Ex-Paterson Mayor Avoids Jailtime In Admitting To Violating Public Office Ban Ex-Paterson Mayor Avoids Jailtime In Admitting To Violating Public Office Ban
Ex-Paterson Mayor Avoids Jailtime In Admitting To Violating Public Office Ban Former Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres pleaded guilty to criminal contempt for defying a 2017 court order permanently barring him from running for or holding public office, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. Torres, 66, admitted during a hearing on Thursday, Dec. 19, in Passaic County Superior Court that his 2022 bid to reclaim the mayor’s seat violated the judicial order. The plea, to a fourth-degree criminal contempt charge, followed an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA)’s Corruption Bureau. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the St…
Cats Soaked In Urine Abandoned In Paterson Parking Lot, Rescuers Say Cats Soaked In Urine Abandoned In Paterson Parking Lot, Rescuers Say
Cats Soaked In Urine Abandoned In Paterson Parking Lot, Rescuers Say Two cats were rescued in Paterson after being abandoned in a parking lot during near-freezing temperatures, left in a filthy carrier soaked in urine and rainwater, rescuers say. According to the Oakland-based Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI), the animals, named Sid and Tony, are now receiving emergency medical care after enduring severe neglect and exposure. RBARI said the cats were found traumatized and sick from the conditions they were subjected to.  “Sid and Tony urgently need your help,” the organization said in a statement, highlighting the critical care the cats require to r…
Hackensack BOE Pres Resigns, Cites Board Drama, Wasted Resources As Challenges (WATCH) Hackensack BOE Pres Resigns, Cites Board Drama, Wasted Resources As Challenges (WATCH)
Hackensack BOE Pres Resigns, Cites Board Drama, Wasted Resources As Challenges (Watch) Hackensack Public Schools Board of Education President Scott James-Vickery announced his resignation during his final board meeting Wednesday, Dec. 18, using the occasion to highlight persistent challenges he believes are holding the district back from reaching its full potential. James-Vickery, who served six years on the board and held the role of president since 2019, listed several issues he said have hindered Hackensack Public Schools, including internal politics, wasted resources, and a lack of focus on students’ needs.  “The students’ resources are being drained by the board,” h…
Photos Show Plane Crash Near Lakewood Airport, 4 Miraculously Survive (UPDATE) Photos Show Plane Crash Near Lakewood Airport, 4 Miraculously Survive (UPDATE)
Photos Show Plane Crash Near Lakewood Airport, 4 Miraculously Survive (Update) A small plane crashed near Lakewood's airport, leaving four passengers injured, authorities said. Officers received a call about the crash at the Lakewood Township Municipal Airport just before 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, a Lakewood Police Department spokesperson said. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found the plane in a wooded area. The general aviation airport is located on 191 acres off Cedarbridge Avenue and is operated by the township government. Photos were shared by The Lakewood Scoop, who was the first to report the story. View this pos…
6 Pounds Of Crystal Meth, Guns Seized From Hackensack Dad-Son Duo: Cops 6 Pounds Of Crystal Meth, Guns Seized From Hackensack Dad-Son Duo: Cops
6 Pounds Of Crystal Meth, Guns Seized From Hackensack Dad-Son Duo: Cops A Hackensack father and son have been arrested in a major drug bust that uncovered over six pounds of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and a stolen handgun, authorities said. Jahfari Raheem Miller, 41, and Melachi Miller, 19, were taken into custody on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2024, after detectives executed a Superior Court-ordered search warrant at an apartment and a 2021 Chevy Tahoe, police said.  Inside the vehicle, investigators found an aftermarket hidden compartment containing a loaded, stolen Ruger LCP handgun, along with additional narcotics. The search also yielded large quantities…
Attempted Burglary Prompts Warning From Police In Bergen County Town Attempted Burglary Prompts Warning From Police In Bergen County Town
Attempted Burglary Prompts Warning From Police In Bergen County Town Police are urging residents in Washington Township (Bergen County) to stay vigilant following an attempted burglary on the west side of town, officials said. The incident occurred around 8:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, when patrol units were dispatched to a home after the homeowner reported suspicious activity captured on their security camera system, police said in a news release.  Home surveillance footage showed one individual appearing to prepare to enter the home. Responding officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Police released an image of the …
Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores
Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores Big Lots has announced plans to close all of its remaining 963 stores, initiating "going out of business" sales following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September. The company says it's started the process of closing stores in 48 states and liquidating inventory under its court-supervised Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.  The decision comes as the retailer seeks to maximize value for stakeholders while exploring potential going-concern sale opportunities. "We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale," Big Lots' President and Chie…
FAA Bans Drones From Flying Over Parts Of New Jersey: See The List FAA Bans Drones From Flying Over Parts Of New Jersey: See The List
FAA Bans Drones From Flying Over Parts Of New Jersey: See The List New Jersey’s skies are getting a no-drone zone makeover.  In response to a string of drone sightings that have raised eyebrows and security concerns across the state, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) banning drones from buzzing around "critical New Jersey infrastructure." Prompted by a request from federal security partners, the restrictions are set to take effect Wednesday, Dec. 17, and will run through Friday, Jan. 17. The no-fly zones below aim to curb potential risks posed by drones near sensitive sites and ensure airspace…
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say A former Middletown police sergeant was given 22 criminal charges after an investigation revealed a web of illegal activity involving untraceable guns, drugs, and abuse of power, authorities said. David Ringkamp, 43, was indicted by a grand jury, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 19. Ringkamp was formerly a Union Beach resident. The investigation into Ringkamp began in December 2021. New York State Police identified Nicholas D’Ambrosio of Millstone as someone purchasing kits to assemble ghost guns, which are illegal in New Jersey.…
Smile For The Doorbell Camera: Paterson Porch Pirate Arrested For $1K Lyndhurst Theft, Cops Say Smile For The Doorbell Camera: Paterson Porch Pirate Arrested For $1K Lyndhurst Theft, Cops Say
Smile For The Doorbell Camera: Paterson Porch Pirate Arrested For $1K Lyndhurst Theft, Cops Say A Paterson porch pirate is facing charges for swiping a $1,000 electronics package from a Lyndhurst home, police announced. Jeison Sime Martinez, 24, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, after the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department apprehended him during a motor vehicle violation investigation, Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. The arrest stemmed from an incident on Tuesday, Oct. 22, when a Lyndhurst resident reported that a package had been stolen from their front porch. Surveillance footage from a doorbell camera provided detectives with a clear description of the suspect and …
BREAKING: Wayne School Bus Crashes Into Building After Hitting 2 Cars, Police Say BREAKING: Wayne School Bus Crashes Into Building After Hitting 2 Cars, Police Say
Breaking: Wayne School Bus Crashes Into Building After Hitting 2 Cars, Police Say A Wayne Board of Education school bus crashed into a building after striking two vehicles at a busy intersection Thursday morning, Dec. 20, authorities said. ALSO SEE: Students, School Bus Driver Hospitalized In Crash With Tractor-Trailer On Route 17 In Paramus The crash occurred at approximately 7:28 a.m. as the bus was traveling north on Black Oak Ridge Road near the intersection with Pompton Plains Crossroad, according to Detective Captain Dan Daly of the Wayne Police Department. After hitting two vehicles stopped in the left turn lane, the bus continued into the intersection, veer…
Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG
Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG The New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has permanently revoked the license of a Bergen County physical therapist who admitted to engaging in sexual relations with one patient and was accused of making inappropriate remarks to another, officials said. Danny O. Steffens, who practiced at facilities in New Milford and Fort Lee, voluntarily surrendered his license following complaints from two female patients, identified in filed documents as Patient #1 and Patient #2, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Thursday, Dec. 19. Steffens is prohibited from ever reappl…