West New York man charged with allegedly forcing woman into apt. at knifepoint
A West New York resident was arrested for allegedly forcing a woman in her 40s into his apartment at 5209 Hudson Ave. at knifepoint and allegedly assaulting and raping her on the morning of Aug. 25, West New York Police Director Michael Indri confirmed Tuesday.
The victim stopped one of Indri’s officers at around 3 a.m. in their vehicle while the officer was on parole and said she had been raped, Indri said.
She also said she had been hit in the head by a perfume bottle and that her attacker had a knife, Indri said, and she was bleeding from the head when she approached the officer.
Initially the victim had given the officer the incorrect address, Indri said, but they proceeded to canvas the area and discovered a 26-year-old man at an address at 52nd Street and Hudson Avenue. Hudson County Special Victims Unit made the arrest.
The victim was taken to Jersey City’s Christ Hospital and treated for head lacerations and given CAT scans to assess the damage, he confirmed.
The suspect appeared Monday at Jersey City’s Central Judicial Processing court on charges that included aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, and criminal restraint, according to an NJ.com article.
The man’s bail was set at $400,000 cash or bond, and he was ordered to surrender his travel documents, the article added. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer that will hold the man, who is from El Salvador, even if he posts bail, the article said.
UC man to be inducted into NJ Boxing Hall of Fame
Ardash Sahaghian, 90, the originator of modern championship boxing belts, will be inducted this year into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.
Sahaghian began his career as craftsman of boxing belts in the 1970s. A jeweler by trade and artist by birth, he was invited by a Philip Valentino to apply his range of skills to the redesigning of championship boxing belts. At the time, Valentino was beginning to manufacture the existing 2D models of the belts.
The fruits of Sahaghian’s labor are what we have come to recognize as today’s modern 3D boxing belts. Whether it be modifications to Ring Magazine belts, designing of title belts, or reproductions such as the John L. Sullivan belt, Sahaghian has contributed to over 30 years of boxing history.
“I was thrilled when I discovered that Ardash Sahaghian lived and created his boxing belt designs in the same town in which I operate a boxing gym,” said Officer Joe Botti, who has been involved in boxing for over 30 years as a boxer, trainer, manager, and gym operator. “He is a true boxing legend and a master at his craft. When I think of all the boxing legends I have met in my lifetime, I place meeting Ardash, the creator of the modern boxing belt, as one of my most memorable. I am honored to have him as a friend. Congratulations to a true boxing legend!”
Sahaghian oversees the design of Union City-based SARTONK’s new belts and the production of those he created three decades ago.
Menendez takes a stand to protect children from magnets
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D, NJ) has urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to approve a proposed product safety directive that would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of small, high-powered magnet sets like Buckyballs, Buckycubes, and Zen Magnets, which have caused internal injuries to dozens of children. Earlier this year, Menendez called on the agency to look into reports of injuries caused to children who swallowed the magnets, which were marketed and sold as toys.
“Clearly, no warning label is going to be enough to stop a curious child from swallowing these powerful magnetic ‘toys,’ which evidence has proven are highly dangerous,” said Menendez in a press release last week. “That means we must protect our children by removing the danger altogether and I urge the commission to approve this action.”
In a letter to Senator Menendez on August 21, CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum informed the senator that CPSC “experts do not believe warnings will ever be effective to protect children from this hidden hazard.”
Last month, in response to Senator Menendez’s request for action to ensure these high-powered magnets were not marketed or distributed in a way that could result in injuries to children, the CPSC filed an administrative complaint against the Buckyballs and Buckycubes retailer, ordering them to stop selling the products, notify the public of the hazards they pose to children’s safety and offer consumers a full refund.
Later, the commission filed an administrative complaint against an additional retailer and received voluntary agreements from a number of retailers to temporarily cease selling the products, including 11 that imported the magnets from China.
Holy Family Parish to hold annual international festival
Union City’s Holy Family Parish will hold its 15th Annual International Festival on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Central Avenue between 32nd and 35th streets.
The festival will begin with Mass at 10:30 a.m. and then move across the street for the festivities. Family, friends, and neighbors are welcome to share and enjoy the great diversity of cultures that make up the neighborhood. There will be food, entertainment, music, arts and crafts, international displays, and games for children.
For more information, call (201) 867-6535.
Dvine Konektion to hold Community Fair
The Dvine Konektion Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization based in West New York, hosts a free Community Fair every month as a way of helping those in need. They distribute free bags of groceries and baby supplies such as formula, diapers and wipes to families living in Hudson County.
Dvine Konektion is having its next Community Fair on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5516 Jefferson St. in West New York. Those interested in attending or donating food and/or items can call (201) 617-4484 for more information.
Third Annual O’Connell’s Run to Cure Cystic Fibrosis to be held Sept. 15
The Third Annual O’Connell’s Run To Cure Cystic Fibrosis, a 5K run in Union City and Weehawken, will be held Sept. 15 to help raise money to fight this often fatal disease. Runners and walkers start the race from Second Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City at 9:30 a.m. Registration on the day of the event begins at 7:30 a.m. but pre-registration is encouraged.
O’Connell’s Run, started in 2010 by Union City residents Maria and Bob O’Connell to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis, is a fast course that provides a great day out for runners and walkers alike. All of the proceeds from O’Connell’s Run 2011 will benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
Registration for the 5K is $20 prior to the race and $25 on the day of the event. Race fees are tax deductible. Participants can register online. The race takes place just a short walk from Hoboken.
A Kids’ Fun Run has been added to the 2012 event. Younger runners ages 5 through 13 will complete a half-mile out and back route starting at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.oconnellsrun.com.