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Police & Fire
Big-Hearted Bergen County Sheriff's Officer Dies Suddenly Big-Hearted Bergen County Sheriff's Officer Dies Suddenly
Big-Hearted Bergen County Sheriff's Officer Dies Suddenly “A big man with an even bigger heart” is how a colleague described former Bergen County Sheriff’s Officer Scott Emerson, who died suddenly this weekend. Emerson, 34, of Fair Lawn, “wasn’t feeling well, and they called an ambulance," another colleague said Sunday. The 8-year department veteran may have suffered an infection following recent surgery, friends said. He hung on throughout the day Saturday -- as family, friends and colleagues gathered at the hospital -- before he passed away, one said. "They brought him back several times," the friend said. "Then they couldn't. He went on his o…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Schools
First Day Of Kindergarten Holds Special Meaning For Lyndhurst Family First Day Of Kindergarten Holds Special Meaning For Lyndhurst Family
First Day Of Kindergarten Holds Special Meaning For Lyndhurst Family Tradition. Family values. Longevity. That's what Columbus Elementary School represents for the Restrepo family of Lyndhurst. Four generations of the family will have attended the Lake Avenue school come Wednesday, when 5-year-old Francesca Restrepo will start her first day of Kindergarten -- 100 years after her great-grandmother. "It's something to be said about our town," said Francesca's mom, Liz Restrepo, who also attended Columbus with her husband and Francesca's father, Juan. Francesca has only met some of her relatives but fully understands that she will be carrying history, mem…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Hackensack Mourns Beloved HS Principal Harold Bloom, 89 Hackensack Mourns Beloved HS Principal Harold Bloom, 89
Hackensack Mourns Beloved HS Principal Harold Bloom, 89 The Hackensack community is mourning the loss of the high school's longtime and beloved principal Harold Bloom, who died Jan. 14 at Hackensack University Medical Center. He was 89 years old. Affectionately known as "Uncle Hal," Bloom started in the district as a history teacher in 1954. He worked his way up to become principal in 1969 and retired in 1992. Bloom went on to become a trustee for the Maywood library, playing a major role in stabilizing its finances. His name lives on not only on Hackensack High School's First Street skybridge, but in the hearts of hundreds of former colleagues…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
'I Love You Papou': Grandson's Touching Tribute Honors Late Lyndhurst Diner Owner 'I Love You Papou': Grandson's Touching Tribute Honors Late Lyndhurst Diner Owner
'I Love You Papou': Grandson's Touching Tribute Honors Late Lyndhurst Diner Owner He had an unmistakable, booming voice. A magnetic and kind personality. An innate ability to make everyone feel at home. This is how longtime Lyndhurst Diner owner John Sakellaris, who died Tuesday after 48 years at the helm, is being remembered. If you didn't know Sakalleris, a touching tribute penned by his grandson -- Emanuel Logothetis -- might make you feel like you did. Or at least, wish that you did. Logothetis, who spent nearly every weekend of his childhood at the Eagle Street diner with his grandfather, published the tribute to Facebook, where it garnered hundreds of li…

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by Cecilia Levine
Real Estate
Historic Alpine Church Designed By Metropolitan Opera House Architect Hits Market At $3.45M Historic Alpine Church Designed By Metropolitan Opera House Architect Hits Market At $3.45M
Historic Alpine Church Designed By Metropolitan Opera House Architect Hits Market At $3.45M Alpine's historic community church is on the market for $3.45 million. According to Zillow, two lots on Closter Dock and Old Dock roads totaling 3.19 acres are for sale: the 20,000-square-foot church and a two-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot home. The church had been on Zillow for 11 days as of Wednesday afternoon.  Founded in the 1840s, the church was designed by the same architect of the Metropolitan Opera House, J.C. Cady.  "Cady donated his time to the church after being drawn there while designing a home for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nordhoff in 1865," the church website s…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Hackensack Saddened By Death Of Friendly Crossing Guard Ulysses Kearny, 91 Hackensack Saddened By Death Of Friendly Crossing Guard Ulysses Kearny, 91
Hackensack Saddened By Death Of Friendly Crossing Guard Ulysses Kearny, 91 If you've crossed Hackensack's Linden Street at Clinton Place in the past 22 years, you've met Ulysses Kearny. At 91 years old, Kearny died last Sunday. "He loved his job with the City of Hackensack," Deputy Mayor David Sims said in a social media post. "He saluted passing cars, greeted every citizen with a smile while he made sure they crossed the busy intersections safely." Condolences came pouring in. This one was from a fellow crossing guard. I can't believe the Ulysses is gone. Him and I work together as Hackensack crossing guards. The most nicest and kindest ma…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Bergen County, Here Is Your Bible: Fashion Guru Makes Most Of Layoff Bergen County, Here Is Your Bible: Fashion Guru Makes Most Of Layoff
Bergen County, Here Is Your Bible: Fashion Guru Makes Most Of Layoff A Mahwah fashion editor, stylist and TV personality is giving Bergen County its very own bible. Heather Zwain, 34, is bringing several writers on board for the launch of her new website, Heather Zwain’s The Bergen County Bible -- live on Thursday. She says it was created out of a desire to provide the community with insider tips and behind-the-scenes looks at the professionals and personalities in Bergen County. “I was unexpectedly laid off from my job and chose to turn a negative into a positive," Zwain said, originally of Washington Township. "Starting my own website feels lik…

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by Cecilia Levine