Special holiday deadlines
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 28, advertising and editorial deadlines for the Hudson Reporter newspapers have changed.
For the Dec. 1 editions of the North Bergen Reporter, Weehawken Reporter, Union City Reporter, and West New York Reporter, the deadline for classified and display advertising and editorial content is Monday, Nov. 25 at 12 p.m.
For the Dec. 1 editions of the Hoboken Reporter and Jersey City Reporter the classified ad deadline is Monday, Nov. 25 at 12 p.m., and the display advertising and editorial deadlines are Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 12 p.m.
The offices of the Hudson Reporter newspapers will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29, in observance of the holiday. The office will reopen Monday, Dec. 2.
Police Chief Falco to retire
The city of Hoboken has begun the process of selecting a new police chief and is opening up the chief’s test to all captains and lieutenants. Police Chief Anthony Falco will be taking mandatory retirement on June 30, 2014.
Under New Jersey state law, police chiefs must retire at the age of 65.
“During Chief Falco’s tenure, crime in Hoboken has remained at historic lows,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “We want to build on this progress and create an even more professional police department to serve our great city.”
Look for a full story in an upcoming issue of The Hoboken Reporter on Falco’s retirement.
Dangerous ‘Knockout game’ that killed homeless man in Hoboken is making national media
Two months after a homeless man in Hoboken was killed by a blow to the head, allegedly by three Jersey City youths playing the “knockout game,” the national media have been running stories about the dangerous game. The object is to render a stranger unconscious with one blow, and the victims are dying in cities across the country.
Some media reports say the game has racial undertones, and has victimized people of particular races or religions.
In late September, three Jersey City juveniles were arrested in connection with the attack in Hoboken. Surveillance video from various points in town showed the boys getting on the light rail at Second Street to return to Jersey City after the act.
A surgeon in Syracuse told the International Business Times, “These kids don’t see the victims who never wake up. They don’t see the people on ventilators or the people who die from bed sores or pneumonias that eat their lungs out because they can’t breathe. They don’t see the kids long forgotten by their friends on the streets, the ones who’ve lost the ability to wipe the corners of their mouths when they drool.”
The game has also been called “One Hitter Quitter,” a report said.
To read our coverage of the September death, visit http://bit.ly/1aVBmSI.
Study says Hoboken is the best place in New Jersey for job seekers
Nerdwallet.com, a consumer advocacy site that typically compares credit card offers and personal finance options, released a study on Monday that said Hoboken is the best place in New Jersey to be if you’re looking for a job.
The study was conducted to complement the state’s Jobs4Jersey initiative, meant to assist the unemployed in their job hunt, in an effort to help residents determine what parts of the state offer the most opportunities. Hoboken placed first based on job growth, median income and having a low unemployment rate (4.4 percent), beating out Lakewood and Paramus for the top spot.
Between 2009 and 2011, Hoboken’s working-age population grew by 15.7 percent, with a median income of $104,789 (with monthly homeowner costs of about $3,200) and an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, one of the lowest in the state. Of course, proximity to jobs in New York City doesn’t hurt.
“Residents have easy access to a vibrant main street, family-friendly parks and plenty of dining and shopping options,” the study said. “Additionally, Walk Score named Hoboken a walker’s paradise.”
City settles 100K lawsuit with cop who alleged racism, report says
The city of Hoboken paid $99,000 to a police officer who complained of widespread racial discrimination within the department, according to a report on NJ.com that cited court documents associated with the case.
The suit, which was filed in 2010 by Officer William James, 50, an African-American, alleged that race-based discrimination and poor treatment was rampant in the department, the report said. In the suit, James made claims that co-workers posed for pictures wearing Ku Klux Klan hoods fashioned from napkins.
The suit apparently also alleged corrupt and discriminatory promotion practices, including claims that James had been promised promotions along with four other officers (two Hispanics, one female, and one Caucasian), but nothing came of the promise, said the report.
James is set to retire on May 1, 2014 after 25 years with the department, according to the report.
James refused to comment on the story. City Spokesman Juan Melli told NJ.com that the department had taken steps to combat discrimination in recent years due to other race-based lawsuits.
In 2011, the city paid three Hispanic officers $2 million to settle a claim that a former lieutenant had allegedly forced them to do work on his house while he wore a Ku Klux Klan hood, according to the report.
Hoboken Police Dept. kicking off annual toy drive
On Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Hoboken Police Department will host a toy drive for families in need this holiday season. The department will attempt to fill its police bus to the top with all of the donations and is requesting the assistance of the public.
The toy drive is being coordinated in conjunction with The Hoboken Fire Department, The Hoboken Motorcycle Club, The Hoboken Special Needs Parent Group, and the Wallace School Peer Leadership.
The Hoboken Special Needs Parent Group has organized additional drop off locations at Baby Gap, 222 Washington St.; Servpro of Hoboken and Union City, 51 Fairmount Ave., Jersey City; and World of Wonder Day Care, 133 Harrison St., for those who choose to drop off prior to the event.
If you are interested in donating, please drop by police headquarters at 106 Hudson St. with unwrapped gifts on Dec. 11. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee or some hot chocolate and have your picture taken with Santa. If you are a family in need or know a family in need, please contact the Hoboken Police Department at (201) 420-2100 or email Hobokenpsoa@gmail.com. Please provide the ages and names of the children.
New hat shop holding first annual toy drive
Headgear, a new hat and clothing shop in Hoboken, announced its first annual Holiday Toy Drive this week. The shop will be collecting new unwrapped toys for both girls and boys of all ages.
Drop off locations are Headgear, 257 First St.; Trim, 303A First St., and Crew Hair Studios, 453 Fifth Street. For more information, call (201) 526-4588.
Louise and Jerry’s to hold Typhoon Haiyan fundraiser
Louise and Jerry’s, 329 Washington St., will hold a benefit evening for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines earlier this month and thus far has claimed over 4,000 lives. The benefit will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets will cost $20 at the door, and there will be a raffle held inside.
The proceeds from the door and raffles will go to the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, which is working with grass roots organizations, school, students and churches in the Philippines. Anyone who wants to donate in addition to this should contact Caitlin Layson at (201) 736 -7115.
Volunteers needed at New Jersey Blood Services
New Jersey Blood Services, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives.
“The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team, whose task it is to assist donors with registration, escorting, and canteen duties, and to watch for post-donation reactions,” said R. Jan Zepka, manager of community relations.
Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed, and have the willingness to follow rules.
For additional information, contact Zepka at (732) 616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.
Hudson Animal League holding holiday gift event
The league will be hosting a Holiday Gift Extravaganza Tricky Tray on Friday, Dec. 6, at St. Michael’s Community Center, 21 East 23rd St., Bayonne, from 7 to 10 p.m. Doors open 6:30.
Admission is $12, plus a can or more of cat food, and, if possible, a non-perishable item (or more) for the group’s food bank to benefit the needy during the holiday season.
For tickets or more information, call (201) 332-7612.