We made it to another Sunday, Hudson County! With everything that went on locally this week, there’s a whole bunch to catch up on over mimosas. From Hoboken rolling out the e-scooter program {with a few preliminary kinks!} to an accident at a Jersey School school that sent 25 third graders to the hospital, here’s everything you missed this week. Keep reading to discover 13 headlines you missed in Hoboken + Jersey City this week.
Accidental Pepper Spray Incident at School Sends 25 Kids to Hospital
An incident involving a container of pepper spray at Whitney M. Young Jr. Community School P.S. 15 occurred earlier this week. A container of pepper spray was attached to an eight-year-old student’s keychain and accidentally went off at school. The incident caused 25 third grade students to seek medical attention at the hospital.
The spray affected about 50 kids but only 25 had to go to the hospital. Police and fire officials responded in what School Board President Sudhan Thomas called “an abundance of caution.” Thomas also referred to the incident as “benign.”
As an additional precaution, the school was evacuated. Thomas also said the school board will be reviewing its policy on bringing pepper spray to school.
Hoboken E-Scooter Program Launches With a Few Issues
After becoming the first city in New Jersey to kick off an e-scooter program last week, Hoboken’s program launched with a few issues that still need to be worked out.
“What I saw yesterday was absolute chaos,” Hoboken Councilman Mike DeFusco said. “Sometimes being the first is great. But in this situation, being the first also means that we have to deal with all of the issues that have been unforeseen and even the issues that the council had predicted.”
Officials say the Hoboken Police Department received nearly one thousand complaints immediately following the launch.
“The largest complaint was them riding on the sidewalks. The people not knowing the laws,” Police Chief Ken Ferrante said.
E-scooters are only permitted in the bicycle lanes throughout the city. Scooter riders must obey all traffic laws and are not allowed to ride on sidewalks at any time.
“There was a municipal ordinance passed on these in the city of Hoboken. But we still need statute numbers and penalties…We don’t believe in issuing summonses on Day 1,” Ferrante added. “That is not something that’s going to be great for police-community relations. It’s about trying to educate.” Read more about the scooter rules and some of the opinions of local residents here.
Apartment Therapy Honors Hoboken With “Most Walkable”
{Photo credit: @tesaerialphotography}
When it comes to Suburb Superlatives, Hoboken ranks as “Most Walkable,” à la Apartment Therapy. The article — written by Hoboken Girl‘s own EIC Jennifer Tripucka — cited the median house price as $712,300 and included WalkScore.com‘s walkability score of 95. Along with the Suburb Superlative, Apartment Therapy also named Hoboken one of its Coolest Suburbs in America of 2019 {and yes, we know, Hoboken’s technically not a suburb – but we’re still excited, either way!}.
First-Ever CBD Store Coming to Jersey City
{Photo credit: @jersey.city.heights}
Jersey City is following in Hoboken’s footsteps and getting its very first CBD store. Opening up in the Heights acrossfrom Riverview Park on Palisades {according to @jersey.city.heights}, the store will be called Heights Hemp.
Art House Presents Sixth Borough Comedy Festival
The second annual Sixth Borough Comedy Festival is coming up in Jersey City. This year, the festival kicks off from June 12th to June 15th and features headliners Jessica Kirson of The Tonight Show, Crashing on HBO, Comedy Central, and Howard Stern and Kevin Farley of Showtime, Comedy Central, and CMT.
The roast of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is perhaps this year’s main event.
“I’m looking forward to all my insecurities and vulnerabilities being exploited by comedians in a public forum. What could possibly go wrong?” Fulop says. “Thank you Art House for getting me to agree to this in a moment of weakness. In any event, I’ll see you there.”
For the full itinerary, you can get more details here.
Jersey City Cop’s Gun Was Stolen During Bar Altercation
An officer’s gun was allegedly stolen during a bar altercation in Downtown Jersey City. The altercation also involved another officer. Sources say sometime around 2:45AM on May 19th, an off-duty officer Iris Lopez was approached and assaulted by a group of predominantly females at O’Hara’s Downtown Sports Bar + Grill.
Lopez was wearing a cross-body satchel at the time. The satchel, which held his firearm, was taken during the kerfuffle. It was later recovered, however, the firearm was not inside when found.
A source says Jersey City street crime officers might have a suspect: a Wilkinson Avenue woman might have stolen the weapon during the altercation. The whole incident was caught on O’Hara’s surveillance cameras. While officers did search for the weapon near Rutgers Avenue, it hasn’t yet been recovered and police now believe the weapon may have been passed off to a Bayonne man.
Waterfront Arts Gala Coming Back for a Second Year
{Photo credit: Facebook}
After the success of last year’s very first Waterfront Arts Gala, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla is bringing the event back a second year.
“Last year’s inaugural Waterfront Arts Gala was a huge success, and I’m pleased to invite our community to once again support the arts in Hoboken,” Bhalla said in a statement. “Thank you to the vendors and artists who are once again partnering with the City for this annual event.”
The second annual Waterfront Arts Gala will take place on Monday, June 3rd from 5:00PM-8:00PM on Sinatra Drive North between 11th and 12th streets. Tickets are $100 and are available for purchase online. The first 100 people to buy tickets will also receive two tickets to a classical concert by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
The Gala will feature artworks from Barsky Gallery, Field Colony, Issyra Gallery, hob’art co-operative gallery, Proto Gallery, and Roig Collection. The event will operate cocktail-style and features dishes from the following local spots:
- Anthony David’s
- Antique Bar and Bakery
- Bin 14
- Court Street
- Cucharamama
- Halifax
- Karma Kafe
- Leo’s Grandevous
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
- The Chart House
- The Madison
- Zafra
Jersey City Vows to “Catch” Drunk Drivers Before Accidents Happen
JCPD recently announced its goal of cracking down on drunk drivers, specifically during the summer months. Part of this plan means “catching” drunk drivers before accidents happen.
“Collision statistics show car accidents involving impaired drivers rise dramatically over the summer, beginning Memorial Day weekend,” said Mayor Fulop. “Our intention is twofold: to deter people from drinking and driving, and to catch drunk drivers before they end up involved in a tragic, or even fatal, crash.”
To help with this goal, JCPD will be employing sobriety checkpoints throughout the city in order to
As a result, the Jersey City Police Department will be conducting the sobriety checkpoints to deter and detect motorists who choose to drink and drive and ultimately contribute to these fatal statistics.
“Our message is simple – Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk,” Police Chief Michael Kelly says. “We encourage anyone planning on drinking this Memorial Day weekend, or anytime for that matter, to be responsible and designate either a sober driver, arrange for an Uber, or use the public transportation system.”
The DWI Checkpoint system will be funded by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety thanks to a grant that supports DWI enforcement, pedestrian safety, seatbelt control, and aggressive driving enforcement.
LeFrak Organization Debuts Leasing Office in Newport
The LeFrak Organization has unveiled a new state-of-the-art leasing office in Newport. As one of the largest and most successful mixed-use waterfront communities in the country, this 4,000 square-foot space is located in the heart of Newport at 121 Town Square Place. With interactive touch-screen presentation walls, iPad-controlled display walls, and a highly detailed, interactive 3D model of the community. The gallery showcases community areas like the Hudson River waterfront walkway, the waterfront restaurant Battello, and of course, Newport PATH station.
Police Intervene During Attempted Robbery at HoneyGrow in Hoboken
A Jersey City man was arrested last Thursday after attempting to rob HoneyGrow eatery in Hoboken. Police found 29-year-old Franklin Quintanilla behind the counter of the plant-based eatery, computer tablet in his hand. Quintanilla was charged with burglary, theft, hindering, and certain persons not to have weapons.
The incident occurred on Washington Street around 3:15AM that morning, Hoboken Sgt. Joseph Leonard confirmed.
Quintanilla seems to have entered the eatery through the basement hatch, which officers found open upon arrival. The burglar at first claimed to be an employee and said the tablet was his. However, the HoneyGrow manager confirmed he was not an employee, prompting Quintanilla’s arrest.
Police found a box cutter on Quintanilla’s person during the arrest. He was processed and given a court date.
Jersey City’s Plastic Bag Ban Kicks Off in One Month
{Photo credit: @johnsaliernolaw}
As a friendly reminder, Jersey City’s plastic bag ban — modeled after the one that kicked off in Hoboken earlier this January — will officially begin on June 28th, 2019. For more information on the citywide Bag Ban, you can check out the Bag Ban’s official page on the municipal website here.
Hoboken Still One of the Most Expensive Places to Rent in NJ
Nope — nothing’s changed here. Hoboken is still leading the way in New Jersey for cities with the most expensive rent. As of last April, New Jersey Rent Report cites the average rent as $3,472. Edgewater was runner-up with a median rent of $3,168 and then Jersey City came in third with $2,922. While this information about these prices differs a bit from the Apartment Therapy article’s editor research — it’s safe to say that living Hudson County is well, expensive
Mile Square Theatre Presents 7th Inning Stretch
Mile Square Theatre presents its latest show 7th Inning Stretch, seven ten-minute plays about baseball. It’s a fitting show for the Mile Square, after all, one of Hoboken’s most exciting claims to fame is that it’s the birthplace of baseball.
Since 2003, the Theatre has commissioned some of America’s most celebrated playwrights to create short works about baseball. This year’s lineup of writers includes Greg DePaul {of Bride Wars}, James Hindman {of Popcorn Falls}, Mona Pirnot {of EST Youngblood}, Richard Vetere {of Gangster Apparel and Caravaggio}, Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder {of The Light of the World}, Antu Yacob {of Morning Sun}, and Ruth Zamoyta {of The Caregivers}.
“This is our 15th year of premiering 10-minute baseball plays, and once again, we have an accomplished and diverse roster of playwrights for the Stretch,” says Chris O’Connor, Mile Square Theatre Director and producer. “The plays are moving, funny, and so entertaining. It makes for a unique evening of theatre that our audience eagerly anticipates every year. The Stretch never fails to dazzle, and they’re never disappointed. The entire event is a benefit for Mile Square Theatre, and I’m always moved by the number of theatre artists who volunteer their time to create the show.”
7th Inning Stretch kicks off May 31st, June 1st, and June 2nd in Mile Square Theatre’s Hoboken venue at 1408 Clinton Street. Tickets are available at www.milesquaretheatre.org or by calling 201-683-7014. Tickets are $30; $18 for students and seniors. Discount parking is available at The Harlow at 14th and Willow, and at Little Man Parking at 1300 Jefferson Street.
New Food Hall District Kitchen Has Ribbon Cutting at Harborside
Pico Taco Opens on Hudson Street in Hoboken for Handmade Tacos Galore
A new taco spot called Pico Taco opened up a few weeks ago at 70 Hudson Street in Hoboken. With hand-crafted tacos and freshly-made tortillas, the goal of Pico Taco is to provide customers with the freshest ingredients and highest quality meals. The Mexican eatery also offers sustainable packaging for to-go options, as well as a menu of $3.50 tacos and authentic Mexican beverages.
Little Grocery Announces It Is Closing Its Downtown Location
{Photo credit: @littlegrocery1}
After 15 years of Little Grocery serving its patrons on Jefferson Street in Hoboken, the owners — Peggy and Neamet — announced on Instagram earlier this week that they are closing their downtown location for good.
“After tens of thousands of egg sandwiches, a million cups of coffee, years of English Premier soccer games {Go Gunners!} and so much love and good food, our downtown location is closing its doors next week after 15 years on Jefferson Street,” the Instagram caption read.
It continued, “We have watched your children grow from newborns to teenagers, seen others meet and marry, kept your dogs happy with bacon strips, and all the while enjoyed your company and friendship. What’s next for us? The Little Grocery South, a new location at the Jersey Shore! Stay tuned!”
The last day for the downtown grocer will be Friday, May 31st. But fear not, Little Grocery lovers, as the uptown location will remain open. Neamet will be working out of Little Grocery’s uptown location at 1212 Washington Street starting Monday, June 3rd. More details to come on Little Grocery’s Jersey Shore location as we get it.
“THANK YOU for your patronage, love and friendship all these years,” the caption concluded. “Please come see us uptown and, very soon, down the shore! Much love, Neamet & Peggy.”
Hoboken High School’s Rockin’ Redwings Perform in National Memorial Day Parade in D.C.
{Photo credit: @rockinredwings}
The National Memorial Day Parade took place on Monday, May 27th 2019, in our nation’s capital on Historic Constitution Avenue, from 7th to 17th Street, before a street audience of several hundred thousand spectators. Hoboken High School’s own Rockin’ Redwings had the honor of marching in this parade back in 2017, and they returned in 2019 for a second tour. As the veteran band members that attended the last trip can attest, the trip to Washington, D.C. is more than just a chance to perform on television with some of the best bands in the nation — it’s an opportunity to learn and honor our country’s history. This year, when the band visited Arlington National Cemetery, Hoboken HS band captains Mariah Torres, Vikas Damani, and Amanda O’Brien, as well as drum major Amiah Edmondson, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Riding on the heels of an award-winning fall marching festival campaign, the Rockin’ Redwings have taken their parade performance to another level.
Whereas most parading bands march in a rectangular block for the entirety of the event, the Rockin’ Redwings performed moving “drill,” similar to a halftime show, designed by Hoboken’s new drill instructor, George LaVelle and choreographed by color guard instructor Vanessa Cummins. The Rockin’ Redwings performed patriotic music including the famous service medley “Armed Forces on Parade,” and Mr. Stasiak’s arrangement of the “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” a patriotic tune dating back to the Civil War. The parade is broadcast annually on the Discovery’s Military Channel, and worldwide to American troops on the Pentagon Channel. Their first parade performance was streamed live May 29th, 2017 to our service members around the world via American Forces Network and broadcast on Washington, DC’s News Channel 8 and streamed online at www.military.com.
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