We’re back with another round of summer news you might have missed when it comes to the goings on in Hoboken + Jersey City. Catch up on all there is to know, including the following headlines: Bike Weehawken advocates for continuous public access to waterfront Walkway; back to school sales tax holiday begins this weekend; the Department of Labor finds $1M owed in back wages to Hudson County workers; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Eva Longoria Spotted in Hoboken + Jersey City This Week
Celeb sightings are a plenty in our Hoboken + Jersey City area — with our close proximity to NYC, and so many movies filming in New Jersey as of late. Even so, it’s always fun to catch a celeb sighting. This time, it’s Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria. She was in the area to promote her tequila brand, Casa del Sol. Click here for more info on Eva’s quick trip to Hoboken and Jersey City.
Ice-T Tweets Photo from Hudson County Rooftop Restaurant
Last night we discovered a cool rooftop restaurant spot in NJ with an incredible view of the NY skyline…. But I’m gonna let you find it yourself… 💎 pic.twitter.com/qcopDo5XnK
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) August 16, 2022
Rapper + actor Ice-T was in New Jersey recently and tweet a photo from a mystery restaurant. The tweet says, “Last night we discovered a cool rooftop restaurant spot in NJ with an incredible view of the NY skyline…. But I’m gonna let you find it yourself.” Some comments suggest the location could be NoHu rooftop bar in Weehawken.
Unjumbold Reopens in Hoboken with Added Interior Design Center
View this post on Instagram
Jersey City residents John Forslund and Michael Knight have been renovating the Unjumbold space over the past while to include a full-service interior design center. Located at 257 1st Street in Hoboken, the shop will continue to provide the retail concept previously housed in the front of the store, just paired down and combined with a local vendor concept to promote local small businesses. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 12th at 11AM.
Study Ranks New Jersey as 3rd Best State for Women’s Equality
Wisevoter recently released a study that ranked New Jersey as the third best state for women’s equality in the United States. The study took into consideration safety, politics + education, employment + earnings, work + family, and health + well-being. The best state for women, according to this study, is Massachusetts. New York came in at number eight.
Hoboken Gets Funding for Electric Garbage Truck + HOP Shuttle Bus
On Wednesday, August 24th the City of Hoboken announced that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will provide nearly $1.2 million in funding for an electric garbage truck and an electric HOP shuttle bus. According to Patch, the electric garbage truck will be a first for Hoboken and will provide significant cost and environmental benefits.
New Vice Principal Appointed at Hoboken School Board Meeting
On Monday, August 22nd the Hoboken School Board met to appoint Andrea Della Fave as the new Vice Principal at Brandt Middle School, per Patch. The board also approved a new school calendar. The start date remains Thursday, September 8th but the new calendar includes a day off on Monday, January 2nd and moved the last day of school to Thursday, June 22nd.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise to Retire
Former Jersey City Councilman and current Hudson County Executive, Tom DeGise announced his retirement this week. According to Patch, DeGise has held the office for 20 years and decided to retire instead of running for re-election next year.
Judge Dismissed Lawsuit Over Jersey City Ward Map
A few local officials claimed earlier this year that the redrawing of the Jersey City ward map was unfair, per NJ.com. A judge reviewed all information presented in a lawsuit and dismissed the case, saying the new ward map is in fact fair.
This One-of-a-Kind Woodworking Makerspace Just Opened in Jersey City
WoodLab, a new woodworking makerspace, has opened its doors in Jersey City. Located in The Heights at 195 New York Avenue Suite 1, WoodLab is a new business for anyone looking for a private space to build all kinds of things, and, at the same time, doubles as a social club for woodworkers of all levels — aka “the coolest woodworking makerspace on the East Coast,” according to the owners. Click here to read about WoodLab, a communal woodworking space that just opened in Jersey City.
Local Non-Profit Computers 4 People Donates Over 950 Computers
Computers have become an integral part of education. In a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics, about 20% of 8th-grade classrooms reported not using computers for schoolwork during the school day. Oftentimes, this is a result of decreased access to technological resources. Fast-forward to the pandemic, and there is even more of a gap in access. This concern, which has been labeled nationally as the “digital divide,” has proven to be an issue here in Hudson County for numerous programs providing educational and social resources for students. Sixteen-year-old Hoboken resident Dylan Zajac heard about this issue and knew that something had to be done. Click here to read about his solution and its impact on the community.
Purdie Space Microblading & Event Space Opens in The Heights
Purdie Space, a new event space for workshops and classes, has officially opened in The Heights in Jersey City. Located at 523 Palisade Avenue, Purdie Space features a microblading eyebrow service for anyone who wants a fuller-looking brow and natural look. Purdie Baumann, a former NYC Rockette, is the mastermind behind Purdie Space, Purdie Brows, and Purdie Entertainment. Click here to read about the new addition to the Jersey City community.
Fire Sinks Yacht in Hudson River, No Injuries
On Saturday, August 20th a fire sank a 48-foot yacht in the Hudson River, per NJ.com. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident which happened around 3:30PM. All seven occupants were rescued from the vessel. No injuries were reported.
Party with a Purpose to Celebrate 20th Anniversary in Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
On Thursday, September 15th Party with a Purpose will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Antique Loft rooftop terrace. According to the Instagram post, the event will feature live music, a silent auction, passed apps, and more. Party with a Purpose is a Hoboken-based nonprofit
Studio L to Open New Hoboken Location this Fall
Local dance studio, Studio L announced plans to open a new Hoboken location later this year, via Instagram. The account bio says the new studio will be located at 316 Sinatra Drive. Signage in the window says “coming soon”.
KMS Development Closes on Hoboken Property for Hilton Hotel
Hoboken is getting a new waterfront hotel with construction expected to begin in 2023, now that KMS Development Partners has officially closed on the property. The 20-story Hilton hotel will be located at 1 Sinatra Drive near the Hoboken terminal and feature city views + waterfront access. Click here for what we know.
Prato Bakery to Open New Location in JC Heights
View this post on Instagram
Prato Bakery announced it has taken over a Jersey City storefront located at 296 Palisade Avenue in the heights, per Jersey Digs. The business comes from owner Simone Bertini, who previously owned Il Cantuccio in Manhattan. She opened Prato on Jersey City’s Erie Street in 2015.
Bike Hoboken to Host Free Community Bike Ride 8/28
View this post on Instagram
Bike Hoboken has spent the summer hosting free community bike rides, the latest of which will be on Sunday, August 28th. According to Tap Into, the ride will kick off at 11AM under the 14th Street viaduct in uptown Hoboken. Bike safety instruction will begin at 10:30AM.
Repairs to Collapsed Sewer Pipes Result in Road Closures Along Route 440
In an alert issued by Mayor Fulop’s office, road closures are to be expected along Route 440 from Route 185 to Danforth Avenue, reported Tap Into. The work to replace the 100-year-old sewer pipes, which partially collapsed underground, began on Friday, August 26. Construction is expected to take up to 14 days.
Department of Labor Finds $1M Owed in Back Wages to Hudson County Workers
According to the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, nearly 15% of the stop-work orders issued over the past three years were issued to employers in Hudson County, Tap Into reported. Between July 2019 and July 2022, the Department of Labor ordered 71 businesses to halt operations due to evidence that workers are being exploited. Investigations found that almost $1M in back wages are owed to 235 workers.
Missing Woman Found Dead in Jersey City Motel
Jersey City police have released more information about the death of a woman at a Jersey City motel on Friday, per Patch. Kyelia Colon was a Hoboken resident, mother, and community advocate. Neighbors and family members have continued to post condolences on social media after 48-year-old Colon was killed. The JCPD’s Major Case Unit is doing everything possible as they actively investigate her death. Police are awaiting the medical examiner’s report to confirm the female’s identification and cause of death. The medical examiner did confirm that the female appeared to be deceased approximately 6-12 hours before she was found. Click here for everything we know.
Jersey City Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Stabbing Roommate
On Wednesday, August 17th, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced that a 28-year-old man was sentenced to 28 years in prison for stabbing his roommate to death in 2020, per Hudson County View. He plead guilty to one count of aggravated manslaughter on May 11th. His sentence is subject to the New Jersey No Early Release Act.
Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Begins this Weekend
Officials in New Jersey are offering residents a chance to save money on back-to-school items during this year’s sales tax holiday, happening Saturday, August 27 through Monday, September 5th. The sales tax holiday is designed to help families save on school supplies, clothing, shoes, backpacks and other items.
Bike Weehawken Advocates for Continuous Public Access to Waterfront Walkway
An advocacy group called Bike Weehawken called attention to the limited access along the Weehawken waterfront at night, according to NJ.com. Private gates put in place along the path by the Waterfront Park and Recreation Center limit traffic during evening hours. The Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Compliance and Enforcement issued a notice to Weehawken Township and requiring 24-hour public access to the walkway.
Reports of an Uptick in Hate Crimes Against Asians in Journal Square
According to Six Park BBC, Reddit, there has been an increase in violent crimes against those of Asian descent in Jersey City. The earliest reported crime was back in February of this year. All six counts reported at this point have happened around Journal Square. Police were informed immediately after the first case, yet the suspect is still at large. According to the victims, the perpetrator is an Asian male, around 5’5″ tall, slightly overweight, and carries a knife.
Jersey City Investment Banker Charged with Cyberstalking
The Jersey City Police arrested a 31-year-old man on Wednesday, August 24th on charges related to cyberstalking, Tap Into reported. According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Slinger, between April 2020 and November 2021, Gawargyous “George” Schind, a former investment bank employee, engaged in a pattern of harassment directed at at least four women. He used text messages and other digital platforms to threaten bodily injury and death.
Jersey City School Board to Vote on NJ Sex Ed Curriculum
The adoption of the new state health curriculum, which includes teaching fifth graders the variety of ways “pregnancy can be achieved,” was voted on at the Jersey City Board of Education meeting on Thursday, August 25th, per NJ.com. The new standards, for Kingergarten through Grade 12, focus on topics including age-appropriate decision-making, family dynamics, building self-esteem, social + sexual health, physical fitness, and helping students build collaborative skills.
Aloysius Parish to Host Concert This Sunday in Jersey City
Jersey City’s Aloysius Parish Music Ministry will hold a concert on Sunday, August 28th at 3PM to celebrate the church’s 125th anniversary, according to Tap Into. Everyone is welcome to attend the concert, which will be held at St. Aloysius Elementary Academy, at 721 West Side Avenue in Jersey City.
Artist Sells First Painting in Pause Listen Love Show
View this post on Instagram
Local artist Dani Coca has officially sold their first painting from the group show Pause Listen Love, which is on display at the Commuter Gallery at 15 PATH Plaza in Journal Square, per NJ.com. The show was available to the public through Saturday, August 27th. The artist from Bolivian roots currently has a successful career working in the anime and comics-inspired style but this painting features a different inspiration with indigenous South American vibes.
New Jersey City University Downgraded to BB+ Rating
New Jersey City University has been downgraded from a BBB- rating to a BB+, per Fitch Ratings. The university has approximately $136M outstanding bonds, which have been placed on Rating Watch Negative (RWN). According to Fitch Ratings, this lower rating reflects NJCU’s continued erosion in operating performance. An interim president and CFO have been put in place in addition to a new control budget which was adopted for July through September. During the 2021-22 academic year, NJCU served approximately 6,900 students.
Monroe’s to Rebrand as Latin American Restaurant + Bar in Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
According to an Instagram post this week, Monroe’s is undergoing a rebrand as Panela. The new look, announced on Instagram, features earthy green tones, highlighting the new Latin American restaurant + bar called Panela. Click here to follow along for more updates.
