Alleged Mob Trash Scheme, Power Outages in Top Teaneck News

Teaneck Man Charged in Alleged Mob Trash Scheme

A reputed Ramsey mobster known as "Papa Smurf" was charged Wednesday in a widespread federal sweep targeting a mob-run conspiracy to control the trash-hauling industry in New York and New Jersey. 

Borough resident Carmine Franco, a 77-year-old Genovese Crime Family associate who had two prior convictions in connection with organized crime in the trash removal industry, was allegedly the ring leader of a scheme to control crooked waste management companies, law enforcement officials said Wednesday. 

Franco and a brother formerly owned the Sal Car transfer station in Hillsdale, which they later sold to Waste Management. Also arrested Wednesday was Teaneck resident Jonathan Greene, 47, who faces a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property in the alleged mob conspiracy. 

The handmade cornmeal patties, known as arepas, popular in many South American countries can now be found on Teaneck Road at Coffeecol Arepa Bar & Grill.

Owners, Leo Gonzalez and Olga Carvagal, opened Coffeecol Arepa Bar & Grill in November with hopes of bringing a taste of Colombia to what Gonzalez described as the already ethnically diverse town of Teaneck.

The Township Council recently honored members of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, including recognition for their role in a lengthy rescue following a highway crash. 

Fairleigh Dickinson University is doubling the size of its Vancouver campus and is studying the possibility of opening another international campus, northjersey.com reported. 

The Vancouver expansion will include new construction and the addition of degree programs. Renovations will double the size of the University's space in Canada. 

The fourth power outage in three days hit Teaneck Tuesday, knocking out service to the town's recreation center and leaving some customers without electricity for about four hours. 

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