2018 — the year in review – The Observer Online
Like many years, 2018 saw its share of ups and downs — positive news and negative news. Here at The Observer, we did our best to keep readers informed and so we bring you this recap of the biggest headlines of the last year as reported to you by our journalists. We take things, as we do each year, chronologically by month.
January
The new year kicked off with word that Frank West, a Bayonne resident and Kearny policeman, was one of five super Jets fans to be inducted into the team’s brand-new Fans Hall of Fame. West has played Santa — in Jets green, of course — at Metlife Stadium during home games.
In Harrison, Jim Doran announced that work on Harrison’s new John F. Kennedy School would soon be getting underway. Significant progress on the new school has been made since.
In Nutley, re-turfing of Father Glozbach Field neared completion.
Meanwhile in Kearny, we learned of the unfortunate death of an 81-year-old woman who was struck by a car on Passaic Avenue at the end of 2017.
Also in Kearny, Schuyler Bank announced it was financing the new Cooper’s Block restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant closed after being open for just nine months. The Kearny Avenue property — the old Irish American Club location — has been on the market, for sale, since the restaurant closed.
In Belleville, the Board of Education renamed the Belleville High School Academy of Engineering and Medical Sciences in honor of the late Ralph Vellon, a trustee who unexpectedly died the previous year.
Jan. 5, perhaps the coldest day of the entire year, brought with it a tragic fire on Maple Street. Many families and students attending colleges in Newark were displaced by the blaze that had brutally cold and windy conditions from start — at around 7 a.m. — until it was declared under control many hours later.
Some 50 were left homeless, but as it often does, the community banded together to help those affected — with countless donations of clothing, food, cash and more.
Recapping its 150th birthday the year prior, officials in Kearny noted it spent $13,000 on its major birthday bash.
Kearny’s school custodians, meanwhile, got a new contract, though teachers still awaited word on theirs.
Kearny’s Manny Araujo and Lainne Afonso gave birth to a baby girl, Micayla, at Hackensack University Medical Center on Jan. 1, 2018. Micayla was the first newborn of the new year at HUMC.
The Kearny Fire Department hosted a special ceremony in honor of Robert Hamilton, a firefighter who died in the line of duty on Jan. 13, 1941. Hamilton’s image and name was added to a special wall of firefighters who died in the line of duty. For decades, it wasn’t known that Hamilton had died in the line of duty — he had a heart attack whilst on a call.
In Harrison, meanwhile, following the retirement of Chief Derek Kearns, speculation began to grow as to who would replace him. David Strumolo would go on to become the new chief.
Coffee lovers rejoiced with news of a possible Starbucks in Kearny. While the news was unofficial then, it became official later in the year. The coffee vendor will be located near Burger King on Passaic Avenue.
A few days after the massive fire on Maple Street, Kearny, Lyndhurst saw one, too on Page Avenue. Wind was a factor in this blaze, too.
Also on the fire front, Daniel Neves, a Kearny fireman, was promoted to fire prevention specialist at a council meeting. Neves now works alongside Juan Barroso Jr., the town’s chief fire inspector.
In January, following the Maple Street fire, we profiled Phil Stafford, who runs a non-profit organization, designed to help the homeless of North Jersey. He was first on-scene to help at the Maple Street blaze — and is constantly working to collect food, clothing and more.
In Kearny, Jim Hague wrote a moving tribute to Ed Bixler, a Kearny fixture for decades, who died after a brief battle with cancer.
In Belleville, eight law-enforcement officers were promoted to higher ranks. At the same time, Patrolman James Goral, of the Lyndhurst PD, was promoted to sergeant.
In Nutley, two vehicles wound up in Third River following a crash.
Kearny also lost another treasure when Hugh Dalzell died Jan. 18 at the age of 102. Dalzell was involved in many civic activities and was very well known for his dedication to St. Cecilia Church.
The month ended with news that a payroll clerk at the Kearny Board of Education office reportedly stole nearly $200,000. Gina Neri, of North Arlington, has since been sentenced for the crime, but avoided prison time in a deal.
We also featured “The Four Chaplains,” one of whom was the Rev. John Washington, a former associate pastor at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Washington and three other chaplains died on the SS Dorchester on Feb. 3, 1943. Each year, on the Sunday closest to Feb. 3, St. Stephen’s hosts a Father Washington Mass to recall the-late priest’s life and ultimate sacrifice.
The Observer also profiled Kearny’s Joseph Sansone, who retired after many years of service to Hudson County Community College.
The month concluded with a chili cookoff, sponsored by the Junior Woman’s Club of Arlington. Kearny Fire Chief Steve Dyl was among the celebrity judges at the event that Brandi Leigh Miller coordinated.
February
The year’s second month kicked off with a profile of Kearny’s own Kellyann Chippendale, who won an Angel Award at the Monaco International Film Festival. Chippendale screened her award-winning movie at Kearny High School later in the month.
Following a spate of inmate suicides at the Hudson County Jail, county officials announced they would be looking into the incidents.
February also saw the possibility of Kearny’s Finest being equipped with body cams. The key word here is possibility, as Chief George King did not commit to this actually happening.
In Harrison, meanwhile, there was open — and very public — discussion about who would become the new police chief. While Dave Strumolo finished first on the chief’s test, there was discussion about whether he’d be appointed to the position. The Harrison PBA took out a large ad in this newspaper to voice its concern — and loudly called for Strumolo’s hiring. Ultimately, Strumolo was hired.
February also saw another Kearny fire — this time, one that displaced three families on Belgrove Drive — on Feb. 3. In total, 14 people were without housing.
February also saw the creation of a fatal-accident task force by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. The Kearny PD will supply officers, as needed, to the task force; the Harrison and East Newark PDs will not, however.
In North Arlington, three were promoted in the police department — Sgt. Sean MacDonald, Lt. Gary Edwards and Sgt. Michael Hoffman are now in their new ranks.
In February, word came down from Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez that a Kearny police officer involved in a 2016 shooting was cleared of any and all wrong-doing — and as such, the case would not be presented to a grand jury. “After a thorough review of all the evidence, the HCPO has concluded that the officer’s use of force was justified,” Suarez said at the time.
Kearny’s Municipal Court, meanwhile, became fully compliant with the state’s new stricter courtroom protection laws. Retired Kearny police Lt. Anthony Gouveia and retire Jersey City Police Officer Mark Muldoon are now the court’s new armed guards. Kearny was the last court in Hudson County to become compliant.
Three Kearny police officers — Alan Stickno, Matthew Lopez and Vic Girdwood — were cited for evacuating the residents who were home when a fire broke out earlier in the month on Belgrove Drive. They were all cited for doing so without regard to their own personal safety.
In Belleville, worked kicked off on the Mill Street bridge rehabilitation project.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Jasinski, a former Lyndhurst HS sub teacher and coach, was banned from ever teaching again in public schools after he reportedly exchanged sexually-charged text messages with underage girls. The plea Jasinski took helped him to avoid time behind bars.
Vincent Prieto, who represented West Hudson for many years in the State Assembly, resigned his seat to take over the top spot with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (formerly known as the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.) Prieto, a Secaucus resident, had been a 32nd Legislative District’s co-representative since 2004.
In Nutley, a threat made on Instagram shut down district school’s for a day. The threat — which was ultimately deemed not serious — came two days after a gunman shot and killed 17 teenagers at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida.
In Belleville, Michael Melham announced he would run for the township’s mayoral seat against incumbent Ray Kimble.
Coccia Realty, meanwhile, announced that 17 of its real-estate agents had achieved “Circle of Excellence” status with the NJ Association of Realtors.
As February came to an end, we learned about Leonard Willette, a Belleville Tuskegee Airman who had a street named after him at the intersection of Stephens and Academy streets.
In response to the aforementioned shooting in Parkland, Florida, Kearny Superintendent of Schools Patte Blood announced a series of security measures designed to make it more difficult for outsiders to get into Kearny schools.
The Kearny Fire Department beefed up its ranks with the appointment of three new firefighters — Adam Coppola, James Logan and Antonio DeSousa.
Three Nutley juveniles, meanwhile, were charged with attempted murder following an incident in Hillside on Feb. 13.
Back in Kearny, the police department here was fitted with NARCAN nasal sprays for its active vehicle fleet. The sprays were provided, at no cost, by the Jersey City Medical Center.
March
The year’s third month began with word that the Township of Lyndhurst became the next in a line of many Bergen County municipalities to announce that it has become “Stigma Free.” We’ll get more into this later on in this recap when we discuss our series of stories involving addiction.
In Hudson County, officials announced they would no longer alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement when illegal immigrants are arrested.
The exit to Fish House Road, in South Kearny, just before the Wittpenn Bridge, was closed and it will remain that way until the new bridge opens — likely in 2021.
The Kearny Fire Department, meanwhile, sent an assortment of turnout gear to two FDs — one in the Philippines and one in Portugal. The KFD got new gear itself a year earlier.
The United Irish Associations of West Hudson celebrated its 2018 parade honorees — Jack Pettigrew, Tommy Atwell and Christine Nash.
Tragically, we learned of the death of 19-year-old Kearny resident Adrian Velazquez. He died in a terrible car crash in Newark, Delaware. The late Velazquez was a soccer standout at Kearny High School and had been playing the sport for Rutgers University, Newark.
A 15-year-old Kearny HS boy was arrested and charged with creating a false public alarm after he reportedly posted “Thinking of searching up how to shoot up a school and get away with it” on Instagram on March 1.
In early March, we also learned of the Feb. 26 death of longtime Nutley Commissioner Carmen Orechio. He was 91. Orechio was a dedicated public servant whose name can still be seen, often, on signs in Nutley.
March was the month where tragedy struck in Manhattan when a helicopter went down in the East River, killing five. The doomed chopper took off from a South Kearny helipad.
Yet another tragedy struck when a man who had just been released from the Hudson County Jail, South Kearny, was struck and killed crossing Routes 1 & 9. The victim was apparently run over twice in the early morning hours of March 10.
A cast of 45 thespians put on “Sister Act” in March at Kearny High School’s winter play.
March also saw the launch of the Kearny Police Department’s brand-new website. The KPD’s Capt. Timothy Wagner, the commander of the department’s Internal-Affairs Bureau, and also a spokesman for the department, designed the site with the assistance of Det. John Fabula. Residents may use the site to keep up on breaking crime news, to report crime and so much more. Visit the site at www.kearnypolice.org.
Over in Nutley, around the same time, an oversized truck took down a few poles and electrical wires just outside Eastwick College on Park Avenue. Though the power was out for some time, there were miraculously no injuries reported on account of the incident.
Four adults and eight children were displaced when another fire hit Maple Street, Kearny. The two-alarmer at 369 Maple would require “long-term renovation,” according to Chief Steven Dyl.
The Harrison Town Council added six new firefighters in March thanks to a federal grant. One more firefighter was to be hired later on in the year.
The annual West Hudson St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place in Harrison, East Newark and Kearny in March. Photos of the big day remain on www.theobserver.com.
The Observer’s Karen Zautyk featured a story on the U.S.S. Juneau, a World War II ship that sank. The ship made its maiden voyage from South Kearny.
Meanwhile, in Lyndhurst, commissioners announced they would lower swimming fees at the municipal pool at Lyndhurst High School.
In Kearny, the KPD announced it could no longer pick up stray animals for safe keeping at its HQ on Laurel Avenue. Only Bergen County Animal Control could do so — they’re contracted to help the Hudson County town — and they operate 24 hours a day.
We were also introduced to a new UPS Store in Kearny. The business, operated by Hetal Patel, is inside Arlington Pharmacy on Kearny Avenue.
On March 25, yet another inmate at the Hudson County Jail in South Kearny took his life. It was the sixth suicide over a nine-month span.
At the end of March, we also learned the Kearny Board of Health offices, at 645 Kearny Ave., would soon be getting a long-overdue and much-needed renovation.
In North Arlington, word that the borough’s board of education was considering the purchase of the former Queen of Peace High School came down — though as of today, no such transaction has occurred. “We are working with the archdiocese — something like this can’t be pushed,” Board member George McDermott said.
In Hudson County politics, West Hudson Mayors Alberto Santos, James Fife and Joseph Smith announced they would support Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise’s re-election efforts in 2019. There have been rumors that a candidate may run against DeGise in the June 2019 primary.
April
The year’s fourth month kicked off with a special Easter Egg Hunt in Nutley. Hundreds of kids took part in the Nutley PBA-sponsored event.
We also learned of the retirement of brothers Joe and Frank Viscuso from the Kearny Fire Department. Also retiring were Capt. Art Bloomer and Firefighter Scott Coulson.
A funny one from the Kearny police blotter — a man was arrested, when asked his birthday by patrol officers, told the cops he was born on April 88. That’s one long month.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the East River chopper crash (that took off from South Kearny.) Passenger harnesses likely lead to the death of all five on board the doomed helicopter, the NTSB said.
April saw students from Washington Middle School, Harrison, journey to the nation’s capital for a tour of the district.
Kearny Fire Department Deputy Chief (then Capt.) Joe Mastandrea demonstrated NARCAN kits that were outfitted on all active KFD fire rigs. The Junior Woman’s Club of Arlington donation led to the purchase of the kits with the medication designed to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.
Police in Nutley, meanwhile, alerted residents that phony $100 bills were being circulated in the township.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise announced his intent to replace the county jail’s medical-services vendors following six suicides at the correctional facility in a nine-month span.
In April, The Observer featured a look into generic medications where not all generics are the same. Hetal Patel, of Arlington Pharmacy, demonstrated how certain additives could be included in some generics while not in all.
In Kearny, Chief George King announced that crime numbers dropped significantly in 2017. The year before, there were 1,078 crimes committed in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Index. In 2017, that number dropped to 762.
In a story exclusive to The Observer at the time, Hudson County Exec Tom DeGise discussed a real-world experience program for special needs kids. The program gives those in the special-needs community a chance to work in companies throughout the county while also taking practical courses.
The Nutley PD, meanwhile, was up for re-accreditation and as such, sought comments from the public about how the department operates. Residents were invited to comment via email or regular mail — and a phone hotline was also set up.
The Archdiocese of Newark, meanwhile, hosted a STEM Expo at Boystown on Belgrove Drive.
The West Hudson Arts & Theatre Company, known by many as W.H.A.T., put on the play “Jungle Book” over two April weekends.
On April 7, longtime Hudson County Judge John A. McLaughlin, a resident Kearny, died at St. Michael’s Medical Center, Newark. McLaughlin was a parishioner and trustee at St. Stephen’s Church, in addition to having many other civic positions throughout his life.
In East Newark, Superintendent of Schools Patrick Martin resigned his position after spending four years on the job.
In Kearny, the town made its first moves against abandoned homes, commencing with property at 47 Morgan Place. However, despite this, residents near that home say there still has been no action — and the deteriorating home and its surroundings continue to worsen.
In Kearny, UEZ Coordinator John Peneda announced the Kearny Discount Rewards program/card was kicking off. Residents who possess the card are entitled to numerous discounts at participating merchant locations.
In East Newark, meanwhile, teachers in East Newark continued to work without a contract. They eventually renewed, but until until the end of the current school year.
In Harrison, the Smerda family donated chairs to the Harrison Public Library to honor long-time educator Mary Anne Dunphy, who recently retired from the Harrison school district after several decades of service.
In Belleville, officials recalled the life of Fred W. Stockham, a one-time resident of the township who died in World War I.
Kearny native Martyna Majok, a 2003 alum of KHS, was awarded a 2018 Pulitzer Prize in drama.
Meanwhile, school officials announced bricks would pave the way to the Devon Street entrance to Kearny High School once the construction project concluded. Folks were able to place special messages on the bricks.
In North Arlington, after petitions were filed, we learned that Democrat Mark Yampaglia and Independent-Democrat Al Granell would challenge seated Republican Mayor Joseph Bianchi. Sadly, that race turned into sadness when Bianchi died after a courageous battle with cancer later in the year (more on that later.)
Another tragedy struck in April when long-time West Hudsonian the Rev. Msgr. John J. Gilchrist died. Gilchrist spent significant time at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny and Holy Cross Church, Harrison. His last assigned residence was also in West Hudson — at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center on Belgrove Drive — you probably know that as Boystown. Gilchrist was ordained to the priesthood in 1957 and was long a strong supporter of labor unions. “He saw the face of Jesus in working men and women and the poor. I trust he will continue to intercede for our archdiocese,” Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, said at the time of Msgr. Gilchrist’s death.
By the end of the month, 51-year-old Vitorino Cirne, a long-time Kearny postal worker, was still missing after disappearing two weeks earlier. Sadly, Cirne would be found dead sometime after in the Passaic River in South Kearny.
In April, The Observer conducted an exclusive interview with the office of Archdiocesan Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark regarding the diocese’s policy on placing items at cemeteries. The Cemeteries office now uses the interview to help to explain how things operate at all of its cemeteries.
At Kearny High School, The Observer featured Matt Barone, the head of the school’s culinary program. Over the last few years, Barone has taken a fledgling program and turned it into a model high school culinary program.
We also learned that Harrison Second Ward Councilman Anselmo Millan would not seek re-election to that seat but would, instead, challenge seated Democratic Mayor James A, Fife in the June primary. Millan lost to Fife — and will leave office Dec. 31.
In a rarity, North Arlington Mayor Joe Bianchi announced that taxpayers would see a nominal $2 tax increase on a home valued at $300,000. It was the second-consecutive year taxes remained stable in North Arlington — and was something no other municipality in The Observer’s coverage area could boast.
May
The fifth month of the year kicked off with The Observer’s annual homage to the cherry blossom trees at Branch Brook Park. Photos were included in the newspaper — as well as on our website. A later-than-usual cold spell caused the trees to bloom later than usual.
The Kearny FD showed off their new thermal-imaging cameras, which were made possible by a grant from FEMA. Deputy Chief Bruce Kauffmann and FEMA’s Brian Thomas sat down with Kevin Canessa to demonstrate how valuable the cameras are in fires and at accident scenes.
In Belleville, several high school students traveled to Baltimore to take part in a special Future Business Leaders of America workshop.
The Observer reported a South Kearny chemical fire that required marine units.
In Lyndhurst, seven new firefighters took the oath of office.
In Kearny, meanwhile, the mayor announced the municipal portion of residents’ tax bills would decrease. It was the first time municipal taxes decreased in recent memory.
State Fair Meadowlands, in the early part of May, announced that its annual affair in the area of Metlife Stadium would kick off June 21 and last through the first week in May.
The KUEZ also announced it would conduct its annual town-wide yard sale May 6 & 7. This is one of the biggest events the UEZ undertakes annually — and brings many out-of-towners in searching for bargain merchandise.
May also brought with it warmer weather — and an incredible old-time baseball game where players played without gloves and following rules of the early days of the game.
In one of the bigger stories of 2018, FedEx, amid great fanfare, opened its new North Arlington facility. State, county and local government officials, as well as FedEx VIPs, were on hand for the grand opening. The weather that day was quite hot — but it didn’t put a damper on one of the biggest new ratables to come to N.A. in recent times.
A senior citizen jitney bus was involved in a crash with a vehicle on Laurel Avenue and Chestnut Street on Monday, May 7. Fortunately, there were no major injuries, though both vehicles involved were damaged. Lt. John Taylor, of the KPD’s Traffic Unit, said the driver of the vehicle that hit the jitney was issued a summons for blowing a stop sign.
Official announced in May that bridge work would begin on the Centre Street Bridge, Nutley, in June. The work, still as yet unfinished, has caused detours — and thus, traffic nightmares — in the area.
The Kearny Fire Department’s new marine boat was blessed in a special ceremony on the Hudson River between Manhattan and Jersey City, with both skylines in view.
May was also the month the Optimists conducted its annual oratorical contest, under the direction of Dr. John P. Branwell.
The annual Passaic River Cleanup and Town-wide Cleanup took place under the direction of Carol Jean Doyle and Jane Mackesy respectively. Both are events that have taken place for more than a quarter century.
In Kearny, 10 new cops got their badges from Chief George King at a ceremony at Town Hall.
At a candlelight vigil at Town Hall Park, Kearny mom Christine Myles Nash spoke in detail about the overdose death of her son, Sean. Nash’s speech was very moving — as were all other speakers at the event. Sean Myles Nash died on July 13, 2016.
In Kearny, teachers continued to work without a new contact as the school year wound down. They would often protest with signs outside the Board of Education’s Midland Avenue offices.
In Belleville, a ticket led my Michael Melham swept into office. The new mayor has since been quite visible, often walking the town’s streets — he even spent a day working as a barista at a local café so he could reach out the public.
In Lyndhurst, school official prepared to tackle a $3.8 million budget deficit.
Students at Columbus Elementary School in Lyndhurst got a taste of possible future vocations as public safety, health, public works, postal and military agencies talked about their work at the school’s first “Careers on Wheels” event. Kids also enjoyed ice cream and an obstacle course and bounce house.
May was also the month where art students at Kearny High School showed off their work at an annual art show.
In Kearny, site plans for a new Starbucks were approved.
In Lyndhurst, the township’s Beautification Commission proposed planters be placed in strategical locations around town to make Lyndhurst look stronger.
In East Newark, a piece of history went away as the borough sold its oldest remaining fire truck, a 1977 American LaFrance rig, to a private individual who collects such trucks. American LaFrance fire trucks are becoming a thing of the past now as the company folded some time ago.
The Observer also featured DeGrace Plumbing & Heating. Remarkably, the company’s office is one of the neatest and cleanest places you’ll ever see!
At Lincoln Middle School, Kearny, science teacher Elaine McCarthy and several of her colleagues put on Project WET Water Festival. The annual affair was created by science teachers and can be found at schools across the nation.
May is also the time of year when transitional deacons are ordained to the priesthood and, as such, the Archdiocese of Newark announced that nine men would be ordained at the end of the month. The archdiocese always has among the most priests ordained each year of any diocese.
May came to a close with a special presentation in a Harrison first-grade class by Jay Islip, a children’s books author.
Residents of Jefferson Avenue, Kearny, meanwhile, continued to complain about drivers who use the block as a speedway. Ultimately, a four-way stop sign was placed at the intersection of Jefferson and West Bennett to slow traffic down.
Back in Harrison — it was good news for taxpayers, who would see a tax decrease of $26+
In Nutley, the police department, under guidance of now Lt. Anthony Montanari, put on a bike rodeo where helmets were given to kids among other activities.
The month came to a close with the Hudson County Community College’s commencement at NJ PAC, Newark. It would be the last for President Glen Gabert, who retired at the end of the school year following a 25-year stint at the college.
Kearny Second Ward Councilman Peter Santana took an ice-bucket challenge for Lupus. To say he was cold and soaked — that’s an understatement.
And finally in May, former Kearny BOE clerk Gina Neri, of North Arlington, was arrested again, this time for alleged tax violations — she never reported the money she reportedly stole to the government. Go figure.
June
As we near the halfway point of 2018, June kicked off with a summery good time at the annual Lyndhurst Fair. People of all ages enjoyed all the things one would expect from a festival.
Meanwhile, word came down that Mamdouh Abdel-Sayed, of Kearny, a former professor at Medgar Evers College, New York City, pleaded guilty to fraud. The Bayard Avenue resident reportedly offered fake certificates to students who wanted to work as medical assistants. Students were never taught the field — and often got jobs with doctors and at hospitals based on the fake certificates.
In Kearny, Firefighter William Huhn ascended to the rank of captain. He was promoted at a special ceremony at Town Hall.
In Nutley, school officials announced there would be a tax hike for the 2018-19 school year.
In North Arlington, a Mexican-national in the country illegally was arrested and detained for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.) The man, Jose Leon, 30, was pulled over for allegedly having illegally tinted windows — and then for subsequent possession of a large, sealed bag of marijuana. He was, at the time, being held in the Bergen County Jail, Hackensack, awaiting transfer to the federal agency.
In Nutley, the new Seton Hall University Medical School opened its doors. Gov. Phil Murphy was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Observer also featured a photo of Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, celebrating a Memorial Day Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Meanwhile in Belleville, a Kearny man, 51-year-old Eric Perez, was charged with impersonating a cop.
In Bergen County, the prosecutor’s office announced it was opening a Cold Case Unit to investigate unsolved, older crimes. Immediately after the unit opened, its members went on to solved a 1999 cold sexual-assault case.
Across the Passaic River in Belleville, a girls’ basketball coach was arrested on a sex-assault charge. Kevin Jiminez, 29 at the time, is alleged to have had inappropriate contact with a 12-year-old girl, the Essex County Prosecutor said.
June also saw the Special Olympics Torch arriving in Kearny. Members of the KPD and students from Lincoln Middle School, ran the torch from the Belleville Pike at Kearny Avenue to Harrison where it was turned over the the HPD. Members of the North Arlington Police Department turned the torch over the avid runner Lt. John Gouveia, of the KPD.
In Harrison, the slate of candidates backed by Mayor James A. Fife swept to victory. Fife beat Councilman Anselmo Millan by nearly 300 votes. Jesus R. Huaranga won in the First Ward, newcomer Ellen Mendoza won in the Second Ward (she’ll take over the seat vacated by Millan) Lawrence Bennett won in the Third Ward (with the biggest plurality) and James P. Doran won in the Fourth Ward.
All five candidates went on to run unopposed in the November general election. They are to be sworn in at a later-than-usual Jan. 13, 2019, ceremony, according to Bennett, though they unofficially begin their new terms on Jan. 1, 2019. At that time, Mendoza will be seated as a councilwoman, and it will signify the likely end to Millan’s lengthy political career.
In one of the more stunning piece of news of the entire year, we learned that the Pulaski Skyway, closed in some way, shape or form for the last decade or so, would finally reopen — in all directions — on July 2. Renovations were necessary following a stunning 2007 report that listed the elevated roadway as “direly” in need of repair.
Around the time of that announcement, senior citizens in Kearny were treated to their annual picnic at the Doyle Pavilion at Riverbank Park. Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle and her crew of dedicated volunteers put the picnic on for the 28th-consecutive year, despite rainy weather.
June also marked the reopening of the Kearny Farmer’s Market on the 21st. The UEZ-sponsored event takes place Thursday through October outside the library.
Following a contentious meeting to elect the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Party at Kearny High School, it was alleged that Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop shoved a Kearny cop in order to get into a room he wasn’t permitted to visit. However, Chief George King announced toward the end of the month that Fulop would not be charged.
In a bizarre police blotter entry, a man in Harrison told police he broke into a car “to relax.” He was charged with criminal trespass — as well as on several outstanding warrants from other towns in Jersey.
Nutley police, meanwhile, reported that yet another resident was scammed by a fake e-Bay buyer. Police departments in our readership area continue to warn residents of scams on a regular basis.
Back to Belleville, the Clara Maass Medical Center announced it received a grant to provide mammograms to black and Latina women, in the amount of nearly $28,000. The program will allow women from traditionally underrepresented groups — who often have no choice but to skip mammograms — to get the vital tests done.
Kearny police’s Paul Bershefski was promoted to captain at a meeting of the Mayor and Council in June. At the same meeting, Jason Ward was promoted from patrolman to sergeant.
Francesco Alonso of Kearny was awarded his Eagle Scout at a June 13 ceremony at the North Arlington Knights of Columbus. Alonso is now a senior at Kearny High School. This past summer, he spent his second year as counselor at Scout Camp No-Be-Bos-Co. He was presented by his parents and recognized by Eagle Scouts of Troop 2 and Michelle Lang, exalted ruler of the Kearny Elks Lodge., Scout leader David Lagerstrom recited the Eagle Charge and recognition with Alonso.
June came to a close with The Observer’s annual front-page tribute to graduating high school seniors. As is tradition, Kearny HS’s graduating seniors trek up and down Kearny Avenue after the final day of classes — and before commencement exercises.
July to September
The Summer of 2018 marked a special time at The Observer as we brought to our readers a special series of stories on the addiction crisis in America.
Journalist/Intern Ryan Ribeiro began the series with a very emotional look at his first year away at college in Boston. He profiled his roommate who openly spoke of his addiction to marijuana ó and how the drug overtook his life. It was all because of anxiety.
“Anxiety is basically over thinking things, for me at least, so I would say it was easy to abuse any kind of substance that allowed me to not have to think as much,” Ribeiro’s roommate said. “During that time. I was abusing marijuana to the point that I needed it to sleep otherwise my mind would just be racing. I guess that just helped me not have to deal with the issues at hand.”
We also learned of the tragic story of Ally Gaynor, a 24-year-old Kearny girl who died of a drug overdose. She died, it appears, because the people she had been with were afraid they’d be locked up if they were to have reported her overdose to the police.
It was at this point that Kearny Police Chief George King made it clear that those who reported ODs would not be arrested ≠ó so long as distribution of drugs was not part of the scenario. It was a very bold statement, one that brought comfort to many who were dealing with addiction. Note: the addiction series may still be found at theobserver.com.
The St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band became the first non-Irish or UK-based band to win the Irish championships.
We also learned that the headache known as the new Wittpenn Bridge — Jersey City and Kearny’s connector — would likely not be finished until, gasp, 2022.
Meanwhile, Steven L. Rogers, a Nutley commissioner and special adviser to President Donald J. Trump, made headlines when he called for armed officers in every school in New Jersey.
As the summer came to a close, several officers from Kearny joined police from across the country in the annual Tour de Force bike ride. The bikers made a special stop at Doyle Pavilion for lunch on their way to Maryland. It was a remarkable sight to see so many officers rolling into town in a race that remembers those lost Sept. 11, 2001.
October to December
The fall was perhaps marked by the most noted story of the year in our readership area ó the death of North Arlington Mayor Joseph Bianchi, 77.
The long-time owner of Pal Joey’s Salon on Ridge Road, North Arlington, served as mayor from 2014 until he died on Oct. 10 following a brave fight with post-Sept. 11, 2001-related cancer.
The GOP elder statesman spent a good deal of time at Ground Zero in his role with the NAFD following the attacks. He was known to take great pride in the volunteer fire department.
Bianchi’s death came as he sought re-election to a second, 4-year term. At first, it was unclear how the election would continue; however, after a brief foray in court, Daniel Pronti, sitting councilman, would replace him on the ballot, and then go on to win the mayoralty by a significant margin. Pronti said his first term would be dedicated to continuing the legacy Bianchi began in his 3+ years as mayor.
Later in October, we learned the incredible story of Michelle Kelly and Len Twist. Kelly had searched, for many years, for her biological father to no avail. Yet somehow, in a “Twist of Fate,” she would go on to learn her dad was actually Twist, a man who was her friend of many years. The two recently celebrated a “family union” as Twist called it — the first time Kelly and Twist were together knowing they were father and daughter.
October ended with a grand opening of the westbound, Harrison to Newark, brand-new PATH station amid great fanfare. Dignitaries from all over the state were present for the unveiling of the new transport marvel. The eastbound station, to Jersey City and New York, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2019.
In what may have been the most bizarre story of 2018, Vincent Tunnero, a Lyndhurst Board of Education trustee-elect, was arrested a week or so before the election and charged with bilking significant cash from homeowners in South Jersey.
Tunnero did not announce his arrest prior to the election; however, The Observer was among the first to report it. A week later, he announced he would not accept the seat, having finished third in a top-3 winners race.
December began with word that a former Harrison cop, John Bishop, had been arrested and charged with bilking at least five Sandy “victims” of at least $75,000 each for work not completed.
After leaving the HPD, Bishop worked as a contractor. Initially, he was a fugitive from justice as federal marshals were unable to locate him in his last-known address in South Florida; however, he was ultimately taken into custody by authorities in Monmouth County and awaited transfer to Ocean County officials, who sought his arrest following their investigation.
The year closed with a series of police-related stories.
First, Det. John Fabula, of the Kearny Police Department, and the Detective Bureau of the KPD, were responsible for taking down a massive $4 million cargo-theft network in South Kearny after an 18-month investigation.
Community-Oriented Police Unit offered a presentation to the senior citizens at the Henrietta Benstead Center ó and at other locations previously ó on ways for the elderly to avoid being scam victims. Chief George King was on hand for the presentation offered by Sgt. Adrianno Marques, the COP’s commander, and Officer Vanessa Sevillano, a member of the COP Unit.