Hoboken’s Office of Constituent Services closes
Hoboken’s Office of Constituent Services closed after the city council voted to eliminate the office with a 6-3 vote in the wake of 26 other layoffs and retirements , citing the city’s multi-million-dollar budget gap. Mayor Ravi Bhalla vetoed the decision, but the council overrode the veto in June.
Residents requesting assistance should contact the appropriate department in city hall, which will assign a staff member for assistance.
Contact information for each department is at http://www.hobokennj.gov.
Residents may also call 311 for help.
Concerts and a flick in Secaucus’s Buchmuller Park
Concerts start at 7 p.m.
Aug. 20: Neil & The Diamonds
Aug. 27: The Cameos
Aug. 25: The movie “How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World,” Ice Rink, 7:30 p.m.
Hoboken man charged with child abuse
On Aug. 10, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office arrested Ivan Sanchez of Hoboken, 30, a Hoboken Housing Authority employee, for allegedly abusing a five-year-old boy in his care.
He allegedly caused severe injury to the boy’s face, ear, buttocks, lower back, upper back, and genitals.
Sanchez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For more information go to https://hudsonreporter.com/2020/08/12/hoboken-man-charged-in-alleged-child-abuse-case/
Univision honors North Bergen police officer
North Bergen Police Officer Bryan Suarez received the “Angel del 41” award for July from Univision Channel 41.
Suarez and other officers drove by children’s homes on their birthdays to deliver greetings.
The NBPD also recognized Sgt. Alfredo Echeverria for his role in the celebrations.
Propelify Innovation Festival goes virtual
Propelify Innovation Festival typically brings thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators to Hoboken’s waterfront each August, but this year, the festival will be held virtually from October 5 to 9.
To register, exhibit, or sponsor the festival go to propelify.com.
Jersey City felon charged with weapons possession
According to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, on Aug. 4, convicted felon Jalil Burns, a/k/a “Big Ben,” 33, of Jersey City, was arrested on weapons and drug charges.
An alleged high-ranking member of a violent Jersey City street gang, Burns is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Donation for Weehawken veterans
Mayor Richard Turner and the Township Council secured a $5,000 donation on behalf of SB One Bank from its Civic Foundation. It will assist Weehawken Veterans of Foreign Wars Oulton-Kraft Post 1923 who are suffering financially as a result of COVID-19.
Federal funds for county housing authorities
Housing authorities in Hudson County received more than $1.65 million in federal funds, according to Senators Corey Booker and Bob Menendez.
Funds ranged from $901,762 to $34,461.
Summer Concerts on the Hudson 2020
The Hudson River Performing Arts Center announced its annual free concert series at Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken waterfront, Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: The Matthew Whitaker Quartet
Sept. 2: The Matt Nakoa Band.
Funds for Hoboken Fire Department
The HFD and City of Hoboken have secured $122,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
The funds will be used to modify all four firehouses with new, cleaner diesel exhaust-removal systems.
Unsolicited seeds mailed from China
New Jersey residents have been mailed seeds from China that they didn’t order, often sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry.
According to the USDA, this is a “brushing scam,” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who posts false customer reviews to boost sales. The USDA will test the seeds to determine if they’re harmful.
They should not be planted. Take a photo of the package and seeds and send them to the USDA SITC at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov
Packages can also be mailed to the USDA Office at 1500 Lower Rd., Linden, NJ 07036, addressed to Gregory Soto at USDA APHIS PPQ, with your name, address, phone number, and email address.
If you’ve already planted or discarded seeds, email Gregory.t.soto@usda.gov.
Join the Hoboken Shade Tree Commission
Hoboken residents may apply for membership on the Hoboken Shade Tree Commission volunteer board.
Five members and two alternates are appointed by the mayor.
Go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/municipal-boards and click “Apply for a Board.”