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The Smartest Teens in Bergen County? 15 Students Win 2026 National Merit Scholarships

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15 Bergen County Students Win Prestigious $2,500 National Merit Scholarships

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Ridgewood NJ, The results are in, and Bergen County continues to prove itself as an academic powerhouse. On Wednesday, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced a new round of winners, awarding 15 local high school seniors a prestigious $2,500 scholarship for their upcoming college careers.

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Ridgewood Crew Wins Top Scholastic Sculling Team Honors, Qualifies Team Record 21 Rowers for Youth Nationals

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Ridgewood Crew shows off its hardware in a group photo with Coaches Boris Roque-Alvarez and Kassandra Luna (Photo credit:Elizabeth Suri)

Ridgewood had sent 11 of its 17 boats through to the finals, claimed seven total medals, and amassed 131 points among sculling teams, good enough for third overall out of 29 programs

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

West Windsor, New Jersey – Ridgewood Crew broke a team record this past Sunday by qualifying nine boats and 21 rowers for the USRowing Youth National Championships during its racing at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.

Facing a deep field of 550 entries from more than five-dozen scholastic and club teams across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, Ridgewood’s overall performance established it as among the best programs in the region. By the regatta’s end, Ridgewood had sent 11 of its 17 boats through to the finals, claimed seven total medals, and amassed 131 points among sculling teams, good enough for third overall out of 29 programs. That mark was also tops among all scholastic sculling teams. 

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New Bill Would Make New Jersey a legal “sanctuary” for Gender-transition Procedures

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New Jersey’s “Sanctuary State” Debate: Why Lawmakers Are Fast-Tracking Gender-Transition Bill S2260/A2218

the staff of the ridgeewood blog

Trenton NJ,Trenton is moving at lightning speed this week as New Jersey lawmakers push forward a controversial legislative package that would designate the state as a legal “sanctuary” for gender-transition procedures. With critical votes scheduled for Monday, May 11th, and Thursday, May 14th, residents and parental rights advocates are sounding the alarm, asking one central question: Why the rush?

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The Fast-Track to Healthcare: Why Vocational Training is Outperforming 4-Year Degrees in California

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The healthcare landscape is shifting. While traditional four-year universities have long been seen as the “gold standard” for career success, a new reality is emerging in 2026. In high-cost, high-demand markets like California, students and career-changers are looking for a better Return on Investment (ROI). They want specialized skills, minimal debt, and immediate entry into the workforce.

If you are looking to secure a stable future in the Golden State, two specific paths stand out as the most reliable gateways to the medical field.

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Ridgewood School Budget Crisis: Why Your Taxes Are Rising as Busing and Staff Are Cut

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Your Ridgewood Property Taxes Are Going Up—Here’s Why

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education has officially greenlit a $135.5 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year, but for local families, the news is bittersweet. While the budget ensures the district remains operational, it brings with it a significant property tax hike and “radical” cuts to services that parents have relied on for decades.

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Ridgewood Crew Rows to Three Golds, Eight Overall Medals at 2026 Philly City Championships

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At the 2026 City Championships in Philadelphia, members of the Ridgewood Crew team pose at the end of a long Sunday of racing with their medals, their trophies, and their parents. (Credit: Boris Roque Alvarez)

Ridgewood’s 16 entries was the second-highest number at the regatta and its eight total medals earned tied two others teams for the most overall

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Two freshmen and a pair of seniors led the way for the Ridgewood Crew this past weekend at the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association’s 2026 City Championships, winning three races while the team claimed eight podium finishes in total. 

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Student Loan Consolidation Calculator: Estimate Your Savings

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Estimating how much you can save through student loan consolidation can feel confusing at first, especially when you are juggling multiple loans with different rates and payment schedules. A consolidation calculator helps bring clarity to the process by giving you a side-by-side comparison of your current obligations and what a new consolidated loan might look like. This makes it easier to determine whether student loan consolidation could simplify your payments or reduce the overall cost of your debt.

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Ridgewood Infant Toddler Program Faces Shutdown

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Save ITDC: Ridgewood Parents Fight Back Against “Profit-Driven” School Closures

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,A 40-year legacy of early childhood education in Ridgewood is under threat, sparking a heated battle between local families and the Board of Education. The Ridgewood Infant Toddler Development Center (ITDC), which has served the community since 1983, is facing a controversial shutdown that parents claim is based on “mathematically inconsistent” data.

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Ridgewood School Tax Hike Hits 4%: Why Haven’t Residents Been Asked to Vote?

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Where is the Vote? Ridgewood’s 4% Tax Hike Sparks Fresh Debate Over Election Consolidation

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  The promise was clear: give Ridgewood voters a voice. Advocates for election reform campaigned on the principle that any tax increase exceeding 2% would trigger a public ballot.

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Saved by the Bell: Coach Robert Franklin Reinstated Ahead of $134M Ridgewood School Budget Vote

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Ridgewood Teacher Reinstated: BOE Reverses Layoff Decision Ahead of Crucial $134M Budget Vote

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – In a last-minute reversal that has energized the local community, the Ridgewood Board of Education has confirmed that popular gym teacher and wrestling coach Robert Franklin will no longer face a layoff.

The decision comes just days before the district’s high-stakes $134 million budget hearing scheduled for May 4, 2026.

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Ridgewood High Band Picked for “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Honor in Philadelphia’s Massive 250th America Anniversary Parade

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Ridgewood High School Marching Band Selected for Historic America 250th Anniversary Parade in Philadelphia

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood High School Marching Band

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The pride of Ridgewood is headed to the birthplace of American independence! In a massive win for the local arts community, the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Marching Band has been officially selected to perform in the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade in Philadelphia.

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School Budget Crisis: Giving Up School Budget Vote Has Consequences

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Is Your Tax Bill Funding Students or Bureaucracy? The Ridgewood School Budget Crisis

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood residents are facing a frustrating reality: school taxes are climbing, yet the classroom experience is being stretched thin. As the Board of Education (BoE) prepares for a pivotal vote this Monday, May 4th, many in the community are asking if the current 4% tax levy is truly necessary—or if it’s the result of a system that has lost its checks and balances.

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Ridgewood Makes the Grade of New Jersey schools that offer the best environment for student-athletes

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New Jersey’s Athletic Powerhouses: Did Your Local High School Make the Top 25?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, From the track dominance of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to the legendary status of Carl Lewis and Franco Harris, New Jersey is a verified “talent factory” for elite athletes. But producing professional-grade talent doesn’t happen by accident—it starts with the local high school sports culture.

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Triple Trophies: Ridgewood Crew Claims 15 Total Medals, Wins Boys and Girls State HS Sculling Titles at Weekend Races

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Ridgewood Crew holding trophies for winning the New Jersey boys and girls sculling team titles at the 2026 Garden State Scholastic Championships on the Cooper River. This was the fourth consecutive high school state rowing title for the boys’ team and the first for the girls’ team since 2023. (Credit: Reed Richardson)

Ridgewood Crew showed why it is among the best rowing teams in the nation this past weekend with dominant, back-to-back performances on the Cooper River in southern New Jersey

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Pennsauken, New Jersey – Ridgewood Crew showed why it is among the best rowing teams in the nation this past weekend with dominant, back-to-back performances on the Cooper River in southern New Jersey. In all, the team’s boats earned 15 total medals, three trophies, and two state titles, while qualifying 11 entries for the Scholastic Rowing national championships next month.

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NJ Labor Dept. Launches ‘Protect Our Guards’ Safety Blitz

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Stop for Safety: NJ Launches Urgent “Protect Our Crossing Guards” Billboard Campaign

file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog


Ridgewood NJ, Every day, New Jersey’s crossing guards brave freezing temperatures, torrential rain, and heavy snow to ensure our children reach school safely. Now, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) is sounding the alarm to protect these vital community members from a rising threat: distracted driving.

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