.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By John Lewis | For NJ Advance MediaJeremy Ballestas went 2-for-2 with a triple as Ridgefield Park defeated host Cliffside Park The Scarlets (8-7) got RBIs from Emmanuel Paula Cliffside Park fell to 7-9 despite two hits from Victor Freytas John Lewis 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! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) 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 Samsung Electronics and Bank of America led the way in producing vacant space in the market. That comes after the category declined in the second half of 2024 The Chicago-based firm attributed the negative trend to corporate relocations "Relocations by companies including Samsung Electronics and Bank of America resulted in large blocks of office space recently being placed on the market," JLL explained Samsungs' former headquarters in Ridgefield Park was marketed for lease in the first quarter Bank of America is vacating nearly 329,000 square feet in Jersey City Negative net absorption hit 929,800 square feet That's the highest level in minus territory seen since the second quarter of 2023 Over 80 percent of the negative absorption involved Class A industrial assets in the first quarter Leasing wasn't much better; volume was down by 20 percent to 1.9 million square feet "Nearly 60% of Q1 leases were in the 10,000-25,000-s.f as larger sized transactions remained elusive," JLL wrote JLL said that redevelopment or conversions of outdated office buildings will "remain a major theme" in New Jersey This is something that's been universally known to drive down vacancies in the office sector medical and life sciences facilities has fostered the demolition of such buildings to alternative uses," the report said were removed from the office inventory base during the past five years Multifamily and lodging saw "substantial increases," according to Trepp and continued unpredictable actions will likely negatively affect performance The food and beverage category has accounted for a 27% share of all store-based retail sales for over two years Picking the right renters insurance can be a headache This guide will help you find the perfect partner for your multifamily properties so you can boost resident participation and lower your risk Are you noticing unexpected shifts in office occupancy and commuter behavior This report reveals how evolving work patterns are challenging CRE brokers and offers crucial Discover a detailed analysis of office visit fluctuations real-world examples to inform strategic decisions and actionable metrics to guide client advising Commercial property teams are navigating changing times where technology plays a crucial role in operations based on insights from 370 industry professionals and opportunities for CRE technology adoption in 2025 / For questions about GlobeSt.com, please call 800-458-1734 (9:00am-5:30pm ET, Monday through Friday, except holidays), or send an email to [email protected] A professional wrestler suffered a medical emergency and died while performing at an event in Ridgefield Park on Sunday died in a wrestling match at the Knights of Columbus The event was hosted by Brii Combination Wrestling "His passion, dedication, and larger-than-life presence left an unforgettable mark on everyone who knew him," BCW said in a statement on its social media accounts Steele was participating in the "Madness at the Mecca" event on Sunday afternoon competing with three other professional wrestlers "We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Ridgefield Park Police Department who were on the scene within minutes and immediately provided emergency medical assistance Despite their rapid response and the best efforts of first responders The wrestler, also known as Jurassic Juggernaut, had competed with other wrestling organizations such as Coastal Championship Wrestling, which expressed its condolences on social media From his long-standing feud and later partnership with Cha Cha Charlie to his battles with The South American Alliance and Vinicious in the early days of Bash At The Brew There was no one quite like Vince," wrote the wrestling organization Steele was scheduled to wrestle at another event in Ridgefield Park on March 22 a kind soul and a true NYC indie trailblazer friends and all who knew him," said Shadow Wrestling BCW said on social media that it plans to honor Steele and his legacy in the coming days 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 slow-moving system with scattered severe thunderstorms will usher in an unsettled stretch that will linger into next week A look at the sprawling system stretching from Texas to the Northeast It will remain damp with showers and scattered storms on Saturday Updated Story - Unsettled Stretch Arrives: Here's How Long It Will Last It's on track to hit the East Coast overnight Thursday The chance for showers and scattered storms will extend through both Saturday "Instead of the front pressing steadily offshore this weekend, it will slow and stall near the Appalachians," according to AccuWeather. "That will set the stage for clouds areas of rain and embedded thunderstorms over a large part of the Northeast "Many areas are likely to experience a thorough soaking and there is the potential for an inch or more of rain in some locations." Storms are most likely Friday afternoon into Friday night Gabriella Rivera (14) of Ridgefield Park delivers the pitch during the girls softball game between Ridgefield Park and Bergenfield at Ridgefield Park High School in Ridgefield Park 2023.Mile Djordjiovski | For NJ Advance Media .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comIvana Capurso was 3-for-4 with a home run three RBI and three runs scored as Ridgefield Park rolled to a 14-3 victory over Westwood Karylle Culala went 4-for-4 with four runs a RBI and a stolen base for Ridgefield Park (11-1) Mia Monteleone had three RBI and Gabrielle Rivera added a home run and two RBI Two Rottweilers are at the center of a second lawsuit filed against Ridgefield Park and its Police Department saying they didn't do enough to prevent the attacks Gulsen Tamsen said she was "mauled" by Jeffrey D and that "the two dangerous animals" were left to roam Hobart and Sixth streets and Central Avenue The lawsuit said Tamsen and a friend were walking on Central Avenue when the two dogs approached them and attacked her she was attacked "relentlessly" for almost four minutes saying one of the Rottweilers attacked her face removing two portions of her scalp and hair exposing about 20 square centimeters of her skull The suit said she was taken to the hospital with pieces of her scalp in plastic bags Local: Bergen commissioners approve grants for open space, historic preservation, park upgrades Suzanne and Peter Yoscary filed a similar lawsuit last April against mostly the same defendants as the Tamsens the village's Health Department and health inspector the Tamsens' lawsuit included Robinson's landlord and excluded the county Suzanne Yoscary was attacked the same day as Tamsen Ridgefield Park Police Chief Joseph Rella and Village Attorney Philip Boggia did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Tamsen's lawsuit contends that the attacks on April 5 could have been prevented had there been proper training if the Bergen County Animal Control Officer had been contacted if officials had not given Robinson his dogs back on two separate occasions and if the dogs had not been allowed to remain at Robinson's home Robinson was killed in a car crash days after the accused dog attacks on Yoscary and Tamsen Tamsen and Yoscary were not the only people allegedly attacked by the two dogs filed a lawsuit against Robinson and his landlord Feliciano and her dog were attacked in August 2022 The suit was settled in December 2023 with Robinson's estate and Mahal Developers The dogs were also found loose twice on the same day in September 2022 Tamsen's suit said Robinson knew his dogs were unvaccinated untagged and dangerous and posed a threat to members of the community he knew or should have known they were quarantined The suit also said the owners of the property where Robinson lived should have known that the dogs were dangerous to the public and should have maintained and secured the property and its perimeter The lawsuit said members of the Police Department failed to call animal control during the first dog attack in August 2022 and didn't coordinate with animal control to determine whether the dogs were subjected to vicious dog mandates The suit said this negligence created a "risk of harm" to public safety The lawsuit said the department and village failed to supervise workers and teach them how to "properly respond and report dog bite incidents that would create a risk of harm." According to the lawsuit several officers failed to issue Robinson summonses when responding to calls about the dogs being loose and did not contact animal control The suit also accused health inspector Frank DiBenedetto of failing to follow up on the letters sent to Robinson regarding his two dogs after the August 2022 attacks suit costs and reimbursement of medical costs Police in Wayne are asking for the public’s help tracking down two people wanted for shoplifting at a local Walgreens have been charged in connection to a theft at the Walgreens on Valley Road that happened on March 9 The department credited help from the public in identifying the suspects Wayne Police Detective Michael Polifrone has identified and charged Tiffany Vasto… and John Howlett,” Daly said Police are still trying to identify a third woman involved “The other female involved remains unidentified at this time,” Daly said Anyone with information on the suspects’ whereabouts or the identity of the third woman is asked to contact the Wayne Police Detective Bureau at 973-633-3530 Police reminded the public: “The charges against both suspects are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.” .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Steven Bassin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comSenior Gabriella Rivera was brilliant at the plate and in the circle to lead Ridgefield Park to an 8-1 victory over Dumont in Ridgefield Park Rivera starred on the hill with a season-high 15 strikeouts in her complete-game gem Rivera collected two hits and knocked in two runs to lead Ridgefield Park (7-1) to its seventh win of the season Ivana Capurso went a perfect 4-4 at the dish for the Scarlets with two runs scored and an RBI The junior was a home run shy of the cycle Riley Fucci had two hits and two RBI during the victory and Mia Monteleone also knocked in two runs for the Scarlets Eva Gessner drove in the lone Dumont (4-3) run on an RBI single while Gianna Suquilema led the Huskies with two hits at the dish Steven Bassin can be reached at SBassin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @SBassin_Sports The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here As always, please report scores to njschoolsports.com. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription Members of the local law enforcement community are working to support the Ridgefield Park Police Department following the death of officer Steven Fernandez raising money with the goal of creating a memorial or scholarship fund in his honor "The members of the Ridgefield Park Police Department and the Garfield Police Department share a deep and special bond, one that has been strengthened by Detective Steven Fernandez's dedication and spirit," stated a post on Instagram from the Garfield Police Department the Garfield Police Department are committed to standing by their side and offering our support in any way we can." Fernandez, 39 was killed Sunday in a snowmobiling accident A native of Ridgefield Park and a longtime member of the police department Fernandez was described by Chief Joseph Rella as an "amazing person." In the wake of Fernandez's death, the Garfield Police Department and Garfield PBA Local #46 have organized a GoFundMe fundraiser with the goal of establishing a memorial or scholarship fund in Fernandez's honor "ensuring his legacy continues to positively impact the community." Since its creation on Wednesday, the GoFundMe had raised more than $3,000 of its $7,500 goal by Friday afternoon Fernandez joined the Ridgefield Park Police Department in 2015 working in patrol until a year ago when he was reassigned to the detective bureau Fernandez was involved in "anything and everything he possibly could be," actively serving as the PBA president Fernandez volunteered many years with the Ridgefield Park Ambulance Corps and Fire Department He also served as the department's LGBTQ+ liaison an Eagle Scout and a member of the Masonic Lodge "From his early days as an EMT and registered nurse to his exceptional career as a police officer and Ridgefield Park PBA President Steven was a trailblazer who broke barriers and earned the respect of the entire law enforcement community and infectious attitude made him a friend to all," wrote the Garfield PBA on the GoFundMe page sharing that Fernandez will be remembered for his dedication big heart and the positive impact he had on people around him If you would prefer to donate to the fundraiser by way of a check Anthony Koptyra at the Garfield Police Department at 411 Midland Ave. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family friends and our colleagues at the Ridgefield Park Police Department during this incredibly difficult time," the GoFundMe stated .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Mak Ojutiku | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTyler Manarang went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI to lead Cresskill to an 8-7 extra-innings win over Ridgefield Park Ridgefield Park (7-7) forced extra innings with a tying run in the seventh and Cresskill (7-5-1) scored the decisive go-ahead run in the top of the eighth Anthony Santilli and Luke Kopczynski each recorded two hits in the win Jason Alvarado drove in three runs for Ridgefield Park 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) Fundraisers have been organized for a Ridgefield Park couple who lost their home to a three-alarm fire on Christmas morning On the morning of Dec. 25, the Ridgefield Park Fire Department responded to a house fire on Emerson Street. Upon arrival, said a post from the department firefighters began to extinguish a "well involved fire" on the second floor and in the attic of the home One minor injury to a firefighter was reported, and the two residents of the home were displaced. In the days since, the children of the displaced residents have created a GoFundMe campaign to support their parents' recovery our parents Donovan and Terry Blades experienced the horrific tragedy of losing their home in a fire Don and Terry purchased this house in Ridgefield Park and put years of blood sweat and tears to make it their home where they raised their four children and their eight grandchildren for over 45 years," says the GoFundMe page the Bladeses escaped with only the pajamas they were wearing The GoFundMe appeal says they lost all their material belongings along with the decades of memories created in the home Their Christmas traditions over the years make up some of the family's fondest memories "Some of the best memories in that home were our Christmases when we were young," Blades said "My dad would decorate the whole outside with tons of lights and handmade wreaths and bows on every window .. my mom has lights and garland in every room and little glass vintage Christmas trees in the living room windows." "We all decorated the tree with my mom's supervision right after very meticulously stringing the lights We watched 'Christmas Vacation' on repeat and we all shared the same space when normally with such a big family it was hard to get us all in one room." The GoFundMe page describes the Blades household as a welcoming "If you know our parents then you know once you came to the Blades house you were family from that day forward and you also probably know they would rather not ask for help from anyone they always 'make it work' but during this time of transition any help is much needed and greatly appreciated." "On behalf of my parents and siblings I just want to take a second to thank everyone and anyone who has reached out to check on my parents the donations and the will to drop what everyone was doing on their holiday break to lend a hand to help my parents will never go unnoticed," Blades said myself and my siblings are forever grateful for good friends good family and the incredible community that has come together for us during all of this but I will say I’ve never been more proud to call Ridgefield Park my hometown." Blades' brother Aaron echoed her statements in an update on the GoFundMe page Monday thanking everyone for the "outpouring of love and support." Aaron wrote that they are "stocked up" on clothes but are still in need of basic toiletries such as shampoo When a semi-permanent residence is established The page says that anyone with items to donate can contact Aaron Blades or Ashley Blades via Facebook Messenger from the bottom of our hearts the whole Blades Family thanks you all for your kind and generous spirits," wrote Aaron and Ridgefield Park is an amazing village to have grown up in that produces some of the finest people I know the Ridgefield Park Fire Department is working to collect items for the Blades family Requested items include men's medium shirts and tops All items can be dropped off at the office of the chief at 50 Main St Funeral services will be held next week for Ridgefield Park Police Officer Steven Fernandez a village native and longtime member of the department who was killed in a snowmobile crash over the weekend Fernandez, 39, joined the department in 2015. He was described in a post on Facebook by the Ridgefield Park Police Department as a "great cop and an even better person." Police Chief Joseph Rella said Fernandez worked in patrol until a year ago when he was reassigned to the detective bureau Fernandez was injured in a snowmobile crash and he died Sunday as a result of those injuries He was also the department's LGBTQ+ liaison but this is the person that Steve was," the post said "He was as intelligent and knowledgeable as he was caring once you got to know him you knew he was really the life of the party He lived his life to the fullest and was just a person you wanted to surround yourself with Rella said Fernandez was "an amazing person" who was loved by the community as well as his countless friends in the law enforcement community at Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home in Ridgefield Park .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Reed Becker | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comRidgefield Park totaled 12 hits in support of a Riley Fucci four-inning no-hitter in its 18-1 win over Dwight-Morrow in Englewood while Alyssa Mayorga hit a home run with three RBIs Kaylene Romero finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs as well Fucci struck out nine and walked while also scoring two runs Ridgefield Park (10-1) extended its winning streak to five games Reed Becker can be reached at rbecker@njadvancemedia.com The Ridgefield Park Police Department is mourning the loss of Officer Steven Fernandez a village native and longtime member of the department described by the chief as an "amazing person." Fernandez joined the Police Department in 2015 Police Chief Joseph Rella said Fernandez worked in patrol until a year ago Fernandez was injured in a snowmobile accident and he ultimately died as a result of those injuries "At the time of his passing he was the PBA president involved in anything and everything he could possibly be and always represented the agency very well," Rella said in an emailed statement A post on Facebook from the Ridgefield Park Police Department describes Fernandez as a "great cop and even better person." Aside from working as a police officer but this is the person that Steve was," the post says Since the news of his death, police departments, Policemen's Benevolent Association locals and more have taken to social media to express their condolences to Fernandez's family and friends and the village of Ridgefield Park "Rest in peace to our friend and colleague Officer Steve Fernandez. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and the members of the Ridgefield Park Police Department," says a post from the Ridgefield Park Office of Emergency Management our Village is a better place because you were part of it The Ridgefield PBA describes Fernandez as a "beacon of kindness, laughter, and unwavering support" in a post on Facebook adding that his passion for his work and his ability to uplift those around him will be missed respected and cherished friend of the RPPD and law enforcement community," said Rella Information on services has not yet been announced .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Reed Becker | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comRyan Hurley went 2-for-3 with a triple leading Indian Hills to a 12-8 win over Ridgefield Park in Oakland Dylan Biernacki also went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored LJ Renshaw hit a double with an RBI and three runs scored Indian Hills (6-6) will travel to face Hudson Catholic on Saturday while Ridgefield Park (7-6) ends its three-game winning streak and will host Cresskill on Saturday A water main break shut down all westbound lanes of Route 46 east of the Hackensack River Bridge in Ridgefield Park on Tuesday morning, reported the New Jersey Transportation Department The incident comes as snow blankets the region Crews have arrived at the scene and are actively working to fix the break amid the wintry conditions Two-way traffic has been temporarily set up on the eastbound roadway to accommodate drivers Motorists are advised to expect delays and plan alternative routes while repairs are underway There is no immediate estimate for when the westbound lanes will reopen Gabriella Rivera (14) of Ridgefield Park connects with the ball during the girls softball game between Ridgefield Park and Bergenfield at Ridgefield Park High School in Ridgefield Park .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jack McKenna | For NJ Advance MediaGabriella Rivera hit a home run and drove in four runs as part of a 4-for-4 day at the plate to lead Ridgefield Park to a 7-6 victory in eight innings over Pascack Valley in Hillsdale on Thursday Ridgefield Park trailed 6-4 after five innings before scratching across a run in each of the sixth and seventh innings to force extras Rivera also doubled and drew a walk as part of her 4-for-4 showing in the batter’s box Karylle Culala had a strong day at the plate for the visitors as well going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for Ridgefield Park (8-1) Caliana Dembowski drove in one run and came around to score twice for Pascack Valley (7-2) Jack McKenna can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJason Alvardo had a home run with two RBI while going 1-for-3 with a walk as Ridgefield Park-Bogota defeated Mahwah Ryan Lewis was 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI for Ridgefield Park-Bogota (4-3) and Jeremy Ballestas went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI Winning pitcher Julian Panchame struck out five in three scoreless innings of relief 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) A 16-year-old boy from Bergen County was charged Wednesday as the result of an investigation into a shooting in Ridgefield Park that left a 15-year-old girl in critical condition according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office the Ridgefield Park Police Department responded to a report of a person bleeding at a private residence in town officers discovered a 15-year-old girl who suffered from an apparent gunshot wound to the back She was taken to a nearby hospital where she remains hospitalized in critical condition A 16-year-old boy was taken into custody at the scene Local: This signature Japanese dish was the best thing we ate this week Further investigation by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and the Ridgefield Park Police Department revealed that the 16-year-old fired a handgun inside the residence specifically: second-degree aggravated assault second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree possession of a firearm by a minor According to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office he has been placed in the custody of the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center pending further action by the Bergen County Superior Court Family Law Division Home/Firefighting Christmas Day is no different than any other day for volunteer and career firefighters. Volunteers leave their homes and families to answer alarms. Career firefighters leave their homes and families before sunrise to report to the firehouse for a 24-hour tour. They spend holidays with their second family at “the house.” volunteer and career firefighters joined forces to battle a stubborn dwelling fire in Ridgefield Park the village volunteer fire companies were toned out for a fire on Emerson Street. They arrived to find heavy fire venting out of second floor windows of a 2 ½-story with flames breaking through the roof. The sidings on Exposure “B,” separated by a driveway a second alarm was sounded bring in local volunteer and career companies. The came from the Bogota Volunteer Fire Department and the career departments of Teaneck This part of New Jersey is known for its many overhead wires. The local utility company was called in to secure the utilities. Ridgefield Park Truck 2 was positioned to set up its aerial ladder below wires to stretch a hoseline to the attic area to quell visible flames many comments were heard in the street referring to the holiday. “My kid is three and going crazy!” “I was just getting the food out.” “I’m getting old.” but the firefighters did their jobs and worked together Mutual-aid firefighters that have worked together many times in the past No firefighters or residents were seriously injured the son of former Ridgefield Park head football coach Bob Morris was approved as new head coach of the Scarlets by the district’s Board of Education this week For the last seven seasons Dan has been an assistant coach at River Dell working on the defensive side of the ball He has been a teacher and at Ridgefield Park for the last 20 years and was the head football coach at Ridgefield for two seasons He’s also coached track at Ridgefield Park Bob guided the Scarlets from 1977-1987 leading the program to a pair of league titles and five playoff appearances The opportunity for Dan to be a head coach again where he also teaches was too good an opportunity to miss when you’re able to coach where you teach it’s such an advantage for you,” said Dan The Scarlets finished 3-5 last season playing in the Super Football Conference’s Ivy Division a subset of the conference for teams trying to rebuild their numbers and competitiveness Dan is working on building his staff and is meeting with the team next week “Our message will be real simple: it’s on them If they commit and have discipline we will be all right but they have to have the discipline to show up and battle through adversity,” Dan said We will do this the right way and build a foundation that can sustain this program for years to come.” Dan said one of his first goals is to try to increase participation in the Scarlets program one of the oldest and proudest in North Jersey “I know we’re not the only school to have this program obviously the Ivy League has gotten bigger with teams,” Dan said but when I speak to the staff and our administrators I say I know it would be a bad thing if Ridgefield Park didn’t have football we were one of the first schools in this area to play night games This was the place to be for a long time.” but remembers going to games when his father was the coach at Ridgefield Park “We will do what we have to do to make sure that this program is healthy,” Dan said “One of my goals is within two years I want to try to get a full freshman team Once we start seeing a consistent freshman class we can start moving out of the Ivy…but we won’t rush anything We want this to be a solid foundation before we make any moves.” 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 Samsung Electronics America is leaving Ridgefield Park after announcing Thursday that it would move its headquarters to Englewood Cliffs ecofriendly campus on Sylvan Avenue that was renovated just six years ago — with a planned move to Hoboken next spring Whether Samsung will take over that space was not clear from Thursday’s announcement despite the timing of the moves and the two high-profile announcements by the blue-chip companies in the same week “The move marks an exciting new chapter, and we are proud to continue to operate in Bergen County,” a Samsung spokesman told multiple outlets, including ROI-NJ, NJBIZ and NorthJersey.com which was the first to report on Samsung’s pending move has been based at Overpeck Corporate Center since 1991 and housed more than 1,000 employees across multiple buildings at the campus It signed a lease in 2009 in which it would move from 105 Challenger Road to 85 Challenger Road part of former owner KABR Group’s high-profile turnaround of the 60-acre office park which has also invested millions of dollars in its space signed a 235,000-square-foot lease extension at 85 Challenger in 2019 is leasing its new 111,000-square-foot space in downtown Hoboken under a deal with SJP Properties The consumer goods company will occupy three full floors at 111 River St. also known as Waterfront Corporate Center I KABR touts 235,000 sq. ft. extension by Samsung, success of Ridgefield Park campus 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 Greek Real Estate Partners has gained a seal of approval for one of its key divisions thanks to a new accreditation from the Institute of Real Estate Management 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 .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Matt Bove | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comRyan Lewis and JD Fucci combined to pitch a shutout for Ridgefield Park in its 7-0 win over Dwight-Morrow in Ridgefield Park Lewis allowed one hit over four innings with seven strikeouts and three walks while Fucci gave up two hits with four walks and one walk in three innings Justin Maldonado and Emmanuel Paula drove in two runs each in the victory Ridgefield Park has won three straight games to improve to 7-5 The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription Matt Bove can be reached at mbove@njadvancemedia.com TEDESCO PRESENTS $245K IN OPEN SPACE FUNDING TO RIDGEFIELD PARK Funding will support Hunter Park sports courts resurfacing and property acquisition for Ridgefield Park Nature Preserve Above: County Executive Jim Tedesco joined by County Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz and Kenneth Aloisio presenting a ceremonial check to Ridgefield Park Mayor Adam MacNeill and Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission Chair Steve Quinn N.J.) – County Executive Jim Tedesco and members of the Board of Commissioners recently presented a ceremonial check for $245,026 from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund (OSTF) to Ridgefield Park Mayor Adam MacNeill and members of the Village Commissioner Board The Village of Ridgefield Park received grants for a property acquisition and a municipal park improvement The property acquisition project received $120,000 to acquire two properties to help expand the footprint of the Ridgefield Park Nature Preserve The other $125,026 will fund renovations at Hunter Park including the resurfacing of sports courts and the installation of new fencing “The Bergen Open Space Grant Program is one of the greatest tools in our arsenal to advance our shared goals of protecting the environment and preserving open space for future generations to enjoy,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco “My administration remains committed to supporting our partner municipalities through this program and I look forward to celebrating the completion of these projects in the months and years to come.” “We are grateful for the support from County Executive Tedesco and the Bergen County Board of Commissioners in securing these critical funds for Ridgefield Park and for their commitment to preserving and improving open spaces across Bergen County,” said Ridgefield Park Mayor Adam MacNeill “This funding will not only enhance Hunter Park for our residents but also allow us to expand the Ridgefield Park Nature Preserve which is a treasured resource in our community.” Bergen CountyOne Bergen County PlazaHackensack County Executive – 201-336-7300 County Commissioners - 201-336-6200 Prosecutor's Office - 201-646-2300 Sheriff’s Office – 201-336-3500 Surrogate’s Office – 201-336-6700 County Clerk – 201-336-7000 Constituent Hotline – 201-336-7330 Facebook Twitter Instagram 2025 at 11:39 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Steven Hernandez (Ridgefield Park Police Department)BERGEN COUNTY NJ — Family and colleagues are mourning a Ridgefield Park Police Officer who died in a snowmobile accident in Upstate New York over the weekend The State Police in New York said on Monday that just after 2 p.m. they responded to the rail trails in Harrietstown to investigate an injured person was airlifted to the University of Vermont Medical Center Investigators determined that Fernandez was traveling west on the trail Saranac Lake Fire and Rescue were already administering aid to Fernandez Fernandez's mother posted on Facebook on Saturday that she didn't usually post private information but that her son was being treated at a hospital in Vermont due to an accident Later she posted an update: "My heart is broken." police around the area praised Fernandez for his hard work He was appointed as the department's LGBTQ+ liaison in 2023 "As the department’s first openly gay male police officer I hope that I can help strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community," he wrote on social media Ridgefield's police union said Sunday Steve’s passion for his work and his ability to uplift those around him will be deeply missed As we navigate through this difficult time let’s honor his memory by cherishing the moments we shared and the impact he had on our lives." The Ridgefeld Park Police Department posted a longer message on Monday "As the information traveled throughout our department so did the raw emotions because such a loss is often too much to process." "The amount of love and support we have received from everyone is extraordinary .. Steve was a great cop and an even better person His strong ties to our small community where he grew up are unmatched he volunteered many years with the Ridgefield Park Fire Department and Ridgefield Park Ambulance Corp and member of the Masonic Lodge...One final thought Tell your people you love them because you never know when your day will come "I want to make a difference," Fernandez posted in 2022 as he raised funds through the Police Unity Tour for officers killed in the line of duty Fernandez had celebrated his birthday just ten days ago "What an incredible person you have grown up to be." 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 and the County Parks Department are excited that tennis and pickleball courts are now open for the 2025 season “We’re very excited to be opening our County pickleball and tennis courts a little earlier this season,” said County Executive “Our parks system provides our residents with spaces to stay active and enjoy the outdoors I encourage everyone to take advantage of our incredible facilities and make the most of this beautiful spring weather!” “Bergen County’s pickleball and tennis courts are now open for the season marking a fresh start for outdoor recreation in our community,” said Commissioner Steven Tanelli “These facilities offer a new space for residents to explore their skills and enjoy active play in a relaxed setting It’s gratifying to see yet another opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the joys of the season.” Enjoy the action with the whole family at any one of our 7 courts located at these County parks: Courts are open from 8AM-9PM and first come For questions and more information on the various County owned & operated sports courts, please visit: https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/parks A professional wrestling show in New Jersey got all too real on Sunday as wrestler Vince Steele died after suffering a heart attack during a match suffered a medical emergency during the performance for Brii Combination Wrestling (BCW) at a Knights of Columbus on Bergen Avenue in Ridgefield Park Steele allegedly collapsed during a four-way match The venue regularly plays host to independent wrestling shows BCW thanked the Ridgefield Park Police Department "who were on the scene within minutes and immediately provided emergency medical assistance," the promotion said "Despite their rapid response and the best efforts of first responders and we ask for patience and respect as we process this tragedy," BCW said "We will share more details in the coming days on how we plan to honor Vince’s incredible legacy." Coastal Championship Wrestling confirmed Steele's passing in a statement "We are heartbroken to learn about the passing of 'The Jurassic Juggernaut' Vince Steele," it reads Two juveniles from Bergen County and another from New York are accused of making swatting calls that threatened school shootings at Lincoln Elementary School in Fairview and Ridgefield Park Junior/Senior High School last month Fairview Police Department and Ridgefield Park Police Department investigated calls that were made to the schools which threatened shooting at both locations along with the Bergen County Regional SWAT team ensured the safety at the schools while officials from the BCPO investigated the tracing of the calls said the press release Friday from the BCPO The callers used "technology to anonymize their caller ID." The calls were deemed a "hoax" and no actual threat existed at either school Info: What's open and closed on Presidents Day 2025? Info on banks, the post office and more A 16-year-old and 15-year-old from Bergen County are accused of being the source of the calls Each person is being charged with juvenile delinquency including two counts of second-degree false public alarm and two counts of third-degree terroristic threats The three juveniles were located between Feb They were released into the custody of their respective guardians pending further actions by the Bergen County Superior Court Family Law Division who died after sustaining a medical emergency during a match in Ridgefield Park on Sunday was a fixture in the New Jersey wrestling scene was wrestling a four-way match for Brii Combination Wrestling at a Knights of Columbus on Bergen Avenue According to PWInsider, the referee called for the bell and another referee began administrating CPR and did not stop administering aid until an ambulance arrived 23 minutes after it was called "We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Ridgefield Park Police Department, who were on the scene within minutes and immediately provided emergency medical assistance," BCW said "Despite their rapid response and the best efforts of first responders and we ask for patience and respect as we process this tragedy We will share more details in the coming days on how we plan to honor Vince’s incredible legacy." A fundraiser has been launched by his sister for the family of Steele to assist with funeral arrangements and provide care for his children "He departed unexpectedly and so suddenly doing exactly what he loved to do and that was wrestle," Noelle Rosa "I love you, my brother, Vince Steele," wrestler TJ Marconi wrote you were the first guy to 'put me over.' Since then so we played the game pretending to hate each other because there’s only room for "one best big man." And we had everyone fooled Mancini said he and Steele would smile when everyone assumed they really hated each other And I know you’re watching over your family guiding and protecting them just like you did here on Earth It has opened my eyes in ways I never imagined I beg you normalize getting routine heart tests and checkups To view the fundraiser, click here. To view the PWInsider story, click here. Funeral arrangements have not been publicly announced Every week during the school year, North Jersey school districts nominate outstanding students for recognition in The Record and on NorthJersey.com we announce the top two vote-getters as students of the week featuring their stories online and in print in The Record on Sundays and in our weekly newspapers Here are the two deserving winners for this week: Jillian is the student government president and an outstanding leader in her school She has been instrumental in planning events and being a role model for younger students Melanie is a student who consistently goes above and beyond in all aspects of her academic and extracurricular life She approaches every task with dedication and a positive attitude ensuring that all her work is completed to the highest standard Melanie is also an active participant in the Drama Club and Surfing Club at school where she has shown enthusiasm and leadership Her involvement in these activities demonstrates her well-roundedness her commitment to exploring different interests and working as part of a team Melanie’s commitment to making a difference is inspiring She is an active member of the Navigators Adaptive Sports Club where she not only participates but has also taken a leadership role by spearheading a campaign to raise awareness for the cause Her passion and dedication to supporting the adaptive sports community are evident and she is making a real impact in bringing attention to this important cause 2024 BERGEN COUNTY FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL COMES TO OVERPECK COUNTY PARK NJ) – Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco III the Bergen County Board of Commissioners the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Bergen County and the Bergen County Department of Parks & Recreation invite the public to celebrate the beginning of autumn with the 2024 annual Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival The festival will take place on Friday at Overpeck County Park (199 Challenger Rd The Fall Harvest Festival has been an autumn staple in Bergen County for years The event will feature 4-H and Master Gardener displays and exhibits educational and hands-on activities for children “This year’s Fall Harvest Festival at Overpeck County Park promises to be a wonderful celebration of our community with something for everyone to enjoy,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco “We invite families from all over Bergen County to come together and experience the best of autumn with music "The Fall Harvest Festival is a cherished Bergen County tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the season,” said County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur “From local vendors to live music and carnival fun We’re excited to welcome families and neighbors to Overpeck County Park for a weekend of autumn festivities The event will feature two free music concerts: band JP Patrick–Jonny Feds & Friends will take the stage at The Amphitheater at Overpeck County Park and special guest Steve Gottleib will stun the audience with their musical magic this band breathes new life into everyone’s old favorite songs the iconic Frankie Goes to Dollywood will take the stage at The Amphitheater at Overpeck County Park they’ve woven the different genres of country western Frankie Goes to Dollywood’s performance is going to be a highlight of the fall The audience will hear classic hits like they have never heard them before Friday night is wristband night where attendees can pay one price for unlimited rides on all of the carnival rides from 6-9pm The Bergen County Office of Food Security will be accepting donations at the festival so attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate The concerts are made possible in part by the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts For festival info and a schedule of events, visit the Bergen County 4-H Facebook page Jake Ellis (15) of Hoboken steals the ball away from Jordan Impalli (3) of Ridgefield Park during the NJSIAA North Jersey quarterfinal round boys basketball game at Hoboken High School in Hoboken .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Tyler Duffy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJake Ellis had 23 points and four steals to help give fifth-seeded Hoboken a 66-61 victory over 13th-seeded Ridgefield Park in the quarterfinal round of the North 2 Lamir Boxley added 15 points for Hoboken (20-8) Hoboken trailed 36-35 at halftime before going on a 31-25 run in the second half to earn the victory Erind Kukaj contributed 16 points for Ridgefield Park (14-14) Hoboken will face the winner of top-seeded Caldwell against eighth-seeded West Morris in the semifinal round Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) (edited) Rachael Magalhaes has always been a leader "She's got that old school drive in her," coach James Seuss said "She shows up every day wanting to win every drill She loves to win and work hard all the time." She even makes up the team's pregame playlist "I like all kinds of music," said Magalhaes who said her favorite performer is Canadian singer/songwriter Party Next Door you can see Magalhaes seemingly everywhere you look "I have a hustle mentality that every ball on my side of the court is mine," said Magalhaes "My teammates trust me to be there on defense and I try to always get to where I'm supposed to be." "She's like the quarterback on the court for us," Suess said "She's in charge of the defense and makes my job much easier because of how she does her job." who calls being with her teammates every day the best part of playing the sport sisters and my best friends on and off the court," she said Magalhaes grew up playing volleyball for recreation but didn't start taking it seriously until she was in seventh grade playing middle school volleyball in the COVID-shortened 2020 season "I loved playing it on the beach or playing pepper in the backyard I took some lessons from (former Bogota star and European professional player) Julia Topor and really began to like it," Magalhaes said adding club volleyball with the North Jersey Volleyball Club in North Haledon a year ago "I really wasn't thinking about playing in college the more I realize I don't want to stop playing when I graduate," she said But she still finds time to wrestle and throw the javelin and I try to be as aggressive there as I can," said Magalhaes who also won the Big North American league title in the javelin last spring she likes to binge watch television shows and movies a 21st century combination of Paint by Numbers and Bedazzled "I'm a little artsy and this is something I do when I need a break from sports," she said Accomplishment: She led the Scarlets to three wins in four games and clinched a home game in the Bergen Invitational Tournament Also nominated: Audrey Marnick of Wayne Hills for gymnastics Ridgefield Park house fire on Christmas morning The blaze was reported at approximately 11 a.m Footage shared to social media shows smoke billowing from the home Further information had not been released as of 4:45 p.m The body of Ridgefield Park Police Officer Steven Fernandez was escorted back to New Jersey on Tuesday Loving shows Ridgefield Park Officer Steve Fernandez's body being escorted home Wednesday Loving shows Ridgefield Park Officer Steve Fernandez's body being escorted home Wednesday Video of the procession was captured at the Route 17 Park & Ride in Ridgewood by Boyd A The clip shows dozens of law enforcement vehicles traveling in the southbound lanes The procession traveled along Route 17 through New York into New Jersey ending at approximately 4 p.m died following a snowmobile accident over the weekend in upstate New York Services are being handled by the Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home in Ridgefield Park The Ridgefield Park Police Department penned a heartwrenching tribute to Fernandez calling him a "great cop and an even better person," and "as intelligent and knowledgeable as he was caring." — A pair of winning tickets split the $162,958 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the April 21 drawing marking the game’s 18th jackpot win of the year One ticket was sold at 7-Eleven #29984 located at 231 Main Street in Ridgefield Park The other was sold through the Jackpocket digital lottery courier service Both the 7-Eleven and Jackpocket will receive $2,000 retailer bonuses for selling the winning entries 35 players matched four out of five numbers plus the Bullseye The New Jersey Lottery continues to encourage players to check their tickets and claims can be made at authorized locations or through lottery channels © 2008-2025 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd NJ Advance Media file photoScott Faytok | NJ Advance Media .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Tyler Duffy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJordan Impalli had 15 points to help give Ridgefield Park a 63-47 victory over Dumont in Dumont Parker Choea contributed 11 points and Cameron Hanna added 10 points for Ridgefield Park (9-11) and went on a 28-22 run in the second half while allowing just eight points in the third quarter 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) (edited) NJ Advance Media file photoMatt Kipp | For NJ Advance Media .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Tyler Duffy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comYoussef Toure and Robert Gomez each notched a double-double to help give Ferris a 53-39 victory over Ridgefield Park in Ridgefield Park Toure had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Gomez had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Ferris (9-6) Jaycob Salazar contributed a team-high 15 points for Ferris in the victory Erind Kukaj had 16 points for Ridgefield Park (7-8) .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comCameron Hanna scored 20 points as 13th-seeded Ridgefield Park upended fourth-seeded Lyndhurst Mark Martinez had 18 points for Ridgefield Park (14-13) Erind Kukaj added 12 points and Jordan Impali had 10 Ridgefield Park goes to fifth-seeded Hoboken in the quarterfinals on Monday while Avery Cano and Liony Lopez added 13 apiece The Ridgefield Park Police Department is mourning the loss of Steven Fernandez a very well-liked officer who was killed in a snowmobiling accident over the weekend Ridgefield Park Police Department Officer Steven Fernandez was heading west on snowmobiling trails in Harriestown Saranac Lake Fire and Rescue were rendering aid to Fernandez who was airlifted to the University of Vermont Medical Center The RPPD penned a heartbreaking tribute to Fernandez calling Fernandez a "great cop and an even better person." the word has traveled throughout the State and beyond about the sudden passing of one of our own Officer Steven Fernandez #164 who was involved in a tragic accident over the weekend As the information traveled throughout our department so did the raw emotions because such a loss is often too much to process "The amount of love and support we have received from everyone is extraordinary We have seen and appreciate all of the posts Although we are all very much grieving and trying to come to terms with this new reality it’s comforting to know that we have everyone’s support "Steve was a great cop and an even better person we also send our heartfelt condolences to his family and everyone else whose life he has touched upon a perfect worker and a kind soul who we will miss every single day Steve would want us to celebrate his life and not mourn his death Fernandez joined the police department in 2015 Fernandez was appointed the department's LGBTQ+ liaison I hope that I can help strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community," he said at the time "I’m fortunate to work for a department where my fellow officers and administration have been nothing but supportive I look forward to working with the community and my fellow officers to continue to bridge the gap.” Fernandez worked as a registered nurse at Hackensack Meridian University Medical Center The RPPD's PBA remembered Fernandez as "a beacon of kindness Steve’s passion for his work and his ability to uplift those around him will be deeply missed." The news of Fernandez's passing spread extreme shock and sadness "You were always a gentleman and I rarely saw you without a smile on your face," a former colleague wrote "I’m glad you got to live your dream out in becoming a police officer I hope your friends and family find comfort in knowing how highly people who knew you thought about you "One of the most genuine sonsabitches around," another friend added "Not the news anyone wants to wake up to… ever 1/35Boys Basketball: Hoboken vs Ridgefield Park, N2G2 Quarterfinals, March 3, 2025.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By John Jones | 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 The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Riley Fucci (11) of Ridgefield Park slides to this base safe before Celine De La Rosa (8) of Bergenfield can collect the ball during the girls softball game between Ridgefield Park and Bergenfield at Ridgefield Park High School in Ridgefield Park .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Craig Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comRiley Fucci pitched a complete game with four hits and seven strikeouts as Ridgefield Park defeated Cliffside Park 14-1 in Cliffside Park Ridgefield Park (5-0) took a 6-1 lead into the top of the seventh inning before adding eight more runs Kaylene Romero went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one run while Karylle Culala finished 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs A Ridgefield Park family is grappling with unimaginable loss after a three-alarm fire destroyed their home of more than 45 years on Christmas morning The Blades family lost 45 years of memories in a flash when their house was destroyed by a Christmas fire Donovan and Terry Blades narrowly escaped the flames that engulfed their house on Emerson Street, leaving them with nothing but the pajamas they were wearing, according to a GoFundMe launched by their son leaving their home uninhabitable and claiming all their belongings but the emotional and material losses have been devastating "They have lost all of their material belongings including clothing the 45+ years of memories created in this home cannot be replaced." The Blades family is known in their community for their hospitality and generosity “We ask for continued prayers for our parents and family,” Aaron shared any help is much needed and greatly appreciated.” The GoFundMe campaign aims to help Donovan and Terry rebuild their lives Those interested in donating items can contact Aaron or Ashley Blades via Facebook Messenger for coordination Click here to donate to the Blades family. The family also encourages supporters to share the link to spread the word