A Home Invasion, A Debate, Fire Safety and a Man on the Water Tower

On Saturday morning police received a call from Hawks Hill Rd. homeowners who reported their home had been entered while they slept the night before. Electronic equipment and jewelry were missing and it was determined that the burglars had been on all three floors of the home while the family --both parents, their children and their dogs -- all slept.  Police said it is highly unusual for a home to be entered while residents are on the premises and have asked residents to lock their doors, set their alarms and to report any suspicious activity.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and WWE CEO Linda McMahon met for the first of three debates as they campaign for Sen. Chris Dodd's Senate seat. Local Democrats gathered at their recently opened town headquarters to watch the debate together.

On Saturday, the Fire Department kicked off Fire Prevention Week with its 10th Annual Open House. Fire fighters offered demonstrations of life saving equipment including the Jaws of Life and police were there with "The Convincer," a ride that simulates a low-speed car accident that serves as a not-so-gentle reminder to wear your seat belt. Patch covered the event with a video as well as an About Town report on the day's activities.

On Monday morning NCHS Principal Tony Pavia sent an e-mail message to students and parents about the tragic suicide of a Rutgers freshman, who jumped off the George Washington Bridge after being "cyber-bullied" by his roommate and a friend. On Tuesday evening a high school coach spotted a man on top of the water tower at Waveny Park and called police, who were concerned he might be there "to harm himself or others."  Turned out to be a worker aligning cell signals. After an Anti-Defamation League presentation, the NCHS Class of 2011 vowed to put an end to bullying at the school.

A group of concerned citizens have banded together to save the scheduled-for-demolition building formerly known as the Richmond Hill Garage. Re-named the Mead Park Carriage Barn, the group has gathered a few hundred signatures on a petition asking the town to reconsider its decision and find a suitable new life for the 110-year-old building, which is the last of its kind in the state.