Travel advisory issued for weekend PATH service
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey issued a travel advisory Thursday Sept. 1 stating that regular weekend PATH service on the 33rd Street line would be temporarily restored for Labor Day weekend with construction to resume on Sept. 10.
The release states that “the Journal Square-33rd Street PATH line via Hoboken – closed on weekends since Aug. 6 for federally mandated service and safety upgrades – will be open and operate throughout the Labor Day weekend to accommodate high holiday ridership demand.”
With the 33rd Street line operating this weekend, the temporary Hoboken-to-World Trade Center PATH train will not be running during the Labor Day weekend and will resume Saturday, Sept. 10.
PATH had also had a shuttle running that picks up four blocks from the WTC and brings travelers to the Village and up to 29th Street. That shuttle will run when the regular 33rd Street line is shut.
From Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5, the 33rd Street and Newark-to-World Trade Center lines will both be operating on a holiday weekend schedule.
That schedule can be accessed by going to http://www.panynj.gov/path/full-schedules.cfm, and clicking on the PATH Holiday Schedule tab.
For additional traffic alerts, advisories and updates, travelers are encouraged to sign up for Port Authority alerts at http://www.paalerts.com/ or follow PATH on Twitter @PATHTrain.
Suit filed to change referendum language for moving Jersey City municipal elections
Opponents of the proposed referendum to change municipal election in Jersey City from May to June filed suit to halt the publishing of sample ballots, claiming the referendum explanation is confusing and could violate state law in regard to the city’s form of government.
The suit filed in Hudson County Superior Court on Sept. 1 asked the court to intervene in order to clarify the language. This group previously won a similar suit last year in regards to a non-binding referendum that voters narrowing approved last November.
Hoping to get a better result this November, the City Council authorized a new binding referendum to be put on the ballot for the upcoming election.
But in filing the lawsuit, opponents questioned whether the referendum would change the city’s form of government from non partisan and whether or not runoff elections – which currently are required if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote – would be retained.
Free 12-week NAMI course for families of those with depression, bipolar
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering a free educational, 12-week course for families of individuals diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. This course also covers medication and other important topics. The course starts Monday Sept. 19 in Union City.
For more Information contact Dana Johnson 551-242-3681, Danayjohnson@aol.com or Carmen Garcia 201-310-5828, garciacarmen524@gmail.com
Classes are also being offered in Spanish, for more information call 201-861-0614.
Man playing Pokémon Go crashed into cop car
Michael Goyanes, 42, of Jersey City has been charged with using a cell phone while driving after he crashed his Ford Explorer into the back of a parked police cruiser in Jersey City on Aug. 27
The police report says that Goyanes told police he “stated he was engaged in a game of ‘Pokemon’ on his cell phone while traveling south of New York Avenue.”
The police cruiser was parked at the time. No injuries resulted.
Goyane’s vehicle, however, was impounded for alleged lack of proof of insurance. He was also charged with careless driving.
Man shot dead on Woodlawn Avenue
A shooting on Woodlawn Avenue between Ocean and Garfield avenues in Jersey City killed a man Aug. 30. The police said the victim was shot multiple times in the chest, stomach, and lower body, and was pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the incident.
Body found near MLK Drive light rail station
A NJ Transit Police spokesperson confirmed that an adult male body was found alongside of the tracks of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail station near Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City at about 9 p.m. on Aug. 31.
The matter is under investigation, and there is no other information yet available. The identity of the man has yet to be determined.
Bill to bar DUI drivers from operating NJ Transit trains is now law
Legislation Assembly Democrats Joann Downey, Eric Houghtaling, Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Craig Coughlin and Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald sponsored to prohibit anyone whose driver’s license is suspended for DWI from operating a New Jersey Transit train has been signed into law.
The bill is seen as a stop-gap measure that would set up restrictions until the federal government can pass similar restrictions. Until recently, a loophole in federal law allowed people with suspended licenses due to DUI to still operate trains.
“An individual who lost his or her driving privileges has shown disregard for public safety and should be disqualified from operating trains for our state’s mass transit system,” said Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson). “This legislation is aimed at making sure NJ Transit meets passengers’ reasonable expectation of a safe ride.”
Knitting for the homeless
Local knitting organizations Knitting for Good and Hudson County Crafters will partner to create a “Community Knit-In” on the Jersey City Waterfront on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date Sunday, Sept. 11) on the COSI Patio at 535 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City.
The purpose of the “Community Knit – In” is to get residents involved in their community while learning to knit for a good cause. Knitting for Good founder, Deborah Pierce states
“Many people want to learn how to knit but they want to learn in a social setting. Knitting for
Good wants to give people that opportunity while also raising awareness about the needs of the homeless in Hudson County. They need warm knitted goods like scarves and hats during the winter months. This is a great time to pick up a new hobby.” Hudson County Crafters founder,
Debbie Acosta notes “We’re teaching people how to knit with the hope that they will donate one of their projects to the homeless. It’s a big win for everybody.”
The event will include knitting clinics with expert teachers for adults and children over the age of 10, the chance to meet other knitters and join local knitting groups, opportunities to purchase beautiful knit goods, music and fun.
Beginner’s knitting kits will be available for sale for a nominal charge.
There will also be a donation center where knitting needles and yarn can be donated and information on volunteer opportunities for homeless outreach can be found.
For additional information please visit the following page: facebook.com/knittingforgood
Jersey City established Youth Court program
Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced the launch of the Jersey City Youth Court (JCYC) program, an innovative peer-based model that will train youth to hear low-level, real-life cases involving their peers to prevent future involvement in the criminal justice system.
Jersey City becomes the second city in the state to launch a youth court program and joins more than 1,150 youth courts operating in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Like other youth courts nationally, the goal of Jersey City’s youth court program is to use positive peer mentoring to ensure that young people who have committed minor offenses learn accountability and repair the harm caused by their actions. The program will provide afterschool employment opportunities and training for youth to serve as jurors, judges and advocates.
Through the program, the court plans to recruit approximately 40 Jersey City youth, ages 13-17 who will be trained to serve as actual members of the court (advocates, judge, juror). In its first year, they will likely handle approximately 50 cases. Recruitment for the Jersey City Youth Court program will begin in the fall at local schools and community centers. The city is currently working with the Prosecutor’s Office, the Municipal Court, the Police Department and the Board of Education to determine the type of matters that will be heard.
Digital library expands
Wi-Fi hotspots are available for borrowing by valid library card members at all nine branches, and at the Main Library, when it reopens in September.
Library policies for the HotSpot: Check out is for seven (7) days, with no renewal, for a cost of $5. Fines for the HotSpot: $2 per day / Maximum of $10. Not returned in 10 Days: $10 fine /
Also, Jersey City Library is making Rosetta Stone, immersive language-learning platform, offers 30 languages for those wanting to improve their English and those wanting to learn another language for business and travel. Rosetta Stone is offered through the N.J. State Library as part of their database subscriptions.
“Whether you access Rosetta Stone or other online library databases through Online Resources,” said Library Director Priscilla Gardner. “You are only a click away from Jersey City library services – for free.”