Top News Stories in Hoboken + Jersey City This Week {June 24, 2018}

Happy Sunday! We hope you have been enjoying the many exciting festivities, happy hours, and events that Hudson County had to offer this weekend. It’s time to catch up on the latest headlines — which include everything from a list of the summer’s outdoor movie schedules to the rogue deer that was found gallivanting through our city streets. Keep scrolling to get the Hoboken and Jersey City scoop. Here are the top news headlines of the week:

 

NJ Drivers Set a Record for Most ‘Left Lane Hog’ Tickets

{Photo credit: Pexels}

Keep right unless you’re passing. Or, according to the statistics, unless you’re driving in New Jersey. Last year, police issued Garden State drivers 50,068 tickets for failing to yield the left lane. According to the state Judiciary, that’s the highest amount of summonses since fines were doubled back in 2013. So far in 2018, the toll is up to 16,716 and counting.

 

Greenest Businesses in Hoboken Recognized

At the 7th Annual Green Fair, Mayor Bhalla recognized several local businesses for the efforts they are making to keep the community green. Some of the businesses listed include Sobsey’s Produce, Bareburger of Hoboken, Little City Books, and Simply Juiced. “As we all know, environmental protection is key to Hoboken’s protection from the effects of climate change. I’m proud of each one of these businesses for doing their part to ensure Hoboken’s future,” Mayor Bhalla said.

All the Outdoor Movies Playing in Jersey City and Hoboken

Throughout Hoboken and Jersey City this summer, residents can enjoy several outdoor movie night programs. Check the link for the full list of movies that will be shown throughout the year at various park sites in JC and Hoboken. Some films include Strictly Ballroom on 7/20, Beauty and the Beast on 8/17, Black Panther on 9/21, and Coco on 10/19. Check the full list here.

Pedestrian Hit by Car on 6th Street and Manila

A woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Jersey City last week. The unidentified pedestrian was crossing the intersection of 6th Street and Manila when she was hit. It’s unclear whether or not it was a hit and run or if any charges were made.

Hoboken Parents Respond to New York Waterway’s Plans

When New York Waterway announced its permit application and its subsequent plans to turn the Union Dry Dock into a diesel refueling depot, Hoboken parents united and made a video in response. The video interviews several Hoboken-area parents, who express their concerns on camera about having a refueling station so close to a children’s playground and apartment buildings full of young families. Participants and supporters of the video are calling on Governor Murphy to “save our waterfront.” Mayor Bhalla has since announced a public hearing regarding the issue, to take place on July 18 from 6-9pm in the DeBaun Auditorium at Stevens Institute of Technology. Video can be viewed here.

Deer Caught Roaming the Streets of Mile Square City

^Actual photo of the deer near 5th and Grand Street, sent to us by a reader who saw it all go down!

Bambi, you’re lost. A lone deer was caught running through the streets of Hoboken earlier this week. The rogue deer gave police officers a run for their money. “It was too fast,” chief of police said. Watch the hilarious footage here.

PATH Station Director Explains Service Disruptions

If you frequent the PATH trains, then you may have noticed some rather annoying disruptions in service recently. Director and General Manger Mike Marino is revealing the cause behind those disruptions in an open letter to commuters. “The past two weeks have been hard for our riders,” Marino states. “We’ve been working diligently to complete implementation of a new, federally-mandated train technology system that will make the PATH system safer, more efficient, and more reliable.” The new technology, called Positive Train Control, began in April and has since caused “severe service impacts” as engineers work to address the hardware and software issues that will allow the technology to work more seamlessly. The letter goes on to say service during the daily commute should improve immediately.

Alba Boutique Extends Its Pop-Up Shop

Alba, whose additional Hoboken location is a pop-up boutique on 1st Street between Park and Willow, has extended its stay an extra month. The shop, located at 254 1st Street, will be here through July 31st. And that’s not all — Alba will be giving away gift cards with every purchase that happens in June {at all of its locations!}.

Arrests Made After Golf Club and Shovel Attack

Two Hudson County residents have been arrested in connection with two separate — though similarly violent— crimes.  Around 4pm last Sunday, Hoboken police responded to a report of a man “carrying a golf club and was swinging it wildly, causing damage to several parked cars in the area” at 14th and Garden Streets. Officers detained James Murray, 46, of Hoboken, who was intoxicated. After police confiscated the weapon, Murray allegedly resisted and pushed an officer who was trying to cuff him. Murray was charged with Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Mischief. His court date has been set.

At 6pm the same day, police officers responded to a call that a person had been hit in the face with a shovel. While approaching the scene, the assailant Varnell Richardson, 31, hit the police car with a shovel before fleeing on foot. Richardson was arrested on six counts and transported to Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Persian Eatery Coming to Uptown Washington Street

Seven Valleys is coming to Uptown Hoboken. The Persian eatery will be making its home at 936 Washington Street, the former Istana Sushi & Wok. The restaurant — which promises to “serve Persian cuisine… serving humanity” as per its motto — comes from a familiar face in Hoboken. Maryanna Fike, who has owned the uptown Hoboken {and Newport JC} staple bwè kafe since 2013, is the owner behind Seven Valleys.

Hoboken Kindergarteners Complete Kindness Rocks Project

{Photo courtesy of Cassie Grossi}

The kindergarteners at Hoboken Charter School have been learning about kindness. The lesson culminated in a rock-decorating project. Each kindergartener, under the tutelage of kindergarten teachers Cassie Grossi and Courtney Salerno, decorated rocks with kind messages. The rocks were then displayed in Steven’s Park, under a tree. The class {and their teachers!} hope the messages of kindness make someone happy and bring others some sunshine.

Brewshot Shop and Restaurant En Route to Paulus

Brewshot Café, a coffee shop-slash-restaurant, is coming to Vantage, the luxury rental building in Paulus Hook. The Italian gourmet coffee shop signed a lease for a 815 square-foot space, which features a street-level storefront entrance and a separate entrance from the Vantage building.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brewshot to Vantage,” says Brian Fisher, President of Fisher Development Associates, the developer of Vantage. “It will not only deliver the highest-quality coffee to this neighborhood, but also provide another inviting and social environment for our residents to enjoy.”

Café Sophia to Replace the Old Hoboken HotHouse

{Photo credit: mjaros12}

Last week we announced the Hoboken HotHouse was closing its doors. Now, a new sign has been posted on the former HotHouse, announcing the arrival of Café Sophia. The café will open at 200 Monroe Street, and according to Instagram, will open its doors in July 2018.

New Task Force Strives to Tackle Homelessness Issue in Hoboken

 

A homelessness task force has been created by City Hall, focusing on the myriad causes that contribute to homelessness while on peoples’ quality of life and reducing the number of homeless around the Mile Square. With official plans expected to be unveiled sometime later this summer, the task force will partner with local organizations such as United Way of Hudson County, Hoboken Faith Community, CarePoint Health, Hudson Pride Center, The Hoboken Shelter, and Hudson County Housing and Community Development.

“It’s simply not enough to feed and house a person one night at a time,” Mayor Bhalla said in an official statement. “We need to look at giving people the resources they need to stay off the streets long-term. That means access to proper mental and physical health care, education and job training, access to good-paying jobs, affordable housing, and more.”

 

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