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Emerson, NJ

AGAIN? Another Alarm Malfunction Brings Massive Law Enforcement Response To Westwood HS AGAIN? Another Alarm Malfunction Brings Massive Law Enforcement Response To Westwood HS
Again? Another Alarm Malfunction Brings Massive Law Enforcement Response To Westwood HS The second alarm system malfunction at Westwood Regional High School in a little over two weeks created a confusing scene as parents and guardians were dropping off their children on Thursday. The system triggered a 7:43 a.m. May 2 lockdown, similar to what occurred on April 16, when the system malfunctioned twice, Westwood Regional Schools Supt. Jill Mortimer said. As before, a legion of tactical and other law enforcement officers converged on Washington Township -- among them, a Bergen County Regional SWAT team and police from the township, Westwood, Emerson, River Val…
27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department 27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department
27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department Boston Market stores across New Jersey owe its workers thousands of dollars in back wages, and the state's labor department is taking action. The NJDOL issued 27 stop-work orders to Boston Market locations throughout the state on Monday, Aug. 14 saying the rotisserie chicken franchise owes more than $600,000 in back wages to 314 employees. The investigation began after the NJDOL received a complaint from an employee at a restaurant in Hamilton last November. Since then, almost three dozen people have come forward, naming several other locations. Citations were issued for unpaid/late pa…
Teaneck Swindler Whose Family Helped Fleece Investors Of $4.7M Gets 8 Years In State Slammer Teaneck Swindler Whose Family Helped Fleece Investors Of $4.7M Gets 8 Years In State Slammer
Teaneck Swindler Whose Family Helped Fleece Investors Of $4.7M Gets 8 Years In State Slammer UPDATE: A Teaneck con man who was captured after trying to flee the country must spend the next three years in state prison for running a Ponzi scheme with family and friends that fleeced dozens of unwitting investors out of $4.7 million. Chander Singh, 46, reshaped a failed company into an unscrupulous criminal venture by soliciting loans from investors to buy distressed properties, authorities said. Singh promised double-digit returns from what would be renovations of the ratholes, which he found with the help of his parents and brother, all of whom worked as real estate agents, they said…
Woman Helped Friend Hide Fetus In Wayne Home: Authorities Woman Helped Friend Hide Fetus In Wayne Home: Authorities
Woman Helped Friend Hide Fetus In Wayne Home: Authorities A woman and the friend who helped her hide a fetus in a storage container of a Wayne home are both facing criminal charges, authorities said. Nicole Tsentas, 33, of Emerson, gave birth to the baby who was not breathing in July 2020, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. She brought it home, wrapped it in a blanket and placed it in her closet, Valdes said. Sometime thereafter, Tsentas confided told Amanda Walker, 36, of Wayne, about the baby, and she helped her move it to a  home in Wayne, putting it in a storage container in the basement, Valdes said. I…
Pre-Dawn DWI Driver Registers .25 BAC In Fiery Garbage Truck Crash Pre-Dawn DWI Driver Registers .25 BAC In Fiery Garbage Truck Crash
Pre-Dawn DWI Driver Registers .25 BAC In Fiery Garbage Truck Crash A drunk driver whose car burst into flames after slamming into a garbage truck overnight in Emerson registered a preliminary blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, authorities said. The 41-year-old Paterson driver told police he was heading home from work when his Nissan Altima slammed into the driver's side of the truck outside the Old Hook Farm on Old Hook Road at 4:15 a.m. Friday, April 22, Police Chief Michael Mazzeo said. The Altima's engine ignited, and flames quickly spread to the car's cabin and onto the truck, the chief said. The truck driver was OK, but the in…
A Life Full But Too Brief: Beloved NJ Firefighter, IT Whiz, Dies At 57 A Life Full But Too Brief: Beloved NJ Firefighter, IT Whiz, Dies At 57
A Life Full But Too Brief: Beloved NJ Firefighter, IT Whiz, Dies At 57 TRIBUTE: The holiday season at the Emerson Fire Department won't be the same without Mark Brackenbury. Little else in town will be, either. The lifelong firefighter died peacefully at his Jersey Shore home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, March 13, following a battle with cancer. He was 57. A Queens native, Brackenbury earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken before becoming an accomplished IT director. He began his professional career in 1993 as an IT manager with Health Management Systems in New York before joining Pfizer in 2002. Bracke…
SWAT STANDOFF: Emerson Officer Talks Troubled Man, 27, Out SWAT STANDOFF: Emerson Officer Talks Troubled Man, 27, Out
SWAT Standoff: Emerson Officer Talks Troubled Man, 27, Out An Emerson police officer backed by a SWAT team and county negotiator talked a barricaded man out of his home. What originally came in as the possibility of weapons in the troubled 27-year-old man's home prompted borough police to summon Bergen County Regional SWAT team members and crisis negotiators just after 5:30 p.m. Monday. Officer Sean Croal got a rapport going with the man, said Police Chief Michael Mazzeo, who was among the other responding officers. Counseled by the negotiator, Croal convinced the troubled resident to come out of his room without incident about three hours later,…
ICY MORNING (UPDATE): One Dead, Highways Closed, Dozens Injured In North Jersey Crashes ICY MORNING (UPDATE): One Dead, Highways Closed, Dozens Injured In North Jersey Crashes
ICY Morning (Update): One Dead, Highways Closed, Dozens Injured In North Jersey Crashes UPDATE: One victim was confirmed dead and westbound Route 3 in East Rutherford was temporarily closed Wednesday morning following what was the most serious in a series of crashes on icy North Jersey roads. Here's a listing of incidents. Mark Kolta, 31, of North Bergen had been involved in an earlier chain-reaction crash on the Hackensack River bridge on westbound Route 3 shortly after 6:30 a.m., East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Phillip Taormina said. He was struck in another pileup after getting out of his vehicle, the deputy chief said. Kolta was pronounced dead at a local hospital a …
MOBILE HOTSPOT: Burglars Smash Their Way Into Bergen Cellphone Store, 'Out In a Minute' MOBILE HOTSPOT: Burglars Smash Their Way Into Bergen Cellphone Store, 'Out In a Minute'
Mobile Hotspot: Burglars Smash Their Way Into Bergen Cellphone Store, 'Out In a Minute' Two burglars smashed their way into a cellphone store in an Emerson shopping center overnight, then fled with $6,000 worth of equipment, authorities said. Security video captured images of the pair, who threw a stone through the T-Mobile store's glass door at the ShopRite shopping center on Old Hook Road to get in around 2 a.m. Sunday. "They were literally in and out in a minute," Emerson Police Chief Michael Mazzeo said. Westwood police joined their Emerson colleagues at the scene. An alert also was broadcast to area law enforcement. Detectives were pursuing leads with help from the Berg…
Fire Strikes Family Of Late EMT From Emerson Fire Strikes Family Of Late EMT From Emerson
Fire Strikes Family Of Late EMT From Emerson The family of a beloved EMT who died last year suffered another tragedy when fire severely damaged their Emerson home earlier this week. Valderes “Val” Toulouzan-Vaporakis and her twin boys are physically OK. So are their cat and three dogs – one of whom was rescued from the fire and another who was found following an intense search. Firefighters prevented Tuesday's smoky blaze from causing major structural damage to the Sanford Avenue home. "As it turns out, their house was underinsured, making things even more difficult for them," said friend Lisa Leuck. "There are many repairs to be do…
Bergen Robbery Trio Severely Beat Emerson Victim For Pair Of $600 Sneakers, Authorities Charge Bergen Robbery Trio Severely Beat Emerson Victim For Pair Of $600 Sneakers, Authorities Charge
Bergen Robbery Trio Severely Beat Emerson Victim For Pair Of $600 Sneakers, Authorities Charge Three Bergen County robbers severely beat a young Emerson man, taking a pair of $600 sneakers and a vape cartridge, in a violent pre-planned attack, authorities charged. Bergenfield residents Jacob Inglis, 19, and Colin Murphy, 18, and Cameron Schneid, 20, of New Milford were each seized at their homes early Wednesday, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella confirmed. Their cellphones, among other items, were also confiscated, investigators said. The trio, all unemployed, "punched and kicked" the victim -- whom they know -- while robbing him of the Jordan sneakers and vape shortly before 1:…
Teen Daughter Of Slain Fair Lawn Mom 'Lost Her Best Friend' Teen Daughter Of Slain Fair Lawn Mom 'Lost Her Best Friend'
Teen Daughter Of Slain Fair Lawn Mom 'Lost Her Best Friend' TRIBUTE: Jeanette Willem "was not much for attention," but the late Fair Lawn mom would've appreciated the tidal wave of love and support that has come her family's way, her grieving brother said. A funeral service is scheduled this Monday for Willem, 43, who was slain at her job at Jamis Bikes in Northvale this week. "Everyone has been so supportive," Matthew Willem wrote Friday afternoon, adding that his sister "would have loved seeing everyone come together during this time." The shock and grief has barely subsided since news of Jeanette Willem's death was announced on Wednesday. A co-…
Emerson Driver Rescued By Westwood Officer In Pool Plunge Gets Careless Driving Summons Emerson Driver Rescued By Westwood Officer In Pool Plunge Gets Careless Driving Summons
Emerson Driver Rescued By Westwood Officer In Pool Plunge Gets Careless Driving Summons UPDATE: A motorist who was rescued by a Westwood police officer after her wagon crashed into a backyard swimming pool received a summons for careless driving. The 32-year-old Emerson driver, who wasn't identified by name, was headed south on Lafayette Avenue when her 2021 Honda wagon crossed over the center line as it rounded the bend at Ridgewood Road around 3 a.m. Monday, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said Thursday. The Honda hit a curb, then crashed through a fence, a shed and another fence before barreling down a small retaining wall, onto the pool deck and into the in-ground pool on …
HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool
Hero: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool UPDATE: A driver who was rescued by a Westwood police officer after her wagon crashed into a backyard swimming pool received a summons for careless driving, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said Thursday. The 32-year-old Emerson driver, whom he didn’t identify by name, was headed south on Lafayette Avenue when her 2021 Honda wagon crossed over the center line as it rounded the bend at Ridgewood Road around 3 a.m. Monday, Pontillo said. The Honda hit a curb, then crashed through a fence, a shed and another fence before barreling down a small retaining wall, onto the pool deck and into the…
HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool
Hero: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool UPDATE: A driver who was rescued by a Westwood police officer after her wagon crashed into a backyard swimming pool received a summons for careless driving, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said Thursday. The 32-year-old Emerson driver, whom he didn’t identify by name, was headed south on Lafayette Avenue when her 2021 Honda wagon crossed over the center line as it rounded the bend at Ridgewood Road around 3 a.m. Monday, Pontillo said. The Honda hit a curb, then crashed through a fence, a shed and another fence before barreling down a small retaining wall, onto the pool deck and into the…
Heartbreaking Battle Ends For Beloved Bergen Firefighter Heartbreaking Battle Ends For Beloved Bergen Firefighter
Heartbreaking Battle Ends For Beloved Bergen Firefighter A career Bergen County firefighter's valiant battle with cancer ended Saturday, leaving countless loved ones, first responders, friends and others devastated. "We all ask why the great ones are taken to soon and we can't find the answer," Hackensack Fire Capt. Justin Derevyanik wrote as news of the death of Timothy Rice spread on Saturday. Timmy Rice, 42, of Emerson leaves Regina, his wife of 15 years, their daughter, Aubrey, and their son, TJ. He was "one of a kind, truly one of the nicest, most caring people I’ve ever known," Doug Habermann wrote -- just one of a rapidly growing collect…
Fort Lee Funds Dedicated To Families Displaced In Devastating Apartment Building Fire Fort Lee Funds Dedicated To Families Displaced In Devastating Apartment Building Fire
Fort Lee Funds Dedicated To Families Displaced In Devastating Apartment Building Fire UPDATE: A fund established to aid Hurricane Sandy victims will go toward helping families displaced by a fire that destroyed an apartment building near the George Washington Bridge. Two volunteer firefighters were hospitalized with relatively minor injuries in the six-alarm fire on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee, which ignited Saturday afternoon, continued through the night and collapsed portions of the five-story brick building. Authorities initially feared the worst when a resident was unaccounted for, Mayor Mark Sokolich said, but that tenant apparently is out of the country. The Red Cros…
Mayor: Fears Of Fatality Unfounded In Furious Fire That Destroyed Fort Lee Apartment Building Mayor: Fears Of Fatality Unfounded In Furious Fire That Destroyed Fort Lee Apartment Building
Mayor: Fears Of Fatality Unfounded In Furious Fire That Destroyed Fort Lee Apartment Building UPDATE: No serious injuries were reported in a raging fire that destroyed an apartment building near the George Washington Bridge. Two volunteer firefighters were hospitalized with relatively minor injuries from the six-alarm fire on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee, which ignited Saturday afternoon, continued through the night and collapsed portions of the five-story brick building. Authorities initially feared the worst when a resident was unaccounted for, Mayor Mark Sokolich said, but that tenant apparently is out of the country. The Red Cross had put up about a dozen families at local hote…
Fire Rages At Fort Lee Apartment Building Fire Rages At Fort Lee Apartment Building
Fire Rages At Fort Lee Apartment Building UPDATE: No serious injuries were reported in a raging fire that destroyed an apartment building near the George Washington Bridge. Two volunteer firefighters were hospitalized with relatively minor injuries from the six-alarm fire on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee, which ignited Saturday afternoon, continued through the night and collapsed portions of the five-story brick building. Authorities initially feared the worst when a resident was unaccounted for, Mayor Mark Sokolich said, but that tenant apparently is out of the country. The Red Cross had put up about a dozen families at local hotel…
Bergen County Coworkers Rally For 'Angelic' Special Ed Behaviorist Battling Cancer -- Again Bergen County Coworkers Rally For 'Angelic' Special Ed Behaviorist Battling Cancer -- Again
Bergen County Coworkers Rally For 'Angelic' Special Ed Behaviorist Battling Cancer -- Again Ashley Van Valen and Jenny Venezio have long called Cassie Romano their angel. The three met each other working in Paramus for Bergen County Special Services, and have since become close friends. "She has this platinum blonde hair," said Van Valen of Dumont. "She lights up a room and she's so soft-spoken." "She's the sweetest, most generous person," Venezio added. "She cares about her friends, family and the students she works with." And so when Cassie was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer last September, Van Valen and Venezio knew they needed to be what their colleague has…
Family Of Bergen County Realtors, Board Director Charged In $4.7 Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme Family Of Bergen County Realtors, Board Director Charged In $4.7 Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme
Family Of Bergen County Realtors, Board Director Charged In $4.7 Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme The owner of a "distressed" North Jersey real estate investment firm, his parents, brother and one family friend were charged in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme that began in at least 2014, authorities said Thursday. Chander Singh, 44, of Emerson, falsely solicited $4.7 million from approximately 30 investors through a web of entities under the umbrella of his company, SC Capital Investors LLC, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The investigation into Singh and his company was launched last February, when authorities began receiving tips from multiple investors t…
Daily Voice Story Shared In Rockland Leads To Arrest In Hit-Run That Killed Paramus Pedestrian Daily Voice Story Shared In Rockland Leads To Arrest In Hit-Run That Killed Paramus Pedestrian
Daily Voice Story Shared In Rockland Leads To Arrest In Hit-Run That Killed Paramus Pedestrian UPDATE: Sharing stories really does make a difference. A Daily Voice reader who saw a story shared in a Facebook group about the search for a hit-and-run vehicle that struck and killed a woman in Paramus provided the tip that led to the capture of the accused driver. The tipster said he suspected the damaged Ford brought into an auto body shop in Congers was the same one mentioned in a Daily Voice story about the search for the fleeing driver who killed the 58-year-old woman as she walked along a local road early Thursday. So he notified authorities. Detectives from the Bergen County …
GOTCHA! Daily Voice Story Shared In NY Leads To Arrest In Hit-Run That Killed Paramus Woman GOTCHA! Daily Voice Story Shared In NY Leads To Arrest In Hit-Run That Killed Paramus Woman
Gotcha! Daily Voice Story Shared In NY Leads To Arrest In Hit-Run That Killed Paramus Woman UPDATE: Sometimes sharing stories really does make a difference. A Daily Voice reader who saw a story shared in a Rockland Facebook group about the search for a hit-and-run vehicle that struck and killed a woman in Paramus provided the tip that led to the capture of the accused driver. The tipster said he suspected the damaged Ford brought into an auto body shop in Congers was the same one mentioned in a Daily Voice story about the search for the fleeing driver who killed the 58-year-old woman as she walked along a local road early Thursday. So he notified authorities. Detectives from the …
Closter PD: Bergenfield Ex-Con In Domestic Assault Threatens To Hunt Down, Kill Police Closter PD: Bergenfield Ex-Con In Domestic Assault Threatens To Hunt Down, Kill Police
Closter PD: Bergenfield Ex-Con In Domestic Assault Threatens To Hunt Down, Kill Police A Bergenfield ex-con with a history of arrests in no fewer than a dozen Bergen County towns assaulted a woman, damaged a Closter police car and threatened to kill the arresting officers, authorities said Tuesday. David Fusco, 36, got out of his car and began yelling and cursing at officers responding to an assault call at the Closter Nature Center, calling them “pigs,” Detective Lt. Vincent Aiello said. As they checked on the victim and took Fusco into custody, he “threatened to take officers’ weapons from their holsters and kill them” and said that he’d remember their names and faces, then…
VIDEO: Hoarding Conditions Accelerate New Milford House Fire, Responders Say VIDEO: Hoarding Conditions Accelerate New Milford House Fire, Responders Say
Video: Hoarding Conditions Accelerate New Milford House Fire, Responders Say UPDATE: Flames ravaged what responders said was a cluttered New Milford home Thursday night. A firefighter sustained a relatively minor injury in the three alarm fire, which began in the basement of the 2½-story Henley Avenue home at the corner of Asbury Street around 9:30 p.m., responders said. No other injuries were reported. Firefighters initially had trouble pinpointing the seat of the blaze because of hoarding conditions -- commonly called "Collyers mansion syndrome" after two wealthy Harlem brothers who died in a 1947 fire amid stacks of newspapers, books, tin cans and rotting trash.…
Man Killed By Self-Inflicted Gunshot At Emerson Home Man Killed By Self-Inflicted Gunshot At Emerson Home
Man Killed By Self-Inflicted Gunshot At Emerson Home A 29-year-old man was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot in the basement of his parents' Emerson home on Saturday, responders said. Investigators were trying to determine whether it was accidental or intentional. The victim, whose father is a retired police officer, was pronounced dead at the home shortly after he was shot in the head around 2:30 p.m. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit and Emerson police were investigating. The Bergen County Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Identification collected evidence.
Jailed River Edge Man Who Worked For NJ DOT Charged With Raping Another Pre-Teen Jailed River Edge Man Who Worked For NJ DOT Charged With Raping Another Pre-Teen
Jailed River Edge Man Who Worked For NJ DOT Charged With Raping Another Pre-Teen A former state DOT employee from River Edge already being held for raping a pre-teen was charged with doing the same to another in Emerson, authorities said. Cory Bensen, 27, has been held in the Bergen County Jail following his arrest in February in connection with the accused rape of a victim under 13. SEE: State DOT Worker From River Edge Charged With Raping Pre-Teen Bensen was served with a new complaint at the jail on Friday, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. It charges him with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment of a victim under 13,, Musella said. Bensen, w…
UPDATE: New Milford Driver, 53, Killed When Commuter Train Hits SUV In River Edge UPDATE: New Milford Driver, 53, Killed When Commuter Train Hits SUV In River Edge
Update: New Milford Driver, 53, Killed When Commuter Train Hits SUV In River Edge UPDATE: A driver was killed Tuesday afternoon when a commuter train struck his SUV in River Edge near the Hackensack border. Sheng Chen, 53, initially was unresponsive, with a weak pulse, after a Pascack Valley Line train struck the Toyota Sequoia on Main Street, east of New Bridge Landing, around 4:40 p.m., authorities said. He was pronounced dead less than 20 minutes later. The Pascack Valley Line Train 9618 left Spring Valley at 4:02 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Hoboken at 5:04 p.m., NJ Transit's Nancy Snyder said. There were no injuries to the 10 or so customers and crew aboar…
Aide From Leonia Charged With Sexually Abusing Patients In Emerson, Tenafly Nursing Homes Aide From Leonia Charged With Sexually Abusing Patients In Emerson, Tenafly Nursing Homes
Aide From Leonia Charged With Sexually Abusing Patients In Emerson, Tenafly Nursing Homes A nurse’s assistant from Leonia sexually abused helpless patients at nursing and rehab centers in Emerson and Tenafly, authorities charged. Han Sun Cho, 65, remained held Saturday in the Bergen County Jail following a first appearance the day before in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack. Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said members of his special victims unit began investigating after Emerson police received a tip that physically helpless patient at a nursing home in town “had been sexually touched” by Cho. “During the investigation, it was learned that Cho had also sexu…
UPDATE: Seven Hillsdale Firefighters Injured In Westwood Blaze UPDATE: Seven Hillsdale Firefighters Injured In Westwood Blaze
Update: Seven Hillsdale Firefighters Injured In Westwood Blaze A recently-sold Westwood house that was undergoing renovations went up in flames overnight, injuring seven Hillsdale firefighters. The firefighters were checked out for what turned out to be minor injuries at nearby Pascack Valley Medical Center (HUMC) after a porch roof collapsed on them in the 5:30 a.m. Oakland Avenue blaze on Wednesday. "While attempting to make a push, the porch roof collapsed," their department said. "All were removed, with minor assistance." All were released from the hospital four hours later.  Mutual aid also included firefighters from Bergenfield, Emerson, Frank…
UPDATE: Emerson Man, 63, Struck By Commuter Train UPDATE: Emerson Man, 63, Struck By Commuter Train
Update: Emerson Man, 63, Struck By Commuter Train An Emerson man struck in town by a commuter train Tuesday afternoon remained hospitalized. Responders said the 63-year-old man suddenly stepped in front of the NJ Transit train -- which was traveling at about 45 miles an hour -- behind the Stop & Shop supermarket off Kinderkamack Road shortly after 4 p.m. He remained at Hackensack University Medical Center with serious injuries, they said. The Pascack Valley Line No. 1632 train left Spring Valley at 3:46 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Hoboken at 4:30 p.m., NJ Transit's Kate Thompson said. No injuries were reported to the 45 peopl…