Photo by Reena Rose Sibayan / Jersey Journal.
We’re making sure you stay in the know. Here’s what local news and events have taken place in Hudson County and what’s to come.
Legal Services + Know Your Rights Events Happening In North Bergen
The Northeast NJ Legal Service will be at the North Bergen Library Kennedy branch on Thursday Feb. 27 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to provide free legal help in civil matters.
Assistance includes:
- Housing
- Family Law and Domestic Violence
- Elder Justice
- Consumer Protection, Scams and Fraud
- Federal Tax Issues
- Immigration
- Disaster Legal Assistance
- Veterans
After this event, the North Bergen Public Library in partnerships with Centro Comunitario CEUS will be hosting a “Know Your Rights, Knowledge is Power” event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The event will:
- Introduce the Centro Comunitario Ceus, which is an organization that advocates for and empowers immigrants
- Provide health services and NJ Family Care information
- Help understand labor laws
- Discuss immigration rights
To register for this event, contact Juliana Soto at 551-529-0365 or email jsoto@ceusnj.org.
Both events will take place at the Kennedy branch located at 1231 Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen.
Bayonne’s Vendor Market Is Supporting Kids With Cancer
Bayonne’s Vendor Market is supporting Sharon Smith-Romano in her fundraising efforts for children battling cancer. Operation Warm and Fuzzy has kicked off in memory of Michael Romano.
Romano was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he was 4 ½ years old. He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and blood transfusion, but unfortunately died in 2005.
Operation Warm and Fuzzy was started in memory of Romano to help pediatric cancer patients.
The Vendor Market will now be collecting new blankets and socks for kids and will be donated to Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund.
You can drop off your donations at the Bayonne Vendor Market, located at 920 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey.
You can drop off donations during these hours:
- Wednesday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Jersey City’s Division Of Housing Is Here To Educate You
The Jersey City Division of Housing Preservation will be hosting educational seminars for community members who want to learn more about the primary functions of their Division. The classes begin on March 27.
The seminars will be one hour long and once every month.
Each session is made to address a specific topic related to those requirements provided in Chapter 254, Chapter 255 and Chapter 260 of the Jersey City Municipal Code.
If you are interested in attending these seminars you can email: HousingPreservation@jcnj.org
More information about the seminars can be found here.
Jersey City’s New Vendor Improvement Program Is Just Around The Corner
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has collaborated with its partners to help local businesses succeed.
The Jersey City Vendor Improvement Program (VIP) offers specialized training and workshops designed to help vendors with the tools, skills and strategies required to thrive in today’s market.
This nine-week program will offer expert guidance, networking opportunities and hands-on learning to elevate their business.
For more information and how to sign up, click here.
More information about the VIP meetings can also be found on this Instagram page.
Boricua Community Center Is Having A Book Raffle
You can win a powerful collection of books that celebrate Puerto Rican history, resilience and activism in the Boricua Community Center Book Raffle. Each raffle includes two books, featuring stories of resistance, cultural pride and the fight for justice.
Those interested can enter for a chance to win. The raffle ends on May 1, 2025, and is $5 per entry. The winner will be announced at the Boricua festival.
Those interested in becoming a book donor for the raffle can message @boricuacommunitycenter on Instagram.
All proceeds from this event support the Boricua Community Film Festival, future cultural programs and the BCBC Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets can be found here.
Calling All Hudson County Teens Looking For A Career In Construction!
There will be a Career Building Services Program for Hudson County teens 16 years and older.
Classes start on May 6 and take place at Triangle Park Community Center located at 247 Old Bergen Road, Jersey City, NJ 07305.
The program will provide the following services:
- Professional Development
- Life skills and mentoring
- Financial Literacy
- Case Management
- Resume Writing
- Interview Preparation
In addition to that, there will be on-site training for:
- Osha 30
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- HVAC
For more information about the classes you can email info@acohc.org You can sign up by clicking here.
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This New Jersey Deli Was Shut Down Amid Five Arrests
Kaelyn Deli & Grocery in Jersey City has been forced to close after cocaine, heroin and cash were found “in various locations” throughout the store.
Five people were arrested by The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Task Force. The arrests occurred over the last two weeks after an investigation, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors also said that on Wednesday, Feb. 5, the Gang Task Force conducted a court-authorized search of the deli, which is located at 156 Martin Luther King Drive. The search was done with assistance from Hudson County Regional SWAT, the Jersey City Police Department, and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office.
It was reported that they found various quantities of suspected cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia and money in various locations throughout the storefront.
There were five people charged with various narcotics offenses including conspiracy and distribution. The five people charged were all from Jersey City:
- Donte Carlisle, 32
- Marc Jeune, 19
- Elvin Borbon, 32
- Rodney Chappel, 38
- Aliquan Hatten, 38
Prosecutors noted that The Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services has shut down the store and issued the store’s owner citations for violating various health codes.
Bayonne High School Employee Threatened To ‘Blow Up’ School
Neamat Azer, a school assistant at the Bayonne School District, is being charged for threatening Bayonne High School.
Police say Azer got into an argument with another fellow employee over a parking pass.
It was reported that Azer stated that she was “going to blow up the school,” at the end of the argument. The threat was heard by other staff members nearby, according to police.
The superintendent sent out a letter to the community explaining the incident and assuring people that the employee was arrested. Niesz assured community members that the safety of staff and students is the school’s highest priority.
The school was put into temporary shelter-in-place as the investigation was happening and Azer was charged with false public alarms. She was released and received a summons to appear in court at a later date.
Counselors are available for any students who need council amidst the threat.
Bayonne Street Named After Community Member
The street on the corner of 28th Street and Avenue C in Bayonne is getting a new name in honor of Marie Pope, who passed away last July.
A ceremony was even held on Tuesday Feb. 18 to celebrate the name change to Marie Pope Way.
Pope was very well known in the Bayonne community. She was the Director of Religious Education at St. Henry’s Church for 28 years. Many knew her for her strong Catholic faith, involvement in church activities and dedication to her faith.
Pope was beloved by the locals because of her volunteer work at the soup kitchen, organization of church events and coordination of the annual Thanksgiving turkey distribution.
Pope also worked at Western Electric, AT&T and was the owner of a local business called Basically Balloons.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at saccettola@sliceofculture.com!
