RANDOLPH — County College of Morris (CCM) presented diplomas to the Class of 2016 during its 47th commencement ceremony.
Dr. Edward J. Yaw sings with the County College of Morris (CCM) Chamber Choir during the college’s 47th Commencement Ceremony, the last one he has presided over after serving as CCM’s second president for 30 years. He will be retiring at the end of August
Approximately 1,400 students – many who are transferring to top four-year institutions to earn their bachelor’s degrees – were eligible to receive diplomas in one of four degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science. The five most popular programs CCM students received degrees in are Business Administration, Humanities Social Science (Liberal Arts), Nursing, Criminal Justice and Biology. The graduates completed their studies between August 2015 and May 2016. More than 400 students from the Class of 2016 took part in this year’s commencement ceremony.
Included among the top schools across the country that CCM graduates are transferring to are Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Pace University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design, Syracuse University, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, along with New Jersey’s leading colleges and universities.
More than 400 graduates from the Class of 2016 at County College of Morris participated in the college’s 47th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 27Dr. Edward J. Yaw, who will be retiring at the end of August, gave his final CCM commencement address. Holding to college tradition, he used that opportunity to highlight several outstanding graduates and the diversity of the CCM student body.
In an effort to advance world peace and human understanding, CCM also recognized the winner of its Peace Prize at the ceremony. The winner of the 2016 CCM Peace Prize is Mirella Quintana, of Dover, for her video “Unity and Laughter Through Peace.” Her faculty mentor was Susan Miller, assistant chair and assistant professor of the Business Administration Program at CCM.
The winning project each year receives a $1,000 award, provided by the CCM Foundation. Quintana also will have her name added to a permanent plaque of Peace Prize winners located in the Student Community Center.
This is the 14th year the college has awarded its Peace Prize, which is organized and administered by Professor Peter Maguire of the Department of English and Philosophy. Established in the fall of 2001, the Peace Prize competition provides students with the opportunity to apply their imagination and creativity to the design and production of a work that both commemorates the events of September 11, 2001 and makes a positive statement about the importance and pursuit of world peace.
The CCM Alex DeCroce Media Center streamed the commencement ceremony live on the college’s YouTube channel at http://tinyurl.com/gufwu8x making it available for viewing from computers, smartphones and tablets. That video can still be viewed on YouTube for those who were unable to watch it live.
PARSIPPANY — Members of the Parsippany High School Bands were washing cars recently to raise money for their group.
The band won the State Championships last year, the Group IV 2015 National Championship earlier this month, and the U.S. Marines’ Esprit de Corps Award.
PHS Bands Car Wash
1 of 6
Brielle Wyka washing cars
Noah Lustig washing off the car
Kyle Contaldi washing cars
Victoria Dobkowski washing cars
Board of Education Member Tim Berrios
Casey Cogan and Sachi Walmiki advertising the car wash
The Parsippany High School Marching Band will be performing on Monday, May 30 during Parsippany’s Memorial Day Parade.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that on Thursday May 26, Deputy Chief of Investigations Denise H. Arseneault was honored by New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement with the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award.
New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement was founded in 2004 by a group of dynamic female law enforcement executives representing federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. They are a professional organization of both men and women who work together to strengthen public recognition of the unique contributions women have made to the profession of law enforcement. The annual awards ceremony was held at the Rutgers University Douglass Student Center in New Brunswick.
Deputy Chief Arseneault began her law enforcement career in 1988 serving as a Special Investigator for the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General.
In 1992, she joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a detective. During her tenure with this office, Deputy Chief Arseneault was assigned to numerous capacities at various levels within the organization. As a detective she served in the General Investigations Unit, Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit, Domestic Violence Unit and on Trial Team 1. In 2001 she was promoted to Detective/Supervisor of Trial Team 1 before returning to the Domestic Violence Unit as a supervisor in 2002.
She was subsequently promoted to Sergeant that same year. As a Sergeant, Deputy Chief Arseneault supervised the Domestic Violence Unit then the General Investigations Unit. In 2004 she was promoted to the position of Lieutenant where she led the General Investigations Unit, Computer Crime Unit, the Family Division, the Megan’s Law Unit and the Specialized Services Unit.
After serving nine years as a Lieutenant, Deputy Chief Arseneault was promoted to the position of Captain in 2013. As a Captain, she led the Specialized Crimes Division consisting of the Professional Standards Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Bias Crimes Unit, Juvenile/Missing Persons Unit, Weapon Return Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, and Community Affairs Unit. In recognition of her unwavering leadership, numerous accomplishments and her vast amount of knowledge, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of Investigations of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on February 2, 2015. Deputy Chief Denise Arseneault is now second in command of all law enforcement personnel serving in the organization.
Prosecutor Knapp said “Deputy Chief Arseneault is a source of leadership, inspiration, stability and integrity. We are fortunate to work with someone of such high caliber. Her dedication to the law enforcement profession and contributions made to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office cannot be overstated. Deputy Chief Arseneault’s career accomplishments is clear evidence that she is most deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award”.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department has been getting a large amount of calls regarding someone calling and claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This phone call is a scam. Please read below for more information on this scam and other similar ones.
IRS, Immigration, and other Government Organization Scams
If you receive a phone call that claims to be from the IRS, Immigration, or other Government Organizations which threaten you with immediate arrest or the issuance of a warrant unless you wire them money it is a scam. Even if the caller ID shows a legitimate government organization it can be a scam because modern technology lets criminals spoof, which means fake the name and number, which makes them appear legitimate. They may tell you that you owe various amounts in back taxes. They may threaten to deport you, which will not happen.
They may also claim that your identity was stolen and you need to pay a certain amount of money to redo your immigration paperwork, usually a few hundred, to a few thousand dollars. Whenever you get this type of call and you think it may me legitimate please search the internet for the phone number to the supposed agency that is calling you and call it back to inquire about the legitimacy.
Do not believe the number they are giving you to call back. You can also try doing a search of the phone number they are calling from on the internet and see if it is associated to scams. This method is not fool proof since they can fake the legitimate number to come up on caller ID as I said earlier. Never give personal information to anyone even if they request it. Never wire money, purchase visa gift cards, or money cards like Green Dot and give them the information. Once they have the wire information, gift card numbers, or Green Dot information they will get the money and you will not get it back.
Laws have changed that let the IRS call for outstanding taxes, but this has not started yet. The IRS will first send you notifications via mail. There is currently an effort underway to stop the IRS from being able to call you or have a collection agency call you to collect owed taxes. If and when that does pass we will update the public.
If you simply get the phone call, but do not send them any money you can report the phone call with the FTC at the below website.
If you are a victim of the scam AND send them money please call the Parsippany Police Departments non emergency phone number at (973) 263-4300.
MADISON — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Darren P. Dachisen of the Borough of Madison Police Department announce that Chad Rybka, 33, of Bernards Township, pled guilty today to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Possession of Child Pornography, a crime of the third degree.
On February 23, 2016, law enforcement officers in the Brunswick Division of Police, Brunswick, Ohio, learned that a 17-year old girl was using a Twitter account to communicate with an adult male and that she sent nude images of herself to the male at his request.
The investigation determined that the adult male in question was Chad Rybka, and that he had been communicating with the 17-year old girl over a period of approximately four to six months on Twitter’s “messenger” application.
The Brunswick Division of Police reported the matter to the Madison Police Department, who immediately advised the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. A subsequent investigation led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit determined that Rybka was in possession of a number of nude images of the victim.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Rybka resigned employment as a Madison Borough Police Officer and is also required to forfeit future public employment.
At the time of his resignation, Rybka had been employed as a police officer with the Department since August 2007.
Chief Darren Dachisen of the Borough of Madison Police Department stated: “The Madison Police Department immediately contacted the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and cooperated fully in their investigation upon learning of Officer Rybka’s misconduct. The Madison Police Department also immediately suspended Officer Rybka and has accepted his resignation of employment effective immediately. The Madison Police Department has been proudly serving the Borough of Madison since 1890 and has zero tolerance for any police officer misconduct that adversely effects the Borough’s reputation or the integrity of the Police Department.” Chief Dachisen added that “The actions of one individual does not define our agency and the outstanding work my officers do on a daily basis.”
The Honorable Thomas J. Critchley, J.S.C., presided over the plea.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Borough of Madison Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, High Tech Crimes Unit, and Professional Standards Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Section, and the Brunswick (Ohio) Division of Police, whose combined efforts contributed to the investigation and resolution of this matter.
HACKENSACK – Forty-six people have been arrested in three states and $2 million cash seized in what investigators are calling a large-scale criminal enterprise involving gambling, money laundering and racketeering. Investigators say Robert “Elvis” D’Alessio, 62, of Little Falls, operated an illegal enterprise in and around Bergen County, employing a hierarchy of more than 50 gambling…
PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy Lodge 2561, Parsippany, held its monthly dinner meeting on Wednesday, May 25, at Guilietta & Romeo Italian Restaurant, East Hanover.
The lodge was proud and honored to host during that evening, fourteen War Veteran’s from the Lyons VA campus, Lyons, to thank them for their tremendous service for our country. Also that evening, Lodge 2561, inducted three new members into their brotherhood.
The three new members, Nicholas Jannarone, Scott Walstedt, and Richard Murtaugh were all sworn in by President: Joe Jannarone, First Vice President: Louis Amato and Treasurer: Bob Iracane.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills School District anticipated five emergency closings due to inclement weather to be used if necessary for the 2015-16 school year but ended up not using any because of the unusually warm and dry winter.
Two of these days have been added to the calendar during the Memorial Day weekend. All schools will be closed Friday, May 27 through Tuesday, May 31, making it a five-day weekend. There is one more day available, which will be used on June 13.
Two of the other days were already used on March 28 and March 29.
The final day for classes this school year is Thursday, June 23. Parsippany High School will hold graduation exercises starting at 9:30 a.m. and Parsippany Hills High School will begin at 6:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School wind ensemble recently performed at the New Jersey State gala concert held in the Nicholas Music Center of Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
For the first time in school’s history, the ensemble was chosen by the New Jersey Band Association to perform at this prestigious event as a result of their extraordinary performance at the NJSMA Concert Band Festival held in March of this year, where they received a Gold Rating and awards for Best Woodwinds, Best Brass and Best Percussion.
The gala honored six outstanding high school music programs in the state.
“I didn’t think I could be more proud of a group of kids,” Mike Iapicca, Parsippany Hills High School wind ensemble director, said proudly. “I am truly overwhelmed at what my students have achieved!”
Michelle Christianson, concert band director at PHHS, stepped in to direct the band at the performance on Sunday on behalf of Iapicca who was unable to attend due to his son’s First Communion celebration.
Dr. David Vickerman, executive board chair, New Jersey Band Association noted, “It is also crucial to thank all of the school administrators associated with today’s performing ensembles. Your support is vital in providing young musicians access to a substantive and meaningful arts education. The presence of your students here today stands as evidence of your firm commitment to excellence in the arts.”
PARSIPPANY — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA held its annual meeting and awards dinner on Wednesday, May 11 at the Knoll Country Club West. All the honorees, their guests, and the community at large, were invited to attend the dinner, which packed the dining room.
The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is proud to announce its annual award recipients, with a Citizen of the Year award for Parsippany to Nicolas Limanov and the high school Educator of the Year award for Parsippany High School’s own Briane DeGironimo.
Rosemary Linder Day addressing the crowd
Band Director Greg Dalakian, PHS
PHS Jazz Ensemble
Honoree Nicolas Limanov with Morris County Undersheriff William Schievella
Adobo, first of its kind award to a canine hero
Vinnie Aniello honoring Briane DeGironimo as “Educator of the Year”
Students showing support to Mrs. DeGironimo
Students showing support to Mrs. DeGironimo
Students showing support to Mrs. DeGironimo
Council President Robert Peluso and Students showing support to Mrs. DeGironimo
Mrs. DeGironimo and Robert Peluso
Students showing support to Mrs. DeGironimo
Honoree Brian Noodt
Boonton Township Honorees Michael Petronino, Francis Lepore and Vincent Lepore
Honoree Melissa Cooke
Honoree Debra Eckert-Casha
Honoree Kim LoMonaco
Honoree William Olderman
Honoree Carol Herring
Honoree Christopher Murphy
Member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany showing support to Nick
Alice Limanova, Nick Limanov, and Dr. Denis Mulroony, PHS Principal. Nick was 2016 Parsippany Citizen of the Year
Members of Parsippany CERT with Nick
Frank Cahill, Nick and Al Goldberg
Alice, Nick and their parents
Parsippany is an integral part of the Ys community, not only recognizing Nicolas and Briane, but also was honored to have the Parsippany High School jazz ensemble play during the cocktail hour the night of their Awards Presentation.
Nicolas is a volunteer extraordinaire, actively participating in numerous Parsippany activities and organizations. He truly embodies the phrase “service about self” in everything he does. He is a first responder for the Parsippany Office of Emergency Management, which is under the umbrella of the Parsippany Police Department. He is a board member and participant with the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce. Nicolas is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, and is the Chairman of “Touch a Truck,” which is one of the largest fundraiser for the club.
He is out in the cold shoveling snow for his elderly neighbors; he clears fire hydrants to help fellow first responders. While focusing on a career in criminal justice, he hopes to one day work in law enforcement.
From cooking at Homeless Solutions to saving lives, Nicolas does all this and still hasn’t turned the ripe old age of 21.
Most recently, Nicolas helped save an individual from a car fire, working with another Good Samaritan. He makes Parsippany a better place to live, and is more than deserving of the Lakeland Hills YMCAs Parsippany Citizen of the Year.
Briane DeGironimo is a math teacher at Parsippany High School by day, and a team track coach by afternoon and evening!
Briane is a talented and dedicated educator, teaching challenging courses including AP Statistics. She keeps her students focused and motivated, a task not easily achieved. After school, Briane is the Head Coach for the PHS Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track teams. Under her watch, not only have all the teams improved on their record, they also have more students participating in these sports than ever before. Her commitment to the sports program and her dedication to her students has resulted in historic ways. The Girls’ Cross Country team and the Girls’ Winter Track team both won the first state sectional titles in the history of these programs at PHS.
Briane is a role model for her students, and for her student-athletes. She is always selfless and humble, and is the first one to volunteer for PHS extracurricular activities, including class coverage, dances, and even the dunk tank! Briane is that rare educator who always gives her best. She was selected as the Lakeland Hills YMCAs high school Educator of the Year, where only one educator in grades 9-12 is selected from all the high schools, both public and private, in ten Morris County communities served by Lakeland Hills Family YMCA.
Being chosen is quite an honor, and Briane has certainly done justice to earn the award.
In addition to Nicolas and Briane, Lakeland Hills Family YMCA awarded the following citizens their “Citizen of the Year Awards” from their other service area towns Brian Noodt – Boonton; Michael Petronino, Franky LePore, Vincent LaPore and Adobo (canine Citizen) – Boonton Township; Melissa Cooke – Denville; Debra Casha – Kinnelon/Butler; Kim LoMonaco – Lincoln Park; Bill Olderman – Montville; Carol Herring – Mountain Lakes; and Christopher Murphy – Pequannock.
These individuals have demonstrated outstanding community service and volunteerism. “The selflessness exhibited by these volunteers is consistent with social responsibility, which is one of the key underpinnings of our YMCA mission and we are looking forward to honoring them,”says Lakeland Hills YMCA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Viktor Joganow.
Boonton: Brian Noodt – Brian has been a volunteer with Boonton Main Street (BMS) since 2008 and is currently the Chair of the Design Committee, which works to beautify Main Street and the community of Boonton. He has devoted innumerable hours to BMS, leading projects such as Art Installations for First Fridays, championed the Vacant Window program to help with fundraising, and much more. Brian has provided spiritual support at Victoria Mews and Care One, both senior residences, the NJ Firemen’s Home, and more. He is a hospice volunteer with the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ, and a past leader of organizations including Family Promise of Morris County and Rainbow Cafe Northern NJ. Brian is a passionate volunteer who will always go the extra mile!
Boonton Township: Michael (Mikey) Petronino, Francis (Frankie) Lepore, Vincent Lepore, and Adobo – What is the definition of “hero?” These young men, both human and canine, most certainly are heroes. On a hiking trip on December 20, 2015, Chris Petronino went on a hike to Split Rock Reservoir with his son Mikey and Mikey’s friends Frankie and Vincent Lepore, along with Mikey’s dog, Adobo. Unexpectedly encountering a black bear, Chris was injured and trapped in a cave. The boys quick thinking, calm demeanor, and smart actions helped Chris survive his injuries and allowed first responders to locate them and bring them all back to safety. Mikey, Frankie, Vincent, and Adobo distracted the bear, called 911, built a signal fire, and helped first responders bring them to Chris’ location. All three boys are members of the Boy Scouts, and Chris is a Scoutmaster.
Denville: Melissa Cooke – Melissa has a lengthy list of volunteer activities not only in Denville but throughout Morris County and the tristate area. Here are just a few: Outgoing President of the Denville Chamber of Commerce; trainer for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Gold Coast Equine Therapy, Volunteer for the NY Historical Society, PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support), Therapy Dogs International, Himalayan Foundation, and American Heart Association Red Dress Initiative. Melissa is a tireless volunteer and member of numerous organizations in Denville: Centennial Committee, Holiday Parade Committee, Local Assistance Board, Economic Development Committee, PRIDE Council, Discover Denville website, and the Green Team. There’s more: Supporter of the Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Preserve Greystone committee, and Habitat for Humanity. Melissa also utilizes her retail store, Restyle Renew Consignment in Denville, to hold fundraisers by giving a portion of sales to multiple organizations, including Denville Social Services, Denville Animal Rescue, The Seeing Eye, Dress for Success, and more.
Kinnelon: Debra Eckert-Casha – A volunteer for many organizations, you may know Debra in her professional capacity as a lawyer with a practice in Montville. After a Kinnelon High School student began a program in 2002 to solicit donations from neighbors and friends to deliver turkeys for those in need, Debra expanded the program and recruited other students. Called Turkeys 4U, Debra was not content with just fundraising or creating community service. Debra helped teach student volunteers business management and succession strategy, ensuring Turkeys 4U longevity and viability. Debra, along with students and other volunteers, has helped raise over $200,000 to deliver 160,000+ pounds of turkey to food banks and individual homes to feed those in need in Morris and Passaic Counties. Debra has been a chairperson and/or member of organizations as diverse as the Morris County Bar Association, Morris County Women’s Club, NJ Economic Development Authority, NJ State Board of Education, Smoke Rise Tennis Club, volunteer mediator for the Morris County Superior Court, member of the Lakeland Hills YMCA Board of Directors, and an advisory board Member of Lakeland Bank.
Lincoln Park: Kim Lo Monaco – A testament to Kim’s commitment to community service is the length of her nominee’s application: Three pages of information on Kim’s philanthropy. Kim has dedicated herself to making a difference in the lives of children in the Lincoln Park community. She volunteers with many organizations,
including the Lincoln Park Police Athletic League (PAL), the Girl Scouts of America, the Lincoln Park Schools PTO, and the United Counties (heerleading League (UCCL). Kim’s leadership at UCCL resulted in fundraising success, enabling the purchase of new uniforms and equipment for the participants. She was instrumental in organizing a drive to help the UCCL families in need after the community was devastated in 2011 by flooding from Hurricane Irene. From serving on the Lincoln Park PAL board to being active with the Lincoln Park Schools PTO, Kim has been a role model in so many ways. As one parent said to Kim, “You have flawlessly executed teamwork, camaraderie, loyalty, and best of all, family.” We’re glad to share Kim’s story with the rest of our community – we certainly need more like her!
Montville: William (Bill) Olderman – Bill has been quietly volunteering for many organizations for a lengthy number of years. Now that the secret is out of the bag, it’s easy to see that community service and giving back to others is just part of Bill’s DNA. He has been a loyal and tireless volunteer with The Rose House, a developmental and intellectual disabilities nonprofit, helping individuals pursue full and active lives by providing living and learning opportunities. Bill gives much of his time to the Mental Health Association of Morris County (MHAMC), volunteering on the Marketing and Communications Team, their Food for Thought Celebration Team, the MHAMC Donor Cultivation Committee, and serving as a board member. He is always searching for ways to ensure people living with mental illness in Morris County get the services they need. He is able to forge partnerships with other organizations to help the cause, which is how he came to be a volunteer on the Community Service Committee of the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. Bill is an active member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce as well as Habitat for Humanity.
Mountain Lakes: Carol Herring – Carol’s information on volunteering could earn her a spot on “Amazing Race.” Her community service has taken her from New York, to Virginia, to New Jersey, then back again to Virginia, home to Mountain Lakes, and philanthropic “visits” in Nicaragua with the North Country Mission of Hope. Carol’s earliest taste of volunteering was with the Big Brother, Big Sister program. She has been a part of organizations and nonprofits too long a list to provide, but here’s a few: Junior Achievement, Christ the King Church, Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes, Girl Scouts of America, Suburban Cultural Education Enrichment Program (SCEEP), the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, and most recently, the North Country Mission of Hope (NCMH). Carol is a current board member of the NCMH, and has traveled to South America numerous times and sponsored children for an education. She is head of grant writing and the feeding program as well as distribution compliance and monitoring and evaluation of grants. Carol’s advocacy for NCMH was instrumental in connecting our Y with the Mission of Hope, allowing for a mission trip this past winter.
Parsippany: Nicolas Limanov – Three days after announcing Nicolas was our Parsippany Citizen of the Year, he helped pull a victim out of a burning car in Parsippany, and less than a minute later the car exploded. He once again demonstrated his propensity to put others before himself, always. Nicolas is actively involved as a first responder and member of the Parsippany Office of Emergency Management. He serves on all three divisions: Community Emergency Response, Communications, and Hazmat. He is an associate member of the Italian American Police Society, and a part-time Housing Manager at Homeless Solutions in Morristown. Not only is Nicolas a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, he chairs the “Touch-a-Truck” event, one of the Club’s biggest fundraisers. He is a board member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and chair of its Scholarship Committee. Active in numerous community service clubs, Nicolas started a program a few winters ago called Hydrant Heroes. He and other volunteers shovel near fire hydrants to clear them for emergencies, as well as shovel the homes of seniors and handicapped residents. Nicolas does all this, and still hasn’t turned 21.
Pequannock: Christopher Murphy – Christopher is another one of our young Citizens of the Year (Just 19!). He is an active volunteer with the Pequannock Township First Aid Squad and its Fire Department. He decided to attend a local college (William Paterson University) as opposed to leaving the area so that he could continue to volunteer for the First Aid Squad and Fire Department. Here are two examples of Chris’ passion for helping others; let’s set the scene: It’s August 2015, a blistering hot day with an outside temperature of 95 degrees. Chris responds to a fire at a home in town. With temperatures hovering over 1,000 degrees in the home’s attic, the location of the fire, Chris does not hesitate to enter the burning residence. When water was introduced to the fire, it created steam, and the steam passed through his protective clothing. Suffering second and third degree steam burns, Chris was treated at Saint Barnabas Burn Center but still has scars and residual sensitivity to his neck. Now let’s move on to this past February. Two separate structures are burning in Pequannock on Valentine’s Day. The temperature and wind chill are well below zero degrees. Chris’ fire gear and gloves are frozen to his body. He still bravely put his own safety aside to come to the aide of his fellow residents. That is the epitome of selflessness; this is another hero we have in our midst.
The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, a community organization located in Mountain Lakes, serves the towns of Parsippany, Boonton, Boonton Township, Denville, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Mountain Lakes, Pequannock, and Riverdale. With a mission to strengthen the foundations of community, the Y recognizes individuals, groups, and corporations for their commitment to giving back to others.
PARSIPPANY — During Commencement ceremonies on May 23, 2016, Lehigh University conferred 1,159 bachelor’s, 519 master’s and 80 doctoral degrees. Of the nearly 1,700 graduates, degree recipients came from 39 states and 16 countries, majoring in 70 different disciplines.
Joseph Han graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Joseph graduated Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2012.
Michael Celente graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Arts & Engineering
Yijia Zhang graduated with a Master of Accounting & Information Analytics degree in Accounting
For 150 years, Lehigh University (lehigh.edu) has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. The institution is among the nation’s most selective, highly ranked private research universities. Lehigh’s four colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science – provide opportunities to 7,000 students to discover and grow in a learning community that promotes interdisciplinary programs with real-world experience.
PARSIPPANY — The Executive Board of the Parsippany High School Key Club joined the members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for their weekly breakfast meeting at Empire Diner on Thursday, May 26.
The students introduced themselves to the members, discussed their positions in the club and their goals.
The Key Club of Parsippany High School is a club dedicated to service for our school and community. We belong to Division 19 of the Key Club District in New Jersey. Key Club is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization that teaches leadership through service to others. Members of the Kiwanis International family, Key Club members build themselves as they build their schools and communities. There are approximately 100 students from Parsippany High School involved in the Key Club.
The Parsippany High School Key Club hosts Halloween at the High for children in the community, reads to Parsippany elementary school students in the SKIP program, assists at a local daycare center, and much more. This year the PHS Key Club is fundraising to support the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
Key Club encourages volunteering and fundraising for partners March of Dimes, UNICEF and the Children’s Miracle Network. Key Club members are currently raising funds for The Eliminate Project, a joint effort of the Kiwanis family and UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus from the face of the Earth.
Key Club International, the oldest and largest service leadership organization for teens, teaches leadership through service to others. Key Club’s 267,000 members build themselves as they build their schools and communities. Key Club’s 5,000 clubs thrive in 30 nations in North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.
PARSIPPANY — With the high demand from clients that are now using mobile phones and tablets to search the web Accelerant Sales Group has launched a new mobile friendly website. The new Website is designed and powered by Roman Media Group Websites Inc.
The website is designed to be an engaging and interactive experience that allows clients to be educated on the sales outsourcing services provided by Accelerant. Joseph Roman from Parsippany who is the Company Chairman states “Our clients may be across the street or as far away as Moscow, Singapore or India. With this diversity in client base our website needed to leverage all the optimization capabilities offered by a modern website. A lot of the things that were not able to be relayed on a website now can be successfully communicated to prospects and clients. When a person is at home, on a plane or at their home PC the website shows all of our capabilities in a format that is engaging and intriguing.”
Accelerant Sales Group founded in 2001 takes pride in being a local business and they sponsor a team each year on Par Troy Little League West. If your company needs any help related to sales for your products or services contact them at info@accelerantsales.com or call (973) 331-0600.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President is reminding residents of the rescheduled “Township Council Regular Meeting” to be held tonight, Wednesday, May 24 at the Council Chambers, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. (This meeting was rescheduled from Tuesday, May 17).
Among items on the agenda are resolutions for authorizing mandatory direct deposit for all township employees; authorizing an agreement for fireworks for Fourth of July at a cost of $23,000; Reconstruction of Glencove Road and Medford Road at a cost of $748,854; rejecting a bid for FEMA housing elevation project; Knoll Road Water Tower painting and rehabilitation at a total base price of $1,271,500 and many other items are on the agenda. Click here for a complete agenda.
Council President Valori also would like to remind residents the next regularly scheduled regular meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, June 7 has been changed to Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.
The reschedule meeting will be held at the Municipal Building located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or not be taken.
For additional information contact the Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4350.
PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany will be hosting its annual Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, June 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1719 Route 10 East, Parsippany (The Octagon Building parking lot). The price is $5.00 per person or $20.00 maximum per family.
Touch-a-Truck is a fundraising event to benefit the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Children of all ages can have a hands-on experience with all kinds of vehicles and interact with community support leaders like police officers, firemen, first aid squad volunteers, sanitation workers and many more!
This year The Morris County Sheriff’s Office will be attending with their Crime Scene Unit, Bomb Squad and K9 unit. They will conduct demonstrations, give tours and answer questions; this is a great photo opportunity so be sure to have those cameras handy. The Sheriff’s Office will be issuing Child ID cards to those that would like them. There will be Face Painting, a balloon artist, music and refreshments available for purchase.
Every child will receive a goody bag full of surprises including a free child’s meal at Kafe Mozart, free ice cream cone and much more.
Aside from being a great time for the family, this event helps support our major initiatives. Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Our Parsippany based group supports and sponsors many community causes.
For more information click here, or contact Touch-a-Truck Chairman Nicolas Limanov at Ndlimanov13@gmail.com or (917) 499-7299.
PARSIPPANY — On Wednesday, May 18 at 4:09 p.m. Mr. Shazan Shroff, 27, Parsippany, was traveling east on Old Bloomfield Avenue when his vehicle, a 2009 Blue Honda Accord, was hit by a 2012 Lexus 250, driven by Ms. Pamela Munoz, Hopatcong. Ms. Munoz was attempting to make a turn onto Old Bloomfield Avenue from New Road when she struck his vehicle.
Mr. Shroff’s vehicle spun and struck a 2002 Nissan Maxima Sedan driven by Mr. Absalon Litus, 37, Summit.
Mr. Shroff was partially entrapped in his vehicle and was removed by Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 5 and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
Mr. Shroff suffered injuries and was transported to St. Clare’s Hospital by Parsippany Emergency Medical Services.The 2009 Blue Honda Accord was towed from the scene by Corigliano Towing and all other vehicles were driven away from the scene.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Gregory Bloete investigated the accident. At the time of this report there were no summons issued. Police investigation revealed that Ms. Pamela Munoz was at fault due to driver inattention and failure to yield right of way.
PARSIPPANY – A Parsippany man has been charged after he allegedly beat a goose to death with a golf club near the 18th hole of a local golf course.
According to Detective Paul Williams of the Morris County Park Police, at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Monday, May 16, Morris County Park Officer Casey Petrocy and Conservation Officer Robert Driscoll of the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife were dispatched to the Sunset Valley Golf Course in Pompton Plains on a report that a Canada goose had been killed there the prior day.
“Witnesses had reported to golf course personnel that a golfer had struck the goose with his golf club until it was dead near the 18th hole,” said Williams. “Officers observed and removed the dead goose from a pond.”
After a joint investigation by the park police and the division, William L. Mitchell, 54, was charged on May 17 with killing waterfowl.
“Incidents like these, thankfully, are rare, but when they do occur, we take them seriously and respond accordingly,” said Williams.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The new and exciting opportunity coming to Parsippany-Troy Hills for youngsters curious about law enforcement will hold an Open House for those interested.
The Parsippany Police Explorers program is open to residents ages 14 to 20 and will give Explorers the ability to learn more about law enforcement by working and training with members of the local police force.
The program emphasizes academics, character development, and self-discipline as well as encouragement to give back to the community.
An open house for the program will be held Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the municipal building at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Anyone with question can contact the Mayor’s Office at (973) 263-4256.
blockquote>PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School students Josh Levine, Michael Colasuano, Tyler Leon, Ryan Weiss, Sarah Waffenfeld, Jeff Wear and Lilian Tran were honored and received a “Peer Buddy Award.”
Peer Buddies began at Parsippany High School in 2005 with four members. The goal was to help a newly formed class of of multiply disabled students integrate into the high school setting. Currently they have 35 members from the general education and multiply disabled population who range in age from fourteen to twenty. As club members, these students hold regular meeting and fundraisers.
Peer Buddies also assist multiply disabled students in academic activities such as preparing for the DECA Regional Competition and using computer programs in health class.Peer Buddies participate in job exploration activities which include filling out applications, mock interviews, and simulated job skills.
ROCKAWAY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Grand Jury has returned an Indictment against Bhavuk Uppal, 23, with a last known address in Mountain Lakes, charging him with various crimes related to the July 11, 2015 motor vehicle crash that left three dead and two injured.
During the early morning hours of July 11, 2015, a motor vehicle crash occurred involving multiple vehicles on Route 80 westbound in Rockaway Township. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Defendant crashed his motor vehicle into the rear of one vehicle, a Kia, which then caused that vehicle to collide with the vehicle in front of it, a Jeep. Uppal was driving a 2014 Cadillac Escalade.
The crash resulted in the death of the three occupants in the first vehicle struck, a Kia, and injuries to the two occupants in the second vehicle, a Jeep. It is alleged that Defendant operated his vehicle recklessly, and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. It is also alleged that at the time of this incident, Defendant was operating a vehicle recklessly, in part, by speeding, driving while having a suspended license, and being under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.
The impact of the collision sent the 2004 Kia Sedan crashing into a Jeep located in front of it. Flames consumed the Kia, killing Briana Mae Anderson, 21; her fiance, Edward Russell Hitt, 24, and their 18-month-old daughter, Charlotte Reagan Hitt, all of Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Anderson was 18 weeks’ pregnant at the time of the crash, a fact which her family only discovered via news reports of her death.
The occupants of the Jeep were treated for minor injuries.
Uppal’s prior criminal history includes six arrests since 2009 on charges ranging from theft to failing to turn over a controlled dangerous substance to law enforcement, Troiano said.
On May 19, 2016, the Morris County Grand Jury returned an Indictment formally charging Defendant with three (3) counts of Aggravated Manslaughter, crimes of the first degree, three (3) counts of Death by Auto, crimes of the second degree, three (3) counts of Death Caused While Driving with a Suspended License, crimes of the third degree, two (2) counts of Assault by Auto, crimes of the fourth degree, and two (2) counts of Unlawful Taking of Means of Conveyance, crimes of the third and fourth degree. Defendant was previously charged by way of a summons-complaint with Possession of Hypodermic Needle, a disorderly persons offense, which is also related to this incident.
Defendant remains in the custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility, with a bail set at $750,000 cash, bond or property.
Members of the New Jersey State Police and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit contributed to this ongoing investigation and prosecution.
If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
The family of Anderson has retained an attorney to file a lawsuit against the driver believed to be responsible for the crash. While the attorney does not plan to file a lawsuit immediately, he described his intentions to protect the family’s interests throughout the criminal investigation, and to ensure that evidence of Uppal’s responsibility remains protected until a civil trial can move forward. The attorney will also be investigating other possible causes of the accident and deaths, including whether or not Uppal was served an excess of alcohol before driving that night, such that the bar might be responsible in part for the deaths, or if the Kia was defective in some way, leading to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames in an accident that may otherwise have been survivable.
Editors Note: Despite this Indictment, the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — With the high demand from clients that are now using mobile phones and tablets to search the web Accelerant Sales Group has launched a new mobile friendly website. The new Website is designed and powered by Roman Media Group Websites Inc.
