Investigation continues into shooting death of JC teen
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said the investigation is ongoing into the shooting death of a Jersey City teenager on June 5 in what was believed to be a “possible” gang-related incident on the downtown Jersey City waterfront.
Jermaine Williams, 17, of Jersey City, was found dead after he was taken out of the Hudson River by police scuba divers around 2 a.m. Williams was found shot at least once in the abdomen.
Williams had ended up in the river after a confrontation among several individuals on the walkway near Hudson Street after midnight. A suspect in Williams’ shooting, Joshua Robinson, was captured at the scene by an off-duty police officer who was in the area. Another suspect allegedly ran off and police are currently searching for him, DeFazio said.
DeFazio said a bullet was found in Williams’ abdomen during an autopsy. DeFazio said it was traced to the semi-automatic gun Robinson was allegedly found carrying when arrested.
DeFazio said the investigation continues into the shooting, which is the 10th homicide in Jersey City this year. Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345.
Local hospitals impacted by Gov. Christie’s new charity care plan
Gov. Christopher Christie announced on Tuesday his proposed $665 million charity care funding plan for hospitals across the state as part of his proposed $29.3 billion 2010-2011 budget. The funding, which is for treating uninsured patients, will be increased to hospitals by $60 million next year.
In Hudson County, some hospitals will receive an increase in funding while others will see a decrease.
Two hospitals that benefitted the most are Jersey City Medical Center, getting $47.4 million in funding, an increase of $1.49 million from this year, and Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, which would get $6.8 million, an increase of $812,846 from this year. Bayonne Medical Center would also see a small increase of $88,744, from the current year’s $2.6 million to next year’s $2.7 million.
Losing out the most is Christ Hospital in Jersey City, which is getting slightly more than $12 million, $283,406 less than the current year. Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center would get $352,404, which is $235,624 less than this year.
Hoboken University Medical Center will see a $2,931 decrease. It will receive $14.7 million.
Artist-created mini-golf course to benefit JC Museum
Jersey City developers Paul Silverman and Eric Silverman, along with former Rep. Frank J. Guarini and the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), in collaboration with Jersey City Museum and Liberty National Golf Club, will celebrate the grand opening of “The Golden Door Mini-Golf Course” at Hamilton Square on Wednesday, June 23, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Inspired by the city’s prosperous history, 10 artists and collaborative artist teams were invited to create golf holes for the art exhibit, designed by Risa Puno, to portray their interpretations of “The Golden Door” by referencing immigration, economic mobility, and obstacles to immigration, as well as solutions and various ways to achieve success. The mini-golf course will help raise $100,000 for the Jersey City Museum.
In addition to sculptural golf holes, there will be a golf shack, fountain, and other elements to further emphasize the exhibition’s theme.
Admission for the grand opening party is $75 per person and includes food and drink courtesy of the sponsors.
Following the June 23rd grand opening, the golf course will be open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to dusk until Labor Day. A round of mini-golf is $5 per person, $4 for Jersey City Museum members. Everyone is welcome to play on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information please check www.jerseycitymuseum.org, www.thegoldendoor.tumblr.com, or follow on www.twitter.com/goldendoorjcm.
Film and TV companies fight to continue filming in New Jersey
State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, held a special public committee hearing in Secaucus on Wednesday on the fate of the state’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program. Under the program, TV and film productions that shoot in New Jersey have for years received tax credits. The program, which is comparable to similar tax incentives offered by most states, helped lure a number of TV and film productions – including “Mercy,” Law & Order: SVU,” “Oz,” and “The Sopranos” – west of the Hudson River.
Last November, Sarlo proposed expanding this tax credit. But more recently Gov. Christopher Christie, who was elected the same month Sarlo made this proposal, has made a proposal of his own. In the face of the New Jersey’s current fiscal crisis, Gov. Christie has proposed eliminating the tax altogether.
Although the credit has yet to be eliminated, at least one TV production – the NBC drama series “Mercy” – has decided to film in New York next season if it is picked up for cable. “Mercy” had been headquartered at 10 Enterprise Ave. in Secaucus, and filmed extensively in Jersey City.
New tech program helps seniors at home
United Cerebral Palsy of Hudson County was recently invited by the Hudson County Schools of Technology Tech Savvy for Seniors program to introduce the senior citizens of the class to Home Suite Home, an innovated program created by UCP of Hudson County.
The Home Suite Home Program provides senior citizens living in their own homes the opportunity to have discussions with medical, social services, and therapeutic professionals without having to leave their home.
The program establishes, through a high speed internet connection, live interaction with professionals throughout the county who are committed to enhancing the lives of Hudson County seniors.
In addition to using technology to assist seniors in maintaining their place in their own home, the program also provides home visits to ensure that participants are making the best use of the service and living a life that is enriching and that allow them to maintain their dignity.
If you or a loved one is interested in UCP of Hudson County’s Home Suite Home Program, please contact Reggie Neal, Director of Social and Clinical Services at 201-436-2200. UCP of Hudson County will provide assistance with eligibility documents if required.
Hudson Shakespeare Company sets upcoming performances
The Hudson Shakespeare Company kicks off their 19th summer Shakespeare touring season with a production of “King Lear,” at Sinatra Park, 410 Frank Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, on June 21 and June 28 at 7 p.m., and at Van Vorst Park in Jersey City on the flagpole lawn, corner of Montgomery Street and York Street, on July 2 at 7 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the Van Vorst show will move under the park’s gazebo.
The performances are free to the public. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to venues.
The company returns with two other productions, “Much Ado About Nothing” to Van Vorst Park on July 9 at 7 p.m. and Sinatra Park on July 12 and 19, both at 7 p.m., and “The Tempest” in Sinatra Park, Aug. 2 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Van Vorst Park on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
For more information, call (973) 449-7443 or visit hudsonshakespeare.homestead.com.