Saint Peter's becomes first No. 15 seed to reach Elite Eight in NCAA tournament history

By Derrick Hinds, CNN

As Jersey City pols question BeSpoke contract, Hudson County says company defaulted on deal

When Jersey City got rid of the first company it hired to administer coronavirus tests, a young company named BeSpoke Health stepped in with the promise of operating testing — and later vaccination — sites to save the day.

Nearly two years later, some Jersey City officials want detailed answers of how the the millions the city has paid the company was spent. And the Hudson County Board of Commissioners is set to officially declare that BeSpoke has defaulted in an agreement to supply personal protective equipment.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/03/besp ... tract-to-provide-ppe.html

At 73, He Adds New Jersey Hit Man to His Criminal Résumé

NCAA Tournament Cinderella Saint Peter’s living a dream, and Peacocks ‘don’t want to wake up’

All anyone wants to talk about with the Saint Peter’s men’s basketball team is what it just got finished doing.

Members of the NCAA Tournament’s Cinderella squad are getting stopped on the street of Jersey City as they make their way to class this week, cars honking at them and people shaking their hands. Fellow students are patting the Peacocks on the back, asking them for photos, telling them how awesome it is that they are heading to the second weekend of March Madness, the third 15-seed in March Madness history to reach the Sweet 16 round of the competition. They’ve done more interviews with the media in the past four days than anyone in the program has done in the past four decades.

https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/03/ncaa ... dont-want-to-wake-up.html

Does a gas tax holiday make sense for New Jersey? Here's why it's complicated

With soaring gas prices and other costs from inflation, politicians are feeling pressure to give residents some kind of relief, particularly at the pump.

Maryland and Georgia have rolled back or temporarily paused their state gas tax in recent weeks, and California proposed a gas tax rebate in hopes of giving residents a break.

The Garden State is considering similar steps.

State Sen. Shirley Turner, D-Mercer, said she would introduce a bill Thursday to lower the state gas tax from 42.4 cents to 14.5 for 60 days, and state Sen. Ed Durr, R-Gloucester, introduced a bill this month to give some families a $500 gas tax credit.

"We have found it’s the low- and middle-income and retirees on fixed incomes that are suffering the most," Turner said. "They are experiencing excruciating pain at the pump, because on top of the increase in the cost of the gasoline, they are also suffering most from inflation, because we’re at historic highs."

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news ... ump-inflation/7128627001/

Another plea expected in bizarre murder mystery tied to N.J. political operative

A third man tied to a mysterious murder-for-hire plot hatched by a New Jersey political consultant is scheduled to enter a plea in federal court Thursday in connection with the long-unsolved case.

George Bratsenis, 73, who had already been repeatedly identified by federal prosecutors in connection with his involvement in the 2014 murder, will appear by video conference in a plea hearing before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark, according to court filings.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2022/03/an ... -political-operative.html

Jersey City Council boosts its own pay while ignoring city workers, residents in need | Opinion

By Elvin Dominici

Jersey City has an affordability crisis that is displacing minorities and lifelong residents from the city that they call home. This crisis has been empowered and embraced by this city’s government that welcomes big developers regardless of the needs and concerns of our communities and the residents that make them whole.

The average annual household income in Jersey City is $105,120, while the median household income sits at $70,752 per year. These salary numbers do not represent the reality of low-income and lifelong residents who are being displaced out of our city. We can see this disparity as we look at the salary of local public servants, who many times are local residents who grew up in this city. Newly hired rookie police officers earn between $30,000 and $45,000; meanwhile newly hired public school teachers have a salary of $31,000.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2022/03/jer ... ents-in-need-opinion.html

Saint Peter’s is 3rd 15 seed in Sweet 16, beats Murray State

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Undersized in every way, Saint Peter’s became the latest NCAA Tournament darling that only the most ardent hoops fans had heard of before it stepped onto a court with a March Madness logo.

These proud Peacocks from Jersey City, New Jersey, became the third No. 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16, first tossing eight-time national champion Kentucky out of the bracket and then taking care of Murray State in a workmanlike 70-60 win on Saturday night.

Even mid-major Murray State was taller and beefier than the Peacocks, but that didn’t bother coach Shaheen Holloway or his 6-foot-7, 195-pound power forward, KC Ndefo, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds and played bruising defense at the rim.

“I’m going to say this. It’s going to come off a little crazy. I got guys from New Jersey and New York City,” Holloway said. “You think we’re scared of anything? You think we’re worried about guys trying to muscle us and tough us out?”

https://apnews.com/article/march-madne ... d9edd9131badde5896bdb15f0

Jersey City has 50 new ranking cops: 11 promoted to deputy chief, 39 now sergeants

March 14, 2022 2:23 pm

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“We have the best police department in the state, bar none, and that starts from the top down,” Mayor Steven Fulop began in a statement.

“Effective leadership is key, especially when it comes to law enforcement, and I have no doubt this diverse group of newly promoted deputy chiefs and sergeants will continue the progress we’ve seen in recent years to enhance public safety, community relations, and quality of life overall.”

https://hudsoncountyview.com/jersey-ci ... y-chief-39-now-sergeants/

18 months later, N.J. SEC reprimands ex-JC BOE Trustees Thomas, Roman over Lyles settlement

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Matt Schapiro, another former Jersey City BOE trustee, filed a complaint with the state on June 15th, 2020 alleging that Thomas and Roman violated the school ethics act, specifically the code of ethics for school board members.

He alleged that this occurred when Thomas and Roman voted in favor of settling Lyles’ federal lawsuit, which alleged the board created a hostile work environment and prevented her from doing her job, for $398,225 in late 2019, as HCV first reported.

https://hudsoncountyview.com/18-months ... an-over-lyles-settlement/

LeFrak’s Four Tower, 1,700-Unit Project in Jersey City Gains Preliminary Approval

LeFrak’s Four Tower, 1,700-Unit Project in Jersey City Gains Preliminary Approval

Image courtesy of Arquitectonica.

One of the most prominent developers in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City has been given the initial green light to revitalize a pier along the Hudson River despite concerns raised by several members of the public over the proposal.

https://jerseydigs.com/2-sixth-st-jersey-city-preliminary-approval/

The case for Jimmy Hoffa, buried under a New Jersey bridge

The FBI is expected to soon commence a dig for the remains of legendary labor leader Jimmy Hoffa, where it is claimed he was buried in a barrel after being killed in Detroit July 30, 1975.

The chances that the remains of Hoffa, the onetime president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, are under the industrial dirt of Jersey City, New Jersey, are actually very good, observers say.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/jimmy-hoffa ... ey-bridge-tony-provenzano

Jersey City school board delays vote on $955 million budget as it looks to ease taxpayer pain

Through five hours of a special Jersey City Board of Education meeting Thursday night there were many questions, but few answers.

On a night when the nine-member panel could have approved a $955 million spending plan for the 2022-23 school year that carries a possible $2,400 tax increase, it decided to punt the question until at least Monday.

The options are trimming the budget closer to the current year’s $814 million by slashing programs and possibly jobs, or come up with revenue sources that would at least reduce the tax hike. Cutting the tax levy by $100 million would reduce the average school tax bill to $1,121, but the board had few solutions on how to raise that other $100 million.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/03/jers ... o-ease-taxpayer-pain.html

N.J. weed workers moving full steam ahead to unionize despite delay in cannabis market

EDITOR’S NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider, NJ.com’s B2B cannabis industry trade journal and events vertical, is hosting a business meetup Feb. 17 in Jersey City. Tickets are limited.

Union fever is spreading like wildfire among the state’s cannabis workers even though the adult use recreational market has yet to open up.

The workers prepping for that day say they want careers, not just jobs, and that’s spurring union drives throughout New Jersey.

https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2022/02/d ... am-ahead-to-unionize.html

Jersey City accepting applications for $850K in artist grants

Funding for Jersey City artists is one step closer to reality after city officials announced Tuesday that applications for grants are now being accepted.

Mayor Steve Fulop, the City Council and the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee said $850,000 in tax-generated funding will be distributed to successful applicants for the first allocation of the funding. The $850,000 includes $100,000 in Artist Fellowships distributed by the Jersey City Arts Council.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/jers ... 50k-in-artist-grants.html

Jersey City’s mayor: We’re running out of time. We need to pass Biden’s climate plan. | Opinion

By Steven Fulop

Our state is on the front lines of climate change.

Increasingly severe and more frequent storms, from Superstorm Sandy to Hurricane Ida, are flooding communities across New Jersey, from the Jersey Shore to Lambertville.

Jersey City sits in a particularly vulnerable position, sitting in the lowlands between the Newark Bay and the Hudson River.

Ida, which pummeled our city with 8 inches of water, flooded streets, totaled cars and damaged homes and businesses.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2022/02/jer ... climate-plan-opinion.html

Food fight? Restaurants not thrilled that Jersey City wants to assess fees for sidewalk seating

Jersey City restaurants owners, still struggling to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, have serious concerns that new city fees to operate their businesses on the public sidewalk will set them back again.

Jersey City Restaurant Association President Carmen Mendiola told The Jersey Journal that restaurant owners expected to be assessed fees for the extra seating area outside their businesses, called “parklets,” but the $3,650 for a permit and additional fees of more than $2,000 is being heavy handed.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/food ... for-sidewalk-seating.html

15-year-old murdered on Jersey City street

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting Saturday night of a 15-year-old boy in Jersey City.

Shortly after 8:20 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of 112 Myrtle Ave. on a report of shots fired and found a male victim with an apparent gunshot wound to the torso.

The victim was later identified as Devin Bryant, 15, of Jersey City. He was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:10 p.m. .

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/15-y ... n-jersey-city-street.html

In letter, Fulop says dividing Jersey City into 3 legislative districts violates state constitution

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“The ‘Turnpike Map’ currently under consideration by the New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission (“the Commission”) violates the Constitution of the State of New Jersey by proposing to improperly and unnecessarily divide the City of Jersey City amongst three legislative districts – the 31st, 32nd, and 33rd,” he wrote yesterday.

“The Commission must not approve any proposed map that divides Jersey City amongst more than its two current legislative districts, the 31st and 33rd.”

He continues that Newark, the largest city in the state, and Jersey City, the second largest city in the state, are regarded as “First Class” based on their populations.

https://hudsoncountyview.com/in-letter ... lates-state-constitution/

Fulop raises $1.4 million for super PAC on Tuesday, signaling possible gubernatorial run

Super PAC allied with Jersey City mayor now has more than $5 million banked

By David Wildstein, February 09 2022 10:25 am

In what might be the strongest indicator yet that Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is laying the groundwork for a gubernatorial run in 2025, a super PAC allied with him raised $1.4 million on Tuesday evening.

The Coalition for Progress Super PAC now has over $5 million cash-on-hand with plans to help Democratic candidates across the state this year.

Fulop was the headliner at the event and spoke of his views on economic development and expanding the middle class.

https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/fu ... ssible-gubernatorial-run/

Jersey City looking for partners to fight ‘underlying issues’ that lead to violence

Jersey City has $500,000 to share with organizations for programs that address the underlying issues that lead to violence and crime in the city, Mayor Steve Fulop and Division of Community Development (DCD) announced Tuesday.

Eligible organizations can apply for funding from the Violence Prevention Program, which was designed to acknowledge, target and respond to the “uptick” in violence from the COVID-19 pande

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/jers ... hat-lead-to-violence.html

Jersey City Mayor Fulop Answers Questions As Third Term Begins

JERSEY CITY, NJ — As development sprouts throughout Jersey City's varied neighborhoods, Mayor Steven Fulop, now entering his third term, has major problems to tackle amid the city's popularity.

Hundreds of residents are fighting post-pandemic eviction. Last year saw 24 murders in the state's second-largest city, up from 16 in 2020. And residents are furious over a recent redistricting, or redrawing of ward boundaries.

No mayor of Jersey City has won a third term since the infamous Frank "Boss" Hague in the early 1900s. How does Fulop intend to use his third term?

Fulop gave a brief (very brief) interview last month as he began his new term.

Fulop, a former Marine and former Goldman Sachs employee, is raising his family in Jersey City. He was first elected to the Jersey City council in 2005.

https://news.yahoo.com/jersey-city-may ... TSg9gfju1Oq8yej3wrwbt_KCA

Some Hudson County school districts not as optimistic as gov about lifting mask mandate

While Gov. Phil Murphy plans to lift the school mask mandate next month, some Hudson County school officials are taking a more cautious approach before removing face coverings.

Murphy announced Monday he will end the mandate on March 7, but it will be up to each school district to decide whether to place their own rules about face coverings. He called the decision “a huge step back to normalcy for our kids.”

Murphy said the state can “responsibly” take this step because New Jersey’s daily cases and hospitalizations continue to drop after the recent surge driven by the Omicron variant and evidence projects “a continued decline” in the coming weeks.

But Jersey City schools Interim Superintendent Norma Fernandez said parents in her district are not asking for children to stop wearing masks. She is sure the governor has information to guide his decision, but the school district will “take our time.”

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/some ... lifting-mask-mandate.html

Here are the details of Gov. Murphy’s plans to lift N.J. school mask mandate next month

Calling it a “a huge step back to normalcy for our kids,” Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that New Jersey will lift its long-standing statewide mask mandates inside schools and childcare facilities one month from now as COVID-19 numbers continue their “dramatic decline.”

Murphy said he does plan to extend the new public-health emergency he declared last month by 30 days as it expires later this week — a move that will keep the mask mandates in place the next four weeks. But the state will then end the requirements March 7.

https://www.nj.com/education/2022/02/h ... k-mandate-next-month.html

Jersey City is paying millions to company to operate COVID-19 sites. Jersey City councilmen want to know how it’s being spent.

A couple of Jersey City councilmen want to know how the company providing coronavirus vaccines and testing is spending the millions of dollars doled out by the city.

New York-based Bespoke Health was awarded a new annual contract for $15 million at the Jan. 12 city council meeting, but only after nearly half of the council expressed their reservations about the deal. The deal was approved with only Frank Gilmore voting against it.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/jers ... -how-its-being-spent.html

Jersey City is paying millions to company to operate COVID-19 sites. Jersey City councilmen want to know how it’s being spent.

A couple of Jersey City councilmen want to know how the company providing coronavirus vaccines and testing is spending the millions of dollars doled out by the city.

New York-based Bespoke Health was awarded a new annual contract for $15 million at the Jan. 12 city council meeting, but only after nearly half of the council expressed their reservations about the deal. The deal was approved with only Frank Gilmore voting against it.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/jers ... -how-its-being-spent.html

Man sentenced to 14 years in prison for 2019 Jersey City murder; 2 others get less time

Cries for another look at Jersey City redistricting get louder, but experts say options are limited

A campaign demanding that Hudson County revisit the process for redrawing Jersey City’s ward boundaries is picking up steam, but experts warn the path forward is uncertain.

A petition calling for revisions to the new ward map recently adopted by the Jersey City Ward Commission has more than 11,000 signatures. But now that the commission has formally acted, Seton Hall political science professor Matt Hale said critics have limited options.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/crie ... -options-are-limited.html

Jersey City schools’ anti-bullying report shows it’s not just students who fell behind in pandemic

More than 60% of Jersey City public schools were less prepared to handle bullying situations in the 2020-21 school year than the previous year, according to a report of self-assessments by each facility.

Administrators at each school answered a series of questions about efforts in addressing harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) for the 2020-2021 school year and 25 of the 40 scored lower than in 2019-20. The reports will now be submitted to the state Department of Education. Eight schools registered the same score each year, while only seven of the 40 said they improved.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/jers ... l-behind-in-pandemic.html