August 2,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hawthorne NJ, BORO OF HAWTHORNE: 8/1 – Residents reporting calls from 973-427-1800 claiming to be IRS demanding money for back taxes. This is a scam call, provide no info
Please advise neighbors and any Senior Citizens in your neighborhood. These people are threatening arrest if money is not paid. Total Scam IRS would not call to collect taxes!
August 1,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, Federal authorities at the USDA have issued a public health alert about more than two dozen beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap products as a precaution due to possible parasite contamination.
The Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the products, distributed by Indianapolis-based Caito Foods may be contaminated with cyclospora. The parasite causes intestinal illness.
The USDA says Caito Foods was notified from their lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, that the chopped romaine used in some of the salads was being recalled.
The products were sold by grocery stores including Trader Joe’s, Walgreens and Kroger. They have the establishment number “EST. 39985 or P-39985.” The USDA has posted a complete list online . Consumers are urged to throw them away.
August 1,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Community college students in New Jersey may be able to attend free of tuition and fees in the spring semester of 2019, if their college applies and is selected to participate in the Community College Innovation Challenge, a new pilot program launched today. New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) have invited the state’s 19 community colleges to submit an application for the program.
“I’m very excited that the Secretary of Higher Education and HESAA are moving forward to make higher education more accessible and affordable for New Jersey families,” said Acting Governor Sheila Oliver. “Having the opportunity to obtain a college degree was an instrumental part of my life, and in today’s job market, it’s a matter of fairness and equality. Making higher education attainable will help secure a successful future for our students and strengthen New Jersey’s workforce and economy.”
New Jersey’s fiscal year 2019 state budget includes new funding for the first phase of Governor Murphy’s community college initiative, including up to $20 million for Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) awards to be applied directly to eligible student accounts. At participating colleges, students with adjusted gross incomes between $0 and $45,000 who take six or more credits in the spring 2019 semester will be eligible to receive CCOG awards to cover tuition and educational fees, after applying any other federal or state grant aid which the student receives.
“All too often, the cost of college prevents students from earning the postsecondary credentials they need to boost their careers,” said Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education. “This initiative is an important step in improving affordability for thousands of community college students, increasing their likelihood of completion, and strengthening the talent pipeline for the state’s economy.”
“Governor Murphy’s goal is to make two years of community college tuition free for students across the state,” said David Socolow, Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. “We’re taking a crucial first step by testing the Community College Opportunity Grants at a select number of colleges. This initial phase will not only help thousands of students next spring, both recent high school graduates and working adults, but also will provide valuable lessons for future expansions of the program to offer free tuition to more students.”
The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and HESAA will jointly evaluate applications from colleges to select an initial group of colleges whose students will be made eligible for CCOG awards. The application specifies key criteria including the colleges’ plans for outreach to and support for students, how their cost projections fit within statewide funding constraints, and geographic diversity. All colleges that submit an application will be eligible to receive a capacity building grant of at least $250,000 to plan for subsequent phases of the program.
Colleges have until August 31, 2018 to submit their application. Participating institutions will be notified in the early fall to begin planning and recruiting students.
To access the Notice of Fund Availability application, colleges will access this online link:
https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NoticeofFundAvailability.aspx
August 1,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood
Hackensack NJ, New Jersey is home to about 900,000 residents who are not United States citizens . That’ equals about 1 in 10 people in the state, according to most recent estimates. Census figures put Ridgewood’s non-citizen population at about 2,000, or approximately 8 percent of the village’s 25,500 residents.
The Ridgewood Public Library even hosts six-week program meets twice weekly for 90-minute classes. It uses the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services booklet “Learn About the United States, Quick Civic Lessons for the Naturalization Test.”
The federal government is planning to have the 2020 Census ask people their citizenship status. Many elected officials and community advocates say such a question could threaten federal funding for states like New Jersey.
The simple solution would be to create more US citizens in order to safe guard Federal Funds .
The next Census Day is set for April 1, 2020, and a 2017 release from the U.S. Census Bureau identified the date for wording of all Census questions to be submitted to Congress as March 31 of this year. So for those fighting for a question on citizenship status to be excluded, the clock has been ticking for months already.
To give you an idea of the magnitude of the issue the Ridgewood blog has listed the towns the have the largest concentration of Non-citizens in Bergen County .
Palisades Park
U.S.-born citizens: 6,887
Naturalized citizens: 6,057
Non-citizens: 7,215 — 35%
South Hackensack
U.S.-born citizens: 1,534
Naturalized citizens: 455
Non-citizens: 725 — 27%
Fairview
U.S.-born citizens: 6,843
Naturalized citizens: 3,687
Non-citizens: 3,608 — 25%
Little Ferry
U.S.-born citizens: 5,669
Naturalized citizens: 2,570
Non-citizens: 2,431 — 22%
Hackensack
U.S.-born citizens: 25,272
Naturalized citizens: 8,238
Non-citizens: 9,631 — 22%
Fort Lee
U.S.-born citizens: 16,475
Naturalized citizens: 11,398
Non-citizens: 7,941 — 22%
Leonia
U.S.-born citizens: 4,853
Naturalized citizens: 2,220
Non-citizens: 1,935 — 21%
Teterboro
U.S.-born citizens: 63
Naturalized citizens: 5
Non-citizens: 18 — 21%
Edgewater
U.S.-born citizens: 6,698
Naturalized citizens: 2,559
Non-citizens: 2,503 — 21%
Garfield
U.S.-born citizens: 17,663
Naturalized citizens: 6,885
Non-citizens: 6,251 — 20%
Ridgefield
U.S.-born citizens: 5,790
Naturalized citizens: 3,087
Non-citizens: 2,208 — 20%
August 1,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wyckoff NJ, Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney has introduced legislation requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a recycling program for plastic bags and plastic film.
“We know how bad plastic bags are for the environment” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “They constantly litter highways, parks and street corners, clog sewage systems, and easily damage marine and wildlife.”
Rooney’s bill (A4349) requires the department to develop a program for stores and municipal recycling centers to collect and recycle plastic bags and film, such as bread and produce bags, food storage bags, and paper towel and bathroom tissue wrappings.
“It’s not that used plastic bags, wraps and film can’t be recycled, they just need to be recycled differently,” said Rooney.
The department will also develop an education program about the dangers of plastics, how people can reduce their use, and where items can be taken to be recycled. The new program will have no additional cost to the state or local taxpayers.
“Instead of turning to another new, useless tax it’s time we implement real changes to help the environment and residents of New Jersey,” concluded Rooney.
July 31,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho Ho Kus NJ, Ho Ho Kus Police department reported on July 26th that , in the area of West Saddle River Rd, north of Hollywood Ave, there were several vehicles entered.
All residents are reminded to please lock their vehicles and remove the key fobs.
Please do not hesitate to report any suspicious incidents !
file photo by Boyd Loving
July 31,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ (DOB: 06/03/1973; married; and unemployed) of 24 Highland Street, Paterson, NJ on charges of Distribution Of A Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Cocaine; Possession Of Controlled Dangerous Substances, namely Cocaine and Oxycodone pills; and Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Paramus Police Department under the direction of Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg.
In July 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ was involved in the distribution of Cocaine. During the course of an investigation, Samuel RODRIGUEZ distributed Cocaine to an undercover detective on multiple occasions, including Thursday, July 26, 2018 when he was arrested in Paramus, NJ and charged with the following: one count of Distribution Of A Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Cocaine in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(2), a crime of the 2nd degree; one count of Possession Of A Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Cocaine, in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(2), a crime of the 2nd degree; one count of Possession Of A Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Oxycodone, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(1), a crime of the 3rd degree; and one count of Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a disorderly persons offense. RODRIGUEZ was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Paramus Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.
July 30,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgefield park NJ, A railroad bridge collapsed Saturday in Bergen County just as a freight train was passing over it, officials said. No one was injured and the rail bridge does not effect New Jersey Transit.
The track collapsed at about 8:20 a.m., according to NYSW Railroad. The train didn’t derail, but the last wheels on the last car of the train went into the water.
The rail bridge crosses Overpeck Creek in Ridgefield Park near the NJTurnpike. All operations over the bridge has been suspended.
It was scheduled to be replaced this year and contractors had already set up equipment to start driving piles on Monday, according to Nathon Fenno, a spokesman for NYSW.
July 30,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Lodi NJ, A former officer with the N.J. Department of Corrections today admitted receiving images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Stephen Salamak, 38, of Lodi, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with receipt of child pornography.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Salamak used email to seek and obtain images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children.
The receipt of child pornography charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Salamak will be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is currently scheduled for Nov. 15, 2018.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Protection Unit in Newark.
July 30,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, the Paramus Police Department has issued a TRAFFIC ALERT: Forest Ave in the area of the Bergen Town Center will be closed in both directions daily from 5am to 5pm from Monday July 30 through Wednesday August 1. Detours will be in place and posted. Anyone traveling in the area should plan an alternate route.
July 29,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Cliffside Park NJ, A Cliffside Park, New Jersey, man was arrested by federal agents today for allegedly distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
George Karkantzelis, 27, was arrested at his home by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He is charged by complaint with one count of distributing child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Karkantzelis used peer-to-peer file sharing on his computer to distribute files containing images and videos of child sexual abuse, including images of prepubescent children. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Steven C. Mannion and was released into third-party custody.
The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited HSI special agents, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
July 28,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco today issued the following statement on last night’s tragic accident involving a Bergen County Department of Public Works employee in Saddle River, Bergen County, New Jersey:
“Yesterday, our Bergen County family suffered a tragic loss. Thomas Epper, 48, a two-year heavy equipment operator in our Department of Public Works Mosquito Division, was fatally injured while performing routine tree-clearing in the Saddle River in Saddle River, New Jersey. The Bergen County family mourns with the Epper family. I want to thank the first responders for their heroic actions together with the work crew that was present at the time.
Please join us in keeping the Epper family in your prayers and thoughts.”
July 26,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced Tuesday the results of a two-phase nationwide operation in which I-9 audit notices were served to more than 5,200 businesses around the country since January with 75 of which operate in New Jersey. A notice of inspection (NOI) informs business owners that ICE is going to audit their hiring records to determine whether they are complying with existing law.
From July 16 to 20, the second phase of the operation, HSI served 2,738 NOIs and made 32 arrests. During the first phase of the operation, Jan. 29 to March 30, HSI served 2,540 NOIs and made 61 arrests.
“This is not a victimless crime,” said Derek N. Benner, Acting Executive Associate Director for HSI. “Unauthorized workers often use stolen identities of legal U.S. workers, which can significantly impact the identity theft victim’s credit, medical records and other aspects of their everyday life.”
While the agency routinely conducts worksite investigations to uphold federal law, HSI is currently carrying out its commitment to increase the number of I-9 audits in an effort to create a culture of compliance among employers, according to Benner.
HSI’s worksite enforcement strategy focuses on the criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly break the law, and the use of I-9 audits and civil fines to encourage compliance with the law. HSI’s worksite enforcement investigators help combat worker exploitation, illegal wages, child labor and other illegal practices.
HSI’s worksite enforcement investigations often involve additional criminal activity, such as alien smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, document fraud, worker exploitation and/or substandard wage and working conditions.
Earlier this month, a U.S. District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction of the portion of California AB 450 preventing private employers from voluntarily cooperating with federal immigration officials conducting worksite enforcement operations. The U.S. Department of Justice, in March 2018, filed a preemption lawsuit to stop California from interfering with federal immigration authorities, including the imposition of fines against employers ranging from $2000 to $10,000 for failure to comply with AB 450. The court found the law discriminates against California employers who wish to cooperate with immigration officials enforcing the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which requires employers to verify the identity and work eligibility of individuals they hire.
ICE is the federal agency responsible for upholding the laws established by IRCA. These laws help protect jobs for U.S. citizens and others who are lawfully employed, eliminate unfair competitive advantages for companies that hire an illegal workforce, and strengthen public safety and national security.
Under federal law, employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals they hire, and to document that information using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. ICE uses the I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with the law, part of a comprehensive strategy to address and deter illegal employment. Inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal government uses to ensure that businesses are complying with U.S. employment laws.
After receiving the NOIs, employers are required to produce their company’s I-9s within three business days, after which ICE will conduct an inspection for compliance. If employers are not in compliance with the law, an I-9 inspection of their business will likely result in civil fines and could lay the groundwork for criminal prosecution if they are knowingly violating the law. All workers encountered during these investigations who are unauthorized to remain in the United States are subject to administrative arrest and removal from the country.
Failure to follow the law can result in criminal and civil penalties. In FY17, businesses were ordered to pay $97.6 million in judicial forfeitures, fines and restitution, and $7.8 million in civil fines, including one company whose financial penalties represented the largest payment ever levied in an immigration case.
“Employers need to understand that the integrity of their employment records is just as important to the federal government as the integrity of their tax files and banking records. All industries, regardless of size, location and type are expected to comply with the law,” Benner said. “Worksite enforcement protects jobs for U.S. citizens and others who are lawfully employed, eliminates unfair competitive advantages for companies that hire an illegal workforce, and strengthen public safety and national security.”
HSI uses a three-pronged approach to worksite enforcement: compliance, from I-9 inspections, civil fines and referrals for debarment; enforcement, through the criminal arrest of employers and administrative arrest of unauthorized workers; and outreach, through the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers, or IMAGE program, to instill a culture of compliance and accountability.
From Oct. 1, 2017, through July 20, 2018, HSI opened 6,093 worksite investigations and made 675 criminal and 984 administrative worksite-related arrests, respectively. In fiscal year 2017 – October 2016 to September 2017 – HSI opened 1,716 worksite investigations; initiated 1,360 I-9 audits; and made 139 criminal arrests and 172 administrative arrests related to worksite enforcement.
file photo by Boyd loving
July 26,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oradell NJ, An Oradell, New Jersey, man today admitted robbing four banks, a liquor store, and a gas station between June 2017 and December 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Joel Robbins, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with four counts of bank robbery and two counts of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Robbins robbed the following locations on the dates set forth below:
|
Bank |
Location |
Date |
| Chase Bank | Whippany | June 6, 2017 |
| Santander Bank | Parsippany | July 20, 2017 |
| The Liquor Factory | Hopatcong | October 15, 2017 |
| Chase Bank | Edgewater | October 25, 2017 |
| Raceway Gas Station | Pinebrook | November 26, 2017 |
| TD Bank | Mahwah | December 3, 2017 |
In the TD Bank robbery, Robbins walked into the bank wearing gray pants, a black jacket, sunglasses, a dark skull cap, and light-colored latex gloves. As he entered the bank, Robbins pulled a bandana over his face. Robbins’s accomplice, Wanda Soel, 52, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, allegedly waited for Robbins in a Toyota Corolla parked outside the bank.
Robbins pulled a black handgun (later determined to be fake) from his waistband and pointed it at two bank tellers, demanded money from them and warned them not to “make me have to kill you.” The tellers complied and handed Robbins money. Robbins took the money and walked out of the bank, dropping several bills as he departed.
Robbins got into the passenger seat of the Corolla and Soel allegedly drove them away. Nearby law enforcement officers, who had received a report of the bank robbery while it was in progress, pursued the Corolla. Soel allegedly drove into the parking lot of a nearby hotel, where she and Robbins tried to switch places so Robbins could drive. When Soel got out of the Corolla, she tripped and fell, and Robbins drove away without her. Law enforcement officers arrested Soel in the hotel parking lot. Her bank robbery charges are pending.
Robbins drove out of the hotel parking lot but eventually hit a curb, blew a tire, and crashed. Law enforcement officers caught up to the Corolla and arrested Robbins. They recovered U.S. currency sticking out of Robbins’s pants and other cash bills strewn inside the Corolla, along with a fake black handgun. Officers also recovered sunglasses, a bandana, a dark knit cap, and latex gloves from the Corolla, resembling the items Robbins was seen wearing when he robbed the bank. Robbins was wearing a black jacket when he was arrested.
The counts of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery with which Robbins is charged each carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Mahwah Township Police Department for its contribution to the case, as well as the police departments of Hanover Township, Parsippany, Hopatcong, Edgewater and Montville.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations against Soel are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“Pascrell Lambasts Latest Republican Tax Outrage”
July 25,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WASHINGTON D.C. , Today, Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, hammered the release of the so-called second phase of the Republican tax plan which announced that the egregious cap placed on federal deductions for State and Local Tax Deductions (SALT) would be made permanent.
“As New Jersey’s Yogi Berra liked to say, it’s déjà vu all over again. Another day, another attempt by congressional Republicans to stick it to Garden State. Already burdened with the highest property taxes in America, for years people in my state relied on the state and local tax deduction to provide their families with flexibility to pay their bills. Republicans took care of that, capping those deductions to help pay for a trillion-dollar tax cut for big corporations and big tycoons. Now Republicans are announcing the SALT cap is going to be made permanent to bedevil New Jerseyans for all time. We already know Republicans go out of their way to bring pain on the people of the Northeast. They said so themselves. But they keep trying to prove it again to us. We’ve had it with this garbage. The GOP tax scam should be overturned and the full state and local tax deduction reinstated. Let the top 1% pay their fair share and leave New Jersey the hell alone.”
Pascrell, made no mentions of the 50 or so years of unabated irresponsible fiscal policies of the state New Jersey or the “Garden State ” as he like to say. Pascrell like many New Jersey politicians likes to blame the abject failure of state policies on the federal government .
Pascrell has represented his district since January 1997 and in that time there has been massive flight of people and businesses out of the “Garden State” for far greener pastures . New Jersey ranks at the top only in taxes and ranks near the bottom is business climate and quality of life . Perhaps he and his fellow New Jersey representatives could spend far more time on the problems in the state of New Jersey and less time grand standing and name calling .
