e-Newspaper for Feb. 28, 2024

TO THE FUTURE

New station house opens, bringing Harrison public transport into the 21st century

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

The new PATH station in Harrison is so immense, so beautiful, it’s almost impossible to remember how basic the old one was. In fact, the 88-year-old former station frankly had seen many better days. But on Feb. 21, another leg of its massive transformation came to fruition with the opening of a new portion of the station on its southwest side.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey marked the completion of a new $47.2 million station house in Harrison.

The newly built 3,200-square-foot station house officially opened to the public at 3 p.m., Feb. 21.

It features new amenities such as an elevator, a public plaza with seating, 82 bicycle parking spots along a 17,800-square-foot concourse and a dedicated turnstile that accepts

Other turnstiles in the station house continue to accept existing PATH fare payment systems such as SmartLink and MetroCard. The station house replacement project was funded partly by a $40.7 million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant.

The original station house, built in 1936, had become outmoded and outdated by modern transportation needs and was razed to make way for a more modern and accessible replacement. The new facility was built with particular focus on resiliency and sustainability in adherence to the Port Authority’s rigorous standards.

It was designed with enhanced flood protection from the Passaic River, with the station house’s first level located above the flood plain. Water runoff will be collected and

See PATH, Page 19

BELLEVILLE

TAPP, PATH’s new contactless tap-and-go fare payment.

TOP PHOTO: An aerial view of the Harrison Path Station, which includes the newly opened station house in the southwest portion. (Photo courtesy of the PANYNJ). In the other photos, Harrison Councilman Larry Bennett, who opened the ceremony, is seen with newly elected Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. Finally, the sign seen here ramains and was part of the original station, built in 1936. (Photos by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.)

da Silva says

run for Third Ward council seat

KBy Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

earny Councilman Renato da Silva has announced his intention to seek the seat he was appointed to permanently in 2024. He made the announcement early this week.

“Since assuming the Third Ward council seat upon Mayor (Carol Jean) Doyle’s election , it has been my privilege to serve the residents of the Third Ward and the Town

of Kearny,” da Silva said.

“The opportunity to actively participate in the issues and policies that affect the citizens of our town is a tremendous responsibility. I am dedicated to the full and independent transparency that is the foundation of successful democratic governance. For these reasons that I am announcing my candidacy for election as Third Ward Council.”

The new councilman faces a challenging road ahead — but he says he’s ready for it.

ELECTION 2024

He is the second candidate to officially announce he’s running in the June primary, the other being Fred Esteves, the brother-in-law of former Kearny Mayor and state Superior Court Judge Alberto G. Santos.

In addition, it is possible other Democrats could run for the seat. And if recent history tells us anything, it’s possible a Republican candidate under Sydney J. Ferreira could run.

And there have been rumblings, also, of possible unaffiliated candidates.

No matter what happens, the winners of the Democratic and GOP primaries would then square off in November against the any potential unaffiliated candidates. The winner would then serve through 2025, and then be up for re-election yet again that year.

“I am a long-term resident of Kearny, an alumnus of (the) Kearny High School Class of 1988, a homeowner on Hamilton Avenue, an active

member of Arlington Players Club, a prior candidate for the (Kearny) Board of Education, married to Dawn Haberthur and the proud father of Martin and Adrian,” da Silva said. “It has been my honor to serve as your Third Ward Councilman and with the upcoming election, I will run to continue to work and serve the balance of the term vacated by Mayor Doyle.”

da Silva

Pronti, Borough Council launch NA

TBy Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com NORTH

hey often say “There’s an app for that.”

And now, it can be said of the Borough of North Arlington.

Mayor Daniel H. Pronti launched “North Arlington Connect” this week, a push notification mobile application through GOGov.

(A screengrab of the app’s main page is seen at the right.)

This free app puts the power of North Arlington in the palm of one’s hand. It will be the go-to source for borough

Salvation Army seeks board members to serve in advisory capacity

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

The Salvation Army of Kearny seeks Advisory Board members. These representatives are of different age groups, races, religions, interests and expertise. The board is responsible for advising and assisting the Salvation Army in all its activities. Kearny’s Community Center is located at 443 Chestnut St. The board meets once a month on a Friday at noon.

Interested candidates should call the Salvation Army office at (201) 991-1115 for more information.

ARLINGTON

news, special events, emergencies, service interruptions and community updates. The new app will also contain important links to the borough website, right at your fingertips.

To download the free app, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search “North Arlington Connect.”

“This is something we have been discussing for quite some time and now it is finally

becoming a reality,” Pronti said. “We are eager to implement handy technology that can better alert our residents of anything that could potentially change their regularly scheduled day.”

Pronti says the municipality also shares information via social media, reverse 911 and Nixle. But this is an incredible enhancement, he said, with all the information in one place.

“We are excited to offer this free service easily accessible via smartphones,” Council Vice President Allison Sheedy said.

Stephens officially made the Essex County Prosecutor

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

FAfter

in an acting capacity, The-

N. Stephens II was sworn in as the official Essex

County Prosecutor Friday, Feb, 16 by Superior Court Judge Mark Ali to serve a five-year term. Stephens had been serving as acting prosecutor since Sept. 4, 2018, when appointed by Gov. Philip D. Murphy.

Stephens’s nomination was advanced by the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee Feb. 8; four days later, the full state Senate voted unanimously to approve his nomination. Additionally, all assistant

prosecutors and investigators at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, who had been serving in acting capacities, were resworn, keeping with Stephens’s appointment.

County prosecutors are appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate for a five-year term. As such, Stephens is the county’s highest-ranking law enforcement official. He oversees approximately 400 employees, which include assistant prosecutors, detectives and support staff.

The ECPO is the busiest prosecutor’s office in the state, the office says, and Stephens will continue to manage a large caseload. In 2023, the office handled more than 12,000 cases. The office also handled more than 1,600 juvenile prosecutions.

Stephens, an East Orange resident, says he firmly believes to be effective, law enforcement agencies must partner with local communities.

Under his guidance, the office expanded Operation Helping Hand, a diversion program in which ECPO staff helps people with opioid addictions find counseling and treatment.

From food-insecurity drives to community health events, to jazz festivals and speaking at schools, the office says it’s committed to interacting with citizens in civic environments — not just in the courtroom. In Stephens’s view, it’s essential to mentor young people.

He says he often talks to local students about careers in law enforcement and the need to do well in school. The ECPO also mentors hundreds of youth through its internship programs for students in high school, college and law school.

In terms of criminal justice, Stephens notes he relies on a multidisciplinary approach, which calls upon the prudent

use of diversionary programs and special courts for non-violent offenders.

“For us, that means going wherever the facts and the evidence leads,” Stephens said. “Sometimes that means pressing for a lengthy prison sentence for a defendant, while other times it means getting him or her into diversionary programs such as Recovery Court, Mental Health Court or veterans programs.”

Stephens says he feels immense pride when crime victims and their family members express gratitude to his office. A Newark man whose sister was murdered, for instance, said this about ECPO:

“I don’t have my sister back, but me and my family know that the team at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office did everything they could to locate and prosecute her killer and give us some sense of justice; for that we are forever grateful to them. The detectives, prosecutors, and staff treated us like family. I’ll never forget what they did for me and my family.”

When he hears testimonials like this from crime victims and their families, Stephens says he’s confident the ECPO is doing outstanding work.

Stephens began his legal career as Eastern Region Attorney for Unisys Corporation, followed by serving as Corporation Counsel for the City of East Orange. In 1994, he was appointed judge of the East Orange Municipal Court and in 2004, he was appointed to the bench of the City of Orange Municipal Court. In 2012, he was sworn in as the Essex County Surrogate.

Stephens

Several of Kearny’s finest promoted to higher ranks

ECPO seeks county residents who are HS juniors for internships

Essex County residents who are currently high school juniors (next year’s graduating class) are invited to apply for an internship in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The four-week program is a mix of workshops, guest speakers and class trips. It exposes students to careers in law, law enforcement and government.

The interns will learn the functions of the prosecutor’s office and meet assistant prosecutors, detectives and staff.

They will take workshops on college preparation, career readiness and business etiquette and discuss topics such as Internet safety, gang awareness and substance-abuse intervention.

Guest speakers include

representatives from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI and IRS.

The program runs from July 5 to Aug. 2, 2024. Classes start at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m., and students who complete the program will receive stipends.

The internship is only for Essex County students who will complete their junior year in June.

Applications for the internship program are on the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office website at www.njecpo.org under Community Programs. The application deadline is March 18.

CORNEAL DISEASE EXPLAINED

Corneal disease is a blanket term for a range of conditions that can affect the cornea. In addition to performing a vital role in vision, the cornea protects the eye by acting as a barrier to dirt and other particles. Many corneal diseases can be classified into one of three types: keratitis (inflammation), corneal ectasia (changing shape), and corneal dystrophy (abnormal deposits). Symptoms vary according to the condition, but common signs include eye pain, blurry vision, watery eyes, light sensitivity, and red or bloodshot eyes. Vision may also be affected. Some corneal diseases cause few to no symptoms but still require treatment. Causes include eye infections, injuries, genetic mutations, other eye conditions, and other

medical conditions.

If you have symptoms of corneal disease, including pain, blurry vision or sensitivity to light, see an eye care specialist right away. It’s also important to have regular eye exams, even if your eyes seem fine. An eye care specialist can tell you how often you should have exams based on your age, medical history and other factors. To schedule an appointment, please call 201-8960096. You’ll find us at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. To contact our optical shop, call 201-8960007. We accept most insurance.

P.S. Risk factors for corneal disease include a weakened immune system, previous eye surgeries, frequent eye rubbing, wearing contact lenses, and connective tissue diseases.

www.delucavision.com

Kearny Police Chief George King, second from left, promoted several officers to new ranks at the Feb. 20 meeting of the Mayor and Council. Seen here (including their new ranks) are Councilwoman Marytrine DeCastro, King, Capt. Brian Wisely, Lt. Philip Finch, Sgt. John Donovan Jr., Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, Sgt. Nicole Cain, Lt. Patrick Becker, Deputy Police Chief Scott Macfie and Councilman Jerry Ficeto. Councilman Richard Konopka, who, like DeCastro and Ficeto is on the council’s police committee, was not at the meeting and thus, not in this image.

Photo by Barbara B. Goldberg

COMMENTARY

Taking a look at a few things going on in the region

...

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

The Kearny Town Council met last week, on Feb. 20, and the meeting was yet again raucous. And, depending on who one supports politically, there isn’t just one person to blame for what happened at that meeting.

One thing is clear, however, about what’s happening: it is out of hand, it is doing no good and it seems like it’s never going to end.

Video from the meeting is available online at www. kearnynj.org. Click on the menu in the upper corner of the site, then chose Mayor and Council, then Council Meeting Videos. It’s the first video (it is mislabeled as Feb. 21, though it actually took place Feb. 20.)

Rather than attempt to recap what occurred, we again invite our readers to watch it — and to make decisions for yourselves. In other news ...

n The opening of a new station house at the Harrison PATH last week was a great event and another extraordinary reminder of the vision of two people no longer with us — thelate Mayor Raymond McDonough and the-late Peter Higgins.

If one were to take a ride down Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard in a time machine, and it were 2006, the sheer magnitude of how much growth there’s been would be tough to comprehend. But it’s real. And the two aforementioned men have left a legacy that will be hard to parallel, let alone ever surpass. If you haven’t taken a ride on PATH lately, you’ll certainly understand more next time you do — or by reading The Observer’s front-page story this week.

n Belleville Mayor Michael Melham continues to lead without fear. His decision to fly the Tibetan flag despite pleas from the Chinese Consulate to not do so was another great example of how to do things the right way.

n In North Arlington, Mayor Daniel H. Pronti and the Borough Council released a new app called “North Arlington Connect” last week. It’s available for iPhones and Androids and is a great example of the borough’s desire for full transparency. That transparency sure does reveal a lot of good.

n One year ago today, I woke up and a few hours later, was unable to speak for about an hour after suffering what’s known as a Transient Ischemic Attack. In layman’s terms, it was a minor stroke. One year later, I remain grateful for all of the remarkable support I’ve been given by so many of you. I sure am glad to still be here with you all today.

Several of Harrison’s Bravest take new ranks

Don’t forget to catch The Observer Live! each & every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and Weather with Tony Mondaro Fridays at 2:30 p.m. at www.is.gd/obsyt. Miss it live? Watch anytime after the broadcast as a podcast. And please be sure to like and subscribe to be notified of new episodes. Share your thoughts live on the air by visiting bit.ly/obguest with you phone or computer.

Five members of the Harrison Fire Department were promoted to new ranks recently and they were sworn-in by Mayor James A. Fife, center. With Fife and the Town Council, Chief Henry Richard and Director Harry Stahl are Capts. Joseph DeFuria and William Ring and Battalion Chiefs Joseph Cavanagh, Robert Underhill and Joseph Faugno. The two new captains joined the department in 2018; the new chiefs: Cavanagh joined in 1994, Underhill in 2005 and Faugno in 2001.

WHATCo dinner-theater upcoming

The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company’s annual murder-mystery dinner theater returns with the original production of “Deadly Dessert Championship,” written by local playwright and author Allyssa Hynes, with performances March 22 and 23 and at the Theater at WHATCo, 15 Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard S., Harrison.

The event is a theater fundraiser

Audiences will be a part of the “live studio audience” of a fictional TV baking show “Dessert Decision,” and the competition is killer. When a judge is murdered, what’s said off-camera is just as important as what is said on screen. Who would be willing to kill to win? The lighthearted murdermystery dinner show combines scripted scenes with moments of improv where actors will talk with dinner guests in character.

The audience, of course, will be asked to solve the murder as it unfolds throughout a threecourse buffet dinner catered by Spanish Pavillion Restaurant and other local eateries.

Tickets are $50 per person and include the dinner buffet, soda, tea and dessert. This event is a BYOB wine and beer.

“These WHATCo murder-mystery dinner theater fundraisers have become a community tradition in their own right,” Hynes said. “We are excited each year to see returning audiences joined by new faces.”

Hynes says tickets for the dinner-theater sell fast and are being sold only online at www.whatconj.org and by phone (201) 540-9428. Reserved tables of up to eight are available. Groups and organizations are welcome. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The cast of “Deadly Dessert Championship” features Iman Abdul, Jae Lynn Garcia, Dylan Myers, Nelson DePasquale, Maggie Madere, Ed Shea, Arthur Carlson, Emily Amadeo, Roman Koster, Lillian Mayo, Lauren Proda, Denise Organisciak, John Fraissinet, Joseph Jones and Ashley Nichols.

Nutley’s Teacher of the Year

The Nutley VFW’s 2024 Teacher of the Year is Stephone Gaines, the director of vocal activities (and teacher of the fine arts) of Nutley High School. Gaines, center, is seen with Herb Hamlin, left, and Maria Hamlin, commander of the Nutley VFW Post.

On Feb. 19, at 3 a.m., Officer Baez was on patrol in the area of Schuyler Avenue and Radley Street, when he observed a grey Honda Pilot stopped in the middle of the roadway with no headlights or taillights on.

He waited for a period of

time behind the vehicle and eventually made contact with the driver, Rebecca L. Mravlag, 33, of Harrison. The odor of alcohol allegedly emanated from her and police say she admitted to consuming multiple alcoholic beverages. Her eyes were also reportedly bloodshot and watery.

Police say she was uncooperative and Sgt. Sean Kelly and Officers Anthony Oliveira and Pedro Lima were called to

the scene as backup.

After Oliveira conducted field-sobriety tests, it was determined Mravlag was intoxicated, police say.

Soon after, Mravlag attempted to return to her vehicle, despite repeated orders from officers not to do so. Officers

intercepted her before she could enter her vehicle. A struggle later ensued and Mravlag was arrested.

While officers were handcuffing her and securing her into the rear of a patrol vehicle, she was reported to have been screaming and assaulting the officers by kicking them, flailing her body, dropping her weight and striking the patrol vehicle.

Unfortunately, the officers

had to resort to Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, commonly known as “pepper spray,” to overcome the woman’s resistance and assaults.

Once she was secured and brought to police headquarters, medical assistance was requested; however, she was again uncooperative and had to be physically carried into an ambulance while she kicked and screamed. At the hospital, she was so aggressive toward staff they had to sedate her and restrain her to the bed.

Officers obtained a telephonic search warrant, pursuant to which a blood sample was later obtained for the purposes of determining her BAC.

And after all of this, some hours later, she was released with summonses to both criminal and traffic courts, charging her with two counts of aggravated assault on a law-enforcement officer, one count of resisting arrest, operating under the influence of liquor, possession of an open container of alcohol, double parking, reckless driving and failure to use lamps when required.

SPORTS & HEALTH

One year after devastating injury, Toranzo takes OW at Region 3 Championships

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

When Brandon Toranzo walked into West Orange High School for the NJSIAA Region 3 Wrestling Championships, he was understandably reminded with painful memories.

It was here, 12 months ago, when Nutley’s star heavyweight saw his dreams of making it to Atlantic City shattered by a torn ACL in his left knee, bringing a sudden and premature end to what had been an undefeated junior season.

“I walked in there and I was like, I remember this gym,” said Toranzo. “I feel like it was just yesterday when I got hurt. I feel like it’s all been a really fast process, getting back these last 12 months. A year went by so fast for me.”

A year later, Toranzo can replace those feelings of despair with ones of elation.

Thanks to a 4-2 decision over Bergen Catholic’s Benji Shue in the 285 pound final, Toranzo was able to leave West Orange as a regional champion. Toranzo, who improved to 41-0 on the season, was named Outstanding

North Arlington boys bowling wins first sectional title since 2019

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

When the bowling season got underway, North Arlington boys coach Dan Farinola didn’t fully know what to expect this season. But with no seniors among the Vikings’ top four bowlers, Farinola saw a group that had the potential to do good things down the road.

Wrestler for the region.

Toranzo becomes Nutley’s 18th regional champ in the program history and the first since Joe Ferinde in 2015.

“It was a bad bad feeling walking in the gym, but I knew this year was different,” said Toranzo, who admitted getting a weird feeling in the semifinal against Bloomfield’s Gabriel McCulloch on the exact same mat he got hurt on in the semifinals last year. “I’m way more prepared than I was last year. Obviously I couldn’t control what happened last year, but I was not leaving this gym with the same feeling I had last year.”

Shue, who took fourth place

at 285 pounds in Atlantic City last year, entered regions as the No. 2 ranked heavyweight in the state by NJ.com. But Toranzo, ranked No. 4, was unfazed by the challenge.

“He was definitely the hardest competition I wrestled this season,” Toranzo said. “He had a good pace to him, but I felt like I was able to control the center of the mat really well against him.”

Toranzo came out as the aggressor in the first period. Then, in the second when Shue attempted a standing headlock and Toranzo lifted him up brought Shue down for a takedown that

See

That potential came to full bloom on Saturday, perhaps a little earlier than previously anticipated.

Thanks to a balanced lineup from one through five North Arlington claimed its first state sectional title since 2019 when it defeated Belvidere, 2-0, in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 final at Bowlero in North Brunswick.

Alex Garcia and Trevor Waters led the way on Saturday with two-game averages of 212 and 208.5 respectively. Jonathan Garcia averaged a 162.5, Keith Nelson rolled a 154 average and Rohan Patel averaged 151.5.

North Arlington, which is 21-4, will face Clayton in the Group 1 semifinals on Tuesday at Bowlero. The winner will then bowl for the overall Group 1 title later that afternoon against the Kinnelon-Roselle Park winner.

“Going into the season I thought we would be good,” Farinola said. “I knew we’d be competitive, but by the last two weeks of the season I knew that we were a real contender (for a sectional title).”

Over the course of the season,

Farinola saw all five of his starters see their averages jump by 10-20 pins, creating a lineup that was not only balanced, but deep.

With such depth, Farinola has had his group not worry about individual scores, but rather place an emphasis on the number 900 because if the quintet could do that each game, it would be all, but assured of winning that match.

“It’s something we stress, especially in the playoffs, before every game,” said Farinola. “I always give them the goal of a 900 for the team score. I told them you have to average 180, so if you’re on pace for 160 and you see the guy next to you is on pace for 200, we’re good. So don’t look at your individual scores, look at the team score.”

In the state tournament, North Arlington hit the 900 pin goal in five of the six games.

Tuesday’s first round 2-0 win over Hasbrouck Heights saw North Arlington roll a 984 average, led by Patel who rolled a 256 and a 277.

Two days later, in the semifinals against St. Mary’s of Rutherford, Patel once again starred rolling a 230 in the first game before scoring a career-best 289 in the second game.

Patel, a junior, was the difference in the semifinals, but when he rolled the team’s low score on Saturday, it further reaffirmed Farionla’s emphasis on the team average over an individual score.

Photo courtesy of Frank DeBlasio

Coordinado con, el alcalde Doyle y el comisionado Cifelli

TORANZO

Continued from Page 9

sent a roar through the crowd.

“There was a lot of pure willpower in that move,” Toranzo said. “At that moment I knew I couldn’t give up two (points) and there was a lot of willpower, just using every single bit of strength I had just to pick him.

It was definitely a momentum change at that point in the match.”

It was a takedown that Toranzo credited to the upper-body strength training he did last spring following the ACL surgery that prevented him from doing any lower-body work.

“I trained really hard this off

“Make

season. Both my legs weren’t really in use because of my ACL, so I just trained my upper body to be as strong as I could,” said Toranzo. “When I was able to start training my legs, I trained legs three days a week for months.”

The combination of weights and functional strength training has made Toranzo, in his opinion, the strongest heavyweight in the state.

“I think it’s definitely a little bit of an intimidation factor,” said Toranzo. “I look a lot bigger this year in the upper section of myself and a lot of the wrestlers, they don’t look like me. So when they see me, I can see fear in their eyes.”

Toranzo has twice gone to the state wrestling championships

as a fan - first as an eighth grader to support his older brother Michael, then as a sophomore in support of his friend and then-teammate Jimmy Mullen at St. Joseph Regional. This time, however, it will be as a competitor.

“It’s a great feeling. I just feel like at that point I’ll know that it’s all said and done,” Toranzo said. “I put in all the hard work. I’m just going to leave it in God’s hands and just go out there and wrestle. Just do what I’ve been doing all season.”

While this will be Toranzo’s first Atlantic City appearance, three Observer-area wrestlers - McCulloch, Kieran McNeil and Rocco Negron - are making return trips to the state tourna-

ment, which begins on Thursday.

McCulloch shook off the semifinals loss to Toranzo to take third place in Region 3 at 285 pounds. McNeil, a senior for Lyndhurst-North Arlington is going for the second-straight year after taking fourth place at 138 pounds. Belleville’s Negron, who was named OW at District 10 last week, took third place at 144 pounds to qualify for the second time in three years.

Joining Negron will be teammate Jakob Ferrer who finished second at 113 pounds. Also heading to Atlantic City will be Kearny’s Joshua Baeza, who despite seeing his undefeated streak come to an end in the semifinals, rallied to take fourth place at 138 pounds.

After spending the last few years in Phillipsburg, the

NJSIAA’s Girls Wrestling State Tournament returns to Atlantic City this upcoming weekend as well and The Observer-area will be well represented.

In the North 1 Regional Tournament which was held at Vernon, Nutley had two qualifiers as Isabella Bobadilla took third place at 126 pounds and Carina Rivera finished third at 165 pounds.

In the North 2 Regional Tournament at Union, Bloomfield once again had another major performance, sending four to Atlantic City. Madelyn McLaughlin won the regional title at 132 pounds after defeating Bayonne’s Mariana Puzycki, 6-2. Joining McLaughlin will be teammates Alexha Montalvo (second at 120 pounds), Saharia Quamina (second at 235) and Leanna Noel (third at 145).

Premier Car e TALK S

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a medical treatment that involves supplementing or replacing hormones in the body, typically estrogen and progesterone in women or testosterone in men. It is commonly used to manage symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness in menopausal women. In men, HRT may be prescribed to address symptoms related to low testosterone levels, such as fatigue, reduced libido, and muscle loss. HRT can be administered through various methods, including oral pills, patches, gels, creams, or injections. While HRT can significantly relieve symptoms, it is not without risks.

Regular monitoring and follow-up visits are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of hormone replace-

ment therapy.

To help avoid risks in people who are prescribed HRT, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using HRT at the lowest working dose for the shortest period of time possible, which is typically no longer than 5 years. To schedule an appointment, please call PREMIER CARE ASSOCIATES OF WEST HUDSON at 201-998-7474, or visit us 7 days a week at 512 Kearny Ave., Suite B. We provide routine immunizations and complete physical examinations including electrocardiograms (EKG) and laboratory services.

P.S. A

age, overall health, and

side effects of HRT should all be discussed with the doctor and

into account when determining

appropriateness of the

Dr.

Eleanor Joan Hodson

Eleanor Joan Hodson (nee Butler), 88, died Feb. 15, 2024.

Born in Newark, she lived in Kearny for over 50 years.

Eleanor was the beloved wife of the late John J. Hodson; the devoted mother of Lynne Pedalino and her husband

George, Marianne Stevenish and her husband Robert, Kathryn Stanak and her husband Stephen, and John Hodson and his wife Kristine; the cherished grandmother of Alex Pedalino, Kaitlyn Pistilli and her husband Jonathan, Nicholas Hodson, Robert Stevenish, and a great-grandchild on the way; the dear sister of Edward Butler, Thomas Butler, and Linda Doraski; and the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Private Funeral Services took place under the direction of the Parow Funeral Home 185 Ridge Road, North Arlington.

Mae B.

Angione

Mae B. Angione (nee Miller) died Feb. 20, 2024.

She was 77.

Born in Newark, she lived in

OBITUARIES

both Kearny and Harrison for many years.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. There was a procession to Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth, before burial.

Mae was the wife of the late Vincent Angione and mother of Linda Supor (her husband Joseph) and Joanna Roberts (her husband Michael). Also surviving are her grandchildren Joseph, Rebecca, Christopher, Jessica, Danielle and Michael along with her great-granddaughter Josephine.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Julia Leahy

Julia Leahy, (nee McCurley), 90, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at her home in Kearny. Julia recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends.

Relatives and friends visited at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, Kearny. The funeral service was the First Presbyterian Church of Arling-

ton, Kearny. The Rev. Elaine Connolly officiated. Interment was in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny.

Born in Brooklyn, Julia’s family soon moved to Kearny, where she was a lifelong resident. Along with her beloved husband Jerry “Skeeter” Leahy, Julia raised four children, while serving up fish and chips and establishing a piece of Kearny history at their family business, The Thistle.

Julia and Skeeter retired in 2010 after 40 years. Julia was an avid traveler, a faithful member of First Pres, and, above all else, a kind and generous person through and through.

Julia is the heart of our family.

She is survived by her beloved children, Jane Souza (Chris), Susan Jutkiewicz, Anne McCaffrey (John) and William Leahy (Kimberley), and brother Donald McCurley; her adoring grandchildren Christopher (Michelle), Allyson, Jessica (Daniel), Justin, Paige, Julia, Keara, Brooke and Johnny and great-grandchildren Valentina, Santino,

Plan a game night with your seniors’ group

If you’re looking for a fun way to liven up your next seniors’ mixer, why not take a twist on the classic board game by planning a smorgasbord of games? Set up multiple play areas and provide a variety of diversions. Here are some game ideas to inspire your plans.

• Board games. From timeless classics like backgammon and chess to your childhood go-to game, board games spark connection. Include a mix of multi-player and one-on-one

options. Mix things up with a few dice games like Yahtzee or Boggle.

• Card games. For your poker-faced friends, card games get top points. Provide a few standard 52-card decks and let your guests play one or more games of their choice. Add a few specialty decks like UNO and Old Maid for more variety.

• Team games. Team games can provide hours of fun. Cards Against Humanity and Pictionary are popular com-

mercial choices. For multi-media fun, Cranium lets you mix things up with drawing, singing, sculpture and more. For low-cost fun, organize a few rounds of charades.

Building in flexibility gives each person the freedom to choose the games they prefer, change things up or even sit back and watch. Add a jigsaw puzzle table for the less competitive members of your group. If you’re short on games, your local hobby shop can help.

Alphonse and Jamie. She will also be dearly missed by her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Jerry “Skeeter” Leahy, her son-in-law, Daniel Jutkie-

All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.

wicz and her brother William McCurley.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Food Pantry in Julia’s name.

BOWLING

Continued from Page 9

“That was the cool part about Saturday. It was a full team effort. We didn’t ride one or two kids the entire tournament.”

For the season, Patel’s rolled a 206.9 average, a 23.46 pin improvement from last season. Alex Garcia, a

sophomore, has seen his average jump from 183.34 to 194.21 while younger brother Jonathan, a freshman, has averaged 175.51. Waters, a junior, is averaging 169.2 per game and Nelson, the lone senior in the top five, has averaged a 159.67.

Nelson and fellow senior Adam Hansali have done well in limited action due to NJIC league matches only using four bowlers per game.

Makayla David’s state tournament opener is one for the record books

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

For Makayla David, feeling nerves on the day of a game is nothing new, but on Wednesday morning, hours before Kearny’s state tournament opener, those feelings were especially strong for the freshman guard.

“I was nervous the whole entire day,” said David. “I could not eat. I had to force myself to eat. I was just so nervous. I kept telling everyone I was so nervous, but I knew it was a big game and I couldn’t let the nerves get to me.

“I always get nerves, but this type of nerves was different from the usual nerves I get before games.”

It turned out the nerves weren’t the only thing different about this day for David, because once the whistle blew and the game got underway, she delivered one of the finest performances any Kardinal has had in recent memory.

Those pregame nerves turned into postgame shock when David found out just what she had accomplished.

“My coaches told me in the locker room right after the game and I was so surprised,” David said. “I was like ‘what? I scored 30 points?’ I knew I scored a lot, but not 30 points.”

David went on to set a school record with seven 3-pointers in a game as she went on to score a career-high 30 points as Kearny rolled to a 73-45 victory over Fair Lawn in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 tournament. The record-breaking performance makes David The Observer Athlete of the Week.

The 30 points were the most scored by an Observer-area girls basketball player this season and the most in a state tournament game by a Kearny player since Sam Osorio scored 33 in 2020. The previous Kearny record was 3-pointers in a game was six by Meagan McClelland and Janitza Aquino.

“I remember the day before the game, she was jumping up and down.

You could tell she was super excited. She just kept saying ‘I can’t wait for the state playoffs,” head coach Jody Hill said. “She mentioned she was feeling a little extra nervous and I tried to tell her, once the tipoff comes and you step foot on the court, all the nerves just going to go away. Just go out and play basketball just like any other game. Go out and do your thing.”

David actually missed her first two 3-point attempts for the game, so when her third attemptan open shot from the top of the key - went in, she felt a sense of relief.

“She had great energy from start to finish,” said Hill. “She just went out, played her game, and got

Continued on next page

Photo courtesy of Dan Farinola

Photo courtesy of the Kearny Athlatic Department

a career-high 30 points and set the 3-point record. It was just tremendous, a great start for her and the right way to start off the playoffs.”

David said she tries to model her game after three of the game’s greatest shooters - Stephen Curry, Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu. She’s also been able to train with Hall of Famer and Nutley resident Carol Balzejowski.

And like those four, David has shown the ability to take over from the outside.

In her first varsity game, David made four 3-pointers against St. Dominic. In February, she’s hit an eye-opening 31 3-pointers in the last night game to smash the previous single-season 3-point record of 53 by Ava Hyams.

“My shooting has really improved,” said David, who felt she had a good idea of what to expect this winter after playing varsity soccer in the fall. “I worked on my shooting for a whole year in eighth grade and I didn’t know how good of a shooter I was going to be and now it’s really showing.”

The instant impact of David, who has 64 3-pointers and is averaging 12.3 points per game is unsurprising to Hill.

“She proved to us that she deserved to be in the starting lineup (right away) and I don’t ever want her to second guess her ability to take over a game or have the green light to shoot every time she’s open,” Hill said. “She pretty much came in already with that sense of confidence and shooting ability.”

Kearny, seeded seventh in North 1, Group 4, looked to keep its season going on Monday night with a quarterfinal contest at second-seeded Morristown. Like she does most games, David is sure to feel some pregame jitters. But with the way she’s been shooting of late, maybe it will be the Colonials feeling nerves as they try to avoid the upset.

BELLEVILLE

BELLEVILLE Studio

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KEARNY Studio apartment on Quincy Ave in Kearny. Rent $1700/ month. Lovely, newly-refinished hardwood floors. Coin-operated washer and dryer in basement. Landlord pays for hot water, tenant pays for heat and electricity. Tenant will need to provide own refrigerator. On-street parking. Call 862-5056877 for more information or to schedule a showing 43W03

KEARNY Newly renovated.1st floor, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, LR, kitchen. No Pets. No laundry hook up. Dishwasher, Stove, Refrigerator. One parking space. $2400 + 1 ½ mth security. Utilities separte. Electricity included Available April 1st.(201)424-1188 43W03

KEARNY 1 BR apt. HT/ HW included also Hardwood floors , $1,450+ 1 month security. No pets/smoking. Available now. For more Info Call 201-306-2994 43W03

KEARNY First floor. 2 BR. LR. EIK. Near TRANS/School and shopping. $2000 + 1 months security. Utilities not included. No Pets/Smoking. Avail Now. (347)735-3299 43W03

N.ARLINGTON 1 bedroom studio w/ full granite kitchen Small private entrance building on Ridge Road $1450 all utilities included 1st floor/ Available March 1st Credit check required Call owner (973)800-8582 43W03

N.ARLINGTON New 2 BR Apartment w/updated kitchen Hardwood floors throughout. Rent: $1950 Security: 1.5 months rent Utilities are separate No Pets No Smoking Credit/Background Check required Contact: (201)6933480 43W03

LYNDHURST 1 room for single person. Available March 1st. Utilities included. Close to Transportation. No Pets/Smoking. (862)201-6013 43W03

PERSONALS

Independent Brazilian woman, looking for friendship with a gentlemen 50’s - 60’s year old. I Love to spend time with people with good energy, listen to music & dancing Call or text (201)702-0747 43W03

FULL TIME experienced landscaper/ driver needed. With valid drivers license call (201)998-1262 43W03

Experienced Hairdresser needed.

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RN/Med-Tech/Med-Asst Wanted Adult Medical Day Care (Belleville)

Part Time/Full Time for adult medical daycare in Essex County needed. Creole speaking a must. No nights or weekends. Competitive Salary. Call Monday thru Friday only between 10 AM and 4 PM. Call (973) 751-6000

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Account Clerk (full-time)

in the Finance Department to perform Accounts Payable and Purchasing duties under the direction of the Treasurer/CFO. Must be proficient in the use of Excel/Word and able to work independently. College education and related experience preferred. Annual Salary starting at $39,280 find application here https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ deadline to apply 3/15/24 42W03

CDL Driver Wanted Adult Medical Day Care (Belleville)

Part Time/Full Time Driver for adult medical daycare in Essex County needed. A CDL with Class B and Endorsement P preferred!!! Spanish speaking a plus. No nights or weekends. Competitive Salary. Call Monday thru Friday only between 10 AM and 4 PM. Call (973) 751-6000

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Newark PD’s Class of 1974 get together half a century after finishing their academy training

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NEWS BRIEFS

Kearny rec baseball registrations open

Kearny Little League, minor league and tee-ball registrations are open in Kearny for kids aged 5 to 12 through March 1. Visit www.kearnynj. org for registration forms or more information.

NA Knights hosting Sunday breakfast

The Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus sponsor a Sunday breakfast on March 10 at 10 a.m. at Columbian Club Hall, 194

River Road, North Arlington.

The Knights will serve pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, potatoes, bagels, cereal, oatmeal, a fruit cup, coffee and tea, plus seconds, for only $25 per adult and $10 for kids aged 6 to 11. Take-out will be available. Reservations must be made by calling (201) 988-0183 by Wednesday, March 6.

The Knights also ask those attending to consider donating a non-perishable, non-expired can good for its Food for Families project.

Several members of the 79th recruit class of the Newark Police Department celebrated 50 years since graduating on Feb. 1, 2024 at Divino Restaurant in Caldwell. The class started Oct. 15, 1973 and graduated on Feb. 1, 1974. Many members of the class left the Newark PD, pursuing careers at other police agencies, falling victim to layoffs that struck Newark in the mid-‘70s. Seen here, at left, are members of the class in 1973. The present picture includes, from left, Deputy Chief Ken Reed, Essex County Prosecutors’ Office; Capt. Richie Luongo, Newark PD; Chief Joseph Rotonda, Belleville PD; Undersheriff Julius Coltre, Essex County Sheriffs’ Department; Officer James Steward, Newark PD; and Lt. James George, Newark PD.

PATH

Continued from Page 1

stored in water-retention tanks for landscape irrigation.

“Today’s announcement marks yet another milestone in the comprehensive modernization of our regional transportation system,” Gov. Philip D. Murphy said. “I applaud the Port Authority for the forward-thinking lens through which this project was conceived. Combining state-of-the-art technology with sustainable and resilient practices will ensure New Jersey commuters have a first-rate mode of transportation to get where they need to go while benefiting our regional economy as a whole.”

Murphy was not present at the opening, but many PA leaders, and Harrison Councilman Larry Bennett, were.

“I was so honored to be Mayor Fife’s representative at the opening of the station house,” Bennett said. “The late Mayor Ray McDonough’s vision is the reason we all stood there — in fact, all of what is happening in Harrison can be traced back to the vision he and Pete Higgins had for a better Harrison. I am especially pleased the station will now be accessible to all patrons with the addition of the elevator. We are grateful to all the folks who worked so hard, behind the scenes, too, who made this all possible.”

The new station house is the latest step forward in the

Port Authority’s $256 million transformation of the sprawling PATH Harrison station complex as a vital transportation hub in the region. The new facility provides safe pedestrian access for the Harrison station without the need to cross the busy Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard. It complements a station house in the northeast section of the complex completed in 2018, and a second station house that opened in 2019 in the complex’s southeast section.

The expansion and modernization of the complex was conceived as the town of Harrison’s development and population increased sharply in recent years, driven by quick and easy PATH service to and from New York City. In addition to service on the PATH Newark-World Trade Center line, the station provides connections to midtown Manhattan via the 33rd Street Line, NJ TRANSIT buses, vehicle parking for commuters who wish to park and ride and safe and secure free-to-use bicycle parking. At its peak, the station served 2.6 million passengers in pre-pandemic 2019, and has since rebounded to more than 1.7 million passengers in 2023.

In developing the new station house, PATH retained the original 1936 structure’s history and legacy by preserving and showcasing the original signage and numerous artifacts from the previous building. These include the installation of an interpretative display and a striking black-

and-white aerial map in an area outside the entrance; bronze station signage letters; a Pennsylvania Railroad keystone, and a directional mosaic tile sign.

The Port Authority’s $256 million investment at Harrison encompasses extensive renovations, the three new station houses to improve egress, and the construction of a new substation that now powers the entire station complex. The new substation, which has been operational for a year, ensures a dedicated power source for the large complex and was built to the agency’s stringent sustainability standards.

“I commend PATH Director Clarelle DeGraffe, Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Executive Director Rick Cotton on the completion of yet another new station entrance at the Harrison PATH station,” new Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said. “A more modern, accessible PATH system is critical not only for our Harrison residents, but also for those who might consider West Hudson for investment and development. PATH is vital to our county infrastructure, growth and development, and we appreciate all PATH and Port Authority staff who made this project possible.”

Mayor James A. Fife also chimed in, though he was unable to attend the event.

“Since the Port Authority built the new state-of-the-art PATH station in Harrison, we have seen firsthand its great

success as a complement to the massive redevelopment that has transformed this once-industrial zone,” said James Fife, mayor of the town of Harrison. “We commend the Port Authority for its commitment to Harrison and

to PATH riders who rely on this station. Partnerships like the one we have with the Port Authority to improve this area are vital to our continued development, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, D-8, left, and state Sen. Teresa Ruiz,D-29, at the station opening last week.