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Ramsey Police Report a String of Robberies Targeting Cell Phones and Tablets

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file photo by Boyd Loving

August 13,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ramsey NJ, Ramsey police are urging citizens to not openly use their cellphones or tablets while walking or sitting in their cars after dark following a series of street robberies and attempts the past two weeks.
The first robbery occurred when two robbers swiped a cellphone from a woman at the corner of Island Avenue and Washington Drive around 11-11:30 p.m. on July 25th.

The second victim was struck several times in the face and head with a handgun as he used an iPad while parked in the driveway of his East Crescent Avenue home around the same time of day on Aug. 2nd.

The third robbery occurred on August 11th , the victims were Juveniles  using their cell phones walking south on Hart Street.

All of the robbers were described as apparently in their 20s, with slender and medium builds.All wore dark clothing as well as black baseball caps with the letter “A” in script.

“It is obvious that the [robbers] are targeting victims that they are using cell phones, or other information technology devices,” the chief said. “If you have children, please advise them of this warning if they are out at night.” said Ramsey’s Police Chief Gurney.

Chief Gurney has asked citizens to “remain vigilant and report any sort of suspicious activity” immediately to his department: (201) 327-2400.

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Rep. Scott Garrett hosts a forum between local officials, rail industry ,emergency management coordinators and officials from the Federal Railroad Administration

Scott Garrett

August 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bergenfield NJ,  Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) today called on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Regional Administrator Les Fiorenzo to address the concerns brought up by local officials and emergency management coordinators at a July 25th forum held by the Congressman in Bergenfield. With oil trains travelling in areas of Bergen County, Rep. Garrett has led numerous efforts to ensure that residents know that their families and their property are safe when a freight train travels through our communities.

Rep. Garrett brought in high-ranking federal regulators and representatives from the rail industry so local elected officials and emergency management coordinators could hear directly from them about efforts to ensure the safe movement of goods on our nation’s rail network. The forum included presentations from FRA Regional Director Fiorenzo and CSX representatives to explain the resources available in New Jersey communities, such as crisis management exercises and emergency management coordinator training.

Local officials were also given an opportunity to express concerns directly to the FRA  Regional Administrator—the federal regulator directly overseeing northern New Jersey. Some of those concerns have already been remedied or moved to the top of the FRA’s priority list thanks to the discussion at the forum. The goal of the forum was to create an open and transparent line of communication between federal and local officials.

Today, Garrett is following-up to get answers from the FRA on five specific concerns that were brought up during the forum:

  1. Concerns regarding idling trains in residential areas and the security of these trains;
  2. Obstructed grade crossing sightlines due to overgrown vegetation;
  3. Requirements and the processes for establishing quiet zones in residential communities;
  4. Reports of grade crossing malfunctions; and
  5. The damaged railroad crossing on Broadway Avenue in Norwood.

To read the entire letter, click here.

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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALERT – OPPRESSIVE HEAT AND HUMIDITY THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND

heat stroke

Below is a report from the National Weather Service – Reminder – the Ridgewood Library is open to serve as a cooling center.

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 227 PM EDT THU AUG 11 2016 …OPPRESSIVE HEAT AND HUMIDITY THROUGH THIS WEEKEND… …HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY…

…EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING. * HEAT INDEX VALUES INTO THIS EVENING…100 TO 103. * HEAT INDEX VALUES FRIDAY…100 TO 105 DEGREES. * HEAT INDEX VALUES SATURDAY…AROUND 105 DEGREES. * HEAT INDEX VALUES SUNDAY…AROUND 105 DEGREES. * TIMING…HIGHEST HEAT INDICES IN THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON. * IMPACTS…THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL INCREASE THE RISK FOR HEAT RELATED HEALTH ISSUES…ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY…THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS LUNG AND HEART DISEASE…THOSE WORKING OUTDOORS…AND OTHER  HEAT SENSITIVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS 100 TO 104 DEGREES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE HOURS. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY COULD CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. SENIORS AND THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS OR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK. HOMES WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING CAN BE MUCH HOTTER THAN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES. USE AIR CONDITIONING TO STAY COOL AT HOME OR GO TO A PLACE THAT HAS AIR CONDITIONING. CHECK ON VULNERABLE FRIENDS…FAMILY MEMBERS AND NEIGHBORS. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN  EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.

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Marketing U.S. Citizenship and Childbirth Services at Meadowlands Hospital

Baby-3

 

A company based in the Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center has been advertising online to Russian citizens, encouraging pregnant women to come to the Secaucus facility to give birth — a process that makes the baby automatically eligible for U.S. citizenship and connects the hospital to a growing and relatively unknown international phenomenon known as “birth tourism.” Lilo H. Stainton, NJSpotlightRead more

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Long lines at N.J. motor vehicle offices prompt legislative hearings

MVC

 

Ranking state legislative leaders announced hearings as early as next month in an effort to fix a failing state computer system that has helped create extra-long lines at many of New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission offices this summer. John Chichowski, The Record Read more

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New Jersey Ranks in the Middle of Easiest (and Hardest) States to Find Full-Time Work

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August 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, More than a quarter million jobs were added to the U.S. economy in July, and the official unemployment rate remained unchanged at just under 5%, according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, some of these jobs were undesired part-time positions, and the official unemployment rate often gives an incomplete picture of the nation’s labor market.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the underemployment rate in every state. Nevada is the hardest state in which to find full-time work, with an underemployment rate of 13.1%. South Dakota is arguably the best state for job seekers, with an underemployment rate of 5.0%.

Click here to see the easiest (and hardest) states to find full-time work.

New Jersey ranked 25 among the states. Right in the middle of the pack. While the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent in June, if you add people who are either discouraged or underemployed, the rate rises to 9.6 percent, but that’s down from 11.9 percent a year earlier.

“Nearly every industry in New Jersey expanded over the last year,” the report said. “The trade, transportation, and utilities sector accounted for nearly a third of the growth, adding 20,800 workers.
New Jersey was ranked between Wyoming (No. 24) and Ohio (No. 26).
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Gottheimer Silent on $400 million Bribe Paid to Iran the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism

Joshua S
August 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Congressman Scott Garrett has been a strong advocate for Israel. He has sponsored or cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation supporting Israel’s right to defend its sovereignty, recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, and condemning Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. He was an outspoken member of the Iran Sanctions Conference Committee, calling for full implementation of strong sanctions against the Iranian regime, and he strongly opposed the Iran Nuclear Deal. In contrast, our Democrat challenger, Josh Gottheimer, claims to be a supporter of Israel, but he waited weeks before publicly stating his position, obviously waiting to see which way the wind was blowing. That’s not leadership, that’s political opportunism.

What You Won’t Read in the Liberal Media: Gottheimer Praises Obama on Iran

Despite his recent political positioning otherwise, Josh Gottheimer has a track record of being a vocal supporter of President Obama’s Iran policy. You would have no way of knowing that, because despite being provided this information, The Record, Star Ledger, NJ Herald, and other NJ papers have refused to write about this important issue.

The Iranian government just wrapped up some impressive “fundraising” this past quarter. Usually their “donors” are terrorist organizations and states that threaten our security.  Well, apparently that “donor list” now includes President Obama and Hillary Clinton’s State Department. Recently, it has been reported that the Obama Administration gave $400 million to the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.

Before he was a congressional candidate, Gottheimer was a political strategist who served as a surrogate for Obama/Clinton foreign policies as a frequent contributor on cable news.

Voters in the Fifth District are curious to know – what does Josh Gottheimer really think? Is he saying one thing just to get elected, when really, he’s just a mouthpiece for a Democrat Administration?

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Freeze on transportation projects likely to stretch into fall, Sweeney says

Road_work_theridgewoodblog

 

A statewide freeze on transportation projects is likely to stretch into the fall and past the November elections, dealing a blow to a state packed with commuters, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Tuesday. Salvador Rizzo, The Record Read more

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Water contract vote in Hawthorne postponed

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BY KRISTIE CATTAFI
STAFF WRITER |
THE GAZETTE (HAWTHORNE EDITION)

A water supply contract between the borough and Ridgewood was postponed until Aug. 17 until additional information could be found per a councilman’s request.

Hawthorne is currently one of Ridgewood’s water suppliers. They currently have a contract, but the Department of Environmental Protection has requested that Ridgewood extend the contract for 10 years.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/water-contract-vote-postponed-1.1639697

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State agency holding special meeting on American Dream Meadowlands financing

xanadu

BY JOHN BRENNAN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The board of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has been called into session on Tuesday for a special meeting regarding the issuance $1 billion in bonds sale that would help fund the completion of the American Dream Meadowlands shopping and entertainment project.

It is the second year that the board has been called into session in August for the same purpose. A year ago, the project’s developer, Triple Five, requested the meeting because its executives said the Bergen County Improvement Authority — which had been scheduled to issue a segment of the bonds — would not be able to finalize its approvals within the 30- to 60-day window in which they said the bonds needed to be issued.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/state-agency-holding-special-meeting-on-american-dream-meadowlands-financing-1.1641976

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3 Beaches Closed on Cape Cod After 6 Great White Sharks Spotted Feeding on Whale Carcass

jaws 9

The Center for Coastal Studies captured video of sharks feeding on the small minke whale carcass on Thursday

By Marc Fortier

Three beaches on Cape Cod were closed to swimming Friday after as many as six great white sharks were spotted feeding on a whale carcass.

The carcass later washed up near Noons Landing in North Truro. Noons Landing, Beach Point and Cold Storage beaches were declared off limits to swimmers.

Source: 3 Beaches Closed on Cape Cod After 6 Great White Sharks Spotted Feeding on Whale Carcass | NECN https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/3-Beaches-Closed-on-Cape-Cod-After-6-Great-White-Sharks-Spotted-389316522.html#ixzz4GjKMZTRx

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North Jerseyans can reach estate tax threshold easily

Ridgewood_realestate_theridgewoodblog

BY KATHLEEN LYNN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Peggy Sheahan Knee, an estate lawyer in Hackensack, often works with families that think they don’t have to worry about estate taxes because they don’t own all that much.

So they’re surprised to find that if the estate comes to more than $675,000, their executor is going to be writing a check to the state of New Jersey.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/personal-finance/north-jerseyans-can-reach-estate-tax-threshold-easily-1.1641057

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Karl Petry’s , “Absent Witness.”

Karl Petry's , "Absent Witness

“Karl Petry was born with an unusual ability to see and communicate with the dead, see into the past, and touch the troubled hearts of the living. Throughout his life, he has helped people reconnect with loved ones who have passed and resolve their grief. He has also given a voice to the dead who wish to be heard and who have urgent messages and stories to tell. He is the “Absent Witness.” In his own words, Karl tells the story of his amazing gift, from shocking experiences in childhood to deeply moving experiences in today’s times. He has worked with renowned psychics and paranormal researchers, including remote viewer Ingo Swann and New York City psychic Paula Roberts. Karl shares some of his most interesting cases, such as the soul-eating house, the victims of 9-11, the dead who do not want to be forgotten, and lost souls in a mass pauper’s grave. Some of his true stories are amazing, some are heart-warming, and some are funny—and all of them will keep you turning the pages from beginning to end.”

Available on Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Absent-Witness-Karl-Petry/dp/1942157045/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470586653&sr=8-1&keywords=karl+petry

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Vehicle Rollover Crash blocks Traffic on Ridgewood Washington Twp Boarder

Vehicle Rollover Crash blocks Traffic on Ridgewood Washington Twp Boarder

photos courtesy  of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

August 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington Twp NJ, Washington Township PD, FD, and EMS units responded to a two (2) vehicle rollover crash at the intersection of Van Emburgh and Washington Avenues on Friday morning, 08/06. Three (3) adult females involved in the collision were evaluated at the scene by Washington Township EMTs and a paramedic team from The Valley Hospital, but all three(3) refused to be transported to a hospital. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by flatbed tow trucks. Several traffic detours were put into place until the intersection was cleared of debris and wrecked vehicles. No word from police on the scene as to whether any summonses were issued.

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Readers Defend Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox say Political Correctness is the Problem

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Township officials blew it. This decision is a disgrace. Have we become a nation of pearl clutching swooners?

He did nothing wrong. He stated a fact that, unfortunately, everyone knows. It’s just that the “Politically Correct” saw a problem. Political Correctness is destroying our Society.

This is a disgrace. The man did nothing wrong. Doesn’t anyone remember the “James bond gang” of burglars from Teaneck that were robbing houses in nj? All th participation in that Gang was black members. A smart coo knows that white Kids from Bergen are up to no good in Paterson too and if he said that there would be no issue. Political,correctness is the idea that one can pick up a turd on the clean end.