It's been over a year since Jersey City Police Det. Melvin Santiago was fatally shot in the line of duty, but law enforcement around the state continue to honor his sacrifice.

It's been over a year since Jersey City Police Det. Melvin Santiago was fatally shot in the line of duty, but law enforcement around the state continue to honor his sacrifice. 

The Jersey City Police Officers' Benevolent Association was among 10 North Jersey law enforcement agencies who participated in a charity baseball tournament last month to benefit Santiago's family and the families of other fallen officers, according to Tap into Montclair. 

The event, which was held Aug. 29 in Woodland Park, was organized by officials of the Passaic County borough. A portion of the proceeds will go to Santiago's family, while a portion will be donated to the NJPBA Survivor's Fund, the website reported.

The towns that participated were Montclair PBA Local 53, Little Falls PBA Local 346, Clifton PBA Local 36, Jersey City POBA, Woodland Park PBA Local 173, Passaic County County Corrections PBA 197, Passaic County Sheriffs' PBA 286, Passaic PBA Local 14, Paterson PBA Local 1 and Totowa PBA Local 80, according to the website. 

Santiago, 23, was killed in the early morning hours of July 13, 2014 while responding to the report of an armed robbery at the Walgreens at Communipaw Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard. That's when a gunman, who had stolen a security guard's weapon, opened fire on Santiago before officers gunned him down, cops said.

A rookie on the police force, Santiago was on the job only six months at the time of his tragic death. 

The baseball tournament raised a total of $8,800, according to the website. 

The Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese has reached settlement with a woman who alleged that a former Passaic Catholic high school vice principal repeatedly sexually abused her decades ago when she was a student there, lawyers involved the case said Tuesday.

The Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese reached settlement with a woman who alleged that a former Passaic Catholic high school vice principal repeatedly sexually abused her decades ago, her attorney said on Sept. 15, 2015. (Justin Zaremba | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

CLIFTON -- A woman who alleged that a former Passaic Catholic high school vice principal repeatedly sexually abused her nearly 40 years ago when she was a student there has received a "six-figure" settlement from the Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese, her attorney said Tuesday.

The woman's attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, said his client reached a settlement with the diocese over her claims against Monsignor Ronald Tully. The woman alleged that Tully fondled her 20 times when she was a 16-year-old student at Pope Pius XII Regional High School in 1977, Garabedian said.

At least nine others have received about $2.1 million in settlements over claims of sexual abuse by Tully, The Record reported. Tully has denied the allegations against him.

According to the report, church officials removed Tully from his post at a Dover church in 2004 after they received word of criminal charges alleging he abused two Pope Pius students at his vacation home in 1979 in New York. 

Paterson Diocese spokesman Richard Sokerka confirmed Tully served as a priest at Sacred Heart Parish in Dover prior to being placed on administrative leave in 2004. The spokesman declined further comment. 

RELATED: How a sex scandal in Minnesota could impact 1.2 million Catholics in N.J.

Garabedian blamed school leadership for failing to act when his client made the allegations. The woman, he said, ultimately quit school and obtained a GED. 

"Once again, supervisors of the Catholic Church have shown how they don't care about the safety of children. They just don't care about the safety and welfare of children," said Garabedian, a Boston-based attorney.

The woman hoped her case would prompt other possible victims to come forward, he added.

"She's trying to heal," Garabedian told NJ Advance Media. "She's been living with the sad memories of being sexually abused for quite a few years."

Garabedian said his client filed a report with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office about two months ago, but the statute of limitations for criminal charges had run out.

At a press conference Tuesday morning, former priest Robert Hoatson said his group Road to Recovery was seeking to remove the statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims involving children.

MORE: Priest admits sex with minor, says teen 'wanted' it

Hoatson, whose group helps victims of sexual abuse, called cases of priests abusing children "murder of the soul."

"Since there is no statute of limitations on murder of the body, why should there be a statute of limitations on the murder of the soul," he said outside of the Paterson Diocese office in Clifton.

Under state law, one can be only be prosecuted for criminal sexual contact and child endangerment within five years after the victim reaches the age of 18 or "within two years following the reasonable discovery of the offense by the victim, whichever is later."

Paterson Diocese attorney Ken Mullaney confirmed a settlement had been reached and said Tully had been placed on administrative leave more than a decade ago. 

In 2012, the local diocese filed paperwork with the Vatican to defrock him -- known within the church as laicization. At the behest of the diocese, Tully agreed to submit to voluntary laicization, which usually takes less time than involuntary laicization, Mullaney said. The settlement was not an admission.

Until the laicization process is complete, Tully will continue to draw a pension from the diocese.

"I don't know why it's taken so long in this case," Mullaney said.

Mullaney declined to comment on the current whereabouts of Tully, except to say that he no longer lives in New Jersey. Tully could not be reached for comment. 

 

The judge said he is hopeful the parties will reach a plea agreement in time for the next court date on Sept. 29

                                  (Brendan Kuty |NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

MORRISTOWN --Plea agreements may be coming soon in the cases against two men accused of impersonating police officers and robbing several people in Dover in May 2013.

Vincenzo Viola, 39, of Orange, and Robert Capriglione, 37, of Clifton, targeted immigrants as their victims, according to Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp.

On May 20, 2013, two people sitting in a car reported being robbed by two men who identified themselves as Randolph police officers, Knapp said at the time of their arrests. About 20 minutes later, police received another report of a robbery by two men impersonating police officers.

On May 22, the pair, dressed as police officers, allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint in his apartment, Knapp said.

Viola and Capriglione were arrested on May 26, 2013 in a vacant home in Mendham Township by a police officer who believed it was being burglarized.

The pair were allegedly using the home on Roxiticus Road as a base for their operation. Police found two police jackets and other police items that matched the descriptions of the attire worn by the pair, Knapp said.

The two defendants, who have been held in lieu of bail since their arrests, appeared separately during the morning and afternoon on Tuesday for trial conferences before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor in Morristown.

Taylor scheduled another trial conference for both men for Sept. 29 and he encouraged all parties to negotiate plea agreements by that date.

Taylor said it is "anticipated that Mr. Viola may resolve his case by way of a plea on Sept. 29." For Capriglione, he said later, "The court is hopeful that the matter can be resolved on that date."

If negotiations fail to reach an agreement, Taylor said, a trial would start on Nov. 2.

Defense attorneys for both Capriglione and Viola indicated the present plea offers, which were made by Brian DiGiacomo, a former assistant prosecutor who had been handling the case, need to be shortened significantly.

Following private discussions Tuesday morning with Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn, who is now handling the case, Viola's attorney, Edward Bilinkas, said the parties remain far apart on a possible agreement.

The prosecutor's office has been seeking a plea deal that would require an 18-year prison sentence for Viola, Bilinkas said, calling that an excessive punishment.

"We brought new evidence to the attention of the prosecutor's office and we're hoping they will reconsider their position," Bilinkas said.

Capriglione's attorney, public defender Elizabeth Martin, said the prosecutor's office has been seeking a 15-year sentence for her client, and that, too, would need to be significantly shortened to be acceptable. She and her client appeared before the judge during the afternoon.

Viola and Capriglione were both indicted by a Morris County grand jury on four counts of robbery, three counts of impersonating a police officer, six counts of theft by extortion, three counts of criminal coercion, three counts of burglary and one count each of criminal restraint and conspiracy to commit robbery. Capriglione was also indicted on one count of drug possession after allegedly being found with Buprenorphine in the home in Mendham Township.

Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

 

Man allegedly with heroin was seen waving to vehicle

PATERSON -- A sheriff's officer interrupted a heroin sale early Tuesday morning, resulting in three arrests, Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said in a statement.

 

Officer Jose Rosado spotted a man waving to a vehicle at 3:37 a.m. near Broadway and Auburn Street. After the vehicle parked on Fair Street, the man approached the driver's side, prompting Rosado to activate his lights and detain the man and the car's occupants.

Following an investigation by Rosado and arriving backup officers, a city resident, Ronald Bacote, 27, was found in possession of 16 glassine envelopes of heroin, Berdnik said. The two people in the vehicle, 26-year-old Rommie Shahadeh of Elmwood Park and Kimberly Vasquez, 25, of Carmel, N.Y., were charged with loitering to commit a drug-related offense. Bacote was charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

The three were released pending court appearances.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

 

Crack cocaine, paraphernalia also allegedly found by cops

WAYNE -- Police have arrested seven people and seized a total of 164 bags of heroin in less than a week, a department spokesman, Capt. Laurence W. Martin, said Tuesday. 

File photo 

On Sunday, police spotted a speeding BMW with blacked-out windows on Rt. 23 before the driver abruptly switched to the slow lane and turned sharply into the parking lot of a Wendy's, police said.

Police stopped the vehicle and said the driver, William J. Roberts, 40, of Ogdensburg, appeared nervous and confused, unable to remember the name of a Paterson company where he said he had just gone for a job interview. He was arrested after police allegedly found 25 glassine bags of heroin stamped "Bada Bing" and "Good Work," as well as seven bags of crack cocaine, an unpackaged crack "rock," and paraphernalia. He was released after being charged with possession of drugs and paraphernalia and was also issued motor-vehicle summonses for possession of narcotics in a vehicle.

On Friday, police spotted a suspicious person running towards the food court at the Willowbrook Mall, Martin said. Anthony Bellina, 30, a Lake Hopatcong resident, repeatedly looked over his shoulder as he headed to the food court's men's room, stayed there and then headed back outside to the bus stop, drawing police attention, Martin said. 

When Det. Jason Goller approached Bellina and began interviewing him, glassine envelopes fell from Bellina's pants, Martin said. After a search, Bellina was found with 42 bags of heroin and hypodermic needles. Bellina, who was also wanted on six outstanding warrants, was turned over to Rockaway police after being charged with possession, being under the influence of heroin and possession of paraphernalia.  

In a separate incident Friday, three people were arrested after Det. Paul Kindler observed them behaving suspiciously in the parking lot of the A&P at Valley Road and Preakness Avenue.

Detectives Ken Hart and Brendan Rigler were called in after the two men and a woman were seen attempting to hide items behind a parked vehicle. The three appeared to be under the influence of heroin during an interview, Martin said.

David Mullen, 46, of Oakland, was found in possession of 24 bags of heroin and Ronald Lenney, 38, of Oak Ridge, had 8 bags of heroin, all stamped "On Demand," Martin said. Jenny Smith, 33, of Oakland, originally gave police a false name, and all three of the suspects were attempting to bury five bags of heroin, Martin also said.

Smith was turned over to the Passaic County Sheriff's Office on a no-bail warrant while Mullen and Lenney were later released.

On Thursday, Officer Vincent Ricciardelli, after stopping a Subaru on the Hamburg Turnpike for motor vehicle offenses, noticed that both the driver, Paul Dickson, 30, of Cliffside Park, and his passenger were shaking and nervous. Dickson was arrested after police learned he was wanted on an outstanding warrant in Hudson County, and a search turned up 12 envelopes of heroin. He was turned over to the Hudson County Sheriff's Department after being charged with possession.

On Sept. 8, detectives Goller and Rigler spotted a man removing a white bundle from the from the fuse box of a Honda Accord as it was parked along Rt. 23. The suspect, Elijah Robert Peters, 19, of Wurtsboro, N.Y., appeared to be under the influence of drugs as police spoke to him, Martin said.

Peters allegedly admitted he was high before police recovered a total of 50 bags of heroin,  all stamped "Spiderman," as well as crack cocaine. He was later released pending a court appearance.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

 

A city man deployed a bottle of prank spray meant to smell like farts Tuesday in City Council chambers

14 inches of sewage backed up into Guy Madsen's home in April. (File Photo) 

CLIFTON -- A city man deployed a bottle of prank spray meant to smell like farts Tuesday in City Council chambers, The Record reported.

Guy Madsen, 53, used the spray to show the council what his Nugent Drive home has smelled like since April, when a backup problem flooded his basement with 14 inches of sewage.

The city's insurance claims assessor, Bergen Risk Management, has offered $50,000 to cover the damage, but Madsen wants $64,000, a discrepancy Madsen believes is due to the value of artwork he owns. The mayor and city attorney declined to comment.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A Clifton man approached people at Paramus malls over a period of several months and forced them to withdraw money from ATMs and buy him Red Bull before robbing them, police said.

Eddie Johnson, 27, of Clifton. (Paramus Police) 

PARAMUS -- A Clifton man approached people at Paramus malls over a period of several months and forced them to withdraw money from ATMs and buy him Red Bull before robbing them, police said.

Eddie J. Johnson, 27, was arrested Friday and charged with robbery, kidnapping and weapon possession.

Paramus Police said in a media release that Johnson approached people three times at borough malls. On Feb. 15, Johnson allegedly asked a woman for money in the parking lot of Blink Fitness at the Outlets at Bergen Town Center.

When she said no, Johnson forced her to drive him to an ATM to withdraw money, police said. To avoid giving Johnson money, she purposely entered a wrong PIN.

Johnson instead forced her to drive to the Pathmark in Elmwood Park and made her buy $70 worth of Red Bull with her credit card, police said. He then fled on foot.

He returned to Paramus Aug. 13, asking a man in the AMC parking lot at Westfield Garden State Plaza for money, police said. He said no.

Johnson forced the man to drive to Paterson, where he took the man's iPhone and $30 from his wallet, police said. Again, Johnson fled on foot.

Johnson approached another man Sept. 13 in the south parking lot of Garden State Plaza and asked for a ride to the other side of the mall, police said. The man agreed.

When Johnson got in the car, he pulled out a knife, police said. He allegedly forced the man to drive to two different ATMs and withdraw $60.

Johnson then forced the man to drive to the Pathmark in Elmwood Park to buy more Red Bull, but the man's credit card was declined, police said. The man instead drove to Paterson, where Johnson took his phone and fled.

Paramus detectives worked for months to identify Johnson. They were able to identify him on Friday with the help of Fair Lawn police and a surveillance video.

Clifton Police helped Detective Dmitriy Mazur arrest Johnson on Tuesday in Clifton. He was sent to Bergen County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Johnson's first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Dolph Corradino, the presiding municipal judge in Passaic County, has been suspended over a probe into alleged violations regarding the expenditure of court funds earmarked for drunk-driving education.

A Passaic County judge has been suspended over a probe into alleged violations regarding the expenditure of funds earmarked for drunk-driving education.Ed Murray/NJ Advance Media 

LITTLE FALLS -- G. Dolph Corradino, the presiding municipal judge in Passaic County, has been suspended over a probe into alleged violations regarding the expenditure of court funds earmarked for alcohol rehabilitation and drunk-driving enforcement.

In a court order issued on Sept. 14, Corradino was "temporarily suspended without compensation" from serving in each of his three judicial roles: Little Falls municipal judge; presiding judge of the Passaic Vicinage Municipal Courts; and presiding judge of the Passaic Vicinage Central Judicial Processing Court.

According to the order, Corradino may have violated Canons 1 and 2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct "by failing to follow the policies and procedures for the disbursement of Municipal Court Alcohol Education Rehabilitation and Enforcement Funds." The fund, often known as the "booze tax," provides money to towns for alcohol-related rehabilitation as well as drunk-driving enforcement and education.

The order doesn't indicate how the funds were allegedly used. Officials with the state Judiciary have not yet provided additional comment.

According to the Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 1 requires that "a judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary" and Canon 2 mandates that "a judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities."

The matter has been referred to the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, which investigates alleged ethical breaches by members of the judiciary.

Corradino, who graduated from Seton Hall Law School, has served as the municipal judge in Little Falls since 1993 and as presiding judge of Passaic County Municipal Courts since 2006.

Corradino's attorney, Joseph LaSala, said the judge would "cooperate fully" with the advisory committee's investigation.

"Dolph Corradino has been a highly respected as a member of the bar for nearly 50 years and later on the bench and he would never intentionally do anything to affect that," LaSala said.

A message on his law office's answering machine on Wednesday indicates Corradino has retired from the practice of law. Messages placed to Corradino's law office and his attorney have not yet been returned.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Firefighters doused a kitchen fire early Wednesday that started after an oven was left on at a McBride Avenue eatery, officials said.

Crews extinguished a fire at Imocha Thai Cuisine in Woodland Park on Sept. 16, 2015 (Photo: Google Maps) 

Crews responded to a fire alarm at Imocha Thai Cuisine around 3 a.m., according to Assistant Fire Chief Michael Muccio. Firefighters found smoke and forced their way inside.

The kitchen-area and wall had extensive damage, officials said. 

Heat from the oven sparked a fire in the building's walls, Muccio said. Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 20 minutes.

There were no injuries, he added. The Totowa Fire Department also assisted at the scene.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

New Census data shows that poverty rate is around 11 percent and significantly higher than it was 10 years ago.

Nearly one million people live in poverty in New Jersey, an increase of just short of 250,000 people in the past 10 years, according to 2014 Census data released today.

The rate of state residents living in poverty dropped slightly between 2013 and 2014, from 11.4 percent to 11.1 percent, though an estimated 973,000 people live below the federal poverty line. 

In the past decade, the poverty rate in New Jersey has jumped from 8.7 percent to 11.1 percent, according to the Census data. There were about 739,000 New Jersey residents living in poverty in 2005. 

Still, experts say they are relieved that the poverty rate did not go up in 2014, as it had in previous years.

Melville D. Miller, president of Legal Services of New Jersey, called the .3 percent drop between 2013 and 2014 "not statistically significant," but said it does signal a leveling-off that is good news, despite the fact that the poverty rates in New Jersey are still at record highs.

Brandon McKoy, policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective, said New Jersey experienced a slight rise in the poverty rate among the elderly population. The population over age 65 in New Jersey has seen a slight increase, so a rise in the poverty rate is troubling, according to McKoy.  

"If the poverty rate is going up among this population, they're not getting the help and services they need," he said.

Not all counties have seen their poverty rate go up over the last 10 years, though no counties that have recovered from the recession to their 2005 poverty levels, the data shows.

"It's the latest in a long line of things that show how slow and painful the recovery has been for people living and working in New Jersey," said Jon Whiten, president of New Jersey Policy Perspective.

Whiten said that New Jersey, one of the wealthiest states in the nation, has been in a "pseudo-recovery" for years, where it just hasn't kept pace with the recovery in the rest of the country.

Atlantic County, for example, jumped from a poverty rate of 8.9 percent in 2005 to see more than 14 percent of residents living in poverty in 2014. Cumberland County had the highest poverty rate in the state at 20 percent; just 12.6 of residents there lived in poverty in 2005.

A decade ago, Hudson County had the highest poverty rate in the state at 16.5 percent. It now ranks third, behind Cumberland and Passaic counties. Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris had the lowest poverty rates in both 2005 and 2014.

Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

A Paterson woman who worked as a billing supervisor at a hospital admitted Wednesday she sold patient information for cash, authorities said.

A Paterson woman admitted selling patient information for cash, Sept. 16, 2015. (File Photo) 

TRENTON -- A Paterson woman who worked as a hospital billing supervisor admitted Wednesday she sold patient information for cash, authorities said.

Okeisha Carey, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court to a charge of wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Carey worked as a billing supervisor for a Bergen County hospital from July 2010 through April 2011, court documents said. During that time, she sold more than 250 patient records to an unnamed individual for cash.

The records included patients' names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and Medicare and Medicaid insurance information, documents said.

Carey faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the amount she made. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

City police asked the public Wednesday to help identify three men seen in a video of a violent robbery.

PATERSON -- City police asked the public Wednesday to help identify three men seen in a video of a violent robbery.

The video, taken July 26, shows a woman walking to her home on Rosa Parks Boulevard near Market Street. A man follows her for a short distance before punching and kicking her.

He then takes her purse and phone.

Before the robbery, the man greets two other men. Paterson Police have asked for help identifying the three men.

They are believed to frequent the area of Market Street, police said.

Anyone with information should call (973) 321-1120 or (973) 523-TIPS or via text at PatersonPD.com. A cash incentive is being offered for information leading to an arrest. All information will be kept confidential, police said.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Family was hoping for a miracle after 13-year-old declared brain dead following fatal accident

WAYNE -- A young boy who suffered profound head injuries in a fatal car accident on I-80 a month ago has died, NorthJersey.com reported.

Mikey LaVecchia III, 13, passed away at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick Thursday, his mother, Laureen LaVecchia, told the news site.  The hospital's records department was closed early Thursday night.

Mikey LaVecchia (File photo)  

The recent middle school graduate was traveling Aug. 15 with his father, Michael Jr., and 14-year-old Giovanni Laboy when their vehicle crashed into a Mack truck parked on the shoulder. The three were heading from Michael Jr.'s new home in East Stroudsburg, Pa., to Long Island, where he still worked in construction. Mikey was planning on attending high school in East Stroudsburg.

The elder LaVecchia and Giovanni, the younger brother of LaVecchia's fiancee, died that day, but Mikey survived, although he was declared brain dead the following day.

The family had been preparing to donate the boy's organs when his mother said she saw the teen move and ordered the death certificate destroyed. The family then began seeking out specialists, holding out hope that Mikey could be revived, although the boy failed to respond during tests of brain function. 

He was transferred from St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson, where he was brought after the accident, to Robert Wood Johnson.  

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook  

 

Local and federal authorities were continuing to investigate the death of a worker who fell from a roof in the city, officials said Friday.

A worker died in a fall from a roof in Paterson, officials said Sept. 18, 2015. (Stock photo) 

PATERSON - Local and federal authorities were continuing to investigate the death of a worker who fell from a roof in the city, officials said Friday.

The fatality Tuesday at a residence on Bloomfield Avenue appeared to be accidental, according to city police Detective Capt. Heriberto Rodriguez. The worker's name was not being released until family members could be notified.

Officials with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration were also probing the incident, U.S. Department of Labor spokeswoman Joanna Hawkins said.

The worker's employer could not be immediately reached for comment Friday. 

Further details were not available. 

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The Girl Scouts are offering this same building-rappelling experience Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Watch video

WOODLAND PARK -- The Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey are hosting a special fundraiser Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. that requires fundraisers to walk down a 10-story building.

The event has already attracted 75 adult Girl Scout supporters who have each raised $1,000 to rappel down 1 Garret Mountain Plaza in Woodland Park, the building that houses employees of The Record newspaper and PNC bank. There's still time to participate if you are over the age of 18, Girl Scout organizers said.

RELATED: For a good cause, 'Toss Your Boss' off a rooftop

While they're rappelling, families below will be able to enjoy a rock-climbing wall, food truck refreshments, an obstacle course, cook-decorating, and face-painting, said the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey CEO Betty Garger, who has personally rappelled down a 40-story building in Jersey City. Admission is now $18 for all people over the age of 3.

"We wanted to do something a little different," Garger said.

On Friday, the media had the chance to do the rappel first, with the help of safety-conscious technicians from the rappelling company Over The Edge. Many of the technicians were emergency responders, some of whom worked for cave and cliff rescue squads.

"I swear I wasn't nervous until I was dangling on the edge," said news reporter Michael Izzo, after finishing his rappel in blue jeans. "I definitely recommend it to anyone that's willing to try it."

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A fundraising campaign has been established for a feasibility study of three new museums in the historic district that officials believe would help revive the city.

PATERSON -- Business and community leaders are envisioning three new museums in Paterson's historic district that they believe would help revive the city and make Paterson a "major tourist destination."

However, they still need money for a planning and feasibility study, organizers said on Saturday.

RELATED: Niagara off Route 80: Paterson's Great Falls National Park getting $2M renovation

"With the designation of the Great Falls National Park, Paterson has a unique opportunity to become a major tourist destination," a narrator says during a promotional video by LKS Associates, a consulting firm for the city's arts district which posted the clip on YouTube June 26. "The Paterson Museum has been there for decades and art galleries are beginning to spring up in the area, but now it's time to take the next step."

The study would assess the feasibility of establishing a New Jersey Inventor's Hall of Fame, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Annex and New Jersey Hall of Fame, according to a press release.

An IndieGoGo crowd-funding campaign has been established with a $10,000 goal with four days to go. In the past month, $2,120 has been raised for the study.

LKS Associates associate Don Jay Smith said on Saturday that the effort to create the museums will continue after the IndieGoGo campaign shuts down, and there will be other fundraisers in the future.

The IndieGoGo campaign's author, Smith's wife and business partner Linda Smith, said this money would support the creation of a detailed plan, projected budget and analysis of how to raise the money for the museums themselves. "The timing is right ... especially with the planned development of the National Park," she said.

A Paterson community committee, with leadership from Councilman Andre Sayegh, the New Jersey Community Development Corporation is working on the project. They hope to increase the length of time tourists stay in Paterson after they visit Great Falls National Historical Park, which has a new welcome center and is planning other improvements.

"(They) snap their photos and turn around and leave," Sayegh said. "We want to create new reasons for visitors to stay and support the City's economy through museum visits, restaurants and other attractions."

Don Jay Smith, who helped develop the N.J. Hall of Fame, said arts centers have revitalized areas several times before. People come in, and "developers will say 'we ought to have a restaurant here,'" he said.

"When they built Lincoln Center (in New York City), there were a lot of people who said, 'Why are you putting Lincoln Center in that terrible West Side neighborhood?'" he said.

Those seeking more information about the fundraiser should visit the fundraising site or call 908-832-1020.

Watch a video about the fundraising aims below:

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

One man was found wounded and another dead following a shooting in Paterson early Saturday morning, police said.

One man was killed and another wounded early Saturday morning in Paterson, police said. (File photo) 

PATERSON -- One man was found dead and another wounded following a shooting in Paterson early Saturday morning, police said.

Michael Hogan, 63, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound on Auburn Street, police said.

RELATED: Police identify man killed in Paterson shooting

The department received a call about gunfire at 87 Auburn St. at 12:31 a.m., according to a police press release.

Another man, who police said was in his late 30's, was also shot and transported to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center for medical care, authorities said.

Police asked anyone with information on the incident to call (973) 321-1120 or (973) 523-TIPS.

Police Director Jerry Speziale has not yet responded to an afternoon press inquiry about the incident.

According to the Paterson Press, both victims were city residents, and Hogan's death is the 12th homicide this year and its 46th shooting. The media outlet also reported that area is notorious for drug dealing.

In June, police arrested 87 people in eight hours at 90 Auburn St. as part of an undercover drug sting, the Paterson Press reported.

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

State wildlife officers and local police were investigating a reported encountered between a bear and hikers off Skyline Drive in the borough Saturday, officials said.

One of New Jersey's estimated 2,500 black bears shown in this NJ Advance Media file photo. (file photo) 

OAKLAND - State wildlife officers and local police were investigating a reported encountered between a bear and hikers off Skyline Drive in the borough Saturday, officials said.

A 7-year-old boy reported seeing a bear and had marks that were possibly scratches or cuts, according to state Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Caryn Shinske.

A state conservation officer reported the injuries appeared to be from thorns and not a bear attack, the spokeswoman said. The boy was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for evaluation.

Officials could not confirm if the boy encountered a bear or how he was injured, but launched a search of the area.

Shinske said the boy was in the Ramapo Mountain State Forest, east of Skyline Drive.

ALSO: Hiker snapped pictures of bear before fatal attack in West Milford

Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager said the hikers reported spotting a black bear, but it was unclear if they were hurt running from the animal. Schwager said she placed a reverse 9-1-1 call to update residents who were concerned about seeing the flood of police activity. 

"Everybody was panicking," Schwager said. "I didn't want anybody to be alarmed." 

Police and wildlife officers responded immediately and would monitor the area, the borough said in a statement. 

"There is no cause for alarm," the borough statement said.

The borough asked anyone who sees a bear to call 911.

"Once again, there is no call for alarm," the statement added.

Last September, 22-year-old Darsh Patel was killed by a bear in West Milford's Apshawa Preserve. The death was the state's first confirmed fatal bear attack.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Two city residents were shot one minute apart early Sunday at opposite ends of the city, police said.

Two people were critically wounded in shootings in Paterson, Sept. 20, 2015. (File Photo) 

PATERSON -- Two city residents were shot one minute apart early Sunday at opposite ends of the city, police said.

Just after midnight Paterson Police found a 38-year-old woman at the intersection of 18th Avenue and East 33rd Street with multiple gunshot wounds, Detective Lt. Patrick Murray said. Police are canvassing the area for witnesses.

About a minute later, police found a 35-year-old man with gunshot wounds to his back on North Main Street between Haledon Avenue and Stout Street. The man was approached and shot by an unknown person, Murray said.

Both people were treated at the scene and taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center. They were both in critical condition as of Sunday morning, Murray said.

18th Avenue and East 33rd Street is an intersection in the 3rd Ward, on the east side of the city, while North Main Street and Haledon Avenue on the west side of the city in the troubled 1st Ward.

The shootings follow a fatal shooting Saturday on Auburn Street. Michael Hogan, 63, was found dead and another man was wounded in the shooting.

Police asked anyone with information to contact the Ceasefire Unit at (973) 321-1342 or at patersonpd.com.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

It was one resident's first bear sighting in the area.

WAYNE -- Kevin Scott walked out of his home in the Mark Valley section of town Sunday morning and saw something he'd never seen before in his 35 years of living in Wayne. 

"I saw this bear lumbering across the street," Scott said. "He just sort of hopped fences. It didn't matter what was in his way, he just cut through the yards. He'd climb a 6-foot plastic fence or a wood fence, it really didn't matter to him. He just kept going." 

The bear sighting was a first for Scott but not a first in the neighborhood, he said. He'd heard reports, but never seen the animal itself. 

Scott said police were in hot pursuit, but he's not sure if they caught up to it. He believes the animal might live in a wooded area near Wayne Valley High School.

The owner of two dogs, Scott said he was going to take some precautions now. 

"I'm going to be more careful when I walk them, that's for sure," he said. "Much more careful when I walk them. I'm very surprised to see it in our neighborhood." 

Earlier Sunday, state wildlife officials set a trap in Bergen County after a boy's encounter with a bear. The boy is not believed to have been injured by the bear itself, but scratched by thorns. 

State officials say bears have been growing in population and in range in the state for the past 25 years. 

Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.