Hoboken man arrested for attempted murder
Hoboken Police arrested Derrick DellaCruz, 23, on Tuesday, Sept. 13 and charged him with criminal attempt murder, hindering, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and, failure to appear on warrants from Hoboken, according to a report from the department.
According to the report, officers were dispatched to the area of 311-321 Harrison St. on the report of a “male [allegedly] stabbing another male with a knife.” Officers found the victim inside his apartment. According to a press release, he told officers he was allegedly stabbed by the defendant with a kitchen knife.
The victim suffered puncture wounds in his chest, and his left arm, along with a deep laceration on his arm.
The victim was transported to Hoboken University Medical Center and then transferred to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment.
According to the release, the incident began over and argument about “family matters.”
“While the detectives continue to investigate the incident and the whereabouts of the suspect, it was determined that he was taking refuge inside an apartment in the Housing Authority,” said the release. However, the release says the man is homeless.
As detectives spoke with the tenant, they observed the defendant inside the building and placed him under arrest.
Stevens becomes stigma-free campus
Former Gov. Richard Codey joined Stevens Institute of Technology’s President Nariman Farvardin, administrators, and students to announce the university’s designation as a “Stigma-Free” campus last Wednesday during Stevens’ first annual Thrive event.
Thrive is a health and wellness expo for the students that focuses on the student as whole, according to Thea Zunick, associate director of student life at the institute.
Several community organizations set up information tables at the event including CKO boxing, Planet Fitness, the Hoboken Library, the Hoboken Museum, Honey Grow, Society in the prevention of teen Suicide, and more.
Gov. Codey presented Farvardin with a stigma-free sign that will be prominently posted on campus as part of the university’s pledge to the Codey Fund for Mental Health’s Stigma-Free campaign.
Established by the state senator and his wife in 2012, the fund’s mission is to ensure that “compassionate, quality mental healthcare is accessible to everyone and that the stigma associated with mental illness is overcome through public awareness and education.”
Cody stated in his address to the attendees that his wife suffers from depression and had breast cancer but would say that “one day of bad depression is worse than cancer.”
He explained that his wife would drive to another town in order to pick up her medication for fear that she would bump into someone she knew at the pharmacy.
Cody said that he hopes these signs will stimulate a conversation and help make mental illness less stigmatized.
Juniors at Stevens, Mike Kasper and Peter Shamich, said that they believe it’s great that they are proud to be a part of a stigma free campus.
Hoboken University Medical Center opens updated maternity floor
Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Freeholder Anthony Romano cut the ribbon last week at the grand opening of Hoboken University Medical Centers updated maternity floor.
The new floor features more spacious rooms with updated furniture on wheels to make the rooms versatile and comfortable for its patients and visitors.
Emily Fernandez, the hospital’s chief experience officer, said that the upgrades were necessary and took the rooms “out of hospital mode” to make the patients as comfortable as possible.
In addition to the updated room Fernandez said the floor was essentially gutted and fully renovated and includes a new more modern nurse work station, new electronics, a conference room.
The floor also exhibits art from local artist Michael Malizia, who incorporated his family and daughters into his pieces, including one of his daughter’s hospital bracelets from when she was born.
Hoboken University Medical center is one of two Carepoint health facilities in the area to have a family birthing center which integrates private rooms, a specialized emergency department for obstetrics, and newborn and special care nurseries.
Dr. George McQuilkin said that he had been asking for this renovation for at least 15 or 20 years and that he was glad to finally see it happen.
Dr. Meika Roberson said that the upgrades are an “affirmation of their commitment to the community.”
Hoboken property owners invited to two workshops about flood protection and insurance savings
Hoboken residents and property owners are invited and encouraged to attend two upcoming flood protection workshops on Sept. 20and Oct. 25.
Hoboken Ready Workshop will occur Sept. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Wallace School gymnasium, 1100 Willow Ave.
Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergency situations. The Hoboken Community Emergency Response Team and FEMA Ready will discuss steps that families and businesses can take to be ready in the case of a storm, power outage, or other emergency.
Hoboken Resilient Buildings Workshop will occur Oct. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Wallace School gymnasium.
At the Hoboken Ready workshop, attendees will learn how to prepare for emergency situations. The Hoboken Community Emergency Response Team and FEMA Ready will discuss steps that families and businesses can take to be ready in the case of a storm, power outage, or other emergency.
The Hoboken Resilient Buildings workshop will provide information on how property owners can protect buildings from flood damage and lower their flood insurance rates.
The workshop will feature an open house with vendors of resilient building products and services.
If available, property owners are encouraged to bring a copy of their elevation certificate and/or flood insurance policy to the workshop.
Flood insurance rates are based upon how compliant or non-compliant a building is with the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
In 2012, the U.S. Congress passed the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act that requires changes to the NFIP, such as raising rates to reflect true flood risk. These changes may result in significant increases in your flood insurance premium.
Participant registration: www.hobokennj.gov/workshop
Vendor registration: www.hobokennj.gov/vendors
Special meeting called
Mayor Dawn Zimmer has called a special meeting of the City Council for Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers.
The meeting will discuss matters of attorney client privilege regarding pending litigation between the city of Hoboken Shipyard Associates and Applied Monroe Leander regarding the proposed Monarch At Shipyard Development and the proposed redevelopment of 800-822 Monroe St.
Man arrested for DWI
Officers Luke Zesotarski and John Herman arrested Cliffside Park resident Luis Osorio, 37, for allegedly driving while intoxicated on Sept. 16.
According to a media release, the officers saw the defendant allegedly “driving erratically through the streets,” and allegedly disobeying a traffic signal. When officers stopped the vehicle they smelled “the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle.”
Officers had the defendant exit the vehicle to perform a Field Sobriety test but he “could not stand and was holding on to the vehicle.”
Zesotarski was then transported to headquarters for processing where he “refused to submit to a breath test.”
He was charged with driving while intoxicated, DWI in school zone, reckless driving, refusal to submit to a Breathalyzer, and failure to obey traffic control device.
Presidential debate watching in Hoboken
The Mile Square Theater at 1400 Clinton St. will host a debate watching town hall meeting on Sept. 26 at 9 p.m.
The event is nonpartisan and supporters of both Clinton and Trump will appear on stage after the broadcast for a “spirited analysis.”
Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased online at milesquaretheater.org.
DESPERATELY SEEKING HEr Maltese dog
Dona Cabell of Jersey City called the newspaper crying at the end of last week. She’s been looking for her little dog, Ka’lar, who disappeared when someone took him for a walk three days ago. Dona is recovering from surgery and hasn’t slept since. Please keep your eyes peeled around Jersey City. She’s located in the McGinley Square area near the Armory. If you see her dog or can help the search effort, please call her at (551) 263-8372 or (201) 706-3338.