Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Police & Fire
Report: Rockaway Driver In Crash That Killed Friend, 22, Had Been Drinking, Was On Phone
A Rockaway woman had been drinking at two bars and was using her cellphone when she got into a crash last month that killed her friend, according to a police report. Samantha Viscardi, 22, crashed her car off Green Pond Road on Feb. 2 after going to two bars, according to a police report obtained by NJ.com. Responding officers found her "swaying and staggering with bloodshot eyes” and the smell of alcohol on her breath, the police report says, adding that she claimed to have drunk wine and booze at two bars. “She recalled (using) her cellphone and losing control of her…
Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes, NJ
Obituaries
Children's Hairstylist Vanessa Mirkov Of Oakland Dies, 34
Vanessa Mirkov of Oakland died on Feb. 28. She was 34 years old. Vanessa grew up in Mahwah and graduated from Mahwah High School and attended William Paterson University, her obituary says. She pursued her passion to become a licensed cosmetologist and worked for Cookie Cutters Salon as a professional Children’s hairstylist. "She will be fondly remembered for her sensitivity, sense of humor, keen wit and contagious laugh," her obituary says. Vanessa is survived by her parents Gabriel and Vilma Mirkov, sister Anastasia Markou and brother-in-law Vassi Markou; grandmother&nbs…
Hackensack, NJ
Business
Bride, Groom Name North Jersey Gym After Secret To Staying Fit
A soon-to-be-married North Jersey couple is opening a brand new fitness center in West Milford. Justin Florio and Allison Barrett, who will tie the knot in February 2019, have opened Patience & Consistency (P&C) in the Newfoundland section of the township on Route 23. The studio, at the former home of Signs for Today, offers a wealth of exercise machines and stations along with personal training, group exercise and other classes. Florio and Barrett share a goal of instilling and creating healthy lifestyles for their clients -- comprised mostly of nearby residents. They have a comb…
Lyndhurst, NJ
Obituaries
Funeral Arrangements Set For Wallington WPU Student, 20, Killed In Crash
Funeral arrangements have been set for Emily Desbiens of Wallington, who was killed in a weekend car crash just blocks from her home. A funeral Mass will be held Friday at Transfiguration Polish National Catholic Church in Wallington with interment to follow in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at the Warner-Wozniak Funeral Home in Wallington. Members of William Paterson University's Delta Phi Epsilon sorority put their pain into words as they mourned Desbiens, 20. "One of the few people who could spread happiness to othe…
Lyndhurst, NJ
Police & Fire
Heartbroken WPU Sorority Mourns Wallington Sister Killed In Crash
"One of the few people who could spread happiness to others even if that wasn’t what she was feeling. Your laugh was contagious and you never failed to bring an effortless peacefulness to every room." Members of William Paterson University's Delta Phi Epsilon sorority put their pain into words as they mourned sister Emily Desbiens of Wallington, who was killed in a weekend car crash just blocks from her home. "Emily, you are a beautiful soul with an endless amount of unconditional love and joy," the sorority sisters wrote. "A one in a million person who we were all u…
Lyndhurst, NJ
Police & Fire
Update
: Wallington Woman, 20, Killed In Crash 'Polite, Respectful, Helpful'
UPDATE: A 20-year-old Wallington woman was killed before dawn Sunday when her sedan ran up a utility pole guide wire and rolled over -- ejecting her through the window -- before landing on top of her, authorities said. Loved ones and friends were shaken to hear that Emily Desbiens had died in the tragic accident. "Emily Desbiens was one of our team managers up until her graduating," the Wallington High School football team posted on Facebook. "She always had a smile, was polite and respectful and always helpful," the post says. "We send our condolences to her famil…
Lyndhurst, NJ
Police & Fire
Community Stunned: WPU Student From Wallington, 20, Killed In Crash
UPDATE: A 20-year-old Wallington woman was killed before dawn Sunday when her sedan ran up a utility pole guide wire and rolled over -- ejecting her through the window -- before landing on top of her, authorities said. Loved ones and friends were shaken to hear that Emily Desbiens had died in the tragic accident. "Emily Desbiens was one of our team managers up until her graduating," the Wallington High School football team posted on Facebook. "She always had a smile, was polite and respectful and always helpful," the post says. "We send our condolences to her famil…
Paterson, NJ
Schools
WPU Investigates Sorority Sister's Racial-Slur Video Tweet
WAYNE, N.J. -- William Paterson University officials said they were considering how to deal with a student -- purportedly from Bergen County -- who's seen on a social media video repeating a racial slur against black people that many consider the most offensive word in the English language. The national chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon, the WPU woman’s sorority, said it, too, was outraged and looking into what actions it can take. Although not officially identified, the WPU student uses the Twitter handle "jasmineee_b13." Another student identified her as a Woodcliff Lake resident who…
Paramus, NJ
Lifestyle
College Dropout Worked At Paramus ShopRite Before Becoming Model
Adam Dubanowtiz catches a glimpse of his abs through the cut of his tank top in the mirror at his Hackensack gym and pauses. He paces toward himself admiring what he sees, but never for a second does he forget where he came from. Two years ago, the 27-year-old model lacked the confidence to even step foot in a gym and instead resorted to push-ups and pull-ups at home. Things have certainly come full circle for Dubanowtiz, who took second place in his class and fifth overall at an elite body building competition in April. He is currently prepping for another show this spring, but says ther…
Bergenfield, NJ
Obituaries
Bergenfield's Crystal Walcott Spill Dies Suddenly; Support Surges For Kids
Bergenfield native Crystal Janine Walcott Spill died suddenly Friday. She was 31 years old. She leaves behind her husband, David Spill (Bogota native), and children, Aria, 6, and Colton, 2. Family friend Andrew DeTerlizzi started a GoFundMe to help the family, which had amassed more than $4,500 as of Saturday night. "I can’t begin to comprehend the pain their family is going through and all the questions he is asking himself trying to figure out if this actually happened or if this is just some sort of nightmare," he said. "Crystal loved her kids so much and to think about…
West Milford, NJ
Obituaries
Organs Of Late Pompton Lakes Woman Will Help Others Live
POMPTON LAKES, N.J. — Danielle A Black of Pompton Lakes died suddenly at St. Josephs Hospital on Jan. 2. She was 32 years old. The family asks that donations in her memory be made to the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, as Danielle's concern for others was demonstrated through her final wish to be an organ donor. Danielle was born April 23, 1985 in Hackensack Hospital to Kim (Lane) -- her best friend -- and the late Paul A. Black. Danielle was a graduate of Pompton Lakes High School class of 2003 and she held a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from William Paterson University. She was a depe…
