file photo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — In one of the most significant crackdowns on cyber-harassment since the integration of generative artificial intelligence, federal authorities have arrested a North Jersey man for allegedly operating a massive online ring dedicated to creating and distributing nonconsensual, sexually explicit AI deepfakes.
Summer Starts at Graydon Pool: Ridgewood’s Iconic Sandy Beach Opens for the Season
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The wait is officially over! Summer fun is arriving right in the heart of Bergen County as Ridgewood’s historic Graydon Pool kicks off its summer season.
Whether you are looking to swim laps, build sandcastles with the kids, or simply lounge under the sun, Graydon Pool offers a unique, natural beach experience without the long drive.
Continue reading No Sharks, No Jellyfish: Why Graydon Pool Is Ridgewood’s Ultimate Summer Escape
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NEWARK, N.J. — A Paterson, New Jersey cheese manufacturer has officially pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing adulterated queso fresco that was ultimately linked to a multi-state Listeria outbreak, resulting in a dozen hospitalizations and one tragic death.
photo courtesy of the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HO-HO-KUS, NJ — Local law enforcement officers are trained to handle a wide variety of emergency calls, but a recent dispatch brought a unique, prehistoric surprise to the streets of Bergen County.
Continue reading Busted on the Block: Ho-Ho-Kus Police Respond to Unexpected Wildlife Crisis
file photo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wayne NJ, A North Jersey man is behind bars after a chilling highway encounter where he allegedly posed as a law enforcement officer, staged a fake field sobriety test, and handcuffed a woman in a botched kidnapping attempt on Interstate 80.
Continue reading Fake Police Traffic Stop Ends in Attempted Kidnapping: Wayne, Man Arrested
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, As the summer heat rolls into North Jersey, Ridgewood Water is issuing an important reminder to all consumers: the mandatory two-day lawn watering schedule is officially in effect.
This policy applies directly to all properties across the four municipal communities served by the utility: Glen Rock, Midland Park, Ridgewood, and Wyckoff.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, A blistering federal audit has thrown New Jersey’s pandemic-era financial management into the spotlight. A desk review released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General (OIG) has formally questioned more than $1.1 billion of the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund spending.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, A newly released Justice Department watchdog report has provided the most definitive account yet of federal law enforcement’s presence during the January 6 Capitol riot.
The comprehensive audit, issued by DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, officially confirms that the FBI had 26 confidential human sources (CHSs) on the ground in Washington, D.C., during the events of January 6, 2021. Furthermore, the report reveals that multiple federal informants breached security lines, entering both restricted grounds and the Capitol building itself as the chaos unfolded.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’ s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A routine morning took an unexpected turn at a popular local landmark when a driver was caught illegally using a Village-owned dumpster.
On Friday morning, May 22, 2026, a supervisor from the Ridgewood Police Department Detective Bureau was positioned in an unmarked vehicle at the Graydon Pool parking lot. While keeping watch, the supervisor observed a black Chevrolet pickup truck pull into the lot.
Most people do not think much about their trees until something goes wrong.
Maybe a large limb starts hanging over the driveway after a storm. Maybe roots begin pushing against the sidewalk. Sometimes it is slower than that. A tree that looked healthy last summer suddenly drops branches or starts thinning out at the top.
That is usually when homeowners realize tree care is not just about appearance. It is about safety, property value, and avoiding expensive problems before they get worse.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Teaneck NJ, A high-profile legal battle over free speech rights at public government meetings is heading to federal court in New Jersey.
Keith Kaplan, a former Teaneck councilmember and publisher of the local online media outlet Teaneck Today, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Teaneck Board of Education and several current and former school officials. The suit accuses the Board of executing viewpoint discrimination, selectively silencing critics during public comment sessions, and retaliating against residents who voiced concerns over antisemitism and district leadership.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Fugitive Unit, working in close coordination with local law enforcement partners, has officially updated the state’s Most Wanted Fugitive List.
Continue reading NJ State Police Hunt for Fugitive Jason Barrera Following Brutal Juvenile Stabbing
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood High School Alumni Association
From Pandemic Pivot to Beloved Tradition: The Story Behind Ridgewood’s 3,000+ Graduation Banners
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, If you take a drive through the Village of Ridgewood this week, you will notice a vibrant, community-wide burst of school spirit. Early Saturday morning, a dedicated team of Ridgewood High School (RHS) volunteers gathered to hang 430 customized senior banners across town, officially kicking off the graduation countdown for the spectacular Class of 2026.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — On May 13, members of the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Applied Engineering Club, competing as Team VitaFlow, captured first place at the prestigious Thomas Edison Pitch Contest, defeating student teams from around the world in a final event held at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey. The victory marks the first time since 2020, when the RHS Lemelson-MIT Solar Aqua Tech InvenTeam claimed top honors, that an RHS Applied Engineering Club team has earned this distinction.
Bergen County Returns $57K in Pandemic Relief to Federal Government After Audit Flags Missing Records
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Even years after the height of the pandemic, federal oversight committees are still tracking down every dollar spent during the health emergency.
Case in point: Bergen County, New Jersey, has officially returned $57,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funding to Washington. The repayment comes after a sharp desk review by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed that local officials could not properly document a series of payroll bonuses distributed during the crisis.
