MORRISTOWN — Foresters from Jersey Central Power & Light Company will take to the sky to conduct helicopter inspections of power lines in the Morris County area as part of the company’s annual vegetation management program.

The patrols should only take a few days, weather permitting. Local officials have been notified that the inspections will take place. The inspections will take place until August 3, weather permitting.

Helicopters are a cost-effective and efficient way to conduct inspections that help keep JCP&L’s electric system durable and reliable. Residents may see a small helicopter flying at low altitude or hovering over power lines and towers while company foresters examine trees and other vegetation in the right-of-way and trees outside the corridor that could potentially cause damage to the electric system.

The helicopter will be flying at a speed of about 35-40 mph above or alongside the lines, and may circle around for a closer inspection. The helicopter is a Hughes MD 500, black in color with a red stripe, tail # N8330P.

When a potential tree issue is identified, additional ground-level inspections are scheduled and remedial actions are completed.

JCP&L also performs annual aerial inspections of transmission towers, substations and other electrical equipment.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Heritage Commission and the Morris County Library are presenting a special display entitled “Saluting Old Glory: Our Nation’s Flag’’ at the county library in the Whippany section of Hanover Township through September 15.

Saluting Old Glory: Our Nation’s Flag, which details the history of the Star-Spangled Banner, is on view through Tuesday, August 25. Items in the exhibit cases will be on view through September 15.

American flags from the Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries are on display in the lobby of the library. Flags and exhibit cases of related items  are on view on the first and second floor.

A third exhibit case, located on the fifth floor of the County Administration Building in Morristown, also features examples of rare and unusual American flags.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Mount Olive man has been charged with crimes related to the May death of Jennifer Ward, 35, in Jefferson Township, according to Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher, and Jefferson Township Police Chief William Craig.

 Kayron Jackson, aka Alkama Jackson, aka “Keys,” 37, was charged July 27 by Warrant-Complaint with the first-degree crime of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death, and the third degree crime of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Fentanyl).  The charges were authorized by state Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Critchley in Morristown. Jackson was arrested on these charges on July 28 in Mount Olive and remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.             

On the morning of May 5, law enforcement responded to 88 Mase Road, Jefferson, on a report of a female who was unconscious and not breathing. The female, who was pronounced as deceased at the scene, was identified as Jennifer Ward.  The investigation would reveal that Ward was the victim of a fatal drug overdose. 

Through a subsequent investigation, it is alleged that Jackson distributed fentanyl to Ward in Mount Olive on May 4, the evening before she was found dead. It is further alleged that the ingestion of the fentanyl distributed by Jackson to Ward resulted in Ward’s death. 

Jackson has been charged with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-9.  This statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes or dispenses any of a number of controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance.  This is a first-degree crime, which is punishable by up to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the 85 percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.       

Members of the Mount Olive Police Department, Jefferson Township Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Enforcement Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Section, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office have contributed to this investigation.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.