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Pizza Review - Sharpie's Pizza (Chicago, IL) Barstool Pizza Review - Enoteca Roma (Chicago, IL) Barstool Pizza Review - Pizz'amici (Chicago, IL) Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Daniele was on his way home from work when he saw a car that had crashed against a guardrail in February Daniele and other responders at Thursday's ceremony Daniele, a 29-year veteran, was honored with a Life-Saving Citation from Mayor Michael Johnson and the Haledon Municipal Council on Thursday, March 13, for his quick-thinking actions that helped revive a driver in cardiac arrest where the victim was sitting in the audience Daniele recalled the moment his ordinary day turned into a life-or-death rescue Daniele was leaving work slightly later than usual on Feb 17 when he came across a vehicle up against a guardrail on Hamburg Turnpike with people standing around everyone thought it was just a routine crash,” Daniele told the crowd at the ceremony Daniele immediately called in the emergency over his police radio Daniele spotted Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah ‘What are you doing here?’” Daniele recalled pulling the unresponsive driver from the vehicle Wayne Police Officer Alexis Losito was also on scene ripping off the man’s jacket and shirt in one motion as they removed him from the vehicle and prepared to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) That's when additional officers arrived for backup officers scrambled to secure the scene as Daniele performed lifesaving chest compressions that was the best feeling ever," Daniele later told the man whose life he saved the man regained consciousness and was transported to St Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson by Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad reflected on how a seemingly routine day had taken a drastic turn ‘Where’s a cop when you need one?’” he said myself and Officer Losito just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” Daniele received his Life-Saving Citation at the Haledon Mayor and Council Meeting where the driver he saved and his spouse were both present to thank him in person HALEDON — The owner of a proposed marijuana shop is suing the Planning Board to overturn its denial of an application for a new store in the borough The Wayne-based business, a limited liability company called This Budz 4 U, wanted to take over the 1,409-square-foot Dunkin’ restaurant at the intersection of Belmont and Haledon avenues Its decision was later memorialized in a resolution In a 13-page complaint filed in state Superior Court in Paterson the business owner claims the denial of its plan was unreasonable and that the board failed to consider all of the evidence presented by its expert witnesses This Budz 4 U is asking a judge to vacate the June 6 Public safety: Hawthorne garage destroyed in morning fire; no injuries reported Board Attorney Dominic DiYanni did not respond to an inquiry about the pending litigation His law office is due to file a trial brief to the court in three weeks The proposed marijuana shop was to be known as The Dispensary North Jersey: New cannabis dispensary co-owned by Ice-T opens Two shops opened last year under that name in the Somerset section of Franklin Township and in Union Township A third opened in a former Staples store on Route 46 west in Saddle Brook in January a recurring cast member of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” was a consultant for the Haledon project Much of the board decision rested on an interpretation of the municipal code which states that cannabis establishments cannot operate within 500 feet of a daycare center or school The distance between the proposed dispensary and The Royalty Family Academy was debated because the shop would have shared a parking lot with a neighboring Firestone auto care center through an easement The three-count lawsuit states the board erroneously included that easement in its calculation of the 500-foot buffer The board disregarded advice from its attorney as to how to calculate the distance If measured from the front door of the day care center to that of the Dunkin’ restaurant “The board’s finding that the ‘operation’ includes the neighboring lot of Firestone is misplaced,” attorney Daniel Lagana wrote in a trial brief in support of the complaint “The board failed to consider undisputed expert testimony offered by the applicant’s planner the board’s engineer and the borough’s zoning official who found that ‘operation’ means the actual building where retail cannabis is stored and sold.” The New Jersey cannabis market reported more than $1 billion in sales last year marking a nearly 25% increase in gains over the previous year The industry reached another milestone when Twisted Hat Cannabis set up shop in Carneys Point Township in Salem County in June Its opening meant that at least one licensed dispensary was in every county in the state Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com For unlimited access to the most important news in your community please subscribe or activate your digital account today Email: devencentis@northjersey.com A routine traffic stop turned into a police pursuit Friday afternoon leading to a temporary shelter-in-place at Haledon Public School Officer Kris Duci spotted two males wearing ski masks on a motorized scooter near West Broadway and Cliff Street When Officer Duci attempted a motor vehicle stop As the suspects ditched the scooter and fled on foot they discarded several items—including a knife and keys—on the playground of Haledon Public School the school was placed on a temporary shelter-in-place as a precaution The first suspect was caught at Lee Avenue and Henry Street while the second was arrested on West Clinton Street Police assured the community that there was no imminent danger and said additional officers were deployed to ensure children got home safely HALEDON — Higher powers were at work on a recent Monday when Police Chief Angelo Daniele showed up at an accident scene He was not supposed to be there at that exact moment — except he was appointment with his pulmonologist in less than 15 minutes As he walked out of the office building in Wayne he looked to his right to see that an SUV had crashed into a telephone pole extricated the driver from the vehicle and administered CPR before police officers from Haledon and Wayne arrived to render further aid to the 61-year-old man Use of force: Attorney considers civil claim against Wayne Police Department after shooting of sword-wielding man Luís Portuguez was rushed to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson injured her arm in the accident and was also treated at the hospital The crash happened near the campus of William Paterson University just north of the T-intersection of Hamburg Turnpike and University Drive Ochoa and Portuguez sat in the front row of the municipal courtroom with their family as Mayor Michael Johnson presented a “key to the borough” award and a lifesaving citation to the chief in front of a standing-room-only audience Ochoa gently caressed Portuguez’s back with her left hand “This is a celebration of life,” the chief said “This isn’t just about honoring me — we’re bonded forever.” Four other officers were recognized for answering the call that afternoon: Haledon Detective Sgt Haledon Patrolman Steven Guzmán and Wayne Patrolwoman Alexis Losito Also acknowledged was Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah who was driving by as the accident occurred The ceremony began with the audience viewing a six-minute video clip of the immediate aftermath of the crash from footage recorded by Rutkowski’s body camera “We feel so fortunate that the officers were there when the accident happened.” Johnson said the “chilling” video clip was a reminder of the essential role of first responders “God puts you in a certain place to do exceedingly abundant things For those who may not have accepted the spiritual explanation for Daniele’s being in the right place at the right time She kept him in bed for an extra 10 minutes that morning “It completely threw off my day,” said the chief, who has led the 23-person Police Department for eight years NORTH HALEDON — Postal inspectors are investigating numerous complaints here about suspected mail theft and they have now taken an unusual step to remove a collection box from a local street corner The blue receptacle was anchored to a concrete pad The Police Department said it was removed “out of an abundance of caution.” “We’re aware that complaints have been reported from other locations an investigation is ongoing,” police posted on Facebook “Exercise due caution with how you send your personal information.” Chief Todd Darby said the detective bureau has fielded multiple complaints per week about mail theft and related crimes adding that the scams may be worse than ever this season Public safety: Car crash leaves vehicle hanging over retaining wall in Hawthorne Gregory Kliemisch, a spokesperson for the Postal Inspection Service said the agency could not disclose more details due to the “sensitivity” of the probe The issue is not confined to North Haledon In May 2023, the Postal Inspection Service and the Postal Service launched an initiative called Project Safe Delivery to address a surge in mail theft nationwide Authorities said there was a 138.9% increase in reports of mail theft — typically motivated by financial crimes, like check fraud — between fiscal years 2019 and 2023. The joint initiative included enhanced security of collection boxes and delivery vehicles, as well as coordination with the Department of Justice for the prosecution of suspects who committed violent crimes against letter carriers It resulted in more than 2,050 arrests on charges of mail theft But authorities continue to stress that customers themselves are the first line of defense against postal fraud customers should hand it to letter carriers or use letter slots inside of post offices They should also pick up mail promptly after delivery and never leave it in their mailboxes overnight The free service allows customers to preview images of letter-sized mail before it arrives NORTH HALEDON — A total overhaul of the Kennedy-era veterans building on High Mountain Road is nearing completion The renovation project which has cost the borough $600,000 so far but guests who visit there Monday for a Veterans Day service will observe a lot of progress The building at 512 High Mountain Road is the headquarters of American Legion Post 428 as well as a gathering place for Girl Scouts the Golden Age Club and other civic groups and local organizations are not charged to meet there “You really can’t thank a veteran enough,” said Mayor Randy George includes a new facade — white bricks were replaced by sturdy lap siding painted blue Passaic County: Customers line up for hours to get into Amazon Fresh supermarket, now open in Woodland Park and a pitched roof was constructed for curb appeal Inside of the 2,500-square-foot building are fresh window treatments and laminate floorboards that look like real hardwood and high hat lights and speakers are recessed into the ceiling The borough spent $33,000 to furnish the meeting hall with 10 large tables and 125 cushioned chairs Half of the project was funded through Passaic County grants Some exterior work remainsWork left to be completed is limited to the building exterior and masons still have to install a fieldstone veneer below the lap siding The last step will be to put up the facade sign a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and the commander of Post 428 said he and his fellow Legionnaires were happy with the project The post has 43 members, most recruited by the commander himself attended his sister’s wedding reception at the meeting hall six decades ago It was easy for him to remember that special occasion as it fell a year after the building opened and a year before he enlisted The old lodge was overdue for major upgrades “I just can’t let that post fail — that’s the bottom line,” Van Der Wall said George said he was inspired to improve the American Legion building after seeing a similar project on a motorcycle ride in upstate New York the borough has made recurring investments in the frequently used meeting hall “I’m trying to do the same thing here,” George said “I got the idea from them — a good idea is a good idea.” For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community HALEDON — Bob and Nick Finamore needed more than one book to tell their life stories Our Legacies,” traces their journeys from the hallways of the former Central High School in Paterson to the bedside of their 101-year-old mother Nick Finamore said the paths he and his younger brother took were different but that “we always stayed together” for the benefit of each other retired as the athletic director of Manchester Regional High School He played football for the Tigers of Memphis State University — now the University of Memphis — and later signed with the New York Jets who lives in the Annandale section of Clinton Township He was a concert pianist and a licensed pilot — with an ownership interest in a single-engine airplane — as well as a seafarer who enjoyed sailing around the hooked peninsula of eastern Massachusetts The octogenarian brothers have a combined five children The 294-page book conveys many unforgettable memories including one recollection about helping to save dolphins from sewage pollution — an endeavor that also introduced “Shore to Please” vanity license plates to New Jersey drivers on how they maintained their enduring connection Public employment: Wayne health official fills position of Prospect Park borough administrator Paperback copies of the self-published book are available for purchase online at amazon.com A Passaic County man has been convicted for his role in a drug ring responsible for trafficking hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs over a six-year period was convicted by a Newark jury of drug trafficking conspiracy and international money laundering conspiracy Attorney for the District of New Jersey Vikas Khanna said in a press release Eight other defendants have previously pleaded guilty in related cases According to documents and court statements Panzera and others in the drug ring imported and distributed various controlled substances Group members placed orders with a source in China and distributed the substances throughout New Jersey in bulk and via counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl analogues An analogue is a chemical compound that has a structure similar to that of another compound but differs from it in a certain component the organization imported more than a metric ton of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States Members of the group sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to China using wire transfers and Bitcoin to pay for the substances Real estate: You could own this 50-acre NJ farm with a cider orchard, and farmhouse Panzera faces 10 years to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine on the drug trafficking conspiracy charge and up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $500,000 fine for the international money laundering conspiracy The case was part of an operation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force multi-agency approach to target high-level criminal organizations in the U.S It is being prosecuted jointly by the New Jersey district of the U.S Attorney's Office and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice Other agencies assisting in the investigation include Homeland Security Investigations offices in Newark and Philadelphia; U.S Customs and Border Protection in New Jersey New York and Kentucky; the FBI's Newark division; the U.S Postal Inspection Service in Newark; the IRS Criminal Investigation; the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office NORTH HALEDON — Voters approved a ballot question Tuesday to ensure police officers stay in local schools and that their health care benefits and salaries are covered by the K-8 district Armed police have been stationed at Memorial School and High Mountain Middle School since May 2022 but the Board of Education and borough shared the cost of that security Trustees will now bear the entire expense for two resource officers Passaic County: This high school in North Jersey embraces Italian bees and their honey Unofficial results show that 2,100 voters were not in favor of moving the expense — $525,000 for this year — from the municipal budget to the school budget The tallies do not include some mail-in ballots or provisional ballots 5,217 cast ballots in the referendum — a turnout of 70.1% voters returned incumbents for three-year terms on the school board LauraLee Harding and Valdo Panzera won the uncontested race The school board said Wednesday that it was grateful for the support of the community “The passage of this question allows the district to maintain this level of security for our students and staff while creating a savings that will be put back into the education for our children,” trustees said in a statement Voter approval of the funding measure was necessary for the district to exceed the state-mandated 2% cap on its tax levy increase who already pay for the resource officers under the agreement between the borough and school board The resource officers contribute to the district in many ways and they keep guard during field trips and at events such as eighth-grade graduation and the Halloween parade HALEDON — The outcome of a K-8 school board election was too close to call Wednesday as fewer than 20 votes separated two of the five contenders The race for three seats on the Board of Education will be decided in the coming days when the Passaic County Board of Elections finishes counting mail-in ballots and provisional ballots Unofficial results show that 3,245 voters or 53.2% of those registered in the borough pulled ahead of trustee Omar Abbassi by just 19 votes — 800 to 781 — after machine ballots were processed The 44-year-old mother of three captured 1,094 votes to put her securely in first place for a three-year term the vice president of the school board and a running mate of Jones-Johnson was the apparent winner of second place with 891 votes HALEDON — Two newcomers locked up positions on the Board of Education after an election this month that was initially too close to call Lakisha Jones-Johnson was ahead of trustee Omar Abbassi by just 19 votes — 800 to 781 — on the day following the five-person race, but final results showed that she received 45 additional votes when mail-in ballots and provisional ballots were counted Passaic County: Clifton schools superintendent is back to work after three-month leave ended up in third place while her running mate the vice president of the K-8 school board claimed a three-year term in a resounding victory she was the only candidate to garner 25% of the total vote but stable condition after sustaining an accidental gunshot injury Tuesday during firearm training according to a statement from the Haledon Borough Police Department The statement, posted on Facebook on behalf of Chief of Police Angelo J said one of the Haledon Police Department's firearms instructors sustained an accidental discharge injury while attending advanced firearms training at the Passaic County Police Academy Shooting Range The officer is currently receiving treatment at St Joseph's University Trauma Center and is reported to be in serious "We wish our officer a speedy recovery and extend our unwavering support during this difficult time We thank everyone for their love and support which is greatly appreciated," the statement reads "The sacrifices and dangers faced by law enforcement officers serve as constant reminders of the challenges inherent in their commitment to serve and protect our communities." The incident is currently being reviewed for investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office April Latona and her loyal companion have a list The K-9 team is collecting as much money as possible to buy food toys and other pet essentials for cat and dog owners who could use financial boosts during one of the most stressful times of the year The inaugural project will allow Latona and police dog Nash — a 1½-year-old pit bull mix — to give at least 50 wrapped boxes of supplies to local families in the days leading up to Christmas About $900 had been collected for the initiative as of Monday “All animals, I think, deserve presents on Christmas,” said Latona, a 12-year veteran of the police force Mayor Michael Johnson said in a statement that he was “incredibly proud” of the Police Department for “their commitment to enhance the quality of life in our community.” of officers engaging with residents and “ensuring that everyone feels valued and cared for.” Leftover donations will be given to area pet shelters and to Jersey Pits Rescue Inc. a Garwood-based animal welfare group that finds permanent owners for stray and surrendered dogs then 5 months old and in desperate need of a loving home Latona was approached with an idea by Deputy Chief George Guzmán to start a therapy dog program she recommended her new puppy for the position Passaic County: Hundreds of families receive complete Thanksgiving dinners. How it happened he was formally installed at a public ceremony — and yes he was even administered the oath while raising his right paw Nash is now a frequent visitor to the K-8 school and he often pops in on municipal employees at the borough hall Latona said he has been a tremendous help with the gift-box project and that he is always up to the task — well “He can’t direct traffic yet,” his handler joked To contribute to the donation drive, or to request a gift box, email Latona at alatona@haledonpd.org. In-kind gifts will also be accepted. Follow K-9 Nash on Instagram @ hpd_k9nash PATERSON — Authorities are trying to find a city police officer’s loaded service revolver that was stolen during a break-in at his home in Haledon this week Paterson police also would not speak about the situation The burglary apparently took place sometime between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in a Haledon neighborhood close to the borough’s border with Paterson The name of the police officer whose gun was taken has not been made public Sources said it remains unclear whether someone knowingly broke into a police officer’s home to get the weapon Authorities have not revealed whether the officer was home at the time nor have they disclosed where the gun was being kept when it was stolen “Firearms shall never be left unsecured,” says a Paterson Police Department policy “This includes while at your usual place of abode or at work Unattended firearms must be minimally secured with a trigger lock or stored within a locked safe or similar receptacle when not being worn.” A gas leak in Haledon caused a temporary evacuation of 47 homes across three blocks on Monday The leak in the area of Morrissee Avenue and Norwood Street occurred at around 9:57 a.m after a company working in the area hit a gas line and broke it Temporary shelter was offered to those displaced at the Senior Center Community Room at the Haledon Municipal Complex the families were safe to go back into their residences according to Haledon Deputy Chief of police George Guzman The main gas leak has also been repaired as of noon on Monday according to a Facebook post from the Haledon Police Department A two-year investigation into an underground gambling empire allegedly run by members of the Lucchese Crime Family has led to charges against 39 individuals sportsbook agents — and even a sitting Prospect Park councilman following multi-agency raids at 12 locations across northern New Jersey earlier in the week Among the sites: four poker clubs operating out of Totowa including two hidden behind functioning restaurants and a Paterson business storing gambling machines Authorities say the Lucchese members oversaw a highly structured criminal network that managed illegal poker games generating more than $3 million in suspected criminal proceeds Those profits were allegedly laundered through shell corporations and legitimate businesses according to the Attorney General’s Office “Romanticized versions of organized crime have been the subject of countless movies and television shows,” Platkin said It’s about breaking the laws the rest of us follow High-level managers delegated responsibilities to club managers using “rakes” from each hand to fund operations and employing dealers some of whom were working off gambling debts was managed by agents and sub-agents responsible for recruiting bettors of Prospect Park — a local councilman — accused of managing poker games and sportsbook operations as part of the criminal enterprise Authorities said $22,000 in merchandise stolen from Home Depot was tied to two defendants accused of using the items for home-flipping schemes to further launder gambling proceeds Second-degree conspiracy to promote gambling Some face additional charges including money laundering (1st degree) First-degree charges carry 10 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $200,000 “Criminal enterprises like this pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan call it whatever you want—but when Dave Portnoy walked into Spinachio Pizza in North Haledon last week Zana Kaloshi and Ardiana Gashi of Spinachios with Dave Portnoy Spinachio's "skinny pie" earned an 8.1 from Portnoy but he didn't care much for their signature Spinachio pizza Portnoy visits Zana Kaloshi and Ardiana Gashi of Spinachios in North Haledon she had been trying to get the Barstool Sports CEO to come in she was literally talking about it when it happened Portnoy, whose One Bite pizza reviews can make or break a business, got his hands on Spinachio’s skinny pizza—a razor-thin bar pie—and handed out an 8.1. Not too shabby Then came the real test: their spinach pie The place is literally named after its signature pie It’s a secret family recipe passed down from Kaloshi and her sister (and co-owner) Ardiana Gashi’s grandmother but he didn’t spit it out either—so Kaloshi's calling that a win black heart reemerged for the final minute of the video," one person commented on the One Bite video The Spinachio Pie features fresh spinach marinated in garlic and extra virgin olive oil, combined with our secret Spinachio mix, pecorino romano cheese, and mozzarella, the pizzeria's website says an Albanian native who lived in Italy before coming to the U.S. and the sisters always knew they’d be next in line "People don’t think spinach on a pizza is a thing," Kaloshi said "It’s like ‘ugh.’ But when you have a slice "I always have influencers come in—they love the pizza," Kaloshi said "But I still believe we can convert anyone to like the Spinachio — unless you’re Dave… and he doesn’t like spinach." Click here to watch Portnoy's review of Spianchio's. NORTH HALEDON — A development that will bring dozens of apartments plus a drive-thru coffee shop and a self-storage facility to an empty plot on Belmont Avenue was approved Thursday by the Planning Board after months of public hearings Andrew Antropow said he was concerned that the coffee shop — a Starbucks potentially — would create buildup on the busy county road from the north part of the borough to the edge of Haledon “This project just seems like a time bomb waiting to blow up,” said Antropow in addition to a 4,378-square-foot retail building the board passed the controversial application in a 7-2 vote There was considerable debate about whether the important decision should be postponed to next month Board Chairman Frank Coscia and board member William DeBlock dissented Coscia, who voiced reservations about the project since the first hearing in May said in closing remarks that the development is “too intense,” especially since it would be built on difficult terrain and “up against a mountain.” but I’m pretty sure that I’m going to see water issues,” he said he added: “I don’t find this project to be good planning I think it’s not keeping with the residential character of North Haledon said after the hearing that “we’re very pleased” the project went through who offered the motion to approve the application said in closing remarks to a crowd of some 20 people that the development fulfills a municipal obligation to provide a fair share of affordable housing there is little that officials can do to improve congestion on local roads “We live in the most densely populated area in America,” he said To say you don’t want traffic in town isn’t being realistic are trying to control development and not let it get out of control.” The application process was prolonged in this case because the board kept asking for revisions The developer and its experts complied with practically all of those requests including pushing the construction away from the nearest residential properties on Vine Street The buffer will be teeming with drought-tolerant shrubs and trees the board granted one variance for exceeding the maximum height of a retaining wall A limited portion of the tiered wall to be erected in the northwest corner of the site will stand 24 feet a planner who testified on behalf of the developer said the variance was needed because the site has such steep topography He said the slope rises 76 feet from its lowest elevation Despite that challenge, Grygiel said, the property is meant to be built on. He said the project achieves the goal of a borough redevelopment plan which prescribes diverse uses for the L-shaped lot Most of the hearing was spent discussing stormwater retention An engineer told the board that the project would feature a complex system of roadside inlets and underground pipes providing enough capacity for the present-day 100-year rain event and a future 100-year rain event said the drainage system that he designed could hold up to 4,900 cubic feet of water That volume is equal to 36,655 gallons — or twice as much as a standard backyard swimming pool A North Haledon man died after his vehicle left the road and overturned onto a golf course in Wayne was driving a Subaru Impreza west on Parish Drive near Jacobus Avenue around 7:30 a.m struck a split-rail fence and overturned onto the adjacent Passaic County golf course property First responders found Fales unconscious and unresponsive inside the vehicle Despite efforts by the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad the township Fire Department and paramedics from St Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the crash and the incident remains under investigation who was said to have a deep passion for cars and worked primarily at car dealerships was remembered by his family and friends for his love of classic rock music which kept him connected to his close-knit circle of friends His obituary said he is survived by his siblings Gregory Fales was also an uncle to Logan and Penelope A visitation and memorial service for Fales will be held Friday from 2 to 5 p.m at Browning-Forshay Funeral Home in Hawthorne A remembrance ceremony will be held from 5 to 8 p.m HALEDON — Jazz music will waft through the air at a local park this month as the borough hosts a series of concerts to raise money for improvements to its recreation center Officials said the building on Roe Street is in serious need of an overhaul Mayor Michael Johnson campaigned on expanding opportunities for recreation saying the 53-year-old building should be more of a community hub it is used by adults for pickup volleyball and by children for basketball SUMMER OLYMPICS: Forty years after first gold medal, this North Jersey native will be feted by alma mater “A modern and upgraded facility is what the taxpayers want,” he said The first concert is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m The free entertainment will continue for three additional weeknights, culminating with a performance by the drumline of Manchester Regional High School on Aug There will also be at least two food trucks parked at each concert The borough is seeking vendors to set up booths to promote their businesses and proceeds collected from the sale of table space will go toward the building fund The 1½-story rec center was originally built for the Police Athletic League But when the organization dissolved due to dwindling membership in May 2006 it handed over to the borough all of its programs and a deed to the property Last month, the Passaic County Board of Commissioners approved a $150,000 open space grant to help pay for renovations to bathrooms and to storage rooms at the aging structure The following performances are scheduled for Roe Street field A disc jockey will also be at each concert Craig Capers Redmond & The Flavor Tones plus musician Michael Cee NORTH HALEDON — The grainy images and video recordings of Nov have inhabited the shared consciousness of America for decades They are fixed in people’s minds the same way a microchip is implanted between the shoulder blades of a dog A Lincoln Continental convertible chauffeuring a beloved president and his elegant wife creeps down a city street with a park on the left and a seven-story brick building to the right He then starts to double over in the back seat before the abrupt and ghastly moment when something appears to strike him directly in the head wearing a pillbox hat and a raspberry-colored dress frantically crawls toward the rear of the 21-foot limousine is perhaps the most widely debated and discussed event to happen in the U.S The artist and researcher, who has studied the assassination since he was a teenager, visited the North Haledon Public Library this week to give a lecture and a slide show presentation that included the haunting film captured by Abraham Zapruder “It never goes out of fashion,” said Lucina who was born three months before Kennedy was killed “People always want to know something about it.” And that is why it is the subject of hundreds of books, documentaries and feature films. It continues to provide fodder for swirling conspiracies and unending calls to declassify secret files, most recently by President-elect Donald Trump, who tapped Kennedy’s nephew It has also inspired Lucina’s contemporary artwork The paintings were displayed in a little enclave at the library Tuesday afternoon as Lucina gave a synopsis of the assassination — from the minute that the alleged gunman stepped out of the house in which he was staying on West Fifth Street in Irving to his apprehension at a movie theater to his appearance He was scheduled to give a luncheon speech at Dallas Trade Mart — now called Dallas Market Center Lucina revealed new information — details that seemed unknown to many in the audience before this week whose back ailed him since a football injury at Harvard wore a brace trussed so tight it may have prevented him from bending forward to avoid the fatal shot to his head Library patrons also scrutinized the facial expression of Kennedy’s successor as he took the oath in that iconic photo aboard Air Force One And they learned the names of some lesser-known figures from the ordeal the coroner who argued that the autopsy of the president should have been handled by medical examiners in Dallas County a monthly series featuring guests who have expertise on a vast range of topics that have included gardening said she saw Lucina give the same lecture at the Pequannock Township library before inviting him to speak here Library patrons said the presentation was enlightening and that it reignited their interest in the real-life whodunit “The mystery will never be unraveled,” said Shanti Jost “We’ll continue with this speculation forever.” Lorna Noonan remembered exactly where she was the instant she discovered Kennedy died Her professor at Manhattan School of Music raced into the classroom who lives in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township said he became absorbed with the assassination because his godparents in the Belford section of Middletown Township “It doesn’t go away,” Lucina said of society’s fascination with the subject Lucina will give the same presentation on Jan. 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Freehold Art Gallery NORTH HALEDON — Six local restaurants are giving discounts and freebies this week as part of a publicity campaign to steer more customer traffic downtown The borough is not known as a bastion for food culture But Suyen Segura said she planned Restaurant Week to showcase the wide range of eateries that people from outside of this quiet suburb have been missing That sentiment holds especially true for the enterprises just getting off their feet Most of the featured restaurants opened in the past year and a half The lineup includes Anthony & Mario’s Family Restaurant & Pizzeria formerly located on Franklin Avenue in Nutley Pag’s is offering a complimentary dessert on any order of $50 or more LAND USE: North Haledon board urges safety in multi-use development of 4.7-acre site Rows of confections displayed in its dessert cabinet rotate with the seasons which opened on High Mountain Road in April 2023 will offer a free menu item with any purchase The oldest business involved in the promotion is Anthony & Mario’s on High Mountain Road The BYOB establishment is offering a 10% discount on the price of a catering order and a 25% discount on the price of two dinners Segura said customers should call the other restaurants directly to learn more about their special offers for the event The decline of industrial America is a ghost that haunts us — and haunts our politics The fiery union speeches at the DNC convention the signature phrase Make America Great Again on the other side — what do they signify if not the mourning of Americans for a vanished way of life But it's one thing to talk about the decline of industrial America That is what photographer Martin Desht has tried to do in his exhibit, "Faces From An American Dream," running at the American Labor Museum in Haledon Sept taken in the rust belt regions of Pennsylvania Ramshackle tenement houses on grim city blocks He is simply documenting our hollowed-out heartland — and leaving it up to the viewer to respond appropriately "I want people to come away and make their own judgments The exhibit kicks off the Labor Day season at the museum located at the historic Pietro and Maria Botto House in Haledon The town's annual labor day parade launches 10:30 a.m 1 at the museum entrance at 83 Norwood Street This is actually the second time Desht's exhibit has appeared at the American Labor Museum "This exhibit is never going to go out of date," he said "Because the problem has never disappeared What other exhibit has been running since 1992 on just one topic?" the historic center of union activities during the 1913 Paterson silk mill strike and where "Faces From An American Dream" last appeared in 1996 It was the labor movement of the early 1900s that gave birth to the so-called The American Dream — the promise of a steady job that Americans once took as their birthright And now we're supposed to be satisfied with having an AR-15 rather than a good job We are supposed to be happy living in a high-rent apartment rather than a mortgage on a house That was what industrial employment offered." native whose father worked for Mack Trucks and who himself got a job as a electrician "There was a time when you walked onto that property as an employee you were guaranteed more money than when you went in," he said The plant — and with it the city's livelihood — ground to a halt in 2003 the unpatriotic Americas are the corporations but buying a cheap pair of shoes from overseas Because corporate America won't bring it back They depend on corporate money for their campaigning His other exhibits have included "Voices of Conscience: Then and Now" (2018) and "A Certain Peace: Acceptance and Defiance in Northern Ireland" (2006) have been seen around the country and internationally "I really wanted to be objective as a photographer," he said And 'Faces from an American Dream' is not only the people The Botto House National Landmark, headquarters of the American Labor Museum, 83 Norwood Street in Haledon, NJ.  The Museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..  Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and at other times by appointment.  For further information, call 973-595-7953 and visit www.american-labor-museum.org The sudden death of a 20-year-old New Jersey resident and EMT is sending shockwaves through multiple communities Paul Edward Yannarelli died in Waco, Texas, on April 22, according to his obituary from Festa Memorial Funeral Home. Paul was a student at Baylor University in Texas where he was a member of the wakeboarding team "Paul loved to surf and spent his summers in Seaside Park," his obituary reads He loved attending Baylor and enjoyed his time there with his friends." The Baylor University Honors College shared in a Facebook post saying Paul was a sophomore majoring in health science studies and a "cherished member of the Honors Residential College community in Alexander Hall," the university said The Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach Waterpark in Seaside Heights said they were "deeply saddened" by Paul's sudden loss "Paul worked as an EMT for the waterpark and pier in the past summers and was an excellent team member," the Casino Pier post said "Paul loved to surf and spent his summers here in Seaside Park We all will remember his smiling face and we are sending our love and prayers to Paul's family and friends." addressed the loss in a university-wide statement I must say that I struggle to process the terrible loss we have faced as a Baylor community this week," she wrote we learned with the rest of the world of Pope Francis’ death on Monday and then the death of our own student – sophomore Paul Yannarelli – on Tuesday "Pope Francis demonstrated a Christ-like love for the poor and the needy that I and many others will always admire and Paul was a wonderful example of light and love on our campus The grief many are feeling today is palpable and I encourage anyone in need of support to contact the Pastoral Care team Counseling Center or to use other available resources During these enormously difficult moments for the Baylor Family I remain grateful for the Lord’s presence and his faithfulness to us," Livingstone said Albert and Erin (nee Whitty) Yannarelli; siblings James Yannarelli and Elizabeth Yannarelli; grandparents Albert and Karen Yannarelli and Calvin & Hazel Whitty; along with his girlfriend Click here for Paul Yannarelli's complete obituary. After 88 years of serving the community in Prospect Park Aiello’s Fruit Baskets is closing its doors Bobby Aiello bids farewell on last time from Aiello's Fruit Baskets in Prospect Park Owner Bobby Aiello broke the news on Tuesday citing the rising costs of produce and changing demographics as just some of the factors contributing to his Haledon Avenue shop's closure Aiello's Fruit Baskets was the longest-running business in town Aiello attributed both his and his father's success to relatives who helped out "at a moment's notice," including cousins "Running and working Aiello's has been a way of life for me one that I find very difficult to relinquish," Aiello said and I will cherish the lifetime of memories forever as the sun sets on Aiello's Fruit Baskets for the last time the final and most difficult farewell is to my loyal customers who I will also call friends It’s been an honor to serve you all over the decades and I thank you from the bottom of my heart Police have arrested a 34-year-old Paterson resident in a shooting robbery that happened last week Jioni Rosado has been charged with attempted murder 23 incident at Highland and Sparrow streets Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi said Records show Rosado was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun 10 years ago He was also charged with drug offenses that same year Paterson police were called to the intersection for a shooting around 11:10 p.m that day when they found a 31-year-old Paterson man having suffered gunshot wounds Joseph’s University Medical Center and members of the Paterson Police Department were able to locate a potential crime scene The subsequent investigation found that Rosado was responsible for the shooting Rosado was arrested by the Haledon Police Department without incident near Lee Avenue and Henry Street The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342 A New Jersey man recently released from prison has been arrested and charged with murder after a young Manhattan woman died from injuries sustained in an assault Leslie Torres, 23, was walking on West 46th Street near 8th Avenue when she was attacked by Jaheem Warren, 33, of Prospect Park, on Tuesday, Oct. 29 around 1:35 p.m., according to NBC and the NYPD Torres was left unconscious on the sidewalk in front of the Riu Plaza New York Times Square Hotel was in critical condition when she arrived at Mount Sinai West including two counts of second-degree murder The attack is believed to have been completely random Records show that Warren was released from New Jersey State Prison in November 2023 where he had served time following charges of drug possession and money laundering The NYPD continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Torres's death and is urging anyone with additional information to contact their Crime Stoppers hotline HALEDON — Two familiar faces started work this week as the principal and assistant principal at Manchester Regional High School taking up vacancies that were created by another promotion Joseph Ercolani and Megan Ala were selected by the Board of Education to fill those jobs in acting capacities until permanent appointments are made has been the high school assistant principal since September 2021 He started his career at Manchester Regional as a social studies teacher two decades earlier eventually moving up to a role as the STEM supervisor who graduated from the high school in June 2008 The former science teacher was most recently the STEM supervisor until accepting her new position Both administrators have coached varsity sports at Manchester Regional Ala led the girls soccer team while Ercolani coached the Falcons baseball and football teams He also coached ice hockey at Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque Ercolani will be paid a $115-per-day stipend on top of his annual salary of $124,368 and Ala will get $85 per day in addition to her salary of $102,968 The recent job shuffling was necessary because the former high school principal, John Coviello, was promoted to be acting superintendent, succeeding Gary Lubisco Jr. now the schools chief for the Somerville K-12 district The school board at its public meeting last week authorized Coviello’s permanent appointment and a five-year contract that will expire in June 2029 He will make $193,000 in the first and second years before maxing out at $213,983 in the last year The high school serves 869 students from Haledon HALEDON — The Manchester Regional school board appointed a new superintendent Thursday choosing an internal candidate for the key role Principal John Coviello was selected unanimously out of a pool of 18 people interested in the job and five who were interviewed He will serve in an acting capacity, effective Aug. 1, until the Board of Education makes a permanent appointment which trustees hope to do before the school year begins He will be paid a stipend of $125 per day on top of his principal salary of $149,844 Coviello will replace school Superintendent Gary Lubisco Jr., who accepted a position as the chief of schools for the Somerville K-12 district Lubisco assured trustees that they made the right choice in his successor “with someone who cares about the kids like they’re his own.” MANCHESTER REGIONAL: This North Jersey high school is building esports arena with 34-foot screen Coviello, 43, of Middletown Township, has been the high school principal for six years he taught social studies at New Milford High School and held administrator jobs at schools in Fort Lee and Ridgefield He received master’s degrees in education leadership from Montclair State University and in special education from William Paterson University “I look forward to working with all of you and it’s always been my pleasure to serve our community,” he said to trustees “I serve at the pleasure of the board,” he added A second promotion was made as trustees named social studies teacher Joseph Ickles to be the supervisor of humanities and he will be paid a prorated salary of $110,500 in his new position Lubisco said his tenure at Manchester Regional was a life-changing experience “The foundation that we laid together is strong,” he said “I have all the confidence that with this wonderful board and with this tremendous staff and administration great things are going to continue to happen.” Trustees presented the outgoing superintendent with a signed picture of the high school campus He promised to hang the panoramic photo in his new office NORTH HALEDON — A multi-use development on Belmont Avenue would generate an average of three vehicles each minute during peak hours an engineer told the Planning Board last week as long as a traffic light is installed at the entrance to the project Seckler was the latest expert to testify on behalf of Tulfra Real Estate He told the board at a public hearing held Thursday at Memorial School that the project would not have a significant impact on the road network His conclusion was based in part on the fact that most visitors to a drive-thru coffee shop proposed for the 4.7-acre site would come from existing pass-by traffic Those drivers would already be on the road so they would stop there out of convenience STATE OF THE PROGRAM: After lean years, Manchester Regional football team ready to be 'taken seriously' “It’s important to remember that not every person coming to this site is a brand-new person on Belmont Avenue,” he said residents attacked the research behind the traffic analysis and implored the board to ask for a study with a wider scope A couple from Squaw Brook Road stood at a lectern in the school gymnasium and took the engineer to task over his omission of their street in his study Another resident said the traffic analysis was flawed because the vehicle counts that it incorporated were conducted on certain days in December and March when William Paterson University emphasizing his conservative approach and noting that he even considered traffic to be generated by potential redevelopment of a neighboring property There is no application pending for that site owned by North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service Inc. but the engineer said he wanted to “future-proof” his study The proposed development at 987 Belmont Ave and a 74,715-square-foot self-storage facility The board also heard testimony from engineer Richard Procanik Among the most notable changes was the elimination of an access road for emergency vehicles on Peters Lane because the developer realized the narrow street is private and that obtaining easements may be impossible The footprint of the proposed apartments was altered to increase buffers on two sides nearly doubled — from 51.3 feet to 92.5 feet The modification allowed the developer to plan for tiered retaining walls and to move an amenities courtyard to the east side of the building where residents could enjoy better views The next hearing on the application is scheduled for Sept A small bear cub was spotted near Manchester Regional High School, prompting a brief shelter-in-place Thursday and marking the latest bear encounter in the region, said an advisory issued by the Haledon Police Department. leading the administration to take immediate precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff The shelter-in-place was lifted shortly after authorities confirmed that the bear had retreated to the woods "The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife has been notified of the sighting," the advisory said and visitors to remain vigilant and adhere to bear encounter safety tips." The Police Department provided several guidelines to follow in case of a bear encounter: The advisory emphasized the importance of securing garbage and never feeding or approaching bears A bear was spotted in nearby Hawthorne on May 8. A bear also killed a dog in Sparta earlier this month For additional information and safety tips the public is encouraged to contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife HALEDON — The Manchester Regional school board has approved a $31.7 million budget for next year in which the overall tax burden shared by three constituent towns will remain flat But the smallest of those communities — Prospect Park — is not deriving any benefit residents there will be hit by a hefty tax hike while those in Haledon and in North Haledon are getting their bills lowered The disparity places renewed emphasis on a debate that has raged on and off for decades: What is the most equitable way to fund operations at the regional high school one of two Prospect Park trustees on the Board of Education said she disagreed with the current approach LAND USE: North Jersey town says 'no' to marijuana shop tied to 'Real Housewives' star “The formula I see is a flawed formula,” Arrick said when the budget was introduced in March Trustees took a final vote on the spending plan this month with Arrick and her Prospect Park colleague The budget will be supported by a tax levy of $11.6 million — the same amount as this year It is the third time in five years that trustees passed a spending plan without an increase Those figures are calculated using a funding formula that was created by the state Department of Education in August 2013 half of the tax burden is based on enrollment The funding controversy was brewing for years before the formula took effect North Haledon tried to secede from Manchester Regional and to send its students to Midland Park Junior-Senior High School because it footed a disproportionate share of the tax burden the state Supreme Court ruled that its withdrawal would have upset the racial harmony of the high school Peaks and troughs of enrollment cause the tax burden to fluctuate taxpayers in Haledon and in North Haledon paid more while those in Prospect Park enjoyed a $33 decrease Prospect Park is bearing the brunt of the tax burden next year because its enrollment at Manchester Regional increased by 52 students while the number of students from Haledon and from North Haledon went down said he thinks that the formula should account for all local students — including those enrolled at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne More than a third of high school-age children from Haledon North Haledon and Prospect Park — a total of 465 — attend PCTI but the state doesn’t use those numbers in the formula,” Fischer said “You can’t ignore 465 kids and say it’s fair.” NORTH HALEDON — Safety is the core issue facing a multi-use development proposed for Belmont Avenue even though the plan has been signed off by the fire chief and local police The blessings of high-ranking first responders did not stop residents and members of the Planning Board from questioning the builder at a recent public meeting about certain elements they said were lacking Board Chairman Frank Coscia asked the developer to consider a second driveway for ambulances and firetrucks and board member Eric Winkler wanted to know why there were no sidewalks And it was a fraught moment when a resident of Peters Lane suggested that those requests could be granted if the whole project was reduced in size answered by saying her client relied on emergency personnel for validation MANCHESTER REGIONAL: Taxes are flat under high school budget, but one town still sees big increase “Those are the people who we look to on every development,” Gonchar said “If there are substantial concerns for safety that’s where we expect the criticism to come from.” would include a self-storage center and a 4,378-square-foot retail building has said the retail building would accommodate two tenants and that one could be a Starbucks restaurant The 4.7-acre site would also have 90 apartments including 16 units for affordable households There would be 207 parking spots at the development a civil engineer who testified on behalf of Tulfra Procanik said there would be 520 shrubs and trees including more than seven dozen evergreens He said many of them would line the northerly border to form a buffer between the development and backyards on Vine Street Due to an anticipated crowd of concerned residents the hearing was held in the auditorium at Eastern Christian High School About 50 people were scattered across the rows of cushioned chairs in the air-conditioned room The engineer’s drawings were projected on large white screens suspended from the ceiling Board members took their seats behind a line of folding tables positioned on the stage was particularly vocal at the hearing — at times the borough may inspect the site and insist that the developer augment the buffer of evergreens even further “You’ll eventually put in all of the trees that we tell you to The next hearing on the application is scheduled for June 27 at 7:30 p.m Michael Johnson was sworn in to serve as the first African American Mayor in the Borough of Haledon’s 115-year history The first small ceremony was held among close family members at the Haledon Municipal Building and was officiated by Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-35) he was sworn in by Passaic County Superior Court Judge Latoya Jenkins Stewart at Manchester Regional High School in Haledon where he was also joined by state and local public officials As a former law enforcement official for the past 15 years and as a three term Councilman from 2010 to 2020 Mayor Johnson is looking forward to serving the diverse community of the Borough of Haledon He understands first-hand the make-up and needs of the community through his experience on the Council where he has served on numerous committees Excited for the opportunity to serve in this new role and grateful to his supporters he expressed how humbled and honored he felt to have their vote of confidence in his ability to lead the administration He was born and raised in the City of Paterson and at a very young age learned the value of hard work and dedication as well as the financial responsibility of contributing to his families’ household the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier where he discovered his love for public service leading to his career in law enforcement Mayor Johnson gave a shout-out to former Haledon Councilman Emeritus Reynaldo “Rey” Martinez for encouraging him to run for council back in 2010 Encouraged by Martinez and subsequently by Johnson’s own family he didn’t hesitate in accepting an unexpired term to serve and to later receive voter support to remain on the council for 9 years getting involved and helping others not only means that I point people in the right direction but that I follow-up with them to make sure they receive the proper guidance support and assistance” said Mayor Johnson adding that he “looks forward to the next four years and to trailblazing Haledon to the next level Now is the time to start change for us all and to work strategically together as Mayor and Council to ensure that we do the very best for the residents of our beloved Haledon.” Together create innovative programs for children and seniors to support the business corridor and to engage the members of the community into the decision-making process Also in attendance at the public ceremony were Passaic County Chairman John Currie Passaic County officials Sheriff Richard Berdnik Undersheriff’s Humberto Cuadrado and Nart Hapatsha Prospect Park Officials Mayor Mohammed Khairrullah among Manchester Regional High School Board of Education Commissioners and the new Business Administrator Mounir Almaita I would like to receive emails from Insider NJ NORTH HALEDON — More than 160 homeowners with wells have toxic compounds in their water and filed claims with the state for courtesy installation of a filter does not represent the full scope of the contamination.   Experts for the state Department of Environmental Protection said they are trying to find just how far the plume stretches below the surface Preliminary research shows that it is concentrated in the neighborhood of Graham Avenue and Tamboer Drive Further investigation could uncover the source of the contamination the experts said at an online forum Monday "I want to stress that our priority is to determine who is impacted and to make sure everyone has clean water to drink," said Alexandra Skinner The pollutants include multiple types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances joined by a small panel of other DEP experts, showed a map to illustrate the locations of residents who applied to the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund Claims Program.  a homeowner is eligible for installation and upkeep of a Point-of-Entry Treatment system — a filter that removes hazardous chemicals using ion-exchange resin A claim may also cover the costs of the test to confirm that the well is contaminated and bottled water purchased before the filter was installed WATER ISSUES: High levels of PFAS chemicals found in 34 NJ drinking water systems affecting 500K+ people 'FEEL GOOD': After damage from vandals, mountaintop star shining bright again TRENDING: Why the loss of neighborhood's oak trees in Teaneck was emotional which had been advertised for several weeks The audience was not allowed to speak up during the meeting but some had presented questions to the borough in advance Many seemed to be concerned about the effect of the contamination on the value of their homes "I want to impress on everyone that this is a serious issue," said Mayor Randy George "The borough and DEP have taken it very serious." George said the borough's ultimate goal is to pursue a federal grant to pay for an extension of the water pipeline from Haledon or Hawthorne to the affected properties so that their owners would not need a filter manmade chemicals that do not dissolve in boiling water are used in applications that range from firefighting foam to greaseproof food packaging The initial contamination was detected in April when a homeowner's water was sampled during a routine test Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today Email: devencentis@northjersey.com NORTH HALEDON — The most essential tool for Detective Sgt Colleen Carver is not carried on her duty belt nor is it hooked up to the dashboard of her cruiser she said — her "natural instinct" to do right by the people And her dedication to uphold that principle has served the borough well for 21 years She teaches fifth graders about the ills of alcohol and drug abuse and she supervises a team of volunteers who support victims of domestic violence She once helped save a college student's life she eased a mother's fears when her child was hit by a car Her latest achievement is trailblazing: She became the first woman in the history of the police department to receive a promotion who is known around headquarters for her poise and humble temperament "I see myself as one of the guys," said Carver "I'm no different than the guys in the past who were promoted to sergeant." Real estate:Former North Haledon EMT building for sale after owner scraps plan for apartments 'Bad dream':NJ mother mourning loss of daughter killed in shooting outside Paterson bodega Trending:A week later, questions remain in Edgewater shooting of Bronx-born rapper Lil Tjay Yet men still outnumber women in careers of law enforcement by a considerable margin According to a report published in May by app.com just 12.7% of all sworn officers in municipal departments in the U.S That number is even lower for police forces in New Jersey Carver is among six sergeants on the 21-person force; and for many years But that will likely change this month if the Borough Council appoints Lacey Morrison to patrolwoman She is the recommended pick for one of two openings was the first female pioneer in the local department when she broke in as a grandmother at 50 years old It was a subject of nationwide curiosity when she entered the police academy for an 18-week course in August 1986 She made appearances on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" and "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." People Magazine had a spread who retired in April 2001 and moved west the next year We're the same as a man — we have to go through the same boot camp." Schein had to retire when she turned 65 due to a state pension law But she said she would be able to keep up even today Her tenure overlapped Carver's by four months Carver was paid an annual salary of $144,577 as a detective and she will now make $154,349 as a result of her promotion who is married and is the mother to 12-year-old twins was a volleyball standout at Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque She attended Juniata College in Huntingdon and was a Division III all-American in her junior and senior years She said she initially wanted to be a physical therapist and she said it made her consider medicine as a profession when she enrolled in more college courses in criminal justice "I knew that I didn't want to sit behind a desk," said Carver also a coach of recreation basketball and softball "Being a police officer is an active job." I'm no different than the guys in the past who were promoted to sergeant Carver would come to appreciate the intensity of the role in a little more than two years A routine welfare check in February 2003 turned out to be a life-saving mission She and two other officers had to use a Halligan bar to break in a side door of a garage where a woman was attempting suicide and she was slumped over in the driver's seat said Carver deserved a promotion because she "always goes the extra mile." She is a "modest employee who doesn't like to be in the spotlight," he said "But she has done some incredible things in her career To pick one incident as exemplary would be impossible because she brings that level of detail to every call." Her response to a recent event had a lasting effect on some officials a student of High Mountain School was struck by a car as he walked across Overlook Avenue — less than 500 feet from the police station rushed to the scene to check his condition she pulled out her cellphone and called the boy's mother But she not only told her that her son was OK "She has been an asset from the day she was hired," Mayor Randy George said to an audience in the municipal courtroom on the night of her promotion but it cemented my opinion of Colleen," he then said of her spur-of-the-moment call to the boy's mother So when the chief came and asked for me to promote her Email: devencentis@northjersey.com HALEDON — The Planning Board rejected a proposal for a new cannabis dispensary this week after multiple objectors including public officials and a would-be competitor owned by a limited liability company called This Budz 4 U wanted to take over a Dunkin’ restaurant of 1,409 square feet at the intersection of Belmont and Haledon avenues Critics of the project pleaded with the board to think about how it would affect local youth Among the opposition were the presidents of the Library Board of Trustees and the Manchester Regional Board of Education Raymond DeJonghe has owned a home on Church Street for four decades “Let’s get human here,” he said to the board Thursday night “These are children that need encouragement — they need to be guided And you’re going to put a dispensary where they walk home every day?” LAW ENFORCEMENT: Acting on tip, Haledon police find ecstasy mill in home and its decision hinged on an interpretation of one key element in the municipal code The dispensary was proposed to be 501.4 feet from a day care center farther south on Haledon Avenue when measured from lot line to lot line — or 609.5 feet from door to door The board was told by representatives of the marijuana shop that either way the business satisfied a 500-foot provision in the code The rule states dispensaries must be at least that far from schools and the like But not everyone agreed with how the ordinance should be read Carl Rizzo, an attorney for Molly Ann Farms said the board should only consider the separation distance between the day care center and a Firestone auto care center Dunkin’ and the auto care center share a driveway and a parking lot and the dispensary planned to maintain that arrangement The code does not specify if the separation distance should be from door to door or from lot line to lot line — it only states that dispensaries cannot “operate” in the buffer “operate” should be interpreted to mean the shared use of the Firestone lot since customers of the dispensary would need it to access the business The applicant’s measurement of the separation distance from door to door said in a closing statement that his client’s method of measuring the buffer was reasonable “This is an eleventh-hour attempt to try to derail the project,” he said The business would have been known as The Dispensary Two marijuana shops opened last month under the same name in the Somerset section of Franklin Township and in Union Township The application was presented almost variance-free The only relief sought was for the dimension of the parking spots though a traffic engineer testified that their size — 9 feet by 18 feet — was typical Lagana said the dispensary would be a less intense use than Dunkin’ The marijuana shop would not open until 10 a.m. and he said it would not cause as much traffic because fewer people consume cannabis than drink coffee The attorney tried to get the board to imagine what else could end up at the same location “Would a filling station be a better use for this site?” Lagana said The denial of the project came days after news broke that the Drug Enforcement Administration was prepared to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I substance to a much safer Schedule III substance which can be lawfully prescribed as medication “The perception behind cannabis is changing,” Lagana said in his final remarks It is going through a “paradigm shift,” he added Also this week, the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission announced more than $201 million in sales between January and March by 130 licensed dispensaries — reflecting year-over-year growth of 38% The agency noted that New Jerseyans bought more than $5.2 million worth of cannabis products on 4/20 an unofficial holiday for marijuana smokers