Photo courtesy of Gary M / Tripadvisor.
Investigative reporter Jordan Coll contributed to this reporting.
The start of November means local elections, colder weather and more in Hudson County. Here’s what you’ve missed so far in this week’s news roundup.
This Downtown Jersey City Business Is Closing After Two Decades
Saigon Cafe, a Vietnamese cuisine spot at 188 Newark Avenue, announced that Saturday, Nov. 22 will be its last day in service after serving the community for 27 years.
“Since opening in 1999, Saigon Cafe has been more than just a restaurant. It has been a place where friendships were made, families gathered, memories were shared, and our love for Vietnamese food brought people together,” their post read.
The family owned-and-operated restaurant has an extensive menu that highlights the different foods from Vietnam.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken. You were the first restaurant I ate at in Jersey City back in December 2004 and have been a second home ever since. Thank you for more meals than I can count…feeding me through illness, major life events, crazy work hours, holidays, and when I was too lazy to cook. I can’t imagine the community (or my life) without you and am grateful beyond measure,” commented an Instagram user.
They’re open for dine-in Tuesdays to Sundays.
North Bergen Has A New Mayor
Longtime North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco announced his retirement plans earlier this month, and the township has already welcomed his successor: Hugo Cabrera, who is also Sacco’s son.
Cabrera, the township’s parks and public property commissioner, was sworn in last week, becoming the first Hispanic mayor of North Bergen.
“I knew I couldn’t do justice to the people here of this town any longer,” Sacco Sr. said during the ceremony, according to Hudson County View. “So I gave it up, and I thank you all for being here with me now to make this an easier day for me.”
“And while I’m stepping down, I will always be right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Cabrera has worked alongside Sacco for decades. In 1999, he was appointed Parks and Public Property Commissioner, managing recreation spaces and buildings. He also currently serves are the secretary for the township’s Board of Education.
“He’s got so much knowledge that no one can ever replace, and these are going to be hard shoes for all of us up here to fill. But you’ve trained us well, and we’re going to continue your legacy,” Cabrera said at the ceremony.
This Winter Coat Drive Is Now Accepting Donations!
The Jersey City Moms are having a Winter Coat Drive, and they’re collecting new and gently used coats for all ages now through Nov. 20.
They will also be collecting hats, gloves and scarves to help keep the community warm this winter.
You can donate at several drop off locations:
- Triangle Park Community Center – 247 Old Bergen Road, Jersey City
- Jam Cakery Events – 326 5th Street, Jersey City
For Jam Cakery, you can use the entrance on the left side of the building, down the alley and leave your donations on the designated donation shelves. There is a camera, so you can drop off your items even when the storefront isn’t available in-person.
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Jersey City Staple Restaurant Expands To Second Location
Lady G Empanada Cafe will officially be opening at 400 Pacific Avenue in Jersey City. The new restaurant is an expansion of Lady G Restaurant Bar & Grill at 269 Ocean Avenue.
“ONE CITY. TWO LOCATIONS. THE SAME LADY G FLAVOR!” Lady G’s Instagram post read.
The new location will be serving fresh empanadas with more flavors. The official opening date has not been announced yet, but you can stay up to date by following their Instagram @ladyg_empanadas.
The Flow Initiative Hosts Women’s Health Event In Jersey City
An ever-evolving dialogue on where the trajectory of women’s health is headed took center stage at the Ashford in Downtown Jersey City on Oct. 24, bringing insights into health equity, visibility and women’s health rights.
Under the ceiling of the bar, members gathered to hear what the latest turn around for women’s health equity looks like in offering certain provisions such as free menstrual health products in New Jersey Public Schools.
Topics coalesced with chatter and high spirits at what the future holds for women’s healthcare landscape.
“Then I asked myself, does that happen here? And of course it does because wherever there is any type of poverty you’re going to have a lack of access to anything,” said Eiko La Boria, who is the founder and CEO of The Flow Initiative, a national organization advocating on the helm of women’s access when it comes to menstrual health products.
She added that hurdles such as period poverty, impacting more than two billion people globally according to figures from the UN Women, has been a challenge, but she touted that bridging women to health products is essential.
“We are only talking about half the story, because it ends,” adding on to the nature of menopause, she pressed on to encourage an intergenerational conversation on having that first period, “it is equally important for young people to understand what their mothers may be going through or what your aunts may be going through and really developing a greater understanding.”
The event featured author Jennifer Weiss on her book launch “When in Menopause: A User’s Manual Citizen’s Guide” among other affiliates such as Berri Berri located at 755 West Side Avenue; Deborah Belfatto founder of Let’s Talk Women’s Health & Wellness; Dan Israel a reporter at Hudson County View who led the discussion on Media & Information Conversation; Darice Toon, director of Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services; and Elia Rivera, a youth ambassador for The Flow Initiative.
These Candidates Will Face-Off To Be West New York’s Mayor
West New York Mayor Albio Sires will have an opponent in next year’s municipal election after reports said former WNY Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo filed paperwork to be on the ballot in May 2027.
His D-2 form was filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) that highlights his campaign, with the name “West New York Forward 2027.”
Cirillo is currently the Guttenberg town administrator and borough clerk for East Newark. Before that, he was the WNY commissioner from 2015 to 2023.
He ran against Sires—who had been the mayor from 1995 to 2006—but conceded. Sires was previously a congressman and state assembly speaker.
Soon, you can find a 2027 election calendar at https://www.hudsoncountyclerk.org/elections/.
Help Donate To This Family Experiencing Loss Of Mother
A friend of Dorelis Severino created a GoFundMe after Severino passed away on Oct. 23. Servino leaves behind her husband and three children.
The expenses of the funeral and memorial service will be a lot for Servino’s family to take on. Any contribution, large or small, to the GoFundMe will help ease this burden of her husband and children.
“A loving mother of three, a devoted wife, and a beloved friend to so many, she left us after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving her family and community heartbroken,” the GoFundMe reads.
You can donate here.
Hudson County Parks Worker Is Facing Federal Charges
Alfonso A. Zamarra, 58, of Rutherford, is reportedly facing 28 counts of wire fraud, according to NJ.com with a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of New Jersey.
Zamarra reportedly held six-month long season jobs at the parks department from 2019 to 2023 on three separate instances, which he never showed up to for work, but his timesheets indicated that he did.
According to a criminal complaint, Zamarra received direct deposits of more than $25,000 from Hudson County. In July 2023, he reportedly claimed to work 70 hours, but was on a 12-day trip to Naples, Italy.
He has since appeared in Newark federal court and has been released on a $100,000 bond.
Man’s Body Was Found In Bayonne Park
A man’s body was found floating in Newark Bay near Stephen R. Gregg County Park last Tuesday.
Emergency responders recovered the body from the water.
According to the Daily Voice, Bayonne police confirmed that they are investigating but did not answer further questions. The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office is currently handling the investigation.
The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and officials are working to identify the individual and determine the cause of death.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
