JC police kill knife-wielding woman
Jersey City police officers responding to a domestic dispute Tuesday night shot a woman after she slashed two officers with a large knife.
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio, the police arrived at 87 Van Wagenen Ave. after the woman’s husband called to say that he was threatened by his wife wielding a knife. DeFazio said police on the scene found that Martina Brown, 58, had locked herself in her apartment and refused to answer the door.
DeFazio said the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) was then called in and when Brown refused to answer the door again, ESU officers used tools to get the door open. DeFazio said when police entered the apartment Brown was still wielding the large knife.
DeFazio said police used “non-lethal” methods to disarm Brown, including negotiation, but Brown stabbed one officer in the forehead. DeFazio said when officers tried to disarm her a second time, she lunged again and slashed another officer and that’s when police fired at Brown. She was pronounced dead at the Jersey City Medical Center at 9:57 p.m.
DeFazio said information ascertained by investigators at the scene found that Brown had a history of mental illness. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Two JC teens charged in brutal attack on woman
Two Jersey City teens face attempted homicide charges in last Sunday’s attack that left a woman naked on the street and in critical condition.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Carlos Acosta, 18, of Manning Avenue, and Davon Gordon, 18, of Arlington Avenue, are suspects in the attack at 5:30 a.m. They allegedly slammed the head of a 29-year-old Jersey City female victim repeatedly on the pavement, punching her and repeatedly kicking her while she lay unconscious. DeFazio said they also face robbery and aggravated assault charges.
DeFazio said a 26-year-old Jersey City man was also attacked in the incident and robbed of $20 and his identity card. This victim suffered lacerations to his forehead and the back of his head and was also treated at Jersey City Medical Center.
Both men are being held at the Hudson County Jail in Kearny.
Hudson County Clerk’s Office moves
Hudson County Clerk Barbara A. Netchert announced that the County Clerk’s Office will be moving to a new location during the week of July 27, 2009.
The Clerk’s services, which include the issuing of passports, election information/absentee voting, notary oaths and public records, will be conducted on of the fourth floor of Hudson County Plaza located at 257 Cornelison Avenue in Jersey City. Effective July 29, the phone number for the County Clerk’s Office will change to 201-369-3470. The move is bittersweet, says Hudson County Clerk, Barbara A. Netchert. “While our new facility will ensure more efficient and convenient service for residents looking to obtain passports or public information, we will all miss the beautiful old court house,” says Clerk Netchert. “We are eager for Hudson County residents to visit us at our new home.” Residents are encouraged to check online at www.hudsoncountyclerk.org for ongoing updates and information.
Jay-Z will now headline All Points West
The All Points West Festival in Jersey City announced that popular rapper Jay-Z will replace the Beastie Boys as their Friday night headliner for the three-day concert in Jersey City. Jay-Z will kick off the festival on Friday, July 31.
Jay-Z’s hits include “99 Problems” and “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem.)” He is also the former CEO of Roc-a-Fella Records and Def Jam, two highly successful hip-hop labels.
The Beastie Boys had to drop out when member Adam Yauch announced he had cancer.
Other headliners include Coldplay and Tool.
Jersey City Green Awards
Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, the Municipal Council and the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency announced today that it will celebrate this years’ JC Green Awards on July 28 at 10 a.m. at the newly renovated Municipal Council Chambers at City Hall, 280 Grove St.
Now in its second year, the Green Awards (commonly referred to as the “Greenies”) will recognize noteworthy environmental efforts in the areas of new development, business practices and residential homeowners’ initiatives.
For further information, interested parties can call the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency at (201) 547-5810.
Free lecture on marriage and family
There will be a free lecture on marriage and family at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Jersey City as the Catholic Center for Family Spirituality at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology presents “Reviving Commitment in Marriage and Family” on Wednesday, July 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The lecturer, Reverend Vincent Fortunato, O.F.M., Cap., is an ordained priest with the Capuchin Franciscan Friars. Our Lady of Mercy Parish is located at 40 Sullivan Drive in Jersey City. Registration is strongly encouraged.
For further information on this lecture, or to register, please contact Kris Hudak, Coordinator of Special Programs, at (973) 761-9633 or hudakkri@shu.edu.
Child advocate volunteers needed
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children.
CASA works through community volunteers to insure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move then toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact fingers for judges and safeguard the interests of children while they are in the foster care system.
An information session regarding the program will be held on Aug. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City. Enter through the rear door since the front doors of the administration building are closed after 5 p.m.
Hudson County has over 750 children in foster care.
For more information call (201) 795-9855 or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.