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48°
Wednesday, may 1
Tag:
West New York, NJ
Lifestyle
'Not Just The Fat Best Friend:' Reality Show Judge Changes Her Mind About NJ Dancer
"I'm here to show and prove to the world big girls are not just the fat best friend and they're also not just Lizzo's backup dancer." Arianna Santos of West New York is hoping to be an advocate for "all the women who look like [her]" on this season of "So You Think You Can Dance." Santos, 21, tells cameras from her New Jersey apartment that her mom was a dancer growing up, igniting her passion as a little girl. Her older sister is battling cancer and has been inspiring her to live life to the fullest, she says. Santos performed a hip-hop number with Flamenco fusion for judges&nbs…
News
Bernardsville Biz Barred From Government Contracts Over Labor Violations: DOL
Nineteen businesses who owe a total of $1.1 million have been barred from public contracting until they pay back their dues, the New Jersey Department of Labor said. R.A. Florio Building Contractors Inc., of Toms River, for example, has been ordered to pay $39,555.57 to the state, according to the department of labor and workforce development. The final judgment was given on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The contractor is one of 101 total businesses on New Jersey's Workplace Accountability in Labor List, also known as the WALL. According to the state, Florio Building Contractors violated …
Police & Fire
Man Poses As Nurse To Kidnap, Sexually Abuse Women In NJ, NY: Feds
A Hudson County man who posed as a nurse on Facebook and the Hinge dating app kidnapped, assaulted and sexually abused several women in New Jersey and New York, federal authorities charged. Herman Calvin Brightman, 30, abducted one of the women and her 2-year-old child in the Bronx and brought them to his West New York home at knifepoint, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. It was only one of what NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban called many “deeply disturbing and heinous acts” that included threats to kill his victims. Brightman also stalked a wom…
Police & Fire
NJ Man Sentenced For Making Teen Sexually Abuse 4-Year-Old, Record It: Prosecutors
A 32-year-old Hudson County man was sentenced to prison for making a teen boy sexually abused a child and record it, prosecutors said. Joseph Suarez, of West New York, was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week after he pleaded guilty to instructing a 13-year-old boy to sexually abuse a 4-year-old girl and send him recordings of it, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Suarez disseminated footage from the out-of-state boy over the social media platform Discord, Esther Suarez said. He pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child/facilitating child sex abuse material…
Police & Fire
Man Crushed To Death Between Car, Garage In Princeton: Police
A 61-year-old man was killed when he was pinned against a garage by a backing car, authorities said. Meliton Hernandez-Morales of West New York died of his injuries at the scene of the crash at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, Princeton police said. Huimei Qiu, 53, of Princeton, was backing down a residential driveway on Red Hill Road when Hernandez-Morales, who was in the driveway, was struck, police said. Hernandez-Morales was pinned against a detached garage, they said. Qiu was not hurt and no summonses had been issued. The investigation is ongoing.
Police & Fire
Kidnappers Owed Drug Money Kept Victim Tied In U-Haul For Hours In NJ: Police
A woman was arrested for kidnapping and two suspects remain at-large as Secaucus police continue their investigation into the sale of narcotics at motels in the town, authorities said. Police found one member of an illicit drug distribution ring was kidnapped at knifepoint in Jersey City in June 2023, since he owed Erica Festino, another member of the drug ring, money, police said. The victim was bound and driven around Hudson County in the back of a U-Haul truck for hours and robbed of cash and personal items, police said. He was eventually released, police said. Festino was ar…
News
Bridgewater Among 9 NJ Towns That Failed To Correct Sick Leave Policies: State Comptroller
Towns throughout the Garden State have not addressed their sick and vacation leave policies, the state's comptroller said. In a letter sent to Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and State Comptroller Kevin Walsh said nine municipalities have refused to cooperate and develop a correction action plan and is requesting that Murphy's office withhold state funds if they do not cooperate within 30 days. "The failure of the nine municipalities to prepare a correction action plan creates risks that taxpayer funds will be wasted and that unlawful pol…
Police & Fire
Feds Help Dismantle Meth, Fentanyl Ring In North Jersey: Cops
An investigation by multiple North Jersey police departments and the Department of Homeland Security led to the arrest of three men for running a meth and fentanyl ring on Wednesday, Sept. 20, authorities said. Nilo Ibarra, a 38-year-old Jersey City resident, Ramon Lopez Arias, a 32-year-old West New York resident and Alexander Sanchez-Castillo, a 37-year-old North Bergen resident were arrested following an operation conducted by the Secaucus Police Department, the Jersey City Police Department Street Crimes Unit and the North Bergen Police Department, Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Mill…
Police & Fire
Police Fully Justified In Shooting West New York Man Who Fired At Them, Grand Jury Rules
It was as open-and-shut as a police shooting can possibly get. That’s why a state grand jury found that police were more than justified in shooting a West New York gunman who’d just wounded one officer while firing point-blank at them with a gun in each hand. Dramatic police bodycam footage shows Kevin Colindres, 32, opening fire after emerging from his 59th Street home on June 3, 2022. In a clip recorded through the front-door window, Colindres is seen entering the vestibule in a t-shirt and shorts with both hands behind his back as police investigate a domestic violence call. He sudden…
News
NY Dealer Gets 11 Years, No Parole, For Moving Fentanyl, Meth, Coke By The Pound Into NJ
A dealer who admitted flooding four North Jersey counties with massive quantities of fentanyl, meth and coke is headed to federal prison for more than a decade. Juan Carlos Merced Moreno, 45, of Manhattan must serve out just about all of his plea-bargained 11-year sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Moreno and his partners operated a fentanyl mill in Washington Heights that supplied traffickers in New Jersey with at least 25,000 pills that were distributed throughout the Garden State, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Authorities disco…
Police & Fire
West New York Police Captain Stole $60K From Youth Academy: Prosecutor
A 49-year-old West New York police captain was charged with stealing from the West New York Youth Police Academy, which he helped raise money for, authorities said. Erwin Moreno was arrested on Thursday, June 15 after an investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Internal Affairs Unit, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Between 2016 and 2023, Moreno stole $60,000 from the organization's funds for his own benefit, Suarez said. In 2019, Moreno organized a GoFundMe for the Youth Academy, raising more than $5,000 from 66 donors. Moreno was charged with one count of theft …
Police & Fire
Done
AND
Done
: Hudson Pair Get 30 Years Each In Bergen Robbery Murder
UPDATE: Two Hudson County men who killed a Fairview pot dealer during an armed robbery at his home were sentenced to a plea-bargained 30 years each in state prison. Carlos Burgos of Jersey City and Raul Torres of North Bergen, both 23, must each serve 25½ years behind bars before they'll be eligible for parole under the terms of their respective plea agreements. The plot's mastermind, Lexie Burke, 24, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter last year in the June 2019 shooting death of David Duque-Soto. He's scheduled for sentencing on June 23, Bergen County Prosecutor Ma…
Politics
War Of Words: Candidates Spar Over Treatment Of NJ Assemblywoman's Mom
The war of words is intensifying in the West New York elections. One candidate, a New Jersey assemblywoman, says her mother is getting caught in the crosshairs. The alleged perpetrators say the whole thing was made up. Angelica Jimenez — who is running for West New York commissioner on one slate — alleges her 78-year-old mother was heckled and harassed by supporters of Albio Sires — who is running for mayor of West New York on an opposing slate — when she went to vote over the weekend. Jimenez said in an Instagram post they banged on her car window and she was also frightened by a po…
News
Hudson Pair Quickly Take Guilty Pleas After Jury Convicts Getaway Driver In Bergen Drug Killing
UPDATE: Two men charged with the cold-blooded killing of a Fairview man during an armed robbery at his apartment four years ago have taken plea deals not even three weeks after their getaway driver was convicted at a trial. Carlos Burgos of Jersey City and Raul Torres of North Bergen, both 23, took the same route as the plan’s mastermind, Lexie Burke of Jersey City, who pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter last year in the June 2019 shooting death of David Duque-Soto. Both men, like Burke, were originally charged with felony murder. Like him, they opted to plead guilty to lesser charg…
Police & Fire
US Postal Worker Assisted In Massive Cocaine Distribution Scheme, Hudson Prosecutor Says
A United States Postal Service worker has been charged for his role in a massive Hudson County cocaine distribution ring, authorities said. James Belardo, 41, of West New York, faces second-degree conspiracy to distribute more than a half-ounce of cocaine, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Earlier this month, authorities announced the seizure of more than 4.4 pounds of cocaine, two handguns and high-capacity magazines from Belardo's co-defendants, Rowaldi Caceres, 39, and Hilda Membreno, 29, also both of West New York. Membreno and Caceres were found with mor…
News
Getaway Driver In NJ Drug Killing Convicted Of Felony Murder, Conspiracy, More
UPDATE: The getaway driver in an armed robbery turned cold-blooded killing in Fairview was convicted this week of felony murder, among other counts, following a trial in Hackensack. David Martinez of North Bergen will get a minimum 30-year state prison sentence, at the very least, for the June 2019 shooting death of David Duque-Soto at his Fourth Street apartment. Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti, who presided over the four-week trial, scheduled sentencing for April 21. Assistant Bergen County Prosecutors Suzanne Cevasco and Matthew Fitzpatrick presented 16 witnesses to prove that Ma…
News
Body Of Missing NJ Man Found In His Van, No Foul Play Suspected
The body of an audio engineer from West New York who'd gone missing earlier this month was found in his van parked outside an Englewood day care center on Friday, multiple responders said. Investigators said they don't suspect any wrongdoing in the death of Lestor Tabora, 31, whose body was found near the corner of William Street and West Linden Avenue. An autopsy scheduled Saturday morning by the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office will provide definitive results, they said. Tabora was last seen driving the white GMC van in Fairview on Feb. 8. Loved ones described Tabora as a "kind-h…
Police & Fire
Newark Airport Sexual Assault: Man Attacked Woman In Garage Near Brand New Terminal, Police Say
A 40-year-old West New York man has been charged after authorities say he sexually assaulted a woman walking to her car in a parking garage near Newark Airport's brand new terminal. Thomassal Watkins attacked the woman in the Conrac Parking Garage at Newark Airport's brand new Terminal A around 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who is prosecuting the case. Watkins was quickly apprehend on the property and subsequently charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated as…
Police & Fire
Man Made Teen Sexually Abuse 4-Year-Old, Record It: Hudson Prosecutor
A 31-year-old Hudson County man was arrested on various charges after authorities say he instructed a 13-year-old boy to sexually abuse a 4-year-old girl child and send him recordings of it. Joseph Suarez, of West New York, disseminated footage from the out-of-state boy over social media platform Discord, the Hudson County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on Jan. 10, Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. A search of Suarez's home turned up more than 1,000 files of child sex abuse material, the prosecutor said. He was charged with child endangerment, facilitating child sex abuse materia…
Police & Fire
Basketball Coach Entered Girls' Locker Room, Inappropriately Messaged Teens: Hudson Prosecutor
A high school basketball coach in Hudson County was arrested after authorities said he went into a girls' locker room and sent inappropriate messages to three teen girls on social media. Memorial High School coach Ariel Alava, 41, of West New York, went into the locker room after a football game in Jersey City on Jan. 27, 2022, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Two 15-year-old girls and Memorial High School students, and a former 17-year-old female student, also reported receiving inappropriate messages on social media from Alava on various dates between August and Oct…
News
Dealer Admits Role In Major Ring That Moved Fentanyl, Meth, Coke By The Pound Into NJ From NYC
One of three Manhattan men accused of flooding four North Jersey counties with massive quantities of fentanyl, meth and coke admitted his role in the organization, authorities said. Juan Carlos Merced Moreno, 45, and his partners operated a fentanyl mill in Washington Heights that supplied traffickers in New Jersey with at least 25,000 pills that were distributed throughout the Garden State, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. And that wasn't all. Authorities discovered the operation during what began as an investigation into the Hudson County crew, which flooded the str…
Lifestyle
These Are Some Of The 40+ Families Displaced By West New York Fire
Some lived in the building for decades, others were just settling in. All 41 families lost their homes due to a fire on Thursday, Dec. 1. And now, they're starting from scratch. Here are the GoFundMe campaigns launched for just some of the families displaced by the blaze at 55th and Madison Street: Lou Nagurka and his daughter, Brooke: Lou was a volunteer baseball coach in the WNY Babe Ruth League for 45 yeas, and a high school baseball coach. The Norona family: The family's dog Rio died in the blaze, and they'll be living in a hotel until they find a more permanent housing solution. Th…
Police & Fire
Fire Tears Through Union City Salvation Army Donation Center (
Video
)
Firefighters were working to knock down a fire at a Union City Salvation Army donation center Thursday, Dec. 1 (scroll for video). ALSO SEE: Dramatic Footage Shows Rescue Of Family In West New York Fire, 41 Families Displaced The blaze broke out at the store on the 900 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, and struck multiple alarms as of 8 p.m. There are currently 2 major fires in North Hudson, Madison Ave in WNY and Kennedy Blvd in Union City. @HobokenFire & @HobokenVol_EMS are providing Mutual Aid to North Hudson Regional Fire. God Bless the residents of those cities right now & all of…
Police & Fire
Dramatic Footage Shows Rescue Of Family In West New York Fire, 41 Families Displaced
Bystanders stepped up to help a family trapped on a fire escape as a fire tore through their West New York building, ultimately displacing 40 other families on Thursday, Dec. 1. ALSO SEE: Fire Tears Through Union City Salvation Army Donation Center The footage shared by News12 New Jersey appears to show the owners of the bodega on Madison Street using their own ladder to help three children and a dad stuck on a jammed fire escape as flames ripped through the building around 5 p.m. Twenty-five families in the Madison Street building were displaced while 16 others on the adjacent 55 Street …
News
Update
: NJ Woman Jailed For Shooting Up SUV In Former Neighbor's Driveway
UPDATE: A 40-year-old Mahwah woman was charged with shooting up an SUV parked in the driveway of a former neighbor in Waldwick. Megan Dzugay spent the night in jail after being seized in Mahwah by Waldwick detectives, assisted by Mahwah police and a Bergen County Regional SWAT team, Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, Waldwick Police Lt. Troy E. Seifert said. She's charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and criminal mischief resulting in property damage in connection with the 3:35 a.m. shooting on Grove Street in Waldwick. The 5-foot-4-inch g…
Business
Cuban Cousins Expand Authentic Cafe With Third Hudson County Location
A pair of cousins whose families moved to the United States from Cuba are opening their third Cuban bakery in Hudson County. Daniel Gonzalez and Yosvany Perez purchased two El Fenix locations in Union City and West New York, from another family in 2019, and revamped the menus. Now, they're opening the third outpost to Bergenline Avenue in North Bergen. Cakes by Yosvany Perez of El Fenix.Provided A grand opening ceremony was held Monday, Nov. 14. Perez is a classically trained baker while Gonzalez, of Bergenfield, owns a construction company, but together enjoy providing customers with…
News
Two NJ Powerball Players Win $150K, Nine Win $50K
Eleven New Jersey Lottery tickets matched four of the five white balls and the Power Ball drawn on Monday, Oct. 31, winning the $50,000 second-tier prize. Two of those tickets were purchased with Power Play, multiplying the prizes to $150,000. The Powerball jackpot now rolls to $1.2 billion for the next drawing to be held Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 10:59 pm. Those winning NJ tickets were sold at the following locations: Bergen County ($150,000): 7-Eleven #34523, 29 County Rd., Tenafly; Passaic County ($150,000): Jackpocket, 355 Warwick Tpke., Hewitt; Burlington County ($50,000): Acme #6…
Real Estate
The Most Expensive & Most Affordable Places To Live In NYC Metro Area
While two New Jersey cities ranked among the most expensive places for renters in the NYC Metro area, two more are among the most affordable, according to a Zumper report. The website looked at rent prices at 15 cities in the NYC metro area from September, and compiled a list of the most and least expensive places to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the area. Here are the main takeaways: You'll need about $3,950 a month if you're hoping for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City any time soon. The city itself was followed by Hoboken and Jersey City, where rent prices average $2…
News
Fatal
Shootout
: NJ Gunman Fires Point-Blank At Police, Shot Dead In Exchange
Dramatic footage shows a fully-armed man shooting point-blank at West New York police, then being shot dead himself. The incident is captured in a compilation of police bodycam footage and home surveillance video released late Tuesday, Sept. 6, by Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. Several uniformed officers responding to a domestic dispute at the 59th Street home of Kevin Colindres, 32, of West New York on June 3, 2022 had their body cameras activated, Platkin said. Home security cameras in the neighborhood were working, as well. Bodycam footage video recorded throug…
Schools
Ex-NJ Assistant Principal Who Faked Reason For Slip-Fall Getting Job Back
A former assistant principal of a Hudson County school who faked her slip-and-fall in a stairwell will be getting her job back, the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division ruled. Amanda Sanjuan was hired as a bilingual education teacher in West New York in 1997, and was appointed assistant principal at Memorial High School in 2019. One night in February 2020, Sanjuan was attending an event at the high school when she fell down a flight of stairs and landed on the floor, according to court papers. After hearing a commotion, a teacher and a custodian rushed to the stairs wh…
Police & Fire
Over A Pound Of Cocaine Seized In Morris County Bust, Dealer Charged: Prosecutor
More than a pound of cocaine was discovered during a Morris County drug bust that resulted in numerous charges for an accused dealer, authorities said. Ludwin Luna-Grande, 42, was arrested and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and other drug offenses on Monday, August 8 following an investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit Narcotics Task Force, Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said in a release. Approximately 500 grams of cocaine — just over 1.1 pounds — were seized during the investigation, Carroll said. Luna-Grande, of West New York, was …
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