He had be??en sendin??g his family some very upsetting messages and photos, which made them contact the police for help.

Wh?at began as a search to find a missing?? person turned into a much more tragic event, leaving the whole community shocked and heartbroken.

Here’s what happened and what we know so far.

Family’s Concerns Sparked Urgent Search

On Saturday, August 24, a 46-year-old man was reporte??d missing by his family, who had received unsettling messages and photos from him that raised concerns about his well-being.

Described as a white male, the man had made troubling statements to his family, leading t??hem to seek help from the Union City P??olice Department.

The case, which started as a missing person report, tragically unfolded in an unexpected and heartbrea??king way.

Police were dispatched at 5:21 p.m. and began working closely w??ith the man’s family to search the area. During the search, they learned he migh??t be near Mission Boulevard and F Street.

Police Locate Missing Man, Leading to Tragic Suicide

Soon after the search began, police found the missing man ins??ide a parked vehicle.

When officers approached the car and began giving hi?m instructions, things quickly took a tragic turn.

T?he man ?exited the vehicle, holding a firearm, and shot himself.

Officers on the scene immediately provided medical attention to? the man? in an attempt to save his life.

He was then transported to a ??local hospital with severe injuries, but unfortunately, the situation remained critical.

Detective Bedford Leads the Investigation

In the wake of the incident, Union City Police confirmed that non?e of the officers discharged their firearm??s during the event.

Detective Michael Bedford is now thoroughly investigati?ng the case.

The investigation aims to uncover the full details of what led to the man’s disappearance, the co?ncerning messages sent to his family, and the tragic outcome.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Detective Bedford at (510) 675-5266 ??or via email at micha[email protected].

The police are seeking additi?onal details to help piece together the ev?ents leading up to this tragic incident.

Community Grieves as Investigation Continues

By 1?:00 a.m. on Sunday, police activity at the scene had wrapped up, and the surrounding area returned to normal.

Of course, the tragic event has left the community shaken, bringing attention to the urgent need for mental health support and intervention when people sho???w signs of distress.

For anyone experiencing emotional distress or contemplating self-harm,? remember there is always support available.

The National Su?icide Prevention Lifeline and other resources are available to provide support during difficult times.

This all ??happened just two days a?fter a woman overdosed at his place but luckily survived. Now, Weed faces some serious drug charges.

Police Launch Investigation After Overdose Incident on Parade Street

The Union City Police Department, with the help of the Erie County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, began investigating after they were called to Weed’s apartment on August 14 due to a heroin overdose.

The woman who overdosed spoke to authorities about her experience. She explained that Weed had invited her over and then insisted she take a “bump” of heroin to prove she wasn’t trying to set him up.

Thankfully, she survived, but her overdose made it clear that there might be something more going on, leading police to act quickly and search Weed’s place.

When they searched Weed’s apartment, th??ey found around 20 grams of suspected heroin, some digital scales (which dealers often use), and other drug-related items.

They also found $840 in cash, which seemed to suggest ??he might have been selling drugs.

Jonathan Weed Faces Multiple Drug Charges After Police Search

After the search, Weed was charged with multiple drug crimes, including a felony for possessing heroin with the ??intent to sell it.

Not to mention, he’s also facing s??everal misdemeanors, like having drug paraphernalia and tools used for dru??g crimes.

Weed was jailed but got out afte?r posting a $5,000 bond. Following this, he’s set to appear in court on September 9 for a preliminary hearing, where m??ore details will come out.

Right now, it’s unclear if he has a lawyer, as none was listed on his criminal record at the time of his arrest.

Community Concerns After Arrest and Upcoming Court Proceedings

Jonathan Weed??’s arrest shows how serious the heroin problem is in Union City??.

With the help of the Union City Police and the Erie County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, they manage??d to get another alleged drug dea?ler off the streets.

Looking ahead, Weed’s court hearing on Sep??tember 9 will determine what happens next for him.

This case demonstrates how dangerous drug use, especially heroin, can be and why? it’s so important for police to act quickly.

Additionally, the overdose and the arre??st are clear reminders that drug addiction and dealing are major issues, and the community needs to keep working to fight these problems.

Guy cites Vogt’s extensive experience working as executive director of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, and the crucial perspective that she will bring to the team as a young millennial woman dedicated to the future of Democratic politics.

“I am thrilled to announce that Julietta Vogt will be leading our campaign team,�said Guy. “Julietta is a highly skilled and experienced leader in Democratic politics, and not only has she worked closely with leaders and activists in Hudson County, but as a millennial and a woman she will bring with her the perspective that we need to move our county and the Democratic party forward.�/p>

Guy is a lifelong public servant who has spent his career in Hudson County. After servin?g as a Jersey City police officer for 25 years, he has ??served as the president of the Hudson County Schools of Technology Board of Education, and chief of staff to DeGise.

Guy also serves as ??the treasurer of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. Guy said he will work to keep co?unty property taxes stable, expand education, and improve parks and other public recreation spaces throughout the county.

“This is such an important race for the future of Hudson County, and I can think of no one better than Craig Guy to serve as County Executive and keep moving our community forward,�said Vogt. “I am so excited to take on this role and to work with Craig to build on the work that he has already done to serve Hudson County.�/p>

Chairwoman for campaign named as well

Recently, Guy also announced that Florence Holmes will serve as c?hairwoman for his campaign for Hudson County Executive. A Jersey City native, Florence Holmes is a prominent leader and advocate in her community.

“Florence and I have been friends for many years and I am honored that she is joining our team,�said Guy. “Florence and I met when I was serving as the Executive Officer in the West District in the Jersey City Police Department, and her neighborhood was part of my beat. From then on I’ve admired her leadership and commitment to community organizing and activism. Her deep knowledge of Jersey City and its residents will be invaluable as we work to uplift every community within Hudson County.�/p>

Throughout her long organizing work, Holmes has headed block associations in her neighborhood, and works at the Bethune Community Center. She also partnered closely with Guy on community policing programs in Jersey City. Holmes’s daughter operates a 501(c)(3) that works to feed the needy in Jersey City and Bayonne, and has also partnered with the county on numerous food insecurity programs.

“I’m so honored to be taking on this role and to be working with my longtime friend Craig,�said Holmes. “I’ve known and worked with Craig for many years and there is no question that he is the right person for the job. He has spent his entire career dedicated to serving the people of Hudson County, and I’m excited to support his candidacy for County Executive.�/p>

Guy faces a challenge from progressive activist and former vice president of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County Eleana Little. Although she was not on the “county line,�meaning endorsed by the Hudson County Demo?cratic Organization, Little came close to beating County Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski in the 4th District in 2020 but ultimately lost by nearly a nine point margin with 4,117 votes for Aponte-Lipski to 3,397 votes for Little.

Election Day for the county exe?cutive and all nine county commissioners is June 6. After that, the winners of the Democratic Primary traditionally go on to trounce any Republican opponents in the General Election in November.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

But this year a handful of progressive candidates will try to challenge the usua??l primary cakewalk for Hudson County Democratic Organization office holders.

Alex Valdez has announced his candidacy for Hudson Coun?ty Commissioner for District 9, comprising the West Hudson towns of Kearny, Harrison, East Newark, and parts of Secaucus and Jersey City. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Albert Cifelli.

As a non-profit leader and?? former Sergeant in the New Jersey Army National Guard, Valdez said he understands the wants and needs of the people of Hudson County. He is challenging an incumbent who has run unopposed for over 20 years to ensure that Hudson County residents have an advocate on the board who will fight to keep their community affordable, safe, and supportive.

“I am running for County Commissioner to ensure that Hudson County is a place where rent is affordable, our streets are safe, the environment is clean, and the American Dream is still attainable,�Valdez said. “As the child of a single mother who immigrated to this country, and a product of Kearny public schools, I am eager to give back to the community that gave so much to me. Each day the conversations I’ve been having with the residents of West Hudson have been nothing short of inspirational.�/p>

Like so many others, Alex’s moth?er immigrated to Hudson County seeking better opportunities and the American Dream for her children. He was born and raised in Kearny and is a proud product of Kearny public schools, as well as Rutgers-Newark where he earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Valdez has coordinated after-school and summer programs for low-income youth in Passaic and Paterson, and now serves as a Board Chair for America Needs You-NJ, a non-profit dedicated to assisting first gener??ation college students with career development. Additionally, he has worked on humanitarian aid missions supporting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russia-Ukraine War, vulnerable Afghans who were evacuated to the United States, and asylum-seekers from the southern border including families, who just like his own, came here seeking a better life.

Valdez is running for Hudson County Commissioner in District 9 to keep the community affordable, improve parking and public transit, expand access to green space, and increase transparency and accountability in government. For more information about his campaign, go online to AlexValdezNJ.com.

District 2 progressive declares his candidacy as well

Along with Valdez, 2???4-year-old Adrian Ghainda of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County has recently launched his first campaign for public office for the District 2 seat on the Hudson County Board of Commissioners.

District 2 consists of most of western Jersey City and part of downtown. The seat is currently occupied by Commissioner Bill O’Dea.

“I am running for County Commissioner because our people deserve an option? at the ballot box,�Ghainda said. “We deserve to have the working-class represented not only by everyday people but to also have our voices heard in every political process�

Ghainda is a Jersey City native and a graduate from New Jersey City University Class of 2020. He is currently the Special Projects Director for Voters of Tomorrow New Jersey, the former State Dele??gate for the Progressi??ve Democrats of Hudson County and former member of the Board of Delegates for the Progressive Democrats of New Jersey.

“I was born and raised in Jersey City and I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on friends, family, and neighbors who were pushed out of our county because of how unaffordable it became,” Ghainda said. “We deserve to have our elected officials advocating to keep us in the place we’ve called home instead of selling us out for a pretty penny.â€?/p>

Ghainda has also served as a Field Coordinator for the Hudson County Democratic Socialists of America’s Right to Counsel campaign. His announcement came with a glowing endorsement from a fellow p?rogressive, activist and former cand?idate for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District Ricardo Rojas.

“Adrian is one of the most kind and selfless people I have ever had the blessing to work with,” Rojas said. “He is a true organizer at heart who understands that the injustices of the morally bankrupt system and those who prop it up are not resolved by the charity of a single individual, but through building community through solidarity. He is a man wise beyond his years, who I am confident will bring truly inclusive, truly progressive vision for the 2nd District so that every neighbor no matter their place of origin or socioeconomic class can call this place “homeâ€? now and in years to come.”

For more information about his campaign, go online to adrianghaindanj.com.

Progressives challenge incumbent establishment Democrats

Mamta Singh has recentlyannounced she is running?? for Hudson County Commissioner for District 4. District 4 encompasses Jersey City Wards D and?? C and part of Ward E, currently represented by Yraida Aponte-Lipski.

Singh is a mom and Jersey City resident for the past 14 years who  founded local non-profit JCFamilies Inc., a 501(c)3 that connects families in aims to enhance residents�parenting experience. In addition to her work with JCFamilies, Singh is an act?ive member of the Hamilton Park community, and serves on the County Committee.

Singh’s vision includes increasing climate resilience, revitalizing public transportation, ensuring District 4 remains an affordable community to raise a family, and ensuring the County’s $600 million budget is managed “fairly, transparently, and to directly benefit the community.??�Her announcement came with an endorsement by Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon, a progressive figure in local politics.

For more information about her campaign, go online to mamtasingforjc.com.

In addition, Ron Bautista is running for Hudson County Commi?ssioner for District 5, having announced his candidacy in July. The District i?ncludes Hoboken and the downtown Jersey City waterfront, currently held by Vice Chairman Anthony Romano.

Bautista,? of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County, is again challenging Romano for the seat. He previously took on Romano in the primary in 2020, drawing in 38.5 percent of votes to Romano’s 61.3 percent.

Prior to that, Bautista was a candidate in a few local municipal elections. He ran for mayor of Hoboken in 201?7, and for the Third Ward seat on the City Council in 2019. Since then, Bautista has been involved with progressives in Hudson County, being the President of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County until just before announcing his campaign.

Bautista is running on a platform of “empowering everyday people, holistic public safety, and tackling the climate crisis,�including: easy budgeting and ac?countable government; fair rents and legal representation for all tenants; a Hudson County for people of all incomes; equity and inclusion for people with disabilities; no profiteering from immigrant family separation; safer streets for kids and for all; social services to prevent the criminalization of communities; addressing the mental health crisis; accountability and transparency in public safety; fighting for 100 renewable energy by 2030; and increase green, planted areas by 2030.

“When politicians are owned by political party bosses and big corporate donors, they’re afraid to address homelessness, fight for cleaner air and safer streets for everyone,” Bautista said. “We need a County Commissioner with the courage to serve everyday people, not the politicians.â€?/p>

For more information about his campaign, go online to ronbautistanj.com.

They’re also fielding a County Executive challenger too

There is also a progressive challenger for the County Executive seat. Eleana Little, a community organizer and environmental engineer, has announced her candidacy. Little is the former vice pres?ident of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County, as well as the former president of t??he Harsimus Cove Association.

A longtime resident of Hudson County, Little is running on a platform focused on “the struggles faced by everyday people,” such as rising rents, flooding, crime, and affordability. She also aims to prioritize affordable housing, transit infrastructure and safe streets, water and environmental infrastructure, educational infrastructure, and public health infrastructure, which she said is needed for livable communities.

According to Little, she doesn’t take any money from corporate political action committees (PACs), real estate developers, or political bosses. She said her campaign is powered by “everyday people who believe that it’s time for a change in Hudson County.”

Most recently, Little unsucces??sfully ran for Hudson County Commissioner in 2020. Although she was not on the “county line,�meaning endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, she came close to beating Yraida Aponte-Lipski in the 4th District but ultimate?ly lost by nearly a nine point margin with 4,117 votes for Aponte-Lipski to 3,397 votes for Little.

Little’s announcement came with the backing of former progressive candidate for the 8th Congressional District Hector Oseguera. Incumbent County Executive Tom DeGise is retiring in 2023 and he and the rest of the Hudson County Democratic Organization have backed his long time Chief of Staff Craig Guy to succeed him.

Little will face off against Guy in June, after he officially kicked off his campaign in September. It was expected that progressives would field some candidates for the June Primary, but it now appears a full slate may be forming to take on establishment Democrats at the county level ahead of t??he November General Election.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Appointed to the seat in 2018 following the resignation of former Assembly Speak?er Vincent Prieto, Assemblyman Mejia of Secaucus is currently serving his third full term. According to Mejia, he is the first Dominican-American to serve in the New Jersey State Legislature.

“Serving the people of the 32nd District in the State Assembly has been a wonderful honor and I am so proud of the difference we have made in the lives of the people of New Jersey,â€?said Mejia. “Due to the changes in the district lines, I will not be running for re-election this year.”

Despite essentially being left out to pasture by the HCDO and their new slate for the new 33rd Legislative District post-legislative redistricting across the state, Mejia endorsed the candidates for the area of his former district including his replacement. That ticket includes current 32nd Legislative District State Senator since 2008 and Union City Mayor Brian Stack running for the Senate seat, West New York Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez running for one of the ?State Assembly seats, and North Bergen?? Revenue and Finance Commissioner Julio Marenco running for the other Assembly seat.

“I am fully supporting the Hudson County Democratic Organization team of Senator Brian Stack, Gabe Rodriguez and Julio Marenco for Assembly and I know that they will do an excellent job for the people of our community,” Mejia said. “I would like to thank Senator Nicholas Sacco, Mayor Michael Gonnelli, Chairman Anthony Vainieri and all of the Democratic leaders and voters in the county for giving me the opportunity to serve as the first Dominican-American legislator in New Jersey.”

HCDO thanks candidates for stepping aside

Hudson County Democratic Organization Chairman Anthony Vainieri, also Chairman ?of the?? Hudson County Board of Commissioners, publicly thanked Mejia as well as fellow departing Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro of the current 33rd Legislative District, who already announced that she will not seek re-election. The new 32nd Legislative District candidates are State Assemblyman Raj Mukherji for the Senate seat, and Jessica Ramirez and John Allen for the Assembly.

“Assemblywoman Chaparro and Assemblyman Mejia are distinguished public servants who have been important leaders in Hudson County,â€?said Vainieri. “We’re sad to see Pedro and Annette leave elected office, but we know that they will always be part of the HCDO team. The HCDO has a dynamic new group of Assembly candidates who are ready to work alongside Senator Brian Stack and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji to deliver for the people of Hudson County, and we’re looking forward to supporting them in the Primary.”

Ramirez is a Jersey City resident and?? partner at the law firm D’Arcy Johnson Day, where she specializes in serious personal injury, sexual abus?e, medical device and product liability litigation. She has served on the State Ethics Committee and as an Eminent Domain Commissioner.

Allen of Hoboken is the former Chief of Staff to Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his predecessor Dawn Zimmer. He’s an attorney with the firm Schenck Price and also serves on a number of public bodies,? including the Hudson County Planning Board and the Garden State Joint Insurance Fund.

The candidates for b?oth the new 32nd and 33rd Legislative District were known publicly for months ahead of the official announcement. What was unclear is if the unendorsed incumbents would challenge the new HCDO-backed candidates, which is now evident they will not.

Chaparro not running for re-election either

Earlier this month, Chaparro indicated she would also not run against the HCDO-backed candidates for the other Assembly seat in the new 33rd Legislative Distr??ict. She had previously intended for the voters to decide, but opted otherwise after the endorsements were announced, noting that she was glad her replacement was a Latina woman and that she would still be active in her community.

Chaparro, who is also employed at Hoboken City Hall, said that she brought a “unique perspective” to the State House as a single mom was born into and grew up in the Hoboken Housing Authority. Selected for the seat by former Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and largely able to stick around due to Stack’s political muscle, Bhalla ultimately got the final say here.

Chaparro said she will work hard in the Assembly until her term e??xpires and also promised t?o help make it a smooth transition for the new legislators. She was first elected in 2015 and has served eight years in the Assembly prior to this.

“While my work is far from over, I wanted to thank the voters of the 33rd District for entrusting me to be their voice in Trenton for what will be eight years of service to the people of Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, and Weehawken,�Chaparro said. “As announcements regarding the political future of my seat were made, I wanted to let everyone know that I am committed to a hard-working 2023 and will still help my community in any capacity I can going forward…My work isn’t done in the Assembly, and it won’t be done when my term ends. I still want to be a voice for all the people who need help in my community. But as plans for the future are announced, I wanted to simply say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me on this journey.�/p>

Post-redistricting leadership shuffle nearly complete

Due to redistricting, State Senator Nicholas Sacco of the current 33rd Legislative District and Stack wound up in the same district. Instead of rehashing an old beef, Sacco decided to retire when his term is up after being in the State Senate since 1994 to focus o??n running for Mayor of North Bergen and endorse Stack, under a deal where North Bergen would?? choose one of the Assembly seats with the other remaining chosen by West New York.

This deal is what spelt the end for Mejia and Chaparro, as well as Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez who has been in the other current 32nd Legislative District seat since 2012. However, now, they have all decided not to seek re-election, with Jimenez running for the West New York Bo??ard of Commissione?rs under a ticket with Commissioner of Public Affairs Cosmo Cirillo.

Meanwhile, 33rd Legislative District Assemblyman Raj Mukherji is seeking the State Sen??ate seat in the new 32nd Legislative District since February of 2022. Elected in 2013, he is now seeking a seat in the hi??gher chamber of the state legislature.

With that announcement, all of the former State Assemblymembers left without a place on the HCDO “county line” have moved out of the way for the replacements. It remains to be seen if they will be challenged by progressives or if the establishment Democrats will waltz to victory unopposed in the Primary and then against Republicans in the General Election in the “deep blue” Hudson County.

In the 31st Legislative District, when it comes to State Senator Sandra Cunningham, State Assemblyman William Sampson, and State Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, Cunningham is expected to not run for re-election due to her hospitalization for unnamed health issues in the wake of dropped DWI charges in 2022 and Sampson recently had his crane operator license revoked by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor and was removed from the waterfront as a longshoreman after “excessive absenteeism,” although he is appealing the decision. However, the HCDO has not yet backed anyone in the district and said when announcing the other candidates that it will make clear its endorsements for that district in the future.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

The day after the meeting, Vainieri took to social media to post a statement: “Yesterday, I was sworn is as the Chairperson of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners. This is the 7th year in a row and I’m proud and honored to serve the residents of Hudson County. I’d like to thank all my colleagues for their vote of confidence in me and special thank you to North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco and Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli for the support that they have always given me to represent their municipalities.�/p>

Va?inieri has now held the position for seven consecutive terms, tied with the record for the m?ost in Hudson County. He is the second person to do so, tied with former Chairman Sal Vega.

The former West New York Mayor and State ?Assemblyman was chairman of the board from 1999 and 2006. If Vainieri is re-elected to the board and elected again to the leadership position in 2024, he will overtake Vega for the record with eight consecutive terms.

Other leadership elected

Anthony L. Romano, who repr?esents all of Hoboken and a part of Jersey City was re-elected Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Jerry Walker who represents parts of Jersey City was elected ?Chairperson Pro-Tempore.

That is the same leadership the board has maintained since 2021. Walker was also designated as Voting Member for the Hudson County Board of Commissioners ??????????????????????????to attend all meetings and conferences of the New Jersey A?ssociation of Counties for 2023.

In addition, Commissioner Fanny Cedeno who represents Union City was designated as Second Alternate Voting Member to the New Jersey Association of Counties for the year 2023. Hudson County Administrator Abe Antun was designated?? Alternate Voting Member to the New Jersey Association of Counties for the year 2023.

All nine county commissioners are up for re-election in 2023, with a number of progressive challengers declaring their intent to run for a number of seats on the board held by the establishment Democrats as well as for County Executive.

While Vainieri could make history as the longest serving Chairman on the board, that may not be the path he takes. There could also be a change up with an opening on the Board of Commissioners in North Bergen, which Vainieri could run for with the departure of Commissioner Julio Marenco running for State Assembly in the new 33rd Legislative District. 

Vainieri has long been thought to be the mayoral successor to Sacco in North Bergen. While Sacco, who is retiring from State Senate, ha??s made clear he will run for re-election in 2023, Vainieri’s addition to the board could clear the way for a potential mayoral run after Sacco retires ??as mayor.

However, Vainieri has not ?yet made clear his intentions.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Francisco Realpe, a 45-year-old from Hoboken, pleaded guilty last year as previously reported by the Hudson Reporter, to sexually assaulting two female students wh??ile he was a teacher in Union City and Jerse?y City.

He will se??rve conc??urrent four year sentences for each count charged.

Under the current charges, he will be subject to Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life. He has forfeited his right to current and future public employment and permanent restraining orders are in place to protect both victims from him, according to the statement put out by the Prosecutor’s Office.

The first victim reported being sexually assaulted in November 2019 while Realpe was a teacher at Dickinson High School in Jersey City. Shortly after Realpe’s arrest, the second victim? reported being sexually assaulted in 2004 while a student at Union Hill High School in Union City.

Both victims were 17 at the time ?of the assaults. The state was represented in this case by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Jane Weiner.

“The Special Victims Unit is thankful for the cooperation of the victims who were brave enough to come forward and disclose the crimes committed on them,�said Weiner. “As a teacher, the defendant is held to a higher standard of professionalism and a sentence of incarceration is appropriate in this matter.�/p>

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at [email protected].

The new officers include Brooke Bargiel;?? David Corbisiero Jr.; Jose Figueroa; Alexander Lambros; Yosseline Marquez; and Majd Siyam. They will all ??now be attending the Passaic County Police Academy.

Bargi??el graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s degree in education. Her great-uncle was a detective in the North Bergen Police Department (NBPD) and she aspires to one day become?? a detective and or SWAT team member.

Corbisie??ro Jr. graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA as a member of the National Honors Society and wa??s scholar athlete of the year during his senior year. He is currently a CCTV operator at NBPD.

Figueroa is a Cuban-born North Bergen resident, who is currently attending H??????????????????????????udson? County Community College to pursue a criminal justice degree. He is currently a range safety officer at Long Shot Range in Secaucus.

Lambros is a lifelong resident of North Bergen who graduated from North Bergen High School. He attended Hudson Community Co??llege and Bergen Community College and is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.

Marquez graduated North Bergen High School and is attending Felician University to pursue a b??achelor’s degree in business administration. She was part ?of the soccer team at Felician University and is currently a communications operator at the NBPD.

Siyam is a North Bergen High School graduate, currently attending Montclair University i?n pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is bilingual in English and Arabic and was previously?? employed at Hudson County Sheriff’s Office as a communications operator.

Police Chief Peter Fasilis was master of ceremonies at the event. Reverend Yuvan Alvarez performed the invocation and benediction. Also in attendance were members of the new officers�families, along with many representatives from the township ad??ministration and the police department.

Meanwhile, the Union City Police Department also swore in ten?? new recruits who are now off to the police academy. In addition, three officers were promoted to the rank of Serg?eant.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

At about 6:24 p.m., the Union City Police Department was notified of a stabbing in the area of 40th Street and New York Avenue. Responding officers lo??cated two juvenile males in the area of 40th Street an?d Bergenline Avenue with apparent stab wound(s).

Allen Flores, 15, of Union City, was transported to Christ Hospital in Jersey City a??nd was pronounced dead at 7:08 p.m. The cause and manner of death are pen??ding the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

A second juvenile, a 16-year-old Union City male, remains hospitalize??d at Jersey City Medical Center with se?rious injuries.

A preliminary investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit determined five juveniles were involved in an altercation pri?or to two of the juveniles being stabbed. Three juveniles have since been arrested.

A 16-year-old Union City male is charged as a juvenile with fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (knife?); third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (knife); and second-degree Possession of a? Weapon (knife) While Committing a CDS Offense.

A 15-year-old Jersey?? City female and a 15-year-old Jersey City male are charged as juveniles with first-degree Armed Robbery; first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery; fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (bat); and third-degree Possession of a Weapon (bat) for an Unlawful Purpose.

Juvenile matters are confidential and no additional information can be released at this time. Additional arrests and charges may be forthcomi??ng.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Union City Police Department are actively investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip.

All information will be kept confidential. The above charges are merely?? accusations and the juvenile is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.iccwins98.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

The past few years the Office of Community Relations has been conducting the Winter Coat Drive for needy students in the school district those families can’t afford to buy them a winter coat due to financial hardship.

For a child, a brand new coat can be more than a coat. According to the city, it not only helps to keep them warm, but also can change a child’s life and empower them with greater self-confidence, peer acceptance, and increase school attendance and overall wellness.

Drop off locations are Union City Public Schools. Col?lection boxes will be at the entrance of each school.

It??ems needed include: coats, gloves, scarves, socks,?? hats, and sweaters. All sizes are requested, from toddler, to children, to juniors, and adults.

According to the city, each gift will have the ability to transform a child’s life and relay the message “You are worth it.”

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