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Oakland Election Standoff: Judge Orders New Special Election After Historic 2,515-Vote Tie

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Oakland Election Drama: Judge Orders Special Election After Council Race Ends in Historic Tie

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Oakland NJ, in a rare turn of events that has captivated Bergen County, the battle for an Oakland Borough Council seat is heading back to the ballot box. Following a high-stakes legal battle over contested mail-in ballots, a Superior Court judge has officially ruled that the election remains a dead heat.

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NJ Snow Alert: Bergen County Towns Hit With 15+ Inches; 20,000 Flights Canceled Nationwide

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Bergen County Snow Totals: Towns Hit Hardest by Winter Storm Fern as NJ Digs Out

file photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Police Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jerseyans woke up on Monday, January 26, 2026, to a winter wonderland—or a logistical nightmare. Winter Storm Fern has blanketed the region, leaving homes, cars, and major highways buried under a thick layer of snow and ice. While the flakes began falling on Sunday, the impact is being felt heavily during this morning’s commute.
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The Enduring Appeal of Peryagame to Adults Across the Philippines

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The vibrant culture of playing in the Philippines is deeply tied to traditional practices and communal celebrations that foster togetherness. One of the most iconic representations of this tradition is the perya, a carnival that takes center stage during town fiestas. For decades, the perya has been a staple of Filipino culture, offering simple yet exciting games that bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Timeless games like the color game, ring toss, and spin wheel establish the perya as both an entertainment hub and a cultural landmark.

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Ridgewood Schools Closed Monday: Emergency Storm Update & Activity Cancellations

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Ridgewood Public Schools Announce Emergency Closure for Monday, Jan 26: What Parents Need to Know

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The winter weather is moving in fast. Due to the predicted severity and timing of the incoming storm, Ridgewood Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26th.

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Ridgewood Trash Alert: New Emergency Collection Schedule for This Week’s Storm

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Ridgewood Storm Alert: Major Changes to Trash & Recycling Schedule for Week of Jan 26

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The current winter storm is shifting more than just the snow—it’s changing how the Village handles your waste collection. To keep sanitation crews safe and ensure roads stay clear for plows, the Village has announced a revised collection schedule for the week of January 26, 2026.

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From Ridgewood to the World: New PBS Series “Eric En Plein Air” Celebrates Art and Nature

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Love Nature and Art? “Eric En Plein Air” is the New Series You Need to Watch

the staff of the  Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Get your brushes ready! Local artist Eric Santoli is bringing the tranquil beauty of outdoor painting to living rooms across the country. His upcoming TV series, Eric En Plein Air, is set to debut nationwide on public television and the PBS app in just a few months.

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Miracle on Third Street: Fair Lawn Officers Brave “Freezing Inferno” to Rescue Trapped Kitten

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Fire Chief Michael Salvini quickly escalated the call to a second alarm, bringing in approximately 45 firefighters from all four Fair Lawn companies

Photos courtesy of Andrey Golik and Scott Osback

the staff oif the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, In the midst of a devastating house fire that displaced ten residents, a small hero with four paws and a tail made it out alive thanks to the bravery of the Fair Lawn Police Department.

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Man and Accomplice Arrested For Attempted Murder in Elmwood Park

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Elmwood Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 29-year-old JHAMIR E. BROWN of Passaic, NJ on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapon offenses in connection with a shooting incident in Elmwood Park, NJ. In addition, 24-year-old DARIAL P. HUNT of Paterson, NJ was arrested and charged with possession of hollow-point bullets. These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Deputy Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Elmwood Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Foligno.

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Two Men Arrested in Bergenfield Property Swindle

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bergenfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 47-year-old DAVID M. GREENSPAN of Monsey, NY; and 47-year-old DAHIMA K. ADAIR of Teaneck, NJ on charges related to a fraudulent property deed in Bergenfield, NJ. The arrests were the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Deputy Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Bergenfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mustafa Rabboh.

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“Engineered Chaos”: VP JD Vance and President Trump Blast Minneapolis Protests After Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti

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37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday at ICE Protest

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Minneapolis MN, the city of Minneapolis has become a focal point of national tension following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The incident, which occurred during a high-stakes Operation Metro Surge arrest, has triggered a war of words between the White House and Minnesota state leaders.

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Betrayal in Bergen County: Maywood Senior Home Director Admits to $544K Embezzlement

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The former director of Maywood’s Lydecker Manor admits to stealing $544k

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Maywood NJ, Trust is the foundation of any senior living community, but a high-level official in Maywood, New Jersey, has just admitted to a massive breach of that faith. Elaine Benanti, the former managing director of Lydecker Manor, has pleaded guilty to embezzling over half a million dollars from the facility she was tasked with leading.

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Fair Lawn Firefighters Battle “Cardboard Inferno”: Garbage Truck Erupts in Flames on Broadway

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Fair Lawn Garbage Truck Erupts in Flames on Broadway

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, A routine recycling run turned into a high-stakes emergency on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026, as a garbage truck loaded with cardboard caught fire while traveling through the heart of Fair Lawn.

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“No Stone Unturned”: HUD Orders Immediate Citizenship Checks for 1 Million Public Housing Units

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HUD Secretary Scott Turner has ordered all 3,300 public housing authorities to verify tenant citizenship within 30 days

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, the landscape of federal housing assistance is undergoing a massive shift. On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a mandate to public housing authorities nationwide: verify the citizenship of every tenant or face a total loss of federal funding.

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NJ TRANSIT Shutdown: All Bus, Rail, and Light Rail Services Suspended for “Decade-Level” Snowstorm

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NJ TRANSIT is suspending all bus, light rail, and rail services on Sunday, Jan 25, 2026, due to a major winter storm.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, If you were planning to travel across the Garden State this weekend, it’s time to change your plans. Following Governor Mikie Sherrill’s statewide State of Emergency declaration, NJ TRANSIT has announced a total systemwide suspension of services starting Sunday, January 25, 2026. With a massive winter storm expected to dump up to 18 inches of snow in some areas, officials are taking no chances with public safety.

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Bergen’s “Green Legend” Honored: Professor Steven Fischer Named NJLCA Educator of the Year

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Discover how this local legend has spent 47 years growing NJ’s landscape industry

photos courtresy of BCC

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, In the world of horticulture, few names carry as much weight—or as much history—as Dr. Steven Fischer.

To cap off a landmark 2025, the longtime Bergen Community College horticulture professor and program coordinator was officially named Educator of the Year by the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). The award recognizes Fischer’s nearly five decades of dedication to cultivating the next generation of New Jersey’s “green industry” professionals.

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