Monday, November 9, 2026
type here...
Support Local News

RIDGE VIEW ECHO WRITER

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

471 ARTICLES
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
Phalon's File

Not So Many Happy Returns: The Art (and Agony) of Taking Stuff Back

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
Returning stuff to the store has never really been something people look forward to, unless they are looking forward to getting their money back...
Community

Bedlam in Blairstown: Bed Races Return for Fall Festival Fun

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The beds will be rocking again in Blairstown on Oct. 18 as the legendary bed races return to Footbridge Park. Bedlam in Blairstown is part...
Outdoor Recreation

Pickleball Courts Coming to Sycamore Park

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
Improvements are coming to Blairstown’s Sycamore Park. The Township Committee allocated $100,000 for new facilities and upgrades to existing ones at its Sept. 24 meeting. Highlights...
Blairstown Police

Blairstown Swears In New Police Officer Orlando Lisboa II

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
Blairstown has a new police officer. Orlando Lisboa II joined the Blairstown Police Department when he was sworn in Sept. 24 at the Township...
Sports

North Warren Outruns, but Kittatinny Outscores

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
North Warren outrushed Kittatinny by a mile, or more accurately 133 yards, but ultimately it’s how many of those yards turn into touchdowns, as...
Crime

Grand Jury Clears State Troopers in 2024 Knowlton Death

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
A state grand jury on Monday declined to file criminal charges in the death of a Pennsylvania man who died after an encounter with...
Editor's Pick

Historic World War II Rail Car Returns to N.J. Sunday

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The Merci Train will be welcomed back to New Jersey this Sunday in Boonton. The car was missing for more than 60 years until it...
Phalon's File

We’re Over a Barrel

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
As I observed the tragedy that was the Cracker Barrel logo unfold, it got me thinking about another grievous event visited upon a people. A...
Sports

Elliot-Able Rushes for 136 Yards but Pats Fall to Hopatcong

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
Aiden Elliott-Able was everywhere on the green grass of Hopatcong, leading the game with 136 rushing yards for North Warren during its 27-20 loss...
News

Candy Crash Closes I-80 as M&Ms Spill Across Roadway

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The Delaware Water Gap had an early trick-or-treat Monday night, though some might call it a truck-or-treat, when a tractor-trailer spilled several tons of...
Phalon's File

My Name’s Joe, and I’m a Weather Nerd

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
This summer’s heat and humidity had almost all of us talking about the weather. The air was like soup, punctuated with rainforest-like thunderstorms. And...
Good News Groove

Future Farmers of North Warren Have a Lemony Summer

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The North Warren Regional High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America had a successful boost of its fundraising efforts at the Warren...
News

Man Drowns in Delaware Attempting to Swim Across

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
A 30-year-old Parsippany man drowned Tuesday, Sept. 2, while swimming in the Delaware River in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The man, who...
Sports

Patriots Open Season With Come-From-Behind Win

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The North Warren Patriots kicked off their season with a come-from-behind 32-27 victory over Bound Brook on Thursday, powered by a ground game led...
Frelinghuysen

Frelinghuysen Delays Mill Road Paving Pending Greendell Road Bill

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
An ordinance that would pave the way for upgrades and repairs to Mill Road was tabled until September, when Frelinghuysen officials hope to know...
Government

Warren County Sues New Jersey Over Diversion of 9-1-1 Funds

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
Warren County wants money back from the state of New Jersey, alleging that Trenton budget-builders diverted money collected for emergency 9-1-1 services into unrelated...
Things to Do

Sunny Skies Draw 1,000 to Knowlton Food Truck Fest

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
More than 1,000 people turned out under sunny skies and comfortable temperatures Saturday for the third annual Food Truck Festival hosted by Knowlton Township...
Sports

Patriot Preview: Last Year’s Young Team Starts ’24 With Experience

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The North Warren Patriots begin their second year under head coach John Baum on Thursday at Bound Brook with a number of familiar, and...
Things to Do

Knowlton Fire & Rescue Food Truck Fest Returns Saturday

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
Last year’s food truck festival was a big success for Knowlton Township Fire & Rescue Co. No 1. Photo by Joe Phalon. Bring your appetites...
Meetings

Lawmakers Push DOT to Address I-80 S-Curve Safety in Water Gap

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer -
The three state legislators who represent the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap have (re-)reiterated their demand that the notorious S-curves on...
1...567...31Page 6 of 31

Featured

About us

Ridge View Echo is your local independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news source. We provide local news serving the Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, Knowlton and surrounding communities in northern Warren County, New Jersey.

Ridge View Echo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization.

Articles

The latest

Knowlton Elementary School Sees Strong ELA Scores; For Math, It’s Complicated

Knowlton
It’s test score presentation season, that time of year...

Beech Blight Aphids: The Bugs That “Boogie Woogie”

Notes From the Fallen Tree
Beech blight aphids are a type of woolly aphid...

After Second ICE Operation in Hackettstown, Local Groups Unite in Protest

Community Issues
About 50 protesters marched through downtown Hackettstown on Sunday,...
Make a Contribution

Sign up for free

Never miss a story. Receive breaking news, local alerts, and headlines in your inbox each week.

© 2026 Ridge View Echo. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Development by WHY KYRA DESIGNS