LYNDHURST (July 17, 2009, 4:35 p.m.) — Tonight, July 17, at 7 p.m., Bob Miranda and The Happenings, who exploded onto the national charts with hits such as “See You in September,” “Go Away Little Girl” and “I Got Rhythm,” will perform. (Read The Leader's interview with Miranda here).

At 9 p.m., the beautiful and ever-exciting Darlene Love, who recorded the gold records “He’s a Rebel,” “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “The Boy I’m Gonna Marry” will perform. Love recently finished a 2 1/2-year Broadway run in “Hairspray” and has appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman Show." (Read The Leader's interview with Love here).

By John Soltes
Editor-in-Chief

RUTHERFORD (July 16, 2009, 4:35 p.m.) — A Rutherford resident was involved in a single-car collision with a tree on Washington Avenue near Maple Street at approximately 1 p.m. today, July 16, according to Detective Michael Garner.

Responding police officers removed the driver from the damaged white Saturn. The driver suffered lacerations and was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center.

By John Soltes
Editor-in-Chief

RUTHERFORD (July 16, 2009, 1 p.m.) — Rutherford police arrested a 24-year-old Newark man Tuesday night, July 14, for allegedly brandishing a sawed-off shotgun during an altercation on East Passaic Avenue.

Police received a call at approximately 11 p.m. of a fight between two men at a house on East Passaic. The fight was broken up before police arrived, according to Rutherford Detective Michael Garner, and one of the men involved left the house, along with his girlfriend.

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(July 16, 2009, 11:15 am.) — This week, Chris Neidenberg looks at the controversy over the recent graduation ceremony at Becton Regional High School. School board officials are upset at what they deem "inappropriate" behavior. One trustee on the board of education has even suggested the possibility of canceling future commencement exercises.

Read the entire story here.

Then vote in the new poll from The Leader: Is Silly String inappropriate at graduation ceremonies?

By Alexis Tarrazi
Senior Reporter

CARLSTADT (July 16, 2009, 10:40 a.m.) — Described as the “friendly little German village on the hill” by many historians, Carlstadt is a quiet, peaceful oasis of a community. But what truly lies beneath the hilly borough is still a mystery.

Formerly known as Mighecticock, New Barbados, Lodi, Moonachie, Peach Island and Bergen Township, before finally being dubbed Carlstadt, the borough is the home of several large tunnels and caves beneath its soil. “It’s interesting because no one really knows specifically what they were built for,” Carlstadt Mayor William Roseman said. “They are pretty extensive and go pretty deep.”

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EAST RUTHERFORD (July 16, 2009, 9:20 a.m.) — The Borough of East Rutherford announces the continuation of its free summer concert series. Opening night was a huge success for the inaugural season of the new Sesselman Park and band shell. The crowd response was overwhelmingly positive. The opening act was the "B Street Band," playing the best of Bruce Springsteen. "It's a tremendous difference from the former parking lot site," one resident was quoted as saying.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete press release.

By John Soltes
Editor-in-Chief

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS (July 15, 2009, 4 p.m.) — A Hasbrouck Heights police officer was struck and dragged by a car last night, July 14, right near the newly-opened SONIC Drive-in on Route 17 just north of the Wood-Ridge border.

Because of the accident, police have arrested 23-year-old Daniel Yi, of Hackensack, and charged him with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree eluding in a motor vehicle and a fourth-degree driving without a driver's license offense.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

RUTHERFORD (July 15, 2009, 1:45 p.m.) — Although summer officially started last month, the real summer fun can be found in the Borough of Trees.

The Rutherford Downtown Partnership and The Leader Newspapers are sponsoring "Dining Under the Stars," where outdoor tables will line Park Avenue — which will be closed from Paisano's restaurant north to Ames Avenue — almost every Thursday in July (upcoming dates include the 16th, 23rd and 30th). Local restaurants will serve patrons both inside and outside their establishments. And strolling musicians will entertain the guests from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete press release.

(July 15, 2009, 1:10 p.m.) — What was once just a simple concert with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1990, has turned into the “Musical Extravaganza” of the entire season. Commissioner of Parks Thomas DiMaggio has put together the best array of entertainment in the entire tri-state area this year. After his endless work in creating one of the most magnificent parks in New Jersey, he started planning for this year’s 20th anniversary of “Music under the Stars.” This year’s four-day array of colossal entertainment will be something special, celebrating what has become “The Event.”

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete press release.

By Susan C. Moeller
Senior Reporter

RUTHERFORD (July 15, 2009, 11:20 a.m.) — With a $1 million budget gap still hanging over the head of Rutherford, the local borough council has chosen to look into the possibility of laying off  police officers.

The council decided at a special meeting Tuesday, July 14 to issue notice to every police department employee, informing them that the status of their employment with the borough will be discussed at another special meeting. The "Rice notices" are required whenever employees' jobs will be discussed.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Alexis Tarrazi
Senior Reporter

NORTH ARLINGTON (July 15, 2009, 10:55 a.m.) — Cherokee Investment Partners, an affiliate of failed developer EnCap Golf Holdings, LLC, may have left North Arlington, but its ghost will linger in the borough until 2025 when the final taxpayer-financed check will be issued to the company.

After a long and strenuous legal battle, the fight between North Arlington and EnCap is over. The only thing remaining is a bill in the amount of $2.4 million plus interest.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Alexis Tarrazi
Senior Reporter

CARLSTADT (July 16, 2009) — Elegantly dressed in frills, tights and lace-tied shoes, Denise Kimak can gracefully tiptoe across any stage. But once she changes into her polished shoes, pressed uniform and grabs her badge and gun, she becomes a police officer many women would envy.

Kimak, a local resident, is the first and only female officer to ever walk the blue line in Carlstadt.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Alexis Tarrazi
Senior Reporter

NORTH ARLINGTON (July 16, 2009, 2:20 p.m.) — Although he sped through the streets of North Arlington and Kearny in a stolen vehicle, Matthew Policarpo didn’t get very far Friday, July 10, as he soon enough crashed into a police vehicle and was arrested, according to authorities.

North Arlington Police Lt. John Hearn said a call came in at 2:02 a.m. by a Newell Place resident reporting a motor vehicle theft in progress.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Susan C. Moeller
Senior Reporter

LYNDHURST (July 18, 2009) — The “www” in Web addresses might stand for “World Wide Web,” but its use by officials in Lyndhurst and Rutherford is decidedly local, and as far as municipal governments go, a bit avant garde.

Lyndhurst is using the popular networking sites Twitter and Facebook to publicize events in town, while Rutherford is making free audio recordings of council meetings available via its Web site — an alternative to the $15 CDs available through the clerk’s office.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Susan C. Moeller
Senior Reporter

RUTHERFORD (July 16, 2009) — If one local historian gets his way, the intersection of Park Avenue and West Passaic Street in Rutherford will be renamed to honor the architect who conceived the trio of structures located there.

Edgar I. Williams, Rutherford resident and brother of the famed poet William Carlos Williams, designed the library, post office and World War I monument that sits between them.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By John Soltes
Editor-in-Chief

LYNDHURST (July 16, 2009) — Friday night, July 17, Darlene Love will take the stage at Lyndhurst’s annual “Music Under the Stars” event, and according to the singer, who talked with The Leader recently, the night should be one to remember.

“We’re going to do a little bit of everything,” Love said. “Of course, we’re going to do the old ones.”

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Colleen Reynolds
Reporter

WOOD-RIDGE (July 16, 2009) — The Wood-Ridge Memorial Library attracts scores of bibliophiles, job hunters and local students every day. Now that it’s summertime in a penny-pinching recession, circulation is anything but sluggish for its 43,000-item collection, which includes books, audio books, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Susan C. Moeller
Senior Reporter

LYNDHURST — The contract for Lyndhurst teachers expired June 30, and a new version is not yet ready to take its place. Until a new settlement materializes, the teachers’ salaries and benefits will continue to be governed by the expired document.

A new contract will be formulated by representatives from the teachers’ union and the board of education. “They’ve been negotiating,” confirmed Assistant Superintendent of Schools Tracey Stellato. “Everything’s been going really well.”

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Alexis Tarrazi
Senior Reporter

HACKENSACK (July 16, 2009) — The copper figure known as “Enlightenment Giving Power,” which is prominently displayed on top of the Bergen County Courthouse’s rotunda dome, can be seen stretching up into the painted blue and white sky.

The copper figure is just one of the marveling aspects that locals can catch a glimpse of as they meander their way through Bergen County’s new court tour.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

By Chris Neidenberg
Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 13, 2009, 2:45 p.m.) — District officials have essentially given an “F” to the June 18 Henry P. Becton Regional High School graduation ceremony.

In fact, because of behavior deemed inappropriate that took place at this year’s commencement, officials have threatened to cancel ceremonies beyond 2010 if the same problems occur next year.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.