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Paramount’s New “East Coast Hollywood”: 1888 Studios Breaks Ground in Bayonne

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Is New Jersey becoming the new Hollywood?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bayone NJ, On a historic, snow-covered afternoon, officials gathered at the foot of the Bayonne Bridge to break ground on 1888 Studios—set to become the largest television and film production campus in New Jersey and one of the biggest in the United States.

Backbacked by industry giant Paramount, this $1.2 billion redevelopment of the former Texaco oil refinery site is more than just a construction project; it is a signal that the Garden State is reclaiming its title as the global birthplace of film.

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Protecting Our Most Vulnerable: NJ Bill to Overhaul Special Needs School Bus Safety Clears Major Hurdle

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After a String of Heartbreaking Tragedies, Lawmakers Fast-Track a Task Force to Fix “Broken” Special Education Transportation

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON, N.J. – For parents of children with complex medical conditions and disabilities, the simple act of putting their child on a school bus has become a source of profound anxiety. On Thursday, that fear was met with action as a critical bill, sponsored by Assemblymen Al Barlas and Christopher DePhillips, cleared the Assembly Education Committee.

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A Living Legacy: Ridgewood Unveils New 9/11 Memorial Trees for 25th Anniversary

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Ridgewood honors its 12 lost residents with a major landscape renewal between Village Hall and the Library, setting the stage for a historic 2026 ceremony

photos courtesy of Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – As the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaches, the Village of Ridgewood is ensuring that the memory of its fallen neighbors continues to grow.

Village Manager Keith Kazmark announced this week that a significant project has been completed: the planting of new September 11th Memorial Trees in the iconic allée located between Village Hall and the Ridgewood Public Library.

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Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Hit with Discrimination Lawsuit by Disabled Veteran Officer

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A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and long-time law enforcement officer is taking the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) to court. Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Campolattaro has filed a sweeping lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation, and a “hostile work environment” that he claims derailed his career after a mental health crisis.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, the lawsuit names Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Chief Carmelo Giustra, and Captain Tasharah Windley as defendants, sparking questions about the treatment of disabled veterans within New Jersey’s law enforcement agencies.

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“A Legacy of Kindness”: Glen Rock Community Raises $50K to Honor Beloved School Nurse

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In a powerful display of community spirit, the town of Glen Rock, New Jersey, has come together to honor the life of Kimberly Castelli, a local school nurse and devoted mother of four who recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, a GoFundMe campaign established in her memory has surpassed $50,000, with all proceeds going toward a new scholarship fund at the Academy of Our Lady, a private Catholic school in the borough.

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Is Your Dog a Dependent? New York Lawsuit Challenges IRS Over “Pet Tax Deductions”

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Can your Golden Retriever count as a dependent on your tax return?

file photo courtesy of www.artchickphotography.com

the staff of thge Ridgewood blog

New York NY, one New York attorney is betting on it. In a move that has captured the attention of pet owners and tax professionals alike, a lawsuit has been filed in the Eastern District of New York that could fundamentally change how the IRS views our four-legged companions.

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“Don’t Be a Grinch!”: NJ’s Viral Holiday Highway Signs Return for 2025

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If you’re driving through the Garden State this December, the highway signs might make you chuckle—and then check your speedometer

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has officially brought back its famous holiday-themed safety messages. From the NJ Turnpike to I-295, overhead digital boards are lighting up with puns, rhymes, and pop-culture references designed to keep drivers focused during the busiest travel season of the year.

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End of an Era: Cardinal Timothy Dolan Retires; Pope Leo XIV Names New Archbishop of New York

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New York has a New Archbishop

photo of Cardinal Timothy Dolan

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEW YORK CITY — In a historic shift for the American Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has officially accepted the resignation of His Eminence Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan as the Archbishop of New York.

Marking the end of a nearly 17-year tenure for one of the most recognizable religious figures in the world, the Vatican simultaneously announced that Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, the current Bishop of Joliet, Illinois, will succeed Dolan as the Metropolitan Archbishop of New York.A Changing of the Guard: Meet Archbishop-Elect Ronald Hicks.

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Leading North Jersey into 2026: Jim Arakelian Installed as Greater Bergen Realtors President at Star-Studded Gala

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Real Estate Leaders Gather at The Venetian to Celebrate a New Era of Advocacy, Education, and Professional Excellence

photos courtesy of Celeste Homaychak

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

GARFIELD, NJ – The North Jersey real estate community converged on The Venetian on the evening of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, for a night of glamour, celebration, and pivotal leadership. The Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) hosted their highly anticipated 2025 Holiday Gala, marking the official installation of Jim Arakelian as the association’s new President.

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Archaeological Bombshell: 8,126 Artifacts Discovered at Schedler Property—Will Ridgewood Ignore the Experts Again?

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A “quietly posted” 2025 survey reveals thousands of historic treasures and a “Criterion D” recommendation for the Zabriskie-Schedler site. Is the Village’s plan for turf and drainage about to hit a prehistoric wall?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – A recently released Phase II Archaeological Survey has sent shockwaves through the local historic preservation community. The report, conducted by Richard Grubb & Associates and dated September 26, 2025, reveals that the Zabriskie-Schedler property is much more than just a vacant lot or a future park—it is a massive, intact repository of New Jersey history.

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Bergenfield Women Charged in River Edge Hit-And-Run on Kinderkamack Road

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Driver of the Nissan fled the scene of the accident

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 47-year-old DEMETRIA YORK of Bergenfield, NJ on charges stemming from a hit-and-run crash. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Deputy Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the River Edge Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael J. Walker.

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“He Can Lie With Such Confidence!” Ridgewood Residents Confront Ridgewood Mayor Over Secret Rezoning Emails and Village-Wide Changes

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Tensions reached a breaking point during the December 17th Ridgewood Village Council special meeting as residents exposed alleged inaccuracies, secret summer promises, and a rezoning plan that reaches far beyond a single neighborhood

photo screen shoot from youtube

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – What was billed as a “Special Public Meeting” to address state-mandated “affordable housing obligations” turned into an explosive confrontation last night. As the Village Council moved to introduce a slate of new zoning ordinances, residents took to the podium to call out what they described as a lack of transparency and outright “lies” coming from the dais.

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Smashed Mail Delivery: Toyota Camry Slams Into Parked USPS Van in Ridgewood

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Morning Commute Disrupted on East Ridgewood Avenue After High-Impact Rear-End Collision

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – A quiet Wednesday morning in the Village was interrupted by a loud collision involving a local commuter and a federal delivery vehicle. On December 17, 2025, a silver Toyota Camry slammed into the back of a parked United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery van, leaving both vehicles with extensive damage.

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Paramus Road Gridlock: Driver Rushed to Trauma Center After Violent Collision with PSE&G Van

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Serious Head Injury Reported in Multi-Vehicle Crash at Major Paramus Intersection; Traffic Stalled for Hours

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PARAMUS, NJ – A chaotic scene unfolded late Wednesday afternoon, December 17, 2025, as a high-impact collision at one of Paramus’s busiest intersections left one driver seriously injured and caused massive traffic delays for holiday commuters.

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Saved by the Beep: Park Ridge Family Narrowly Escapes Midnight Three-Alarm Fire

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Working Smoke Detectors Credited for Saving Lives as Massive Blaze Engulfs Terrace Street Garage

photos courtesy of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PARK RIDGE, NJ – A North Jersey family is safe today following a terrifying midnight ordeal. Just before 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday night, a three-alarm fire broke out at a residence on Terrace Street, drawing a massive response from nearly a dozen local fire departments.

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