Fashionista's Death, Brock to Retire and Ehrenberg Promoted Top February News

Fashionista Penned List Of Women Banned From Funeral Before GWB Plunge

The tragic tale of a 22-year-old aspiring fashion designer who took her own life by jumping from the George Washington Bridge on Wednesday —allegedly a victim of bullying, according to the NY Post — has attracted widespread attention on social networking sites.

Riders on a jitney bus saw Ashley A. Riggitano, originally from Paramus, plunge from the New Jersey-bound lanes at around 4:40 p.m., the report said. She reportedly left a Louis Vuitton bag containing pages of notes in a "suicide diary," which included a list of five women banned from her funeral, on the bridge walkway. A Facebook page, “R.I.P. Ashley Riggitano” surfaced on Friday quickly getting tens of hundreds of ‘likes’ just hours after it was created. Condolences quickly poured in, with many carrying a strong anti-bullying message. 

Two borough families' homes were burglarized early February as Paramus Police investigated break-in reports on Mackay Avenue and Sycamore Street. 

Entry was gained through the Mackay Avenue basement window. Jewelry was taken along with a laptop, said police. The Sycamore Street house's front door was forced open and several bedrooms were ransacked and unknown amount of jewelry was removed, said police.

Two vehicles were broken into overnight while parked in residential driveways and another two vehicles were vandalized this weekend, according to Paramus Police Lt. John Scully.

All the incidents occured in residential neighborhoods within about a 3-mile radius.

Paramus officials are looking into a solution for overnight parking woes. 

Currently parking is restricted between the hours of 2 and 5 a.m. as a safety measure, to keep roads clear so DPW equipment can easily pass through in the early morning hours, according to officials.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner were in Paramus Saturday afternoon, and lots of locals came out to get a glimpse of them debuting their new Pac Sun clothing line. Check out what people are saying about the appearance.

A new sandwich shop, which promises to not only be the place to go for lunch but to catch some live music and hangout, opens its doors at Bergen Towne Center on Tuesday.

The Potbelly Sandwich Shop, located between Pei Wei Asian diner and Torrid on the Spring Valley Avenue side of the mall, is the first of its kind in the Paramus and Bergen County area. The sandwich shop originated more than 30 years ago out of a small antique shop on Chicago's northside and now has hundreds of locations in 17 states.

Paramus officials wish Police Chief Christopher Brock good luck in his retirement as the 29-year veteran of the department prepares for his departure effective June 1.

Brock has served as chief of police for the past two years, having been sworn in February 2011. He had previously served as acting chief and captain of the department. He spent 29 years with the Paramus Police Department.  Prior to that was with the River Edge Police Department for three years before he transfered to Paramus.

The community filled the council chambers to witness the swearing in of the Paramus Police Department's newest leader - Kenneth Ehrenberg who was promoted from captain to deputy chiefof police Tuesday night.

Ehrenberg is the first to hold the title of deputy chief in a number of years. Now that Chief Christopher Brock has announced his retirement, it's expected Ehrenberg may be next to lead the department after Brock's departure.

A 50-year-old borough resident was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after allegedly selling prescription painkillers to police over a two-month period.

Brian Owens of North Farview Avenue, Paramus was taken into custody by Paramus Police and the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force following a joint investigation. 

It was a big day for three of Paramus High School's star athletes who each took a major step towards his or her future.

Sarah Cortes, Eric Kim and Brandon Manosalvas were joined by their parents, coaches and school administrators Wednesday morning as they signed letters of intent.

Paramus firefighters responded to a fire that broke out in a home on Ferndale Ave. Saturday just before noon. The fire was mostly out by 12:30 p.m., witnesses said.

Authorities believe sunlight shining through a second-floor window reflecting off a mirror onto a pile of clothes caused the fire, according to NorthJersey.com.

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