Hawthorne Top Stories
By MEAGAN KANE
January 4, 2026
PARAMUS, NJ — In the early hours of New Year's Day, a heavy house fire on Spring Valley Road displaced a family of five, losing everything as a result.The report came in at approximately 1:50 a.m., according to the Paramus Fire Department. Upon arrival, the fire was extending up the exterior ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ - The Borough Council will hold its annual reorganization meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Borough Hall on Lafayette Avenue when there will be the ceremonious swearing-in of the mayor and three incumbent council members.Mayor John Lane was sworn-in on New Year's Day.“I want to ...
Happy New Year, and my best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy 2026. On New Year's Day I was sworn in as mayor, and I want to thank you for your continued support. I am in my office full-time every weekday, and I welcome your input, your suggestion, your ideas, and your concerns.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Flames ravaged homes in Paramus and Hawthorne before dawn today, one of several overnight New Year's blazes in North Jersey.The fire on Spring Valley Road ignited in the rear and extended to the home just before 2 a.m. Thurs., Jan 1.No injuries were reported.Mutual aid responders included ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ — Hawthorne school officials are moving forward with corrective action plans to address a post-pandemic rise in chronic absenteeism across several district schools, according to a report presented to the Board of Education.The report, prepared by Director of Curriculum and Instruction ...
A 29-year-old Newark man was arrested early this morning and charged with pulling a handgun at the Garden State Plaza last night, Paramus police said. Detective Michael Focarino reviewed surveillance footage that showed Charlie Williams removing the weapon from his waistband and brandishing it ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ - Looking for new activities, even new friends? You likely can find something you're looking for at Hawthorne's public library in the new year.The full schedule of activities includes book club, hand-knitting lessons, live music, and how to de-stress, among others.The Louis Bay 2nd ...
NEW JERSEY — Driving in New Jersey will cost more starting Jan. 1, thanks to increasing fuel taxes and highway, bridge and tunnel tolls.One fee, called the petroleum products gross receipts tax, will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon. For gasoline, that new rate will be 38.6 cents, and for diesel, ...
UPDATE: 9:30pm - TAPinto confirmed that no one was transported to a hospital because of the incident at the Willowbrook Mall. Wayne Police confirmed this….UPDATE 9:05pm: We spotted officers searching the outside of the mall and asked them if they were looking for someone on the run.“No, we're ...
WAYNE, NJ - Reports of a shooting at the Willowbrook Mall have officers from multiple jurisdictions surrounding the mall with sirens blaring. The mall is being evacuated, and the parking lot is emptied. Officers on the scene will not share details, but we just overheard an officer say, “There is an ...
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Prospect Park shall hold the “Annual Reorganization Meeting” on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Prospect Park School No. 1 Gymnasium (94 Brown Avenue, Prospect Park, NJ 07508 - enter through North 9th Street Entrance).FORMAL ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ - It's been a busy and news-filled year locally and TAPinto has been there to cover it in 2025. From our trusty photographers, Lynford Morton and Judy Kopitar, to our municipal and education reporter, Joe Murray, we have worked hard to be in as many places locally as possible. We also ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ — Officials and council members offered praise and reflection as Borough Administrator Eric Maurer delivered his final report, marking the conclusion of a tenure that spanned decades of municipal service.At the December 17 Borough Council meeting, Council President Frank Matthews ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ — Repeated false fire alarms at several locations across Hawthorne drew concern from borough officials, as council members discussed the strain placed on emergency responders and the lack of consequences for properties that repeatedly trigger alarms.At the December 17 Borough Council ...
PARAMUS, NJ — After hearing that two Paramus Police officers recently helped shovel snow for an elderly resident, East Brook Middle Schoolers ensured that their actions did not go unnoticed. A Borough ordinance requires residents to remove snow off of sidewalks within 24 hours after ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ - Due to the snow predicted for Saturday, Dec. 27, Construction & Debris will be canceled at the Recycling Center, according to borough announcement.The next Construction & Debris is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10th.At approximately 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26, total snow ...
Many of you have questions and concerns about affordable housing and overdevelopment in Hawthorne. At Monday’s special Council meeting, Councilman Sciarra presented remarks on the same, and I have attached a copy of his remarks to my letter. I encourage you to read it. I want to thank Councilman ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ — Hawthorne officials provided an update on the borough’s affordable housing obligations during the Borough Council’s Dec. 17 meeting, outlining the legal framework, development pressures, and potential settlement discussions shaping the municipality’s next steps.At the December 17 ...
NUTLEY, NJ - When Township of Nutley Historian John Demmer first saw “A Christmas Story” in 1983, he had no idea it would become a defining part of his life. He watched the film in a theater with his girlfriend at the time — a woman who is now his wife of 40 years.“My dad drove me and my ...
WOOD-RIDGE, NJ — A group of Wood-Ridge High School alumni continue to host an annual football game that gives back to the town's food pantry.The eighth annual Turkey Bowl Tournament was held Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving at Donna Ricker Memorial Field. What started out as a fun pickup ...
PARAMUS, NJ — Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti has announced the arrest of a man for possession of a stolen credit card and fraudulent use of a credit card at the Westfield Garden State Plaza.PPD Anti-Crime Unit officers were patrolling the Westfield GSP on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, around 5 ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ — A request by the Hawthorne Police Department to acquire a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle from the federal government prompted discussion among residents and council members, as questions were raised about public safety needs, infrastructure impacts, cost, and ...
RIDGEWOOD, NJ - The Activities Club recently held it annual Christmas-Hanukkah Party at the Park Loft, where they remembered Peter Liman, former member and Glen Rock resident.The annual event was hosted by Club past president, John McCabe, who is pictured in the photo with the winner of the ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ - The borough's public schools have received a grant to have a cell phone free environment during the school day, according to a state-issued press release. The grant will support Hawthorne in implementing a bell-to-bell policy for all students in grades 6-12, consistent with State ...
HAWTHORNE, NJ - The most jolly of all elves flew through the streets this weekend, escorted by the borough's bravest, Hawthorne Fire Department. The visit is the prelude to Christmas, Thursday, December 25, 2025.A Little Santa History“The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years ...
Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano has spent the past two nights in Bergen County's jail -- and could remain held there through Christmas -- on a fugitive warrant out of Massachusetts.Meanwhile, information has also emerged of a driving-while-impaired stop at the Jersey Shore earlier this ...
This Sunday, December 21, will be the shortest day and the longest night of the year and the beginning of winter. The December solstice will take place at 10:03am. Happy Winter!The Hawthorne High School Performing Arts Club is putting on their first holiday concert tonight at 7pm. They will also be ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Stafford Township Police Department has confirmed the recovery of a 19-year-old male who had been the subject of a massive multi-agency search since late November.The individual was located on the evening of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, bringing a tragic conclusion to ...
A fallen tree on Route 208 near the Glen Rock/Hawthorne border caused havoc during Friday's stormy afternoon rush.At least two cars were struck -- although no serious injuries were reported - and live wires downed on the sourthbound roadway and the nearby Lincoln Avenue bridge shortly after 4 p.m.
HAWTHORNE, NJ – Local officials voiced strong concerns during a recent meeting about state-imposed affordable housing mandates, warning that the requirements could force development far beyond what the borough can sustain. Council members and the borough attorney outlined the scale of the ...