PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board congratulated Paul Miller Porsche on the recent grand opening of their new showroom located on Route 46 at Cherry Hill Road. Presenting Paul Miller with a plaque is Ganesh Persaud, a member of the Advisory Board.
On Thursday, October 22, Paul Miller’s new 30,000-square-foot Porsche facility on the west side of town, which replaces a much older, smaller Porsche building on the east end of Route 46 in the township held a ribbon cutting grand opening.
The new dealership doubles the capacity of the service department and adds a fully staffed boutique to support sales of an expanding line of high-end vehicles. Once known exclusively for two-seat sports cars, the Porsche line now includes sport-utility vehicles and sports sedans that have significantly increased overall sales.
Paul Miller Porsche is located at 3419 Route 46. For more information, click here.
The Purpose of the Economic Development Advisory Committee is to serve in an advisory capacity and shall, upon request of the Township Council, provide information, advice and recommendations relating to the promotion of Economic Development in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Members shall be Township residents who have knowledge of or have demonstrated an interest in the economic well-being of the Township. Each member shall be chosen with a special view to qualifications and fitness for service on the Committee.
Members of the committee include Chairman Frank Cahill, Vice Chairman Eric Seguin, Secretary John Beehler, Ganesh Persaud, Thomas (Tom) Williams and Raviram Medapati. The committee meets the fourth Monday of the month at Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited.
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Neil Gross, 47, Livingston, has been charged with Theft (second degree), Identity Theft (second degree), Forgery (third degree), and Unauthorized Practice of Law (third degree).
Gross, a former partner in the law firm of Ward & Gross, Flanders, was suspended from the practice of law in October of 2012, and subsequently disbarred on October 21, 2014 for a series of violations of professional conduct.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office received a referral of this matter from the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection in July of 2015. Pursuant to an investigation by the Financial Crimes Unit, Neil Gross is alleged to have used the name of another attorney in a real estate closing in 2013, during his period of suspension. As part of that closing, Gross allegedly held over $75,000 in a trust account, but failed to disburse the funds to the seller of the property. He ultimately diverted the funds to a personal account. In so doing, it is also alleged, he forged the name of the other attorney.
Charges against Gross were signed October 23, 2015 by Morris County Detective Joseph Soulias and the matter will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Michael Rappa. Gross was charged following the investigation and was released on his own recognizance. His initial court appearance will be scheduled by the court on a later date.
Prosecutor Knapp thanks the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, whose efforts contributed to this result.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire District 1 held an open house on Sunday, October 25. Children had an opportunity to tour the fire safety trailer, climb and explore the fire trucks and even go high in the sky in Tower 1.
October is fire safety month, and it was a great day for families to join the firemen learn about fire safety.
The sign promoting the event
Children toured the fire safety trailer
Sarah Velicky, Paul Velicky, Nick Velicky along with a Junior member of Mt. Tabor
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation hosted its 19th Annual “Grand Tasting” benefitting Camp Nejeda, serving children with Type 1 Diabetes since 1958, and other charitable projects on Thursday, October 22 at the Hanover Manor, 16 Eagle Rock Avenue, East Hanover.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Connie Keller addressing the audience
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Committee Chairman Michael Mulhaul addressing the audience
Josh Grafeld, Blaze Dorney and Michael Gilmore
Gloria and Joseph Weisberg and Joe O’Neill
Guests placing bids during the silent auction
LuAnn Green and Kiwanis member Jayne Beline
Kiwanis members Karen DeChristopher and Nicolas Limanov
Michael Mulhaul and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps
Debbie and Steve McKinney
Ylka Padilla and Mercedes Covert Muzio, guests from Provident Bank
Former Councilman Jonathan Nelson and Kiwanis member Karen DeChristopher
Murphy McVey (Crabbies Ginger Beer) John Kleinchester (Two Roads Brewing Co.) Tammy Garland (Abita Brewing) and Max Keilson (Downeast Cider)
Mike Knuth holding Angry Orchard Stone Dry
Blaze Dorney and Josh Grafeld taking a stroll on one of the auction items
Kiwanis member Debbie Mellinger and Nancy Dickens
Council Candidate Nick Kumburis holding the winnings from the silent auction
Kiwanis members Debbie Mellinger and Bob Young at the “Wine Poll”
Jayne Beline and Mimi Letts selling 50/50 tickets
Kiwanis member Bob Keller, Former Councilman Jonathan Nelson and Matt Toppolewski
Silent Auction items
Blaze Dorney, Michael Gilmore, Michael Murolo and Anna Tabatchnick
Kiwanis Club Vice President Frank Cahill
Sheldon Wohl showing off his Sangria
The Elbinage: Susan and Greg
Kiwanis members Joyce Garrow and Karen DeChristopher
Joe and Janice McCarthy
Eric and Allissa Letts enjoying the evening
Jennifer Passerini, Henry Anhalt, O.D. and Bill Vierbuchen
Former Kiwanis President Mimi Letts choosing some of the delicious food
Cost for the fun-filled event was only $60.00 per person and included a Dinner Buffet, Hors d’oeuvres, Fine Wines, Craft Beers, Single Malts, Select Spirits, Silent Auction and much more.
Wines were arranged by Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars, click here for more information.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation.
Camp Nejeda has been in continuous operation since 1958 and at our present location since 1960. They are funded by the Camp Nejeda Foundation, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Camp Nejeda is located at 910 Saddleback Road, Stillwater, New Jersey.
At Camp Nejeda youth with diabetes are given the opportunity to live, if only for one or two weeks, in a world where having diabetes is the norm and where there is no need to explain blood sugar testing, finger pricks, insulin injections, ketones, ‘lows’ (insulin reactions), boluses or ‘carb’ counting because everyone here already understands.
Camp Nejeda children with diabetes are free to be just children. This normalizing of their condition combines with both formal and informal educational moments to promote good diabetes management and healthy, active living.
The addition of Family Camps and other Extended Programs offered throughout the year provides the empowering fellowship and educational opportunities for individuals with type 1 diabetes of all ages and for their families.
As the only facility of our kind in New Jersey and its neighboring states, Camp Nejeda hosts children, teens and families from across the region. While most are from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, we have regular campers from Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and elsewhere. Diabetes does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, geography, or class and neither does the Camp Nejeda Foundation. We welcome our campers from all walks of life and all backgrounds.
Camp Nejeda is fully licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and accredited by the American Camp Association. ACA accredited camps meet up to 300 standards for health, food service, safety, and program quality.
The Camp Nejeda Foundation subsidizes the cost of camp for all our campers and provides additional financial assistance to approximately 30% of our campers each year. Campership awards range from 20% to 100% support. Most awards are for 100%.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, each Thursday at 7:15 a.m. for breakfast.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Teachers, administration and students at Parsippany High School, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School participated in the Beards Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser on Friday, October 23.
Male staff members (and some female staff members) attempted to grow the toughest beard this side of the Mississippi. Students and staff members had the opportunity to vote for who they think will have the best beard. In order to cast a vote a donation must be made. The fundraiser began Monday, October 5, and ended on Friday, October 17. All contestants painted their beards pink on Friday, October 23 to support this great cause. Students and staff members were encouraged to wear pink to school on that that day.
Detective Robert Lenahan, School Resource Officer
Teachers at Parsippany High School participating in “Beards Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser”
PHS Vice Prinicipal Keith Bush and Dr. Denis Mulroony
PHS Students participating in “Beards Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser”
PHS Students participating in “Beards Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser”
PHS Students participating in “Beards Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser”
I recently submitted a letter to Parsippany Focus asking what due diligence the Board of Education had conducted with regard to the questions that have been raised about the potential health safety issues that may be associated with the Board’s decision to replace the grass football fields at Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School with turf fields made up of rubber tire crumbs. To my knowledge, there has been no response from Board President Fran Orthwein and/or Vice President Frank Neglia which leads me to believe that either they and the rest of the Board of Education did not conduct the required due diligence to ensure the safety of Parsippany’s children or that they have information that they are afraid to share.
While we wait to learn if and when the Parsippany Troy Hills BOE will respond, it is important to note that on October 23rd, Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representative’s Commerce Committee escalated the issue by submitting a list of 10 questions to the Environmental Protection Agency directing that Agency to determine if it believed that turf fields constructed with ground up car and truck tires are safe for children to play on. One of the questions asked if chemical substances in chrome rubber present a hazard to human health. Another question asked if the incidence of cancer for persons who play on fields treated with crumb rubber was higher than the general population. The EPA has been directed to respond to Congress by November 6th.
With Congressional Republicans and Democrats now united on getting to the bottom of this safety issue hopefully parents across America will soon get the answers that we all need. With the millions of dollars that have been spent in Parsippany to replace our grass fields with crumb rubber turf, hopefully we will learn that safety issues do not exist. However, should potential safety issues be identified by the EPA hopefully, the Board of Education will do what it has failed to so far to do which is to act in an open and honest way.
PARSIPPANY — PetValu, 3053 Route 46, Morris Hills Shopping Center held a “Halloween Spooktacular Costume Contest” on Saturday, October 24.
Parents had the opportunity to dress up their animal for a chance to win a “Greenes Prize Pack.”
There will be a winner at every PetValu store.
Pet Valu understands that your pet is a part of the family, because we’re pet parents too. In their stores you’ll find a great selection of pet food, treats, toys and accessories, all at competitive prices. They have stores in north-eastern United States as well as Canada. In a PetValu store, you’ll find friendly Pet Experts trained in pet care and nutrition through the University of California Davis Extension School. They pride themselves on being Pet Experts and use the knowledge and experience to help you find the right nutrition and other solutions for your pets.
There are over 7,000 products, including holistic and premium brands of pet foods and treats, as well as a wide selection of essential and innovative pet supplies to suit every budget.
PetValu opened in the Morris Hills Shopping Center in June. For more information, click here.
Frank Cahill, store manager Rose, and Oliver posing for pictures at PetValuOliver dressed up in his Halloween costumeOliver proudly marching into PetValu to enter in the “Halloween Spooktacular Costume Contest”
LAKE HIAWATHA — R. Deckenback Drive was unveiled today at the Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad.
Robert (Bob) Deckenback had been the backbone of Rockaway Neck for many years. He dedicated about 2/3 of his life to the organization and made a lasting impression in both the squad and EMS as a whole throughout New Jersey. His work and dedication to the squad and the New Jersey State First Aid Council goes without words. They say that the volunteer is a dying breed, but you would not know this if you knew Bob.
It was 50 years ago that Bob joined the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad, and as you can imagine, he has seen many changes in his career as a volunteer in the Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills. Bob served his squad in many capacities over the years. He was Secretary for one term, Treasurer for two terms, Vice President for four terms, President for nine terms, Senior Lieutenant for six terms, and Captain for eleven terms. This totals 33 years of holding some sort of office on our Executive board. He was always there when needed and never minded stepping up to help out. As time went on Bob was named to the Board of Trustees and participated with the Trustees until the very end. Under his guidance many Rockaway Neck members grew up and have been able to take on these offices, but always knew that Bob was just a phone call away if any assistance was needed. His service and dedication to the squad and the residents of the Township of Parsippany is unparalleled.
In addition to the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad he was also a leader within the Sixth District of the New Jersey State First Aid Council and has served as Vice Chairman for five terms, Chairman for eight terms, and Vice President of the Council on a state level for twelve terms for a total of 25 years of holding office.
We all remember him and some of us who have been around for a long time remember him putting up with “those damn kids!”, but without his guidance we know we would not have turned into the responsible and dedicated people we are today. Bob you have done a great job and will be missed by many. A large void has been left since Bob’s passing and he is deeply missed, said Lieutenant Lucy Ellicott
“On behalf of the entire membership of the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad, we would like to thank Sandy and the entire Deckenback family for sharing Bob with us over the years. We share in the pain of your loss. Know that he will be in our hearts and memories for years to come. You have severed your squad proudly and with great dedication. May you rest in peace my friend, she said.“
Lieutenants Lucy Sadowski-Ellicott and Shaun Wellman worked on making this dedication a reality.
Mrs. Sandy Deckenback unveiling the new sign
The new sign was unveiled this morning in honor of Robert Deckenback
The Deckenback family
Nancy Ciccone, Mrs. Sandy Deckenback, Beth McArdle and Diane DiDomenico
RANDOLPH — County College of Morris (CCM) and Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) signed an agreement this week that will provide students who graduate with an Associate Degree in Applied Science (AAS) in graphic design with a seamless transfer to FDU’s Bachelor of Arts program in graphic design.
The articulation agreement was signed by CCM President Edward J. Yaw and FDU President Sheldon Drucker.
Through another agreement signed earlier this year by CCM and FDU, those transfer students also will be eligible for a 40 percent reduction in the university’s tuition and an annual $1,500 housing allowance should they decide to reside on campus.
The graphic design program at FDU offers concentrations in print design and web design and is part of the Becton College of the Arts and Sciences on the university’s Florham Park campus. FDU will transfer up to 64 credits from CCM graphic design graduates to apply to the B.A. degree.
To qualify, CCM students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in their courses and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better.
The agreement signed earlier this year established the CCM-FDU Scholars program to provide CCM graduates with a more affordable pathway for earning their bachelor’s degree.
“We’re delighted to build further on our strong partnership with FDU so our graphic design students now can be assured of a seamless transfer of their credits, along with significant tuition reduction, to earn their bachelor degrees,” said Yaw.
Geoffrey Weinman, dean of FDU’s College of Arts and Sciences, seconded Yaw’s enthusiasm, saying, “We look forward to establishing more program-specific agreements with CCM that will make transfer from that institution to FDU as smooth as possible.”
The launching of this new program is in addition to the articulation agreements CCM already holds with colleges and universities in and out of the state. For more information on those agreements, click here.
To learn more about the graphic design programs at CCM and FDU, click here or click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief of Investigations John R. Speirs announce the implementation of a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) checkpoint this weekend in Randolph Township.
The checkpoint is a result of a grant the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has received from the State Division of Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct DWI checkpoints at various locations throughout Morris County. The County DWI Enforcement Grant is designed to establish checkpoints in cooperation with municipal departments throughout Morris County.
A checkpoint is scheduled this weekend in Randolph Township. Further dates will be announced in the future. The grant is in effect until the end of September 2016.
PARSIPPANY — The rumors have been flying for months. When Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (parent company of Pathmark) announced their bankruptcy, Pathmark Parsippany wasn’t on any of the lists of locations being purchased. It was just a matter of time the store would end up on the list of stores being closed.
Parsippany Pathmark liquidation started this morning with discounts up to 30% off (although most items are 10% off).
More than 80 employees will be released from their jobs on November 26 – Thanksgiving Day according to WARN notices filed by the company late August.
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, parent company for A&P and Pathmark, announced on Monday, July 20 that it has filed for bankruptcy.
Montvale-based A&P has told U.S. Bankruptcy Court that it is still seeking buyers for some 60 unsold stores, including Parsippany and five others in North Jersey, but that any stores that fail to find buyers will close by Thanksgiving.
Acme and Stop & Shop, which purchased a total of 96 A&P-owned stores, have moved quickly to convert them to their operations. On Thursday, Stop & Shop closed the Pathmark store at 25 Kinnelon Road in Kinnelon for remodeling, and announced that the store would reopen as a Stop & Shop on October 30.
Pathmark occupied 64,209 square feet in the Troy Hills Shopping Center. Troy Hills Shopping Center has a total of 207,000 square feet. Other stores include Michaels, Petco and LA Fitness.
The following was sent to the Board of Education members on Thursday, October 22 in regards to the consultant that was recently hired by the district to investigate the middle school fiasco at the start of the school year. While I am sure Dr. Centolanza is more than qualified to conduct such an investigation, the question at hand is whether or not a conflict of interest exists and whether he can conduct a full and impartial investigation.
To the Parsippany Board of Education,
First and foremost, I want to thank the Board for conducting an investigation into the middle school fiasco. I think an outside source will hopefully reveal the issues that went wrong to avoid these issues from happening again.
Prior to the Board meeting of his appointment on October 15, there was no clear indicators on who this candidate may be. While he seems to be highly qualified, I just want to share something that I discovered and ensure that there is no conflict with his appointment.
Based on LinkedIn profiles that can be viewed online, it appears both individuals were employed by the Paterson Public School district between 2001 and 2004.
At the time, Mr. Rixford was the Principal of the Alexander Hamilton Academy (October 2001 – August 2005) and Dr. Louis Centolanza was a Consultant (September 2001-June 2004 – Job Desciption as consultant – to provide technical assistance through comprehensive planning, guidance, facilitation and evaluation in the areas of Governance, Personnel, Supervision of Staff, Role of Assistant Superintendents and School Programs, between July 1, 2002 and November 30, 2002, at an amount not to exceed $27,000.00.
Additionally, Mr. Rixford was the Assistant Superintendent of the Paterson School District (August 2005 – July 2006) while Dr. Louis Centolanza was the Interim Superintendent / Board Secretary to the Passaic County Educational Services Commision (March 2005 – June 2007.)
For reference, I have included a link to both individuals linked in page as reference.
Once again, while he seems to be an ideal candidate to conduct such an investigation, I just want to disclose this information in that there very well may be a conflict based on the ties to working together in the Paterson School District and the fact that the two were Superintendents in Passaic County during the same time period.
Thanks for your time and hopefully this matter can come to a close and the district can continue to move forward.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Tyhan Lighty, 44, with a last known address in Orange, has been indicted by a Morris County Grand Jury on charges related to an armed robbery that occurred on May 18, 2014 in the parking garage of the Morristown Medical Center complex on Madison Avenue in Morristown.
On Thursday, October 22, an indictment was returned against Tyhan Lighty, charging him with Robbery (first degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (second degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (second degree), and Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons (second degree).
On May 18, 2014, at approximately 10:53 a.m., the Morristown Police Department was contacted regarding an armed robbery in the parking garage of the Morristown Medical Center. Information revealed that a male who was armed with a handgun entered a parking lot complex office and demanded money from an employee. The suspect then fled the location.
An extensive, multiagency investigation then ensued. Following investigative leads the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit detectives ultimately identified Lighty as the perpetrator.
On May 4, 2015, Tyhan Lighty was charged by way of warrant-complaints with crimes related to this incident. On June 18, 2015, Lighty was arrested by officers with the East Orange Police Department on the outstanding warrant related to this incident. He was later transferred to the custody of detectives with the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Morristown Police Department. Thereafter, bail was set at $250,000 without a ten percent option and Lighty was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Prosecutor Knapp thanks the Morristown Bureau of Police, East Orange Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit for their efforts in apprehending this defendant.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, the Morristown Police Department at (973) 538-2200, or Crimestoppers at (973) 267-2255.
PARSIPPANY — At the October 20 Par-Troy Township Council meeting, local resident Julia Peterson questioned members of the Governing Body, Mayor Barberio and Township Attorney John Inglesino, on the status of approximately 130 acres of land the Township was to acquire from a local developer as part of a global lawsuit settlement.
In 2013 the Township Council authorized Mayor Barberio to settle a long standing lawsuit brought on by real estate developer Ed Mosberg. The settlement in part permitted Mosberg to build 52 Townhomes along Smith Road. In exchange, Mosberg was to deed over approximately 130 acres of land including the historic Forge Pond area and the surrounding woodlands.
Responding to Mrs. Peterson’s question, Inglesino declared the issue ‘moot’ as the time for accepting ownership of the land had expired and the Township no longer had a claim for the property. Development of the of 52 Townhouse complex is nearly complete. Inglesino went on to explain that had the Township accepted the 130 acres, there was a possibility that Parsippany would be responsible for cleanup of possible contaminants in and around the former pond. The original property was an Iron Forge several hundred years ago and after Route 80 was built to the North of the property 40 years ago, stormwater run-off drained into the pond before eventually making its way downstream and into Troy Meadows.
Inglesino acknowledged that no testing had been done since the lawsuit was settled in 2013.
Mike dePierro, a Councilman who agreed to the original settlement, responded to Inglesino’s explanation, “John along those lines though I’ve accepted your explanation for several years now on this and I’m beginning to not want to accept it anymore . I’m prone right now to say why don’t we spend the money, do an environmental impact and see exactly what it is we think may or may not be there, because we don’t know. I’d rather spend the money and take the 130 acres he owes us than sit here and speculate what may or may not be there.”
Parsippany Focus confirmed that Mosberg had granted the Township several extensions over the past two years to accept the property but the last extension had lapsed and with it any claim the Township had to the property.
Speaking directly to Inglesino at the Council meeting, former Councilman Jonathan Nelson, who also voted for the settlement, said, “I feel like a jerk that I sold this settlement to the public. The Council never would have settled had we known the Mayor would not accept the land.”
Inglesino admitted that while he could never say that the land would never be developed, he expressed doubt that the land would be built on “in the very near future.”
Councilman Louis Valori told Parsippany Focus after the meeting, “I thought the town was in the process of acquiring this land for open space. This track of land was a bonus for the town to prevent over-development, which puts a strain on the Township. This issue has to be discussed in great detail at the next council meeting.”
“The Waterview tract has been getting all the headlines for the past two years but the area around Forge Pond is over five times the size of Waterview,” Jonathan Nelson told Parsippany Focus after the Council meeting. “I can’t even say I’m surprised anymore. After nearly six years in office, what can Mayor Barberio point to as a single accomplishment in preserving open space like he promised? 130 acres of beautiful land fell right into his lap, and he blew it. When a new housing development is built on that property I hope they name it ‘Barberio Estates,’ because that will be his lasting legacy.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief William Craig of the Jefferson Township Police Department are seeking information from the public concerning an incident that occurred on the early morning of Saturday, September 19 in Jefferson Township.
On Saturday, September 19 at approximately 4:00 am, a passerby reported observing a person lying in the roadway of Route 15 North, near Edison Road in Jefferson Township. Members of the Jefferson Township Police Department responded and found an injured male, later identified as Michael Adams, 24, who appeared to have been struck by an unknown vehicle.
It is believed that Michael was struck between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Michael was transported to St. Clare’s Dover Campus and was later pronounced as deceased at the hospital.
Michael was a lifelong resident of Jefferson Township and a graduate of Pope John XXIII High School. He also attended Montclair State University. Michael was a driver for High Grade Beverage and a part-time cook at Mason Street Pub. He also served in the United States Army Reserves.
A joint investigation by the Jefferson Township Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is currently ongoing and active. Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying anyone who may have knowledge of this incident and/or the circumstances leading to Michael Adams’ death.
The family of Michael Adams has offered a $20,0000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone responsible for his death. The Jefferson Township Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office are not involved in any aspect of the reward being offered.
Any person with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Jefferson Township Police Department at (973) 697-1300.
Any person with information can also reach out directly to the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers at (973) 267-2255 or click here. Information can be provided to CrimeStoppers anonymously.
PARSIPPANY — There is a report of a suspicious powder found at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, 100 Interpace Parkway.
On the scene is Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District 5 Hazmat team, Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District 2, Morris County Hazmat team, Parsippany Emergency Medical Services and Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance.
As details become available Parsippany Focuswill update this breaking news story.
MORRIS COUNTY — An amended state law that took effect in August imposes strict new limits on the pick up and delivery of “vote by mail’’ ballots, limiting any individual to just three ballots that can be obtained or delivered to county elections officials. That is a reduction from the previous state limit of 10 ballots that could be picked up by a surrogate for other voters.
Also, the amended law requires any person dropping off mail ballots to show valid identification, such as a New Jersey driver’s license or other form of identification recognized as official by the federal, state, or county governments. That identification must include the full address of the person and a signature.
The change in Public Law 2015, Chapter 84 – concerning bearers and messengers of ballots – could impact facilities such as nursing homes or hospitals where social workers collect the mail-in ballots and delivers them in large numbers to elections offices.
Also, it could impact local campaign efforts to collect mail-in-ballots from groups of voters in a town, especially senior citizens, and deliver them to the county elections office.
In a recent local fire election in Ocean County, one candidate’s campaign collected and delivered 150 mail-in ballots and delivered them to county Board of Elections, only to have all of them rejected because the “bearer” portion of the envelope was not completed by the person delivering the ballots.
“We are working to get the word out to the public prior to the next election so there is no confusion and no eligible Morris County voters is disenfranchised,’’ said Dale Kramer, administrator of the Morris County Board of Elections.
“This will most likely affect larger institutions, such as hospitals, and nursing homes, from which large numbers of mail-in ballots are many times carried to the county for their residents by one or two persons. That is not acceptable anymore.’’
Notices of the changed voting rules have been sent to county and local Republican and Democratic committees, municipal clerks in all 39 Morris County towns, and healthcare facilities. The new rule also has been posted on the Morris County Board of Elections website.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Elks, in conjunction with the Parsippany PAL, will host a hoop shoot contest at the Parsippany PAL building on Baldwin Road on Sunday, November 8, starting at 10:00 a.m.
The contest is open to boys and girls who will be aged 8 to 13 on April 1, 2016. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be presented at the time of registration.
Registration will be held at 10:00 a.m. for children aged 8 to 9, with the contest to start at 10:30 a.m. Registration will be at 10:30 a.m. for those aged 10 to 11, with the contest starting at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Children aged 12 and 13 will register at 11:00 a.m. and the contest will start at approximately 11:30 p.m.
At the conclusion of the contest, the winners will receive trophies and given instructions regarding the district contest. Pizza and refreshments will be available to all the contestants and their families.
For more information call Bill Wall, youth activities chairman at the Parsippany Elks Lodge 2078 at (973) 879-9633.
PARSIPPANY — Amanda Lyons, a member of Morris Catholic High School Class of 2016, was named a National Merit semifinalist. More than 1.5 million students across the country take the PSAT, the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Less than one percent of high school seniors in each state are named semifinalists.
The Parsippany resident is one of two from the three high schools sponsored by the Diocese of Paterson.
Last spring she was named the recipient of the Sister Joseph Marie – Crusader Award for Academic Distinction, a recognition given to a junior who has achieved principal’s honors for each quarter while a student a MCHS. Lyons was the sole recipient.
Both teachers and peers recognize the joy Lyons finds in learning, and she has especially distinguished herself in writing and world languages, the school noted. “Amanda embodies the meaning of scholarship seeking understanding. We are proud of her.”
Dear Editor: 
