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Monday, feb 17
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Wanaque, NJ
Police & Fire
Car Flips Over Guardrail, Scatters Debris Across Route 287
A crash on Route 287 left a vehicle overturned and debris scattered across the highway, causing morning traffic disruptions on Wednesday, Dec. 11, authorities said. Troopers responded to the scene at milepost 55.4 around 10:03 a.m., New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. According to a preliminary investigation, a passenger vehicle traveling south lost control, hit a guardrail, and overturned in Wanaque. During the crash, debris struck another vehicle, police said. Non-life-threatening injuries were reported, and no additional information about the victims or the cause of the cr…
Politics
Passaic County Flips To Red: Here's How Each Town Voted In The 2024 Election
Passaic County is seeing red for the first time since 1992. The reliably Democrat county voted for President-elect Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, 95,620 votes to 89,086 votes, 50% to 46.6%. It was the first time Passaic County had voted a Republican for president since 1992 and the first time a Republican got 50% of the vote since George H.W. Bush in 1988. In 2020, President Joe Biden defeated Trump, 129,097 votes to 92,009 votes, 57.55% to 41.02%. The shift in Passaic County was part of a shift toward Trump statewide. While Harris defeated Trump by 5 points in the G…
Police & Fire
DUI Off-Duty Sergeant Charged In Route 23 Crash That Killed Dad Seeking Better Life: Prosecutor
An off-duty police sergeant has been charged in a head-on crash that killed a 55-year-old man on his way to work earlier this month on Route 23 in Morris County, authorities said. Keith Gunther, 42, of Wanaque, and a sergeant with the East Hanover Police Department, was behind the wheel of the Ford F-150 that was traveling south in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2005 Toyota Camry, headed north, head-on just before 11 p.m. in Riverdale on Tuesday, Oct. 15, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said. Hamid Shabuddin, a passenger in the Toyota, was killed as a result of the crash. S…
Politics
Dems Overtake Republicans In Early Voting: Here's Where Polls Are Now Open In North Jersey
More than 38 million Americans had cast their votes in the 2024 elections as of Saturday morning, Oct. 26, the University of Florida Election Lab's early voter tracker shows. Polls have officially opened for early, in-person voting in New Jersey. How will you be voting? According to the UFL lab, 7.8M Democrats and 6.9M Republicans had already voted. Here's where you can show up and vote in each county in North Jersey come Saturday morning, Oct. 26. BERGEN Jack Alter Community Center, Fort Lee Garfield Nutrition Center & Senior Citizens Building, Garfield County Admin Build…
Schools
Some Details Released In Threats Made To Lakeland Regional HS, Parents Slam Superintendent
Authorities have released details in connection to threats made against a Passaic County high school that had left parents and students fearful. Wanaque and Ringwood officers were called to Lakeland Regional High School on Sept. 6, following reports that a student was overhead "making a threatening statement about another classmate," Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Ketih V. Spillane said Wednesday, Sept. 18. As a result, officers remained at the school for the day, as classes continued normally. Meanwhile, members of the Wanaque Police Departm…
News
Unsuspecting Heroin, Cocaine Dealer Leads Detectives To 3 More Arrests, Passaic Sheriff Says
Timing was everything Thursday, June 27 in Passaic County. Kevin Wunk made the jobs of law enforcement officers a whole lot easier, as he carried out a drug deal just as they were arriving to execute a search warrant on his home, wrapping a month-long investigation and leading them to three additional arrests, Acting Passaic County Sheriff Gary Giardina said. The Passaic County Sheriff's Office had been investigating the Wanaque resident throughout the month of June, and at 10 a.m., officers from Wanaque and Ringwood police departments arrived at his Ringwood Avenue apartment to c…
Police & Fire
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.
Schools
Ridgewood Schools Closed Due To 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…
Schools
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: …
News
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…
News
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…
News
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
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…
News
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.
News
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…
News
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…
Obituaries
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…
News
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…
News
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…
News
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 …
Schools
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…
News
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…
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…
Police & Fire
'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…
News
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…
News
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…
Police & Fire
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.
Police & Fire
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…
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