Community News

February 28, 2021 (Kearny NJ) KOTW Discussion Board has been updated to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).

HTTPS. Per Wikipedia,

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It is used for secure communication over a computer network, and is widely used on the Internet.[1][2] In HTTPS, the communication protocol is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or, formerly, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). The principal motivations for HTTPS are authentication of the accessed website, and protection of the privacy and integrity of the exchanged data while in transit. It protects against man-in-the-middle attacks, and the bidirectional encryption of communications between a client and server protects the communications against eavesdropping and tampering.[4][5] The authentication aspect of HTTPS requires a trusted third party to sign server-side digital certificates. This was historically an expensive operation, which meant fully authenticated HTTPS connections were usually found only on secured payment transaction services and other secured corporate information systems on the World Wide Web. In 2016, a campaign by the Electronic Frontier Foundation with the support of web browser developers led to the protocol becoming more prevalent.[6] HTTPS is now used more often by web users than the original non-secure HTTP, primarily to protect page authenticity on all types of websites; secure accounts; and to keep user communications, identity, and web browsing private.[7]

May 25, 2015 (Kearny, NJ) The Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect and honor our soldiers present and past.

In past years, KOTW has marked this solemn day to highlight two local residents, Army Staff Sgt. Edward Karolasz and Marine Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes de Oca, who gave their lives serving the United States of America in Iraq and Afghanistan. The passage of time has required that we update or delete broken links in those stories that have changed or been removed completely but the sentiment continues and our sense that we must stop and honor our soldiers and their families has not changed.

Kristine Karolasz, 30, accompanied by her 8-year-old daughter, Brianna Lancha, listen to Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the fourth annual “A Time of Remembrance” ceremony on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Sept. 26, 2009. Kristine mourns the loss of her brother, Edward Karolasz, an Army staff sergeant with the 101st Airborne Division who was killed in action on Nov. 19, 2005, in Bayji, Iraq.Photograph courtesy of Gerry J. Gilmore.

On November 19, 2005, one of Kearny's residents serving in Iraq lost his life as a result of a road side bomb in Baiji, Iraq. Army Staff Sgt. Edward Karolasz gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.



Four Alarm Fire on Jacobus Avenue in South Kearny (Photo courtesy NJ.com)

February 1, 2015(Kearny, NJ) Kearny Firefighters were called out to Jacobus Avenue in South Kearny to battle a fire at a truck repair facility. The fire was intense because of the stored tires and other chemicals used in the Tire and Truck Repair Business. No individuals were injured as they evacuated the building before firefighters arrived. One firefighter was injured when a door fell onto him while he was battling the fire.



Mutual aid was provided by Harrison, East Newark, North Arlington, Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, as well as a task force from Essex County.



East Newark Volunteer Fire Department Parade 1941 Fire Engine (Photo courtesy United Irish Facebook page)

March 15, 2015 (Kearny, NJ) In October 1973, four clubs: The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7, The Irish American Club, The Four Provinces, and The Friends of Erin came together to form the United Irish Association. The first parade organized by this new association was in 1974. The founding members were: John Evans, Bob Reid, Desmond Boomer, Bob Carney, Dennis Smith, Ike O'Hagan, Frank Morgan and Eugene Docherty.

The United Irish Associations of West Hudson, Inc. was established as a non-profit corporation in the State of New Jersey in 1989 in order to perpetuate the work of educating the public about and propagating Irish-American culture. The organization now has ten member organizations: Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7 Kearny, The Cifelli Association, East Newark Volunteer Fire Department, Friends of Erin Kearny, Harrison / East Newark B.P.O. Elks Lodge #2326, Irish American Association Kearny, Knights of Columbus Council #402 Harrison, Knights of Columbus Council #6928 Kearny, LCCC Lithuanian Catholic Community Club, and the Scots-American Club Kearny.

The United Irish Associations of West Hudson is responsible for funding, managing, and presenting the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade through the New Jersey towns of East Newark, Harrison, and Kearny.



January 27, 2015 (West Hudson, NJ) Metrologists had predicted two to three feet of snow and Blizzard like conditions for today. The reality is far more reasonable with only 8 to 12 inches of snow and some winds but nothing extraordinary. What happened? The Blizzard of 2015 went slightly east of West Hudson and Manhattan and went up to New England including Boston and dumped the snow there. We will complain about the weather men but smile as we dodged a bullet.



Local metrologist Anthony Mondaro from the Harrison Weather Station had forecasted 12 to 24 inches of snow. Mondaro who has a distain for media hype of snow storms couldn't quite get himself to give a definitive amount of snow and settled for a range. Instinctively Mondaro thought that the storm may not make a direct hit but go to the East of New Jersey. He was right but one would love to have a very precise forecast but only a weatherman can get away at being not so precise and keeping his/her job.

The Public Works Departments in Kearny and Harrison were out early and having prepared for the worse were able to clear the major roadways and side streets quicker than anticipated.

Tell us your Phantom Blizzard of 2015 Storm Story on our Discussion Board.