Seventh arrest in Oct. 13 PATH train assault
A 17-year-old Newark teenager was arrested on Wednesday and charged with gang robbery and assault in connection with an Oct. 13 attack on several commuters on a Hoboken-bound PATH Train, a spokesman for the Port Authority confirmed.
The teenager is the seventh suspect arrested in connection with the attack, which took place after midnight and resulted in at least one victim needing eight stitches, the spokesman confirmed. Other victims suffered lacerations and bruises.
The other six suspects, all of whom are between the ages of 15 and 17, are also from Newark, and all were charged with gang robbery and assault.
According to the spokesman, Joseph Pentangelo, a group of passengers told police that the group assaulted and robbed them some time after midnight.
According to Pentangelo, video evidence led to the latest suspect’s arrest.
Correction to a previous edition
An article entitled “Bhalla, up for re-election, hit with state ethics violation” that appeared in the Oct. 6 edition of The Hoboken Reporter stated that Hoboken Councilman-at-Large Ravi Bhalla had decided not to appeal a preliminary ethics ruling leveled against him by the state Department of Community Affairs. However, Bhalla said he is, in fact, appealing the ruling.
Sinatra Park renovation almost complete, says city
The reconstruction of Sinatra Park is nearing completion, with the turf for Sinatra Field being installed this week, according to a press release from the city.
“The turf is down and we will soon be reopening Sinatra Field and connecting a new segment of our waterfront walkway so that we will have a continuous multiuse path from the Jersey City border to the skate park at Castle Point,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a statement. “Once the installation of the nets and the railings is completed, then the field will be opened up for use.”
According to city spokesman Juan Melli, the repairs are being completed under their intended budget of $11.7 million, and there are no overtime costs for the completion of this field because the contract included a liquidated damages clause with a $1,500 per day penalty for failure to complete the park by the agreed-upon completion date.
Additionally, renovations to the dog parks in Church Square Park, Stevens Park and Elysian Park are underway and will include canopy structures for shade and shelter for inclement weather, new benches, fences, gates, pet waste bag dispensers, and improved dog water fountain.
Hoboken House Tour today at historical museum
The Annual Hoboken House Tour will be held today, on Sunday, Oct. 27, and will feature nine homes and condominiums opened to visitors by Hoboken Historical Museum supporters to benefit the museum.
Every year, the tour offers a fresh selection of traditional and contemporary homes and condos furnished in a wide range of styles. Tours start from the Museum and are self-guided and should take about two to three hours between 10 am and 4 pm.
From turn-of-the century craftsmanship to the beautiful views from a waterfront loft apartment, the tour allows Hoboken to show off its eclectic array of home spaces. This year’s tour offers several examples of the latest in energy-saving and flood-recovery technology, as well as “smart-home” features controlled from an iPad.
Hoboken Fire Chief releases statement on Halloween safety
Halloween in Hoboken is always a fun affair, but also poses serious safety hazards if proper precautions are not taken, said Chief Richard Blohm in a statement last week. The statement reads:
“In recent years, Halloween has become a great tradition in Hoboken with the Ragamuffin Parade, various festivals and other celebrations. Elaborate decorations have also become a common occurrence in town. However, in some cases, these decorations can pose a fire safety concern. Many residences and/or commercial establishments have assembled bales of hay, corn stalks, and other decorative vegetation just outside the means of egress from a structure for the holiday season. According to Chapter 8 of the International Fire Code, New Jersey Edition, these decorative materials and furnishings are not allowed unless fire rated and those tests submitted to the Fire Prevention Bureau for approval before being put in place.
“Many businesses do not allow smoking to take place in their establishment, so this requires patrons wishing to smoke to do so outside near the entrance to the establishment. An ember from a cigarette or a carelessly discarded match or cigarette can create an immediate fire hazard. Considering the placement of these decorations, the front entrance of an establishment may become blocked by burning materials and possibly trap patrons inside.
“The Hoboken Fire Department is requesting that if you have these types of decorations that they are taken down immediately for reasons of fire safety unless you received approval from the Hoboken Fire Prevention Bureau. If you are not sure if they pose a risk, please contact us at (201) 420-2268 and we will come out and perform an inspection for you. While everyone enjoys the holiday seasons we all need to be mindful to do so in a safe manner and we are sure you understand and will cooperate with us in this regard. We will be conducting random inspections to insure compliance and the safety of all to enjoy the holiday.”
Liberty Humane to hold craft-beer fundraiser
Liberty Humane Society will hold a Craft Beer Festival Fundraiser sponsored by SPHERE Technology Solutions and Yelp. This beer-lover’s extravaganza will be held at the Hoboken Elks Club, located at 1005 Washington Street in Hoboken, on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. and will directly benefit the homeless animals from Jersey City and Hoboken that reside at Liberty Humane Society.
Guests will be treated to tastings of a selection of fall themed craft beers provided by Hunterdon Brewing such as Smuttynose Pumpkin and Weyerbacher Last Chance IPA, plus many others.
A donation of $30 per person includes all the brews in addition to tastings from local Hoboken and Jersey City restaurants. There will also be a homemade pie contest which is open to all different types of pies being judged by Chef Anthony Pino of Bin 14 and Anthony David’s, Rita Gurevich of SPHERE Technology Solutions, and Irene Borngraeber of Liberty Humane Society. If you are interested in entering your homemade pie, please send an email to Allison@libertyhumane.org, citing the type of pie in the email.
Reserve your spot today by visiting the ticket page on the Liberty Humane Society website: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=libertyhs&id=2