Search For Hit-and-Run Driver, Fatal Accident, Charges For Sheriff's Officer Top This Week's News

PBA Offers $6,000 Reward For Hit-and-Run Driver Info

Washington Township PBA Local 206 has increased their reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a driver who hit Police Officer Heather Castronova to $6,000.  

Castronova was returning to her car on Fern Street after issuing a ticket at about 4 a.m. Saturday when a black SUV struck her and its driver fled the scene. She was hospitalized and is continuing to recover. 

Westwood Woman Killed in Nautical Accident

A 52-year-old Westwood woman was killed in a watercraft collision on Lake Tahoe, Nev. Wednesday.

Dawn Finn and her 21-year-old daughter had rented personal watercraft and were riding them in the lake when they collided for unknown reasons, according to a report in the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Prescription Drugs Caused Sheriff Officer's Erratic Behavior, Attorney Says

A suspended Bergen County Sheriff Officer who allegedly tried to break into a Westwood home last week made his first appearance in court Wednesday.

Kevin Garrett, who has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2011, was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and attempting to unlawfully enter a dwelling after Westwood residents reported he was banging on their home shortly after 4:30 a.m. July 16.

Thunderstorm Causes Four Westwood Fires

A sudden heavy thunderstorm Monday afternoon caused three fires within minutes and blocks of each other and a fourth later that evening, according to Westwood Fire Chief Jaymee Hodges.

Court Awards $2,500 to Westwood Attorney For Junk Faxes

New Jersey Superior Court judges awarded a total of $2,500 to a Westwood-based attorney for receiving unwanted "junk faxes."

Joseph Oettinger sued QB Training Solutions, Casa Maselli Pizzeriaand Stevens Commercial Roofing for sending him "unsolicited fax advertisements." He alleged the companies violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the New Jersey Junk Fax Act by sending him the faxes.

SUV Strikes Guardrail on GSP, Catches Fire

A man was airlifted to a Bergen County trauma center after his vehicle struck a guardrail and caught fire on the Garden State Parkway Saturday afternoon, according to NJ State Police.

The driver of a Nissan SUV had been traveling south on the highway at about 1:45 p.m. when he lost control near the 167 mile marker, striking a guardrail and then a tree, Sgt. Brian Polite of the NJ State Police said. Witnesses pulled the victim from the Nissan, which caught fire, according to Polite.

Connelly Named Westwood Regional Middle School Principal

Frank Connelly is set to be the new principal of Westwood Regional Middle School.

The Westwood Regional Board of Education voted to appoint Connelly to the position during their meeting Thursday night.

Burglar Breaks Into Unlocked Washington Twp. Cars

Washington Township Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles.

Alert Passerby Reports Hillsdale Fire

A passerby alerted Hillsdale Police to a fire that was burning behind a home near Broadway early Thursday morning.

After the witness reported seeing smoke to Hillsdale Police Sgt. Dan McLaughlin at about 6:15 a.m., firefighters were sent to a multi-family home on Park Avenue where a pile of mattresses was burning on a second-floor deck behind the house, according to Hillsdale Fire Chief Jason Durie.

Home Inspections For Westwood Revaluation Starting Soon

Inspectors are set to start visiting Westwood homes as part of a borough-wide property revaluation which will affect property taxes in 2014.

The inspections are expected to start within the next two weeks.

Westwood Council Eases Outdoor Dining Rules

Westwood restaurants can cater to a larger number of outdoor diners for the rest of the summer.

The Westwood Council approved "a temporary relaxation" of the borough outdoor dining ordinance during their meeting last week at the suggestion of Mayor John Birkner.