Northeast
Banana-focused food truck in New Jersey serves up fruity, frozen treats: 'Clean and refreshing'
It may be time this spring and summer to consider giving the cold shoulder to ice cream, frozen yogurt and milkshakes and instead indulging in a fruity, health-centric frozen treat — at least according to the passionate co-owners of Amanda Bananas.
Found on Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Amanda Bananas food truck offers fruity, refreshing frozen treats.
Located adjacent to the shipyard marina in Hoboken, Pier 13 is a seasonal open-air waterfront beer garden with food trucks and entertainment offerings — all with breathtaking views of the New York City skyline.
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“We started Amanda Bananas on July 4, 2012, day one of Pier 13, with the fireworks on the Hudson, as a side business for the both of us,” said Steven DiPasquale, who co-owns Amanda Bananas with wife Amanda.
As the success of the business grew, Amanda DiPasquale left her job as a fifth-grade math teacher.
Amanda Bananas, based on Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey, offers soft-serve frozen fruit snacks. “We wanted to make a healthy alternative to ice cream that is all natural and tastes great,” said co-owner Steven DiPasquale. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
Steven DiPasquale, who worked in the hospitality business for more than 15 years, then decided to make Amanda Bananas their full-time business.
What’s fruit got to do with it?
Amanda Bananas is a soft-serve frozen fruit enterprise — and from the beginning the goal of the operation was clear.
“We wanted to make a healthy alternative ice cream that is all natural and tastes great,” said Steven DiPasquale.
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“Our product is made from 100% fruit, so the base is dairy free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan.”
“By eating a banana, you can Indulge your sweet tooth without ruining your diet. A banana averages only about 110 calories.”
The delicious treat is a healthier alternative to other snacks and treats, he said.
“Since our product is fruit-based with no added sugar, you don’t feel guilty,” said DiPasquale. “One 6 oz. serving is roughly 110 calories.”
The Strawberry CocoNana Smoothie from Amanda Bananas is a soft-serve frozen banana blended with strawberries and coconut water. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
On its website, Amanda Bananas notes that “by eating a banana, you can Indulge your sweet tooth without ruining your diet. A banana averages only about 110 calories.”
It also shares that “as with many fruits, bananas contain a good amount of vitamin C. One banana provides about 10 mg of vitamin C, or about 15% of your daily recommended amount. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and cell health and improves the absorption of other nutrients such as iron.”
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The truck’s soft-frozen fruit treat can be customized by patrons with more than 40 topping options.
“Amanda and I have watched families grow and literally watched children grow up before our eyes.”
Current choices for the bases are banana and mango/pineapple swirl.
In addition, the truck offers smoothies — which are blended with 100% natural coconut water, and “blurries,” which Steven DiPasquale said have a banana base with a blend of toppings.
Co-owners Steven DiPasquale and Amanda DiPasquale have a strong connection to Hoboken, New Jersey. Their food truck’s soft-frozen fruit treat can be customized by patrons with more than 40 topping options. (The Original Amanda Bananas )
When the married couple aren’t greeting and serving customers at the food truck at Pier 13, they do corporate events, weddings, birthdays, private events and more.
“We cater many corporate events during the week,” he told Fox News Digital.
“We also do a select number of food truck festivals throughout the season, and occasionally we will do some music festivals.”
Why is Hoboken their home base?
The pair’s history with Hoboken runs deep.
“Pier 13 loved our concept and wanted to support local small businesses,” said Steven DiPasquale.
The sun rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City as a person walks on a pier in the Hudson River on March 10, 2023, in Hoboken, New Jersey. “Hoboken is a great city because it feels like a small town, but it’s still a city,” said Steven DiPasquale of Amanda Bananas. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
“We also live in Hoboken — I’ve lived in Hoboken since 2001.”
DiPasquale also once owned a restaurant/lounge on Washington Street in town, prior to launching Amanda Bananas.
“Hoboken is a great city because it feels like a small town, but like I said, it’s still a city,” he said.
The Banana Cream Pie offering is a soft-serve frozen banana topped with crushed graham crackers, Nutella and whipped cream. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
“Amanda and I have watched families grow and literally watched children grow up before our eyes. We have families coming multiple times per week since we started in 2012. Kids in strollers or on their parents’ shoulders — and now they are teenagers coming to the truck on their own.”
What’s most popular on their menu?
The Banana Cream Pie variety is one of the most popular menu items.
“It’s our soft-serve frozen banana base topped with crushed graham crackers, Nutella and whipped cream,” DiPasquale said.
Another favorite pick? The CocoSwirl smoothie.
“This is extremely popular on hot summer days. It’s our soft-serve frozen mango pineapple base blended with 100% natural coconut water,” added DiPasquale.
The Amanda Bananas truck shown at Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey. The truck is there almost every day from May to September, weather permitting, the co-owners say. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
For those who want the classic, he noted that the Original Amanda Banana is still “very popular for those who have any allergies or just want a simple, clean, refreshing snack.”
The couple’s ambition to “spread the love” is also on their menu.
“We hope to expand to other markets in 2024,” said DiPasquale. He added, “You get back what you put in — and be prepared to have no days off,” he said.
He also said he works hard to make his products the best he can for their customer base.
The Original Amanda Banana is still “very popular for those who have allergies or just want a simple, clean, refreshing snack,” said the co-owners. (The Original Amanda Bananas)
“You get what you pay for, so don’t cheap out on equipment or quality ingredients,” he said. “Do it right the first time.”
The Amanda Bananas truck is at Pier 13 in Hoboken (once the season opens) almost every day from May to September, weather permitting.
The Amanda Bananas food truck’s official season is April to September.
Anyone can follow the business on Instagram @AmandaBananasNJ.
The truck posts its schedule on Pier 13 daily.
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Northeast
Pennsylvania state trooper fatally shot during traffic stop, officials say
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A Pennsylvania state trooper was shot and killed on Sunday night while conducting a traffic stop in Chester County, according to officials.
The shooting happened in West Caln Township shortly after 9 p.m. during a traffic stop near Compass and Michael roads.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the trooper, identified as Timothy O’Connor, died from the shooting.
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L-R: Aerial footage of hospital; Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr. (WTXF; PA State Police)
“I am profoundly saddened to announce that tonight, Pennsylvania State Police family lost a son, lost a hero, and lost a dedicated public servant,” Shapiro said at a press briefing.
“Corporal Timothy O’Connor is killed tonight doing what he’s dedicated his life to. And that is serving others, keeping our community safe, looking out for his fellow Pennsylvanians, especially right here in Chester County,” he continued. “Our entire Commonwealth, State Police family, Chester County, are mourning the loss of Corporal O’Connor.”
The governor added: “He died protecting others, and that is a noble calling. That is something we are profoundly grateful for tonight.”
The shooting happened in West Caln Township shortly after 9 p.m. during a traffic stop near Compass and Michael roads. (Pennsylvania State Police)
Police “put their lives on the line every single day to protect us, to look after us, to ensure our well-being,” Shapiro said. “That’s what Tim was doing tonight. I hope that the good people of Pennsylvania take a moment to appreciate all who put on a uniform, especially the uniform of the Pennsylvania State Police, and go out every day to look after us, do a lot every day and run into danger to keep the rest of us safe.”
Shapiro said flags in Pennsylvania will be flown at half-staff on Monday in honor of O’Connor.
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Gov. Josh Shapiro said flags in Pennsylvania will be flown at half-staff on Monday. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
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Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe also said he was praying for the trooper.
“Chester County’s brave police officers put their lives on the line for us every day. I thank all of them for their extraordinary bravery and sacrifice,” Roe said on Facebook.
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Boston, MA
Boston Police Blotter: Southie pub brawl leads to alleged stabbing
Two people were stabbed following an alleged bar brawl in Southie over the weekend.
According to a police report, officers arrived at Tom English’s around 10:30 p.m., Friday for a report of a fight. When they arrived on the scene, a victim told police that he was sucker punched during a fight and pointed out a person who was the “main aggressor” throughout the incident.
The suspect was pat frisked by police, but the report said they did not find any weapons. “The suspect stated that he was jumped [by the party of the victim,” the report said. “The suspect refused to cooperate any further after repeated attempts by officers to get his version of events.”
Both the suspect and victim declined EMS.
Then about an hour later, three more victims arrived at a nearby police station to report that two of them had been stabbed in the fight at Tom English. One of the unnamed victims said that the fight started after the suspect kept moving coins he put down to play pool. The suspect, according to one of the other victims, told them to meet him outside.
All parties were kicked out by a bouncer and “a large brawl ensued,” the report said. The victims told police that that suspect brandished a knife and the victims said they “fled the scene on foot fearing for their lives.”
In the report, police noted that they saw wounds on two of the victims. EMS was called to treat them.
BPD did not confirm whether the suspect was arrested.
Fireworks call leads to firearm recovery in Mattapan
Reports of fireworks led Boston Police to recover a firearm Monday night in Mattapan.
Officers responded to the area around Callender Street at about 10 p.m. for a call of shots fire, but a supervisor alerted them that individuals were shooting off fireworks.
When police got to the scene, they said they saw a group of people standing near a car that had several packages of fireworks. As officers approached, one man started to sprint towards Blue Hill Ave., throwing a jacket off as he ran, according to BPD.
Multiple officers responded to detain the suspect and a pat frisk of the jacket uncovered a ghost gun with 7 rounds in the magazine, police said.
Kahnari White, 24, of Mattapan was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
While the foot pursuit and arrest of White unfolded, police said the group standing with the fireworks began to become “hostile and threatening to an officer who remained with them on scene.”
One person allegedly continued to threaten an officer and bumped him on the chest as more officers arrived.
“Multiple de-escalation tactics were attempted, but the suspect continued to threaten officers,” Boston police said in a statement.
Eventually, officers were able to detain Sean Galvez, 40, of Quincy. Galvez was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer.
Both suspects are expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.
Gun recovered after foot chase in Dorchester
A 22-year-old from Dorchester was arrested on gun charges after police said they approached the suspect for drinking in public Monday night.
Officers saw a group on Draper St. drinking publicly around 8:30 p.m., and when they approached them, one individual started to walk away.
“When officers advised the male that he could not be drinking alcohol in public, he fled on foot,” Boston Police said in a statement. “A foot pursuit ensued, and officers stopped the suspect.”
Police recovered a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 with nine rounds in the magazine during a pat frisk and said that the serial number on the gun was defaced.
Denilson Pires was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and defacing a firearm serial number.
He is expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.
Incident Summary
BPD responded to 252 incidents in the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the department’s incident log. Those included one robbery, six aggravated assaults, one residential burglary, seven larcenies from a vehicle, 15 miscellaneous larcenies, and five auto thefts.
Arrests
All of the below-named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
— Francis Haugh, 248 Albany St., Boston. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
— Ismann Nuuh, 421 Old Colony Ave., South Boston. Warrant arrest.
— Michael Buckley, 37 Washington St., Newburyport. Warrant arrest.
— Misty Lottmann, 1 Davis Sq., Somerville. Possession of a Class B drug.
— Michael Nicholls, 39 Boylston St., Boston. Threat to commit a crime.
— Yeson Silvestre, 48-52 Glenville Ave., Brighton. Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
— Galvester Johnson, 123 Hamilton St., Dorchester. Assault with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older.
— Nilton Cardoso, 112 George St., Boston. Uninsured motor vehicle.
— Edgar Aguilar, 29 North St., Newtonville. Possession of a Class C drug.
— Jorge Guillermo Cruz Ortiz, 24 Heard St., Chelsea. Unregistered motor vehicle.
— Askia Lelaind, 47 Chestnut St., Springfield. Larceny under $1,200.
— Tewshawn Hector-Coleman, 111 Woodbine Rd., Stoughton. Warrant.
— Frammy Llaveria, 55 Vallar St., East Boston. Unarmed robbery.
— Eric Hale, 780 Albany St., Boston. Unregistered hawker & peddler ordinance.
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers Add Year to Cam Heyward’s Contract, Creating Cap Space
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have some clarity on Cameron Heyward’s short-term future with the team.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers have added an extra year to Heyward’s deal. As a result, they freed up right around $5.5 million in cap space.
SOURCES: The Steelers have added a year to DE Cam Heyward’s contract, creating nearly $5.5 million in cap space. His new deal is worth $32.25 million over two years with the first year guaranteed.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 10, 2026
Heyward’s contract is now worth $32.25 million across two seasons, though only the first of those two years is guaranteed.
The reigning second-team All-Pro previously had one year left on his contract, which carried a cap hit of $19.150 million.
Heyward’s deal was a source of contention during training camp last summer, as the 15-year veteran looked to negotiate his contract after previously having agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension leading into the 2024 campaign.
The 36-year-old, who was a first-team All-Pro that year, later compromised with Pittsburgh after it added a little over $3 million in incentives to his contract before Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Over 17 games, Heyward recorded a total of 3.5 sacks and 78 tackles with a forced fumble.
With it appearing set in stone that he’ll return for the 2026 season after agreeing to his modified deal, the question now becomes whether or not Heyward will play out the duration of his contract through 2027.
What Could Steelers Do with Extra Money?
Pittsburgh was rather active both shortly before and immediately after the legal tampering period began, re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and linebacker Cole Holcomb while also signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Jamel Dean and acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. via trade from the Indianapolis Colts, whom it immediately inked to a three-year, $59 million extension.
It’s been a bit quiet for the Steelers since that initial wave, however, with punter Cameron Johnston representing their only move on the second day of free agency.
There’s still plenty of names out there on the open market, and with needs remaining along the offensive line, at safety and receiver even after adding Pittman Jr., the action shouldn’t stop for Pittsburgh.
While quarterback remains the most substantial question mark for the Steelers on paper, the widespread assumption remains that Aaron Rodgers will eventually return to the franchise. When that decision will, or could, become official, though, is anyone’s best guess at the moment.
The money Pittsburgh saved by revising Heyward’s contract could help fill out its roster not only through free agency, but also via the 2026 NFL Draft now that it has 12 picks at its disposal upon being awarded four compensatory selections.
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