The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Oradell NJ, At a meeting in Jersey City today, Governor Murphy responded to criticisms of over brining our roads when there is no snow that he has no time for over-preparing critics. DOT’s salt overload however can temporarily turn freshwater bodies – from where we pull our drinking water – into something closer to seawater and cause more lead problems in our drinking water.
Continue reading Salt Brine Contaminates Water Supply
photo courtesy of BCHS
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New Bridge landing NJ, As one of the major events of Bergen’s Revolutionary War history, the Steenrapie Encampment brought the American army to present day River Edge and Oradell, and forever tied Washington himself to New Bridge Landing. Join author, military historian, and BCHS Past President Todd Braisted for his presentation on the history, legends, and luminaries that became part of Bergen County in September 1780.
For anyone interested in volunteering at Historic New Bridge Landing events as a docent, greeter, operations personnel, or living-history interpreter in period dress, the Bergen County Historical Society sponsors the School of Interpretation to hone communication skills, familiarize volunteers with Bergen’s unique history, give insight into the material culture of the past, and train volunteers in historical presentation. It also provides an opportunity for prospective participants to ask questions and learn about volunteering with BCHS. Please meet in the Steuben House (the house nearest the bridge), 1209 Main St, River Edge, NJ. No charge.
Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) School of Interpretation & Volunteer Meeting
Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
Topic: The Steenrapie (River Edge) Encampment of 1780
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Oradell NJ,according to the Oradell Police Department , Two vehicles were stolen in town yesterday both unlocked with key fobs inside.
Continue reading Oradell Police Department : Two vehicles were stolen in town yesterday
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Ridgewood NJ, Piano prodigy Drew Petersen will be featured with the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra on Friday November 16th at 8:00 p.m., at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. An Oradell native, Drew most recently won the American Pianists Award following a rigorous 13-month competition. He is also a prizewinner in the Leeds International Piano Competition and has performed solo and concerto recitals in both Europe and the United States.
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Newark NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of YOURGHI TURKMANY (DOB: 5/15/98; single; and unemployed) of 31 Kent Street, Apt. 1, Newark, NJ. The arrest is the result of a month-long investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Milford, Washington Township, Oradell, Ridgewood, Ramsey, Franklin Lakes, Rutherford, Montvale, Piscataway, Newark, and Middlesex Borough Police Departments.
Continue reading NEWARK, MAN CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE GAS STATION BURGLARIES IN BERGEN COUNTY
file photo by Boyd loving
July 26,2018
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Oradell NJ, An Oradell, New Jersey, man today admitted robbing four banks, a liquor store, and a gas station between June 2017 and December 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Joel Robbins, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with four counts of bank robbery and two counts of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Robbins robbed the following locations on the dates set forth below:
|
Bank |
Location |
Date |
| Chase Bank | Whippany | June 6, 2017 |
| Santander Bank | Parsippany | July 20, 2017 |
| The Liquor Factory | Hopatcong | October 15, 2017 |
| Chase Bank | Edgewater | October 25, 2017 |
| Raceway Gas Station | Pinebrook | November 26, 2017 |
| TD Bank | Mahwah | December 3, 2017 |
In the TD Bank robbery, Robbins walked into the bank wearing gray pants, a black jacket, sunglasses, a dark skull cap, and light-colored latex gloves. As he entered the bank, Robbins pulled a bandana over his face. Robbins’s accomplice, Wanda Soel, 52, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, allegedly waited for Robbins in a Toyota Corolla parked outside the bank.
Robbins pulled a black handgun (later determined to be fake) from his waistband and pointed it at two bank tellers, demanded money from them and warned them not to “make me have to kill you.” The tellers complied and handed Robbins money. Robbins took the money and walked out of the bank, dropping several bills as he departed.
Robbins got into the passenger seat of the Corolla and Soel allegedly drove them away. Nearby law enforcement officers, who had received a report of the bank robbery while it was in progress, pursued the Corolla. Soel allegedly drove into the parking lot of a nearby hotel, where she and Robbins tried to switch places so Robbins could drive. When Soel got out of the Corolla, she tripped and fell, and Robbins drove away without her. Law enforcement officers arrested Soel in the hotel parking lot. Her bank robbery charges are pending.
Robbins drove out of the hotel parking lot but eventually hit a curb, blew a tire, and crashed. Law enforcement officers caught up to the Corolla and arrested Robbins. They recovered U.S. currency sticking out of Robbins’s pants and other cash bills strewn inside the Corolla, along with a fake black handgun. Officers also recovered sunglasses, a bandana, a dark knit cap, and latex gloves from the Corolla, resembling the items Robbins was seen wearing when he robbed the bank. Robbins was wearing a black jacket when he was arrested.
The counts of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery with which Robbins is charged each carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Mahwah Township Police Department for its contribution to the case, as well as the police departments of Hanover Township, Parsippany, Hopatcong, Edgewater and Montville.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations against Soel are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
file photo by Boyd Loving
July 19,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of AASIM BOONE (DOB: 11/02/82; single; and unemployed) of 198 Waldo Place, Englewood, NJ, JOSLIN HARRINGTON (DOB: 11/13/85; single; and employed as a cafeteria worker) of 724 18th Avenue, Apt. 1, Irvington, NJ, JUSTIN DAHZY (DOB: 02/20/1999; single; and unemployed) of 44 Preston Street, Bogota, NJ, and VALERIE JOYNER (DOB: 07/08/1991; single; and employed as an aide at a residential care facility) of 19 Schirra Drive, Wanaque, NJ. The arrests are the result of a month-long investigation by a special task force comprised of members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Hackensack, Teaneck, Tenafly, Oradell, Paramus, and Rochelle Park Police Departments.
As a result of the investigation, Aasim BOONE, Joslin HARRINGTON, Justin DAHZY, and Valerie JOYNER were arrested on Monday, July 16, 2018 and charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft.
In June 2018, the Hackensack Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad and provided information that led detectives to a rental vehicle being used by BOONE and others to commit numerous residential burglaries throughout Bergen County and to the formation of the task force. After tracking the vehicle in question and using multiple law enforcement databases, a historic timeline was produced in connection with the multiple burglaries that occurred.Through witness interviews, surveillance, video and other law enforcement investigative techniques, search warrants and arrest warrants were issued.
As a result of information obtained during this investigation, several arrest and search warrants were executed for the individuals and locations involved in this coordinated criminal enterprise. On July 16, 2018, members of the task force arrested BOONE, HARRINGTON, DAHZY, and JOYNER at various locations in Bergen County and Essex County. They were charged with residential burglaries in Bergen County , in the towns of Paramus , Hackensack ,Teaneck , Tenafly, Oradell and Englewood .
July 6,2018
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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.
Photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
June 21,2018
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Oradell NJ, A pedestrian trespasser was fatally struck by a NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line train just south of New Milford Avenue in Oradell on Wednesday evening, 06/20. The train, carrying dozens of passengers, was traveling from Hoboken to Spring Valley, NY. No injuries to any passengers of members of the train crew were reported. Passengers on board when the incident occurred were taken to their final destinations by NJ Transit buses. NJ Transit Police, Oradell Police, and New Milford Police officers were observed at the scene. Oradell Fire Department and a paramedic unit from Hackensack University Medical Center also responded to the scene.
photo by Jim Arakelian
June 14,2018
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Oradell NJ, a multi-story house 3 alarm fire at 240 Kinderkamack Road became engulfed Tuesday evening. There were no fatalities reported, at least one victim was hospitalized with serious burn injuries after being pulled out by an Oradell police officer and an off-duty firefighter in the fast-moving Tuesday night house blaze.
Firefighters from Oradell, Haworth, Westwood, Paramus, Bergenfield, New Milford, River Edge, and Dumont responded.
Jim Arakelian , “It’s my understanding that the members of Company One in River Edge Fire went far and beyond the call of duty at yesterday’s horrific fire in Oradell. Congratulations and thank you for your bravery.”
May 19,2018
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Riveredge NJ, Experience history in one of the storied places where it was made! Pinkster is celebrated with a Maypole Dance at 1:30 & 3:00 pm with a participation session during the country dances. Ridley and Anne Enslow are featured on fiddle and hammered dulcimer.
This event features fun children’s activities including flower seed planting in clay pots to take home and lawn games in front of the Demarest House.
The 3 houses including the Steuben House a state-historic site and the barn are open for tours.
A new exhibit of 4 large historical paintings by B. Spencer Newman will be in the Steuben House. The Chariot Painting, 1830, by Marageta Van Wagoner of Oradell will be on exhibit. Broom making in the barn. Pinkster cake and raspberry punch are available in the Campbell-Christie House Tavern along with other refreshments.
Illustrated Talk at 2:30 pm: Treasures Through Time – The BCHS Collections
For well over one hundred years, the Bergen County Historical Society has been collecting artifacts of the famous and infamous, the exceptional and the everyday. Past President and Museum Collections Chairperson, Deborah Powell, takes us on a visual tour through centuries of Bergen life via its artifacts.
The Outkitchen cooks are demonstrating natural egg dyeing using vegetables and spices, and dyeing fabric and yarn with onion skins. If our weather is fair, we will make authentic old style onion rings, oliebollen (Dutch fried dough) and fried chicken legs using recipes from the outkitchen collection of 18th century recipes.
Event with something for everyone!
All 3 sandstone houses, including the Steuben House, a state historic site, are connected by an ADA compliant gravel walking path. Weather permitting the Westervelt-Thomas Barn will be open. Free parking is available or take a train on the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus via NJ Transit to the “New Bridge Landing” train stop. Walk one block north & east. By car, HNBL is only 7 miles from the GWB.
Refreshments in the 18th century tavern (additional cost). Some folks come just for the cider and cider donuts!
Historic New Bridge Landing: American Revolutionary War Battleground including 3 Jersey-Dutch Sandstone Houses, exhibits of BCHS collections, tavern, gift shop, outkitchen & barn. $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free. (Become a member and support our efforts!, $20 individual / $30 household).
HNBL, 1201 Main St., River Edge, NJ.
Traveling by carriage from Newark to view the Passaic Falls in Paterson on June 6, 1797, William Dunlap noted in his diary, “The borders of the Pasaick [River] are colour’d by the Iris now in bloom. On the rocks near the [Great] Falls was the Kalmia [or mountain laurel], the wild Columbine & wood pink. The settlements along the river are Dutch, it is the holiday they call pinkster & every public house is crowded with merry makers & waggon’s full of rustic beaus & belles met us at every mile.”
The name of the holiday derives from the Greek word, Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth day,” which originally signified the ancient Jewish celebration of the first fruits of the harvest, arriving seven weeks after Passover. On the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The English identified this holiday with the white garments of baptismal candidates, calling it Whitsunday or “White Sunday.” Among the Jersey Dutch, a rose-colored Azalea blossom, known as the “Pinxter blomachee,” was the May bush.
Bergen County Historical Society
May 17 at 6:50am ·
Join us this Sunday for our next event!
Pinkster Fest
A Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring
May 20, 2018, Sunday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
May 15,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Paramus Fire was assisted by Oradell Fire Department in fighting a Monday afternoon, 05/14, structure fire in a single family home located on Arbor Road, Paramus. Paramus EMS was observed attending to an adult female who was apparently in the structure when it caught fire. The victim was conscious and alert while being attended to. Damage to the home appeared to have been severe enough that it was uninhabitable. Paramus PD and Rescue Squad also responded. No word as to what caused the multiple alarm blaze.
April 4,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fair Lawn NJ, State Senator Bob Gordon (D-38) is going to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).Bergen sources had speculated for some time on this eventuality and today a source confirmed it.Gordon represents Hawthorne, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Bergenfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Maywood, Lodi, Oradell, New Milford, Paramus, Oradell, Rochelle Park, Paramus, River Edge, and Saddle Brook.
As chairman of the N.J. Senate committee responsible for overseeing public transportation issues Gordon came under criticism ,for seeming out of touch with New Jersey Transits problems and failing to act until far to late.
The departure of the battleground district senator sets up the most likely potential for Assemblyman Joe Lagana (D-38) and Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-38) to challenge for it. Republicans have long eyed the district and have come close to taking it several times.
March 27,2018
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Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of ANGEL SARIOL (DOB: 3/30/1972; single; and employed as a custodian) of 22-24 Ward Street, Apartment 2H, Hackensack, NJ, on charges of Terroristic Threats and False Public Alarm. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and members of the Rochelle Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Flannelly.
From Monday, March 19, 2018, through Wednesday, March 21, 2018, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit received information from no fewer than 19 municipal police departments in Bergen County about a substantially similar series of phone calls that they received during that three-day period from an anonymous caller. During many of these calls, the unknown caller stated that police officers from those towns would be murdered. The ensuing investigation, led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Rochelle Park Police Department, revealed that Angel SARIOL used technology to disguise his calling line identity and placed the phone calls.
As a result of the investigation, Angel SARIOL was arrested in Hackensack on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and charged with one count of False Public Alarm, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-3B, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Terroristic Threats During a State of Emergency, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Terroristic Threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 3rd degree crime. Angel SARIOL was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a hearing in Central Judicial Processing Court on March 23, 2018.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Rochelle Park Police Department, Hackensack Police Department, Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Union City Police Department for their assistance with this investigation. In addition, Acting Prosecutor Calo would also like to thank all the agencies that provided investigative leads in this matter, including:
Wood-Ridge Police Department
Hasbrouck Heights Police Department
Paramus Police Department
Park Ridge Police Department
Wyckoff Police Department
Elmwood Park Police Department
Maywood Police Department
Rochelle Park Police Department
Waldwick Police Department
Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department
Saddle River Police Department
Harrington Park Police Department
Woodcliff Lake Police Department
Hackensack Police Department
Oradell Police Department
Demarest Police Department
Saddle Brook Police Department
River Edge Police Department
Weehawken Police Department (Hudson County)
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
March 12,2018
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Paramus NJ, A hit and run driver struck a Paramus Police marked patrol vehicle in front of 201 Oradell Avenue, Paramus late Sunday afternoon, 03/11. No injuries were reported by the police officer driving the cruiser, who was responding to a medical emergency nearby. The patrol car’s door appeared to have been hit while open, signaling that the officer may have been either exiting or entering the vehicle when it was struck. A plain clothes officer took photographs of the scene and collected crash related debris in bags as evidence. A flatbed tow truck removed the car after all evidence was collected.
