Support Surges For Firefighter From Passaic Injured Battling Newark Blaze Support Surges For Firefighter From Passaic Injured Battling Newark Blaze
Support Surges For Firefighter From Passaic Injured Battling Newark Blaze PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. — Support is surging for a Newark firefighter and Passaic County native who was left critical after becoming trapped responding to a blaze last month. More than $19,700 had been raised on a GoFundMe for Paul Leber as of Sunday evening.  Minutes after going into a burning building in Newark's North Ward last month, firefighters were ordered to leave -- but Leber was trapped inside. Although Leber was saved by his firefighter brothers, he suffered burns to his face and lungs. "Leber, 38, was airlifted to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx and was critical for sever…
Hackensack Teacher's New Book Takes On American Divisiveness Hackensack Teacher's New Book Takes On American Divisiveness
Hackensack Teacher's New Book Takes On American Divisiveness HACKENSACK, N.J. — A new book written by Hackensack High School English teacher Christopher Ryan is aimed right at the heart of current national debates driving us further apart each day. 

“It seems everybody in America is mad at or disapproves of some other segment of our cultural landscape,” said Ryan, a New Milford Board of Education member.  “From politics to the media to religion to race to even our own neighbors, these days we disagree more often than we find common ground. What if all this divisiveness continues to tear at the fabric of our society? What will become of America?” 

…
Wayne Girl, 9, Busts Trio Stealing Packages Wayne Girl, 9, Busts Trio Stealing Packages
Wayne Girl, 9, Busts Trio Stealing Packages WAYNE, N.J. — A 9-year-old from Wayne is being credited with catching three men taking packages off her neighbor's porch, NBC reports. Nearly $2,000 worth of designer clothing was snatched by a trio of package thieves – who, in turn, were grabbed by Wayne police, Daily Voice reported this week. Sydney Monello was in her bedroom when she spotted the trio waiting by their car outside of her driveway, the article says. They got outside of the car and looked around, seemingly checking to make sure the coast was clear, NBC says, citing Monello. The 9-year-old's parents said she was overreactin…
Hillsdale Native's Documentary Shines Spotlight On Women In Hollywood Hillsdale Native's Documentary Shines Spotlight On Women In Hollywood
Hillsdale Native's Documentary Shines Spotlight On Women In Hollywood BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. -- A Pascack Valley High school grad is behind a new documentary about women filmmakers and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's investigation of hiring practices in Hollywood. "Half the Picture," by Hillsdale native Amy Adrion, is being screened at the Sundance Film Festival taking place Thursday, Jan. l8 to 28, according to NorthJersey.com. The Bergen County native, who now lives in  Los Angeles,  produced the film with her husband, David Harris. The concept grew out of her own frustrations after graduating from UCLA film school in 2009. Adrion inte…
Happy Birthday To River Vale's Bill Maher Happy Birthday To River Vale's Bill Maher
Happy Birthday To River Vale's Bill Maher RIVER VALE, N.J. — Happy birthday to Bill Maher of River Vale, who turns 62 on Saturday. He was born in New York City on Jan. 20, 1956 and was raised in River Vale, graduating from Pascack Hills High School in Montvale in 1974. He double majored in English and history at Cornell University, graduating in 1978. His father, William Aloysius Maher Jr. was a network news editor and radio announcer, and his mother, Julie (Berman) Maher, was a nurse. He is best known for the HBO political talk show "Real Time with Bill Maher" (2003–present), and is also a comedian, writer, producer, p…
Heroin-Related Route 17 Crash Leaves Daughter Fighting For Only Parent Heroin-Related Route 17 Crash Leaves Daughter Fighting For Only Parent
Heroin-Related Route 17 Crash Leaves Daughter Fighting For Only Parent HACKENSACK, N.J. — The only parent that Hackensack's Lauren Evans has left is her dad -- and barely. The 28-year-old lost her mom when she was five, and on Monday night, her father Bob Evans was left critical after a heroin user hit his car head on on Route 17, Evans said. "My dad has done everything for me. He worked three jobs to support myself and my grandmother," she said. "Dad loves music and has made it his life, attending as many concerts as he could and also becoming a career volunteer at local music theaters.  "My dad is literally the guy who would keep dog bis…
VIDEO: Totowa Teen Helicopter Pilot Sees Endless Horizon VIDEO: Totowa Teen Helicopter Pilot Sees Endless Horizon
Video: Totowa Teen Helicopter Pilot Sees Endless Horizon TOTOWA, N.J. – Lucy Barriga of Totowa sees the world differently than most 16 year olds: That’s because she’s one of the youngest helicopter pilots around. Lucy, who goes by the handle “BluVen,” got interested in flying while watching her dad, Victor, make videos about helicopter aviation. “The view, taking off, listening to the instructor talk on the radio with other pilots – it’s a one-of-a-kind experience for me,” the Passaic County Technical Institute student says. “I know most other kids don't have the same opportunity.” Earlier this week, Victor “Hawk” Barriga beamed as his angel cli…
Like To Cook? Follow This Norwood Instagrammer: 12.8 Thousand Already Are Like To Cook? Follow This Norwood Instagrammer: 12.8 Thousand Already Are
Like To Cook? Follow This Norwood Instagrammer: 12.8 Thousand Already Are NORWOOD, N.J. -- Easy banana pancakes, homemade taco seasoning and penne with vodka are some of the recipes you'll find at @aldentediva, an Instagram account started by Tara Ippolito-Lafontant six years ago. "My brand is simple," says the Norwood resident. "I just want to influence and inspire people to cook; maybe introduce someone to a product or technique they never knew. "I try to post easy recipes anyone can do that will also taste great." It seems to be working. The 35-year-old mom of a six-week-old has 12,800 Instagram followers. Though she's also on Faceboo…
Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table
Teaneck Brothers Find Lost $4M Rembrandt Painting Under Ping-Pong Table TEANECK, N.J˘. — What three Teaneck brothers thought was just another inheritance painting under the ping-pong table in their basement turned out to be a lost Rembrandt recently auctioned off at nearly $4 million, Fox Business reports. The Landau brothers -- Ned, Roger (formerly of Cliffside Park) and Steven -- will tell their story on Fox Business Network's Strange Inheritance on Monday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. The three held an estate sale following their mother's death but held onto a few items they didn't want to give up, the article says. Among them was a painting that "creeped Ned ou…
Bergenfield Mom, Daughter Reveal Bullying's Dark Truths In Short Film Bergenfield Mom, Daughter Reveal Bullying's Dark Truths In Short Film
Bergenfield Mom, Daughter Reveal Bullying's Dark Truths In Short Film BERGENFIELD, N.J. — For Kate Tesoriero, the bullying began in first grade at the Jefferson School in Bergenfield. "Your backpack is ugly and so are you," her peers would say, laughing at her Justin Bieber bag. The normally happy-go-lucky kid was hurting inside, badly.  The cruelty from her peers persisted for years.  But with help from teachers, social workers, therapists, friends and her parents, Katie was able to find a way out. "If your’e in a situation like I was, go get help," the 11-year-old said. "If your parents don’t want to talk or if they’re busy, fi…
Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash
Support Surges For Beloved Dumont Bartender's Niece, Critical After Crash DUMONT, N.J. — The community is rallying around Joe Roberto, a beloved bartender at Dumont's Grant Street. On Tuesday morning, Roberto discovered that his niece -- Liz Smith -- had been in a horrible car accident in Antigua.  She was flown via medical transport Tuesday night from Antigua to Florida with two broken arms, a shattered pelvis, broken femur, broken ankle, broken sacrum and other injuries, Roberto said.  Since Wednesday morning, she’s had two -- six hour surgeries repairing her broken bones and is breathing on her own again. "The doctors are saying Liz’s survival is truly …
Paramus Barber Cares For Newborn, 2-Year-Old As Wife Remains Hospitalized Paramus Barber Cares For Newborn, 2-Year-Old As Wife Remains Hospitalized
Paramus Barber Cares For Newborn, 2-Year-Old As Wife Remains Hospitalized WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. – Less than two weeks after her daughter was born, Danielle Guido of Wood-Ridge suffered a thunderclap headache during a family photoshoot and was rushed to the hospital. “Danielle went into emergency surgery with bleeding on the brain and then was put into a medically induced coma,” states a GoFundMe page created to raise funds for the Lodi elementary school teacher and her family. Doctors told the family that long term side effects could affect her physical health and she will need an unsure amount of rehabilitation, and will remain in intensive care for weeks. “Even the…