Happy Sunday, Hudson County. To say it’s been a long week is an understatement. Here’s a look back at everything you may have missed this past week — from updates on the We Are JC vigil to a proposed Hudson County ferry operating on the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers. Our thoughts are with those affected by the Jersey City shooting this weekend and week ahead.
“We Are JC” Vigil Held in Wake of Targeted Jersey City Shooting
Jersey City and its surrounding areas are in mourning after a shooting that transpired at Bayview Cemetery and JC Kosher Supermarket left six dead, including three civilians and one police officer.
An active shooter incident unfolded Tuesday, December 10th, near Martin Luther King Drive and Bidwell Avenue. It allegedly started when a plainclothes detective, Joseph Seals, 39, approached two suspects in the cemetery about an ongoing homicide investigation. The gunmen shot Seals in the head and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The gunmen fled in a U-Haul, stopping at JC Kosher Supermarket where a shootout with officials ensued. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop later confirmed that the kosher supermarket was “targeted” in an anti-Semitic hate crime. Three people inside the deli died and eventually, the two shooters were confirmed dead as well.
A vigil in memory of the victims of the Jersey City shooting, called “We Are JC” was held on Friday, December 13th at City Hall Annex in Jersey City.
Detective Seals leaves behind his wife and five children. Moshe Deutsch, Leah Minda Ferencz, and Douglas Rodriguez were the other three victims targeted by the gunmen in the attack on JC Kosher. Leah Minda leaves behind a loving husband, Moshe Dovid Ferencz, and three young children. Douglas Rodriguez leaves behind a wife and an 11-year-old daughter.
Chabad Young Professionals has put together an emergency fund with the help of the Greenville Jewish community to help the families of the victims.
If you’d like to get involved by making a donation, you may do so at www.JerseyCityVictims.com. Learn more about the ways you can help after this tragic event here.
Hoboken Christmas Exchange Back for Its Fifth Year
The Hoboken Christmas Exchange took place for its fifth year! Happening on Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th, the event took place at the Hoboken Grace Community Church {301 Garden Street, Hoboken}. The event is designed to “spread joy this Christmas to families in need” was expected to provide gifts to over 1,800 individuals.
Jersey City’s Flavored E-Cigarette Ban Could Force Vape Businesses to Close
Two weeks ago, Jersey City passed a citywide ban on flavored e-cigarettes in a 7-2 vote. The new legislation takes effect in March 2020 and is a direct response to the surge in teenagers buying and using vapes, getting addicted to flavored nicotine, and of course, reports of vape-related deaths. Enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services of Jersey City, the ban will cause vape stores to close their doors.
Stores like iVape on Central Avenue in Jersey City would be forced to close. However, vape store owners and employees are coming together to fight the ban.
“Right now, what we’re trying to do is first talk to the council people, see if we can just talk it out,” iVape store owner David Orjuela told NJ.com. “If they don’t want to do anything, want to just keep going with the ban, then we are going to have to get some lawyers.”
Despite the Centers of Disease Control reporting 48 vape-related deaths in the U.S., e-cigarettes are most common amongst teenagers. Governor Phil Murphy is also exploring the possibility of banning flavored electronic cigarettes throughout the state, with the creation of a task force as a response to the vaping epidemic.
Stevens Institute Students Organize Peaceful Demonstration
Students at Stevens Institute rallied earlier this week in a peaceful demonstration in response to a new building opening on campus, named after Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte {R}. The naming of Gianforte Family Hall served as the catalyst for the protest #WeWillNotSitBy.
According to student coordinators of #WeWillNotSitBy, Congressman Gianforte donated some of the money that went into the Family Hall. Gianforte is a Stevens alum who “body-slammed” a reporter, Ben Jacobs, in 2017 and has contributed to anti-LGBTQ+ efforts.
Students have been trying for a while now — years, actually — to impede the university from naming the Hall after Gianforte. However, Stevens’ compromise was to name the building after the Gianforte Family, not Gianforte himself.
“The Gianforte Family Hall shows that the Stevens campus doesn’t care about its climate, especially LGBT inclusivity,” one student — who wished to remain anonymous — told NJ.com.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the building is supposed to take place next week.
Jersey City Man Found Dead in Trunk of a Car in Bayonne
Bayonne police discovered the body of a man in the trunk of a car last Saturday. The man was Michael Rumberger, 34, of Jersey City. Authorities came on the scene at 9:55PM at 17th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Rumberger’s body was found in the trunk of a Lincoln Town Car and appeared to have suffered “trauma to the head,” according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide unit and the Bayonne Police Department is currently conducting an investigation.
Rumberger was found to have “trauma to his head,” and was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:00PM, Suarez said. The manner and cause of death are pending an investigation by the Hudson County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide unit and the Bayonne Police Department are investigating. No arrests were made as of press time.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345. To provide an anonymous tip, visit the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office website. All information will be kept confidential, Suarez said.
Hoboken PD Launches Vision Zero Pedestrian Safety and Enforcement Initiatives
You’ve heard of Hoboken’s Vision Zero safety campaign, the goal of which is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and injuries in the Mile Square by the year 2030. As a new part of this program, the Hoboken PD is rolling out a comprehensive pedestrian safety education and enforcement initiative all throughout December. This will include motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, according to an official press release.
Hoboken PD will continue to use pedestrian decoy operations throughout multiple locations in Hoboken this month. Decoy operations — which involve a police officer dressed in plainclothes, posing as a pedestrian crossing the street while other officers observe and stop motorists who violate traffic laws — have been a go-to operation throughout the Vision Zero campaign.
Motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians or commit other dangerous traffic violations, such as distracted driving, will be ticketed. Enforcement and education will also look at pedestrians who fail to use designated crosswalks or bicyclists who don’t stop at red lights as well.
#BAONANAS Launches Kickstarter Campaign As Banana Pudding Biz Endures Roadblocks to Opening HQ
{Photo credit: @baonanas}
In #BAONANAS‘ efforts to open an HQ location at Monticello Avenue in Jersey City, there have been many bumps along the road, prompting the owners to launch a Kickstarter campaign asking for help. Throughout the construction and opening process, limited funds and difficulties working with contractors have caused major delays in the company’s timeline. Stay tuned for more information on the HQ location.
Hoboken Resident Brian Davis Appearing on Wheel of Fortune
The time has come! Hoboken resident Brian Davis will be featured on an upcoming episode of Wheel of Fortune. Hoboken Girl featured Davis, who had been auditioning for WOF for three years, back in September when we first learned he would be getting his time in the limelight.
Davis isn’t the first local resident to show up on a classic TV game show. Earlier this year, Hoboken resident Julianne O’Connell won $57K on Wheel of Fortune and in November, Elise Nussbaum of Jersey City won $34,600 on Jeopardy.
You can read all about Brian’s journey to WOF here. Good luck, Brian!
LIFE Pancake Company, Formerly The Brownstone Diner, Re-opens in Jersey City
One of the most beloved diners in New Jersey — Brownstone Diner in Jersey City — has re-opened as LIFE Pancake Company. The opening on December 9th was well-received by the community. Renovations started after closing in mid-September, but the newly re-opened Jersey City spot now features a bright and airy interior, updated menu, and, of course, a new name. You can visit the LIFE Pancake Company at 426 Jersey Avenue from 7:00AM-4:00PM daily.
Medical-Marijuana Doctor Office Coming to Hoboken
As the State of New Jersey inches toward marijuana legalization, it looks like a new medical marijuana-friendly doctor’s office is coming to the Mile Square. Dr. David Boguslavsky, a family doctor based in Bridgewater, is opening a medical marijuana evaluation office in Hoboken at 500 Bloomfield Street.
The office will offer evaluation services for patients seeking medical marijuana recommendations. Boguslavsky plans to open as early as December.
Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly Presents 1st Annual “True Blue Christmas”
On Monday, December 9th, Mayor Steven Fulop and the Jersey City Police Department Chief Michael Kelly hosted a new seasonal initiative called True Blue Christmas. With the goal of providing a positive experience between police officers and Jersey City youth who have been recognized as coming from a history of family violence, True Blue at Newport Centre connects cops and children in a meaningful way. Officers provided 30 children, from ages two to 18, with a $100 gift card to shop for the holidays. Police escorted the kids, spent time with them, and even helped them pick out presents for their families. The event was sponsored by Hudson Pool Management.
New Jazz Bar Coming to the Former Cooper’s Union in Hoboken
The old Cooper’s Union — located at 104 Hudson Street — was acquired earlier this year by Hoboken Hospitality Group and has recently announced that this downtown bar will be turning into a jazz bar called BELO BAR. Back in September, Hoboken Girl reported that Cooper’s Union was under new ownership, but at the time, not much was known about what would be happening. Now, it seems, we finally have an answer {somewhat}: Patrons can expect a piano bar, live music, and a whole lot of jazz. BELO BAR just had a soft opening on Thursday, December 12th. No word as to exactly why Cooper’s Union closed back in August, but we are excited for this new addition to the downtown Hoboken bar scene.
A Hudson River Ferry Might Be in the Works
Hudson County is exploring the possibility of bringing a ferry service to the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers in New Jersey. A request for a proposal for providing ferry service points along the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers was presented last Friday. First, the County will conduct a Hudson County Ferry Service Expansion Assessment, in which it will “examine whether an opportunity exists to expand existing ferry service or to create new ferry service within Hudson County.”
The analysis seeks to “explore market feasibility for intra-county, inter-county, and inter-state ferry service” and looks at Hoboken, Kearny Point, Bayonne, south Harrison, West New York, and the Bayfront area of Jersey City.
The study also looks to identify environmental justice populations with the study region, analyze potential new ferry service routes, and assessing current ridership, future market demand, and price elasticity of demand. It is thought to be completed by December 31st, 2020.
Public Meeting for Public Works Garage Amendments Pushed Back to December 19th
The community meeting about proposed amendments to the Public Works Garage Site Redevelopment Plan has been rescheduled to Thursday, December 19th at 6:30PM at the Multi-Service Center {at 124 Grand Street, Hoboken}. The rescheduling had to do with scheduling conflicts.
The Public Works Garage Site Redevelopment Plan seeks to redevelop a site {currently a surface parking lot} at the intersection of Newark Street and Willow Avenue. The Redevelopment Plan was first introduced in 2006, then amended in 2008. The new proposal plans changes such as R-1 overlay zoning for the site, Lots 11-14. The plans will be discussed in detail at the community meeting.
To learn more about the Public Works Garage Site Redevelopment Plan, check out this link: https://drive.google.
Paper Source Now Open in Hoboken
{Photo credit: @papersource_hoboken}
Welcome to Hoboken, Paper Source! The stationery gift retailer, originally based out of Chicago, has finally opened its doors in Hoboken. Located at 501 Washington Street, the new store will sell, well, stationery {think fun cards, planners, notebooks, etc}, unique gifts, and more. Just in time for the holiday season {and last-minute holiday gifts + cards}, too!
LaKoet Salon Deux Now Open
{Photo credit: @lakoetsalon}
All LaKoet Salon lovers, you can rejoice — LaKoet Salon Deux is now open at 581 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City. The newest addition to the LaKoet family is open for business — guests can book hair cuts, blowouts, makeup services, and so much more. The original LaKoet salon is located at 301 1st Street, Jersey City and Gaia’s Cavern, a sister business of the brand, is right around the block as well. Congrats on the expansion!
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