Lyndhurst - Page 3 of 4 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on March 16, 2015 January 20, 2019

Fort Lee man among three charged in alleged burglary scheme targeting seniors

file photo Boyd loving

Fort Lee man among three charged in alleged burglary scheme targeting seniors

MARCH 13, 2015, 8:49 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015, 9:38 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Police have arrested a Fort Lee man and two others who allegedly ran a scheme targeting elderly people across several states by distracting them while their homes were burglarized, authorities said Friday in a news release.

The men were caught by a law enforcement task force after they allegedly attempted to run the scam in Ridgewood on Tuesday but came away from a Greenway Lane home without taking anything, said Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano. The men were arrested in Lyndhurst, he said.

The task force had been assembled in Somerset County after the three men allegedly stole a safe with $75,000 cash and an undisclosed amount of jewelry from a 90-year-old woman in Somerville late last year; one of the men had distracted her by saying he was with the water company and had come to check the pipes, Soriano said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/fort-lee-man-among-three-charged-in-alleged-burglary-scheme-targeting-seniors-1.1288918

Posted on December 9, 2014 January 20, 2019

North Jersey transportation agency targets efforts to rebuild Bergen, Essex drawbridge

North Jersey transportation agency targets efforts to rebuild Bergen, Essex drawbridge

The authority voted Monday to add the Kingsland Avenue Bridge, which connects Lyndhurst and Nutley, on its priority list. It also recommended using $750,000 to fund a study to determine how to rebuild the bridge, which is used by more than 40,000 vehicles daily. (Hayes/The Bergen Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-transportation-agency-targets-efforts-to-rebuild-bergen-essex-drawbridge-1.1148785

Posted on November 14, 2014 January 20, 2019

Proposed Bergen County bus rapid transit routes narrowed to three

Proposed Bergen County bus rapid transit routes narrowed to three

By Myles Ma | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on November 14, 2014 at 6:00 AM, updated November 14, 2014 at 6:20 AM

HACKENSACK — A study on bringing bus rapid transit to Bergen County has culled a list of potential routes down to three.

They are:

• Montvale Park and Ride to Secaucus Junction, with stops at Paramus Park Mall, Bergen Community College, Garden State Plaza, a future Summit Avenue bus stop in Hackensack, the Meadowlands and Harmon Meadow.

• Paramus Park to Secaucus Junction, with stops at Bergen Town Center, downtown Hackensack, the Meadowlands and the Bergen Community College Lyndhurst campus. The downtown Hackensack stops include Hackensack University Medical Center, the Essex Street train station, the Bergen County Courthouse and the Hackensack bus terminal.

• Paterson’s Broadway Bus Terminal to Englewood Hospital, with stops at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Garden State Plaza, downtown Hackensack and Overpeck County Park.

Bergen County, NJ Transit and a team of consultants presented the routes Thursday night at the Bergen Community College Hackensack campus. Their aim, said Joseph Barr, a consultant with Parsons Brinckerhoff, is to bring faster, more reliable and easier to use bus service to the county.

The team estimates the three routes will carry about 9,000 riders a day.

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2014/11/proposed_bergen_county_bus_rapid_transit_routes_narrowed_to_three.html

Posted on November 1, 2014 January 20, 2019

So Much for the War on Women : Women’s Political Caucus of NJ backs Donovan in Bergen

So Much for the War on Women : Women’s Political Caucus of NJ backs Donovan in Bergen
By Max Pizarro | 10/23/14 8:39am

The Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey (WPCNJ) this morning announced its endorsement of Kathe Donovan for Bergen County Executive.

Jennie Lamon-Mullen, Chair of the WPCNJ Republican Task Force, said, “Kathe Donovan, BergenCounty’s and New Jersey’s first and only elected woman County Executive, is an outstanding leader for the people of New Jersey. She has dedicated her career to public service and advancing issues important to women, children and families. In 2011, WPCNJ honored Donovan with the Barbara Boggs Sigmund award for the inspiring example she has set as a public leader.”

Running for re-election to a second term as county executive, Donovan served as a part-time public defender in her hometown of Lyndhurst from 1982 to 1998. From 1986 to 1988, she represented the 36th Legislative District in the General Assembly. In 1988, Donovan was the first woman elected Bergen County Clerk. In 1994, Donovan was appointed by then Governor Christine Todd Whitman as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she also served as Chairwoman until 2002. And in 2010, she was elected as Bergen County Executive: the first woman in the history of New Jersey to be elected to this position.

“Women’s issues range from fair pay, to access to contraception and health care, and continue to be crucial issues not just for women, but for the families of New Jersey. Despite making up 51% of the population, women are continually underrepresented in New Jersey politics. In fact, Governor Christine Todd Whitman is the only woman to have served as the state’s chief executive in the state’s history. Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno’s election in 2009 marked another important turning point towards increased representation. However, progress remains slow, currently women make up just 30% of the New Jersey Legislature and hold none of the state’s 12 Congressional or 2 Senate seats. That is why it is more important than ever to endorse and support women like Kathe Donovan,” said Michel M. Bitritto, WPCNJ President.

https://politickernj.com/2014/10/womens-political-caucus-of-nj-backs-donovan-in-bergen/

Posted on September 11, 2014 January 20, 2019

Bergen County Exec’s race: Dem Chair Stellato rallies troops for Tedesco

Bergen County Exec’s race: Dem Chair Stellato rallies troops for Tedesco

LYNDHURST – Bergen County Democratic Chairman Lou Stellato was house-proud in his hometown before he got down to political business on Wednesday morning. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/80886/bergen-county-execs-race-dem-chair-stellato-rallies-troops-tedesco

Posted on July 10, 2014 June 27, 2021

NJ TRANSIT ADOPTS FISCAL YEAR 2015 OPERATING, CAPITAL BUDGETS NO FARE INCREASE NJ TRANSIT ADOPTS FISCAL YEAR 2015 OPERATING, CAPITAL BUDGETS NO FARE INCREASE

NJ TRANSIT ADOPTS FISCAL YEAR 2015 OPERATING, CAPITAL BUDGETS NO FARE INCREASE

Fares held stable for fifth consecutive fiscal year
July 9, 2014

NEWARK, NJ — The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved a Fiscal Year 2015 (FY 2015) operating budget that holds fares stable for the fifth consecutive fiscal year, as well as a capital program that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.

“NJ TRANSIT is moving forward with a balanced, fiscally-sound budget that holds the line on fares for a fifth consecutive year and continues to deliver the same level of service to our customers,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim. “We will continue to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible to best respond to the needs of the customers who rely on our service day in and day out.”

The Board approved a $2.019 billion operating budget and a $1.203 billion capital program for the fiscal year that started July 1, 2014.

Nearly half of the revenue in the FY 2015 operating budget comes from fares ($928.6 million), supported by a comparable amount from state and federal program reimbursements ($936.1 million) with the balance from a combination of commercial revenues ($113.7 million) and state operating assistance ($40.3 million).

The capital program funds continued state-of-good-repair investments in transit stations and infrastructure, supports an ongoing fleet modernization program and advances service reliability, safety and technology initiatives.

Operating Budget

The FY 2015 operating budget reflects a stable level of state, federal and other reimbursements, which will enable NJ TRANSIT to hold fares stable this fiscal year.

Approximately 58 percent of the operating budget is dedicated to labor and fringe benefits costs. Other significant expenses include contracted transportation services, fuel and power, and materials, which together comprise approximately 28 percent of the operating budget.

This year’s operating budget reflects an $8 million (one percent) growth in passenger revenue, based on employment projections and ridership trends. Overall passenger revenue and commercial revenue represents approximately 52 percent of the total FY 2015 operating program.

Capital Program

The FY 2015 capital program continues to prioritize investment in infrastructure to maintain an overall state of good repair, enhance reliability and safety, and improve the overall customer experience on the system.

The program continues to invest in upgrades to the Northeast Corridor (NEC), the agency’s most utilized rail line. The NEC is allocated $76 million in FY 2015 as part of NJ TRANSIT’s ten-year, $1 billion Northeast Corridor investment program that includes funding for the new North Brunswick Station, the Mid-Line Loop—a new flyover track to improve Corridor operations and increase operational efficiencies—and upgrades to County Yard.

Highlights of the program include $46 million in rail station improvements, including $9 million for Elizabeth Station reconstruction, $5 million for Newark Penn Station improvements, and $12 million for projects to make Perth Amboy and Lyndhurst stations accessible to customers with disabilities.

The program also supports continued investment in rolling stock renewal, with $104 million invested in rail rolling stock improvements and $44 million toward the purchase of new buses.

Funding is also provided for technology and security upgrades, and rail, bus and light rail infrastructure improvements.

Approximately 40 percent of the capital budget comes from the Transportation Trust Fund, with the balance coming from federal and other sources.

Posted on February 19, 2014 January 20, 2019

Sarlo: Bergen Dems are united behind Tedesco

Sarlo: Bergen Dems are united behind Tedesco

By Max Pizarro | February 18th, 2014 – 3:47pm
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State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-36) walked out of the Renaissance in Lyndhurst earlier today after conferring behind closed doors with other pooh-bahs in the Democratic Party.

“Bergen Democrats are united. There was a huge show of force behind our candidate and the chairman,” announced Sarlo, referring to the deal Bergen County Democratic Committee Chairman Lou Stellato landed to run Freeholder James Tedesco for county executive this year against incumbent Republican Kathe Donovan.

Players in the room this morning included State Party Chairman (and Passaic County Dems Chairman) John Currie, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9), Stellato, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37), state Sen. Bob Gordon (D-38), and Sarlo.

Posted on January 29, 2014 April 9, 2020

N.J. students in low-income districts struggle on SATs

N.J. students in low-income districts struggle on SATs

No seniors at Paterson’s Eastside High School campus last year did well enough on the SATs to meet the College Board’s threshold for being “college ready.”

In Bergen County, 13 percent of Garfield High School seniors who took the SAT hit that benchmark, along with 18 percent of their counterparts atLyndhurst High School, according to the new School Performance Reports released Tuesday.

At a time when helping students become “college ready” is a mantra for New Jersey education officials, a startling share in many poor and moderate-income districts failed to meet the score deemed by the College Board to predict probable success in college — 1,550 points out of a possible 2,400.

That benchmark has been in the spotlight since Camden Schools Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard used it last month to say it hit him like a “kick in the stomach” to learn that only three students in his city tested as college-ready. Governor Christie jumped on the figure in his recent State of the State speech to argue for his education agenda, including merit pay for teachers and a longer academic day.

The College Board, which administers the SAT, says that students who hit the benchmark have a 65 percent or greater chance of earning at least a B-minus average in their freshman year of college, and are likely to get a degree. Studies show SAT scores are highly correlated with parents’ income and education level.

The SAT is much harder than the state’s graduation exam. Indeed, in 46 of the 71 public high schools in Bergen and Passaic counties, most of the seniors who took the SAT did not hit 1,550. The Bergen County Academies, a selective magnet, fared the best, with 98 percent of its students hitting that target or better.

Education Commissioner Chris Cerf said low SAT scores in many districts — among other indicators – showed the urgent need to raise the bar for learning. (Brody/The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_students_in_low-income_districts_struggle_on_SATs.html#sthash.j5ZSgGi9.dpuf

Posted on October 29, 2013 January 21, 2019

High-Income Whites Put Booker Over the Top

High-Income Whites Put Booker Over the Top
By Rick Shaftan | The Save Jersey Blog

It’s not often that a Republican wins Wallington, South Hackensack, Lyndhurst, Ridgefield and Rochelle Park and loses Oradell, Old Tappan, Norwood, Woodcliff Lake and Northvale but that’s what happened in this month’s U.S. Senate election.

Comparing the 2013 special with the 2012 presidential reveals some interesting comparisons.

Statewide, Lonegan ran 4 percent ahead of Mitt Romney – enough to have elected Romney had he run that much better nationwide. But Bergen County was one place where Lonegan actually ran behind Romney.

That’s news to people South of Route 4 where the former Bogota Mayor exceeded the 2012 Romney percentage by 10 points in Ridgefield, 11 points in Palisades Park, 12 points in Bogota and 16 points in South Hackensack.

But go North of 4 to the traditionally Republican part of the county and there’s a different story. Lonegan dropped 14 points behind Romney’s 52 percent in Booker’s home town of Harrington Park, 13 points behind Romney’s 63 percent in Old Tappan and 10 points behind Romney’s 57 percent in Woodcliff Lake.

Lonegan’s drop from 28 to 17 percent in Teaneck is heavily caused by a major drop in the GOP vote share among Orthodox Jews. Mitt Romney won 58 percent of the vote in the four big Teaneck Orthodox districts (9, 10, 11 and 12) compared with just 28 percent for Lonegan, turning a 514 vote Obama deficit into a 749 vote Booker margi

– See more at: https://savejersey.com/2013/10/booker-lonegan-bergen-county-results/#sthash.SpE0sR2y.dpuf

Posted on July 20, 2013 January 20, 2019

NJT Holds Fares Stable for Fourth Consecutive Fiscal Year

NJT Holds Fares Stable for Fourth Consecutive Fiscal Year

NJ TRANSIT ADOPTS FISCAL YEAR 2014 OPERATING, CAPITAL BUDGETS

July 11, 2013

NEWARK, NJ — The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved a Fiscal Year 2014 (FY 2014) operating budget that calls for no fare increase for the fourth consecutive fiscal year, as well as a capital program that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and improve the overall customer experience.

“Thanks to NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to operate as efficiently as possible, as well as a stable mixture of state, federal and other funding sources, we are able to put forth an operating budget that keeps fares unchanged for the fourth consecutive fiscal year,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson. “Through NJ TRANSIT’s Scorecard initiative, the agency continues to position itself to better respond to the transit needs of New Jersey residents while being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.”

“This budget will enable us to maintain and enhance New Jersey’s robust transportation system while responding to the needs of the customers who rely on our service to conduct life’s daily business,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein. “We made a commitment to continue to hold the line on customer fares, and we are delivering on that commitment by implementing sustainable and fiscally responsible operating and capital programs.”

The Board approved a $1.941 billion operating budget and a $1.228 billion capital program for the fiscal year that started July 1, 2013.

Nearly half of the revenue in the FY 2014 operating budget comes from fares ($920.6 million), with the balance from a combination of commercial revenues ($113 million) and state operating assistance ($73.2 million) as well as other state and federal reimbursements ($834.2 million).

The capital program funds continued state-of-good-repair investments in transit stations and infrastructure supports an ongoing fleet modernization program and advances service reliability, safety and technology initiatives.

Operating Budget

The FY 2014 operating budget reflects a stable level of state, federal and other reimbursements, which will enable NJ TRANSIT to hold fares stable this fiscal year. Approximately 58 percent of the operating budget is dedicated to labor and fringe benefits costs, which are being effectively managed by departments throughout NJ TRANSIT by strategically evaluating both staffing levels and functions. Other services include contracted transportation services, fuel and power, and materials which together compromise approximately 28 percent of the operating budget.

This year’s operating budget reflects a $26.4 million or three percent growth in passenger revenue. This is the result of incremental growth in both base ridership and the addition of new contracted route bus service. Overall passenger revenue and commercial revenue represents 53 percent of the total FY 2014 operating program.

Capital Program

The FY 2014 capital program continues to prioritize investment in infrastructure to maintain an overall state of good repair, while also enhancing reliability and safety. The program increased by more than $70 million when compared to FY 2013, representing increases in the federal formula program under the new MAP-21 federal authorization.

Highlights of the program include continued investment in rolling stock renewal, infrastructure replacement and Northeast Corridor (NEC) improvements. The NEC is allocated $60 million in FY 2014 as part of NJ TRANSIT’s five-year, $600 million Northeast Corridor investment strategy that includes construction of a new midline loop and station, Portal Bridge replacement early action, Amtrak Joint Benefits projects and station rehabilitation at Newark Penn and Elizabeth stations.

Funding is also provided for technology upgrades and accessibility, including construction of high-level platforms at Perth Amboy and Lyndhurst stations

Posted on June 5, 2013 January 20, 2019

Cicada swarms are all or nothing in North Jersey

They’re crunchy, they’re nutty, they’re low-carb, AND gluten-free

Cicada swarms are all or nothing in North Jersey
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 Last updated: Tuesday June 4, 2013, 11:52 PM
BY JAMES M. O’NEILL
STAFF WRITER
The Record

For about a week now, Pattie Monsaert-Westall of Wayne has had a new daily ritual — sweeping her front stoop. Otherwise, she’d have to take squishy, crunchy steps over the dozens of inch-long cicadas that flop there each morning.

Hundreds of translucent cicada exoskeletons are piled on either side of the entrance and beneath a small magnolia in her yard. Hundreds more are attached to the undersides of the magnolia leaves, like some kind of macabre ornaments.

Then there’s the noise — as if someone had put dozens of powerful loudspeakers in the trees and started blasting the high-pitched whine of a vacuum or an entire parking lot of car alarms.

“It was so deafening over the weekend we couldn’t even stay outside,” said Monsaert-Westall, who lives along the western edge of Packanack Lake.

For some North Jerseyans, the 17-year cicada emergence has hit with a vengeance. But for others, it’s as if the strange bugs never existed.

It’s boom or bust. The bugs have appeared by the tens of thousands in some neighborhoods of Tenafly and Englewood, in Palisades Interstate Park, and among the lake communities in Wayne.

Residents of other towns — from Ridgewood and Lyndhurst to Ramsey and Clifton – say they have neither seen nor heard any cicadas. Many who have braced for the onslaught are hopeful that, indeed, they may have been spared the nuisance.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/Cicada_swarms_are_all_or_nothing_in_North_Jersey.html

Posted on March 15, 2013 January 20, 2019

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of Ridgewood, resident on charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of Ridgewood, resident on charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of JOSEPH NIZZA, Ridgewood, New Jersey, on charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor (specifically Possession of Child Pornography) and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor (specifically Transmission of Child Pornography). NIZZA was arrested without incident on Friday, March 15, 2013.

The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Task Force under the direction of Chief Steven CUCCINIELLO and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department Internet Crime Unit under the direction of Sheriff Richard BERDNIK.

The arrest stemmed from an Internet investigation in which Joseph NIZZA was using the Internet to acquire and transmit numerous images and video files depicting child pornography. NIZZA uploaded illicit files to undercover investigators of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Task Force and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department Internet Crime Unit. In this case, the child pornography contained images and videos of pre-pubescent children engaged in sexual acts.

Prosecutor Molinelli states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Ridgewood Police Department for their assistance with the investigation and arrest and the following Police Departments who provided additional support in the form of Computer Crimes Task Force personnel:

Lyndhurst Police Department
Ridgewood Police Department
Washington Township Police Department

Posted on January 6, 2013 January 21, 2019

Generators become part of North Jersey town budget discussions

Generators become part of North Jersey town budget discussions
Sunday, January 6, 2013 Last updated: Sunday January 6, 2013, 9:21 AM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
The Record

The extensive power outages superstorm Sandy left in its wake has forced emergency responders in North Jersey to evaluate their inventory of portable and standby generators and recommend the purchase of more this year.

Municipal officials will be crafting their budgets in coming weeks, and generators will surely be part of the discussion in several towns including Lyndhurst, Ridgefield Park, Ridgefield and Edgewater.

The generators would be used in a number of ways, town officials said, including powering traffic lights, pumping stations, and warming and cooling centers during power failure emergencies.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/185778242_LOCAL_ISSUE__Preparing_for_next_storm_Generators_become_necessity.html

Posted on December 27, 2012 April 12, 2020

2011 Uniform Crime Report : Ridgewood shows drop crime rate

file photo by Boyd Loving

2011 Uniform Crime Report : Ridgewood shows drop crime rate
December 27,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, According to the 2011 Uniform Crime Report which was released last Friday by the state Attorney General’s office, the Village of Ridgewood reported a total of 193 crimes in 2011, nearly 30 fewer incidents over the previous year.

While violent crimes in Ridgewood increased from seven in 2010 to eight in 2011 and the total number of non-violent offenses decreased to 185. There was an increase in motor vehicle thefts for 2011,with 5 stolen vehicles reported ,that compares with zero for 2010.

Larcenies accounted for 78 percent of all non-violent crimes in Ridgewood,dropping by 21 to 144 in 2011 and 36 burglaries were reported in Ridgewood during 2011, that’s down from 50 in the previous year. Ridgewood also reported 2 arsons,

Ridgewood’s overall crime rate per 1,000 residents came in at 7.7. down form the previous year’s study of 8.9. In comparison with municipalities with similar size populations, but not similar demographics Ridgewood’s crime rate is lower than Lyndhurst (18.1), Lodi (16.7), Rutherford (15.7), Englewood (14.6) and Cliffside Park (9.3)., but its higher than some of our surrounding neighbors who have various populations but more similar demographics like Glen Rock (6.1), Midland Park (7.7), Township of Washington (5.5), Westwood (7.0) and Wyckoff (7.7).

While the state of New Jersey saw and uptick of 3% in crime in 2011 ,both Ridgewood and Bergen county saw decreases .

The annual report is based on statistics filed with the New Jersey Uniform Crime Reporting System by all state law enforcement agencies.

Sources : https://www.njsp.org/info/ucr2011/index.html

https://www.northjersey.com/news/184806531_Report_shows_dip_in_crime_in_Ridgewood.html

Posted on November 6, 2012 January 20, 2019

New Jersey Transit Restores some Main/Port Jervis Line service

New Jersey Transit Restores some Main/Port Jervis Line service
November 5th ,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Transit reports that Main/Port Jervis Lines Service has resumed between Port Jervis and Hoboken, with NO stop at Secaucus. These lines will operate on the following MODIFIED SCHEDULE until further notice : https://www.njtransit.com/AdminTemp/mlpj.pdf

A Number of rail stations throughout the system may have limited lighting and no elevator and escalator service due to power problems as a result of Hurricane Sandy. As a result, Secaucus Junction will not be ADA accessible until further notice. Additionally, the following stations are experiencing power problems along the Main Line: Lyndhurst, Passaic, Delawanna, hohokus and Mahwah. Customers are urged to use caution in and around these rail stations. Trains will operate to/from Hoboken, with NO stops at Secaucus.