(pictures were taken yesterday April 17 and today April 18, 2018)
April 19,2018
Derek Michalski
Upper Saddle River NJ, Three days in a row muddy waters of Pleasant Brook in Upper Saddle River and Westearly Branch Of Saddle River in the town of Saddle River continued filling various ponds between Mahwah, Upper and Saddle River with heavy mud. This topic dominated also for the third day local discussions about the potential impact of this unprecedented continuous silt/dust/mud pollution by Apple Ridge massive construction site.
The presence of heavy mud floating thorough Upper and Saddle River aquatic system in opinion of many is another piece of evidence of continuous (since December 2017) mud pollution from the site that was ordered by NJDEP to undergo remediation of arsenic and lead within the top soil rata. Consequently on January 13, 2018 Stop Work Order was issued on 100 plus acres of the so called by GreenUSR members “Arsenic Field”.
In the past the public was informed that the sediment within the stream channel was tested but nobody provided any info whether the test occurred before or after the rain. In the light of over 4 month long pollution period the author of this post publicly demands to test all three ponds within 5 mile radius of the contaminated site. Logically the tests should be done two days ago but today (April 18) the waters are still full of mud and who knows if arsenic and lead that is being the subject of remediation on the site is not present in the heavy mud imported from the site to our GreenUSR aquatic ecosystem.
If Upper and Saddle River residents want to preserve the beauty of this neighborhood and to STOP continually deteriorating values of our homes this call for action shouldn’t be ignored by our local leaders. It’s too late to stop the destruction of 1000 trees, it’s too late to stop the construction site but on the Eve of 48th Earth Day Celebration it’s not to late to test the muddy waters and to dispel the fear and suspicion in our GreenUSR communities. Please show us your leadership. Happy Earth Day GreenUSR! ?
River Edge NJ, The Bergen County Historical Society celebrates:
Under the Shad Moon, Chwame Gischuch, the Lenape New Year, from 1-5 pm. Sunday, April 22, 2018 Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge 07661.
1:30 pm: Dr. Meta Janowitz who will speak on Native American food ways, as they relate to the Dutch. She will introduce ceramic forms that were used by the Dutch and traded with the Native Americans. Janowitz is an archaeologist who worked on the African Burial Ground Project in lower Manhattan**.
2:30 pm: Primitive Technologist Steve Adams will give a talk on The Material Culture of Prehistory. Adams will talk on the use of stone tools; their manufacture (flintknapping), forms for different functions, re-usage/resharpening sequences, the ‘waste flake’ pile of expedient tools and the changing stone tool forms through time.
He will discuss the working of plant fiber; its manufacture, the different native species used, the impressively large range of purposes and functions it served, its ‘invisible’ nature as an organic medium which does not preserve well as an artifact, its foundational value as having ‘tied’ together the prehistoric world, etc. the selection of local plants would also anchor it in the location and the event. His talk will move outside to demonstrate flintknapping.
This talk will offer an informed glimpse into the ‘hardware’ of prehistoric peoples – not just those of the New Bridge region, but internationally – this is part of every person’s ancient lineage.
Selections from the BCHS Native American collections are on exhibit. Visit the outkitchen where reenactors will be cooking over a fire. The event includes activities for children.
** The African Burial Ground project began in 1991. During excavation work for a new federal office building workers discovered the skeletal remains of the first of more than 400 men, women and children.
Historic New Bridge Landing: American Revolutionary War Battleground including 3 Jersey-Dutch Sandstone Houses, Exhibits of BCHS collections, Tavern, Gift shop, Outkitchen & Barn. (The barn closed in cold weather) $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free. (Become a member and support our efforts!, $20 individual / $30 household).
HNBL, 1201 Main St., River Edge, NJ. Site map below.
All 3 sandstone houses, including the Steuben House, a state historic site, are connected by an ADA compliant gravel walking path. Weather permitting the Westervelt-Thomas Barn will be open. Free parking is available or take a train on the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus via NJ Transit to the “New Bridge Landing” train stop. Walk one block north & east. By car, HNBL is only 7 miles from the GWB.
Refreshments in the 18th century tavern (additional cost)
Wyckoff NJ, Special Announcement–missing students–information requested. Two middle school students, Lia Callahan and Daniella Fernino, were last seen walking off the middle school campus at 3:15pm. The school administration, staff, and the girls’ families have been working with Wyckoff police in the search effort. We have found evidence that this was a planned departure from school. If you know any information about the students, please call Wyckoff police at 201-891-2121. We appreciate your prayers for the girls and their families at this time.
Lodi NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a former New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clerk pleaded guilty today to operating a scheme in which he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in payments in return for allowing over 200 people to obtain permits and licenses without passing required exams.
Rodman Lora, 39, of Ridgewood, N.Y., a former clerk at the Lodi MVC Agency, pleaded guilty today to charges of conspiracy (2nd degree), computer criminal activity (2nd degree), and tampering with public records (3rd degree) before Superior Court Judge James J. Guida in Bergen County. The state will recommend that Lora be sentenced to seven years in state prison, including two years and four months of parole ineligibility. He must forfeit his pension and will be permanently barred from public employment. Lora was charged in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation revealed that Lora altered MVC driver records for over 200 people between 2014 and 2016, enabling them to obtain various permits and licenses without having passed the mandatory written and/or driving exams, including commercial driver’s licenses with school bus and HazMat endorsements. In return, he received cash payments averaging over $700 per license or permit.
The following two men were indicted with Lora and pleaded guilty today before Judge Guida to tampering with public records (3rd degree):
Luis Tiburcio, 46, of Passaic, N.J., was paid to act as a “runner” for Lora and bring him customers in the illegal scheme. The state will recommend that he be sentenced to three years in state prison.
Masood Ahmadi, 55, of Lake Hiawatha, N.J., is the owner of Ideal Transportation, a school bus company operating in northern New Jersey. He sent people seeking commercial driver’s licenses to Lora to obtain licenses through the scheme, including relatives and persons seeking employment with his company. The state will recommend that he be sentenced to probation.
Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Keating prosecuted the defendants and took the guilty pleas for the Division of Criminal Justice. Sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for June 15.
“When motor vehicle clerks engage in fraud involving driver’s credentials, public safety is compromised,” said Attorney General Grewal. “It is particularly alarming that school bus drivers were being licensed illegally. My office will aggressively prosecute the illegal brokering and sale of driver’s licenses.”
“We will continue to work with the MVC to protect the public by identifying and charging those who engage in this type of fraud,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Through this far-reaching investigation, we charged 70 people, including numerous customers of this illicit scheme.”
“The MVC does not tolerate any type of criminal activity whatsoever, either from customers or employees,” said Acting MVC Chair and Chief Administrator Sue Fulton. “This case is a prime example of our efforts to weed out fraud and abuse, enhancing security throughout the entire organization. We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure the quality and integrity of our motor vehicle services, and the safety of New Jersey drivers.”
Nine defendants were indicted with Lora, including the two who pleaded guilty today and seven others. Two previously pleaded guilty to tampering with public records and face sentences of probation: Carlos Vicuna, 37, of Elizabeth, N.J., was a “runner” for the scheme, and Jose Lora, 45, of Newark, N.J., Lora’s brother, received a commercial driver’s license without passing the written exam. Charges are pending against one defendant and four others were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.
Beyond the indictment charging those 10 defendants, the investigation led to charges against 60 other customers and runners, bringing the total defendants to 70. Eight of those 60 pleaded guilty to tampering with public records and face probation, and 52 were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.
Deputy Attorney General Christopher Keating presented the indictment to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Cecil Boone, Sgt. Kelly Howard, Detective Jessica Marcacci and Analyst Terri Drumm, under the supervision of Sgt. Andrea Salvatini, Lt. Bill Newsome, Deputy Bureau Chief Andrew Johns, Deputy Bureau Chief Jacqueline Smith, and Division of Criminal Justice Deputy Director Jill Mayer.
The Motor Vehicle Commission uncovered the alleged scheme involving Lora and referred the case to the Division of Criminal Justice after an initial internal investigation and audit. Attorney General Grewal thanked the Motor Vehicle Commission’s Division of Security, Investigations & Internal Audit for its referral and valuable assistance. He also thanked the following agencies that assisted in the investigation: Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey Department of Education, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, New Jersey Department of Treasury-Division of Payroll, Lodi Police Department, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Waldwick NJ, Waldwick Fire Department and Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department personnel extinguished a vehicle fire on Route 17 northbound near Manhattan Avenue in Waldwick on Monday morning, 04/16. Northbound traffic on Route 17 was backed up for miles due to the closure of multiple travel lanes while firefighters worked. Waldwick PD and Ho-Ho-Kus PD officers were also on the scene. The charred vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
Englewood, NJ , Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of ODARI GREEN (DOB: 7/20/1980; single; and unemployed/delivery driver) of 289 Home Street, Teaneck, NJ for Attempted Murder, Weapons Charges, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Carjacking, and Armed Robbery. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Englewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Lawrence Suffern, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Michael Saudino, the Teaneck Police Department under the direction of Chief Glenn O’Reilly, the Maywood Police Department under the direction of Chief David Pegg, the New Jersey State Police under the direction of Colonel Patrick Callahan, and the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer-In-Charge Captain Frank Aquila.
On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a shooting occurred at a private residence on West Palisade Avenue in Englewood, NJ. Responding Englewood Police Officers found two victims with multiple gunshot wounds. Two additional unharmed victims were interviewed and reported that Odari GREEN had attempted to shoot them, but his handgun malfunctioned.
Odari GREEN fled the scene of the shooting in a white Nissan Altima, which was later abandoned in Teaneck. He carjacked a female victim at gunpoint in Hackensack. Odari GREEN drove the victim’s vehicle into Maywood where he was observed by officers from the Maywood Police Department who pursued the vehicle onto the Garden State Parkway. They were joined in the pursuit by the New Jersey State Police. The pursuit ended in East Orange, where the State Police took Odari GREEN into custody, and a loaded handgun was recovered inside the carjacked vehicle.
Odari GREEN was arrested on April 10, 2018 and charged with four counts of Attempted Murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1/N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a, a crime of the 1st degree; one count of Carjacking, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2, a crime of the 1st degree; one count of Armed Robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, a crime of the 1st degree; two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A, a crime of the 2nd degree; one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B, a crime of the 3rd degree; and five counts of Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(4), a crime of the 4th degree. Odari GREEN was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing on April 13, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.
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. Acting Prosecutor Calo would like to thank the Englewood Police Department, the Teaneck Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Maywood Police Department, and the Hackensack Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Paramus NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of PAUL A. DYKSTRA (DOB: 02/04/1949; married; and self-employed as an attorney) of 424 Abbott Road, Paramus, NJ on Misapplication of Entrusted Funds and Hindering charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In March 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint from a client of Paul A. DYKSTRA, Esq., regarding his failure to disburse to the client approximately $275,000 he received in trust as the result of the sale of real property.
An investigation determined that Paul A. DYKSTRA received the funds into his attorney trust account, and, instead of forwarding them to the client, used them for his own purposes. In an effort to hinder the investigation, Paul A. DYKSTRA provided the client and detectives with false information regarding the transaction and disbursement of funds due to the client.
Paul A. DYKSTRA was arrested on April 10, 2018 in Paramus, NJ and charged with one count of Misapplication of Entrusted Funds, with the amount involved being greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-15, a crime of the 2nd degree; and, one count of Hindering Investigation/Prosecution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b, a crime of the 3rd degree. Paul A. DYKSTRA is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.
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.
Ho Ho Kus NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of JASON KEIZER (DOB: 6/7/1985; single; and employed as a landscaper) of 40 Ardmore Road, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ on the charge of Possession of Child Pornography, as well as charges filed by the New York City Police Department in the Supreme Court of New York County, NY. 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 New York City Police Department Manhattan Special Victims Unit under the direction of Commissioner James P. O’Neill.
On Wednesday, April 11, 2018, following a months-long investigation of child pornography on the Internet that involved one current child victim from New York City, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and detectives from the New York City Police Department Manhattan Warrant Squad arrested Jason KEIZER in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. The investigation revealed that Jason KEIZER used the Internet to view and possess sexually explicit digital files depicting nude pubescent children and that Jason KEIZER had engaged in sexual activity with an underage victim in New York City.
Jason KEIZER was charged with one count of Possession of Child Pornography in an amount less than 1,000 files, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)5(b)iii, a crime of the 3rd degree, and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending extradition to New York State.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that this charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Acting Prosecutor Calo would like to thank the New York City Police Department Manhattan Special Victims Unit and Manhattan Warrant Squad, as well as the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
Ridgewood NJ, ATTENTION: The CDC is investigating a multistate outbreak of EColi 0157:H7 that has sickened 35 people from 11 states including New Jersey..At this time, no common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified.
The CDC has provided the following advisory for Consumers, Restaurants and Retailers:
. CDC’s Advice to Consumers(https://www.cdc.gov/…/20…/o157h7-04-18/advice-consumers.html):
o Consumers anywhere in the U.S. who have store-bought chopped romaine lettuce at home, including salads and salad mixes containing chopped romaine lettuce, should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, do not eat it and throw it away.
o Before purchasing romaine lettuce at a grocery store or eating it at a restaurant, consumers should confirm with the store or restaurant that it is not chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region. If you cannot confirm the source of the romaine lettuce, do not buy it or eat it.
Ho Ho Kus NJ, Two (2) individuals were transported by ambulances to The Valley Hospital following a two (2) vehicle collision at the intersection of Hollywood Avenue and North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus early Friday afternoon, 04/13. Ho-Ho-Kus Police , EMS, and Fire Department personnel responded to aid the victims and attend to a crash related fluid spill. Both wrecks were taken away by a flatbed tow truck. Injuries appeared to have been non life threatening in nature.
BCHS Docent & Interpretation Meeting: Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 7:30 pm ** Topic: Come to the Party – Manners and Music in 18th Century Society
April 13,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, For anyone interested in volunteering at Historic New Bridge Landing events as a docent, greeter, operations personnel, or living-history interpreter in period dress, the Bergen County Historical Society sponsors the School of Interpretation to hone communication skills, familiarize volunteers with Bergen’s unique history, provide insight into the material culture of the past, and train volunteers in historical presentation.
In an age before LinkedIn or Facebook, professional and social connections happened at a dance, a soiree, or a society salon where the elite—and not so elite—gathered. This month, interpreters and accomplished period dancers Denise Piccino and Sue Braisted explore the decorum and rules of eighteenth century behavior and the part music played in the social rituals of the age.
Please meet at the Steuben House, 1209 Main St, River Edge, NJ. [email protected]
Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer has asked people to please remove the orange ribbons from trees , the color orange is apparently used to communicate a need for construction.On Facebook he explains,”I realize that we live in a time where it is easy to attribute negative intentions to any message that might appear to infringe on your civil liberties.A few days ago the Borough asked people to please remove the orange ribbons from trees as the color orange is apparently used to communicate a need for construction or action by some of our local utilities or cable companies. I am frankly still not completely clear on what the color is used for but I have confirmation that it is used.
I took it upon myself to contact Ridgewood Water and PSEG to let them know that some of our residents have orange ribbons on their tree which should not be misinterpreted. I did not reach out to the local cable companies, who apparently also use this color but likely higher on a pole, nor local tree services who may or may not use this color.
We are in a Borough that has a mayor that has been a proud member of the group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (https://everytown.org/mayors/ ) since his first year in office (2016) and that has a Mayor and Council that has read and unanimously approved a proclamation for Gun Violence Awareness Month every June that this administration has been in office.
We proudly invited the students to a council meeting the evening that they staged the school walkout to give them an opportunity to share their message with residents.
I have personally offered my help to the students, if needed, to help them to continue to get their message out but they are an amazing group and quite self sufficient.
It is this Mayor and Council that represent the Borough so I would hope that it should be obvious that a request from the Borough to move orange ribbons from our DPW does not reverse all of that.
There is no ordinance that can be enforced which would allow us to force you to move ribbons from trees on your property. However, orange ribbons on a right of way (within 10 feet of the street) are in violation and are at higher risk to potentially be misinterpreted.
If you don’t want to move your ribbon to something other than a tree or further away from the street, that is your prerogative but this request has nothing to do with political stands and everything to do with the color orange. My ribbon would still be displayed on my front railing if it hadn’t blown away.
You still have a right to disagree but the Borough has no intention of preventing anyone’s right to free speech.
Wyckoff NJ, a recent update by Wyckoff Police spot lights the effective power of social media . On March 30th, Detective Sergeant Kasak was able to identify and arrest the person in this picture. Thank you for all your responses, as they truly assisted in the identification and arrest!
On February 20th the Wyckoff Police ask for the publics help :
WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Wyckoff Police Seeks Public Assistance Identifying a Person of Interest: If you have seen this person, or can provide any information as to her identity please contact us. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyckoff Detective Bureau at [email protected] or to send us a private message on Facebook. Please like and share!
Midland Park NJ, Midland Park PD summoned the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad unit to investigate a suspicious backpack placed against a utility pole at the intersection of Lake Avenue and South Cottage Street late Wednesday afternoon, 04/11. Ridgewood PD assisted with traffic control while the package was examined. An “all clear” was given following X-ray evaluation of the backpack’s contents. No evacuations were ordered..
Waldwick NJ, Waldwick Fire Department enlisted mutual aid assistance in fighting a 2-alarm fire in an auto body repair shop located at 145 Hopper Avenue, Waldwick on Tuesday afternoon, 04/04. No injuries were reported.
