Report: Potential buyer interested in Meadowlands Hospital
Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus has an interested buyer, according to a recent story on NJ.com. The buyer, a for-profit company called NJMHAC LLC, submitted an application to buy the hospital on July 1, according to the report. Meadowlands spokesman Al Gaburo said on Friday, Aug. 19 in the newspaper that the review process is still in motion.
According to the report, the application in process explains what services would be offered by the new owners, and how they should run the facility. The Health Department reviews the application, and responds with a series of questions that the potential buyers must respond to.
The health department has fined the hospital numerous times for the failure to turn in financial reports, according to the article. As a result, the Health Department stopped the hospital’s Medicaid reimbursements, the report states.
For updates, watch hudsonreporter.com.
Attention parents, kids, and pirates! Fishing Derby set for Sept. 24
According to a press release from the Hackensack Riverkeeper, pirates are welcome to come to the new event called RiverFest-Pirates of the Hackensack to take place along the river in Secaucus next month. All participants can dress and talk like a pirate at the event on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Laurel Hill County Park on Laurel Hill Road from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Catch-and-release fishing will be strongly promoted and encouraged. All proceeds raised will benefit Hackensack Riverkeeper and its ongoing mission to protect, preserve, and restore the Hackensack River.
Residents and children from local communities will compete in the Riverkeeper’s first Hackensack River Fishing Derby. Residents can learn the importance of clean water, and other issues facing the Hackensack River and its wildlife. Prizes will be awarded for Best Pirate, First Fish, Biggest Fish, Most Fish and more. Many children will go home with their very own fishing rod.
The Riverkeeper also offers free mini Eco-Cruises aboard their custom-built pontoon research vessels under the command of Captains Bill Sheehan and Hugh Carola. Adults have the opportunity to kayak for free, courtesy of the organization’s Paddling Center staff.
The derby will take place on the newly constructed Laurel Hill promenade located directly on the river at the southern end of Laurel Hill Park. The promenade is the Hackensack River’s newest public access point.
According to the release, this is also the first SPLASH event in the country to focus on fishing.
Those seeking additional information about RiverFest or to sign up for the FREE event should visit www.piratesofthehackensack.com or call (201) 968-0808.
Nationwide ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ enforced until Sept. 5
Law enforcement officers from the Secaucus Police Department will crack down on drunk drivers as part of the 2016 Labor Day ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign.
It started Friday, Aug. 19 and runs until Monday, Sept. 5.Local and state law enforcement officers will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.
‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ is a national campaign designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and public education tools, like posters, banners, and display signs.
In 2013, alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 27 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities, according to the press release from the Secaucus Police Department. As part of the initiative, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two-week campaign.
Community pool events planned before closing Sept. 10
The town pool closes Saturday, Sept. 10, but there are still plenty of activities before that.
Back-to-school night takes place at the pool Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents can swim in the pool for free on Sunday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 9 residents 21 and older can enjoy jazz and wine tasting from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On the closing day, residents can bring their dogs to swim in the pool before it’s drained from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pool is located on 2000 Koelle Boulevard.
Immaculate Conception Church festival runs from Sept. 9 to 11
Residents can join members of Immaculate Conception Church and parish for prayer, food, grog, and wine at the church from Friday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 11. There will be games, grog, a water to wine beer garden, and 50/50 raffles. On Friday the event is from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday the gathering begins and 4 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. On Sunday the events is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kids’ bingo night is Sept. 6 at the Senior Center
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, kids can play bingo from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bingo games will begin at 6 p.m. Adult supervision is required. The Senior Center is located on 101 Centre Ave.
Nonfiction book discussion at the library Sept. 8
Secaucus Library’s nonfiction book group will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 to discuss “Night” by Elie Wiesel. The group selected the book partially to commemorate the Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor’s recent passing. “Night” is an autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps.
“The Witches: Salem, 1692” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Stacy Schiff was selected for the Oct. 6 book discussion. This is listed by Time Magazine as one of the top 10 nonfiction books of 2015. “The Witches: Salem, 1692” explains the hysteria that left 14 women and five men hanged, and an elderly man crushed to death.
The nonfiction book group meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Secaucus Public Library. They’ll meet the second Thursday in September and December. At each meeting the group votes on selections for upcoming meetings. Copies of books are available at the library as well as a limited number of e-book copies. Registration for the discussion group is strongly encouraged and can be done through the library’s website or by calling library director Jenifer May at (201) 330-2083 x4011.
‘Mrs. India Earth’ finalist planted 100 flowers and six trees in Fountain Park
On Saturday, Aug. 6 Mrs. India Earth finalist Paris Keswani planted 100 flowers and six trees at the Fountain Park Community Garden. On a mission to plant 10,000 trees, Keswani picked Secaucus to help her reach her goal.
Mrs. India Earth is not a typical beauty pageant, because it focuses on intelligence, independence, and compassion. It seeks out Indian women who partake in new business ventures, take steps towards improving our planet, and represent India both at home and in the public eye. Their goal is to save the earth and to promote going green by tackling different environmental issues.
As a New York resident, Keswani decided to bring this project to a place close to home. With the support from Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the environmental team, she plans to plant in several areas throughout the town. In the past, Keswani has planted 8,300 trees alongside volunteers with the same mindset. When asked about this venture, Keswani said in a press release, “How big of a problem global warming is for our children and future generations. We need to tell people about it, and it needs to change.”
In addition to preparing for the Mrs. India Earth finale on Friday, Sept. 30 in Delhi, India, Keswani runs a global, upscale jewelry business called Treasures of Prince. She launched this in 2006 to provide unique pieces to Los Angeles, New York, India, Alaska, and the Bahamas.
Mayor Gonnelli said in a press release, “I’m excited to have Paris in town. You can tell how dedicated she is to improving our planet, and I’m glad that she chose Secaucus to help reach her goal.”