Photo courtesy of Jersey City Times.
This week, New Jersey received an update on ICE detainees, a tragic accident that left a six-year-old boy dead and more.
Here’s what’s been happening.
Jersey City Mourns Loss Of Six-Year-Old Boy, Demands Safer Streets
A Jersey City community group is rounding up locals to say #ENOUGHISENOUGH.
The Traffic Reform Warriors are encouraging locals to gather at City Hall on Wednesday, June 25 in response to the child who was struck and killed by a UPS truck last weekend. They will be demanding “safer streets for all” at 5 p.m. in front of 280 Grove Street in Jersey City.
The gathering follows a vigil at Hamilton Park in Jersey City that was held for Eli Bender, the six-year-old who was biking with his father just moments before the crash.
Police say the accident occurred at the corner of Jersey Avenue and Sixth Street last Friday afternoon. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the UPS driver stayed on the scene and was cooperative.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic accident Friday afternoon in Jersey City. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones. We are fully cooperating with authorities to understand what happened. Since this is an active investigation, we must refer any additional questions to the authorities,” said a UPS spokesperson in a statement.
“We’re all hurting,” said neighbor Catriona Rubenis-Stevens. “The loss of one child is the loss, we feel it as a community.”
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Need Help In The Kitchen? Sign Up For These Community Cooking Classes
Hudson Technical, as part of the Hudson County Schools of Technology, is offering a number of cooking courses for five weeks starting in July.
Each course costs either $35 or $50. Dates and the type of cooking class includes:
- July 8, 2025 – Date Night for $35
- July 15, 2025 – Pizza Night for $35
- July 22, 2025 – Sushi Night for $50
- July 29, 2025 – Steakhouse Night for $50
- Aug. 5, 2025 – Mexican Night for $35
All courses will take place at 1 High Tech Way in Secaucus and will start at 5:30 p.m.
Hudson Technical encourages to “join our thriving community of learners and take charge of your future. Upskill for career advancements and explore new passions.”
To register, you can click here.
Know Harrison’s Upcoming Town Meeting
The Harrison Redevelopment Agency is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 25 at 1 p.m. It will take place on the third floor of the Mayor’s Conference Room.
The Harrison Planning Board will also be meeting Wednesday, but on the second floor of the Harrison Town Hall in the Mayor & Council Chambers.
The next Mayor & Council meeting will not take place until Tuesday, July 15.
For more updates, you can check https://www.yourharrison.com/blog.
Calling All Foodies! Try This New Harrison Restaurant Today
If you find yourself in Harrison and looking for options for a bite to eat, this new restaurant could be for you.
Keepers, a restaurant and bar that also offers coffee, officially opened last week. The eaterie has a variety of food from chicken wings, turkey clubs and mac and cheese.
Keppers is located at 1100 South 5th Street, at the corner of Riverbend Drive and Pete Higgins Blvd, directly across the street from Sports Illustrated Stadium.
“Inspired by great company, unforgettable moments, and a touch of nostalgia, we’re a neighborhood bar and grill with a love for bringing people together,” the website stated.
Authorities Still Searching For ICE Detainee After ‘Uprising’ In Newark Detention Center
The last couple of weeks, eyes have been on Delaney Hall, an ICE detention facility in Newark, following protests against President Donald Trump’s uptick on ICE detainments, reports of poor treatment of inmates and a detainee “uprising.”
Four detainees reportedly escaped from the private prison, and all but three have been re-arrested. The FBI’s Newark office is offering a reward of $25,000 for “information leading to the arrest of Andres Felipe Pineda Mongollon.” The U.S. Department of Homeland Security described the men as “public safety threats.”
The following details have been released by federal authorities about each detainee, according to Patch.com:
- Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes of Honduras is accused of illegally entering the U.S. in 2021. On May 3, 2025, the Wayne Township Police Department arrested Bautista on charges of aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
- Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez of Honduras is accused of illegally entering the U.S. as a minor in 2019. On Oct. 3, 2024, the Passaic Police Department arrested Sandoval for unlawful possession of a handgun. He was arrested again on Feb. 15, 2025, by the Passaic Police Department on a charge of aggravated assault.
- Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada of Colombia is accused of illegally entering the U.S. in 2022. On May 15, 2025, the Hammonton Police Department arrested Castaneda on charges of burglary, theft and conspiracy to commit burglary.
- Andres Pineda-Mogollon of Colombia is accused of overstaying a tourist visa and entering the U.S. in 2023. On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda for petit larceny. On May 21, 2025, the Union Police Department in New Jersey arrested Pineda on charges of residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Following reports of the escaped detainees, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka released a statement condemning the private prison, the GEO Group.
“The latest reports from Delaney Hall indicate that four detainees did indeed escape and that their egress was accomplished by kicking through an interior wall. As stated in our ongoing legal complaint, the City of Newark has never received permit applications from GEO Group to construct an interior wall. Had it applied for a certificate of occupancy and/or construction permits, the city would have inspected the integrity of that wall,” Baraka wrote.
“This chaotic outcome is precisely why the city has ordinances requiring all facilities, including this ICE facility, to apply for the proper permits – and why we have taken the GEO Group to court to ensure the safety of both detainees and their own employees. This incident is yet another outrageous validation of the negative consequences of a federal government that believes it is above the prudence and practicality of working within legal parameters, and encourages reckless operations of its collaborators.”
Also on the outside, protestors spoke up about officers reportedly using pepper spray to disperse the crowd as well as their demands for better facility conditions for detainees.
12 Kearny HS Students Get Associate Degree Before Graduating High School
A dozen Kearny High School students earned associate degrees in liberal arts from Hudson County Community College as part of HCCC’s Early College Program.
The students completed dual, concurrent and early-college programs. 34% of United States students take college courses in high school, and the twelve students are the first from their school.
“The HCCC family is proud of our 2025 Early College graduates,” HCCC President Christopher Reber said. “Students enrolled in the program save time, pay half the in-county tuition rate, develop essential skills needed for successfully completing college coursework, gain confidence in their abilities, and access early opportunities to explore career paths and refine their educational goals.”
The 12 KHS students include:
- Jordan Bailey: University of Pittsburgh, chemistry/pre-pharmacy
- Johanna Escalante: Penn State, finance/engineering
- Gabriela Guerra: New Jersey Institute of Technology, finance
- Raquel Lamego: New Jersey Institute of Technology, architecture/civil engineering
- Fabian Machado-Requena: New Jersey Institute of Technology, mechanical engineering
- Sofia Marino: Kean University, speech language pathology
- Ashley Melejor Torres: Kean University, physical therapy
- Isaac Moya: Gap Year
- Eva Ruan: Rutgers University – Newark, accounting
- Lucca Santos: Stevens Institute of Technology, finance
- Antonio Velez: Rutgers University – Newark, business management
- Andrea Vivar: Montclair State University, finance
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
