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Former Democrat mayor of Paterson, N.J, was sentenced to 5 Years in prison

Senator Bob Menendez, Nellie Pou, and Jose "Joey" Torres

photo Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.,Senator Bob Menendez, Nellie Pou, and Jose “Joey” Torres.

November 15,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paterson NJ,  Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that Jose “Joey” Torres, the former mayor of Paterson, N.J, was sentenced to prison today for directing that city employees perform work at a private warehouse leased by his daughter and nephew while the employees were being paid by the city. Three former supervisors in the Paterson Department of Public Works also were sentenced today.

Torres, 59, of Paterson, N.J., was sentenced today to five years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable in Hudson County. Torres pleaded guilty on Sept. 22 to a charge of second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct. As a result of his guilty plea, he forfeited his position as mayor and is permanently barred from public office and public employment in New Jersey. He is jointly and severally liable with his co-defendants for paying restitution of $10,000 to the City of Paterson for payments, including overtime payments, made to city workers for the time they spent working at the private warehouse.

The following three co-defendants pleaded guilty on Sept. 22 to third-degree conspiracy charges and each was sentenced today by Judge Venable to a three-year term of probation:

Joseph Mania, 51, of Randolph, N.J., Supervisor, Paterson DPW Facilities Division;
Imad Mowaswes, 53, of Clifton, N.J., Supervisor, Paterson DPW Traffic Division; and
Timothy Hanlon, 31, of Woodland Park, N.J., Assistant Supervisor, Paterson DPW Facilities Division.

Those men also forfeited their jobs with the city and are permanently barred from public employment.

Deputy Bureau Chief Jeffrey Manis and Deputy Attorneys General Cynthia Vazquez and Peter Baker prosecuted the case and handled the sentencing for the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. The defendants were indicted in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau North Squad.

“Joey Torres corruptly used his vast power as mayor of New Jersey’s third-largest city to serve his own selfish ends, when he should have been serving the residents of Paterson,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Torres thought he was above the law and is now on his way to prison. This prison sentence demonstrates that nobody is above the law, least of all public officials who brazenly abuse the authority entrusted to them.”

“By unlawfully using on-the-clock city workers to assist with a family business, Mayor Torres put his own interests ahead of the interests of city residents and compromised the integrity of his office,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Public corruption takes many forms, but it always has the corrosive impact of undermining good government and public trust. We will continue to make these cases a top priority.”

“Torres betrayed many staff and colleagues who unknowingly believed in him, but his betrayal of the residents of Paterson, whom he was entrusted to serve, is by far the worst of all,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “I commend the State Police Official Corruption North Bureau and their partners for bringing justice to the people of Paterson.”

The investigation revealed that, at Mayor Torres’ behest and under his supervision, Mania, Mowaswes and Hanlon performed work and/or assigned subordinate employees of the Department of Public Works (DPW) to perform work at a private warehouse facility at 82 East 15th St. in Paterson. The facility was leased by “Quality Beer,” a limited liability company formed by Torres’ daughter and his nephew. The tasks performed by the DPW workers included renovation, painting, carpentry, and electrical work. The work was performed on various dates between July 2014 and April 2015, while the three supervisors and other DPW workers were “on the clock” working for and being paid by the City of Paterson. The daughter and nephew intended to use the warehouse as a wholesale liquor distribution facility, but they ultimately terminated the lease after failing to obtain the necessary permits and license from the state.

The investigation further revealed that Mania, in his capacity as a DPW supervisor, caused false time-keeping records to be submitted to the city, including overtime verification forms and bi-weekly timesheets. These records falsely stated that Mania and other DPW employees were working overtime details on legitimate city projects, when, in fact, Mania knew that he and the other employees spent at least part of these overtime shifts working at the private warehouse. By submitting and signing off on these timekeeping records and authorizing the overtime details, Mania caused the city to make overtime payments to himself and other employees for hours spent performing private work for the mayor and his relatives, with no connection to any legitimate city business. Mania’s co-defendants, including the mayor, also were charged with falsifying these records as accomplices and co-conspirators.

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Reader asks So Murphy gets 17% more votes than Guadagno in Ridgewood, what gives?

Phil Murphy

I posted this on the election results topic but also bringing it here because I am very curious:
So Murphy gets 17% more votes than Guadagno in Ridgewood. I just can’t understand for the life of me how people who have a great town (compared to many other areas in NJ) vote so overwhelmingly for someone who promises to basically turn NJ upside down with the sanctuary and “fairer state” promises!!!! I mean this guy basically says I will raise your taxes, I will surround you with illegal emigrants and low income people and I will make you pay for them and in the process I will lower your property value and badly damage your quality of life. How do you vote for him????? How can white, rich people who make their $$$$ in capitalism vote for a socialist?? I understand his promises are very appealing to Paterson, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Clifton etc. but I just don’t get where the appeal is for Ridgewood?? I know many voted against Christie but Christie wasn’t even on the ballot.
Anybody cares to chip in? I am speechless.

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Five defendants Plead Guilty of Human Trafficking and Prostitution Out of South Hackensack Motel

glen-bowman-sr[1]

October 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

South Hackensack NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that a Newark man pleaded guilty today to a first-degree human trafficking charge for trafficking a girl, 16, from New York to New Jersey and making her work as a prostitute in the prostitution ring he ran, which advertised on Backpage.com.

Glen Bowman Sr., 42, of Newark, N.J., pleaded guilty today to first-degree conspiracy to commit human trafficking before Superior Court Judge Robert M. Vinci in Bergen County.  Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Bowman be sentenced to 13 years in state prison, including five years of parole ineligibility.  Bowman ran the prostitution ring with his wife, Ernestine Bowman, 33, of Orange, N.J.  Ernestine Bowman pleaded guilty in December 2016 to second-degree facilitating human trafficking.  She is awaiting sentencing and faces a recommended sentence of 10 years in prison, with 39 months of parole ineligibility.

Deputy Attorneys General Brandy Malfitano and Jamie Picard are prosecuting the case, and Malfitano took the guilty plea today for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, Human Trafficking Unit.

Five defendants were indicted in April 2015, and all have pleaded guilty, as a result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice and the South Hackensack Police Department.  The defendants were charged with conspiring to traffic the 16-year-old from Brooklyn, N.Y., to make her work as a prostitute at motels in South Hackensack and Clifton, N.J.  The couple’s son, Glen Bowman Jr., 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to promote prostitution and faces a recommended sentence of seven years in prison.  Jessica Copeland, 29, of Newark, N.J. – who acted as boss or “bottom” over the prostitutes in the ring – pleaded guilty to second-degree facilitating human trafficking and faces a recommend sentence of six years in prison, including three years of parole ineligibility.  Tokina Williams, 33, of Raleigh, N.C., pleaded guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution.

Sentencing for Glen Bowman Sr. is scheduled for Nov. 14.  The other defendants, with the exception of Williams, are scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 25.

“This man threatened to beat the 16-year-old victim if she didn’t follow his orders and perform to his expectations for clients of his prostitution ring,” said Attorney General Porrino. “This plea will ensure that Bowman serves a lengthy sentence behind bars, where he can no longer subject young women and children to an unspeakable life of brutality and sexual slavery.  I commend the South Hackensack Police and our attorneys for rescuing the victim and bringing those responsible to justice.”

“Our Human Trafficking Unit will continue to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and convict human traffickers,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice.  “Human traffickers typically isolate their victims and remove them from any support system, so it is critical that members of the public notify us if they see a young woman or child in questionable circumstances.  We will move swiftly to investigate and save victims like the teenage girl in this case.”

Attorney General Porrino and Director Honig urged anyone who suspects that individuals are engaged in sex- or labor-related human trafficking to confidentially report such activity by calling the Division of Criminal Justice’s 24-hour NJ Human Trafficking Hotline 855-END-NJ-HT (855-363-6548).

“Our department has been committed to conducting these undercover operations to flush out the criminality of prostitution and narcotics in our motels,” said Chief Joseph Terraccino of the South Hackensack Police Department.  “We remain committed to rescuing these victims from the underworld and arresting the predators who are responsible.”

Deputy Attorneys General Malfitano and Picard are prosecuting the case for the Division of Criminal Justice Human Trafficking Unit, within the Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Annmarie Taggart and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis.  The investigation was conducted for the Division of Criminal Justice by Detective Timothy Savage, Sgt. Noelle Holl, Lt. Lisa Cawley and the other detectives in the Human Trafficking Unit.  Attorney General Porrino thanked the South Hackensack Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Joseph Terraccino, for their investigation and referral.  Capt. Robert Kaiser, Lt. Robert Chinchar and Detective James Donatello led the investigation for the South Hackensack Police Department.

The investigation began as an undercover operation by the South Hackensack Police Department targeting a prostitution ring that advertised on Backpage.com.  Such rings typically offer “escort services” and display nude or semi-nude photos of young women.  An undercover officer responded to an advertisement that included a photo of a very young-looking female with her breasts exposed.  The officer phoned the number in the ad on Oct. 1, 2014, and a woman told him that he could have “full sex” for $160 cash at a motel on Route 46 in South Hackensack.

The undercover officer was directed to a room, where a teenage girl answered the door.  She repeated that the price of “full sex” was $160 and accepted $160 cash from the undercover officer.  He asked why the bathroom door was closed and learned there was a woman in the bathroom, who turned out to be Tokina Williams.  The teenage girl invited Williams to come out and told her that the client had paid to have sex with both of them.  At that time, backup officers entered and arrested Williams and the teenage girl.  The teenage girl was determined to be a 16-year-old who was reported missing out of New York State.  She was the young female whose breasts were exposed in the photo in the ad on Backpage.com.

Further investigation revealed that the defendants had conspired to lure the 16-year-old victim into a life of prostitution.  The victim met Glen Bowman Jr., in Brooklyn, N.Y., several months earlier, and he conspired with his father, Glen Bowman Sr., to traffic her to New Jersey to work in the prostitution ring.  Both Glen Bowman Sr. and Copeland threatened the 16-year-old with physical violence if she did not follow their rules and perform to their expectations.  The defendants drove the victim and other prostitutes to hotels and motels in South Hackensack, Clifton and other locations in northern New Jersey, where they serviced clients.  At the end of the day, the defendants picked them up and collected the money they had been paid.  Glen Bowman Sr. was the primary leader of the prostitution ring, but Ernestine Bowman took on a greater leadership role after her husband was arrested and imprisoned in New York in August 2014.

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Refunds for late NJ Transit trains? NJ lawmaker says yes

Ridgewood_Train_station_train-_is_coming_theridgewoodblog

By Joe Cutter August 16, 2017 11:20 PM

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Rob Clifton, R-Monmouth, would force NJ Transit to offer a free replacement ticket to a rail rider if their train is more than an hour late.

Clifton points out that a similar idea was offered for awhile by SEPTA in Pennsylvania before it was discontinued.

“We heard from the customers and the commuters about the issues. You guys (New Jersey 101.5) reported, actually, back in April, about customer service issues, customer complaints and the delays. There was a hearing back in April before your story, where folks got up and addressed their complaints.”

Clifton says this refund idea is all about improving the customer experience for NJ Transit rail riders. The independently run NJ Transit reports that 13 percent of their trains in June were late.

Read More: Refunds for late NJ Transit trains? NJ lawmaker says yes | https://nj1015.com/refunds-for-late-nj-transit-trains-nj-lawmaker-says-yes/?trackback=tsmclip

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Hunt is on for $15K chalice stolen from North Jersey church

St

By Anthony G. Attrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 24, 2017 at 9:24 AM, updated February 24, 2017 at 4:24 PM

CLIFTON – Police have arrested a Bergen County man and charged him in the theft last week of a chalice and money from a donation box at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church on Union Avenue.

The chalice, worth about $15,000, has not been recovered and police are still looking for it. A chalice is a goblet or cup used in religious services.

Peter M. Heitmann Jr., 26, of Saddle Brook is charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglar’s tools, said Detective Lt. Robert Bracken of the Clifton Police Department.

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2017/02/hunt_is_on_for_15k_chalice_stolen_from_north_jersey_church.html#incart_river_home

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Ridgewood Open Houses for January 22,2017

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog
file photo by Boyd Loving

1700031.1 MLS # 1700031
27 High St, Unit Floor 2, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
1 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, 2Family
Kevin Errico, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
2

1700029.1 MLS # 1700029
27 High St, Unit Floor 1, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, 2Family
Kevin Errico, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
3

1645719.1 MLS # 1645719
220 Canterbury Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Ranch
Maryanne Connaughton, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
21

1647270.1 MLS # 1647270
322 Marshall St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, Col
Maria Lewie, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Clifton

  • Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
13

1700070.1 MLS # 1700070
27 High St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 2Fam
Kevin Errico, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
4

1702387.1 MLS # 1702387
220 N Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Paula Clark, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Hillsdale

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
25

1701041.1 MLS # 1701041
114 Avondale Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Erin Pruitt, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/22
24

1700005.1 MLS # 1700005
168 Kemah Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Phyllis Lasser, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes

  • Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
25

1700674.1 MLS # 1700674
31 Walthery Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Elaine Van Gorp, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
25

1646964.1 MLS # 1646964
138 Claremont Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Carole Lynn Brescia, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
25

1645061.1 MLS # 1645061
442 Van Buren St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
James Collins, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Alpine/Closter

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
25

1700257.1 MLS # 1700257
650 Wall St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Marie E. Griggs-O’Connor, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
23

1639675.1 MLS # 1639675
668 Wall St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 6 Full Bath, Col
Antoinette Gangi, Sales Associate
Rita Nulman, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Valley Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/22
25
Open Houses for Wed 1/25

1700519.1 MLS # 1700519
474 Sheffield Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, House
Sergio Sciortino, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty – Wyckoff

  • Open House: 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Wed. 1/25
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The Big Lie: 5.6% Unemployment

ID74271_2_depression_apples

by Jim Clifton

Here’s something that many Americans — including some of the smartest and most educated among us — don’t know: The official unemployment rate, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, is extremely misleading.

Right now, we’re hearing much celebrating from the media, the White House and Wall Street about how unemployment is “down” to 5.6%. The cheerleading for this number is deafening. The media loves a comeback story, the White House wants to score political points and Wall Street would like you to stay in the market.

None of them will tell you this: If you, a family member or anyone is unemployed and has subsequently given up on finding a job — if you are so hopelessly out of work that you’ve stopped looking over the past four weeks — the Department of Labor doesn’t count you as unemployed. That’s right. While you are as unemployed as one can possibly be, and tragically may never find work again, you are not counted in the figure we see relentlessly in the news — currently 5.6%. Right now, as many as 30 million Americans are either out of work or severely underemployed. Trust me, the vast majority of them aren’t throwing parties to toast “falling” unemployment.

There’s another reason why the official rate is misleading. Say you’re an out-of-work engineer or healthcare worker or construction worker or retail manager: If you perform a minimum of one hour of work in a week and are paid at least $20 — maybe someone pays you to mow their lawn — you’re not officially counted as unemployed in the much-reported 5.6%. Few Americans know this.

https://www.gallup.com/opinion/chairman/181469/big-lie-unemployment.aspx

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Ridgewood blanks Clifton 30-0

RHS football

file photo courtesy of  Councilmen Ramon Hache

September 25,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Maroons football team won Friday’s home conference game against Clifton by a score of 30-0.

Ridgewood was lead by Zach Feagles who had 20 carries rushing for 148 yards and two two-yard second half touchdowns.

Jack Barclay had a 26-yard TD run in the second quarter and Wylie Sherman kicked three first half field goals of 38, 42, and 32 yards and converted three extra point attempts for Ridgewood.

Drew Granski had 11 carries and rushed for 109 yards for Ridgewood.

Clifton’s Sadiq Pitts had a standout night with three catches for 66 yards .

2016 Varsity Football Schedule

Fri. Sep. 30 Northern Valley Home 7:00pm
Fri. Oct. 7 Passaic Away 7:00pm
Th. Oct. 13 Bergen Tech Away 6:30pm
Fri. Oct. 21 JFK Home 6:00pm
Fri. Oct. 28 PCT Away 7:00pm
Fri. Nov. 4 East Side Home 7:00p

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Ridgewood Maroons Take Home Opener

RHS football

photo courtesy of Councilmen Ramon Hache

September 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Maroons took their home opener at RHS stadium 34 to 19 over Hackensack .Ridgewood’s Drew Granski rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns and  Zach Feagles of Ridgewood also rushed for 119 yards and had two Touch downs. Calling the plays from the both for the Ridgewood High School Football season opener vs Hackensack was Councilmen Ramon Hache.
the season schedule is as follows:

9/9 7:00pm Hackensack (Hackensack, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School
Ridgewood 34 – Hackensack 19

9/16 7:00pm @ Paramus (Paramus, NJ)
Location: Paramus High School

9/23 7:00pm Clifton (Clifton, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

9/30 7:00pm NV – Old Tappan (Old Tappan, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

10/7 7:00pm @ Passaic (Passaic, NJ)
Location: Passaic High School

10/13 7:00pm @ Bergen Tech (Hackensack, NJ)
Location: Bergen Tech High School

10/21 6:00pm Kennedy (Paterson, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

10/28 7:00pm @ Passaic County Tech (Wayne, NJ)
Location: Passaic County Tech High School

11/4 7:00pm Eastside (Paterson, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

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New worry on N.J. school test scores; graduation in doubt for some who didn’t pass

standardized-testing

FEBRUARY 4, 2016    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016, 1:00 AM

One day after the state released dismal scores on new state tests, high schools were dealing with the reality that it could be harder or at least more complicated for their students to get a diploma in New Jersey.

Most students failed the new state tests, called PARCC, which are among about a half-dozen options that students can use to graduate — part of an overhaul that state officials unveiled in the prior school year. Some who did not meet graduation benchmarks on state exams or on other eligible tests are now scrambling to find ways to prove their readiness for graduation so they can receive their diplomas in June with their peers.

“We are concerned about the impact on students,” said Janina Kusielewicz, curriculum director for Clifton schools. “We know our students can show proficiency. We just hope they can do so, given all the changes.”

The release of statewide test scores came just one day before the state released news that the high school graduation rate had grown for the fourth consecutive year to nearly 90 percent. But those rates were calculated for years when students had to pass the state’s High School Proficiency Assessment in math and reading to graduate and most North Jersey districts had fairly high passage rates for those tests.

Education officials say the new requirements are better measures of college readiness. The change was needed, they said, because students had been graduating without basic skills they needed to succeed in college, and some had to take remedial classes before they could start their first semester.

The overhaul to graduation requirements came as thousands of students refused to take PARCC exams last spring amid criticism about test quality and overtesting. Many more students did not take the test seriously, officials said, in some cases even rushing through it or putting in a half-hearted effort because they believed it would not matter for graduation.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-worry-on-n-j-school-test-scores-graduation-in-doubt-for-some-who-didn-t-pass-1.1505586

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The Ridgewood Board of Education and the Ridgewood Police conduct school security checks after 9 school districts throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties received threats

ridgewood_police_theridgewoodblog
file photo by Boyd Loving
January 20th 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Ridgewood Police and the Ridgewood Board of Ed  took proactive measures Tuesday after Police in nine North Jersey towns received bomb threats on Monday evening and on Tuesday morning, disrupting the school day for thousands of local students . Schools in Bergenfield, Clifton, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hackensack, Leonia, Teaneck, and Tenafly received the threats. Some school systems instituted lockdowns while others evacuated. While threats turned out to be a false alarm Ridgewood  Police and BOE rightfully took no chances .

We have received several inquiries today concerning threats to area schools today. Approximately 9 schools throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties received threats and have taken appropriate measures to address their specific needs. Although our schools have not received any threats, the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Ridgewood Police upon hearing of the regional issues, took proactive measures, conducting school security checks of all schools. This proactive approach is part of our ongoing efforts with Dr. Fishbein and the Board of Education towards enhancing the safety of our schools and community.

Chief John M. Ward

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RHS Hockey team returns to Bergen tournament

hi-ice-hockey

JANUARY 15, 2016    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016, 12:31 AM
BY GREG TARTAGLIA
SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Ridgewood High School gets much better odds playing the numbers 1-13-16 on the ice than in Powerball.

Those digits represent the date of the Maroons’ latest Bergen County hockey tournament victory, a 5-1 decision over Paramus/Lyndhurst/Hackensack Wednesday at the Ice Vault in Wayne.

The date of Ridgewood’s last prior county win? Jan. 16, 2013 (1-16-13) over Mahwah in the opening round. The team dropped its 2014 opener to Tenafly and did not qualify in 2015 following a slow start to the season.

This year’s first-round triumph gives the No. 8-seed Maroons a quarterfinal match-up with No. 2 St. Joseph tonight at the Ice Vault. RHS defeated the Green Knights to reach the 2012 semifinals, its furthest advancement in the tourney’s five-season history.

Senior Cooper Telesco led the offense against No. 9 Paramus/Lyndhurst/Hackensack (7-4-1) with two goals and one assist. He was one of four different Maroons to light the lamp in the third period, along with Ryan Carius, Liam Seston and Justin Klatsky.

Klatsky, Matt Cafarella, J.P. Kelly and Tim Anzano added an assist apiece, and goalie David Woodford made 26 saves as RHS moved to 9-3-1.

The win was welcomed after the Maroons sustained their first loss of the calendar year last Saturday, 6-2 against Big North Patriot foe River Dell/Westwood.

Ridgewood began 2016 by topping Clifton, 10-3 on Jan. 2, and RD/Westwood, 8-2 on Jan. 3. After splitting the season series with the latter, the team was 5-1 in the division, good for first place over the Golden Hawks (3-1-1).

https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/boys-ice-hockey/maroons-back-in-bergen-tourney-1.1492244

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10 N.J. road construction projects you need to know about in 2016

Road_work_theridgewoodblog

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 04, 2016 at 8:11 AM, updated January 04, 2016 at 10:59 AM

Replacing bridge decks on several ramps and overpasses between I-78 and Route 1&9 in Newark: The $17.9 million project is expected to start in early 2016 and be completed in early 2017

Repaving 6.6 miles of I- 80 East express and local lanes between
Paterson, Elmwood Park and Hackensack: The project is scheduled to start this summer and be completed before the winter of 2016, 

While there is uncertainty about how the state will pay for road and bridge projects after 2016, drivers will see plenty of flashing arrows and orange cones that come with the promise of smooth pavement, wider lanes and sturdier bridges.

Drivers might consider 2016 the year of the bridge, because the state has many massive multi-year bridge projects. Work continues on the $1 billionrehabilitation of the Pulaski Skyway, building a new Route 7 Wittpenn bridge, finishing the Route 18 overpass over Route 1, and replacement of the Routes 37 and 72 bridges to Jersey Shore barrier islands.

Drivers also will see large projects continuing on the states major toll roads, including the last phase of Garden State Parkway widening in Atlantic County, the continued work on new interchanges at Exit 14A and 9 on the New Jersey Turnpike and on a new deck on the turnpike’s Hudson County extension.

Work also is starting on new projects in 2016, including:

The first phase of a larger project to rebuild the interchange between Routes 3, 46, Valley, Notch and Rifle Camp Roads in Clifton. This includes construction of a new service road on Great Notch Road, a new bridge over Route 46 at Clove Road and reconstruction of the existing Notch Road Bridge, said Dan Triana, a state department of transportation spokesman.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/01/10_road_construction_projects_you_need_to_know_about_in_2016.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2#cmpid=nsltr_stryheadline

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5 Clifton Elementary School Children Plot School Destruction

clifton police
December 3,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

CLIFTON, N.J. , Clifton Police report that five elementary school children from Clifton, N.J., have been arrested for allegedly planning to set off an explosive device at Clifton high school.

The kids, ages 10 and 11, are fifth-graders from Clifton Elementary School number 11. Police said they were allegedly planning to set-off an explosive device at an assembly being held at Clifton High School Wednesday.

Teachers and administrators at Clifton Elementary School #11 uncovered written plans on how the attack would occur and contacted police.

Police discovered the “device” but there were no explosives found inside of it. Instead, it was filled with vinegar and cinnamon . A this point the intent seemed clear but the scheme would not have worked.

The kids were arrested and released to their parents.All five have been suspended from school.There are no official charges at this point.

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Ridgewood Fire Prevention Bureau can help you place carbon monoxide detectors in your home

ridgewood fire department theridgewoodblog.net 1

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 10,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, the Ridgewood Fire Department would like to remind you that CO is an odorless, colorless and potentially deadly gas that is created by incomplete combustion. All natural gas, fuel oil (home heating oil), propane fuels as well as gasoline engines (cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc) are sources that produce carbon monoxide.The danger of carbon monoxide greatly increases over the winter due to doors and windows being closed and heaters/furnaces operating. It is recommended that all homes have at least one carbon monoxide detector per floor especially outside the bedrooms. If your detector activates, immediately dial 9-1-1 and exit the home. If assistance is needed in placing a carbon monoxide detector in your home, please contact our Fire Prevention Bureau at 201.444.7898. Also, additional information can found on First Alert’s website: https://www.firstalert.com/faqs/co-alarm

In wake of Passaic deaths, Christie signs carbon monoxide detector law

NOVEMBER 9, 2015, 7:07 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015, 7:13 PM
BY RICHARD COWEN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

In his brief life, Noel Korman of Clifton became a skateboarding legend, a man whose personal mantra of “high fives and positive vibes” touched everyone in a sport where having “raditude” counts almost as much as skill.

His death, and that of his girlfriend, Alice Park, of carbon monoxide poisoning inside a studio carved out of an old factory building in Passaic, shed light on a loophole in the state’s fire code.

State fire code requires carbon monoxide detectors be installed in hotels, apartment buildings, rooming houses, and one- and two-family homes, but the law is silent on commercial buildings like the Streets Rehearsal Studio in Passaic where Korman and Park were found dead Dec. 6.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/in-wake-of-passaic-deaths-christie-signs-carbon-monoxide-detector-law-1.1452057