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Did this N.J. mall finally solve our holiday parking nightmares?

Westfield Garden State Plaza

By Paul Milo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on December 01, 2016 at 7:50 AM, updated December 01, 2016 at 7:56 AM

PARAMUS — A New Jersey mall has come up with a 21st century answer to a problem that has plagued generations of holiday shoppers: finding a parking space.

Westfield Garden State Plaza partnered with MyPark, a Miami company that allows shoppers to reserve a parking space by using a downloadable app. The specially modified parking spaces are equipped with a gate that remains upright until the person who reserved the space uses the app to bring the gate down.

The mall announced the rollout Wednesday. A total of 33 spaces, located near the entrance to Nieman Marcus, will be available at a cost of $10 for four hours each, NorthJersey.com reported.

The mall has nearly 11,000 parking spaces for shoppers at its more than 300 stores. The Garden State Plaza sees about 18 million visits a year, according to figures provided by Westfield.

The MyPark service is already available at a few other locations, including six properties in Florida, but the company plans to introduce it at several more locations in 2017.

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2016/12/watch_this_space_nj_mall_debuts_reserved_parking.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2#cmpid=nsltr_stryheadline

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Rollover Motor Vehicle Accident at Century Road in Paramus Closes Route 17 North

Rollover Motor Vehicle Accident at Century Road

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

October 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Paramus PD, FD, EMS, and Rescue Squad personnel responded to a rollover motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Century Road East and Route 17 North on Thursday morning, 10/27. Two (2) vehicles were involved in a collision that resulted in one (1) rolling over on its roof. The crash resulted in a fluid spill that required DOT/Hazmat response. A flatbed tow truck removed both vehicles from the location. The number of victims and condition of same was not made available at the scene. A paramedic unit from Hackensack University Medical Center was also dispatched to the incident. One (1) access ramp at the Century Road East/Route 17 North interchange were closed while emergency crews worked.

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Best Selling Author Ridgewood’s Harlan Coben to Appear at Barnes and Noble in Paramus to discuss his newest thriller, “Home”

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September 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Tuesday September 20, 2016 7:00 PM Barnes and Noble will be welcoming bestselling author Ridgewood’s own Harlan Coben for a discussion and book signing. His newest thriller is entitled Home, book #11 in the ‘Myron Bolitar Series.’

With over 70 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben’s last nine consecutive novels, FOOL ME ONCE, THE STRANGER, MISSING YOU, SIX YEARS, STAY CLOSE, LIVE WIRE, CAUGHT, LONG LOST and HOLD TIGHT all debuted at #1 on the New York Timesbestseller list and lists around the world. His books are published in 43 languages around the globe and have been number one bestsellers in over a dozen countries.

Winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award – the first author to win all three – international bestselling author Harlan Coben’s critically-acclaimed novels have been called “ingenious” (New York Times), “poignant and insightful” (Los Angeles Times), “consistently entertaining” (Houston Chronicle), “superb” (Chicago Tribune) and “must reading” (Philadelphia Inquirer).

Harlan’s novel TELL NO ONE was turned into the commercial and critical smash hit French film of the same name, starring Francois Cluzet and Kristin Scott Thomas. The movie was the top box office foreign-language film of the year in USA, won the Lumiere (French Golden Globe) for best picture and was nominated for nine Cesars (French Oscar) and won four, including best actor, best director and best music. The movie with subtitles is now available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and DVD/Blu-Ray.

Harlan is the creator and executive producer for both Harlan Coben’s THE FIVE, an original 10 episode, British crime drama, made for TV by Sky1, and NO SECOND CHANCE, based on his novel, a six-part French series, which scored the highest ratings for any French TV show in nearly a decade.

In his first books, Coben immersed himself in the exploits of sports agent Myron Bolitar. Critics loved the series, saying, “You race to turn pages…both suspenseful and often surprisingly funny” (People). After seven books Coben wanted to try something different. “I came up with a great idea that simply would not work for Myron,” says Coben. The result was the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller TELL NO ONE, which became the most decorated thriller of the year.  Two books later, Bookspan, recognizing Coben’s broad international appeal, named NO SECOND CHANCE its first ever International Book of the Month in 2003 – the Main Selection in 15 different countries.

Harlan was the first writer in more than a decade to be invited to write fiction for the NEW YORK TIMES op-ed page. His Father’s Day short story, THE KEY TO MY FATHER, appeared June 15, 2003.  His essays and columns have appeared in many top publications including the New York Times, Parade Magazine and Bloomberg Views.

Harlan has received an eclectic variety of honors from all over the world. In Paris, he was awarded the prestigious Vermeil Medal of Honor for contributions to culture and society by the Mayor of Paris. He was won the El Premio del Novela Negra RBA in Spain, the Grand Prix de Lectrices in France, and the CWA/ITV3 Bestseller Dagger for favorite crime novelist in England. On the other end of the spectrum, Little League Baseball inducted Harlan into their Hall of Excellence in 2013, and Harlan is also a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame from his playing days at Amherst College.

Harlan was born in Newark, New Jersey. He still lives in Ridgewood , New Jersey with his wife, Anne Armstrong-Coben MD, a pediatrician, and their four children.

Barnes and Noble
Paramus

765 Route 17 South
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-445-4589

Store Hours:

Sun Closed
Mon-Thu 9-10
Fri & Sat 9-11

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Linwood Ave at Washington Township Boarder Shut Down due to Fallen Tree Monday

Linwood Ave at Washington Township Boarder Shut Down due to Fallen Tree Monday

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

August 23,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Both directions of Linwood Avenue east of Route 17 in Paramus to the border of Washington Township and Ridgewood were closed for approximately two (2) hours on Monday morning, 8/22 because of a fallen tree near 1127 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood. Ridgewood PD and FD, along with Paramus PD personnel, responded to the incident. A PSE&G trouble shooter disconnected electric service to a single family home in order to facilitate removal of debris on the roadway. Cable TV and telephone services to the same home, which sustained slight damage when the tree fell, were also disrupted. A Village of Ridgewood Shade Tree Division crew cleared the roadway. No injuries were reported.

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Readers debate Paramus Catholic’s Alledged Firing of a teacher based on her same sex marriage

Kate Drumgoole (on right) was FIRED from her job at Paramus Catholic High School,

August 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood , many readers have different takes on Paramus Catholic’s alleged firing of a teacher based on her same sex marriage .

The staff of the Ridgewood blog thinks there is far more going on than the typical media template would have us all believe .

Catholic teaching does not recognize  same sex marriages , but there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in the application of that teaching from the school administration.  Should these inconsistencies be enough to force the institution to violate one of its tenants ? Or was that tenant merely used as an excuse for other issues . The main stream media has clearly taken the side of the teacher but is that the whole story.  Things are seldom as they seem to be.

………………………

Many religions do not recognize homosexuality. If you are employed at a Catholic institution you must support the values of the church. From the Archdiocese of Newark website teacher employment page:

CATHOLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS AND OPENINGS
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS:
Commitment to the Catholic Church’s teaching mission and philosophy
Dedication to a values-based education

You cannot force a religious institution to go against their beliefs. If you disagree with this then you should work at a public school – they have better salary and benefits. Ridgewood teachers have nothing to complain about.

or………………………………….

If the school ever took any grant money from the county, the state, or the federal government, then they cannot discriminate. And I am betting my last dollar that PC has taken plenty of grant money. They are discriminating against her because she is gay and that is against the law. Against the law. Do you understand this?

Catholic Schools do not require that all employees are catholic. They can be jewish, episcopalian, muslim, atheist, you name it. But they cannot be gay???!!! Again, this is discrimination plain and simple and it is sickening.

I am betting the pope would be appalled that she was fired and I hope he finds out and reverses this travesty.

I am rooting for Kate Drumgoole all the way. She deserves to get her job back or be compensated hugely. She is clearly a good person, a great teacher, a great coach, loved by all. This is disgusting what they did to her.

Shame on Paramus Catholic. Shame on them. What would Jesus Do? sure as hell he would not fire and humiliate this fine young woman.. sickening.

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Paramus Fairway Supermarket Saved for Now

Fairway
July 7th 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, the Fairway supermarket in Paramus and Woodland Park are expected to remain open for now .The struggling New York supermarket chain has emerged from bankruptcy with a reorganization plan that leaves the New York company with less debt, $50 million cash on hand, and new private equity owners.

The company, announced its reorganization plan last month, and was able to negotiate agreements with its lenders to reduce its debt by $140 million and trimmed its annual debt service obligation by up to $8 million.

The reorganization plan, was approved by the bankruptcy court last month, and took effect Sunday. Sterling Investment Partners, the private equity firm that bought the family-owned Fairway chain in 2007, and took the company public, has been replaced by a new group of investment firms.

Fairway currently has 15 stores, and will be closing a store in Lake Grove, on Long Island.

The Paramus Fairway opened in 2009 and the Woodland Park store opened in 2012, both were part of Sterling’s plan to expand into the suburbs , some would suggest over expand and to make Fairway a regional chain.

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Three Vehicle Collision Shuts Down Oradell Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus

Three Vehicle Collision Shuts Down Oradell Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook page

June 23,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Two (2) drivers involved in a late Wednesday afternoon, 06/22, three (3) vehicle collision at the intersection of Oradell Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus were transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with non life threatening injuries. Two (2) of the three (3) vehicles involved were heavily damaged and removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Paramus PD, FD Company #1, and EMS units responded. A minor crash related fluid spill was attended to by fire department personnel. The crash was reported at 5:55 PM.

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Ridgewood Council Candidate Evan Weitz Signs Litter Paramus

Ridgewood Council Candidate Evan Weitz Signs
April 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Perhaps Evan Weitz hasn’t lived here long enough to realize that he’s plastering Paramus with his signs? Maybe if he ever once attended a council meeting or visited the village hall he could familiarize himself with a map of our great village.

IMG 5227

His disrespect for our village-it’s look and feel, are evident in his decision to place signs in planters and leave them there no matter what residents feel about it. I mean, this is the man who has no problem with the rest of the town going to pot.

They’re placed in the PSEG Right of ways on Grove and at the exits to 17.Wonder if the person he has out doing his bidding (because we know he’s WAY to busy with his JOB and kids- that’s why he has never voted here, right. Amazing someone has actually voted LESS times than Janice Willet!!!!)

We wonder if who’s placing these signs is the same troll who is ripping DOWN all the Walsh, Hache and Voigt signs….?
Cameras everywhere these days, folks!!

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Paramus Police Discover 67 Puppies Packed in a Van on Route 17

paramus police
April 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Paramus police overnight Monday found 67 puppies packed into small metal crates in a van parked behind the Route 17 Paramus pet store, Just Pups .

Paramus Police officers on a routine patrol of Route 17 noticed a van parked behind the shopping complex where Just Pups Store in Paramus NJ is located. As the Police approached the vehicle, they heard crying and whining from the puppies that were crammed inside.

Last month, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals filed 267 animal cruelty charges against the owner of the van , Emerson native Vincent LoSacco, 50 after three dead dogs were recovered from a freezer of his East Brunswick store.

63 aditional puppies were taken in by a Tenafly pet rescuer and sources say authorities in East Brunswick revoked his license last Monday.

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New Proposed Teterboro Flight Approach moves Jet Traffic closer Ridgewood

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March 30,2016

the staff of the Rjidgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Look in the sky its a bird no its a plane and the new flight path to Teterboro Airport, intended to reduce noise around Hackensack University Medical Center, could take jets over Valley Hospital and Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood . This according to a map of the new flight procedure published by a navigational aid company ahead of a six-month trial of the route, which is due to begin on Monday.

The Bergen Record is reporting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has emphasized that its new they call it the “quiet visual” approach for Teterboro Airport shifts aircraft west of their current route to track Route 17 south from Mahwah to Rochelle Park. The idea is to minimize noise pollution by keeping aircraft over or close to the highway, itself a source of noise.

But the new flight procedure, published by Jeppesen, a Boeing company, shows that a significant portion of the approach takes pilots west of Route 17, particularly between Waldwick and Paramus.

The new flight path according to Jeppesen’s chart has jets approaching Teterboro dropping to a minimum of 3,000 feet around Mahwah, passing over Mahwah and Ramsey high schools. The next descend brings flights to about 2,000 feet, as they approach Julia A Traphagen Elementary School in Waldwick. Then planes would continue south, passing Ho-Ho-Kus Elementary School and, in Ridgewood, Benjamin Franklin Middle School and The Valley Hospital.

As flights continue over Paramus, jets will fly over Stony Lane School and Midland Elementary School as well as close by Bergen Community College, before coming in to land over the top of IKEA and the Westfield Garden State Plaza, while staying more than 1 mile west of Hackensack University Medical Center.

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Hit and Run Shuts Down 17 north in Paramus

Paramus Route 17 hit and Run

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

Hit and Run Shuts Down 17 north in  Paramus

March 16,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, A pedestrian was struck and seriously injured by a hit and run vehicle on Route 17 northbound in Paramus near the Toys ‘R Us store just after 8 PM on Tuesday, 03/15. The victim was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Route 17 northbound between A&S Drive and Ridgewood Avenue was closed to facilitate a police investigation of the incident. Police are said to be looking for a black colored Toyota SUV with heavy front end damage. Numerous vehicle parts were observed strewn about the accident scene. Paramus EMS and Rescue Squad and a paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital were also at the scene.

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Overturned Truck leads to Massive Delays on Route 17 South in Paramus on Monday

17 south paramus nj
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
Overturned Truck leads to Massive Delays on Route 17 South in Paramus on Monday
March 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, A truck tractor rolled over on Route 17 southbound in Paramus shortly after 12 noon on Monday, 03/14 causing massive delays northbound and southbound near A&S Drive.
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Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, a member of Paramus OEM and a former Paramus Fire Chief, was one of the first emergency services personnel on the scene. The tractor’s driver sustained minor injuries. Paramus OEM, FD, EMS, PD, Bergen County HAZMAT, and NJDOT all responded to the incident.
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Three vehicle crash at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus

Three vehicle crash at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

Three vehicle crash at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus
March 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, No injuries were reported in a three (3) vehicle crash at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus that occurred late Friday afternoon, 03/11. However, Pascack Road was closed for over one (1) hour in both directions between Linwood Avenue and Ridgewood Road, Washington Township due to a unsafe utility pole that was damaged during the crash. Paramus PD officers responded to the scene along with Washington Township PD and FD units. Two (2) vehicles involved in the crash were heavily damaged and towed from the scene by separate flatbed tow trucks

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Future’s on the line for Bergen Regional Medical Center

Bergen_regional_medical_center_theridgewoodblog

BY MARY JO LAYTON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

With a year to go before the contract with the operators of Bergen Regional Medical Center expires, county officials are weighing several options for the institution. That decision will affect tens of thousands of patients, renew scrutiny of the for-profit company that runs the hospital, and affect regional health care for decades.

The 19-year contract between the company that runs the Paramus hospital, Bergen Regional Medical Center LP, and the Bergen County Improvement Authority, is set to expire in March 2017.

Lawmakers, several county officials and others say it’s time for a change.

Critics complain the agreement has shortchanged patients and taxpayers and allowed a for-profit company to skirt millions in repairs while reaping substantial profits from the county-owned hospital.

“This was never a good deal for the people of Bergen County,” said state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck.

There’s much more at stake than drafting a new agreement.

Experts say it’s essential to preserve Bergen Regional — a linchpin in New Jersey’s fragile mental health system as more psychiatric facilities close and other hospitals cut or eliminate unprofitable mental health units. The hospital’s services are needed more than ever for seniors, addicts and even children.

“Although it’s a county facility, Bergen Regional is crucial to the entire state mental health system,” said Phil Lubitz, associate director of the National Alliance on Mental Health of New Jersey.

In the next several months, county officials will consider fundamental questions: Should the hospital continue providing psychiatric, long-term and acute services? Is it wise to have a for-profit operator continue to manage the county’s facility? Are staffing and equipment adequate? Should Bergen County invest capital in a hospital that serves so many patients who don’t live in the county?

https://www.northjersey.com/news/future-s-on-the-line-for-bergen-regional-medical-center-1.1515470

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Icy Road Conditions lead to Traffic Accidents in Paramus

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photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
Icy Road Conditions lead to Traffic Accidents in Paramus
February 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, A father and his two (2) young sons escaped injury following a crash in which their Mercedes SUV slid off of northbound Pascack Road near Linwood Avenue in Paramus and became impaled on a utility guy wire. The vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Paramus and Washington Township PD units responded to the incident, which occurred at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, 2/16.