HUDSON COUNTY SENIOR CRUISE CANCELED
Because of the recent rise in COVID-19 Delta variant cases, the 2021 Hudson County Senior Summer Cruise around the Manhattan Harbor, scheduled for Aug. 23, has been postponed until further notice. If the cruise is rescheduled, information will be released, at that time, by the county.
PHOTOGRAPH, REPORT & SQUASH SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES
The Spotted Lanternfly has made its way to the area and residents are being asked to document seeing them with photos and locations and then are asked to kill the pests whenever possible.
Known scientifically as the Lycorma delicatula, the fly is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam and is known to be in America, South Korea and Japan. It was first discovered in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in Berks County in 2014 and has spread to other counties in as well as to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Ohio.
This insect has potential to greatly impact agricultural crops and hardwood trees. It feeds on plant sap of many different plants including grapevines, maples, black walnut and other important plants. While it does not harm humans or animals, it can reduce the quality of life for people living in heavily infested areas.
Report sightings of the fly to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/pests-diseases/spotted-lanternfly.
EAST NEWARK PERMIT PARKING KICKS OFF AUG. 23
Enforcement of permit parking begins in the entire Borough of East Newark on Aug. 23. All residents must have a residential parking permit by then. Non-residents, who may otherwise only park in the borough for two hours, may purchase a permit for $50 at borough hall. For more information, call (973) 481-2902 or send an email to enpd@boroughofeastnewark.com.
NORTH ARLINGTON COVID TEST CENTER REOPENS
The North Arlington free COVID-19 testing site has reopened, though it has moved to a new location. Because of the recent surge in cases, there is a renewed interest in testing. So the borough has resumed offering free testing at the Queen of Peace Church parking area on Ridge Road. The site is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NAVES HOSTING CHALLENGE-COIN FUNDRAISER
The North Arlington Volunteer Emergency Squad, NAVES, is hosting a special challenge coin fundraiser. The limited-edition coins are only $10. Visit www.naves1972.org, send a private message to the squad on Facebook or send an email to naves@naves1972.org for more information or to buy a coin (at the donations/supporter tab.)
NORTH ARLINGTON LAUNCHES INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
The Borough of North Arlington has launched a new Instagram account at www.instagram.com/narlingtonboro. Be sure to follow it for photographic updates and information.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.