After the resignation of disgraced mayor Jose “Joey” Torres on Monday morning, council president Ruby Cotton assumed the mayor’s seat.
City Politics
Torres resigns; Cotton becomes mayor
Florio: Torres got what he deserved
Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres received his just deserts on Friday evening for taking advantage of taxpayers, said Charles Florio, developer who can be credited for the three-term mayor’s downfall.
Paterson mayor Torres takes plea deal in corruption case
Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres pleaded guilty to corruption charges on Friday afternoon. As part of the five-page plea agreement, Torres will step down and serve five years without parole in state prison. He will be barred from public office and employment in the future.
Police News
Paterson man charged with drug-induced death of West Milford woman
A city man was arrested on Thursday morning and charged with the drug-induced death of a West Milford woman, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Paterson police arrest 3, seize 7,600 packets of heroin, 410 Ecstasy pills in Park Avenue raid
Three men were arrested and large quantities of drugs were seized in a raid at a Park Avenue apartment building, said police director Jerry Speziale on Wednesday morning.
Paterson man allegedly sold heroin while on bicycle
A city man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly dealing drugs while riding a bicycle, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. Richard Garcia, 39, was observed beckoning vehicles on Mercer and Keen streets as they passed to allegedly conduct sales. At one point, while detectives were watching him at around 7 p.m., he got…
Education
Paterson getting new Don Bosco school in 2021
The city is getting a new four-story Don Bosco school building that will fit 1,000 students in the Hillcrest section in 2021.
Paterson recognizes teachers, other employees for 40-plus years of service
The city’s school district recognized almost three dozen teachers and other employees on Wednesday evening for their forty-plus years of service to the school system. Among them was Marilyn Simon, who is in her 50th year at the district.
Paterson school board agrees to auction off three buildings
The city’s school district is auctioning off three building that have been unoccupied for years. School board members agreed to sell the former Board of Education complex on Church Street, the old School 5 on Totowa Avenue, and the former St. Paul’s Lutheran Church building on Smith Street.
Business
Paterson bar with cockfighting ring, drugs gets six-month suspension
The city suspended the liquor license for New Ranchi City, a bar infamous for having a cockfighting ring operating out of its Market Street basement, on Wednesday evening. A six-month suspension was issued by the Paterson Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Judge fines Paterson travel company $277,000, orders closure
A Paterson-based travel company has been ordered to cease operation and pay $277,000 for defrauding customers, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Paterson nonprofit gets $20,000 grant for security system
The local nonprofit group CUMAC received a $20,000 grant award from NEC Foundation of America for a new security system.
Sports
Paterson brothers bring home gold medals from kids national jiu-jitsu tournament
For the second year in a row, two brothers – Jason Lambert Dixon Jr. and Jalen Malik Mitchell — from South Paterson brought home medals from the Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Bill to prohibit transcript tampering prompted by Paterson basketball scandal advances
A bill introduced in the New Jersey Assembly in response to the Eastside High School basketball scandal calling for the prohibition of “buying, selling, making or altering high school transcripts with the intent to deceive” advanced on Monday.
Authorities probing Paterson’s Eastside High School basketball scandal, says report
Investigators from the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice have been contacting staff members at the school district as part of a probe into the Eastside High School basketball scandal, according to a report in the Star-Ledgar.