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New Jersey Shifts World Cup Strategy: $5M Grant Program Replaces Liberty State Park Fan Fest

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Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco posted on Facebook: “I welcome the decision from Governor Mikie Sherrill‘s administration to shift away from a single Fan Fest at Liberty State Park and instead support local fan activations tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup”

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

JERSEY CITY, NJ — In a major pivot ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Sherrill administration has officially halted plans for a massive, centralized “Fan Festival” at Liberty State Park. Instead, the state is betting on a grassroots approach, launching a $5 million local grant initiative designed to bring the World Cup spirit directly to main streets across New Jersey.

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30 Years of Perfection: Why Chowhound Named This Hackensack Salumeria the Best in New Jersey

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This Hackensack Hole-in-the-Wall Just Ranked as the Best Sandwich Shop in New Jersey

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, In a state where the sandwich is practically a religion, standing out is no easy feat. You don’t need a white tablecloth or a celebrity chef to create a masterpiece—sometimes, you just need three decades of tradition and a perfect ball of fresh mozzarella.

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Tragedy in River Vale: 8 Pets Perish in Massive Highland Avenue House Fire

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Eight Pets Lost in Devastating River Vale House Fire; Investigation Ongoing

photos courtesy of River Vale Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Vale NJ, a quiet Tuesday afternoon in River Vale, NJ, turned tragic this week as a fast-moving structure fire claimed the lives of eight beloved pets. Local authorities and fire crews from across the region responded to the scene at 242 Highland Avenue on February 17, 2026, battling heavy smoke and flames that gutted portions of the residence.

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$20,000 Reward Offered: NJ Parents Search for College Student Last Seen Near MetLife Stadium

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$20,000 Reward Offered as Search Intensifies for Missing NJ College Student Emilio Acosta

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, the parents of 20-year-old Emilio Acosta are pleading for the public’s help as the search for their son enters its third month. Emilio, a University of Pittsburgh student and Weehawken native, vanished in the early hours of December 18, 2024, during a mental health crisis.

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The Urgent: Attention Ridgewood: PSE&G Tree Pruning Begins March 16—What Homeowners Need to Know

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Tree Pruning Season in Ridgewood: PSE&G Announces Power Line Maintenance Schedule

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, As we approach the spring season, the Village of Ridgewood is preparing for essential utility maintenance. PSE&G has officially advised the Village that tree pruning operations will begin the week of March 16, 2026, targeting branches that interfere with overhead power lines.

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Building Bridges: How Officer Anthony Losito is Redefining School Safety at GW Middle School

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Safety with a Smile: Meet Officer Anthony Losito, the New Face of Security at George Washington Middle School

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In the hallways of George Washington Middle School (GWMS), safety isn’t just about protocols—it’s about people. This year, the Ridgewood Public Schools community is getting to know a familiar face with an impressive legacy: Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) Class III Anthony Losito.

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Civil War in Garfield: Why the Mayor is Suing His Own Zoning Board Over Overdevelopment

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A Bergen County Town is Suing Itself: The Shocking Reason Behind Garfield’s Legal Battle

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Garfield NJ, In a rare move that has caught the attention of North Jersey residents, the City of Garfield has filed a lawsuit against its own Zoning Board of Adjustment. The legal battle centers on a controversial housing application that the Mayor and City Council claim fuels the fire of local overdevelopment.

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Unstoppable: Ridgewood Boys Swim Team Overcomes Bus Breakdown to Secure Sectional Title

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A Malfunctioning Bus Couldn’t Stop This NJ Swim Team from Making History

photo courtesy of the Ridgewod School District

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The road to a championship is rarely smooth, but for the Ridgewood High School boys swimming team, it was literally backwards. Despite a mechanical nightmare on the way to their biggest meet of the year, the Maroons proved that resilience is their strongest stroke, capturing their second consecutive NJSIAA North 1, Group A sectional title.

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High-Speed DWI Stop in North Arlington Ends in Gun and High-Capacity Mag Arrest

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North Arlington Police Find Loaded Handgun During 2 AM DWI Arrest

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

North Arlington NJ, a routine radar patrol in Bergen County took a serious turn early Sunday morning when North Arlington police intercepted a speeding Dodge Challenger, leading to a DWI arrest and the seizure of a loaded Glock 19.

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Ridgewood Trash Update: Rear-Yard Collection Resumes Wednesday, Feb. 18

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Safety Suspension Lifted: Ridgewood Rear-Yard Trash Pickup Update for Feb. 18

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood has announced the official return of rear-yard trash collection starting tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

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From POW Camp to Sainthood: Ridgewood Event Honors Military Hero Fr. Emil Kapaun

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The Path to Sainthood: Ridgewood Knights Honor Medal of Honor Recipient Fr. Emil Kapaun

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736

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Ridgewood NJ, a standing-room-only crowd gathered in Ridgewood, NJ, this past week to honor the “Patron Saint of Soldiers.” On February 12, 2026, the Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736 hosted a powerful lecture exploring the life, heroism, and the accelerating canonization process of Father (Capt.) Emil Kapaun.

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You Get What You Voted For: New Jersey Still Tops the Nation in Property Taxes

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The High Cost of Living: Why New Jersey Still Tops the Nation in Property Taxes

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Property taxes are an unavoidable reality of homeownership, but where you choose to plant roots can be the difference between a comfortable retirement and a strained bank account. While taxes are rising across the United States, one state continues to hold a frustratingly familiar title.

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Firefighters Bravely Rescue Trapped Doe from Frozen Franklin Lakes Pond

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Stubborn Doe “Refuses Medical Attention” After Dramatic Bergen County Ice Rescue

photos courtesy of the Franklin Lakes Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin Lakes NJ, it was a cold, “doe-eyed” evening in Bergen County that took a turn for the dramatic. On February 3, 2026, a local resident’s quiet evening was interrupted when they spotted a deer that had fallen through the ice and become hopelessly trapped in a frozen pond.

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Is Your Street on the List? Ridgewood Secures $1.5M for Massive Lead Pipe Overhaul

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Clean Water Win: Ridgewood Lands $1.5 Million Federal Boost for Lead Pipe Removal

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood just received a major financial “green light” for its mission to provide 100% lead-free water. Working alongside New Jersey’s congressional delegation, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim have secured $1.535 million in federal funding specifically for Ridgewood’s lead remediation efforts.

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Forget Digital: Why This Paper-Only Art Exhibit in Ridgewood is Going Viral

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ARTFusion 2026: Discover the Magic of “Paper Trails” in Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in an increasingly digital world, there is something profoundly moving about the tactile, raw nature of paper. This month, the Village of Ridgewood invites you to slow down and experience ARTFusion 2026: Paper Trails – Stories That Connect Us, a vibrant community art initiative that proves a simple sheet of paper can tell a thousand stories.

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