Category: Bergen County

Posted on by — Leave a comment

DHS cancels Obama policies, orders agents to expand deportations

illegal-immigrants

By Stephen Dinan – The Washington Times – Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly officially ordered federal agents this week to begin arresting and deporting more illegal immigrants, releasing them from the handcuffs the Obama administration had imposed, and making headway on one of President Trump’s chief campaign promises.

While young adult illegal immigrant “Dreamers” are still exempted, agents were told there are no longer any other special classes of people that should be considered off limits for deportation.

Those caught at the border are to be swiftly shipped back, Mr. Kelly said, and he freed agents to target a broader universe of illegal immigrants for deportation from within the interior of the U.S. The secretary said agents are still to give priority to those with criminal rap sheets, but are free to use discretion — taken away from them in the Obama years — to detain anyone they believe to be in the country illegally.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/21/dhs-cancels-obama-policies-released-agents-to-expa/

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Why this could be the last week for cheap gas in N.J.

gas tax nj

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 20, 2017 at 8:32 AM, updated February 20, 2017 at 11:15 AM

This week for gas prices might be like the last hours of a great party that you wish could last longer, but you know is starting to wind down.

On Friday, the average price for regular in the state was $2.32 a gallon, but discount stations ranged between $2.07 and $2.09, GasBuddy.com reported. An average price of $2.20 or less wasn’t hard to find.

There are two factors that drivers can thank for keeping prices low at the pump — lousy demand for gas and tremendous supplies of it. But low gas prices aren’t going to last much longer, experts said.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2017/02/why_this_could_be_the_last_week_for_cheap_gas_in_nj.html#incart_river_home

Posted on by — 1 Comment

CORY BOOKER CONDEMNED DAVID FRIEDMAN WHILE GIVING IRAN A PASS

130111 cory booker ap 605

BY SHMULEY BOTEACH
FEBRUARY 20, 2017 21:5

There is a growing evolution in Cory’s position on Israel which is becoming more aligned with the left wing of the Democratic party.

The hearing for American ambassador-designate to Israel David Friedman at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week was intense. The Democratic senators came after him hard, quoting every controversial thing he’s ever said. Mind you, they couldn’t seem to find one controversial thing he’s ever done. Because no one disputes that David is an upstanding, decent man who has had caused little to no controversy. But they called him out on harsh statements he made about those he felt were not sympathetic to Israel.

But of particular note was how harshly he was treated by my friend, Senator Cory Booker, who told David over and over again that although these were just words, words matter.

https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/No-Holds-Barred-Cory-Booker-condemned-David-Friedman-while-giving-Iran-a-pass-482121

Posted on by — Leave a comment

House Fire in Glen Rock Leaves One Firefighter Injured

House Fire in Glen Rock Leaves One Firefighter Injured

Photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

February 21,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, A house fire at 506 Prospect Street in Glen Rock on Monday evening, 02/20, was battled by firefighters from Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, Midland Park, and Ridgewood. At least one (1) firefighter was injured while fighting the smokey blaze. Ridgewood EMS assisted Glen Rock EMS at the scene, and Ridgewood PD units assisted Glen Rock PD with traffic control.

16797391 652629078256462 4643396602854037637 o

16825981 652628961589807 7860865508217378346 o

16819112 652628894923147 1792029642808903201 o

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Car Hits House on Mountain Ave in Washington Twp

Car Hits House on Mountain Ave in Washington Twp

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

February 21,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington TWP, he adult female driver of a Nissan Versa Note escaped injury during a mishap in which her vehicle, while being driven in reverse, crashed into a single family home located at 320 Mountain Avenue, Washington Township on Monday afternoon, 02/20. Washington Township PD & FD personnel were assisted at the scene by members of the Paramus Rescue Squad and Hillsdale EMS personnel. Damage to the structure was extensive; however, the vehicle appeared to have been drive-able.

16826110 652511391601564 1863021630564339098 o

16797539 652511394934897 4046944727327168978 o

Posted on by — Leave a comment

NJ agency paying millennials to throw parties and discuss transportation

Millennials_theridgewoodblg

file photo by ArtChick

By David Matthau February 20, 2017 3:49 AM

Subscribe to New Jersey 101.5 FM on

New Jersey 101.5 related video

The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority wants you to throw a cocktail party — and they’ll foot the bill!

According to David Behrend, department director of communications and government affairs for the Authority, the Set the Table initiative is one part of a broad public outreach effort to update their long-range transportation plan for 13 counties in Central and North Jersey.

“The idea is to look at how we can better involve younger people who maybe haven’t traditionally been involved in some of these public meetings and this process in the past,” he said.

Behrend said participant hosts who should be between the ages of 18 to 29 will be asked to get together a group of six to eight friends. They’ll get a small stipend, around $100, “to get some pizzas or other foods, however they want to organize their particular event.”

He said each group will be given cards with questions about different subjects like transportation safety, technology and the environment.

“These are the folks who are going to be experiencing and using the transportation network 30 years down the road, so we want to hear their input, we want to see what they have to say.”

Behrend says the Set the Table meetings will help to shape what happens in the future

Read More: NJ agency paying millennials to throw parties and discuss transportation | https://nj1015.com/nj-agency-paying-millennials-to-throw-parties-and-discuss-transportation/?trackback=tsmclip

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Powerball jackpot goes winless again, jackpot up to $403 million

Lottery_theridgewoodblog

By Dan Alexander February 19, 2017 8:56 AM

TRENTON — Nobody won the jackpot in Saturday night’s Powerball drawing, but New Jersey remains a lucky place to play the game.

One ticket sold in New Jersey matched five numbers, but not the power ball, good for $1 million. Another four tickets matched 4 numbers and the power ball worth $50,000 each.

The Powerball jackpot displayed on a lottery machine at a Wawa in Toms River (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media NJ)

The winning numbers drawn Saturday were: 3,7,9,31,33 and the power ball was 20 giving the jackpot an annuity value of $403 million for the next drawing on Wednesday with a cash value of $243.9 million.

Read More: Powerball jackpot goes winless again, jackpot up to $403 million | https://nj1015.com/powerball-jackpot-goes-winless-again-jackpot-up-to-403-million/?trackback=tsmclip

Posted on by — Leave a comment

19 year old UNF reporter from Fair Lawn Gets Presidents Attention during President Trumps Press Conference

Kyle Mazza

photo from Kyle Mazza’s Facebook page

February 20,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, a UNF News Reporter Kyle Mazza Asks President Trump A Question At White House News Conference — (VIDEO CREDIT: FOX NEWS) https://t.co/Hivt4UpRyp #UNFNEWS

Kyle Mazza is a 19 year old from Fair Lawn New Jersey and studied at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Hasbrouck Heights.
Mazza’s question focused on the first lady during President Trump’s freewheeling news conference on Thursday.

“Mr. President,” a reporter began, “Melania Trump announced the reopening of the White House Visitors Office. And she does a lot of great work for the country as well. Can you tell us a little bit about what first lady Melania Trump does for the country?”

Mr. Trump lowered his combative tone. “Now, that’s what I call a nice question,” he said. “That is very — who are you with?”

The answer — UNF News — barely registered with Mr. Trump.

“Good,” the president said. “I’m going to start watching, all right?”

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Birders want to keep Meadowlands mall from being bird-killer

xanadu_theridgewoodblog

By SCOTT FALLON
Posted: Feb. 18, 2017 8:00 am Updated: Feb. 18, 2017 11:54 am

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — When the owners of American Dream unveiled their latest renderings of the Meadowlands mall and entertainment complex in December, some saw the new glass facade as a significant upgrade from the much reviled boxy exterior.

Don Torino, however, saw only death.

The president of the Bergen Audubon Society feared the glass exterior could be deadly to the barn swallows, marsh wrens and dozens of other bird species that migrate through the Meadowlands each year.

Birds slam into buildings at alarming rates. Studies by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimate that buildings with reflective glass kill 303 million birds each year, ranking second only to cats in bird kills. Birds can’t see reflective glass well, mistaking it for clear air space. Like moths, they are also attracted to bright lights at night when they migrate and often cannot sense that those lights are part of a larger structure.

“It’s pretty simple: If you put a glassy building in a place where birds migrate, like the Meadowlands, the likelihood of a bird hitting it is high,” Susan Elbin, director of conservation and science for New York City Audubon, told The Record (https://bit.ly/2m8fdi6).

https://www.njherald.com/article/20170218/AP/302189899

Posted on by — Leave a comment

N.J. needs a water plan, or it may be tears that will flow

ridgewood water

February 19, 2017 at 3:00 AM

Smart companies (and states) make long-range plans based on the most accurate data available. But New Jersey’s real estate and home-building industries, the state’s water utilities and, indeed, any N.J. company that depends on a reliable water supply can’t do that right now. The Statewide Water Supply Plan — a document that details where the water for New Jersey’s future is and is not — has not been updated since 1996, despite a state statute requiring that an updated report be provided every five years.

Certainly, the Department of Environmental Protection has been working on an update. But, as Rutgers professor and former DEP official Daniel J. Van Abs said in a Feb. 7 column for NJSpotlight, a new draft plan was “last seen” in 2012, when it was presented to the Water Supply Advisory Council — a panel of water company officials, academic scientists and various nonprofits that advises the DEP on water issues. Since then, nothing has happened.

The DEP says it is still collecting data, but Van Abs and others believe Gov. Chris Christie is sitting on the report because the news is not likely to be good. Their theory is that an updated report could stymie development in the state, and the Christie administration does not want to be bound by it.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20170219/NJBIZ01/170219830/editorial-nj-needs-a-water-plan-or-it-may-be-tears-that-will-flow

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Art Brainz Academy Announces Summer Art Camp Offerings

Van Gogh Doctor Who
file photo

Special Rates for Early Summer Art Camp Registration!

Summer Art Camp
EARLY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Walk Ins Welcome!

Half Day 8:30AM – 12:30PM
Full Day 8:30 – 4:30PM

Cost: 1/2 Day: $35 or Full Day: $65 (Best Value)

Summer Early Registration
Reg. $325 Sale: $275 Full Week

Making Art like Matisse
June 19 – June 21
Join us as we paint, draw and create
colorful art inspired by Matisse!

Fun with Picasso
June 26 – June 30
Young artists explore a fun filled, color
and shape learning experience
as they dive into Picasso’s world
drawing, painting and more!

Where does the time Van Gogh?
July 10 – July 14
From starry nights to rich and colorful
landscapes, students will enjoy drawing
and painting in the impressionist style.

Doing it like Da Vinci!
July 17 – July 21
Explore this master of the Renaissance
as we build, paint and draw many of
Da Vinci’s most famous creations!

Making All Things Monet
July 24 – July 28
Explore this master of the Renaissance
as we build, paint and draw many of
Da Vinci’s most famous creations!

Create Your Own Tees and Hats
August 7 – August 11
Custom tees and color filled hats
will be created using fabric paints. Fun
filled days with exciting themes. Wear
your own artwork and have fun!

Get Hopping With Haring
August 14 – August 18
Pop art is alive and well as we
learn about Keith Haring and his colorful
creations. Paintings and drawings in
mixed media to be created.

Mad About Emojis
August 21 – August 25
We love emojis and so will you as
we create our favorite ones in clay,
paintings and drawings!

Call 201-932-0202 or visit https://www.artbrainz.com/summer-camp.html

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Allendale Woman’s Club Fashion Show to benefit West Bergen Mental Healthcare

Fashion Show Flyer

Allendale Woman’s Club Fashion Show
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 6:30 to 11:00 PM

SEASONS, 644 Pascack Road, Twp. of Washington, NJ
Healthy Mind, Hopeful Future: A Benefit for West Bergen Mental Healthcare
Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Open Bar, Basket and 50-50 Raffles, Fashion Show by Fig Leaf of Maywood
$80 per person, deadline April 4, 2017.
Allendale Woman’s Club
201-694-6805
[email protected]
•       Business Website – www.allendalewomansclub.org
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Major Gas Leak in Allendale Closes West Crescent near West Maple Thursday Night

Major Gas Leak in Allendale

photo courtesy of AVAC

Homeowners Evacuated 

February 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Allendale NJ, At this time, emergency repair on the gas main is still ongoing. Schools are closed and detours are still in place. Please continue to avoid the area.

Last night Allendale Fire Department and Allendale Police are on scene at a natural gas leak on West Crescent near West Maple. W. Crescent Avenue is closed by Crestwood. Keep away from area. Because of numerous road closures residents were asked to please try and avoid this area of Allendale if possible. Still an unknown timeframe as to when emergency work will be completed.

USRVAC 926 is operating on scene of a natural gas leak in Allendale in the area of W. Crescent and Hillside. USRVAC is supporting AllendaleOffice of Emergency Management, AVAC, AFD and fire units from Ramsey, Waldwick, Wyckoff and Saddle River. Additionally Upper Saddle PD is on scene for support to APD. ,AVAC 208 is operating on scene of a natural gas leak in the area of W. Crescent and Hillside. AVAC is supporting Allendale Office of Emergency Management, AFD and fire units from Ramsey, Waldwick, Wyckoff and Saddle River. Additionally Upper Saddle River EMS is on scene along with THV EMS. Also on scene is PSE&G.

Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Crews were standing by at Allendale Fire HQ to assist their town on a major gas leak

Due to gas leak and road repairs, Allendale schools will be closed today February 17th. Archer Cooperative Nursery School is also closed today due to a gas leak in Allendale.

Residents ,as the process of repairing the gas leak is completed there may be residual gas odor in areas around town. Please be patient as may roads have been closed off in an abundance of caution.

The gas leak emergency repair is still ongoing, but good news, if you were evacuated as a result of this, you MAY return to your residence at this time!

PSE&G repair is still going on. W Crescent Avenue from Borough Hall to W Allendale Ave and Hillside from W Crescent to Forest Rd will remain closed until the repairs are completed.
Allendale Borough Hall and The Lee Memorial Library will be opened today. Please access these building via Brookside Avenue.
Posted on by — 9 Comments

NJ Gubernatorial candidate Joseph Rudy Rullo: Illegal immigration destroyed the Landscaping industry

Joseph Rudy Rullo,

February 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, According to NJ Gubernatorial candidate Joseph Rudy Rullo Illegal immigration destroyed the Landscaping industry for legal businesses following the laws, and is just as devastating to NJ jobs. It’s dificult to compete with a business not paying payroll taxes, employee comp, and not following the same rules. All the jobs lost are directly proportional to NJ unemployment. Just ask business owners following the rules. Ask the employees unemployed or underemployed. Imagine the losses to employee comp insurance revenue and state income taxes. The impact on rates for businesses following the law!

Many illegal immigrants are now running businesses themselves with illegal employees charging less than half of what a job is worth. This summer I couldn’t do a job for cost what an illegal competitor was charging. One of these illegal business owners drives around with a fraudulent license from Mexico with a New Jersey address. He built his business stealing accounts from his former employer for 10 plus years who also used illegal immigrants. The company was fined 13k for failing to have a home improvement license last year. The courts are buried in old warrants from illegal immigrants who never show up to court. They don’t exist.

Our police are overburdened with hands virtually tied because NJ is a sanctuary state. Out of state license plates and DMV fraud are the law of the land. As Governor I will implement E- Verify for all employees working in New Jersey and work with President Donald Trump to eliminate sanctuary cities across NJ. Everyone must follow the same rules in business and follow the law. Our veterans will of NJ will be first priority in NJ hospitals not illegal immigrants. (https://rullo2017.com/ )

NJ needs an outsider candidate like Joseph Rudy Rullo. Straight forward, honest and not afraid to stand up to the politician as usual. NJ has been rooked for too many years. Time for a different approach. https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/1261051353930210/

Posted on by — 1 Comment

10 biggest boom and bust towns for real estate in N.J.

realestate_forsale_theridgewoodblog

Updated February 16, 2017
Posted February 14, 2017

Housing prices in New Jersey have suffered from the recession, and have yet to hit pre-recession levels. Most housing prices fell between the 2005-2009 Census and the 2011-2015 Census. To balance out those effects, NJ Advance Media looked at Zillow data comparing the 2012-2013 average home sale price with the 2014-2015 sale price.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/the_10_biggest_real_estate_boom_and_bust_towns_in_nj.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2#cmpid=nsltr_stryheadline