By Chris Neidenberg / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 30, 2010, 10:30 a.m.) — After only 15 months in the position, Robert Anderson has resigned from the school board overseeing Henry P. Becton Regional High School, citing personal reasons.

In a press release the Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional Board of Education issued Monday, July 26, the district announced Anderson, "due to a change in personal circumstances," departed effective Aug. 3. It immediately launched a replacement search.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Chris Neidenberg / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 29, 2010, 4:25 p.m.) — In a development that at least caught some borough officials "off-guard," the state moved recently to finally erect an approximate 800-foot long guardrail parallel to Riggin Field, off Route 17 South, ending a frustrating delay lasting well over two years.

"According to one of our engineers, the guide rail was installed Thursday evening (July 22) at Route 17 and Riggin Field," Fran McCrory, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, stated in an e-mail to The Leader.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

The information below is compiled from local police blotters, as that information is made available, and is not intended to give a full description of every criminal incident in the local area.

DWI, drug bust

EAST RUTHERFORD — Gerson Quinteris, 25, of East Rutherford, and Abel A. Boteo, 23, of Manalapan, were arrested Sunday, July 25 at approximately 2 a.m. following a DWI checkpoint in front of borough hall. A police officer allegedly smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage from inside the 1998 Jeep that Quinteris was driving. When asked to exit the vehicle, Quinteris allegedly was unable to stand without holding onto the Jeep.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete blotter.

The Leader / Staff Report

NORTH ARLINGTON (July 29, 2010, 11:30 a.m.) — Deputy Bergen County Clerk Joyce SanFilippo wrote a two-page letter to North Arlington Mayor Peter Massa and the local governing body Wednesday, July 7, outlining a recent incident in the clerk's office involving Nicholas Antonicello, a well-known Democrat in the borough, and his "unacceptable behavior."

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story and to see a copy of the letter.

By Andrew Segedin / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 29, 2010, 9:45 a.m.) — Tragedy struck in East Rutherford Wednesday, July 21 when a 41-year-old Carlstadt resident was fatally struck by NJ Transit Train 1266 between Paterson and Central avenues. Now, while details of the accident are sorted out, NJ Transit takes on the challenge of helping its crew cope.

“Any fatality on the railway has the potential to have a major impact on those on board,” said NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel. “(In the event of such a tragedy) the crew is immediately released and a relief crew is brought in. Not because the previous crew had done anything wrong, clearly, but because of the sort of emotional toll they take on.”

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Andrew Segedin / Reporter

RUTHERFORD (July 28, 2010, 3:45 p.m.) — With today’s economy in its current distress mode, small, local organizations are as dependent as ever on government aid. But like a harsh ‘catch-22,’ cash-strapped municipalities are simply unable to provide the same level of financial support as they did in years past.

Such is the case with the Rutherford Borough Council, which plans to cut 10 percent of the annual funds (approximately $5,000) allotted to the 55 Kip Center.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Ray Smith / Reporter

WALLINGTON (July 29, 2010) — When Wallington Police Officer Greg Dudzic heard the call from the dispatcher, it was not an ordinary incident.

The report was a choking victim on Wallington Avenue, and for the first time in his almost eight years on the force, Dudzic would be the first on scene to handle this type of situation.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Jennifer Vazquez / Reporter

NORTH ARLINGTON (July 29, 2010) — When locals walk along the streets of North Arlingtion, they are strolling on top of a hidden historical treasure: the Schuyler copper mines.

The origin of these mines dates back to approximately 1713, according to “A Place in History: A Graphic History of North Arlington.” It was during this time that a large stone, later proved to be copper ore, was found near Arent Schuyler’s house, a well-known resident in the area. Mining started roughly a year after the discovery.

The rest is history.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Ray Smith / Reporter

(July 29, 2010) — In 1984, an important piece of legislation slid across President Ronald Reagan’s desk. It didn’t have to deal with the Iran-Contra affair or the Soviet Union. It was, of course, the establishment of National Ice Cream Month.

Since then, National Ice Cream Month has been celebrated every July. In addition, the third Sunday of every July is designated as National Ice Cream Day. Reagan said Americans should observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The Leader took to the streets to see how residents of southern Bergen County made good on Reagan’s goal.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

(July 29, 2010) — Bob Newhart, the legendary stand-up comedian who found tremendous success with two prime-time sitcoms, is a master of deadpan humor. With his clever wit and penchant for hysterical asides, the accountant-turned-comic is part of that elite club of successful performers who deal in the business of funny.

And he’s quite successful at it.

Click the READ MORE link below for The Leader's interview with Newhart.

By Chris Neidenberg / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 27, 2010, 4:50 p.m.) — It’s a process that has taken more than two years, but Councilman Joel Brizzi estimates finishing a brand-new 44-space municipal parking lot, between Boiling Springs and Park avenues, is less than a month away.

“I would say it should be prepared for vehicles to use in less than 30 days,” Brizzi, police committee chairman, said after the council’s July 19 meeting. “We really only have to put in the centralized parking meter to complete the site, but we also have to adopt an ordinance covering the fees and rules for use.”

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 23, 2010, 9:45 a.m.) — The Meadowlands Sports Complex may become an altogether different place if recently released recommendations on the future of East Rutherford's entertainment and sporting facilities come to fruition.

A special advisory commission created by Gov. Chris Christie released a much-anticipated report Wednesday, July 21, detailing the financially-strapped circumstances of New Jersey’s gaming, sports and entertainment venues. The sweeping plans call for a complete overhaul of the present operations and future prospects of the troubled industries.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Chris Neidenberg / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 23, 2010, 8:45 a.m.) — A Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman acknowledged recently that Henry P. Becton Regional High School could lose a $16.6 million airplane noise abatement grant — if new monitoring shows decibel levels now fall below the guidelines required for using the financial outlay.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued to The Leader, Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9) harshly criticized the agency’s decision and vowed to use the weight of his office in trying to make sure Becton can retain the grant, regardless of the results.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Andrew Segedin / Reporter

RUTHERFORD (July 22, 2010) — Downtown Rutherford hosts enough shop and eateries to satisfy even the most profligate shoppers and diners. That is, of course, if they can find a parking space.

“There aren’t many spots in the (Kip Center) garage,” pointed out a Varrelmann’s Bakery employee. “There are a few lower-level spots for meters but a lot of it is reserved for the Kip Center. Most of the rest is permit parking.”

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

The Leader / Staff Report

RUTHERFORD (July 22, 2010, 2:15 p.m.) — One of the well-known turkeys that roamed the Lincoln Woods in Rutherford was killed after an 18-year-old borough resident shot the bird with a bow and arrow Wednesday, July 21, according to Detective Lt. Patrick Feliciano.

The local police department received a call at 6:08 p.m. on July 21 from an eyewitness who allegedly saw the bird shot near West Pierrepont Avenue and Lincoln School in the borough. Two males were allegedly involved in the incident. The eyewitness was able to record the license plate of the vehicle that left the scene. Officers responded, but the male turkey, which was shot in the throat area, eventually died.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Susan C. Moeller / Senior Reporter

LYNDHURST (July 22, 2010, 1:20 p.m.) — The Lyndhurst Board of Commissioners has introduced a budget for 2010. If nothing changes, taxpayers would be asked to pay 11 percent more for municipal services.

But, Mayor Richard DiLascio told residents at the board’s July 13 meeting that the anticipated tax increase would be reduced before the spending plan is finalized.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

Click here for a PDF of the preliminary budget.

The information below is compiled from local police blotters, as that information is made available, and is not intended to give a full description of every criminal incident in the local area.

Burglaries and bicycles

LYNDHURST — A burglary was reported Sunday, July 18 at an office in the 1099 Wall St. West building. There was no sign of forced entry, but a laptop and wireless router were both allegedly missing. The Bergen County Sheriff’s office was called to test for fingerprints. The incident is still under investigation.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete blotter.

By Susan C. Moeller / Senior Reporter

RUTHERFORD (July 22, 2010) — Commuters who want a little peace and quiet on their way to or from work may soon have a better chance of getting it.

New Jersey Transit is testing the implementation of a “Quiet Commute” program on its trains, designating some cars exclusively for those who are willing to forego cell phone use and keep noise at a minimum. To be allowed in the quiet car, patrons must disable the sound on pagers, computers or games, and keep headphone volume low enough to be inaudible to others.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Andrew Segedin / Reporter

RUTHERFORD (July 22, 2010) — Concern rippled down Vreeland Avenue recently as a local committee and residents voiced their apprehension over how curb construction would affect some of Rutherford’s oldest trees.

The curb replacement, which took place on Vreeland between Montross and Mortimer avenues, prompted John Hughes of the Rutherford Shade Tree Committee to send out an urgent message to council members warning them of the dangers of damaging large trees in such close proximity to Lincoln School.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.