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Council meeting has been rescheduled

Council President Lou Valori
Council President Lou Valori

PARSIPPANY — Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Louis Valori has rescheduled its regularly scheduled regular meeting that is held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

The reschedule date is Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany.

Formal action may or not be taken.

Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Reschedule Meeting Notice June 9, 2016.

Please be advised, the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills must reschedule its regularly scheduled regular meeting that is held on Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

The reschedule date is Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany. Formal action may or not be taken.

Two charged with running pot farm in Mt. Tabor home

PARSIPPANY — Police say they busted a marijuana grow operation Tuesday being run out of a Force Place home, arresting two neighbors and seizing dozens of plants. The owner of the home, Barton R. Harris, 58, was arrested when police executed a search warrant there. Also arrested was 40-year-old Matthew Greist, who was at the house…

Burglary at St. Christophers Church

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers responded to the Saint Christopher’s Church located at 1050 Littleton Road where they were met by a priest who stated that between 5:20 p.m. and 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, unknown actor(s) burglarized the rectory by forcing entry through a rear door.

The church’s collection money in an undisclosed amount was taken during the burglary. The Parsippany Police Investigative Division and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division responded for investigation.

Anyone with information can contact the Parsippany Police at (973) 263-4311.

Electrical Fire Reported at Care One

PARSIPPANY — Reports of a working electrical fire at Care One, 200 Madzabrook Road, were reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. It was reported a heater on the first floor malfunctioned.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District 5 and 6, and Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department District 4 Rapid Intervention Crew were called to the scene.  Also Boonton Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) was also requested at the scene.

Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad are also at the scene.

Lake Hiawatha Fire District 4 was requested to assist in the evacuations of the residents. Members of the Office of Emergency Management are on scene.

Parsippany Focus will update this story as additional details become available.

Team Mastrangelo Continues to Tamper with Campaign Signs

Signs-at-other-HQPARSIPPANY — Republican Freeholder candidates Lou Valori, Roman Hirniak and Peter King, the Morris County United team, called on Team Mastrangelo to stop the nonsense with campaign signs.

Nearly every election cycle in New Jersey politics, a campaign is caught tampering with another campaign’s signs. Unfortunately, it’s no different in Morris County this year as yesterday Lou Valori observed and photographed Tom Mastrangelo practicing the art of “boxing in” Morris County United’s signs.

“Typically, I don’t raise the issue of another campaign tampering with signs, but considering last week Lou Valori and Peter King, after observing an individual near our signs, went and retrieved stolen signs at Team Mastrangelo headquarters, it is an issue.” Morris County United campaign manager Steve Kush explained, “At that time, they asked Doug Cabana to stop stealing and boxing in our signs.” 

“Obviously, the message wasn’t heard because yesterday afternoon Lou Valori observed and photographed Tom Mastrangelo boxing in our signs on Route 10 West in Parsippany,” Kush remarked. “This is getting ridiculous and I have to wonder if it’s just another attempt at intimidation by Mastrangelo.”

“Push polls, filming our supporters going into a fundraiser and tampering with signs. It’s all a sign of a losing campaign that can’t stand on the issues.” Kush said, “It’s obvious Team Mastrangelo is desperate and resorting to every dirty trick they can to hold onto power.”

The Habit Burger Grill to Open in Morris Hills Shopping Center

PARSIPPANY — The Habit Restaurants, Inc., delicious Charburger has been habit-forming across the West Coast since 1969 and soon lines will be forming in Parsippany as it opens its fourth New Jersey location.

The Habit will open its doors at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25, at 3043 Route 46 in the Morris Hills Shopping Center, bringing the total number of its restaurants nationwide to 148.

On Sunday, May 22 two pre-opening events are scheduled where 100% of sales will be donated back to Parsippany High School Sophomore Class – Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Parsippany Hills High School Project Graduation – Dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. These events are open to the public.

Some Habit Burger Grill food facts:

    • Burgers are always 100% fresh ground beef, not frozen
    • Burgers are chargrilled over an open flame for extra flavor
    • Lettuce, tomatoes and onions are cut fresh daily
    • Tempura green beans, French fries, onion rings and sweet potato fries are 100% trans-fat free, cooked in soybean oil
    • Fresh chicken breasts are hand-filleted and marinated in-house
    • Tuna steak sandwiches are with line caught, sushi-grade albacore
    • Sirloin Steak Sandwiches are made with USDA Choice Sirloin Steak is trimmed and marinated in-house
    • Salads are fresh, made to order
    • House-made ranch dressing is prepared fresh daily in the restaurants
    • Every Habit  Burger Grill offers a complimentary condiment bar featuring an assortment of peppers, lemons, limes and a range of sauces for guests to spice it up.

The new Parsippany Habit Burger Grill is located in a 2444 square-foot space, which seats 52 patrons.  Approximately 35 new jobs have been created to staff this location.

About The Habit Restaurants:
The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order chargrilled burgers and sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip steak, grilled chicken and sushi-grade albacore tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh made-to-order salads and an appealing selection of sides, shakes and malts. The Habit was named the “best tasting burger in America” in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America’s leading consumer magazines. The first Habit Burger Grill opened in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 and has since grown to more than 145 restaurants in 15 markets throughout California, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia and Washington. More information is available by clicking here.

Habit Burger Grill is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Parsippany man arrested for role in heroin distribution ring

PARSIPPANY — Edward M. Stanel, 25, Parsippany was one of the five men appearing in federal court on Thursday, May 12 to face charges for their roles in a heroin distribution conspiracy that reached from Bronx, New York, to Paterson and suburban communities in New York and New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Also appearing in federal court with Stanel was Charlie Rodriguez, 32, Paterson, Reinaldo Rodriguez, 27, Paterson, Victor Alfonso Alvarez Martinez, 26, Bronx, New York,  and Joseph Trimarco, 28, Stony Point, New York, are charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin. Martinez and Trimarco were arrested Wednesday night, May 11. The rest were arrested on Thursday morning, May 12. All five defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint from June 2015 through May 2016, the defendants participated in a drug trafficking organization that amassed wholesale quantities of heroin at multiple locations in and around Bronx and used couriers to deliver large quantities of that heroin to mid-level drug dealers operating in and around Paterson. The heroin was either sold in the Paterson area or re-distributed to street-level drug dealers in suburban areas, including but not limited to, Morris County and Rockland County, New York.

In addition to the defendants who appeared in court today, Juan Pablo Goris-Castellano, 25, Bronx, Edwin Lopez, 30, Elmwood Park, and Carolina Almonte, 27, Bronx, were charged on April 20, 2016 in a separate but related federal criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Goris-Castellano, who was based out of Bronx, packaged and then distributed large quantities of heroin to Lopez, who operated out of Paterson.

Almonte and Martinez brought the heroin to Lopez and returned to Goris-Castellano with Lopez’s payment. Lopez then sold portions of that heroin to Charlie Rodriguez, who worked closely with Reinaldo Rodriguez to re-sell portions of that heroin to street-level dealers in Paterson and to street-level dealers in suburban areas including Stanel who operated in Morris County and Trimarco who operated in Rockland County.

The drug distribution conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum $10 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

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.

ShopRite Donates 5,760 Bottles of Water to Parsippany Schools

PARSIPPANY — Associates from the ShopRite of Parsippany loaded thousands of bottles of water for delivery to Parsippany schools on Friday, May 6.

ShopRite-Parsip-Water_Image-2
ShopRite of Parsippany associates Joe Riccio, left, and Angelo Uccello, right, load up water for delivery to Parsippany schools.

A family-owned and operated business, the ShopRite of Parsippany wanted to help after learning that seven area schools had tested positive for lead in the water. Elevated lead levels were found in the water at two elementary schools just last week, and five other district public schools tested positive for the presence of lead in the water late last month.  

ShopRite reached out to the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District and arranged for the water donation. On Friday, May 6, associates at the ShopRite of Parsippany loaded 120 cases of water – or 5,760 bottles – onto a truck for delivery to the district. The water bottles will be distributed to elementary schools where the drinking fountains have been turned off. 

“This is our home and these are our neighbors and we wanted to help,” said Dara Sblendorio of Sunrise ShopRite, Inc., which owns the ShopRite of Parsippany and the ShopRite of West Caldwell. “We are third and fourth generation grocers and we’ve been serving the North Jersey community for more than 70 years.”

While Parsippany chose to voluntarily test their school water lines, the state last week ordered all public schools to check for lead that might be leaching into water from aging pipes and infrastructure.

About ShopRite
ShopRite is the registered trademark of Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey,  and the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States.  With more than 260 ShopRite supermarkets located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, ShopRite serves more than six million customers each week.  A long-time supporter of key community efforts, ShopRite is dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities it serves.  Through its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, ShopRite has donated $39 million to 1,700 worthy charities and food banks since the program began in 1999.  For more information, please visit www.ShopRite.com

Volunteers, bakers, crafters wanted by SHOW

PARSIPPANY — Shelter Helpers On Wheels (SHOW), a Parsippany-based, all-volunteer, non-profit animal welfare organization, welcomes volunteers and bakers to join the team.

SHOW provides temporary assistance to non-profit animal welfare and rescue groups. Since its creation in 2004, the organization has helped many groups in many ways including fundraising, basket donations, bake and garage sales and craft fairs.

Individuals may donate handmade craft items and yarn for volunteers to use to make crafts. The organization also collects unopened bags and cans of dog and cat food and aluminum soda can tabs. A bin has been placed at Forest Lumber, 86 Route 46 east in Mountain Lakes. Drop-off items Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If interested in learning more about SHOW and ways to help out, email shelterhelpersnj@yahoo.com or call (973) 299-1725.

Monetary donations can be mailed to SHOW, P.O. Box 269, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey 07034.

Kaitlynn Pinero charged with CDS in Verona

PARSIPPANY —Township of Verona Police Officer Ed Ruff conducted a motor vehicle stop on Mount Prospect Avenue for an observed violation on Tuesday, May 3 1:28 p.m.

Police reported that while speaking with the operator, the officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Officers observed a plastic bag on the rear seat that had an odor of raw marijuana in it.

The vehicle was searched and several other items of CDS and paraphernalia were located. According to police the driver, Kaitlynn Pinero, Lake Hiawatha, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.

After processing Pinero was released with a pending court date.

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.

Police Department announces “2016 Citizen’s Police Academy”

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is now accepting applications from its residents for enrollment in the 2016 Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a ten-week program designed to give the participants a working knowledge of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.

The goal is to increase communication and partnership between the citizens and the police through education and discussion in order to establish a safer community.

The series consist of sessions held once a week, on Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. starting Thursday, September 22.

The classes provide an in-depth view into various areas of law enforcement such as criminal investigations, neighborhood watch, crime prevention, firearms, use of force and advancements in technology utilized in law enforcement today. It is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that affect law enforcement efforts in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Class size is limited to approximately twenty students and there is no cost to anyone attending the academy.

When residents take a more personal interest in the protection of their community and neighborhoods, they enjoy a safer and closer relationship with their neighbors.

It is the hope that the graduates become partners in identifying problems and solutions to the crime and safety issues that are affecting our community.

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime.

Graduates of the academy are able to take what they have learned back into their neighborhoods where they can utilize it to enhance the quality of neighborhood life. Upon completion of the course with a minimum attendance of eight classes, graduates will receive a diploma, and a class photo.

Click here to download the application which can be downloaded and mailed or saved to a computer and e-mailed directly to us.

For more information or to receive an application by mail, please call Officer Remo D’Alessandro at (973) 263-4383.

Applications will be accepted until Monday, August 22 or until the class is filled.

Student adds ‘Black Belt’ to long list of Accomplishments

PARSIPPANY —Amanda Lyons, 18, began studying karate at five years old at the Madison Area YMCA Kinder Karate program. Both her parents, long-term karate practitioners, encouraged her, the youngest of two siblings, to try the sport out. Lyons recalls her desire to earn a Black Belt when she was three years old.

On April 27, Lyons was awarded her black belt in a formal ceremony after three days of testing. Her belt was awarded by Christopher J. Goedecke, career martial artist, author and 8th degree black belt.

Speaking of her current karate training, Amanda stated, “Although Karate matched my expectations, I didn’t match my own expectations. Martial arts has brought me closer to over there,” her reference to her future, potential self.

Lyons has a vivid imagination, a sharp academic mind and exceptional literary skills which have led her to complete the first draft of a ten-book, sword and sorcery, literary fiction series that she started when she was four.

Lyons is a senior at Morris Catholic in Denville and will be attending Brown University this fall. According to her high school principal, Mr. Robert Loia, Lyons has broken all academic standards at her school. She was school Valedictorian and State Scholar Athlete (NJSIAA). She also received national merit recognition as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Lyons cites her father, 5th degree black belt, Tom Lyons, current CFO of Provident Bank, of making a great impression on her martial study. Lyons mother, Andrea, was also the first female black belt of the Wind School, a Morris county martial arts school founded in 1974, by noted karate expert, Christopher J. Goedecke.

Karate runs in the family blood. Coincidentally, Amanda’s parents met while training in the Wind School. Both earned their black belts and married as a result of their meeting.

Parsippany’s Memorial Day Parade

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will be remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces on Monday, May 30.

The townships Memorial Day Parade starts at 12:00 Noon at Sylvan Way and Route 202 and continues up Route 202 (Littleton Road) and ends at the reviewing stand at Rita Drive.

For more information, please contact the Mayors Office at (973) 263-4297.

Memorial Day is a federal public holiday in the United States. Decoration Day is usually observed on the last Monday of May every year.

Memorial Day 2016 is on May 30. This day is set aside to celebrate and honor United States men and women who have died serving their country in military. Memorial Day originally began to honor and celebrate Union Soldiers who died during the American Civil War.

For many Americans, this day marks the start of summer. Learning institutions are usually closed on this day.

Relay For Life Fundraiser at Kafe Mozart

PARSIPPANY — The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Central Morris County’s “Strike Out Cancer” team, headed by Margie Forman, will be holding a fundraiser at Kafe Mozart, as part of their Dine to Donate program, on Monday, May 16.

Regardless of whether you eat breakfast, lunch or dinner, dine in or take out, or even purchase a gift certificate for future use, Relay For Life will receive 10% of the entire day’s proceeds.

However, you must bring the flyer with you for this fundraiser.  The flyer can be found at www.KafeMozart.com under their Dine to Donate tab.  Please help us fight cancer, while enjoying a delicious meal!

Kafe Mozart is located at 2900 Route 10 West, Powder Mill Plaza West in Parsippany.  For reservations, please call Kafe Mozart at (973) 998-7788.

Retired cop dies from injuries sustained in Police Unity Tour bike crash

ROXBURY — The retired lieutenant of the Roxbury Police Department who was critically injured in a bicycle crash during the Police Unity Tour Monday has died, his family said. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Franklin,” Franklin’s family said in a statement. “Helping others even in death, he donated…

Woman allegedly shot heroin in Wawa parking lot while her kids were in the car

PARSIPPANY — A 33-year-old Fair Lawn woman was arrested Saturday morning after injecting heroin while sitting in a car with her children, State Police said. Elizabeth Kelley Crew was seen in the parking lot of the New Road Wawa around 8:30 a.m. by a state trooper who grew suspicious because Crew seemed unresponsive, the Daily Record…

Boiling Springs Savings Bank Honors Local Heroes

PARSIPPANY — May is Military Appreciation Month and to honor local heroes, Boiling Springs Savings Bank (BSSB) has introduced a new checking account, Heroes Checking. The bank is also recognizing all military and emergency service personnel by pledging to donate up to $5,000 through a Facebook promotion encouraging local residents to share the faces of their local heroes. Boiling Springs Savings Bank is located at 66 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha and can be reached by calling (973) 257-8882.

BSSB’s new Heroes Checking was designed to show appreciation for the service of our active, retired, paid and volunteer service members. This account provides amenities including interest earned on all balances, no monthly fees, and a low $100 minimum deposit to open a new account. All you need is proof of service.

“For over 75 years, our customers have been our friends and neighbors,” says Robert E. Stillwell, BSSB President and CEO. “Boiling Springs Savings Bank is dedicated to maintaining our local roots and local values, and we are honored to recognize our local heroes and thank them for their service. Heroes Checking was created for them.”

For the month of May, area residents are encouraged to post and share photos of local heroes on the bank’s Facebook page. Boiling Springs Savings Bank will donate $1 for each photo that is posted, and an additional $1 for each positive reaction, up to $5,000 total to a local police, fire, first aid or military organization. All entries to the Local Heroes Photo Campaign must be submitted by May 31, 2016. Photos can include paid, volunteer or retired members of the police, fire department, EMS/first aid, or any branch of the U.S. military. BSSB is committed to support emergency service organizations throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in New Jersey.

For more information on Heroes Checking or BSSB, visit the their web site by clicking here. Official rules for the Local Heroes Photo Campaign can be found on the Boiling Springs Facebook page by clicking here.

About Boiling Springs Savings Bank
Boiling Springs Savings Bank is a New Jersey chartered savings bank with $1.5 billion in assets. The Bank is headquartered in Rutherford and has 17 branch locations in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic Counties. Boiling Springs offers a full suite of loan and deposit products, plus many services, including free mobile banking, online banking, Debit MasterCard and free bill pay services. Its deposits are insured by the FDIC. Boiling Springs Savings Bank was named one of the Best Banks to Work For in the nation by American Banker Magazine; of which Boiling Springs Savings Bank is the only bank in New Jersey listed for this prestigious award.

Car drives through windows at On The Run

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol Officers and Parsippany Emergency Medical Services ambulance personnel responded to 2959 Route 10 at the On The Run convenience store, on Sunday, May 8 at 4:50 p.m., for a report of a motor vehicle crash into the building.

Upon arrival, officers were met by the driver of a 2008 black Honda Pilot. The driver, Mr. John P. Tierney, 44, Denville, allegedly attempted to stop his rolling vehicle after parking in a parking space, however depressed the accelerator instead of the brake.

The vehicle crashed into the interior of the building. No one inside the building was injured. Mr. Tierney suffered minor injury. His three passengers, one adult female and two chidren were also uninjured.

Damage was done to the aluminum window frame, two glass windows, display cases and various pieces of merchandise.

No charges were filed against the driver who was determined at fault due to inattention.

Eagle Towing transported the vehicle from the scene.

Accidental Discharge of a Firearm at PAL Youth Center

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officers and Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance personnel responded to Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road, for a report of a possible accidental discharge of a firearm.

Upon arrival, Officers were met by the accused, Mr. William Wetzler Jr.,  58, Hasbrouck Heights, who was a vendor at a coin show being held on Sunday, May 1.

Mr. Wetzler was in possession of a silver colored Walther PPK, 9mm handgun, which allegedly accidentally discharged while in his pocket.

The discharged round ricocheted on the ground and struck the victim, a 67 year old male from Toms River, who was also a vendor at the show.

Both parties suffered non-life threatening, minor injury and did not require medical attention.

Mr. Wetzler was placed under arrest and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun and Negligently Discharging a Firearm in a Public Location.

He was released on his own recognizance pending court dates.

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