama vs. Romney), or 2016 (Clinton vs. Trump). And like my opponent, this fellow seems to be allergic to voting in a Republican primary.

Our party faces an existential threat from those who cut deals with Democrats and then preach the religion of “moderation” while pushing fake Republican candidates on us. We must resist them, whether they are well-meaning and stupid or slick and treacherous. It is time to use the Republican Party Platform and our conservative principles as the measure by which we judge our candidates. If some of our so-called “leaders” don’t like that platform or our principles, they are free to leave the party and start their own. I, for one, am sick and tired of being dictated to by a small group of professional political “leaders” who are totally out of touch with the thoughts and views of most Republicans. It is time for them to go.

A party that knows what it is about, is a party that can convince people to get involved, contribute, and win. This holds true up and down our ticket. The message of lower taxes, less government, and individual freedom is a winning one. The Democrats’ warmed-over socialism, leavened with coarse identity politics has, in the end, always lost.

Thank you for your time and I hope I will have your support to secure our primary in June and defeat the Democrats in November. If you have any insights you would like to share with me, please feel free to send me an email at [email protected].

Thank you,
Steve Lonegan

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Hawthorne Police and Fire Department units respond to Tree Limb on High Tension Wire

Hawthorne Police and Fire Department units respond to Tree Limb on High Tension Wire

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

March 3,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hawthorne NJ Hawthorne Police and Fire Department units responded to the intersection of Lafayette and South Avenues on Friday afternoon, 03/02 after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a large tree limb that fell on a high tension wire. A street light was also downed in the incident. Portions of Lafayette Avenue and South Avenue were closed pending removal of debris by Hawthorne DPW personnel and the restoration of electric power by PSE&G crews.

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New Jersey State Police will be out on patrol and ready to assist

NJ State Police

March 2,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

West Trenton, N.J. – The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) will activate the State Emergency Operations Center in order to monitor the nor’easter conditions expected to last through Saturday. NJOEM has been in contact with all 21 counties, and members of the Emergency Response Bureau are working with their counties to address any storm-related needs. State Emergency Management Partners have been notified and continue to coordinate with NJOEM on any traffic, power, and flood concerns.
Current Forecast
Coastal flooding, heavy rain, and high winds are forecast. Some snow may fall in northern locations. Advisories posted for Friday and Saturday include a Coastal Flood Watch for Atlantic and Delaware Bay counties, a Coastal Flood Advisory for Hudson River counties, a High Wind Warning for most counties and a Winter Storm Watch for Sussex and Passaic counties.
Impacts to New Jersey
Rain will be heaviest on Friday with winds of 20-45 mph. Gusts over 50 mph are possible at the coast. Minor to moderate coastal flooding will occur with high tides Friday and Saturday. Heavy rain may flood some rivers and streams and cause ponding in urban locations and poor drainage areas. High winds may impact trees and power lines.
Stay Informed
Follow weather news for local forecasts, warnings, and watches through Sunday.
For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey visit US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly https://www.weather.gov/phi/. For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area visit US National Weather Service New York NY https://www.weather.gov/okx/.
Visit ready.nj.gov for information on how to build a kit, make a plan, and prepare your family for emergencies. Pets are family too! Remember to include them in your emergency plans. Visit animalemergency.nj.gov to find out more.
Follow NJOEM on social media for important weather updates and safety information:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadyNewJersey
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReadyNJ
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ReadyNJ

Important Tips to Remember
If you are told to evacuate from a flooded area, GO! Secure loose items in your yard such as trash cans, children’s toys, and lawn ornaments.
· Move vehicles parked in flood prone areas to higher ground.
Have cash on hand. If the power is out, so are the ATMs and credit card machines. Gas up your cars ahead of the storm. The gas pumps will not work without power or may be too damaged to open afterwards. Be sure to check on friends and neighbors who have access or functional needs. Be sure to have extra medications on hand and keep them in a water resistant container. Get all of your vital records and insurance papers together NOW. Keep them in a water resistant container. If you can, scan and email them to yourself so you have a copy of important numbers and policies, etc. Charge your cell phones and try not to use them if the power goes out. Texting uses less power than a cell call, so use text messaging when possible to save power. Discuss business continuity plans now. Whether you are the boss or report to a boss, discuss your game plan for continued business operations. NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
· Know where your utility shut off valves (gas, electric, water) are and how to use them.
· Know how to report a power outage to your utility company.
Drive Safely
New Jersey State Police will be out on patrol and ready to assist. If you must be on the roads, leave extra time to reach your destination and take it slow. NEVER walk, bike or drive through flooded areas. Water may be deeper than you think! For more information regarding driving times and current incidents visit: https://www.511nj.org/
During a Power Outage: Safety Tips
Only use flashlights for emergency lighting, candles can cause fires. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm. Call NJ 2-1-1 for additional resources. Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors. Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system

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The Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department is actively seeking trained firefighters

The Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department

March 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood

Franklin Lakes NJ, The Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department is actively seeking trained firefighters, who may be interested in participating in a newly formed Duty-Crew program and also Day Time Stipend program being funded by a FEMA S.A.F.E.R. grant. The Duty Crew program will require 10-12 10 hour daytime Monday – Friday shifts per quarter to be awarded a stipend of $1,500.00. Members who choose to participate in the Day Time Stipend program will be awarded a maximum of $412.00 per quarter. The number of participating volunteers will be limited and are filling quickly. Those who may be interested or who may have questions are asked to contact Chief Ryan Dodd at 201-891-5736 or [email protected]. Members will be required to maintain active membership status with the Franklin Lakes Fire Department in order to participate in the above programs. Applications can be picked up at Franklin Lakes Borough Hall located at 480 Dekorte Drive, Franklin Lakes New Jersey.

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Glen Rock Board of Education OK’s March 14th 17 minute student walkout

Glen Rock Schools

March 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock’s Superintendent and BOE  passed this resolution March 14th, the day of the 17 minute student walkout. Ridgewood Schools matched the virtue signaling ,but stopped short of endorsing the walkout.

Be it resolved by the Glen Rock Board of Education that the Board, upon
recommendation of the Chief School Administrator, approves the following resolution:
WHEREAS , A prerequisite to student growth, learning, well-being and success is a safe and secure school environment; and
WHEREAS, Children throughout the nation have been negatively affected directly and indirectly by violent crimes involving firearms; and
WHEREAS, Military-style assault weapons and large-volume ammunition
magazines were used in recent mass killings in schools and other locations; and
WHEREAS, Profiles of school shooters illustrate the need for a thorough examination of the care and treatment of the mentally ill and for effective intervention;
WHEREAS, The New Jersey School Boards Association’s 2014 study, What Makes Schools Safe?, cited reports by state and federal agencies, which found that mental health intervention did not take place prior to three-quarters of school shootings; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey has among the strongest gun control laws in the nation and the lowest incidence of gun-related deaths, but protective laws are not in place in many other states or at the federal level; and
WHEREAS, The tragedies of Parkland, Florida, of Newtown, Connecticut, of
Columbine High School in Colorado, emphasize the need to address access to firearms and the delivery of mental health services. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Glen Rock Board of Education, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, urges President Trump and Congress to identify and implement meaningful action to address access to and ownership of military-style assault weapons and ammunition, the delivery of mental health services, and financial support to ensure a safe and secure school climate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Glen Rock Board of Education supports Governor Murphy’s call to end the “epidemic of gun violence that plagues far too many of our communities” and supports enhancements to state law that will provide protection for our schools and communities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to President Trump, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, Governor Murphy, State Senator Robert Gordon, Assembly Representative Timothy Eustace, Assembly Representative Joseph Lagana, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the National School Boards Association, Bergen County School Boards, Bergen County Association of School Administrators, Bergen County Association of School Business Officials, and the New Jersey Education Association.

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Body Discovered in creek running between the Home Depot and a Tesla car dealership on Route 17 North in Paramus

Body Discovered

Photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

February 28,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Paramus Police personnel at the scene of a reported dead body found in a creek running between the Home Depot and a Tesla car dealership on Route 17 North in Paramus, on Wednesday afternoon, 02/28. The body was said to be of an adult male. Foul play is not suspected.

According to Paramus Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg , The body found partially submerged in a brook near Home Depot in Paramus Wednesday has been identified as a 49-year-old man from Bergen County. The cause of death was suicide.

 

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Three Car Crash Sends Vehicle into Midland Park Home

Three Car Crash Sends Vehical into Midland Park Home

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

February 28,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Midland Park NJ, A three (3) vehicle Wednesday afternoon, 02/28, collision at the intersection of Franklin and Vreeland Avenues in Midland Park sent a 4-door passenger sedan careening out of the intersection into a single family home on Vreeland Avenue. All three (3) vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Midland Park EMS personnel attended to at least two (2) of the vehicles’ drivers. Damage to the home that was struck appeared to have been minimal. Midland Park Police , Fire Department , and EMS units responded. Ridgewood Police provided traffic control assistance.

 

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Wyckoff Police Department has issued a scam alert for “Donation Calls”

scam alert

February 28,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wyckoff NJ, the Wyckoff Police Department has issued a scam alert , from time to time, residents receive calls from people claiming to be the Wyckoff Police Department or other various Law Enforcement organizations requesting donations. Please note that the Wyckoff Police Department / Wyckoff PBA, will never contact you via the telephone and will only do so through the US Postal mail. You can always request the information be mailed to you should you fear the organization calling appears to not be legit. If you need any further assistance with the organizations validity, please feel free to call our department for assistance.

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Paramus Route 4 Vitamin Shoppe Slammed by Car

paramus vitamin shop

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

February 28,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Paramus NJ, The adult male driver of a 4-door passenger sedan sustained a minor arm injury during a crash in which his vehicle collided with another and veered off of Route 4 westbound near Spring Valley Road in Paramus before slamming into a retail establishment (The Vitamin Shoppe). No injuries were reported by the store’s occupants nor by the adult male driver of the other vehicle. The injured driver refused ambulance transportation to a local hospital. A building inspector was called to determine whether the store, located at 134 Route 4 West, Paramus, could be reoccupied prior to repairs being made. The passenger sedan was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Paramus Police, EMS, and Paramus Rescue Squad’s Chief responded to the incident.

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Dumont High School Put on Lockdown on Monday after Social Media Threat

Bergen County Regional SWAT Team

file photo of Bergen County Regional SWAT team

February 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Dumont NJ, a high school student was taken into custody on Monday after a reported social media threat prompted a lockdown and a Bergen County SWAT team response.

Dumont police say that the threat was made by a 15-year-old Dumont High School sophomore and the school was then placed on lockdown. The Bergen County SWAT team responded to the school along with police from Dumont and surrounding towns.

The lockdown happened around lunchtime yesterday. They said that they first thought that it was a drill. They hid under desks and inside classrooms. Photographs and videos posted on social media show large groups of students inside the gym and out on the athletic fields.

Police taking no chances ,the lockdown comes nearly two weeks after a deadly mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.

According to Dumont Police Chief Michael Conner a gun was recovered at the student’s home. It wasn’t clear whether the weapon belonged to the student. No weapons were found at the school

The Dumont Public Schools sent a message to parents saying the student was taken into custody at about 1:15 p.m. and the lockdown was lifted.The student’s name has not been released due to his age.Classes are expected to resume normally Tuesday.

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Luring Incident in Montvale revealed to be an “inappropriate joke” by High Schoolers

school bus

February 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, yesterday Montvale Police Department reported a suspicious incident in Montvale yesterday. Vehicle described as a black Volkswagen occupied by two males (race unknown) offering candy to two juveniles. Incident under investigation

The suspicious incident was later solved. It was a couple of High School kids making an inappropriate joke. Not an actual luring. But the grade schoolers who were targeted did not know that. They did an excellent job staying away and notifying a parent.