Route 208 Arrest: Franklin Lakes Police Recover Stolen Vehicle and Apprehend Wanted Suspect
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — A routine traffic stop on one of North Jersey’s busiest highways led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of a wanted individual last month.
The Ramapo High School Mystery: Why Was Principal Travis Smith Suddenly Reassigned?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, Parents and students in the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District are demanding answers following a series of quiet, high-level staffing changes. The biggest question circulating through Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff: What happened to Ramapo High School Principal Travis Smith?
Franklin Lakes Traffic Stop Leads to Major Drug Arrests and Multiple Charges
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — A routine traffic stop on Old Mill Road turned into a significant law enforcement operation last month, resulting in the arrest of two North Jersey men on drug-related charges and outstanding warrants.
Franklin Lakes Asbestos Update: Why Work Paused at the Former Cigna Site—and What Happens Next
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, The massive 89-acre property at 400 Parsons Pond Road, formerly home to Cigna/Express Scripts, is back in the spotlight. After a tense standoff between the Borough of Franklin Lakes and the developer, a critical stop-work order has been lifted, allowing asbestos removal to resume.
Franklin Lakes Expansion: 1,300+ New Homes Proposed in Major “Affordable Housing” Shake-up
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, The landscape of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, is on the verge of a historic transformation. Following a recommendation from the state’s Affordable Dispute Resolution Program, borough officials have fast-tracked a series of critical hearings this March to solidify the town’s Fourth Round “Affordable Housing” strategy.
Franklin Lakes to Decide: Massive 495-Unit Cigna Property Development Heads to Public Hearing
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — A major turning point is arriving for one of the most significant pieces of real estate in Bergen County. The long-anticipated development proposal for the 89-acre former Cigna corporate campus has officially been submitted, with the first public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Mike DeGall, a 15-year veteran of the Franklin Lakes Department of Public Works (DPW), passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — The Borough of Franklin Lakes is in mourning following the sudden passing of a man who spent his final hours serving the community he loved. Mike DeGall, a 15-year veteran of the Franklin Lakes Department of Public Works (DPW), passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, shortly after completing an exhausting shift during a major winter storm.
Leadership Shakeup at Ramapo High School: Principal Travis Smith “Missing” from School Announcement
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Parents and students at Ramapo High School (RHS) were left with more questions than answers this week following a cryptic message from the district office.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, a text notification informed the community that Assistant Principal Claudia Dargento is “presently in charge” of the high school. However, the message notably failed to mention the school’s long-standing leader, Principal Travis Smith, or explain his sudden absence.
What was once a corporate “green” campus will likely become a dense “mixed-use destination” featuring retail, residential blocks, and significant infrastructure strain
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, the sprawling, quiet landscape of Franklin Lakes is about to undergo a radical and permanent transformation. In a move that has left many residents reeling, the Borough Council recently greenlit a massive redevelopment project that will cram 800 townhouses onto the iconic Becton Dickinson property.
Borough Issues Stop-Work Order on Cigna Property, But Asbestos Cleanup Continues Under Agency Watch
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The controversial demolition and redevelopment of the former Cigna corporate campus off Parsons Pond Road in Franklin Lakes has hit a major roadblock. The borough has issued a stop-work order to the developer, SHG LLC, alleging that the demolition work exceeded the scope of the permits granted.
Resident Rescued! Bergen County Firefighters Battle Two-Alarm Blaze Reaching Attic on Briarly Drive
photos courtesy of Franklin Lakes and Waldwick Fire departments
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ – A quick response from the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, aided by essential mutual aid partners, contained a dangerous fire that had begun to extend through the roofline of a large residential home on Briarly Drive. The swift coordination not only knocked down the flames but also ensured the safe evacuation of a resident who was initially unaware of the danger.
Zero Affordable Homes?! Franklin Lakes Slammed by Fair Housing Group Over Lowball Quota—A Decisive Legal Battle is Brewing
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, Franklin Lakes, a high-income borough in Bergen County, is in a high-stakes negotiation battle to avoid losing its immunity against devastating builder’s remedy lawsuits.
Public Health Fear Grips Franklin Lakes as Asbestos Removal Moves Near Elementary School
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, Officials in Franklin Lakes, NJ are scrambling to secure state guarantees that a major asbestos remediation project near a local elementary school is 100% compliant with all public health guidelines. The project at the 89-acre formerCigna property on Parsons Pond Road has sparked deep concern among residents, especially since the work is happening just 600 feet from Woodside Avenue School (K-5) and adjacent to local athletic fields.
No Prison Time: Judge Spares Ferrari Driver in Teaneck Crash That Killed Beloved 92-Year-Old Man
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, A controversial sentencing in Bergen County, New Jersey, has ignited a fierce debate over justice and accountability after a Franklin Lakes man was granted probation instead of prison time for a deadly vehicular crash.
Scott Lieberman, the driver of a high-performance Ferrari Competizione, was sentenced to five years of probation for the June 2022 crash in Teaneck that resulted in the death of 92-year-old Albert Schnellbacher. This decision came despite the prosecution’s impassioned request for a three-year prison term.
Franklin Lakes NJ, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a New Jersey real estate investor and influencer with committing a multi-million-dollar Ponzi-like investment fraud scheme, conspiring to launder drug proceeds, laundering money represented to be drug proceeds as part of a sting operation, and bribing a New Jersey politician, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.