The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
photo courtesy of West Milford Fire Marshal’s Office
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WEST MILFORD, NJ — Four firefighters were injured Saturday, August 16, while responding to two separate multiple-alarm house fires in West Milford — including one blaze that reignited just as a second major fire broke out miles away.
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Ridgewood NJ, Meta (formerly Facebook) is facing intense backlash after a leaked internal document revealed disturbing guidelines that permitted its AI chatbots to engage in “romantic or sensual” conversations with children.
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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — What was supposed to be a routine campus rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill turned into an embarrassing scene at Rutgers University, where the congresswoman was repeatedly heckled, booed, and ultimately rushed out before engaging with protestors.
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GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — If your teenager gets arrested for fighting or causing chaos in Gloucester Township, you could be the one paying the price — literally. A new ordinance threatens $2,000 fines and even jail time for parents whose kids rack up repeat arrests for fighting, loitering, truancy, or other disruptive behavior.
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RIVER EDGE, NJ — A man was struck and killed by an NJ Transit train on Friday afternoon, August 15, prompting major service disruptions on the Pascack Valley Line, officials confirmed.
Continue reading Man Fatally Struck by NJ Transit Train in River Edge
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FORT LEE, NJ — A Montclair man was arrested after allegedly hacking into a Fort Lee condominium’s communication system and sending hundreds of residents threatening, hate-filled emails, prosecutors announced. Continue reading Montclair Man Charged After Hate-Filled Email Rant Targeting 400+ Fort Lee Condo Residents
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Newark NJ — A constitutional crisis is unfolding in New Jersey after a Trump administration appointment for U.S. Attorney collided with federal judicial authority, sparking heated courtroom arguments and raising questions about separation of powers.
Continue reading Trump-Appointed U.S. Attorney Sparks Constitutional Showdown in New Jersey
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, just days after Trump’s highly anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
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Ridgewood NJ — Are New Jersey towns focused on public safety, or are they writing tickets to fill budget shortfalls? Newly released data from the New Jersey municipal courts offers insight into how many traffic violations were issued across every municipality from July 2024 to June 2025.
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MIDLAND PARK, NJ — Ridgewood Water has taken another major step forward in its $150 million PFAS mitigation project, with the delivery of four massive Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) vessels to the Wortendyke PFAS Treatment Facility in Midland Park. These vessels, manufactured by Calgon Carbon Corp., are among the largest available in the industry and mark a milestone in Ridgewood Water’s ongoing effort to ensure safe, clean drinking water.
Continue reading Ridgewood Water Expands PFAS Treatment in Midland Park with New Carbon Vessels
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HACKENSACK, NJ — The Hackensack Police Department has announced the arrest of Simeon Barnes, 48, of Bergenfield, following a violent confrontation that led to several weapons charges.
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OAKLAND, NJ — A North Jersey karate studio employee has been arrested after authorities say he secretly recorded children in a bathroom and produced child sexual abuse material.
Ryan J. Curtin, 25, of Oakland, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with multiple crimes, including production of child sexual abuse material, possession of child sexual abuse material, and invasion of privacy, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump has signaled he is open to rescheduling marijuana, potentially finishing a reform effort started under President Joe Biden. The move falls short of full legalization but could deliver a major boost to the cannabis industry and reshape federal marijuana policy.
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Ridgewood NJ, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) today announced the launch of enhanced enforcement efforts to deter impaired driving in New Jersey. Grant funding from HTS will support law enforcement agencies across the state in conducting patrols and sobriety checkpoints to remove alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers from the roads.
Continue reading The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs until Labor Day!
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RIDGEWOOD, NJ — After years of traffic congestion, risky K-turns, and safety concerns, the Village of Ridgewood has teamed up with the Ridgewood Public School District to improve traffic flow near Ridgewood High School.
Continue reading Ridgewood Installs New Roundabout to Ease Traffic Near Ridgewood High School
