Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
The community has been coming together in different ways in Hudson County. Read all about it in this week’s news roundup.
Community Support Flows In Following Deadly North Bergen Car Crash
Hudson County continues to mourn the fatal car accident that happened last Sunday, Sept. 28.
A vigil was held for Brian Rivera, 24 of North Bergen, who was killed in the collision at Tonnelle and 70th Street in North Bergen. Rivera was reportedly hit by a driver, Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, who was reportedly speeding away from a North Bergen police lieutenant.
Aziz also died in the collision. Rivera was not involved in the police pursuit.
The three passengers who were with Rivera—Christopher Rivera, Fidel Martinez and Daniel Lozano—remain hospitalized. Each of their GoFundMe campaigns, created by each of their families, are nearing their fundraising goal.
For the Rivera family’s fundraiser, click here.
For Martinez’s fundraiser, click here.
For Lozano’s fundraiser, click here.
There has also been a GoFundMe set up for Aziz’s mother.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability is currently investigating the crash.
Meet The Jersey City Mayoral Candidates In One Place This Week
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce will host a Jersey City mayoral candidate business forum this Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Liberty Science Center, located at 222 Jersey City Boulevard.
The candidates will be asked questions surrounding the health of the Jersey City business community on topics including affordability, growth, transportation, crime and safety, tourism, and workforce development.
The seven mayoral candidates include:
- Former Board of Education President Mussab Ali
- Police Officer Christina Freeman
- Activist Kalki Jayne-Rose
- Former Governor Jim McGreevey
- Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea
- Ward E Councilman James Solomon
- City Council President Joyce Watterman
The event is part of the Hudson County Chamber’s Employer Legislative Committee (ELC) series. The series provides members with direct access to policymakers and elected officials.
Need Help With Your Energy Bill? This Info Session Can Help
Are you struggling to pay your PSE&G Bill? Then this event is for you.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, there will be an info session held at 373 Communnipaw Avenue in Jersey City to help low-income residents with their energy and utilities bill. It’ll run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
To apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), you must bring all of the following documents :
- Photo ID
- Original social security card for ALL household members
- Proof of gross income for past 30 days for ALL household members
- Current utility bill
- Current lease agreement
For more information you can reach out to Team Walker on Instagram.
You Can Support This Hudson County Non-Profit This Week At Their Gala
Team Wilderness is a non-profit dedicated to bridging the nature gap for youth from marginalized communities, and you can help support their cause.
This Thursday, Oct. 9, they’re hosting their Blazing a Trail: A Night Celebrating Empowering Youth Outdoors. It’ll take place at The View in Lincoln Park, located at 201 Lincoln Pk, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Along with supporting the organization, attendees will also celebrate the 2025 honorees including:
- Emory Edwards, CEO of Hudson County Chamber of Commerce
- Brigid D’Souza, Assistant Professor at Saint Peter’s University
- Wendy Paul, Executive Director of Jersey City Apartment Owners Association
There will be hors d’oeuvres, dinner, beer & wine and views of Lincoln Park.
Tickets are $150, with $75 of this ticket-price being tax-deductible. You can get your ticket here and donate here.
Plans For Journal Square Hotel, Food Hall and New Tower Moves Forward
The plans to bring Jersey City’s PATH-side property in Journal Square has advanced.
On Sept. 16, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) heard a presentation for the future of 84 Sip Avenue (also known as 25 Journal Square), which was originally proposed for the Pompidou Museum, a deal that was announced back in 2021.
The project fell through after years of planning and controversy. It has since been reportedly proposed at a space just down the street at 808 Pavonia Avenue, and could be reportedly fueled by a $40 million loan, if the latter gets approved.
As for 84 Sip Avenue, which was bought in 2018 by the JCRA for $9 million, its plans include:
- A 38-key independent hotel with a “destination food hall,” a rooftop bar facility and a wellness spa
- Property across the street at 68-74 Sip Avenue to be demolished and made into a 34-story tower with 320 units including 10% affordable housing.
While the plan has advanced, it still needs approval from the Jersey City’s Planning Board, among other entities, according to Jersey Digs, and the developers would need to purchase the site before any work can start.
Fall Season Means Flu Season And That’s Why The Harrison Health Department Is Helping
With the weather slowly getting cooler and leaves turning browner, that means that flu season is around the corner, but the Harrison Health Department is looking to curb that.
The town’s health department is offering flu vaccines throughout October at the Harrison Community Center ,located at 401Warren Street.
The schedule is as follows:
- High dose vaccine for ages 65 and up- Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 18 years – 64 years Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 18 years – 64 years Oct. 22 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
No appointment necessary!
Bayonne High School To House ‘Craig Guy Center’
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy will host a ribbon cutting and naming ceremony at Bayonne High School for the “Hudson County Schools of Technology Craig Guy Center.” The ceremony will take place Friday, Oct.10 at 11 a.m. at the school, located at 669 Avenue A.
The new occupation school is located on the Bayonne High School campus and looks to serve about 400 students from grades 9 through 12 across Hudson County’s municipalities.
The school will offer career-focused programs in:
- Mechanical
- Construction
- Finance
- Medical/Clinical
- Criminal Justice
- Digital Communications
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Carpentry
- Cosmetology
These would be alongside core academic classes aligned with New Jersey standards.
You can RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 8 by emailing [email protected].
There will be food trucks on-site for refreshments and a post-ceremony tour of the school that highlights new programs and facilities.
This Hudson County Brewery Was Ranked No. 1 In The Country
The best gluten free beer in America is crafted in Jersey City! USA Today named Departed Soles Brewing Company, located at 150 Bay Street #2A in Jersey City, the best gluten free beer in the U.S. for the third consecutive year.
A Dark Night, one of the local brewery’s original gluten free offerings, was named the 2023 Best Gluten Free Beer in America by USA Today, but it got to the top of the list this year. It’s brewed with “sorghum, pours a midnight black color, and features a rich blend of piney bitterness and subtle tropical hop flavors – like a black and tan all stirred up.”
Their Birdie Juice, a Kolsch brewed with millet & quinoa, was the 2024 victor in its first year of eligibility, according to a press release posted to Instagram. The golden ale, whose can artwork is inspired by “Caddyshack,” finished in second place this year, but will return in October to Departed Soles.
You can try the best gluten free beer at Departed Soles any day of the week from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Downtown Jersey City.
Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx Spotted In Hudson County Filming Upcoming Movie
If you’ve seen posts swirling about Jamie Foxx being in Hudson County, it’s true.
Foxx is set to star as an Olympic boxing coach in a new movie titled “Fight For ‘84”. The movie is being filmed in parts of Hudson County and Foxx has already been spotted in Bayonne and Kearny.
The Netflix film, which Foxx is also producing, tells the story of how the boxing program was rebuilt after 14 boxers and eight staff members from the U.S. amateur boxing team were killed in a 1980 plane crash while traveling from New York to competitions in Poland.
Four years after the rebuild, the new Olympic team won 11 medals (nine of them gold), at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, setting a new record.
No further details have been reported about the upcoming movie.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
