Motorcyclist dies after crash with car
Reginald Jackson, 50, of Jersey City, died as a result of head injuries suffered after his motorcycle collided with a car on April 19.
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said the collision occurred in the area of Bergen Avenue and Morton Place in Jersey City involving a Honda Accord and a Yamaha motorcycle.
Jersey City police officers responding to the incident found Jackson lifeless on the street.
The cause and manner of death are pending further investigation by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. The initial investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department determined that Jackson was traveling southbound on Bergen Avenue, and the Honda Accord was traveling northbound on Bergen Avenue before they collided.
The events surrounding the collision remain under investigation. The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit is actively investigating this case with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.
Komen North Jersey set for the 12th Annual Race for the Cure at Liberty State Park
The Susan G. Komen North Jersey 12th Annual Race for the Cure, locally presented by ShopRite, at Liberty State Park is coming up on May 5. The money raised at this event will support life-saving breast health and breast cancer programs in nine North Jersey counties, and help fund breakthrough national research programs searching for the causes and cures to put an end to breast cancer.
Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop will offer his support to Survivors and Forever Fighters (those battling Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer) for the annual Survivor Procession and Ceremony. The mayor will also cut the ribbon that will officially kick off the 5K Timed Race and Fun Run.
“I am honored to be part of Komen North Jersey’s mission to engage in the fight against breast cancer on all fronts,” Fulop said. “This organization is improving access to quality and timely breast cancer care right here in North Jersey, providing support and guidance to countless individuals and families, and is passionately committed to its work. I look forward to an incredible day at the Race for the Cure in our very own Liberty State Park as we come together to fight breast cancer and save lives.”
This year’s race is expected to attract nearly 2,500 people from across New Jersey and the tri-state region, including hundreds of survivors. Forever Fighters puts survivorship front and center, recognizing and remembering those who have fought, or who are still fighting breast cancer every day of their lives, it has long been the signature of the Komen North Jersey Race, thanks in large part to RWJ Barnabas Health, which has been the Local Survivor Sponsor since the first Race in 2008.
Survivors, Forever Fighters, and their guests will to take in an array of activities designed to enhance their Race Day experience: access to an exclusive Survivor/VIP Tent sponsored by RWJ Barnabas Health, a hot breakfast compliments of ShopRite, mini-makeovers, door prizes, giveaways, commemorative Survivor and Forever Fighter Medals and T-Shirts, and more.
“Our annual Race for the Cure is so much more than a walk and a run,” said Kelly E. Nagle, executive director of Komen North Jersey. “We celebrate and remember those who have fought breast cancer, and those who are still fighting. We share our stories, and our trials, and find comfort. We laugh and we cry. But mostly, the day is about HOPE. Hope that by fighting together as hard as we all do, by raising funds, we can save lives. And we can move that bar closer to the end of breast cancer. We are truly grateful to Mayor Steven Fulop, Jersey City, our sponsors and everyone who will be joining us on Race Day in support of our mission.”
WABC-TV Eyewitness News reporter Anthony Johnson will again officiate as Master of Ceremonies. Johnson, a high energy, award-winning journalist, is a recipient of the regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio & Television News Directors Association. Throughout the day, his famous and familiar voice will be guiding runners, walkers and guests through the highlights: a 5K Fun Walk, USATF 5K Timed Run, and the emotionally moving Survivor Procession and Celebration. Other not-to-miss activities include a Wellness Village with information, giveaways and more, a Kids for the Cure Scavenger Hunt, music by local band Running Late, and a performance by the Lois Allen School of the Dance.
For more information, to register for the 12th Annual Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure, or make a donation to help Komen North Jersey FIGHT BREAST CANCER, visit www.KomenNorthJersey.org/Race, call 908-277-2904, or email race@komennorthjersey.org.
City moves ahead with electrification
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the city council are moving forward to electrify transportation in Jersey City and serve as a model to expand green technology to every part of the state.
Fulop joined activists for a rally at city hall to call on the state legislature to pass a bill that would address pollution from cars, trucks, and buses in New Jersey. At the event, Fulop drove one of the electric vehicles.
“Part of our mission is to work toward being a more environmentally conscious city, which is why we are leading the state in building the infrastructure for a more sustainable and resilient future,” Fulop said. “By incorporating electric vehicles into our municipal fleet, and providing charging stations for the community, we are taking necessary steps toward increasing quality of life with cleaner, healthier air. It is my hope that this encourages other communities in the state to do the same.”
The state legislature is considering a bill that would jump-start New Jersey electric vehicle programs.
Congressman Albio Sires visits Cúcuta with congressional delegation
Rep. Albio Sires, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade, visited Columbia in late April to assess the impact of changes in Venezuela on the region.
“It was truly heartbreaking to see Venezuelan children on the brink of starvation and to hear from mothers about having to leave their homeland to protect their families,” Sires said. “I admire the strength of the courageous Venezuelans I spoke with in Cúcuta, who are the blameless victims of a humanitarian catastrophe caused by the corrupt and repressive rule of Nicolas Maduro.
“The situation in Cúcuta and throughout the border region is growing increasingly desperate. Venezuelans are migrating to save family members with chronic diseases who can’t find medication in Venezuela or to reach a nearby soup kitchen before their children starve. I commend the people and government of Colombia, a vital U.S. ally and partner, for their generosity in taking in more than a million Venezuelan migrants and refugees.
“I stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and urge the international community to redouble its efforts to promote a peaceful, civilian-led transition to democracy, while pursuing every avenue to deliver aid to the Venezuelan people and put an end to this needless suffering and loss of life.”
Jersey City is no longer number one in diversity
With immigration policy remaining a hot-button issue in 2019’s political landscape, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2019’s Most Diverse Cities in America, and found that Houston has unseated Jersey City as the most diverse city in the United States.
To determine the places in the U.S. with the most mixed demographics, WalletHub compared the profiles of more than 500 of the largest cities across five major diversity categories: socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious. Houston was rated number one in the nation, followed by Jersey City, and then, New York City. The least three diverse cities were Orem, UT, Bangor, ME, and Provo, UT.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, visit
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-diverse-cities/12690/
New Jersey residents have mixed feelings on guns
In a week in which Gov. Phil Murphy declared war on gun owners in the state by proposing a 2,000 percent increase in registration fees, a Rutgers Eagleton poll reveals how residents of the state view guns.
Half of New Jersey residents fear they or someone they know will become a victim of gun violence, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll conducted in collaboration with the New Jersey Center on Gun Violence Research at Rutgers University.
Only about 23 percent of those surveyed are worried about gun violence, while 28 are somewhat worried, and 27 percent not worried at all.
Two-thirds of New Jerseyans believe gun violence is actually either a small problem (22 percent) or not a problem at all (44 percent) in their local community.
“Experience with and concerns about gun violence are more prevalent among black residents, lower income residents, less educated residents, and those who live in urban areas,” said Ashley Koning, assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University.
The poll showed residents split over the perception of safety of having a gun in the home. Fourteen percent of residents report having some sort of firearm in or around their home.
Michael Ostermann, associate professor at Rutgers University’s School of Criminal Justice and co-director of the Center on Gun Violence Research at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, claims his research shows guns in homes pose a greater risk of homicide and suicide.
“Police records that communicate defensive gun uses, on the other hand, are often not reported, making estimates of the impact of self-protective gun use elusive,” he said.
There appears to be strong support for putting armed guards in schools, but not for arming teachers.
Fleet Week will include fitness programs
City Challenge Obstacle Race (CCOR) of Jersey City will adding its unique fitness “touch” to the 2019 Fleet Week at Liberty State Park celebration on Sunday, May 26. For the first time this year, the annual festivities will include a 1 Mile Fun Run, a USATF Certified 5K Race and a Youth City Challenge Obstacle Race (for ages 5-12), produced and hosted by CCOR. Now in its fourth year, the daylong celebration at Liberty State Park is open to the general public.
The U.S. Navy (USN), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will showcase the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services with activities that the whole family can enjoy. There will be a performance by U.S. Fleet Forces Brass Band; USN and USMC aerial demonstrations and helicopter static displays; USN Dive Tank; USMC Martial Arts Program demonstration and pull-up challenge; USCG Search and Rescue demonstration; USCG Silent Drill Team and USMC Battle Color Detachment performances; military static displays, including Stewards of the Sea, World War I Commission, Submarine Forces, USMC ordnance and vehicles; and kids activities, bounce houses and face painting, and food trucks.
“It is a great honor to be asked to partner with the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard for Fleet Week at Liberty State Park this year,” said Elvi Guzman, president of City Challenge Obstacle Race. “We’re confident that adding these new activities will help attract more families, both military and civilian, while promoting health and fitness in our communities. Fleet Week is an amazing opportunity for everyone to come out and support those who serve our country, and get to know more about our Sea Services.”
Fleet Week at Liberty State Park is free, although there is a nominal fee for participating in the runs: $20 for the 1 Mile Fun Run, $35 for the 5K Run, and $40 for the Youth City Challenge Obstacle Race. The organization is offering a special discount to veterans and all those currently serving in the military. Use code “HERO” to receive a $10 discount off all registration fees. Those registering with the code will be required to show appropriate ID when picking up their race packets. For more information, or to register for the runs, visit FleetWeek5K.com. To register for the Youth City Obstacle Race, visit CityChallengeRace.com
Fleet Week New York (FWNY), which will run from May 22-28, is ow in its 31st year,
It is anticipated that nearly 3,100 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate. In addition to public visitation of participating ships, there will be numerous exhibits, military band concerts, and aviation events throughout the week in all five boroughs of New York City, and in Jersey City, showcasing the expertise of dedicated Sea Service personnel. For up-to-date information on all FWNY events, visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com.
