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Neighbors
VIDEO: Totowa Teen Helicopter Pilot Sees Endless Horizon VIDEO: Totowa Teen Helicopter Pilot Sees Endless Horizon
Video: Totowa Teen Helicopter Pilot Sees Endless Horizon TOTOWA, N.J. – Lucy Barriga of Totowa sees the world differently than most 16 year olds: That’s because she’s one of the youngest helicopter pilots around. Lucy, who goes by the handle “BluVen,” got interested in flying while watching her dad, Victor, make videos about helicopter aviation. “The view, taking off, listening to the instructor talk on the radio with other pilots – it’s a one-of-a-kind experience for me,” the Passaic County Technical Institute student says. “I know most other kids don't have the same opportunity.” Earlier this week, Victor “Hawk” Barriga beamed as his angel cli…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Neighbors
Mahwah Rallies For ‘Amazing Coach’ On Ventilator Mahwah Rallies For ‘Amazing Coach’ On Ventilator
Mahwah Rallies For ‘Amazing Coach’ On Ventilator MAHWAH, N.J. – Mahwah is rallying for a local coach and his family. On Jan. 7, Kevin Pierro went into the hospital with pancreatitis and pneumonia, which led to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a lung condition that can create low blood oxygen levels and kidney damage, according to a GoFundMe page created to support him and his family. “Kevin is on a ventilator and has suffered some heart damage,” states the page that describes him as an “outstanding person.” By Wednesday afternoon, just two days after it was created, the page garnered more than $16,000 in donations and numerous messag…

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by Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Neighbors
Like To Cook? Follow This Norwood Instagrammer: 12.8 Thousand Already Are Like To Cook? Follow This Norwood Instagrammer: 12.8 Thousand Already Are
Like To Cook? Follow This Norwood Instagrammer: 12.8 Thousand Already Are NORWOOD, N.J. -- Easy banana pancakes, homemade taco seasoning and penne with vodka are some of the recipes you'll find at @aldentediva, an Instagram account started by Tara Ippolito-Lafontant six years ago. "My brand is simple," says the Norwood resident. "I just want to influence and inspire people to cook; maybe introduce someone to a product or technique they never knew. "I try to post easy recipes anyone can do that will also taste great." It seems to be working. The 35-year-old mom of a six-week-old has 12,800 Instagram followers. Though she's also on Faceboo…

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by Jeanne Muchnick
Neighbors
Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table
Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table TEANECK, N.J˘. — What three Teaneck brothers thought was just another inheritance painting under the ping-pong table in their basement turned out to be a lost Rembrandt recently auctioned off at nearly $4 million, Fox Business reports. The Landau brothers -- Ned, Roger (formerly of Cliffside Park) and Steven -- will tell their story on Fox Business Network's Strange Inheritance on Monday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. The three held an estate sale following their mother's death but held onto a few items they didn't want to give up, the article says. Among them was a painting that "creeped Ned ou…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Bergenfield Mom, Daughter Reveal Bullying's Dark Truths In Short Film Bergenfield Mom, Daughter Reveal Bullying's Dark Truths In Short Film
Bergenfield Mom, Daughter Reveal Bullying's Dark Truths In Short Film BERGENFIELD, N.J. — For Kate Tesoriero, the bullying began in first grade at the Jefferson School in Bergenfield. "Your backpack is ugly and so are you," her peers would say, laughing at her Justin Bieber bag. The normally happy-go-lucky kid was hurting inside, badly.  The cruelty from her peers persisted for years.  But with help from teachers, social workers, therapists, friends and her parents, Katie was able to find a way out. "If your’e in a situation like I was, go get help," the 11-year-old said. "If your parents don’t want to talk or if they’re busy, fi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash
Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash DUMONT, N.J. — The community is rallying around Joe Roberto, a beloved bartender at Dumont's Grant Street. On Tuesday morning, Roberto discovered that his niece -- Liz Smith -- had been in a horrible car accident in Antigua.  She was flown via medical transport Tuesday night from Antigua to Florida with two broken arms, a shattered pelvis, broken femur, broken ankle, broken sacrum and other injuries, Roberto said.  Since Wednesday morning, she’s had two -- six hour surgeries repairing her broken bones and is breathing on her own again. "The doctors are saying Liz’s survival is truly …

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Neighbors Rally For Wayne Family After Devastating House Fire Neighbors Rally For Wayne Family After Devastating House Fire
Neighbors Rally For Wayne Family After Devastating House Fire WAYNE, N.J. — More than $7,300 raised as of Thursday evening on a GoFundMe for a Wayne family who lost their house in a blaze last week. For nearly three decades, the Shakkour family has lived in the same home in Wayne. On Jan. 5, a fire ravaged through the family's MacDonald Drive house, destroying nearly everything in its path.  Neighbors say the Shakkours are among the most giving people around, which is why they're rallying to help them rebuild with a GoFundMe. "The Shakkour family....would give the shirt off of their backs to anyone in need," the page says. Father Tony Sha…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Couple Says ‘I Do’ At Valley Hospital Before Major Surgery Couple Says ‘I Do’ At Valley Hospital Before Major Surgery
Couple Says ‘I Do’ At Valley Hospital Before Major Surgery RIDGEWOOD, N.J. – The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood was recently transformed into a special wedding venue for one patient and his partner. “Mark DeBenedectis expressed to Cheel 4 Neuro Charge Nurse Michelle Bower, RN, his wish to marry his partner, Greg, before he was scheduled to have major surgery,” Valley Health System shared in a Facebook post. With DeBenedictis’ surgery just two days away, staff and volunteers transformed the hospital’s terrace into a wedding venue for the Emerson couple. Staff and volunteers thought of and coordinated all the details -- including decorations, flowers,…

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by Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Neighbors
Wedding Show Surprises Garfield Police Officers With Dream Photo Shoot Wedding Show Surprises Garfield Police Officers With Dream Photo Shoot
Wedding Show Surprises Garfield Police Officers With Dream Photo Shoot GARFIELD, N.J. — It seems the rain brought good luck to two Garfield police officers on their wedding day. Sgt. William Houck and his wife, Officer Mariggi Lopez-Houck, weren't able to incorporate their passion for policing into their wedding photos when they tied the knot in November 2017, due to poor weather conditions. A recent call from celebrity photographer and "The Real Wedding Show" host Suzanne Delawar changed that, in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Tuesday. "It was an opportunity for me to give back to two police officers who protect and serve us ever…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Hero Civilians Aid Paramus Rollover Victim Hero Civilians Aid Paramus Rollover Victim
Hero Civilians Aid Paramus Rollover Victim PARAMUS, N.J. — Not all heroes wear uniforms: Three in Paramus on Monday morning sported winter coats, along with gashes on their fingertips. The trio of strangers -- William Tiernan, Paul Delmonico and U.S. Airman Darwin Polo -- were outside a 7-Eleven in an East Ridgewood Avenue strip mall across from the Fashion Center when Tiernen spotted a car across the roadway barreling through snowbanks just before 11:30 a.m. He called for help and ran toward the car. Delmonico and Polo, hearing his cries, saw the car speed down a hill, briefly go airborne and land in the parking lot behind the Fas…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Don't Miss '30 Rock' Star From Wyckoff In Winter Hallmark Romance Don't Miss '30 Rock' Star From Wyckoff In Winter Hallmark Romance
Don't Miss '30 Rock' Star From Wyckoff In Winter Hallmark Romance WYCKOFF, N.J. — Katrina Bowden of Wyckoff will be starring in the Hallmark Channel's premier Winterfest TV movie this weekend. "Love on the Slopes" will air Saturday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m., with Bowden as Alex, a copy editor of a travel magazine who wants to become a writer. She stars alongside Thomas Beaudoin, her love interest and tour guide, Cole. CLICK HERE FOR SHOWTIMES AND MORE. Bowden attended the now-defunct Saint Thomas More School in Midland Park, and later the Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township. The 29-year-old scored her first acting role in a two-episode ar…

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by Cecilia Levine
Neighbors
Paterson Native With Cancer Wants Her Bulldog Back Paterson Native With Cancer Wants Her Bulldog Back
Paterson Native With Cancer Wants Her Bulldog Back PATERSON, N.J. – A Paterson native with stage 3 colon cancer is fighting to get her dog back from animal control. Deborah Gonzales Schwadtke, who now lives in Vernon, said she has been without her dog, Tank, since Sept. 12. A judge declared Tank to be “potentially dangerous” after the 2 ½ year-old American Bulldog bit a neighbor. Schwadtke said the dog ran out in front of her niece, who set out to take another dog for a walk, and ended up at a neighbor’s house down the street. She said the neighbor offered to leash him up, “and leashed him up from behind” which may have startled Tank. “He…

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by Lauren Kidd Ferguson