file photo
Analysts back off predictions of $4 gas
Filling your gas tank may not hurt as much for the rest of the year.
After surging nearly 60 cents from late December to a $3.79 peak Feb. 27, prices have fallen for 25 of the past 29 days. Nationally, regular-grade gas now averages $3.65 a gallon — about 26 cents below year-ago levels. USA Today
Amanda Knox “anxious” as Italy’s high court weighs her acquittal of roommate murder
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, March 25, 7:16 AM
ROME — Amanda Knox was “very anxious” as Italy’s top criminal court heard arguments Monday from prosecutors appealing her acquittal in the murder of her roommate, her lawyer said.
“She’s carefully paying attention to what will come out,” attorney Luciano Ghirga said as he arrived at Italy’s Court of Cassation. “This is a fundamental stage. The trial is very complex.”
Prosecutors are asking the high court to throw out the acquittals of American Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend in the murder of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher, and order a new trial.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/amanda-knox-anxiously-awaits-verdict-from-italys-high-court-on-acquittal-of-roommate-murder/2013/03/25/354108c2-952c-11e2-95ca-dd43e7ffee9c_story.html
Weird Laws in US Cities
All across the nation, there are strange, unheard of laws that sit in the back of the books and most people go their entire lives without knowing they exist. Even with a Morgan Chu resume containing years of legal experience, one still might not know about all of these stipulations. Here are some of the strangest laws from all over the United States:
In California, they have recently restructured one of their long-standing laws that had to do with hunting. Specifically, there was a law saying California residents could use dogs in order to hunt mammals. Now that they’re reworded the law, the state of California has decided that while hunting is still legal, dogs are no longer allowed to be used to hunt bears or bobcats.
Back in the 1800s, New York created a law that is still very much valid today. This law states that under no circumstances are people allowed to walk around New York wearing masks, scarves, or anything that might hinder others’ abilities to see their identity. Sometimes exceptions are made for large events, especially on Halloween, but ninety percent of the time, no masks are allowed in New York.
In an effort to keep the state safe in the case of an emergency, Florida actually has a law written in the books that dictates all public doors must open outwards. It’s designed so people can quickly leave a building in a panic rather than fiddling trying to figure out how to open the door. Anyone who owns a public building but doesn’t adhere to this regulation will be found guilty of a third degree felony.
In Maryland, motorists need to be careful what they say. While driving down any highway or street, or walking down a sidewalk, no one is allowed to behave in any type of disturbing or offensive manner. This includes excessive anger and profanity. If Maryland law finds out that a resident behaved improperly within earshot of someone else, they will be charged with a misdemeanor.
In Illinois, there is a law that mandates certain homeowners pay what is essentially a rain tax. What this law means is that those homeowners who – at the discretion of the law – have areas on their property where excessive water can collect after a storm will need to pay a special tax. High roofs and long paved driveways are the two most common reasons people need to pay this tax, and the money being paid into it is allegedly going toward the extra work the city has to take in order to deal with the run-off from these properties.
WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE TRI-STATE TODAY AND TONIGHT...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
TONIGHT...
* LOCATIONS...NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY...NEW YORK CITY...AND LONG
ISLAND.
* HAZARD TYPES...WET SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 2 TO 3 INCHES WITH
ISOLATED AREAS UP TO 4 INCHES.
* WINDS...NORTHEAST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
* TEMPERATURES...AROUND 40.
* VISIBILITIES...LESS THAN 1 MILE AT TIMES.
* TIMING...LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS MORNING...AND
CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT.
* IMPACTS...ANY ACCUMULATING WET SNOW ON UNTREATED SURFACES WILL
RESULT IN DIFFICULT AND SLIPPERY DRIVING CONDITIONS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CA-- USE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND -- USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
2013 Village Budget – March 20, 2013 – Update
The information in this section is a working document of Village Finance and Village Manager’s Office.
The Village Council approves the 2013 budget, after a thorough process of which these documents are the current discussion following department requests and CFO/Manager negotiations with the department.
Included in this folder are:
1.) 2012 Budget Newsletter (for reference) – Click Here
2.) 2012 Adopted Budget – Click Here
3.) 2013 edited budget discussion presented at 1-30-13 Council workshop
Pages 1 -14
General, budget options: base, zero increase, zero tax increase
Timeline (page 1-2)
Amount to be raised by taxation (page 3)
Budget Revenue (pages 4-6)
Budget Appropriations (pages 7-12)
Discussion of potential revenue increase (pages 13-14)
Please understand, this is not a final document. It will not be voted on by the Council in this form. There will be opportunities for you, if interested, to appear before the Council and comment or question the proposed 2013 Budget prior to final adoption by the Council. In addition to Council meetings the meeting times of department discussions with the Council will be posted on the Village’s website – www.ridgewoodnj.net
For the Report
https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2013VillageBudgetStatus.pdf
For Proposed modifications to the 2013 Village budget,
https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/20130312BudgetMod.pdf
file photo by Boyd Loving
1 in 50 American kids has autism, controversial survey says
NEW YORK — A government survey of parents says 1 in 50 U.S. schoolchildren has autism, surpassing another federal estimate for the disorder.
Associated Press
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/1_in_50_us_schoolchildren_has.html#incart_flyout_news
Anglers Unite : Trout Season Opens April 6th
TROUT STOCKING HOTLINE: 609-633-6765
We know it hard to believe with snow on the ground but yes Trout Season officially open s in New Jersey on April 16th
The stocking trucks from the Pequest Trout Hatchery will begin rolling on March 18 as the spring pre-season distribution of this year’s trout gets under way. By year’s end, approximately 600,000 trout will be stocked throughout the state, but the action really got going on Opening Day, April 6, at 8 a.m.
The “production trout” average 10.5″ but were kept company prior to opening day by some of the more than 6,000 three to eight pound breeder trout which are also being stocked. This spring, trout will be placed in 88 streams and 90 ponds and lakes throughout New Jersey. Those trout will be in addition to some of the 26,000 bruisers still in the water from stockings in the fall and winter. Fortunately for the state’s anglers, trout remain available throughout the summer in many waters.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2013
Trout fishing in New Jersey continues to be some of the best available on the East Coast. The average size of the trout stocked is larger than trout stocked in neighboring states, and the Bonus Broodstock Lakes and the breeder stocking programs provide plenty of trophy size fish within a short drive from anywhere in the state. Aside from some allocation changes, noted below, the 2013 season is expected to provide the normally superb trout fishing opportunities New Jersey anglers have grown to appreciate.
Driving directions to some of the state’s better know trout water access points can be found at www.njfishandwildlife.com/accesswater.htm. Anglers are reminded that access to locations along trout stocked streams may be available only through the good graces of private landowners. Please be respectful of their property and take care not to damage trees and shrubs. Leaving your fishing location cleaner than when you arrived helps maintain good angler-landowner relations and ensures continued public access to trout streams.
The in-season stocking schedule, covering the seven weeks following opening day, is available online at www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtstk13.htm and through the trout stocking hotline at 609-633-6765.
SPRING TROUT SEASON BASICS
Anglers should be aware that most trout-stocked waters are closed to fishing during the 3 weeks leading up to opening day (March 18 – April 6 at 8 a.m.). During this time most trout-stocked waters are stocked with trout to provide anglers with great fishing opportunities on Opening Day, April 6.Successful trout angler
During this pre-season period you might want to try fishing one of a handful of trout-stocked waters that remain open for fishing. Farrington Lake (Middlesex Co.), Lake Hopatcong (Morris/Sussex counties), Lake Shenandoah (Ocean Co.), Prospertown Lake (Ocean Co.), and Swartswood Lake (Sussex Co.) are open year round to fishing. Designated Trout Conservation Areas (Seasonal and Year Round) and Holdover Trout Lakes also remain open to fishing. (Note that fishing is not permitted on Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on April 6, 2013). Trout caught in any of these waters during the pre-season period must be released immediately.
Those looking to fish during the pre-season period and keep their catch can cast a line in either of the state’s two Trophy Trout Lakes, Merrill Creek and Round Valley Reservoirs.
Be sure to check the trout regulations (https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2013/trtregs13.pdf) pertaining to all the above waters.
On Opening Day and the days that follow, there are a few regulations to keep in mind. On most waters anglers may keep 6 trout per day, and the trout must be at least 9 inches long. Since the trout reared at the Pequest Trout Hatchery average 10½ inches when stocked, most of the stocked trout you catch can be harvested if you chose to. June 1 is an important date, as the daily creel limit for trout on most trout waters drops from 6 to 4 per day.
The state’s sixteen major trout streams are stocked every week after Opening Day for the next seven weeks and they are closed to fishing from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of stocking. This allows the trout a chance to disperse following stocking and gives anglers an equal opportunity to fish for freshly stocked trout. All other waters may be fished at any time following Opening Day, including the day they are stocked. Many are stocked at least three times after Opening Day so be sure to check the trout stocking schedule to determine the stocking dates for the waters you plan to fish. Since every county has waters that are stocked with trout, spring trout fishing opportunities are never too far away
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS
MORNING…
* LOCATIONS…BERGEN AND EASTERN PASSAIC COUNTIES.
* HAZARD TYPES…FREEZING RAIN ON TOP OF EARLIER MODERATE
SNOWFALL.
* ACCUMULATIONS…A LIGHT GLAZE OF ICE ON TOP OF EARLIER SNOW
ACCUMULATION OF 3 TO 5 INCHES.
* WINDS…NORTHEAST 5 TO 10 MPH.
* TEMPERATURES…IN THE LOWER 30S.
* TIMING…LIGHT FREEZING RAIN EARLY THIS MORNING WILL TAPER OFF
TO SCATTERED LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS LATE THIS MORNING.
* IMPACTS…A LIGHT GLAZE OF ICE ON TOP OF ACCUMULATED SNOW WILL
MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CA– USE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS…AND — USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
30,000 books donated for Paterson children
Sunday March 17, 2013, 9:46 PM
BY DENISA R. SUPERVILLE
STAFF WRITER
The Record
PATERSON — The Big Book Drive, a four-week campaign that ended Sunday, has yielded more than 30,000 books — enough to give one to every school-aged child in the city.
“I think there is not a child’s book in any home anywhere in Bergen and Passaic counties because they were all sent to Paterson,” said Cindy Czesak, the director of the Paterson Free Public Library. “It’s beautiful. It’s overwhelming.”
As the drive wound down on Sunday, donors continued to drop off books. The lobby of The Record and the Herald News — the drive’s sponsors along with the library — had boxes and plastic bags of books, including a leather-bound series of Encyclopedia Britannica and children’s books from the Lizzie McGuire series.
https://www.northjersey.com/allendale/30000_books_donated_for_Paterson_children.html
Valley Rendering by Z. Putnins and C. Benson
Reader says Anything that the Valley Ridgewood location can’t fit should be done in Paramus
Parking Garages, Apartment Buildings, Turf Fields, Sports Fees, Rental and Garage Sale permits, $700 Dangerous Dog Licenses, Obscene Field Lighting, Insane Town Raises…All mean NOTHING compared to what VALLEY will cause!
Wake up Ridgewood and believe that Valley will eventually get what they want. This is really what this town doesn’t need and everything else is a minor distraction. The size and scope of this over expansion is the tip of the iceberg. Yes, we will allow them to overbuild. The only question now is to what extent??
This is not new news.: Valley, will raise your taxes (way more than 2% a year)! Valley, will cause major traffic issues (throughout the town, not just surrounding areas). Valley, will increase such a strain on the existing infrastructure that this affluent town will never recover.
Some believe this issue is between Valley and the people who live around Valley. If you are one of those then you are part of the problem. I only ask that you educate yourselves and understand the harm for the entire town.
Valley, can expand and should expand at their Paramus location. They should upgrade their Valley location to single rooms. The amount of rooms they will reduce to should be in line for today now that Pascack Valley has reopened. Please save our town and save Valley from over building. Yes, i said it. Please save Valley from over expanding based on Pascack Valley. Logical Sense has to prevail!
Times have changed drastically now due to Pascack Valley. I am amazed that Valley continues to ask for more than they ever deserved. Valley, is now saying, we won’t do as much underground because this ground water foundation issue is the problem why we can’t get approval? So we’ll just add another level of above ground parking…problem solved. Can we get our H Zone and Permits now? NO, should still be NO…should always be NO!
I’m sick and tired, of being sick and tired over Valley! I don’t think someone will save us. WE MUST ALL SAVE US. Please wake up and get the facts. Decades of NO should now not be okay. The H Zone and the existing building limits should apply to all, including Valley. These rules and laws we’re put in place to protect all of us. It was sad to hear a sitting planning board member stating that Valley needs to expand. Very sad to hear that the very people voting on this issue don’t really understand the long term issues. Since Valley pays NO TAXES, ask yourself who do you think is going to pay for the additional services? RIDGEWOOD WILL, we have no other option.
So what should Valley do? Yes, we all want a State-of-The-Art-Hospital; so they renew within their existing Ridgewood walls. Anything that the Ridgewood location can’t fit should be done in Paramus. This should have been started by Valley years ago before Pascack Valley. Valley, you shouldn’t get what you are currently asking for…End of Discussion!
41% Will Wear Green to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Many Americans will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today by wearing green or having a drink even though they don’t consider it an important holiday.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults plan to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, but nearly as many (39%) don’t intend to do so. One-in-five (20%) aren’t sure yet.
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/march_2013/41_will_wear_green_to_celebrate_st_patrick_s_day
St. Patrick: Taken Prisoner By Irish Raiders
It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)
St. Patrick: Guided By Visions
After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice—which he believed to be God’s—spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.
To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation—an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)
St. Patrick: Bonfires and Crosses
Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. Although there were a small number of Christians on the island when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. The Irish culture centered around a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick’s life became exaggerated over the centuries—spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life.
YMCA Registration for Summer Camp
Register now for Summer Camp!
Open House March 23 from 4-6PM.
Summer Camp registration is now in full swing and spots are filling up quickly so please register early to insure you get the sessions you want.
For further details, please visit www.ridgewoodymca.org
Also Save the date for Kids Night Out on Friday, March 19 at the Y! This month’s theme will be Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the kids will enjoy crafts, snacks, movies, and of course lots of FUN!!! For more information contact the YMCA at 201-444-5600 or visit their website at www.ridgewoodymca.org
10 Bergen County schools on list of highest performing in state
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Record
Ten Bergen County schools are among 57 that New Jersey has deemed to be “Reward Schools,” meaning they were among the highest performing in the state last year, or saw the greatest student gains in passing state tests.
Most of the schools winning the new designation — which the state Department of Education posted online last week with little fanfare — are in affluent communities or are selective magnet schools, such as the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack and Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro.
The others in the high-performance category include Alpine Elementary School, Lyncrest Elementary School in Fair Lawn, Richard E. Byrd School and Central School in Glen Rock, Charles DeWolf Middle School in Old Tappan and Sicomac Elementary School in Wyckoff. The state said these schools had the highest rates of proficiency on state tests last spring — schoolwide and in various racial and ethnic groups.
Two Bergen schools, Hillside Elementary in Closter and Orchard Elementary in Ridgewood, were deemed to have shown especially high growth for three years.
Allendale moving on water privatization contract
Monday, March 11, 2013
BY ALLISON PRIES
STAFF WRITER
The Record
ALLENDALE — The council plans to vote today on a draft contract that would privatize the operation of its water system. The contract, if approved at today’s special meeting, would go before the public at the council’s March 28 meeting.
The contract awards the job of managing the water system to United Water, the low bidder for the job, at a rate of $590,000 per year for five years. The payment to the utility could increase annually based upon the average of two commonly used inflation indices, Mayor Vince Barra said.
The special meeting was called because the draft contract was not ready for the council’s Feb. 28 meeting. A vote is needed in time for the council to issue a public notice 14 days before its March 28 meeting, when the public hearing on the contract would be held, he said.
The privatization is expected to save the borough about $193,000 per year, which will be used to stabilize water rates, Barra said.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/196805431_Allendale_moving_on_water_contract.html
