PARSIPPANY — Lauren Marks, a graduate of Parsippany High School, and a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck has been named to the Honors List for the Fall 2019 semester.
To qualify for the Honors List, a student must carry a 3.5 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).
The University’s Metropolitan Campus, located in the dynamic NY/NJ corridor in Teaneck, NJ, features a university atmosphere with an international perspective, attracting students from the U.S. and around the world. Undergraduates have access to the resources of a major graduate center and nearby New York City as an integral part of their learning experience.
Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey’s largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information click here.
PARSIPPANY — Katherine Carter, Public Information Officer, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office advised Parsippany Focus that Stephen Yekel, 47, was released by Judge Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Judge Criminal Division, over the state’s objection on February 3. Yekel is currently on home detention.
Yekel of Lake Hiawatha was arrested on January 24 and charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Yekel was a Montclair elementary school custodian when he was arrested.
Between October 2016 and October 2018 Yekel allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the female victim on several different dates. The incidents took place in various locations, beginning when the victim was 14 and continuing until she was 16, Carter said.
Yekel is listed as the head custodian at Northeast School, according to the staff directory on the district’s website. Interim Superintendent Nathan Park said that Yerkel was no longer employed by the district.
The prosecutor’s office did not specify where the victim lived in order to protect her privacy. But in a statement from the district to Northeast parents, Interim Superintendent Nathan Parker said the victim was not from Montclair.
Carter said that the investigation has not identified any other victims in the matter.
On January 29, Parker sent a letter to Northeast families concerning the investigation.
“In consultation with the Montclair Police Department, I can provide you with the following information. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an investigation, which involved a Northeast School employee. The alleged victim has no connection to Montclair Public Schools. There are no other Montclair Public Schools students or staff involved in this investigation. At no time were any Montclair Public Schools students or staff in any danger.”
PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 is once again proud to announce that their own great Italian American chefs will be on-hand preparing a great Pasta Dinner in support of Parsippany Wrestling. The guys really do enjoy volunteering their time and culinary skills by participating in this fun and lively event every year, as well as to offer our continuing support for another valuable cause supporting the youth in our community.
Members of the Sons of Italy volunteered and served the pasta, gravy and meatballs
The Pasta Dinner Fundraiser is the biggest fundraiser of the season. It will be held at the Parsippany PAL, 33 Baldwin Road on Saturday, February 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All families are encouraged to bring as many guests as possible to make the evening a huge success.
Sons of Italy Joe Jannarone mixing the gravy
Every year wrestler’s families and friends get together for an informal night where they enjoy games, win great prizes and have a delicious dinner prepared by the Sons of Italy of pasta, meatballs, meatless/vegetarian pasta sauce…Salad and desserts are also available.
MORRIS COUNTY — Tayfun Selen of Chatham Township has taken his oath of office as Morris County’s newest member of the Board of Freeholders, and participated in his first meetings on Monday, joining in a county governing board work session and public meeting.
Selen, a 19-year resident of the Chathams, is a Turkish immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1996 and worked his way up from pumping gas in Madison to serving as a successful business executive, mayor and now county freeholder.
Freeholder Tayfun Selen (left) with Freeholder Stephen Shaw
He was elected by the County Republican Committee on February 1 to replace Freeholder Heather Darling, who stepped down at the end of the year after winning election as the new Morris County Surrogate.
Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling and newly elected Morris County Freeholder Tayfun Selen
“Morris County has been a great place to live and raise a child and, eventually, a place to retire,’’ said Freeholder Selen. “I want to continue giving back to the nation that gave me the greatest opportunity of my life. I am ready to work hard as your freeholder.’’
Freeholder Selen is married with one daughter and has lived in the Morris County for the past 23 years.
He quietly took the oath of office for freeholder on February 10 so he could participate in this week’s meetings. He will have a ceremonial swearing in on February 26 at the Freeholder Board meeting in Morristown, where Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce will administer the oath of office.
Freeholder Selen is Senior Vice President of Administration for Lincoln Educational Services, which is the leading vocational training school group in the nation, with a presence in the 15 states. He is a member of the company’s Executive Team.
Prior to his role at Lincoln, he served as Global Director of Project Management for CB Richard Ellis, which is the largest real estate development company in the nation. In that role, he oversaw real estate functions for Hertz Corporation and Bank of America.
He also was Vice President of New Store Development for CB Richard Ellis and served as Assistant Managing Director at Montclair State University.
The new freeholder says he strongly believes in community engagement. He has served as a member of the Chatham Zoning Board of Adjustment, and a member of the Chatham Township Committee and Mayor of Chatham Township.
He also is a member of the Morris County Republican Committee and Chairman of the Chatham Township Republican Committee.
As mayor, Selen said he was responsible for reducing municipal property taxes, helping the township maintain a AAA credit rating, and helped reduce municipal spending by more than $200,000.
Selen has a seat on the Montclair State University School of Business Advisory Board, New Jersey Board of Nursing, and is President Elect of Madison Rotary Club. He holds Bachelor of Science in Architecture Degree from Istanbul Technical University and an MBA from Montclair State University, and he has achieved certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt from Rutgers University and Lockheed Martin.
In addition, he is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional certified by U.S. Green Building Council, a certified public accountant (CPA), and a certified Six Sigma Black Belt from Rutgers University and Lockheed Martin.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — This Saturday, February 15 the Y is sponsoring a trip to the Community Food Bank in Hillside to help sort and package food for the homeless.
Bus transportation is being provided and we will depart from the Y at 10:30 a.m. sharp. They will be working from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This is the perfect opportunity for adults, seniors and teens (12-17 years old along with their parent) to share quality time helping others. The event is free but please register by clicking here.
Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.
PARSIPPANY — The funeral of Cecile (née Storch) Mosberg was held on Tuesday, February 11 at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston. Mrs. Mosberg was born on July 2, 1927 in Krakow, Lesser Poland and passed away on February 9, 2020 in Morristown. She was 92.
Burial was at the Mount Freedom Cemetery in Randolph.
The Mosberg, Levine and Karger families will be observing the period of Shiva at the residence of Edward Mosberg each morning for Shacharit minyan at 1512 Gates Court, Morris Plains, and at the residence of Caroline Mosberg-Karger and Darren Karger for daily visitation and each evening for minyan at 42 Emerson Road, Morris Plains.
Shiva will be held
Wednesday, February 12
Shacharit at 8:00 a.m.
Mincha at 5:15 pm followed by Maariv
Thursday, February 13
Shacharit at 8:00 a.m.
Mincha at 5:15 p.m. followed by Maariv
Friday, February 14
Shacharit at 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 15
6:45 p.m. (no minyan)
Sunday, February 16
Shacharit at 9:00 a.m.
Mincha at 5:15 pm followed by Maariv
Monday, February 17
Shacharit at 8:30 a.m.
Daily visitation hours at the Mosberg-Karger Residence are as follows:
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except Friday)
4:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (except Friday)
Donations in Mrs. Mosberg’s memory can be made the American Society for Yad Vashem or the USC Shoah Foundation.
PARSIPPANY — A Montclair elementary school custodian has been arrested and charged with sexual assault against a minor.
Stephen Yekel, 47, Lake Hiawatha, was arrested on January 24 and charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, said Essex County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.
Between October 2016 and October 2018 Yekel allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the female victim on several different dates. The incidents took place in various locations, beginning when the victim was 14 and continuing until she was 16, Carter said.
Yekel is listed as the head custodian at Northeast School, according to the staff directory on the district’s website. Interim Superintendent Nathan Park said that Yerkel was no longer employed by the district.
The prosecutor’s office did not specify where the victim lived in order to protect her privacy. But in a statement from the district to Northeast parents, Interim Superintendent Nathan Parker said the victim was not from Montclair.
Carter said that the investigation has not identified any other victims in the matter.
On January 29, Parker sent a letter to Northeast families concerning the investigation.
“In consultation with the Montclair Police Department, I can provide you with the following information. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an investigation, which involved a Northeast School employee. The alleged victim has no connection to Montclair Public Schools. There are no other Montclair Public Schools students or staff involved in this investigation. At no time were any Montclair Public Schools students or staff in any danger.”
PARSIPPANY — The Fairfield Police Department arrested Johnny Sanchez, 31, Lake Hiawatha, on charges of tampering with evidence, possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on Friday, February 7.
At approximately 9:23 p.m., Officer Jesse Schnackenberg was monitoring traffic on Route 46 West when he observed a 2012 gray Toyota allegedly traveling west at 67 mph in a 50 mph zone.
The officer caught up to the vehicle and attempted to stop it by activating his emergency lights and siren but the vehicle continued to drive west into Montville.
It is further alleged that the Toyota then pulled into the McDonalds drive thru lane, at which time, the officer directed the vehicle to pull into a parking spot using his vehicle’s public address system. The vehicle finally did so.
It is alleged that as the officer approached the vehicle, the driver and lone occupant, identified as Sanchez, took something from the center console and put it in his mouth. It is further alleged that when the officer got to the vehicle, he observed small, leafy particles on his lips and also detected a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. At this point, other officers arrived as back up.
Sanchez was asked to exit his vehicle and when he did, it is alleged that he attempted to discard suspected marijuana. He was then placed under arrest. Further investigation revealed the discovery of plastic bags containing suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Sanchez was transported to Fairfield Police Headquarters for processing. In addition to the criminal charges he also received traffic summonses for failure to comply with an officers direction, careless driving, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
He was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance date of April 1, 2020.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint 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 — Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th, has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg for president, praising his commitment to reducing gun violence, protecting the environment and rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure.
She also applauded his plan to support military members transitioning out of active service into civilian life by connecting them to high-quality, high-paying jobs, his commitment to protect the country’s national security and economic interests, and his ability to restore the trust of the American people in their government.
“I served in the Navy with members of our military community dedicated to making our country safer and stronger, and it’s clear we need the same level of commitment from our political leaders,” Sherrill said. “Mike Bloomberg embodies the integrity we need from leadership and I am proud to give my support to him.
“His unwavering commitment to making our schools and streets safe from gun violence, investing in our region’s infrastructure, creating opportunities for our veterans, and protecting our environment is proof that Mike Bloomberg won’t back down from the many serious challenges we face as a country. Mike is a true public servant, and I’m confident he will move this country forward into a bright future.”
Sherrill had endorsed Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., when he launched his presidential campaign last year. He suspended the campaign January 13 amid lack of money and low poll numbers.
Bloomberg, a billionaire and former three-term mayor of New York City, has been spending hundreds of millions of dollars on television ads for his campaign, but his name is not on the ballot in the early caucus and primary states.
New Hampshire holds the first primary Tuesday, February 11 after Iowa’s caucus Monday, February 3.
Bloomberg’s name will be on the ballot in states voting as part of Super Tuesday, on March 3.
After receiving Sherrill’s endorsement, he said, “Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill is a true patriot, a leader with integrity and the courage to act on her convictions, and we need more people like her in elected office.
“She deserves to work with a president whose allegiance is to the country, not himself, and who is as committed as she is to rebuilding our infrastructure, reducing gun violence and honoring our veterans – and that’s what I’ll be. I’m honored to have her support, and I look forward to working in partnership with her, building support across the aisle and getting things done.”
PARSIPPANY — The Assembly Human Services Committee cleared Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s bill (A1443) requiring suicide prevention training as a condition of licensure for mental health professionals.
“Forty percent of people who committed suicide in this state had a diagnosed mental health problem,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “It makes sense that those treating people for mental health conditions be trained in suicide prevention strategies. We need to do all we can to stop these tragedies from occurring, especially among most the vulnerable like veterans and young people.”
According to the CDC, suicide remains one of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. and is on the rise. In New Jersey, it’s the fourteenth leading cause of death overall and the second among those aged 15 to 24. Between 2010 and 2014, 478 veterans and members of the military in New Jersey killed themselves – a rate of 23 percent.
The bill requires clinical social workers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and psychoanalysts to complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training every six years. The director of the Division of Consumer Affairs will create a list of approved training programs.
The New Jersey violent death reporting system found that 30 percent of people who died by suicide in 2015 were in either mental health or substance abuse treatment at the time of their death.
PARSIPPANY —The Evergreen Ping Pong Club, Tai Chi groups, and Grand Dancing all sponsored a Chinese New Year Party at the Noodle Dim Sum Restaurant on Friday, January 31. Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor as well as many of the seniors attended the event.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Montville First Aid Squad provides 365x24x7 complimentary first response medical emergency support to all Montville, Pine Brook and Towaco residents. The Squad also manages a cadet program that provides training and volunteer opportunities to High School Seniors.
The group is hosting a fundraiser event – a Murder Mystery dinner to be held at the Montville Senior House at 356 Main Road in Montville on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets cost just $45.00 per person and include pasta, dinner, dessert and the show. The event is BYOB.
For more information,contact Vicki Klein at (201) 274-6637 or email [email protected].
Checks can be made payable to the Montville First Aid Squad and mailed to Montville First Aid Squad, PO Box 416, Montville, NJ 07045.
Back row Coach Metz. Middle row left to right: Anya Sadowski, Kira Chebishev, Alex Parvulescu, Front row: Cate Azares (Parsippany Express Youth Cross Country)
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Express Cross Country participated in the 2019 USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships at Beaver Island State Park in Grand Island, NY on November 17, 2019
The Team had eight participating runners. Of those, four qualified for the national meet (Catherine Azares, Alex Parvulescu, Kira Chebishev and Anya Sadowski). Alex Parvulescu’s Lakeland Team won by 1 point.
Girls 8 and Under 2209 Meter Run
9th Catherine Azares 10:56.27
Boys 9/10 3209 Meter Run
27th Alex Parvulescu 13:40.28 Alex’s Lakeland Team took first place beating the Wolfpack by one point! Regional Champions!
Girls 11/12 3209 Meter Run
25th Kira Chebishev 13:27.52
Boys 11/12 3209 Meter Run
33rd Brian Metz 13:20.90
43rd Chris Becher 15:11.21
Girls 13/14 4418 Meter Run
29th Anya Sadowski 19:27.52
Boys 13/14 4418 Meter Run
36th Harry Trella 17:31.13
41st Jason Rosen 19:17.87
PARSIPPANY — Lake Hiawatha resident Brian Donlin is cycling to support finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) through a fundraising effort for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Every year, hundreds of cyclists gather in different cities to ride in support of JDRF Research. Some are kids and adults with T1D, and some are the friends and family that support them. Brian has known many people in his life that live with T1D, but it really hit home when the diagnosis came to his nephew, Zach.
Zach was diagnosed with T1D as he entered Kindergarten a few years ago. It was initially extremely hard on him and his family, but through support and the research done through the JDRF, his life has been made just a little bit easier. Now in fourth grade, he has become accustomed to a life many of us would never understand. Leveraging current and new technologies along with advances in medicine, Zach just may be one of the first few to see T1D disappear altogether.
His family is considered a “power house” by some in the local JDRF community in the years since they became active. Although Brian has helped out with their fundraisers in the past, he wanted to do something a little more unique that also involved his love of bicycles. As an avid fitness cyclist, Brian researched and found the Ride to Cure Diabetes events held across the country. It is a major fundraising event within the JDRF, offering rides from 20 to 100 miles. He will be training to ride the 100 mile route that takes place in Saratoga Springs, New York on September 12, along with hundreds of like minded people gathering for a day of fun, camaraderie, and of course, to support the JDRF.
You can follow Brian’s progress on his personal site by clicking here.You can also donate directly through his Facebook fundraiser or through his JDRF page by clicking here.
The JDRF has been leading the fight against type 1 diabetes (T1D) by funding research, advocating for policies that accelerate access to new therapies, and providing a support network for millions of people around the world impacted by T1D. Every dollar donated goes directly to the JDRF to help everyone with T1D live healthier and longer, until this disease no longer exists.
Every mile pedaled is a mile closer to a cure. We can’t make it to the finish line without you!
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said New Jersey taxpayers deserve better than having $2 million of hard-earned money to help pay for the filming of a $1 billion blockbuster movie
MORRIS COUNTY — Sunday night’s Oscar Award telecast should have left a bitter taste in the mouths of New Jersey taxpayers, Senator Joe Pennacchio said.
“On a night when the entertainment industry elite lectured Americans on priorities, politics and principals, New Jersey didn’t even get a ‘thank you’ for the $2 million from hard-working taxpayers in our state that helped finance the filming of ‘Joker,’” said Pennacchio (R-26). “They didn’t need our money to make the movie, but they gladly accepted it.”
The money flowed through the state’s contentious film tax credit program, recently extended by Governor Murphy for five more years, through 2028. More than $57 million in tax breaks were awarded last year.
“The Governor doubled New Jersey’s commitment to the program to $900 million before the state auditor’s report on its benefits, if any, for our taxpayers,” Pennacchio said. “Sadly, we already know how that movie is going to end. New Jerseyans will get nothing.”
Pennacchio has been a steadfast opponent of the using taxpayer money to lure movie and entertainment production to the state.
“Our residents are saddled by the most onerous taxes in the nation,” said Pennacchio. “Taxpayers can’t catch a break from Trenton, but Murphy is tossing money by the millions to studios grossing billions of dollars, and actors making $20 million per film. This is a Hollywood-style scandal playing out on the streets of the Garden State.”
A recent audit of Georgia’s largest-in-the-nation film tax credit program determined revenue generated by the program was not sufficient to offset the cost of the credits. A state agency was over-stating the economic activity attributed to the 15-year-old motion picture credit.
Another study, in of all places Southern California, often cited by Pennacchio and completed by USC in 2019 found “uninspiring employment effects” of film tax credits in 30 states. A headline in the Sacramento Bee declared: “Taxpayer’s don’t get much when states like California hand tax breaks to Hollywood, study says.”
“We have more than enough data to prove these give-aways don’t accomplish anything but fatten the wallets of the industry’s big players,” Pennacchio said. “While families in our state struggle to pay the highest property taxes in the U.S., we’re handing over some of their tax money to billionaire movie mogul Steven Spielberg to remake ‘West Side Story.’ It defies logic.”
“Joker,” featuring some scenes filmed on Newark’s Market Street, is a box office blockbuster raking in more than $1 billion worldwide.
“Not a bad return on a $70 million investment, but not a dime of that is coming back to the over-taxed families in New Jersey,” said Pennacchio.
Northpoint, 20 Waterview Boulevard. Photo by Peter Dant Photography
PARSIPPANY — New Agency Partners announced it is moving its headquarters to Parsippany’s Northpoint at 20 Waterview, a Class A office space that recently underwent a multi-million-dollar capital improvements program.
New Agency Partners will occupy 6,600 square feet on the fourth floor of the building after it completes its move in April from 99 Cherry Hill Road.
Vision Real Estate Partners recently-completed improvements include a redesign of the building’s lobby, amenities and common areas.
“Every Vision property is designed to provide our clients with the best possible services and most desirable indoor and outdoor spaces to ensure that companies and their employees are able to thrive and reach their full potential,” said Sam Morreale, founder and managing partner of Vision Real Estate Partners.
In this transaction, Resource Realty represented NAP, and Colliers represented Vision Real Estate Partners. NAP is set to relocate in April 2020.
Vision acquired Northpoint at 20 Waterview in April 2018. Since that time, its value-add strategy has resulted in a lobby renovation, a roof replacement and a renovation of all the building’s restrooms.
Photo by Peter Dant Photography
The building’s interior has already seen the addition of built-in seating, integrated gaming areas, private phone booths and collaborative workspaces.
A final phase of restoration is expected to bring more landscaping, an outdoor dining area, renovations to the building’s cafe and a fitness center.
“My team and I are thrilled to start this exciting new chapter of our agency,” said New Agency Partners Managing Partner Steve Peck.
PARSIPPANY — On January 26, 2020, eBorg Robotics hosted a very successful Robotics Workshop and Community Outreach at the Parsippany Library.
Reaching out to many FIRST robotics teams in the area, including Cruise Control, Reboot, the Juggernauts, the Livingston Lancers, RedBots, SmartStarz, and Invincibots, they were able to host an exhibition style outreach with various booths and workshops for students from all over Parsippany to try driving and building robots for themselves. Notable guest included Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sargent, and Mr. Bill Scalise, the CEO of Chase Partitions.
Marketing Manager Tesia Thomas said of the event “It is always so gratifying to be able to share the skills we’ve learned throughout years of competitions with our community. No matter how young or experienced the students are, they love being able to try robotics with their own hands and fostering that excitement is our team’s real passion.” All in all, the outreach was a very successful one and many of the attendees expressed interest in continuing to pursue robotics and STEM fields.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in robotics or STEM fields, reach out to [email protected].
