Community Unites to Mourn Two 10-Year-Old Garfield Students Lost in Passaic River Tragedy
photo ERFD Special Operations Team responded mutual aid to assist the Passaic Fire Department during an extensive search for two missing juveniles in the Passaic River
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Garfield NJ, More than 100 community members gathered near the Market Street Bridge on Sunday to honor the lives of two 10-year-old playmates, Michael “Mikey” Robert Klenk Jr. and Milian “Millie” Dula, who tragically drowned after being swept away by strong currents in the Passaic River.
Fair Lawn NJ, a utility pole mounted electric transformer explosion and resultant fire on the Maple Avenue bridge between Fair Lawn and Paterson triggered full closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic for hours on Wednesday, 05/08. No injuries were reported. Information was unavailable at the scene as to whether any vehicles were struck by falling debris from the affected utility pole. The transformer itself appeared to have fallen into the Passaic River. Fair Lawn Police and Paterson Police provided traffic control during the incident. Paterson Fire Department Engine Company #5 assisted PSE&G Electric Division crews with fire suppression.
Totawa NJ , Senator Kristin Corrado, and Assemblymen Christopher DePhillips and Al Barlas introduced legislation Tuesday to fund projects that will prevent future devastating floods along the Peckman River.
Paterson NJ, a 911 telephone call received by the Paterson Police Department from an individual who witnessed a woman dumping a child strapped in a car seat into the Passaic River triggered a massive multi-agency search on Monday morning, 07/17. Water, air (drone), and land searches were conducted for over one (1) hour before they were terminated after the witness’ account was not able to be verified. The search included , Fair Lawn Police Department, Elmwood Park Police, Elmwood Park Fire Dept, NJ Paterson Police Department, Paterson Fire Department ,Fair Lawn Rescue Squad, Fair Lawn Fire Department, Fair Lawn Fire Company #4 ,Fair Lawn Fire Company #3, Fair Lawn Fire Company 2 ,and Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.
Clifton NJ, a New Jersey State Police helicopter rescued two (2) City of Clifton firefighters from a small rescue boat after the boat accidentally floated over the Dundee Dam while attempting to rescue several construction workers whose boat became stuck on top of the same dam. The incident unfolded late Wednesday afternoon, 06/28, and brought emergency services resources from multiple municipalities in Bergen & Passaic Counties. Firefighters from Elmwood Park and Garfield deployed boats into the Passaic River and rescued the stranded construction workers and one (1) Clifton firefighter, but the two (2) other Clifton firefighters were stuck until the helicopter arrived. No serious injures were reported in connection with the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, fishing has never been better in New Jersey! Find out for yourself on this year’s second Free Fishing Day Saturday, October 22. On this day, resident anglers can enjoy some of the finest freshwater fishing in the Northeast without needing to purchase a license or a trout stamp.
Hawthorne NJ, on Tuesday a stolen car traffic stop on the North 6th Street Bridge shortly before 4:30 p.m led to a handcuffed suspect leaping into the Passaic River . Hawthorne Officers jumped in after him .
Finally recovering the prisoner by boat . No injuries reported .
photos courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Lyndhurst NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said in a Facebook post that “the Riverside Boathouse construction is really coming along! Once complete this facility will be the premier location for the sport of rowing from beginners to the competitive collegiate level and will provide greater access to the Passaic River for our residents to enjoy. This project is just one piece of the transformative revitalization taking place in Riverside County Park and demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to open space, environmental stewardship, and the enhancement of our Bergen County Parks System for future generations to enjoy. I look forward to cutting the ribbon later this year!”
Elmwood Park NJ, a mother and her two (2) year old child were rescued from the icy Passaic River by Elmwood Park Police officers and Elmwood Park firefighters. Both mother and child were rushed by ambulances to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson. No details were immediately available as to how the victims wound up in the water. Numerous area public safety agencies rushed to assist Elmwood Park emergency responders.
Elmwood Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the investigation into the discovery of a body floating in the Passaic River in Elmwood Park on Sunday, May 24, 2020. At approximately 11:20 a.m., the Elmwood Park Police Department received a 911 call reporting a body in the Passaic River. The body was located underneath Broadway on the Elmwood Park/Paterson border. The body was an unidentified male found face down, tangled in debris. The Elmwood Park Fire Department rescue boat retrieved the unidentified male and brought him to the Elmwood Park Marina for an examination by the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office. The initial assessment did not reveal any trauma to the body.
Fair Lawn NJ, last Wednesday Underwater diving teams from several municipalities in Bergen and Morris Counties focused their combined search efforts on a small segment of the Passaic River near the Fair Lawn Avenue bridge, Fair Lawn, on Wednesday morning, 03/18. Media reports indicate that the search was being conducted in connection with a criminal investigation. Officials at the scene did not say what or who scuba divers were looking for, nor did they reveal if anything or anybody was located in the river.
JULY 8, 2015, 9:50 AM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015, 3:38 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
ELMWOOD PARK – The search for the gator roving the Passaic River is over.
Authorities captured the alligator around noon today after launching a boat to get close enough to the creature.
Media and Elmwood Park officials gather on the banks of the Passaic River after a fisherman reported seeing an alligator in the water.
The alligator was spotted this morning by a fisherman, Luis Acosta, who called police around 8:20 a.m. after he saw the alligator about 15 feet away while he was fishing for carp.
“I noticed something moving,” Acosta said. “I thought it was a snapping turtle.”
He then thought it might be a floating log. But suddenly, “I saw his whole body. His legs, his tail. I said, ‘wow.'”
He was relieved when authorities also spotted the alligator. “If that alligator goes inside the water, they’re going to think I’m crazy,” he said.
The report of the exotic resident of the Passaic set off a frenzy of activity in the area, with police, fire and wildlife officials rushing to the scene – followed by people who heard about the creature and wanted to get a look.
