Category Archives: Jersey City News

Jersey City Mayor Fulop Delivered his 2024-2025 State of the City Address as He Begins His Final Year in Office

Fulop delivers last State of the City Message

Mayor Steven M. Fulop delivered his 11th annual State of the City address to a large crowd inside City Hall Council Chambers Thursday night, outlining a bold vision for the future of Jersey City and highlighting the city’s accomplishments over the past year.

In his live-streamed address, Mayor Fulop celebrated the historic progress made over the past 12 years in office, raising the bar for what governments can achieve at every level and establishing Jersey City as the economic backbone for the state of New Jersey.

Mayor Fulop credited the community partnerships, department leaders, and city employees for driving progress and putting the administration’s bold ideas into action.  “Twelve years ago, we set out to make Jersey City a model for urban success. Today, we stand together as a city transformed, a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and opportunities exist for everyone.”

Notable 2024 highlights from the State of the City address include:

Art House Productions’ Snow Ball Gala: Entertainment Lineup, Festivities & Honorees

Art House Productions Snowball Entertainment 2025

Come one, come all to the magical Snow Ball! Art House Productions and presenting sponsor SILVERMAN proudly announce the 17th Annual Snow Ball Gala on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 8 PM to 11 PM, with an exclusive VIP Honoree Dinner starting at 6 PM. The event will be held at Hudson County Community College’s Culinary Arts School and Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St, Jersey City, NJ 07306. This year’s theme, Spectacle of Wonder, brings the enchantment of the circus to life as we celebrate the vibrant arts and culture scene in Jersey City and honor the incredible individuals who champion Art House Productions’ mission to support artists and enrich Hudson County through exceptional arts programming. Creative black-tie attire is encouraged.

Art House is thrilled to honor the following outstanding contributors to Jersey City’s arts community:

  • Hudson County Executive: Craig Guy
  • Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Producer: Eddie Baez
  • Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID): Rachel Sieg
  • Artist, Curator, and Arts Advocate: Bryant Small
  • President and CEO of Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas Health: Michael Prilutsky

Jersey City Fire Department Swears in 23 New Graduates

Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins the City Council and Public Safety Department to announce the swearing-in of 23 new graduates to the Jersey City Fire Department.  In addition to celebrating the newest class of firefighters, the ceremony also included the promotion of 11 distinguished firefighters to leadership positions.

“Promoting 11 of our own who have worked hard to keep our community safe coupled with the graduation of these 23 new firefighters further strengthens our fire department and reinforces Jersey City’s reputation as a leader in public safety,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Our community deserves nothing less than the best, and these new and ranking firefighters exemplify the dedication, discipline, and courage it takes to protect and serve our city.”

“Today’s announcement reflects Jersey City’s commitment to maintaining one of the most well-trained and responsive fire departments in the state,” said Public Safety Director James Shea.  “We have the best and largest fire department in New Jersey, and I have no doubt their extensive training and dedication will help guide our department into the future, ensuring that Jersey City remains at the forefront of fire safety and emergency response.”

“The recruits have successfully completed rigorous training and are prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies, from structural fires to medical emergencies.  These new firefighters are the latest recruits to join the department’s ongoing mission to provide the highest level of safety and service to the Jersey City community,” added JCFD Chief Jack Johnson. 

These promotions highlight the department’s ongoing efforts to reward excellence and build a diverse and skilled leadership team:

Deputy Chief:

Jason Kane

Battalion Chief:

Michael Mandriota

Miguel Rios

Joseph Menendez

Greg Fuehrer

Captain:

Anthony Montagne, Sr.

Christopher Pittaro

Jordan Lang

Nicholas Andreula

Herman Ortez

Matthew Finnerty

The Jersey City Fire Department continues its commitment to protecting the lives and property of the community while fostering a culture of excellence, diversity, and leadership development within its ranks.

Fulop Administration & New Jersey Symphony Announce New Permanent Headquarters & Performance Hall Located in Jersey City for Premier Symphony Orchestra Fulop Administration

New 550+ Seat Venue in Jersey City to Focus on both Live Performances and Continued Inner City Youth Education

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the New Jersey Symphony announced today the renowned Symphony’s relocation to a new state-of-the-art, 44,000-square-foot theater in Jersey City’s downtown Powerhouse Arts District. 

Today’s announcement marks an important new chapter for the Symphony and Jersey City, offering a dedicated permanent location that will serve the local community and contribute to the Symphony’s ongoing activities across the state.

Jersey City’s Pet Project gets Boost from NBCUni “Clear the Shelters” Campaign, Helping Shelter Animals Find Forever Homes & $100k in Matching Donations

Jersey City pet services

Jersey City Animal Care and Control (JCACC) has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 10th annual Clear the Shelters pet adoption and donation campaign from August 10 through September 10.  Since its inception in 2015, Clear the Shelters has helped more than one million pets find new homes and raised millions of dollars for participating shelters and rescues.? Animal shelters and rescues across the country are facing economic hardships due to a historically high number of pet surrenders and feral overpopulation.

This year, Greater Good Charities, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and The Animal Rescue Site are joining NBCUniversal Local’s Clear the Shelters™ pet adoption and donation campaign.  They have teamed up to help raise funds for participating animal welfare organizations across the country via ClearTheSheltersFund.org. For the next two weeks, they will contribute $100,000 in matching donation dollars.

Jersey City has enlisted the expertise of Behavior Plus to work bi-weekly with our staff and animals to enrich, maintain, and develop adoptability.  On-site veterinarians perform routine and emergency medical care for the animals in the shelter’s care.

Mayor Steven M. Fulop put Jersey City’s new shelter under the care of Health and Human Services last winter and has watched closely as the new management, who answers directly to the mayor, is improving the lives of surrendered and stray animals. “The shelter is now open and accessible to residents six days a week or with an appointment.  Additionally, we continue to add new services to improve the lives of strays and pets that end up in the shelter.”

As part of these efforts, the JCACC will take its pets public on September 8 with an event on Barrow Street to help find homes for shelter animals.  Residents will be able to meet and adopt our four-legged shelter friends. Working with the HSS’s Partnership for a Healthier JC, the Historic Downtown SID, K-9dergarden, Fussy Friends, Barky Way, and Hound About Town, the JCACC will offer adoptions free for qualified pet parents. Adoption fees are dropped to $10 in the weeks up until the event, and there are no adoption fees for veterans or seniors who want to bring some love into their lives.

“The goal is to find homes for as many of our wonderful dogs and cats as possible, says HHS Director Stacey Flanagan, “Jersey City residents have big hearts and love animals, and now is the time when their generosity can be doubled.”

To contribute, go to the Jersey City Animal Care & Control donation page.  This year’s donation page was built courtesy of Fundraise Up, an online donation platform that helps nonprofits grow revenue.  When donating to the Clear the Shelters Fund, donors have the option to cover transaction fees with their donation so that 100% goes directly to the shelter or rescue of their choice.

About Jersey City Animal Care & Control

On January 1, 2024, Jersey City launched a full-service Animal Care and Control shelter to ensure the humane treatment for animals in need by establishing 24/7 operations, on-site dog licensing with adoptions, expanding operating hours for more public access, and working with the community to create a robust volunteer program.

The Mercy House Gives Away 500+ Backpacks, and School Supplies to Children in Need

Mercy House Director Cheryl A. Riley (right) joined staff and volunteers in handing out over 300 backpacks to families in need during The Mercy House’s annual Back-to-School Giveaway at its Newark location on August 13, 2024. (Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn)

Ahead of the rapidly approaching school year, the Archdiocese of Newark’s Mercy House distributed over 500 new backpacks filled with school supplies during its annual Back-to-School Giveaway at locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth this month.

More than 300 backpacks were handed out in Newark on August 13, while approximately 100 were given away in both Jersey City on August 15 and Elizabeth on August 16. The backpacks came in a variety of colors, so each child went home with a design they liked. They were also stuffed with classroom essentials, from pencils to crayons to glue sticks.

“The Mercy House lives out the Catholic Church’s mission to help everyone in need. In this case, we knew families desperately needed items they couldn’t afford for the new school year, so we made sure they got everything and then some,” said Cheryl A. Riley, director of The Mercy House, who credited archdiocesan parishes and a few outside organizations with donating the school supplies. “Nothing beats putting smiles on children’s faces, and that’s what we did at this giveaway.”

While picking up classroom essentials, families at the giveaway also received free cups of Italian ice, and several families won prizes raffled at each site. The donated prizes and gifts included dolls, trucks, and water toys.

Founded in 2018, The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing for anyone in need. Its three locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth each serve roughly 300 people weekly. If you would like to volunteer or donate, contact Cheryl A. Riley at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house/.

AbouttheArchdiocese of Newark?

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. The Archdiocese has 212 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.

Inserra Supermarkets Presents $109,356 Check to Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at their Shoprite Jersey City

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Diabetes Research Institute Awards Trophy To ShopRite of Jersey City

Michael Burton, CEO, Diabetes Research Institute, Tom Karlya, Senior Vice President, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Lawrence Inserra Jr., Chairman and CEO of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc.

Lindsey Inserra, Vice President of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc.   Jim Dorey, President of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., Peter Cavo, General Manager of Inserra Supermarkets, ShopRite of Jersey City

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 2:30pm

 ShopRite of Jersey City     400 Louis Marin Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ

Inserra Supermarkets will present the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) with a donation of $109,356 generated from the company’s June “Dollars Against Diabetes” (DAD) fundraiser at all the company’s stores, including its 23 ShopRite stores in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties in New Jersey and Rockland County, NY, and PriceRite Marketplaces in Garfield and Paterson, New Jersey. All money raised directly supports innovative research for the cure at the Diabetes Research Institute.

The Knolland Parables: Western Series by Jersey City Writer saved by GenrePowerhouse Dusty Saddle

The newest series of Westerns by Dusty Saddle Publishing is a genre-expanding, steam-punk universe of action and suspense interwoven with moral ambiguities, cultural allegories, and a dash of political satire.
To top it off, the author of these fatalistic yarns hails from a land far from America’s former frontier, Jersey City – Timothy Herrick – believed to be the only New Jersey author in the Dusty Saddle roster, the largest Western Fiction publisher in the industry.

Jersey City Launches City-Run Animal Control and Sheltering, Expanding Services & Adoption Opportunities

Jersey City pet services

Valentine’s Event Makes Love Connections for Residents & Stray or Abandoned Animals in Need

Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and community members to celebrate the successful transition to full-service Animal Care and Control now run by the City of Jersey City to ensure humane treatment and enforcement for animals in need by establishing 24/7 operations, on-site dog licensing with adoptions, expanding operating hours for more public access, and working with the community to create a robust volunteer program.

Bergen Square Revitalization Project on Track for Groundbreaking

New Pedestrian Plaza & Park, Added Parking, Major Safety Improvements, Flood Mitigation & More

Latest Improvement Project in Rapidly Growing Journal Square Area to Highlight Jersey City’s Significant Role in our Nation’s History

Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins City Council members and the Department of Infrastructure alongside community members and organizations to announce the groundbreaking on the Bergen Square revitalization project in the rapidly growing area of Journal Square.  After years of working closely with local organizations and Jersey City residents, the community-led project will transform Bergen Square into new and innovative public spaces with renewed vibrancy in the heart of the City – all while highlighting the critical role this section of Jersey City played in the development of our country, dating back thousands of years.