Photo courtesy of visithudson.org.
Summer in Hudson County means farmers markets, a new splash pad and more! Find out where they’re located in this news roundup.
Tomorrow! Get Informed At This Small Business Workshop
The Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) is hosting a workshop to help guide entrepreneurs through the process of launching their business and qualifying for the UEZ Lease Subsidy Grant Program.
The workshop will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16 at 12 p.m. at 398 MLK Drive in Jersey City.
You can sign up at JCEDC’s website here.
Want A Better Light Rail? Take Action Here!
Hudson County Complete Streets, also known as HudCo Streets, has been pushing for a better Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system in Hudson, Bergen and Essex Counties and encourages commuters who feel the same to sign their petition.
“It’s the 8th busiest light rail system in the country, yet it’s still missing the ‘Bergen’…,” the petition reads.
“It’s time for the state to fulfill its promise made more than 25 years ago, build the northern extension, as well as break ground on the western extension to Route 440 in preparation for a connection to Newark.
Investments in mass transit are key to improving our region’s street safety, keeping our region economically competitive, and reducing our carbon emissions… Tell our elected officials to prioritize funding improvements to the HBLR!”
You can read more and sign the petition here. You can also see their latest win here.
This Jersey City RUBY Bus Is Here To Help Residents In Need
HealthierJC has brought the RUBY Bus to Jersey City.
RUBY Bus is a mobile outreach program that brings essential services directly to residents in Jersey City. The bus is intended to support individuals who are experiencing homelessness and others in need by providing access to:
- Showers
- Laundry Services
- Small Meals & Refreshments
- Health and Wellness Resources
- Housing and Social Service Referrals
- Outreach and Support Services
The schedule for dates, times and locations where the RUBY Bus will be available throughout Jersey City can be found here.
Soak In The Summer At This New Harrison Splash Pad
Raymond J. McDonough Riverside Park has a new splash pad for you to have fun and cool off this summer! The splash pad is free and open to all ages.
The splash pad is open Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
West New York Introduces New Farmers Market!
The West New York Farmers Market officially kicked off on June 5.
WNY Mayor Albio Sires and the Board of Commissioners partnered with the North New Jersey Chamber of Commerce to bring the farmers market to the community!
The Farmers Market is happening now every Friday until Friday, Nov. 20 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Donnelly Park located at 60th Street and Boulevard East.
Food stamps for produce will be accepted.
This Jersey City Neighborhood Has A New Harvest Market!
The new McGinley Square Harvest Market is now open until November every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in McGinley Plaza on the northeast corner of Bergen and Montgomery Street.
Attendees can connect fresh local vendors offering farm grown produce from:
- Orney Acres Farmers Market
- Plants
- Upcycled fashion
- Handcrafted artisan candles
- Soaps and personal care products
- Indulgent sweet and savory treats
- Food trucks
- Live music
If you are Interested in becoming a market vendor or performing live entertainment, you can contact @mcginleysqsid or @the_official_mscb through Instagram DM.
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Come Enjoy The Bayonne Farmers Market
The Bayonne Farmers Market is back for the 2026 fall season!
It will run every Tuesday until October from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 23rd Street between Broadway and DelMonte Drive.
You can shop local vendors featuring:
- Fresh produce
- Baked goods
- Handmade items
- Specialty foods
- Unique local products
- And more while supporting small businesses in the community.
Vendor applications are currently being accepted for the season. Vendor spaces are assigned and remain consistent throughout the season. Vendors must register and be approved prior to participation.
They are also looking for local musicians, performers and community groups interested in participating throughout the season to help create a fun and welcoming community atmosphere.
Vendor requirements include:
- Liability insurance required
- Vendors must register and be approved prior to participation
- Setup must be completed before opening
- Vendors are responsible for their own setup and cleanup
The vendor fees include:
- $20 Registration Fee
- $35 Weekly Space Fee
- Discounted rates available for UEZ and SID businesses
Information on how to apply to any of these opportunities plus contact information can be found here.
Hudson County Announces Budget For These Community Programs
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy announced an amendment to the 2026 Hudson County budget that would allow the county to gain $1.31 million in additional funding for:
- Legal services
- Rental assistance
- Food security programs
As a result, these awards will be granted:
- The Hudson County Law Department will be awarded $150,000 for constituent legal services
- The Office of Food and Health Equity, under the Department of Health and Human Services, will receive $160,000 for food pantry providers
- The Office of Family Services and Reintegration will receive $1 million for rental assistance programs
“Throughout this year’s budget process, I have prioritized funding for our most vulnerable residents through vital investments in county social programs. This budget amendment strengthens these programs by providing additional funding for legal services, rental assistance, and food security initiatives in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Craig Guy in a statement.
At the time of this writing, it’s unclear if there will be any specific applications or links for these programs.
Union City High School Ranked No. 5 Public High School In State
Union City’s José Martí STEM Academy has made the ranks!
The public high school, located at 1800 Summit Avenue in the North Hudson city, was named as the fifth best public high school in New Jersey, according to NJ.com’s analysis of the New Jersey Department of Education’s 2024-2025 School Performance Reports.
It previously ranked No. 17.
According to a press release posted on Instagram, the high school has a student population that is “predominantly Hispanic, multilingual and representative of many first-generation college-going families.”
“The most important number is not that José Marti STEM Academy is ranked #5 in New Jersey,” Superintendent Silvia T. Abbato said in a statement.
“It is that a school serving predominantly Hispanic students, many from immigrant and first-generation families, is competing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most selective magnet academies in the state. That is a testament to the power of public education when expectations are high, support is strong, and every child is given the opportunity to excel.”
Jersey City Launches Crime Data Portal After Unreported Crimes Found
Jersey City Mayor James Solomon announced the launch of the JC IMPACT Crime Data Portal, which is a new public online dashboard that allows residents to have direct access to key crime data “for better transparency, stronger coordination and smarter use of data,” a press release said.
“The Crime Data Portal is a public accountability tool,” stated Solomon.
“This portal is a direct response to residents’ requests for greater transparency and real-time information, while also equipping our police department with data-driven tools to make smarter decisions about where resources are needed most.”
The news came after Solomon’s administration revealed that there were 3,251 crimes not reported under the previous administration of Mayor Steve Fulop.
“These findings reflect issues that built up over years,” Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.
“What matters now is that we’ve identified the problems, we’ve brought in experts to help us fix them, and we’re putting the right systems and staffing in place to get this right going forward. The people deserve transparent, accurate information about the safety of their city and we are going to provide that to them.”
According to the press release, under JC IMPACT, there will be:
- Strategic Police Deployment: JCPD is using data, district-level intelligence, incident trends, and community concerns to guide officer deployment and resource allocation.
- Traffic Unit and Motorcycle Unit: Rebuilding the Traffic Division, including the official launch of the revived Motorcycle Unit to support enforcement, crash response, congestion management, pedestrian safety and targeted deployment.
- 911 Call Center Improvements: On May 14, 2026, Jersey City launched an upgraded 911 system, focusing on strengthening emergency communications, supporting faster and more accurate call processing and improving coordination between dispatchers and first responders.
- Official JCPD Social Media Accounts: JCPD has launched new social media accounts under the handle @JerseyCity_PD on Instagram and Facebook as part of the City’s effort to share alerts, public safety updates, recruitment messaging, community engagement, event highlights and officer recognition.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
