Alleged Bomb Threat at Berkley, Fugitive Caught in Stolen Car Top New Milford Weekly News

Berkley Elementary Evacuated After Alleged Bomb Threat

Berkley Street Elementary School students were evacuated from the building on Wednesday afternoon after officials were notified of an alleged bomb threat in the school.

The students, faculty and staff were all evacuated to the Hovnanian School shortly after 1pm after a teacher was advised by several students that one of their peers had stated there was a bomb in the school that would detonate at 2pm.

A convict who fled a Newark halfway house last week was arrested Thursday morning by Bergen County Police after a short car chase, according to officials.

Alfonso Bowen, 26, was taken into custody in Lodi after Officer Jason Gretkowski saw a blue Mazda CX-9 that matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen out of New Milford just before 7 a.m.

The 25th Annual Putnam Valley Spelling Bee opened to a full house Thursday in the James Africano Auditorium at New Milford High School. Directed by Jonathan Silver (NMHS '05), the musical is packed with lively tunes and lots of laughter.

When he decided to present this musical, Silver had described Spelling Bee as "more of an event than than a show." And right he was. The musical invites participation from audience members and allows them to be on stage as spelling contestants. Opening night featured Chief of Police Frank Papapietro, BOE V.P. Dan Conner, Rinaldo Diaz and Jennifer Deitz as guest spellers.  

Serving approximately 160 students from pre-school to the fourth grade, Anne-Sophie Gueguen, Founder and Executive Director of theFrench Academy of Bilingual Culture, believes that a curriculum based on bilingual education effectively impacts a young child's development and instills them with a "larger toolbox" of skills.  

Hurricane Sandy damaged a total of 95 homes in New Milford, according to state Department of Community Affairs data reported by NJSpotlight.com and FEMA.

The majority of homes sustained "minor damage," meaning costs up to $10,000 were needed although atleast one home was truck by "major damage" with repairs ranging up to $28,000. Rental damage raned from under $10,000 in reapirs up to $30,000, according to FEMA.

After meeting in closed session, the New Milford Board of Education approved Superintendent Michael Polizzi to represent the Board's interests at the ongoing United Water hearings. Polizzi previously submitted a letter dated March 11, 2013, to the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding the proposed development of the United Water property.

Created in 2011, the New Milford Academy program has quickly gained steam in the district and in the area as two school districts have initiated discussions to replicate New Milford's model.

According to Danielle Shanley, the Diretor of Curriculum and Instruction, officials in Cresskill and a district in New York have expressed interest in creating their own Academy programs.

The Saint Joseph School PTO held its annual Saint Patrick/Saint Joseph Daybake sale. With Saint Patrick's Day on March 17th and Saint Joseph's Day just two days later (on the 19th), the festivities have grown to honor both saints.

From green beer to green contact lenses, residents were out at bars and restaurants throughout Bergen County this weekend celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Our Patch cameras were trolling the county to snap shots of the most fun parties.

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