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Complaints spur parking restrictions in Midland Park

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Complaints spur parking restrictions in Midland Park

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LYNN BRUGGEMANN
CORRESPONDENT
MIDLAND PARK SUBURBAN NEWS

MIDLAND PARK — The Borough Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Sept. 25, on an ordinance that would restrict parking on Maltbie Avenue and Busteed Drive.

The ordinance, which was introduced Sept. 11 in response to residents’ complaints about parking by parents dropping off and picking up their children from Ridge Elementary School in Ridgewood, would prohibit parking between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

The restrictions on Maltbie would apply to both sides of the road north of Franklin Avenue to Busteed Drive. Restricted parking on Busteed would be from the eastern and western curbs of Maltbie.

Maltbie begins at Godwin Avenue and continues north, crossing Franklin Avenue, which becomes West Ridgewood Avenue, before ending at Busteed. Ridge Elementary School is at 325 W. Ridgewood Ave.

“I am happy the council has taken action to resolve the issue and make it safer for residents and school children,” said Lorraine DeLuca of Franklin Avenue.

A resident for 30 years, DeLuca said she has seen an increase in traffic in the last five years.

“It has been unbearable to get in or out of my driveway,” said DeLuca. “I avoid West Ridgewood Avenue from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. It is dangerous. “

Residents of Maltbie, many of whom live north of Franklin Avenue, attended the March 27 council meeting to share their experiences and frustrations with blocked driveways, illegal parking near stop signs and unsafe road conditions that had been occurring on a regular basis.

Resident Arthur “Skip” Marchetti brought the matter to the attention of Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan during a monthly “Coffee With the Mayor.”

“Maltbie Avenue is a danger zone,” Marchetti.

“I am concerned about our children and Ridgewood students,” Joan Skudera said. “Someone is going to get hurt.”

“There are no sidewalks and people have to walk in the road,” said James Canellas. “Children are running up and down the road.”

Resident Mark Schaefer said his biggest concern was parking too close to intersections.

“They are parking at the stop sign on all four corners,” Schaefer said. “This is a safety issue.”

Police Chief Michael Marra said signs would be installed to advise motorists of the parking restrictions and violators would be fined up to $100.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/complaints-spur-parking-restrictions-on-two-streets-1.1095531

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How to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 update

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How to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 update

A bug in Apple’s release of iOS 8.0.1 has broken iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices. Here’s how you can fix them.

by Dan Graziano
and Zack Whittaker
September 24, 2014 11:41 AM PDT

Apple issued an update on Wednesday to fix various bugs in its iOS operating system. The iOS 8.0.1 update, however, appeared to do more harm than good for some users. Numerous iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners complained that they were no longer able to make calls, send texts, or use Touch ID after updating their devices.

Apple has since pulled the iOS 8.0.1 update from its servers. If you have already updated your device, here’s how you can downgrade it back to iOS 8.

By downloading the final build of iOS 8 as it was released as an IPSW file, you can restore your iPhone to the latest stable version. To begin downloading the IPSW file, head over to this site and select your device from the drop down menu. This is an official copy from Apple (check the URL to be sure) that we are being pointed to from a third-party site. We used this method to restore our own iPhone and can confirm it works. The download may take a few minutes depending on your Internet connection.

Once the file has been downloaded, connect your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to your computer and open iTunes. Select under the backup options “this computer,” then hit “Back Up Now.” This takes a full snapshot of your contacts, email, apps, and settings, and stores it on your computer.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-restore-an-iphone-after-the-botched-ios-8-update/

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Reporters say White House sometimes demands changes to press-pool reports

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Reporters say White House sometimes demands changes to press-pool reports
By Paul Farhi September 23 at 7:06 PM

White House press-pool reports are supposed to be the news media’s eyes and ears on the president, an independent chronicle of his public activities. They are written by reporters for other reporters, who incorporate them into news articles about President Obama almost every day.

Sometimes, however, the White House plays an unseen role in shaping the story.

Journalists who cover the White House say Obama’s press aides have demanded — and received — changes in press-pool reports before the reports have been disseminated to other journalists. They say the White House has used its unusual role as the distributor of the reports as leverage to steer coverage in a more favorable direction.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/reporters-say-white-house-sometimes-demands-changes-to-press-pool-reports/2014/09/23/e5e6fec8-42d9-11e4-9a15-137aa0153527_story.html

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Cho Hasn’t Moved Beyond Photo Ops

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Cho Hasn’t Moved Beyond Photo Ops

Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

We’re already grappling with a selfie presidency, Save Jerseyans.

Why would we want another selfie congressman?

NJ-05 Challenger Roy Cho apparently hopes you’re willing to give it a try. He’s a committed liberal, no doubt about it, but I’ve also said that he’s a “false choice” because he either (1) stakes out positions to make himself seem more palatable – like backing Israel and demonstrating it with a visit – but his rhetoric won’t amount to anything given his party’s growing anti-Israel orientation, or (2) he goes radio silent altogether.

Even as our men and women head into harm’s way?

https://savejersey.com/2014/09/cho-garrett-isis-isil-russia-air-strikes/

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The PolitickerNJ Interview: Bell on Fox: ‘If you get Jamie Fox out of Democratic Party strategizing, that’s a service for the Republican Party’

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The PolitickerNJ Interview: Bell on Fox: ‘If you get Jamie Fox out of Democratic Party strategizing, that’s a service for the Republican Party’

Jeff Bell knows Jamie Fox. The Republican nominee for U.S. Senate met the new Department of Transportation (DOT) commissioner over a decade ago. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/82431/politickernj-interview-bell-fox-if-you-get-jamie-fox-out-democratic-party-strategizing-s-servi

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Conservative lawmakers secretly plot to oust John Boehner

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Conservative lawmakers secretly plot to oust John Boehner
By Scott Wong – 09/24/14 06:00 AM EDT

For months, several clusters of conservative lawmakers have been secretly huddling inside and outside the Capitol, plotting to oust John Boehner from the Speaker’s office when House Republicans regroup after the November elections.

The strategy — for now — seems disorganized and fluid: Find a way to push the Speaker’s race to a second ballot, create turmoil in the conference, portray Boehner as highly vulnerable and offer up an alternative.

The behind-the-scenes effort is taking place as Team Boehner is projecting confidence he will coast to a third term as Speaker, pointing to his unrivaled fundraising prowess and ability to corral his rowdy caucus, for example, to keep the government open and provide arms to moderate Syrian rebels.

Boehner is “back on top,” The Wall Street Journal declared.

Yet behind all the chest-thumping, the picture is less rosy for the 64-year-old Ohio Republican.

A number of conservative lawmakers, both in interviews on the record and on background, described enormous frustration with Boehner and his top lieutenants for taking too safe a political route ahead of the 2014 elections.

“In tough times, it doesn’t mean you play timid, it means to play bold, and I don’t see that. And you know what? Time’s up,” Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who vowed to vote against Boehner, told The Hill in an interview. “I’m tired of the status quo of what’s going on in Washington, D.C. America’s tired, America’s angry and they’re scared, because they don’t have leaders in Washington, D.C.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) was more succinct: “I’ll give him every bit as much support as I did last time.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/218725-conservatives-plot-to-oust-the-speaker

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Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

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Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 9:29 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Like excited learners, adults invited to the Board of Education’s (BOE) community planning session readily shared their hopes and dreams for the Ridgewood school district, collaborating with officials and administrators in a way that’s rarely possible at 49 Cottage Place.

The first task as part of the four-hour strategy session on Sept. 13 split the group of 50 or so individuals into smaller clusters to draw a representation of their goals for the schools.

Under the direction of former state school board members Cathie Sousa and Nancy Stern, of Sousa and Stern Educational Consultants LLC, the groups got to work literally coloring their vision of the future.

In the casual atmosphere, enhanced from the standard public BOE meetings by a cheese plate and other snacks, everyone had equal input alongside the school board members, principals and administrators, public safety officials, clergy persons, parents, and other community leaders.

“Some strategic planning processes can take months,” said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. “This really works.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/public-pitches-in-on-planning-1.1094194#sthash.nnNQjGzF.dpuf

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State senator Kevin O’Toole holding up renomination of Board of Public Utilities member

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State senator Kevin O’Toole holding up renomination of Board of Public Utilities member

A state senator is holding up the renomination of a utility regulator in a political fight that echoes the one stalling judicial nominations and backlogging courts in Bergen County. Sen. Kevin O’Toole, R-Cedar Grove, is refusing to support – at least for the moment – another term for Joseph Fiordaliso on the state Board of Public Utilities. (Sheingold/The Bergen Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/state-senator-holding-up-renomination-of-board-of-public-utilities-member-1.1094559

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Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins

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Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins
September 24,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:05 PM

Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a silver colored Chevrolet Traverse escaped injury after crashing her vehicle into a tree at the intersection of Frederick Street and North Pleasant Avenue in Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 09/24.  The incident occurred shortly after 0915 hours.  Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS all responded to the scene.  The driver refused medical treatment.  Ridgewood Police Department Lieutenant William Amoruso indicated via phone that the driver reached down to retrieve a soft drink and lost control of her vehicle.  No summonses were issued in connection with the incident.

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Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

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Calming harps serenade at Valley Hospital

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Calming harps serenade at Valley Hospital

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 11:22 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

In the frenzied halls of The Valley Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), Janice Hogrefe might not seem to fit in, at first.

After all, her job is more typically associated with angels and rolling white clouds than the ED’s rushing white coats, anxiety-ridden faces, and beeping machinery. Hogrefe is a therapeutic harpist who strums a custom-made miniature harp through Valley’s hallways.

“It took a bit of getting used to, but now it’s part of the culture,” said ED Manager Chris Robertson, who was being serenaded by the harp during a recent workday. “You can have a crazy day in the ED and you hear the harp, and it’s a little bit soothing.”

The harpists are provided by Bedside Harp, a Pennsylvania-based business that Valley has worked with for 10 years.

Since 2004, harpists like Hogrefe (who jokes that her last name rhymes with “no grief”) have strolled the halls and different departments of The Valley Hospital at staggered times, soothing doctors and families as much as patients.

Bedside Harp works in other hospitals, too, including in Philadelphia, Hamilton, Rahway and Paterson. A contract costs about $30,000 a year, according to Bedside Harp founder Edie Elkan.

Four professionals play at Valley, including Elkan herself, plus Bedside Harp student-interns, like Hogrefe, a mastery level harpist.

By the accounts of Valley’s staff and patients, Bedside Harp has made a big difference at Valley, albeit one that can be hard to explain to someone who has never experienced live harp music before.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/calming-harps-serenade-at-valley-1.1094193#sthash.eTDSuiXI.dpuf

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West Milford police seeking two hikers who encountered group before fatal bear attack

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West Milford police seeking two hikers who encountered group before fatal bear attack

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 1:03 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 10:00 PM
BY JEFF GREEN AND MINJAE PARK
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

Police on Tuesday appealed to the public for help in identifying two hikers who were among the last people to have seen Darsh Patel alive on Sunday before he was mauled to death by a black bear in a West Milford nature preserve.As the authorities searched for clues about the 22-year-old Patel’s death, the first fatality by a bear in New Jersey in 150 years, a portrait of the Rutgers student began to emerge. Friends remembered him as a generous person as they prepared for his funeral, which a friend said is scheduled for today.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/west-milford-police-seeking-two-hikers-who-encountered-group-before-fatal-bear-attack-1.1094387#sthash.IvNcxYWx.dpuf

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Ridgewood police: Bus driver transporting child with autism arrested on warrant

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Ridgewood police: Bus driver transporting child with autism arrested on warrant

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 5:25 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 5:31 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The driver of a mini-van ferrying a child with autism to school was arrested on Monday on an outstanding warrant.

Hansel De Lo Santos, 25, of Clifton, was stopped by Ridgewood Police Monday morning after he allegedly failed to yield to a pedestrian.

De Lo Santos, the police would learn, has no license. He also had an active warrant out for his arrest, police said.

De Lo Santos was directed by police to drive the boy to the Mt. Carmel School as officers trailed him. They then arrested him in the school’s parking lot.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-police-bus-driver-transporting-child-with-autism-arrested-on-warrant-1.1094544#sthash.Ekma9ew2.dpuf

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Reader says the current amendment proposal is doomed and the Mayor wants to make sure something gets through.

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Reader says the current amendment proposal is doomed and the Mayor wants to make sure something gets through.

many on the planning board that night were skeptical of the mayor’s proposal that night. it clearly took many by surprise and you really have to question why he brought it up now. my best guess is that he sees the current amendment proposal is doomed and he wants to make sure something gets through. THAT ISN’T THE PROCESS!!

Let’s remember that the ordinance that allows these amendment proposals in the first place was pushed through by friends of developers (which includes their lawyers). They created a legal process that couldn’t be stopped or participated in by residents once it moved past debate at the council level (or so they thought – they didn’t count on something like the CBR). Recall how Al abruptly ceased debate on these and pushed the vote which brought them to the planning board. Now that the process isn’t working in their favor they are trying to split them up to make it look like a “compromise”.

Also remember this: The developers bought these properties knowing exactly what they were allowed to build. They were banking on being able to push through these amendments that quadruple the number of units/acre currently allowed. That’s just bad business decision making (unless you have some reason to believe your amendment will be helped along). Certainly helps explain why saraceno stormed out in the middle of the cross by his attorney of the CBR planner as it was clear he wasn’t going to rattle her.

If the current amendment proposals are voted down the developers have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a better plan. It is not the town’s job to tell the developers how much more they can get away with than is currently allowed – that’s like asking a cop how much faster you can drive over the speed limit while he’s writing you a ticket.

This is the process the developers and their attorneys created…stop whining because it’s not going your way now!!

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RHS Advanced Placement Scholars are Announced

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RHS Advanced Placement Scholars are Announced
September 22nd 2014

Ridgewood NJ, One hundred forty-two students at Ridgewood High School have been named AP Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college level Advanced Placement Examinations. About 18 percent of the more than 1.9 million high school students worldwide who took AP Examinations in May 2014 performed at a sufficiently high level to merit such recognition.The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the students’ performance on AP exams. At Ridgewood High School, seven students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average grade of 4.0 or higher on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Sixty students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Thirty-three students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Forty-nine students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher.

Fifteen award recipients are juniors. These students have at least one more year in which to do college-level work, and possibly earn another Advanced Placement Award.

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THE RIDGEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SEPTEMBER 27th, 2014

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Keith Haring’s “Crack is Wack” 

THE RIDGEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SEPTEMBER 27th, 2014

Ridgewood NJ, On September 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Ridgewood Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its ninth opportunity in four years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Ridgewood Police Department 131 N.Maple Ave Ridgewood NJ. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 390 tons (over 780,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,400 of its state and local law enforcement partners. When those results are combined with what was collected in its eight previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 4.1 million pounds—more than 2,100 tons—of pills. 
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. 

DEA is in the process of approving new regulations that implement the Safe and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” (that is, a patient or their family member or pet owner) of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.

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