PARSIPPANY — Join for a “Pasta Dinner” fundraiser hosted by the Sons of the American Legion Post 249 on Saturday, May 18th. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Delight in a delectable dinner that includes Pasta, Meatballs, Bread, and Dessert, provided by the Sons of Italy Lodge 2561. Tickets are $25.00 each, and a cash bar will be available. DJ Nick from Anytime Entertainment will play music.

Find us at the American Legion Post 249, 91 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha. For more details, contact (973) 335-9266 or email americanlegion249@gmail.com.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella will be inducted into the 1995 Society and America’s Future. The Gala and Showcase will be held on Thursday, May 30, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at Larz Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC. Click here to purchase tickets.

More than 100 outstanding nominations were received for the inaugural inductees to The 1995 Society and America’s Future.

These young leaders have made it their mission to promote freedom and individual liberty in our society, and their work is inspirational.

Through their work of advancing the ideas of a free society through impactful research, leading grassroots initiatives, enacting meaningful policy reforms at the state level, and giving a voice to free-market ideas in the media – the efforts of this year’s winners to promote freedom and limited government better the lives and happiness of all Americans.

Justin Musella is a new Councilman in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township. His campaign focused on keeping Parsippany the safe, prosperous, and community-oriented township his constituents know and love. Musella has been active in politics since an early age, having worked as a volunteer on Governor Christie’s campaign in 2009 and eventually becoming Chair of the Morris County Young Republicans in 2020. 

Even before taking the oath of office, Musella was ranked 11th on Insider NJ’s 2021 list of “most influential millennials” in New Jersey politics. Musella was honored by the NJ Globe for being selected as having one of the best-run campaigns of 2021. Recently, he was ranked by Insider NJ as the 13th most influential millennial in politics of 2022 and 10th in 2023 on the same list.

Unafraid to take a controversial position, Musella separated himself from his GOP colleagues in Parsippany. He kept his campaign promise by voting against every tax increase since the election and a union mandate for taxpayer-funded projects in 2022. Musella strongly believes in helping a new generation of Republican leaders find their voice in the state of New Jersey and is eager to be a leader in this effort.

In addition to Musella, Nicholas Horton, and Daniel Di Martino will also be inducted into The 1995 Society and America’s Future.

A lifelong Arkansan, Nicholas Horton has done political and policy work in roughly half the country, ranging from Maine to Montana. His original research and analysis have been highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Forbes, National Review Online, the Washington Examiner, and Townhall, among other national outlets. Nic has also appeared on numerous talk radio shows across the country.

Starting in the political world volunteering for local in Arkansas campaigns, Nic eventually founded and led The Arkansas Patriot, one of the leading conservative news sites in the South. Much of Nic’s work focused on holding local governments and elected officials accountable on wasteful spending, lack of transparency, and tax hikes. Partnering with local concerned citizens, Nic played an instrumental role in defeating numerous local tax increases at the ballot.

Daniel was born in 1999 in Venezuela to a middle-class family. His grandparents escaped poverty and oppression in Italy and Spain in the 1950s, seeking a better future in the then 4th richest country in the world, Venezuela. Italy was destroyed by fascism and World War II, and Spain by the Spanish Civil War and the Franco regime.

Yet, despite not having a high school education and having to learn a new language, his family prospered under Venezuela’s relatively free market and strong democracy in the second half of the 20th century.

But Daniel saw how socialism transformed the once prosperous nation that welcomed his grandparents into a poor and dangerous place. His family’s income was drastically reduced due to inflation, and he was forced to line up for food and basic necessities for hours due to the socialist policies of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro.

PARSIPPANY — On Monday, May 27, at 12:00 Noon, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold its Memorial Day Parade on North Beverwyck Road. Starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., numerous roads will be closed to ensure a safe and secure parade route. These roads are expected to reopen around 3:00 p.m. Please refer to the diagram below for details on the parade route, road closures, and limited access areas.

• To maintain a safe flow of traffic in the surrounding streets of the parade route, “Emergency No Parking Signs” will be placed in the below areas:

A) Knoll Road from Greenbank Road to North Beverwyck Road

B) North Beverwyck Road from Knoll Road to Vail Road

C) Lake Shore Drive from Madison Avenue to Dacotah Avenue

D) Katherine Drive from Knoll Road to North Beverwyck Road

E) Claudine Terr. from North Beverwyck Road to Crescent Drive

F) Crescent Drive from Claudine Terrace to Condit Avenue

G) Condit Ave from North Beverwyck Road to Rockaway Place

• Residents of Knoll Gardens and Knoll Manor, you can access/leave your homes by utilizing the blue route. All entry and exit from Knoll Gardens and Knoll Manor will be limited to the driveway at the top of Van Wyk Road. Due to the staging of the parade vehicles and groups along Knoll Road the very top driveway will be the only driveway which vehicles will be allowed to enter or exit from. Please advise any guest you may be expecting this limited access to as well. All traffic exiting Knoll Gardens onto Knoll Road must turn left while the Parade vehicles/Marching Bands are staged on Knoll Road. Additionally, there will be a police officer and barricades located at the Knoll Road intersection with Lake Shore Drive/Greenbank Road. Kindly inform the officer that you are going to Knoll Gardens/Knoll Manor and not traveling through the closed parade area. Also, advise any visitors that you may be expecting that they need to enter Knoll Gardens/Knoll Manor from Knoll Road and that they, too, must inform the officer stationed at Lake Shore Road/Greenbank Road that they are just visiting Knoll Gardens/Knoll Manor.

Finally, we apologize for the temporary inconvenience that this may cause. We hope that you have the opportunity to watch and enjoy the Parade.

PARSIPPANY — The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 27, at 10:00 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 1839 Route 46 East.

Memorial Day is a solemn federal holiday in the United States dedicated to remembering and honoring the military personnel who have lost their lives in service to their country. Observed on the last Monday of May, this day was originally known as Decoration Day. It emerged after the American Civil War as a way to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the conflict. Over time, it has come to commemorate all U.S. military members who have died while serving.

On Memorial Day, it is customary to visit cemeteries and memorials to pay respects to the fallen, often decorating their graves with American flags as a sign of gratitude and remembrance. While the day marks the beginning of summer and is typically associated with family gatherings and public festivities, its true essence lies in the reflective homage paid to those who sacrificed for their country.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Wednesday, June 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Wellness Gala presents “The Power of Thoughts and Words” at the Best Western Fairfield Executive Inn, 216 Route 46 East, Fairfield.

This enlightening event features a panel of esteemed psychics, mediums, and healers, including Jamie Butler, The Everyday Medium; Jaye Regincos, Thought Strategist; Ray Sette, Spiritualist, and Astrologer; Laurie Wheeler, Illuminary Futurist; and Lee Grabarczyk, Intuitive Artist. They will provide prophetic messages and personalized guidance during an audience Q&A session, offering connections to departed loved ones.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for mini psychic readings and the chance to explore high-vibrational products. Tickets are available for $59.00 in advance or $65.00 at the door.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Advancing efforts that led to a 16% drop in the number of vehicles stolen in New Jersey between September 2022 and March 2023, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced that 34 law enforcement agencies in 21 counties and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) will receive grant funding to acquire or expand technology to combat auto theft thanks to $10 million in funding made available by the Murphy Administration.

The towns in Morris County will receive:

At least one local enforcement agency in each county across New Jersey will receive grants ranging from $23,400 to $595,000 to acquire and expand existing Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology systems. These systems utilize high-speed, automated camera networks to capture and store computer-readable images of license plates in a centralized database accessible to law enforcement. This information assists law enforcement in identifying, locating, and recovering stolen vehicles, interrupting auto theft networks, and apprehending individuals involved in vehicle theft and other violent crimes.

The grants, made available by Governor Phil Murphy using federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, ensure that for the first time, all 21 counties will have usage of ALPR technology at fixed locations within their jurisdictions. The grants are the latest investments to law enforcement agencies to combat auto theft in New Jersey and reduce the violent crime it gives rise to.

“Residents across New Jersey deserve to feel safe in their communities. As we continue to address the ongoing wave of auto theft in our state, it is important that we equip our law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools they need to identify and catch these bad actors,” said Governor Murphy. “We appreciate our congressional delegation’s continued support in our efforts to combat crime here in New Jersey. We have witnessed the success that new technology, including the Automated License Plate Readers, has played in this process, and we are committed to further investing in this cause until the number of auto thefts in our state hits zero.”

“Reducing auto thefts across New Jersey is a top priority, and thanks to the leadership and support of Governor Murphy and our congressional delegation, we are investing millions of dollars to provide law enforcement officers in all 21 counties with the tools they need to protect residents, make communities safer, and save lives,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We know that car thefts on their own are bad enough, but they are also used to commit other violent crimes. By equipping law enforcement with sophisticated Automated License Plate Reader technology, we are sending a clear message of deterrence against committing auto thefts.”

“Auto theft not only victimizes the owner of the vehicle, but it can also victimize the whole community. Stolen vehicles are often used in committing crimes and can be found driving recklessly on our roadways, creating a dangerous environment for everyone,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The funding to expand ALPR technology throughout the state will be pivotal in our effort to combat this ongoing issue. The steps taken to approve this funding represent a commitment to supporting not only law enforcement but a commitment to the safety of all New Jersey residents.”

ALPR technology is a critical component in New Jersey’s comprehensive strategy to combat auto theft. This effort has led to a 16% reduction in the number of vehicles stolen statewide over a six-month period from September 2022 through March 2023.

In April 2022, Governor Murphy announced he would invest $10 million in ARP funding for ALPR technology.

NJSP will receive just over $3 million of the grant funding to deploy ALPR units along major roadways throughout the state. The intelligence gathered will be shared by NJSP in real-time through the Regional Operations Intelligence Center and Real Time Crime Centers operated by the NJSP with relevant law enforcement partners as appropriate for investigative and operational needs.

The remaining funds were made accessible through a competitive grant process open to all law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in New Jersey that serve communities demonstrating an increase in violent crime, gun violence, and/or auto theft. Funding decisions were made to ensure the broadest and deepest levels of service coverage practicable, with consideration given to the type of deliverables, the desired outcomes, and the geographical location of the project in comparison with crime statistics and data.