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community engagement

'Here's The Real Issue:' 42K Unsettled NJ Residents Join Online Hunt For Answers Behind Drones 'Here's The Real Issue:' 42K Unsettled NJ Residents Join Online Hunt For Answers Behind Drones
'Here's The Real Issue:' 42K Unsettled NJ Residents Join Online Hunt For Answers Behind Drones A Facebook group focused on unraveling the mystery of drones flying over New Jersey has exploded in popularity, growing to more than 42,000 members in just one week. Titled "New Jersey Mystery Drones - Let’s Solve It," the group allows members to share everything from their personal theories, videos, and news articles to their frustrations and discoveries. Despite pressure from politicians and no explanation from government officials, some residents are threatening to shoot the drones down (note, the FAA says shooting down any aircraft is illegal), while others have resigned themselves to t…
Club Fair Controversy: Fair Lawn High School Principal Issues Statement Club Fair Controversy: Fair Lawn High School Principal Issues Statement
Club Fair Controversy: Fair Lawn High School Principal Issues Statement Fair Lawn High School's principal has issued a statement following a news report alleging anti-Semitism at a recent club fair. A report by the NY Post published Sunday, Oct. 6 says that Israeli flags and yellow ribbons representing the Israeli hostages Oct. 7, 2023 were banned at the Wednesday, Oct. 2 club fair, as administrators felt they were "too political." On Monday, Oct. 7, FLHS Principal Paul Gorski issued a statement in response to the report and a similar report by Fox News.  "Unfortunately, the article in question is inaccurate - it does not include all of the facts or …
Bergen County Dad Spends Months Setting Up Next-Level Halloween Display Bergen County Dad Spends Months Setting Up Next-Level Halloween Display
Bergen County Dad Spends Months Setting Up Next-Level Halloween Display Halloween 2016 was a disappointing one for the Maltin family. The family had just moved into their beautiful new home at 294 West End Ave., in Ridgewood, and barely had any trick-or-treaters. In an effort to "drum up some spirit," the family's patriarch Peter Maltin decided to get creative. He started by sitting on the porch and scaring people. Then, over the years, he added decorations.  "That was the genesis to try to get more people here," the dad of three tells Daily Voice from his front yard as he sets up for this year's festivities. Each year, Maltin' Halloween display got a …
Celebs Keep Coming Into This New Jersey Coffee Shop Celebs Keep Coming Into This New Jersey Coffee Shop
Celebs Keep Coming Into This New Jersey Coffee Shop It feels like Summer. Rachel Bilson, known for her role as Summer on "The O.C.," is the latest Hollywood star to have stopped by one Cape May coffee shop that's regularly frequented by celebrities. Coffee Tyme owner Jesse Lambert recognized Bilson right away when she saw her walking by the Washington Street store on Saturday, June 22. "I knew she had come to our shop before, I've heard employees talking about her being there," said Lambert, 34. "I just said, 'Hey Rachel.' And she turned around. That's when I got a little tongue tied and told her, 'That's my cup.'" Ultimately, Lambert…
Bergen County Candy Shop That Blended Whimsy With Class Slated For Closure Bergen County Candy Shop That Blended Whimsy With Class Slated For Closure
Bergen County Candy Shop That Blended Whimsy With Class Slated For Closure A Bergen County candy store launched by an owner with a sweet desire to be both tap into her creative side and be part of her community's fabric is slated for closure. Westwood Candy Company & Gift Shoppe, owned by Kim Aluotto, will close on June 29. Aluotto opened the store shortly after moving to the area with her family from Denville in 2021. She left her full-time job as an occupational therapist to fulfill her dream of opening a candy and gift shop, something with a little bit more eccentricity and flexibility. "I love working with people and I had this idea of candy and gifts — …
'RHONJ' Stars Expected To Be At Grand Opening Of New NJ Hoagie Shop 'RHONJ' Stars Expected To Be At Grand Opening Of New NJ Hoagie Shop
'Rhonj' Stars Expected To Be At Grand Opening Of New NJ Hoagie Shop A new hoagie restaurant is welcoming some star studded guest stars to its big North Jersey grand opening. PrimoHoagies is opening a new franchise in Wayne on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 1168 Hamburg Turnpike.  The grand opening is set for 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Teresa Giudice and Danielle Cabral, stars on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" will be on hand to celebrate and hopefully eat some hoagies. The franchise is run by Felix Galinsky and Anthony Falange, who own several other franchises throughout North Jersey, with a fifth location coming to Linden at the end of …
New North Jersey Eatery Combines Coffee + Korean Fried Chicken New North Jersey Eatery Combines Coffee + Korean Fried Chicken
New North Jersey Eatery Combines Coffee + Korean Fried Chicken Tasting Notes Café thinks it has discovered a perfect combination. The new restaurant in Bergen County serves up both award winning coffee and Korean fried chicken. Located at 544 Livingston St. in Northwood, Tasting Notes celebrated its grand opening on Friday, June 2. Christina Lee, who runs Tasting Notes with her fiancée Ujae, initially was planning to just open a café.  But the spot she picked was previously home to Marinade, which was known for its Korean fried chicken. Not wanting to upset customers disappointed by its closure, Lee decided to pivot and serve Korean fried chicken with …
Van-Flipping Couple Wants You To Come Say Hi — Find Them In Their Jersey City Driveway Van-Flipping Couple Wants You To Come Say Hi — Find Them In Their Jersey City Driveway
Van-Flipping Couple Wants You To Come Say Hi — Find Them In Their Jersey City Driveway Passerbys often do a double-take outside of Sophie Colle and Daveed Turek's Jersey City driveway. The husband and wife duo run Soda Deco, and convert and renovate vans to allow people live in them full time.  The lovebirds and business partners do all their work right there in the driveway of their Fairmount Avenue home: Colle does the designs while Turek does the building.  Soda Deco, a combination of their names, began during the pandemic when they found themselves needing something to do.  Daveed Turek and Sophie Colle run Soda Deco, which convert vans into living spaces.Sophie Col…
Luxury Dining Hall Unveiled At William Paterson University Luxury Dining Hall Unveiled At William Paterson University
Luxury Dining Hall Unveiled At William Paterson University Students at William Paterson University in Wayne will be feasting like kings this year. The dining hall was entirely renovated and reimagined, with a menu sure to please a wide variety of tastes. Complete with 10 themed stations — mini-restaurants of their own —  and made-to-order meals from around the globe, the university's new dining hall is officially next-level. The modern facility features an inviting, colorful interior with a wall of windows, USB charging ports, and a selection of seating options including restaurant-style booths and high-top tables designed to support…
Hoboken Residents Want Community Center With Pool, Survey Says Hoboken Residents Want Community Center With Pool, Survey Says
Hoboken Residents Want Community Center With Pool, Survey Says Hoboken's people have spoken, and they want a municipal complex, according to newly-released survey results. A survey of more than 1,000 city residents found the vast majority support a new municipal complex that offers the most public services. The City of Hoboken released the results of the Hoboken Municipal Complex Design Alternatives Questionnaire on Tuesday, May 3. Of four choices, 92 percent of residents chose the fourth design which includes a civic center, pool, recreation center, and field house. "The survey results speak for themselves," Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said in a …
New Milford PD: How Are We Doing? New Milford PD: How Are We Doing?
New Milford PD: How Are We Doing? New Milford residents and merchants are invited to give their opinion of the borough police department as part of a process known as accreditation. Members of the department and borough employees are encouraged to call, as well, during the scheduled phone-in period between 10-11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15. THE NUMBER: (201) 739-4232 Or email comments to kvansaders@newmilfordnjpd.org. Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and “must address the agency’s ability to comply with the accreditation standards,” Police Chief Brian T. Clancy said. (You can also write to the at New Jersey State As…
Bergen Prosecutor: New Task Force Will Help Build Trust Between Local Police, Citizens Bergen Prosecutor: New Task Force Will Help Build Trust Between Local Police, Citizens
Bergen Prosecutor: New Task Force Will Help Build Trust Between Local Police, Citizens Using one of the most effective tools in crimefighting – the task force -- Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella is vowing to foster better communication between local police and the citizens they protect. "We must think differently about policing and how we can best serve our communities," the prosecutor's Chief of Detectives Robert Anzilotti said. Already in place was the BCPO’s Community Affairs Unit, which Anzilotti said has: coordinated presentations for schools and communities groups on topics ranging from the dangers of opioids to Internet safety; fostered relationships with clergy…
'He Made Us Better': Bloomingdale Mourns Loss Of Mayor Jon Dunleavy 'He Made Us Better': Bloomingdale Mourns Loss Of Mayor Jon Dunleavy
'He Made Us Better': Bloomingdale Mourns Loss Of Mayor Jon Dunleavy Patient. Funny. Devoted to his residents. This is how Bloomingdale Mayor Jon Dunleavy was being remembered Sunday morning, the day after his death was announced by the borough on Facebook. It was not clear how Dunleavy died. He and his wife, Janet, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on Nov. 3. Dunleavy is also survived by his four children, Katie, Ryan, Emily and Sean. Dunleavy has served as Bloomingdale's mayor since 2011, and previously served as a councilman, ROSE Fund Chairman, Recreation President and Bloomingdale Youth Organization President, Certified Rutgers S…
Missing Saddle Brook Golden Retriever Found Missing Saddle Brook Golden Retriever Found
Missing Saddle Brook Golden Retriever Found FOUND! A pregnant Golden Retriever who went missing from a Saddle Brook backyard was found stuck under a car nearby. "With the help of neighbors and many other concerned citizens, Miss Molly was found underneath a car just homes away from hers," Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler said Sunday. "Apparently she hid under the car and was stuck.  "Her owner had to wiggle her out of the tight spot she was in and is now home safe," the chief said. "Thanks to everyone who helped in the matter -- and especially those who shared our story and were so concerned about Miss Molly." Good Golly…
WATCH: Hackensack Teachers Thrill Students With Parade WATCH: Hackensack Teachers Thrill Students With Parade
Watch: Hackensack Teachers Thrill Students With Parade Teachers from the Nellie K. Parker school honked and waved as they drove through the Hackensack neighborhood Friday morning, bringing school and smiles to their students and parents stuck at home. The teachers had streamers, balloons and signs with encouraging messages plastered all over their cars. Christopher Baldo -- whose kids are in Kindergarten and second grade at Nellie K. Parker -- said the parade was both emotional and up-lifting. "I think that my children both felt a sense of normalcy after seeing their teachers," Baldo told Daily Voice "[The children] were very excited to know t…
WATCH: Dancing Hackensack Crossing Guard Pulls Out All The Stops WATCH: Dancing Hackensack Crossing Guard Pulls Out All The Stops
Watch: Dancing Hackensack Crossing Guard Pulls Out All The Stops It's difficult not to smile watching Hackensack crossing guard Sharon Skinner at her post. She swings her hips and waves her stop sign at the corner of Byrne and Passaic streets every day. Skinner, in her third year on the job, is affectionately known to locals as "The Dancing Crossing Guard." "I want everyone to wake up in the morning and just be happy," said Skinner, 55, dancing and waving to drivers Tuesday afternoon. "Some people ride by just to see me. It makes their day." Skinner has always been a positive force and full of energy, her cousin David Johns said. "She's hap…
Paramus PD's Top Motor Officer Uses Bike To Break Down Barriers Paramus PD's Top Motor Officer Uses Bike To Break Down Barriers
Paramus PD's Top Motor Officer Uses Bike To Break Down Barriers Community impact is what initially attracted Paramus Police Sgt. Brian Linden to law enforcement. Being a motorcycle officer is what he says allowed him to do the job even better. "People are much more comfortable having conversations with motor officers," said Linden, who joined the Paramus PD in 2000.  "Maybe it's because they have motorcycling in common or it just gives them something to talk about, but people love to chat with us.  "It's always great because it reminds people that we are human too." Tyler, 3, gets a ride from Linden at National Night Out 2016. The Paramus PD's mo…
Fair Lawn Girls Couldn't Believe When Police Officers Showed Up One-By-One At Lemonade Stand Fair Lawn Girls Couldn't Believe When Police Officers Showed Up One-By-One At Lemonade Stand
Fair Lawn Girls Couldn't Believe When Police Officers Showed Up One-By-One At Lemonade Stand The skies were turning gray and friends Yocheved and Ahuva were just about ready to accept their lemonade stand wouldn't be getting any customers when a Fair Lawn police officer pulled up. The 7- and 8-year-old did their best to contain their excitement as Officer Tiller Uriarte came over and handed them a dollar for the the 5-cent cup of pink lemonade Sunday afternoon. The girls jumped for joy -- their day had been made. It was about to get even better. As soon as Uriarte got in his patrol car, he sent a message through the police computer system to other on-duty officers telling them t…
NY Giant From Englewood Holds Free Hometown Camp For North Jersey Kids NY Giant From Englewood Holds Free Hometown Camp For North Jersey Kids
NY Giant From Englewood Holds Free Hometown Camp For North Jersey Kids New York Giant Garrett Dickerson is facing his second year in the NFL. But the 23-year-old tight end will never forget the community that shaped him into the athlete he has become. Dickerson will be holding a free football camp for boys and girls ages 8 to 14 on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Winton White Stadium in Englewood (register below). Sponsored giveaways and free food for all attendees will be offered. Dickerson set school records as a tight end at Bergen Catholic (formerly Dwight-Englewood), with 52 catches, 776 yards and 10 touchdowns. He played in 49 games at Northwestern,…
New Lyndhurst Chief Zeroes In On Quality-Of-Life Issues, Safety, Police/Public Relationships New Lyndhurst Chief Zeroes In On Quality-Of-Life Issues, Safety, Police/Public Relationships
New Lyndhurst Chief Zeroes In On Quality-Of-Life Issues, Safety, Police/Public Relationships New Lyndhurst Police Chief Richard Jarvis Jr. isn’t wasting time setting the tone of his administration, beginning with preserving the quality of life for residents and merchants. Improving relations between police and the public is also a priority for Jarvis, a former lieutenant who was sworn to run the department last week. The new chief already has a list of goals that include: Aggressively targeting speeders, with “a specific concentration on residential streets, school zones and in high pedestrian areas”; Using both enforcement and education to address the growing number of pedestria…
NO HARM: Man In SUV Who Tried Talking To Girls Wasn't Up To No Good, Glen Rock Police Find NO HARM: Man In SUV Who Tried Talking To Girls Wasn't Up To No Good, Glen Rock Police Find
NO HARM: Man In SUV Who Tried Talking To Girls Wasn't Up To No Good, Glen Rock Police Find UPDATE: An elderly driver who pulled up to two young Glen Rock girls and said something they couldn't understand wasn't up to no good, police said. After interviewing adult witnesses, Detective Lucas Doney identified and found the SUV driver, Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. "While this incident was understandably concerning to all of us, our investigation has confirmed that no criminal act was committed," the chief said. Doney "has spoken to the families of the two young girls involved and the case has been closed, the chief added. The girls told police they were walking on Rutland Road…
Glen Rock PD: SUV Driver Who Tried Talking To Girls Was Harmless Glen Rock PD: SUV Driver Who Tried Talking To Girls Was Harmless
Glen Rock PD: SUV Driver Who Tried Talking To Girls Was Harmless UPDATE: An elderly driver who pulled up to two young Glen Rock girls and said something they couldn't understand wasn't up to no good, police said. After interviewing adult witnesses, Detective Lucas Doney identified and found the SUV driver, Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. "While this incident was understandably concerning to all of us, our investigation has confirmed that no criminal act was committed," the chief said. Doney "has spoken to the families of the two young girls involved and the case has been closed, the chief added. The girls told police they were walking on Rutland Road…
Glen Rock Honors Police Motorcycle Unit's Founder, Retired Sergeant Turned Crossing Guard Glen Rock Honors Police Motorcycle Unit's Founder, Retired Sergeant Turned Crossing Guard
Glen Rock Honors Police Motorcycle Unit's Founder, Retired Sergeant Turned Crossing Guard Glen Rock Police Officer Adam Pyatak has made a lasting mark in the borough as the “driving” force behind the department’s motorcycle unit. In return, the borough’s governing body recently honored him, along with a retired sergeant who's become a beloved crossing guard. A Glen Rock native, Pyatak joined the borough’s auxiliary police as a volunteer in 1993, and in 1996 was promoted to sergeant. He became a full-fledged borough officer in 1999 and was assigned to the patrol division, of which he’s now the senior officer. Pyatak literally built the Motor Unit’s first ride, completely refurb…
PHOTOS: River Edge Mom Shares Step-By-Step Guide To Baking Irish Soda Bread PHOTOS: River Edge Mom Shares Step-By-Step Guide To Baking Irish Soda Bread
Photos: River Edge Mom Shares Step-By-Step Guide To Baking Irish Soda Bread Alyssa Rebosio of River Edge never really liked raisins. For that reason, she never ate the Irish soda bread her mom made every year growing up. But once Rebosio had her own home, she began making Irish soda bread using her mother's recipe (and has become well-known in the community for it). "After eating it warm right out of the oven with butter I realized just how tasty it was," she said.  Pictured below: Rebosio's parents, the late Pat and Bud Rauch. Rebosioscontributed Rebosio makes several loaves of all sizes the week before St. Patrick's Day and hands them out to crossing guard…
Beloved Ridgefield Park Football Coach Opens Deli Beloved Ridgefield Park Football Coach Opens Deli
Beloved Ridgefield Park Football Coach Opens Deli Things have certainly come full circle for Ridgefield Park's Ted Tabasco. The youth football coach and retired North Bergen police officer grew up inside of his parents' shop, Meadowview Sweet Shoppe. Before he and his wife Kathy had kids, they owned Village Deli on Teaneck Road. Now that the Scarlets youth football coach has retired and his kids are grown, he has found himself yet again at the helm of his own deli: Coaches Corner Deli on Euclid Avenue. "It's like an old hat for him," said his wife, Kathy, a Scarlets cheer coach. "The kids he used to coach come running in -- they adore h…
Van In Purported Clifton Luring Found -- Looks Like Misunderstanding, Frustrated Police Say Van In Purported Clifton Luring Found -- Looks Like Misunderstanding, Frustrated Police Say
Van In Purported Clifton Luring Found -- Looks Like Misunderstanding, Frustrated Police Say A Clifton girl's claim that one of two occupants of a white van tried to lure her from her backyard apparently was the result of a misunderstanding stemming from a language barrier, say authorities who urged residents to come to them first before taking to social media. Police said they found the van and the pair in Paterson. "The matter is still under investigation," they said Friday morning. "However, it appears to be to be the result of a misunderstanding resulting from a language barrier."  Although police said they "commend the juvenile for taking quick action…
First He Ran To Boston. Now North Jersey Doctor Is Running Across America First He Ran To Boston. Now North Jersey Doctor Is Running Across America
First He Ran To Boston. Now North Jersey Doctor Is Running Across America First, he ran to Boston. Now, he's running across America. Chiropractor and acupuncturist Larry Grogin set out next summer will set out from Paterson to Ventura, California -- that's 2800 miles. He'll run 32 a day and won't stop until he gets there. "It's not going to be a story about the Larry Grogin run it's a story about America," he said. "A story about the people that I get to meet." Grogin, a Paramus High School graduate, is encouraging others to run with him as he raises funds and awareness for Oasis, an organization for children and families in need. He calls it…
'Trust Was Broken': Maywood School Officials Disappointed With Hackensack's $165M Referendum 'Trust Was Broken': Maywood School Officials Disappointed With Hackensack's $165M Referendum
'Trust Was Broken': Maywood School Officials Disappointed With Hackensack's $165M Referendum Maywood school officials and community members are less than pleased with Hackensack's $165 million referendum plan presented earlier this week at a budget meeting. A sender/receiver contract that sent approximately 250 students from the Maywood Avenue School to Hackensack High School expired in June 2017. In January, Maywood officials rejected a new contract that would allow them to continue sending ninth graders to HHS, along with those from Rochelle Park and South Hackensack. In June, Maywood school officials were informed of change to add a new school for seventh through ninth graders. …
Englewood Police Treat Youngsters To Helicopter, Free Backpacks Englewood Police Treat Youngsters To Helicopter, Free Backpacks
Englewood Police Treat Youngsters To Helicopter, Free Backpacks Temperatures were in the 90s, but a group of Englewood youngsters kept cool with a medical chopper landing, free backpacks and more, courtesy of city police and their law enforcement colleagues. The department and PBA Local 216 got boosts from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit at Monday's 3rd Annual Cops and Kids Summer Kick Off at Dr. John Grieco Elementary School. Held in conjunction with Principal Daniela Small-Bailey and Vice-Principal Abraham Alarcon, the event included an NJSP helicopter landing and demonstration, a visit from the Englewood P…
Smoke Shop In Washington Township? Police Officer Mom Says 'No' Smoke Shop In Washington Township? Police Officer Mom Says 'No'
Smoke Shop In Washington Township? Police Officer Mom Says 'No' Washington Township Police Officer Heather Castronova has a unique perspective on the proposal for a smoke shop in her suburban town of fewer than 9,000 residents. "I am a Washington Township police officer, juvenile officer, community policing officer, resident, mother and the creator of the Washington Township Moms Facebook group. I’m blessed and fortunate to hold a unique position in our community. This town is my home and the people in it are my family. People in town know how involved I am in all aspects of my community.  "Therefore, I was approached by a large group of conce…
Neighborhood Makes Final Route Special For Retiring Bergen County Mailman Neighborhood Makes Final Route Special For Retiring Bergen County Mailman
Neighborhood Makes Final Route Special For Retiring Bergen County Mailman By no fault of his own, Ron Allen was behind on his Washington Township route on Monday. Word spread throughout neighborhood over the weekend that the longtime mail carrier would be retiring, so each resident planned a special goodbye -- complete with balloons, cards and even tears.  "He took the time to get to know the families on his route," said Jeanette McCullough, who presented Allen with balloons and a card. "He’s watched us grow up, get married, have children, passing of parents and love ones. He became our friend, not just our mailman." Back in his early years,…