Kuty Gets a Rest, Schools Get Cash, Kyle Gets Help

It's been an eventful week in Hopatcong, folks.

So eventful, Hopatcong Patch Editor Brendan Kuty couldn't take it anymore. He's run away. Abandoned us. Headed for the hills, never to be heard from again ...

Actually, he's apparently taking something called a "va-ca-tion." Apparently, it's some sort of temporary break from work, for the purposes of relaxation or adventure. "Va-ca-tion." Can't say we've ever heard of that sort of thing before, but I guess it doesn't sound too crazy.

So if you happen to see Brendan around town (he is a native Hopatcongian, after all), that's hanging-about-having-a-good-time-carefree Brendan, not the more typical hard-at-work-hyper-aware-always-eager-to-jump-into-a-new-story Brendan. They look a lot alike, so you'll have to trust us.

So until he's back on the clock Aug. 1, shoot any messages about things Patch should know to Louis@Patch.com. We'll be glad to hear from you (and glad to give the ever-dedicated Brendan Kuty) a chance not to.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand—our week in review:

The Big Show: Columnist Colleen O'Dea opined Monday on saying all the posturing by Gov. Chris Christie and the state Legislature's getting a bit out of hand. The Democrats are lining up to blame Christie and the GOP for cruel cuts, and the governor's ready to remind everyone how much money he's saving them. "There’s a kernel of truth in all of it, of course, but it would be nice if all sides were honest about their feelings and their methods," O'Dea says. How do you feel? Hit us up in the comments.

The Clothes Make the (Fire)man: It'll cost the borough $80,000, but . Fire Chief Mike Rahill said the department's old suits were falling apart—holes in the knees and rips at the bottoms of pants, padding worn away in other areas.

Hot Dogs, Get Yer Hot Dogs: And you can also get some gourmet coffee while you're at it. Tuesday, we told you about .

Plugging a Hole: Hopatcong schools were surprised to learn they'd be getting another $340,000 in state aid—as Christie announced aid enhancements all around the state. The state's pushing for the funds to be used for more immediate tax relief in most towns, but .

Dollar by Dollar: Speaking of the governor, Wednesday we told you his office put out the word that Hopatcong's municipal government and school district , due to the recent (and controversial) public employee benefits reform. Don't expect the local teachers' union head to be happy about it, though—it means bigger pay-ins for the people he represents. He called the legislation  "an unholy coalition between a corrupt governor and a group of spineless legislators."

Community Comes Together: If you need proof that Hopatcong takes care of its own, just look to the efforts underway to help Kyle O'Brien, an . Wednesday, we told you about a , even though he'd never met the boy or his family (later in the week we caught up with him again—). We also told you that , and we dedicated our daily "5 Things" column to explain . Our best wishes to Kyle and his family, as always.

We'll Never Forget: On Thursday afternoon, more than 50 people watched two Twin Towers steel beams arrive in Hopatcong. The artifacts will highlight the borough's 9/11 monument, to be unveiled on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. , and .

Are You Ready for Some Football? The school year's not here yet, but the Hopatcong High School Football team's already hard at work. .

Still In Jail: The man accused of killing Hopatcong's Alyssa Ruggieri failed to convince a judge that his indictment should be dismissed, we reported Friday. "The facts here are certainly strong as to what the state presented to the grand jury," the judge said. So Giuseppe Tedesco, also a Hopatcong resident, remains in jail for now. The court also set a pre-trial conference for Oct. 17.