Photo courtesy of Azul Attanasio / GoFundMe.
Sadness has stricken the streets of Kearny and North Bergen following a couple of unexpected deaths.
Man Killed After Bow-And-Arrow Attack In Kearny. Help Support The Family Here
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating an attack that left one man dead Saturday evening in Kearny. The man has been identified by a family member as Pablo Criollo.
Officers from the Kearny Police Department were dispatched to the area of Kearny and Johnston Avenues just before 8:30 p.m. on reports of an injured person.
There, officers found an adult male suffering from serious life-threatening injuries. The male was rushed to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators soon concluded that the victim had been shot with a bow and arrow, pushing local police to immediately issue a “shelter-in-place” order for surrounding areas including parts of Kearny near the Harrison and East Newark borders.
Following the attack, a fire began on the same block of Kearny Avenue sparking a three-alarm blaze around 5:20 a.m. Updates on the fire are unclear at the time of this writing.
A man was taken into custody in connection to the ruled homicide, according to the New York Times. The fire reportedly broke out in the building “in which he was hiding.”
Criollo’s step-daughter has created a GoFundMe to help support her family after the loss. You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
“We are completely shattered by this act of violence. Pablo came from Ecuador at the age of 16 to start a new life. I knew him for 10 years and through that he was my mother’s partner and provided for me like I was his own daughter,” his step-daughter wrote in the GoFundMe.
Man Killed By NJ Transit Bus In North Bergen
A man was hit by an NJ Transit bus in North Bergen last Tuesday morning and died a day later, prosecutors said.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office reported that just before 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the North Bergen Police Department was notified of a pedestrian struck in the area of Bergenline Avenue and Boulevard East.
Police located the injured man who was later identified as Alan Harris, 66, of Hackensack. The bus that struck Harris stayed at the scene.
Harris was rushed to Palisades Medical Center, but died of his injuries the following morning.
The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit took over the investigation on Thursday after being notified of Harris’ death. Prosecutors and the North Bergen police are still investigating the incident.
Liberty Prime Steakhouse Says Goodbye To Jersey City
Liberty Prime Steakhouse, located at 111 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, has officially closed its doors. The steakhouse had one last gathering on Saturday to celebrate its past 15 years in Jersey City.
“After 15 incredible years, we want to celebrate with the people who made it all possible – you! Join us for our final days and savor amazing dinner specials featuring our fan-favorite dishes from over the years,” the steakhouse posted on Instagram.
This is not the complete end of Liberty Prime. They will be relocating and opening a new spot. They will be announcing their new location shortly.
Restaurant goers took to Instagram to express their sadness over the closing.
“Noooo! One of the best steakhouses to do it. I’ll be waiting for the new location reveal,” one user wrote.
“Sorry to hear. We’ve spent many good times there with great meals & conversations. Best wishes for the future,” another user commented.
Bayonne Mayor Will Retire In The New Year, Suggests Interim Replacement
Current Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis is set to resign on Jan. 1, 2026 as he prepares to be sworn in as the next Hudson County sheriff.
Davis said in a letter that he suggests Public Safety Director Robert Kubert take his place in the interim ahead of the May 12 mayoral race.
“Inasmuch as I want to ensure that we have a smooth transition from the current mayoral administration to the interim mayoral administration … I believe that everybody’s best interests would be best served by the Municipal Council moving to name an interim Mayor (with an effective date of January 1, 2026) at the December 17, 2025 Municipal Council Meeting,” Davis wrote in a Nov. 24 letter.
“Additionally, although I have no say in the matter whatsoever, it is my recommendation that the current Director of Public Safety, Robert Kubert, be named as the individual who will serve my unexpired term (from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2026).”
Kubert is a former police chief, and has been the public safety director since Davis’ term since 2014.
Street Cleaning Will Be Halted In These Hudson County Towns
Both Harrison and Kearny announced that they will be suspending street cleaning now through the new year. This is intended to minimize parking concerns during the hectic holiday season.
Harrison will be suspending street cleaning from Monday, Dec. 22 through Friday, Jan 2, 2026. Street cleaning will resume regular service on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Kearny is suspending street cleaning now until Jan. 4, 2026. Regular service resumes on Jan. 5, 2026. Leaf pick-up will continue as scheduled.
Hey East Newark Residents, Free Parking Will Be Available At Town Hall
East Newark has heard your parking concerns, so they are temporarily helping to fix the issue.
There will be an addition of 41 available parking spots inside the East Newark Town Center. This makes a total of 59 spots.
All vehicles must display a valid East Newark parking permit.
Residents should note:
- Parking is reserved for vehicles with an East Newark Resident parking permit or tag only.
- Commercial vehicles are not permitted.
- Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Regular monitoring by ENPD and Parking Enforcement Officers
- Vehicles without proper permits/tags will be ticketed and face the possibility of being towed.
The entrance to the parking lot is from Grant Avenue. There are banners making this clear to all drivers.
This Jersey City Cafe Is Having A Sip And Share
Books & Beyond is collaborating with Cosy Cup Library to bring you a Sip & Share event, which is a winter donation drive that is running now through Jan. 24.
You can bring gently used children’s, teen or young adult books as well as textbooks/test prep to Cosy Cup Library located at 424 West Side Avenue in Jersey City. You can drop them into their donation box right inside the cafe.
All donations go toward supporting the Hudson County community and expanding access to books for kids and teens.
Books will be picked up biweekly.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
