March is here and made an unforgettable entrance with the region’s first measurable snow of the year. There are plenty of news stories to catch up on this week. Among the headlines: Mamoun’s Falafel launches a fundraiser for victims of the Turkey earthquake; a water main break caused a state of emergency in Hoboken; and recreational marijuana sales began in Hudson County. Read on for more.
Water Main Break in Hoboken Leaves City Without Water for Two Days
A water main break in Hoboken on February 27th, 2023 caused chaos and disruption for many Hoboken residents. The pipe was repaired on March 1st, and residents were advised to boil water before using or consuming it. The boil water advisory was lifted on March 2nd. The situation impacted many local businesses, schools, and the hospital. Read more here.
Hoboken Cannabis Activist Announces Candidacy for City Council
I am excited to announce that I am running for #Hoboken City Council to be the 5th Ward representative! https://t.co/1XUJFjn8zo #Liz4U #Lizfor5th #LizForHoboken #LizForCouncil https://t.co/tc6NMnbmiR
— Liz Urtecho (@LizUrtecho) February 27, 2023
Liz Utrecho, the founder of the activist group Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis, has announced her plans to run for the 5th Ward council seat, currently held by Phil Cohen. Per Patch, Councilman Cohen is planning to run for reelection to the seat, which he has held since 2019.
Kaffa Espresso Bar Coming to Jersey City
There’s a new coffee spot coming to Jersey City next weekend – an espresso bar, to be more precise. Kaffa Espresso Bar will be located at 276 Newark Ave, in Jersey City and will host their official opening and ribbon-cutting on Sunday, March 12th at noon. The HG Team spoke with the crew behind the new spot for an inside look at what’s to come. Read on for what we know about Kaffa Espresso Bar, opening soon in Jersey City.
Hoboken Police Celebrate Promotions, Retirements
The Hoboken Police Department honored three retiring officers and promoted six others during a ceremony at City Hall earlier this week, according to a press release. Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante, and Police Chief Steven Aguiar joined the honorees and their families to celebrate those moving up the ranks and to thank the retirees for their decades of service. During the ceremony, Danilo Cabrera was promoted to the rank of Captain. Joseph Lucignano and Richard Torres were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Francis McCourt, Adam Colon, and Wilfredo Gomez were promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Jersey City Officer Charged
PRESS RELEASE: Jersey City Police Officer Charged with Hindering Arrest of Attempted Murder Suspect pic.twitter.com/HaCT83lsnX
— ProsecutorSuarezHCPO (@HCPOProsecutor) March 1, 2023
According to a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, a Jersey City police officer has been charged with hindering the arrest of a suspect. Officer Page Rivera was charged after a suspect in a February 10th shooting was found at her residence during a search on February 17th. The suspect was wanted on charges including attempted murder and various weapons offenses.
Uptown Hoboken Starbucks Updates Plans for Temporary Closure
The Starbucks located in uptown Hoboken at 1205 Hudson Street has announced a temporary closure, per Patch. The store will be closed for approximately six weeks while undergoing renovation. The location closed on February 27th and is anticipated to reopen on April 11th.
Hoboken Fire Department Celebrates Promotion and Retirements
On Monday, February 27th, the Hoboken Fire Department celebrated changes within its ranks, with eight retirements and one promotion, according to a press release. “The Hoboken Fire Department works tirelessly to protect our community, often putting their own lives at risk to keep others safe,” said Mayor Bhalla. “I know I speak on behalf of residents when I say thank you to the retirees for their years of bravery and service, and to Battalion Chief Markey for his continued dedication to the City of Hoboken.” Captain Matthew Markey was promoted to Battalion Chief. He joined the department in 2006.
Recreational Marijuana Sales Begin in Hudson County
A Secaucus dispensary became the first business in Hudson County to sell recreational marijuana under New Jersey’s new laws, per NJ.com. Harmony Dispensary, located at 600 Meadowlands Parkway, has been in business as a medical-only facility since 2018. The store’s retail sales of recreational marijuana started on Wednesday, March 1st.
Date Set for Hoboken Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter Egg Hunt at Hoboken’s Grace Church will be on April 1, 2023, per Patch. The church is located at 301 Garden Street, and the Egg Hunt will take place in two shifts at Mama Johnson Field at 400 Harrison Street. Sign-ups are required, and more information is available here.
Progress Underway in Exchange Place
An ambitious plan to make over one of Jersey City’s busiest plazas has made progress. According to Jersey Digs, the Exchange Place project is centered around making the area a car-free zone, with plenty of outdoor sculptures and landscaping, including the addition of two playgrounds. The project was approved in Spring 2022 and is anticipated to be completed this summer.
Signs Up at New Hoboken Burger Spot
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr, located at 324 Washington Street, is getting closer to opening. The NYC-based spot offers a mainly vegan menu, with plenty of treats like oat milkshakes and vegan soft serve. Read more about this newcomer in our piece here.
Hudson County Residents Honored at Irish Flag Raising
Per Patch, several Hudson County residents were honored at the annual Irish Flag Raising, held at the William J. Brennan Courthouse, located at 583 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. The ceremony was held this year on Wednesday, March 1st. Several Irish-American county residents were honored for their service to the community by county executive Tom DeGise.
Hoboken Beauty Spot Announces New Name
One of Hoboken’s favorite spots for a facial or a massage has a new name. EC Beauty, located at 2 River Street, has announced its new name, Skin by EC Beauty. In addition to the name change, the rebranding of the studio includes a refresh to the logo, colors, fonts, images, decor, and overall brand look and feel. The spa was founded by Erica Cerpa in 2007.
Mamoun’s Falafel Announces Fundraiser for Turkey Earthquake Victims
View this post on Instagram
Mamoun’s Falafel is raising support for the Syrian American Medical Society in the Syria-Turkey earthquake relief. According to a press release, from Wednesday, March 1, 2023, through March 15, 2023, guests can help raise money by ordering a falafel sandwich and adding direct donations at check-out through Mamoun’s online ordering system. Mamoun’s Falafel will match all additional donations. Mamoun’s Falafel feels called to support the millions affected by this humanitarian crisis, in honor of founder Mamoun & his home country, Syria. Mamoun’s is located at 300 Washington Street in Hoboken.
Hoboken Shelter Celebrates 3 Millionth Meal
View this post on Instagram
On Friday, March 3rd, the Hoboken Shelter celebrated serving its 3 millionth meal. According to a press release, the celebration will acknowledge the important and uplifting role that volunteers play in supporting the Shelter’s mission through the daily serving of meals. Monthly, as many as several hundred volunteers help prepare and present the meals to Shelter Guests.
Major Redevelopment Project Approved in Jersey City
At a Jersey City Council meeting this week, plans were approved to redevelop Holland Gardens, located at 16th Street and Jersey Avenue. The plan is to develop Holland Gardens into a model mixed-income, mixed-finance, and mixed-use community that preserves all 192 existing public housing units with a right of return for current residents and expands affordability by adding 74 new affordable units for seniors, 309 market-rate units, and 56 two-bedroom condos – half of which will be affordable for families earning between 60% and 120% AMI. In addition to the added on-site resident services, a brand-new public library will be built to serve the entire surrounding community.
Hoboken Business Alliance Announces Young Artists Program
View this post on Instagram
As part of its Through the Windows art event, the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) is calling for young artists to submit their work. In a press release, the organization said that artists aged 18 and under that either live or attend school in Hoboken are invited to participate in this new “Emerging Artist” program. Through the Windows will run from May 1-June 15th, transforming Hoboken into an expansive live public gallery with works from local artists displayed in storefronts throughout The Mile Square City. All entries will be on display in a special exhibit during the six-week program, culminating in a closing celebration on Sunday, June 4th.
Hoboken City Council Considers Dropping Residency Requirements for Police Officers
An ordinance was introduced at the March 1st Hoboken City Council to relax residency requirements for police officers, according to meeting minutes. Per NJ.com, many cities throughout New Jersey are dealing with the same issue. The ordinance will be up for a second reading at the March 15th City Council meeting. The same proposal also contemplates a salary increase for the Chief of Police.
26-Story NY Vue Building Approved in Bayonne
Plans were approved this week for what will be the tallest building in Bayonne, per Jersey Digs. The location for the proposed building is a vacant lot next to the Bayonne Fire Station near Costco. The lot itself is 155,000 square feet, and the team behind the building has big plans for it. The NY Vue is the first of many projects to come in that part of Bayonne, with NY Vue being the first. The building will be 286 feet tall and have 281 residential units.
New Jersey Senator Critical of Flight Paths over Liberty State Park
In January, the FAA reached an agreement with four helicopter tour operators about flights above Liberty State Park. While many had advocated for a total ban on helicopter flights over the park, the new flight paths maintained helicopter access over much of the park, except for a small area over the eastern portion of the park. According to NJ.com, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez joined with community advocates and others to encourage the FAA to reconsider the decision, citing the quality of life and environmental issues caused by helicopter flights.
North Jersey Advocates Worry as Domestic Violence Killings Increase
Even though the year is young, four North Jersey adults and two children have been killed in domestic violence situations, per Patch. Four of the deaths took place in Jersey City. Advocates want to remind the community that resources are available. The national domestic violence hotline, reachable through phone, text, or chat, is 800-799-SAFE (7233), or you can text “Start” to 88788 to reach them by text. The New Jersey hotline is 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). Other information on how to protect oneself legally in New Jersey is here.
New Date for Neon Nights in Hoboken
Neon Nights, originally scheduled for March 3rd, has been rescheduled to March 30th. The campus, located at 1 Castle Point Terrace, is the site of the inaugural Neon Nights celebration, an event aimed at bringing awareness of mental health to the forefront of campus conversations. The event is hosted in partnership with the JED Foundation, an organization committed to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults. Read on to learn more about this special event and how to get involved.
Women’s Cancer Awareness Conference in Jersey City
The Jersey City chapter of global nonprofit Dr. Shree Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP) organized a Women’s Cancer Awareness Conference to fight cancer and build healthier communities at the grassroots level. The conference was held at McIntyre Hall on the campus of Saint Peter’s University on February 25th. Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight (D-31st District) and Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey joined a panel of medical providers and researchers discussing early detection and access to medical care for cancer treatment.
Changes Underway for Parking Rules in Hoboken
Big changes are coming to many of Hoboken’s street parking spots. Starting February 27th, 2023, the City will offer a series of changes aimed at turning over parking spots faster and providing lower costs to residents. One is a reduced parking rate for residents. The rate adjustment aims to achieve the national best practice, an 85% parking occupancy rate, in which ideally, there are one to two parking spaces available on each block. By lowering the rates for residents, the City hopes to encourage shifts from resident-congested parking zones to uncongested zones. Read more here.
$247K Grant Award to Hudson County Youth Organizations
View this post on Instagram
Two Hudson County organizations that work with youth who are either at-risk or involved in the family court system will receive a total of $247,530 in grants, per TapInto. The grant is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services Youth Services Commission and the recipient organizations are Connected Vine, LLC, Hope + Future, Inc., and Guazabara Insights, LLC. The funding will go to programs designed to increase the protective factors and resiliency of young people who are exposed to violence.
Hoboken Police Warn of Scam
In a press release from the Hoboken Police Department, residents were alerted to a scam where people are being approached as they use an ATM. The incidents are occurring during the afternoon and near banks. All incidents involve male actors waiting for victims to walk towards the bank entrance prior to approaching them. The Hoboken Police Department Detective Bureau is currently investigating these “Theft by Deception” crimes. Should you get approached in this manner please contact the Hoboken Police Department at 201-420-2100.
Grand Opening Ceremony at Angry Archie’s New Jersey City Location
View this post on Instagram
One of Jersey City’s favorite food trucks, Angry Archie’s, will be hosting a grand opening celebration at its new brick-and-mortar location at 565 Palisades Avenue on Thursday, March 9th. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop will take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30PM, and there will be tastings and giveaways all afternoon. Angry Archie’s specializes in lobster rolls and crab cakes.
