Man arrested in connection with two bank robberies
Richard Wandell, 47, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday without incident and charged with allegedly robbing two banks. The Jersey City Police Department’s Major Case Unit responded to a report of a bank robbery in Jersey City Heights on April 17.
Receiving a report that another bank had been robbed on Bergenline Avenue in West New York on April 21, the unit got a tip that the suspect fitting the description of the bank robber in Jersey City was staying at a hotel in North Bergen.
Wandell was arrested a short time later when he was approaching his room after ordering Chinese takeout food.
Although he had allegedly hinted that he was armed during the West New York robbery, no weapons were found on him.
This arrest was the work of detectives in the North District and detectives with the JCPD Major Case Unit.
Golden Gloves finals to be held at Pershing Field
The New Jersey Golden Gloves State Tournament Finals returns to Jersey City with amateur fighting from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Pershing Field Ice Rink, 807 Summit Ave.
For a second year, Jersey City will host the Golden Gloves Finals in conjunction with Dan Doyle, president, and Jose Rosario, vice-president, of the Golden Gloves. With more than 1,000 attendees expected, the finals will feature the winners of the NJ Golden Gloves State Tournaments, which was made up of more than 300 boxers between the ages of 8 to 34.
Jersey City’s Recreation Department Boxing team, established under Mayor Steve Fulop, participated in last year’s Golden Gloves Tournament and Diamond Gloves Tournament, resulting in championship titles for both Tony Rivera and Denzel Stevens of the Recreation boxing team.
To purchase tickets please go to the Pershing Field Ice Rink Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or go to https://eventbrite.com/event/15818733257/
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Jersey City Recreation boxing program.
For more information please call the Department of Recreation at (201) 547-6996 or (201) 547-4392.
Police body cameras purchased in joint agreement
Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Paterson Mayor Jose ‘Joey’ Torres have announced that Jersey City, along with Newark and Paterson, are moving forward with the largest purchase of police body cameras in the state of New Jersey. The joint purchasing agreement for more than 1,100 cameras is to increase accountability and better document interactions between the police and the community.
As the lead agency, Jersey City is managing the joint procurement process. By purchasing the cameras jointly and in bulk, the three cities are expected to realize significant savings.
The police body cameras – which will be worn by all uniformed on-duty police officers in Jersey City, Newark, and Paterson – record video and audio and will be used as evidence during criminal investigations and to better document interactions between police and the public. The cameras are an important step toward increasing accountability, improving police work, and enhancing community relations.
Proposals from vendors are due back by May 14, with the three cities to begin using them as soon as the late summer or early fall.
Carepoint Health – Christ Hospital awarded hospital accreditation from The Joint Commission
CarePoint Health announced that Christ Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.
“Joint Commission accreditation provides hospitals with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas from the enhancement of staff education to the improvement of daily business operations,” said Mark G. Pelletier, RN, M.S., chief operating officer, Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission. “In addition, our accreditation helps hospitals enhance their risk management and risk reduction strategies. We commend CarePoint Health for its efforts to become a quality improvement organization.”
“This prestigious award highlights CarePoint Health’s continuing and steadfast commitment to providing superior healthcare services to Hudson County residents,” said Dennis Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of CarePoint Health.
CarePoint Health-Christ Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site survey from Dec. 09, 2014 to Dec. 12, 2014. During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. Surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.
JCMC offers free cardiac, concussion screenings for young athletes
Free cardiac and concussion baseline screenings will be made available to young athletes on Saturday morning, May 2 from 8 a.m. to noon in the cafeteria at Jersey City Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility at 355 Grand Ave., Jersey City.
“These are two areas of utmost concern to parents of young athletes, coaches and educators,” said Joseph F. Scott, president and CEO of Jersey City Medical Center. “Thanks to Barnabas Health and the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, we are extremely pleased we can begin to address these problems in Hudson County through the availability of free cardiac and concussion baseline screenings.”
The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes provides education, evaluation and assessment of sports injuries and sports-related cardiac and concussion screenings. Barnabas Health serves and cares for more pediatric patients than any other health care organization in New Jersey.
The cardiac screening is for young athletes ages six to 18 years old. Studies have shown sudden cardiac arrest and tragic deaths can often be avoided when preliminary testing to identify serious cardiac problems is provided. The screening, which will be offered to the first 130 who sign up, can help to identify players who may require further testing or intervention.
Head injuries are on the rise at all levels of athletics, including those who compete at the recreational and middle and high school levels. A concussion baseline study (called ImPACT) can help identify future brain injuries. If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury, this screening may be used to evaluate the severity of the injury and help determine when it is safe for the athlete to return. The free test will be made available to the first 80 athletes, ages 12 to 18 years, to sign up.
A parent or guardian must accompany the young athlete. To sign up for the screenings, email teamlink@barnabashealth.org. For more information about the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, visit www.barnabashealth.org/morahan or call (973) 322-7913.
6th Borough Market begins
The third season of 6th Borough Market in historic downtown Jersey City will open on May 10
This year the market is open two times per month, every second and fourth Sunday from May to October.
The market will feature more 60 high quality makers, collectors and chefs, and a festive atmosphere.
It will include offerings from hand-knit baby gear, to hand-chosen vintage goods, to hand crafted foods.
6th Borough Market is free and open to the public every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. behind Jersey City Hall, at Montgomery St. and Marin Blvd. For more info: www.6thboroughmarket.com
Yoga in the Heights offers only Spanish-Language Yoga Class in Hudson County
Yoga studio and wellness center Yoga in the Heights offers Yoga en Español, a yoga class with instructions primarily in Spanish; it’s the first of its kind in Hudson County. Yoga en Español is available five times per week: on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 11a.m.
Owners Bridget Fujioka and Stephanie Kumar, in partnership with instructor Adriana Rambay Fernández, developed this class to make yoga more accessible to Latinos and other Spanish-speakers, serve the needs of a diverse community, and offer a healthy living practice that builds knowledge and awareness about the body. In Jersey City, Latinos comprise 28 percent of the population.
For more information about Yoga in the Heights and to view the complete class schedule, please visit jcheightsyoga.com.
HCCC to host arts discussions
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) invites the members of the community to attend two free panel discussions, one on contemporary art and the other on mid-20th Century art. Both are part of “The Changing Scene of Contemporary Art in New Jersey,” a mini-series sponsored by the college’s Cultural Affairs Task Force, and made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The discussions – which will be held in the HCCC Culinary Conference Center – will provide a context for works included in the HCCC Foundation Art Collection. The Culinary Conference Center is located at 161 Newkirk St. in Jersey City two blocks from the Journal Square PATH Station. Seating is limited and reservations may be made by contacting Clifford Brooks at (201) 998-5993 or cbrooks@hccc.edu.
The first panel discussion, “Facing the Dilemmas of the World: New Jersey Contemporary Artists,” is scheduled for Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. The discussion will feature artists Eric Avery, M.D., Valeri Larko and Barbara Madsen, and will explore themes such as gender- and race-equality, and religious, social, and political issues, which transcend time, culture, and civilization.
The other discussion, “The Fluxus Movement: A Half Century Late,” will take place on Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m., and will feature Professors Gerry Beegan and Donna Gustafson. It will focus on the cross-disciplinary nature of the Fluxus Movement (also referred to as the New Brunswick School of Art), its role in the humanities and its influence. (The HCCC Foundation Art Collection includes ten works by Fluxus artists, including Marcel Duchamp, Yoko Ono, and Carolee Schneemann.)
Saint Dominic Academy holds information sessions
Saint Dominic Academy will host its Spring Open House for grades 7-12 on Tuesday, May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature club and athletic demonstrations, including a performance by the award-winning Dominoes, presentations by academic departments and the administration, tours of the school and complete information about the application for admission process for all grades, including transfers.
Information about the Saint Dominic Academy Rising Leaders Summer STEAM Program for girls entering fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade can be found on the school’s website (www.stdominicacad.com) The program will be held from June 22 – July 23 and the deadline to register is May 15. The Academy is also offering a COOP Entrance Exam Preparation Course. Questions about the admissions process and/or any of these programs and events can be directed at any time to Andrea Apruzzese, Saint Dominic Academy Director Admissions at 201-434-5938, ext. 14 or to aapruzzese@stdominicacad.com .
St. John’s Lutheran holds tricky tray fundraiser
A tricky tray fundraiser to benefit St. John’s Lutheran Church will be hold on Friday, May 8 starting at 6 p.m. The event promises lots of prizes and refreshments. Admission is $5.
St. John’s Lutheran Church is located at 155 North St. For more information call (201) 798-0540