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.
Administration presents proclamation to North Bergen Police Burglary Unit
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation honoring the North Bergen Police Department Burglary Unit at their meeting on Nov. 13.
“Tasked with investigating burglaries, robberies, street crimes, and felony cases, the unit has made 85 arrests so far this year and has put in thousands of man hours in prolonged investigations and surveillance,” a township spokesman said. “The unit has had a significant impact on public safety and quality of life in the township.”
“People only want to live, work, and shop in a place that is safe, and our police department does an outstanding job protecting all of us,” said Mayor Sacco. “I would like to commend Police Chief Robert Dowd for his commitment to taking proactive measures to reduce crime and improve quality of life for everyone in North Bergen.”
The Burglary Unit is comprised of Det. Robert Maldonado and Police Officers Hector Botello, Michael Carriel, and Carmen Recinos. The unit is supervised by Capt. Patrick Irwin and Detectives David Dowd and Bronson Jusino. The 85 arrests are all serious felony cases involving home robberies, car burglaries, and other incidents.
“They utilize traditional investigative tactics like canvassing crime scenes, as well as newer technologies like electronic surveillance and DNA testing,” the spokesman said.
“Our department maintains a strong focus on proactively attacking crime by using a combination of traditional community policing and data-driven techniques that take advantage of the latest public safety technologies,” said Chief Dowd. “The Burglary Unit is one of the best examples of this mission and how it is positively impacting our community. I would like to thank Mayor Sacco and the Board of Commissioners for recognizing our officers’ efforts and always being wonderful partners to our department.”
Joint Thanksgiving Eve service at township church
Grove Church in North Bergen will host a Joint Thanksgiving Eve Service with other North Hudson-area churches on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.
The church is located at 1132 46th St. at Kennedy Boulevard. Entrances are on the Boulevard and 46thStreet, with free parking behind the church.
For more information, contact the church office at (201) 863-7030, email grovereformedchurch@verizon.net or visit www.grovereformedchurch.org.
Volunteers sought for church’s Thanksgiving luncheon
If you would like to help make someone else’s Thanksgiving a little brighter, consider volunteering a couple hours of time on Thursday, Nov. 28 at the Woodcliff Community Reformed Church, to prepare and serve Thanksgiving Lunch.
The church is located at 7605 Palisade Ave., in North Bergen.
“We are looking for volunteers to arrive at the church at 9 a.m.,” said Angela Evertz, event organizer. “Lunch will be served at noon for those looking for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.”
“The community comes to have lunch, and to enjoy the fellowship,” said Efrain Evertz, operating manager of the church’s food pantry.
To volunteer, call (201) 869-4555.
North Bergen Joins ‘Project Medicine Drop’
In an effort to prevent dangerous prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands, Mayor Nicholas Sacco said that North Bergen township has joined “Project Medicine Drop,” a state program designed to help residents safely dispose of medication.
The North Bergen Police Department has installed a Medicine Drop Box in its main headquarters, 4233 Kennedy Blvd. The drop box is open to the public, and anyone with old medication is encouraged to dispose of it safely by utilizing the receptacle.
“Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem nationwide and our area is no exception,” said Mayor Sacco. “Project Medicine Drop encourages residents to safely dispose of their medications before they become a problem, and I hope that all North Bergen residents take this opportunity to help make our community safer and stronger.”
The number of American teenagers and adults who abuse prescription drugs is greater than those who use cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration reports that prescription drugs, including opioids and antidepressants, are responsible for more overdose deaths than “street drugs” such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines.
“Project Medicine Drop is a great example of the kind of proactive community engagement that we like to practice in our department,” said North Bergen Police Chief Robert Dowd. “By providing residents with a safe, easy, convenient way to dispose of these potentially dangerous drugs we will hopefully prevent future drug abuse and improve our overall quality of life.”
For more information about Project Medicine Drop, contact NBPD Sgt. Anthony Trentacosti at (201) 392-2144.
Hospital sponsoring community health screening
Palisades Medical Center will be sponsoring a free health screening on Sunday, Nov. 24.
The event will feature testing of blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, body mass index, sugar and cholesterol.
It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 9034 Barr Pl., North Bergen.
For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
St. Joseph’s Immaculate Heart holding special prayer service
On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph’s Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in North Bergen, 7615 Broadway, will hold a special prayer service at 3 p.m. to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the chapel.
All parishioners of St. Joseph’s main church and the chapel, past and present, are invited to attend the special service. The parish music ministries will perform some Marian hymns.
Light refreshments will be served in the chapel lobby following the service.
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.