PARSIPPANY — Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police announced enforcement actions including coughing and spitting assaults and noteworthy violations of Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders.
“We’re cracking down on those who jeopardize public health and undermine public safety,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We have zero patience for those who spit on cops, gouge prices, or try to exploit this pandemic for their personal gain.”
Alexis Cap, 31, Lake Hiawatha, was charged on Monday, May 25 by the Pompton Lakes Police with terroristic threats during an emergency (two counts, second degree), resisting arrest (3rd degree), aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (two counts, fourth-degree), throwing bodily fluids at an officer (two counts fourth degree), possession of prescription legend drugs (4th degree), being under the influence in public (disorderly person offense), and various other disorderly person offenses, including violating the emergency orders.
Pompton Lakes Police responded to a call of a woman seated in the middle of the road smoking a cigarette. Police observed Cap staggering and dozing off. As two officers attempted to place Cap under arrest, she allegedly coughed and said, “I have coronavirus.”
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint or summons is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Jess Colletto, an Athletic Training student from Parsippany was among those named to East Stroudsburg University’s Spring 2020 Dean’s List.
A total of 1,802 students have been named to the Dean’s List at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) for the Spring 2020 semester of the 2019-2020 academic year, according to Joanne Bruno, J.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.
East Stroudsburg University, one of the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, opened in 1893 as East Stroudsburg Normal School.
Today, ESU is a comprehensive university in northeastern Pennsylvania offering 58 undergraduate programs, 21 master’s programs, and two doctoral programs. Over 6,000 students are enrolled for the high quality, affordable, and accessible education ESU provides. Nearly 30,000 ESU alumni live in Pennsylvania.
PARSIPPANY — If you are called by a contact tracer, it is important to speak with them. A contact tracer can help you take steps to protect yourself and the community. A contact tracer will also never ask for financial information such as your social security number, bank account, or insurance information. The call is only about your health and well-being, and that of those around you.
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio criticized the passage of A-4175 in the General Assembly. This legislation would allow up to $14 billion in new borrowing to cover operating expenses.
“The governor has yet to clearly define what our budgetary expenditures will be for the next thirteen months, yet proceeds to encourage legislative democrats to increase borrowing by $14 billion,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The bill relies on hefty sales tax increases to cover the costs. If those costs are not covered, every homeowner in the state of New Jersey will be charged an additional surcharge on their already suffocating property taxes. It makes no sense to ask for the money first and then have the governor explain how he will spend it later.”
The closure of businesses throughout New Jersey has led to a decrease in state revenues. Pennacchio points to the closure of car dealerships which supply a huge amount of sales revenue to the state. He believes those dealerships, as well as many other businesses, could have easily complied with social distancing guidelines and infection protocols and have stayed open.
A critic of the administration’s handling of the pandemic, Pennacchio has previously cited how New Jersey, although seemingly paralyzed during the last three months, has still managed to increase tolls on roads by up to 36% and now will begin piling on the already overburdened property tax owners in this state.
“It seems that government and businesses came to a standstill, except when it came to raising tolls and taxes,” added Pennacchio. “The people of New Jersey deserve better.”
PARSIPPANY — COVID-19 has robbed kids of so much — going to school, playing with their friends, competing in sports, enjoying a playground, seeing their relatives, buying ice cream at a store, visiting museums, and zoos. Even celebrating birthdays.
Until now.
Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery and a dozen friends and relatives refused to let Ava Arthurs miss out on her birthday joy.
“We wanted to brighten her day when so many of the days are gloomy,” said Paul Anderson, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Deputy Chief.
Ava turned six on Tuesday, June 2.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery participated in the drive-by birthday celebration for Ava. Nicolas Limanov shouting Birthday wishes during Ava’s drive-by celebrationFriends came with signs decorated for Ava’s birthdayFriends came with gifts decorated for Ava’s birthdayFriends came with signs decorated for Ava’s birthdayRockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance squad participated in the drive-by birthday celebration for Ava
PARSIPPANY — The County of Morris has identified the number of presumptive positive cases in Parsippany-Troy Hills at 748 individuals. It is also reported there are a total of 80 deaths in Parsippany-Troy Hills related to COVID-19.
Morris County has risen to 6,437 presumptively tested positive cases. A total of 622 deaths have been reported in Morris County. In New Jersey, a total of 162,530 presumptively tested positive cases with a total of 11,970 deaths.
The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1.
In order to be tested, you MUST
have a COVID-19 test prescription from your healthcare provider
Additional testing sites: Click here to download a list of known sites in Morris County (as of June 4) that are providing the Swab Test (SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR), which is the “gold standard” test to determine if you have COVID-19. These are in addition to the county testing site at CCM. There may be other locations in the county offering the swab test. Residents are strongly encouraged to first speak with their primary healthcare provider prior to being tested.
The NJDOH/State COVID-19 site also has a test site locator and provides a tool for self-assessment, instructions, and information on the types of tests, including issues with serology, or antibody tests. (Click here to access the site)
Morris County COVID-19 Cases
Note: Case numbers are updated in the afternoons on Monday-Friday. For statewide numbers, visit the State of NJ COVID-19 Dashboard.
Cumulative COVID-19 Cases (as of 3:22 p.m., June 4)
Municipality
5/27
5/28
5/29
6/1
6/2
6/3
6/4
Town of Boonton
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
Township of Boonton
94
95
95
95
101
101
101
Borough of Butler
88
89
90
91
91
91
91
Borough of Chatham
55
55
54
57
57
57
57
Township of Chatham
122
125
127
128
128
127
128
Borough of Chester
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
Township of Chester
43
43
43
43
43
43
43
Township of Denville
152
152
152
152
160
160
160
Town of Dover
660
660
661
662
661
663
663
Township of East Hanover
133
133
133
133
133
133
133
Borough of Florham Park
124
125
125
126
128
128
128
Township of Hanover
179
179
179
177
177
177
177
Township of Harding
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
Township of Jefferson
212
214
214
215
215
216
218
Borough of Kinnelon
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
Borough of Lincoln Park
334
337
339
341
341
343
343
Township of Long Hill
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
Borough of Madison
131
130
132
132
132
132
132
Borough of Mendham
66
65
65
66
66
67
67
Township of Mendham
39
39
39
37
39
39
39
Township of Mine Hill
61
62
62
66
66
66
67
Township of Montville
216
216
217
219
219
222
222
Borough of Morris Plains
59
59
56
56
62
62
62
Township of Morris
281
281
281
281
281
281
281
Town of Morristown
533
536
541
563
564
564
565
Borough of Mount Arlington
45
45
46
47
47
47
47
Township of Mount Olive
254
252
255
256
256
257
257
Borough of Mountain Lakes
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Borough of Netcong
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
Township of Parsippany
741
744
746
747
747
748
748
Township of Pequannock
200
200
200
201
201
202
203
Township of Randolph
264
263
264
267
268
274
274
Borough of Riverdale
38
38
39
40
40
40
40
Borough of Rockaway
96
96
97
97
98
98
98
Township of Rockaway
237
239
239
239
241
241
241
Township of Roxbury
244
244
245
249
249
248
249
Borough of Victory Gardens
33
33
33
33
33
33
33
Township of Washington
115
115
117
119
119
119
119
Borough of Wharton
153
152
152
153
153
155
156
TOTALS
6297
6311
6333
6385
6411
6429
6437
The figures reflect COVID-19 positive cases as of the date and time indicated, some cases which may be pending, or have yet to be entered into the system.
Please note the following limitations and provisos related to the data above:
COVID-19-related deaths are not included in this data. Visit the State of NJ COVID-19 Dashboard for a summary of death totals.
Pursuant to HIPAA, specific identifying health information of persons testing positive or who have passed due to the virus will not be released.
Data reflects COVID-19 positive cases on dates and times indicated; some cases may be pending and are not yet entered.
Data may not include cases with incomplete or incorrect street addresses or PO boxes. Such cases require additional investigation by local health officials.
Figures do not include persons under quarantine/isolation due to exposure and who have not tested positive.
The numbers, especially higher numbers, do not necessarily reflect community spread in a specific town. Various factors may be related to high numbers, such as increased testing and facilities with high-risk populations.
This data should not be used to gauge if heightened precautions are needed in specific towns. Social distancing, hand hygiene, and preventive steps must be followed at all times regardless of the number of cases in a municipality.
FLORHAM PARK — Fairleigh Dickinson University is planning to start its fall semester Monday, August 17, a week earlier than planned, and end it Tuesday, November 24, before the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no October break.
Schedule Changes for Fall 2020 At both New Jersey campuses, the Fall 2020 semester will start on Monday, August 17, a week earlier than originally planned, and end on Tuesday, November 24, before the Thanksgiving holiday. They will eliminate the October break and one of the two reading days to condense the semester into this new schedule. This will help community members avoid the need to travel back and forth for breaks and will reduce the time that community members need to be on campus during the colder months that may bring a potential risk of resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
The first three weeks of the semester will be taught online, with face-to-face instruction beginning no earlier than September 8, the day after Labor Day. This gradual and blended approach of returning to face-to-face instruction and incorporating online instruction can be easily modified should situations arise for an extended period of remote learning at any point.
Moreover, in finishing the fall semester by Thanksgiving, our new academic calendar also enables us to offer a more robust set of online winter courses during December and January that will benefit students and help them complete their degree requirements sooner, as well as participate in longer and more meaningful internship experiences if so desired.
Returning to Campus They are hopeful that students who intend to live on campus will be allowed to start returning to campus beginning August 17 if they wish, but only if permitted by local, state, and federal guidelines at that time. They will be updating the plans as these guidelines are issued. Nevertheless, regardless of when students are able to be on campus again, campus operations will be aligned with recommendations provided by public health and governmental authorities. And, they certainly expect that there will need to be adjustments to certain aspects of campus life, as well as protocols and routines established to help ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of our entire University community. A second task force is working on developing such protocols and routines, which will be critical to the operation of the campuses.
Enhanced Online Instruction The faculty did an outstanding job this past semester transitioning to online instruction. Moreover, most of the full-time faculty will spend significant time this summer preparing courses with online dimensions for the fall, with the goal of making the virtual learning experience even better for the students.
PARSIPPANY — Two Parsippany men pleaded guilty Wednesday for their roles in the death of a roommate last year and their attempt to evade arrest by fleeing to California.
Rogelio Laureano-Gonzalez, 26, could serve five years in prison for manslaughter after striking Jaime Lopez-Basilio, a 27-year-old Mexican immigrant, in the head during a drunken argument inside their Old Bloomfield Avenue home on September 9, according to Daily Record.
A third roommate, Cirilo Rojas-Paulino, 26, faces a 364-day sentence in Morris County Correctional Facility for helping Laureano-Gonzalez flee to California to avoid police apprehension.
On September 9, 2019, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male inside a home in the area of Old Bloomfield Road. The manner of death was determined to be Homicide. The deceased male has been identified as Jaime Lopez-Basilio.
Morris County Crime Scene Investigation on Old Bloomfield Avenue on September 9
Two residents of the home, Rogelio Laureano-Gonzalez and Cirilo Rojas-Paulino, could not be immediately located during the death investigation. A subsequent investigation by law enforcement led to the apprehension of both individuals in California. It is alleged that Laureano-Gonzalez struck Lopez-Basilio in the head causing Lopez-Basilio’s death. It is further alleged that Laureano-Gonzalez and Rojas-Paulino fled New Jersey following the death to avoid investigation, apprehension, or prosecution related to Lopez-Basilio’s death.
Prosecutor Knapp acknowledges the efforts of the Oxnard (California) Police Department, the Kern County (California) Sheriff’s Office, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
PARSIPPANY — Nearly 3,000 protesters marched, shouted, and danced peacefully with #BlackLivesMatter signage. The protesters assembled at Parsippany High School and marched down Vail Road, crossed Route 46, and continued into Veterans Park on Tuesday, June 2. Attending the march was a diverse group of people. Young, old, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, everyone was there to support the brothers and sisters of color.
Parsippany residents and organizers Mitchell Petit-Frere, Jabari Jackson, and Maurice Matthias said it was the first time they had ever planned a protest.
Veterans Park was packed with nearly 3,000 protesters who marched, shouted, and danced peacefully
Chief of Police Andrew Miller stated “In my 28 years as a Parsippany Police Officer, never have we experienced such serious times requiring immediate, numerous and sensitive leadership decisions. Always in the interest of protecting our community, proper decisions sometimes become incredibly difficult, to the point of almost impossible, when competing interests are present, as they’ve recently been. With little more than 24 hours to establish a safe plan, with limited information, to facilitate “The Parsippany March for Black Lives” rally, which we correctly anticipated could exponentially expand to the large number of participants it did, the decisions made were ultimately and fortunately correct. Despite some reasonable and expected confusion with competing decisions, it’s critically important for the community of Parsippany to be aware of how ultimately the proper and legal decisions were made, which resulted in a 100% successful, safe, and educational event. Starting with continuous high-level law enforcement intelligence research, communication, and guidance; tens of hours of non-stop phone and conference calls from early morning until almost midnight; I speak confidentially to say we all, the leaders in the community where your tax dollars go, (PD, PTH Admin., BOE) worked exceptionally hard and well together to arrive where we did…in mutual agreement that the ultimate decision made was proper and safe for you. I’d also like to thank the organizers of the event who remained committed to helping us keep it safe, peaceful, and clean. To the residents of Parsippany…Thank you for your consideration and understanding while we all continue to serve you in the most effective and efficient way possible.”
The protesters assembling at Parsippany High School with their signs
Chants of “Black Lives Matter!” “Say his name, George Floyd!” was heard repeatedly through the march.
Portions of Route 46 were shut down completely in both directions while the protest march was in progress.
Speakers took the podium to speak, preach, pray, and sing raising awareness on the police brutality and the recent death of George Floyd.
A Parsippany High School student read her school essay on racism. She talked about the moments of racism she experienced as a Muslim woman and about the killings of young black men. Those in the crowd teared up as they clapped for each speaker. By the end of the evening, protesters were encouraged to “keep the momentum going” and continue their education on racial injustices and police reforms.
One of the organizers, Jabari Jackson said “Yesterday was a historic moment in our community and more importantly for our young people. I heard your voices yesterday but I challenge all of you to continue to push the fight for social justice everywhere. Continue to hold yourselves and the people around you accountable so that our young people understand that LOVE the right choice and the ONLY choice. I appreciate everyone from the volunteers, to the supporters, to the speakers. Everyone played a huge role in assuring this event was peaceful and beneficial for all 3000 who attended! STRONGER TOGETHER!!”
George Floyd, 46, died Memorial Day after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee on his neck for several minutes while three other officers watched. Video footage of the arrest, in which Floyd is heard saying “I can’t breathe,” spread widely online, and all four officers were fired. The three former Minneapolis police officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd were criminally charged Wednesday. Additionally, the previously-filed murder charge against former officer Derek Chauvin was elevated from third-degree murder to second-degree. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao were each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All four officers were terminated the day after Floyd’s death.
Peaceful Protest at Veterans Park
1 of 20
Protester Jacelyn Perez displaying her sign
Joshua Embden from Queens and Arielle Devalle from Kenvil displaying their signs at Parsippany High School before the March began
"I Can't Breath" #BLM
Raritan resident Casi Magazino joining the Black Lives Matter March on Tuesday, June 2
Protesters arriving at Parsippany High School
"Clown Lives Matter"
Montville Resident Julia Arminio and Max Appleblat from Denville
Protesters preparing to March
Protesters preparing to March
Black Lives Matter
Protesters at Veterans Park kneeling
Almost 3,000 protesters at Veterans Park
Justice for George Floyd
Two Parsippany Police Officers kneeling during the demonstration
RIP George Floyd
"Wind of Spirit"
Veterans Park
Almost 3,000 protesters at Veterans Park
Black Lives Matter
Almost 3,000 protesters at Veterans Park
Parsippany Resident Mitchell Petit-Frere is one of the organizers
