Dr. Epps, former schools superintendent, passes away
Funeral arrangements for Charles T. Epps Jr., 70, were undetermined at press time on Friday. The former longtime Jersey City schools superintendent and former state assemblyman was found dead in his Society Hill home on Friday morning
Epps spent nearly 50 years as an educator and school administrator, and was known throughout the district as “Dr. Epps.” His daughter and son-in-law found him dead in a chair in his home. Published reports said Epps was known to have heart problems.
A lifelong city resident, Epps was the son of the late Charles T. Epps Sr., a pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Jersey City. Rev. Epps also worked as an educator in the district.
He began his career in 1967 as a seventh grade teacher at School 16, and after seven years became a math supervisor. He was a director and associate superintendent before being appointed the district’s chief administrator in 2000.
He was forced to retire at the end of 2011 after the Board of Education agreed to give him $268,000 in exchange for his resignation and his agreement not to sue the district over a disputed contract that would have kept him in the position until 2013.
Man taken into custody for allegedly stabbing wife to death in Jersey City
A 36-year-old woman in Jersey City was killed on Monday afternoon, and her 42-year-old husband has been taken into custody.
According to various media reports, he is charged with stabbing her in their home on 29 Long St. A neighbor told NJ.com that she was concerned that the woman’s 2-year-old granddaughter may have witnessed the stabbing. Police responded on Monday and found Alnisha Jones with multiple stab wounds. Bail for her husband was set at $350,000.
CASA wine tasting to benefit local foster children
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) has announced its 9th Annual Wine Tasting fundraiser, featuring world-class wines, foods and desserts, VIP tasting of premium spirits, cork pull and silent auction, will take place on Friday, March 27, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Battello, at the Newport Marina at 502 Washington Blvd. in Jersey City. Proceeds from this event support CASA’s advocacy work on behalf of Hudson County foster children.
More than 90 wines selected by Cork Wine & Spirits will be featured at the tasting and accompanied by foods and desserts by Battello. A one-year family membership at Shipyard Pool in Hoboken will be among the many silent auction prizes that also includes getaways, theater and sporting event tickets and luxury items. Free valet parking will be available.
Hudson County CASA will honor Dean Bellissimo, Mark Kemper and Greg Skiff at this year’s event. Bellissimo, of Deutsche Bank and a Hoboken resident, has been a loyal sponsor of CASA’s wine tasting for the past five years. Kemper is president of the North Atlantic District of UPS. He has been an active supporter of Hudson County CASA since 2009. Skiff, a Jersey City resident, is an associate litigator at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, a law firm in New York City. He has served as a CASA volunteer for the past five years, is a member of the Board of Trustees and will be recognized as Volunteer of the Year.
Tickets may be purchased online for $85 or at the door on the night of the event for $95. Tickets may also be purchased at Cork Wine & Spirits, 1450 Washington St., Hoboken. VIP tasting tickets will be on sale at the event. For tickets and more information, please visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
JCMC selected No. 1 in NJ hospital ranking
Jersey City Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, was declared New Jersey’s leading hospital with under 350 beds in a study conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., the nation’s most respected health care research and information company, and Inside Jersey Magazine. Castle Connolly asked every licensed physician across the state to name the top hospitals for various medical conditions, as well as for overall care.
Jersey City Medical Center was also named No. 1 for every specialization in its size category, including treatment of breast cancer, prostate problems, congestive heart failure, stroke, neurological disorders, high risk pregnancies, bypass surgery, and knee and hip repairs.
“This is a testament to the hard work of everyone at Jersey City Medical Center and I want to thank the doctors around the state for having confidence in our staff, nurses, and facility, and for telling the public where they would recommend their patients and families go to receive the best care and treatment,” said Joseph F. Scott, FACHE, president and CEO, Jersey City Medical Center.
This is the second time Jersey City Medical Center was ranked first for its size in every single category.
“Being named the best hospital is a great accolade,” said Dr. Kenneth Garay, Jersey City Medical Center’s chief medical officer. “Yet, it’s really not surprising when you consider the outstanding doctors and nurses throughout the region we’ve attracted and continue to attract as the medical center grows and expands its services.”
More than 3,000 doctors throughout the state were reached by email and fax, including Castle Connolly-rated top doctors and physicians who participated in the online survey for Inside Jersey’s Top Hospitals 2015 feature. Total votes cast were 30,462. Doctors were asked to vote for the five leading hospitals for treatment of a selection of medical conditions. They also were asked to vote for top overall hospitals in New Jersey.
Free information at Hudson County Court Night on May 27
Come to Hudson County Court Night at Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. Courthouse, 583 Newark Ave., Jersey City, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27. Court Night is an evening of free information sessions open to the residents of Hudson County. These sessions will provide practical information and resource material designed to assist residents in navigating the court system. Attorneys and court representatives will conduct the sessions and will be available to answer general questions from the public concerning each subject matter.
While Court Night is free, pre-registration is highly recommended. To pre-register, email hudson.reservation@judiciary.state.nj.us or call (201) 217-5109.
Free health screenings upcoming in local communities
Free health screenings will take place at various locations in Hudson County over the coming months courtesy of Palisades Medical Center. The screenings will include information on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, Body Mass Index – BMI, certificates for mammography, prostate screening, HIV testing, and more. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793. Free screenings will take place at the following times and locations:
– March 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grove Reformed Church, 4615 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen
– April 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 654 Ocean Ave., Jersey City
– May 3, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – First United Methodist, 407 23rd Street, Union City
Palisades Medical Center CEO leads March of Dimes effort to improve health of Hudson County babies
More than 12,000 of New Jersey babies will be born premature this year, and Bruce J. Markowitz, president and CEO of Palisades Medical Center, is working with the March of Dimes to change this. Markowitz has taken on the role of Hudson County March for Babies Chair to raise awareness and important funding to provide for babies who are born premature or with birth defects. March for Babies, the March of Dimes largest fundraiser, will be held on April 26, at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
March for Babies helps fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping mothers have stronger, healthy babies. Last year, in Hudson County, more than $150,000 was raised. This year, Markowitz will lead participants and the community in making a difference for the health of mothers and babies.
“I am honored to serve in the important role as the chairman of the Hudson County March for Babies,” said Markowitz. “I believe we can all rally behind the March of Dimes and its mission to help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.”
Hudson County residents can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family or friends. Last year, more than 650 people attended the event.