Week in Review: Kindergarten Controversy, Underground Fire

An underground transformer near the movie theater blew up and sent flames and smoke into the Central Business District, shutting down the area and forcing evacuations.

Hearing their kids may not be heading for Central School as expected, parents have grown concerned. Superintendent David Verducci says he expects the vast majority will eventually find their kids in their neighborhood schools as slots open over the summer.

Would you be OK bagging your own leaves or paying more for your landscaper to take them if it meant (marginally) lower taxes and safer streets? Most commenters and poll takers aren't pleased with the idea. Are you?

As of now, the Ridgewood superintendent plans to stay. If that stands when his contract expires next summer, his salary will be reduced by $60,000.

Terry Moore, Gene Calderon and Barbara Steuert have some competition in November – James Chung, Liz Carr and Sean Massaro have filed for three BOE seats. It's unclear if Massaro will actually run; he's declined to comment.

Have you seen the pics of the glowing soon-to-be grads? Check out our 65+ photos and add your own!

The final hearing on Schedler's potential development was held, and the age-old question in Ridgewood remains: what, if anything, should the village do with its limited amount of open space? Sports fields? An arboretum? Small golf course?

A man returning to his Jerome Ave home after a dog walk found a burglar making off with his PS3 and some games. Police are searching for an older model, dark red car that drove off towards Fair Lawn.

Raymond Albano begins his tenure as interim super on July 1, but the school district is still looking for a permanent replacement for David Verducci. They're looking to the community to help isolate qualities of the next schools chief.

After seven years at the Ridgewood OEM helm, Brad Mason has resigned. His appointment is a mayoral selection.