PARSIPPANY — Girl Scout Troop 96326 and Cub Scout Pack 177 Den 6 helped sort food at St. Ann’s Parish.
The cub scouts collected food at a Halloween event and donated it to the church which was then sorted along with all of the food that had been donated by the parishioners at St. Ann’s.
The church fills over 80 baskets with non-perishable items for a Thanksgiving dinner to donate to families from organizations throughout Morris County.
Scouts making Thanksgiving cards to put in a basket offering warm wishes for a healthy and happy holiday
In addition to sorting the food, the scouts each made a Thanksgiving card to put in a basket offering warm wishes for a healthy and happy holiday.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s American Legion Posts 249 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10184 held their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11 (eleventh month, eleventh day, eleventh hour) at Veterans Memorial Park.
The Presentation of the Colors by Color Guards of American Legion Post 249 and VFW Post 10184 followed by the Invocation by Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer, Saint Peter the Apostle Church.
Veteran's Day Ceremony 2017
1 of 19
Color Guards of American Legion Post 249 and VFW Post 10184
Bruce Michels Commander American Legion Post 249
Rev. Msgr. Herbert Tillyer, Saint Peter the Apostle Church
Michelle Musolino-Roberts, The National Anathem
Mayor James Barberio
Veteran's Day Poem - Emily Smith, Girl Scout Troop 95615
Domenica Roberts, Brownie Troop 95697
Samantha Tkach - Girl Scout Troop 95609
Laying of the wreaths
Laying of the wreaths
Cannon Salute led Al Florio, Commander, Lamb's Artillery Company, Revolutionary Reenactment Group
Anthony Paterno, Parsippany Hills High School, Boy Scout Troop 173 on the Taps
Eternal Father - Strong to Save by Parsippany Hills High School Choir, Led by Kathleen Muka
Eileen DeGraw, U.S. Navy Veteran
Thank A Veteran - Veterans Day Poem - Julia Bruggeman, Girl Scout Troop 95615
"America the Beautiful" by Michelle Musolino-Roberts
Benediction by Reverend Donald A. Bragg, Pastor, Parsippany Presbyterian Church
The National Anthem and America the Beautiful was performed by Township Resident Michelle Musolino-Roberts. Mayor James Barberio took the podium to discuss “Why We Honor Our Veterans.”
Thank You Letters to Veterans were written and presented by Sofia McBride, Girl Scout Troop 95609, Domenica Roberts, Brownie Troop 95697 and Samantha Tkach, Girl Scout Troop 95609.
Prayer of Remembrance by David Griffith, Lead Pastor, Living Waters Church.
Then Laying of the Wreaths by Bernard McElwee, Commander, VFW Post 10184 honored by Veterans: Joe Minsavage, American Legion Post 249 and Gary Erdmann, VFW Post 10184.
The Cannon Salute led by Al Florio, Commander, Lamb’s Artillery Company, Revolutionary Reenactment Group. Anthony Paterno, Parsippany Hills High School, Boy Scout Troop 173, performed the Taps. “Eternal Father – Strong to Save” was presented by the Parsippany Hills High School Choir led by Kathleen Muka.
Eileen DeGraw, U.S. Navy Veteran was guest speaker. Thank A Veteran – Veterans Day Poem was read by Julia Bruggeman, Girl Scout Troop 95615.
Emily Smith’s read the Veteran’s Day poem.
The Benediction was led by Reverend Donald A. Bragg, Pastor, Parsippany Presbyterian Church and the program was concluded by Bruce Michels, Commander, American Legion Post 249.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
Emma Cocozziello, Daisy Troop #97442, a kindergarten at Eastlake School displaying the sign she made for Veterans Day
PARSIPPANY — Cranford Cougars suffered a painful 48 – 21 defeat to Parsippany Hills during Round One of the North 2, Group 3 State Sectional Playoffs. Since it was a playoff game, the loss was a particularly difficult one for Cranford.
The defeat brought Cranford down to 6-4. The win bumped Parsippany Hills’s record up to 9-1.
The season is close to the end, but Parsippany Hills will look to squeeze in a victory in its upcoming game. Parsippany Hills is set to face off against Voorhees Vikings in a playoff game on Friday, November 17. Parsippany Hills has blown out its past three opponents, so Voorhees has its work cut out for it.
PARSIPPANY — Multiple Officers responded to the Bank of America, 1072 Route 46 at North Beverwyck Road, for a suspicious vehicle, whose occupant may be tampering with the ATM.
Upon their arrival they found the vehicle, a 2017 Jeep Compass in the rear of the lot. After a brief investigation Emre Ozyemisci, 30, Parsippany, was placed under arrest by Patrol Officer Ryan Taylor for driving while intoxicated.
He was subsequently found to be in possession ten glassine folds of suspected heroin, two empty glassine folds, one cut straw commonly used to ingest CDS, one small plastic baggie with a crushed pill believed to be heart medication, and 7.5 pills of suspected suboxone.
Ozyemisci was transported to police headquarters for processing at which time he was charged with one count of Third Degree Possession of CDS (Heroin); one count of Third Degree Possession of CDS (Suboxone); one count of Third Degree Tampering; Failure to give CDS to Police, a Disorderly Persons Offense; Being under the Influence of CDS without a Prescription, a Disorderly Persons Offense; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and
Driving While Intoxicated.
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.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers responded to a residence on Hawkins Avenue for a reported burglary. The victim advised that he returned home and found jewelry and cash missing from his residence totaling approximately $1250.00. He believed the burglary occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany will be hosting a “Comedy Night” Fundraiser on Friday, December 8.
Jackie Byrne, will be hosting the event featuring Don Michaloski and Stephanie Holmes. The feature headliner is KC Arora. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m.
KC Arora is a New York-based comedian that should definitely be on your radar. His biting observational humor and sarcastic charm will have you doubled over with laughter. When KC isn’t performing across the U.S., you can find him hanging out in comedy clubs around New York City or Twitter (@KCGotIdeas).
KC made his first national, non-court related TV appearance on Laughs on FOX in 2015, and has been on the rise ever since. After making almost a dozen appearances on Laughs on Fox, he was seen on SeeSo’s New York’s Funniest. TruTV’s Late Night Snack and was a semi-finalist in NBC’s Standup for Diversity. KC made it to the final four of Caroline’s March Madness competition.
The cost of the tickets are $25.00 and are available through any Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany member or through Eventbrite by clicking here.
The event will be held at Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, 100 Centerton Road. Mature Audience only. BYOB. Tickets are limited so make your reservations now.
PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Freeholders presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals to nine veterans from across the county, honoring these men during Veterans’ Day week for their service to our country and their communities during and after their days in the military.
Veteran Andrew Lachawiec of Morristown and Freeholders Kathy DeFillippo, Tom Mastrangelo, John Cesaro and Christine Myers.
Honored at a special ceremony held during the county governing board meeting in Morristown were: James L. Festa, U.S. Navy, Parsippany; Pastor David G. Boone, U.S. Army, Parsippany; Andrew Lachawiec, U.S. Army, Morristown; Yucel Yilmaz, U.S. Army, Butler; Loretta T. Falconer, U.S. Army, Mt. Olive; Kenneth L. Diehl, U.S. Army, Dover; Joseph M. Takacs, U.S. Army, Washington Twp.; Joseph Bonanno, U.S. Air Force, Montville; and Morris County Veterans’ Services Officer, Kenneth Brenzel, U.S. Navy.
“We recognize that all veterans have given something of themselves to this nation, and some have given everything, laying down their lives to defend the freedoms we hold so dear,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “To all of our veterans, especially to you who are here this evening, we have a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you, all of you, for your service.’’
Also attending the veterans’ event were state Sen. and former Gov. Richard Codey, state Sens. Anthony R. Bucco and Joe Pennacchio, state Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco., and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon.
Each of the ten veterans at the event received the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal from the board of freeholders. The unique medal was designed by a special committee of county veterans, with some variations in medals and ribbons for various conflicts and military eras.
The following is a snapshot of the military service of each recipient:
Pastor David G. Boone, Parsippany: Served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1993. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, and served in the Gulf War, which included Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
He received the Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabia Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southeast Asia Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Meritorious Service Medal for service to the Special Operations Command.
He served for 21 years with the Fair Lawn Police Dept., is Commander of VFW Post 281 in Fair Lawn, and has been a pastor for 33 years.
James L. Festa, Parsippany: Served in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War from 1956-60. He was stationed as an electrician on the USS Ranger CVA-61, based in California, and traveled extensively around the world.
He was on board in 1958 during the intense struggle between mainland China and Taiwan, and was part of the crew that assisted Taiwanese refugees with food, medicine, clothing, and other items. He is a member of the Taiwan Veterans Badge of Honor Association, or the 823 Badge of Honor Association USA.
He comes from a military family: His father, Louis Festa was a Merchant Marine in World War II; his step-daughter, Morris County Sheriff’s Officer Rosemary Brown, recently served in the U.S. Army in Iraq; and her husband, Jeremy Brown, also served in Iraq but did not make it home.
Andrew Lachawiec, Morristown: Joined the Army in July 2008, and served as an intelligence specialist. He served in Haiti on a humanitarian deployment after a catastrophic earthquake struck in 2010.
He subsequently deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011. He attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) during his service and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), the NATO Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars.
Yucel Yilmaz, Butler: Born and raised in Trabzon Turkey, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1999. He is a service-connected disabled Veteran who served as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army during the Operation Enduring Freedom period, from January 2008 to May 2009, when he was honorably discharged.
He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon
Loretta T. Falconer, Mount Olive: Enlisted in the N.J. Army National Guard at age 18. During 30 years in the military, she served in many capacities: Heavy Wheeled Vehicle Driver, Howitzer Gunner, Ammunition Section Chief, among others.
In 2004, she received Military Police training for deployment to Germany, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Her second deployment was to Baghdad in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as NCO for the Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection in the International Zone.
Awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation, Achievement, Good Conduct, and Reserve Components Achievement Medals; Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, Overseas Service Ribbons, and the Honorable Order of St. Barbara, to name a few.
Joseph M. Takacs, Washington Township: Served in the U.S. Army from June 1970 to January 1972 and in the Army National Guard from 1988-2003. He deployed to Vietnam in 1970-72, serving as an engineer in the Central Highlands with the 815th Engineering Construction Battalion.
He was a carpenter and masonry specialist, and also an M60A3 Gunner and an M-1 Abrams Gunner. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Joseph Bonanno, Montville: Grew up in Belleville during the Great Depression with his parents, Rose and Frank. He joined the Air Force Reserves in the late 1940s, and when the Korean War began in 1950, his unit activated.
He served as a radar technician and electronics engineer, stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, until 1952 when he was honorably discharged. He soon started his own business, Air Spec, and has been an industrial developer for more than 50 years.
He is past commander, current treasurer and scholarship committee chair for the Columbian Foundation.
Kenneth Brenzel, Hardyston Township: Served in the U.S. Navy from 1979-1984 as machinist mate 2nd class, operating and maintaining all non-nuclear mechanical systems aboard a sturgeon-class, nuclear-powered attack submarine, the USS Whale. He received his submarine qualification insignia –the Silver Dolphins – in 1981.
In his post-military career, he was a police officer in Haworth, Bergen County, and then in Hardyston Township, Sussex County. He began working for Morris County in 2014 as a Fraud Investigator in the Office of Temporary Assistance, and transferred to the Office of Veterans Services in 2016.
Since becoming the Morris County Veterans’ Service Officer last year, he already has assisted more than 1,200 Veterans to obtain VA benefits, among numerous other duties.
MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of Veterans Day, several years ago Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp began the annual tradition of recognizing U.S. Military Veterans who serve in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Knapp and his command staff again celebrated Veterans Day with members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office who served in the United States Armed Forces before pursuing a career with the Prosecutor’s Office. Currently, there are (11) members who are U.S. Veterans. The following list identifies each member, and the respective military branch in which they served:
Chief of Staff Daniel Pfeiffer
U.S. Army
Captain Robert McNally
U.S. Marines
Lieutenant Harrison Dillard
U.S. Army
Detective Supervisor Michael Gomez
U.S. Army
Detective Jimmy Atoche
U.S. Army
Detective Joseph Ellis
U.S. Army
Detective Muhammad Thomas
U.S. Marines
Assistant Prosecutor Julian Hill
U.S. Army
Assistant Prosecutor Robert Preziosi
U.S. Army
Director Al Imperiale
U.S. Army
Agent John Jespersen
U.S. Marines
Appointed to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2017, Detective Joseph Ellis and Detective Muhammad Thomas were also recognized as being the newest members to be added to the Veteran’s Honor Roll. The following information reflects their service accomplishments.
Detective Joseph Ellis
July 2008 – December 2008
Basic Training and Military Police Training
Fort Lenardwood, Missouri
December 2008 – February 2010
Reassigned to 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, NY. Served as a Patrol Officer and Crew
Serve Gunner February 2010 – March 2011
Deployed 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
Afghanistan. Served as a Gunner/ Driver
March 2011- May 2012
Redeployed to 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Fort Drum, NY
Served as a Patrol Officer and Crew Serve Gunner
May 2012- July 2013
Deployed to 719th Military Intelligence Battalion
Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Security Officer
Awards Received
Combat Action Badge
Drivers Badge
Four Army Commendation Medals
One Army Achievement Medal
NJ Distinguished Service Award
Detective Muhammad Thomas
January 1999 – April 1999
Marine Corps Recruit Training Battalion
Paris Island, South Carolina
May 1999 – June 1999
Marine Corps School of Infantry
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
June 1999 – June 2001
Third Battalion, First Marine Division.
Assigned to 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
October 2000 USS Cole Bombing Advance Security
June 2001 – January 2002
First Battalion, First Marine Division
Assigned to the 15 Marine Expeditionary Unit
Combat Missions in Afghanistan / Northern Pakistan
January 2002 – August 2003
Third Battalion, First Marine Division
October 2002
Operation Eager Mace Falylaka Island Attack
January 2003 – August 2003
Combat Operations in Iraq
Battle of Nasiriyah
“The members of the Prosecutor’s Office who selflessly sacrificed for our Nation by serving in our armed forces have fortunately selected a career path serving the citizens of Morris County. It gives me great honor to recognize each of them for their past and current service to our citizens”, said Prosecutor Knapp.
PARSIPPANY — An internal medicine doctor practicing in Staten Island, New York, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for taking bribes in connection with a long-running and elaborate test referral scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, its president and numerous associates, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Ahmed El Soury, 45, of Monmouth Junction, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to Count One of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Federal Travel Act, and the honest services wire fraud statute. Judge Chesler imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
El Soury admitted accepting cash bribes in return for referring patient blood specimens to BLS. From March 2011 through April 2013, El Soury received bribes totaling more than $66,000 from BLS employees and associates. El Soury’s referrals generated approximately $650,000 in lab business for BLS.
The investigation has thus far resulted in 51 convictions – 37 of them doctors – in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. It is believed to be the largest number of medical professionals ever prosecuted in a bribery case.
The investigation has to date recovered more than $13 million through forfeiture. On June 28, 2016, BLS, which is no longer operational, pleaded guilty and was required to forfeit all of its assets.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesler sentenced El Soury to three years of supervised release and fined him $7,500.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Joseph W. Cronin; IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, with the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph N. Minish, Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, and Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Ward, Acting Chief of the office’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.
The New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office reorganized its health care fraud practice in 2010 and created a stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit to handle both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of health care fraud offenses. Since that time, the office has recovered more than $1.37 billion in health care fraud and government fraud settlements, judgments, fines, restitution and forfeiture under the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other statutes.
PARSIPPANY — Sunrise ShopRite, the family-owned company that operates the ShopRite of Parsippany and ShopRite of West Caldwell, announced that Dara Sblendorio, a fourth-generation grocer and executive vice president of Sunrise ShopRite, will take over as president of the business from her father, Ned Gladstein.
Ned Gladstein will remain as chief financial officer and adviser to Dara Sblendorio, who will oversee day-to-day operations and focus on creating top-notch shopping experiences at the family’s two ShopRite stores.
“I’m very excited to turn over the reins to my daughter, a next generation leader who will honor our past and move us into the future. Dara grew up in the business and is an expert in areas that are important to both her and the business, including fresh foods, health and wellness, and human resources. She is hardworking and passionate about growing the company not just for our family, but for our associates, customers, and community,” said Ned Gladstein.
Ned’s father and grandfather opened Sunrise Market in 1940 in Caldwell. The family joined the retailer-owned cooperative, Wakefern Food Corp., in 1951 and later opened their ShopRite stores. Ned Gladstein joined Sunrise ShopRite full-time in 1976 and was named president in 1982, but his connection to ShopRite began with childhood duties in the family stores.
Like her father, Dara Sblendorio also started working in her family’s ShopRite stores as a child. She recalls lunching with her grandfather at ShopRite and earning 25 cents an hour to help stock shelves in the Health and Beauty Department. She got her first part-time job working in the Pharmacy department at the ShopRite of West Caldwell when she was in high school.
“I learned a lot in that first job about helping and talking to people and servicing our customers,” said Sblendorio. “I’m honored now to have the opportunity to lead the business as president of the company. It’s an exciting time for the grocery industry and I believe our family’s 77-year commitment to North Jersey communities positions us well for the future.”
Sblendorio has worked alongside her father for more than a decade, spending time in the Human Resources, Produce and Perishables departments of the company. She also worked in conjunction with the company vice president of operations to oversee store operations, budgeting and merchandising, and more recently she’s tackled marketing and advertising for the company.
At Wakefern Food Corp., where Sunrise ShopRite is a member, Sblendorio also serves as chair of the Produce and Floral Division and vice chair of the Human Resources Division.
She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston University; a master’s in education from Lesley University and a master’s of business administration from the Stern School of Business at New York University. She worked with developmentally disabled children before returning to her family’s company 11 years ago.
Sblendorio’s husband, Frank Sblendorio, also works with the company as manager of the ShopRite of Parsippany.
“It really is a family operation,” she added. “And we plan to focus over the next several years on building our strong work culture and bringing our family of associates together as a team to deliver the best possible shopping experiences at our stores.
Sblendorio lives in the Caldwells with her husband and four children.
ShopRite is the registered trademark of Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey, and the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States. With more than 270 ShopRite supermarkets located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, ShopRite serves more than six million customers each week. Through its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, ShopRite is dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities it serves. Since the program began in 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $43 million to food banks that support more than 2,100 worthy charities. As a title sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, ShopRite has donated $30 million to local organizations, hospitals and community groups. For more information click here.
Ned Gladstein, Dara Sblendorio and Frank Sblendorio
