photo courtesy of Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, In a major relief for local public works crews and residents, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo shared an update regarding the Emerson Road Pump Station, announcing that recent persistent power failure alarms have finally been resolved.
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Westwood NJ, A long-awaited environmental initiative has officially arrived in Westwood, New Jersey. Spearheaded by Council Liaison Erin Collins and the Westwood Environmental Advisory Committee—with vital help from local Troop 350 Eagle Scout Nico Doell—the Borough has launched its pilot food waste composting program.
Continue reading Westwood Launches 24/7 Food Waste Composting Pilot Built by Local Eagle Scout
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Westwood NJ, Flooding in the Pascack Valley remains a pressing concern for local residents, and Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo is pushing state officials and private water management to take immediate action.
Continue reading Flood Relief Impasse: Westwood Mayor Pushes BPU to Subpoena Veolia Water Data
photo courtesy of Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Four major rainstorms in just six weeks have shattered a two-year drought across Northern New Jersey, forcing Pascack Valley residents to contend with recurring floodwaters once again. While the immediate focus remains on home protection, municipal leaders are warning of a deeper ecological crisis: 50 years of accumulated waterway neglect that is actively destroying the region’s irreplaceable mature trees, eroding stream banks, and crippling natural drainage.
photos courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
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Westwood NJ, At a recent Commissioner Public Meeting, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco officially honored James Zaconie as the county’s August Veteran of the Month, celebrating his life devoted to military duty and local emergency response.
Continue reading James Zaconie Named Bergen County Veteran of the Month
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WESTWOOD, NJ — Mark your calendars for a full day of open-air shopping, vintage discoveries, and local eats! On Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, picturesque Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Westwood will transform into a vibrant outdoor marketplace hosting over 125 artisan and antique exhibitors.
photo courtesy of Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WESTWOOD, N.J. — In a heartfelt tribute, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo celebrated the milestone swearing-in of Alyssa Dawson as she joins the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecutor.
photo courtesy of Mayor Ray Arroyo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, Last weekend, New Jersey faced a brutal combination of extreme weather: gale-force winds exceeding 60 MPH colliding with a punishing, triple-digit heatwave. The severe storms knocked out power for over 200,000 utility customers statewide, leaving many in the dark during some of the hottest days of the year.
Westwood Cinemas Addresses Closure Rumors: “We Have No Intention to Close”
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Westwood NJ, If you have heard rumors circulating about the future of Westwood Cinemas in Westwood, NJ, the hometown staple has an official message for the community: The doors are wide open, and they plan to keep it that way.
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WESTWOOD, NJ — Local leaders are sounding a massive alarm over a quiet legislative push in Trenton that could fundamentally strip New Jersey municipalities of their zoning rights.
According to Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo and Council President Lauren Letizia, a series of high-stakes housing bills are weaving through state committees “like stolen cars tailed by the police”—temporarily parking and shifting paths to avoid public backlash before easing back into the voting queue.
file photo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, A major legislative battle is unfolding in Trenton that could permanently alter the landscape of New Jersey towns. Bill S-1766 is fast-tracking through the Senate, prompting a wave of fierce opposition from local governing bodies and municipal leaders who warn it will strip communities of their right to self-determine their own neighborhoods.
Continue reading Trenton’s New Power Grab: The Controversial Bill That Could Ruin Local Town Zoning
the staff of the Ridgewood Blog Based on insights from Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo
Westwood NJ, During a recent Senior Breakfast in Westwood, NJ, one burning question dominated the room: What is the future of development in the Pascack Valley? Local residents are rightfully anxious. Right now, Trenton lawmakers are pushing a trio of aggressive housing and zoning bills—S-1766, S-1786, and S-1836—that threaten to strip local power away from elected Mayors, Councils, and zoning boards. Instead of letting communities decide how they grow, centralized state mandates are attempting to force urban-style densities onto fully developed, small-town New Jersey.
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WESTWOOD, NJ — A major real estate shift is coming to Bergen County. The Westwood Plaza shopping center, famously known for housing the very last Kmart in the state of New Jersey, has officially been sold in a multimillion-dollar transaction.
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Westwood NJ, The Westwood Regional School District has officially approved a $78.9 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year, but the financial blueprint comes with a heavy price tag for both taxpayers and staff.
photos courtesy of the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, It was a chilly Saturday for an ice cream run, but the heat was already on at a local favorite. The Westwood Volunteer Fire Department responded to a potentially devastating scene at Bruster’s Real Ice Cream on Broadway this past weekend, proving just how lucky a business can get when fire stays contained.
