Category: Village of Rdgewood

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Legacy Secured! Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve Renamed to Honor Visionary Former Mayor G. Thomas Donch

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Franklin Lakes Pays Tribute: Preserve Renamed for Ex-Mayor Who Fought for its Acquisition Two Decades Ago

photo courtesy of the Borough of Franklin Lakes

Franklin Lakes NJ, a historic piece of North Jersey open space has officially received a new name, honoring the man whose vision and dedication secured its future for the public.

Nineteen years after its crucial purchase, the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve—formerly the Haledon Reservoir—was officially renamed the G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve in a moving ceremony on October 11th.

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Breaking Ground! Ridgewood’s Habernickel Park Gets Major ADA-Accessible Playground Upgrade This Fall 

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New Inclusive Playground Coming to Habernickel Park, Promising Fun for Children of All Abilities

photo courtesy of the Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, great news for families in Ridgewood! The Village has officially begun work on an exciting new feature at Habernickel Park: a state-of-the-art, ADA-accessible playground.

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NJ AG Issues New Directive Requiring Consistent Active Violent Events Policies for ALL Police

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New Jersey Mandates Uniform Active Shooter Response Policies Across All Law Enforcement Agencies

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey is taking a major step to ensure every town and county is equally prepared for the unimaginable.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today issued a critical, statewide directive—Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2025-2—mandating that all New Jersey law enforcement agencies develop and maintain an Active Violent Events Policy that meets a consistent, high standard.

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MILLIONS MORE OBESE? Groundbreaking Study Challenges BMI

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Forget the Scale! New Study Says 70% of Americans Could Be Obese, Forcing a Massive Rethink of BMI and Drug Eligibility

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Aarevolutionary new study is poised to upend how the medical community defines obesity, suggesting that the decades-old reliance on Body Mass Index (BMI) is fundamentally flawed. This groundbreaking research, published in the prestigious journal JAMA, proposes a new, more comprehensive framework that incorporates waist circumference, potentially skyrocketing the official rate of obesity in America.

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10 Firefighters Injured in Hillsdale House Fire

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Dramatic Hillsdale House Fire: 10 Firefighters Rushed to Hospital After Terrifying Flashover

photos courtesy of the Hillsdale Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hillsdale NJ, a routine early morning fire call in Hillsdale, turned into a dramatic rescue operation after a sudden flashover injured ten firefighters inside the burning home.

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Aggressive Wildlife Alert: Coyote Attacks Dog Walker in Woodcliff Lake—What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

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COYOTE ATTACK SHOCKER! Dog Walker Bitten in Woodcliff Lake—URGENT Safety Warning for Bergen County Residents

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ – A disturbing incident in Woodcliff Lake serves as a stark reminder of the escalating risks posed by wildlife in suburban areas. On Monday, October 20, 2025, a dog walker was attacked by a coyote in their own backyard and suffered several bite wounds. This aggressive encounter follows numerous recent sightings of both coyotes and black bears across the region.

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Modern Policing Saves a Life: Westwood Police’s Drone Technology Locates Missing Endangered Person

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Drone Saves the Day! Infrared Technology Locates Missing Person in Westwood Woods, Averting Crisis

photo courtesy of the Westwood Police Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WESTWOOD, NJ – A potential tragedy was averted in Westwood this week, thanks to the swift, coordinated response of the Westwood Police Department and the deployment of cutting-edge 21st-century technology.

On the evening of October 15, 2025, the Westwood Police Department responded to an urgent call regarding a missing and endangered person. What began as a traditional search quickly became a testament to the effectiveness of modern policing tools.

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The Short Life of ‘Manager’s Fact Check Friday’: Why Official Attempts to Control the Narrative Always Risk Public Trust

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From ‘Fact Check’ to Failure: Why Government Attempts to Control the ‘Truth’ Backfire—Lessons from Ridgewood to 9/11

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – The best of intentions can sometimes lead to the most challenging outcomes when it comes to government communication. Ridgewood Village Manager Keith Kazmark’s initiative, “The Manager’s Fact Check Friday,” which launched with the stated goal of providing “good, accurate information—right from the source,” appears to have quietly been discontinued.

The initial rollout was framed as a necessary response to a “world where we question the accuracy and truthfulness of all types of information.” However, the cessation of the program raises a critical question: Does any governmental entity claiming the sole authority to “fact check” or define “truth” inevitably undermine the public trust it aims to build?

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The Ridgewood Art Institute Instructors’ Exhibition is Now On View

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See the Masters Teach! Ridgewood Art Institute Instructors’ Show Unveils Classical Realism Treasures—Don’t Miss This!

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – Art enthusiasts and aspiring students have a golden opportunity this October to witness masterful technique and enduring beauty at the Ridgewood Art Institute (RAI). The highly anticipated Instructors’ Exhibition is currently on display, showcasing the unparalleled talent and instructional excellence that defines this community landmark.

This exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the talent of the artists who teach at one of the nation’s best community art associations, renowned for its commitment to Classical Realism.

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Don’t Miss the Frightfully Fun! Ridgewood Chamber’s Annual Halloween Haunted Harvest Returns to Memorial Park

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Boo! The Biggest Halloween Bash is Back! Your Guide to Ridgewood’s Frightfully Fun Haunted Harvest

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – Get your costumes ready—for both humans and pets! The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is bringing back the highly anticipated Annual Halloween Haunted Harvest to Memorial Park. Mark your calendars for a festive fall celebration packed with music, games, ghoulish sights, and the best costume parade in Bergen County!

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Ridgewood Water Hydrant Flushing Alert: What Residents Need to Know About Nighttime Water Maintenance

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Heads Up, Bergen County! Ridgewood Water Announces Late-Night Flushes—Here’s How to Protect Your Appliances

photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – Ridgewood Water is launching its annual preventive maintenance program this month, which includes critical hydrant flushing across its service areas. These necessary steps ensure the integrity of the water system, but residents should prepare for temporary changes in water quality and pressure.

The utility is conducting the flushing during overnight hours to minimize disruption to daytime routines and business operations.

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Major Milestone Achieved: Kingsbridge Lane Pedestrian Bridge Placed in Ridgewood, Nearing Reopening

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Bridging the Gap! Kingsbridge Lane Footbridge Finally Returns to Ridgewood—The Countdown to Reopening Begins

photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – The long-awaited restoration of a vital Ridgewood walkway has taken a dramatic step forward! The Kingsbridge Lane Pedestrian Bridge, which has been closed for repairs and replacement, was officially set into place this week, marking a significant milestone in the project’s timeline.

The installation of the new structure means the saga of the Kingsbridge Lane bridge is nearing its conclusion, bringing the community one step closer to safely resuming foot traffic across the span.

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Ridgewood Water Delivers State-of-the-Art PFAS Treatment Vessels to Wyckoff and Ridgewood Facilities

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Clean Water Breakthrough! Giant Filters Land in Wyckoff and Ridgewood to Erase Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’

photos courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – Ridgewood Water has reached a critical milestone in its mission to deliver the cleanest possible water, announcing the delivery of advanced filtration vessels to two key treatment facilities in Bergen County. These massive installations mark the final major construction step before the new systems become operational next year, ensuring the removal of harmful PFAS “forever chemicals” from the local water supply.

This multi-million dollar investment underscores Ridgewood Water’s commitment to not just meeting, but surpassing the strictest federal guidelines for water purity.

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Bergen County Remembers: Demarest Marks 50th Anniversary of Susan Reeve’s Abduction and Murder by Serial Killer

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50 Years Later: The Bergen County Murder That SHATTERED a Town’s Innocence—Remembering Susan Reeve

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

DEMAREST, NJ | October 16, 2025 – Fifty years ago this week, the abduction and murder of 22-year-old Susan Reeve shattered the peace of the quiet suburban town of Demarest, Bergen County. On October 14, longtime residents gathered solemnly at the Demarest Gazebo to mark the anniversary of the tragedy and remember the young woman whose death forever changed the community.

The emotional memorial service, organized by former Demarest Ambulance Squad Captain Owen T. Clarke, served as a powerful reminder of a crime that rocked not only Demarest but all of North Jersey.

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Senator Holly Schepisi Takes On Key Issues at Ridgewood League of Women Voters Luncheon

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Senator Schepisi Tackles Affordability, Housing, and Voting at Ridgewood LWV Luncheon!

photos courtesy of Ridgewood Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood, NJ | October [Relevant Year] – Last week, the annual Ridgewood League of Women Voters (LWV) luncheon hosted a powerful conversation with one of New Jersey’s leading voices, Senator Holly Schepisi (R-District 39). The event, described by attendees as “very informative,” provided a deep dive into the most pressing issues facing New Jersey residents today.

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