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Rutherford, NJ

Driver Cutting Across All Lanes Of Route 3 Sends Two To Hospital, Police Say (UPDATE) Driver Cutting Across All Lanes Of Route 3 Sends Two To Hospital, Police Say (UPDATE)
Driver Cutting Across All Lanes Of Route 3 Sends Two To Hospital, Police Say (Update) Police in Rutherford are investigating a Route 3 crash that they say was likely caused by a driver in the express lanes trying to cut across to the local lanes Sunday, Aug. 11. A 51-year-old man from Sussex was in a Honda Fit was in the left lane of the westbound express lanes when he tried to cut across the roadway to get to the local exits near Park Avenue when he clipped a Toyota Highlander around 4:20 p.m., Rutherford Police Chief John Russo said. The Highlander rolled over several times, injuring the 24-year-old driver and 22-year-old passenger, both women from New York, Russo sai…
NJ Town's Police Chief Refuses To Leave Residents Behind In Assuming Statewide Leadership Role NJ Town's Police Chief Refuses To Leave Residents Behind In Assuming Statewide Leadership Role
NJ Town's Police Chief Refuses To Leave Residents Behind In Assuming Statewide Leadership Role John Russo never intended on becoming a police chief. He was going for an FBI agent, but while growing up in Rutherford and meeting his friends' parents and coaches who were police officers, he decided to switch gears. Twenty-six years into his law enforcement career, and 11 years in his role as Rutherford Police Chief, Russo has been sworn in to a one-year term as the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police's 109th president. The ceremony happened during the association's 112th annual training Training Conference & Police/Security Expo in Atlantic City last month. …
Thousands Without Power Amid Storms, Brutal Heatwave In New Jersey Thousands Without Power Amid Storms, Brutal Heatwave In New Jersey
Thousands Without Power Amid Storms, Brutal Heatwave In New Jersey Thousands of New Jersey residents were without power as temperatures spiked and storms swept through on Saturday, June 22. In Rutherford, a "quick but powerful" storm took down five trees including 14 significant limbs and 13 power lines, Police Chief John Russo said. One family was displaced due to a tree impacting their home and most of the 3,500 residents that PSE&G said lost power were on the west side of town, according to Russo. Six PSE&G crews were on scene as of press time "PSEG mobilized very quickly as usual and quickly had half of those without power back up and running,…
Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop
Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop It was 2017 and Matt Dagistanli was in the process of building the structure that stands today at 65 W. Madison Avenue in Dumont, when his donkey went missing. He wasn't a real donkey, of course, but a statue that Dagistanli and his former business partner had affectionately called Dumbo. Dagistanli grew quite fond of Dumbo, and wasn't ready to get rid of him at the turn of his career change. "I didn’t want to sell it or throw it away, so I took it home," said Dagistanli, 63, of Rutherford. "My wife said, 'You need to take this away.'" Dagistanli had nowhere to keep Dumbo except for …
Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail
Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail A drunken man was hospitalized and another jailed for assaulting him at a private industrial garage in Rutherford, authorities said. The 40-year-old victim from Cranford approached an East Rutherford police officer who was fueling his patrol vehicle at the Rutherford DPW garage on Highland Cross -- just off northbound Route 17 near the Meadowlands -- around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Police Chief John Russo said.  He was bleeding from a head wound, the chief said. "It was determined he was assaulted by an acquaintance at a private industrial garage where both were at that eveni…
COP & CIRCUMSTANCE: Stolen Long Island Motorcycle Chase Gets NJ High School Senior 21 Tickets COP & CIRCUMSTANCE: Stolen Long Island Motorcycle Chase Gets NJ High School Senior 21 Tickets
COP & Circumstance: Stolen Long Island Motorcycle Chase Gets NJ High School Senior 21 Tickets A Lyndhurst High School senior who tried to elude a township police officer on a stolen motorcycle received 21 summonses -- and was charged criminally -- after he finally stopped, authorities said. Rozario Ymeraj, 18, was charged with eluding and receiving stolen property following the broad daylight chase into Rutherford last week. Lyndhurst Police Officer Michael LeStrange was directing traffic at Ridge Road and New York Avenue when he saw the motorcycle blow by several vehicles stopped at a light around 1 p.m. last Thursday, May 23, Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. Driving without a l…
John Zisa, Legendary North Jersey Football Coach, Dies At 61 John Zisa, Legendary North Jersey Football Coach, Dies At 61
John Zisa, Legendary North Jersey Football Coach, Dies At 61 John Zisa, a football coach throughout North Jersey, died on Sunday May 19, at the age of 61, according to his obituary. Zisa was born and raised in Paterson and moved to Fair Lawn in 1974, his obituary reads. He coached for more than 26 years at Paterson Catholic, Paramus Catholic, Rutherford and Westwood, according to his coaching biography. R.I.P. John Zisa words can’t express how much you will be missed. No single person has had a more profound impact on my... Posted by Nick Campanile on Monday, May 20, 2024 In 1980, before his senior year of high school, Zisa dove into a pool,…
Route 3 Pileup: Trio Survives Wrong-Way DWI Crash, But Second Collision Injures 6 Route 3 Pileup: Trio Survives Wrong-Way DWI Crash, But Second Collision Injures 6
Route 3 Pileup: Trio Survives Wrong-Way DWI Crash, But Second Collision Injures 6 A pair of overnight chain-reaction crashes on Route 3 began when a suspended drunk driver heading west in the eastbound lanes slammed head-on into another vehicle, authorities said. It ended with a police car and a private vehicle being struck by another car moments later, sending six people to the hospital. It was shortly before 3:30 a.m. Sunday, April 7, when a 2022 Toyota Highlander being driven the wrong way collided with a 2019 Nissan Rogue on eastbound Route 3 near Route 120, East Rutherford Police Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. The driver of the Rogue, a 23-year-old Secaucus man, d…
Ex-Con Charged By FBI With Igniting Explosive Outside Passaic County ATM Ex-Con Charged By FBI With Igniting Explosive Outside Passaic County ATM
Ex-Con Charged By FBI With Igniting Explosive Outside Passaic County ATM A career criminal from Passaic County who's been busted dozens of times in North Jersey in just the past few years used an explosive device to damage an ATM, federal authorities charged. Nicolas Torres, 41, of Passaic, has amassed a lengthy rap sheet over much of his adult life, mostly involving business break-ins that local police and county prosecutors have dealt with. This time, though, the FBI's got him. Torres was captured on surveillance video igniting the device in front of the Chase Bank ATM on North 6th Street in Prospect Park in the early morning hours of July 5, 2022, U.S. Attor…
Ramy Youssef Celebrates NJ Roots In 'SNL' Promo Ramy Youssef Celebrates NJ Roots In 'SNL' Promo
Ramy Youssef Celebrates NJ Roots In 'SNL' Promo It took several tries, but Ramy Youssef said he was thrilled to be the first Egyptian man named Ramy from New Jersey to host "Saturday Night Live." In a promo "SNL" released on Wednesday, March 27, the Rutherford comedian said he was honored to be the first ever Arab to host the show, airing on Saturday, March 30. Not so fast as longtime "SNL" cast member Kenan Thompson pointed out he was not the first Arab to first the show. Youssef immediately pivoted and said he was honored to be the first Egyptian to host the show.  Thompson corrected him again but Youseff had an ace up his sleeve…
Trio Of Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K Trio Of Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K
Trio Of Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K Three North Jersey Powerball players kicked off their week with a bang. The trio, two in Bergen County and one in Passaic County, matched four numbers plus the red Powerball in the drawing held on Monday, March 25, winning $50,000. The tickets were sold at Leprechaun News in Rutherford, ShopRite in Elmwood Park and Stop and Shop in Ringwood.  The winning numbers were 7, 11, 19, 53, 68 and the red Powerball was 23.
HEROES: Firefighters Free Trapped Driver After Tractor-Trailer, Pickup Collide On Route 17 HEROES: Firefighters Free Trapped Driver After Tractor-Trailer, Pickup Collide On Route 17
Heroes: Firefighters Free Trapped Driver After Tractor-Trailer, Pickup Collide On Route 17 Firefighters extricated a heavily trapped driver after a tractor-trailer and pickup truck collided on Route 17. Hasbrouck Heights firefighters were assisted by their Wood-Ridge colleagues in freeing the female pickup driver following the crash behind the Bendix Diner shortly before 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The driver was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center. Nick’s Towing removed the vehicles. Northbound Route 17 was temporarily closed at Franklin Avenue during the operation. Mutual aid was provided by, among others, firefighters from Carlstadt, Lodi, Rutherford and Wallingto…
Woman Deliberately Set Rutherford Garden Apartment Fire, Authorities Charge Woman Deliberately Set Rutherford Garden Apartment Fire, Authorities Charge
Woman Deliberately Set Rutherford Garden Apartment Fire, Authorities Charge A woman remained held Tuesday after authorities charged her with deliberately igniting a fire in the kitchen of a garden apartment in the Rutherford complex where she lives. Mary Anne Hampl, 62, was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. last Thursday, Feb. 8, after borough firefighters doused the Hastings Avenue blaze, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Hampl, who Musella said is unemployed, is accused of intentionally creating a fire and smoke condition with items purposefully placed on a stove. The prosecutor didn't suggest a possible motive. Detectives from his Arson Squad charged Ham…
Dumpster Fire Doused At Avalon Apartments In Wood-Ridge Dumpster Fire Doused At Avalon Apartments In Wood-Ridge
Dumpster Fire Doused At Avalon Apartments In Wood-Ridge A building manager kept a trash bin fire in the basement of a Wood-Ridge apartment complex from spreading and borough responders took it from there, authorities said. Wood-Ridge Lt. Jeffrey Geisler and Officers Joseph Barbiera and Michael Donato evacuated the building at the Avalon at Westmount Station apartments shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, Capt. Joseph Biamonte said. Although the building manager contained the blaze, smoke extended up the trash chute to other floors, said firefighters who ventilated the building. They were assisted at the scene by fellow firefighters from Car…
FIREBALL (UPDATE): Gas Tanker Flips From One Side Of Route 17 To Other, Dealership Destroyed FIREBALL (UPDATE): Gas Tanker Flips From One Side Of Route 17 To Other, Dealership Destroyed
Fireball (Update): Gas Tanker Flips From One Side Of Route 17 To Other, Dealership Destroyed In nothing short of a miracle, no serious injuries were reported after a gas tanker truck exploded into a huge fireball on Route 17 Monday morning. A used car dealership and many of its two dozen or so vehicles were destroyed in the five-alarm blaze after the truck and a passenger vehicle collided near the U-turn at the White Castle on the highway's southbound side in Hasbrouck Heights at 5:43 a.m. Jan. 8. The force flipped the tanker over the divider into the northbound lanes, Fire Chief Mike Greco said at the scene. (Justin Derevyanik took the photo at the top of this story. See his vide…
Somewhere In The Swamps Of East Rutherford: Garfield Vehicle Thief Crashes, Bails Somewhere In The Swamps Of East Rutherford: Garfield Vehicle Thief Crashes, Bails
Somewhere In The Swamps Of East Rutherford: Garfield Vehicle Thief Crashes, Bails The driver of a vehicle stolen out of Garfield crashed the car on an East Rutherford service road, bailed out and vanished into the swamps after being chased by the owner, authorities said. No injuries were reported. East Rutherford police had help establishing a perimeter after the thief was last seen near the Hilton off the eastbound Route 3 service road around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. Among those responding were fellow officers from Lyndhurst, Rutherford, Secaucus and the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, as well as New Jersey State Police. A sheriff's K-9 …
Smoky Post-Christmas House Fire Ravages Passaic Home Smoky Post-Christmas House Fire Ravages Passaic Home
Smoky Post-Christmas House Fire Ravages Passaic Home A smoky house fire in Passaic went to four alarms the day after Christmas. No injuries were immediately reported in the blaze, which ignited in a Van Buren Street home near Central Avenue around 11 a.m., Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. "All tenants are reported to be out and safe," the mayor said around noon. "Nobody appears to be in the building." Firefighters were quickly removed after a partial ceiling collapse, Lora said. They had two ladder trucks and multiple hand lines in operation. Damien Danis for DAILY VOICE Although smoke met them at the scene, the fire may have b…
Convicted Serial Package Thief Nabbed By East Rutherford Detectives Trying To Hop Bus Convicted Serial Package Thief Nabbed By East Rutherford Detectives Trying To Hop Bus
Convicted Serial Package Thief Nabbed By East Rutherford Detectives Trying To Hop Bus A serial package thief from East Rutherford was at it yet again, making it no fewer than four times this year alone that he’s been busted, authorities said. Anthony Mendoza, 42, has a drug-related history of porch pirating, usually from fellow borough residents, stretching back nearly five years, records show. This time, a victim directed police to a bus stop near the corner of Paterson and Johnson avenues, East Rutherford Detective Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. It was no surprise to any of them that Mendoza was their suspect. Detective Kevin Felten nabbed him with packages addressed to two …
American Dream: Pizza Chefs From Italy Open Bergen County Restaurant American Dream: Pizza Chefs From Italy Open Bergen County Restaurant
American Dream: Pizza Chefs From Italy Open Bergen County Restaurant Five immigrants, three of whom are pizza chefs from Italy, have opened a Bergen County restaurant in pursuit of the American Dream. Culto Italiano, or the Italian vibe, opened on Dec. 1 at 49 W. Church Street in Bergenfield.The three pizza chefs are 31-year-old Corrado Cervelli, 23-year-old Angelo Riccio, Gianni Massaro. The other two owners are Tammy Castellanos and her husband, Ariel Castellanos, of Rutherford. Tammy and Ariel Castellanos with Corrado Cervelli, Angelo Riccio, and Gianni Massaro at their new restaurant, Culto Italiano. Courtesy of Tammy Castellanos …
Grandparents, Uncle Believed Killed By 23-Year-Old Family Member In NJ Remembered Grandparents, Uncle Believed Killed By 23-Year-Old Family Member In NJ Remembered
Grandparents, Uncle Believed Killed By 23-Year-Old Family Member In NJ Remembered A Middlesex County family torn apart by tragedy is remembering those they lost. Dilipkumar and Bindu Brahmbhatt were shot and killed by their 23-year-old grandson, Om Brahmbhatt, who also killed his 38-year-old uncle, Yashkumar Brahmbhatt, Monday, Nov. 27 in South Plainfield, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. The three Brahmbhatts were found dead with gunshot wounds at the Traditions condo complex on Coppola Drive around 9 a.m. 🙏🏽😭It is with an inconsolable deep heavy heart that I share this devastating and shocking tragic news of the passing of…
SEE ANYTHING? Meadowlands Jewel Expo Attendee Robbed At Knifepoint SEE ANYTHING? Meadowlands Jewel Expo Attendee Robbed At Knifepoint
SEE Anything? Meadowlands Jewel Expo Attendee Robbed At Knifepoint An attendee at a jewelry expo was robbed at knifepoint outside a hotel in the Meadowlands, authorities confirmed. At least four robbers converged on the victim as he loaded his vehicle outside the Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel just off Routes 3 and 17 in Rutherford around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, authorities said. They fled in a Dodge minivan with what was considered a significant but not yet specified amount of jewelry. The victim, who's from out of state, wasn't injured, responders said. ****** ANYONE who might have seen something or has information that could help identify the vehic…
'We Specialize In Burgers, Shakes, Fries': Burger Joint Expands In North Jersey 'We Specialize In Burgers, Shakes, Fries': Burger Joint Expands In North Jersey
'We Specialize In Burgers, Shakes, Fries': Burger Joint Expands In North Jersey The hamburger restaurant people have grown to love in Passaic County is moving up to Bergen County. Burgerstrasse, which has been a hit with burger aficionados since it opened in Clifton, is opening a second location in East Rutherford at 130 Park Ave. Edwin Decena, who runs Burgerstrasse, said he feels East Rutherford is ready for a burger joint of its own. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BURGERSTRASSE (@burgerstrasse) "We offer old school American comfort," Decena said. "we're no frills, no gimmicks, no specialty orders. We s…
Repeat Package Pirate From NY Nabbed By Rutherford PD In FedEx Thefts Repeat Package Pirate From NY Nabbed By Rutherford PD In FedEx Thefts
Repeat Package Pirate From NY Nabbed By Rutherford PD In FedEx Thefts A habitual offender with an apparent affinity for FedEx packages was identified and charged by Rutherford police who caught him in the act, authorities said. A Rutherford police officer responding to a call of a FedEx box burglary on May 8 spotted Thomas Mensah trying to crack open another one, Police Chief John Russo said. Mensah, 25, of Flushing, NY fled in a vehicle with stolen license plates, the chief said. That didn't deter Detective Russell Snyder, who gathered and reviewed area surveillance video and pulled a fingerprint off a package that Russo said Mensah handled but didn't ake. …
Intense Fire Ravages Basement Classroom At Lyndhurst School Intense Fire Ravages Basement Classroom At Lyndhurst School
Intense Fire Ravages Basement Classroom At Lyndhurst School An early Saturday evening fire ravaged a basement classroom in a Lyndhurst grammar school. Firefighters responding to the Washington School on Ridge Road were met by intense heat and smoke that obscured all visibility shortly after 6 p.m. Sept. 16, 1st Assistant Fire Chief Paul Haggerty said. They kept the two-alarm blaze contained to the classroom with no injuries reported, he said. “An aggressive attack was to thank for avoiding what could have been a bad day here,” Haggerty said from the school. Fire officials and the township Office of Emergency Management have already begun mapping …
CLIFFS RESCUE: Rutherford Man, 20, Injured In 50-Foot Fall From Top Of Palisades CLIFFS RESCUE: Rutherford Man, 20, Injured In 50-Foot Fall From Top Of Palisades
Cliffs Rescue: Rutherford Man, 20, Injured In 50-Foot Fall From Top Of Palisades A 20-year-old Rutherford man was rescued from the Palisades after he fell and was injured before dawn on Labor Day, authorities said. The victim called police from the Englewood Cliffs section of the Palisade Interstate Parkway overlooking the Hudson River at 2:12 a.m. Monday, Sept. 4, PIP Police Lt. Raymond Walter said. Parkway officers using GPS coordinates quickly located him about 50 feet down the cliff just south of the Rockefeller Lookout, the lieutenant said. He complained of head and back injuries, Walker said. The East Bergen Rappel Team, Alpine Fire Department, Closter Volu…
Serial Package Thief Caught In Act Again: East Rutherford PD Serial Package Thief Caught In Act Again: East Rutherford PD
Serial Package Thief Caught In Act Again: East Rutherford PD A serial porch pirate from East Rutherford who'd been busted before for stealing packages from fellow borough residents was at it again, police said. Home surveillance cameras caught images of  Anthony Mendoza, 42, pirating packages from porches on June 13 and Aug. 5, East Rutherford Police Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. Detective Sgts. Robert Applegate and Charles Kryzsiak identified Mendoza, who has a drug-related criminal history -- and who the captain said "has been charged numerous times in the past for the same crime." In one incident, Mendoza swiped packages from a Rutherford resident’…
Everyone OK In Overnight East Rutherford House Fire Everyone OK In Overnight East Rutherford House Fire
Everyone OK In Overnight East Rutherford House Fire Fears of a possibly trapped resident proved unfounded during an overnight house fire in East Rutherford. First-floor residents were vacating the two-family home on Rose Street near Paterson Avenue as first responders arrived at 2:35 a.m., Police Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. A search determined there was no one home upstairs, where the two-alarm kitchen fire originated, he said. Firefighters had the fire doused in under a half hour. No injuries were reported. Mutual aid was provided by firefighters from Carlstadt, Passaic, Rutherford and Wallington. A cause wasn't immediately disclosed…
Firefighters Hospitalized, Blaze Destroys Passaic Home As Temps Break 90 Degrees Firefighters Hospitalized, Blaze Destroys Passaic Home As Temps Break 90 Degrees
Firefighters Hospitalized, Blaze Destroys Passaic Home As Temps Break 90 Degrees Four firefighters were hospitalized after battling an intense five-alarm blaze that destroyed a multi-family home amid blistering temperatures Wednesday afternoon in Passaic. The quartet was believed to be getting treatment for heat exhaustion, Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said from the scene of the fire on Union Avenue between Park Avenue and Spring Street. One was brought out and rushed to the hospital by ambulance following a mayday call. The extent of injuries couldn't be immediately determined. 67 Union Avenue, PassaicJeff Gumbman / INSET: Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora Onl…
Fire Believed Started By Cigarette Damages Same Lyndhurst Home Where 2005 Blaze Killed Smoker Fire Believed Started By Cigarette Damages Same Lyndhurst Home Where 2005 Blaze Killed Smoker
Fire Believed Started By Cigarette Damages Same Lyndhurst Home Where 2005 Blaze Killed Smoker A fire that authorities believe was ignited Thursday by an improperly discarded cigarette damaged the same Lyndhurst home where a blaze more than 17 years ago killed a smoker with an oxygen tank. A married couple got out safely after the fire started at 230 Post Avenue at 9:19 a.m. June 29, Lyndhurst Police Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. Borough firefighters arrived to find flames shooting out of a second-floor side bedroom in the 2½-story house, responders said. The firefighters contained the blaze to that room and had it under control in well under a half-hour, Auteri said. They…
Teen Jailed In Head-On That Injured Rutherford Officer Teen Jailed In Head-On That Injured Rutherford Officer
Teen Jailed In Head-On That Injured Rutherford Officer UPDATE: An 18-year-old thief from Newark who injured a Rutherford police officer when he rammed a stolen sedan head-on into a cruiser remained jailed on a host of offenses. Nyaad A. Johnson was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, as well as resisting arrest, burglary, receiving stolen property and employing a juvenile in a crime. Officer Stuart Madison, meanwhile, was treated at Hackensack University Medical Center before being released later in the day. Police from Rutherford and Lyndhurst were headed to an active burglary call on Riverside Terrace when the crash occurred…
Rutherford Attic Fire Doused Rutherford Attic Fire Doused
Rutherford Attic Fire Doused Firefighters quickly doused a house blaze Wednesday afternoon in Rutherford. The fire apparently broke out in the attic of a 2½-story, wood-frame home on Belford Avenue near Jackson Avenue around 1:30 p.m. Firefighters knocked the two-alarmer down in minutes and had it under control in well under a half hour. No injuries were reported. Damien Danis for DAILY VOICE Mutual aid responders at the scene or in coverage included firefighters from East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, North Arlington and Wallington. A preliminary cause wasn't immediately determined. Mutual aid responders at the sce…