Photo credit Chief Dan Schuster Woodcliff Lake Fire Dept.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Twp of Washington NJ, on December 28 at 6:43pm the Twp of Washington Fire Department responded to a bus fire on Washington Avenue. The bus had no passengers. Woodcliff Lake Fire Dept provided standby. Twp of Washington Ambulance Corp and Hillsdale Ambulance also responded to the scene. Twp of Washington Police handled traffic. Fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook Page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Twp. of Washington NJ, A vehicle reported stolen from Hillsdale early Thursday evening, 12/27, was spotted by a Ho-Ho-Kus Police patrol officer within minutes after a radio broadcast reporting the theft. A high speed pursuit ensued into Washington Township where the vehicle crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Washington Avenue. Following a short foot pursuit, one (1) individual who had fled from the crashed vehicle was apprehended in the rear of 639 Clinton Avenue, Washington Township. The suspect was transported by a Westwood EMS ambulance to New Bridge Medical Center for treatment of a non life threatening laceration to the head. Officers from Hillsdale Police, Paramus Police, Ridgewood Police, Westwood Police, and Washington Township Police were observed assisting Ho-Ho-Kus Police at the scene. The wrecked vehicle, a 4-door Honda Accord, was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. The car had reportedly been left running with the keys in the ignition.
Hate Has No Place in Our District
November 6, 2018
Dear Pascack Valley High School Students, Parents/Guardians, and Staff,
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District condemns all acts of intolerance, violence, and hate. Such expressions are detrimental to the well-being of all people, in all environments, and especially for children and educators in our schools. When hate crimes take place in our schools, we need to make sure people realize these events do not reflect our views and beliefs, are unacceptable, and will be investigated.
Continue reading Swastikas Discovered at Pascack Valley High School
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of BRUCE FIXELLE (DOB: 02/24/1960; married; self-employed investor) of 5 Cherry Hill Court, Hillsdale, NJ on Theft By Deception and Falsifying Records charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In July 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received complaints against Bruce FIXELLE and capital investment companies with which he was associated, Genesis Advisory Services Corp. and Aurora Capital Management, LLC, from two investors who believed that they had been defrauded.
Continue reading HILLSDALE INVESTMET ADVISOR CHARGED WITH THEFT BY DECEPTION AND FALSIFYING RECORDS
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington Twp NJ, Washington Township Police and Washington Township Fire Department personnel responded to utility emergency involving a downed tree onto high tension electric lines and communications cables in the 700 block of Wearimus Road, Washington Township on Monday afternoon, 08/13. The fallen tree completely blocked the heavily traveled roadway necessitating detours be put into place by Hillsdale Police, Ho-Ho-Kus Police, and Washington Township Police. No injuries were reported in the incident, but many electric & communications services subscribers in the area were negatively impacted.
July 6,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Norwood NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of PETRO “PETER” BARBOUNIS (DOB: 06/14/1972; married; and employed as a consultant) of 12 Second Street, Norwood, NJ on charges of Invasion Of Privacy. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
On Friday, June 29, 2018, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit executed a court-authorized search warrant at the residence of Petro “Peter” BARBOUNIS during an invasion of privacy investigation. The investigation revealed that BARBOUNIS used a camera to record two victims depicting them nude and/or sexually explicit without their knowledge or consent.
As a result of the investigation, Petro “Peter” BARBOUNIS was arrested on June 29, 2018 and charged with two counts of Invasion Of Privacy, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9B(1), a 3rd degree crime. BARBOUNIS is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on July 18, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Acting Prosecutor Calo would also like to thank the Norwood Police Department for its assistance, as well as the Lyndhurst, Hillsdale, and Oradell Police Departments, which participate in the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force.
March 20,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, Just five weeks after the high school shooting that left 17 people dead in Parkland, Florida, communities across the country are still wrestling with the idea of how to make students safe in schools. Since then the public has been treated to a litany of gun control is the answer , blame the NRA , and student walk outs.
Today a student who shot and critically wounded two fellow students at a Maryland high school on Tuesday morning, died after exchanging gunfire with an armed campus security officer. Yes an armed school resource officer keep the incident from spiraling out of control .
“Our school resource officer who was stationed inside the school was alerted to the event and the shots being fired,” Cameron said. “He pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter; during that engagement he fired a round at the shooter. Simultaneously, the shooter fired a round as well.”
Interesting WCBS 880’s Sean Adams did a report yesterday on one local school Pascack Valley School District has been employing retired police officers to help secure schools. Chip Stalter a former Chief of Police in Hillsdale and Mike Niego a retired Hillsdale police captain..
Perhaps instead of playing the political blame games and organizing “student led walkouts” Ridgewood Schools should get serious about school safety and looking for real answers.
March 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Rivervale NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi , voiced her concerns on accidents involving pedestrians, “Lately our communities have been plagued by pedestrians being hit by vehicles. Please remind those who drive in your family how important it is to obey speed limits in our communities. The difference between a 20 MPH hit of a pedestrian and a 40 MPH hit of a pedestrian is the difference between that victim surviving or likely dying. Drivers — watch your speed and do not drive distracted. Pedestrians — put down your cell phone when you wish to cross the street. Do not assume a car sees you just because you may be in a crosswalk. Never start walking until a vehicle has come to a stop.”
We picked this up from the Hillsdale police , but former Ridgewood Police Chief often shared the same thoughts with the Ridgewood blog .If a pedestrian is struck by a car going 20 mph or slower, the odds of survival are good. Above 35 mph, the impact is likely to be fatal. Obey speed limits!
file photo courtesy of Westwood Police Dept
February 24,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, according to the Westwood Police a 79-year-old woman was struck and injured crossing Kinderkamack Road and Irvington Street Wednesday afternoon.
Westwood Police were summed to the scene at 12:08 p.m. The victim began crossing Kinderkamack Road when Patricia Shaw, 76, of Midland Park turned left from Irvington Street onto Kinderkamack Road. Westwood Police were assisted by Hillsdale Police , Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Micron Advanced Life Support .
According to police the victim was walking in southbound lane when the driver failed to yield and hit her with the front driver’s-side part of the vehicle.
The woman was knocked to the ground and injured on the lower part of her body. She was stabilized at the scene and rushed to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. The extent of her injuries is unknown.
The 76 year old driver failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian and was charged with failure to stop/yield at an intersection, making an improper turn, failure to maintain a lane and failure to yield to a pedestrian.
Westwood Police will also submit a re-evaluation to the state Division of Motor Vehicles regarding Shaw to determine if she is fit to operate a motor vehicle.
The Westwood Police Department is asking for the public’s cooperation in reducing the number of accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles in the borough.
February 24,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, once again we have herd report of wild turkeys going on a rampage in the Village near the Ho Ho Kus Brooke . While the majestic bird can be fun to watch do not under estimate their tenacity if they are provoked . Two years ago four wild turkeys stopped traffic on Passaic Road in Paramus and Paramus Police were forced to respond in force and removed the Turkeys safely . In 2016 a in a well publicized event a Hillsdale mailmen was attacked by rampaging birds and in the same year Teaneck was forced to use air horns to drive turkeys from a local park.
The wild turkey is an upland ground bird native to North America and is the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of wild turkey. Although native to North America, the turkey probably got its name from the domesticated variety being imported to Britain in ships coming from the Levant via Spain. The British at the time therefore associated the wild turkey with the country Turkey and the name prevails.
Remember that wild turkeys have a pecking order and that habituated birds may respond to you as they do to another turkey. The best defense against aggressive or persistent turkeys is to prevent the birds from becoming habituated in the first place by being bold to them.
If confronted , keep away they are extremely dangerous .It is best to call the Ridgewood Police or animal control, fear not most Bergen county Police departments are well versed in the safe removal of Turkeys !
February 23,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, On February 21, 2018, the Hillsdale Police Department was made aware of a suspicious incident that took place on Bedford Road, near the Ann Blanche Smith School. The incident involved a nine-year-old student of the school that was walking home after school was dismissed. As the student approached Bedford Road a vehicle that was being driven by a middle-aged, white man with a crew cut said: “hey, come here”. The student described the vehicle as a smaller, black, four-door vehicle.
Despite our efforts, our follow-up investigation did not reveal any further details other than those provided by the student.
Please take this incident as an opportunity to discuss stranger safety with your children and remind them of the following:
• An adult does not need help from a child — not to find a puppy, not for anything. If an adult is asking you for help, that’s a warning sign;
• Don’t walk away with anyone other than a parent, or the person who was already arranged to take care of you that day;
• Always stay at least an arms distance away from any strangers or strange vehicles;
• Avoid walking places alone, use the buddy system;
• Point out places children can go for help when walking places like school and the park;
For further information on keeping your children safe check out
https://www.kidsmartz.org/ParentTips
February 22,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of BRYAN ORTIGOZA (DOB: 01/25/1999; single; unemployed) of 152 Milton Avenue, Nutley, NJ; ALEX JUAREZ (DOB: 10/18/1998; single; unemployed) of 705 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ; and a 17-year-old JUVENILE from Nutley, NJ. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Hillsdale Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Francaviglia, and the Nutley Police Department (Essex County) under the direction of Chief Thomas Strumolo.
On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, the Hillsdale Police Department received a 911 call from a resident of Catherine Court reporting an injured male lying in the roadway. The investigation revealed that the victim had been physically assaulted by several actors then dragged over 250 yards by their vehicle from the area of Beechwood Drive in Hillsdale. The victim was subsequently thrown from the vehicle in the cul-de-sac of Catherine Court. The vehicle and actors then fled the scene. The victim suffered severe, life-threatening injuries, including a broken neck and a cerebral hemorrhage. The victim was transferred to an area hospital via helicopter in critical condition, where he remains.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, law enforcement officials arrested Bryan ORTIGOZA after searching his residence and a vehicle used by him during the assault.
On Friday, February 16, 2018, law enforcement officials arrested the 17-year-old JUVENILE after conducting a search of his residence.
On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, law enforcement officials searched Alex JUAREZ’S residence. He was later located and taken into police custody.
As a result of the investigation, Bryan ORTIGOZA, Alex JUAREZ, and a 17 year-old JUVENILE were identified as actors who assaulted the victim. Ortigoza and Juarez were each charged with one count of Attempted Murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(2), a crime of the 1st degree, and one count of Aggravated Assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a crime of the 2nd degree. The JUVENILE was charged with Juvenile Delinquency complaints based on conduct which would also constitute attempted murder and aggravated assault if he were an adult. Bryan ORTIGOZA and Alex JUAREZ were remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing on February 26, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. The 17-year-old JUVENILE was remanded to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center pending a detention hearing on March 6, 2018 at 9:00 AM.
Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would also like to thank the Hillsdale Police Department, the Westwood Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nutley Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
November 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, Ballot questions were overwhelmingly approved in four Bergen County towns, Residents in Hillsdale, Park Ridge and River Vale voted this month in support of non-binding questions that called for the towns to stop issuing permits for large-scale housing projects until statewide affordable-housing rules are established. Dumont voters also approved a question that asked if the state Legislature should make appointments to the Council on Affordable Housing board and amend the Fair Housing Act. In each case residents voted against forced overdevelopment, did not want high-density apartments in their towns, and they particularly reject high-density apartments built because of builder’s remedy lawsuits.
In 2015, the state Supreme Court ruled that municipalities should bypass the non-functioning Council on Affordable Housing and go directly to trial court judges to determine their affordable-housing obligations. Since then, many towns have been involved in costly litigation involving the Fair Share Housing Center, an affordable-housing advocacy group, to determine how many units of low- to moderate-income housing they constitutionally must provide.
Fair Share Housing has been accused of setting affordable-housing numbers that are unrealistic in relation to the ability of the town to absorb such significant housing levels. The fact is with housing comes infrastructure, police, fire, schools, sewage and water . Many politicians have referred to the Fair Housing Act as the “developers full employment act”
Local lawmakers are hoping Trenton is listening . Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, drafted the questions passed in Hillsdale, Park Ridge and River Vale. Schepisi, R-River Vale, has been at the forefront of efforts to come up with a statewide affordable-housing solution. She believes there is a more responsible way to meet obligations to provide low- to moderate-income housing and has been covered on this blog extensively .
November 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, the campaign seemed to finally heat up this weekend with America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsing the GOP District 39 ticket, Senator Cardinale, Assemblyman Auth and Holly Schepisi and helping us raise additional money last night.
District 39 – (Bergen and Passaic) Bloomingdale, Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Montvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ringwood, River Vale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Wanaque, Washington (Bergen), Westwood, Woodcliff Lake.
Giuliani also endorsed and campaigned with Kelly Greco Langschultz for NJ Senate. Kelly Landschultz of New Milford is the Republican candidate for Senate, with William Leonard of Glen Rock and Christopher B. Wolf of Saddle Brook the GOP Assembly candidates
District 38 – (Bergen and Passaic) Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook .
November 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Vale, NJ , Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi has had enough ,on Facebook she says , “Sometimes you have to fight back. When you have no platform, positions or plans, you lie about pretty much everything. This isn’t “politics” as usual. It’s intentionally and maliciously defaming someone in an effort to destroy a person’s reputation.”
Schepisi Attorney Gibbons PC Director Thomas J. Cafferty fired off a letter on behalf of the incumbent Republican Assemblywoman to the Committee to Elect Linda Schwager, Jannie Chung and Annie Hausmann.
Cafferty stated in the letter that the Democrats have published, or have caused to be published, various political advertisements containing false and defamatory statements about Schepisi, including: (1) an advertisement dated October 13, 2017, which contains fictitious quotes regarding the Sandy Hook shooting that are falsely attributed to his client; and (2) an advertisement dated October 27, 2017, which depicts images of men with machine guns and includes the statement “Auth and Schepisi have headlined events hosted by the head of a domestic terrorist militia.”
“On behalf of Ms. Schepisi, I hereby demand that you and any and all of your employees, representatives and/or agents, immediately cease and desist the publication of the above-referenced advertisements and any and all other false and defamatory statements about Ms. Schepisi,” Cafferty wrote. “I also insist that you retract the above-referenced advertisements and any and all other false and defamatory statements that you have published about Ms. Schepisi in at least as prominent a location and in the same manner as the original advertisements were published, with a copy to me.”
The attorney also warned about the sanctioning of an unprivileged, false and a defamatory statement concerning his plaintiff, communicated to a third party with the requisite level of fault and which causes damage. See Govito v. W. Jersey Health System, Inc., 332 N.J. Super. 293, 305-06 (App. Div. 2000).
“he level of fault when the statement concerns a public official or public figure, like Ms. Schepisi, is actual malice, which is the knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth,” Cafferty said. “Durando v. Nutley Sun, 209 N.J. 235, 249 (2012). In other words, the actual malice standard is satisfied when the publisher of the statement entertained serious doubts as to the truth of that statement. St. Amant v. Thompson, 390 U.S. 727, 731 (1968).”
The attorney noted that Schepisi advised the Democrats on multiple occasions that the statements contained in their advertisements are false.
“You have, however, ignored Ms. Schepisi. Consequently, you have published these advertisements with reckless disregard for the truth of the statements contained therein and with the requisite knowledge of falsity,” Cafferty wrote. “If you do not cease publication of any and all false and defamatory statements about Ms. Schepisi, I will have no choice but to advise my client of all legal remedies available to her including, without limitation, instituting a lawsuit against you.”
District 39 is Bergen and Passaic counties; Bloomingdale, Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Montvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ringwood, River Vale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Wanaque, Washington (Bergen), Westwood, Woodcliff Lake .
