Crime · Hudson County
Alfonso A. Zamarra, a former seasonal worker for the Hudson County Parks Department, has been charged with 28 counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors allege Zamarra collected approximately $102,000 in county wages and unemployment benefits for work he did not perform. The charges stem from an alleged scheme where a department official signed his hiring forms while he remained absent. Zamarra appeared in federal court in Newark on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and was released on bond.
Local Politics · Hudson County
The salary budget for Hudson County Executive Craig Guy's office rose from $1,241,628 in 2023 to $1,919,727 in the 2026 adopted budget, a 54.6% increase, while the county purpose tax levy grew 19.6% over the same period. Actual salary spending increased 49.7%, from $1,158,468 in 2023 to $1,733,716 in 2025. Commissioners Bill O'Dea and Albert Cifelli raised concerns at June 2026 budget hearings about multi-year raises and a $199,000 department director salary; Guy defended his staff's compensation. The commissioners' Oct. 20 caucus agenda lists another ordinance to amend salary increases for county offices, and Hudson TV filed an Open Public Records Act request on Oct. 20 seeking detailed salary records and leave-payout policies.
Crime · Hudson County
The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office released its weekly felony complaint list for Oct. 12–18, 2026, showing 96 people facing 285 charges on 115 complaints across the county. Jersey City accounted for 158 charges against 42 people, while Hoboken had 13, Bayonne 10, North Bergen 7, and Kearny 6. Nine individuals face firearm charges, including a Bloomfield man arrested Oct. 14 in connection with a controlled rifle purchase made Sept. 2 in Kearny. Most charge lines (242) remain in "screening" status, meaning prosecutors are still reviewing them; no homicide charges appear on the list.
Housing & Development · Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken Service Center Inc., owned by Charles and Thomas Senatore, filed an application to redevelop the Valero gas station property at 425 Newark Street in Hoboken, NJ. The proposal by Nastasi Architects calls for a 12-story mixed-use building with nine four-bedroom condos, 12 parking spaces, and approximately 450 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The project requires multiple zoning variances, including permission for residential use in the I-2 industrial district, a floor-area ratio of 12.18 versus the permitted 1.2, and a height of 134 feet above grade versus the allowed 40 feet. The application was scheduled for a public hearing before the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment at Hoboken City Hall on October 20th; as of publication, approval had not been confirmed.
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Local Business · Hudson County
The Hudson County Division of Purchasing is accepting sealed bids for LED lamps and lamp parts for traffic signals. Bids must be received by November 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. prevailing time at the Administration Annex in Jersey City. Interested vendors must register online to download specifications and bid forms, with no cost to participate. Questions are due via email by October 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Social Events · Hudson County
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy announced a free, family-friendly Fall Festival for Halloween on Saturday, October 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 902 Brewing Co. on Pacific Avenue between Caven Point Avenue and Forrest Street in Jersey City. The event is open to residents of all ages across Hudson County but requires advance registration. Planned activities include a Halloween costume contest, train rides, obstacle courses, face painting, balloon art, glitter tattoos, sports games, and local artisan vendors.
Local Business · Hoboken, NJ
The Hoboken Business Alliance has announced a new $100,000 Storefront Improvement Grant program for businesses in Hoboken. The initiative offers up to $10,000 per applicant, covering up to 50 percent of project costs for upgrades such as signage, facades, and landscaping. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to help enhance the city's commercial corridors.
Community brief · Hoboken, NJ
Pier One Tree will host a Christmas pop-up market at Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey, from November 27 through December 20. The event features fresh-cut trees, wreaths, and holiday accessories, along with weekly Santa appearances and festive decorations by The Holiday Collective. This marks the second year for the local company's seasonal waterfront setup.
Community brief · Hoboken, NJ
Lisa's Deli, a Hoboken establishment operating since December 1971 at 901 Park Avenue, is under new ownership and will reopen after months of closure. A sign posted October 20 states the deli is temporarily closed for renovations. The business had been closed since summer 2026 with no public announcement about its status; in March 2026, Lisa's team said a real estate listing for the space was a mistake, while a separate agent told Hoboken Girl…
Nearby · Housing & Development · Jersey City, NJ
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, Mayor James Solomon and state and county officials broke ground on Canal Crossing in Jersey City's Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. The first phase delivers 508 homes, including 102 affordable units renting below $1,000 and $1,500 per month, with family-sized three-bedroom options and expected union labor. Two 30-year tax exemptions (Ordinances 26-045 and 26-046) received final council approval Sept. 23 and mayoral sign-off Sept. 24; for the first 15 years, each building pays the greater of a minimum charge or 10% of annual gross revenue instead of conventional property taxes. The Municipal Council passed Ordinance 26-045 unanimously (9–0), while Ordinance 26-046 passed 7–0–2 with Councilman Frank Gilmore and Council President Denise Ridley abstaining. The project is part of the mayor's Building for Working Families initiative and includes brownfield cleanup.
Nearby · Housing & Development · Jersey City, NJ
Tenants in Jersey City's Newport neighborhood are urging state and city officials to intervene before their leases expire at the end of the year, risking displacement from 271 moderate-income apartments. The dispute centers on the expiration of a 30-year tax abatement and conflicting interpretations of affordability protections under New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) rules. Tenant groups are requesting NJHMFA enforcement of agreements they claim last until 2028, while developer LeFrak Organization notes that previous attempts to extend protections were defeated by the City Council in 2019 and 2025. Jersey City council members are currently drafting an ordinance to expand rent control in response to the housing crisis.
