Local residents arrested for allegedly trafficking in marijuana out of Weehawken garage
According to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, four men from New Jersey were charged on Thursday with conspiring to traffic large quantities of California-grown marijuana into New Jersey and New York.
Michael Vacchiano, 46, of Weehawken, Kenneth Martin, 41, of North Bergen, Cris Rosenvinge, 32, of Parlin, and 72-year-old William Mabey, Sr. were arrested on Thursday by federal agents during the execution of search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into selling marijuana and laundering the proceeds.
According to a press statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office, law enforcement agents seized over 100 kilograms of marijuana and more than $2 million in cash during the searches.
Vacchiano, Martin, Rosenvinge, and Mabey were allegedly scheming with others to produce marijuana at a property in Miranda, Calif. and then were having it shipped to various addresses in New Jersey and New York, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. The parcels (each containing about 17 to 20 pounds of marijuana) were allegedly collected from those addresses and transported to Vacchiano’s residence in Weehawken. The drugs were allegedly distributed out of Vacchiano’s garage.
Cash from the marijuana sales was allegedly sent in parcels back across the country to addresses in California as payment for the work others contributed and to finance additional marijuana production, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
According to Fishman, each of the four defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
If convicted, the maximum penalty for the drug offense in 40 years in prison and a fine of $2 million, or twice the gross gain resulting from the offense.
The maximum penalty for the money laundering offense is 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of twice the gross gain.
Last day to register to vote is coming up
The Township of Weehawken Clerks Office, located at 400 Park Ave. on the 2nd floor, will be open for one evening on Oct. 12 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for voter’s registration. Please be advised this is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming General Elections to be held on Nov. 2.
Woman’s Club to host health presentation
The Weehawken Woman’s Club will be hosting a special presentation at their Oct. 18 meeting. Dr. Sam Hessami, MD will host a discussion of Female Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Disorders. Dr. Hessami is an expert in his field and the director of the Continence Center at Palisades Medical Center. He is also an associate clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the Senior Nutrition Center, 201 Highwood Ave. All are welcome to attend the discussion and stay for the following meeting and refreshments.
Flu shots available for Weehawken seniors
Flu and pneumonia vaccines will be available in Weehawken on Oct. 20. The vaccines will be available at two locations: the Senior Center, 201 Highwood Ave. from 9 a.m. to noon or the community room at 525 Gregory Ave. from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents planning to receive a pneumonia vaccine should review the date of their prior pneumonia vaccine to discuss it with the nurse. Registration is required. To register call the Senior Center at (201) 319-6060.
Just in time, the Woman’s Club shares a sock hop rhyme
“Our shindig won’t be complete without you and your dancin’ feet. A poodle skirt or rolled up jeans are all you’ll need to make the scene! We’ve food a’ plenty and wine will flow, prizes, too – you’ve got to go! So grab you gal (or your best pal) and bop ‘til you drop at our Sock Hop!”
The Weehawken Woman’s Club is hosting their Annual Fall Fund Raiser on Nov. 7. at the Weehawken Elk’s Club, 50th Street and Boulevard East.
The afternoon will be full of music, good food, and good fun as everyone takes a step back in time for a Sock Hop Celebration. For further information, contact atelierclk@gmail.com.
Parade to be held in celebration of Dominican heritage
A Dominican Parade will be held on Oct. 17 at noon, proceeding from 59th Street and Bergenline Avenue to 49th Street and Bergenline Avenue.
October dates for NHCAC mobile van announced
The North Hudson Community Action Corporation mobile health van will make the following stops during the month of October, providing information and health screenings (including high pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol) to residents. Referrals can also be made to NHCAC’s various health center sites from the van:
• Oct. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 221 Jackson St. in Hoboken and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 220 Adams St. in Hoboken.
• Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Washington School, 3905 New York Ave. in Union City
• Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Joseph/St. Michael Church, 1314 Central Ave. in Union City
• Oct. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 37th Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 39th Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City
• Oct. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 5800 Jefferson St. in West New York and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 6100 Adams St. in West New York
• Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Save Latin America, 138-39th St. in Union City
• Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 430 62nd St. in West New York
• Oct. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 311 13th St. in Hoboken
• Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Anthony’s, 615 8th St. in Union City and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in West New York
For more information, call (201) 866-2388 or visit www.nhcac.org.
Free nature program offered on manmade island
The Bergen County Audubon Society invites all Hudson County residents to come out to Van Buskirk Island, a manmade island at the heart of the Hackensack River, on Oct. 12 for a free nature program. The island did not exist until 1802, and was created by the dams for the mills. Anyone who is interested in attending can meet at the Elm Street Bridge in Oradell at 9 a.m. For directions, call Gerry Byrne at (201) 262-0157. For more information, email greatauk4@aol.com.