Police seek assistance finding bipolar teen
The Hoboken Police Department asks for help locating William Tomas, 16, who was last seen leaving the Hoboken University Medical Center on Nov 14.
He was wearing a black jacket, a white t-shirt, blue sweatpants and white sneakers.
The police said that Tomas has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffers from other issues but is not currently taking any medications.
The police said that Tomas has run away before but was found by Guttenberg Police on Nov. 13.
Police ask those who may have seen him to contact them at (201) 420-2100, (201) 420-2110, (201) 420-2109 or by email at lepree@hobokenpd.org.
Lawyer says train engineer in Hoboken crash had undiagnosed sleep apnea
Train Engineer Thomas Gallagher, who drove the commuter train that crashed into Hoboken Terminal on Sept. 29 and killed Hoboken resident Fabiola Bittar de Kroon, had undiagnosed sleep apnea, an attorney has told the New York Times.
Jack Arseneault, Gallagher’s attorney, told the newspaper on Nov .16 that Gallagher was diagnosed after the crash.
Gallagher had said in an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the organization charged with investigating the crash, that he didn’t remember the crash, but that the train was going 10 miles per hour, the accepted speed, going into the terminal. Since then, investigations have tentatively determined that the train sped up close to the terminal and went more than 20 mph.
The crash injured over 100 people. The terminal has reopened, although some of the tracks remain inoperable.
The NTSB will not have a final report on the cause of the crash for at least a year. For our prior reporting, see hudsonreporter.com.
Win $1,000 in holiday decorating contest
The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Holiday Decorating Contest this December.
Participants will be judged on their interpretation of a Sinatra based theme, the Wow Factor and curiosity generating factor, and the inclusion of retailer’s service.
First place will receive $ $1,000, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $200.
Those interested in participating must register by Dec. 9th online at http://business.hobokenchamber.com/events/details/2016-holiday-decorating-contest-996
Judging will take place between Dec. 14 through Dec. 18 with the winners announced Dec. 21.
Hoboken Historical Museum hosts lecture Nov. 27
Dr. Christina Ziegler-McPherson, a public historian who has curated exhibits for the Hoboken Museum, will speak at a lecture hosted by the museum Sunday, Nov. 27 at 1 p.m.
The latest installment in the lecture series “Heaven, Hell or Hoboken: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of World War I, will discuss Hoboken in 1916-1917 “on the eve of war.”
The lecture is free for all who wish to attend, according to the museum’s website, due to the support of the NJ Historical Commission and the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History.
Ziegler-McPherson is author of “Americanization in the States: Immigrant Social Welfare Policy, Citizenship, and National Identity in the United States, 1908-1929” and “Immigrants in Hoboken: One-Way Ticket, 1845-1985.”
Temporary closing of Sinatra Drive North walkway
The city announced Thursday, Nov. 17 that the walkway along Sinatra Drive North between 14th and 15th streets will be closed to pedestrians temporarily.
The media release states the area is unsafe for walking because the “settling of an existing pier at Sinatra Drive North between 14th Street and 15th Street is causing minor separation of the existing paver walkway.”
Signs will be posted to direct pedestrians, who should use 14th Street and Shipyard Lane as a bypass to the waterfront.
It is unknown how long the walkway will be closed, according to Juan Melli, city spokesman.
The waterfront walkway and pier are the private property of Shipyard Associates/Sovereign Limited.
Local political wag Dean Kemph passes away at 61
Dean W. Kemph passed away suddenly from a heart attack at home on Nov. 16 at the age of 61. He was born in Rhode Island, lived in New York and Hoboken, and moved to Weehawken six years ago. He had often sent the Reporter lengthy essays about local politics, full of dry wit and insight. He had also posted on Facebook about the recent election, in the days before his passing.
A celebration of his life was scheduled for on Saturday, Nov. 19 at The All Saints Episcopal Parish at Seventh and Washington Streets in Hoboken.
He is survived by his wife Annie Torpey, his daughters Delia and Emory, his brother Steven Kemph and Steven’s wife Kate O’Neil, and his mother-in-law Nancy Torpey. His family asks those who remember him to consider a donation to NPR (public radio) in Dean’s memory. A You Caring crowd funding memorial; site has been established at www.youcaring.com/annietorpeydeliakempfemorykempf-694222
Hoboken police arrest Jersey City resident for possession
On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Hoboken Police Department arrested Jersey City resident Joseph R. Riegler, 54, for outstanding warrants in Union County, Bayonne, Newark, New Providence, and Jersey City. The HPD charged Riegler with possession of CDS Heroin, CDS paraphernalia, and Possession of CDS crack/ cocaine.
Detectives witnessed Riegler allegedly smoke what they believed to be CDS and once placed under arrest they found nine bags of alleged heroin, three bags of crack/cocaine, and a glass pipe.
Woman in Hoboken hospital remains unidentified
An unidentified woman has been in Hoboken University Medical Center for almost 50 days without anyone knowing who she is, although she says she may be from North Bergen. According to a police release, the female has a life threatening illness and may suffer from dementia.
The patient believes she is of Italian descent and is described as a white 65-year-old woman approximately 5 feet tall with brown eyes dark hair, weighing roughly 100 pounds.
The woman believes her name could be Mary Ford with her possible date of birth Sept. 9, 1950, 1951, or 1961.
The woman is believed to be homeless and may have lived in North Bergen at one time, according to the press release.
According to Detective Edgardo Cruz, there has only been one phone call about the woman but “it didn’t pan out.”
Cruz added that she has been fingerprinted and her picture and DNA have been added to state and national databases in hopes of identifying her. So far they have had no luck.
Cruz said that police officers have asked local residents and the homeless if they know her. But unfortunately they don’t have additional information.
Check her photos at hudsonreporter.com. If you know this woman or have ideas, please contact the Hoboken Police Department at (201) 420-2100 or Hoboken University Medical Center at (201) 418-1336.
Jersey City resident arrested for alleged burglary
Daniel Sosa, 29, of Jersey City, was arrested Nov. 13 and charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft burglary tools, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
According to a media release Sosa was observed by off duty officer Bill Bullock and was identified as a person of interest in connection with the above charges. Bullock observed Sosa allegedly committing a new act of burglary and theft. He was placed under arrest and charged with the above offenses. He was allegedly in possession of a knife which was allegedly used to commit the crimes and detectives determined he was also a suspect in another case of burglary in which packages were allegedly stolen.
Stevens to host holiday performance by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
On Saturday Dec. 17, Stevens Institute of Technology will host the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at DeBaun Auditorium featuring the works of Vivaldi, Copland, and Respighi.
The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20. Students and seniors get a discounted rate at $10, and preferred seating with a post concert reception is available for $50.
This concert is the first of Stevens new arts and culture initiative “OnStage at Stevens.”
The series will feature music, dance, literary arts and more for both the enjoyment on Stevens and surrounding communities.
Alleged package thief arrested
Police arrested Hoboken resident David Diaz, 33, on Nov. 16 on charges of burglary and theft.
According to a media release, Detective Edward Lepre saw Diaz in the area of Fourth and Jefferson Streets and watched him allegedly enter one of the buildings.
The release states that detectives were aware that Diaz did not reside in the building and Lepre saw several ripped packages inside the address.
Once backup officers and detectives arrived they confronted the defendant inside. He allegedly had in his possession a bag containing stolen items from the building as well as a glass pipe and was placed under arrest.
Hoboken Grace Hosts Second Annual Christmas Exchange
Hoboken Grace Community Church, 301 Garden St., will host its second annual Christmas Exchange. Those interested can sign up at HobokenChristmas.com. Participants can choose to adopt a child or and an entire family. Once signed up, they will receive a list of needs for that specific family or child.
“Through this event we get to provide toys for children this Christmas, but it’s also an opportunity to provide much needed household items that can benefit a whole family,” said Anthony Reimer, outreach director at Hoboken Grace. “Some parents have asked for simple things like pots and pans, bedding and toiletries, diapers and towels.”
The church has been working with the Hoboken Housing Authority, HOPES, HUMC Neighborhood Health Center, Hoboken Family Planning, and The Jubilee Center to identify families in-need.
Supporting a child or family could cost as little as $25.
Gifts will be collected on Dec. 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Hoboken Grace “elves” will deliver them for you.
Volunteers are also needed for the event. For more details visit HobokenChristmas.com.
Homeless man arrested in Hoboken for theft
Police arrested a homeless man, Jose Lopez, 59, on Nov. 16 for burglary and theft. Lopez allegedly stole packages from a victim’s home on Nov. 4. He was found Nov. 16 in the 300 block of Jackson Street and placed under arrest. During this time he was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Sayreville for $285.
Catch a bus to D.C. for the Million Woman March
Hobokenites interested in attending the Million Woman March in Washington D.C. on Saturday, Jan.21 should contact resident Liz Cohen at conchart@aol.com.
The march is for equality and equal rights for all, according to Cohen.
“In order for equal rights and social justice to prevail we need to speak out and be heard,” she said.
Cohen, along with Barbra Gross, Geri Fallo, and Laura Knittel have organized two buses of 55 seats each to make the drive and may get a third if more are interested.
Seats cost $50 and all are welcome to attend and seats are first come first serve.
The buses will depart the morning of Jan. 21 between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. and return to Hoboken that evening between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Cohen is also asking for donations and sponsorship for those who would like to attend but can afford to do so.
Those wanting to donate can make checks payable to Million Women March- Hoboken. Checks should be dropped off at 235 Garden St.
American Hero Roy Huelbig dies at 92
Hoboken resident Edward “Roy” Huelbig, 92, passed away on Nov. 16 at Villa Marie Claire. Huelbig served in the Army’s 15th Calvary in World War II from 1943-1944. Recipient of a Purple Heart, Huelbig served for 25 years for the Hoboken Fire Dept and drove trucks for Ballantine Beer and APA trucking. Huelbig was also director of veteran’s affairs for Hudson County for over 10 years. Upon retirement, Roy spent his time working for many charitable and veterans’ organizations.
Roy is survived by daughter Kerryann Ganter and her husband Al, Kevin and his wife Jeannette, and Roy Jr. and his wife Eileen. He is the grandfather of Albert E. and Stephen Ganter, Kevin Huelbig Jr. and Jackie and Ellie Huelbig and by his sister Gloria Kinsey and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Earl F. Bosworth Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 18 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church, on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum in North Arlington, NJ.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Roy’s Name to the American Legion Post 107 Building Fund, P.O. Box 906, Hoboken, NJ 07030.