New Jersey
We mourn Bill Pascrell Jr., Paterson’s champion who devoted life to American democracy
3-minute read
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. dies at 87: Video
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Paterson’s former mayor who represented the city in Congress for nearly three decades, died Wed., Aug 21, 2024. He was 87.
Paterson has lost a giant. And so has New Jersey.
A relentless promoter of his native Silk City, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. simply loved Paterson. He was certain of its eventual renaissance and he was devoted to it like no other.
At 87, he died Wednesday.
Pascrell, who had been ill for more than a month, was mourned deeply and personally by hundreds across the city as news of his death spread.
“He loved this city and its people with all his heart,” said Bob Guarasci of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization focused on building quality of life in Paterson. “He fought for the people of Paterson, and for all our nation’s middle class, right to the end. It’s going to be hard to imagine the landscape without him, and we should all be motivated to honor him and his life through service to others.”
Hours after the congressman’s death, flags across the city, including at the Robert A. Roe Federal Building, were lowered to half-staff.
The shock of Pascrell’s passing will surely continue for days — and so it should as a scrappy New Jersey city grieves a former mayor, a longtime congressman and its most loyal son.
Paterson shaped its champion
A lifetime spent in Paterson — a city that has been the cradle of the American Dream for so many in northern New Jersey and well beyond — informed Pascrell’s devotion to fairness for middle-class New Jersey residents.
Paterson and its many troubles — and its many strengths — transcended his approach to politics. Pascrell was, after all, a veteran of the city’s tough-guy politics whose own journey led him through Passaic County Democratic circles, stints in the Legislature in Trenton and, finally, the mayor’s office. First elected to Congress in 1996, he served 14 terms and was seeking a 15th this November.
Silk City mourns: Paterson laments Rep. Bill Pascrell’s death
He never strayed from what he believed was his duty to represent his Paterson neighbors in Washington — the police, the firefighters, the small business owners and the newly-arrived immigrants starting their American journeys in northern New Jersey. They were his priority — as was, in recent years in particular, the preservation of our great American democratic traditions.
Pascrell championed economic policies he believed would benefit his neighbors across his district. He worked to protect Social Security and Medicare, to expand access to health care, to better protect first responders on the job and to better serve veterans. He supported broader investment and stimulation of American manufacturing and, recently, was a vocal advocate for investment in American community colleges.
He was also among the New Jersey congressional delegation’s loudest advocates for the restoration of the state and local tax exemption, which was capped during the administration of former President Donald Trump. Pascrell supported investment in infrastructure and successfully steered federal dollars to support NJ Transit and infrastructure investment.
He took good care of Paterson’s greatest asset, too, ensuring that the Great Falls will enjoy a long future under the stewardship of the National Park Service as a tourism driver and an indelible focal point in the city he loved.
“Forget about changing the world,” Pascrell told our editorial board as he sought a new term in Congress in 2022. “Change your community.”
A champion of fairness: These were the causes dear to the late Rep. Bill Pascrell’s heart
A champion of our democracy
Pascrell, as we were, was disgusted and dismayed by the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He was deeply concerned about the prospects of a second Trump presidency and blasted Republican attacks on what he saw as fundamental rights in a near-constant barrage of press releases that filled New Jersey press corps inboxes over the last few years.
He was unequivocal about his commitment to the American experiment in representative democracy. He always reminded us of his years as a history teacher in the Paterson public schools at the start of his career.
When we interviewed him in advance of his re-election in 2022, he was straightforward as ever about his priorities.
“First thing on my list is democracy,” he said. “That’s why I took the stand that I did after Jan. 6. … I’m gonna be a protector of speech and accountability and voting rights.”
And he was.
We will always admire — and will greatly miss — Pascrell’s devotion to Paterson, a city whose fortunes are essential to northern New Jersey.
We will always admire — and remember — his unshakeable belief that American government can be a force for good.
Godspeed, Congressman.
.
Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
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So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
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