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Urgent Code Blue Alert Issued for Bergen County: Warming Centers Available Through Sunday Morning

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Code Blue Alert Issued for Bergen County

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack, NJ – An urgent Code Blue Alert has been activated for all of Bergen County, effective from midnight tonight, Friday, November 28th, through Sunday, November 30th, at 9:00 AM.

This essential measure is triggered whenever extreme cold poses a direct threat to the unsheltered population, reminding residents that resources are available to keep vulnerable individuals safe during dangerously low temperatures.

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Major Bergen County Drug Bust Nets $500,000, 200 lbs. of pot, and Six Arrests

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fairfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 39-year-old SAMER J. HELOU of Fairfield, NJ; 64-year-old LEILA HELOU of West Caldwell, NJ; 31-year-old JAMES A. MARRA of Belleville, NJ; 49-year-old FRANK A. PREZIOSI of West Orange, NJ; 39-year-old MIGUEL A. ROSA of West New York, N.J; and 56-year-old ABBAS SAYED of West Caldwell, NJ on various narcotics distribution charges. The arrests are the result of a two-year investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Administrator Terrence C. Cole.

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Healthcare Shockwave: Optum Closing Nearly 90 NJ Medical Offices, Affecting 572 Jobs and All Behavioral Health Services

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Massive Healthcare Footprint Reduction: Optum Shuts Down Dozens of NJ Clinics

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Maywood NJ, New Jersey’s healthcare landscape is facing a major disruption as Optum—a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group—announces the closure of nearly 90 medical offices across the state. This massive reduction in services is expected to impact hundreds of employees and leave thousands of patients scrambling to find new providers.

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Roadkill : What to Do (and Who to Call) About Dead Deer in New Jersey

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Heads Up, Drivers! Peak Deer Mating Season is Here—And Collisions Are Surging

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, if you live in New Jersey, the sight of local wildlife—from foxes to bears—is common. However, between late October and mid-December, a critical window known as the rutting season (mating season), deer activity in the state skyrockets. This increased movement, driven by bucks pursuing does, directly leads to a significant rise in deer-vehicle collisions.

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New Jersey AG: Beware of Potential Scams Targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Recipients

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs today urged New Jerseyans to beware of potential scams targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients facing fear and uncertainty amid the government shutdown.

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Documents Unveil Bergen County’s $8 million expenditure On Housing High Rise to be Erected in Hackensack

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Documents Unveil Bergen County’s $8 million expenditure On Housing High Rise to be Erected in Hackensack

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County officials have spent nearly $8 million of taxpayer money on a plan to build a 15-story, low-income housing project in Hackensack without informing residents or taxpayers about their construction plan or its eventual cost, says the Republican Bergen County Commissioner candidates.

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Bergen GOP Commissioner Candidates Unveil First Social Media Ad Slamming Democrat Spending

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the staff  of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, the Bergen Republican County Commissioner candidates  – Jay Costa, John Dinice and Andrea Slowikowski issued their first social media advertisement this week, slamming the incumbent Democrats for their reckless spending and tax increases.

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Tone Deaf, Out of Touch and Insensitive: Bergen County Commissioners and County Leadership Refuse to Lower the Flag in Honor of Charlie Kirk

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John Dinice Republican Candidate for Bergen County Commissioner

In response to the September 14, 2025 Bergen Record article, “Bergen County criticized for not flying flags at half staff for Charlie Kirk,” the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken our nation, and its shock has reached right here in Bergen County. The decision not to lower the American flag to half-staff in honor of Charlie Kirk is deeply disappointing, insensitive, and quite frankly tone-deaf. 

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A Century of Service: Bergen County Celebrates a 100-Year-Old Veteran and Fellow POW

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Bergen County Honors World War II POWs on National Recognition Day

photos courtesy of Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, in a powerful ceremony on National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day, Bergen County paid tribute to two local heroes who endured the unimaginable hardships of being World War II Prisoners of War. The event, held in Hackensack, honored Harold Friedeman, a 100-year-old veteran, and posthumously recognized Staff Sgt. Frank S. Demeraski, a Purple Heart recipient.

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Montvale Mayor’s Explosive Fight Against NJ Overdevelopment: 35 Towns Join Epic Housing Battle

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali is leading a powerhouse coalition of 35 New Jersey municipalities, now including Englewood, in a bold stand against the state’s overreaching affordable housing mandates. Spanning nine counties and representing over 500,000 residents, this Bergen County-driven movement is fighting for responsible growth as legal battles heat up. With a court deadline of October 10, 2025, to add more towns, here’s why this coalition is shaking up NJ’s housing crisis—and how your town can join the fight!

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Bergen County’s Brainiest: See Who Made the National Merit Semi-Finalist List

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Bergen County’s Academic All-Stars: See Who Made the National Merit Semi-Finalist List for 2025-2026

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Every year, an elite group of high school students across the country are recognized for their exceptional academic achievements. This year, dozens of talented students from Bergen County, New Jersey, have earned the prestigious title of National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist. This honor is the first step in a competitive journey toward a valuable college scholarship.

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Bergen County Flag Controversy: A Political Snub or Standard Procedure?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, in the wake of the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a national debate has unfolded, with a local dimension playing out right here in Bergen County. The decision by county officials not to lower flags to half-staff, despite a presidential proclamation, has ignited a firestorm of criticism and brought the rules of flag etiquette into the spotlight.

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Bergen County Exec Eyes Fourth Term with $400K War Chest in 2025!

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco is gearing up for a 2026 reelection fight, announcing his bid for a fourth term on September 4, 2025, with a staggering $400,000 already raised. The Democratic heavyweight, who’s held the county’s top job since 2015, is touting his record while critics slam his spending as reckless. With Bergen County’s political landscape heating up, Tedesco’s campaign is a high-stakes battle for New Jersey’s most populous county. Here’s why this race matters and what’s at stake in 2026!

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Bergen Taxpayers Crushed by $2.6 Billion School Aid Inequality as Democrats Stay Silent

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

HACKENSACK, NJ — September 2025 — Bergen County homeowners are carrying the heaviest school tax burden in New Jersey, paying more than $2.6 billion in local school costs in 2024, while receiving far less state aid than other counties. Republican commissioner candidates Jay Costa, John Dinice, and Andrea Slowikowski are blasting county Democrats for failing to fight for fairness.

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A Massachusetts Man is Accused of Stalking and Sexually Extorting a Bergen County Woman

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bergen County- Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 37-year-old ROBERT J. MESERVE, III of Plymouth, MA, on charges of distribution of child sexual abuse material, sexual extortion, terroristic threats, and stalking. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.

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