COVID, NYSE And Snow Days: Mahwah's Top Stories Of 2020

MAHWAH, NJ — In a year headlined in more ways than one by illness and death, finding the bright spots could be challenging.

With vaccines on the horizon for 2021 — and having already started in the last weeks of 2020 — there is skeptical optimism that hope is on the horizon, but before we transition into the new year, it’s worth revisiting the entirety of this one in Mahwah.

Even as over 2,000 people died from the coronavirus in Bergen County, teachers and school administrators were finding a way to adapt for their students. Unfortunately, the school community was also forced to mourn a recent graduate.

There is also ongoing controversy between the state and New York Stock Exchange, who operates a data center in Mahwah. This will be something to follow into the new year, as the loss of the data center could be a devastating hit for the economy.

The town government will also begin a new chapter that will strive to be less controversial — and, frankly, more normal — than prior administrations with the election of Jim Wysocki as mayor.

Patch is looking back at some of the top stories from Mahwah in 2020.

Mahwah Grad Killed After Dispute At Ohio State Party: Police

• Chase Meola, a fifth-year marketing major and former Mahwah High School football player, was shot to death early Monday morning.

Ramapough Lenape: Take Racist Snapchat Tag Down

• A Snapchat tag reading "Jackson White Mountain" brought back a term which Rodney Van Dunk thought was nearly dead.

$39M Mansion Is NJ's Most Expensive Listing: See Inside

• Once the best home railroad money could buy, this 21-bedroom estate with a ballroom has been recently renovated, but the history is intact.

Mahwah: NYSE Tests Alternate Data Center Ahead Of Transaction Tax

• The proposed New Jersey Financial Transaction Tax ruffled the feathers of various exchanges, who are threatening to leave the state.

Mahwah Mayor Receives Unanimous Vote Of No Confidence

• John Roth, who in February was reprimanded for his drunken actions at a party, received a vote of no confidence from the Township Council.

Home Cooking: Mahwah Students Share Quarantine Cooking Videos

• Ramapo Ridge eighth-graders show off their kitchen skills in a new video series called Quarantine Food Kitchen.

Mahwah P.E. Teacher's Remote Learning Game Featured On The Talk

• Jason Calhoun, a Mahwah teacher and coach, was featured on CBS in May for one of his creative, at-home games for his students.

In Mahwah, Snow Days Are For 'Memory-Making,' Not Remote Learning

• Interim Superintendent Leonard Fitts said snow days should be spent playing outside, reading a good book and making cookies. Even in 2020.

Thanks for reading! Keep up to date with what’s happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.

Have a news tip or press release you’d like to submit? Need to request a correction? Email montana.samuels@patch.com.