First Snowstorm and Elections Top Weekly News

Athena Drops 4 Inches of Snow

Winter weather storm Athena dropped several inches of snow on the River Dell area causing delayed openings at all public schools.

The Republican majority was disrupted as challenger Vito Acquafredda reclaimed a seat for the Democrats to create a three-three split as he ousted Council President Paul Cordts by 396 votes. Acquafredda garnered 2,415 votes with Cordts trailing with 2,019.

In the contested race for the River Dell BOE Oradell seat, Patrick Gallagher beat out opponent Michael Gardner - 1,178 votes to 955. And the unofficial tally shows that River Edge residents have restored the Open Space Trust Fund 1,503 in favor to 1,434 in opposition.

Former River Edge Mayor Margaret "Peg" Watkins lost her bid for a County Freeholder seat as Democrats  Tracy Zur and Steve Tanelli overwhelmed Republican incumbent Robert Hermansen and Watkins.

With changes to polling locations in Oradell, residents across both towns made sure to get out and vote in Tuesday's election.

From early Sunday, Nov. 4 until late Monday, Nov. 5, members of the River Edge Fire Department were deployed to assist their fire service brothers in Toms River.

While there were no reported injuries from Hurricane Sandy battering its way through River Edge, borough officials struggled with communicating once the town went dark. Now the town will begin looking at ways for better preparation in advance of any future storms.

Adapting was a key to Tara Madigan's high school soccer career. However, many of the other positive traits that have led her to stardom as an athlete and as Northern Highlands' girls soccer coach were learned on and around the softball field.