Suspect in hit-and-run identified by police
According to a press release, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office has identified Rogelio Chavix-Tacen as the alleged driver of the 2010 red Nissan Rogue that struck Union City brothers Michael and Adrian Viruet on Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen on Friday, Nov. 14. Both brothers remain in critical condition. Michael had to have his right leg amputated and Adrian suffered severe head trauma and was left impaled on an iron fence the night of the crash.
After an intense investigation, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office announced that Chavix-Tacen purchased plane tickets to his native Guatemala but never boarded the flight. The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, The United States Marshall’s Service, The North Bergen Police Major Case Squad, and the Hudson County Prosecutors Municipal Task Force have been tracking every lead and an intense manhunt has been underway 24/7 since the suspect was identified early Thursday morning. Charges for Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Critical Injury have been filed.
Rogelio Chavix-Tacen is about 38 years old, between 5’ 5” and 5’ 7” tall, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen in Fairview, N.J. and is believed to be traveling by car or public transportation. The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to keep a look out for Chavix-Tacen. Please call the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office at (201) 915-1300 or the North Bergen Police Department at (201) 392-2100 with any information regarding his location.
The family of the victims has established a fundraising page at http://www.gofundme.com/michaelandadrian to help pay for medical expenses. According to the site, 11-year-old brother Adrian is responsive and has been taken off the ventilator. His leg and wrist suffered fractures and he had surgery earlier this week for the arm injury from being impaled on the fence. His 20-year-old brother Michael is still in a medically induced coma to facilitate healing after his leg amputation.
Statement from Senator Sacco on President’s Immigration Executive Order
Mayor and state Sen. Nicholas Sacco released a statement last week supporting President Obama’s executive order on immigration. The action will protect over four million unauthorized immigrants from deportation, including thousands here in New Jersey.
“The president is doing the right thing by protecting these families and giving people with no criminal record the opportunity to work here legally, pay taxes and contribute to our society,” said Sacco. “Now it’s time for Congress to do its job by passing the bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform bill backed by Senator Robert Menendez that was overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. Senate last year.”
Sacco’s legislative district contains some of the most heavily Hispanic municipalities in the state, including West New York and North Bergen.
37 months in prison for NB man who bilked elderly cancer patient of $279,000
A North Bergen man has been sentenced to 37 months in prison and restitution of funds after apparently bilking an elderly woman of $279,000, according to news reports.
The 45-year-old resident pleaded guilty to mail fraud more than a year ago in connection with the case. On Monday he was sentenced to more than three years in state prison, plus three years of supervised release. He must also pay $279,020 in restitution.
He allegedly stole certificates from the woman’s apartment beginning in April 2006 and sold them using forged documents granting him power of attorney. He then allegedly used the funds to pay for Lasik eye surgery, a 2006 Nissan, a down payment on a house, and new furniture.
The woman was hospitalized for cancer treatment at the time, according to reports.
NB issues proclamation recognizing World Prematurity Day
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Township of North Bergen issued a proclamation to the March of Dimes on Nov. 17 recognizing World Prematurity Day, a global movement to raise awareness about the issue of premature birth around the world. The proclamation was presented at the March of Dimes event “Babies, Business and the Bottom Line” at Palisades Medical Center.
Bruce J. Markowitz, president and CEO of Palisades Medical Center and chair for the 2015 March for Babies, and Ed Dougherty, SPHR, CLU, Effective HR, LLC, spoke about the significant cost impact that prematurity has on businesses. The nation spends more than $26 billion annually for health care, special education, and lost productivity related to premature birth.
The March of Dimes is a lead facilitator of the World Prematurity Network, a global coalition of consumer and parent groups working together to raise awareness and prevent premature birth in their countries. More than 15 million babies are born too soon every year, and 1 million die. The U.S. preterm birth rate increased 36 percent between 1980 and 2006, giving us the highest rate of any developed country. Premature birth is the leading cause of death during the first month of life.
Palisades Medical Center is a 2015 sponsor of March for Babies, the March of Dimes’ premier fundraising event. Monies raised from this walk go towards the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
For more information, visit marchofdimes.org.
2014 Holiday Celebration
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present the 2014 Holiday Celebration “Come Meet Santa and Rudolph” at the North Bergen Players Mini Theater, 8411 Bergenline Ave., on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. The show is produced and directed by Maurena Luzzi, with guest accompanist Fred Fochesato. Admission is $15. Holiday refreshments are included.
Santa Claus is coming to town!
The 15th Annual Santa Parade is coming to Bergenline Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 14. The parade starts at noon at 85th St. and proceeds to 32nd St.
The parade is presented by the firefighters and fire officers of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, in conjunction with the towns of North Bergen, West New York, Union City, Guttenberg, and Weehawken.
Enjoy holiday celebrations at the libraries
Santa Claus will be visiting both branches of the North Bergen Library this holiday season. Kids can enjoy story time, singalongs, goodie bags, and get their photos taken with Santa on Monday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Main Branch, 8411 Bergenline Ave., or on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Branch, 2123 Kennedy Blvd. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Donate old cell phones, provide free calls home to troops overseas
Mile Square Early Learning Center in Hoboken and nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. ask Hudson County residents to help troops call home by donating gently-used cellular phones. Although the military landscape is ever changing, as many as 200,000 troops are serving in the United States military overseas around the world. By donating to Cell Phones for Soldiers, residents can provide troops with that precious connection to loved ones back home.
Phones can be donated at Mile Square Early Learning Center locations in Hoboken, including the St. Francis site at 310 Jefferson St., the Rue site at 301 Garden St., and the Demarest site at 158 4th St.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist at the ages of 12 and 13. The charity has since provided more than 210 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world through its calling card program, Minutes that Matter. Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones for Soldiers distributes 3,200 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.
Donated phones are sent to Mindful eCycling for recycling. For every donated phone valued at $5, Cell Phones for Soldiers is able to provide two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops. Approximately half of the phones Mindful eCycling processes are reconditioned and reused. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and responsibly recycled to reclaim materials, including gold, silver, and platinum from circuit boards; copper wiring from phone chargers, nickel, iron, cadmium, and lead from battery packs, and plastic from phone cases and accessories.
For more information, contact cdiaz@mselc1979.org or visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.