About this issue
This is the annual “Year in Review” issue of the Hudson Reporter newspapers. It replaces your regular issues in Guttenberg, Hoboken, Jersey City, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.
The Reporter will return to publishing regular issues next week.
To keep up to date, follow our breaking news at hudsonreporter.com. If you have editorial questions or news tips, email editorial@hudsonreporter.com with your town in the subject head, or call (201) 798-7800.
Jersey City man dies after plunge into Morris Canal
A spokesperson for the Jersey City Police Department said that a 22-year old man from Jersey City died as a result of driving his car into the Morris Canal in the early morning hours of Jan. 1. The report came in about 3:30 a.m., said Bob McHugh.
The police later identified Mark Pych as the driver of the Nissan Altima. He was apparently heading home after being out with his friends celebrating New Year’s.
The vehicle, travelling south on Marion Drive, entered the marina parking lot near the waterside restaurant and crashed through the barrier and plunged into the yacht boat basin. Pych was taken to nearby Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Local law enforcement authorities are waiting blood tests.
The Army Corps of Engineers, using a boat with a crane and the Jersey City Police Department diver unit, later recovered the vehicle.
Pych, a recent graduate of Rutgers University in Newark, was preparing to seek work after the holidays.
Hoboken Mayor Zimmer, council slate inaugurated over the weekend
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and three City Council members were scheduled to be inaugurated to four-year terms on Saturday, Jan. 4.
Zimmer, the city’s first female mayor, who was first elected in 2009, won a tight election in November against then-state Assemblyman Ruben Ramos and 4th Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti. Zimmer’s victorious council slate of incumbents Ravi Bhalla and David Mello, and newcomer Jim Doyle were also scheduled to be inaugurated in the ceremony.
The ceremony was set to kick off at noon on Saturday in DeBaun Auditorium, on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology at the intersection of Fifth and Hudson streets. A reception, including dessert courtesy of Buddy “The Cake Boss” Valastro and a musical performance by local funk lords Swingadelic, were to follow at Stevens’ nearby Babbio Center.
The ceremony was expected to be attended by many of New Jersey’s most powerful elected officials, including both U.S. Senators – Robert Menendez and Cory Booker – as well as U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell and several state officials. Former Gov. James Florio, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise (along with all nine Hudson County Freeholders), Speaker-elect of the New Jersey State Assembly Vincent Prieto and state Senators Nicholas Sacco, Brian Stack and Sandra Cunningham were also expected to attend.
Volunteers needed at New Jersey Blood Services
New Jersey Blood Services, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives.
“The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team, whose task it is to assist donors with registration, escorting, and canteen duties, and to watch for post-donation reactions,” said R. Jan Zepka, manager of community relations.
Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed, and have the willingness to follow rules.
For additional information, contact Zepka at (732) 616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.
Hudson County Animal League hosts January and February flea markets
The Hudson County Animal League will be hosting a flea market at the old fire house and senior center, 27th Street and Broadway in Bayonne, on Jan. 18 and Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tables are available to rent for $10 each.
For more information, or to rent tables, call Chris at (201) 437-8732.
State conservation poster contest seeking entrants
New Jersey’s Soil Conservation Districts are now accepting entries in a poster contest designed to raise awareness of natural resources and related issues among young people. The theme for this year’s poster is “Dig Deeper – Mysteries in the Soil.”
Students may compete in the following age groups: Grades 2-3; Grades 4-6; Grades 6-8; and Grades 9-12. First place winners in each category will receive $200 savings bonds; second-place $100 bonds; and third-place $50 bonds.
All first-place winners will be entered into the National Association of Conservation Districts Poster Contest.
The competition is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Committee, the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, and the state’s 15 Soil Conservation Districts, which work to conserve and manage soil and water resources in the state.
To find your local Soil Conservation District, go to www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/conservdistricts.html. All entries must be submitted through the local districts. The deadline is in mid February. For more information and the entry form, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/pdf/conservationpostercontest.pdf.
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