Brawl at Jersey City high school sees six arrests
A fight at Lincoln High School in Jersey City Tuesday morning escalated into a brawl that led to six arrests.
Police said a fight among students that started around 10:15 a.m. on the first floor of the school soon spread to the second floor, and resulted in a teacher being hit by a fire extinguisher. By lunchtime, the commotion continued outside as police sought to maintain order.
Six students were arrested for their involvement in the fight, police said, but investigators will study the security cameras that captured the incident to see if others face charges.
JC school board member notifies school superintendent of national search
Jersey City Board of Education member Angel Valentin announced plans last week to introduce a resolution at the May personnel committee meeting and the May school board regular meeting that would formally notify current school board Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps of the school district’s intent to pursue a national search for a new superintendent.
“As members of the Jersey City Board of Education, it is our duty to ensure that our schools have the most capable leadership available,” Valentin said.
Epps, whose contract expires on June 30, 2011, can reapply for the superintendent’s post. He has been in the job since 2000, and currently earns $250,000.
The next Board of Education Meeting is May 20 at 6 p.m. at Public School 11, 886 Bergen Ave. The Personnel Committee Meeting is on May 18 at 6 p.m., 346 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City. Both meetings are open to all members of the public.
Mayor Healy announces reinstatement of 31 disabled employees
Mayor Jerramiah Healy announced last week that 31 Hudson Community Enterprises employees, working under contract with the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, were reinstated. The administration will be providing $71,000 to the JCIA budget to keep the employees working until June 30. Their services had been terminated due to budget cuts.
Hudson County Enterprises is a rehabilitation program, based on Montgomery Street, works with 600 developmentally disabled and handicapped adults to find work.
The employees, who handle litter patrol operations including sweeping sidewalks and the curb line on secondary streets, work five hours a day, five days a week, and are paid $8 an hour.
Mayor proclaims ‘Jersey City Bike to Work Week’
Mayor Jerramiah Healy proclaimed May 17 to 21 Jersey City Bike to Work Week to encourage commuters to bike to work in support of a sustainable alternative to automobiles.
To kick off the week, a press conference and unveiling of a new bicycle rack, provided by the Hudson TMA, will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, at the Journal Square PATH Plaza (cross streets are Kennedy Blvd., Sip and Pavonia avenues).
Bike to Work Week is a nationwide endeavor to educate the public about the benefits of bicycling and to increase awareness of and respect for cyclists. In recognizing and encouraging cycling as an important means of transportation and in support of a sustainable alternative to automobiles, Jersey City is also encouraging employees, management, and business owners to use bicycles to get to work.
In conjunction with the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, the Jersey City Police Department, Hudson Transportation Management Association (Hudson TMA), and Bike JC, Jersey City is promoting the four greatest benefits of bicycle commuting: saving money, exercise, a clean environment, and fun. Joining the effort are Pershing, LLC and many other local businesses.
For more information about Bike to Work Week, visit www.cityofjerseycity.com.
Wittpenn Bridge close this weekend for repairs
The Route 7/Wittpenn Bridge over the Hackensack River in Jersey City and Kearny is closed this weekend for ongoing repairs until 5:30 a.m. Monday.
In the event of inclement weather, the weekend closure will be postponed one week.
The following detours will be in effect over the weekend: Route 7 eastbound traffic will take Fish House Road to Pennsylvania Avenue Central Avenue to Route 1&9T northbound and return to Route 7. Route 7 westbound traffic will take to Route 1&9T southbound to Central Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue to Fish House Road and return to Route 7.
The on-going $8.3 million interim repair project will provide structural and mechanical repairs and safety and operational improvements to the Route 7 Wittpenn vertical lift bridge. The bridge will remain open to traffic weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout construction, but traffic shifts and lane closures may occur overnight and on weekends. The project is scheduled for completion this winter 2010.
Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org.
Comedy show benefit for St. Anthony High School
Famed St. Anthony High School basketball coach Bob Hurley, along with other St. Anthony alums, will be attending the May 20 benefit comedy show for the Jersey City high school from 8 p.m. at Michael Anthony’s Waterfront Restaurant in Jersey City.
Headlining the benefit is Jeff Norris from Saturday Night Live, Opie and Anthony Show and Thea Vidale of Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, with Jersey City resident comic John “Nutsy” Fagan. The Basketball Hall of Fame coach will be available to sign copies of the book, “The Miracle of St. Anthony” and the documentary, “The Street Stops Here.”
Hurley said recently about the benefit, “You know, the world is a crazy place and all of us work so hard to help make things better. We could use a night with friends, relaxing, having fun, and laughing! The bonus is that it’s for such a great cause. I hope a lot of our grads come out for it. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ages 18 and older admitted. Advanced reservations are required. Phone 609-987-8018 or buy tickets online at www.catcharisingstar.com.