Fatal accident on Kennedy Blvd. in Jersey City
According to a press release from Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, at approximately 8:06 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14 Sheriff’s officers were in the area of Neptune Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City, heard a crash, and found George Gonzalez, 11, lying on the South lanes of Kennedy Blvd., critically injured.
The officers immediately began first aid in an attempt to aid the injured boy until Jersey City EMS arrived.
According to the release, the boy was allegedly struck by a commuter bus driven by Raul Delatorre-Galaza, 44, of Elizabeth, who investigators learned has a suspended New Jersey Driver’s License.
Gonzalez later died at the hospital as a result of his injuries, the press release stated.
Delatorre-Galaza has been charged with causing a death while driving with a suspended license.
His bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond, and he is at the Hudson County Correctional Center, according to the release.
He was also issued a motor vehicle summons for driving while suspended. Delatorre-Galaza has had multiple license suspensions in the past, according to the release.
The crash remains under active investigation by Crash Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, the Jersey City Police, and Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. If anyone saw the crash, officials urge they call The Sheriff’s Crash Investigation Unit at (201) 915-1300, ext. 7050.
Man charged in High Tech High School lockdown Oct. 6
After allegedly causing a school lockdown, Michael Chicarielli, 43, of North Bergen, was in the Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City on Monday, Oct. 10. Chicarielli is charged with setting off false public alarms, because he made comments to a High Tech High School security guard that triggered a school lockdown on Thursday, Oct. 6, according to a press release from the Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari.
Around 4:50 p.m. Hudson County Sheriff’s officers responded to a possible threat at High Tech High School in North Bergen and spoke to security guards about the comment, the release states. The guards said a man in a silver or gray Chevrolet Lumina talked to a guard who said to “Make sure the school is on lockdown. Make sure it’s tight,” the release said.
According to the release, North Bergen police recognized the vehicle and its owner. After the car was located near the school, it was confirmed to be Chicarielli’s, the release said. Chicarielli was then taken into custody at his residence on Liberty Avenue, according to the release.
P.O. Benjamin Ortega promoted to detective
Police Officer Benjamin Ortega, a 17-year veteran of the North Bergen Police Department, was promoted to detective on Friday, Oct. 14. Mayor Nicholas Sacco presented him with a gold shield in a ceremony in Municipal Hall.
Prior to serving with the North Bergen police, Ortega served three years with the NYPD. He is an extremely active member of the Hispanic American Law Enforcement Association (H.A.L.E.A.).
Among those participating in the swearing-in ceremony and congratulating Detective Ortega were Police Chief Robert Dowd, Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, and Freeholder Anthony Vainieri.
Blue line on Kennedy Blvd. honors police
Hudson County joined with many counties and municipalities across the nation this week by painting a blue line down the center of the Blvd. in support of the police. The line, painted between the double yellow lines separating traffic, was added to Kennedy Blvd. in front of Municipal Hall and the high school, as well as on the street leading to the police station.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco joined with Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Allen Pascual, North Bergen Police Chief Robert Dowd, Union City Police Chief Richard Molinari, and various police officers to watch the Hudson County Roads Department roll down the boulevard painting blue in support of law enforcement.
Road crews painted the blue lines on Friday, Oct. 14 beginning in Bayonne and working their way north on Kennedy Blvd. throughout the day. The initiative was made possible by Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, County Executive Tom DeGise, Director Denise D’Alessandro, Wally Wolf, and local road crews.
Halloween Trunk or Treat is Oct. 29
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the North Bergen Police Department and NB C.A.R.E.S., are once again spicing up the Halloween season with a Trunk or Treat event for kids.
The festivities take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave. Call to register at (201) 392-0229.
Free Halloween party and fright night at the library
The Main Library will be hosting its annual Halloween party on Friday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. Check out the Haunted Stacks of books, or enjoy other non-scary entertainment like a magic show, and arts and crafts. Goodie bags will be distributed.
The Main Library is on 8411 Bergenline Avenue.
The Kennedy Branch Library will be hosting an evening of Fun & Fright with its annual Halloween Party. The evening will be filled with magical entertainment and a non-scary haunted house on Monday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. The Kennedy Branch is at 2123 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen.
For more information about these two events please call (201)869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Community job fair Nov. 9
The North Bergen Free Public Library is partnering with the North Hudson Community Action Corporation to host a community job fair for residents. A wide array of vendors will be onsite looking for applications and new hires. The event will take place at the Main Library on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The main library is on 8411 Bergenline Avenue.
For more information, email tracey.rivera@northbergen.bccls.org or call (201) 869-4715, ext. 13.
Hypertension, high blood pressure seminar Nov. 2
A free seminar presented by HackensackUMC Palisades is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2. Featured speaker Mark S. Gabelman, MD of HackensackUMC Palisades Medical Staff will inform the audience about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
The seminar begins at 6 p.m. at the main library on 8411 Bergenline Ave. Admission, refreshments, and parking are free. To register contact Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Help foster children find permanent homes Nov. 1
Learn how to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer and help foster children find safe and permanent homes. You may attend an information session at the Hudson County Courthouse, 595 Newark Ave. Rm. # 901 on Tuesday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m. For further information, visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org
Extended tax collector hours on Nov. 10
The North Bergen tax collector’s office will have extended hours on Thursday, Nov. 10. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the collection of fourth-quarter property taxes.
Nov. 10 is the last day to pay the fourth-quarter property tax bill without interest.
The tax collector’s office is in Municipal Hall, 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
EPA Holding information sessions on cleanup of Quanta site
Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Honeywell will be on hand to answer questions about the start of cleanup of the land portion of the Quanta Resources Superfund site at 145 River Road. Work at the site is scheduled to begin in October 2016 and the cleanup will take about two years to complete.
The information sessions are designed to give residents an opportunity to meet with representatives from the EPA and Honeywall and to ask questions in an informal setting. No formal presentations are planned.
The sessions will take place on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. at Edgewater Borough Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 55 River Road, Edgewater.
Free Workshop on mortgage assistance for Hudson County residents
Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders have announced a foreclosure-prevention program for Hudson County residents.
A free Mortgage Assistance Workshop will be held on Oct. 20 between 6 and 8 p.m. at Mary McLeod Bethune Center, 140 Martin Luther King Dr., Jersey City. The program is hosted by Boston Community Capital’s SUN (Stabilizing Urban Neighborhoods) program and supported by a housing counselor from La Casa De Don Pedro.
Hudson County residents who are in foreclosure and need assistance are encouraged to attend this informational meeting. RSVP to SUN at (855) 604-4663.
Free breast exams and mammograms
Free breast exams and mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women will be offered at the locations listed below. Walk in. No appointment needed. Information regarding women’s health at all three Hoboken Family Planning sites will also be available on the following dates and times:
Tues. Oct. 25, 5305 Hudson Ave., West New York, 9 a.m. to noon
Wed. Oct. 26, 124 Grand Street, Hoboken, 9a.m. to noon and 4-7 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 27, 1206 Summit Avenue, Union City, 4-7 p.m.
Call (201) 963-0300 for additional information.