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News
140 Cats Found In Cockroach-Infested Paterson Home: 'Worst Hoarding Case In Years' 140 Cats Found In Cockroach-Infested Paterson Home: 'Worst Hoarding Case In Years'
140 Cats Found In Cockroach-Infested Paterson Home: 'Worst Hoarding Case In Years' Donna Moussa of Homeless Tails, a Wayne-based organization focused on trapping and neutering, says she gets about one hoarding case a year. The one was brought to her attention Thursday, Feb. 15 was the worst she's ever seen, she said. The case came in through the owner of a Madison Avenue multi-family home in Paterson, who put out a Facebook post saying he had 50 cats and needed help. When Moussa arrived, she realized the situation was much worse: It involved a 76-year-old female tenant on the second floor, and nearly 140 cats. "It's beyond," Moussa said in a phone call Monday evening, F…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Ex-Cons Who Tried To Shake Down Wayne Burglary Victim Caught With Guns: Police Ex-Cons Who Tried To Shake Down Wayne Burglary Victim Caught With Guns: Police
Ex-Cons Who Tried To Shake Down Wayne Burglary Victim Caught With Guns: Police Two ex-cons who demanded $1,000 for the return of a passport and Social Security card that were stolen from a Wayne home were found carrying a gun, a high-capacity magazine and the pilfered documents, authorities said. The victimized Chopin Drive resident kept one of the visitors talking after they suddenly showed up at his home and tried to shake him down early last week, Wayne Police Detective Capt. Dan Daly said on Monday, Feb. 26. Meanwhile, a relative called police. Officers Harrison Kirby and David Beltran got there instantly. They found Newark residents Wahid Floyd, 29, and Alquadir…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Shoplifters Fresh Off Heist Busted With Ecstasy, $5K In Merch On Route 23: Wayne PD Shoplifters Fresh Off Heist Busted With Ecstasy, $5K In Merch On Route 23: Wayne PD
Shoplifters Fresh Off Heist Busted With Ecstasy, $5K In Merch On Route 23: Wayne PD Police arrested three shoplifters found with more than $5,300 in stolen merchandise after keen-eyed stopped their car on Route 23 last week in Wayne, officials said. Dugleidy Gonzalez-Riera, 28; Yefferson Prieto-Galviz, 23; and Morelis Blanco-Cineros, 41; all of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, were being held in the Passaic County Jail on various theft and drug charges, Wayne Detective Capt. Dan Daly said. Trouble began around 3:35 p.m. last Valentine's Day when Wayne Officers Harrison Kirby and David Talerico saw the Toyota sedan following another vehicle too…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Lili Maali, Bergen Interior Designer Who Sought Better Life Amid Iranian Revolution, Dies Lili Maali, Bergen Interior Designer Who Sought Better Life Amid Iranian Revolution, Dies
Lili Maali, Bergen Interior Designer Who Sought Better Life Amid Iranian Revolution, Dies Lili Maali, a longtime interior designer died on Monday, Feb. 12, according to her obituary on the Vander Plaat Memorial Home website. Maali was born in Iran and grew up in Tehran, her obituary reads. She married her husband, Farzin, before fleeing to France amidst the Iranian Revolution in 1979, according to her obituary.  She moved to Los Angeles and later settled in the tri-state area with their son, Sherwin, her obituary reads. As an interior designer based in Franklin Lakes, Maali designed office space at Merrill Lynch and apartments at Trump Tower, according to her obituary. She…

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by Sam Barron
Lifestyle
NJ Woman Behind Elmo's Viral Tweet In Disbelief: 'Wildest Week Of My Life' NJ Woman Behind Elmo's Viral Tweet In Disbelief: 'Wildest Week Of My Life'
NJ Woman Behind Elmo's Viral Tweet In Disbelief: 'Wildest Week Of My Life' Elmo checked in. And the internet responded. Christina Vittas, 25, a Wayne native who now lives in Hoboken, is the social media manager for Sesame Street's furry red monster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christina Vittas (@c_vittas) On Jan. 29, Vittas tweeted out a seemingly innocent question to Elmo's followers. "Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?"  Vittas, whose LinkedIn page shows she's been working at Sesame Street for 3 years, never could've predicted what followed: Hundreds and thousands of response…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Wild Wayne Police Chase Ends With Capture Of DWI Van Driver Wading Through Floodwaters Wild Wayne Police Chase Ends With Capture Of DWI Van Driver Wading Through Floodwaters
Wild Wayne Police Chase Ends With Capture Of DWI Van Driver Wading Through Floodwaters An intoxicated van driver who led Wayne police on a wild chase following the recent rainstorm claimed to be in Kinnelon when they reached him on his cellphone when he was actually trying to flee on foot through the floodwaters, authorities said. Office Trevor Costabile was conducting a motor vehicle stop on Cedar Place shortly before noon on Sunday, Jan. 14, when he spotted the GMC van “being operated in an erratic manner,” Detective Capt. Dan Daly said. The van burned rubber as the driver cut through the West Belt Plaza lot and raced south on Route 23, the captain said. Costabile activate…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Schools
Early Dismissals For These Bergen County Schools Ahead Of Snow Storm Early Dismissals For These Bergen County Schools Ahead Of Snow Storm
Early Dismissals For These Bergen County Schools Ahead Of Snow Storm School districts across New Jersey have begun announcing schedule changes for Friday, Jan. 19, ahead of the second snow storm of the week. Parts of the state could see up to six inches of snow, expected to begin falling between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said. The following districts have early dismissals: Cranford Dumont Franklin Lakes Hackensack Hanover Park Regional HS Lyndhurst Marlboro Maywood Millburn Mountainside North Arlington Oradell Parsippany-Troy Hills Pompton Lakes Rockaway Roselle Park Scotch Plains-Fanwood Totowa Warren Watchung/Watchung Hills R…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Aldi Opening In Wayne Aldi Opening In Wayne
Aldi Opening In Wayne Grocery shoppers in Wayne will have another place to peruse the aisles. Aldi, a German supermarket chain, will be opening at the Plaza Square Shopping Center at 625 Hamburg Turnpike in the township, according to Regency Centers, which owns the shopping center.  The store will be 42,816 square feet, according to Regency Centers. An opening date has not been announced. Tenants at Plaza Square include a Wendy's and a T-Mobile. Aldi's has 61 locations in the Garden State, according to its website. 

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by Sam Barron
News
End Of An Era: Manny's Preakness Diner Closing In Wayne After 40 Years End Of An Era: Manny's Preakness Diner Closing In Wayne After 40 Years
End Of An Era: Manny's Preakness Diner Closing In Wayne After 40 Years It's the end of an era in Wayne. Manny's Preakness Diner, at 1220 Hamburg Turnpike in the Preakness Shopping Center, is closing on Sunday, Jan. 14, owner John Ligos announced on Facebook. "Thanks to all the loyal customers, thank you for the support and love," Ligos said. Ligos said his other restaurant, the Lenape Valley Dinner in Oakland, will remain open. Commenters were shocked and saddened by the news. "Thank you for the memories, I’ve met so many friends there," said a patron.  "So sorry John," said another commenter. "I have many fond memories of breakfast and lunch times. Y…

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by Sam Barron
Weather
Falling Tree Misses Officer, Major Roadways Flooded: North Jersey Storm Damage Update Falling Tree Misses Officer, Major Roadways Flooded: North Jersey Storm Damage Update
Falling Tree Misses Officer, Major Roadways Flooded: North Jersey Storm Damage Update North Jersey residents are feeling the impact of this week's storm with thousands still without power and schools closed or delayed. In Bergen County, houses were hit on East Midland Avenue in Paramus and on Sunset Avenue in Englewood. A Mahwah police officer also escaped serious injury when a falling tree struck his cruiser. Route 17 was closed in both directions at various times in multiple spots, including in Hasbrouck Heights around 9:30 p.m., in East Rutherford just before midnight and in Rochelle Park about an hour later. A stretch of Route 46 in Lodi also was under water, as we…

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by Jerry DeMarco & Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
L.E.A.D VP, Retired NJ Police Chief Bret Alemy Dies During Florida Retreat L.E.A.D VP, Retired NJ Police Chief Bret Alemy Dies During Florida Retreat
L.E.A.D VP, Retired NJ Police Chief Bret Alemy Dies During Florida Retreat Bret Alemy, an Air Force veteran who later served as police chief in Hardyston, died on Thursday, Jan. 4, while attending a retreat in Orlando. He was 50 years old. Alemy was serving as Vice President of Program Development for Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D.) at the time of his death, the organization said.  "The L.E.A.D Family is in mourning over the unexpected passing of our cherished, admired and beloved Vice President of Program Development Chief Bret Alemy," L.E.A.D. said on Facebook.  "The organization is stunned but focused on serving the Alemy family …

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
'She's My Ride' Owner Michele Posthumus, Wayne Valley HS Grad, Dies 'She's My Ride' Owner Michele Posthumus, Wayne Valley HS Grad, Dies
'She's My Ride' Owner Michele Posthumus, Wayne Valley HS Grad, Dies Michele Posthumus, a Wayne native who lived in Asbury Park, died on Tuesday, Dec. 26 at the age of 57, according to her obituary. Born on Feb. 17, 1966, she graduated from Wayne Valley High School and ran two businesses, "Absentee Property Management" and "She's My Ride, her obituary reads.  She enjoyed skiing, golf, swimming and spending time with her dog, Arthur, according to her obituary. Michele will be missed more than many can understand 💜 Posted by Jane Reynolds on Thursday, December 28, 2023 Michele is survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, her obituary reads…

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by Sam Barron