Category: village of ridgewood

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Ridgewood Police Responded to a Whopping 427 calls between June 24th and July 1st

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file photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood Police Responded to a Whooping 427 calls between June 24th and July 1st

July2,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, Between Wednesday June 24, 2015 and Wednesday July 1, 2015 the Ridgewood Police Department responded to (427) Calls for Service (30) trauma/medical emergency calls and (17) motor vehicle accidents.
Ridgewood Police had a very busy week :On Thursday June 25, 2015 Officers Colin Donnelly and Joseph DiBenedetto were dispatched to the Central Business District on the report of a disturbance. Upon their arrival they observed a male actor who fit the description provided by the caller later identified as Fransisco A. Andino, 23 of Newark, New Jersey sitting on the sidewalk at Van Neste Square and East Ridgewood Avenue. As the officers were speaking with Andino they were notified that there was an active warrant for his arrest out of Hoboken, New Jersey, for assaulting a police officer. Andino who attempted to flee the area on foot was subdued and placed under arrest by Patrolman Colin Donnelly after a brief foot chase. While at police headquarters Andino assaulted several officers by biting, kicking and spitting at them. He was subsequently charged with obstructing administration of law (2C:29-1A), resisting arrest (2C:29A(3)(a)), disorderly conduct (2C:33-2(a)(1)) and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (2C:12-B(5)(a). Bail was set at $15,000, Andino was housed at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Unit at Bergen Regional Medical Center.During the late afternoon hours on Thursday June 25, 2015, a resident reported observing a group of juveniles acting suspiciously near a vacant home. It was later determined that the homeowners were away on vacation and it was the groups intent to congregate on the property unsupervised without the homeowner’s permission. Annually with the onset of summer and vacations commencing this has become a frequent problem, residents are asked to report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods in order to prevent similar behavior.

On Thursday Friday June 26, 2015 a pedestrian crossing East Ridgewood Avenue while in a marked crosswalk reported that she/he was nearly struck a by a vehicle that failed to yield right of way. The driver pulled to the side of the roadway exiting their vehicle entering into a verbal dispute with the pedestrian. The pedestrian reported being assaulted by the driver who left the area prior to the arrival of police. The operator of the vehicle later responded to the Ridgewood Police Headquarters where she reported being assaulted by the pedestrian. Neither party wished to pursue the matter. It is paramount that all drivers cede right of way to pedestrians in the roadway regardless of whether a crosswalk is present as per the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Laws.

On Monday June 29, 2015 Detective Jeffrey Casson arrested Francis J. Yacopino, 30, of West Milford, New Jersey on a criminal warrant out of Pennsylvania. The warrant was discovered during a background check of Yacopino who had applied for a job with the Village of Ridgewood. Yacopino was housed in the Bergen County Jail on a fugitive warrant pending extradition.

On Monday June 29, 2015 a resident reported that his/her personal information had been used to open a fraudulent Dish Network account, the resident further reported having been the victimized similarly numerous times over the last several years. This type of incident continues to be on the rise and information on prevention and reporting identity theft occurrences is available at the police department.

During the spring months numerous street signs have been removed from roadways in the village. In addition to being both a nuisance and financial burden, the removal of these signs (including traffic signage) creates a danger to the public. Citizens are asked to exercise vigilance in reporting these incidents to police as well assisting in the recovery of stolen signs.

Please remember to register your house and any emergency contacts with the Police Department Records Division when you are planning to go away.

A reminder : All criminal defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Ridgewood Residents Secure Spots Days Ahead Of 4th Of July Parade

4thjulychairs theridgewoodblog

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Hundreds of lawn chairs are already lined up in strategic spots inRidgewood, New Jersey, in advance of the town’s big Fourth of July parade.

Some residents started setting out their lawn chairs along the mile-long parade route on Maple Avenue as much as 13 days ago, 1010 WINS’ Glenn Schuck reported.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/07/01/ridgewood-4th-of-july-parade-chairs/

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New research suggests nature walks are good for your brain

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By Chris Mooney June 29 at 3:42 PM

In the past several months, a bevy of studies have added to a growing literature on the mental and physical benefits of spending time outdoors. That includes recent research showing that short micro-breaks spent looking at a nature scene have a rejuvenating effect on the brain — boosting levels of attention — and also that kids who attend schools featuring more greenery fare better on cognitive tests.

And Monday, yet another addition to the literature arrived — but this time with an added twist. It’s a cognitive neuroscience study, meaning not only that benefits from a nature experience were captured in an experiment, but also that their apparent neural signature was observed through brain scans.

The paper, by Stanford’s Gregory Bratman and several colleagues from the United States and Sweden, was published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In it, 38 individuals who lived in urban areas, and who had “no history of mental disorder,” were divided into two groups — and asked to take a walk.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/06/29/fixating-or-brooding-on-things-take-a-walk-in-the-woods-for-real/

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Tree closes down Linwood Ave. in Ridgewood

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July 1,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, An early morning rain storm brought down a tree across Linwood Ave. Ridgewood Police issued a traffic alert and set up detours . The heavy rain hit the Village around 4:28 am despite the heavy rains damage in the Village was minimal.

TRAFFIC ALERT – Tree and Power lines are down on Linwood Ave – Between Walthery Ave & N. Pleasant. Detours have been established.

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Vendors keep it fresh at Ridgewood farmers’ market

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JUNE 30, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015, 9:23 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Farmers’ Market has returned to Ridgewood, setting up shop on the west side of the village’s train station.

Organized by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, the market, which is back for its 15th straight year, is one of the very few remaining true farmers’ markets.

“The market only sells food, no candles or anything like that,” said Joan Groome, executive director of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce.

The market will take place this year every Sunday through the end of October, rain or shine.

“The sellers put their food under tents, so the market will come off unless there are extreme conditions,” Groome said.

Merchants include a mozzarella cheese salesman; a baker; a jelly and jam salesman; Picklelicious, a well-known pickle company that attends many farmers’ markets; and two farmers.

Although the majority of wares for sale have remained static for most of the market’s history, the farmers sell whatever produce is in season, meaning that their inventory will change throughout the year. This gives attendees a variety of options to choose from, and keeps things interesting.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/vendors-keeping-it-fresh-for-15th-year-1.1365636

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Buy Tickets for the Ridgewood July 4th Fireworks!

ridgewood fireworks theridgewoodblog.net

July 1,2015

Ridgewood NJ, While the Parade is free, Fireworks Tickets are required for entrance to Vet’s Field. Donations for Fireworks Tickets is one of the Celebration’s largest sources of income. Tickets are available for advance purchase at stores for $10. Tickets are on sale at the gates for $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Buy your tickets in advance for big savings! Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

Tickets will be on sale at the following vendors for $10 each. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

•Backyard Living – 235 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood

•Bergen News Plus – 890 Prospect Street, Glen Rock

•Chestnut Catering & Deli – 25 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood

•Connect One Bank – 171 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood

•Custom Cut Salon – 239 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park

•Daily Treat Restaurant– 177 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood – Open July 4th until 2:00 PM

•Drinks Wines and Spirits- 607 N. Maple Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus – Open July 4th until 5:00 PM

•Goffle Brook Farm– 425 Goffle Road, Ridgewood – Open July 4th until 5:00 PM

•Hillman Electric Inc. – 133 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood

•Hogan’s Restaurant & Diner – 20 Central Avenue, Midland Park

•Hoskins Propane – 523 Goffle Road, Ridgewood

•Ridgewood Auto Wash Co. – 450 South Broad Street, Glen Rock

•Ridgewood Cycle Shop – 35 North Broad Street, Ridgewood

•The Wine Seller- 6 West Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood – Open July 4th until 4:00 PM

•Town & Country Apothecary – 60 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood

At the gate tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for Children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are admitted for free. Buy your tickets in advance and save.

Patrons and belongings will be subject to security checks by Police Department personnel when entering Veterans Field. Alcohol is not permitted. There will be 2 lines at the gates, one for those with bags and one for those without bags. Expect delays. All gates will close at 9:00 PM.

Gates open at 6:00 PM and close at 9:00 PM

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FLASH FLOOD WARNING

Ridgewood_Flash_Flooding_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
419 AM EDT WED JUL 1 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON NY HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WARNING

*
PASSAIC COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY…
CENTRAL UNION COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY…
HUDSON COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY…
BERGEN COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY…
EASTERN UNION COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY…
ESSEX COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY…
QUEENS COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK…
KINGS COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK…
SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK…
NEW YORK COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK…
BRONX COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK…
RICHMOND COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK…

* UNTIL 615 AM EDT

* AT 418 AM EDT…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING
HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE WARNED AREA. FLASH FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO
BEGIN SHORTLY.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE
WARNED AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

PLEASE REPORT FLOODING TO YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHEN YOU
CAN DO SO SAFELY.

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Tonight Music Under the Stars at the Kasschau Shell on Vet’s Field

Kasschau_Band_Shell_theridgewoodblog

2015 Kasschau Shell Schedule

Here is the schedule for you to make plans for the upcoming 2015 Entertainment Under the Stars at the Kasschau Shell on Vet’s Field in Ridgewood. All programs are free. Just bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music!

Click Here for 2015 Season Schedule.

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Readers say : non binding = if the residents approve great they will move forward. If the residents do not approve it is non binding (on the mayor and council) and they will move forward

Mayor_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

Readers say : non binding = if the residents approve great they will move forward. If the residents do not approve it is non binding (on the mayor and council) and they will move forward. It’s a done deal folks.

So let’s get the business owners in the CBD who want this (Fish, Greek to Me) to help pay for the garage if it’s a done deal. If they have skin in the game, at least they’ll help protect Village taxpayers from cost overruns and “slippage” better than the Village ever could or would. Why should taxpayers be liable for 100% of the cost and inevitable overruns when this garage will benefit the businesses in the CBD? C’mon, this is North Bergen in NJ. Everything costs multiples of what it should so that everyone can get their “taste”.

The CBD business interests and landlords like to say that Ridgewood always says no to change. Not true. In the past couple of decades we built a new Village Hall, expanded the High School, built a new library, turfed Maple and the HS fields, upgraded Graydon, built a new track facility at BF, added a new gym at GW, converted Habernickel to public use. Whether you agree with all of these actions or not, Ridgewood has not sat still and has spent when needed. Contrast that with the decades long debate about a parking garage. It has NOT been built because there has been a consistent view by most residents that it is not needed and will detract from the Village. The only thing that has changed is that the commercial interests seem to have gotten a firmer foothold with the VC.

so why aren’t these CBD business interests helping to pay for it? Why should taxpayers be on the hook for 100% of this? Makes no sense.

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Ridgewood shows its camaraderie

Ridgewood_Train_Statin_theridgewoodblog

JUNE 26, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Community shows its camaraderie

To the Editor:

The Ridgewood trestle sign — it symbolizes so much of what makes our village unique. Our Wiffle for Cancer trestle sign recently proclaimed to all who journeyed through the underpass that a special town event was in the offing. A friend saw the sign and said it reminded her of how the people of our town come together to support each other in a time of need. It warmed her heart. I could not agree with her more.

June 7 marked the 11th Wiffle for Cancer Tournament. The first event took place to show support for Ridgewood High School graduate Nick Currey as he battled Ewing Sarcoma. The next 10 tournaments served to raise money to fund cancer research to find a cure for the illness that claimed Nick’s life.

What a sense of gratitude the Currey family has toward all the people who make this special day possible. There are unfortunately other families who have lost a child in Ridgewood. We have been so touched by the kindness of those families who have reached out to us in spite of their own loss.

Michael Feeney’s parents, who also lost a son to Ewing Sarcoma, took the time to come to the Wiffle event to make a donation. They have chosen to remember their son with Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever.

Likewise, the Kelly Creegan Memorial Fund reached out to us with its support. The generosity of parents who have also experienced loss is especially heartwarming. We thank them so much for their courage and for making a difference.

To make a success of an event like Wiffle for Cancer, so many elements have to come together in just the right way. We are so fortunate that the Ridgewood High School DECA group, guided by faculty members Karen Mendez and Sean Kase, lead the Wiffle tournament from the RHS perspective. We were delighted that the superintendent of schools and mayor fielded a team! It is yet another example of how the community finds a way to support such a meaningful cause.

Not only is it a day to raise money so that one day the Nicks and Michaels of the future will not have to leave us way before their time, but it is a really fun day. The sense of camaraderie would have made Nick so glad.

And it all started with a sign.

Nancy Currey

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-to-the-editor-ridgewood-shows-its-camaraderie-1.1363685

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GEAR UP for Owen!

owen
photo courtesy of GW
GEAR UP for Owen!
June 28,201the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, On Wednesday, June 17th (3:15pm)  the teachers and staff at George Washington Middle School waled through Ridgewood to increase awareness of fundraising efforts for Owen Betrus, the son of colleague Rob Betrus (Monroe 8 Math).

Owen was diagnosed at birth with quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy.  He was also diagnosed with Cortical Visual Impairment just before his first birthday, and with Intractable Epilepsy at the age of three.  Despite these challenges Owen (6 years old) is generally happy and full of life and energy.  He is curious about the world around him and makes every attempt to participate fully in any task presented to him. He loves to be active and spend time with his parents, twin brother, Liam, and little brother, Quinn.

The “Gear Up for Owen” walk raised money to help the Betrus family fund an adaptive ramp for their minivan.

They have created a GoFundMe page for Owen at www.gofundme.com/gearup4owen   Please visit the site to learn more about how you can help support our efforts.  We also invite you to join the the GW staff and the Betrus family as we walk through town to help bring awareness to the different challenges Owen faces.  We will be gathering at the GW Field at 3:15.

Student were also encouraged  to join in as long as they filled out the proper paperwork before hand .  If you couldn’t join in and were in town after school you were encouraged to give Owen a high five!

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Parking garage interest gauged in Ridgewood

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JUNE 29, 2015    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — When it meets on July 15, the Village Council could move to add a non-binding referendum to November’s ballot, gauging public support for the financing of a parking garage downtown.

For well over a year, Ridgewood officials have been implementing various measures aimed at providing additional parking throughout the central business district.

Business leaders agree with the council that constructing a garage on Hudson Street would lure more dollars to the village.

Last week, Ridgewood’s council reviewed a draft resolution regarding the non-binding ballot question; a final version of the resolution will be prepared in time for the council’s July 8 meeting, with a vote likely a week later.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/parking-garage-interest-gauged-1.1364987

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Car hits Utility Pole on North Walnut ,driver unhurt

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Photos Courtesy of Boyd Loving via Facebook

Car hits Utility Pole on North Walnut ,driver unhurt
June 27,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the  Ridgewood Police issued one (1) summons in connection with the crash of a Chevy Sonic into a utility pole near 139 North Walnut Street shortly after 4:30 PM on Saturday, 6/27. The vehicle’s female driver was uninjured in the crash.
A flatbed tow truck was summoned to remove the car from the scene. There were no reported disruptions in utility services as a result of the mishap. The minor fluid spill associated with the incident did not require FD response.
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Road Rage Assault on Ridgewood Jogger

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Photos Courtesy of Boyd Loving via Facebook

Road Rage Assault on Ridgewood Jogger
June 26,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A 41-year old female from Ridgewood was assaulted while jogging on Friday .The alleged assault took place after the jogger yelled at the vehicle the driver of a Subaru Forester  exited the vehicle .The jogger claims she yelled when the Subaru almost ran her over.

It was reported the victim did not require any medical attention. The jogger reportedly snapped a cell phone photo of the assailant. Ridgewood PD is now investigating.
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Ridgewood shows solidarity with Charleston

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file photo Boyd Loving

JUNE 25, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015, 3:13 PM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

“You are proof that darkness will lose!” shouted the Rev. Mack Brandon during a joyous, gospel-infused musical interlude. It was the kind of cathartic moment necessary to offset the pain felt by citizens everywhere following a national tragedy that hit too close to home.

“In the midst of our pain we sing, in the midst of our pain we pray,” Brandon said later, characterizing the evening as a sober moment. “In the midst of our pain we speak to each other.”

Balancing the relief of healing and the sorrow of tragedy was at the center of a community prayer gathering at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Ridgewood on Sunday. Congregants and clergy of all races and faiths packed the church to call for peace and harmony after nine people were killed at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 17.

As Mayor Paul Aronsohn welcomed the community members to the church, he asked the people to unite as one and chart a new path, using the tragedy as a wake-up call to treat one another as equals.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/ridgewood-shows-solidarity-with-charleston-1.1363305