Sunday,
TBy Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
he Kearny Police Department is actively recruiting prospective of-
ficers — and while you may not have known this, the process, now in its third year, is a lot different than it had been — and it should be beneficial to those seeking a local career in law
enforcement.
In the past, to become a police officer, one would have to take the state Civil Service Exam that would have a three-year shelf life for all depart-
ments. Now test takers will have to indicate the specific department (or departments) they hope to join and
he Township of Belleville will receive almost $1 million in federal appropriations to use toward its continuing efforts to provide safe, clean drinking water to its residents.
Belleville will receive $959,752 earmarked for the first phase of its lead-line replacement project that began late 2022.
mittee for Fiscal Year 2024 that were passed by the House of Representatives — totaling $15.8 million.
Those CPFs were signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. last week.
Client:
The federal funds for these local projects create jobs, drive local economic growth and improve the quality of life and affordability throughout the district and state, Belleville Mayor Michael A. Melham says.
had difficulty finding allies in our efforts to maintain Belleville’s water quality. While we put these federal dollars to good use and continue to upgrade our lines, residents can be assured that we will continue to closely monitor the quality of our water supply.”
Sherill said the Community Project Funding will have a “tangible impact” on lives — especially those in Belleville.
The money was secured by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11, as one of 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests she submitted to the House Appropriations Com -
Gov. Philip D. Murphy signed a bill in 2021 requiring each municipality in New Jersey to replace their lead service lines — those that connect residences and
Advertising: Here is the updated template with a new photo of Jarlynn Hyde:
businesses to the local water supply.
“We are grateful for the hard work of Congresswoman Sherrill, who fought for the residents of Belleville,” Melham said. “Even though few would argue that access to clean, safe drinking water is not a fundamental human right, we have sometimes
Presented by Jarlynn Hyde Broker/Owner
You most likely obtained a pre-approval letter for a home loan at the beginning of your home search. It’s essential to remember that a pre-approval is not set in stone, and the lender must give final approval. There are hurdles to clear before the lender legally commits to funding your home loan. Keep in mind that you want to be gainfully employed. Job-hopping is not a good idea and can present some problems because lenders are looking for stability. Also, pay your bills on time and keep a clean bank account that doesn’t show unexplained deposits. Don’t co-sign on another loan
because you don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s debt. Lastly, don’t buy new furniture until final approval.
If you choose to use the services of an experienced real estate agent when purchasing a new home or selling your current one, you are making one of the smartest moves you can. We are very detail-oriented and will devote the time and attention necessary to answer your questions and satisfy your needs. You can always count on our real estate professionals to do what is in your best interest. “Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”
“Water quality and local financial burden of lead line replacements are top issues I hear about from local leaders and constituents,” she said. “With this Community Project Funding, Belleville will be able to expand its efforts to replace lead service lines throughout the township.
“I want to thank Mayor Melham, the entire Township Council and Business Administrator Anthony Iacono for their work on behalf of the residents of Belleville and for submitting this project that will make our communities an even better and safer place to live.”
We first met Maria Hamlin in 2006 when she was working alongside two public-information officers at the Nutley Police Department — the since-retired Det. Lt. Steven L. Rogers and the still PIO Det. Lt. Anthony Montanari.
And while Hamlin has since retired from her role as a cop, she’s hardly retired from public life. In fact, she may be even more involved now. And, she also recently announced she will seek one of five seats on Nutley’s Board of Commissioners in May.
Here’s a little background on Hamlin.
Hamlin and her family have called Nutley home for over 20 years. She’s a retired police officer, veteran, and chief master sergeant of the United States Air Force.
Shortly after graduating high school, Maria enlisted in the United States Air Force while pursuing a law-enforcement career. In the aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she was called to perform active duty and was deployed overseas in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.
Upon her return from active duty, Maria transitioned into her role as a cop. Throughout her tenure with the Nutley PD, she took on various roles, such as patrol officer, juvenile detective, detective and assistant accreditation manager.
She says she actively sought to improve the relationship between law-enforcement officers and youth, recognizing the importance of fostering positive and trusting connections within the community. To this end, she created programs such as the Nutley Junior Police Academy and the Trunk or Treat Program. These initiatives were born from her desire to create a safe and welcoming environment for youth, empower and educate them, instill a sense of responsibility and accountability and break down barriers between civilians and law enforcement, she says. Hamlin recalls how she demonstrated her ability to lead throughout her 26-year military career. Her roles included Aeromedical Specialist, First Sergeant and Chief Enlisted Adviser to the Commander. In this last capacity, she was pivotal in guiding and shaping the operations, readiness, training and professional development of the men and women serving our nation.
Since her retirement, Hamlin has been an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Nutley and has been the commander the past three years.
Under her leadership, the VFW has seen renewal, and she has advocated for and worked toward getting veterans the help they need after
suffering from illness while serving in the military. She has also led projects to revitalize veterans’ VFW property, ensuring they have a place to call home, a space to heal and a community to belong to. She says her commitment to fiscal responsibility led her to secure donated goods and services to accomplish most of
this work.
She also notes she’s spearheaded several VFW programs and events that resonated with Nutley residents.
“My dedication to creating these inclusive and uplifting events speaks volumes about my character and passion for
See HAMLIN, Page 18
Aman who likely didn’t have a bathroom of his own (you’ll find out why shortly) wound up taking a crap inside a police vehicle that was being used to transport him to the Hudson
County Jail in South Kearny, all after he allegedly broke into a Chestnut Street (Kearny) home last week, without being charged with burglary, the Kearny Police Department says.
On March 9, 2024, a young girl awoke her father, having sensed something was wrong
in their Chestnut Street home. The father investigated, noticing a suspicious odor and noises coming from the basement of the residence. Police
say the resident feared for the safety of his young children and began to search his home while armed with his legally-owned handgun.
When the dad found an intruder inside his home, a physical confrontation of pushes and strikes ensued. Despite the intruder punching the father in the ribs several times, the father was able to strike the intruder in the head with his handgun (probably exercising more restraint than was legally required) then held him down while police rushed to the home to assist.
Officers Jean Paul Duran, Angel Martinez, Mat Lopez and Janitza Aquino were first to arrive and when they did, they encountered a rather chaotic scene, with children yelling and running out of the home. They immediately made entry and were able to take the uncooperative intruder — later identified as Dwayne T. Whaley, 49, with no known home — into custody.
Whaley was also found to be a NCIC wanted person out of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office.
He was transported to a medical facility to receive care for the injuries he sustained after attacking the man whose home he illegally broke into. Once he was medically cleared, he was taken to Kearny Police Headquarters for processing, while statements were obtained from the frightened family.
Since police say they could not prove Whaley intended to
commit an offense within the residence, even though it was plainly obvious — why else would he break into a home? (a prerequisite for a burglary), he was instead charged with criminal trespass.
Later that day, as very unfortunate units were dutifully transporting Whaley to the Hudson County Jail in South Kearny, he became frustrated with officers and the sally port of the jail not opening quickly enough for his liking, so without notice, he took a dump in the rear of the police vehicle. Such a nice fellow, eh?
Additional charges of criminal mischief and indecent, lewd conduct were then generated for Whaley.
The police vehicle had to be taken out of service until it could be professionally decontaminated. (God help anyone who has to do that for a living.)
And despite all of this, Whaley has since been released from jail.
The Harrison-East Newark Elks host a fish fry Good Friday, March 29, from 4 to
East Newark and Kearny.
The cost is $17 pp and includes baked or fried fish or fried shrimp with either fries of a baked potato.
For more details, call (973) 485-9478.
The Harrison High School Drama Club brings the science fiction adventure “Starmites” written by Barry Keating & Stuart Ross, to the stage for three performances from March 21-23, 2024.
“Starmites” tells the story of a lonely teenage girl who magically finds herself immersed in the comic-book world she adores.
There, she must lead the mighty “Starmites” in their efforts to save the earth and battle the evil Shak Graa.
Director Colin Shields says he is thrilled to lead this talented cast in what he describes as a show for the ages.
“Audiences should prepare for a visual spectacle. The cast and crew have worked hard to create an intricate 1980s sci-fi rock concert environment to perform on and even more extreme costumes to bring the world of Innerpace alive on stage,” Shields says.
This year, the Harrison High School Drama Club will compete against 100 New Jersey High Schools at the Paper Mill Playhouse’s Rising Star Awards.
Modeled after Broadway’s
Tony Awards, the awards were created to encourage an recognize exceptional accomplishments in the production of New Jersey high school musicals. This year will be the club’s fourth time competing at the awards, having previously been nominated in 10 categories, winning six.
“The added layer of competition adds excitement to our rehearsals and gives our actors something to strive towards in their performances,” Shields says.
Performances are March 21, 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harrison High School Auditorium, 401 Kingsland Ave.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students.
Friday, March 22 is “Family Night” where patrons are asked to bring the whole family and pay what they can.
Tickets are available at the door. Any local businesses who would like to support the show by purchasing an advertisement in the program should email producer Milton Velez at milton.velez@staff. harrisonschools.org for more information.
It’s not often this newspaper cites stories from other newsgathering organizations, but in the case of njglobe.com, we had to make an exception. Because last week, on that site, was an op-ed penned by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is also running for governor, and Angela McKnight and Raj Mukherji, both state senators.
Their op-ed called for the abolition of the “County Line.” And we couldn’t be more elated or appreciative for their decision to do so.
Among many strong points, most notedly, they said: “ ... (an) unbiased observer can see that the way in which primary candidates are bracketed on a party-column ballot in 19 of 21 counties in New Jersey — unique among the 50 states of our beloved union — confers a ludicrous advantage to the privileged recipients awarded favorable ballot positions by our county political parties. It’s unfair, it’s probably unconstitutional and it’s time to abolish the line.”
They also point to recent history when “The Line” had no measurable effect on an election, and that was just last year, right here in Kearny, when Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, out in Ballot Siberia, beat the line candidates — a Democrat and a Republican.
Perhaps the most stark part of the trio’s op-ed?
“... From 2003-2023, out of over 1,000 times incumbent state legislators sought reelection (208 of which had contested primaries and were awarded the line in all counties in their districts), only three did not win their primaries.”
Three! That’s not democracy, folks, that’s hand-picking winners in most cases. And it’s time the practice comes to an end.
We are all fortunate the line didn’t matter in 2023 in Kearny. The results of a “Line A” victory in that race would have utterly catastrophic, even though some still haven’t learned a lesson from that loss. But none of it would have mattered, anyway, if candidates didn’t even have a chance to seek the coveted line.
We commend Fulop, McKnight and Mukherji. For Fulop, this was immensely risky, given he’s not the only candidate for governor. However, what he’s demonstrated, along with his two colleagues, mirrors what President John F. Kennedy once said about the space race. Those words ring loudly and clearly today, comparatively.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard ...” Kennedy said. He probably never could have dreamed his words would resonate 60+ years later in Hudson County.
But they have. Thanks be to God.
Read Across America Day took place across the country earlier this month (March 2) and to mark it, Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, at right, spoke at several schools, including what you’re seeing here during a visit to the charter school on Midland Avenue. Here, one child listens, perhaps mesmerized, as Doyle reads.
Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) Hudson Scholars program was presented the Bellwether Legacy Award for impacting student success in retention and college completion, particularly for those from traditionally underserved groups.
The award, the highest honor bestowed by the Bellwether College Consortium, is just one of many national accolades Hudson Scholars has received in the past two years. Others include the League for Innovation in the Community College’s 2022 Innovation of the Year Award, Bellwether 2023 Instructional Programs and Services Award and
Provident Bank Foundation’s 2023 Signature Grant ($100,000).
Conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, the holistic Hudson Scholars program combines proactive student support, financial stipends, high-impact educational experiences and high-touch early academic intervention. To date, more than 2,500 HCCC students are benefitting from the program.
The story of Hudson Scholars’ development and significant achievement rates demonstrate how seizing an opportunity to pursue a big idea with imaginative thinking made college retention and completion a reality for far more students than previously imagined.
The challenge
With campuses in Jersey
City (the most diverse city in the United States), Union City and Secaucus, HCCC students reflect the ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic and linguistic diversity of New Jersey’s Hudson County. Some 55% of students are Latino, 13% are Black or African American, 12% are white, 8% are Asian and 4% are classified as “other.” Of them, 34% are returning adult learners (aged 25 or older). One-third of all HCCC students were born outside the United States. Nationally, community college completion ranks far below rates of fouryear institutions due to the collective open-access missions of two-year colleges. HCCC students shoulder challenges that often prevent them from completing their degree work.
On average, 77% of
HCCC students begin their college education enrolled in developmental math or English coursework, with 23% of those students also enrolled in English as a Second Language. Additionally, a majority of HCCC students report food and housing insecurity, many students work full-time to support their families and 80% of enrolled students receive financial aid.
“We know that empowering more students to earn a college degree is
transformational for the students, their families, and the community at large,” HCCC President Christopher Reber said. “By successfully completing their college degree work, students are more likely to earn a familysustaining wage, which in turn provides potential economic and tax revenue increases on the local, state, and national levels. Hudson Scholars addresses not only student success, but also
Continued on the next page
Continued from previous page
social justice and equity. For HCCC, taking action to help all students succeed was not a choice, it was an imperative.”
Opportunity arises
Reber is a proponent of the late Sen. Robert Francis Kennedy’s take on the George Bernard Shaw quote: “Some see things as they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream things that never were and ask, ‘Why not?’” When the pandemic surfaced, HCCC regrouped and quickly returned on course, balancing new responsibilities in disease migration and tracking while never pausing its student success work. In Spring 2021, the college realized a windfall of COVID federal stimulus funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund could be used to build a retention and completion model based on two highly
successful programs:
* New Jersey’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) that serves students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds with individualized advisement, academic support, and financial grants. EOF student are 47% more likely to be retained fall-to-fall, and twice as likely to earn a credential in three years; and
* City University of New York’s (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP), which includes financial incentives, small advising caseloads, and block registration.
The evolution of Hudson Scholars
Reber assembled a leadership team to act as the architects of Hudson Scholars. Team members included Associate Dean of Advisement Gretchen Schulthes and Director of Institutional Research John Urgola. Together,
the team set about developing a customized, holistic and sustainable program that would begin within a few short months in fall 2021 and would serve 800 HCCC students, four times the number enrolled in the HCCC EOF program. The program plan included:
• Hiring five masters-prepared academic counselors who meet with students, work closely with faculty, monitor progress reports, monitor outside factors that may impede students’ progress and make referrals to on-campus services such as tutoring and mental health counseling. These counselors’ caseloads are 80% less than those of other advisers.
• Engaging faculty to partner with academic counselors, provide students’ progress reports at critical times, act as Hudson Scholars champions and eventually serve as mentors.
• Planning and creating a customized, easy and accessible reporting tool that prompts faculty to provide feedback on Hudson Scholars students, thereby enabling academic counselors to follow up about needed student interventions in addition to positive reinforcement of students’ progress and success.
• Establishing incentive engagements for students to earn up to $625 per semester for meeting with their counselors four times each term and completing assigned monthly tasks.
• Offering experiences such as attendance at Broadway plays, museums, field trips to businesses and others.
Before proceeding, an extensive financial feasibility analysis was conducted to predict whether Hudson Scholars could approximate EOF success on a much larger scale, and potentially pay for itself. The leadership team
determined the program must be sustainable, and that leveraging one-time grant funds as seed investment for a program that could self-sustain would be game-changing.
Positive outcomes beyond expectations
Hudson Scholars has grown from an initial cohort of 800 students to more than 2,500 students. The program’s initial two-year investment was $1,054,460. Combined enrolled tuition for fall 2021-spring 2022 totaled $6,260,233, which was $1,376,190 more than expected.
The increase resulted in $321,730 in net revenue. Further, over the last three years, the ratio of HCCC students receiving intensive counselor support increased by 575%, proving the program is now reaching exponentially more students.
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
The start of the spring sports season comes with plenty of hope and optimism, but for several coaches, those feelings are also joined with a sense of dread due to the fickle March weather leaving large parts of the preseason in shared gym spaces rather than outside.
Thanks to an unusually warm stretch, Observer-area
teams were able to soak in the sun during the first official week of the preseason, which only added to an already strong sense of optimism around the area.
“(As a coaching staff) we always say an hour outside is better than three hours in the gym,” North Arlington baseball coach Paul Marcantuono said. “The kids are excited, especially the ones coming out of basketball and other indoor
sports. Just to get outside and practice is a big deal. You get a lot done outside and it’s just nice, especially with baseball in the northeast.”
According to Marcantuono the warm weather and outside practices are especially beneficial for pitchers as they build up endurance leading up to the start of the regular season on April 1. In the case of North Arlington that should prove advantageous for senior hurlers
Robert
and Kevin Zidiak as the Vikings look to build upon last year’s 12-13 campaign in which it won 12 of the final 18 games.
“We started off rough, but we wound up winning 12 out of the 18 games with some big victories in there,” said Marcantuono. “I think they have a lot of confidence. We’re looking to get off to a better start and just compete throughout the season as opposed to three quarters of
the season, which I think they did a really good job after we got off to that rough start.”
North Arlington isn’t the only local team set to rely on veteran arms this spring. Fellow NJIC - National Division foe Lyndhurst is set to return senior aces Anthony Pizzuti and Michael Rizzo. William McChesney is set to be the ace at Kearny, while Sean Walsh
Anthony Pizzuti said he was shocked a few weeks ago when he was told that he was one of the selections for the annual New Jersey Basketball Coaches Association NorthSouth All-Star Classic.
Once that initial shock
wore off and as the game approached, it became about showing that he belonged in the exhibition featuring many of the state’s top seniors.
On Sunday, Pizzuti, the first Lyndhurst player selected for the game in more than 30 years, made the most of the opportunity scoring nine points for the North team in
its 108-105 victory over the South in the game, held at Rutgers Prep in Somerset.
“It was definitely a great experience to meet these kids and play with the best kids in the state,” Pizzuti said. “It was fun being on the team with some of these kids that are going to good colleges and stuff to play basketball.
It’s kind of cool playing with new people. It was just a great show and there’s a lot of people there too. It was fun, it was just a good day.”
In total, 31 seniors from across the state were selected, including five Division 1 basketball commits. So while many of the top players such as Peyton Seals of Ramapo,
Hudson Catholic’s Alex Massung and Jeremy Clayville of St. Joseph of Metuchen were already household names, Pizzuti entered as a relative unknown as a three-sport standout, who didn’t play major AAU basketball in the spring or summer.
Continued from Page 9
and Ayden Carrero are back for a Belleville team that won the SEC Colonial Division last year. Also in Essex County, Nutley is set to return nearly its entire pitching staff, while Bloomfield, which reached the North 1, Group 4 final last spring, will rely heavily upon aces Evit Dwyer and Evan Fried to lead a lineup that is one of the youngest the Bengals have ever had.
While softball doesn’t rely on the depth of pitching that baseball does, the mild temperatures proved equally beneficial, especially for a Lyndhurst team
that is set to have just one senior as well as multiple underclassmen set to play varsity for the first time.
“It makes a huge difference,” said head coach Diana Autieri. “The girls, they’re excited, although I explained to them the (potential) adversity of the weather, but they were counting down the days walking past my office saying four days left, three and then, so they were definitely excited to be outside especially.”
Leading the group of underclassmen is sophomore catcher Gianna Lembo, who burst onto the scene with 22 stolen bases and a team-high .368 average last season.
In North Arlington, the Vikings bring back one of the
NJIC’s most feared hitters in Rhi’anna Gomez, who hit .562 with a 1.203 slugging percentage and 30 RBI for the Vikings. Gomez and Kyra Garcia should be a potential 1-2 combination in the North Arlington lineup.
Harrison should also have a strong offensive attack again this season with the return of junior shortstop Hailey Scocco back after breaking out for a .413 average with four homers last season as are pitching Danica Carr and Rebecca Sardinha.
Sara Ryan will once again be a fixture in the top third of the Kearny lineup after her second consecutive 30-plus hit season.
In Essex County, Nutley should be much improved as juniors Lola Thompson, Skye
Stoeckel, Gabriella Mariano and Sianna Kantor all saw extensive action last year against some of the state’s top teams. Belleville’s Nina Gemino (.510 average, 41 runs scored), Deanna McIntosh and Anniyah Thompson all return to lead what should be a potent Belleville offense. Bloomfield should also plate plenty of runs as six of its top seven hitters from a season ago return, led by Rylie Fabrazzo, who hit .490.
Last week was also the first week of practices for boys tennis, lacrosse and boys volleyball, where Kearny and Harrison could be on a collision course for a third straight matchup in the Hudson County final. Belleville should remain in the mix in Essex County, while Nutley looks to build off of a strong second season of varsity volleyball last spring.
EDITORIAL: editorial@ theobserver.com.
ADVERTISING: advertising@ theobserver.com.
OBITS: obituaries@ theobserver.com.
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a potentially serious condition characterized by the formation of blood clots within deep veins, typically in the legs. It occurs when blood flow is slowed or disrupted, allowing the formation of clots. DVT can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected leg. If a clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can lead to a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism. Risk factors include prolonged immobility, surgery, obesity, pregnancy, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. Prompt diagnosis is crucial, and imaging tests such as ultrasound are used to confirm the presence of blood clots. Treatment for DVT involves blood thinning medications to prevent clot growth and reduce
the risk of complications.
Obesity is a risk factor for DVT. Regular exercise lowers the risk of blood clots. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. To schedule an appointment, please call PREMIER CARE ASSOCIATES OF WEST HUDSON at 201-998-7474. We are located at 512 Kearny Ave., Suite B, where walk-in patients are always welcome 7 days a week. P.S. Preventing DVT includes staying active, avoiding prolonged immobility, maintaining a healthy weight, and using compression stockings during high-risk situations.
Continued from Page 9
“For me, I just felt like I needed to earn my respect, I guess,” said Pizzuti. “There was a little chip on our shoulder. Obviously you want to win, everyone wants to win. We all wanted to beat the south team.
“I feel like a lot of people had a chip on their shoulder though. A lot of kids wanted to prove stuff so it was a good, competitive game.”
With so much talent on both sides, even Pizzuti acknowledged he wasn’t sure how he measured up. It wasn’t until a practice at River Dell High School last week when the 6-foot-4 forward realized that he fit right in with this group.
“It definitely eased the nerves,” Pizzuti said. “During
the practice I was getting a lot of buckets, so it was pretty, I was like, oh, maybe I can keep up with these guys. I was nervous at first. I really didn’t think
I could keep up with them all. But I held my own.”
For Pizzuti, Sunday’s NorthSouth All-Star Classic caps off a two-year run that is as
impressive as any Lyndhurst boys basketball player has ever had.
This season, Pizzuti averaged 23.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game to lead the Golden Bears to an 18-10 record, a NJIC National Division title and a second consecutive berth in the Bergen County Jamboree.
He became the program’s career scoring record on Jan. 31, when he put up 35 points in a win over Cresskill, breaking the record held by former Atlanta Braves draft pick Scott Ryder in 1987.
As a junior, Pizzuti averaged 20.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game as he emerged as one of Bergen County’s breakout stars for a Lyndhurst team that went 16-10.
Pizzuti ends his high school
basketball career with 1,350 points.
Pizzuti said he has offers to play basketball for multiple Division III programs as well as some walk-on opportunities for Division 1 programs. Those are just some of the opportunities that await Pizzuti, who has offers to play baseball and football in college as well.
With those offers to play baseball and/or football, he knew that Sunday could prove to be his final basketball game. Regardless, it was a memorable experience he won’t soon forget.
“It was definitely great. It’s something I could talk about forever,” said Pizzuti. “I was playing with some kids that are going to big D1 schools so it was definitely really cool and it’s a good way to go out.”
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection that can spread to the eyes and cause ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS). If a person inhales spores from the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus, they can contract histoplasmosis. It causes mild, flu-like symptoms that usually clear up on their own in a matter of weeks. But if the spores spread from the lungs to the eyes, a person can contract OHS, which causes scarring in the back of the eye. In some people the scarring causes growth of abnormal blood vessels that lead to vision loss. There are usually no early symptoms of OHS, but eventually a person with the disease will see straight lines that appear wavy and blind spots in their field of vision.
A dilated eye exam can assess
histoplasmosis symptoms in more detail The ophthalmologist uses drops to dilate the pupils. Dilation makes it possible to perform a more thorough exam and check for abnormal blood vessels, fluid, inflammation, and white spots. Please call 201-896-0096 to schedule an appointment. Our office is located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. Call 201-896-0007 if you need to reach our optical shop. We accept most insurance. We offer comprehensive eye health evaluations and necessary follow-up care.
P.S. Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus in the soil that comes from bird and bat droppings. Spores from the fungus can be released when the soil is disturbed.
www.delucavision.com
For the third year in a row, Jacob Cardenas is heading back to the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Cardenas, a Kearny native and senior at Cornell University, was awarded the fifth seed in the 197 pound bracket this past Wednesday. The NCAA Wrestling Champions are set to begin on Thursday and go through Saturday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO.
Cardenas’ first round match is set for Thursday morning when he faces the 28th seed, Jack Wehmeyer of Columbia University. A three-time All-Ivy League, First Team selection, Cardenas enters the match
with a 22-6 record on the season and a 65-20 mark for his career. He did not wrestle his freshman year because Cornell’s season was canceled due to Covid.
Cardenas officially punched his ticket to the NCAA Championship on March 9 when he placed second at 197 pounds in the EIWA Championship in Lewisburg, Penn. During the EIWA Championship, Cardenas went 3-1, which included an 11-3 major decision over Wehmeyer in the quarterfinals.
Cardenas’ quest for a second EIWA title was denied when he lost a 6-3 decision to Michael Beard of Lehigh in a rematch of last year’s final. The two could potentially square off again in the quarterfinals on Friday
with Beard as the fourth seed in the 33-wrestler field.
This week, Cardenas will be vying for All-American honors for the second consecutive season. Last year, he earned All-American status after placing eighth place at 197 pounds in the NCAA Championships.
A product of the famed Kearny Recreation program, Cardenas, as an eighth grader, won the 152 pound title at the New Jersey 14-and-Under Championships. He then went on to wrestle at Bergen Catholic where he was a two-time state champion at 195 pounds in 2018 and 2019.
Cardenas has also wrestled for Team USA, taking second place at the U23 World Championships at 92 kg in 2022.
Daniel G. Brobeck
Daniel G. Brobeck died March 16, 2024.
He was 39.
Born in Livingston, he was a lifelong Kearny resident.
Visiting will be on Friday, March 22, 2024 from 2 until 6 p.m. at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove
Drive, Kearny. Private cremation will follow.
Dan was the beloved son of Linda Masterson and the late George Brobeck and stepson of Sue Brobeck. Loving brother of Dawn Brobeck, he is also survived by his nephew Evan Gonzalez.
Dan loved the great outdoors. He loved hiking and camping. He savored each opportunity to experience nature all year long.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Arbor
Day Foundation. arborday.org in his memory.
Betty Jean Melton
Betty Jean Melton, 90, of Kearny, died March 15, 2024.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Betty at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Wednesday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. A funeral service will be celebrated at noon and burial will follow in
Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Born in Mill Springs, North Carolina, Betty was a Kearny resident for 70 years. Betty worked as a sales clerk for over 30 years at Ben Franklin and Discount City prior to her retirement. Betty enjoyed bowling and gambling, especially poker. She was a devoted member of the Kearny Seniors and always looked forward to their meetings and to the trips they took together.
All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.
Betty was the beloved wife of the late Howard “Pete” Melton; loving mother of Steve Melton and his wife Sharon, Gary Melton and his wife Diane, Kevin Scott Melton and his wife Angela, and the late Beth Ann “Susie” Basso. She was the dear grandmother of Stefani, Shaun, Maude, Brenda, Kevin, Michael and his wife Carissa, and the late Steven; and adoring great-grandmother of Michael and Rosie Basso.
If you’re over 65, experts typically advise against strenuous physical activities like long-distance running, high-intensity interval training and joint-stressing forms of weight training. The good news is that you can build strength, boost your metabolism and improve your mood by doing exercises with minimal risk of injury. Here are four to add to your routine.
Walking
Walking may be the gold standard for safe, effective exercise. From wilderness hikes to a gentle stroll in a park, it’s an exercise nearly anyone can incorporate into their life. If you’re more ambitious, you may enjoy working up to a distance race like a half-marathon that welcomes walkers.
Water sports
Whether you prefer swimming or a water aerobics class, water-based exercise is ideal for people with joint
pain. Water pressure provides resistance for your muscles while preventing potentially harmful quick movements.
Bodyweight exercises
Bodyweight workouts are an accessible way to exercise at home without investing in much gear. For most workouts, all you need is suitable clothing and a floor mat. You can broaden the scope of your workout by introducing a chair and an exercise step.
Chair yoga
Believe it or not, you can improve your muscle strength and mobility even in a seated position. Using a chair to do yoga provides extra stability and minimizes
stress on your joints. Chair yoga has also been shown to improve balance and flexibility.
Before you begin a new fitness routine, talk to a doctor or a physiotherapist to determine safe exercises that best serve your wellness goals.
Dear Sacred Heart Of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask you this special one favour. Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it in your own broken heart where our Father sees it, then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour, not mine. AMEN. Say this prayer for 3 days and promise publication and favor will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail.
M.F.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, has a busy Holy Week ahead and it all begins this weekend .
March 24 | Palm Sunday
Cardinal Tobin will preside at the noon Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Verona. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem.
March 25 | Chrism Mass | Cardinal Tobin will preside at the 8 p.m. Chrism Mass at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Catholics will witness the blessing of the Chrism, a mixture of oil and balsam, or balm, used in archdiocesan parishes throughout the coming year for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, the anointing of the sick, and to anoint newly ordained priests and deacons and to bless altars and churches.
the 3 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart to commemorate Christ’s suffering and death through prayer, silence and Adoration of the Cross. A Spanish-language liturgy will then commence at 5 p.m., followed by a choral adaptation of the Stations of the Cross performed by the Cathedral Choir at 8 p.m.
March 30 | Easter Vigil
Cardinal Tobin will celebrate the bilingual Easter Vigil Mass beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The vigil, which begins after nightfall, is the first and most important celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.
March 31 | Easter Sunday
This Mass welcomes all those who share in church ministries, including those in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), baptism, and confirmation programs.
March 28 | Holy Thursday
Cardinal Tobin will preside at the bilingual 7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which commemorates Christ’s washing of the feet and the Eucharist’s institution during the Last Supper.
After Mass, the Cathedral Basilica’s sanctuary will be stripped of all decor, and the crucifix will be covered by purple cloth in preparation for the solemn Good Friday liturgy.
March 29 | Good Friday |
Cardinal Tobin will preside at
Following an English-language Mass at 8:30 a.m. and a Spanish-language Mass at 10 a.m., Cardinal Tobin will celebrate his own Easter Sunday liturgy at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart at noon. The Easter Sunday Mass adheres closely to the traditional liturgical format, so it does not include the solemn ceremonies featured in the Easter Vigil. However, each liturgy commemorates the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection.
All of the aforementioned Holy Week liturgies will be livestreamed through the Archdiocese of Newark’s YouTube channel and Facebook page as well as the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Aformer Nutley man now living in Lyndhurst has been charged for a second time in connection to an alleged sexual assault of a minor, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
Donald Kumar Davis, 33, a strength and speed coach, was arrested on charges of aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.
The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wyckoff Police Department.
As previously reported in The Observer, on Dec. 13, 2023, the Washington Township Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit regarding the alleged sexual assault of a juvenile.
An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Washington Township Police Department revealed Davis allegedly sexually assaulted a child in Washington Township on two occasions and in Wyckoff on one occasion.
On Dec. 19 Davis was arrested a first time and charged with two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact.
An ongoing investigation later revealed a second victim, resulting in Davis being charged with one additional count of second-degree endangering the welfare of
a child and two additional counts of third-degree aggravated criminal-sexual contact.
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Davis was arrested in Hackensack and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.
Davis also faces vehicular homicide charges in an unrelated case. Davis, had been arrested and charged with reckless vehicular homicide in 2019 in the death of a Lodi
couple. Elizabeth Rebein, the BCPO’s public-information officer, confirmed to The Observer in December Davis still faces those two counts.
Musella thanked the Wyckoff Township and Lyndhurst police departments for their assistance in this investigation.
N. ARLINGTON
BELLEVILLE 1 Bedroom in Belleville on Garden Avenue, nice location, laundry facilities on site, heat and hot water included, no pets, $1,550.00 month rent, 1 ½ month security, please call Joanne 973699-3146 46W03
KEARNY 2nd fl. 2 BR, Kitchen, LR, Bath. $1,800 + 1.5 months security. No Pets/ Smoking Avl March now (347)614-1101 45W03
KEARNY 1 BR APT. HT/HW included. $1,575 + 1.5 Months security. See Super 6 Woodland Ave. Apt. 1 (201)892-8035 for appointment.
45W03
HARRISON 2nd floor.
3 Br, LR,DR & 2 Bath’s. $2250 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate.
No Pets/Smoking Available April 1st (973)4186621 44W03
HARRISON 5 room apartment. $2000 + 1.5 months security. No Pets/Smoking Walking distance to PATH Available Now (862)230-6201
45W03
HARRISON Studio
Newly Renovated Close to PATH train and NJIT. $1400 + 1 months security. Utilities included. Available Now (551)229-6989 45W03
KEARNY
Elevated building 1 BR APT. HT/HW included. $1,500+ 1.5 Months Security See Super, 654 Elm St, Kearny.
Laundry facility on premises Call Sofia after 3pm (201)998-3516 for appointment.
45W03
KEARNY Newly renovated 2nd floor, near Hickory Park 2 large BR’s, LR, DR, Kitchen w/ Microwave, stove & refrigerator. Washer/Dryer in apartment, plenty of closet space $2250 + 1 months security 1
Year lease Responsible for all Utilities except H/ HW. No Pets/Smoking Available Now Christine (201)892-6162 or Amanda (973)803-7955 45W03
271 Davis Ave. - Kearny Realtor Exit Realty Lucky Associates 908-354-6000
Apartment for Rent: 2 bdrm , living room, dining room, kitchen, office and 1 bath. Heat included $2,300 month 46W03
KEARNY Newly construction 4 BR’s. Open space LR, DR & Kitchen $3200 + 1.5 months security. Separate utilities. Small Pets. Avl. April 1st. By Appt. only (201)6741473 46W03
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 46W03
KEARNY
Office or store for rent
1,380 sq. ft. with extra storage 600 sq. ft. $3,200 includes utilities. Office or store for rent 750 sq. ft. $2,200 with utilities included Located on Kearny Ave Call for further information (201)725-0123
45W03
GARAGE & PARKING SPACE FOR RENT
HARRSION
Single car garage for rent & parking spaces for vans, trucks and cars.
N.NEWARK 1st Floor
Newly renovated. 3 bedrooms. 1 full Bath on Bloomfield border line. 2 Months Security. Including all utilities. No Pets/smoking. Walking distance to all transportation and New First Avenue School. Easy access to NYC commute. Available April 1sr (973)262-2417
45W03
Grand Ave available now (862)571-4823
44W03
KEARNY
Garage/storage
1520 sq. ft. $1,520
Please contact (201)725-0123
45W03
KEARNY
Outdoor Space available for Truck & Car on W Passaic Avenue (201)914-2300
45W03
2007 Grey Toyota corolla Grey/Black interior. Runs great and well maintained $4800 170,000 Call Larry (201)655-9839 45WO3
Salt water rods, reels, lures & etc. call (973)759-4360 leave message 46W03
Basslines Sportfishing Charters Trips Book Now! Striped Bass, Tuna & Mahi Mahi
USCG Contact Captain Willy Abbott (201)-906-6847
Licensed & insured https://basslinessportfishing. com/
45W07
EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED
EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED
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 45W03
OutReach Coordinator/ Marketer WANTED Adult Medical Day Care (Belleville)
Part Time/Full Time for Adult Medical Day Care in Essex County needed. Spanish Speaking a Plus Competitive
Salary/Commission . Call Monday thru Friday only between 10 AM and 4 PM. Call (973) 751-6000 45W03
The Town of Kearny is accepting applications for Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS). Under direction of the Health Officer, responsibilities include, but are not limited to: sanitary inspections for compliance with applicable public and environmental health regulations, investigations of nuisance complaints and violations of applicable public health laws and ordinance, educational outreach activities, maintenance of accurate paper and electronic records of surveys, investigations, and inspections performed, lead inspections of rental dwelling units, and other duties or special projects as required or as assigned. The position may require periodic evening and/or weekend activities. Must possess an active Registered Environmental Health Specialist License issued by the NJ Department of Health. Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor permit issued by the NJ Department of Health preferred but not required. Appointees will be required to possess a current driver’s license valid in New Jersey. Starting salary is $58,528. see application here https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ deadline to apply is 2/29/24 45W03
Salary Range ($46,874-$70,702) DEFINITION:
FULL TIME experienced landscaper/ driver needed. With valid driver’s license call (201)998-1262
46W03
Local pre-school looking for full time supervisor & teacher assistant. inquire within (201)246-7733
44W03
Experienced Hairdresser needed.
Part time
Thursday,Friday & Saturday Kearny Location (201) 674-3995 46W03
Experienced Hairdresser wanted with a clientele for a salon in Harrison NJ Call 973-482-6080 or 973-462-4773 for more information
45W03
NEWARK (Ironbound)
Large room, Furnished, Single Woman Preferred, $880 + 1 months security. Utilities included. By the 5 corners. Near Penn Station. Available Now (201)428-3441 46W03
KEARNY
Garage for rent on Magnolia Ave, Kearny $200 + 1 months security (201)736-1223 46W03
The Town of Kearny seeks an Information Technology (IT) /Management Information Systems (MIS) Technical Assistant with strong communication, organizational, and technical skills. Under supervision, is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Town’s Information Technology (IT) and Management Information Systems (MIS) computer network(s). Applicants must be familiar with maintaining a network’s active directory and IP addresses. Applicants should have strong customer services skills to provide troubleshooting in person and through a helpdesk ticketing system. Applicants should be familiar with industry best practices for installation, operation and maintenance of servers, switches, racks, cabling, and UPS equipment. Applicants should be knowledgeable with installation and operation of both hardware and software. Applicants must be familiar with cyber security best practices involving the installation, operation and maintenance of web filters and firewalls. Applicants should be familiar with Microsoft 365 environment. Applicants should have a working knowledge of how to program and configure mobile phones and the Town’s Avaya telephone network. The successful candidate will also be required to attend evening meetings of the Mayor and Council and operate the audio/visual system in the council chambers. Applicants must possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License. Applications are due April 12, 2024. The Town reserves the right to hire the best qualified candidate before the application due date. For Application and instructions see: https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ 46W04
Current Warehouse and Forklift experience. Valid Driver’s Lic NECESSARY
Hours 9-3 but can vary, Must be able to read and write English to pull orders. Good opportunity for early retiree. Located in Lyndhurst. Call 201-939-0049 and email resume to JKearney@PJKSales.com
45W03
Quality Engineer, Automotive- (Northvale,NJ) Review contracts to determine docs required for each phase of projects, applying knowledge of engineering, manufacturing & quality processes; Quality Manual System docs, testing & inspection, product & process development, non-conforming product investigations & BD reports. Rq’ts: Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering or foreign equiv degree and 1 yr experience in position. To apply email resume & ref ad # 24QEA to joann.mignone@us.ennovi.com. Ennovi Advanced Mobility Solutions New Jersey Inc. 46W01
Continued from Page 1
the results of this exam last for one year.
Previously, when the exam was offered, test results would be sent around to all departments for a three-year period. That’s not the case anymore.
Now, any applicant who wishes to ultimately become a Kearny cop will have to choose “MO439F” as they take the test, the deadline for which is April 1.
The benefits of being a police officer, beside the obvious, are immense.
Among them are a highly competitive starting salary of $49,632 per year, a top pay of $123,867 annually for patrol officers (and significantly more for officers who climb the ranks — between sergeant and deputy chief at top salaries of between $142,447 and
$199,251), 232 hours of annual vacation time, compensatory hours and sick leave, holiday and education pay, a uniform allowance and stipend for detectives, overtime and paid off-duty details, an tremendous package of state fringe and medical benefits, ability to retire after 25 years of service, promotional exams, fully paid police-academy training, 12-hour Pitman work schedules, specialized units and an opportunity to qualify for the Hudson County SWAT team.
Applicants must possess at least a high school diploma, at minimum, and must be at least 18 and no older than 35. (There are exceptions for prior military members who apply or those who have previously served as police officers.) Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.
As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric ex-
amination to be administered by the appointing authority.
Any psychological, medical or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to themselves or others or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection.
There is also a $30 application per department applied for, though veterans pay just $15 per department.
The order of preference of candidates is residents of Kearny, then Newark, then the rest of Hudson County, the rest of Essex County, then the rest of the State of New Jersey.
These are only some of the benefits of being a police officer — there are many others. Be sure to apply by April 1. Visit www.is.gd/joinkpd to find out all the details and requirements on how to apply.
Continued from Page 3
bringing people together,” Hamlin said. “Through my efforts, the VFW has become a welcoming and vibrant hub for the community, where people from all walks of life can come together and create lasting memories.”
In addition to her role as the commander of the Nutley VFW, Hamlin has volunteered as a youth athletic coach for 20 years and has been a volunteer and advocate for the Nutley Family Service Bureau. She is also an active member of the Nutley Irish American Association, the Nutley Chamber of Commerce and Nutley Rotary.
She and her husband, Herb, are parents of five children and four grandchildren. Their children attended Nutley Public Schools and have volunteered with various community organizations.
The Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus sponsor a blood drive from noon to 4 p.m., Thursday, March 28, at Columbian Club Hall, 194 River Road, North Arlington.
Appointments, though not required, are recommended
and may be made by visiting donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/57418.
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, have photo ID, eat before donating and drink plenty of water after the donation.
