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Hackensack’s $146M Budget: Insurance Spikes and Infrastructure “Neglect” Drive Big Tax Increase

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Hackensack Property Taxes to Surge 10%: Why Your Bill is Climbing in 2026

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

HACKENSACK, NJ — Homeowners in the “City in Motion” are facing a significant financial squeeze this year. Hackensack officials have unveiled a proposed $146.45 million budget that includes a staggering 10.25% municipal tax hike, driven by skyrocketing healthcare costs and past budgeting errors.

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Trump to Sign Bill Ending 76-Day Historic Government Shutdown

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Shutdown Over: House Votes Unanimously to End Record-Breaking 76-Day Government Standoff

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a historic unanimous vote, the House of Representatives has passed a Senate-led bill to end the 76-day partial government shutdown—the longest in United States history. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for an immediate signature, bringing much-needed relief to federal agencies and workers nationwide.

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Closter Man Caught in NCIS Undercover Sting

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Closter Man Arrested in NCIS Sting: Bergen County Cyber Crimes Unit Issues Charges

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

CLOSTER, NEW JERSEY – A joint investigation between the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has led to the arrest of a Closter resident on charges of attempted child endangerment.

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The Daily Routine of a Watch Collector: Rotation, Storage and Wear

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For many enthusiasts, collecting watches goes far beyond simply owning a selection of timepieces. Each watch carries its own character, history, and mechanical complexity, and over time, ownership naturally evolves into a set of habits. These habits shape how a collection is used, maintained, and ultimately enjoyed on a daily basis. As collections grow, tools such as an automatic winder for watches often become part of this routine, helping collectors manage their timepieces more efficiently between periods of wear.

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Celebrating Decades of Faith: Rev. Msgr. Ronald J. Rozniak Receives 2026 Seminary Honor

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Honoring Faith and Leadership: The Meaning Behind the “Family of Nazareth” Award

photos courtesy of OLMC

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In the heart of the Catholic community in Northern New Jersey, few honors carry as much weight and spiritual significance as the Family of Nazareth Award. Presented annually by the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Newark, this award recognizes those who have dedicated their lives to the “New Evangelization” and the support of the priesthood.

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New Jersey’s Energy “Policy Problem”: Why You’re Paying More for Less Electricity

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Is Your Electric Bill Skyrocketing? Why New Jersey’s Energy Crisis is Hitting Your Wallet—and How to Fix It

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON, N.J. — If you feel like your monthly utility bill is becoming a second mortgage, you aren’t alone. New Jersey families are facing a dual crisis: electricity costs are surging while the reliability of the state’s power grid is plummeting.

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Ridgewood High Band Picked for “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Honor in Philadelphia’s Massive 250th America Anniversary Parade

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Ridgewood High School Marching Band Selected for Historic America 250th Anniversary Parade in Philadelphia

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood High School Marching Band

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The pride of Ridgewood is headed to the birthplace of American independence! In a massive win for the local arts community, the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Marching Band has been officially selected to perform in the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade in Philadelphia.

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Massive Bergen County Drug Bust: $520,000 Cash and “Pink Cocaine” Seized in NJ/NY Sting

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Bergen County Drug Ring Busted: $520K Cash and Massive Arsenal of “Pink Cocaine” & Weapons Seized

the staff of the ridgewood blog

TRENTON, NJ — In a major blow to tri-state narcotics trafficking, authorities have dismantled a sophisticated drug distribution network operating out of Bergen County. Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced the arrest of four local residents following a high-stakes investigation that uncovered over half a million dollars in cash, high-capacity firearms, and a staggering variety of illicit substances.

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7 Things to Know Before Filing Legal Documents

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Submitting official paperwork can feel overwhelming for many people. A simple mistake often leads to frustrating delays, rejections, or unexpected additional costs. Knowing how to prepare your forms properly helps you avoid these common setbacks and keeps your case moving forward smoothly.

Proper preparation requires careful attention to detail. Every court, government agency, and administrative body has specific rules that you must follow closely. Missing a small requirement or checking the wrong box might force you to start the entire process over again from scratch.

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Early Signs of Menopause You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Menopause is a natural phase in every woman’s life, yet the transition leading up to it—known as perimenopause—can feel anything but predictable. While menopause officially begins when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, the early signs often appear years before that milestone. Recognizing these symptoms early can help you manage changes more effectively and maintain your quality of life.

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Unlocking efficiency in construction through better planning

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The manufacturing industry is currently at a virtual crossroads, where a subculture of manual control dominates the accuracy of informatics. As urbanization accelerates, the margin of error in infrastructure work becomes almost non-existent. Functionality doesn’t work nearly as fast anymore; It goes a long way towards smarter manufacturing through rigorous pre-production workflows and built-in layout technology. By coordinating financial forecasting with technical modeling, modern Construction estimators can navigate the complexities of supply chain instability and lack of diligence, even as they maintain top-tier estimates.

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11 Best Direct Mail Automation Software Tools & APIs

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Whether you’re a startup exploring print-on-demand postcards or an enterprise running millions of mail pieces per month, choosing the right direct mail platform is critical. We ranked 13 top solutions from developer-first APIs to marketer-friendly campaign tools to help you find the best fit. Continue reading 11 Best Direct Mail Automation Software Tools & APIs

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Fair Lawn Auto Body Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to $233K Tax Evasion: What Business Owners Need to Know

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Bergen County Auto Body Shop Owner Faces Prison After Admitting to $230K Tax Evasion Scheme

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, A Fair Lawn business owner is facing serious federal prison time after pleading guilty to a multi-year scheme to dodge federal income and payroll taxes. Kfir Baroan, 50, admitted to evading more than $233,000 in taxes between 2018 and 2021, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.

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Blauvelt Mansion Carriage House Fire: Historic Landmark Faces New Threat in Bergen County

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Fire Erupts at Historic Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion Property: Oradell Firefighters Contain Blaze

photos courtesy of the Oradell Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

ORADELL, NJ — A major response from Bergen County first responders early this morning prevented a potential tragedy at one of New Jersey’s most endangered historic landmarks.

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The End of an Era? Why the UAE Just Exited OPEC and What it Means for Gas Prices

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Is OPEC Crumbling? UAE Quits Oil Cartel Amid Iran War & Saudi Rift

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

United Arab Emirates (UAE), The global energy map was redrawn on Tuesday as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially announced its departure from OPEC, effective May 1. This “seismic” exit comes at a time of unprecedented regional instability, as the ongoing Iran war exposes deep fractures within the Gulf’s traditional alliances.

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