Good Samaritan Struck by Car, Community Surrounds 13-Year-old Top December News

Cops: Good Samaritan Hit By One Drunk Driver As He Comes To Aid Of Another

While attempting to do the right thing and help a fellow resident, Paramus resident Farbod Fallah was struck and critically injured on Dec. 14 when Gregory Komporlis, 30 of River Edge hit Fallah on Forest Avenue. Fallah had pulled off to the side of the road to assist Rebecca Wright, 21, of the borough, who had crashed her vehicle into a utility pole. Both Wright and Komporlis were driving under the influence and the River Edge resident faces charges of second-degree assault by auto, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test and reckless driving. Wright was also issued summonses for driving while intoxicated and for reckless driving, authorities said.

With it's 2011 approval to construct a two-story banquet facility, the owners of Biagio's may face returning to the Zoning Board of Approval once again, following a setback during construction. The exact cause of the delays is curently unknown as the restaurant's attorney Stephen Sinisi will bring his case before the land use board sometime in 2013.

According to Sinisi, tthe project had to be halted as the prior approval for the construction of a two-story banquet hall with valet parking in a residential zone in plave of Paramus Tire, may actually run into exceeding the approved height limitations. The restaurant's plans to construct a monument sign with LED lighting in front of the proposed Terrace at Biagio's was approved in January 2012.

Paramus held its annual tree lighting at Borough Hall on Wednesday in honor of the upcoming holidays. The Paramus High School choir along with entertainer Ron Albanese kept the chill away from the crowd's spirits while waiting for Santa, Frosty, Rudolph and special guests, the Caruso and Bonastia families, to arrive and help light the tree.

Paramus’ Navid Radfar dreams of holding the title of doctor one day, hoping to cure diseases and help change the world.

He is going to get that chance thanks to another “doctor” – Dr. Pepper. The college sophomore has won Dr. Pepper’s annual tuition giveaway, earning $100,000 towards his education.

Young Thomas Caruso has the entire town rooting for him to get well. The 13-year old West Brook Middle Schoolstudent just recently began undergoing treatments for osteosarcoma, cancer in his left femur.

His mom Jill says that since that very first day the family learned of Thomas’ diagnosis their friends and neighbors in this community immediately stepped in offering an overwhelming amount of support for which they are beyond grateful.

The Paramus school community is taking all necessary measures to help its staff members, students, parents and all in the commuity cope in the wake of Friday's horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.

The district's counseling team have made themselves available in all the school's buildings to be there for staff members and students. Rota said the counselors will remain readily available to those who need the assistance.

Dozens of Paramus parents shared their thoughts, fears, concerns and ideas on Dec. 20 in relation to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy which has left people across the nation asking what can be done to protect the children.

The Paramus school district brought parents together for a forum facilitated by school counselor Cindy Miller to share their concerns and reactions to what happened in Newtown, in order to come together as a school community to share thoughts and ideas.

After more than a year of lengthy hearings, Oster Apartments was denied its request to build a 135-unit, six-story extended stay hotel on a quiet street off Spring Valley Road. 

The Paramus Zoning Board denied the application 4-2, with Nicholas Ionetti and Walter Vavosa casting the dissenting votes.

Starting the game with junior standout Jabrill Peppers in the Wildcat formation the Paramus Catholic Paladins took an early 7-0 lead over Bergen Catholic. Peppers carried the ball 19 times for 212 yards and two scores, but it was the work of Steve Shanley late in the game that sealed a title for the Paladins, Shanley completed all seven of his passes, including a tight spiral he lofted right into the hands of Tyrone Washington for a 55-yard touchdown down the sideline with 1:16 left in the game to lift Paramus Catholic,to a 37-34 victory over Bergen Catholic in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 4 final at MetLife Stadium.  

Open for three weeks already and Bahama Breeze Island Grille of Paramus has continued to make a name for itself. The Caribbean-inspired restaurant held its official ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday afternoon while also presenting a $2,000 check to the Hawthorne Boys & Girls Club.

Laganella Property Management has withdrawn its application to the Planning Board for its latest proposal to construct two additional buildings on its Route 17 north property which also will house the 30,000 square foot health club which was granted approval last year after a series of contentious hearings.

The current site plan was to go before the Planning Board on Dec. 6 but plans were withdrawn prior to the hearing. It was withdrawn without prejudice which means property owner Nick Laganella can return to the Planning Board with a new site plan application.

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