Suspect arrested in bodega murder earlier this week

Jersey City resident David Ashley was arrested and given a 1 million dollar bond for the felony murder of Elisha "Elijah" Benjamin. Police say they are still looking for two other suspect in the murder. The gun has been recovered and detectives also said they were led to Ashley as the suspect from witnesses in the store at the time of the murder.

Again, if you have the whereabouts of the others involved, (201) 915-1345 is the number for you.

Late night open thread

News of the weird night:

Mom guilty of letting boy, 3, smoke
Associated Press
LONDON -- A British woman has pleaded guilty to child cruelty for allowing her 3-year-old to smoke in front of her.
Prosecutor Jonathan Rees said video taken by a mobile phone showed the small child popping a cigarette into his mouth, lighting it with a lighter and taking a drag.
Rees told a court in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil that the boy's mother, 24-year-old Kelly Marie Pocock, was sitting next to the boy and talking on the phone at the time.
The film was shot by Pocock's friend, Natasha Dudley, who showed the footage to social workers.
Judge John Curran said Thursday it was clear Pocock's child was a habitual smoker and called the situation appalling.
Pocock was given a 40-week suspended sentence.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SHERYL CROW!

Indeed it's 90's night here at the Jersey City Desk. We're gonna kick it off with one of Johnny's all-time favorite performers and favorite people, Sheryl Crow. There is just something about Sheryl that's just cool. I've never heard a cross word out of her, she doesn't embarrass herself and really all she does is make great music with interesting lyrics and puts on phenomenal live shows. Johnny's has seen her (counting in his own head) FOUR times and was present at the concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills the night she recorded her live DVD 'Rockin' the Globe'. What a show. We're gonna go with a very Rolling Stones inspired tune 'If it Makes You Happy' which as Sheryl will tell you HERE was originally a country song. Yep, it was, go have a listen, it's incredible. Here's Sheryl Crow with 'If it Makes You Happy'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SMASHING PUMPKINS!

We continue tonight on our 90's bender with what Johnny would call the best band of the 90's, Smashing Pumpkins. We know, we know Nirvana this and Nirvana that, but to be considered the best of a decade Johnny thinks you should be around for more than a couple years of said decade. Put out a few albums, have a few hits, make a few pretty cool videos. Johnny met Billy Corgan one night after a show in Ann Arbor where he foretold of the breakup of the band. Johnny mentioned how hard they had rocked that particular night and when faced with an onslaught of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and boy bands galore, he told Billy "Rock seems safe with you guys around", to which Mr. Corgan replied "Yeah, at least for another eight months." A week later he announced after that current tour, the Pumpkins were history. It wasn't surprising, D'Arcy had just been replaced after her interest in crack outweighed her interest in the band, and Corgan had just allowed drummer Jimmy Chamberlain back into the band after his infamous drug case in which touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin (who was the brother of Prince cohort Wendy Melvoin) overdosed on heroin with Chamberlain present.

Here's Johnny's close personal friend, Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins with 'Bullet With Butterfly Wings'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with GARBAGE!

By way of Madison Wisconsin, with a hot and powerful Edinburgh Scotland singer, it's Garbage to finish off the music series tonight. A couple tidbits about the band, Did you know Butch Vig produced the iconic Nirvana Nevermind album? You do now. Shirley Manson once broke into the Edinburgh Zoo, we're not sure why but next time we see her we'll ask. Here they are performing their breakout hit from 1996 with 'Only Happy When it Rains'.

Mr. Mayor, You CAN announce you're running again without the hoopla

These are lean times. Every penny must be pinched. We'd hope you'd understand that. The gala you threw yourself last night to announce Jerramiah Healy is running for mayor again was a bit over the top. Don't try and tell us each and EVERY expense was paid for by private donors. With all the police and fire presence, and lines of limos, it cost us something.

Seriously, we're not saying you're not the best candidate, but the flash and glam, those weren't needed.

Late night open thread

On this day in history, in 1901, Queen Victoria died. She reigned over England for 63 years before dying while surfing in Hawaii.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sadly, Jersey City had it's first murder in 2009 this afternoon

A bodega store worker (and for those of you still checking in from the Ypsi City Desk, a bodega is a convenience store out here) was shot with a rifle and killed near Ocean Avenue and Forrest street this afternoon around 2:30. Two "young adults" entered the store and shot 59 year old Elisha Benjamin and held the rifle on other customers while the second unarmed jackass went through the register. Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said it's possible Mr. Benjamin was the intended victim. We'd agree since no other customers were robbed.

People, look, this kind of senseless crap has to end. It's not gonna stop if "nobody saw anything". It'll continue. How long will we allow ourselves to be victims these animals? Yes, Johnny said animals. Animals prey on weaker animals. These animals can only do this with a big gun, because without it, they're cowards. Let's help put cowards with guns behind bars. Make an anonymous call. Do it. If you have any idea who was involved, make the call. Hell drop Johnny a tip and he'll pass it along. We did that a couple times back in Ypsilanti, it worked. We're not some tool of the police, we'll hold them accountable here just as much, but this is murder and it's come to our town again. Take our town back.

Make a call. (201) 915-1345.

Free to a loving home: bears, rhinos, tigers and giraffes

New York Governor David Paterson’s new budget calls for the elimination of lots of things. Namely zoos. Since we simply can't let these magnificent animals starve, they're going to need homes. Certainly you can find it in your heart to take in a wombat, or a chimpanzee or an elephant or two. Seriously, the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York will be giving them away and think of the love your family could give a large carnivore. The kids would love it and you'd be the talk of your block. Imagine the look on Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan's face when he comes over to help you assimilate your 'doggies' who just happen to look an awful lot like hyenas.

Won't you help the animals?

One final thought on last night's game

Cheerleaders? Cheerleaders? Really? At a hockey game? The 'Devils Dancers' cheer team needs to go. Sorry, that's not professional hockey. Well maybe it is in places like Nashville, but it shouldn't be here.