My Best of 2016 in Photojournalism

SECAUCUS, N.J., JAN. 1, 2016 — Christopher Navarro, 2, of Newark, with his father, Rodrigo, reacted to the sights and sounds of the animatronic triceratops in the interactive exhibit of Discover the Dinosaurs at the Meadowlands Exhibition Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

A child sat inside a T-Rex’s mouth at Discover the Dinosaurs at the Meadowlands Exhibition Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JAN. 5, 2016 — DaQuan Keaton’s father cried in court after speaking at his son’s sentencing. DaQuan was found guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of Georgia man, Lamar Glover, on Aug. 25, 2012, on the corner of Randolph Avenue and Harmon Street. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JAN. 17, 2016 — Dancers competed in the 26th annual Manhattan Amateur Classic (MAC) at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City from Friday, Jan. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016. The event was open to couples ages 9 and above and hail from around the country and the world. DanceSport teams from 32 colleges in 17 states also competed. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CTY, N.J., JAN. 18, 2016 — A town car landed on top of a cement divider on Routes 1&9 near the intersection of Duncan Avenue.  The accident has caused the left lanes on both sides of the highway to be temporarily shut down. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., JAN. 20, 2016 — Aftermath of a five-alarm fire, which ripped through three attached buildings from 743 to 747 Broadway, near 33rd Street. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., FEB. 18, 2016 — Connie Meglioranza performed in Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health’s annual Happy Hearts Dance Competition, where departments danced off to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association (AHA). (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., FEB. 19, 2016 — A tearful Soraya Veras, of Union City, held a photo of her son, Heriberto Lithgow, 21,  after giving her victim impact statement during the sentencing of Jeremy Steinman, of North Brunswick, an off-duty part-time paramedic who officials said was driving drunk when he slammed into Lithgow with his vehicle in Bayonne in 2014. Lithgow had faced up to 20 years in prison butwas sentenced to 5 years in prison as part of a plea deal.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., FEB. 19, 2016 — Lawyer Adrienne Edward wiped the tears off her client Robert Warren’s face after his father and grandmother addressed the court during his sentencing on a 2014 North Bergen carjacking and armed burglary. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN, N.J., MARCH 8, 2016 — Hoboken boys basketball hosted University (Newark) in NJSIAA North 2, Group 1 championship. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., MARCH 11, 2016 — Dancers from The JIG Factory, from left to right, Grace McLaughlin, 15; Grace Mabli, 14; Katie Donnelly, 15; and Julia Mastrangelo, 14, performed an Irish step dance during the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Corner in Secaucus featuring live music, beer gardens, food trucks, kids games and free ice skating, among others. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MARCH 15, 2016 — Mohammad Yaqoob, center, the grieving father of Wajhat Yaqoob, 21, accused authorities of not searching for his son’s body because his family is Muslim, after the dive search for Wajhat was suspended. Wajhat is presumed drowned after going swimming in Long Pond Ironworks State Park in West Milford on March 10 and never surfacing. The DEP responded to the accusation by saying dive teams “risked their own lives” trying to recover Wajhat in “very hazardous and difficult conditions,” and that the water search had to be suspended for safety reasons. Wajhat’s body was later recovered in April after which Wajhat’s brother Ayaz, left, who had joined his father in criticizing authorities, said that he, his father and the rest of his family no longer feel the same way they did on March 15. Ayaz said his father had misunderstood the word “suspended” to mean “terminated”; that his father was undergoing extreme emotional hardship; and that authorities hadn’t been keeping the family fully informed about what was being done to find Wajhat. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MARCH21, 2016 — Mourners grieved at the funeral service for Amelia Holmes at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church one week after the 29-year-old mother of three was shot to death on Monitor Street. Just hours after Holmes was killed, police found her boyfriend, Terrence Jackson, dead on a park bench in Mercer Park from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jackson, 29, was wanted by police following Holmes’ death. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MARCH 25, 2016 — Various Christian congregations hold the ‘Walk With Jesus’ Stations of the Cross procession, visiting 14 sites of violent incidents in Jersey City over the last year, on Good Friday (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MARCH 29, 2016 — World-renowned juggler Michael Moschen balanced a pen on his nose during a lecture and demonstration as part of the Presidential Speaker Series at New Jersey City University (NJCU). (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MARCH 30, 2016 — Real estate photo of the first Journal Squared tower under construction as seen from Baldwin Avenue. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MARCH 31, 2016 — Defense attorney Mark Bailey, left, hugged Patrick Powell after the jury found his client not guilty of killing Robert Flagler. Behind them, Powell’s mother, Jackie, reacted to the verdict. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Michael D’Andrea, left, held his face in his hand after the not guilty verdict was handed down. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., APRIL 18, 2016 — Firefighters battled a blaze at a West 26th Street home. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J, APRIL 19, 2016 — A Secaucus firefighter put out hotspots at the foot of Henry Street after a brush fire broke out. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

NORTH BERGEN, N.J., APRIL 19, 2016 — Dickinson’s Adam Swift pitched against North Bergen. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

KEARNY, N.J., APRIL 20, 2016 — North Bergen’s left fielder Cassandra Minyetty tripped over a fence trying to catch a hit by Kearny’s Sydney Pace, during the softball game at Gunnell Oval. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Kearny’s Tatiana Ferment, center, was mobbed by jubilant teammates after scoring a two-run home run. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., APRIL 22, 2016 — Lincoln’s Angel Medina was hit on the back of the leg with a pitch by Snyder’s Peterson Dossous during the baseball game at Lincoln Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MAY 3, 2016 — McNair Academic’s Fahd Nasser embraced teammate Younass Barkouch at the finish line after they placed third and second, respectively, in the boys 3200-meter race during the 2016 Jersey City Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Stephen R. Gregg Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Ferris’ Ivan Daniels won first place in the the freshman boys 100-meter dash, followed closely by Snyder’s Jawuan James. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Snyder’s Jeremiah Boger competed in the high jump. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MAY 6, 2016 — Catamarans, which will be racing in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, are seen on the Hudson River from Liberty State Park anchored near Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan and in view of the Statue of Liberty. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MAY 20, 2016 — Jersey City swore in 29 new police officers during a ceremony at City Hall. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

KEARNY, N.J., MAY 20, 2016 — Harrison’s Alan Yu competed in the first singles match against Kearny’s Jason Boyle during the Hudson County team tennis tournament quarterfinals at West Hudson Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

NEWARK, N.J., MAY 26, 2016 — Lincoln High School in Jersey City held its senior prom at the Metropolitan Room at the Newark Club. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JUNE 2, 2016 — Kids like Tarren Brown, 11, learned how to play chess from Bobby Stewart, founder of Kings Knight Chess Club, during the Wear Orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day at Arlington Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., JUNE 3, 2016 — Bayonne High School held its annual red carpet event to send off its seniors to their prom. Here, kids watched as the seniors strut in their best attires. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., JUNE 24, 2016 — Bayonne High School held it’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2016 at the Don Ahern Veterans Stadium. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., JUNE 27, 2016 — Graduates presented their parents with roses during the High Tech High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2016 at the Secaucus High School Performing Arts Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JUNE 30, 2016 — Husband and wife Mattia Gustafson and Alice Troietto are the owners of Madame Claude Bis, the first part of White Eagle Hall in Jersey City to open. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 4, 2016 — Jersey City celebrated Independence Day with its annual Freedom and Fireworks Festival at Liberty State Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

The Village People performed during the annual Freedom and Fireworks Festival at Liberty State Park.

BAYONNE, N.J., JULY 6, 2016 — People awaited the annual fireworks concert and display to belatedly celebrate the Fourth of July at DiDomenico-16th Street Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Kids played as they awaited the annual fireworks display to belatedly celebrate the Fourth of July at DiDomenico-16th Street Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

A vendor selling light-up toys passed by in this long exposure, leaving behind a trail of green and blue lights, as fireworks lit up the sky with a dazzling array of colors over the western edge of Bayonne at the DiDomenico-16th Street Park at the festive conclusion of the city’s Independence Day celebration. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 7, 2016 — Men and women participated in Master Sup’s Cardio Fitness Boot Camp at the Mary McLeod Bethune Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 13, 2016 — Ethan Montenegro, 9, of Jersey City, a boxer with the Jersey City Recreation’s Boxing Program at Franklin L. Williams Middle School, recently came in second at the Junior Olympic Nationals in Dallas, Texas. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Montenegro ran on a treadmill while wearing a high-altitude training mask. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 13, 2016 — Residents young and old played in the beach with a view of the Manhattan skyline as they enjoyed food from local restaurants and free live music performances during the 14th annual Newport Beach Party at Newport Green. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 14, 2016 — People enjoyed the rides and entertainment during the the International Festival carnival sponsored by The Dominican American Parade Committee at Lincoln Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., JULY 15, 2016 — Kids beat the summer heat at the Secaucus Swim Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., JULY 19, 2016 — Bayonne swimmer Jonathan Gomez — a St. Peter’s Prep and Saint Peter’s University alumnus who swims for Bayonne’s Scarlet Acquatics — competed for Colombia at the Summer Olympics in Rio. He was photographed during training at the G. Thomas DiDomenico Municipal pool. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

UNION CITY, N.J., JULY 22, 2016 — A little girl danced to the Latin Jazz music of La Charanga 76 during NJCU’s free Summer Outdoor Concert Series at Washington Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 26, 2016 –St. Anthony’s R.J. Cole (3) went up for the basket during the Hamilton Park Summer League basketball game against Hudson Catholic.  (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 27, 2016 — A dead humpback whale was seen floating in the Hudson River off Caven Point.  (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., JULY 29, 2016 —  Lt. Gov. Ki Guadagno joined Global Container Terminals USA in welcoming Hyundai Saturn on its maiden call to the Port of New York and New Jersey at GCT Bayonne. Guadagno, second from bottom, descended the 70-step gangway of the Hyundai Saturn after a tour. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Global Container Terminals USA welcomed Hyundai Saturn on its maiden call to the Port of New York and New Jersey at GCT Bayonne. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 2, 2016 — Girls fawned over a K-9 during the Jersey City Police Department held a National Night Out event at Hamilton Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 4, 2016 — Jersey City police officers investigated a shooting on Forrest Street near Martin Luther King Drive. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 5, 2016 — Kids took part in the Urban League’s Summer Tennis Program at Bayside Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 10, 2016 — Members of the community placed their hands on each other and on the church’s wall as they pray during a vigil outside Holy Ghost Tabernacle Ministries on Communipaw Avenue where Leander Williams, 17, was fatally shot during a back-to-school party the night before. Two other shooting victims were girls ages 17 and 12. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 19, 2016 — The Jersey City Education Association (JCEA) held a back-to-school drive, giving away book bags filled with school supplies that were donated by city residents to kids. Parents and their children enjoyed free hotdogs from Relish the Thought and kids competed in a hula hoop contest and danced to music played by DJ Sir Trey Benjamin from 107.5 FM WBLS. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 30, 2016 — Former New York Giant Steve Weatherford — the health and fitness ambassador for the New Jersey Boys and Girls Clubs — bought pairs of brand name sneakers for each of 20 Hudson County kids while also offering some advice about the importance of setting goals, at Sneaker Room on Central Avenue. Here, Weatherford gets a hug from a grateful kid. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., SEPT. 9, 2016 — The Inked Out New Jersey tattoo convention was held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus  from Sept. 9 to 11, 2016. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 12, 2016 — Firefighter Christian Sir donated blood during the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region’s Jersey City Police & Fire 2nd Annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 13, 2016 — Secaucus’ Amanda Ulrich dove to keep the ball in play during the volleyball jerjgame against Hudson Catholic. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 14, 2016 — St. Peter’s Prep’s Kyle Hess celebrated scoring a goal in the first half of the soccer game against Kearny at Caven Point. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

St. Peter’s Prep’s Kyle Hess celebrated with fans after scoring a goal in the first half of the soccer game against Kearny at Caven Point. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Hoboken’s Elyse Santiago, right, celebrated with Zoe Higgins after scoring a goal in the first half of the soccer match. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 21, 2016 — St. Joseph Parish of Jersey City celebrated its 160th anniversary with the church’s 39th annual parish festival from Sept. 21-25, 2016. The festival included food, live nightly entertainment, games of chance, rides and a nightly 50-50 raffle. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 22, 2016 — Whoopi Goldberg visited Mana Contemporary to kick off the month-long exhibit, Marilyn: Character Not Image which she curated and opened to the public. The sheer gown Marilyn Monroe wore when she serenaded John F. Kennedy with a breathy version of “Happy Birthday to You” on May 19, 1962, was the centerpiece of the exhibit. Also on view were photos of the Hollywood star by Milton Greene and Weegee as well as select video footage, and poems and drawings by the actress. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

WEST NEW YORK, N.J., SEPT. 23, 2016 — Memorial’s Pedro Morales tried to stop Bayonne’s Algenis Baret during the game at Coviello Field. Bayonne won, 40-18. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 26, 2016 — Scott Hahn, of Hamilton, foreground right, entered a not guilty plea as he was arraigned at Hudson County Superior Court on charges he caused the death of Bayonne residents Tim O’Donnell, 48, and his daughter, Bridget, 5, in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Jersey City on Feb. 22. Pam O’Donnell, Tim’s wife and Bridget’s mother, attended the hearing holding her daughter’s teddy bear. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN, N.J., SEPT. 30, 2016 — Lincoln’s Kason Carson (blue) intercepted a pass to Hoboken’s Nyjon Freeman during the football game at Kennedy Stadium. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 4, 2016 — A moment of prayer at the end of the Zumba class during the morning senior program at Grace Church Van Vorst. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 7, 2016 — Jerry Walker, founder and CEO, spoke at Team Walker’s annual fundraising gala, Evening of Dreams, at Liberty House Restaurant. The organization was marking its 20th year of helping the inner-city youth of Jersey City by providing them with a safe haven for after school and summer programs, tutoring sessions, and opportunities for community outreach. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 10, 2016 — Eric Silverman, who has led the vision for this project, sat at one of the open work spaces at &co, SILVERMAN’s new 20,000-square-foot cultural and co-work space in the Charles & Co. building on Grove Street. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

UNION CITY, N.J., OCT. 12, 2016 — Bayonne’s Niaimani Marshall (14) and Union City’s Antonella Fernandini (10) jumped up for a header during the first half of the Hudson County Tournament quarterfinals at Ahern Veterans Stadium. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

St. Dominic girls varsity runners celebrated at the finish line during the Jersey City Cross Country Championship at JERSEYLincoln Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 19 2016 — More than 100 police officers, firefighters, and EMTs surprised 9-year-old Parth Patel, who was diagnosed with cancer, with a hero-themed parade from his house on Nelson Street to School 27 on North Street followed by a pizza party in the auditorium. He passed away just two days later on Oct. 22. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 19, 2016 — A memorial service was held for George Gonzalez at Enos Jones Park where a prayer was led by Rev. Thomas Quinn of St. Michael Church and a monetary donation of $1,100 was presented to his family by Jersey City Recreation Director Kevin Williamson in behalf of the Jersey City Recreation Franco Field Flag Football League. Gonzalez, 11, was fatally struck by a jitney bus at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Neptune Avenue on Oct. 14. Here, George’s mother, Judy Gonzalez, was comforted by her sister, Melissa, surrounded by his flag football teammates. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. OCT. 21, 2016 — Mourners, including Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise, right, gathered at St. Joseph Parish to say goodbye to Bill Gaughan, the longtime Jersey City Heights councilman who died after a bout with lung cancer. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J, OCT. 21, 2016 — Boys competed in the north Hudson cross country championship at Stephen R. Gregg Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., OCT. 21, 2016 — Saddle Brook’s Andrew Lorenzo stopped Secaucus’ Jaden Gonzalez from running with the ball that he picked up after an incomplete pass. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., OCT. 27, 2016 —  Secaucus’ Alex Ianuale dove for the ball during the Hudson County Tournament semifinals. Secaucus defeated Bayonne, 17-25, 25-19, 25-12. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., NOV. 3, 2016 — Ridgefield’s Dimitri Mataras (14) and Secaucus’ Brian O’Connell (23) head the ball during the NJSIAA North 2, Group 1 quarterfinals. Ridgefield won, 4-2. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 4, 2016 — A man looked out one of the windows of the Cast Iron Lofts luxury apartment building where a 180-foot-tall mural depicting pop icon David Bowie, who passed away in January, had been painted on the building’s facade by internationally-renowned Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 8, 2016 — Hudson Catholic’s Alanis Alvarado (8) celebrated scoring point against Dwight-Englewood during the NJSIAA Non-Public quarterfinals. Hudson Catholic won, 25-17, 25-13. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Joural)

HARRISON, N.J., NOV. 10, 2016 — A Harrison player kicked around a Dover player during NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 championship. Harrison won in penalty kicks, 4-3. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Harrison celebrated a goal during the the NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 championship against Dover. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 10, 2016 — Hudson Catholic girls volleyball defeated Union Catholic, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18, in the NJSIAA Non-Public championship. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 11, 2016 — St. Peter’s Zamir Mickens made a dive for the end zone during the first quarter of the sectional football opener against Delbarton at Cochrane Field. St. Peter’s Prep won, 34-13. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 16, 2016 — Dozens of NJCU students and faculty members walked out of their classes to call for a “sanctuary campus.” (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 21, 2016 — Tyreek McCord’s family, along with his three young children and led by his mother, Annie (in red), marked the anniversary of his death by walking from his home on Yale Avenue to the IHOP Restaurant on Route 440 where he was fatally shot in the parking lot. They lit candles, prayed and released balloons in his memory and also voiced their dismay and frustration that a year later, no murder charges have been filed against the suspects arrested in the case. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Annie McCord consoled her granddaughter, Tyasia, 9. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 14, 2016 — Television personality Wendy Williams and the Hunter Foundation hosted a holiday dinner for local families at the Currie Woods Community Center. Marco Glorious with “The Wendy Williams Show” emceed the party. Students from Educate the Block at NJCU prepared and served the food, ten-year-old twin sister DJs Amira and Kayla provided the music, and Santa Claus, Mayor Steve Fulop and Freeholder Bill O’Dea helped spread holiday cheer. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

KEARNY, N.J., DEC. 16, 2016 –North Bergen’s Kayton Darley (23) dunked the ball during the first game of the season against Kearny. North Bergen won, 71-57. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 20, 2016 — Construction of the new Route 7 Wittpenn Bridge located in Jersey City and Kearny. The old bridge is at right. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN, N.J., DEC. 22, 2016 — A young girl laced up her skates as she prepared to try out the new skating rink at the Harlow Winter Village located under the 14th Street Viaduct between Grand and Adams streets. The 3,100 square-foot rink uses synthetic ice which is designed for skating using regular metal-blade ice skates. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

WEEHAWKEN, N.J., DEC. 27, 2016 — Weehawken’s Alessandro Romano (34) and Secaucus’ Abu Ahmed chased after a loose ball during the Indian Classic Christmas Tournament boys basketball game. Secaucus won, 45-31. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)