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 …
Neighbors Rally For Wayne Family After Devastating House Fire Neighbors Rally For Wayne Family After Devastating House Fire
Neighbors Rally For Wayne Family After Devastating House Fire WAYNE, N.J. — More than $7,300 raised as of Thursday evening on a GoFundMe for a Wayne family who lost their house in a blaze last week. For nearly three decades, the Shakkour family has lived in the same home in Wayne. On Jan. 5, a fire ravaged through the family's MacDonald Drive house, destroying nearly everything in its path.  Neighbors say the Shakkours are among the most giving people around, which is why they're rallying to help them rebuild with a GoFundMe. "The Shakkour family....would give the shirt off of their backs to anyone in need," the page says. Father Tony Sha…
Couple Says ‘I Do’ At Valley Hospital Before Major Surgery Couple Says ‘I Do’ At Valley Hospital Before Major Surgery
Couple Says ‘I Do’ At Valley Hospital Before Major Surgery RIDGEWOOD, N.J. – The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood was recently transformed into a special wedding venue for one patient and his partner. “Mark DeBenedectis expressed to Cheel 4 Neuro Charge Nurse Michelle Bower, RN, his wish to marry his partner, Greg, before he was scheduled to have major surgery,” Valley Health System shared in a Facebook post. With DeBenedictis’ surgery just two days away, staff and volunteers transformed the hospital’s terrace into a wedding venue for the Emerson couple. Staff and volunteers thought of and coordinated all the details -- including decorations, flowers,…
Wedding Show Surprises Garfield Police Officers With Dream Photo Shoot Wedding Show Surprises Garfield Police Officers With Dream Photo Shoot
Wedding Show Surprises Garfield Police Officers With Dream Photo Shoot GARFIELD, N.J. — It seems the rain brought good luck to two Garfield police officers on their wedding day. Sgt. William Houck and his wife, Officer Mariggi Lopez-Houck, weren't able to incorporate their passion for policing into their wedding photos when they tied the knot in November 2017, due to poor weather conditions. A recent call from celebrity photographer and "The Real Wedding Show" host Suzanne Delawar changed that, in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Tuesday. "It was an opportunity for me to give back to two police officers who protect and serve us ever…
Hero Civilians Aid Paramus Rollover Victim Hero Civilians Aid Paramus Rollover Victim
Hero Civilians Aid Paramus Rollover Victim PARAMUS, N.J. — Not all heroes wear uniforms: Three in Paramus on Monday morning sported winter coats, along with gashes on their fingertips. The trio of strangers -- William Tiernan, Paul Delmonico and U.S. Airman Darwin Polo -- were outside a 7-Eleven in an East Ridgewood Avenue strip mall across from the Fashion Center when Tiernen spotted a car across the roadway barreling through snowbanks just before 11:30 a.m. He called for help and ran toward the car. Delmonico and Polo, hearing his cries, saw the car speed down a hill, briefly go airborne and land in the parking lot behind the Fas…
Don't Miss '30 Rock' Star From Wyckoff In Winter Hallmark Romance Don't Miss '30 Rock' Star From Wyckoff In Winter Hallmark Romance
Don't Miss '30 Rock' Star From Wyckoff In Winter Hallmark Romance WYCKOFF, N.J. — Katrina Bowden of Wyckoff will be starring in the Hallmark Channel's premier Winterfest TV movie this weekend. "Love on the Slopes" will air Saturday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m., with Bowden as Alex, a copy editor of a travel magazine who wants to become a writer. She stars alongside Thomas Beaudoin, her love interest and tour guide, Cole. CLICK HERE FOR SHOWTIMES AND MORE. Bowden attended the now-defunct Saint Thomas More School in Midland Park, and later the Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township. The 29-year-old scored her first acting role in a two-episode ar…
Paterson Native With Cancer Wants Her Bulldog Back Paterson Native With Cancer Wants Her Bulldog Back
Paterson Native With Cancer Wants Her Bulldog Back PATERSON, N.J. – A Paterson native with stage 3 colon cancer is fighting to get her dog back from animal control. Deborah Gonzales Schwadtke, who now lives in Vernon, said she has been without her dog, Tank, since Sept. 12. A judge declared Tank to be “potentially dangerous” after the 2 ½ year-old American Bulldog bit a neighbor. Schwadtke said the dog ran out in front of her niece, who set out to take another dog for a walk, and ended up at a neighbor’s house down the street. She said the neighbor offered to leash him up, “and leashed him up from behind” which may have startled Tank. “He…
Bloomingdale Says Goodbye To Clerk After 30 Years Bloomingdale Says Goodbye To Clerk After 30 Years
Bloomingdale Says Goodbye To Clerk After 30 Years BLOOMINGDALE, N.J. – Bloomingdale is saying goodbye and offering well wishes to its longtime borough clerk. “After 30 years as the Bloomingdale Municipal Clerk, we say goodbye to Jane McCarthy,” the borough announced on its Facebook page. McCarthy is retiring. “Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Borough. You will be sorely missed,” the post states.
Highly-Decorated Fort Lee Soldier Died Days Shy Of 13th Enlistment Date Highly-Decorated Fort Lee Soldier Died Days Shy Of 13th Enlistment Date
Highly-Decorated Fort Lee Soldier Died Days Shy Of 13th Enlistment Date FORT LEE, N.J. — The remains of soldier Mihail Golin who was killed fighting in Afghanistan are back home, multiple sources report. The remains of 1st Class Sgt. Golin, 34, arrived at Dover Air Force base in Delaware on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post. Four other soldiers were wounded in the Jan. 1 battle -- 2 are stable, and 2 haven't returned to duty, the article says. Golin died Monday as a result of wounds he sustained while engaged in combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the U.S. Army. Golin was born in Riga, Latvia, A…
State Trooper Warms Hearts Of Family Waiting In Cold At MetLife Stadium State Trooper Warms Hearts Of Family Waiting In Cold At MetLife Stadium
State Trooper Warms Hearts Of Family Waiting In Cold At MetLife Stadium EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A small gesture went a long way at MetLife Stadium Sunday. A family was huddling together in the cold weather, waiting to watch the Giants play the Redskins Sunday, when it was approached by New Jersey State Police Detective Dennis Cappello. "He greeted us with a warm tone of voice and asked us if we were doing okay in this frigid weather," the family said.  "We all loudly greeted him with excitement that an officer stopped by just to say hello. "Now that is officer and community working together to bridge the gap." The family was in for o…
Welcome, Micayla! Meet Bergen County's First 2018 Baby Welcome, Micayla! Meet Bergen County's First 2018 Baby
Welcome, Micayla! Meet Bergen County's First 2018 Baby HACKENSACK, N.J. — Bergen County's first baby was born at 12:03 a.m. at Hackensack University Medical Center. Micayla Araujo came into the world weighing 5 pounds and 11 ounces at 18 inches long. Her parents are Manny Araujo and Lanine Afonso of Kearny. She has an older brother, Jonathan, 7. "We’re ecstatic that our daughter is the first baby to be born at Hackensack University Medical Center in 2018,” Lainne Afonso said. "I feel good and our baby is good. Micayla is the new light for the New Year. We feel very fortunate and are overjoyed that her birthday will always be so spec…