The Record, Bergen County, NJ

Therapist Testifies in Cop's Sex Abuse Trial ; Defense Questions Motive for Sessions

A woman who prosecutors say was sexually abused for years by a retired West Paterson police sergeant desperately sought help for suffocating panic attacks, nightmares and debilitating insomnia, her psychotherapist testified in state court Wednesday. But through cross examination, the defense suggested the woman's going to therapist Patricia Sermabeikian was a calculated decision, one designed specifically to lay the foundation for trial. The therapist acknowledged she has a long-standing prof...

Program Welcomes Babies to Jewish Community

Shalom Baby was conceived six years ago by the UJA Federation of North Jersey as a way to connect young Jewish families with the greater Jewish community. When the program's coordinators receive word of a new birth or adoption, they contact the parents to ask if they'd like a visit from a trained volunteer.

2-Vehicle Collision Injures Four ; Dump Truck Allegedly Runs Light, Strikes Car with Mom, 2 Kids

RIVERDALE Four people, including a mother and her two young children, were injured Wednesday when a dump truck ran a red light and struck a car at the Route 23-Cotluss Road intersection, police said. Route 23 north was shut for two hours while rescue crews cleared the scene, Sgt. James MacIntosh said.

Police Charge 3 with Dealing Heroin in Paterson

PATERSON Police have arrested two men and one woman in connection with a drug operation in the city and confiscated heroin. Police said the three suspects were taken into custody about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at 18-38 Alois Place., in an apartment at the Riverside Terrace development, a public housing complex. Officers had to use a ram to get inside after the occupants used an entertainment center to barricade the door.

Missing Clifton Man Is Tracked to Elizabeth Hotel

CLIFTON Police have tracked down a Rosedale Avenue man who had been reported missing last month. Detective John Barr learned that Richard Tell was staying at the Hampton Inn in Elizabeth and drove to the hotel on the night of May 31 to confirm the information. By the time he arrived, however, Tell had been taken to Trinitas Hospital for evaluation.

Mayor-Elect: Allendale Ready for Change

Vincent Barra said his landslide win against longtime Mayor Albert Klomburg for the Republican nomination Tuesday is a clear sign that Allendale is ready for a change. "I think I resonated with residents about many issues, especially communication," said Barra, who served one term on the Borough Council from 2001 to 2003.

Absentee Votes Tip Scale in Saddle River Gop Race

SADDLE RIVER Absentee ballots propelled an incumbent to victory in the tightly contested Republican primary for two Borough Council seats. John Murray trailed newcomer Willam "Van" Horneff by one vote on election night but overtook him after 42 absentee ballots were unsealed Wednesday.

Primary 2006 [Corrected 06/08/06]

Following are the results of Tuesday's primary elections for county and municipal offices in Bergen County and Secaucus in Hudson County. Also listed are independent candidates who will be on the November ballot. Independents do not take part in primary elections. Incumbents are denoted by an asterisk. "R" denotes Republican, "D" denotes Democrat and "I" denotes independent. Results are unofficial and may not include absentee ballots. Communities not listed have non-partisan forms of governme...

Development Foes Win North Arlington Primary ; Democrats Promise Government Shake-Up

NORTH ARLINGTON - Democratic Councilman Peter Massa proved that it's possible to fight city hall. Massa, who bucked colleagues in his party to vote against a controversial development, won the mayoral primary Tuesday, defeating incumbent Russell Pitman.

Three Hopefuls Named for Tenafly Council Seat

TENAFLY The municipal Democratic committee this week nominated a trio of candidates to fill the Borough Council seat given up by Jefferey Romano, who was forced to resign last month after pleading guilty to heroin possession. Borough Council members will choose from among Jon Warms, Carol Hoernline and Nadia LaMastra to serve in Romano's place until Nov. 7, when voters will elect someone to complete the remaining two years of the former council member's term.

Emerson Ponders Its Split Decision

EMERSON In the aftermath of an ugly campaign, most residents agree that the GOP primary turned out to be a half-victory for everyone. Mayor Steve Setteducati defeated Jack Quigley by a comfortable margin of 100 votes, but his running mates lost by a handful of votes to Councilman Chris Heyer and former council member Tony Loffredo.

Developer to Ignore Lawsuit, Build Inn ; Little Ferry Landlord Challenges Project

LITTLE FERRY Developers of a proposed waterfront hotel off the Route 46 traffic circle said Wednesday that they will ignore lawsuits lodged by the borough's largest landowner and begin construction of the four-story inn by the fall. "We are absolutely going forward with the project as if he weren't there," said Tami Trobiano, a member of General's Group LLC.

Non-Korean Parents Resist Bilingual Class

FORT LEE The proposal is straightforward and well intentioned: A Korean-English bilingual class where Korean-speaking children would learn English, and English-speaking students would be taught Korean, a language growing in use in pockets of northern New Jersey. But officials are struggling to sell the concept to parents, particularly families of English-speaking students.

Cleanup Effort Seeking a Few Helping Hands

WANAQUE Volunteers are sought for sprucing up Back Beach Park and the adjacent Wanaque River on June 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gloves, trash bags and refreshment will be provided. The event is sponsored by Skylands CLEAN, Wanaque REACH (Residents for Education and Conservation of the Highlands) and the Passaic County Office of Recycling and Natural Resource Programs.

Lincoln Park Votes for Change ; Mayor, Councilman Lose Gop Primary

LINCOLN PARK Councilman Dave Runfeldt overwhelmed longtime Mayor David Baker in grabbing the Republican mayoral nomination Tuesday, according to party primary results finalized Wednesday. It was also a vote for change in the Borough Council primary, as newcomer Janet Long won a nomination and fellow challenger Louis Pepe tied incumbent Ann Thompson for two other nominations while defeating incumbent Sarah Lynn Gresko.

A Language Leader ; Esl Program in Little Falls Schools Cited As Model for N.J.

LITTLE FALLS With high test scores, family literacy classes and even a picture-based dictionary, the district's English as a Second Language program has been selected as a model for other districts in the state. The state Department of Education picked the district's ESL program from those of 600 districts to hold up as an example for the state. Three other districts Clifton, Red Bank and Roselle share the honor.

Rivera Leaves Hospital ; Mayor 'in Good Spirits' After Stomach Problems

PASSAIC Mayor Samuel Rivera, who has been beset by health problems, including numerous minor strokes, was released from a hospital Wednesday afternoon after a three-day stay. Deputy Mayor Robert Hare, who visited Rivera at PBI Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, said the mayor was admitted for stomach problems, including internal bleeding.

Commencements [Corrected 06/13/06]

Today, The Record presents another installment in our continuing series on high school graduations. We are previewing commencement ceremonies and listing senior class highlights for public and private high schools in Passaic and northeastern Morris counties. Tomorrow's featured schools will include Butler, Kinnelon and Pequannock high schools.

Mecca Decides to Withdraw Reelection Bid ; Announces Plan to Back Liss

Passaic County Republican Committee Chairman Michael Mecca said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection and he will nominate a candidate who could mend the severely divided party. Mecca said he intends to nominate attorney Eugene Liss of Little Falls at tonight's meeting of the county's 16 GOP municipal leaders. Liss is a Passaic County Board of Elections commissioner.

Parking Plan Worries Neighbors ; Lot for Paterson Catering Hall Too Close for Haledon Homeowners

HALEDON For years, residents of Aberdeen Court have complained about the heavy traffic coming and going from The Brownstone, a popular catering hall across Broadway in Paterson. Patrons sometimes block residents' driveways by parking illegally. Now a developer wants to build an 84-space parking lot on a wooded acre adjacent to Aberdeen, which could be used for Brownstone overflow parking.