Hudson County officials announced that the North Bergen Police Department has officially launched a cutting-edge drone unit becoming the first municipality in Hudson County to integrate a drone as a first responder (DFR) using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into its public safety operations There are currently only four other municipalities in the state that use this type of technology a certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remote pilot and member of the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team the newly formed NBPD UAS Division includes a team of four specially trained officers The program enhances situational awareness and increases officer and civilian safety without the high costs and risks associated with traditional aviation units safe tools that help protect our residents and support our officers on the ground.” The piloting software— manufactured by Paladin a Texas-based company —operates within a 3-mile radius using LTE transmission they are generally deployed at around 200 feet responding in real time to emergencies prioritized by NBPD supervisors Each mission is recorded and stored in a secure database helping document and analyze public safety responses across the township according to Hudson County officials.  Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual stated “We now have the capabilities of an aviation unit without putting a pilot in the air or dealing with the extreme costs and safety risks of helicopters—something that’s especially important given recent aerial accidents in the region.” The initiative was officially installed one month ago and was funded entirely through criminal forfeiture funds Chief Robert Farley Jr.’s efforts to secure these funds have helped to fortify the local police force with valuable upgrades to keep residents safe HCPO officials say we will be announcing further upgrades to the police department during the coming weeks With each flight using about 5% battery per mile and requiring just 25 minutes to recharge the drones offer a rapid-deployment advantage unmatched by traditional methods “This program took nearly a year to get off the ground— from FAA licensing to implementation —but it was worth every step Our UAS Division is already proving invaluable in search operations We’re proud to lead Hudson County in deploying this kind of life-saving technology.” The North Bergen Police Department’s UAS Program marks a major leap forward in the department’s ongoing efforts to modernize policing and maintain the highest standards of public service and safety 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 23-year-old New Jersey woman who taught children in Japan is facing federal charges for sending a Wisconsin man child porn photos and videos of children taken at a local hotel The criminal complaint filed in the arrest of Natasha Rivas depicts a multitude of disturbing exchanges with Scott Graham the Eau Claire man whose arrest prompted an investigation into North Bergen's Rivas Rivas sent multiple files depicting child pornography to Graham over the course of several months Many of the photos depicted young victims that Rivas personally knew and the exchanges appear to show both Rivas and Graham using baby talk to discuss the assaults and hash out their own fantasies Rivas sent Graham numerous images containing child sexual abuse material and discussed sexually assaulting children for both of their sexual gratification Some of the photos that Rivas sent Graham were taken at a hotel in Ridgefield Park The investigation into Rivas began following Graham's January arrest in Wisconsin A search of his devices showed a multitude of conversations between the two dating back several months Click here to read the exchanges between Graham and Rivas (warning: details are disturbing and reader discretion is heavily advised) Rivas traveled to Japan to teach English to second-grade students Rivas was charged with distribution of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor child The charge in the complaint carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment as well as a fine of up to $250,000 North Bergen’s Robert Farley allegedly drugged coffee pot and shaved body hair on colleagues in series of ‘pranks’ A New Jersey police chief has come under fire after colleagues accused him of defecating on the station floor attempting to drug co-workers by putting Viagra and Adderall in their coffee and sticking a hypodermic needle into an officer’s penis NJ.com reported that Robert Farley repeatedly harassed his co-workers with a series of so-called pranks while he is also accused of retaliating after a colleague Five former and current North Bergen officers plan to sue the township over Farley’s behavior which allegedly also included the police chief shaving his body hair on to people’s food and “scraping fluids from his underwear on to people seated in the chief’s office” a North Bergen spokesperson called the claims “false and outrageous” “The Township of North Bergen has full confidence in Chief Robert Farley’s leadership,” the spokesperson said But Farley’s accusers allege that the police chief instigated a reign of terror which one officer said included retaliation after they cooperated with an internal affairs investigation over a hostile work environment and civil rights violations pulled his pants down and defecated on the floor in front of his entire office staff.” Guzman added: “He has also left feces on the bathroom floor apparently with the intent of having someone unknowingly step on it.” Michael F Derin worked as a special captain with administrative duties at the department He wrote in his notice to sue that he and Farley had been friends before the chief’s behavior towards him changed in August 2024 “Chief Farley chases me around his office,” Derrin wrote “After cornering me in the filing area with no further room for retreat he sticks a hypodermic needle through my jeans into the tip of my penis.” Derin said the needle drew blood from his penis the chief creates a hostile work environment.” “The chief would shave his body hair on people’s property and their food,” adding: “He was also fond of scraping fluids from his underwear on to people seated in the chief’s office.” said he had witnessed Farley putting Viagra and Adderall into a coffee pot Farley stirred the pills until they dissolved and then waited for someone to drink the coffee Officer Rashid Siyam said Farley and others retaliated against him after he participated in an internal investigation into civil rights violations Siyam said some department members had referred to him as a “camel jockey” and “terrorist” NJ.com published photos that seemed to support the officers’ claims In one a man who the news outlet identified as Farley is shirtless and appears to be shaving his arm over a colleague’s desk Another photo shows a toilet cubicle which appears to have been befouled In a statement on the North Bergen police website posted after he became chief in February 2024 who reportedly earns more than $228,000 a year I will strive to lead the officers of our department to be an accessible component of our community while maintaining their competency and professionalism,” Farley said at the time Wallington senior softball pitcher Delilah Tabaka is now the fourth member of Bergen County’s 1,000-strikeout club Tabaka struck out 17 batters in Saturday's Bergen County Tournament win over Mahwah giving her 1,014 strikeouts for her career Tabaka will likely finish as the all-time record holder in Bergen County There have only been three other pitchers in Bergen County history to surpass 1,000: Sarah Piening is the current leader with 1,060 But Tabaka is also nearing her 100th career hit something that neither Piening (Immaculate Conception) Cathy Kaminski (Ramsey) or Kim Prevedel (Saddle Brook) did Tabaka probably won’t be the only Bergen County pitcher to go over 1,000 strikeouts for her career Rutherford star Giana Yaniero is currently at 929 Wallington remains in the 10-15 range in our rankings The top six remain the same from last week NORTH BERGEN, NJ — A 35-year-old North Bergen man has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 17-year-old girl on Wednesday. According to North Bergen Police Chief Robert J faces charges of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child Authorities reported that Canavalan was detained at the scene and subsequently taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility to await his court appearance Witnesses informed police they saw Canavalan running toward the victim and dragging her several feet away from Bergenline Avenue in an apparent abduction attempt The victim struggled for approximately two minutes before bystanders assisted her Three nurses from a nearby doctor’s office and a male passerby heard the girl’s cries for help successfully freeing her from Canavalan’s grasp “Responding officers located a female victim along with several witnesses,” stated the police report © 2008-2025 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd After another fun week of the spring high school sports season it's time to look back on the top team performances Read about the teams that stood out last week and let us know which one should be the North Jersey Team of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page pulled off the biggest upset of the Bergen County Tournament first round The Wildcats won their first league title in program history The Bridgemen won a Bergen County Tournament game for the first time in program history Hackensack boys track & fieldThe Comets won the Big North Freedom division championship Indian Hills girls flag footballThe Braves, coached by WFAN talk-show host Danielle McCartan edging Lakeland by two points and Paramus by one point The Knights won their first NJIC title in program history The Bulldogs won their first league title in program history Saddle Brook boys lacrosseThe Falcons went 3-0 last week Waldwick and Weehawken by a combined total score of 29-9 including two wins over Passaic Valley in league play and 11-1 win over Hawthorne Christian in the county tournament The Indians went 4-0 last week and advanced to the Passaic County semifinals with a 9-4 win over Hawthorne Westwood girls lacrosseThe Cardinals beat Ramsey twice last week including a 10-seed-over-7-seed upset the first round of the Bergen County Tournament try refreshing the link or clearing the cache in your browser If you are viewing the poll in the Twitter app try viewing it in the Varsity Aces app or at NorthJersey.com Strawberry banana or tropical mango: That is the smoothie question sweet berries punctuate the space between runaway seeds and cool Its icy layers of orange sing with notes of something served in a hollowed out pineapple with a paper micro-umbrella and a purple bendy straw on an empty stomach or in a bowl with granola and it's all about the banana-berry former Regardless of where I — or you — stand on that blended beverage debate it's undeniable that some local juice bars make both (plus "Funky Monkey," mixed berry and more) better than others and our thirsty tongues beg for frozen quenchers here are my eight favorite places to get a smoothie in North Jersey Ever since The Juice House opened in Montclair last spring it's been my go-to spot for a smoothie (or smoothie bowl) Boasting icy drinks — like the decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry — alongside açaí coconut and banana bowls layered with house-made granola the recently-opened shop has one of the most expansive juice bar menus around I generally spring for a banana-based bowl but (as long as it's smothered in cookie butter or peanut butter) I wouldn't be upset with any treat the team served me Go: 10 N Willow St., Montclair; thejuicehouse.com "Health is wealth" may be the motto at Beet's Juice Bar (a Bergen small juice business with three locations) but that doesn't mean the team's bowls and smoothies aren't outrageously delicious and you'll be met with a chocolate and peanut butter-loaded banana shake so tasty it could practically be a dessert Such is also the case with cinnamon-based Cinna Bowl Even as you swing towards the lighter options you'll still be impressed by irresistible flavors at refreshing temperatures Go: Park Ridge, Montvale, Allendale; beetsjuicebar.com It's no secret that smoothie shops offer many allergen, gluten sensitive, etc.-friendly options, but the team behind Activated Juice goes out of its way to make sure everything on the store's menu is "organic dairy-free and 100% vegan." When you indulge in an Endorphin Machine Smoothie you do it with confidence that your fruits and veggies were sourced from the finest purveyors For a vivid display of that top-notch attention to detail in action request the Monumental Bowl; a colorful crowd-pleaser that features vanilla Go: 55 Passaic St., Garfield; activatedjuice.com I've lived in the Denville area since I was a kid, so I may be biased, but I genuinely believe acclaimed boba tea destination Bubble in Paradise quietly serves some of the best smoothies around the drinks come in varieties from Paradise Sunrise (banana Go: 38 Broadway, Denville; 973-957-0263, bubbleinparadisenj.com Bogota Press Cafe has been on the block for a minute but smoothies were only a recent add to the menu at the cozy brunch spot Strawberry Peach and more being served daily Order one with a side of the team's famed "Stuffed Waffles," and you're sure to have a breakfast to remember Go: 1000 W. Fort Lee Road (Suite C), Bogota; 201-678-1405, bogotapresscafe.com Another small business with three locations, Jungle Juice has a massive menu of summery drinks In the fruity category are smoothies like the passion fruit-guava Passion Punch while the green "healthy" column includes blended specials infused with kale the Summer Blend (followed by the Steve Special) is the way to go Go: Madison, Morristown, Hoboken; junglejuicenj.com For when you want a smoothie for health purposes, but also need something equivalently healthy to chew, Juice and Salad Hub exists Go: 397 Route 46, Fairfield; 862-208-1000, instagram.com/juice_salad_hub in case none of these spots are near you — this is New Jersey You're always within 10 minutes from a Playa Bowls Go: Everywhere; playabowls.com After another fun week of the high school baseball season that included county tournaments it's time to look back on the best performances Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the North Jersey Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page Bagley hit the Ironmen (13-2) to a 5-0 week culminating with a win in a Bergen County Tournament opener  He also walked three times and was hit by a pitch four times Cappello led the Aviators (11-6) to a 3-1 week capped by winning an extra-inning Bergen Invitational Tournament opener LeoniaCapra has been a huge bright spot for the Lions (4-13) Erminio pitched the Indians (7-7) to a 3-1 week with a pair of complete-game wins The sophomore allowed no earned run over 14 innings tossing a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Lakeland in the Passaic County Tournament JosephGrande drove the Green Knights (11-6) to a 5-0 week and he homered in each of two wins over Paramus Catholic He also walked four times and twice was hit by a pitch Kong led the Cutters (6-10) to a 3-1 week and five wins in their last seven games He struck out nine in six innings and earned the win in an 8-3 victory over Wayne Valley Park RidgeStecz guided the Owls (4-11) to a 2-1 week The senior threw a complete-game four-hitter in a 4-3 win over Secaucus allowing no earned runs and striking out eight to surpass 100 career Ks Tyburczy led the Highlanders (11-6) to a 4-0 week capped by a Passaic Tournament win allowing four earned runs on eight hits and two walks and striking out 16 over 11 innings Wenckus led the Broncos (10-7) to a 3-0 week and five wins in their last six games The junior threw a complete-game five-hitter Peter’s Prep connects during the baseball game between St Peter’s Prep and Union City at Cochrane Stadium at Caven Point in Jersey City on Wednesday .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comDavid Tallarida was 3-for-3 with a home run rolled to a 16-5 victory over North Bergen and Jayden Beriguette went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run for St which erupted for six runs in the top of the first inning and six more in the top of the second Justin Perez had two RBI with a run scored Anthony Huaranga and Lorenzo Camilleri scored two runs apiece Marcos Perez was 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored for North Bergen (7-10) The N.J. 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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 A horse named Journalism is running in the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, and he has the shortest odds at 3-to-1 Journalism the horse is not going to bring in a lot should he succeed but neither does journalism the discipline but I’ve been betting on it anyway for 15 years one thing’s a sure bet: I’ll take this is as my annual excuse to drink a mint julep While other Derby cocktails come and go — the Spire (bourbon, lemonade and cranberry juice) has surged in popularity since its introduction at the Derby in 2018 — the mint julep is timeless mint leaves and ice has been sipped by millions at Churchill Downs and beyond on race day for well over a century If you know nothing about horse racing but still want to participate in this Americana tradition Just grab a silly hat and head to one of several North Jersey establishments showing the race and serving mint juleps What is a mint julep?The mint julep served at the Kentucky Derby is a stirred cocktail of Woodford Reserve bourbon the mint julep is more than the sum of its parts — its history goes back hundreds of years A “julep” is essentially sugar water with herbs It likely originated in Persia around the 14th century and for hundreds of years beyond it was mostly medicinal and non-alcoholic The julep took hold in 19th century Southern society and with bourbon or rum as its base. It’s believed that Kentucky statesman Henry Clay introduced the drink to Washington D.C society in the late 1840s at his favorite hangout Churchill Downs began serving mint juleps shortly after opening in 1875 It eventually became the official Derby Day cocktail in 1938 about 120,000 mint juleps are consumed at the track each year How to make a mint julepThe mint julep is a simple drink with a simple recipe The official Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe calls for gently crushing mint leaves and wiping them on the inside of your glass Then pour in 2 ounces of Woodford Reserve bourbon a half-ounce of simple syrup (made by simmering sugar in equal parts with water until dissolved add the leaves on for garnish and you’re ready to go If you’re having guests over (or anticipate drinking a lot of juleps), make a large batch. To streamline the process: pour your bourbon into a pitcher muddle mint with the liquor in the pitcher (and let it steep for at least 10 minutes) and add in simple syrup (start with a small amount; you can always add more) And one note about the bourbon: Although I do like Woodford Reserve a wheated bourbon like Maker’s Mark or Weller’s Special Reserve I personally like Four Roses Small Batch as an affordable well-balanced bourbon and base for cocktails like the mint julep Seldom can you wear a sombrero plumed with peacock feathers or a seersucker suit and ostentatious pocket square and feel normal If you’re looking for that kind of afternoon head to one of these North Jersey establishments for the full Kentucky Derby experience on May 3 Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record Local organizations across North Jersey protested Thursday — marching on streets, rallying in communities with speakers, protesting on the local level at congressional offices or hanging banners and staging walk-ins at schools — as part of May Day 2025, which  commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement families impacted by immigration enforcement and local community groups rallied at Independence Park on Van Buren street before marching to the Peter Rodino Federal Building on Broad Street They were demanding workplace protections against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and protesting immigration registries immigration detention centers and the Israel-Palestinian war Protesters gathered in Oradell to express their frustrations with the Trump administration in one of the many May Day demonstrations going on throughout the state He is a criminal and he is sending people who are not criminals to other countries The hypocrisy is disgusting,” said Linda Banzaca More than 100 people demonstrated at Oradell Avenue and Kinderkamack Road on Thursday afternoon by the Oradell Post Office Many held signs while people passing by would honk their horns in support The protest lasted about two hours before nearly everyone departed by 6 p.m Freedom of speech was on the minds of many protesters Many at the demonstration were concerned with the Trump administration stripping away civil liberties and losing democracy in the process “The rule of law with judges and not listening to court orders We’re going into fascism and authoritarianism and that’s scary It scares me when people are arrested for peacefully protesting,” said Melissa Reichert of Hillsdale along with her husband and another fellow Bergen County protester LiAnn Plutnicki said they have participated in demonstrations across the state including ones in Teaneck She said she continues to call state representatvies in New Jersey and other states a member of the Democrat Club in Washington Township said she is fed up with this administration “I’m passionate about saving woman’s rights My grandmother fought for my rights and I feel we are going backwards My daughter is 20 years old and believes her body is taken over," said Fox fights or injuries broke out in the protest Three police officers were visible at the scene who is a former teacher in the Closter school district was at the Oradell protest with her son Mason as she voices her concern on the Trump administration slashing federal programs: “We rely on Medicaid There is chaos in the government right now but we are not going to give up." Friel was also waving a mini LGBTQ+ flag saying “everyone deserves to love who they love,” she said A protester who wished to be remain anonymous and is scared of the Trump administration’s stance transgender issues: “RFK and his health administration completely wrecking havoc on the trans community In some states they are making it harder for trans people to exist.” The protester believes there is a reason for hope we can’t forget peaceful protests have contributed to so much change in the past.” 200 turn out in DenvilleJennie Gauss-Myers of Rockaway Township her husband and son were among the 200 or so protesters who lined a 100-yard stretch of Diamond Spring Road in Denville at a busy intersection cheering the many motorists who honked in support as they drove by She's already been to three anti-Trump protests including the Hands-Off protest in Morristown on April 5 and another in West Caldwell it has been very validating to come to these and see you're not alone," she said Many of the over 1,000 demonstrations and rallies expected in every state and abroad on May 1 – historically known as May Day or International Workers' Day which spurred other nationwide protests this year is helping organize the demonstrations along with labor unions student groups and other grassroots organizations 50501 protests today: Are there May Day protests near me? Here's what to know in NJ The Newark event featured speakers who decried the raids and detentions that have taken across New Jersey and nationwide since Donald Trump return to the presidency They also held signs that read “Abolish ICE Detention” and “No ICE Contracts.” the 100 protesters made their way out of the park and marched about a mile to the Peter Rodino Federal Building on Broad Street in downtown Newark Some of them yelled through megaphones toward the building where Immigration and Customs Enforcement has an office “We have to take care of each other in this moment You see a lot of our community members are missing today because there’s a lot of fear in our communities and it’s real,” Haydi Torres an organizer with Movimento Cosecha New Jersey “The repression and the persecution that our communities are living with right now is difficult for a lot of families So we have to honor that and also honor the resistance of everybody who’s here today.” Others during the rally in the park and later at the federal building spoke of the need to shut down detention centers like the existing Elizabeth Detention Center and the pending Delaney Hall on the outskirts of Newark the civic engagement and advocacy manager for the Palestinian American Community Center in Clifton spoke of how Palestinians and other ethnic groups are targets of the government’s detention push “The struggle to shut down New Jersey’s detention centers is our struggle too,” Twam said we are all targeted by systems that criminalize The event was one of several across New Jersey There was also a large rally with New Jersey immigrant advocates held in Philadelphia Thursday morning in front of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals There were oral arguments given in court in New Jersey’s appeal of a federal judge’s ruling in 2023 that allowed the Elizabeth Detention Center to stay open despite a state ban on local jails entering into contracts to house federal immigration detainees The rally was organized by Movimiento Cosecha New Jersey which works to protect undocumented immigrants by protesting Lori Comstock and USA Today contributed to this report For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community please subscribe or activate your digital account today Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker If you are using an old, expired or handed-down child car seat you may be able to trade it in for a new one at Target Here's what parents need other know about Target's car seat trade-in event Parents in New Jersey need to follow four steps to trade in their old car seat at Target and obtain a 20% discount on car seats, strollers and stroller wagons You will need the Target mobile app to access the discount Target then recycles the used car seats into sustainable shipping packages Parents have until Saturday, May 10, to drop off their old car seat for recycling Target has more than 50 locations in New Jersey Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region It's easy to become territorial over a parking spot Some residents may find a spot in front of their home taken up by a neighbor's vehicle preventing them from parking there or simply enjoying the unencumbered view Seeing an unfamiliar parked car while inside your own home is a mild annoyance The short answer is yes, at least according to Nolo a publisher that provides legal clarity for businesses and the general public an individual citizen does not 'own' or have any ongoing exclusive right to use a parking space on a public street," reads a 2023 Nolo article by attorney Brian Farkas "These spaces are open to the public on a first-come There are exceptions to the rule in neighborhoods that allocate a specific parking space to a home's occupant which would be outlined in the rental or homeowner agreement Such accommodations are rare in large cities like New York but are more prevalent in suburban areas drivers must abide by posted signs and regulations when finding a place to park New Jersey law includes more than a dozen places where parking is prohibited unless directed by a police officer or "to avoid conflict with other traffic." Such spots include in an intersection within 10 feet of a fire hydrant and within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing However, state law allows for municipal ordinances to permit parking in front of private driveways if the driver also owns the driveway is in the same household as the driveway owner or is authorized to park there by the owner The rule is contingent on a determination that allowing the parking "would not interfere with the normal flow of traffic." Many municipalities have limits on how long a vehicle can be parked in the same place, typically 72 hours, before it is subject to removal. The township code of Edgewater states that any car owner who is absent from the area and is unable "for good cause" to adhere to the time limit must provide notice to the police department of the vehicle's make Because street parking is generally legal — and in order to avoid a contentious relationship with neighbors — Farkas suggests discussing any parking issues person to person before involving law enforcement or other town personnel the two parties could agree to park in the preferred spot on alternating weeks or on varying weekdays or weekends depending on their schedules and who needs the space more "Try to make the homeowner understand that you have every bit as much right to park on a public street as anyone else," the Nolo article says "It is to your mutual advantage to keep each other's needs in mind so that you can both park in peace." There are lots of seasons in a year — and I'm not talking winter I hate English-peas-in-entrées season and I'm not a fan of any elapsed period of time where I have to engage in sports betting pools I love food truck season (perhaps even more than bonfire season Wildwood season and the part of the year when the radiator's constantly blowing over my feet) that annual stretch is hot on the horizon; with many local grub-mobiles preparing to dust off their counters and yank the tarps from their roofs Eager to help welcome those rolling meal dealers back to the road Here is every NJ food truck festival happening this May Bergen Tech's Taishi Yamamoto was selected as the North Jersey Baseball Player of the Week Yamamoto drove the Knights (5-7) to a 3-0 week two RBIs and four steals in a 10-1 victory over Kennedy Buonanno was stellar at the plate to help the T-Birds (9-5) to a 2-2 week three runs and four RBIs in a 9-7 win over Demarest Gaskin helped the Panthers (10-3) to a 3-0 week DePaulOgando paced the Spartans (11-2) to a 4-0 week that included securing the No Pellegrino helped the Patriots (8-5) to a 3-1 week capped by 6-5 victories over Wayne Valley and Northern Highlands five RBIs and three steals to help build a three-game winning streak WallingtonPerry led the Panthers (7-5) to a 4-0 week allowing three earned runs and striking out 13 in 14 innings Rosamilia drove the Vikings (6-6) to a 2-1 week featuring two homers and six RBIs in a 14-3 victory over Butler BergenfieldSuero led the Bears (7-7) to a 3-0 week to extend their season-turning winning streak to five games The junior earned wins in 3-2 victories over Teaneck and North Bergen allowing no earned runs and striking out three over 11 innings MAPLEWOOD — NJ Transit has announced a bus service contingency plan in case the agency's locomotive engineers go on strike May 16, as contract negotiations restart amid growing tensions between the two sides said he doesn't want a strike but is preparing for one Plans to enhance and expand bus service would cost the agency about $4 million a day — and even then it is expected to move only about 20% of those who use NJ Transit's rail system with a bus system," Kolluri said Wednesday at a press conference with reporters at the agency's emergency operations center "We are going to focus on moving essential workers who need to get to their work." "Those folks who can afford to work from home Four park-and-ride locations in peak hours on weekdaysFour park-and-ride pickup locations in New Jersey will operate during peak weekday hours starting May 19 if a strike takes place which will be provided by Academy Express and a bus broker company will take place from 5 to 9 a.m.; returning riders can get picked up at Newark Penn Station and dropped off at the Hamilton station between 3 and 7 p.m.Pickup from Woodbridge Center Mall going to the Harrison PATH station will take place from 6 to 10 a.m.; returning riders can get picked up at Harrison PATH and dropped off at Woodbridge between 4 and 8 p.m.There will also be enhanced bus service during peak hours on the following routes that are near several rail lines: Newark Light Rail will also offer extended peak period service NJ Transit rail tickets will be cross-honored on all NJ Transit bus and rail lines, but there will not be cross-honoring with other systems, such as PATH. More pricing information is available on NJ Transit's contingency plan website, njtransit.com/railstoppage NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen met Wednesday morning to restart negotiations Last week, the agency rescinded the prior deal struck by the two sides last month that was voted down by 87% of the union's 372 voting members and now the union is expected to respond with a counteroffer next week The main issue at the center of the stalemate is money NJ Transit offered raises to the union that were on par with what was offered to the 14 other rail unions but the locomotive engineers have fought for raises that put them more in line with what engineers are paid at Amtrak The contract being negotiated included two contract periods There was a total of 12% in wage increases in the first period the engineers' is the only one that didn't agree to that wage proposal which 11 of the 15 rail unions have approved so far The engineers and NJ Transit were also negotiating a possible one-year which was included in the tentative contract voted down in March News: Prosecutor looks into alleged overtime padding by NJ Transit police The current base salary for an engineer is $89,000 After accounting for overtime and other pay the average take-home pay for an NJ Transit engineer is about $135,000 Kolluri said the increase the engineers wanted would have brought their average annual income to $177,000 would ultimately have to be offered to the other unions which would drastically increase the agency's operating budget — requiring a 27% increase in the corporate transit fee a 17% fare hike or significant service cuts "I hope the union comes to a conclusion that is reasonable that is rational and that is considerate," Kolluri said "What we cannot embrace is a small group of people somehow say to the 9 million taxpayers of New Jersey that they are entitled to a $55,000-a-year pay raise — that cannot happen and that should not happen." general chairman of the local engineers' union said the members see their gap in pay compared with other railroads as untenable "We’re going to present a proposal that addresses the economic reality that engineers face at NJ Transit," Haas said "We’re committed to get a deal done … for as long as it takes for an agreement that is fair and reasonable for engineers and NJ Transit." Immaculate Heart's quest for a historic fourth straight Bergen County softball title will start from the top spot in the 40-team field Paramus Catholic and Old Tappan round out the top four seeds 3 seed for Paramus Catholic is the school’s best seeding since 2004 the Blue Eagles are the top seed in the Bergen County Tournament They have won three straight county titles There is a new format for the tournament this year with a championship bracket for teams seeded 1-24 and an invitational bracket for teams seeded 25-40 Teams seeded 1-8 receive a first-round bye while teams seeded 9-24 in the championship bracket meet in first-round games with the winners advancing to the second round of the championship bracket and the losers dropping into the invitational bracket The championship game for both brackets is scheduled for May 24 at the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex This file will be updated all tournament long with scores and future schedules (14) Northern Highlands at (3) Paramus Catholic 2025 at 7:49 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A mobile Real ID van in North Jersey last month NJ — Want to upgrade your driver's license so you can use it as ID for airline travel Hundreds of appointments just opened up throughout New Jersey and a separate link for "emergency" appointments After May 7, 2025 New Jersey residents won't be able to use their driver license alone as identification to get on a plane unless they've upgraded to a "Real ID." In order to get this upgraded license, you must present certain forms of identification proving your name and address. The requirements and documents for a Real ID are spelled out here. While those who want to upgrade their license can head to a Motor Vehicle Commission office that offers Real ID licenses several Bergen County towns have also offered "mobile units" that stop in a local town Appointments have been opening up each Friday there were more than 400 appointments available collectively in Bayonne Some locations will only offer upgrades to licenses that aren't expiring in the next three months while others handle licenses that are about to expire but it's best to make sure the appointment is tailored to your needs before heading over Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 1 seed for the 66th Bergen County Baseball Tournament 4 in a 24-team championship bracket that opens Saturday with eight first-round matchups at the higher seeds and culminates with the final May 24 at Demarest the tournament introduced a new rule stating that a top-eight seed must have played 15 games by the qualifying cutoff to receive a first-round bye The Bergen Invitational Tournament also was selected and seeded Wednesday night and it also opens Saturday with eight matchups played at the higher seeds The championship and invitational events are connected and the Bergen County first-round losers advance to the Round of 16 of the BIT and host its first-round winners on May 7 (15) Northern Highlands at (2) Pascack Valley Bergen Invitational Tournament (BIT)FIRST ROUND (35) Emerson at (19) Ridgefield Park/Bogota (26) Indian Hills at (23) Dwight-Englewood Two people died and more than two dozen residents were displaced early Thursday after a fire broke out in a high-rise apartment building in Hudson County in a 10th-floor unit of the Cullum Apartments at 6299 Grand Ave. according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez Firefighters arrived to find flames and heavy smoke coming from the unit first responders discovered two injured residents — Reynaldo Tatis and a 72-year-old woman whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin Two North Bergen police officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at Hackensack Medical Center North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco said the North Bergen Housing Authority is coordinating with multiple agencies including North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue "Affected residents are being moved into temporary shelter at a nearby hotel until it is safe to return to the building," Sacco said in a statement on Facebook The Red Cross of New Jersey was also on scene to assist the displaced residents No information has been released yet regarding the cause of the fire Anyone with information is urged to contact the prosecutor’s office at 201-915-1345 or leave a confidential tip at hcpo.opsnetwork.org/tips Here are the high school box scores for events involving North Jersey teams for May 2 Records: River Dell (5-11); Cliffside Park (7-11) Records: Passaic Valley (11-5); Ridgefield Park (9-8) Records: Wayne Valley (6-7); Clifton (5-12) Records: West Milford (10-6); Mahwah (10-8) Records: Ramsey (14-3); Northern Highlands (9-8) Records: Teaneck (6-11); Bergen Tech (6-9) Records: Westwood (12-5); Rutherford (12-5) Records: Lodi (6-7-1); Bergen Charter (4-7) Records: Bergen Catholic (13-3); Passaic Tech (11-4) Records: Boonton (8-7); North Warren (2-12) Records: Glen Rock (12-3); Demarest (6-11) Records: Leonia (8-6); North Arlington (8-9) Records: Passaic Valley (15-0); Passaic Tech (10-2) senior pitcher Jamie Farrington threw a 2-hit shutout with 8 strikeouts Records: Paramsu (5-9); West Milford (4-9) Records: Ramsey (13-2); Indian Hills (9-7) Records: Hasbrouck Heights (15-3); Paterson Charter (7-7) Records: Wayne Valley (9-6); Clifton (6-9) Records: Ridgewood (7-7); Northern Highlands (10-7) Records: Dumont (9-6); Dwight Morrow (0-14) Note: Senior attacker Gavin McKeon scored his 100th career point Doubles: Ethan Rosenberg and Benjamin Caradonna Brandon Plastovski and Aiden Gershengoren 6-0 won by forfeit Gaurang Mehta 6-5; Param Virani Doubles: Aary Gajera and Lakshya Mangukiya 1-0 (10-8); Sam Terdiman and Emmanuel Greenberg Doubles: Kentaro Kagawa-Ferraro and William Cui Christopher Kim and Andonis Vazacopoulos 7-6 (7-4) Marcos Carillo and Francesco La Barera 6-0 Danilo Radulovic and Angel Ponce-Montes 6-4 A Fort Lee man has been arrested and charged over a collison in North Bergen that left a man dead has been charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision resulting in death the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said in a release Friday North Bergen police responded to the area of Tonnelle Avenue and 91st Street after reports of a pedestrian being struck unresponsive and he was pronounced dead at the scene but a box truck involved in the collision fled The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit eventually identified Rodriguez as the driver of the truck and he was arrested in Secaucus on Thursday He was being held awaiting a first court appearance 2025 at 1:09 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Cullum senior building is located in northern North Bergen NJ — A husband and wife are victims in the fatal fire that broke out at a senior citizen building in North Bergen early Thursday The couple were identified as Reynaldo Tatis, 88, and Miriam Tatis, 72, according to a spokesperson for the town of North Bergen They lived on the 10th floor of the high-rise The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the North Bergen Police Department are investigating the blaze said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office on Friday North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue was notified of a fire at Cullum Apartments a high-rise apartment building at 6299 Grand Ave First responders found fire and heavy smoke inside a tenth-floor unit The couple were found inside and pronounced dead at the scene Two North Bergen Police Officers suffered minor injuries and were treated at Hackensack Medical Center Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or to leave a tip at: https://hcpo.opsnetwork.org/tips (All information will be kept confidential.) "The North Bergen Housing Authority is working closely with the Police Department and other public agencies to respond to a serious fire that occurred overnight at the Cullum Towers senior housing complex," said Mayor Nicholas Sacco on Thursday morning "Affected residents are being moved into temporary shelter at a nearby hotel until it is safe to return to the building." A Woodcliff Lake man and his family continued to profess his innocence before he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the sexual assault of his niece In October, Marcelo Velez, 60, was found guilty of sexually assaulting his 11-year-old niece in January 2021 Before Judge James Sattely of state Superior Court in Bergen County sentenced him April 25 Velez and his family spoke extensively about his innocence submitted 47 letters of support for his client from friends said Velez has shown no remorse for his actions while maintaining his innocence Velez was sentenced to 25 years for first-degree aggravated sexual assault on a victim less than 13 years old and older than 4 and is subject to five years of supervision He was sentenced to seven years for second-degree sexual assault on a victim less than 13 and older than 4 and three years for engaging in sexual conduct with a child by a non-caretaker Velez accused Assistant Prosecutor Natalie Candela of violating his right to due process saying she poisoned the jurors against him with inflammatory statements "Please forgive me for being frustrated with the criminal justice system that allows unfounded allegations from a child to go unchallenged and uninvestigated leading to the conviction of a defendant," Velez said when addressing the court spoke during the sentencing and said he couldn't believe the accusations against Velez calling them "horrible" and "unsubstantiated." Velez's sons also spoke on behalf of their father telling the court he was a fantastic father and pointing to a difficult family dynamic for their cousin and he has never done anything in the slightest to even suggest that these allegations could possibly be true," his son said "I trust the justice system and know you will do the right thing and you must free Marcelo because he is an innocent man." His other son asked Sattely to show his father mercy saying there was no evidence to support his cousin's claims See the list: Several North Jersey programs among reported DOGE cuts saying she was proud of her daughter and that they had waited a long time for this day "We are all witnesses of justice being served," she said said some of the comments made at the hearing and in the letters were "trash talk" and many spoke of "jealousy envy" and a "troubled home." She called them "desperate comments," saying the victim's family loved and trusted Velez She quoted one letter as saying this was what the victim wanted not just for the defendant or for the victim The victim told Velez that she would no longer allow his actions to harm her "Your wife might see you as the love of her life The community might see you as a smart businessman," the victim said I see who you truly are — a sick man who sexually abused me for years During arguments regarding Velez's sentencing very unusual." He asked Sattely to sentence Velez below the requested 25 years North Bergen, NJ, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua-Tots Swim School the largest international swim school franchise is proud to announce that its fifth swim school in the state of New Jersey will be opening in North Bergen on April 22 resides within Columbia Park shopping center and has direct access to Highway 495 making it easily accessible to the families of Hudson Aqua-Tots Swim School has been a trusted name in swim education for more than 30 years with a proven curriculum that has been embraced by instructors and parents alike Aqua-Tots serves families across 14 countries earning a strong reputation for its dedication to safety fun and a nurturing learning environment where children of all ages can build confidence and progress in their swim skills swim lessons will be available Tuesday through Saturday offering flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy families Parents can choose from group classes (with a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio) ensuring that every child receives personalized attention tailored to their unique needs Through small class sizes and expert instruction Aqua-Tots remains dedicated to helping children develop essential water safety skills in a supportive and engaging environment are thrilled to teach local youth how to become safe and we’ve lived in this community together for 14 years,” Tim said we know firsthand how important it is for children living here to know how to swim Water safety is essential for everyone; knowing how to swim saves lives We are eager to equip our community’s children with the confidence and skills needed to stay safe in and around the water.”  Aqua-Tots North Bergen features a 90-degree 15 changing rooms and an expansive glass viewing area relax and watch their child’s progress from cozy red armchairs Families are invited to use the facility’s fully stocked vanity to get ready before and after class To learn more about swim lessons at this location or to enroll, visit aqua-tots.com/north-bergen/ Founded in 1991 and headquartered in the Phoenix area Aqua-Tots Swim School is making waves as the largest international provider of year-round community outreach and drowning prevention education Its trusted program is dedicated to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old and features a proven curriculum used to teach more than five million swim lessons each year A tenant at a nearly 4,000-square-foot mixed-use building in North Bergen has acquired the property in a newly announced deal by Cervelli Real Estate the offering at 1008 Paterson Plank Road drew interest thanks in part to its location its off-street parking and a versatile layout Cervelli represented a private seller in the deal navigating challenges such as the existing tenant exercising its right of first refusal and stringent lending requirements under the U.S securing a final sale price that was at 95 percent of the listing value “Cervelli Real Estate implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy end-users and the current tenant,” the company wrote in a news release the firm proactively sustained marketing efforts even while under contract while the 3,775-square-foot property was only 32 percent leased at the time of sale the vacancies included a large apartment and represented an upside for the new owner to add value through renovation Cervelli Real Estate successfully leveraged the market to help the seller achieve a price above what is typically seen in landlord-tenant transactions where prices often come in lower,” the firm wrote 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 Wainstein could emerge as challenger to Sacco ally Julio Marenco in ’25 Democratic Assembly primary and that’s especially the case in politically combative Hudson County Larry Wainstein has joined forces with Union City Mayor/State Sen Stack for a children’s holiday toy giveaway in North Bergen a sign that the two may be planning an alliance for next year’s legislative races Seeking to become the first Hispanic mayor in a town with a 72% Hispanic population Wainstein challenged North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco three times in May non-partisan elections The results were essentially the same: a 65%- 35% loss in 2015 But Wainstein’s ability to claim roughly 30% of the vote in North Bergen makes him an attractive candidate for Stack Assemblyman Julio Marenco (D-North Bergen) Stack’s vote-producing prowess in Union City and Weehawken – along with Wainstein’s potential to get at least one-third of the vote in North Bergen – could make the combination unbeatable is also a self-funder: he spent about $600,000 of his own money in 2023 and a similar amount in 2019 The toy giveaway is a collaboration between the Brian P Stack Civic Association and the Larry Wainstein Family Foundation North Bergen became important for Stack after legislative redistricting put North Bergen into the same legislative district as Union City That forced Sacco out of the Senate after thirty years and now has Stack aggressively working Sacco’s hometown Don Bosco will start the drive for five straight Bergen County boys lacrosse titles as the top seed in the bracket Seeding was completed on Monday night with 12 teams accepted into the championship bracket 4 Ramapo will join the Ironmen in skipping straight to the quarterfinal round The tournament starts with opening round games to be played by Saturday semifinals on May 8 and the championship May 10 Here are the high school box scores for events involving North Jersey teams for April 29 Doubles: Yanen Oscarna and Victor Sanjuanelo Doubles: Sam Pickering and Gianluca Torterolo Cameron Linnington and Matan Zohn Kaplan 7-5 2025 at 4:14 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Two men were charged with fentanyl distribution after selling 100,000 blue pills in a North Jersey parking lot NJ — Two men were arrested after they sold 100,000 fentanyl pills to an informant in a parking lot in North Bergen last Thursday were charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl Hernandez was also charged with one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number Adams in Newark federal court on Monday and were detained According to the complaint in the case law enforcement officials received information that Hernandez was involved in narcotics trafficking in New Jersey A confidential source began meeting with Hernandez in mid-January "to discuss the potential purchase of firearms The source bought a firearm from Hernandez on Jan the pair discussed the purchase of 100,000 kilograms of fentanyl According to the complaint Hernandez later said he didn't actually have access to 100,000 kilograms So the pair agreed that the informant would buy 100,000 pills instead Last Thursday, according to the complaint Hernandez picked up the informant near in the vicinity of 7801 Tonnelle Avenue which is a Lowe's Home Improvement store parking lot Hernandez then drove the informant "to a nearby parking lot in the vicinity of 7605 Tonnelle Ave."— which is the address of Home Depot Guzman got into their vehicle vehicle with a black backpack The backpack contained plastic bags filled with approximately 100,000 blue pills They were tested and "contained a detectable amount of fentanyl and weighed approximately 11 kilograms," prosecutors said Prosecutors then executed a search warrant at Hernandez's home and found $65,000 in cash The fentanyl conspiracy and distribution counts carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison the maximum potential penalty of life in prison The possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000 "[The chief's] actions not only fail to meet the standards of professional conduct but also appear intended to humiliate me and other victims," one officer said Kimberlee Speakman is a digital writer at PEOPLE She has also worked in broadcast television as a reporter for Hawaii-based news station KHON2 News My expectation upon visiting Rutt’s Hut in Clifton for the first time is that I’d go and have a pretty good hot dog — maybe the best But midway through the meal I’m wondering if time is a flat circle and if we’re living in a simulation but it is the kind of uncommon experience I was hoping to have at Rutt's Hut See, I'm on a journey to visit the 25 most essential restaurants in North Jersey in 2025. Though I grew up here I've been away for a decade and realized I haven't been to many of the cornerstone restaurants As a food writer tasked with knowing what these establishments are all about We asked you to submit your top North Jersey spots Several readers (and plenty of friends outside this) suggested Rutt’s Hut because it's iconic — almost 100 years old with acclaimed food and a reputation as an irreplaceable diner and watering hole but I'm also keeping my feelers up for the intangible qualities that elevate a great restaurant to essential “This is not my beautiful house… this is not my beautiful wife.” I play it whenever our family's having one of those days when everyone's crabby and nothing goes right; the joke being the comfortable monotony of everyday life has become cloying and I’m now disassociating with the tenets of it before I go insane I can’t help but channel David Byrne in the shotgun shack dining room of Rutt’s Hut Before me is a hamburger and a hot dog (they call it a ripper) with chili They look like they came out of a Fisher-Price kitchen and I’m tempted to nibble at the air around the edges and hand it back to the server and condescendingly say now I’ll have the roast duck with a maraschino cherry on top.” and what I get back is a half a duck with a thick orange glaze in which I can see myself — the maraschino cherry over my nose wordlessly signals to have a seat wherever I’d like but who’s got endless stories and smiles when a regular walks in… he’s a character actor weathered menu board above the long bar with yesteryear specials written out in calligraphy — clam strips “Bar-BQ-Pork,” French-fried onions… a stage-hand built that But the thrum rises at this restaurant overlooking Routes 3 and 21 (Where does that highway go to Plates of food pretty as a picture in a mid-century cooking magazine fill my table I half expect some cheesy theme song like the one from “Cheers” to play but instead I hear an oscillating synthesizer of laughs from around the dining room a bass line of plates and glasses hitting tables and I sing karaoke to myself the waitress would notice my befuddlement in this timeless bar and grill and say Rutt's Hut has a reputation well outside North Jersey, appearing on PBS and Food Network programs, and it's listed in the book “1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die.” Earlier this year, the iconic spot closed for a day as crews filmed a scene from the upcoming Sydney Sweeney movie “The Housemaid.”  Now, the ripper — a hot dog — is its signature product and was voted the best hot dog in the country in 2018 It’s a Thumann’s pork-and-beef weiner that’s deep-fried in beef fat until it rips apart or order it plain and smother it with Rutt’s Hut’s homemade relish or mustard roasts (like chicken with apple sauce and roast beef au jus) Some of the items feel like a throwback (liver and onions or the turkey blue plate special) while others feel like a surprise (the Long Island half-duck or beef Nagasaki with filet mignon and shrimp over rice) Part of the appeal of Rutt’s Hut is that it hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1928 some furniture and equipment have been updated and it looks like brick buildings have been tacked on like Legos over the years but the heart of the restaurant — no frills An entire industry of chain restaurants has been built on the appeal of places like Rutt’s Hut Ruby Tuesday’s and the like are simply poseurs but you actually feel (and taste) the difference at Rutt’s Hut it hasn’t manufactured a vibe… it just is one Rutt’s Hut’s authenticity matters to me and I realize it’s an original on the first bite so I’m not going to abuse your time by waxing poetic (any more than I already have) about carnival food with an unexpected and delightful nudge of heat on the back of the tongue Because so many bad hot dogs exist in the world perhaps it’s best to judge this one by what it’s not: flavorless but a well-executed one like Rutts’ Hut’s reminds you how cynical restaurant culture can be: if they’re not giving you crap and expecting you to like it because you don’t know any better they’re trying to convince you that their culinary creations are special and genius and that you should like it because Sometimes — and maybe all the time — an honest chili dog is all you need I’d say the same analysis applies for Rutt’s Hut’s burger: a smashed and crispy beef patty that oozes fat into a soft bun with crisp lettuce and tomato for a satisfying snap PoutineRutt’s Hut serves a version of poutine — fries cheese and gravy — with a thin brown gravy poured over crispy medium-thick potato wedges and topped with a sheet of mozzarella It’s like what you would make if those were the only three ingredients you had at 2 a.m and you were starving: simple but satisfying Onion RingsOnion rings are fan favorites here as well and I appreciated the big hoops of cut onions fried in thick batter and spiced perfectly Things get interesting with the roast duck A half-duck is heavily glazed and served atop a square cake of stuffing and an orange sweet and sour sauce The meat inside is best on the thighs and leg but piling a forkful of meat with a bit of the herbaceous stuffing (which has been soaking up all the juices of duck and sauce) and a dollop of the tangy sauce is a delightful bite and though it’s never been my first thought for dessert A sprinkling of cinnamon goes a long way in enlivening this dish and the flavor — heavy on the vanilla — was so addicting that I eventually had enough bites to come around on the slightly chewy texture of the bloated when Rutt's Hut is famous for its fast food is also the reason for Rutt’s Hut’s appeal plucked from the pages of a 1940s cookbook this exceptional execution of comfort food this feeling of comfort amongst the patrons this feeling that I’ve seen this food before and eaten here even though I haven’t… that’s the point I've resolved that Rutt’s Hut today is likely the same as it ever was Go: Rutt’s Hut. 417 River Road, Clifton; 973-779-8615; ruttshut.com Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. If you have recommendations for other essential North Jersey restaurants for him to visit, go here or email me at mcortina@gannett.com An eighth grader from New Milford’s David E Owens Middle School won the 90th annual North Jersey Spelling Bee at the Bergen County Community College campus in Paramus on Tuesday night Eli Neibart successfully spelled the word xenopus which is a “genus of highly aquatic frogs native to sub-Saharan Africa," as the winning word Neibart will head to Washington D.C. for the 100th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 27-29 North Jersey's second place finisher was Andrii Pleskach an eighth grader from the Bergen Arts & Science Charter School in Garfield an eighth grader from Mahwah’s Ramapo Ridge Middle School .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Mak Ojutiku | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comSophia Diaz throws a five-hitter with five strikeouts and six walks to lead Bayonne in an 11-2 win over North Bergen in Bayonne Caitlin Gaetani went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI for the Bees (9-2) Bayonne jumped ahead early by scoring eight runs in the second inning Payton Maguire and Grace Marafioti recorded a single and an RBI 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) My mom didn't make a lot of home-cooked meals if you'd call a talented person in that regard a "home chef," my mom was a "home preparer," because she was doing more "preparing" than cooking in most of the dinners she served us Here are three meals she regularly whipped up that demonstrate my point: because those three dinners absolutely slapped (and when I slept over friends' houses whose mothers did cook from scratch I was often disappointed by bland bolognese dry pork chops or other underwhelming dishes) The absence of home cooking in my early life always had me wondering what it might be like to experience a made-with-love meal from a mother who genuinely loved cooking — and was really good at it I leaned into my childhood curiosity and visited the homes of multiple North Jersey moms eager to cook me their signature dishes this is The Best Things I Ate This Week: Home Chef Edition There are some dishes you're supposed to eat at the beginning of a meal chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant — you get the idea though I was attending my first Passover Seder I knew it would begin with matzo ball soup (after the vegetables dipped in salt water Like spinach and artichoke dip in TGI Fridays I was sure I'd be getting a hot serving of the beloved starter long before anything else hit the table a West Orange resident who graciously invited me to her family's holiday feast can make a matzo ball soup like nobody's business Podberesky's version showcased perfectly spongy dumplings boasting a flawless balance of carbs and fat Around the balls were equally tender parsnips celery and carrots; and a warm ravine of rich As I watched her scoop a steamy ladle into each bowl I noticed the chicken bones used to craft the broth were still at the bottom of the pot Though none of those remnants were meant to be served to guests (and not one accidentally was) keeping them in the batch allowed the broth — and thus the matzo balls — to become extra saturated with savory I knew I was accepting the invite when the Napoletano family reached out to me and described their mother Cheryl's signature dish as "bacon-wrapped meatloaf." juicy loaf would also be stuffed with cheese when I showed up to their cozy Park Ridge abode I was overwhelmed by the decadence of the creation on the table mozzarella was oozing from the meat onto the board below it The bacon was crisp around the outside of the loaf and beef grease was dripping into the runaway cheese every bite was as indulgent as the visual implied and — by the time I finished — I was positive Cheryl and I were born with the same fat-and-umami-chasing tastebuds not telling (P.S.: Don't message me asking for "Cheryl's address" because you "also live in Park Ridge." P.P.S.: Yes Perhaps to make amends for my younger years my mom recently asked if she could make me a home-cooked meal I left her a Post-it note requesting a Fluffernutter sandwich somewhere between the counter and the cabinet she forgot what I ordered and made me a Biscoff Cookie Butter and Fluff sandwich though it didn't have any peanut butter in it was an absolutely God-tier switch — and one heck of a dinner) in a condo with more plush Easter bunnies than every other residence in the town combined Check out some of my (and others') best articles below ALSO, as always, if you have a signature dish that you think could make my weekly best eats list (or know a family member that does), DM me on Instagram @northjerseyeats