PARSIPPANY — Progressive Insurance Commercial Filmed at Tech Toys in Parsippany.
Montclair State University Congratulates Fall 2020 Dean’s List
MORRIS COUNTY — Montclair State University congratulates Red Hawks named to the Fall 2020 Dean’s List. Students residing in our readership area are:
Robert Manlapig of Parsippany
Fred Nagle of Morris Plains
Jewel Rankel of Morris Plains
Caroline Walz of Mount Tabor
Mike Ezpeleta of Lake Hiawatha
Dirgh Patel of Parsippany
Kathrina Ramirez of Parsippany
Gabrielle Barrese of Morris Plains
Bridget Murphy of Florham Park
Donato Casolaro of East Hanover
Natalie Koeber of Mountain Lakes
Brenna Gawley of Boonton
Roqaya Wafa of Parsippany
Jenna Kalynovych of Cedar Knolls
Courtney Calabrese of Parsippany
Alex Angulo of Parsippany
Abigail Fletcher of East Hanover
Kenny Slaman of Lake Hiawatha
Houda Sabeh of East Hanover
Sharanam Shah of Morris Plains
Farah Sheira of Lake Hiawatha
Lucia Lucarella of East Hanover
Disha Patel of Parsippany
Meaghan Debenedette of Parsippany
Jamie Bazaral of Parsippany
Ruby Murad of Madison
Kira Welenc of Morris Plains
Juan Gomez of Parsippany
Marissa Lawler of Parsippany
Gabriella Iacono of East Hanover
Justin Salluce of Parsippany
Remy Frost of Morris Plains
Michael Papaianni of East Hanover
Marcus Wan of Parsippany
Uzma Hasan of Parsippany
Ben Earl of Lake Hiawatha
Jenna Wear of Lake Hiawatha
Gianna Foti of East Hanover
Zinab Yaqoobi of Lake Hiawatha
Destiny Oridge of Parsippany
Phillip Metta of Lake Hiawatha
Neel Patel of Parsippany
Kayla Bush of Morris Plains
Patricia Vanderpool of Parsippany
Matt Chan of Parsippany
Yousof Mamoor of Parsippany
Juliana Barnhill of Morris Plains
Joyce David of Parsippany
Anabelen Delgado of Lake Hiawatha
Razan Akkad of Parsippany
Alex Pirl of Parsippany
Julia Leva of Boonton
Aesha Patel of Parsippany
Sakae Handerson of Boonton Twp
Leah Kashulines of Mountain Lakes
Uzair Ullah of Boonton
Nadya Almganhi of Parsippany
Miriam Aguirre of Parsippany
Gianna Hartigan of East Hanover
Robert Marciano of Mount Tabor
Sherilyn Ostlin of Morris Plains
Valerie Gargiulo of East Hanover
Christina Gillespie of Boonton
Jaydon Lynch of Boonton
Ally D’Addezio of East Hanover
John Lee of Parsippany
Robert Gillo of Morris Plains
Tori Freire of Parsippany
Ava Costa of East Hanover
Christina Proietto of Boonton
Connor Goodwin of Morris Plains
Nicholas Roepke of Parsippany
Kathy Lopez of Lake Hiawatha
Alfonse Napolitano of Morris Plains
Britt Ruggiero of East Hanover
Megan Leitner of Lake Hiawatha
Juan Ayala of Morris Plains
Rachel Klemovitch of Parsippany
Elizabeth Shivietz of Florham Park
Jack Keane of Morris Plains
Cassie Bodendorf of Boonton
Juliana DeAngelis of Morris Plains
Harrison Kraft of Boonton
Jeffrey Wear of Lake Hiawatha
Nicole Synnott of Parsippany
Timothy Rabel of Madison
Hamzah Turan of Parsippany
Lexi Becker of Boonton
Faith Mostillo of Parsippany
Suraj Makadia of Parsippany
Taylor Castelli of Morris Plains
Justin Green of Boonton
Julia Krevis of Boonton
Morgan Schaefer-Jones of Morris Plains
Kevin Cronin of East Hanover
Grace Keane of Morris Plains
Luz Martinez of Madison
Mareldi Denas of Parsippany
Emma Mendoza of Boonton
Nick Verducci of Parsippany
Jenna Corsi of East Hanover
Patrick Ferreira of Florham Park
Ashley Rosato of Florham Park
Michaela Tomanelli of Lake Hiawatha
Colette Murphy of Florham Park
Daniel Rodriguez of Parsippany
Ashley Loprete of East Hanover
Emma Wilcox of Cedar Knolls
Zoe Nolz of Parsippany
Giuliana Martinez of Boonton
David Fleitas-Guillen of Lake Hiawatha
Connor Dubeau of East Hanover
Megan Canzonieri of East Hanover
Andrea Delgado of Lake Hiawatha
Nikki-James Soto of Parsippany
Laila Tlack of Parsippany
Tran Chau of East Hanover
Melinda Cazimoski of Morris Plains
Giovanna Di Lauri of East Hanover
Deirdre Licciardi of Boonton Twp
Kaitlyn Sklow of Parsippany
Lydia Parker of Parsippany
Nami Patel of Parsippany
Gabriella Vazzano of Boonton
Sean DuBeau of East Hanover
Edwin Aguirre-Rosas of Parsippany
Ashley Perri of Boonton
Michael Rigillo of East Hanover
Bobby Ezzi of Boonton
Mariam Wali of Parsippany
Shalin Patel of Lake Hiawatha
Victoria Lupo of East Hanover
Alyssa Feola of Lake Hiawatha
Catalina Castelan of Lake Hiawatha
Nicole Davino of East Hanover
Gina Decroce of East Hanover
Sophia Castaneda of East Hanover
Lance Bancairen of Morris Plains
Michael Primamore of East Hanover
Kelly Coombs of Parsippany
Eric Wong of Parsippany
Bhoomika Vachhani of Parsippany
Jared Bazaral of Parsippany
Savannah Cerrato of Parsippany
Kashvi Rastogi of Morris Plains
John Trevisan of Parsippany
Sunah Choudhry of Boonton
Nabil Mamoor of Parsippany
Sarah Akrami of Parsippany
Amy Albin of Morris Plains
Samuel Pedersen of Parsippany
Manny Gonsalves of East Hanover
Alexis Cajas of Lake Hiawatha
Allison Hofmann of East Hanover
Morgan Villopoto of Parsippany
Larissa Salmeri of East Hanover
Nicholas Ezzi of Boonton
Fiona McCarthy of Morris Plains
Fatima Yaqoobi of Lake Hiawatha
Davin Budich of Parsippany
Ashley Johnson of Morris Plains
Jared Stock of Parsippany
Frankie Caruso of Florham Park
Devyn Reidy of Boonton Twp
Megha Patel of Parsippany
Eka Swamy of Lake Hiawatha
Connor Preston of Lake Hiawatha
Yasmine Ashour of Parsippany
Peter Jones of Parsippany
The Dean’s List, issued after the close of the Fall and Spring semesters by the academic deans, gives recognition to students with a 3.500 or higher semester GPA if a minimum of 12 credits is earned in courses that contribute to the GPA and if there are no IN (incomplete) grades for that semester.
Montclair State University is a research doctoral institution ranked in the top tier of national universities. Building on a distinguished history dating back to 1908, the University today has 11 colleges and schools that serve 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, masters and baccalaureate programs. Situated on a beautiful, 252-acre suburban campus just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair State delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university in a supportive, sophisticated, and diverse academic environment.
Onyx with the Cutest Little Grumpy Face wants a Furever Home
MORRIS COUNTY — Introducing Onyx, a 3.5-year-old Puggle with the cutest little grumpy face!!
Don’t let his face fool you though, Onyx is a happy-go-lucky pup who loves to do just about everything! Time for a walk? Onyx is ready. Time for a snuggle? Onyx is ready. Looking for a hiking buddy? Onyx is ready!
Onyx came to us because his family was moving and did not want to take him. Now, he’s ready to find his forever family! Onyx’s ideal home is one with a fenced-in yard where he can play with an active family who likes to take walks and go out and about. While he does love a good cuddle, he is no couch potato!
Onyx is good with other dogs and children 6+. We are unsure how he’d be with cats. Onyx is potty trained and super friendly.
If you’re looking for a new cutie to brighten up to your life, apply to adopt Onyx!
If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/wiseanimalrescue
Like on Facebook: facebook.com/wiseanimalrescue
Morris County Homeless Shelters Received over $2,000,000 in HUD Assistance Programs
MORRIS COUNTY — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $2.5 billion to renew support to thousands of local homeless assistance programs across the nation. HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) grants will provide critically needed support to 6,597 local programs on the front lines of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Morris County homeless shelters received over $2,000,000.
In New Jersey, HUD renewed its funding to 218 Continuums of Cares across the state. Homeless services providers received $52,486,276 to assist homeless individuals and families, and all New Jerseyans at risk of becoming homeless. COVID-19 presented new challenges to these grantees, and HUD aims to assist them in keeping our communities safe.
Due to the pandemic, the funding announced renews grants for existing programs. This process was dramatically streamlined because communities have been and will continue to be consumed with COVID-19 response and have limited capacity to participate in the traditional CoC competition.
“HUD wants to ensure that thousands of local homeless assistance providers continue to receive federal funds needed to provide stable housing for people experiencing homelessness during these trying times,” said Acting HUD Secretary Matt Ammon. “Renewing these grants not only offers relief to our local partners but it allows Continuums of Care to continue their work to end homelessness and help keep our most vulnerable neighbors off the streets.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to provide funding without diverting the attention of communities from the vital work of preventing, preparing for, and responding to the pandemic,” said James Arthur Jemison, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.
“HUD’s grantees that provide homelessness prevention and services are the frontline of day-to-day housing challenges, and HUD is committed to streamlining their funding process during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Justin Scheid, HUD Newark Field Office Director. “Continuums of Care in the State are invaluable resources for those in need, and they are committed to keeping our communities safe.”
HUD’s Continuum of Care grant funding supports a broad array of interventions designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, located in sheltering programs, or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness. Each year, HUD serves more than a million people through emergency shelter, transitional, and permanent housing programs.
The organizations in Morris County receiving from this grant are as follows:
Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris | Step Off the Street Outreach | $42,633 |
Homeless Solutions, Inc. | Transitional Housing Program | $127,390 |
Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Inc. | Transitional Living Program | $156,321 |
NJ DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS | 3AK,3AN, & 3AP CoC Renewal 2019 | $306,990 |
Family Promise of Morris County | Morris Leasing 2018 Renewal | $61,989 |
New Jersey AIDS Services | 2019 renewal PSH-1 | $109,322 |
Family Promise of Morris County | Keys to Housing Consolidated Program | $347,543 |
First Call for Help dba NJ 211 Partnership | No Wrong Door | $51,020 |
New Jersey AIDS Services | 2019 renewal PSH – 2 | $97,623 |
First Call for Help dba NJ 211 Partnership | No Wrong Door 2 | $59,616 |
Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Inc. | Rapid Re-Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence | $176,286 |
Homeless Solutions, Inc. | Permanent Supportive Housing for Safe Haven | $217,791 |
New Jersey AIDS Services | 2019 new – Youth Rapid Rehousing | $111,488 |
Homeless Solutions, Inc. | Permanent Supportive Housing at Ruth Davis Drive Women’s Campus | $171,764 |
$2,037,776 |
26 inches and still coming down!
PARSIPPANY — In sections of Parsippany, the snow is measuring at 26 inches and still snowing! Send us your snow pictures to news@parsippanyfocus.com.
WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST TUESDAY… Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of 7 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. WHERE…Portions of northern New Jersey and east central and northeast Pennsylvania. WHEN…Until 4 PM EST Tuesday.
IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The heaviest snow will end by late this evening. Periods of light snow accumulating snow will linger through Tuesday.
Fire in Detached Garage on Lake Shore Drive
PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, January 31, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5 and Lake Hiawatha Fire Department District 4 were called to a residence at 46 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Hiawatha on reports of heavy smoke coming from a detached garage. Boonton RIC Team was also requested to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was determined a heavy fire in the garage with a possible cause from a propane tank.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery were requested to fill air tanks.
JCP#L and Parsippany Water Department was dispatched due to a water main break in the area.
Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance (Car 66) was also requested to the scene.
All photos by Fireground Buff Network LLC
Letter to the Editor: I Support Judy Hernandez for Township Council
Dear Editor:
I have gotten to know Judy Hernandez over the past few years. She is a great friend, amazing mom, and wife. She is highly active in helping the town – she sits on several boards and committees within the town and surrounding area – Planning Board (Board Member), Environmental Advisory Committee (Vice-Chair), Parsippany Child Day Care Center (Board Member), and Civics Committee (Chairwoman).
In her professional career, she is an Environmental Engineer. Much of what she brings to the town stems from her professional experience and passion – ensuring our town and beyond are thinking of smart and sustainable environmental and economic strategies, including addressing climate change. She’s active on the Parsippany Green Team and Sustainable NJ.
With all of these experiences, I know Judy can do a lot of good for the town of Parsippany and ensure a strong economic and environmental future for our town. In all these committees, she’s working with bi-partisan committees to move this town forward.
I fully support Judy Hernandez for Town Council. I encourage everyone to look into what she can bring to our town and make an educated vote for her on November 2, 2021.
Kendra Von Achen
Parsippany Resident
Murphy Declares State of Emergency In Response to Expected Winter Storm
MORRIS COUNTY – Governor Phil Murphy declared that New Jersey will enter a state of emergency beginning Sunday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. in response to the expected winter storm.
Snow accumulation for the storm began as of Sunday afternoon, with the heaviest snow expected to fall during the day on Monday, and hazardous conditions may continue through Tuesday morning. Executive Order No. 218 declares a state of emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.
State offices will be closed on Monday, February 1. This does not include weather-essential employees. Private companies and businesses should dismiss their employees at their own discretion. All six vaccine mega-sites will be closed on Monday, February 1 due to the storm.
All NJ TRANSIT buses, rail (except Atlantic City Rail Line), light rail, and Access Link service will be temporarily suspended systemwide for the entire service day on Monday, February 1 due to the significant expected impacts of the snowstorm.
“Heavy snow, coastal flooding, and high winds are expected in many parts of the state,” said Governor Murphy.“The safety of residents and workers is our utmost priority. Please follow all weather-related guidance and stay off the roads in order to allow access for emergency personnel.”
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation is coordinating with our regional and local transportation partners and the New Jersey State Police to ensure the most effective response to this storm,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “We are grateful for the public’s assistance by staying at home and allowing transportation agencies to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow and ice.”
“Our State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate with our State Emergency Management Partners. Troopers throughout the state are ready to assist residents and drivers both on and off of the highways for the duration of this storm as needed,” said State Director of Emergency Management and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan. “However, we cannot do it without the help of our communities. Please use caution if you must travel, prepare emergency kits for use at home and in your vehicle, and check on your neighbors.”
“In anticipation of the snowstorm, the NJBPU has been in communication with the utilities and they are prepared for the weather emergency,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “We expect outages as a result of the storm and advise residents to charge their phones in advance, make necessary preparations and report any outages to their utility. As always, do not touch or go near any downed wires. We know that any outage is an inconvenience and we will be working with the utilities to ensure they restore all outages as safely and as quickly as possible.”
“NJOHSP coordinates with its partners and New Jersey’s critical infrastructure operators to prepare for all hazards such as this winter storm,” said Jared M. Maples, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. “As we continue to monitor for other potential threats, we’re working with our partners to reduce the storm’s impact on residents and visitors. We encourage everyone to stay home and to please consider checking in on family and friends via phone, email, or social media.”
Parts of New Jersey are expected to experience heavy snow, coastal flooding, and blizzard-like conditions. To prepare for the winter storm, the New Jersey State Police has activated the State Emergency Operations Center in order to monitor the storm. The New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and South Jersey Transportation Authority will also deploy over 3,900 plows and spreaders to keep roads and communities safe.
The Governor encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information. New Jersey residents should also pay attention to local forecasts, warnings, and watches.
For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey, visit the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly click here
For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, N.Y. click here.
The Bergen, Burlington, and Gloucester County mega-site was pre-scheduled to be closed on Monday, February 1. Anyone with appointments at the Atlantic, Middlesex, or Morris mega-sites will receive a call from the health care partner at that site and be rescheduled within the week.
- Atlantic (AtlantiCare) and Middlesex (RWJBarnabas) will be rescheduled to Thursday
- Morris (Atlantic Health) will be rescheduled to Wednesday
- Health care partners will begin making calls after 2:00 p.m. today
- The Vaccination Call Center will remain open through the storm: 855-568-0545
Important Tips to Remember When Preparing for Winter Weather:
Secure loose items in your yard such as trash cans, children’s toys, and lawn decorations.
- Build an emergency kit that includes supplies for the whole family, including pets. Due to COVID-19, there are a few updates to preparing for this winter season such as including hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant supplies, and cloth face coverings in your emergency kits/go-bags.
- Have cash on hand. If the power is out, so are the ATMs and credit card machines.
- Know how to report a power outage to your utility company.
- Know where your utility shut off valves (gas, electric, water) are and how to use them.
- NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
- Be sure to keep an adequate amount of gas in your car.
- Be sure to check on friends and neighbors who have access or functional needs. Due to COVID-19, in-person visits may not be ideal under certain circumstances. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear a mask. Use other means of communication such as phone, text, or video chat to check on neighbors and help prepare them.
- Be sure to have extra medications on hand and keep them in a water-resistant container.
- Get all of your vital records and insurance papers together now. Keep them in a water-resistant container. If you can, scan and email them to yourself so you have a copy of important numbers and policies, etc
- Charge your cell phones and try not to use them if the power goes out.
A copy of Executive Order No. 218 can be found by clicking here.
High School Scholarships Sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High and Parsippany Hills seniors are encouraged to apply for the $1,000 scholarships open to ALL graduating seniors. Multiple scholarships will be awarded. Apply through the school’s Guidance Department and follow their timeline and procedures. Scholarships have been awarded to hundreds of students over 65 years thanks to the club’s successful Golf Classic held each July at the Knoll Country Club.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of NJSFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.
Due to COVID-19, General Meetings are being held via Zoom the fourth Monday of each month September through April at 7:00 p.m.
If you would like to attend our next General Meeting call Marilyn at (973) 539-3703 or e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com. Check us out on the web www.parsippanywomansclub.org .or follow the club on FACEBOOK.
North Beverwyck Road TD Bank to Close
PARSIPPANY — TD Bank announced its plans to close 81 branches, including the branch at 430 North Beverwyck Road effective April 23.
In a statement, the Canadian-based bank with U.S. headquarters in Cherry Hill said plans to close 81 branches, including 13 locations in New Jersey.
TD Bank cited lower numbers of customers and transaction volumes, as well as proximity to other TD Bank branches in determining which location to close, according to the statement.
“We have already begun notifying impacted customers,” a spokeswoman said on behalf of TD Bank. “Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for them.”
TD Bank branches closing in New Jersey include:
- 430 North Beverwyck Road, Parsippany
- 601 College Drive, Blackwood
- 1506 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill
- 351 Midland Avenue, Garfield
- 1636 Route 38, Lumberton
- 571 New York Avenue, Lyndhurst
- 688 Paramus Road, Paramus
- 5 State Highway 31, Pennington
- 536 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood
- 129 South Black Horse Pike, Runnemede
- 10 Mule Road, Toms River
- 361 Union Boulevard, Totowa
- 560 North Avenue East, Westfield
TD Bank, N.A., is an American national bank and subsidiary of the Canadian multinational Toronto-Dominion Bank. It operates primarily across the East Coast, in fifteen U.S. states and Washington, D.C. TD Bank is the seventh-largest U.S. bank by deposits and the 8th largest bank in the United States by total assets, resulting from many mergers and acquisitions.
The bank was sued in 2016 for allegations that their coin counting machines, “Penny Arcades,” were inaccurately counting coins. The lawsuit estimates that 26 cents out of every $100 were not counted, totaling $9 million.
The bank took its current name, TD Bank, N.A. on May 31, 2008, through the acquisition and renaming of Commerce Bank and its subsequent merger with TD Banknorth.
The North Beverwyck Road branch first opened as a Commerce Bank. Commerce Bancorp was a Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based bank created in 1973.
Commerce Bank was founded by fast-food restaurant franchise owner Vernon Hill, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Hill sought to bring fast food convenience to banking and expanded Commerce from one location to over 435 in thirty-three years.
The federal Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve’s investigation of insider dealing at Commerce (unrelated to the Philadelphia case) led to a settlement with the bank (no charges were filed) that included restrictions on the bank’s expansion. Hill then retired as chairman, president, and chief executive officer. Hill sued Commerce in 2008, saying he was fired without cause and was owed more than $57 million in severance and damages. In 2013, a federal court ruled that Commerce could not legally pay Hill because the bank had refused to “to certify it had no reason to believe Hill had committed fraud, breached his fiduciary duty or abused his insider privileges.”
Commerce Bank was called Mc-Bank because Vernon Hill used his knowledge of the fast-food chains he owned and applied it to the banking industry.
Commerce’s philosophy was that they were retailers, not bankers, and went so far as to call their various locations stores, not branches.
Features that Commerce offered its customers included:
- “America’s most convenient bank”
- Seven-day lobby or drive-thru hours, even in Center City Philadelphia and Manhattan, with the exception of branches in Paramus, (Bergen County law requires most businesses to be closed on Sunday)
- Instant creation of ATM cards on the spot at the time of account opening
- No overdraft fees on debit card usage
- Free “penny arcade” coin counting machines for both customers and non-customers
- No-fee Visa gift cards for customers
- Lollipops and dog biscuits in the lobby and drive-thru
- Foreign ATM fee reimbursement (if you maintain a daily balance of $2,500 through the statement cycle)
“No Stupid Fees, No Stupid Hours”