Photo courtesy of Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com.
From free bashes at American Dream to changes and concerns in local government, here’s what’s happened in Hudson County and New Jersey this past week.
Good News Jonas Brothers Fans! You Could See Them At American Dream
The Jonas Brothers are celebrating their 20th anniversary by heading back home to New Jersey! They confirmed that they will be playing in a free fan bash at American Dream Mall.
All three Jonas brothers will perform twice during the March 23 event, JonasCon. The event is being called “the ultimate Jonas Brothers fan experience.”
The event starts at 8 a.m. and will feature other guests such as the All-American Rejects, their younger brother Franklin Jonas, an author and podcaster Jay Shetty and pop culture podcast, Chicks in the Office. There will also be karaoke, giveaways, custom merch and pizza.
For those 21 and older, the Jersey boy band will also perform at the DreamWorks Water Park. “Jonas Beach” also includes Joe Jonas’ band DNCE, Big Rob, Deleasa and a solo Nick Jonas.
JonasCon will also have DJ sets, Q&A panels, fan activations, pop-up surprises, immersive experiences and special guest appearances. Just a few of the other features announced so far:
- A trading post
- Mini golf
- Game room
- Laser tag
- Trivia
- Milkshake bar
The Jonas Brothers got their start in Disney Channel, starring in movies like “Camp Rock” and their 2009 TV show “Jonas.” They went on to become Grammy Award-winning artists, took a hiatus in 2013, but then got back together six years later in 2019.
“We can’t wait to celebrate 20 years with you at American Dream on Sunday, March 23rd!” the band wrote in an Instagram post detailing the event.
Registration for the event is closed, however fans can join a waitlist at JonasBrothers.com.
These 3 NJ Universities Could Face Punishments
Princeton University, Rutgers-New Brunswick and Rutgers-Newark campus were all sent national warnings from Linda McMahon, the Education Secretary. 60 colleges and universities across the nation received the same warning.
The warnings said that they could possibly face penalties under the Civil Rights Act if they do not protect Jewish students from antisemitism during pro-Palestinian campus protests.
The letter was sent just two days after the arrest and possible deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead protests at Columbia University Khalil was arrested in his university-owned apartment last weekend.
President Donald Trump warned citizens on Monday that the arrest of Khalil, a lawful U.S. resident and graduate student at Columbia, will be the first “of many to come.” The Trump administration noted that they are not condoning any campus protests against Israel and the war in Gaza.
“We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again.”
Last year, there were more than 3,000 people arrested in campus protests. This included more than 220 at Columbia.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace filled the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, demanding the release of Khalil.
Debra Winger, a protestor of Jewish faith, told The Associated Press:
“I’m just standing up for my rights, and I’m standing up for Mahmoud Khalil, who has been abducted illegally and taken to an undisclosed location,” she said. “Does that sound like America to you?”
Khalil remains in federal detention and is still reportedly facing deportation.
Police Complaint Reveals More On The Guttenberg Father-Son Murder
More information has come out about the murders of Justo, 87, and Ricardo Bory, 58, the father and son who were killed in a Guttenberg home this past November.
A police complaint obtained by Path revealed details of that night from a woman who was interviewed just days after the fatal incident.
The woman said that she had left the Guttenberg home at 5 p.m. where Ricardo and Justo were, along with her acquaintance, Lamont “Pont” Cole. At some point, she received a text message from Ricardo saying, “[Redacted] ain’t having it, your friend gotta leave. It’s over,” and “Pont is asleep; make sure he leaves before [redacted] wakes up.”
Then later, a message that read: “Come home 911.”
Cole, 40, was arrested that same night and later charged by Hudson County prosecutors with interfering with the investigation and then the murders.
The complaint does not say what motive could have been for the killings, but does say that PCP, also known as “angel dust,” was found in the home.
Cole has since been taken to the Hudson County jail.
The Medical Examiner reported that the cause of death for the elder Justo Bory was compressions to the neck. For Ricardo Bory, it was “homicidal violence.”
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345.
You can also leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.
A Vote Was Passed Against Jersey City’s Public Safety Director
Some Jersey City residents and council members have raised concerns over their city’s leadership in public safety.
Last Wednesday, the Jersey City Council passed a vote of no confidence” 6-1-2 against Public Safety Director James Shea.
Ward F Councilman Frank Gilmore introduced the resolution and has been vocal to urging Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop to make a change. The resolution asks to “restore public trust, improve accountability and ensure the safety of Jersey City residents.”
Some concerns include increasing violent crime, re-evaluation of crime reduction strategies, poor traffic safety enforcement and shortage of school crossing guards.
It also raises concerns over poor traffic safety enforcement and a big shortage of school crossing guards.
Despite the vote, Shea will reportedly remain in his position; it’s unclear if the council will attempt to take employment action.
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No Health Insurance Yet? Don’t Worry, There’s Still Time To Enroll
For most New Jersey residents on an employer plan, open enrollment for health insurance ended late last year and those with Get Covered NJ had until Jan. 31. But some New Jerseyans can still sign up for health insurance when they file their state taxes in the spring.
“NJ Easy Enrollment Health Insurance” is a program that started in the middle of tax season last year. It allows people without insurance coverage to enroll outside the open enrollment period.
The Easy Enrollment Health Insurance plan allows you to choose a plan from a private carrier with Get Covered NJ. Many freelancers and part-time workers have been able to take advantage of this in the state; they do not receive employer-based medical coverage and are not eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, which are for low-income people and senior citizens.
Last year, roughly 30% more New Jersey residents have signed up for Get Covered NJ. .
The program does, however, penalize punish people who sign up late by charging them a “Shared Responsibility Payment, requiring them to pay for the months they didn’t have coverage, and at a costly rate. But if the policyholder and their dependents stay on the plan for the entire year, the payment will be waived.
For anyone interested, you can notes on your tax filings that you would like to sign up. From there, you will receive an email explaining what coverage options are available and any eligible discounts
Hoboken Mayor And One Other Joins Forces For Hudson Assembly Seats
Ravi Bhalla, Hoboken Mayor, and Katie Brennan, a former Murphy administration official, will run together in bids for the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in the 32nd district.
They said their plan to run separately was turned over by a new law that allows candidates to run together.
“When Ravi and I testified against the ballot redesign bill, we made clear that bracketing puts candidates running on their own at a disadvantage,” said Brennan.
“While we continue to fight for truly fair ballots, we’re running on the same slate because the residents of Jersey City and Hoboken deserve legislators who will fight for them and aren’t beholden to any political machine. This puts us in the best position to win while maintaining our independence.”
They will face Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-Jersey City), a first-term lawmaker who is seeking re-election and backed by gubernatorial candidate and current Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. John Allen (D-Hoboken) will be leaving the State Assembly after a single term and will instead support Bhalla. Bhalla also leaves his third term serving as Hoboken mayor.“Katie and I share similar visions for what Jersey City and Hoboken need in Trenton,” said Bhalla.
“By running together, we’re creating the strongest possible ticket to deliver on making housing more affordable, improving public transit, curbing climate change, funding our schools, and protecting our state against federal threats.”
Hoboken and part of Jersey City (Downtown Journal Square and Heights) are included in the Hudson County-based district.
The Assembly candidates said they will host joint meet-and-greet events in Jersey City and Hoboken sometime this month.
The primary elections will be on June 10 with the general election in early November. The primary elections help decide who gets put on the general election ticket.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at saccettola@sliceofculture.com!
