FREEHOLD—Gov. Chris Christie on Friday signed an application for federal aid aimed at reimbursing municipalities for the expense of cleanup from this week's blizzard. The application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency covers 13 counties, including Bergen. Christie, in his first public appearance since returning from a Florida vacation Thursday, thanked Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes, head of the state police, and Department of Transportation head James S. Simpson for their work during the storm. "This has been an extraordinary five days for them,'' Christie said.  The governor praised the…

U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez wrote a letter to President Obama Friday asking him to declare Bergen and twelve other New Jersey counties a Presidential Disaster as a result of the Dec. 26 snowstorm. The two Democratic Senators urged President Obama to send emergency assistance to municipalities dealing with millions of dollars in damages and cleaning costs. The Senators asked the President to approve the declaration as soon as possible, so that relief could help Bergen county towns, and others throughout New Jersey, rebuild from this storm, and prepare for any future …

New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection is advising municipal officials to clear storm drains to reduce the risk of street flooding as the snow begins to melt. Weather forecasts have temperatures climbing into the 40s this weekend, with the possibility of rain. "Right now, the predictions do not point to any major flooding, but we are working closely with all of our state and local partners and the National Weather Service to monitor the situation. We want to keep local officials armed with good information," DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said in a statement. "The rate of melting …

You're probably achy and sore from digging out from this weekend's blizzard. And guess what? The brunt of the winter weather season has only just begun. But it's not too late to get yourself in better shape for the next snowfall that comes our way. Snow shoveling is one of the most strenuous activities, especially for folks who are sedentary the rest of the year. Dr. Rick Cyriacks, a chiropractor in private practice in Bergen County, compares it to "weekend warrior" syndrome.  "The repetition of bending and lifting, especially wet, heavy snow, can take its toll on the body and cause a lot of…

NJ Transit trains and buses will resume regular weekday schedules Wednesday. Additionally, Access Link paratransit service will resume normal operations, as will the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. A small percentage of trains along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley and Morris & Essex lines will not run on Wednesday due to storm-related equipment problems. NJ Transit advises travelers that parking will be limited at many stations due to large snow mounds. Additionally, detours and delays are possible along bus routes due to road conditions. Systemwide cross-honoring will …

NJ Transit trains and buses will resume regular weekday schedules Wednesday. Additionally, Access Link paratransit service will resume normal operations, as will the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. A small percentage of trains along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley and Morris & Essex lines will not run on Wednesday due to storm-related equipment problems. NJ Transit advises travelers that parking will be limited at many stations due to large snow mounds. Additionally, detours and delays are possible along bus routes due to road conditions. Systemwide cross-honoring will …

With the shoveling and plowing complete, parents were able to focus today on what the kids have been dying to do since Sunday: sled at Sicomac Elementary School. Kids of all ages were out this afternoon at the school, happily taking a beating as they skidded down the slick hill, only to dust themselves off and do it all over again.

The National Weather Service reports the following snowfall totals for Bergen County: Not all towns are listed as reports are collected from trained spotters, officials and other sources in specific locations.  Updates and other detailed weather information can be found at Weather.gov/NYC. Location Total Snowfall (inches) Time of measurement Lyndhurst 29.0 Monday, 2:30 a.m. Lodi 27.1 Monday, 7 a.m. Rutherford 23.0 Monday, 8 a.m. Oakland 22.0 Monday, 7:30 a.m. Garfield 21.8 Monday, 3:31 a.m. Bergenfield 20.4 Monday, 2 p.m. Glen Rock 18.0 Monday, 10:30 a.m. Ridgewood 17.5 Monday, 6:22 a.m. …

As Wyckoff and surrounding communities dig out from the blizzard of this past weekend, Wyckoff police Chief Benjamin C. Fox reminds motorists and residents of the following important safety and community information: "The excessive amounts of snow have been cleared from our roadways by the DPW. Their job however is not done because snow piles at intersections are presently causing view obstructions for drivers attempting to exit from side streets. Drivers on through streets should use caution and be aware that other drivers attempting to exit from stop streets are going to have a difficult …

A day after the borough was hit with over a foot of snow, business is almost back to normal. Borough Hall resumed normal business hours today, the library and rec center are back open and the garbage is being picked up.  Throughout town, the main roads are down to blacktop in most areas, but there is still many snow covered patches. Side roads still have snow, so use caution. The highways appear to be in good shape with no delays or accidents being reported.  From Franklin Crossing to Urban Farms and in between, all shops and businesses should be back to regular hours today. Many shops in …

Blizzard 2010 kept many businesses closed today, but a handful of local shops are open for business. Market Basket kept its regular hours today and was even making local deliveries this afternoon. By 4 p.m. the kitchens were opened at Delpino and Golden Dynasty at Urban Farms. Across town at Franklin Crossing, all shops and restaurants were closed, with the exception of Stop & Shop, which still has salt and shovels in stock.  For coffee, Dunkin' Donuts is open as is Starbucksdidn't open until noon today, which explains why Dee Silva, of Market Basket, said the gourmet grocery made a lot of …

If you desperately need to leave the house after being stuck for the past 28 hours or so, the Boulder Run shopping center currently offers the most options for the shopping-deprived. Businesses are shuttered throughout the township, although it is relatively easy to navigate township streets after a full night of cleanup efforts. Town Hall and the Wyckoff Public Library were closed today but plan to be open for business Tuesday, officials said. Township employees used a floating holiday to cover the day. What follows is an unscientific inventory of the township's shopping centers: Boulder Run…

Wyckoff's response to the blizzard involved around-the-clock efforts that continue as the township recovers from a blizzard that dumped more than 20 inches of snow on the region. Department of Public Works employees were headed home this afternoon for a few hours of much-needed rest after working in shifts from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon. However, their efforts produced mostly clear and dry streets, from the main roads to the residential side roads. "We're in good shape," said a sleepless Scott Fisher, DPW manager. Fisher expects crews to be back out at 10 p.m. tonight as …

A blizzard warning has been canceled but not until the fierce storm pelted Bergen County with whipping wind and stinging snow for most of Sunday, leaving behind at least 29 inches in some areas and paralyzing the tri-state area. The National Weather Service issued a bleak outlook about travel late Sunday, saying that unsafe driving conditions were likely into Monday and that the storm had the potential to knock out power, down tree limbs and tear off Christmas decorations. Although the blizzard warning was canceled, a winter weather advisory was issued until midnight Monday.  The advisory …

Under a law that went into effect in October, New Jersey drivers now face fines for failing to clean snow and ice off their cars. In the past, drivers would only be fined if snow and ice fell off their vehicle and caused damage or injury. Now motorists will be expected to clean snow and ice off before hitting the road or face a fine of $25 to $75. The fines for damage or injury range from $200 to $1,000, or $500 to $1,500 for commercial drivers.

The public utility companies that serve Wyckoff were reporting no outages in the township, although they were dealing with isolated problems as of Sunday evening. PSE&G was reporting approximately 2,000 customers without power due to the storm throughout its coverage area, with no known outages in the township. Similarly, Orange & Rockland was reporting all of six customers without power (in Monroe and Nyack, NY) with no known problems in Wyckoff. Both power companies said extra personnel were on hand to respond during the storm. PSE&G said that while snow does not generally pose a problem …

The Department of Public Works is at work, sanding and plowing for the first major snow of the season. Around noon today, DPW Supervisor Brian Peterson was busy going over maps making sure all routes were covered. Meanwhile, DPW workers were busy looking over their gear before heading out on eight salt trucks around 1 p.m.  Franklin Lakes Hardwares had a busy days, with about four times its usual traffic for a Sunday, owner Charlie Mabie told Patch. "It was all salt and shovels," he said. "I don't know where they disappear to every year." The shop closed at 2 p.m. for the day as it does every…

Wyckoff Avenue past Greenwood Avenue is now open after being closed for about an hour as emergency responders retrieved a motorist from the pond just off the Spring Meadows Condominiums. Police communications reported a car that had gone off Wyckoff Avenue at Spring Meadow Drive just before 1 p.m. Police Chief Benjamin Fox said the motorist, a New York resident, was traveling south on the roadway when she "lost control while going through the curve at Spring Meadow." The driver, who suffered only minor injuries, drove through wooden fencing just before the Spring Lake Condominiums, down the …

Update, 8 p.m.: Acting Governor and Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney has declared a state of emergency as a poweful blizzard continues to hit the region with heavy snow and high winds.   "It is vital that police and public works crews are able to do their jobs. I urge all residents to take this declaration and this storm seriously, and to stay safe, stay home and stay off the roads. We will continue to monitor this storm with the help of our State Police and transportation officials," Sweeney said in a statement.  Sweeney has the powers of governor while Gov. Chris Christie and Lt. Gov…

Update: 2:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service says near blizzard conditions are developing in the New York City metro area.  Radar shows bands of heavy snow moving northwest through the area at 20 miles per hour. Daytime snowfall is expected to reach at least 8 inches with 10 to 16 inches possible tonight. Limited visibility and gusty winds are expected this afternoon in Bergen County, according to a special weather statement issued around 2 p.m. today.  The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for today into Monday as forecasts say 8 to 14 inches of snow could hit the…