The Record, Bergen County, NJ

Tragic End to Road Race ; Shrine, Online Tributes to Paterson Native, Friend

PATERSON Edgar Rangel Jr. had fallen asleep on his couch when a buddy just back from boot camp called, coaxing Rangel out to celebrate his 22nd birthday on Saturday evening. Never one to hit the bars, Rangel opted for his favorite pastime: taking a drive down Route 19 in the red 1994 Acura Integra he had lovingly restored.

State May Take Agency to Court ; Utility Authority Not Releasing Documents

WEST MILFORD A local agency may make history as the first to be taken to court by the state for not releasing public documents. The Municipal Utility Authority is being sued by the state Government Records Council to produce meeting minutes after the MUA refused two orders to hand over the records. It will be the first time the GRC has used the court system to get an agency to adhere to the Open Public Records Act.

Ringwood Budget Debate Won't End Until September

RINGWOOD For a second consecutive year, the Borough Council is debating what to do after getting an infusion of extra state aid. Once again, the municipal budget dispute is spilling over into September, which leaves little time to cut much spending in this fiscal year. After a frustrated attempt at budget trimming last week, the council postponed making a final decision until Sept. 4.

Profit Motive Still Rules Legislators

Legislators still draw the line when ethics reform threatens the bottom line. Their bottom line, to be precise.

Condo Plan Shakes Renters ; Days Are Numbered for Low-Price Haven in Englewood

ENGLEWOOD Rents are so low at Forest Park Gardens, it really does feel like an enchanted forest. Apartments in the 1960s-era cul-de-sac go for as low as $524 and top out at $868. Diana Robinson's family pays $656 a month for their two-bedroom duplex, less than half of the average Bergen County rental.

Killing Leads to Housing Charges Against Landlord

GARFIELD The former landlord of a man accused of killing an 81- year-old woman last month is scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on Thursday after being cited for having an illegal apartment. If found guilty, Juan Huaman faces a maximum fine of $1,250, said Gerald Walis, who heads the city's Building Department. But Huaman and his wife, Balbina Chauca, also may be paying a penalty simply for being unlucky to have had the wrong tenant at the wrong time.

Cops As Immigration Agents Opposed ; Gop Hopefuls Urge Bogota Mayor Not to Seek Ok

Republican candidates for mayor and Borough Council seats in Bogota are urging Republican Mayor Steve Lonegan not to apply for a federal program that deputizes local police to enforce immigration laws. The candidates, who include a councilwoman, expressed concern that the federal deputizing program, known as 287G, would strain police resources in Bogota as well as lead to civil rights violations.

Rockleigh Finds Way to Finance Play Area

ROCKLEIGH The borough will build its first playground, thanks to $110,000 in Green Acres funding. The park will be constructed on 2 acres of wooded land behind Borough Hall on Rockleigh Road, off Piermont Road.

Municipal Budgets

Ridgefield Park * What's new: $17,983,586 budget for 2007

Rapper in More Legal Trouble ; Foxy Brown Cited After Traffic Stop

MAHWAH - Rapper Foxy Brown has been arrested again, but this time it has nothing to do with her temper. Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was arrested by Mahwah police for giving false information during a traffic stop, police Lt. Martin Clancy said.

Bada Bing! Satin Dolls to Sell 'Sopranos' Relics ; Stripper Poles, Bar Stools Among Auction Items

LODI Barely clad women have spent nearly 10,000 hours wrapping themselves around two stripper poles made famous in "The Sopranos" as fixtures at the "Bada Bing."

Counties Balk at State Water Quality Plan ; Passaic Says It Isn't Ready to Take Over Management

The state's environmental agency wants to put water quality management in the hands of counties rather than the many separate agencies currently in charge, but county officials say they are hard- pressed to handle the task. In Passaic County, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners and various municipal utilities make water quality management plans, which guide how wastewater will be treated to prevent pollution.

Boy Who Rode Bike Into Van Is Listed Critical in Paterson

PATERSON A 12-year- old boy remains in critical condition after riding his bicycle into a moving vehicle, police said. At 7 p.m. Sunday, the boy, whose name was not released, was riding his bike on East 23rd Street, said police Detective Lt. Anthony Traina.

Wanaque School Board Will Discuss Renovations

WANAQUE An update on renovation of the district's two elementary schools is on the Board of Education agenda for next Tuesday. The presentation will include information on what work still needs to be done after schools reopen next month. Due to the renovation work, the 7 p.m. school board meeting will be held at Lakeland Regional High School's lecture hall, 205 Conklintown Road.

Two Men Sought in Break-in, Theft at Mahwah Town House

MAHWAH Police are looking for two men who burglarized a town house Monday morning and made off with jewelry, fleeing the Society Hill home in a red SUV. The robbers were described as two white males about 35 to 45 years old. One had short dark hair and wore a white turtleneck and blazer. The other wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Two Teens Charged in Growing of Marijuana

MAHWAH - Two 18-year-olds have been charged with growing marijuana in a remote area of a Route 202 farm. After the farm's owner tipped off authorities that someone had planted about a dozen pot plants on his property, Mahwah police set up video surveillance and conducted a nearly two-month investigation, Lt. Martin Clancy said.

Activist Bolts Party, Gains Spot On Gop Ticket ; Roney Running for Borough Council Seat in Fair Lawn

FAIR LAWN Local open-space activist Michael Roney has joined the Republican ticket in an increasingly heated race for Borough Council. An active member of the grass-roots organization Concerned Citizens Reclaiming Fair Lawn, Roney replaces college student Dan Beckelman, who has quit the race to devote more time to his studies.

Freeze Ends On Barnert Staff Paychecks

PATERSON Barnert Hospital employees were able to cash their paychecks on Monday, after Friday's delay in payment, a Barnert spokesman said. "They were honored today. Everything was taken care of," Barnert's Steve Clark said Monday.