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 A Hackensack man was arrested after police say he brought a gun into a restaurant and used it to threaten someone and Anthony Mattalian responded to an Essex Street restaurant over reports of a man with a handgun on Sunday Hackensack Police Chief Michael Antista said Police found 40-year-old Joseph Frankowski with an unloaded Ruger handgun Frankowski was arrested and charged with multiple weapons possession charges and certain persons not to possess weapons It was not immediately clear who Frankowski threatened or why Anyone with information about this or other crimes is asked to contact CrimeStoppers of Bergenfield Anonymous tips can be submitted at www.bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling 844-466-6789 Charges have been filed against an 89-year-old driver in a crash that killed a 73-year-old woman outside HomeGoods in a Bergen County shopping center last week was loading groceries into her car while facing east when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Julianna Simor of Allendale Simor had been backing south out of a handicapped parking space in front of HomeGoods when she continued reversing through the travel lane and across a parking island before striking Miller Miller was seriously injured and taken to Hackensack Hospital Simor was issued four summonses: improper backing All charges are returnable to Closter Municipal Court on May 20 1/19Baseball: Mahwah at Lyndhurst, Bergen County Tournament, May 3, 2025.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By PJ Potter | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTyler Thoelen played the best game of his life on May 3 In the opening round of the 2025 Bergen County Tournament 240-pound junior right-hander was given the ball for 20th-seeded Mahwah on the road at 13th-seeded Lyndhurst Looking to end the Thunderbirds’ three-game losing skid Thoelen still didn’t overthink his pregame routine or how he would attack the opposition Firing a complete-game shutout on just 75 pitches Tyler Thoelen tallied the 100th strikeout of his career in Mahwah’s 1-0 win to advance them to the Round of 16 in the Bergen County Tournament Tyler Thoelen of Mahwah poses with head coach Jeff Remo after recording his 100th career strikeoutPJ Potter End 5Mahwah 0Lyndhurst 0Two big outs here from Tyler Thoelen with a runner on second to keep this game scoreless @ThoelenTyler @MHSBaseball15 pic.twitter.com/oWxlnXWbDf “There’s no doubt that this was the best game I’ve ever pitched,” Thoelen said “I’m just so thankful for my coaches for letting me pitch this game.” Thoelen began the afternoon by inducing a pair of inning-ending double play balls in the first two frames He pitched to contact in the opening innings to get comfortable on the mound all while relying on his superb defense to get himself into a groove Thoelen even popped off the mound twice to generate some outs he scampered towards the third base line to basket-catch a pop-up halfway up the line he hustled to first base to complete the 3-6-1 double play Tyler Thoelen of Mahwah runs over from the pitcher's mound to complete the double play at first basePJ Potter including a clutch punch-out to end the fourth inning with two runners in scoring position End 4Mahwah 0Lyndhurst 0Tyler Thoelen with a clutch strikeout to end the 4th with 2 RISP @ThoelenTyler @MHSBaseball15 pic.twitter.com/VnIB8cdSff and even a knuckleball - thrown twice in the later innings - equated to five hits and one walk for Lyndhurst I’m just so proud,” Mahwah head coach Jeff Remo said it’s amazing to watch,” Mahwah shortstop Matt Mackey added Thoelen had an opportunity to help himself out Matt Mackey (2-for-3) laced a double two at-bats earlier and moved to third base following Ryan Hawken’s base hit Matt Mackey of Mahwah connects for a doublePJ Potter he swung and dribbled the ball up the first base line took off for home instinctively the second that Thoelen made contact Top 6Mahwah 1Lyndhurst 0Close play at the plate, but Matt Mackey is called safe. Tyler Thoelen gets the RBI@MHSBaseball15 @ThoelenTyler pic.twitter.com/rlqgWcmc1t I knew that I was taking off,” Mackey said “I’m scoring any way possible in that situation.” Just an incredible play by him,” Thoelen added Lyndhurst’s Tyler Herman handed in a masterpiece on the mound scattering five hits while compiling 10 strikeouts and also picked off a runner in the second inning It was the second 10-plus strikeout performance of the season for him and he now has 57 in 38 1/3 frames with a 1.46 earned run average Mid 2Mahwah 0Lyndhurst 0Back-to-back inning-ending Ks for Tyler Herman @LyndHS_Baseball pic.twitter.com/YuwuzwyOOz Bobby Gourley also notched a single for the Thunderbirds catcher Max Gonzalez threw two runners out at second base Ryan Lemanowicz went 2-for-3 with a stolen base Mahwah will play fourth-seeded Ramsey in the next round of the tournament on Wednesday The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook ’ Instagram ’ X (formerly Twitter) PJ Potter may be reached at PPotter@njadvancemedia.com Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices End 5Mahwah 0Lyndhurst 0Two big outs here from Tyler Thoelen with a runner on second to keep this game scoreless @ThoelenTyler @MHSBaseball15 pic.twitter.com/oWxlnXWbDf End 4Mahwah 0Lyndhurst 0Tyler Thoelen with a clutch strikeout to end the 4th with 2 RISP @ThoelenTyler @MHSBaseball15 pic.twitter.com/VnIB8cdSff Top 6Mahwah 1Lyndhurst 0Close play at the plate, but Matt Mackey is called safe. Tyler Thoelen gets the RBI@MHSBaseball15 @ThoelenTyler pic.twitter.com/rlqgWcmc1t Mid 2Mahwah 0Lyndhurst 0Back-to-back inning-ending Ks for Tyler Herman @LyndHS_Baseball pic.twitter.com/YuwuzwyOOz MAHWAH — The demolition of the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel has been temporarily postponed until Saturday The building was originally scheduled to be taken down by implosion at 8 a.m The process would have required the temporary closing of nearby routes 17 and 287 to avoid driver distraction Business Administrator Ben Kezmarsky said no reason was being given for the delay and no traffic issues are expected due to the early hour of the scheduled demolition He said none of the area's retail establishments will be open at that hour Township Engineer Michael Kelly previously told members of the council that a number of agencies were involved in the process but that the state Department of Labor has final jurisdiction over the handling of explosives in New Jersey Kelly said the building has been gutted and asbestos removed The concrete has been tested and "determined not to have any hazardous material," he said the Township Council approved a proposal by Crossroads Hotel Developers LLC to increase the 140-acre site's allowable maximum building square footage from 1.7 million to 4 million square feet But no plan has yet been put forward to develop the site 2025 at 7:06 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Sheraton Crossroads (Editorial Credit: Brian Logan Photography/Shutterstock)MAHWAH NJ — The demolition date for the iconic Sheraton Crossroads hotel in Mahwah has been moved from this coming Sunday to next month said Mahwah Township Engineer Michael Kelly at a council meeting Monday night "They're running behind schedule," he said "The town has done everything we need to do on our end There's a sequence of events that has to happen I think they realized toward the end of last week that we need a few more days here...the next availability for the blaster and everything turns out to be Mother's Day weekend We'll make sure we have plenty of public notice and everyone's aware." "Everybody wants to get this done right away but we have to make sure that everything's in order." At a Township Council meeting on April 7, experts explained the demolition process and said that traffic would be slowed to a stop on Routes 17, Route 202, and Route 287 for a few minutes while the implosion occurs. READ MORE: New Details Revealed For Demolition Of Iconic Bergen County Hotel Officials also discussed safety around the demolition at that meeting Dynamite will be placed in 1,700 holes in the 24-story structure They said armed guards would be there after the dynamite was placed Officials were concerned about safety after three teens and a man were arrested for trespassing on the property The Mahwah police had said earlier this month that Jason Joyce of Brooklyn were charged with criminal mischief and trespassing at the property they got a 9-1-1 call from the security officer in charge of the Sheraton property saying there were several people inside the hotel and on the grounds "The caller advised that there were several individuals trespassing inside the hotel and on the grounds The building is currently vacant and being prepared for demolition," police noted Police saw a license plate of a vehicle leaving the property "The Sheraton Crossroads is set for demolition and the property is currently guarded and surveilled 24 hours a day by private security," said Captain Guido Bussinelli in a release this month "The property has been fenced off and there are 'no trespassing' signs posted throughout the property Any individuals located on the property in violation of the trespass warnings The 225-room Sheraton Crossroads hotel, seen from Route 17 in Mahwah, closed its doors in December 2023 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The developers behind a long list of mixed-use transit-oriented projects across the state have long hoped to bring that formula to Mahwah touting the untapped potential of a tract at the township’s train station Yet their attorneys say they’ve been stymied by years of stall tactics and legal obstructions by municipal officials often without explanation or justification according to the legal team for Mahwah Town Center Redevelopers LLC is the town’s designation of the nearly 3.8-acre site as a blighted or so-called condemnation redevelopment area under New Jersey land use law which would allow the governing body to acquire it through eminent domain The developers have sued to overturn those designations — which they say are unnecessary because of their intentions for the property — alleging they were based on incomplete outdated findings and that there’s no substantial evidence of unsafe unsanitary or other conditions to support the township’s claims They also hope to block officials from taking any other action related to redevelopment hoping to resolve what they allege are years of intentional administrative delays and misuse of the state’s redevelopment statute “When private enterprise is not operating correctly government can step in and take care of it,” said Joseph Grather referring to a key legal condition for a blight designation “Private enterprise was all over this site and has been for the last seven years — and at one point they were working cooperatively with the local municipality.” Olson & DellaPelle PC in Morris Plains added that the designation requires a property to meet criteria such as being “detrimental to the health morals or welfare of the community — and this site is not any of that.” “The current owner is an adequately financed redeveloper that has indeed assembled the site they’ve secured the site and it’s really ready to go,” he added there is a cloud that’s hovering over it caused by the municipality Mahwah Business Administrator Ben Kezmarsky said the township does not comment on pending litigation but called it “a matter of public record that the Township and its residents would like to see the property developed in accordance with our current zoning ordinances.” we find it interesting that the same owners now bringing this litigation have agreed with and partnered with the Township over the past several years in having these lots declared an ‘Area in Need of Redevelopment,’” he added in an emailed statement “We look forward to our day in court and will continue to utilize all legal avenues available to us to remedy this blighted area of the Township and look forward to making it something we can all be proud of.” The township council voted in May 2022 to designate the site as a non-condemnation redevelopment area which does not allow for the use of eminent domain That changed last November with the council’s vote to declare a condemnation redevelopment area the assemblage includes six commercial buildings and one residential building all of which are vacant in preparation for future redevelopment The site is a mere 50 feet or so from NJ Transit’s Mahwah station and the developers see it as a gateway to the mile-long Franklin Turnpike corridor to the New York state line they’ve also pitched their project as a way to help Mahwah satisfy its state-mandated affordable housing obligations MTCR and its affiliates, JMF Properties and MJC Capital, have extensive experience in such projects, especially in suburban commuter towns. Look no further than communities like Maplewood, Glen Ridge, Morris Plains and Plainfield, where JMF has completed upscale apartment buildings adjacent to or steps from transit which has built more than 5,000 housing units across multiple product types is also behind transformative commercial projects in corridors such as Route 440 in Bayonne and Route 10 in Hanover who has partnered with JMF Properties founder Joe Forgione called the Mahwah site “a spectacular opportunity” with the potential to create a ripple effect on Franklin Turnpike “We’ve been the catalyst for similar revitalization in other towns throughout New Jersey where investments like ours sparked a momentum of change inspiring other property owners to enhance their properties local amenities and vibrancy,” said Commorata managing member of Mahwah Town Center Redevelopers LLC positive change to the area — creating a Franklin Turnpike corridor that reflects the suburban character of Mahwah and this is the kind of development people welcome — the kind that tax-paying residents of the community truly deserve Mahwah is a beautiful community; we are committed to doing our part to make this vision a reality.” It was early 2018 when MTCR agreed to buy the redevelopment site, subject to local approvals and all tenants vacating their respective spaces, proposing as many as 200 apartments with a 15 percent set-aside for affordable housing The developers made it known that they were open to suggested changes but noted that local officials declined to hear a formal proposal until the town finalized a settlement with the nonprofit Fair Share Housing Center reduced the density for MTCR’s site to 14 units per acre or no more than 49 residential units which the developers say was decided without their input and was too small to be economically viable MTCR agreed in 2020 to sell the property to senior housing developer Monarch Communities subject to approvals and permits to build a senior housing facility with 175 congregate According to published reports, Monarch spent much of the next three years trying to secure zoning for the project resulting in a settlement with the governing body that called for fewer units But the plan also faced a challenge from the Fair Share Housing Center over the lack of affordable housing despite the site’s inclusion in the 2018 agreement with the organization Monarch ultimately pulled out of the project in 2023 amid financial pressures that had been dogging the company MTCR stepped in to try to salvage the senior housing concept but could not find a new operator due to what it said was a softening market which took full control of the properties in February 2024 town center-style project that would satisfy the adopted redevelopment plan MTCR met with Mahwah township officials last March for court-ordered mediation While the developer says state law prohibits it from revealing details of discussions it notes that it “presented multiple proposals with varying densities and product types in an effort to reach a resolution.” The parties did not reach an agreement while MTCR lamented “significant misrepresentations” by officials that “did not accurately or honestly reflect what transpired,” specifically with respect to the density that the property owner was seeking It was around that time that the township council authorized its planning board to investigate whether the site qualified as a condemnation redevelopment area, despite having declared it two years earlier as a non-condemnation redevelopment area. Officials would schedule a hearing on the matter for July 29, 2024, according to the complaint but attorneys say MTCR was not given access to the municipality’s preliminary investigation report before the meeting date at first without a new date and later scheduled for Nov The township eventually provided MTCR with a copy of the report but the document allegedly contained errors about the property’s ownership and boundaries touting the Franklin Turnpike site as an ideal solution for addressing part of the town’s 629-unit obligation while noting the potential for so-called bonus credits due to its proximity to mass transit and the adaptive reuse of commercial property Flannery of Bisgaer Hoff LLC noted that the developer would a require higher density to make it economically feasible it said “MTCR is not looking to overdevelop the Property and it is open to considering alternative development options that are well-planned and balanced and that will assist Mahwah in satisfying its prospective need obligation.” The township did not respond MTCR and its representatives were on hand for the Nov when the township planner presented her report on the potential for a condemnation redevelopment area She noted several areas of concern such as damage to the steps at the former U.S as well as peeling paint at one of the shuttered commercial buildings Yet MTCR’s attorneys say the items were tied to formal code violations that were issued and addressed years before they took control of the property The complaint also takes issue with the report’s reliance on outdated “Notice of Unsafe Structure” warnings that were issued to prior property owners — some from as much as 16 years ago — without verifying the buildings’ current condition Other violations such as an unsafe guardrail and damaged handicap ramp which were found during a May 2024 inspection and cited in a set of July summonses just weeks before the initial hearing was scheduled The property owner said it sought to address a third violation but the town engineer did not respond to multiple requests for approval of the repairs over the next three weeks It then submitted an engineering report with structural sketches and a Professional Review Soil Movement Permit Application but the township allegedly did not act on the application by the time of the Nov According to NorthJersey.com Mayor James Wysocki chastised MTCR at the meeting for dragging its feet on the repairs So don’t sit here and tell me you don’t know if there were summonses.” MTCR attorneys say the town’s study fell far short of the constitutional threshold for blight There is no evidence that the buildings are unsafe noting that the report’s author did not inspect the interior of any of the buildings The complaint also notes that the only evidence in support of the “blight” designation was that certain buildings had been vacant for more than two years but the lawyers say it would be unconstitutional for that to be the sole basis for the use of eminent domain the township planning board and council “ignored the uncontested testimony and evidence that the property is ‘likely to be corrected or ameliorated by private effort’” — referencing comments by MTCR’s planner — given the developer’s efforts since 2018 “The property owner assembled the block and is in the process of redeveloping the site consistent with market demand and therefore questions whether the Township has a valid public purpose for the recent condemnation designation,” Grather, the MTCR attorney, told media outlets last fall “The only purpose would appear to be an attempt to prevent redevelopment of an excellent property and thwart private efforts to revitalize a downtown area directly across the street from the train station.” 4 planning board hearing concluded with a motion to adopt a pre-drafted resolution that was circulated and adopted that night which could not or did not cite or credit the witness testimony or exhibits offered by MTCR The township council voted three days later to designate the site as a condemnation redevelopment area Mahwah Town Center Redevelopers LLC formally challenged the designation in a complaint filed Dec has scheduled a case management conference for March 21 has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for 13 years Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State Restaurant chain Bojangles has opened along a major commercial corridor in Piscataway as part of a previously announced deal brokered by The Goldstein Group All RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2023 Real Estate NJ 101 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy Frank Pallotta is challenging a pair of incumbent Republicans A group of Mahwah Republicans endorsed former congressional candidate Frank Pallotta in his bid for the GOP nomination for Assembly in the 39th legislative district Mayor James Wysocki and Councilmembers Michelle Paz Pallotta is challenging incumbent Assemblymen Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti (R-Saddle River) in the Bergen County district I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Frank Pallotta’s dedication to our community firsthand over his 35 years as a resident,” Wysocki said in a release “Frank’s tireless commitment to the people of Mahwah isn’t just talk — it’s backed by decades of service and real results for our town.” Wysocki’s endorsement was at the center of controversy earlier this month A campaign mailer from Auth and Azzariti listed endorsements from Wysocki and Waldwick Mayor Tom Giordano Giordano said he had not endorsed any candidate and Pallotta said Wysocki’s inclusion was also incorrect “Frank Pallotta represents the values and vision that Mahwah residents expect from their leaders,” the councilmembers stated in a joint statement and protecting our quality of life aligns perfectly with the needs of our community.” 1/32Softball: Tabaka Reaches 1,000 Career Strikeouts, Wallington vs. Mahwah, May 3, 2025.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Matt Kipp | For NJ Advance MediaOur HS sports photos like the ones above put you right up close with the action and the whole experience Check them out by clicking anywhere in the collage above to open the photo gallery Don’t forget to share the gallery with friends and relatives These photos are also available for purchase in a variety of sizes and finishes – just click the “BUY IMAGE” link below any photo to see available options and make a purchase NJ.com subscribers can also get free print-quality digital downloads of any images in this gallery Note: Because we are trying to make these galleries available for viewing as quickly as possible you are probably seeing an early version and more photos will be added later Please return and refresh the page to see additions Mobile device users: For the best experience downloading high-resolution images (available free and to subscribers only) and making photo purchases it’s best to visit this page from your desktop or laptop computer Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) 2025 at 11:30 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A Mahwah man who's a retired NYPD police officer helped Chinese officials stalk a family in the U.S. NJ — A Mahwah man who became a private investigator after retiring from the New York Police Department was sentenced recently for helping representatives of the Chinese government stalk a family in the U.S. was convicted of interstate stalking after a U.S Prosecutors said that between 2016 and 2019 McMahon and two co-conspirators "participated in an international campaign to threaten and intimidate John Doe #1 and his family in order to force him and his wife to return to the People's Republic of China to face purported corruption charges." China's government claims their international dragnet is meant to bring back people accused of financial crimes, but some say it's meant to catch whistleblowers and dissidents. Prosecutors say that McMahon obtained sensitive information about John Doe #1 which he then reported back to Zhu and others including to a People's Republic of China police officer McMahon also conducted surveillance outside the New Jersey home of John Doe #1’s relative and provided Zhu and Chinese officials with detailed reports of what he observed Prosecutors say that McMahon knew that the operation was intended to find and coerce Doe to return to China "by exerting pressure on his family members." In fact, according to prosecutors People's Republic of China officials threatened to jail John Doe #1’s sister in order to coerce John Doe #1’s then-82-year-old father to travel from China to another relative's home in New Jersey but he had recently suffered a brain hemorrhage and "was so frail that a doctor accompanied him for the trip," prosecutors said Prosecutors say that McMahon followed John Doe #1’s father when he visited the relative's home and another co-conspirator drove to the New Jersey residence of John and Jane Doe – at the address that McMahon had provided They left a note on the front door informing John Doe #1 that his “wife and children will be okay” if John Doe #1 surrendered himself to face a 10-year prison term in China Prosecutors said McMahon acknowledged knowing that his employers wanted to get the victim back to China “so they could prosecute him.” Prosecutors said that McMahon had joked about the matter in a text with his surveillance partner Prosecutors say that McMahon told a partner that he was “waiting for a call” to find out what to do next From NJ State Police about an abduction,” to which McMahon responded “LOL.” McMahon later suggested to a co-conspirator that they “harass” John Doe #1 by parking outside his home to let him know they were there McMahon also researched where Doe's daughter attended college and what her major was McMahon was paid more than $19,000 for his work and he put the money into his son's bank account McMahon was sentenced last Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay an $11,000 fine "for acting as an illegal agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit the same," said federal prosecutors "The FBI has created a website for victims to report efforts by foreign governments to stalk If you believe that you are or have been a victim of transnational repression MAHWAH — Demolition of the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel by implosion is tentatively scheduled for April 27 Township Engineer Mike Kelly announced the demolition and the date during Monday's council meeting "The developer's demolition contractors implode buildings and we had a very productive meeting with administration the building department and my office," Kelly said "We went over everything and asked that they come and make a presentation to the council about everything they're going to be doing." The presentation is set for the next Township Council meeting on April 7 "We're going to have a number of different meetings; we don't take down buildings like this all the time," Kelly said "The Department of Labor are the ones that really oversee the handling of explosives in New Jersey It takes about 30 seconds to take down the building and they're going to have water canons to keep the dust down as much as they can." The concrete has been tested and "determined not to have any hazardous material," Kelly said Routes 287 and 17 are expected to be temporarily shut down to avoid driver distractions Business Administrator Ben Kezmarsky said residents within 200 feet of the site will be notified The 250-foot-tall, 25-story hotel opened in October 1987 and closed for good in December 2023. Last August, the Township Council approved a proposal by Crossroads Hotel Developers LLC to increase the 140-acre site's allowable maximum building square footage from 1.7 million to 4 million square feet. But no plan has yet been put forward to develop the site. The property has been through a number of proposed uses and a designation in 2018 that it house 800 multiple-housing units the township reached agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center in December 2023 to reduce the number of units to 74 and eventually in 2024 to replace housing altogether with two warehouses The property previously held the Ford Motor plant the largest auto processing facility in the U.S. from 1955 to 1980 with a total of 4.7 million square feet on 172 acres 2025 at 8:08 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The shiny Sheraton Crossroads hotel in Mahwah will be demolished later this month The Mahwah council got more details at its meeting (Brian Logan Photography/Shutterstock)MAHWAH NJ — An iconic 24-story hotel near the New Jersey/New York border is scheduled to be imploded this month and the Mahwah Town Council got more details at its meeting on Monday night The 225-room Sheraton Crossroads hotel, visible from Route 17 in Mahwah, closed its doors in December 2023 The building is set to be imploded the morning of April 27 Developers planned to build two warehouses at the site but are now looking for tenants for "light industrial" uses "The building will be down on the ground in 30 seconds," said an expert at Monday's meeting [UPDATE: The implosion date has been moved. See an update here.] Local officials and experts from CDI Construction revealed the following facts at the meeting: Councilman Jonathan Wong encouraged the officials and experts to let residents know more details of the timing close to the event the shiny hotel — near the crossroads of routes 17 and 287 —was a familiar site for people traveling between the Catskills region and North Jersey What do you think? Email Patch. A tractor trailer fire closed lanes on Route 287 in Mahwah Wednesday morning The fire was first reported at about 7 a.m according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation The fire closed lanes on the northbound side and caused traffic to back up for several miles The truck suffered heavy damage from the fire with the front of it appearing gray and charred Check back for updates on this developing story 2025 at 6:53 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Two men in a South American theft ring were caught after a foot chase through Bergen County NJ — Mahwah police and captured two members of an international theft ring — one of whom was wanted in connection with a homicide — after a resident spotted them in a yard federal agents said Bernal-Walles had an Interpol warrant for homicide from Colombia a resident saw a vehicle drop off two men wearing masks and backpacks The caller said the men were entering a neighboring property Officer Connor Gilgen arrived first and saw the two men fleeting on foot He chased them behind neighboring properties and was able to catch Cristian Bernal-Walles Once he got Bernal-Walles into a police car he saw Oscar Alvarez-Alzate runningand was able to find him hiding in the brush Police found items in their backpacks including a crow bar officers determined that both men were part of the South American Theft Group (SATG) The department had been investigating the group in connection with several unsolved burglaries in town FBI agents came to headquarters to assist with the investigation That's when they told police about Bernal-Walles' warrant Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary They they were turned over to the F.B.I for further investigation "It should be noted that without the alert action of the Mahwah resident these individuals may not have been apprehended if you see something please contact your local police agency to report it as soon as possible." Mahwah's police union posted on social media "Outstanding work by our officers today and a big shout out to a sharp eyed resident!" The Mahwah Police can be contacted at 201-529-1000for non-emergencies or 911 for emergencies 2025 at 12:14 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Earth Day activities are coming and pick up free saplings at the 2025 Mahwah Environmental Commission Green Fair this Saturday The fair will include the HELPSY Clothing Collection Table to Table’s special presentation about food waste a fermenting demonstration by Sour Bellies and a tie-dying activity from Mahwah High School’s LEO Club The LEO Club is accepting gently used sporting equipment and Table to Table Community Food Rescue is accepting cereal and new reusable bags The Bergen County Animal Shelter will accept gently used linens and towels although the town is having a few related activities earlier The town is also hosting free giveaways of tree seedlings and compost from 9 a.m or while supplies last at the Mahwah Municipal Building Upper Parking Lot from 9 a.m they're also hosting paper shredding from 9 a.m Updates and more details on the day are being posted here. 2025 at 6:20 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Expected heavy rain this weekend has changed the location for a Mahwah holiday event but they're not very good for outdoor Easter activities READ MORE: Snow And Rain In Mahwah Forecast The location of a holiday celebration for children on Saturday has been moved. Snow and rain are in the forecast for the Mahwah area that day "Please join us Saturday at Town Hall Senior Center (Please note location change because of weather) for a fun morning with the kids to Meet the Bunny." The morning will start off with a pancake breakfast for kids (breakfast for kids under 10 years old only) Egg hunt outside on the patio by age group (under the canopy) Follow Mahwah Recreation activities here. The Sheraton Crossroads Hotel, seen from Route 17 in Mahwah, finally closed its doors in December 2023 "Growing up in NJ then raising kids in VT, our southbound travels were marked by this building," wrote a Patch reader after the closure was announced in 2023 and tennis tournaments since it was built in 1987 Mahwah officials have been quoted as saying that parts of routes 287 and 17 will be closed during the demolition which will tentatively occur some time Sunday morning Patch will update this story when a demolition time is released READ PAST COVERAGE: Former Employees React To Sheraton Closing 2025 at 10:14 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The new HSS Northern New Jersey Surgery Center NJ — Patients whose doctors practice at the Paramus office of the Hospital for Special Surgery will no longer have to head into Manhattan if they need surgery A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday to open the HSS Northern NJ Surgery Center on Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah HSS is a practice whose doctors focus on orthopedics and sports injuries The Mahwah surgery center will focus on specialized care for conditions and injuries of the hip and knee along with former pro athletes who received care at HSS and local officials In addition to the new outpatient surgery center a new much larger location for doctor visits and other services has opened its doors in Paramus for those seeking care in orthopedics HSS Paramus-Midland Avenue is double the size of the previous Paramus location on Ridgewood Avenue the Paramus facility offers onsite imaging A HSS spokesperson said Wednesday that last year nearly 33,000 patients in New Jersey received specialized healthcare at HSS And 22,000 of those patients were from North Jersey “HSS has led the fields of orthopedics and rheumatology in quality and patient experience for 161 years,” said Dr "The HSS Northern NJ Surgery Center in Mahwah and HSS Paramus–Midland Ave are more than just facilities—they're purpose-built extensions of the main hospital highly specialized care but in a more accessible location.” The new HSS Northern NJ Surgery Center is a 7,700-square-foot facility located at 400 Franklin Turnpike just 10 miles away from HSS Paramus–Midland Ave eight pre- and post-surgical bays and on-site central sterile processing chief medical innovation officer and director of ambulatory surgery center strategy at HSS For more information about HSS Paramus-Midland Ave and HSS Northern NJ Surgery Center MAHWAH — Adults may know what to do when confronted with bears who wander into populated areas Students in Mahwah High School's Community Problem Solving course met the challenge with their "Project Bear Aware" education course for students, which took first place in the senior division of the State Future Problem Solving Bowl in March The video runs just shy of three minutes and includes an entertaining reenactment of a confrontation in which two girls run away from a bear Tips in the video to reduce bear contact include keeping trash bins locked up and tidy keeping grills clean and cutting down on the use of bird feeders the class bases their project on an area of concern," teacher Justin Saputski said they learned about the growing black bear population and that was the theme of this year's project." said the class was surprised by the impact that development is having on the bear population "We've all lived in this area most of our lives but we didn't fully grasp how big and how much it impacts us directly," Jeane said "People assume that this issue is limited to woodsy environments but bears are appearing more frequently in residential areas A survey of students and teacher showed that two-thirds have encountered a black bear Because bears appear not only in the woods schools and playgrounds where children could be present the group concentrated its efforts on a bear safety education program aimed at students The class's "Project Bear Aware" created a bundle of educational materials to be used by community organizations lesson plans and a video as well as a self-published book Students have presented the program at area schools and have devised requirements for a Girl Scout patch on bear safety The win qualifies "Project Bear Aware" a spot in the international competition at Indiana University in Bloomington in June 2025 at 4:05 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Offices in Mahwah are closed for Good Friday/Easter weekend NJ — Municipal offices in Mahwah were expected to close early on Thursday in advance of Good Friday and Easter weekend and the DPW and Recycling Center would close at 1:30 p.m "All will reopen Monday morning at normal operating times," the town said Get more information here. Four people were charged after they were caught trespassing inside the abandoned Sheraton Crossroads Hotel in Mahwah Officers were called to the property on Friday after a security officer reported seeing a group of people inside the vacant building The hotel is currently fenced off and being prepared for demolition, police said. It is under 24/7 surveillance, and “no trespassing” signs are posted throughout the grounds. The hotel is set to be demolished Sunday, April 27, as reported by Daily Voice. Responding officers spotted a vehicle leaving the scene and took down the license plate number A broken glass door was also found on site and the security guard said he saw a group of individuals fleeing they did not use the department's K-9 unit The suspects were not located in the building but the investigation led police to the vehicle’s operator were charged with criminal mischief and trespassing “Any individuals located on the property in violation of the trespass warnings will be charged accordingly,” police said Ward Donigian is fifth candidate in Bergen-based legislative district In the days leading up to the general election the field of candidates for the Republican nomination for State Assembly in the 39th district Mahwah Councilman Ward Donigian has become the fifth candidate to join the race for the seats held by Assemblymen Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti (R-Saddle River) a Trump supporter who wants to shake up Trenton It takes an outsider with business acumen and a record of community service to get things accomplished New Jersey is dead last in just about everything We need conservative representation for northern Bergen County in our statehouse,” Donigian said just as I have done numerous times in Mahwah—from fighting Trenton Democrats’ mandates on high-density housing that will destroy our quality of life to opposing the governing body’s fiscally irresponsible projects.” Former congressional candidate Frank Pallotta and Saddle River Councilman John Kurpis joined the race over the last two days Pallotta has formed an exploratory committee; Kurpis and Donigian have formally announced An Eagle Scout and baseball coach who works in the environmental remediation industry the 61-year-old Donigian served as a councilman from 1995 to 2003 and again since 2022 The 39th district has not elected a Democrat since 1977 Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview but his height and childhood epilepsy have never discouraged him from the decades he has devoted to the game of basketball "Never Give Up!" is the mantra of the 2024 Jr. Knicks Coach of the Year and former Harlem Wizards player and the logical title for his second book on children coping with disabilities and sports "Mighty Mike Bounces Back: A Boy’s Life With Epilepsy," with Robert Skead faces similar worries about how his height and illness will be perceived at a new school He even has to overcome his own prejudices when he first encounters a scrawny "Mighty Mike" coach at a basketball clinic some of the players are taller than him.'" Simmel said but I have to practice a long time to be like him.'" Simmel's shortcomings did not stop him from becoming a three-year starting point guard on Don Bosco's varsity basketball team He then played a year at the Hun School of Princeton where he led the varsity team in assists and steals.Simmel played basketball at Binghamton University where he was captain of the varsity team for two years and again led in assists and steals His basketball skills caught the eye of Knicks players He also caught the attention of the Harlem Wizards when Simmel demonstrated his basketball skills before a critical "Showtime at the Apollo" audience without being booed and "hooked" off the stage That in turn led to 13 seasons as "Mighty Mike" with the charity basketball team have cofounded Bounce Out the Stigma special needs after-school and summer clinics to overcome some of the prejudice Simmel experienced when he was excluded from camp because of his epilepsy This season they will offer programs in five states and spring camps in five North Jersey locations Simmel received a Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award in 2009 and was named a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky in 2014 "I think the main point of the book is to show that through friendship and much inner strength one can overcome any perceived limitations," Simmel said The book is being issued by Warren Publishing and includes a foreword by Knicks NBA All-Star John Starks. For more information on Simmel's organization visit bounceoutthestigma.org Incumbents win Ridgewood; GOP holds Paramus Oakland; Dems gain in Palisades Park; close race in Woodcliff Lake Teaneck Mayor Michael Pagan holds a narrow 200-vote lead in his bid for re-election in the non-partisan race for three seats on the Teaneck Township Council Karen Orgen (8,417) and Mark Schwartz (8,392) with Reshma Khan (6,395) running a close fifth Ardie Walser (5,865) and Chondra Young (3,812) Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki easily secured a second term as mayor David Way (6,745) and Michelle Paz (5,673) Former Councilman George Erwin (6,545) won the third seat In Ridgewood, incumbents Paul Vagianos (8,475) and Pamela Perron (7,254) were easily returned to their council seats in a non-partisan race.  Frank Mortimer, Jr., known locally as “Frank the Beeman” because of his work as a beekeeper won the open seat of retiring Councilwoman Lorraine Reynolds; he defeated school board member Hyunju Kwak Republicans Ace Antonio and Robert Kaiser won re-election to the Paramus Borough Council easily fending off a challenge from a pair of Democrats Oakland Republicans fended off a comeback bid by Democrat Linda Schwager who sought a council seat one year after losing re-election as mayor Council President Steven Saliani (4,132) will be joined by Carol Ann Rose (3,795) on the council Rose finished about 400 votes and three percentage points ahead of Schwager The race for two council seats currently held by Democrats in Woodcliff Lake remains too close to call Republican Chris Bonnano (1,815) and incumbent Jennifer Margolis (1,810) are ahead with Republican Morgan Mazor (1,788) trailing Margolis by just 22 votes    The current council is split 3-3 with GOP mayor Carlos Rendo breaking the tie Councilwoman Jacqueline Gadaleta is not seeking re-election Bogota: Bogota Council President Consuelo Carpenter and fire lieutenant Bill Hordern They defeated Republicans Marco Navarro and Jonathan Escalante Unofficial results showed the Democrats leading about 28%-22% East Rutherford: Council President Michael Lorusso and Councilman Daniel Alvarez won reelection to East Rutherford’s council who ran about 7 percentage points behind Alvarez Democrat Antonio Segalini will also be joining the council — he ran unopposed for an unexpired two-year term Dumont: A pair of Dumont Republicans narrowly won city council seats Tuesday Council President Tom Kelly and Gidget Petry defeated Andrew Warta and Nicola Attanasio by about 400 votes Petry defeated the Democrats by about 2 percentage points Garfield: Five council seats were up for grabs in Garfield: Unofficial results show Mayor Richard “Riggs” Rigoglioso Hasbrouck Heights: Chris Blum will be joining Bobby Bing on Hasbrouck Heights’ council The pair of Republicans beat Democrats Kim Sealy and Mary Blanusa by a margin of about 28%-22% Oradell: Oradell residents elected a Democrat and a Republican to the council Tuesday Democrat Kimberly Kyasky finished less than 100 votes behind Tashjian and Republican Ori Katzin finished about 300 votes behind the field Rutherford: Rutherford Councilman Raymond Guzmán and John Errico 2024 at 12:44 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Two candidates faced off for mayor of Mahwah (Patch Media)This story has been updated as of 10 p.m Two candidates faced off to be mayor of Mahwah: incumbent Jim Wysocki and challenger Janet Auriemma Come back to Patch to see results throughout the evening and throughout the week Although the focus has been on the presidential election many Bergen County towns are seeing heated local races NOTE: With ballots mailed in as late as 8 p.m. Tuesday, final numbers may not be known for days. Check the Bergen County election website for up-to-date results. Come back to Mahwah Patch for other news here. Got a letter, press release, or event to post on Patch? You can do it for free. Just follow these instructions. See the New Jersey voter information portal here 2024 at 2:05 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Animal lovers concerned about impending deer "culls" in Saddle River and elsewhere will protest at a former Boston Market site NJ — Animal advocates will hold a demonstration on Route 17 on Saturday to protest ongoing deer hunts in Mahwah and Saddle River the borough of Saddle River voted to allow bowhunters to decrease the population of deer and coyotes in a planned "cull" in the fall Since then, a statewide group called the Animal Protection League has amassed 800 signatures on a petition to stop that hunt the group said that Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki has issued bowhunting permits for various plots of town-owned land in Mahwah "Deer hunting is actively taking place behind the firehouse on Rozanski Lane the Masonicus [neighborhood] and [near] Seacor Farms." the group is planning a new protest for this weekend in Mahwah A spokesperson for Mayor Jim Wysocki said permits have been issued for two areas of town-owned land Approvals for bowhunting been issued for two areas the spokesperson said: an 11-acre Masonicus area behind the Company 3 Fire House and the McBride Property on McArthur Boulevard Permission had been granted in accordance with the Municipal Code regarding hunting and firearms (Volume 1 Chapter 3, 3-7 through 3-7.5), linked here. The code prohibits hunting near occupied dwellings in many areas The animal group plans to hold its demonstration in the grassy area in front of 395 Route 17 North Saturday They say attendees can park in the former Boston Market lot "This is an extremely densely populated area surrounded by condominiums and businesses," they said of the Masonicus area "There is a walking path through this wooded area Bow hunters will be killing deer while residents are walking their dogs Mayor Wysocki has given out permits tohunt deer without the approval of the council or residents They also said 38 deer have already been killed by arrows during Saddle River's hunt this year "Tell them to shut down their inhumane bow slaughter deer hunt," they said They directed supporters to their video here: http://keepsaddleriversafe.com See prior reporting on the local "culls" and their history here. New Jersey's historic Crocker Mansion in Mahwah was officially put back on the market this month after it was seized from a billionaire fraudster in 2023 The 120-year-old estate at 675 Ramapo Valley Road is a 58-room, four-story brick palace that boasts nearly 50,000 square feet of living space on 12.5 acres along the Ramapo Mountains. It is privately listed for $33 million by Compass New Jersey agents Diane Cookson and Carl Gambino and the Fox & Stokes team Built between 1901 and 1907 by railway heir George Crocker a truly magnificent and rare estate that stands as an architectural masterpiece just 25 miles from the vibrant heart of New York City," the listing says This listing comes after the lavish property was seized in April 2023 from its previous owner Ho Wan Kwok — better known as Miles Guo — who was charged with masterminding an elaborate scheme in which he allegedly cheated thousands of online followers out of more than $1 billion A 12-count indictment that was unsealed in federal court charged Guo and his financier Guo initially purchased the Crocker Mansion for $26 million in late December 2021 making it the priciest home to sell in all of New Jersey that year The estate was just one of many pieces of property — including a 98-inch TV a Bösendorfer grand piano and multiple high-end sports cars — as well as hundreds of millions of dollars that were seized by the federal government In July, a jury found him guilty on nine criminal fraud and conspiracy counts but acquitted him on three counts MAHWAH — The postgame buzzword around the Ramsey football team Friday night was “desire.” The Rams showed plenty in the second half against rival Mahwah outscoring the host team 19-0 to rally for a 26-14 victory at Egidio Caporale Stadium "I told the guys [at halftime] that you have to have desire to win football games," Ramsey coach Adam Baeira said "Mahwah came out with that desire in the first half came out in the second half and played lights-out football." Sophomore Jonathan Davis capped Ramsey's first two third-quarter drives with short rushing touchdowns He helped set up the first with a 25-yard kick return and a 48-yard run – after Rams running backs were held to six carries for minus-2 yards in the first half while Mahwah fell to 1-2 overall and in the division The Thunderbirds had won eight straight head-to-head from 2012-19 and still lead the all-time series The rivalry has been spirited since it began in 1959. Several of the Rams admitted afterward there was a bit of added juice this year, referencing the weekly predictions column by Darren Cooper (who picked Mahwah) "We really took that to heart," Baeira said and I told them we've just got to play Ramsey football Two tide-turners took place in the back of the same end zone Ramsey senior Chase Reid made a tiptoe interception to end Mahwah's second drive of the game and keep it scoreless early in the second quarter the Rams were driving toward the same end zone and faced fourth-and-17 Justus Favata rolled out and found senior Christian Fojon – whose defensive coverage helped Reid secure his INT – for the TD to ice the game (Watch the video at the top of this page.) So I just went to the back of the end zone ► Favata completed 22-of-33 passes for 224 yards and threw a TD to each of his running backs Fojon (four catches for 41) and Davis (three catches for 9) ► Davis led the Ramsey ground game with 13 carries for 105 yards while Reid starred defensively with six tackles and two interceptions ► Junior Jack Newman proved to be the T-Birds' jack-of-all-trades The lefty completed 3 of 3 passes for 10 yards and a TD caught two passes for 16 yards and went 2-for-2 on extra points The long-standing Sheraton Crossroads hotel in Mahwah is expected to come down in a dramatic The Sheraton Hotel in Mahwah is tenatively set for demolition At the Monday, March 24 council meeting Township Engineer Michael Kelly announced that demolition crews are tentatively planning to bring down the massive structure on Sunday “The developer’s demolition contractors — this is what they do,” Kelly said Kelly said he had a “very productive meeting” with the demolition team the prior Wednesday “We went over everything they’re going to be doing and asked they come and make a presentation to the council,” he said “Expect them to be at the next council meeting" on April 7 the date is tentative while the township works out the exact timing Kelly also noted that the State Department of Labor will oversee the explosives “The State DOL — they’re the ones that really oversee the handling of explosives in New Jersey,” he said We don’t take down buildings like this all the time the demolition team will use water cannons to control dust and stop it from leaving the site along with various other measures that Kelly promised will be laid out fully at a later date Nearby residents and the general public will be notified through Reverse 911 according to Business Administrator Ben Kezmarsky Officials said the meeting held last Wednesday was just the first of many leading up to the big day According to NorthJersey.com, an official site development plan has not yet been submitted — aside from a proposal to more than double the current square footage officially shut its doors in December 2023 2025 at 8:41 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}It's free to toss your tree NJ — Got a Christmas tree to toss in Mahwah The town's Christmas tree collection began this past Monday and ends on Jan All lights and decorations must be removed To find out more about pickup of trees and other solid waste and recycling in Mahwah, see the Department of Public Works guidance for 2025 here. 2024 at 11:34 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A historic Mahwah estate is for sale for $33M NJ — A historic Mahwah estate is selling for $33 million after the federal government seized it last year from a Chinese businessman Back in March of 2023, Ho Wan Kwok, aka "Miles Guo," was arrested on 12 charges related to an online scheme to defraud his followers of more than $1 billion over five years, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York said. He was arrested at his 15-room Central Park penthouse on March 15 of that year But he also owned the historic Crocker Mansion a 21-bedroom Mahwah home built in 1907 for Southern Pacific Railroad Vice President George Crocker The mansion's 12 acres overlook the Ramapo Mountains and include a massage room Federal authorities seized the assets purchased with the alleged fraud They also seized around $634 million from 21 bank accounts The house, at 675 Ramapo Valley Road, last sold for $21 million in 2021 It's now for sale for $33 million Compass Real Estate was chosen as the listing agent as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings An online description says this estate has been meticulously restored offering approximately 50,000 square feet of spectacular living space and more than 12 acres of marvelous grounds framed by the Ramapo Mountains." "Reception rooms of grand proportions include Great Hall Interior design and furnishings by the world's top designers and artisans." The New York Post reported on Wednesday that Kwok's New York City penthouse is also for sale The home mysteriously caught on fire hours after Kwok's arrest Guo was convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges in Manhattan this past July READ MORE: Chinese Businessman Bough Mahwah Mansion With Fraud Money: Feds Joe Cerritelli (2) of Westwood tries to put the ball in play during the Bergen County Tournament baseball final between St Joseph (Mont.) and Westwood at Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in Demarest NJ on 5/25/24.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jack McKenna | For NJ Advance MediaWestwood trailed by as many as five runs in the early stages of Monday’s game against Mahwah and entered the bottom of the seventh inning in a two-run hole before plating three runs to complete the comeback and earn a 10-9 walk-off victory in Washington Township Mahwah reached its high-water mark of 5-0 after three and a half innings before Westwood scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-5 lead Westwood tacked on an additional run in the fifth which was answered by Mahwah plating four runs in the top of the sixth to retake the lead Gabe Arcieri knocked in two runs and stole a base in a 2-for-4 effort while Jack Walsh drew two walks swiped a bag and came around to score twice in a 1-for-3 day for Westwood (10-5) Jake Buonanno went 4-for-5 and scored a pair of runs for Mahwah (10-6) Jack McKenna can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! A sharp-eyed Mahwah resident helped police bust two alleged members of the notorious South American Theft Group (SATG) during an attempted burglary that led to a foot chase through multiple backyards Cristian Bernal-Walles (left) and Oscar Alvarez-Alzate  after a neighbor spotted them wearing masks and backpacks and sneaking onto private property The witness called police around 10:00 a.m An officer arrived first and spotted the two suspects running from the scene securing him in his patrol car before tracking down Alvarez-Alzate hiding in nearby brush and a cellular jammer — tools consistent with professional burglary operations detectives determined both suspects were members of SATG a criminal network that’s been tied to unsolved burglaries across Mahwah and other areas The FBI was contacted and responded to assist federal authorities discovered Bernal-Walles had an active Interpol warrant for homicide out of Colombia They were turned over to the FBI for further investigation Police credited the fast-acting resident who called in the suspicious activity for helping catch the suspects in the act say something,” Mahwah police said in the report of West Essex during the West Essex at Glen Ridge girls lacrosse at Watsessing Park Turf Field in Bloomfield .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jack McKenna | For NJ Advance MediaAlivia Lugo potted four goals for West Essex to lead it to its first victory of the season by a 7-5 margin over Mahwah in Mahwah Alex Agostini and Kate Colello scored one goal apiece for West Essex as it handed Mahwah its first loss of the season Sasha Resnick notched an assist while securing five draw controls and forcing six turnovers for West Essex (1-3) Abby Clark found the back of the net twice while Riley Trabona Alexa Cherven and Kiki Macri each scored twice for Mahwah (4-1) Diana (Di) DeLonge French of Mahwah passed away peacefully in her home on December 13 daughters Laurie Tremblay (Mike) and Megan Suhadolc (Brian) NJ and after graduating from Bucknell University They had their two daughters while living in Cranford she went to work for 22 years as an assistant to a financial planner Di was very active in the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey singing in the choir and volunteering in many capacities She treasured the friendships she made through the church and these dear friends continued to include Di in their birthday luncheons until the end Anyone who knew Di knew of her passion for sports and took up golf later in life so she could join Jay on the links She was a loyal and enthusiastic fan at her grandkids’ games and looked forward to each one fellow spectators could count on Di for score updates because she diligently kept her own score book she watched all kinds of sports on TV – golf and if she couldn’t watch them on TV she’d be listening to the game on her car radio Yankee fans among us are hoping she can now pull some strings in our favor from above She and Jay took many vacations with close friends traveling to destinations that included Paris Dear to her heart were annual trips with family – golfing in Hilton Head and Palm Desert and front yard picnics and games at the summer home in Grafton Di’s five grandchildren were her pride and joy Tuesdays were her favorite day because she got to spend them taking care of Kristyn She made those days special by filling them with sports she didn’t let the distance prevent her from being just as present in their lives She visited the boys multiple times a year never missing the much-anticipated Christmas trip and loved getting updates on all their activities Di’s family will be forever grateful to caretakers Maggie and Veronica for their compassionate and dedicated care for Di over the past five years. A Memorial Service for Di will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey, NJ.. Donations in Di’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Association23 Vreeland Road #105, Florham Park NJ 07932Web: http://alz.org Edward Alexander "Breezy" Rapp passed away on February 20 his home—a place he cherished deeply He graduated from Suffern High School in 1960 before enlisting in the U.S After completing basic training at Fort Benning where he gained technical skills that led to a lifelong career with the telephone company.   Ed worked as a systems technician repairman for New Jersey Bell/Bell Atlantic/Verizon where he built lasting friendships with colleagues.   often spending weekends on his bass boat or exploring new hunting grounds with his sons He was an active member of the Bergen Bowmen Archery Club and the Hudson River Fishermen's Association His dedication to his community extended beyond his hobbies—he served as a volunteer firefighter with Company #2 Fire Department in Mahwah and also mentored young athletes as a Little League coach and Scoutmaster for the Cub and Boy Scouts.   theater productions or playing lifeguard at the pool during summer afternoons "Pa" was always present in their lives he enjoyed watching Yankees games alongside his wife Molly and their beloved dogs (Jenny and Jim; daughter-in-law Carrie; and grandchildren Rhiannon and Emily; Ed also leaves behind his loyal dog and constant companion He was predeceased by his brother John Rapp and brother-in-law Charles "Jug" Haight.  donations may be made to organizations close to Ed’s heart Jude’s Children's Research Hospital Hudson River Fishermen’s Association Save The Animals Rescue Team (START 2 Pet Adoption) Image: Marcus74id / FreeDigitalPhotos.net HO-HO-KUS — Linda Bovino-Romeo has been named superintendent of the K-8 Ho-Ho-Kus School District effective July 1 Currently director of curriculum and instruction for Mahwah Township Public Schools who will retire June 30 after more than 40 years with the district Bovino-Romeo previously served as a teacher in New Milford then as an assistant principal and principal in the Mahwah district Bovino-Romeo graduated from Ho-Ho-Kus' grade school and Northern Highlands Regional High School a master of science in education and doctorate in language literacy and learning from Fordham University She also holds a master of arts in administrative leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University “Our goals in searching for our next superintendent were to ensure the continuation of the academic excellence and the thriving character-based community that have been the hallmarks of Dr Mardy’s career in Ho-Ho-Kus and to set the district on an exciting path into the future," said Board of Education President Mary Ellen Nye Bovino shares our goals and has the qualifications and the dedication to succeed in achieving them," Nye said Bovino home to Ho-Ho-Kus to begin the next chapter of our school’s history together.” .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Craig Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJake Buonanno went 4-for-4 with two home runs and three runs to power Mahwah past Demarest 9-7 in Mahwah Mahwah (8-5) trailed 5-2 entering the bottom of the fourth inning before scoring five runs Jack Newman added a two-run single for Mahwah and scored a run Craig Epstein may be reached at cepstein@njadvancemedia.com MAHWAH — The plan to redevelop the former Sheraton Crossroads hotel site has been amended to allow for more than twice the previously approved square footage of new buildings The township council approved the amendments that increased its buildings' potential maximum square footage from 1.7 million to 4 million square feet on the 140 acres of land at the intersection of routes 17 which closed for good in December 2023 and slated to be demolished Zoning remains in place to allow tall buildings to be built on at least part of the site The amended increased square footage plan is significant which was the largest auto processing facility in the U.S had a total of 4.7 million square feet on 172 acres The One World Trade Center building is 3.5 million square feet Some of the changes had been approved as "not inconsistent" with the master plan by the planning board in June including the "options" to increase building heights from two stories at 55 feet to five stories at 125 feet three-story garage and a 55-foot two-story limit to other buildings on the site The amended proposal was the subject of a 90-minute presentation by the township's planner Darlene Green and a discussion during a recent council remote work session Crossroads is not identified by name in the agenda but can be viewed under the "presentation" section of the meeting's video on the township's website "Last week there were some additional requested changes," Green said "What you have in front of you tonight is the version that I shared with the planning board but any changes that have been made since the planning board presentation are highlighted in yellow." Changes since the planning board hearing included the addition of "data center" and "fulfillment center" as permitted uses parking garages as permitted accessory use and 8-foot tall security fencing the change that invited the most discussion was expanding the definition of the 1.7-million-square-foot maximum as a "ground floor limit." Board members Ward Donigian and Janet Ariemma argued that by that definition a five-story building could theoretically total 8.5 million square feet "I think the zoning stinks," Donigian said "I think it exposes the town to a disaster Councilman David May downplayed the importance of the amendments arguing that building height did not necessarily increase parking demands possibly housing tall machinery rather than floors of processing activity "At the planning board meeting they brought up the notion that since the building's taller "I don't think there's going to be loading docks on the second through fifth stories Donigian argued that during his 22 years on the planning board "there have been variances on parking all the time," and that New York City logistic centers include indoor multi-story truck ramps that could mask the site's true traffic flow Green emphasized the change was self-limiting as the site is not fully developable with "environmental encumbrances" and that the estimated 14,000 parking spaces required for such square footage would consume 141 acres at ground level at least 47 acres if contained in three-story garages In response to concerns about traffic, May said the warehouse proposal generated a letter of "no interest" from the state Department of Transportation and that the state maintained jurisdiction over any changes required to the area's highways to accommodate whatever site plan is proposed The debate was ended when township attorney Fred Semrau announced he had called the developer and that a cap of 4 million square feet on building size was acceptable Donigian and Ariemma voted against approval The different proposals for the Sheraton Crossroads siteThe property has gone through a series of development proposals to fill out the sprawling open space surrounding the hotel first as an office park and later as a combination residential site and shopping mall the property was designated as the location for 800 multi-housing units as part of the township's fair share housing settlement The developer has yet to submit a site plan proposal The subsequent proposals have been aimed at maximizing the owners' options in a changing real estate environment 2024 at 4:16 pm ETCourtesy Ariemma Family (Ariemma Family)The election is coming NJ — Two candidates are vying for Mahwah mayor on Nov and four are vying for spots on the Township Council Although the focus this November will be on the presidential election Patch has asked the two mayoral candidates to answer questions, which are being posted this week. (The council candidates and others can post their press releases, letters, and events to Patch themselves using these instructions.) Mayor Jim Wysocki faces Councilwoman Janet Ariemma in this election Ariemma's profile and answers are posted below Want to know who else will be on the ballot, as well as public questions and other Bergen County races? See your sample ballot here. Education: MA Mathematics - University of Maryland BS Mathematics- Ramapo College of NJOccupation: Mathematics Professor - Ramapo College and Rockland Community CollegePast volunteer jobs and government service: 10 years Mahwah Township Council Bergen County Community Development Committee LIAISON to: Historic Preservation Commission Housing CommissionDo you have any relatives in town government or the schools now Most important issues facing constituents and how you will address them:a I will make it my priority to prevent tax increases I will work with the Administration to scrutinize the budget and eliminate wastefulspending I will bring in new sources of revenue by supporting small retail development around the old post office site and along Franklin Turnpike north of Miller Road I will also fill the stores in the ACME shopping center as another revenue source.b Maintaining quality of lifeI want to stop the overdevelopment of Mahwah The township needs to protect residents from the after-effects of overdevelopment such as increased traffic I will support controlled growth with a priority on the preservation of green spaces the protection of our waterways and wetlands and focus on maintaining an ample supply of clean pure drinking water I will hire and appoint people who share these goals I also support creating a downtown area around the old post office site to give people a place to shop Why choose you over your opponent:I will not rubber stamp documents and will sign only when I am convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks to the people of Mahwah.I will be completely transparent and events to keep residents informed.I will be inclusive with appointments to boards and committees I will seat a cross representation of people with different backgrounds from every section of Mahwah so that all of Mahwah is equally represented.I will keep cannabis out of Mahwah especially away from our schools and churches.I will join the Montvale Affordable Housing Coalition to lower our affordable housing quota by spreading obligations more fairly across all NJ towns including the 62 that are exempt How can town politics become more inclusive instead of divisive:I believe that bringing people together at events and meetings is a first step in building a sense of inclusivity in residents In addition to seating a cross representation of people with different backgrounds from each section of town on our boards and committees I will promote more events like Mahwah Day and the Holiday Parade I will add events such as concerts in the park I will also support competitions between residents of Mahwah and other towns to help build a sense of pride and comradery among residents The inclusivity at meetings and events would trickle down into townwide politics since people will feel that we are all in this together Issue not talked about that should be solvedOur affordable housing obligations are negotiated behind closed doors without the input of the public I will establish an affordablehousing committee to determine how and where we fulfill our obligations.Committee meetings will be open to the public and minutes will be posted for all to see and council; and one resident from each section of Mahwah Political partyI am not affiliated with any political party I will set limits on the size and location of new warehouse buildings Warehouses should not be permitted in residential areas and caps need to be put in place on square footage and height.I am against overdevelopment I consistently voted against the rezoning of the Crossroads location because of its unprecedented size of 4 million square feet of floor space and a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program which Mahwah has never done before The PILOT will take Crossroads off the tax rolls for 30 years in exchange for a negotiated sum of money the Crossroads will enjoy a stable predetermined payment amount – something most of us would longfor.If you want to lower taxes and stop overdevelopment then vote for me in column 2 on November 5 See the New Jersey voter information portal and election timelines here See the timeline for the general election here.