The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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OAKLAND, NJ — A North Jersey karate studio employee has been arrested after authorities say he secretly recorded children in a bathroom and produced child sexual abuse material.
Ryan J. Curtin, 25, of Oakland, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with multiple crimes, including production of child sexual abuse material, possession of child sexual abuse material, and invasion of privacy, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Oakland NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announces the following information related to the investigation of a fatal crash that occurred on Ramapo Valley Road in Oakland, NJ. This investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Oakland Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Keenan.
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OAKLAND, NJ — A heartbreaking tragedy struck Ramapo Lake on July 26, as a 14-year-old boy died in a suspected drowning, officials confirmed.
Continue reading Tragedy at Ramapo Lake: 14-Year-Old Boy Dies in Suspected Drowning
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OAKLAND, NJ – A devastating accident in Oakland, New Jersey has left one child dead and several family members injured after a motor vehicle struck a mother and her three children at the busy intersection of East Oak Street and Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) on Thursday, July 24, 2025, authorities confirmed.
photos courtesy of the Oakland Police Department
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OAKLAND, NJ — The Oakland Police Department is urging residents to stay alert after a mama bear and her three cubs were recently spotted roaming the south end of town. While bear sightings are not uncommon in New Jersey, safety remains the top priority for both residents and wildlife.
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Oakland NJ, a devastating car crash on Interstate 287 in Mahwah has claimed the life of 19-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez-Pluchino, a resident of Oakland, New Jersey. The fatal incident occurred during Tuesday morning rush hour, around 7:15 a.m., according to the New Jersey State Police.
Continue reading Tragic Crash on I-287 Claims Life of 19-Year-Old Oakland Man
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
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Oakland NJ, a single-vehicle crash on Monday, March 31, at the intersection of Allen Drive and Franklin Avenue resulted in significant damage to a home after the driver reportedly suffered a medical episode behind the wheel.
Continue reading Driver Suffers Medical Episode, Crashes Into Oakland Home
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Oakland NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 22-year-old ELMER BARRANCO of Union City, NJ on charges of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, and endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Oakland Police Department, under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Captain Timothy Keenan.
Continue reading Oakland DUI Turns Up Sexual Assault on Juvenile
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OAKLAND NJ, The Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education has approved a motion to search for a new general counsel, marking the district’s fourth legal representative since January 2023. The decision, made during the board’s regular meeting on Monday, passed by a 5-3 vote.
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Oakland NJ, the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional School District has been ordered to provide trustees’ personal email logs following a New Jersey appellate court ruling on an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request. The request sought communications from November 1, 2022, through January 2023, leading up to the controversial January 5, 2023, reorganization meeting.
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Oakland NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 36-year-old CECILIA MURILLO VIERA of Oakland, NJ on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Oakland Police Department under the direction of Chief Keith Sanzari.
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Oakland NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 34-year-old JOSE HIGINIO RAMOS SOLIS of Oakland, NJ on charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and possession of a weapon. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Oakland Police Department under the direction of Chief Keith Sanzari.
Continue reading Oakland man Charged with Attempted Murder in Oakland Restaurant Stabbing
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Oakland NJ, a stabbing at Cafe L’Amore in Oakland on Thursday afternoon left one man hospitalized and another in police custody, according to authorities.
Continue reading Man Stabbed at Oakland Restaurant, Suspect in Custody
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Oakland NJ , the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional School District school board has scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday to introduce its third candidate for superintendent — Shauna DeMarco.
Continue reading Ramapo Indian Hills School District Again Names a New Superintendent
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Oakland NJ,the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education voted 5-4 to submit a draft contract for a third superintendent candidate to the Bergen County Office of Education for review. This decision comes after a series of contentious meetings and the earlier rescinding of a contract for a previous candidate.
Continue reading Ramapo Indian Hills Board Votes on Third Superintendent Candidate Amid Controversy
