WAYNE — Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Chief Jack McNiff announce that on Wednesday, December 18, at approximately 12:00 p.m., officers responded to the Bank of America located at 709 Hamburg Turnpike in response to a shooting.
Upon their arrival, officers located one adult male, 33, Plainfield, who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the torso.
Also on scene, were two private armed security guards and their armored vehicle.
The initial investigation revealed that the 33 year old male approached one of the armed guards as he was leaving the bank heading back to his armored truck and tried to steal the cash bags he was carrying.
A struggle ensued, during which the guard fired one round striking the suspect. The second guard remained in the truck while the struggle was taking place. The suspect was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson and has been admitted in stable condition. Neither of the guards were injured during the incident. At this time, no criminal complaints have been filed, however this investigation is active and ongoing. More information will be released when it becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or [email protected] or contact the Wayne Police Detective Bureau at (973) 694-0600.
TGIF is officially closed. Crews were inside cleaning out the premises and loading the dumpster parked in front of the building
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany TGI Friday officially closed on Monday, December 16. The sign on the door says “please visit our other locations, Wayne and Roxbury. We would like to thank all our loyal customers that have been with us all these years. Thank you again.”
Sign company was removing the letters from the building on Wednesday, December 18The sign company removing letters off the building
TGI Friday was located at 3835 Route 46.
The sign on Route 46 that once said TGIF is now covered
Parsippany Focuscontacted the manager who confirmed the location was officially closed. According to Yelp, the restaurant had 146 reviews and only a two star rating.
Other local Friday locations are at: TGI FRIDAYS EAST HANOVER
341 State Route 10
East Hanover, NJ 07936
TGI FRIDAYS WAYNE – WAYNE TOWN CENTER
71 Route 23 S
Wayne, NJ 07470
TGI FRIDAYS WEST ORANGE
495 Prospect Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
TGI Fridays in Waterbury , Connecticut. Alan Stillman opened the first TGI Fridays restaurant in 1965 in New York. He lived in a neighborhood with many airline stewardesses, fashion models, secretaries, and other young, single people on the East Side of Manhattan near the Queensboro Bridge , and hoped that opening a bar would help him meet women.
The company is owned by TriArtisan Capital, a New York-based private equity firm, that purchased the company from Sentinel Partners in October 2019. The name is asserted to stand for “Thank God It’s Friday”, although as of 2010 some television commercials for the chain have also made use of the alternative phrase, “Thank Goodness It’s Friday.”
Photo of Managed Cat Colony taken on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at an undisclosed location in Parsippany. Although Parsippany received several inches of snow on Monday, a path was quickly shoveled to access the cats for feeding
PARSIPPANY — On December 15, 2019, Parsippany Focus provided info about Parsippany’s Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) program for feral cats and also asked for information about a cat colony near Route 46.
The Parsippany Animal Shelter was able to provide recent photo evidence of the cat colony which was verified by the person who had been feeding them. The colony’s feeding zone had been relocated which caused some confusion.
The Parsippany Animal Shelter is supportive of TNR and any feeders having questions are urged to contact them to discuss best practices or ask any questions they may have.
The Worley Family with Santa: Georgia,11; Muddox,4 and Zoe, 9;
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills welcomed Santa and residents joined in the tree lighting festivities on Saturday, December 7. Santa arrived on a firetruck from Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6.
In addition to the arrival of Santa, Parsippany-Troy Hills celebrated our champions as they helped usher in the holiday season.
Santa arrived on a fire truckMayor Michael SorianoParsippany High School Choir singing Christmas songsChildren in the Council’s Chamber making decorations after meeting SantaThe Worley Family with Santa: Georgia,11; Maddox,4 and Zoe, 9;The Anderson Family with Santa: Paul, Lacey and EliseJustin and Alex Zitelli with SantaNick Limanov, Santa and Paul AndersonLacey Anderson with SantaMayor Michael Soriano pointing at Santa
PARSIPPANY — Mayors of major New Jersey cities, municipalities, and small towns sent a letter to state legislative leaders and Governor Murphy voicing their collective support of legislation that would allow residents regardless of immigration status to obtain a driver’s license.
More than 719,00 residents in New Jersey lack access to a driver’s license in New Jersey, including immigrants without status, survivors of violence, residents who are formerly incarcerated and re-entering society, and low-income individuals are particularly impacted.
Currently, legislation S3229/A4743 is being considered in the New Jersey legislature that would expand said access to more residents. The legislation passed through the Assembly Judiciary Committee and will be heard before the Senate Transportation Committee.
The diverse cities and municipalities include Parsippany-Troy Hills, City of Newark, City of Bridgeton, Princeton, Borough of Haledon, Montgomery Township, Hopewell Borough, Palisades Park, Maplewood, Highland Park Borough, Union City, Hoboken, City of Perth Amboy, City of Trenton, and the City of Passaic.
Mayor Liz Lempert of Princeton said, “The Drivers’ Licenses for All bill would make our streets safer by reducing the number of uninsured and unlicensed drivers on the road. It would also help immigrants feel they can come out of the shadows to participate more fully in civic life, making our communities stronger.”
Mayor Michael A. Soriano, Parsippany-Troy Hills said,
“Driver’s licenses serve as the primary form of identification for most New Jersey residents. Blocking access for any qualified driver in our state is not only an insurance risk, but makes it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs. Everyone on the road will be safer once the maximum number of drivers have a license. I urge the legislature to take action on this bill to keep our communities safer.”
Fourteen states and Washington D.C. have implemented similar policy measures, with many states experiencing a decrease in the rates of uninsured motorists and an increase in road safety. Studies show rates of uninsurance decreasing significantly in Utah, California, and New Mexico after the implementation of expanded access to driver’s licenses.
The Let’s Drive NJ campaign is supported by a diverse and growing number of faith, labor, and community organizations and supporters from across the state. More information about the campaign can be found by clicking here.
Photo of Managed Cat Colony taken on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at an undisclosed location in Parsippany. Although Parsippany received several inches of snow on Monday, a path was quickly shoveled to access the cats for feeding
PARSIPPANY — A concerned citizen recently reached out to Parsippany Focus after a feral cat colony she was feeding seemingly vanished. While the colony is no longer evident at the location where they previously had been, reaching out to Parsippany Animal Control resulted in a statement being made by the Parsippany Police. Essentially, it reiterates the town’s spring 2019 ordinance permitting trap, neuter and release (TNR), while operating within certain guidelines.
According to Sergeant Brian Conover, Public Information Officer, “We are aware that a post was made on social media regarding the disappearance of a community/feral cat colony, which was located near Route 46. I can confirm that our Animal Control personnel were aware of the colony prior to the post, however they did not have any involvement in the supposed disappearance. Further, Animal Control has spoken with another caregiver who feeds community/feral cats in that area and confirmed that she is still feeding approximately 10 cats.”
When information regarding the other person feeding the cats was requested, the information was not able to be shared. If this feeder will contact Parsippany Focus, we will gladly connect the two feeders, so that the person who is concerned can be assured of the safety and wellbeing of the colony. ([email protected]).
In asking for some general guidelines regarding caring for feral cats in Parsippany, Sgt. Conover said, “Community cats, also known as feral cats, may be cared for on property not owned by the citizens caring for them, only after receiving permission from the owner or property manager. If you are caring for a community cat or community cat colony, caregivers are permitted during daylight hours to feed them. Food must be offered to cats in a container and shall not be dumped on the ground. Any food remaining after the cats have eaten, must be removed before dark. Feeding areas must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.”
The full Parsippany-Troy Hills TNR ordinance language can be found online by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Garden State Preservation Trust has approved and recommended to the New Jersey State Legislature nearly $87 million in funding for projects to develop or update parks, playgrounds and fields, including $2.7 million for seven projects in Morris County, the state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner.
Included are projects in Parsippany, Chatham Township, Hanover, Madison, Mendham Township, Washington Township, plus a grant for the Morris County Park Commission.
The Legislature still must formally approve legislation to formally appropriate the funds but Governor Phil Murphy and DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe have recommended the projects for approval by the Legislature through the DEP’s Green Acres Program.
The Garden State Preservation Trust approved funding for municipal and county land acquisition projects,local development of parks and recreation facilities, local stewardship projects, acquisition projects by nonprofit organizations, recreational development, and nonprofit stewardship projects.
In many instances, state Green Acres funds are bundled with Morris County Open Space Trust Fund dollars and municipal open space dollars to finance projects.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, Smith Field Park Improvements – $750,000
The township is proposing to construct active recreational facilities at the undeveloped Smith Field Park South located off Barbara Street. The proposed development consists of a synthetic grass cricket pitch/multipurpose facility which includes stadium lighting, restroom facilities, stadium seating and a parking facility.
Visit the DEP’s Green Acres website for more information all all projects recommended across the region and state.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker announce that on December 12, a Morris County jury found Richard Perry, 48, of Oak Ridge, guilty of two counts of second degree sexual assault and one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The Honorable David H. Ironson, J.S.C., presided over the trial. A sentencing date has been scheduled for January 17, 2020.
Perry was subsequently remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending sentencing. At sentencing, he faces a minimum of five years New Jersey State Prison in which he will have to serve 85% of that sentence before being eligible for parole. Perry will also be subject to registration pursuant to Megan’s Law and Parole supervision for life
The crimes occurred on October 2, 2016 when Mr. Perry had touched the niece of his fiancé on the breasts and vagina during a sleepover at his home. The then 11-year-old victim disclosed to her aunt immediately that Mr. Perry touched her and the aunt in turn contacted the police.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Jefferson Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit for their involvement in this investigation and prosecution. Prosecutor Knapp would specifically like to thank and recognize the prosecution team of Assistant Prosecutor Reema Sethi Kareer, Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Sparano, Detective Michael Bost, Detective Melissa Enslen, and Victim Advocate Amanda Holloway of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts in this case.
Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Supervisor Patrick LaGuerre, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri, Interim Executive County Superintendent
Dr. Angelica L. Allen-McMillan, Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Pequannock Superintendent of Schools Michael Portas, Chief of Staff Rocco Miscia, Jr. and Morris County Sheriff’s Office Detective Corporal Edwin Santana
MORRIS COUNTY — On December 13, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office provided a training seminar for all Morris County school superintendents at Pequannock High School. The approximately two-hour training focused on bias crimes and incidents, and recognizing gang issues and violence in our communities and especially our schools.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Interim Executive County Superintendent Dr. Angelica L. Allen-McMillan gave opening remarks to the superintendents. Speakers for the event included Morris County Sheriff’s Office Detective Corporal Edwin Santana, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri, and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Supervisor Patrick LaGuerre. Detective Corporal Santana is a founder of the Gang Intelligence Unit at the Morris County Correctional Facility, a national lecturer on gangs, and the New Jersey Chapter President of the East Coast Gang Investigators Association.
All three presenters have extensive experience working either in units covering gangs or bias crimes, and their expertise provided the superintendents with extremely beneficial knowledge in recognizing these issues in their school systems. With this information, the superintendents can create or update district-wide policies to ensure that their school district is as safe as possible.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp stated, “It is critically important that our schools are free of bias and gang violence. The training provided gave key information to school superintendents to recognize indicators of both before problems arise.”
Commissioner Deborah Smith, Chair of the Commissioners’ Budget Committee
MORRIS COUNTY — Freeholder Deborah Smith will be named Freeholder Director at the Morris County Freeholders Reorganization meeting to be held on Friday, January 3, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Morris County Administration and Records Building.
Joining Smith will be Freeholder Stephen H. Shaw as Deputy Director.
Other members of the Freeholder Board consists of Doug Cabana, John Krickus, Thomas J. Mastrangelo andKathryn A. DeFillippo. Freeholder Heather Darling will step down and be sworn in for a five-year term as Morris County Surrogate. Darling, a Republican from Roxbury Township who has sat on the board since 2018, won the surrogate race, defeating Democrat Michael Thompson in the Tuesday, November 5 general election.
Darling leaves behind a term that expires on December 31, 2020. As a result, the seat must be filled by a Republican county convention, to be held at a date yet to be announced but must be held within 35 days after she is sworn in to her new position.
So far, former Morris County Freeholder John Cesaro of Parsippany, is first to announce his desire to fill Darling’s seat. Cesaro, a Parsippany attorney, sat on the freeholder board from 2012 to 2018. His bid to represent the 26th Legislative District in the Assembly failed in the June 2017 primary. His bid to return to the freeholder board in 2018 also ended in that primary.
Darling, a 43-year Morris County resident, was in her second year on the freeholder board but ran for surrogate because veteran surrogate John Pecorino was to retire after 25 years of service. She is principal of the Darling Law Firm, LLC, which she founded, and is president of her father’s real estate business.
Liberty Office Suites is located at 181 New Road, Suite 304, Parsippany, NJ 07054. They can be reached by calling (973) 575-6080 or by visiting http://www.LibertyOfficeSuites.com
Company description: Co-working, meeting rooms, private offices, and virtual offices
Q. Why did you start your business locally: Parsippany is the best location in Northern NJ with many top quality companies nearby. It is a natural place for a business such as ours.
Q: How long did it take to go from idea to opening your business? We have another location so the idea was already there, but going from signing a lease, designing the space and getting it built and furnished took about a year.
Q: What do you find the most rewarding about what you do? I get to meet many business people who share an enthusiasm for what they do. I get to help them and also learn from them. We really are a business community. Our office clients get to see each other every day and get to know one another. This results in both friendships outside of the office as well as many business referrals. That makes me happy.
Q: When people think of your business, what sets you apart from others? We go out of our way to know our clients as people, and to help them succeed. We are a small business too. The personal touch really shows.
Q: What name brands do you offer? Conference and meeting rooms that accommodate up to 70, catering services, free WiFi, furnished offices, virtual offices, phone answering, mail handling, phone answering and receptionist services.
Q: Where would you like your business to be in five years? We would consider opening a third location in Morris County.
Q: What local organizations do you belong to? Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, Morris County Chamber, Montville Chamber
Q: Who is your competition? Regus is the best known name in the industry, but we encourage our prospects to shop and research them. There’s a reason why so many of their clients come to us and wish they had done so first.
It’s time to talk about your business:
“You can’t go wrong doing the right thing”. We try to live by that adage.
We are very happy to be part of the Parsippany Chamber of Commerce.
NEW JERSEY — Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a state grand jury has indicted nine men in an investigation that targeted a large-scale cocaine distribution ring in Cumberland County. During the investigation, the Division of Criminal Justice dismantled a drug mill in Vineland, where they seized heroin and fentanyl, as well as assault rifles and illegal large capacity magazines.
The indictment handed up today is the result of an eight-month investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau that led to arrests of a dozen defendants in late 2017. The Division of Criminal Justice was assisted by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Three other defendants pleaded guilty to first-degree distribution of cocaine prior to the indictment.
Terrel Goodwin
The Division of Criminal Justice obtained an indictment charging Terrel Goodwin, 30, of Vineland, with first-degree promoting organized street crime.
Goodwin, who allegedly was a major supplier of cocaine, is also charged with first-degree distribution of cocaine, along with George Smith, 58, of Bridgeton.
Goodwin, Smith, and six other men are charged with second-degree conspiracy.
Those six other men allegedly acted as “runners” for Goodwin, distributing cocaine to street-level dealers.
The ninth indicted defendant, Alexander Torres, 33, of Vineland, was arrested when detectives of the DCJ Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau executed a search warrant during the investigation at his basement apartment on North Myrtle Street, where they seized six guns, including two illegal assault rifles, and four illegal large capacity magazines.
Alexander Torres
They also seized nearly 100 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, nearly a kilogram of powder dibutylone (“bath salts”), over 900 dibutylone pills, and drug milling equipment, including grinders, blenders, mixing bowls, respirator masks, scales and a pill press.
Torres is charged with first-degree maintaining a narcotics production facility, as well as drug and weapons offenses, including possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, possession of firearms during commission of a drug crime, and possession of assault rifles and large-capacity magazines.
“The drugs and guns seized in this investigation speak to the danger this criminal ring posed to residents in the communities where they operated,” said Attorney General Grewal. “By dismantling this network and filing first-degree charges against the lead defendants, we took important steps to promote safety and security in South Jersey.”
“By conducting proactive investigations that target large-scale distributors of narcotics and that cut deeper into the supply network, we maximize our impact on drug dealing and the violence that so often accompanies it,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “I commend the detectives and attorneys in our Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau who conducted this operation, which led to first- and second-degree charges against a dozen alleged drug dealers.”
Three other cocaine suppliers who allegedly supplied or received cocaine from Goodwin were arrested during the investigation and pleaded guilty previously to first-degree distribution of cocaine. Each of the following men is awaiting sentencing and faces a recommended sentence of ten years in state prison:
Moses Arellano, 23, of Vineland
Christian Padilla, 28, of Glassboro
Oscar Gonzalez, 36, of Vineland
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Rastelli was assigned to the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Erik Daab and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis. Deputy Bureau Chief Daab presented the case to the state grand jury. Lead detectives for the DCJ Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau were Detective Jeffrey Lorman and Detective Todd Watkins, as well as the entire Organized Crime South Unit, under the supervision of Detective Sgt. Peppi Pichette, Deputy Chief of Detectives Christopher Donohue, and Chief of Detectives Weldon Powell. Attorney General Grewal thanked the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police Intelligence Section for their valuable assistance.
The following is a full list of the defendants charged in the indictment returned today:
Terrell Goodwin, 30, of Vineland
George Smith, 58, of Bridgeton
Alexander Torres, 33, of Vineland
Stephen Fortune, 30, of Bridgeton
Joshua Rivera, 21, of Bridgeton
Wesley Bowleg, 46, of Bridgeton
Eric White, 31, Vineland
Kyle Mills, 33, of Bridgetown
Joseph Flores, 26, of Vineland
First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000, while second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. The sentence for promoting organized street crime must be served consecutively to the sentence for any underlying offense. First-degree distribution of cocaine carries an enhanced fine of up to $500,000. Possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a minimum term of parole ineligibility of five years. The third-degree drug charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $35,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Brown in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Cumberland County, where the defendants will appear in court at a later date for arraignment.
Editor’s Note: An arrest, indictment or 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.
MORRIS COUNTY — Businessman/Lawyer and Republican State Committeeman Larry Casha announced his candidacy for the 11th Congressional District seat for the 2020 election.
The following is a statement by Casha:
“The America we know, the America whose base principles of economic freedom, free speech, due process for all Americans including President Trump and a Congress that works together for the people is under attack. Never in the history of our country has a mainstream political party such as the Democratic Party openly accepted socialism, a concept that would end the America that permitted our grandparents, parents and ourselves to pursue our American dreams. Never before has a Congress ignored the Constitution by ignoring due process in these clandestine impeachment proceedings. We should all be afraid of their secret, behind doors proceedings to indict. Today it is the President, tomorrow it may be one of us.
The people of the New Jersey 11th Congressional District deserve someone who will represent them addressing the issues that are germane to Morris, Essex, Passaic and Sussex Counties like deducting all of our real estate and local taxes from our income taxes and not someone whose sole purpose in Congress is to promote the national agenda of Speaker Pelosi’s Democratic Party. Someone who will fight for the principles that made this country the most prosperous the world has ever known so that future generations have the same chance to pursue their dreams as their ancestors. Someone who will stand up to the Democrats and call them out for socialism and ignoring the Constitution. Someone who will work with the administration, which has created unparalleled prosperity among all socio-economic levels of our society, with an eye towards an increasingly successful future, so that progress can continue.
It is for these and many other unaddressed issues which are crucial to the people of the New Jersey 11th Congressional District that I announce my candidacy for the United States Congress.”
Larry Casha Bio Larry is the founding member of Casha and Casha, LLC in 1980 and Casha Realty, LLC 1999. At the law firm, he specializes in transactional matters such as real estate, wills, trusts, estate planning and business matters. Casha Realty is a real estate holding company wherein he manages commercial real estate.
Larry received a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree with a double major in Marketing and Management. He graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor Degree from University of New Hampshire School of Law. He is admitted to the bars of the States of New Jersey and New York, as well as the Federal Courts for the Districts of New Jersey, the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the United States Supreme Court.
He is the former Kinnelon Council President and currently serves as the Republican State Committeeman from Morris County. He served on the staffs of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce and Senator Robert Martin. He was the New Jersey Surrogate Speaker Director for the Presidential Campaign of George W. Bush and Morris County Coordinator for John McCain’s Presidential and Christine Todd Whitman’s Gubernatorial Campaigns as well as numerous other roles in, Presidential, U.S. Senate and Gubernatorial Campaigns.
Larry was Governor Whitman’s appointee to the Board of Trustees for the County College of Morris and has or continues to volunteer legal services and/or be on the Boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the Montville First Aid Squad and Fire Departments, Drug Awareness Council and the Housing Partnership.
In 2006, Larry was inducted into the Montville Township High School Hall of Fame. Larry is also a frequent legal and political contributor on radio talk show stations.
Larry and his wife Debra of 41 years are lifelong residents of the 11th Congressional District. Currently residents of Kinnelon, they were both educated in the District’s public-school systems and attended Montclair State University for their undergraduate degrees.
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joseph Pennacchio made the following statement on Congressman Van Drew switching To the Republican Party:
I have known Congressman Van Drew for two decades. Our terms in the legislature paralleled each other in the Assembly and in the State Senate. Both of us previously chose Dentistry as our profession. We served on many of the same committees. We also shared the fact that we both were initially Democrats but now are part of the Grand Old Republican Party. Both of us realized that “The Democrat Party of John Kennedy” is no more. In Congressman Van Drew’s case that realization was most recently made. My awakening happened 40 years ago. Weaponizingimpeachment, open borders, Medicare for all and the emergence of an unapologetic march towards socialism has opened up the eyes of many who have traditionally called themselves Democrats. I welcome Congressman Van Drew into our Large political tent. I encourage other Democrats to follow suit.
PARSIPPANY — St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 335 Reynolds Avenue, is hosting a piano concert on Sunday, December 15, at 10:45 a.m. featuring the jazzy piano styling of Don Ehrmann, Minister or Music, performing Christmas musical arrangement by several contemporary church music composers, including an original piece written by Mr. Ehrmann himself.
You are invited to come get your Christmas mood set with some Christmas groove. St. Andrew is barrier-free and welcoming to all. For more information click here or call (973) 887-6713.
Freeholder Darling with Freeholder Director Cabana
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders gave an unofficial sendoff to Freeholder Heather Darling, who will depart the county governing board at the end of the year to take her new elected post as Morris County Surrogate.
Freeholder Director Doug Cabana lauded Darling for her efforts as a freeholder, wishing her well in her new job as fellow freeholders Kathy DeFillippo, John Krickus, Stephen Shaw and Deborah Smith gave her a round of applause.
Darling received a framed rendering of the Morris County Courthouse as a parting gift.
Darling, speaking at the freeholders’ annual holiday gathering at the County Administration Building in Morristown, thanked her colleagues for their support and thanked county employees for their hard work “to always make us all look good.”
She will start her new job as Surrogate in the new year.
Heather Darling, John Krickus, Kathryn A. DeFillippo, Deborah Smith and Stephen Shaw
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has the second lowest unemployment rate in New Jersey, behind only Hunterdon County, according to the October, 2019 figures provided by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The county’s 2.6 percent unemployment compares favorable to the state’s 3.3 percent unemployment rate. The county has approximately 6,800 unemployed residents according to the state report.
Morris County’s unemployment rate for October was 2.6 percent, which is unchanged from September and down from 2.8 percent one year ago, in October 2018.
In October, Morris County had the second lowest unemployment rate in New Jersey at 2.6 percent, behind Hunterdon County at 2.5 percent. Cape May County had the highest unemployment rate at 5 percent.
New Jersey’s unemployment rate for October was 3.3 percent, up from 3.2 percent in September but down from 3.5 percent one year ago, in October 2018.
Morris County’s total labor force was 261,700 in October, up from 257,900 in September and 252,300 one year ago, in October 2018.
Statewide, unemployment rates are higher mostly in the southern part of the state, ranging from 4.4 percent to 5 percent in Salem, Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties, while Essex County in North Jersey also has a 4.2 percent rate.
Jobs most in demand across the state, according to the report include software developers, registered nurses, retail sales, wholesale and manufacturing sales, customer service representatives, retail sales supervisors, medical and health services managers, and secretaries and administrative assistants (excluding legal and medical).
Visit the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development website to dig much deeper into the numbers, by clicking here.
If you are seeking a job, visit NJ Career Connections or visit the Morris-Sussex-Warren Workforce Development Board website by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced a bill (A5667), sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Ned Thomson, requiring pharmacies and hospice programs to provide patients with information and methods to safely discard prescription medications.
Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed a similar bill (S3240) in May of this year because he wanted pharmacies and hospice programs to offer a drug disposal method approved by an independent lab. Under this bill, the disposal solutions must render a drug unusable per federal regulations and meet DEP requirements concerning alternative disposal methods for medical waste that currently apply to the medical industry. In addition, drop boxes must follow federal Drug Enforcement Administration requirements for collected pharmaceuticals and use prominent signage.
“The importance of properly disposing of unwanted or unused medications and needles cannot be understated,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Our medicine cabinets can hold potentially deadly consequences if prescriptions like opioids get into the wrong hands.”
One in three Americans have expired or unused medication sitting in their bathroom cabinets. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 18 million Americans misused prescription medications at least once in 2017. A national survey found that more than 70 percent of people abusing opioids for nonmedical reasons get them from family or friends.
“My family experienced the terrible pain of opioid abuse when we lost my nephew to an overdose four years ago,” said Thomson (R-Monmouth). “I want to empower people to be a part of the solution by taking that extra step to safely and securely rid their homes of unused prescriptions so they can prevent a similar tragedy.”
Under the bill, pharmacies must have at least one method of disposal on-site such as over-the-counter deactivation solutions or secure drop boxes that are offered to the patient for purchase or at no cost. Patients also must receive information about the dangers of improper drug disposal and the ways to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs. Patients in hospice care programs who undergo changes in treatment that result in a discontinuation of a medication must also be educated about safe disposal and be offered a disposal method like an at-home solution or a secured collection box. In addition, information on the safe disposal of used hypodermic syringes and needles to prevent the spread of disease and accidental injury is also required.
The bill is named “Charlie’s Law” for Charlie Van Tassel who died at the age of 33 after struggling with addiction for many years.
The full Assembly is scheduled to vote on the bill this Monday.
PARSIPPANY — Award-winning cat-book author and Cat Writers’ Association Professional Member, Shawn Flynn, invited to join the Central Jersey Cat Fanciers for their 19th Annual Cat Show at the Hilton, One Hilton Court on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 3, 4 and 5, to share his inspirational pet rescue story.
Flynn’s book, “THE KITTY Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him,” is a heartwarming tale that reveals how the pets we love sometimes turn around and care for us (ABBE Road Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9987880-0-5, $9.95). His book was named a first-place winner in Top Shelf Magazine’s 2018 Indie Book Awards in three categories that include Animals/Pets, Novella and Relationships Non-Fiction. It also won a 2017 Readers’ Favorite Book Award and was an award-winning finalist in the 2017 International Book Awards competition. Flynn will be at the show all three days which is scheduled for:
Central Jersey Cat Fanciers 19th Annual Cat Show, Hilton Hotel, 1 Hilton Court, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 3rd, 4th and 5th. The show runs from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
“It is an honor to have been invited to participate in the Central Jersey Cat Fanciers 19th Annual Cat Show as they really have a great club,” commented Mr. Flynn. “With 4 out of 5 households in the U.S. owning at least one pet, I know that there are plenty of pet lovers in New Jersey.”
“One of those unique and compelling stories that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf, “THE KITTY Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him” is unreservedly recommended for community library collections.” –Midwest Book Review
“The story of Kitty and Shawn was very moving… I never expected such a heartwarming story to come from a man… I would recommend this book to all animal lovers, not just cat lovers…” –Readers’ Favorite FIVE STAR Review
Applebee's Parsippany General Manager Rachel Gaida with Santa
PARSIPPANY — Applebee’s located at 1157 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center – as well as those across the state – held a Breakfast with Santa fundraiser on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to support the U.S. Marines Corps Toys for Tots program.
In addition to food, guests received toys donated by Sons of Italy and pictures with Santa.
There were hundreds of toys donated for the eventU.S. Marine, David Gaida, Santa and Rachel GaidaParsippany Volunteer Fire District 5 member Taner Uygun, Santa, and Dave Cavaliere
“We are thrilled to be able to support this amazing organization and all they do for the development of area children and our local communities, especially when we can make the holidays a little brighter,” said Tim Doherty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Doherty Enterprises. “We look forward to spending the day with our employees and guests to celebrate the holidays and the season of giving.”
Heading into its 21st year, Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises, which owns more than 96 Applebee’s restaurants across New Jersey, Long Island, Florida and Georgia, have raised over $4.6 million for the Toys for Tots initiative to date, helping to spread holiday cheer to more than 230,000 deserving children.
Just in time for the holidays, for every $50.00 gift card purchase, guests will receive a free bonus card valued at $10.00. Offer valid through January 5. Bonus cards valid from next visit through March 1, 2020.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has the second lowest unemployment rate in New Jersey, behind only Hunterdon County, according to the October, 2019 figures provided by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
