Photo courtesy of Tony Cenicola/The New York Times.
A lot has been happening in Hudson County from a new Kearny candidate in the county sheriff race, a secret garden tour in Hoboken and more.
Here’s this week’s news roundup.
This Hudson County Non-Profit Is Asking For Food Donations
Hunger Free UIC is calling upon all local restaurants and delis in the Bayonne area to help them feed families participating in the F.L.O.W. (Family Love Overpowering Wounds) program.
They are looking to provide food for 20 to 25 people. Pick-up and drop-off dates run from every Thursday from August until October between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The drop off location is 170 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ, 07002.
If you are interested in donating, you can text or call 551-241-9468.
Secaucus Schools And County Tax Increase To Affect Property Owners
The town of Secaucus is working on determining how much property taxes will increase following changes to the Secaucus school district budget and taxes from the county of Hudson County.
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli said in a statement last week that “taxes went up for the schools and the county,” but thanks to his lobbying efforts, he was able to reduce the proposed 30% tax increase by half.
“I immediately began speaking with officials at the county and state level seeking tax relief,” said Gonnelli. “The County Commissioners passed a resolution in support of our request for state aid and Senator Brian Stack spearheaded efforts to bring our plight to the forefront.”
Property taxes are consisted of three factors:
- To fund the public school district
- To fund the town
- To fund county services
The school district typically makes up the largest portion of residents’ property tax bills, and they usually increase every year.
According to Patch, the Secaucus school district budget is $51.5 million for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, a 4.6% increase.
Then, Hudson County issued a $6.2 million county tax increase, based on the reported property sales in the town. Gonnelli added that the town will, however, receive $3 million in state aid, assisting offsetting the county tax increase.
“We have to wait for the county to confirm some details on the state aid and how it will be applied. Once they advise, we can get final tax rates from the county,” said Secaucus business administrator Gary Jeffas.
“One thing I can confirm is our municipal taxes will not have any increase in 2025. This is the portion of the budget that we control.”
Kearny Resident Enters Hudson County Sheriff Race
Justin Avishay, an affiliated candidate from Kearny, announced his campaign for the Hudson County Sheriff race as part of the Nov. 4, 2025 general election.
Avishay says he is focusing on creating trust between law enforcement and the public. He also noted that he looks to connect with younger citizens and create a healthy relationship between himself and Hudson County residents, according to The Observer.
“I may be young, but my soul is old,” Avishay, 33, said. “My values are simple: respect people, work hard and lead by example. We need a sheriff who shows up for the officers and for the community—not just during election season, but every day.”
“You don’t have to be a cop to be the sheriff,” he added. “You have to be a leader—someone who knows how to manage, how to listen and how to make things better. I’m here to rebuild what’s been lost: trust, pride and a sense of purpose in the uniform.”
Avishay’s campaign is focusing on:
- Modernizing the sheriff’s office with transparency and tech-forward efficiency
- Raising morale, and fight for better wages for the officers in one of the lowest-paid counties in New Jersey
- Spotlighting community voices and small businesses through regular outreach and video interviews
- Running the department like a business, with real accountability and results
Avishay invites residents to follow his campaign and journey on social media at @AvishayForSheriff on Instagram and Facebook.
“I’m not here to play politics. I’m here to solve what’s broken and raise the standard of public service. If we do this right, we can make people proud of their sheriff again,” he said.
Former Hudson County Corrections Officer Sentenced To State Prison
John P. Menendez, 27, has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in connection to the killings of Anna Shpilberg and Luiza Shinkarevskaya, 40, from Morris County.
Menendez, a former Hudson County correctional officer, reportedly fatally shot his girlfriend and another woman with his service weapon in Newark four years ago, according to NJ.com.
He will be sentencing two consecutive 25-year terms with no parole until 85% of his sentence is complete, court records showed.
“I killed both of them. Just arrest me, bro,” Menendez reportedly told the officer.
“This is crazy. I can’t believe I did this,” he added, court records said.
Menendez pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal to reduce charges.
Star Of ‘The Cosby Show’ And Jersey City Native Dead at 54
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a Jersey City native and star of the beloved 80s sitcom, died earlier last week.
Warner, 54, was reportedly on a family vacation in Costa Rica. He drowned after being caught in a high current near a beach called Cocles in the Province of Limón, police told ABC News.
Warner was known for his role as Theodore Huxtable, the son of Bill Cosby’s character Dr. Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” which was from 1984 to 1992.
Born in Jersey City, the actor’s family moved to Los Angeles when he was five years old, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He went to elementary school school in California but later returned to the east coast and attended high school in Manhattan.
Warner became more than an actor, and was also a bass player and poet, even winning a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his work on Robert Glasper’s song “Jesus Children.” He also cohosted a podcast called “Not All Hood,” which addresses mental health in the Black community.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jersey City native Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” said Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement on Tuesday.
“From his iconic portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show to his more recent role on Fox’s The Resident, Malcom-Jamal brought joy and hope to millions of Americans. We are praying for the Warner family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Show Off Your Garden At This Hoboken Museum Exhibit
The Hoboken Historical Museum brought back the Secret Garden Tour in June and they are already thinking ahead for next year’s event.
The Secret Gardens Tour is a self-guided walking tour and is meant to highlight hidden green spaces in Hoboken, ranging from “private gardens, showcasing lush landscapes, creative urban retreats and historic courtyards.”
The museum is now taking submissions for next year’s tour. For those interested, you can submit some photos of your garden and send them to [email protected].
Hudson County Implemented ‘Blue Envelope Program’ To Assist Residents With Autism
Hudson County has taken a step towards better assisting residents with autism and other communication special needs.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in partnership with the county’s Department of Health and Human Services launched a Blue Envelope Program, which provides law enforcement with information about certain sensory disorders to ensure there is reduced miscommunication.
Individuals who participate in the program will be provided with a blue envelope to store their personal identification to give to an officer during any type of encounter with law enforcement– ranging from a traffic stop or a pedestrian in need of emergency assistance.
“The Blue Envelope program’s purpose is to increase safety measures that result in better interactions with law enforcement and improve overall outcomes during motor vehicle stops,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “All of Hudson County is determined to work together to provide the best care and service for our community, especially our vulnerable residents.”
“One of our goals in law enforcement is to identify ways we can better support the needs of our residents,” added Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez in a statement.
Historic Jersey City Firehouse Could Be Turning Into A Restaurant
Jersey City’s Council voted unanimously to step forward with a plan looking to further inspect 155 Morgan Street, which is home to a historic former firehouse.
The property was more recently owned by Queen Latifah and used as offices for her Flavor Unit production company, but has been vacant for a while.
Now, Silverman, a real estate developer who is behind many revitalization developments in Downtown Jersey City, owns the land located at 155 Morgan Street and wants to create it into a restaurant and banquet hall with event space.
The property was first built in 1906. It is protected by the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission, so any changes would go through them first.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
