Saving St. John’s
Local performers organize arts initiative to breathe new life into church and community

If Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis sang opera and were graduates of a famous Parisian clown school, they might have had an act similar to the Donovan Ensemble’s “Super Spectacular: To Opera with Love.” Union City resident Joseph Kolbow plays theatrical ringleader Merril Garrik, “a hasbeen who never was,” he said, to his partner Johnnie …

Local performers organize arts initiative to breathe new life into church and community

Back to the re-drawing board
WNY mayor expands Board of Education; appoints two new members

Since West New York Mayor Felix Roque took office following a post-recall election in May 2011 over former Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega, the Board of Education has been a hotbed of activity, controversy, and rearrangement. This trend may end on May 16 when Roque will swear in two new members, expanding the board from five …

WNY mayor expands Board of Education; appoints two new members

What’s your plan?
West New York Middle School holds third annual eighth grade career fair

“The Declaration of Independence,” West New York Middle School Principal Israel Rodriguez announced to an auditorium full of eighth graders, “grants us life, liberty, and the pursuit – the pursuit – of happiness. You have to go get it, and you have to sweat it.” Perhaps eighth grade may seem a little early for kids …

West New York Middle School holds third annual eighth grade career fair

Everyday heroes
Public safety personnel, first responders honored by 200 Club of Hudson County

Four hours into a flight that was supposed to take them to Hawaii for a friend’s wedding, Jersey City police officers Paul Fennel and Robert Taino Jr. were confronted with a man who had clearly gone berserk and was lunging towards the cockpit. They grabbed him and held him until the plane made a landing …

Public safety personnel, first responders honored by 200 Club of Hudson County

Pray to change
Community honors 61st annual National Day of Prayer at Weehawken 9/11 Memorial

“Prayer changes things, and our nation and community are in desperate need of change,” Jersey City’s Tapestry Church Pastor Anthony Langston said in front of the Weehawken 9/11 Memorial before the three hour National Day of Prayer vigil began. “Our young people need direction, we’re in a state of financial ruin, our politics make no …

Community honors 61st annual National Day of Prayer at Weehawken 9/11 Memorial

BRIEFS

Union City Housing Authority receives subpoena from F.B.I.; attorney reports that records have been requested Sources claim the Union City Housing Authority received a subpoena from the Federal Bureau of Investigations on April 30. On May 4, Housing Authority Director Virgilio Cabello confirmed the subpoena. “We did receive a subpoena,” Cabello said. “I want to …

Lasting impressions
World renowned artist and former UC resident passes away; leaves hundreds of paintings behind

One lazy evening, Czechoslovakian-born, world-renowned painter Kamil Kubik and his best friend of 20 years Carol Caprarola were trying to remedy the dilemma of an empty stomach and settled on pizza delivery. When a Chinese gentleman arrived at Kubik’s Union City firehouse-turned-studio with their pie, the artist spontaneously broke out into Mandarin and the two …

World renowned artist and former UC resident passes away; leaves hundreds of paintings behind

Local woman threatens to sue city
$3 million for alleged defamation and mental anguish

North Bergen resident Vivian Crespo has notified the town of West New York she intends to sue for $3 million in damages, claiming defamation of character and mental anguish in violation of her civil rights by government officials. According to a notice of tort claim filed by Attorney Robert Skoblar of Hackensack, on April 2 …

$3 million for alleged defamation and mental anguish

Understanding Jaiva
UC Girl Scout troop bands together around scout sister to raise autism awareness

“I’ve been a Daisy for 199 years,” six-year-old Jaiva Johnson said, dressed in her bright blue Daisy Scout sash, before dissolving into a fit of giggles at the Pavilion Gym in Union City on April 28. “I like to play in balloon water fights, I like to play tag with my friends, I love to …

UC Girl Scout troop bands together around scout sister to raise autism awareness

BRIEFS

UC police and HSI purchase vehicles with forfeited criminal money The Union City police department and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have purchased three new vehicles with the city’s share of forfeited criminal profits that came from joint investigations. The $26,000 2012 Chevrolet ‘Police-Package’ Impalas are specially outfitted for police use …