Sunday, August 2, 2026
Home Blog Page 382

Nikolajs Grinvalds Named to UCHC All-Academic Team

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Nikolajs Grinvalds

PARSIPPANY — Nikolajs Grinvalds, of Lake Hiawatha, was one of 17 Elmira College student-athletes on the men’s ice hockey team placed on the 2018-19 rendition of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) All-Academic Team, as announced by the conference office.

The Soaring Eagles have had over 10 student-athletes earn academic plaudits from the UCHC office for the second-straight season, and it marks the sixth consecutive season that the Soaring Eagles have achieved the feat, dating back to their time in the ECAC West.

Chris Moses ’19, Blake O’Neill ’19 and Charl Pretorius ’19 all earned the honor for the third time in their careers. Adam Eby ’21, Calvin Hughson ’20, Harry Kramer ’20, Aleksi Ojala ’21, Connor Powell ’20, Andrew Pucci ’20 and Patrick Schmelzinger ’20 earned the distinction for the second consecutive season.

Six student-athletes were honored by the conference for the first time, as Matthew Cuce ’20, Nick Grinvalds ’22, Marty Kapoian ’22, Spencer MacLean ’20, Anthony Parrucci ’20, Justin Robertson ’21, and Dan Smith ’21 were named to the All-Academic Team after stellar years in the classroom.

In order to be eligible for the UCHC All-Academic Team, a player must have completed at least one academic year at their current institution, while holding a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 for all terms of the stipulated 2018-19 academic year. A total of 174 student-athletes from the UCHC’s 10 member institutions were recognized for their academic performance.

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 30-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 20 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira’s undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries. Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the U.S., which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

University of Rhode Island graduates more than 3,400 students at commencement

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
University of Rhode Island

MORRIS COUNTY — At the University of Rhode Island’s 133rd Commencement  about 3,400 undergraduate and 740 graduate students became the University’s newest alumni.

The following students from your area graduated from the University of Rhode Island:

Kevin James Armstrong of Madison, received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance Summa Cum Laude

Michelle Rachel Burdick of Parsippany, received a Bachelor of Arts Public Relations

Jack Cammarata of Mountain Lakes, received a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Hannah Cronk of Boonton, received a Bachelor of Arts Public Relations

Shannon Keller of Morris Plains , received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Summa Cum Laude

Christian R Palmer of Madison, received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Magna Cum Laude

Kenneth Rose of Florham Park, received a Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

Joseph W Zolla of Lake Hiawatha, received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Students who received the honor summa cum laude graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.7; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.50; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.3.

The University of Rhode Island’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. The University now has more than 120,000 alumni worldwide.

Letter to the editor: Gun Violence

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

parsippany focusDear Editor:

If you’re like me, you were shaken by the news of not one, but two mass shootings in less than 24 hours last weekend – one in El Paso, Texas, where a 21 year old man opened fire inside a Walmart, and one in Dayton, Ohio, where a 24 year old man opened fire in a popular downtown area.

We in Parsippany are fortunate to live in a place where gun violence generally doesn’t reach our radar screens unless tragic events like these make the news. Our children aren’t scared of being shot on their walk to school every day. We can go to the movies or shopping, to our chosen place of worship or out for the evening without fear of not making it home alive.  Many people in our country don’t benefit from such privilege.

As the Director of State Government Affairs for Everytown for Gun Safety (which includes Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America), I watch certain trends play out time and again. I see children unintentionally shooting themselves and other children when an adult fails to responsibly store their firearms. I watch story after story where too-easy access to a gun turns a domestic violence incident deadly. I watch in shock every time the details of a school shooting unfold showing the warning signs the shooter exhibited before committing his horrific act.

The truth is, mass shootings make up less than half a percent of gun violence in our country. And the majority of mass shootings are incidents of domestic violence. You won’t see statistics like that on the news. You won’t see national outlets covering the 7 shootings in Baltimore this weekend, bringing the city’s total homicides this year to 200. The national news won’t be covering the local veteran who died by suicide by gun in a small town like ours. You won’t hear reporters talking about the fact that about twice as many people die in this country every single day from gun violence as died in the 2017 Pulse Nightclub shooting.

We can and should continue to urge our federal lawmakers to pass laws like background checks on all gun sales, but so many solutions to gun violence can and must be generated from state and local leaders. New Jersey has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, but there’s still more we can do locally to keep us all safer.

For starters, we can require that all gun owners responsibly store their firearms. Most school shooters acquired their weapons from their home or that of a friend or relative who failed to store them properly. So far this year, there have been 149 unintentional shootings by children who never should have been able to get their hands on a gun. New Jersey has a law prohibiting child access to guns but does not affirmatively require that all firearms be stored responsibly. We can and should require responsible storage for all gun owners locally to help prevent school shootings and unintentional shootings by and of children.

Next, we can raise awareness, and require notice to Parsippany families of a new state law that takes effect in New Jersey this September called the Extreme Risk Protection Orders Act (ERPO).  ERPOs, sometimes referred to as “Red Flag laws,” allow immediate family members and law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove someone’s access to guns if he or she is a danger to themselves or others. This new law, which I imagine few people in Parsippany even know about, allows guns to be taken away from someone who is exhibiting warning signs or who is in crisis. Red Flag laws are proven to be effective at preventing suicide, which accounts for about two thirds of all gun deaths.

Third, we should work with law enforcement, school administrators, and mental health professionals to ensure that they are implementing threat assessment programs in our schools, so that we get involved before a troubled child becomes an active shooter to provide the help, guidance, or intervention necessary to stop a tragedy from occurring. So many of our resources are spent teaching children how to “lock down” in an active shooter situation, rather than working to prevent those incidents from the start. The fact is, if someone gets to the schoolhouse door with a gun, we’ve already failed.

Fourth, we should ensure adequate funding and support for local programs like the Juvenile Accountability Leadership Program (JALP), which operates out of the Parsippany PAL building. JALP provides at risk youth with constructive ways to engage with their community. Local intervention programs are one of the most effective ways to interrupt harmful cycles and set victims and others at risk of committing violence on a better path.

Parsippany is a safe place to live, but there is more we can do to make sure it stays that way.  If elected to the Parsippany Town Council, I will work with Mayor Soriano, our police department, our Board of Education, and the people of Parsippany to ensure that we are doing absolutely everything we can to prevent the types of tragedies we witnessed last weekend from occurring here. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need to elect leaders up and down the ballot who are committed to taking actions that keep everyone in our communities safe from gun violence.

Cori Herbig

New Jersey Society of CPAs Reminds Taxpayers to Check Tax Withholding

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

MORRIS COUNTY —The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) reminds taxpayers to review their current federal income tax withholding from their paychecks, particularly as the IRS is issuing a new Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (Form W-4). The IRS issued a draft 2020 Form W-4 in May and expects to issue a final version in November.

The new W-4 was created to take into account changes made following the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and to provide a simplified version of the form for taxpayers and employers.

Many taxpayers discovered they did not have enough federal tax withheld when filing their 2018 tax returns earlier this year. The IRS Paycheck Checkup calculator can help taxpayers determine how they should be adjusting their withholding amount so that employers can withhold the right amount of tax from paychecks.

Taxpayers can still file the 2019 W-4 Form currently, but the IRS recommends using the new W-4 starting in 2020 and completing a new W-4 each year. Employees usually fill out a W-4 when first hired.

“With so many state and federal tax changes, it’s advisable for taxpayers to keep abreast of their own finances and review how much is being taken out of their paychecks; otherwise, they may end up with unwanted payments at tax filing time,” said Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO and executive director at NJCPA.

Assembly Candidate Christine Clarke Receives the Endorsement of League of Conservation Voters

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Christine Clarke

MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters is the statewide political voice for the environment that works to elect environmentally responsible candidates to state and local offices.

“I am thrilled to receive this endorsement,” said Clarke, “The New Jersey LCV sets the gold standard for environmental stewardship, holding representatives accountable using their rigorous scorecard  and deeply scrutinizing any candidates they consider for endorsement. I have worked hard to earn their trust and support, and I greatly appreciate their recognition of the work we’ve been doing over the last several years, which we’re committed to advancing in Trenton. I’m so glad to have the League of Conservation Voters with us as we move LD26 forward toward better representation in Trenton.”

“I’m running to represent the 26th Legislative District for many reasons, but most importantly, because I believe that New Jersey can thrive during these pivotal times by leading in the booming renewable energy market. We also need to urgently take pragmatic actions to ensure that we are preserving our land, communities, lakes and streams. And we need representation in Trenton that will make this a priority.” said Clarke.

Clarke has a record of environmental activism, and specifically a focus on cross-organization collaboration to advance environmental awareness, promoting new innovative ideas in environmental conservation, and advancing renewable energy initiatives in New Jersey. Recently, on May 30, she gave a presentation to the UN NGO Committee on Sustainable Development at the Salvation Army Social Justice Commission on the importance of advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals

“We are in this together,” said Clarke, “and we need a fair and just transition to clean energy urgently to protect our communities and natural resources.  As good stewards of our environment for our children and future generations, it’s upon us to make sure we elect people who will represent not only constituents but our collective legacy.”

In addition to her role as an Honorary Advisor to the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, Clarke is a Climate Reality Leader and a steering committee member of the Jersey Renews coalition, the NJ People’s Climate Movement and the NJ March for Science. She is the Chair of the Jefferson Township Democratic Committee and former Environmental Director of Action Together New Jersey.  She was named to Senator Menendez’s Environment and Science Leadership Council during his re-election campaign and was an early organizer with NJ 11th For Change.

 

Clarke is also endorsed by the New Jersey Sierra Club, by The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, The New Jersey AFL-CIO, by Action Together New Jersey and by the Democratic Party in Morris, Essex and Passaic Counties.  She has lived in Jefferson for 15 years with her husband and four children.  You can learn by clicking here.

The 26th District includes 13 communities in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties: Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Milford.

DeCroce Continues Push to Abolish School Development Authority in Wake of Staffing Scandal

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce

PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-26) demanded the Legislature take action on her bill to abolish the School Development Authority (SDA) and place school construction responsibilities under the Department of Treasury, after the state was forced this week to fire 30 SDA employees whose hiring violated state ethics guidelines

A-5330, introduced by the Assemblywoman after the SDA staffing scandal broke in April, will transfer all school construction responsibilities now handled by the troubled agency to the Division of Property Management and Construction in the Department of Treasury. Assemblywoman DeCroce noted that her legislation will provide the Governor and Legislature more direct authority to control school construction activities, while allowing the state Economic Development Authority (EDA) to retain its responsibility for the financing of school construction projects.

“The SDA has had a long and troubled history, largely because it has been able to operate with little oversight as a legally-establish state authority. The staffing scandal is just the latest problem demonstrating that we need to abolish the agency and bring its operations within the state administration, where the Governor and Legislature can have more direct control of matters,” said Assemblywoman DeCroce, whose district spans Morris, Essex and Passaic counties.

The firing of 30 people earlier this week followed the release of three investigative reports on a staffing scandal that forced the resignation of SDA CEO Lizette Delgado-Polanco, who stepped down in April after only eight months in office.

Whistle-blowers reported that long-time employees had been fired during her tenure as friends and family to Delgado-Polanco were given highly paid positions for which they were unqualified. Three state probes were launched, with one concluding: “Nearly every new hire was directly or indirectly connected personally or professionally to Ms. Delgado Polanco when hired.” That same investigation report went on to add: “Connected new hires benefitted from favorable treatment regarding their titles and/or salaries.”

Of the 30 people fired from the agency earlier this week, 27 had been hired by the former CEO. The investigations also concluded that 14 of those hired under the former CEO were brought on at salaries toppling six figures, with some reaching as high as $170,000. At least 10 of those top earners either worked with Delgado-Polanco in the past or had close ties to her.

The SDA, which manages the construction and improvement of schools in 31 of the state’s poorest communities, has billions of dollars at its disposal. But it was reported in April to be nearly out of money.

“We still haven’t a satisfactory explanation on how this agency burned through billions of dollars of taxpayer money. We need accountability and oversight,” said Assemblywoman DeCroce.

Newark Cost Overruns   

In a recent report by an online news organization, school construction costs in Newark were found to be outrageously high. The TapInto Newark report said, “The SDA spent an average $424 per square foot to build the five schools in Newark, nearly three times the limit set by the Legislature at $142 per square foot, which is supposed to include construction and professional fees.”

The Newark report also noted, “The last three schools to open in Newark since 2016 cost an average of $515 per square foot. The South Street School, which was completed in 2018, cost $69 million or $669 per square foot, nearly 5 times the limits set by the Legislature. The SDA spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to build schools for only 3,733 Newark children — an average of more than $70,000 per student.”

In May DeCroce sent letters requesting support from Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblyman John Burzichelli to bring SDA under direct state control.

“Moving the SDA to the Division of Property Management & Construction is the right step because it is critical that we ensure the services provided by the SDA are offered in a professional, cost effective and transparent manner,” wrote DeCroce.

The Division of Property Management and Construction in the Department of Treasury oversees the procurement of construction contracts for public works buildings for state agencies, leases for office and warehouse space, and the operation and maintenance of state-owned facilities. 

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Agenda Meeting – August 5, 2019

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Agenda Meeting – August 5, 2019 – Part 2

Kiwanis Club donates to CASA

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Karen DeChristopher, Lisa Firkser, Executive Director, CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation presented CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) with a donation at their weekly breakfast meeting held at Empire Diner.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill presented Lisa Firkser, Executive Director, CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, with a check for $3,600. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher looks on.

The donation was in conjunction with a matching grant from New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation.

The purpose of the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation, of which every Kiwanian in New Jersey is a member, is to provide financial assistance to service programs that agree with and support the objectives of Kiwanis International and the New Jersey District of Kiwanis International. This purpose is achieved by making financial grants to Kiwanis family sponsored programs and to Kiwanis service programs, the scope of which is beyond the means of individual Kiwanians, Kiwanis clubs, or local club foundations.

CASA’s mission is to speak up for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. They recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers who provide a voice in court to assure each child a safe, permanent and nurturing home.

CASA is the only court-authorized advocacy program for children and youth in foster care in Morris and Sussex Counties.

CASA programs bring better tomorrows to vulnerable children.

Child Advocacy: Children who are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment and living in foster homes or residential facilities are assigned to CASA volunteers for advocacy in the Family Court system. Our trained volunteers make recommendations to the court for critical community resources and services to improve a child’s stability and outcomes and ensure that each child is in a safe, nurturing and permanent home as soon as possible.

Family Drug Court: This important program provides treatment and services for substance-abusing parents whose children have been placed in foster care as the result of child abuse and neglect. The services provided are designed to successfully rehabilitate the parents, balance child safety and permanency and work toward family reunification or another  safe, nurturing placement for the child.

Fostering Futures: This unique program integrates coaching, connecting, and mentoring services meant to build self-confidence and empower youth to transform their lives beyond the foster care system into adulthood. Youth ages 14-21 benefit from an integrated, proactive approach prior to aging out of the system that empowers them to be their own advocates, discuss their dreams for their future and work toward realistic goal setting with concrete life skills and strategies.

With a CASA volunteer, a child is half as likely to languish in the foster care system, and that much more likely to find a safe, nurturing, permanent home.

To volunteer and make a profound difference in the life of an abused or neglected child, become a CASA volunteer by calling (973) 998-7590.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club. In addition, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports a Circle K Club at Seton Hall University.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany raises funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, CASA, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, Parsippany.

For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here. To join online click here.

National Night Out event in Parsippany aims to build relationships between police, community

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Chick-fil-A mascot with Officer Andy Sadowski

PARSIPPANY — As attendees were arriving at the PAL Youth Center and Smith Field, the downpour of rain started and everyone ran for cover. At first people felt the event would be rained out, but after about fifteen minutes the rain stopped and cleared up for the event which had almost 5,000 attendees.

Similar events are held nationwide and are a chance for law enforcement and emergency personnel to build relationships and promote neighborhood camaraderie. It’s the first time the event has been held in Parsippany, previously residents had to attend National Night Out at Mennen Arena.

ShopRite Catering, Anthony Franco’s, Parsippany’s Best Pizza, Kona Ice were on hand cooking and serving hot dogs, pizza, penne pasta and other delicious items.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano said “I am proud to finally have National Night Out occur in our township. Parsippany is the largest township in Morris County, and National Night Out is a celebration for all of our residents and a great celebration for the men and women of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, as well as the staff and volunteers of our PAL. As our first National Night Out, we will continue to make sure it gets even better every year.”

“Hosting our first annual National Night Out here in Parsippany-Troy Hills, was a true partnership between the PAL and the PTHPD. It was a perfect way to bring the community together to support law enforcement, engage our community partners and our first responders. The turn-out, even with the weather, was beyond our expectations and was also a great new beginning for our Parsippany PAL,” said Sam Yodice, Parsippany PAL Executive Director.

The fun included free bean bag toss, raffle wheels, music by a D.J., Italian ice, face painting, carnival games and prizes, inflatable rides and bouncy houses. There was even a dunk tank where kids could dunk one of Parsippany’s finest.

“Parsippany Police proudly held our first National National Night Out; a groundbreaking initiative and tremendous effort by our Community Policing Division Officers and Youth Services Counselor. Seeing so many of our School District students with their Police Trading Cards in hand, parents and residents interacting with PTHPD Officer’s (especially at the dunk-tank) and with our excellent volunteer Emergency Services personnel was incredibly rewarding! Special thanks to all PTHPD Officers who worked extremely hard ensuring everyone’s safe walking and driving to the event, Sam Yodice and Ashley Garofalo at the PAL; and especially to Community Policing Lieutenant Ron Carrozzino, Sgt. Alan Griffin (Grif), Officer Remo D’ Alessandro and Youth Services Section counselor Sunny Fullerton who’s initiative and efforts made this all possible and successfully happen,” Said Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller.

Dozens of vendors were also set up for local groups and businesses, and for sponsors, such as WISE Animal Rescue, Chick-fil-A, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Lakeland Hills YMCA, Orange Theory Fitness,  Parsippany PBA Local 131, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2, Parsippany Animal Control, Liquid Church, Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance, Morris County Sheriff’s Hope One, Parsippany-Troy Hills Elks Lodge #2078, and Girls on the Run.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

Parsippany resident arrested on warrants in Hanover Township

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
File Photo. The picture may not accurately represent the narcotics described in the article.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On Tuesday, July 16, Hanover Township Police Officers Josh Williams, Megan Pritchard and Eric Prach arrested Mr. Glenn Hornecker, 34, Parsippany, Ms. Leah Klotzke, 30, currently residing at the Americas Best Value Inn and Mr. Chad Hayes, 46, Morris Plains for multiple drug offenses and warrants.

The officers were conducting foot patrol of the hotel property when they overheard a conversation about possible prostitution coming from one of the rooms.

A check of the room registry provided them with the name of the occupant, Mr. Hornecker.

A check of Mr. Hornecker resulted in locating an active $2500.00 warrant. The officers responded to the room and made contact with Mr. Hornecker and two other quests, Ms. Klotzke and Mr. Hayes.

Mr. Hornecker was advised of the active warrant and was arrested. While speaking with the occupants of the room drug paraphernalia was observed in plain view.

An investigation followed resulting in both Ms. Klotzke and Mr. Hayes being arrested.

The three individuals were transported to Hanover Police Headquarters for processing. Mr. Hornecker was released after posting bail on his warrant.

Mr. Hayes was charged with Possession of CDS, Possession of prescription legend drugs, Possession of hypodermic needles and Possession of drug paraphernalia. He was then released pending his court date.

Ms. Klotzke was charged with Defrauding a drug test, Hindering apprehension, Failure to give CDS to law enforcement ands Possession of drug paraphernalia. She had several active warrants totaling $1450.00. She was transported to Morris County Correctional Facility pending her court date.

<strong><em>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.</em></strong>

Registration for Parsippany PAL Redhawks Football

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

PARSIPPANY — Registration for Parsippany PAL Redhawks Football is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 6 at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.

Your registered must be paid in full to receive equipment.

Representative Sherrill Visits Zufall Health Center for National Health Center Week

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

PARSIPPANY — Representative Sherrill (NJ-11) visited Zufall Health Center in Morristown to mark National Health Center Week. Zufall is part of a nationwide network of locally-run health centers that serve more than 28 million people nationwide. Health centers are on the front lines of national public health challenges – whether caring for veterans, providing opioid addiction treatment, addressing mental illness, or responding to natural disasters.

“Health Centers are critical resources for families in our community and across the country,” Representative Sherrill said. “Zufall Health Center in Morristown provides a wide range of medical, dental, and wellness services regardless of ability to pay, including pediatrics, HIV testing, cancer screenings, sexual assault support services, and so much more. Their mobile services reach directly into the community with vital medical and dental screenings that many would never access otherwise. The theme of this year’s National Health Center Week is ‘Rooted in Community,’ and Zufall lives that example every day.”

Sherrill has been a champion of health centers in Congress. Last week, her bipartisan family health information center legislation, the Family-to-Family Health Information Center Reauthorization Act of 2019, passed the House and Senate and has been sent to the president’s desk for a five-year reauthorization.

Sherrill said last week: “I am proud that both the House and Senate unanimously agreed to support Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, and I urge the President to swiftly sign this bill into law. Family-to-Family Health Information Centers provide families of children with special healthcare needs with the tools and assistance necessary to effectively navigate our nation’s complex health care system. The continuity of funding provided through this bill will enable F2F HICs to retain experienced staff, engage in future planning, and continue to empower and support children and families in New Jersey and across the country.”

Reminder: Township Council Meeting to be held on Monday, August 5

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani, Council President Michael dePierro, Councilwoman Emily Peterson, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., Councilwoman Janice McCarthy

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council will hold an agenda meeting on Monday, August 5 starting at 7:00 p.m. at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.

This meeting is rescheduled from Tuesday, August 6.  The August 6 meeting will not be held due to National Night Out.

The public is invited to attend all meetings. A portion of each meeting will be set aside for public comment. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings. Ending time is approximate.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the American with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

Morris Habitat Receives Grant from Provident Bank

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Provident Bank Foundation presents donation to Blair Schleicher Bravo, CEO of Morris Habitat for Humanity

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Habitat for Humanity recently received a grant of $10,000 from Provident Bank Foundation to help fund its Neighborhood Revitalization/Aging in Place program. This important program helps low income home owner families maintain their homes. Projects have included home repairs and weatherization, construction projects, and community park renovations.

Funding from The Provident Bank Foundation will support repairs to improve the accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency of low income seniors’ homes. Living in unsafe and unhealthy homes can mean emotional and financial devastation, and a simple modification like a smoke detector or hand rail can enable seniors to maintain their financial stability and independence while living safely in the home and community of their choice.

“This generous gift from the Provident Bank Foundation will help families stay in their homes by supporting our Neighborhood Revitalization and Aging in Place programs,” said Morris Habitat for Humanity CEO, Blair Schleicher Bravo. “Provident Bank Foundation’s long time support of Morris Habitat for Humanity helps us further our commitment to providing decent, safe and affordable housing for people in the community.”

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $24 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities.

For more information click here or call (862) 260-3990.

Dollar Store replacing Quick Chek

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

PARSIPPANY — Every Dollar Store Inc. has applied to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Building Department for building, plumbing, electrical and fire prevention permits to renovation the former Quick Chek location in the Troy Shopping Center located at 480 North Beverwyck Road.

The former Quick Chek occupied 2,800 square feet. The new store will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. according to the application.

The property owner is Troy Investment and managed by The Heller Group, Madison.

Quick Chek closed on Friday, November 2, 2018.

The Lake Hiawatha QuickChek opened in 1977 and has been a staple in the area for 41 years and is missed by many. The Lake Hiawatha location was outdated compared to the newer millennial-friendly concept stores.

 

Lake Hiawatha man charged with hit-and-run death of a 12-year-old

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
File Photo

PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany man has been arrested and charged in connection with the hit-and-run incident that left, Jeremy Maraj, 12-year-old child fatally injured in Union on Wednesday, July 17, said Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Union Police Director Daniel Zieser.

Jose V. Marrero, 37, Lake Hiawatha, turned himself in to authorities Friday evening and is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with the death of Jeremy Maraj of Union.

Union Police Department patrol units responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle just before 8:00 p.m. in the area of Forest Drive and Galloping Hill Road in Union, according to the investigation.

Maraj was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead two days later.

A joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force and Union Police Department revealed that Marrero was driving his work vehicle, a Nissan NV200 cargo van, when he struck Maraj.

Marrero was lodged in Union County Jail after turning himself in, pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Superior Court during the coming days.

Anyone with information about this matter still is being urged to contact Task Force Detective Sean Holcomb at (908) 358-8377 or Union Police Officer Michael Salerno at (908) 851-5070.

Convictions on second-degree criminal charges are commonly punishable by five to ten years in state prison.

Editor’s Note: These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Results of Annual Homeless Count

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
File Photo

MORRIS COUNTY — A federally required annual county of homeless persons in New Jersey, including breakouts for Morris County and all 20 other counties in the state, has found a slight decrease in homeless numbers, according to a snapshot taken statewide in January of this year.

In a report released this week, #NJCounts 2019 found 8,864 men, women and children, in 6,748 households, experienced homelessness across New Jersey.  This number decreased by 439 persons of 5 percent from 2018.

In Morris County, on a count taken on the night of January 22, a total of 288 households, including 388 individuals were found to experiencing homelessness, according to the 2019 Point-InTime Count, which was done by a host of county and local social services representatives and volunteers. The numbers show an overall increase of 4 persons, or 1 percent, from 2015 to 2019.

Of those Morris County residents counted this year, 65 persons were identified as chronically homeless and 42 were not sheltered on the night of the count.

Over this five-year period there was a five percent increase in persons staying in emergency shelter and a 24 percent increase in unsheltered persons, but there was a ten percent decrease in persons staying in transitional housing between 2015 and 2019. The report also found that 36 percent of the homeless household respondents in Morris County in 2019 reported that their last permanent address prior to becoming homeless was outside of the county.

The full statewide report and county by county reports are available by clicking here.

Some key statewide findings of the NJCounts 2019 as compared to NJCounts 2018 include:

  • 1,462 persons, in 1,351 households, were identified as chronically homeless, representing 16.5 of the total homeless population, an increase of 174 persons, or 13.5 percent, from 2018;
  • 1,482 persons were living without shelter, showing a decrease of 141 persons of 9 percent;
  • 992 households were counted as families, showing a 6 percent decrease in family homelessness (a family is defined as a household with at least one child under the age of 18 and one adult);
  • 34 unaccompanied youth under age 18 were identified in the count, which represents a 3 percent decrease in the number of unaccompanied homeless youth households.

“The count provides a consistent benchmark from which we can evaluate the effectiveness of strategies being implemented, the quality of data collection within communities, and the impact of larger societal factors,” said Taiisa Kelly, CEO of Monarch Housing Associates.

Counties across the state annually conduct NJCounts as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to secure federal funding for programs serving persons experiencing homelessness.

Commissioned by the N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Monarch Housing Associates coordinates NJCounts activities and completes analysis of data collected from the Point-in-Time survey.

Freeholders Seek Applicants for Three Seats on CCM Board of Trustees

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
2019 Board of Trustees: (L-R) Keith Raymond, Vice Chair Thomas Pepe, Treasurer Jeffrey Advokat, Angelica L. Allen-McMillan, President Anthony Iacono, Chair Paul Licitra, Maria Aprile and Jack Frost, Jr. Not pictured are Secretary Barbara Hadzima, George Dredden III, George Milonas ’98, and Joseph Weisberg

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County residents interested in serving on the County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees are invited to send their resumes to a special trustee search committee of the Morris County Board of Freeholders.

Resumes must be received by the search committee by Friday, September 6. The committee will review all of the applications and then submit recommendations to the Board of Freeholders, who will make the appointments this fall.CCM: Freeholders Seek Applicants for Three Seats on County College of Morris Board of Trustees

Three four-year terms of freeholder-appointed trustees expire at the end of October. Those sitting trustees must reapply by the Friday, Sept. 6 deadline if they wish to be considered for reappointment.

To qualify for consideration by the search committee, a candidate must be a resident of Morris County for at least four years, and may not hold a current elected office in Morris County or be an employee of Morris County government or CCM.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate independent judgment, distinction in their profession, knowledge of higher education, and a firm commitment to serving the college. A candidate must be willing to commit at least 15-20 hours a month to his or duties as a college trustee to be considered for appointment.

Duties of trustees include appointing, supporting and evaluating the college president; clarifying and, if necessary, revising the college’s mission statement; ratifying long term plans; approving the college’s educational program; insuring fiscal viability; and maintaining the college’s physical plant.

The CCM search committee requests a resume and a background statement from each applicant outlining why he or she wishes to serve as a trustee and what specific skills the applicant would bring to the board.

Applicants must send one copy of their resume and a brief background statement to the Office of the Morris County Counsel, County of Morris, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, N.J. 07963-0900.

The County College of Morris Board of Trustees is composed of eleven Morris County residents from business, education, law and other professional fields, who volunteer their services in four-year terms.

By statute, eight members are appointed by the Morris County Board of Freeholders, and two members are appointed by the Governor. The Morris County Superintendent of Schools is also a member of the Board by statute. One non-voting CCM graduate member is elected for a one-year term by each year’s graduating class. In addition, the CCM President serves as an ex-officio member.

The Board of Trustees sets policy and has final authority over budgets and expenditures, and the President is responsible for internal administrative operations.

County to Begin Comprehensive Upgrade to Road Curve Warning Signs

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County is embarking on a countywide upgrade to curve warning signs along county roads that are located within all of the county’s 39 municipalities to meet federal government standards.

Work is expected to begin in August and continue into December to upgrade a curve sign network that, in many cases, dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, and was installed by the state Department of Transportation.

Morris County has awarded a $297,953 contract to LC Equipment of Tuckahoe to remove 2,121 existing curve warning signs and install nearly 2,800 new signs and signposts at 870 horizontal curves located on county roads.

The project is required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which has set a nationwide compliance date of Dec. 31, 2019 to meet new curve sign standards. The project will be funded by county tax dollars.

To prepare a plan for the sign upgrade, the county previously hired a consultant, Greenman-Pedersen (GPI).

The $176,997 contract required GPI’s team to drive all of the county’s roads to assess curves and determine appropriate advisory speed and sign placement in accordance with the new federal standards.

Changes in roadway design and consideration of modern motor vehicles were key factors in the development of the new standards.

GPI also will oversee the sign removal and installation project and inventory the newly installed signs for the county.

To see which signs are being added or replaced in your town click here.

Three Sheriff’s Office Superior Officers Retire After Combined 75 Years of Service

By
Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Detective Captain Bruce Dunn with the Honor Guard on Wednesday, July 31

MORRIS COUNTY — Three Morris County Sheriff’s Office superior officers, two of whom helped probe some of the county’s most heinous or baffling crimes, retired as of Wednesday, July 31 with 75 years of experience between them.

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon with Sheriff’s Office Chief Edward Crooker

The retirees, Sheriff’s Office Chief Edward Crooker, Detective Captain Bruce Dunn and Detective Lieutenant Philip DiGavero, all joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Office on July 18, 1994, as Corrections Officers who worked in the Correctional Facility and several years later transferred to the Bureau of Law Enforcement.

Chief Crooker spent nearly his entire career, 19 years, in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit. Detective Captain Dunn worked in the Protective Services Division and for many years in CSI, the unit that is responsible for collecting and analyzing evidence amassed from crimes throughout Morris County’s 39 municipalities.

Detective Lieutenant DiGavero is credited with overseeing the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit at one time, helping to electronically modernize evidence storage, and arranging with the Rockaway-based Prevention Is Key program (PIK) to have expired medication drop-off boxes at police departments that are collected, inventoried and destroyed by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Evidence Unit.

“These three Morris County Sheriff’s Office superior officers have served the county and the office with class and distinction by pouring their minds, hearts and souls into investigations and serving the public with integrity.  I am proud to know them and to have worked beside them, and I wish them the best in the years ahead,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

The three retirees all worked in the now-demolished Morris County jail that was replaced by a new facility that opened in Morris Township in 2000. Chief Crooker recalled how he also worked in the 1990s as a CSI detective in a dilapidated building on Washington Street in Morristown and then in another location before a state-of-the-art crime lab that today is the base of operations for CSI was opened in 2013.

Detective Captain Bruce Dunn with Morris County Sheriff James Gannon

Both Detective Captain Dunn and Chief Crooker worked in CSI on the investigation and successful prosecution of the killer of 10-year-old Walter Contreras Valenzuela in Morristown in May 2001.  Chief Crooker matched a garden cultivator found near the child’s body to wounds on his head while Detective Captain Dunn located multiple items of evidence at the crime scene that gave detectives insight into the child’s final moments.

A friend of the Valenzuela family wrote a moving letter in 2008 that praised then-Sergeant Dunn’s involvement in the probe and trial.

“I feel his work was phenomenal and done in such a professional manner that his investigation was never questioned. I cannot express in words how important he is to the Valenzuela family and those that love them.  Without his skills we know that perhaps there may have been a different outcome in the trial.  We are eternally grateful to him and feel very blessed to know that we are under the protection of the very competent Morris County Sheriff’s Department,” the friend wrote.

Detective Captain Dunn also had the ingenious idea of lifting fingerprints from a decayed body found in 2002 that involved soaking the skin in glycerol for 24 hours and placing the skin over a detective’s fingers and rolling for prints.  The prints of the deceased woman were on file in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which led to her identification.

“I’m very lucky to have had a good career,” Detective Captain Dunn said.

Besides cases of bank robberies, fatal crashes, robberies and other crimes, both Detective Captain Dunn and Chief Crooker worked on the high-profile 2002 double murders of Jeffrey Eresman and Erik Rewoldt at the Funcoland video game store in Roxbury, and assisted federal officials in executing search warrants after the largest mass murder through acts of terrorism in America on Sept. 11, 2001.

Chief Crooker worked on multiple major crimes, including the killing of Father Edward Hinds in 2009 in Chatham Borough, but he has never forgotten a simple event that ended well. He was called out to process the scene of what a homeowner thought was a burglary but Chief Crooker, then a CSI detective, was able to find the woman’s missing ring under a bed.

Chief Crooker thanked Sheriff James Gannon for his responsiveness and support of officers and detectives.

“The resources he gives us are second to none,” said Chief Crooker.

Detective Lieutenant DiGavero with Morris County Sheriff James Gannon

Detective Lieutenant DiGavero, who also worked in the Sheriff’s Office Warrants Section and Protective Services Division which oversees security at the Morris County courthouse, said he is honored to have worked with many exceptional people.

He said he is proud of helping to organize the storage of evidence from crime scenes, which is managed electronically through a program called BEAST, for Bar-Coded Evidence Analysis Statistical Tracking.

“I’ll miss everybody.  It’s been a real honor,” Detective Lieutenant DiGavero said.

1...381382383...707Page 382 of 707

EDITOR PICKS

POLICE AND FIRE

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 37 years.

Submit Letters or Press Releases use drop down menu at top. We do not accept material by emails.

FOLLOW US

© 2025 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.

Translate »