Following the death of two-year-old Tierra Morgan-Glover, Republican Senator Robert Singer (District 30) has introduced legislation that would reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey for those who murder a child, kill a police officer in the line of duty or commit a terrorist attack that results in fatalities. Morgan-Glover was allegedly drowned by her father Arthur Morgan III when he supposedly tied a car jack to her car seat and thew her into a stream near Shark River Park in Wall. He is currently being held at the Monouth County jail in Freehold. If convicted he would currently face life…

On Sunday, residents rolled back their clocks for an extra hour of daylight - so what will you be doing with that extra hour? Some people may sleep in later, others may choose to fit in more time at the office doing work or chores around the house or maybe squeeze in a little more time at the gym. Vote in our poll or tell us in the comments what you'll be doing with that extra hour of time.

Halloween is the one night of the year when all kids (young and old) are focused on candy. We all know it's not health food, but the truth is that not all candies are created equal – even if they look and taste similar. So how do you know which candies will cause the least damage to the ghouls and goblins in your neighborhood this Halloween? According to dietitian Gloria Tsang, author of the new book Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss and founder of nutrition network HealthCastle.com, choosing the right candy can reduce the health impact of your kid's trick-or-treat haul. "…

If the election were today, an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution allowing gambling on sporting events in Atlantic City casinos and at race tracks throughout the state would easily win approval, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll. Betting on sports events, which will be on the November 8 general election ballot, is supported by 58 percent of likely voters, while only 31 percent oppose. Among Republicans support is even higher, at 64 percent, while 58 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents also favor the measure.  “While it amends the New Jersey Constitution, this …

President Barack Obama’s support in New Jersey has rebounded from its low in August, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll. Half of Garden State voters now say the president deserves a second term, up from 43 percent two months ago. At the same time, nearly twothirds of voters are happy with Gov. Chris Christie’s announcement that he will not run for president in 2012. Voters are somewhat unsure whether Christie has the personality to make a good president, with 47 percent agreeing, and 49 percent disagreeing, much along partisan lines. “As the presidential race start to jell, President …

Recently the Oradell Mayor and Council introduced the first draft of a cell tower ordinance.  According to the ordinance, a new cell tower could be constructed at Shirra Park off of Kinderkamack Road and Oradell Avenue and measure up to 100 feet high for a single user, up to 120 feet for two users and 150 feet for three or more users. It also outlines a variety of restrictions including requiring the submission of evidence of existing towers within two miles of the location and the need for a tower in Oradell. Plans must also be submitted showing where the tower could be seen based on a one-…

During this past Monday's River Edge Mayor and Council meeting, Police Chief Tom Cariddi received approval to search for potential candidates for two open patrol officer positions. Under a new contract signed with the PBA, the borough could hire officers at a lower starting salary and longer period of time to reach top pay, according to Cariddi. For a new patrol officer the starting salary would be $27,775 but once benefits are added it comes to $44,285 per officer.

The RiverDell area has some great restaurants within its borders and this week Patch wants to know where you like to grab a bite in town. When you want something casual, do you head to La Toscana's for a slice then to Yolato Cafe for a cone? Or do you head to the outdoor seating at Cool Beans? Maybe you have a tough choice when it comes to Greek delights at A Taste of Greece or Babylon's. Perhaps you like to get dressed up and head to Sanducci's Trattoria for a their fine Italian cooking? Patch wants to know where you like to dine in New Milford. Tell us in the comments.

It has been 10 years since the World Trade Center towers were struck down; for some it may still feel like yesterday, for others they may have been to young to remember. How do you feel 10 years later? Has your life changed dramatically since the Towers fell? Do you remember where you were at the time you heard or were you one of the first responders to be on scene either during or after the attacks?

After being pelted with power outages, wind, rain and flooding, how have your faired throughout Hurricane Irene and the subsequent aftermatch? Did your sump pumb break? Were you asked to evacuate your home? Are you one of the lucky ones who still has power in the RiverDell area? Share your stories, photos and videos from either during the hurricane or its aftermath with Patch.  Post in the comments below or add any photos to this article. Or feel free to email editor Eamon Harbord at eamon.harbord@patch.com, post on our Facebook page, or call 201-704-3223 to talk abour your experience on the …

In just a few weeks, teachers at Oradell Public School will return to the building, but much like last year, they will again be walking the halls without a signed contract. In February, the decision was made for the Oradell Education Association (OEA) and the Board of Education to head to mediation. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2009, but no resolution has been reached. According to the 2010 NJ State Report Card data, the median salary for a teacher in Oradell is $50,960. Teachers in River Edge can earn on average $59,343 while in River Dell Regional, the median salary is $73,608. How …

There's just a few weeks left of summer vacation before most of RiverDell returns to school, whether off to college or back to the local buildings. And Patch wants to know, how have you been spending your vacation? Did you go to the beach with friends and family? Or maybe traveled out of state or out of the country. Did you try something new or accomplish a goal? Tell us how you spent your summer vacation and share your photos or videos by uploading to this article or your stories in the comments section below.

From Malaysia Airlines to a restaurant in Pittsburgh, businesses are taking complaints about screaming children seriously, even going so far as to implement a "no-kids-allowed" policy. Blogger Laura Carroll, who blogs about living a child free life (by chioice) that in Texa one cinema chain has even flipped the model, banning kids under six altogether, except on specified "baby days".  Every Friday this summer, Whole Foods stores in Missouri are offering child-free shopping hours so that parents can find what they need to make dinner without having to worry about their kids getting underfoot…

On Friday, the Associated Press (AP) reported that Pentagon chief Leon Panetta had decided to end the ban on gays serving openly in the military after 17 years and that by repealing the band would not hurt the military's ability to fight. The decision came two weeks after the Chiefs of each military branch stated that ending the ban would not affect military readiness. The AP also wrote that following a meeting with Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, that President Barak Obama would as well certify the change to Congress. The repeal could take effect in 60 days…

There is an editorial piece making its way around the news these past few days that is making a lot of people do a double take. Dr. David Ludwig, an expert on obesity in the Children’s Hospital Boston, has made a claim in the Journal of the American Medical Association that in some cases, parents should lose custody of their overweight children. He states in the piece that children who have life threatening obesity should be temporarily placed in the custody of the state because they comprise “the only realistic way to control harmful behaviors.” He goes on to say that state intervention will…

For years, teens and adults have fallen into the magical world of Hogwarts with Harry, Ron and Hermione and this Friday at 12:01am the final installation in the eight movie series will be released on the big screen. Based on JK Rowling's seven novels, the Harry Potter series has literally watched the young actors grow up before an audience's eyes and their journey comes to an end in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows part two when Harry and Voldemort will have their final show down. Will you be catching a midnight screening of Deathly Hollows and where? Have you grown up watching the films …

Today is Independence Day and most residents will be at the morning parades or afternoon festivities in the park. Others will barbecue, return from the shore or swim in the pool. How will you be celebrating Independence Day in RiverDell? Tell us in the comments section or upload your family photos and videos.

Late Friday night, the New York legislature approved a bill allowing for same-sex marriage in the state and still gave religious institutions protection if they chose to not perform the ceremony. The bill received bipartisan support from the Democratic-led Assembly 82-47 and then in the Republican-led Senate 33-29. The bill allows for gender-neutral marriage licenses for both same- and opposite-sex couples. It also prohibits state and local courts or governments from penalizing any religious group or its employees who refuse to recognize a marriage that contradicts their doctrine or refusing …

Pension and health care benefit reform leaped over its first hurdle last week for public employees as the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved a bill by a 9-4 vote. Sponsored by Sen.'s Stephen Sweeney, Joseph Pennacchio and Jennifer Beck, S2937 calls for higher pension and health insurance contributions from teachers, police and firefighters and other public workers. It also limits collective bargaining over health care. A similar version, A4133 sponsored by Assemblymen Louis Greenwald and Declan O'Scanlon Jr., will go before the Assembly Budget Committee later today for …

President Obama would hold onto his job if challenged by Governor Christie, according to a new poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind. That's not new information—a similar poll in March found the same. What's new is just how much the gap has grown, according to the poll. In March, the divide was 46 to 40 percent, in favor of Obama according to the poll. Now it's showing at 50 to 34 percent. Now, all of that may be a moot point—Christie's said over and over again that he's not running. But ... what if he did? How would you vote? For Obama or Christie? Tell us in the comments. Here…