Local medical marijuana treatment center licensed
SECAUCUS – A group in Jersey City and a medical treatment facility in Secaucus were among six places or groups licensed by the state of New Jersey to run nonprofit alternative treatment centers (ATC’s) for medicinal marijuana, the state Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday. The Jersey City group would actually use a facility in New Brunswick.
The six were chosen from 21 applicants.
“This is pioneering territory for the state of New Jersey. We are now one step closer to providing patients with debilitating conditions relief from chronic pain,” said Commissioner Poonam Alaigh, M.D. “The Department anticipates that these ATCs will be operating this summer in the Northern, Central and Southern Regions of the state.”
The two local recipients are:• Compassionate Care Centers of America Foundation Inc. (CCCAF), Jersey City, Central Region (The ATC would be located in New Brunswick) and Foundation Harmony, Cliffside Park; the ATC would be in Secaucus.
Son of Secaucus World Trade Center victim reported missing
SECAUCUS – As of press time, Kevin Babakitis, a college student from Secaucus, was still missing after leaving his college in Vermont to go home for spring break. Babakitis’ older brother reported him missing.
Babakitis, 21, played football for Secaucus High School. His mother, Arlene, died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. She worked for the Port Authority and lived in Secaucus at the time.
The Brattleboro Reformer newspaper in Vermont reported that he has not been seen by those who know him since March 11. The Vermont State Police are looking for him.
“He was supposed to have been traveling to his home in New Jersey for spring break, from March 11 to March 20,” notes the newspaper.
It also reports: “After flyers regarding his disappearance were posted, police learned he was seen at the Holiday Inn Express in Brattleboro on March 19. Police were told he left on foot. An immediate response to the area by the Vermont State Police and the Brattleboro Police failed to turn up any further leads. Babakitis is described as being 6’0”, 180 pounds, short brown hair, brown eyes, short dark facial hair, darker complexion. Babakitis does not have a vehicle or access to a vehicle. It is likely that if Babakitis is traveling, he is using public transportation or relying on people who are willing to assist him.
“Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of Kevin Babakitis is asked to contact the Brattleboro barracks of the Vermont State Police 802-254-2382.”
A Facebook page set up to find him has 1,319 members. It can be found at
http://www.causes.com/causes/592944. It also notes that he has a “sleeve” tattoo with a chain, a Cross, and the World Trade Center.
Former Hoboken councilman asked to resign from NJDWSC by gov
HOBOKEN – Gov. Chris Christie has begun “removal proceedings against two members of the Wanaque-based North Jersey District Water Supply Commission,” including former Hoboken 5th Ward Councilman Michael Cricco, according to NewJerseyNewsroom.com.
Last Wednesday, Christie sent letters notifying NJDWSC Commissioners Albert Manzo and Michael Cricco that he’d start removal proceedings against them “for cause,” according to the story. He also took steps to suspend them without pay.
Incidentally, Manzo, who lives in Franklin Lakes, happens to be the same Albert Manzo who is featured on the show “Real Housewives of New Jersey” (and his sons live in Hoboken, where they may soon become the stars of their own reality show).
According to the newspaper story, Christie alleges that Cricco attended commission meetings “on at least 20 occasions when he should have been at his paid job with the state” and continued to do so even after being notified by the School Development Authority.
Calls to Cricco for comment on Friday and Monday were not returned.
National recommendations on child seats change; local installation free
JERSEY CITY — On Monday, it was announced the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat, which can be found on the back of the seat. Before that, the group had recommended rear-facing seats for children up to a year old.
Parents can get their car seat installed or inspected for free on Thursdays at the Jersey City police station at 141 Cornelison Avenue. The program has no residency requirements, so anyone from any county and state can use it.
Marissa Fisher, RN, the Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Trauma Division at Jersey City Medical Center, coordinates the program. Fisher said Monday that New Jersey state law doesn’t dictate how long children should be in a rear-facing car seat, only that children up to 80 lbs. or 8 years old be in age-appropriate restraints, such as a car seat for infants.
To find out more about the installation program, Fisher can be reached at 201-915-2906.
Wine tasting and chocolate bar to benefit CASA
On March 25, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a wine tasting and chocolate bar will be held to benefit Hudson County CASA, which helps children in foster care find safe and permanent homes. The benefit will be held in The Atrium at Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City. Wine will be provided by Wine Library of Springfield and chocolates by Ultramarinos of Hoboken. There will be a buffet, a raffle for an iPad and a big screen television, as well as a silent auction filled with exciting items and experiences such as tickets to see Regis and Kelly, Broadway shows, and several sporting events. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
Race to benefit Special Olympics to be held April 17
Lace up your running shoes for the 25th Anniversary of the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge on April 17 and run for a great cause. Independent runners and members of the Hoboken Elysianettes Running Society and Hoboken Harriers are teaming up with the Hoboken Family Alliance to run for Team HobokONE.
The goal is simple: to field the biggest running team for the race that benefits the Special Olympics. Running together as one big team is a simple way to show community support for people with intellectual disabilities. Register today at http://bit.ly/HobokONE. As a team member you’ll be able to pick up your race packet Saturday, April 16 at a free pasta party generously hosted by City Bistro. The party runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and includes food, fun, cocktails, and raffles.
Proceeds from the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge help New Jersey Special Olympics athletes by providing year-round sports training and competition in various Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Currently, more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities train and compete throughout New Jersey in 24 sports and participate in more than 160 competitive events.
For more information contact Theresa Howard, director of children with special needs for the Hoboken Family Alliance at thoward315@gmail.com or call (201)795.5404.