the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ – A high-stakes international money-laundering operation run out of a quiet Bergen County neighborhood has come crashing down. Nicholas Ortega Munoz and Isabella Valderrama Ospina, both 23 and residents of Hackensack, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court this week to operating a sophisticated, unlicensed $62 million money-transmitting business.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, The Hackensack City Board of Education is taking aggressive steps to regain its financial footing following the discovery of a staggering $17 million budget shortfall. In a move aimed at “rebuilding the public’s trust,” the board voted on Feb. 11 to bring in a heavyweight financial consultant to steer the district through its current crisis.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Retired Hackensack Fire Lt. James Walker III
photo courtresy of the City of Hackensack Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, The City of Hackensack and the firefighting community are in mourning following the passing of Retired Lieutenant James Walker III. A dedicated public servant with a career spanning nearly four decades, Lt. Walker passed away following a courageous battle with 9/11-related cancer.
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Hackensack NJ, the journey from playing “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star” on a toy keyboard to walking the red carpet at the Grammy Awards is a rare one, but for 24-year-old Matthew Whitaker, it’s just the latest movement in a lifelong symphony.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ — In a dramatic move to prevent a total collapse of the local education system, the Hackensack City Council has scheduled an emergency vote for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. The goal? A one-time $6.5 million transfer to the Board of Education to stop the immediate firing of nearly 100 teachers and staff.
Continue reading Massive $17M School Deficit: City of Hackensack Proposes Emergency Rescue Plan
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Hackensack NJ, after 18 months of outside intervention, the Hackensack Police Department has officially regained control of its Internal Affairs Bureau and Office of Professional Standards. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO), which seized oversight in April 2024 amid a flurry of lawsuits and internal friction, has formally ended its stay in the city.
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Hackensack NJ, the Hackensack Board of Education has dropped a bombshell lawsuit against former Superintendent Thomas McBryde, former Business Administrator Lydia Singh, and several vendors. The suit alleges a systemic “scheme” involving reckless spending, unapproved hiring, and payments for services that were never actually rendered—all contributing to a staggering $15 million budget shortfall.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, In a major victory for local public safety, the Hackensack Police Department’s Crime Suppression Bureau has taken a dangerous arsenal and a significant amount of narcotics off the streets. Following a targeted investigation, 36-year-old Terrell T. Loyd was arrested on January 22, 2026, facing a laundry list of high-level weapons and drug charges.
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Hackensack NJ, a high-stakes detention hearing in Hackensack has revealed the “horrifying” details of a random act of violence that has left an 8-year-old girl with life-altering injuries.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ — The halls of Hackensack High School were filled with more than just students on Tuesday night; they were filled with a community in mourning and a city demanding answers.
Hundreds of residents, educators, and alumni gathered for a sobering town hall to address a staggering $15+ million budget deficit that threatens to gut the district’s essential services.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, N.J. — Following reports of federal immigration activity in Hackensack earlier this week, Mayor Caseen Gaines moved quickly to address community concerns, emphasizing the city’s commitment to transparency and the legal protections afforded to all residents.
photos courtesy of the City of Hackensack Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, a terrifying scene unfolded at the Court Street Bridge on Tuesday night as a vehicle plunged into the Hackensack River, leaving a driver trapped and fighting for their life in rising, icy waters.
In a race against time and an incoming tide, the Hackensack Fire Department (HFD) executed a high-stakes water rescue that likely saved the individual’s life.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, What started as a frantic trip to the emergency room for a swallowed toy ended as a medical miracle for the Geary family. For 3-year-old Michael, a missing LEGO piece wasn’t just a household nuisance—it was the “divine intervention” that led doctors to a life-threatening diagnosis just in time.
Continue reading How a Trip to the ER for a Missing Toy Led to a Life-Saving Cancer Discovery
photos courtesy of the Hackensack Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ — A fast-moving house fire broke out on Maple Hill Drive Saturday afternoon, drawing a massive response from the Hackensack Fire Department and several surrounding mutual aid companies.
The fire, which was reported at 416 Maple Hill Dr., began in a first-floor bathroom before rapidly traveling through the walls and extending into the second floor and attic. Thanks to a swift response by the Hackensack Fire Department’s First Platoon, the blaze was contained before it could consume the entire structure.
Continue reading Fire Erupts During Plumbing Repairs In Hackensack
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ — A major legal battle is unfolding in the Hackensack Public School District as the former head of Human Resources claims she was illegally fired for being a whistleblower and an “ally” of the ousted superintendent.
