The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — A 28-year-old man from Franklin Lakes was hospitalized after being struck by lightning while golfing at Ballyowen Golf Club on July 8, according to the Hardyston Police Department.
Continue reading Franklin Lakes Man Struck by Lightning While Golfing at Ballyowen in Sussex County
file photo by Boyd Loving
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Ridgewood NJ, with congested highways and the daily toll of commuting, roadway safety is an ongoing concern in the Garden State. Now, a cutting-edge technology firm is offering a game-changing, AI-powered solution to help New Jersey improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.
Continue reading Could AI Make New Jersey Roadways Safer? Rekor Systems Thinks So
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
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FAIR LAWN, NJ — On Saturday morning, July 5, the Fair Lawn Fire Department responded swiftly to a working truck fire on Route 208 southbound near Virginia Drive. The vehicle, a tree service truck, caught fire just before noon, prompting an emergency response from local firefighters and police.
Continue reading Truck Fire on Route 208 in Fair Lawn Quickly Contained by Firefighters
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Ridgewood NJ, as we gear up to celebrate Independence Day, the Ridgewood Police Department reminds everyone to enjoy the festivities safely and legally. While New Jersey legalized certain fireworks in 2017, many people still mistakenly believe all fireworks are now legal — they’re not.
Continue reading Happy 4th of July Weekend! Celebrate Safely in Ridgewood
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Ridgewood , NJ — As part of the newly passed $58.78 billion FY 2026 New Jersey state budget, major changes are coming to the state’s real estate tax structure — particularly the “Mansion Tax.” The revamped policy will increase taxes on high-end property sales and shift responsibility from buyers to sellers, significantly impacting the state’s luxury real estate market.
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TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy signed a record-breaking $58.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, marking the largest in New Jersey history — and his final as term-limited governor. While the spending plan includes some relief for small businesses and education, critics say it leans heavily on tax hikes and fiscal overreach.
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Newark NJ, A detective in the New Jersey Transit Police Department has filed a lawsuit alleging racial harassment, workplace retaliation, and obstruction of justice by his supervisor — the latest in a troubling pattern of discrimination and misconduct accusations facing NJ Transit in recent years.
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Wayne NJ, Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, NJ, experienced an unexpected temporary closure on Sunday, June 29, due to “Fire Department activity,” according to local authorities. The Wayne Police Department announced the closure around 2:00 p.m. via Facebook, prompting temporary traffic disruptions and restricted mall access.
Continue reading Willowbrook Mall Temporarily Closed Due to Fire Department Activity in Wayne
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HACKENSACK, NJ — Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Tahjee H. Goodwin, 35, of Newark, in connection with a 2024 shooting incident on Newman Street in Hackensack. The arrest marks the latest development in a year-long joint investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under Chief Matthew Finck, and the Hackensack Police Department, led by Chief Michael Antista.
Continue reading Newark Man Arrested in Hackensack Shooting Case Following Year-Long Investigation
photos courtesy of the City of Englewood Fire Department
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ENGLEWOOD, NJ — As scorching temperatures continue to grip the region, the City of Englewood Fire Department has been working tirelessly, responding to over a dozen emergency calls amid the extreme heat.
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Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, Fire departments across the United States are battling more than just flames — they’re fighting a dangerous shortage of volunteer firefighters, and the impact is being felt most in small towns like those across New Jersey.
Continue reading Volunteer Firefighter Shortage Reaches Crisis Levels in New Jersey and Nationwide
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RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Tragedy has struck the Ridgewood community as Eugenia Antipas, 50, passed away from injuries sustained in a serious car crash in Montclair earlier this month.
Continue reading Ridgewood Woman Dies Two Weeks After Montclair Car Crash
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WYCKOFF NJ , Following a string of mail theft cases across Bergen County, including the check thefts reported in Glen Rock, the Wyckoff Police Department is now investigating a new mystery involving opened mailboxes on Lafayette Avenue. Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible.
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Ridgewood NJ, In a decisive vote on June 10, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) approved a new labor contract with NJ Transit, ending years of stalled negotiations and bringing wage increases for nearly 450 rail engineers.
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East Rutherford NJ, the developers of the American Dream mall are taking five insurance companies to court over more than $20 million in losses they claim resulted from a decorative helicopter falling from the ceiling of the DreamWorks Water Park in February 2023.
Continue reading American Dream Sues Insurers Over $20.5M Loss from Water Park Helicopter Collapse
