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(NJ) Paramus veterans home in crisis mode: 37 people dead in 2 weeks, National Guard deployed

PARAMUS ― Nicholas Oresko was soldier of slender build and small stature ― he stood about 5 feet 7 inches ― but his heroics were the stuff of legend. A recipient of the Medal of Honor, he survived enemy fire and killed a dozen German soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. “Nick changed the course of the war,” said Joe Cutolo, commander of American Legion Post 21 in Cresskill. “When I got to know him, he said he got up on that morning, looked up and said, ‘God, I’m cold and tired. If I die,...

PARAMUS N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Police responded in force Monday evening, as an active shooter was reported on the rampage at the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall. Police sources told WCBS 880′s Steve Scott there was still an active shooter at the mall as of 10:15 p.m. No details about injuries were immediately available. Law enforcement sources initially said people had been hit, but it was not immediately confirmed whether anyone was. A SWAT team was seen storming the mall as of just before 10:30 p.m. Shots were fired inside the mall beginning sometime before the mall in Paramus, N.J. closed...

Reports: Shots fired at Garden State Plaza mall By LUKE FUNK, Senior Web Producer - bio NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY.COM) - There were unconfirmed reports of shots being fired at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, N.J. on Monday night. It reportedly happened about 9:30 p.m. Police had not confirmed any information but there were several reports on Twitter about a gunman opening fire inside the mall. Law enforcement scanner traffic reported a male wearing body armor and a rifle in the mall. Witnesses report a large police presence at the mall. The Hackensack tactical team was being deployed to...

A Paramus middle school student was sent home Friday after he came to school dressed up as Jesus for Halloween. For a few hours, Alex Woinski was the messiah of West Brook Middle School, but like the real Jesus, Woinski was condemned, so to speak. "Sort of like a new remake of what supposedly happened," Woinski told CBS 2. Decked out in sandals, a robe, fake beard and thorns, the 13-year-old joined 500 other students at his school's Halloween celebration, and on this day, he was the chosen one - to go home. "It was offensive to some students," Woinski...

A Paramus middle school student was sent home Friday after he came to school dressed up as Jesus for Halloween. For a few hours, Alex Woinski was the messiah of West Brook Middle School, but like the real Jesus, Woinski was condemned, so to speak. "Sort of like a new remake of what supposedly happened," Woinski told CBS 2. Decked out in sandals, a robe, fake beard and thorns, the 13-year-old joined 500 other students at his school's Halloween celebration, and on this day, he was the chosen one - to go home. "It was offensive to some students," Woinski...

Former Hollywood talent agent and New Jersey native Jamie Gold pulled off his best acting job ever early Friday, bluffing his way to victory at the World Series of Poker and taking home the grand prize of $12 million. Gold's parents still live in Paramus. Gold, of Malibu, Calif., somehow convinced Paul Wasicka he had a weaker hand, getting him to push all his chips in the pot. The 36-year-old Gold, a native of Paramus, N.J., screamed for joy to see Wasicka pocket 10s to his pair of queens. It was the last bit of overacting for the former agent...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Amanda Zkiab visits The Citadel Mall four or five times a week, but the 25-year-old isn't there to scour the sale racks, stuff herself with food-court goodies or cruise for a date. Zkiab bypasses the shops and goes straight to the Catholic Center, which offers Mass, confession and spiritual guidance in a place where people normally worship couture and pray they haven't reached their credit limit. Even the rosaries are free. "It's so convenient, there's no excuse," Zkiab said one afternoon after Mass. "When I'm done, it's like, 'Oh, I can shop.'" What started as an...