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Wanaque, NJ

Frozen Hydrants Challenge Firefighters In Wanaque Basement Blaze Ignited By Lithium Battery Frozen Hydrants Challenge Firefighters In Wanaque Basement Blaze Ignited By Lithium Battery
Frozen Hydrants Challenge Firefighters In Wanaque Basement Blaze Ignited By Lithium Battery A Wanaque homeowner required EMS attention for smoke inhalation after a lithium battery ignited a fierce basement fire, authorities said. The basement on Ramapo Mountain Drive was fully involved when firefighters arrived shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, they said. Frozen hydrants left the first two engines just about tapped, with the blaze extending to the first floor, when mutual aid came through, responders said. That included firefighters from Pompton Lakes, Ringwood and Bloomingdale. A Passaic County hazardous materials unit also was requested.
North Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm North Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm
North Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm New Jersey school districts are announcing closures and delays ahead of a winter storm expected Monday night into Tuesday, Feb. 13. Between 6 and 18 inches are expected across North Jersey, but the National Weather Service "the Tuesday morning commute will be either snowy, slushy, or wet for our entire area." The following districts have announced closures Tuesday, Feb. 13: Belleville Bergenfield Bloomfield Butler Clifton Closter Cresskill Demarest Denville Dover Dumont Englewood  Englewood Cliffs Elizabeth Elmwood Park Fair Lawn Fort Lee Franklin Lakes Fredon Garfield Glen Rock Hack…
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28 These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28 The first winter storm of the season is causing a change in plans for New Jersey schools on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Some districts have delayed openings while others are closed completely. Here's a list of which school are closed or delayed for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Check your school/district's website for details. Bedminster: 10: 50 a.m. start Bellville: Delayed Bergen County Tech: Closed Bergenfield: 2-hour delay Bernards: 2-hour delay Bloomfield: Delay Bloomingdale: Closed Bogota: Delayed Butler: Closed Cliffside Park: 10 a.m. start Clifton: Delayed Closter: Delayed Cresskill: Delayed Demarest: …
Wanaque Man Gets 3½ Years, No Parole, For Assaulting Sister, Having Assault Weapon, Pipe Bomb Wanaque Man Gets 3½ Years, No Parole, For Assaulting Sister, Having Assault Weapon, Pipe Bomb
Wanaque Man Gets 3½ Years, No Parole, For Assaulting Sister, Having Assault Weapon, Pipe Bomb UPDATE: A Wanaque man must serve at least 3½ years in state prison before he'll be eligible for attacking his sister in their home and having an assault rifle and pipe bomb in his possession. Michael Wierciszewski, 25, was arrested by borough police after the victim told them that he lunged at her with a knife while trying to kill her at the family’s Jackson Street residence on Nov. 24, 2021. A search of the home turned up the improvised device, along with a Century Arms RAS 47 rifle that had been modified to remove the stock and accommodate a silencer, authorities said at the time. The vi…
Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Probed In Bergen, Passaic Towns: Health Department Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Probed In Bergen, Passaic Towns: Health Department
Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Probed In Bergen, Passaic Towns: Health Department A potential outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease is being investigated in several adjacent towns in Bergen and Passaic County, the health department reports. A total of seven cases have been confirmed with one “suspected” case still being investigated, the New Jersey Department of Health said in a Thursday release. The cases — which are treatable with antibiotics but have an incubation period of up to two weeks — were reported between Nov. 9 and Dec. 21. Legionnaire’s disease can occur when a person inhales aerosolized water — typically from cooling towers, hot tubs, plumbing systems, decorat…
Wanaque Man Looking At 3½ Years For Having Assault Weapon, Explosives While Threatening Sister Wanaque Man Looking At 3½ Years For Having Assault Weapon, Explosives While Threatening Sister
Wanaque Man Looking At 3½ Years For Having Assault Weapon, Explosives While Threatening Sister A Wanaque man must serve at least 3½ years in state prison before he'll be eligible for parole after admitting in state court on Wednesday that he had an assault rifle and a pipe bomb when he attacked his sister in their home, authorities said. Michael Wierciszewski, 25, was arrested by borough police after the victim told them he lunged at her with a knife while trying to kill her at the family’s Jackson Street residence on Nov. 24, 2021. A search of the home turned up the improvised device, along with a Century Arms RAS 47 rifle that had been modified to remove the stock and accommodate a…
Volunteer Firefighter Set Brush Fire Halloween Morning In North Jersey: Prosecutor Volunteer Firefighter Set Brush Fire Halloween Morning In North Jersey: Prosecutor
Volunteer Firefighter Set Brush Fire Halloween Morning In North Jersey: Prosecutor A volunteer firefighter from North Jersey has been charged with arson after he was caught setting a piece of paper on fire and placing it on the ground, causing brush to erupt in flames Halloween morning, authorities said. Shannon B. Muller, 40, a Wanaque volunteer firefighter, was found just before 9 a.m. in an area behind the Warrens Way housing complex Monday, Oct. 31, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Muller was lighting the paper with a match and placing the burning paper on the forest floor as authorities arrived, Valdes said alongside Wanaque Police Chi…
Dump Truck Rolls On Treacherous Stretch Of Route 287, Third Crash This Week Dump Truck Rolls On Treacherous Stretch Of Route 287, Third Crash This Week
Dump Truck Rolls On Treacherous Stretch Of Route 287, Third Crash This Week UPDATE: A dump truck rolled over on Route 287 in what was the third crash along the same notorious stretch of road in less than 36 hours. Mahwah police, firefighters and EMS, along with a paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, were among the responders to the rainy Wednesday morning mishap on the northbound highway near the New York State border shortly before 8 a.m. Oct. 5. The Mack truck "struck the left guardrail and overturned," New Jersey State Police Sgt. First Class Lawrence Peele said. "There were no other vehicles involved." Responders got the driver out and into a…
Nurse Details Attempted Rescue Of Jersey Shore Drowning Victim 'Way, Way Out' Nurse Details Attempted Rescue Of Jersey Shore Drowning Victim 'Way, Way Out'
Nurse Details Attempted Rescue Of Jersey Shore Drowning Victim 'Way, Way Out' At least three good Samaritans including an off-duty police officer, a nurse and a surfer helped try to rescue a drowning victim. Dana Wolfanger of Wanaque tells Daily Voice she spotted a surfer trying to save Matthew Mauro, 46, on Wednesday, Sept. 14 off Ortley Beach. She then notice his body tossing in the strong currents "way, way out," she said. "We were just sitting on the beach. We noticed people standing close to the shoreline," said Wolfanger, a nurse and former lifeguard. The surfer spent about 10 minutes trying to swim this man into shore, but no one else was jumping in, Wol…
UPDATE: Fierce Passaic County House Fire Kills Two, Authorities Confirm UPDATE: Fierce Passaic County House Fire Kills Two, Authorities Confirm
Update: Fierce Passaic County House Fire Kills Two, Authorities Confirm Two women died in a fierce Passaic County house fire, authorities confirmed. The three-alarm fire broke out in the basement of two-story, wood-frame home at the top of a long, steep driveway across Hamburg Turnpike from the Stumble Inn in Bloomingdale around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. One victim was found moments after firefighters arrived. The other was discovered shortly before the fire was declared under control around 9:30 a.m., responders at the scene said. A cause hadn't yet been officially determined. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Bloomingdale Police Chief Joseph B…
Investigators Probe Wanaque Shed Fire Investigators Probe Wanaque Shed Fire
Investigators Probe Wanaque Shed Fire Authorities were investigating the cause of a large shed fire in Wanaque. The blaze broke out late Sunday night off Grove Street. Firefighters made a quick stop to keep it from spreading, then alerted investigators. Borough police also responded. No injuries were reported.
Wanaque Man, 24, Indicted For Assault Weapon, Explosives, Threatening Sister Wanaque Man, 24, Indicted For Assault Weapon, Explosives, Threatening Sister
Wanaque Man, 24, Indicted For Assault Weapon, Explosives, Threatening Sister A Wanaque man who threatened his sister with a knife had an assault weapon with a silencer and large-capacity magazine, as well as a pipe bomb, three other “destructive devices” and manuals, authorities said. Some of the details emerged in an indictment returned by a grand jury in Paterson against Michael Wierciszewski, 24, in connection with the discovery at the family’s Jackson Street home and in his car last Nov. 24. Police at the time arrested Wierciszewski after he damaged his sister’s cellphone as she recorded him threatening her, authorities said. He was originally held in the P…
10 Busted, 1,194 Heroin Folds, Loaded Gun, $4,500 Drug Cash Seized At Notorious Paterson Corner 10 Busted, 1,194 Heroin Folds, Loaded Gun, $4,500 Drug Cash Seized At Notorious Paterson Corner
10 Busted, 1,194 Heroin Folds, Loaded Gun, $4,500 Drug Cash Seized At Notorious Paterson Corner It's one of Paterson's most notorious street corners, where both criminals and innocents have been shot, wounded and killed.  It's often an open-air drug market where young dealers sell to middle-aged users from the Silk City and beyond. In one fell swoop, city detectives seized 1,194 heroin folds, a loaded 9mm Taurus G2C handgun with a defaced serial number and a high-capacity magazine and $4,491 in proceeds while rounding up 10 people on either side of the illegal commerce at the corner of Carroll and Governor streets. The accused slingers outside the Carroll Street apartments were…
North Jersey Native, NYU Performer, Beloved Dad Of 2 Sean McCleaver Dies Suddenly At Age 33 North Jersey Native, NYU Performer, Beloved Dad Of 2 Sean McCleaver Dies Suddenly At Age 33
North Jersey Native, NYU Performer, Beloved Dad Of 2 Sean McCleaver Dies Suddenly At Age 33 North Jersey native, NYU performer, and beloved father of two young children Sean Patrick McCleaver died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 1. He was 33. Born in Ridgewood, McCleaver grew up in Wanaque and graduated from Homestead High School in 2006, his obituary says. McCleaver was a talented performer, singer, and piano player who appeared in several films for NYU before moving to Warwick, NY, where he lived at the time of his death, according to his memorial. More than $1,800 had been raised on GoFundMe for McCleaver’s funeral expenses as of Thursday. McCleaver is survived by his loving wi…
Wanaque Man Busted In Domestic Incident With Illegal Weapons, Explosives Wanaque Man Busted In Domestic Incident With Illegal Weapons, Explosives
Wanaque Man Busted In Domestic Incident With Illegal Weapons, Explosives A Wanaque man who damaged his sister’s cellphone as she recorded him threatening her had an illegal gun and explosives, among other contraband, in their home, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Some of the items that were seized from Michael Wierciszewski, 23, were also found in his car following a call to the Jackson Street home in Haskell on Nov. 24, they said. Neighbors said the Passaic County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad removed several items that were set out and inspected on a table set up in the driveway. Wierciszewski was charged with a host of offenses, Passaic County Prosecutor Cameli…
Former Star Athlete Charged With Raping Woman At 2019 Wanaque House Party Former Star Athlete Charged With Raping Woman At 2019 Wanaque House Party
Former Star Athlete Charged With Raping Woman At 2019 Wanaque House Party A former star high school athlete was arrested Friday and charged with raping an incapacitated woman during a party in Wanaque 2½ years ago, authorities announced. Zariq T. Hewitt, 25, of Paterson was identified after the woman told detectives that “she was unconscious and was then awakened by the nonconsensual act of penetration” during the large March 24, 2019 house party on Greenwood Avenue, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Robert Kronyak said in a joint announcement. Hewitt, who starred in track and played football at Pompton Lakes High School, was b…
SEEN HIM? Released Unlicensed Driver Remains Fugitive After Hitting Wayne Pedestrian In Wanaque SEEN HIM? Released Unlicensed Driver Remains Fugitive After Hitting Wayne Pedestrian In Wanaque
Seen HIM? Released Unlicensed Driver Remains Fugitive After Hitting Wayne Pedestrian In Wanaque A driver who struck and seriously injured a pedestrian from Wayne as he crossed a Wanaque street has remained a fugitive, authorities said. A judge released Fredi Landero, 41, of Fall River, Massachusetts, with conditions following the December 2019 crash on Ringwood Avenue, which sent the 62-year-old victim to the hospital. Landero was driving without a license at the time, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. A judge in Paterson released him from the Passaic County Jail the following day -- with pretrial monitoring -- after which Landero took off, she said. A grand jury in …
SNOW DAY: These Bergen, Passaic County School Districts Have True Snow Days Thursday SNOW DAY: These Bergen, Passaic County School Districts Have True Snow Days Thursday
Snow DAY: These Bergen, Passaic County School Districts Have True Snow Days Thursday School districts across North Jersey have started announcing closures and early dismissals ahead of the Nor’easter storm expected to pummel the region Wednesday and Thursday. While some districts still expect students to work remotely, others are giving them a day off. Some are half-day virtual and half-day off. The following schools in Bergen and Passaic County have true, good ol' fashion snow days on Thursday. Becton High School Bloomingdale Demarest (virtual half day) Elmwood Park Englewood Cliffs Fair Lawn Hackensack Lodi Mahwah (likely, district says) New Milford Oakland Paramus Rams…
Late-Night Blaze Destroys West Milford Home Late-Night Blaze Destroys West Milford Home
Late-Night Blaze Destroys West Milford Home No one was home when a roaring fire consumed a West Milford home Monday night, displacing its three residents, responders said. The blaze broke out in the 2½-story Cape Cod on Macopin Road, south of Bubbling Springs Park, just after 8:45 p.m., Police Detective Sgt. Eric Darnsteadt said. The fire went to four alarms a little over an hour later and then a fifth 20 or so minutes after that.  All six West Milford fire companies and two units from West Milford First Aid Squad were joined by firefighters from Ringwood, Bloomingdale, Wanaque, Pompton Lakes, Kinnelon, and Highland Lakes, Darnstea…
COVID-19 Cases Reported At These Bergen, Passaic County Schools COVID-19 Cases Reported At These Bergen, Passaic County Schools
Covid-19 Cases Reported At These Bergen, Passaic County Schools More North Jersey schools are going remote due to increasing COVID-19 cases. All Fair Lawn schools will go remote Dec. 7 until Jan. 15. The Edison School and Fair Lawn BOE offices were remote as of Monday, Nov. 23.  The high school and Memorial Middle School went remote Nov. 19, while Warren Point and Forrest School were expected to return to in-person learning on Nov. 30. Ridgewood Schools reported nearly two dozen cases since the beginning of the academic year. An additional four cases were reported this week: Two each at Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Ridgewood High School. T…
'2 Seconds Away From Murder!!': Wanaque Man Arrested In Stabbing Following Facebook Post '2 Seconds Away From Murder!!': Wanaque Man Arrested In Stabbing Following Facebook Post
'2 Seconds Away From Murder!!': Wanaque Man Arrested In Stabbing Following Facebook Post “I am about 2 seconds away from murder!!” a Wanaque man posted on Facebook shortly before he was arrested and charged with trying to kill someone. Michael W. Harth, 37, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons following a stabbing Wednesday at a local home, authorities said. The 36-year-old victim, who wasn’t identified, was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Robert Kronyak said in a joint announcement Thursday. Harth remained held…
Authorities: Phone Threats To Passaic County School Unfounded Authorities: Phone Threats To Passaic County School Unfounded
Authorities: Phone Threats To Passaic County School Unfounded Someone made "unsubstantiated" threats to Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque this week, authorities said Thursday. "There is no immediate danger to the community at this time," Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Robert Kronyak said in a brief release Thursday afternoon. The unspecified number of threats were phoned in, they said. "The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available," the release says. Anyone with information about the threats is asked to contact the prosecutor's tips line at 1-87…
NJ, NY, Feds Shut Down Sham Charity Operation That Scammed Donors Out Of Tens Of Millions NJ, NY, Feds Shut Down Sham Charity Operation That Scammed Donors Out Of Tens Of Millions
NJ, NY, Feds Shut Down Sham Charity Operation That Scammed Donors Out Of Tens Of Millions Kind-hearted donors in New Jersey and New York were scammed out of tens of millions of dollars by a telephone soliciting operation that claimed to raise money for homeless veterans, retired and disabled law enforcement officers, breast cancer survivors and others in need, authorities said Wednesday. A joint lawsuit filed by the state of New Jersey, the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of New York, Minnesota and Virginia has permanently shut down the operation headed by Mark Gelvan, a telemarketing consultant who'd been banned for life from raising funds for charity more th…
Driver Killed In Fiery Route 287 Crash Driver Killed In Fiery Route 287 Crash
Driver Killed In Fiery Route 287 Crash State Police were investigating a report of vehicles possibly racing before one crashed through a guard rail and burst into flames, killing its driver, near the Wanaque-Oakland border on Route 287 Tuesday night, responders said. Syed Hassan, 34, of Bethlehem, PA was pronounced dead at the scene at milepost 55.9 on the northbound highway in Wanaque following the 10:15 p.m. crash, they said. Wanaque firefighters doused the blaze. Oakland and Wanaque police also responded, along with NJSP’s Fatal Accident Investigation and Crime Scene Unit and the state Department of Transportation.
Wayne Police Bust Trio Following Alleged Knifepoint Robbery At Route 23 Motel Wayne Police Bust Trio Following Alleged Knifepoint Robbery At Route 23 Motel
Wayne Police Bust Trio Following Alleged Knifepoint Robbery At Route 23 Motel Wayne police arrested three transients following an alleged knifepoint robbery at a local motel. Officer Joseph Cobianchi was on patrol when he saw a woman and two men who “appeared to be shouting” and were “visibly upset” in the parking lot of the Days Inn on Route 23, Detective Capt. Dan Daly said. As Cobianchi approached, one of the men quickly ducked into the motel, the captain said. The woman “was crying and had dried blood on her lip,” Daly said. She told the officer that she was in a room with another woman who “robbed her at knifepoint and struck her in the face with a glass bottl…
Haskell Woman, 33, Killed In Bloomingdale Crash Haskell Woman, 33, Killed In Bloomingdale Crash
Haskell Woman, 33, Killed In Bloomingdale Crash A 33-year-old Haskell woman was killed in a crash Monday night in Bloomingdale, authorities confirmed. Nicole Lisa was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash just after 6 p.m. on Union Avenue, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Bloomingdale Police Chief Joseph Borell said in a joint release Tuesday. The Wanaque native's 2018 Jeep Compass hit a telephone pole and rolled, trapping her inside, they said. Investigators were trying to determine the cause.
Passaic County Man Charged With Shooting Dog Passaic County Man Charged With Shooting Dog
Passaic County Man Charged With Shooting Dog A dog who was at first believed injured by fireworks had actually been shot, said authorities who charged a Passaic County man with animal cruelty. Wanaque police responding to DuPont and Makemoney avenues in Haskell around 10 p.m. found the dog, who was taken to the Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital in Westwood, authorities said. “It was determined that the dog sustained injuries by a small caliber bullet,” Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Robert C. Kronyak, Jr. said Tuesday in a joint announcement. Charged in a complaint on Monday, they said, was T…
Driver In Late-Night Route 208 Crash Was Drunk, Franklin Lakes Police Say Driver In Late-Night Route 208 Crash Was Drunk, Franklin Lakes Police Say
Driver In Late-Night Route 208 Crash Was Drunk, Franklin Lakes Police Say A Wanaque driver was drunk when his vehicle rear-ended another on Route 208 in Franklin Lakes late Tuesday, authorities said. The first driver told police that a 2016 Honda driven by Deivy Montalvo of Haskell sped up on his 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the right lane of the northbound highway and he couldn’t get out of the way. Police arrested Montalvo on charges of assault by auto and DWI following an investigation by Sgt. Donald Wilson and Officer David Blum, Capt. John Bakelaar said. The driver of the first vehicle, a 38-year-old Pompton Lakes man, wasn’t seriously injured. The Honda, o…
UPDATE: Wind-Whipped Paterson Fire On Eve Of Mother's Day Burns 59 Residents Out Of Their Homes UPDATE: Wind-Whipped Paterson Fire On Eve Of Mother's Day Burns 59 Residents Out Of Their Homes
Update: Wind-Whipped Paterson Fire On Eve Of Mother's Day Burns 59 Residents Out Of Their Homes High winds whipped a roaring fire that tore through a Paterson neighborhood Saturday night, destroying five houses, severely damaging a sixth and displacing 59 residents. No injuries were reported in the Beech Street blaze, city Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. The Red Cross provided temporary shelter, food and clothing to the displaced. Fire officials who responded to the fire around 8:45 p.m. immediately called in a second alarm. What followed: In barely 10 minutes, three houses were involved and a third alarm was transmitted; A fourth alarm went out almost immediately afte…
Coronavirus Kills 8 Patients At Passaic County Nursing Home, Infects Many More, Mayor Says Coronavirus Kills 8 Patients At Passaic County Nursing Home, Infects Many More, Mayor Says
Coronavirus Kills 8 Patients At Passaic County Nursing Home, Infects Many More, Mayor Says The coronavirus has killed eight patients at one Wanaque nursing home and infected many more there and at another in town, officials said. Staff members and others at the Lakeland Nursing Home on Fifth Avenue in Haskell were being treated there after being infected, Wanaque Mayor Dan Mahler said. “Most of this occurred over the past few days,” Mahler said in a Sunday night letter to residents (see below). No deaths were reported at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, he said, adding that “it was reported to me that 10 persons were infected” there. The outbreaks “were likel…
Authorities: Trucker Charged With Setting Pit Bull On Police In Ringwood Dies Of Seizure Authorities: Trucker Charged With Setting Pit Bull On Police In Ringwood Dies Of Seizure
Authorities: Trucker Charged With Setting Pit Bull On Police In Ringwood Dies Of Seizure UPDATE: A Florida tractor-trailer driver who was arrested after authorities said he set his pit bull loose on police during a traffic stop in Ringwood died after suffering an apparent seizure. John Baker, 54, suffered the seizure in the Passaic County Jail's intake unit Tuesday night, said Bill Maer, the spokesman for Sheriff Richard H. Bernik. Baker was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a little over an hour after the 10:08 p.m. call, he said. The cause of death was being investigated. Police had charged Baker earlier with five counts of aggravat…