A week of life in Hoboken + Jersey City means there is plenty of news to catch up on. Among the local headlines — Welcome Home New Jersey to host refugees from Afghanistan; full vendor list released for 2021 Hoboken Wellness Crawl; Jersey City begins third doses for COVID-19 vaccine, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Hurricane Henri Landfall in Hoboken: Here’s What to Know
The City of Hoboken had a press conference Saturday morning in preparation for the impact of Hurricane Henri on the tri-state region. While it’s not forecasted as of Saturday afternoon to be hitting New Jersey as hard as once predicted now that it’s changed course, heavy rainfall and flash flooding are still possible. As many of us know, Hoboken is flood-prone, even with normal rainfall — so better safe than sorry.
The National Weather Service is currently predicting 2-4 inches of rain, with heavier amounts possible in low-lying areas, along with damaging winds. Click here for everything you need to know.
Hoboken City Council Approves $124M Budget Including Municipal Tax Decrease
Hoboken City Council has unanimously approved a new $124.8 budget which includes a 2.8% decrease in municipal taxes, and $6M from the American Rescue Plan, according to Hudson County View. The new budget covers local park improvements, flood infrastructure upgrades, continued water main replacement, repaving of local roads, updates needed at municipal garages, Vision Zero safety improvements, and the continued construction of the Northwest Park.
Local Women Produce Short Film About Domestic Violence
Aynsleigh Haines and Chantal Van Zyl, West New York residents, are the Executive Producer and Director, respectively, of “Beneath The Surface”: a short film about six Hudson County women who reflect on their personal journeys of how domestic violence and abuse have shaped their lives. Aynsleigh and Chantal are both passionate about women’s rights and hope that sharing this film will bring awareness to people all over the world and inspire victims to find the courage to reach out and acknowledge their struggles. Click here to read more about Aynsleigh and Chantal’s film journey.
Cafe Alyce Takes Over Medical Center Luncheonette in Jersey City
Cafe Alyce has taken over the former spot of Medical Center Luncheonette at 641 Montgomery Street in Jersey City. Founded by the same owners of Hooked JC, Cafe Alyce was something that had been in the works since before Hooked JC even began in 2017. Still in its soft opening stages since opening at the end of July, the new breakfast and lunch restaurant will eventually become something even bigger — and Hoboken Girl has the scoop. Click here to read about Cafe Alyce from the owners themselves.
Hoboken Wellness Crawl: All Participating Vendors Released
Our Annual Hoboken Wellness Crawl Event is back — and we’re announcing our participating vendors this week — all 100 of them! Now is your chance to purchase a ticket and support local wellness businesses that need our help more than ever.
The Crawl will feature tons of brick-and-mortar businesses + online/mobile businesses. You’ll get a virtual map, bracelet, bag, and then walk or bike all around Hoboken at your leisure to visit different local wellness businesses that are all giving away freebies, class passes, samples, and more! Click here for everything you need to know about this year’s Wellness Crawl.
New Boutique Gym, MEGA, Coming to Jersey City
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MEGA, a new boutique fitness studio, is expected to open its doors this fall on the 2nd floor of 150 Bay Street. Founded by Kyra Huxel, MEGA will be bringing the Lagree Method to the bustling downtown Jersey City fitness community. Click here to read about the type of machines and classes MEGA will offer upon opening in the next few weeks in Jersey City.
New Tacos + Tequila Bar Opening in Hoboken
There’s a new tacos and tequila bar opening in Hoboken this fall. Fat Taco is taking over Coco Havana‘s old space at 32 Newark Street in Hoboken. With remodeling underway by the Hoboken Hospitality Group, the restaurant is expected to have its grand opening in just a few weeks. Click here to read more about what you can expect to see, eat and drink inside the soon-to-be home of birria tacos + tequila at Fat Taco.
Jersey City Begins Work on New Firehouse
A $5.6 million firehouse is in the works to replace a decommissioned 116-year-old Jersey City Fire Department facility, according to NJ.com. The facility was originally built for horse-drawn fire apparatus, but the new facility will be 12,000-square-feet, expected to be completed next summer. This firehouse is the city’s first new facility in 20 years and is located in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood.
Artichoke Pizza Opening Soon in Jersey City
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The JC Families account posted an update this week about the new Artichoke Basille’s Pizza location coming to Jersey City. The post reads, “The sign is officially up for @artichokepizza! 🍕 The popular New York pizza franchise will soon be open at 246 Bay Street. 🙌 They are currently hiring for its Jersey City location. They haven’t announced a set date yet but we are super excited for them to join the Jersey City food scene.”
New Jersey Olympian Announces Retirement
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Carli Anne Hollins, originally from Delran, New Jersey, has announced her plans to retire as an Olympic competitor. The NJ.com account shared the news, “The USWNT star, Rutgers Hall of Famer, and Delran native announced her retirement today. She’s made New Jersey proud with her two Olympic gold medals, two World Cup champion wins, and being named FIFA Player of the Year twice. Enjoy retirement, Carli!”
Jersey City Pride Festival Draws to a Close
The month-long Pride celebration in Jersey City is coming to a close on August 21st, reports NJ.com. The festival will have a live, in-person event on Newark Avenue in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival. The festival will be from 1PM to 6PM, with live entertainers and music. Anyone in attendance must follow social distancing standards and wear a mask.
Grand Opening of New Park in Jersey City
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A Grand Opening event was held on Wednesday, August 18th at the new Mary McLeod Bethune Park in Jersey City. The new park features a stage for live performances and community events, amphitheater seating, an area for vending and outdoor markets, a playground, fitness bars, and passive seating areas. This new outdoor extension of the Bethune Center will provide a welcoming atmosphere for residents to enjoy entertainment, gatherings, and cultural activities. Click here for details about the new park.
Hoboken Musicians Share Unique Concert at Sybil’s Cave
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Two local musicians, Bill Brovold and Jay Kreimer, held a concert this week in front of the iconic Sybil’s Cave off Sinatra Drive in Hoboken. In this one-of-a-kind concert, called “Modern Cave Sounds”, the innovative composers, musicians, and instrument inventors brought their musical exploration of cave acoustics to Hoboken.
NJ Concert Venues to Require Negative Test or Proof of Vaccine
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This week NJ.com shared the news that local concert venues will require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test to attend events. The post reads, “Live Nation, which operates PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, BB&T Pavilion in Camden and promotes events at Prudential Center in Newark, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford and the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, announced Friday it will require proof of COVID vaccination or a recent negative test for all attendees and performers starting October 4th.”
Signage Up at One Dee Siam in Jersey City
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Signage is up at the new restaurant on Newark Avenue, One Dee Siam, according to JC Families. The post reads, “The sign is officially up for One Dee Siam, a new Thai restaurant coming to the former space of Sawadee at 137 Newark Ave.🍲 @onedeesiam is planned to open around August 20th!”
Hoboken Allocates Over 600K in Vaccine Incentives
Mayor Ravi Bhalla outlined the first phase of the Hoboken Rescue Plan, focusing on providing rent relief to residents, relief to small businesses, quality of life improvements, and efforts to improve the City’s vaccination rates, per Tap Into. $600,000 is allocated in financial incentives to encourage Hoboken municipal employees to get vaccinated. Of Hoboken’s nearly 600 municipal employees, around 100 are unvaccinated.
Students Sue Rutgers Over Vaccination Requirements
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A group of students accepted to attend Rutgers University are fighting the school over vaccine requirements. The post by NJ.com says, “The university announced in late March that students will be required to be fully vaccinated before arriving on campus and that those who have not been vaccinated will not be allowed to attend classes. The suit claimed the students have suffered damages as a result of the defendants’ “violation of their civil rights” and that they were seeking compensation.”
K-12 Students Required to Wear Masks This Fall in NJ
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Local officials have decided to require masks at school this fall. The NJ.com post reads, “New Jersey students from kindergarten to 12th grade will be required to wear masks in schools this fall in hopes it will reduce the spread of COVID.”
Hoboken BOE Sued by Family of Custodian Who Died From COVID-19
The family of the former school custodian Gary White has filed a lawsuit against Hoboken Public Schools following his death last year. He contracted COVID-19 in March of 2020 and passed away the following month, allegedly while working as a custodian in Hoboken Public Schools.
Tap Into reports, “According to a complaint filed by law firm Fernandez Garcia on behalf of White’s family, the beloved custodian and community fixture was only given latex gloves as PPE following the outbreak of the virus in Hoboken.”
Hoboken Potentially Follows Jersey City in Divesting From Fossil Fuels
Hoboken Councilman Phil Cohen has introduced a resolution asking New Jersey to remove fossil fuel investments from its pension plan, following in Jersey City’s footsteps, according to NJ.com. The resolution is on the agenda for Wednesday’s City Council meeting. The plan is to protect employees so they can rely on their investments in retirement while addressing the global climate crisis.
Jersey City Medical Center to Begin Gastroenterology Fellowship
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Jersey City Medical Center has joined the Rutgers Health/New Jersey Medical School Gastroenterology fellowship so its young doctors can receive advanced gastroenterology training, according to Tap Into. Jersey City Medical Center has been an academic teaching hospital for a long time, offering residencies in internal medicine, dental medicine, obstetrics, and pharmacy. The new fellowship training in gastroenterology is a first for the hospital.
Jersey City School District Virtual Town Hall Disrupted by Racial Slurs
A Jersey City school district virtual town hall meeting was disrupted by Zoom bombers who used racist language and simulated pornographic sounds, NJ.com reports. Superintendent Franklin Walker was subjected to a racial slur from the zoom bombers. Zoom-bombing has become popular with internet trolls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jersey City to Begin COVID Vaccine Third Doses
The FDA and the CDC have recently authorized a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for the immunocompromised, Tap Into reports. Those eligible for the third dose must wait four weeks after receiving dose two, and it must be the same vaccine that the person initially got. The third dose will be available starting August 16th.
Hoboken Schools Reopening Plan Coming Soon
Hoboken’s superintendent of schools plans to release the district’s reopening plan by August 23rd, according to Patch. The state recently implemented a school mask mandate indoors, changing from the Mayor’s policy in June, which was to leave it up to the individual districts. Districts around New Jersey have had to deal with many changing state guidelines amid the rise of the Delta variant.
Jersey City Opens Applications for COVID Rental Assistance
Jersey City renters are now eligible to apply for rental aid, per NJ.com. The applications are open until September 1st, and residents must fulfill certain requirements in order to be eligible for the funds. To qualify, residents must have owed rent since April of 2020 and have an income below 50% of the area median income, as well as be living in an owner-occupied building with two to four units.
Hoboken Officials Announce $13.2 Million Hoboken Rescue Plan
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla released the first phase of the Hoboken Rescue Plan, allocating over $13.2 million of funding to the City’s recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, per Hobokennj.gov. The Hoboken Rescue plan will assist the City’s vaccination and testing efforts, provide rent relief to residents and provide quality-of-life improvements.
Councilman Withdraws Jersey City Affordable Housing Plan
Jersey City Councilman-at-large Rolando Lavarro Jr. rescinded an affordable housing resolution for further deliberation, per NJ.com. The plan would require developers to designate 20% of their units as affordable housing, and the designation would remain in effect for almost 100 years. Lavarro is pulling the resolution after speaking with Mayor Steve Fulop and Council President Joyce Watterman in order to come to a beneficial outcome around inclusionary zoning.
Hybrid Coffee Makes New Home in Downtown Jersey City
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According to an Instagram post by Hybrid Coffee, the local staple has a new location in downtown Jersey City. The shop is located at 398 Manila Avenue and is open Monday through Saturday from 8AM to 4PM. The move was announced in June and the store has kept its loyal customers updated via social media.
Jersey City Group Hoping to Help Temporarily House Afghan Refugees
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A Jersey City organization has been asked to stand by with apartments ready to accept families as part of the massive plan to bring those that aided the U.S. military here for safety, according to PIX11. The group, Welcome Home Jersey City, helps resettle refugees fleeing their home countries. This is one of the many outreach groups asked by the federal government to be ready to step in and immediately provide temporary housing.
4 Jersey City Vehicles Stolen, 3 Left Unattended While Running
Four vehicles have been recently stolen in Jersey City, including three in which the drivers left their vehicles unattended with the engines running, per NJ.com. These vehicles were all taken over a three-day span. Three vehicles were recovered and arrests were made in two of the incidents. There is nothing indicating that any of the car thefts were related.
Jersey City Ward E Councilman Submits 1,011 Petitions to Clerk
Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon submitted 1,011 petitions of nomination to the clerk’s office, guaranteeing his spot on the November 2nd ballot, reports Hudson County View. In Ward E, municipal candidates need around 350 valid petition of nominations, the filing deadline is August 30th. With his 1,011 petitions, Solomon will find himself facing Chief Municipal Prosecutor Jake Hudnut.
Phase Three of Jersey City’s Provost Square Rising This Fall
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The third component of a multi-tower development will start to rise in the Powerhouse Arts District after months of delays, according to Jersey Digs. The parcel of land was formerly home to an A&P Annex facility. Phase three of Provost Square will restore the facade on the existing building, repurposing it as a lobby for a new 550-seat performing arts center. The theater will be 26,532 square feet with an included 17,706 square feet of multi-purpose art space.
Woman Killed Crossing Kennedy Boulevard
A woman appearing to be in her 60s was struck and killed trying to cross Kennedy Boulevard in the Jersey City Heights, per NJ.com. The woman was attempting to cross the busy four-lane road against the traffic light when she was struck. A Jersey City man driving a 2008 Chrysler 300 hit her and threw her approximately 40 feet.
