Grandson charged in stabbing homicide
John Ugarriza, 27, of Jersey City, has been charged in connection with the stabbing death of his grandfather, Jesus Ruiz, 73, that occurred on April 22 on Sherman Avenue in Jersey City, allegedly as the result of a dispute between Ugarriza and Ruiz, said Hudson County Acting Prosecutor Gaetano T. Gregory.
Police, who responded to the report of the dispute, were led by neighbors to a second floor apartment, where they found Ugarriza standing in the apartment and Ruiz lying on the floor. Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and Ruiz was pronounced dead. Homicide investigators believe Ruiz was stabbed multiple times with a knife.
Ugarriza was charged with murder, possession of a weapon (knife) for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon (knife). Cash-only bail for Ugarriza was set at $250,000.
Minority recruitment for union construction
The city of Jersey City in partnership with the Jersey City Employment and Training Program and the New Jersey Laborers’ Union is recruiting qualified minority residents to join the Laborers’ Union Apprenticeship Program.
The program, which is open to Jersey City residents, offers intensive two-week training in Jamesburg, New Jersey followed by two years of full-time work at a union wage at a PLA construction project in Jersey City. These two years will include 400 hours of related classroom instruction in Jamesburg.
City officials urge Jersey City residents at least 18 years of age who are either African-American, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian to apply for this program. Interested applicants must be physically able to perform the work of the trade, possess a valid and current driver’s license to qualify for this class, pass a drug test, and be at an eightth grade reading and math level. Those without a driver’s license should still apply to be considered for a future class.
Individuals interested in applying should contact Betsy Padilla or Marilyn Ramirez with the Jersey City Employment and Training Program at (973) 692-6210 to schedule an interview and eligibility assessment.
St. Dominic forensics team wins third place trophy
The seven-member forensics team from Saint Dominic Academy’s 7th grade won a third-place Team Trophy at the Forensics Tournament held at Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City held on Saturday, April 12.
In addition to the third-place team trophy, one student captured a second-place individual trophy in Oral Interpretation and two other students were named finalists in the Original Oratory and Oral Interpretation categories. The team was coached by program coordinator, Maryann Mclean.
HCCC to hold commencement on May 22
Hudson County Community College will hold its graduating ceremonies at New Jersey Performing Art Center’s Prudential Hall in Newark on May 22 starting at 6 p.m.
HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert said that the keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Rod A. Risley, executive director and chief executive officer of Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in higher education.
Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, who has been one of the college’s strongest supporters over the years, will receive the Hudson County Community Heritage Award which recognizes members of the community who have made significant contributions to the college, its students and families.