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”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WESTWOOD, NJ – A high-stakes legal battle is unfolding in the “Hub of the Pascack Valley.” While Westwood officials have cleared the way for a modest affordable housing expansion, a developer is pushing for nearly ten times that amount, threatening to reshape the borough’s downtown forever.
Continue reading 31 Units or 300? The Massive Legal Battle That Could Redefine Downtown Westwood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, The Westwood Regional Board of Education is navigating a fiscal storm. At a recent meeting on March 24, 2026, the district introduced a $78.9 million budget designed to plug a massive $3 million hole caused primarily by skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Alan “Alina” Abad/Evelyn Aguilar-Agustin and Anabelly Aguilar. — alinaabad4 Tiktok/GoFundMe photos/Spring Valley PD
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ— In a chilling conclusion to a case that shocked the Tri-State area, a 20-year-old Westwood, New Jersey, resident has officially admitted to the brutal double murder of two family members.
Alan Abad (also known as Alina Abad) pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 24, in Rockland County Court to first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. The plea comes just over a year after the horrific February 2025 attack in Spring Valley that left two women dead inside their own home.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WESTWOOD, NJ — A major step toward ending the chronic flooding issues plaguing the Pascack Valley took place this week, as regional leaders gathered to review a high-tech solution that could change how local waterways are managed.
Continue reading Westwood Mayor Hosts Stevens Institute to Tackle Regional Flooding
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, If you are a proud owner of a historically designated home or business in Westwood, you know that living in a piece of local history comes with unique rewards—and a few extra steps when it comes to home improvements.
photos courtesy of Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, In an era where “yearning undefined” and cultural tension seem to be at an all-time high, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo and the Borough Council recently celebrated the opening of a unique venue designed to handle it all: Smash House.
