Labor Day weekend is great news on its own but for everything else — we’ve rounded up all the 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: Six26 honors transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson; Prato Bakery is expanding to Jersey City Heights; 400 people attend Hoboken’s Spaghetti Dinner Block Party; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
A 2.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shook 3 North Jersey Counties This Week
There’s been a lot happening this week in North Jersey news, including a 2.3 magnitude earthquake that rattled Morris County on Tuesday, August 30th. The quake was located just under 3 miles away from Morris Plains and hit at 5:14PM on Tuesday, August 30th, per USGS. NBC New York reported that the quake lasted about 30 seconds and was located about 3 miles underground. This event was likely related to the Ramapo Fault Line, which is considered an active fault line and runs through Morristown. Just after the earthquake, a small aftershock (1.7 magnitude) was reported in nearby Lake Telemark, per Patch. Click here for everything we know.
Registration Now Open for Jersey City Marathon
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We know Jersey City is many things to many people, and starting in 2023, it will be the site of a USA Track and Field sanctioned marathon and half marathon event. In fact, the marathon will be a Boston marathon qualifier and the course will be designed to show off the best of all of JC’s neighborhoods for both local runners and out-of-town participants. The Jersey City Road Runners organization is working with the City to host the event, and they have a lot to do to prepare for the big day on April 23rd, 2023. Registration officially opened for both the marathon and the half marathon on September 1st. Click here for what we know so far about the upcoming 2023 Jersey City marathon and half marathon — as well as how to register.
Prato Bakery is Expanding to Jersey City Heights
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Prato Bakery recently announced that it is officially opening a fourth location. After years of customers asking for a location to open in Jersey City Heights, the Prato Bakery owners are granting their wish. Coming to 296 Palisade Avenue, Prato’s new space will be opening its doors this fall and will be the new home base for the Italian cafe’s kitchen. Click here to read all about Prato Bakery expanding.
Six26 Honors Transgender Activist Marsha P. Johnson
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Community members gathered at Six26 Lounge + Rooftop in Jersey City to celebrate the life of LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha was a veteran of the Stonewall riot who has been credited with the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Marsha grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey and eventually moved to Hoboken. Click here to learn more about Marsha P. Johnson.
Wine Dad’s is Opening Soon at Soho Lofts in JC
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Local wine shop Wine Dad’s announced this week that it will be opening a second New Jersey location in Jersey City “any day now.” According to the new Instagram account @WineDadsSohoJC, the new shop will be housed within SoHo Lofts, located at 273 16th Street in Jersey City.
The Last Match is Coming to Jersey City with Some Big Names
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On Monday, September 26th, White Eagle Hall in Jersey City will host a pro wrestling concert in conjunction with the release of The Last Match: A Pro Wrestling Rock Musical. According to Broadway World, the musical features wrestling superstar Matt Cardona, Tony-nominated actor Ramin Karimloo, and Broadway favorite Amber Ardolino.
Mayor Fulop Announces Open Applications for Jersey City’s First-Time Homebuyer Program
Local officials announced the return of the First-Time Homebuyer Program, known as the Golden Neighborhood Homeownership Program, with major impact. Pre-applications for the First-Time Homebuyer Program started being accepted online as of September 1st. The program is designed to assist low- to moderate-income residents looking to buy a home within Jersey City with down payment assistance and closing costs up to $150,000. For more information about the application process, please contact the Division of Community Development by phone at 201-547-6910 or at GNHP@jcnj.org.
Hoboken to Distribute over $750K to Hoboken Housing Authority + Non-profits
Local officials announced this week that the City of Hoboken will distribute over $750,000 to the Hoboken Housing Authority and other local non-profits that service low- and moderate-income residents. According to the press release, this funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant.
Federal Court Upholds Ordinance Restricting Short-Term JC Rentals
A Federal appeals court upheld Jersey City’s short-term rental regulations last week, per TapInto. A city ordinance doesn’t ban short-term rentals like Airbnb but it does restrict the total stays per year to 60 days. It also prohibits short-term rentals in buildings with fewer than 4 units.
Women Rising Annual Gala Announced for 10/20
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The 2022 Annual Women Rising Celebration of Service Gala has been announced for Thursday, October 20th. The event will be held at 6PM at Liberty House restaurant, located at 76 Audrey Zapp Drive in Jersey City.
FDA Approves COVID-19 Omicron Boosters
As of Wednesday, August 31st, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the nation’s first variant-specific COVID-19 vaccine, per Patch. This new vaccine will specifically target Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Updated boosters could be available in New Jersey as soon as the next few days.
Man Pleads Guilty to Charges in Bayonne Shooting Incident
The state is recommending a 25-year sentence for a man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a Bayonne woman in 2019. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, December 5th, according to Patch. The Bayonne Police Department responded to 484 John F. Kennedy Boulevard on September 22nd in 2019, to find an unresponsive female, later identified as Diamond Robinson, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:30AM.
Phase 2 of Hudson House to Include Redeveloped Factory
A redevelopment project in downtown Jersey City has begun with a new section restoring a historic factory, according to Jersey Digs. The industrial building will be converted into loft-style residential units and include ground-floor retail space. The property is located at 301 16th Street in Jersey City.
Detective Charged with Forging Insurance Documents in Jersey City
Jersey City Police Department detective Joel Chaviano has been charged with forging insurance documents to a private company, reported TapInto. Chaviano was arrested on Tuesday, August 30th and taken to the prosecutor’s office where he was released on a summons pending a September 13th court date.
New Jersey Governor Criticizes Proposed Congestion Pricing
In a recent statement, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy criticized the proposed congestion pricing plan in New York, per NJ.com. The plan would charge as much as $23 to drive in the Central Business District south of 60th street in Manhattan. Murphy pointed out that New Jersey commuters who work in the city are already double taxed. He also cited previous funding to build two new rail tunnels under the Hudson River and renovate Port Authority Bus Terminal, plans for which have been slow to progress.
400 People Attend Hoboken’s Spaghetti Dinner Block Party
Every year, Hoboken holds a block party — with spaghetti as the main dish of choice, per Patch. This year, about 400 people attended the waterfront event to eat pasta, chat, and make new friends. The block party was catered by The Brownstone and featured pasta, meatballs, sausage, eggplant parmigiana, salad, bread, and of course — cannolis.
Early Morning Shooting Thursday in Jersey City Leaves 2 Injured
Two individuals were shot in an early morning incident outside a bar in the West Side neighborhood of Jersey City. According to NJ.com, the victims were brought to the Jersey City Medical Center on Thursday, September 1st around 1AM. The shooting occurred outside the Halftime Bar + Grill, located at 746 West Side Avenue in Jersey City.
Water Main Break Under Repair This Week in Hoboken
Hoboken is no stranger to water main breaks, and this week, Veolia Water alerted the community to avoid one in downtown Hoboken, per Patch. On Tuesday, August 30th, the company tweeted, “Crews are conducting emergency repairs on an 8-inch main at Adams Street between Third and Fourth streets.” The previous water main break in Hoboken was located one block away, just the week before.
Hoboken Man Charged with Assault After BB Gun Incident
On Monday, August 29th, the Stevens Institute of Technology campus received a “shelter in place” order following reports of a man with a weapon near campus. The man was eventually located with a rifle-style BB gun. He was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes after allegedly getting into an argument with construction workers about beginning their work too early. Click here for everything we reported on the incident.
Building Plans Approved for New Construction Along Former JC Rail Line
The Jersey City Planning Board approved an application to redevelop the vacant parcel of land on top of a former railroad embankment that runs along 10th street in Newport. According to Jersey Digs, Newport Associates Development plans to construct a 246-unit residential building to the 3-acre plot near Hamilton Park. The building will be called Rampart House, located at 535 Monmouth Street.
Propelify Announces Opening Date + Speakers for Tech Festival in Hoboken
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Local tech company Propelify announced information for this year’s Propelify Innovation Festival, reported Patch. The event will take place on Thursday, October 6th at Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken. Speakers include TV personality Al Roker, Priceline’s Jeff Hoffman, CMO of MindMed Dr. Dan Karlin, founder of Primary Ventures Ben Sun, and more.
JC Planning Board to Review Plans for 2 Skyscrapers in Journal Square
New Jersey real estate moguls the KRE Group plan to build two new skyscrapers in Journal Square, just behind the historic Loew’s Jersey Theatre. According to NJ.com, the buildings would top out at 55 stories and 49 stories tall with 1,189 units between them, none of which are affordable housing. The land is currently used as a parking garage. The Jersey City Planning Board is scheduled to review the proposal on Tuesday, September 6th.
New York Law Now Requires ID to Purchase Canned Whipped Cream
A relatively unknown law went into effect about nine months ago, requiring shoppers to be above the age of 21 and show ID when purchasing canned whipped cream. According to Today, the cartridge inside the can which uses nitrous oxide to expel the cream is the issue. New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo received numerous complaints from constituents of whipped cream cans littering the streets, allegedly used to do “whippits,” or inhaling the nitrous oxide to get high.
Upcoming Hoboken Public Safety Meeting on 9/9
The next Hoboken Public Safety meeting is scheduled for this Friday, September 9th at 8:30AM at Onieal’s, located at 343 Park Avenue in Hoboken. According to TapInto, the meeting will focus on public safety initiatives. The meetings are held every other month and hosted by Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante and Councilman Joe Quintero.
Route 440 Closures Began Monday in Jersey City
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On Monday, August 29th, road closures along Route 440 began for emergency sewer repairs, reported Patch. The specific section being repaired runs along western and southern Jersey City, passing Route 9. Construction is expected to take about 14 days.
Lawsuit Dismissed Against Hoboken Councilman DeFusco
A lawsuit, which was filed in 2019 against Hoboken Councilman DeFusco for campaign donations, has been dismissed, according to Patch. It is anticipated that the dismissal will trigger a controversial Hoboken ordinance to go into effect, which impacts how much unions can donate to political campaigns.
GoFundMe Campaign Started for Hoboken Mom Who Died
Last week, we reported on the passing of Hoboken mom Kyelia Colon on Friday, August 19th. According to Patch, a GoFundMe account has been launched in her honor to help support the financial burdens now placed on her six children. At this point, $2,138 has been raised. Little information has been released about circumstances related to her passing.
Jersey City Memorial Blood Drive Happening 9/9
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The Jersey City Police + Fire 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive is happening on Friday, September 9th to honor the heroes of 9/11. According to @JerseyCityNJ, The community is invited to participate and donate blood by making an appointment at redcrossblood.org using sponsor code: Jersey City 911. The blood drive will take place at Hyatt Regency Hotel from 8AM to 6PM.
Community Rallies Behind Jersey City Bartender Fighting Breast Cancer
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A GoFundMe campaign has been launched with the goal of raising $90k for a Hamilton Park bartender and community friend Mel, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the GoFundMe page, “she advocates mutual aid, raising money and often paying out-of-pocket to support community fridges, local causes, and small businesses. She’s also a talented artist, a loving dog mom, and incredibly caring friend. She most likely has memorized your drink order, too.” At this point, $29,697 has been raised to support Mel as she faces surgery and chemotherapy.
Jersey City’s On-Demand, Affordable Transit Service ‘Via’ Surpasses 1M Riders
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Local officials recently announced that Jersey City’s on-demand, affordable transit service ‘Via’ has surpassed one million rides since it was launched in 2020. Today, Via is a go-to form of transportation for around 50,000 Jersey City residents and visitors each month, most of whom, according to Mayor Fulop, are lower-income and people of color. The system was put into place to serve areas previously recognized as “transit deserts” where public transportation was less available.
Landmark Hospitality Group Celebrates 20th Anniversary at Liberty House in Jersey City
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On Wednesday, August 24th, industry icons, friends, and family gathered at Liberty House in Jersey City to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Landmark Hospitality. Over the past two decades, Landmark Hospitality Group and its founders, Jeanne and Frank Cretella, have built up a portfolio of restaurants, venues, and boutique hotels in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The first property developed by Landmark Hospitality was Liberty House, located at 76 Audrey Zapp Drive.
Newport Liberty Half Marathon Scheduled for 9/24
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The Newport Liberty Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, September 24 beginning at 6AM. The course will span from Newport Green Park to Liberty State Park in Jersey City. According to @JerseyCityNJ, the race will start just north of Newport Green Park and feature seven water stations before finishing at 12th Street and Washington Boulevard. Street closures for the race will affect traffic patterns during these hours so drivers should be aware this may affect normal routes.
