Bergen Eateries Eyed in State Sting, Ridgewood Bullying Verdict Upheld

Here are the top headlines from around Bergen County, brought to you by the Patch editors who know those towns best.

An upscale Wyckoff restaurant and an East Rutherford cafe are among 29 New Jersey bars accused of pulling a switch on patrons, selling low-end liquors from high-end bottles and charging customers the higher price, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced Wednesday.  Middle school student's father had appealed the district's finding of bullying, which concluded the boy had called a classmate "fat" and "a horse" on multiple occasions, The Star-Ledger reports. Michael Fugee's lawyer contended Wednesday that the embattled former Wyckoff pastor is innocent of charges he violated a court order in his continued work with children. Fugee was arrested and charged Monday with seven counts of contempt of a court order, for allegedly …

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From the Archives: Memorial Day Memories of Main Street

Four new historic bronze markers to be erected this year will indicate the "Retreat Route" of 1776 in Fort Lee. There's tons of fascinating Revolutionary War history to learn about in Fort Lee, so make sure to read on!

Jodi Etra Selected as Fort Lee Teacher of the Year

Etra well-known for leading theater productions at Fort Lee High School.

Long-time Fort Lee High School English/drama teacher Jodi Etra has been named as the teacher of the year for 2012-2013, according to the school district. A committee comprised of parents, administrators, board members, teachers and union reps voted for Etra, the district wrote on its website. One teacher per building was selected as teacher of the year for their respective schools. They are as follows: Fort Lee High School – Jodi Etra Lewis Cole Middle School - Daniel Distefano School No. 1 – Natasha Morales Hernandez School No. 2 – Sheryl DeLuca School No. 3 – Sandra Klein School No. 4 – Anisa Anderson Interim Superintendent Sharon Amato said they district would recognize the recipients at a future date.

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Tom Meyers

6:17 pm on Friday, May 24, 2013

Congratulations to one of Fort Lee's greatest assets! Ms. Jodi Etra works so hard for her students and all of us at the Fort Lee Film Commission are proud to work with her and to have her as a friend!   more ›

Christie Administration Hosting Bergen ‘Mobile Cabinet’ Meeting

State, federal officials expected to be on hand to assist local residents and discuss recovery and rebuilding efforts.

State officials are taking their cabinet meeting on the road next week. The Office of Gov. Chris Christie announced Friday that it will hold mobile cabinet office hours in Moonachie on Wednesday from 1 to 6 p.m.  Moonachie and Little Ferry were among the Bergen County towns most severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy. “Representatives from state and federal agencies, including the Governor’s Office of Constituent Relations, the Department of Banking and Insurance, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Community Affairs, the Business Action Center, FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program, will be on hand to assist residents and discuss ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts,” according to a release from the governor’s …

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Gov. Christie: Seaside Heights Opening 'An Incredible Day for New Jersey'

Gov. Christie appeared at Seaside Heights boardwalk Friday to promote the Jersey Shore.

The Jersey Shore is officially open for summer, Gov. Chris Christie said as he spent Friday morning in Seaside Heights promoting tourism in New Jersey.  Early Friday, Christie appeared on NBC's Today Show, which broadcast its morning news program live from Seaside Heights. The governor later cut a ceremonial ribbon—a Guinness World Record at over five miles long—to officially declare the shore open.  "It's an incredible day for New Jersey," Christie said in remarks. "I'm so thrilled that this morning we're here with the whole country welcoming the Jersey Shore back." After being battered by Superstorm Sandy, many businesses on the boardwalk are open and welcoming customers, though others continue to make repairs. Despite some grey skies, …

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As Rebuilding Continues, Shore is Open for Business

Tourism commissioner says rental market is healthy.

Though immense devastation from Superstorm Sandy remains visible up and down the New Jersey coastline, beaches, boardwalks and even rental homes are ready for the annual influx of summer tourists that will begin this weekend, officials said Thursday at the annual "State of the Shore" event in Belmar. The State of the Shore report is presented by state officials and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium every year before Memorial Day weekend kicks off, but this year it evolved to mark the unofficial reopening of the Shore area following Sandy. With emergency repairs to state and local infrastructure damaged by the storm now complete, work has started on the state's long term recovery, said Bob Martin, commissioner of the state Department of …

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Obama and Christie to Visit Jersey Shore on Tuesday

This will be Obama's first visit to Shore since just after Sandy.

President Obama and Gov. Christie will visit the Jersey Shore on Tuesday, according to The Record in Bergen County. This will be Obama's first visit to the area since Oct. 31, just after the storm struck. A full itinerary of the visit was not available. More information can be found here.

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