Jersey City man dies in gun battle
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said on Tuesday that a Jersey City man was killed on Monday night after a gun battle that was believed to be gang-related.
DeFazio said Aaron Ballon, 21, of Bidwell Avenue was pronounced dead on the scene at Dwight Street near the intersection of Bergen Avenue at around 8 p.m.
DeFazio said Ballon was hit numerous times after engaging in gunfire with another man, who then fled the scene on foot. DeFazio said the two men were shooting at each other based on a prior dispute between either each other or their associates.
DeFazio said a semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene, believed to have been owned by the victim.
DeFazio said the shooting was captured by CCTV cameras located in the area.
DeFazio said the investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad and other investigating agencies.
Anyone with information on the shooting can call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345.
Former JC building inspector sentenced to 13 months in prison
Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra, Jr. announced on Monday that Randolph Condi, 39, of Jersey City, a former Jersey City building inspector, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for attempted extortion. In May, Condi pleaded guilty.
U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler also ordered Condi to serve 3 years of supervised release upon the completion of his prison term.
Condi admitted to accepting corrupt cash payments in exchange for his agreement to expedite inspections and/or refrain from exercising his official duties as a building inspector concerning certain contracting projects being performed by government cooperating witnesses between July 2008 and January 2009. Condi had been facing a sentence of 18 to 24 months.
Study for light rail to Jersey City’s west side
The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors last week approved a study looking at extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service to Jersey City’s west side.
The Board approved a $251,000 contract with AKRF, Inc., to study the extension of the light rail line from its current western terminus at West Side Avenue Station across Route 440 to a redevelopment zone along the Hackensack Riverfront. Being considered in the study is a new station linking the Jersey City waterfront and North Hudson to new residential, commercial and retail development the municipality is planning approximately one-half mile west of West Side Avenue Station.
“This study will enable us to examine the potential for improved transit options near the redevelopment and existing residential areas along Route 440,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chairman Stephen Dilts.
Funding for the study came about through the efforts of U.S. Representative Albio Sires
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail opened in April 2000, and provides more than 40,000 weekday trips between 23 stations in Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen.
Free swine flu Q&A with doctor this week
Are you and your family prepared for the next attack of the swine (H1N1) flu? Are there steps you can take to protect yourself? Should your children receive the swine flu vaccine? And if you or a loved one does catch it, what can you do to minimize its affect?
Dr. Adriana Grigoriu, an infectious disease specialist at Jersey City Medical Center, will answer these and other questions in her presentation on “The Facts About the Swine Flu” at the next Dinner with the Doctor event, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23rd (beginning at 6:30 p.m) at Jersey City Medical Center (355 Grand St.)
“Dinner with the Doctor” is held in the first-floor cafeteria at Jersey City Medical Center (corner of Grand and Jersey). To register, call (201) 915-2505. This session is limited to 125 people.
Carol Higgins Clark Honorary Guest at St. Dominic Academy’s Dinner
Carol Higgins Clark, award winning author of twelve best-selling Regan Reilly mysteries such as Decked, Iced, Snagged and most recently Cursed, will be the honorary guest at Saint Dominic Academy’s Leadership Awards Dinner on Saturday, September 26th at Puccini’s Restaurant in Jersey City.
Ms. Clark, daughter of America’s number 1 best-selling suspense writer, Mary Higgins Clark, will pay tribute to the Academy’s Mothers’ Club and all Alumnae Mothers for their years of dedication and service to the all-girls, private high school.
The annual dinner includes an open bar from 6-7 p.m. and will feature the Academy’s awarding winning glee club, “The Dominoes,” as entertainment. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Academy’s Scholarship Fund which supports the school’s offering of approximately $300,000 in both financial aid and academic scholarship each year. More information can be obtained by calling the SDA Advancement office at (201) 434-5938 ext. 33 or by emailing advancement@stdominicacad.com.
PSE&G upgrading gas facilities in Jersey City
Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, is upgrading and replacing gas facilities in Jersey City to ensure safe, reliable utility service for area residents and business owners. The work is being completed as part of the company’s two-year accelerated schedule of infrastructure improvements being undertaken to stimulate NJ’s economy.
PSE&G is replacing a 24” gas main on Newark Avenue, near the Newark Avenue Bridge and going east to Sixth Street and Division Street.
All work is being done approximately between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Construction has started on Newark Avenue and will be completed on or about Oct. 30.
Some lane restrictions, road closings and detours may be necessary at times during the project. Local police will be on site to direct traffic flow. Interruptions will be kept to a minimum, and PSE&G regrets any inconvenience the project may cause.