Westwood Regional School Budget: Tax Hikes and Job Cuts Shake the District
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.
Close Call at Bruster’s: Westwood Firefighters Prevent Overnight Disaster
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.
Westwood Housing War: Developer Sues for 300 Units as Borough Fights to Control Growth
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.
Westwood Regional Schools Face $3M Deficit: Tax Hikes and Staff Cuts Proposed to Save Budget
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.
From TikTok to Tragedy: Westwood Resident Pleads Guilty in Brutal Double Homicide of Aunts
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.
Flood Relief for Pascack Valley? Mayors and Stevens Institute Fast-Track “Smart” Reservoir Technology
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.
Planning renovations on a historic property in Westwood, NJ? Here is your essential guide to navigating the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process
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.
Smashing Success: Westwood Welcomes “Smash House” for Creative Stress Relief
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.
Westwood Icon in Crisis: Pascack Valley Swim Club Battles to Stay Afloat for 2026 Season
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, A staple of summer life in Westwood, NJ, is facing its “most serious budgetary obstacle ever.” The Pascack Valley Swim Club, which has served the community since 1963, is struggling with a crushing combination of rising property taxes and expensive, state-mandated upgrades.
Dining in a Landmark: Inside the Historic Westwood Bank Turned Artisanal Cafe
photos courtesy of the Rosangelly’s Café Restaurant & BakeHouse
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The tallest building in downtown Westwood, once the stronghold of local savings and late-night deposits, has traded currency for croissants. The iconic Westwood Trust Building at 1 Westwood Ave. has officially entered its next chapter as the home of Rosangelly’s Café Restaurant & BakeHouse.
New Amazon Package Scam Targets NJ Residents: Don’t Scan That QR Code
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, A sophisticated nationwide scam has landed in Bergen County, prompting an urgent warning from local law enforcement. If an unexpected package arrives at your door with a mysterious QR code inside, you could be one click away from identity theft.
A Burst Pipe Couldn’t Stop Him: Dan DeMiglio’s 1950 Originals Makes a Miracle Return to Westwood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, for Dan DeMiglio, owner of the acclaimed 1950 Originals in Westwood, NJ, a broken pipe felt like a haunting case of déjà vu. Years ago, a similar plumbing disaster contributed to the closure of his previous restaurant. When a pipe burst in his 94-year-old iconic diner building this past October, DeMiglio feared the “American Dream” was finally slipping away.
Teresa Giudice’s Next Chapter: Inside “Il Vero,” the New Rooftop Hotspot Coming to Westwood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwolod NJ, Bergen County is about to get a major dose of “The Real Thing.” Teresa Giudice, the iconic star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and her daughter Gia Giudice have officially announced their newest venture: an upscale Italian restaurant named Il Vero.
The massive copper beech, a local landmark that has stood for nearly two centuries, has been diagnosed with a terminal case of brittle cinder fungus. While the news is devastating, Westwood leaders aren’t ready to say goodbye just yet, launching a “hail mary” search for a miracle cure to save the historic giant.