Photos courtesy of Jersey City Free Public Library and Jersey City Police Department.
Jersey City is looking for assistance from the public, Hoboken tax bills are now available, plus more in this week’s news roundup.
Local Associations Have Started A “Save Five Corners Library” Petition
A petition has started in efforts to save the Five Corners Library in Journal Square, which announced last week that they were temporarily closing due to failure of the building’s infrastructure and HVAC system.
The petition, which was posted on change.org, is addressed to the Members of the Board of Trustees of the Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL), JCFPL Director Hill, Deputy Mayor Bryant and Mayor Solomon reading, “closing this branch without a fully activated, transition plan for a brick-and-mortar at the same site strips our neighborhood of services that are quite literally survival essentials.”
The library offered free access to books, computers, printers, scanners, wifi and programs to the Journal Square and nearby community. As the library tries to find “an additional temporary location,” they will have a JCFPL Bookmobile stationed outside the branch.
The petition urges the Board of Trustees and library leadership to:
- Expedite an indoor temporary location
- Guarantee reopening at the current location
- Preserve and protect the building
- Pursue full capital and grant funding
- Commit to reopening and preservation of the the Five Corners Branch
- Offer a transparent timeline and public town hall
To view the petition, which has 702 signatures at the time of publishing, click here.
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Hoboken Tax Bills Are Now Available After Delay
Hoboken’s quarterly property tax bills are now available after delay because of the required state certification process.
A statement by Mayor Emily Jabbour explains that although the quarterly property tax payments were due on Aug. 1, 2026, the town has extended the payment grace period to Aug. 31, 2026.
Paper bills will be mailed, but tax bills are available online at hobokennj.gov/departments/taxation, where there is also access to the payment portal, payment deadline and contact information for the tax office.
For more information or questions, residents can call the Tax Collector’s Office at 201-420-2000 dialing extension 1220.
Provide Your Input At The Comprehensive Plan Open House
Neighbors Studio, the Division of Planning and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy are hosting a Comprehensive Plan open house on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m in order to share current research, goals and vision with Hudson County residents.
The 2050 Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for the County’s long-term growth, goals and intended progression on the county’s programs, policies and projects. The open house will give residents the opportunity to provide feedback, comments and input.
To learn more about the Comprehensive Plan, you can visit the Hudson County Planning page.
Be A Part Of Bayonne Black Business Directory
Black in Bayonne, a local community group, is launching a Bayonne Black business directory. The organization is looking for all types of Black businesses — restaurants, boutiques, nonprofits, entrepreneurs — to be a part of the directory.
“One of the most powerful ways to strengthen our community is by supporting the businesses within it,” read Black in Bayonne’s Instagram post. “When we know who’s here, we can shop intentionally, recommend one another, and help circulate dollars that create jobs, opportunities, and lasting impact.”
To be part of the directory, comment on the organization’s Instagram post with:
- The business name
- What you offer
- Your location (or “Coming soon” if you are not yet opened at a brick-and-mortar location)
NJPTA Launches The Student Track Program Includes Six Jersey City Students
The future of New Jersey’s public education system took center stage at the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association’s (NJPTA) leadership convention, held at the Heldrich Hotel– bringing together students, parents, volunteers and teachers in a shared mission to inspire the next generation.
The convention marks 126 years since the state’s biggest squad of volunteer child advocates took on the venture of continuing the dialogue on education equity in New Jersey, and the launch of NJPTA’s first-ever Student Track, an advocacy-focused program designed to empower high school students, which includes six students from Jersey City.
At the NJPTA, conversations revolved around education equity, procedures in handling educational disputes, environmental quality in school facilities, plight of migrant families, among other topics.
Slice of Culture spoke with members who attended the summit, such as Jacqueline Gibbs, president of the NJPTA and the former president Rose Accerra, Ivonne Garcia, Region Director, Dr. Lily Laux, the New Jersey Commissioner of the Department of Education (NJDOE) and upcoming rising high school senior students Dunkin Felch and Francesca Piccolo, among other community leaders in the education sphere who participated.
“Student mental health is a serious issue and we know with social media the impacts it carries,” said Dr. Lily Laux, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, who spoke to Slice of Culture. “This is really meant to make sure students can focus on instruction and building relationships with their peers.”
“Their way of advocacy is different depending on the county they are located in,” explained Francesca Piccolo, a rising high school senior at Morris County School of Technology in Denville.
“There were a lot of cool vendors with different opportunities and resources that schools can use, that I think we can use in our vocational school because we have so many different career paths that would be helpful for not just our academy, but for other academies as well.”
Reporting contributed by Jordan Coll.
New Businesses In Hudson County
Blu Cafe, a new cafe in Kearny opened up last month. The cafe located at 149 Midland Avenue serves up coffee, pastries, salads and a “cozy” place to work, connect and slow down.
Cuco Nest Portuguese BBQ has recently opened up in the Jersey City Heights on 1182 Summit Avenue. The restaurant serves daily Portuguese and Brazilian specials, sandwiches and grilled meats.
IHOP is opening up a new location at 211 Lefante Way in Bayonne and they’re accepting applications for various positions. Anyone interested in applying can visit ihopny.wispform.com/660067f3.
15-Year Old Jersey City Teen Is Missing
The Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) are looking for 15-year-old Daven James Hernandez who was reported missing on July 16.
Hernandez was last seen by his father at approximately 9 p.m. on July 15 and according to JCPD, his last known location was on Princeton Avenue in Jersey City.
He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts and is also known to go by the names Gabriel Garcia, Antonio Hernandez or Antonio Garcia. The report describes Hernandez as a light-skinned Hispanic male weighing at approximately 120 pounds.
Hernandez is diagnosed with ADHD and is said to have high support needs, become non-verbal when overwhelmed, self-harm by biting himself when distressed and can be triggered by the phrase “Puerto Rico.”
JCPD is asking the public to contact 911 or the Missing Person Unit at 201-547-5427 or 551-227-8511 with any information on Hernandez’s whereabouts.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
