Community Corner

Biggest Mahwah Stories of 2013

A month-by-month look at what happened in Mahwah this year.

2013 has been a big year in Mahwah. The township has experienced some big news stories, and through the end of the year, Patch will be putting together ‘Year in Review’ articles to take a look back at some of the news stories that interested and affected township residents over the past year. 

Check the headlines below for a month-by-month review of some of the top Patch headlines of 2013.

January

Blaze Renders Stag Hill Home 'Total Loss'

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Fire likely started near a wood-burning stove, officials said.

Man Burns 60% of Body in Tractor-Trailer Crash, Police Say

A fire completely engulfed the driver's truck and spread to trees surrounding the highway, police said. 

Find out what's happening in Mahwahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Man Charged In Sex Assault Of Underage 'Roulette' Chat Girl

The Indiana man drove 10 hours to Mahwah to meet up with the 15-year-old girl he met on the random chat site 'Omegle,' police say.

February 

Family Operated Drug Business from Franklin Turnpike Home, Cops Say

Mother, son and friends have sold a “significant” amount of marijuana to township minors, police say.

Board Ends 'Exhausting' Search, Officially Hires New Superintendent

Ramapo Indian Hills Superintendent Dr. Lauren Schoen will make the maximum allowed under the state-imposed superintendent salary cap, officials say. 

Mahwah Tea Party Disbands, Cites November Election Results

In an email to members over the weekend, the group said it will likely reform again one day in the future.

March

Mahwah School Enrollment Decreasing

The total student population is expected to drop below 3,000 by 2015.

$1M Powerball Lotto Ticket Sold in Mahwah

The 7 Eleven on Franklin Turnpike sold the ticket, which was the second prize winning ticket sold.

Senior Citizen Accused of Injecting Ex-Girlfriend with Possible Date Rape Drug
Police say the New York man may have injected his victim with a date rape drug or insulin during an alleged attack at her township home.

April

Teen Drug Bust Leads to Foot Chase Through Mahwah
One adult from NY and three teens from Mahwah will be charged as a result of the incident, police said.

Mahwah Students Received Pornographic Image Through 'SnapChat' App
The inappropriate spam photo was sent to township children as young as 12, officials said.

May

'Stunning' Spike in Bergen Heroin Deaths Prompts Drug Takedown, Prosecutor Says

Suburban heroin abuse at "epidemic" level, according to county prosecutor.

Cops Make Third Cocaine-related Arrest in 24 Hours

A Spring Valley man was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the same Mahwah neighborhood where two people were arrested on drug charges Tuesday.

Mahwah's SAT Scores Rank 14th in County [Interactive Map]

View the interactive map of SAT scores and Median Household Income for the 47 public high schools in Bergen County.

Council Denies Plan to Privatize Recycling

Mayor argued plan would have saved money without laying off any township employees.

NJ's First Lady Honors Mahwah 'Hero'

Mary Pat Christie was in the township to recognize the work of Dana Spett, owner of Pony Power Therapies.

New Gourmet Deli Officially Opens for Business

The community welcomed Mary Ann’s Gourmet Market with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

June

Mahwah Teens Allegedly Force Train Traveler To Perform 'Sex Acts,’ Police Say

According to cops, two suspects robbed a Fair Lawn man they met on the train, and forced him to perform sexual acts on them.

Mahwah DARE Officer Retiring After 'Blessed' Career

DARE graduation was Officer Joe Horn’s last official duty in Mahwah.

Student Named Mahwah's First Ever National Merit Winner

Over one million students enter the prestigious scholarship contest each year by taking the PSATs.

Students Honor Mahwah's 'Everyday Heroes'

Ceremony presented 'Open Your Heart' awards that students hope will inspire members of the community to be nicer to one another.

Longtime Councilman Announces Surprise Retirement

John Spiech is leaving his seat a year before his term is up. 

Mahwah Shrinks Number of Backlogged DWI Court Cases

After being identified by the county as one of four towns needing to address a backlog issue, Mahwah officials report the number of backlogged cases left pending in the township court system has been cut in half.

Council Drops Police Overtime Investigation

Through a joint statement, the mayor and council said Thursday ‘misunderstandings’ led to an approval that increased police overtime spending last year, and promised to work together more effectively in the future to avoid such misunderstandings.

July 

Single Ambulance Company to Take Over in Mahwah

‘Mahwah Emergency Medical Services,’ will be made up of the members of the previously separated Company 1 and Company 4. The switch is in an effort to promote unity and standardize procedures across the two township ambulance locations, members said.

Exempt Volunteers Strip Ambulance Building, Rigs of Supplies

New ambulance corps says it has not missed any calls, and is collecting donations to help re-stock.

Board Proposes Indoor Athletic Complex at High School

The $3.8 million facility would be multi-purpose, able to house multiple activities simultaneously, and be open to the community, board members said.

August

Lt. Governor Asks Mahwah Teens to 'Take the Chance and Lead'

Kim Guadagno was the keynote speaker at the MPD's Youth Leadership Academy graduation ceremony Friday. 204 Mahwah kids graduated from the weeklong academy.

Report: Anti-Mall Group Loses Court Case Against Crossroads

Residents react to a reported Superior Court ruling saying that Mahwah zoning laws allowing for the Crossroads mall development are valid.

Business Administrator Announces Reverse Resignation

Campion's last day working for the township was supposed to be September 30.

The Most Popular Dog Names in Mahwah 2013

Sammy, Roxy, Bella, and Molly are all popular choices, but they didn't clinch the #1 spot. Also, check to see some of the most unique names given to Mahwah pups.

September

Elderly Couple Escapes Labor Day Fire

Fire 'totally destroyed' a Bogert Ranch Estate mobile home, authorities said.

Circus Performers' Camper Hanging Off Route 287 Overpass

There were no injuries when a camper being hauled by a pickup truck jumped an overpass barrier, according to cops.

Locals Line Streets to Honor Fallen Soldier

A giant American flag flew over Main Street in Ramsey as police, fire, and military personnel from across the county accompanied a casket carrying Staff Sgt. Timothy McGill in a solemn procession. 

Chamber Kicks Off Super Bowl-Sanctioned Pre-Game Event

In honor of the Super Bowl coming to Bergen County, the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce is planning an event focused on teamwork that will include football players, football memorabilia, and area non-profit organizations.

PHOTOS: Township Celebrates 19th Annual Mahwah Day

See highlights from this year's town-wide celebration.

October

Board Green Lights Indoor Athletic Complex at Mahwah High School

Board officials voted Wednesday night to move forward on the proposed project, which will see the construction of a 26,000 square foot facility on the high school campus.

Mahwah Couple Honored for Combined 100 Years of Service to Township

Former Councilman John Spiech and his wife Pat have been recognized nationally as 'Extra Mile Change Makers,' and a day of giving in Mahwah will be held in their honor.

Council Questions Cost, Necessity of Mahwah App

A political debate broke out after council members questioned why they did not play a role in rolling out the new App.

Mahwah Family Opens New 'Cups or Cakes' Bakery

The new shop on Macarthur Boulevard hopes to become a hang out for locals and a destination for visitors, owners say. Cups or Cakes is hosting a Grand Opening event this weekend.

PHOTOS: Township Hosts First-Ever Parks Day

Event was meant to celebrate open space in the township.

November

Mahwah Named to AP Honor Roll List

Only 36 NJ districts were recognized by the College Board for increasing the number of AP exams offered, and the scores students are receiving on exams. 

Absentee Ballots Cement Hermansen Victory, Candidates Say

According to unofficial result counts Wednesday, Rob Hermansen widened the gap between himself and apparent second place finisher Jonathan Marcus in an election for a seat on the Mahwah township council.

Mahwah Football Star, NFL Player Frank Chamberlin Dies at 35

Chamberlin had been battling a rare form of brain cancer for nearly two years.

Governor Names Mahwah 22-Year-Old 'Environmentalist of the Year’

Eric J. Fuchs-Stengel, the founder and Executive Director of MEVO, attended the 2013 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards Ceremony to receive the recognition.

Trail Conference Breaks Ground at Historic Mahwah Schoolhouse

Representatives say the final phase of construction and restoration will take about a year to complete.

December

Schools Recommend Full-Day Kindergarten, Examine Costs

Mahwah Board of Ed gave a verbal go ahead Wednesday night to see exactly how upping the program from its current half-day version will impact the 2014-15 school budget.

Two-Year Crossroads Testimony to Wrap Jan. 27

The public will be able to provide comments and give testimony on the proposed shopping center development that night. Then, the Board will vote on the Crossroads preliminary site plan application.

Affordable Housing Owners Sue Mahwah Over '95-5 Rule'

Homeowners say they should be able to sell their homes under the original terms outlined in their contracts, but the township says a 2004 state law supersedes their previous agreements.

Hermansen Retakes Seat on Township Council

After a nine-month hiatus from public life, new councilman says returning to local government feels 'natural.'

Ramapough, Mahwah Community Speak Out Against 'Racist' Movie Review

The Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation held a press conference with Mahwah's Mayor and Superintendent objecting to a NY Post review of the film 'Out of the Furnace' that they say negatively stereotypes members of the tribe.


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