Hudson County, we hope you’re hanging in there amidst all of this coronavirus craziness. As the outbreak continues to be a threat, most of us remain in self-isolation or, as it’s being called now “sheltering in place.” Whether or not you choose to keep up-to-date on the news while sheltering in place, it’s the right answer.
If you’re of the camp that stays away from the headlines most of the week, it’s okay to dip back in every Sunday to catch up on what’s really important. We’re rounding up the most critical COVID-19 related headlines as well as some other local news that’s worth catching up on from this past week. Let’s start with the latest COVID-9 updates in Hoboken + Jersey City this week:
- – As of April 19th, Hoboken now has 372 positive COVID-19 cases according to the latest Nixle alert; and Jersey City has 3,194 — you can track Jersey City’s numbers daily here.
- . Nearly 100 residents have made full recoveries, with most confirmed cases falling in the 31-40. demographic. Two of the confirmed cases in Mile Square are children under 16.
- – In Hoboken, 19 people have died from COVID-19 as of April 19th. All of the people who have passed have been 51 years and older.
- – Jersey City has seen 233 total deaths, which range from age 16 to 75+ years of age.
- – Prompt MD is offering COVID-19 testing at 309 1st Street. Schedule a tele-visit for a pre-COVID-19 test screening here.
- – Designated hours for seniors and other resident populations at Kings and ShopRite. 7:00-8:00AM {in effect as of today}, and ShopRite from 7:00AM-8:00AM beginning Friday. Acme will be hosting these designated hours from 7:00AM-9:00AM. Whole Foods in Weehawken will now also service customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the general public, under the new adjusted hours posted on the store’s web page.
- – Riverside Medical Group has opened an appointment-only testing center in North Hoboken for all of the city’s residents and is now offering rapid 15-minute testing — call 201-602-7888-420-5621 to book an appointment.
- – Every night at 7:00PM, join the Hoboken Girl team in showing our gratitude for those working on the frontlines of this pandemic — we’ll be doing a Hoboken + JC wide clap. Get more information here – we pick a song nightly.
- – Find more of the latest local + statewide updates on our daily updates page.
Beyond coronavirus news, however, there’s still a lot of other stuff to catch up on. Ready to read up on the most crucial local headlines from earlier this week? Keep reading!
@TheHobokenGirl Instagram Live for FLAG
Raises Over $10,000 for FLAG HBKN in 3 Weeks
Last night, we hosted an Instagram Live for the 3rd time for FLAG Hoboken + JC. Our team teamed up with DJ Cam in Hoboken to host an IG Live virtual dance party on @thehobokengirl from 7:00-8:00PM during our nightly cheer for healthcare heroes. Anyone could tune in, and to request a song, you just had to donate $ {any amount, honor system} to FLAG Hoboken + JC {the Frontline Appreciation Group in Hoboken and Jersey City}.
In just 60 minutes, we raised over $3000 for the local group, for a grand total of over $10,000 in just 3 WEEKS {and only 2.5 hours on our Instagram!} for the newly-formed group, which takes all donations and purchases meals and supplies from local businesses for first responders. It was such a successful evening and we thank everyone who donated – we so appreciate it. And for all you RHONJ fans, Teresa Giudice even joined for a bit to support the cause!
This upcoming Saturday, April 25th, we’re planning something to benefit the Hoboken Volunteer EMS, as they too do SO much for our community on the front lines and are the last all-VOLUNTEER organization in our area. Stay tuned for more details — but save the date for Saturday night at 7PM!
Big thanks to everyone who donated and joined us — we hope you had as much fun as we did.
The Mile Square Extends State of Emergency Indefinitely
The City of Hoboken declared a State of Emergency over a month ago on March 12th. Now, Mayor Bhalla has officially extended the State of Emergency indefinitely.
“The State of Emergency we declared in Hoboken on March 12th is extended, along with all current rules, regulations, and closures, until further notice,” Bhalla wrote in a statement. “Medical experts are anticipating New Jersey is near its apex, and we must continue to do everything possible to promote self-isolation and remain home at all practical times. The continued closure of city parks, in particular, continues to be necessary in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
As of right now, there is no official date for the “end” of Hoboken’s State of Emergency.
The Franklin Social Has a New Pop-Up:
Benny’s Sandwich Shop + Market
Many businesses have changed their business models in response to a changing society during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest to do so: The Franklin Social, which just opened in late 2019. This restaurant/bar, located at 292 Barrow in JC, has a new pop-up sandwich shop and market — Benny’s Sandwich Shop. The pop-up opened this past Saturday, April 18th and are serving both pantry items, veggies, produce, meats, paper goods, and sandwiches, with produce items sourced from Harvest Drop. You can order online through their website and utilize contactless pickup. PS: They’re also selling homemade bar kits 😉
Man Charged in Fatal Jersey City Shooting Last Week
On April 6th, a Jersey City shooting near Martin Luther King Drive and Myrtle Avenue marked the fourth shooting in seven days. Javone Smith, 23, was shot several times and died. Now, a week later, Kenyowa Pinkney, 27, has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Pinkney, who has two prior convictions, was arrested on Tuesday after he surrendered to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit. He was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain persons not to possess a weapon.
Jersey City Superintendent Thinks Schools Should Close for the Year
Jersey City Superintendent Franklin Walker has stated that he doesn’t think schools will be ready to reopen by May 15th, the date Governor Murphy gave the state’s education system. “A lot of decisions have not been made, especially when it comes to transitioning large crowds back in an environment like that, especially in terms of schools,” Walker said to NJ.com on Friday.
This isn’t a feeling he has on his own. Kimberly Wallace-Sacalcione confirmed Mayo Fulop agrees with w\Walker.
“At this point, the state would be better served by providing more resources for teachers, parents, and students to learn form home for the duration of the school year,” she said.
Man Arrested After Allegedly Coughing on Hoboken Cops
A Clossvale, New York man was arrested in Hoboken earlier this week after allegedly coughing on police and “throwing bodily fluids” at them. Patch.com reports that Darrell Rude, 33, threatened that he had coronavirus as he coughed.
On Wednesday night after midnight, Sgt. Luke Zeszotarski and Officer Francis McCourt responded to a call of a possible burglary near Newark and Garden Streets by the border of Jersey City. Witnesses told police a man had shattered a glass window and then proceeded to give a description of the man to cops.
Zeszotarski and McCourt found Rude, who fit the description provided, near 2nd and Court Streets in Hoboken. Police say that as they processed Rude, he “began to purposely cough in the direction of officers. During this time, he advised officers that he has bronchitis and COVID-19.”
According to police, “A total of nine officers were exposed to his behavior.” Officers attempted to put a mask on Rude but he bit each one of them off. If he was addressed, police say Rude would cough in the officer’s direction.
Rude was taken to a hospital and then transferred to Hudson County Correctional. In total, police say they recovered $396 in stolen items off of Rude.
Cangiano’s in Jersey City Is Now Open
{Photo credit:@cangianos_jersey_city}
Cangiano’s Fine Foods at 234 Pavonia Street in Jersey City is officially opened and according to a sign outside, is asking anyone who comes in to please wear a mask in the store. Cangiano’s, an Italian marketplace where you can find everything from breakfast, bagels, and bread to already-prepared foods, sandwiches, and salads and more, is also offering delivery through Grubhub and Seamless.
Firefighters Staying in Stevens Institute Dorm to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken may not be housing students right now, but dormitories are open to Mile Square firefighters who are trying to prevent an outbreak at work. According to NJ.com, Stevens’ Jonas Hall is currently open to accommodate traveling firefighters and to keep the fire department staff separated.
Mario Fini, battalion chief for the department said about 32 staff are in the building each day, isolated in dorm rooms.
“I’m getting a very positive response from the firefighters and captains. Everything’s surreal right now anyway when you step outside your door, but they appreciate the fact that we took the steps,” Fini said.
The local fire department members aren’t the only frontline workers using the Stevens dorm rooms during COVID-19. Hoboken University Medical Center is also using the housing for nurses and CarePoint Health Hospital is, too.
“Stevens is part of the larger community, and proud to be a partner and a resource to the city of Hoboken,” Thania Benios, director of public relations at Stevens said. “Hoboken’s first responders are doing extraordinary work on the front lines and we are committed to supporting them in any way we can, as quickly as we can, as they help us fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”
26 City Hall Employees to Be Laid Off Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
On Friday, February 28th, 79 notices of potential layoffs were given to employees of City Hall in Hoboken. They appeared to be in direct correlation with fiscal woes that Hoboken was facing at the time, with a budget deficit estimated to be between $7-14 million {more on that below}. Fast-forward just six weeks later — to a nationwide pandemic no less — and sadly, some of the layoffs have come to fruition. As of this Friday, April 17, City Hall has officially announced it will be laying off 26 of its workers out of the 79 given notices in February. Read more here.
95 Greene Street in Jersey City Is Getting a Redesign
{Photo credit: Google Maps}
It looks like 95 Greene Street is getting a redesign, as Thor Equities Group — the developer behind the property — has officially hired Spagnolo Group Architecture as the architect on the project. According to Jersey Digs, 95 Greene is going to be transformed into a life sciences facility with labs for green tech, agtech, healthcare, medical, and pharmaceutical clients.
“We’re very excited to work with the Thor Equities team in redesigning 95 Greene Street into a vibrant place-to-be for life sciences tenants,” said Brooks Slocum, AIA, New York Studio Manager at Spagnolo. “It is an ideal location for tenants who want to stay in the highly sought-after New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, and we look forward to bringing Thor’s vision for a state-of-the-art property to life.”
Girl Scouts Troop Collecting Face Masks for Homeless
The members of Girl Scout Troop 12022 are holding a coronavirus face mask drive for the homeless population of Hoboken. Anyone willing to donate to the drive is asked to bring masks to the Hoboken CERT Headquarters at the Newark Street entrance of City Hall. The troop is also providing instructions for how to make DIY face masks {pictured above}. Please label all donations “GIRL SCOUTS” before dropping off.
Realty Company Mack-Cali Donates Hotel Rooms and Meals to Jersey City Medical Workers on the Frontlines
Realty company Mack-Cali is donating hotel rooms and meals to the workers at Jersey City Medical Center in an effort to flatten the curve and stop medical workers from spreading the virus.
Mack-Cali has donated 32 hotel rooms, as well as meals and free parking at the Residence Inn in Weehawken Port Imperial. Additionally, Mack-Cali also donated $100,000 to the JMCU’s Emergency Response Fund, according to NJ.com.
Grandmother of Hoboken Police Officer Passes Away From COVID-19
Josefina Viruet, 79, has passed away due to complications of coronavirus. Viruet was a Hoboken native, mother of a firefighter and retired cop, and grandmother of a police officer. According to Hudson County View, members of the local police and fire departments paid their respects to Viruet by lining up their vehicles on Washington Street and blaring their sirens.
New Jersey Ranks 5th Best State for Childcare
According to a recent study done by WalletHub, the State of New Jersey has ranked as the fifth-best state in the nation for childcare. Massachusetts came in first place, followed by Vermont, District of Columbia, and Rhode Island. Texas came in last.
Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken Selling Tiger King-Themed Pizza
Tony Boloney’s is known for its creative, delicious pizza pies, but now this pizzeria is taking it to a new level. The shop, located at 263 1st Street, Hoboken, announced a new Tiger King-themed pizza pie called “Dough Exotic.” “It really is a square [pizza emoji] w/ prosciutto, vodka sauce, mozzarella, + balsamic honey” the restaurant announced via Instagram. Happy eating!
Riverside Medical Group COVID-19 Testing Site in Hoboken Now Offering 15-Minute Rapid Testing Results
The Riverside Medical Group COVID-19 testing is open to all Hoboken residents to get tested via appointment only and as of Friday, has begun to utilize “rapid testing,” according to Mayor Bhalla Nixle alert.
“These new, rapid tests are a game-changer for Hoboken, as those tested will have less uncertainty regarding their own health, ensure our first responders aren’t out of work while waiting for results, and will allow for more efficient investigations into close contacts and recommendations of self-quarantine from the Health Department,” he explained. Get the full story here.
Craig Goletz, Jersey City International TV + Film Festival President, dies from COVID-19
Craig Goletz, the president of the Jersey International TV + Film Festival, has passed away from COVID-19, according to Hudson County View. He founded the TV + film festival back in 2014 alongside his wife Maureen. According to Hudson County View, Goletz was hospitalized for over a week.
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