Steven Rodas

N.J. teens saw grandparents struggle to book vaccine appointments, so they launched a site to help

When Sharda and Sudhir Mathur were born, the personal computer was still decades away from being invented. So, their grandchildren were not surprised when the Edison couple, who are in their 70s, had trouble navigating the state's COVID-19 vaccine website to book appointments.

N.J. teacher builds a COVID-safe science lab with help from his 6th graders

Steve Ferro may be a New Jersey educator with nearly three decades under his belt, but deep down he's still a kid at heart. It was in that spirit that preparing his school science lab for the resumption of full in-person classes turned into a fun - and COVID-friendly - group activity.

'It Takes a Village': Camden Unites to Keep Kids Off the Streets

CAMDEN, NJ - "It's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?" The catchphrase made popular by news anchors in the late 1960s isn't something the Camden County Police Department (CCPD) is merely asking. With help from community members, local officials and non-profit organizations, it's taking matters into its own hands.

Tireless Camden Activist Converts School Gym Into Cozy Shelter

CAMDEN, NJ - It's close to 10 p.m. and Tawanda Jones, known to friends as "Wawa," is pulling up to Camden's Yorkship Elementary School in a white pick-up truck. Temperatures Friday hovered in the low 40s, but at the late hour it felt colder.

'We Had Smoke In Our House,' South Camden Residents Sound Off on EMR Fire

CAMDEN, NJ - Gliselle Birriel, 38, says when her husband left for work around 4:30 a.m. on Friday he smelled something like "burning wire." She caught wind of the fire three hours later when she stepped out. "The entire street was covered in fog.

Lack of Camden Warming Centers Means Some Homeless Have to Make Due on Cold Nights

CAMDEN, NJ - The temperatures Wednesday were in the mid-40s around 1 p.m. and yet Mack Elijah Williams, 68, still bundled up with a brick-red jacket, khakis, gloves and a scarf. Williams is a guest at Joseph's House - a shelter for the homeless and others in need in the city.

Nuanced Cafe Opens, Strives to Build Connections in Camden

CAMDEN, NJ - At a glance the chalkboard menu at Nuanced Cafe may seem relatively straightforward, complete with your lattes, chai teas and loaf slices. But owner Rosemari Hicks will be quick to recite the list of Camden vendors and micro-business owners reflected therein.

Inmate Recounts Time at Camden Jail, Where 120 Cases of Coronavirus Have Been Confirmed

CAMDEN, NJ - Tarrees Leiva, 36, arrived at Camden County Jail at the end of March over drug-related charges. He would spend 8 and a half months there, in what has been an unprecedented time for the country and the world at large.

Camden's First COVID-19 Vaccinations at Cooper Hospital Mark a Major Turning Point

CAMDEN, NJ - A welcome scene took place Tuesday morning in Camden City with the first three COVID-19 inoculations at Cooper University Health Care - a historic moment for South Jersey and turning point in the battle against the pandemic. Rosetta Oliver, a nurse manager at Cooper for 33 years, was the first to be vaccinated.

Camden Pharmacy Seeks to Sow Trust in Coronavirus Vaccine

CAMDEN, NJ - A statewide plan to distribute a coronavirus vaccine, or vaccines, is not set in stone despite most officials pointing to next spring as the time the general public will have access. Anthony Minniti, the pharmacist in charge at Bell Pharmacy in Camden, knows a vaccine rollout will be a matter of trust as much as logistics.

Applause and Relief as Seniors Are Immunized for Coronavirus at Camden Church

CAMDEN, NJ - Ana Gonzalez, 65, says her Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings were noticeably quiet in 2020. The Camden resident and Puerto Rico native's family - from other parts of the city and Philadelphia - had to stay away due to COVID-19. "Usually I'd be in the kitchen making rice, potato salad, turkey, macaroni.

Millennium Skate World, a Beloved Camden Staple, Turns 20

CAMDEN, NJ - In 2000, at the brink of a new millennium a 30-year-old Tracy Medley had already been conducting bus trips to United Skates of America rinks. North to Empire Skate Club in Brooklyn, New York. South to Shake & Bake in Baltimore, Maryland.

Camden County NAACP Could Make History With First Woman as President

CAMDEN, NJ - Mo'Neke Ragsdale, who was raised in Camden, could make history as the first female president of the Camden County NAACP. Born in Mount Holly, Ragsdale, 47 - who was recently elected - expects to take over for Kevin Barfield (who has served since January 2019).

Camden Youth Keep Momentum Going for Black Lives Matter, Spell Out Demands to Police

CAMDEN, NJ - When he was 19, Javon Saint Cloud was pulled over by police in Pennsauken where he lives. He says despite having all the necessary paperwork, he was put in handcuffs, accused of stealing a vehicle (what ultimately resulted from a clerical error) and never read his Miranda Rights.

Petition Asks for Removal of Walt Whitman Statue from Rutgers-Camden, Another to Uncover Mosaic

CAMDEN, NJ - The same week a petitioner is asking Rutgers-Camden to remove the Walt Whitman statue from the campus, another is calling for the university to reconsider covering a mosaic that has drawn ire from some in the community. The "racist statue" of the poet and essayist should not continue to stand before the university's student center, petitioners said.

Home of 2 Camden Police Officers Hit by Gunfire With Newborn Inside

CAMDEN, NJ - The home of two Camden police officers - a male and female couple - was struck by half a dozen bullets Tuesday night with their 10-day-old newborn inside. Camden County Police Chief Joe Wysocki, other law enforcement members and city officials are asking for the public's help in locating what is thought to be at least three suspects.

Activists Feel 'Undermined' After Camden Removes Christopher Columbus Statue Before Protest

CAMDEN, NJ - After a 40-plus year battle to remove the Christopher Columbus statue from Camden's Farnham Park, the monument to the Italian explorer lay headless in the grass Thursday night. Some residents despite maligning the "symbol of hate," took the manner it was removed as a slight. Earlier this month, Rev.

Activist Filing Appeal After Camden House Linked to MLK Denied Historic Designation

CAMDEN, NJ - This week activist Patrick Duff, a Haddon Heights resident, plans to appeal the state's decision not to officially recognize the historical significance of a Camden home with links to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Invincible City Will Take On Camden's Food Desert Issue Starting in 2021

CAMDEN, NJ - Frederic Byarm, 54, has seen food from many sides. As a chef, a restaurateur and, of course, as a customer. He's adding full-time farmer to that list with his next big endeavor. A Black-owned business, Invincible City will begin its mission to eradicate food deserts in Camden and South Jersey writ-large starting in 2021.

Puff, Puff, Passed! Murphy Signs Bills to Legalize Marijuana in NJ

NEW JERSEY - Around midday Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed three bills to legalize recreational marijuana-use and establish a regulated cannabis market within the next six months. The legislation will allow for adults to legally possess as much as six ounces of marijuana and mean relief for anyone previously subject to arrest for petty marijuana possession.

Fire Department Member Receives 10,000th Vaccine Dose at Camden County Center

BLACKWOOD, NJ - For West Berlin fire department member John "Mike" McGee the novel coronavirus is not merely a scary prospect. He and his wife experienced it first-hand last November, simultaneously contracting a respiratory virus which has now claimed nearly 1,000 lives in Camden County.

Father Michael Doyle, Retiring After 46 Years, Leaves a Camden Legacy Like No Other

CAMDEN, NJ - Before Msgr. Michael Joseph Doyle became - to many in Camden - the heart of the city over the past half-century, he was "Mike Joe." It was what he'd heard called out as a lively boy ambling about the Rossduff community of Ireland located southeast of Waterford - what he described as "the fields" growing up.

30 Minutes in the East Camden Garden Augustine Cordero Has Spent Years Cultivating

CAMDEN, NJ - A four-day streak of nonstop sun, racking up 100 degrees Monday, led to what Augustine Cordero, 94, was holding in his hand right now. Half of a green pepper - the appropriate color up top but a moldering brown where he held with his palm.

Two Friends Since High School Are Making Their Artistic Mark on Camden

CAMDEN, NJ - Camden muralist Roberto Morales' makeshift workspace doubles as a private tattoo studio. Hints of artistic flair are evident from the moment you step in. The TV - blasting music videos - is bordered by small white light bulbs. Mirrors have been framed in gold and the black walls are covered with graffiti tags and logos.

B.O.S.S. Connects Camden Boys to Mentors, And It's Just Getting Started

CAMDEN - B.O.S.S. Mentoring co-founder Yaniece Spencer, donning a red and charcoal Delta Sigma Theta cardigan, was balancing a keyboard on her lap on a recent night. She was printing out a sign-in sheet. She paused to answer the phone. A mentee, who was being picked up by the program, was calling.

Camden's Class of 2020 Finishes the Year in Style with Motorcade, Outdoor Party

CAMDEN, NJ - Anwar McCargo's outfit said it all: a large pair of square-framed sunglasses, red fluffy slippers, a cap, gown, and don't forget the face mask. "I wanted to celebrate comfortably and match my school's colors," McCargo told TAPinto Camden as he marched with a banner in hand.

Photos: Families Observe 19th Anniversary of 9/11 in Camden County

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ - Ellen Weiglein of Audubon set up a wreath beside a photo of her son, Joseph M. Weiglein. Joseph, a Staff Sergeant in the Army, died on May 29, 2007.

EMR Fire Aftermath: Camden Residents Exasperated Over Explosions, Smells, Other Issues

CAMDEN, NJ - Rattling walls and loud noises in the waterfront south from industry-related explosions are enough of a nuisance on their own. But for Vie Lopez, 38, there's an added layer. Lopez said for a decade she faced abuse from her stepfather. Trauma that can be triggered in her memory by sudden booming noises.

Cooper Gifts Meals to Camden Seniors for Thanksgiving Day

CAMDEN, NJ - Dawn Richardson, the director of community services at Northgate II, looks out at an empty lounge. The building, which houses hundreds of Camden seniors, would ordinarily be hosting a Harvest Fest, Movie nights, birthday parties and the occasional Bingo.

Camden Salon Owner Sparks Protest Heard 'Round the Nation, Obama Included

CAMDEN, NJ - Sitting in her room last Tuesday, Yolanda Deaver, 36, took a moment before pressing play on the George Floyd video. She had caught a short snippet earlier that morning but happened upon its entirety while scrolling through her phone.

Back To Business in Camden Despite Coronavirus: A Process That Will Take Grit and Creativity

CAMDEN, NJ - That most New Jersey businesses, including retail and food, are resuming under coronavirus regulations is a welcome sign but some - like William Can - are keeping things in perspective. Can, 38, who frequents Camden for work and lives in Pennsauken, looks to Guatemala where his family resides for it.

Haddon Avenue Lays the Groundwork to Flourish as a Camden Business Destination

CAMDEN, NJ - Rashaan Hornsby dipped the paint brush until it was soaked blue, taking his time as he applied gentle strokes to get the coating just right. His new boutique will be like his work as a coach, company owner, community leader, and media visionary: deliberate and forward-thinking.

How Camden PD Plans to Use Artificial Intelligence To Help Anticipate Shootings

CAMDEN, NJ - Over 200 cameras keep a watchful eye on more than 74,000 residents every day as part of the Camden County Police Department's ongoing efforts to continue steadily reducing crime in the city. In two weeks time, the CCPD says it will begin piloting artificial-intelligence technology to help do something else: anticipate it.

Camden Schools Continue to Wrestle with Teacher Vacancies

CAMDEN, NJ - The Camden School District continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers - what proponents believe is partly a symptom of a budget deficit yet to be stoppered. In advocating for the state to make good with a request for $43.9 million, Aretha Turlington, a parent and advocate of Parents for Great Camden Schools, said that there are 15 substitute teachers at her daughter's school.

New Fashion Design Center is Ready for its Camden Debut

CAMDEN, NJ - From the moment you walk into Terina Nicole Hill's new digs at The Arts Pavilion in Camden it's hard not to appreciate the space. Dark brown hardwood floors, glistening white sewing machines and large glass windows all add to the minimalist and inviting feel.

District, Community Discuss Proposed Closures

CAMDEN, NJ - Superintendent Katrina McCombs said Tuesday the Camden City School District will need to close two to three school buildings in light of declining enrollment, no state aid funds, and other mitigating factors.

Rutgers Field Set for 2021 Opening But Residents Want More Say

CAMDEN, NJ - It's been almost exactly a year since the old Campbell's Field on Camden's waterfront was leveled. It wasn't a melancholy loss, though. With its demolition came the promise of new athletic fields and facilities for the city and the Rutgers-University Camden - notably the school's NCAA Division III baseball team, as well as exhibitions for softball, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey.

Camden Non-Profit, City Butt Heads Over Black Lives Matter Street Mural, March

CAMDEN, NJ - What began as an idea to gather residents in Camden for the Black Lives Matter movement has devolved into a spat between the people who run a longtime Camden non-profit and the city over how it should be done.

Are the Crestbury Apartments Getting a $24 Million Facelift?

CAMDEN, NJ - Carmen Rojas' eight years at her Crestbury apartment in southern Camden have been plagued by plumbing issues, crumbling walls, health problems and phone calls gone unanswered. Which is why when she heard that the management company set to take over the 20-acre affordable housing property planned $24 million in renovations, she was dubious.

New Plan Avoids Firefighter Layoffs in Camden, But Union Unhappy Over Cutbacks

CAMDEN, NJ - A plan submitted from the city to the state this week to "restructure" the Camden Fire Department would avoid laying off 27 firefighters - a fear linked to a grant loss and expressed by union officials since the start of the year.

Proposed Camden Micro-Grid Makes Progress Despite Incinerator Opposition

CAMDEN, NJ - A proposed micro-grid in the waterfront south part of Camden - which activists are fighting due to the Covanta incinerator it would be attached to - made some headway during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

$250M to Modernize Camden's Walter Rand Transportation Center for First Time Since 1989

CAMDEN, NJ - With buses dropping off passengers and the light rail gliding by behind him, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday morning that over $250 million will renovate and expand the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden. It will be the center's first major renovation since opening in 1989, representing among the largest transportation investments in the city in recent memory.

Lots Don't Stay Vacant in Camden Thanks to These Community Farmers

CAMDEN, NJ - If you ever find yourself strolling down the 600 block of Walnut Street in the Bergen Square neighborhood of Camden, you'll undoubtedly spot a pair of gardens that flank a modest house near the corner of the block.

Churches in Camden Reckon With New Realities Amid Coronavirus

CAMDEN, NJ - Kaighn Avenue Baptist seats nearly 600 but this upcoming Sunday the church will be empty. Limiting gatherings of 50 people or more - 10 if you base it on the White House guidance - might first bring to mind St. Patrick's Day parades, live concerts or municipal meetings.

Coronavirus Constraints Devastate Eateries in Camden

CAMDEN, NJ - La Costeñita, a restaurant that serves up hot Mexican delicacies, is uniquely situated on a Camden corner so that anyone driving down Federal, 27th streets or Baird Boulevard is bound to see it.

Mayor Frank Moran to Resign at the End of April

CAMDEN, NJ - Camden Mayor Frank Moran will resign at the end of April, according to three sources familiar with the situation. City spokesman Vincent Basara later confirmed the news, clarifying that his resignation was not due to health reasons despite initial reports.

In Camden, Artists Answer the Creative Call in Spite of Lockdown

CAMDEN, NJ - Dolores Poacelli, a Collingswood resident who also showcases her work in Camden, scrambled to collect what she could from her art studio in Philadelphia's Italian Market about this time last month. The 74-year-old multimedia artist had an inkling of what the next month would hold so she gathered various papers she could use as canvases.

Café Owner Near Rutgers: '90 Percent of My Sales Come From Students'

CAMDEN, NJ - Sung Choi, who owns Friends Café - a stones throw from Rutgers University-Camden - says he's anxious about the hit he's taking with the school announcing campus closures until at least April 1.

UX Writer Portfolio

NAACP honors Jersey City detective who helped cop to safety during mass shooting

JERSEY CITY - Of the myriad images and videos shared online during the Dec. 10 mass shooting in Jersey City, Sgt. Marjorie Jordan's act of heroism is among the most enduring. In a 17-second clip, a wounded officer - later identified as Raymond Sanchez - is sitting on the sidewalk taking cover behind a vehicle before Jordan runs over to guide him to safety.

'Tis the 'porch pirate' season, but Hudson County communities are fighting back

HOBOKEN - A utility truck pulled up to a busy Hoboken thoroughfare, turned on the hazards and, while the driver stayed put, another man began lobbing packages he'd stolen from people's porches into the back of the truck. "It was within 30 to 60 seconds," Hoboken Detective William Collins said at police headquarters last week.

How one N.J. mayor put a turkey on every table in a city of 70,000 people

UNION CITY - Jose Algarim stood on his porch this past Saturday doing what he described as "his part." "You see, it's up to my wife what we make and how exactly the turkey is prepared," the 53-year-old said with a laugh. "I just stay out of the way."

Could Jimmy Hoffa be buried in the former PJP Landfill in Jersey City?

JERSEY CITY - Could the 40-plus year search for Jimmy Hoffa end in, of all places, Jersey City? According to evidence reportedly uncovered by Washington, D.C.,-based author Dan Moldea, the answer is yes.

LeFrak slate takes two education seats in Jersey City as board president ousted

JERSEY CITY - Candidates backed by a prominent real-estate developer surged to take two of five seats in Tuesday's Jersey City school board election and oust the board's controversial president, Sudhan Thomas. But candidates supported by the city's teacher union, the Jersey City Education Association (JCEA), earned the most votes and claimed the other three seats up for grabs.

Bloomberg Terminal Adds NLP Search For Manager Functionality

Bloomberg has implemented NLP techniques within a variety of functions on its terminal, including search, in order to facilitate investment decisions based on correlations between the news and a company’s stock price.

First robotic surgeries performed in Hudson County

Christ Hospital in Jersey City made history Feb. 3 when doctors there successfully performed the first two robotic surgeries in Hudson County. The "da Vinci" robot is part of a larger, $2.5 million investment by the hospital's parent organization, CarePoint Health, intended to respond to the growing healthcare needs of the region, hospital officials said.

9/11 pavers at Bayonne memorial to be torn out for $50 million cruise port project

Hundreds of memorial pavers that surround the Sept. 11 "teardrop" memorial on the Bayonne waterfront will be torn up as part of a $50 million makeover at the cruise port there, say a group of residents who look after the memorial.

New condos and parks in a neighborhood near you - Hudson Reporter Archive

Despite the dense population of residents who already call Hudson County home - 660,282 in a 62-square-mile span according to the 2013 United States Census count - local officials have been snipping ribbons throughout the region for lavish new residential developments. The newer condo and apartment buildings boast environment friendly features and amenities like dog-runs ...

Data Steers CircleUp Toward Mostly Women, Minority-Controlled Companies

CircleUp's Ryan Caldbeck spoke with machineByte this week about what his company is finding in employing machine-learning tools as part of its discretionary investment process.

City lost most people in one zip code, but... - Hudson Reporter Archive

This past Friday, Sept. 11, residents throughout Hudson County congregated at their respective memorials, including the Empty Sky memorial at Liberty State Park and Weehawken's monument built from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. But residents of Hoboken, which lost 57 residents during the September 11 terrorist attacks, stood at a grove of gingko ...

Better safe than 'Sandy' - Hudson Reporter Archive

Oct. 29 will mark three years since Hurricane Sandy hit Hoboken, and residents recently experienced déjà vu when Hurricane Joaquin threatened to slither up the coast. Stevens Institute of Technology professor Dr. Alan Blumberg, an ocean engineer well known for predicting the massive extent of Sandy before other forecasters back in October 2012, said last ...

Amid Protests and Calls For His Resignation, Chris Christie Announces Bid For President

Chris Christie Steven Rodas LIVINGSTON, NJ- Governor Chris Christie officially announced June 30 something that many people had already assumed: that he would be running for President in the 2016 Republican primary election. Christie made the announcement with a speech at his alma mater, Livingston High School.

Italian Artist's Project Highlights Financial Applications of Generative Adversarial Networks

Columbia's Ali Hirsa and Princeton's Gabriele Di Cerbo have partnered with artist Marco Gallotta for an art project that highlights the scope of Generative Adversarial Networks

Into the blizzard, then gone... - Hudson Reporter Archive

Before last Saturday, Jan. 23, Matthew Genovese was just one of the many twentysomething Hoboken residents who could be found heading to catch a bus or meet some friends for dinner. But by the following Monday, the smiling face of the 24-year-old is etched into the minds of mile-square residents.

Why visit Downtown Jersey City for seafood? Just BeClaws

JERSEY CITY - Brothers Nambinh and Francis Tran expected customers to need to warm up to their new Vietnamese Cajun seafood restaurant before it really caught steam. They were wrong.

Camden Police Department Demos 'Use of Force' VR-training

CAMDEN, NJ - A woman saddened by news about a relationship wielded a pair of scissors in a nondescript office. There to defuse the situation was not a Camden Police Officer. It was Adam T. Parker - a reverend who grew up in Camden.

One Vets' Journey from Jumping Out of Planes to Caring for Camden Students

Johnnie Lattner, A 'Fighter' for Newark School Children

Nary is there a moment Johnnie Lattner is not in some way working to improve the lives of Newark school children. Or, for that matter, standing at a mic in the Brick City doing just that. In mid-October, he headed into a meeting of the Alliance for Newark Public Schools - an organization made up of activists groups.

Stars Align for Future of Newark Schools, Says Education Advocate Kaleena Berryman

NEWARK, NJ -- A book of poetry by Newark teens called "Chasing Sunsets On Brick Seas." A copy of Ta Nehisi Coates' essay collection, "We Were Eight Years in Power." Photos of her 7-year-old Jharid. Student-made artwork along the windowsill. Giant yellow posters she scrawls To-Do's on (because regular sized Post-It's just don't cut it.)

BlackRock: Managers Must Emphasize Innovation, Collaboration To Harness Data's Rewards

Asset managers that emphasize innovation, place value on human expertise, maximize data and foster a culture of collaboration are best poised to harness the full impact of big data, according to Richard Mathieson, managing director in BlackRock’s systematic active equity division.

Two Centuries Taps Behavioral, ESG Data In Investment Process

Quantitative asset manager Two Centuries Investments is analyzing data not traditionally found on a company’s balance sheet — like brand reputation, customer satisfaction and employee engagement — to make long-term investment decisions, according to the firm’s CEO Mikhail Samonov.

State Street MD Joins BNY Mellon To Lead Digital Data Science

After 14 years with State Street, Rajeev Sambyal has joined BNY Mellon as the director of data science, advanced digital solutions.

SigOpt Promotes Tools As Alternative To Google, Amazon

SigOpt, a hyperparameter optimization provider, is touting the portability and neutrality of its platform versus Google’s Auto ML and Amazon’s SageMaker.

Acadian Clients Mull Interaction Effects in Factor-Based Investing

AcadianAsset is actively advising clients on how to understand the interaction among different factors and the diversification benefits of a multi-factor approach, according to Joseph Simonian, senior investment strategist

Morningstar Set To Revise ML-Led Quantitative Ratings Process

In October, Morningstar will revise the methodology within two of its forward-looking fund ratings systems — including one that uses machine-learning techniques — to simplify the ratings framework and put greater emphasis on performance net of fees.

OpenGamma Explores Machine-Learning Techniques for Derivatives Transactions

Analytics company OpenGamma is exploring machine-learning techniques, including feedforward neural networks with multilayer perceptron, within a cost-analysis tool for derivatives transactions that it is marketing to hedge funds.

Led by ESG-Centric Tool. Arabesque S-Ray Looks To Scale Up

Spoke with Tim Verheyden, Head of Research at Arabesque S-Ray about what his company is doing and where its setting its sights on the back of their ESG-centric tool.

Quandl Lists PanXchange Frac Sand Data

PanXchange, an OTC exchange and price-discovery platform for physical commodities, has joined forces with Quandl, a Toronto-based alternative data platform, to distribute its frac sand market data through the Quandl API. Subscribers will be able to integrate the new dataset into their Excel, Python and R models.

NYU Prof Joins Fidelity in AI Research Role

Despite taking a step back from teaching earlier this year, Igor Halperin is drawing inspiration from research he conducted at NYU in his new role at Fidelity Investments.

PanAgora, Acadian Quants Cite ESG As Alpha-Driver

Two of the top environmental, social and governance (ESG) quant investors said using machine-learning techniques on ESG data could present a more accurate picture of a company’s financial health through employee sentiment analysis.

"Husk"

Fiction // Set in Medellin, Colombia

America's Emerging Horror Writers: East Region | Z Publishing

Published the short story "Aluminum" in 2019

America's Emerging Literary Fiction Writers: Northeast Region | Z Publishing

Published short story "All the Lights" in 2019

New Jersey's Emerging Writers: An Anthology | Z Publishing

Published the short story "The Doll" in 2018.

New Jersey PATHS

Published short story "Fisherman"

Retired Nurse, Off-Duty EMT Help Save Pedestrian's Life After Crash | New Brunswick Today

Weisenstein, a retired nurse from Freehold, saw the EMT helping the accident victim at about 10:36 am and opted not to remain a bystander, and instead to help adminster CPR until more help arrived at the scene, located just ten blocks from the border with New Brunswick.

Cyberattacks Becoming Increasingly Prevalent and Devastating

The Wannacry ransomware attacks spread to 150 countries in just a few days. CMIT Solutions NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ- While cyber attacks have been propagated in the past, never before has a wave of this magnitude washed over such a wide gamut of systems on a global level.

Rutgers Professor, Pioneer in Researching Health Effects of 9/11 Dust, Dies at Age 68

Dr. Paul Lioy passed away on July 8 at the age of 68. Wilson Rodriguez NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ- The few weeks that have passed since Dr. Paul James Lioy died suddenly on Wednesday, July 8, have done little to pacify the loss felt by the Rutgers community, his family, friends and his colleagues.

One-Legged Paralympian Lifts Kids' Spirits at New Brunswick Hospital | New Brunswick Today

"I wanted to promote Miracle Treat Day with my [upside-down Dairy Queen Blizzard] costume to help raise money so that children can continue to receive the best possible care at their local children's hospital," Sundquist told New Brunswick Today, "just like I did when I had cancer as a nine-year-old."

22-Year-Old Rutgers Grad Dies During Final Shift as EMT

22 year-old Hinal Patel died July 25. Facebook NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ -Just weeks away from beginning the next stage in reaching her dream of becoming a doctor, Rutgers graduate Hinal Patel died doing what she loved.

Brunswick-Based NJ-SPCA Stripped of Police Powers by State

NJ-SPCA headquarters in New Brunswick Steven Rodas NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ-The New Jersey Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJ-SPCA), based in New Brunswick, has long been mired in controversy. In January, continued calls to action by animal-rights activists and state-sanctioned reports over the course of nearly two decades, culminated in the adoption of a state law to strip the NJ-SPCA of its police powers.

Franklin Police Stop in Brunswick Leads to Internal Affairs Complaint

Franklin Township Police Dept. Franklin Twp. Police NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ -After dropping off a child from the youth program she ran, a local woman found herself doing one thing during a traffic stop this summer: waiting. "I was waiting for some sort of explanation.

Feds Drop Corruption Charges Against US Senator Bob Menendez

The criminal charges against US Senator Bob Menendez were dropped after prosecutors decided to move ahead with a second trial. Facebook NEWARK, NJ -The legal saga surrounding one of New Jersey's two US Senators, Bob Menendez, and his friend, a Florida ophthalmologist, appears to have come to a close.

Fixing problems in the public housing projects - Hudson Reporter Archive

In a town where many working-class residents and artists can no longer afford to live, and with a waiting list 858-people long to get into public housing, even the new director of the publicly funded Hoboken Housing Authority projects said last week that he hasn't found a reasonably priced residence to move into in town, ...

New faces on council, school board - Hudson Reporter Archive

The crowd at the 10th Street and Willow Avenue bar spilled out the door on Tuesday night, Nov. 3, as Mayor Dawn Zimmer's allies celebrated the victory of four candidates in six open seats in the City Council ward races, and one of three school board candidates.

Barren...but for long? - Hudson Reporter Archive

A 6-acre park with at least 1 million gallons of flood mitigation capacity. Think Pier A in terms of size, except this would be in the northwest sector and address three of the city's most dire needs, according to Mayor Dawn Zimmer: flooding, parking, and the need for more open space.

How would your council person deal with a killer chicken? - Hudson Reporter Archive

Thirteen candidates running for six Hoboken City Council seats clashed over questions last week about the city's Washington Street redesign project, rent control, which businesses to bring to town, and even what they'd do if a giant chicken terrorized Hoboken. There were loud arguments, laughs, and someone even invoked late pizza restaurateur Benny Tudino.

Two residents removed from Hoboken council meeting after commenting on mayor's husband Grossbard...

HOBOKEN - Two Hoboken residents were physically removed from the City Council meeting on Wednesday Oct. 21 by City Council President Ravi Bhalla after making comments about Mayor Dawn Zimmer's husband, Stan Grossbard. Grossbard, the residents alleged, referencing an article on PolitickerNJ, had exchanged emails with Hoboken Housing Authority members in regard to the termination ...

$111.8M city budget adopted - Hudson Reporter Archive

In a rare unanimous vote, the City Council approved a $111.8 million budget with a 2.8 percent tax rate increase for the 2016 calendar year at a public meeting on Wednesday, May 4. The total budget is up 3 percent from last year's $108.4 million.

Halloween crime numbers on par with 'Lepre-con' Day - Hudson Reporter Archive

A perfect storm descended upon Hoboken on Halloween weekend, pushing the crime statistics to Lepre-con Day levels. Some of the factors that came into play: Halloween took place on a weekend with pleasant weather, the New York Mets were in the World Series, and the change back to Standard Time kept the local bars open ...

Bike wars - Hudson Reporter Archive

Bike pedals have been put to the metal as Hoboken and Jersey City continue to clash on the relationship of their respective bike share programs. Hard-pressed to come to an agreement with the City of Hoboken that would provide space for Hoboken's bike share bicycles near Exchange Place, Jersey City unanimously voted 9-0 on Wednesday, ...

The lives and loves of Hoboken residents - Hudson Reporter Archive

Walking from Maxwell's Tavern to Eighth Street Tavern as part of her Saturday night out, 29-year-old Jennifer Lynn Pryor of Hoboken shared a quirky and romantic love story. She has been living with her boyfriend Salvatore Anthony Fusaro, 30, in Hoboken since March 2014. The lovebirds - she originally from Neptune and he from Staten ...

Paul Anka's hairstylist marks nearly a decade at salon - Hudson Reporter Archive

Weehawken resident Jackie Cruz says she would not have been able to bounce back after a fire destroyed her Union City salon in 2004 if it wasn't for her customers. But being Paul Anka's hairstylist helped too. Her connection with the famous crooner has gained Cruz her own mark of fame in the community.

Testing for lead - Hudson Reporter Archive

The issue of schools unearthing high levels of lead in drinking water hasn't yet hit home for Hoboken parent Vera Sirota. But in a way, it has. Her hometown in Detroit is an hour away from a crisis in Flint, Michigan in which lead has been discovered in the drinking water.

Goodbye floodwalls, hello barriers? - Hudson Reporter Archive

Hoboken officials and engineers met with the public on Thursday, Feb. 18 and unveiled three new plans to protect the city from future storm surges, two months after residents criticized earlier plans for floodwalls that might rise as high as 12 feet high and cut into residential neighborhoods.

Washington St. redesign gets 'green light' - Hudson Reporter Archive

The heated debate over whether Hoboken's Washington Street has enough room for both drivers and cyclists ended in a compromise plan last week. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the City Council adopted a redesign plan 8-1. The new plan will still narrow the 17-block thoroughfare, retain parking spots, add on-street bike lanes downtown, possibly add "sharrows" ...

Paving the way for girls to play Little League - Hudson Reporter Archive

Both boys and girls can play Little League today. But it was not that way in 1972 when Hoboken native Maria Pepe took the mound and pitched in three games for the Hoboken Young Democrats Club Little League team. After those games, she was told by the national organization that she could no longer play ...

The top cop speaks - Hudson Reporter Archive

Being a Hoboken police officer has its unique challenges. While the murder rate has dropped to zero, police are faced with the increasing popularity of a mile-square waterfront town that draws party-goers to fill the bars on every holiday. Each day on the job is different, according to Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante, who just finished ...

Two cheesy fundraisers - Hudson Reporter Archive

Which would you rather eat: a replica of Mt. Vesuvius made from hand-tossed mozzarella or something called the "The Grande Cadillac" of macaroni and cheese? You could have tried both - for a good cause - in Hoboken this past Sunday, January 31. At the annual Mutzfest at the Elks Club, hungry patrons lined up ...

Opening night for the Mile Square Theatre - Hudson Reporter Archive

Sitting in the audience at the new Mile Square Theatre at the north end of Clinton Street in Hoboken, 9-year-old Maria Carla Bettocchi relishes the set before her. She admires the furniture and paintings that make up the backdrop of the stage as the theater's founders prepare to kick off the first musical in their ...

Residents 'flood' city with criticism over seawalls - Hudson Reporter Archive

Mike Baldassari's family has been in Hoboken for over100 years. While speaking with his mother, Claire, about the possibility of the city erecting anti-flooding seawalls that might block views of the Manhattan skyline, she told him about being barred from the waterfront as a child because of the warehouses along the harbor.

Is Hoboken officially the 'Mile Square City'? - Hudson Reporter Archive

The same way New Yorkers call their city The Big Apple, many people refer to Hoboken as the "Mile-Square City" or "Mile Square City". Despite the fact that the city covers 1.27 square miles on land (close to 2 if you count the water), the nickname has stuck through the years and made it into ...

Run! A man-eating plant is on the loose - Hudson Reporter Archive

Humans beware: a killer plant will be on the prowl next weekend as Hoboken High School's Drama Club premieres its musical comedy, "Little Shop of Horrors." "It's just like going to a Broadway production," said Director Danielle Miller. Olive vines dangle from the stage, abridged storefronts protrude from the walls, and a cityscape fills the ...

Happy 100th birthday, Frank! - Hudson Reporter Archive

"Hi, I'm Frank. We're looking for jobs. How about it?" jokes a young Frank Sinatra alongside The Hoboken Four. Listening to the crooner crack a joke on the Major Bowes Radio Hour (the "American Idol" of its day) on Sept. 8, 1935 underscores the many hidden gems at the Hoboken Historical Museum's ongoing interactive exhibit.

Cops prepare for Lepre-con weekend - Hudson Reporter Archive

Hoboken is gearing up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but without many of the traditions that have died out over the years. And now, another tradition is set to leave the mile-square city: The 117-year-old Washington Street business that made its living off the city's anniversary celebrations and parades.

These Hudson County podcasts will make you laugh, scream and think

JERSEY CITY - Macabre tales of strange history and peculiar people. Weekly politics, pop culture and news digests. Airtime devoted to sex, relationships and what it means to date in the era of social media. It's clear Hudson County has been bitten by the podcast bug.

Jersey City mayor says NY stabbings are 'anti-Semitism (that) cannot be swept under the rug'

JERSEY CITY - The stabbings at the home of a Hasidic rabbi in Monsey, NY, late Saturday are part of a recent spate of attacks targeting the Jewish community that cannot be downplayed, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop told The Jersey Journal Sunday afternoon.

Jersey City Medical Center gifts man a wheelchair

JERSEY CITY - When 54-year-old Robert High's wheelchair broke on Dec 1, his nurse began to scramble. Without his electric wheelchair, High - who can't walk following a car accident in Jersey City - couldn't do minor things like comfortably visit the restroom, or major ones like attend weekly doctor appointments.

'This place does not need guns. It needs spiritual change.' Jersey City gathers to heal

JERSEY CITY - When Pastor Patrick Kisuule moved his congregation from Downtown Jersey City to the Greenville area, he didn't know that three years later a shooting spree would break out across the street.

Much to look forward to in 2020 for Hudson County's parks and open space

JERSEY CITY - Whether you're looking to go on a jog, shoot some hoops or take your dog on a nightly stroll, towns across Hudson County have worked to give residents plenty of options when going outdoors over the last year.

More than 500 calls for service and eight arrests at Hoboken's SantaCon

HOBOKEN - Santa came to town and left much in the wake of his revelry. SantaCon 2019, the annual bar crawl in which thousands of costumed bar-goers descend upon the Mile Square City, resulted in 8 arrests and 521 calls for service on Saturday.

From 9/11 to Hudson River landing, retiring Jersey City paramedic has 'seen everything'

William Newby was in his early 20s when he first stepped foot into an ambulance for the Jersey City Medical Center as an emergency medical technician. It was 1978 and he was fighting his own nerves.

A Hoboken tour offers many artful entries

HOBOKEN -- How much artwork can you fit in a square mile? Jersey City resident Ximping Zhu - along with his daughter Milan, 10, and son Milo, 7 - intended to find out as they embarked on the 2019 Artists Studio Tour. "We started really early and are about halfway through," Zhu said, laughing.

Rapper puts down the microphone to hand out free turkeys

JERSEY CITY - A steady downpour and rough winds did nothing to damper a Jersey City emcee from giving back to his community this Thanksgiving. Jersey City resident Omar Soliman, who goes by his stage name "Obreez," dedicated his time Sunday to handing out roughly 150 turkeys to those in need in hopes of overcoming the stigma usually attached to his rough neighborhood.

Hoboken police arrest 8 Halloween revelers

Update : Hoboken police said Monday morning that a total of nine arrests were made Saturday, including three for DWI. Hoboken police made 8 arrests - including a DWI on a scooter and another DWI after a man allegedly drove through Pier A Park - as costumed revelers took to the city to celebrate Halloween.

Legislation calls for more transparency as future of Bayonne Medical Center remains murky

On the heels of an announcement that a potential merger could mean the shuttering of Bayonne Medical Center, a state assemblyman introduced legislation Friday calling for better communication between hospitals and elected officials in order to avoid dire straits.

A 'band of brothers and sisters' gather in Hoboken ahead of Veterans Day

HOBOKEN - John "Jack" Dunne was 18 when he first entered the Marine Corps in the 1980's. He was modest about this, dismissively waving his arm. "We were all that age. I wasn't special," he said, laughing.

Kearny mayor calls for cap of Keegan Landfill, citing continued high emission readings

KEARNY -- Kearny Mayor Al Santos called for the immediate cap of the Keegan Landfill on Friday, citing elevated emission readings and continuing an ongoing battle between the town and the agency that runs the facility.

Enthusiasts go all out at LEGO Brickfair

Ten-year-old Eshaan P. doesn't take long to deliberate whether he would rather live in a regular world or a LEGO world. "Easy, LEGO world!" he said. "There's so much more I could do." Eshaan's father, Tanmay - of Jersey City - was attending Brickfair in Secaucus for the first time with his family.

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington to bring the jazz to Jersey City

Following tour stops in Germany, Italy and Spain, saxophonist Kamasi Washington will bring his marquee brand of jazz and funk to Jersey City's White Eagle Hall on Aug. 1. "I think people are realizing there's a strong market here. Most shows are doing well," Todd Abramson told The Jersey Journal.

Hudson County parents react to Halloween costume restrictions at schools

What's a witch without her broom or a pirate without his sword? We may find out this Halloween season. Parents throughout Hudson County will have to work within the parameters set by their respective schools regarding what costumes children can and can't don. In some cases, particular get-ups are allowed with the exception of the props involved.

Police from around region pay respects to slain Jersey City cop

Jersey City's Journal Square, normally an area filled with bustling commuters and activity, is at a standstill as barricades have closed off a significant portion of the area and thousands of officers in uniform gather to pay their respects to a fallen comrade.

Sweets 4 Miles: A mother's tribute that satisfies your sweet tooth

JERSEY CITY - For Monique Johnson, baking and happiness have always been synonymous. Naturally then, when her son Miles passed away from cancer in 2008, she decided that a bakery would be the perfect way to honor the love and joy he provided her. Sweets 4 Miles, at 426 Ocean Ave.

Jersey City EMT changes uniform for role in HBO's 'The Leftovers'

Adrian Matilla can usually be seen dressed as an EMT for Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, but he will don a different uniform Sunday night for his role in the HBO series "The Leftovers."

Fat Stacks upgrades the 'college fat sandwich' at Kearny restaurant

KEARNY - Ever had a fat sandwich? New Jersey college students visit food trucks near campus for these bountiful munchy-filled subs made of numerous ingredients - from the commonly used American cheese to the less-expected mozzarella sticks and french fries.

Former auto shop in Jersey City transformed into 'mecca of graffiti'

JERSEY CITY - Once a place to get a muffler fixed, the old Pep Boys building on Marin Boulevard is now a 30,000 square foot "mecca of graffiti." All the walls of the former auto repair shop -- inside and...

Jersey City business takes the hassle out of doing laundry

The concept may seem unconventional to some: You call, pick a date, your laundry or dry cleaning is picked up and, in 1-2 days time, it's back in your closet, ready to wear. That's Jersey City entrepreneur Michael Porada's business in a nutshell and since he launched New Bridge Laundry in 2012, many locals have become hooked on the convenient door-to-door service.

3-alarm blaze in Union City displaces 2 families

A three-alarm blaze in a Union City residential building Monday night displaced two families, authorities said. The two-family home at 647 38th Street suffered extensive damage, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Montagne said, adding that the blaze went to three alarms because of the icy conditions caused by Monday's storm.

Three Hoboken residents to open Mile Square City's first new bookstore in over a decade

HOBOKEN -- Hoboken has seen its share of bookstores, from Blackwater Books that had a run in the 90's to Barnes & Noble, which shuttered in 2010 and finally Symposia Bookstore, which opened in 2004. Only one of the three bookstores remains, but Little City Books plans to change that.

Family and friends gather for wake of Jersey City teen killed in Turnpike crash

The gray skies and damp weather were fitting in reflecting the somber emotions felt by the family and friends of 18 year-old Jose Cruz - who tragically died early Wednesday morning.

HUDSON TABLE - Culinary Q&A with Owner Allen Bari - hmag

Nestled at the corner of Clinton Street directly adjacent to the recently renovated Viaduct sits a state-of-the-art culinary studio looking to bring out the inner-chef in you. Co-owned by brothers Allen and Taposh Bari, Hudson Table is gaining a reputation for fun, educational cooking classes covering a gamut of cultures and techniques.

CASTLE POINT SKATEPARK - Urban Grind, with a View - hmag

"You can't beat the view." That's how New York-native Thomas Tikos-Kadji sums up his affinity for Hoboken's sole skatepark, immediately after landing a smith grind. Out-of-towners often trek from the City to Castle Point Skatepark, located on Frank Sinatra Drive near 8 th Street, for a number of reasons.

RAVE - Sudsy Buggy - hmag

Roughly a year ago Hoboken mother, Anna Stanin, launched a unique baby carriage and car seat cleaning service. Ever since, business has been strolling in. Stains are no match for Sudsy Buggy and their organic products, like lemons mixed with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.

Tap Into Hoboken with 902 Brewing - hmag

902 Brewing company's humble beginnings date back to a decade ago, when Tucker Littleton and Colby Janisch were roommates at 902 Washington St. and started "home-brewing" as a hobby. Andrew Brown, another beer enthusiast, joined the two friends in 2010 sampling recipes, sharing ideas and brewing fresh pilot batches.

The Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation: A Traffic Nightmare?

By Katherine Guest and Steven Rodas- Prior to facing the two-year closure of the Pulaski Skyway's northbound lanes, frequent NJCU commuters expressed concern about traffic congestion and alternative transportation options. On April 12, 2014, Jersey City and Hoboken commuters driving towards the Holland Tunnel on the 3.5 mile-long causeway bridge will not only be affected...

New Co-Op Policy Takes Effect Next Semester

By Steven Rodas - NJCU students are unsatisfied with Academic Career Planing and Placement's recent decision to end most on-campus internships. As of spring 2014, NJCU still plans to offer students the opportunity to acquire cooperative education credits for off-campus internships. On-campus internships, which have been in place since 1986, were created to allow students...

West Campus Expansion: NJCU Outlines First Phase of Large Scale Project

NJCU is planning a large expansion, including a new, 21-acre West Campus. Situated between West Side Avenue and Route 440, the goal is to have the first academic building and student residence building done by the 2015-2016 school year. The new campus will ultimately include a performing arts center, student housing, a college of education and a school of business.

Bridgegate Irritates Students

By Steven Rodas- Most NJCU students find the Bridgegate scandal an overly reported subject, but believe Gov. Chris Christie's reputation has declined because of it. "I feel Christie is a large threat in a major league democratic state. The scandal has received a lot of coverage and I think the media is trying to smear...

NJCU Mourns Loss of Reginald Terry

By Steven Rodas- It has been over a month since the fatal shooting of 18-year-old NJCU freshman Reginald Terry on December 21. Early on Saturday morning, Terry was shot near the intersection of Washington and Market Street in Newark, at approximately 1:15 a.m. outside of a party, officials said.

Students Claim 'More Questions Than Answers' At Recent University Meetings

Students have sounded the alarm on a number of issues at three recent university meetings. Among the issues raised are the administration's transparency, the evaluation of professors, the availability of space at the Gilligan Student Union building for campus events, and overall class availability. Photo Credit: Dakota Santiago.

NJCU Resident Students Feel Isolated

By Armando Sultan and Steven Rodas An NJCU Residence Life meeting on April 11 outlined the department's future plans and recent student complaints. The problems often cited by resident students and R.A.s (resident assistants) revolve around food availability, safety and general morale. Most resident students claim to feel segregated from the rest of the campus....

Is NJCU Ready for Another Sandy?

By Steven Rodas - One year after Superstorm Sandy, the NJCU community seems much more prepared than last year, should a Category 3 hurricane make landfall Students, faculty and staff appear more receptive towards weather alerts and have stocked up on generators and emergency supplies. "I'm prepared more mentally than anything," said Hugo Borski, 22,...

Parking problems cause concern

By Steven Rodas - Many students returning to school this year were surprised to find that parking on campus is more complicated, and more expensive, than it was last year. Among the many construction jobs currently taking place at NJCU, the biggest impact has been from ongoing construction of the NJCU West Campus.

Exclusive: New details on third rail involved in Metro-North crash

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The NTSB says that one of the main questions in the Metro-North crash is what made this collision between a car and a much bigger train so deadly to the rail passengers. Rarely in these crossing-grade accidents do people in the train die.

Exclusive: Insurance company refuses Long Island fire claim over pet pit bull

EAST ROCKAWAY (WABC) -- A woman on Long Island is baffled over the denial of her insurance claim after a fire. The company told her it didn't need to pay because she owns a dog! It may make you take a second look at your policy.

The Investigators: Despite calls, no building code changes after massive Edgewater fire

EDGEWATER, N.J. (WABC) -- Nine months after massive flames gutted an apartment complex in Edgewater, New Jersey, nothing has changed. Despite calls for updates in building codes, the Eyewitness News Investigators have learned that buildings constructed just like it are still going up.