Sunday, August 2, 2026
Home Blog Page 5

Parsippany Marks 250th Anniversary with Reading of the Declaration of Independence

0
Parsippany student Anirudh Rajiv and Randy Tortorello, president of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society, read portions of the Declaration of Independence during the July 8 ceremony at Parsippany Presbyterian Church.

PARSIPPANY โ€” Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society hosted a community reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., joining communities across Morris County and the nation in marking the 250th anniversary of the document’s first public reading.

Reverend Don Bragg, pastor of Parsippany Presbyterian Church, delivers opening remarks with Randy Tortorello, president of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society, at left, during the July 8 ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The Reverend Don Bragg, pastor of Parsippany Presbyterian Church, opened the program with introductory remarks before the Declaration was read aloud in sections by a group of local officials, civic leaders, and residents.

Council Vice President Diya Patel reads a portion of the Declaration of Independence during the July 8 ceremony at Parsippany Presbyterian Church.

Readers included Mayor Pulkit Desai of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Parsippany Town Council President Judy Hernandez, Council Vice President Diya Patel, Andi Huber, regent of the Loantaka-Parsippanong Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Randolph Glowacki of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society, Julie Krajcsovics of Parsippany Presbyterian Church, Parsippany student Anirudh Rajiv, Betty Wyka, Parsippany resident Marcella O’Herlihy, Reverend Don Bragg, and Randy Tortorello, president of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society.

Mayor Pulkit Desai reads a portion of the Declaration of Independence during the July 8 ceremony at Parsippany Presbyterian Church.
Readers of the Declaration of Independence at the July 8 ceremony at Parsippany Presbyterian Church included Mayor Pulkit Desai, Council President Judy Hernandez, Council Vice President Diya Patel, Betty Wyka, Andi Huber of the Loantaka-Parsippanong Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Randolph Glowacki and Randy Tortorello of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society, Julie Krajcsovics and the Reverend Don Bragg of Parsippany Presbyterian Church, student Anirudh Rajiv, and resident Marcella O’Herlihy.

The Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society, which was incorporated on June 8, 1998, works with the township to preserve and interpret Parsippany-Troy Hills’ history, including operation of the Parsippany Museum, also known as the Bowlsby-DeGelleke House, on Baldwin Road, along with the Littleton Schoolhouse. The society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with open membership, meeting the third Wednesday of each month except in January, July, and August.

The reading was also supported by the Parsippany Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, established in 2003, which advises the Township Council, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment on matters involving historic properties and the effects of projects and activities on those sites.

Council President Judy Hernandez reads a portion of the Declaration of Independence during the July 8 ceremony at Parsippany Presbyterian Church.
Randy Tortorello, president of the Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society, reads a portion of the Declaration of Independence during the July 8 ceremony at Parsippany Presbyterian Church.

Independence Rings Out Across Morris County and the Nation

0
The Colonial Musketeers perform. Morris County leaders read the Declaration of Independence on the lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse in unison with communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. territories as part of "Sharing the Spirit of America."

MORRISTOWN โ€” At 5:59 p.m., the bell atop the historic Morris County Courthouse rang 13 times as about 70 people stood on the lawn outside to witness a recreation of one of the nationโ€™s defining moments: a public reading of the Declaration of Independence exactly 250 years after Americans first heard its words read publicly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At precisely 6:00 p.m., Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw stepped to the podium and began reading the Declarationโ€™s opening words:

โ€œWhen in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with anotherโ€ฆโ€

Spectators responded with a resounding โ€œHuzzah!โ€ as he concluded with the Declarationโ€™s enduring assertion that โ€œall men are created equalโ€ and are endowed with the unalienable rights of โ€œLife, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.โ€

View more photos from the Declaration of Independence reading, or watch the livestreamed recording.

Morris County joined communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the United States territories in reading the Declaration of Independence at exactly 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time as part of a nationwide campaign called โ€œSharing the Spirit of America.โ€ July 8 marked the 250th anniversary of when the document was first read in public in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and, later that same day, in Trenton, New Jersey.

Commissioner Deborah Smith reads a portion of the Declaration of Independence. At left is Commissioner Tayfun Selen and Director Shaw is standing behind them. In the background is Assistant County Administrator Brian Murray (left) and Commissioner Christine Myers.

The Morris County reading was shared by 13 public leaders in honor of the 13 original colonies. After Director Shaw, Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus read a portion of the document, followed by Commissioners Christine Myers, Thomas J. Mastrangelo, Deborah Smith, Douglas R. Cabana and Tayfun Selen, Surrogate Heather J. Darling, County Clerk Ann F. Grossi, County Administrator Deena Leary, Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Sheriff James M. Gannon, and Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz of the Morris/Sussex Vicinage of New Jersey Courts.

State Senator Anthony M. Bucco also attended the ceremony.

The evening began with Revolutionary-era music by the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Hackettstown. Attendees also explored the Morris County 250th Traveling Mural, an interactive public art project by artist Dan Fenelon touring the county as part of Morris Countyโ€™s Semiquincentennial programming.

Following the reading, attendees enjoyed complimentary red, white, and blue ice pops, adding a patriotic touch to the eveningโ€™s festivities.

Morris County leaders read the Declaration of Independence on the lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse in unison with communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. territories as part of โ€œSharing the Spirit of America.โ€

The Declaration of Independence reading was coordinated by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, the Morris County Heritage Commission, the Morris County Sheriffโ€™s Office, the Division of Buildings and Grounds, County Administration, and the Office of Communications and Digital Media.

The ceremony concluded another 250th Anniversary campaign, โ€œLight to Unite,โ€ which involved lighting up county facilities with red, white, and blue lights beginning on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress formally approved a resolution separating the colonies from Britain. The celebration of American independence in Morris County will continue with a special 250th anniversary exhibit presented by the Morris/Sussex Vicinage of New Jersey Courts inside the historic Morris County Courthouse, which was built in 1827.

The free, self-guided exhibit commemorates Americaโ€™s Semiquincentennial while launching the courthouseโ€™s 200th anniversary celebration that will take place next year. Through historic photographs, artifacts, and interpretive displays, visitors can explore more than 270 years of Morris Countyโ€™s legal and civic history, tour the historic courtroom, and receive a complimentary copy of Founding Documents of the United States. The pocket pamphlet contains the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence, courtesy of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. The exhibition is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When a Quick Home Sale Makes Sense in New Jersey

0

Selling a home is usually treated like a long process. Repairs, cleaning, staging, showings, inspections, buyer financing, appraisal delays, and closing schedules can stretch for weeks or months.

In New Jersey, timing can matter even more. Property taxes, maintenance costs, weather, relocation plans, inherited homes, and local market conditions can all affect the decision.

A quick sale is not right for every homeowner. But in some situations, speed, certainty, and fewer moving parts can be more valuable than waiting for the highest possible offer.

Relocation Creates a Tight Timeline

A job transfer, family move, military reassignment, or school-related relocation can make a traditional listing difficult. Homeowners may not have time to prepare the property, manage showings, and wait for buyer financing.

Carrying two homes at once can also become expensive.

Mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, taxes, lawn care, and repairs can continue after the owner has already moved.

For homeowners who need to sell New Jersey house fast, the main benefit is often certainty. A faster sale can help reduce overlap costs and let the owner focus on the next move.

This can be useful when the move date is fixed and waiting on the market creates too much risk.

Major Repairs Can Change the Math

Some homes need repairs before they can attract traditional buyers. Roof issues, outdated electrical systems, plumbing problems, foundation concerns, water damage, old HVAC systems, or code issues can all complicate a sale.

Repairs cost money before the seller receives any proceeds.

They also take time to schedule and complete.

Even after repairs, buyers may still negotiate credits after inspection.

A quick sale may make sense when the cost, delay, and stress of repairs outweigh the possible increase in sale price.

The key is to compare the real numbers.

Do not only look at the list price. Include repair costs, holding costs, closing delays, and the risk of the deal falling through.

Inherited Property Can Be Hard to Manage

Inherited homes can create emotional and practical challenges. Family members may live out of state. The property may be vacant. There may be repairs, old belongings, unpaid bills, or disagreements about timing.

A traditional sale can be difficult when no one has the time to manage the property closely.

New Jersey homeowners should also consider estate timelines, probate issues, property maintenance, insurance, and tax questions.

Questions to Ask Before Selling

Useful questions include:

  • Who has authority to sell?
  • Are there unpaid taxes or liens?
  • Does the property need repairs?
  • Is the home insured while vacant?
  • Who will manage cleanout?
  • Are all heirs aligned?
  • What are the monthly carrying costs?
  • Is probate complete?
  • What closing timeline is realistic?

A quick sale can help simplify the process when the family wants to settle the property and move forward.

Financial Pressure May Require Speed

Sometimes a homeowner needs to sell because of financial strain. Missed payments, rising expenses, divorce, job loss, medical bills, or debt can make time more important.

A slow sale can add more pressure.

Late fees, maintenance bills, utilities, and property taxes may continue to build.

Selling quickly may help homeowners avoid deeper financial problems.

It can also give them a clearer timeline for resolving obligations.

This does not mean rushing without reviewing options.

Homeowners should understand the offer, closing terms, fees, and any legal or financial consequences before making a decision.

Vacant Homes Can Become Expensive

A vacant property can create problems quickly. Small leaks may go unnoticed. Heating or cooling issues can damage the home. Landscaping can become overgrown. Break-ins, vandalism, and weather-related damage can increase risk.

Vacant homes may also require special insurance coverage.

If the owner lives far away, every small issue becomes harder to handle.

A quick sale may make sense when the cost of keeping the property vacant is rising.

It can also reduce the stress of managing repairs, visits, and security from a distance.

Divorce or Life Changes Can Create Urgency

Divorce, separation, downsizing, illness, or family changes can make a long sale process harder. In these situations, the house may be tied to emotional stress as well as financial decisions.

A faster sale can create a clean break.

It can also help both sides move forward with clearer finances.

If multiple owners are involved, written agreement is important.

Everyone should understand the sale price, timeline, closing costs, and distribution of proceeds.

A quick sale should reduce conflict, not create more of it.

Traditional Buyers Are Not Always Certain

A traditional buyer may make a strong offer but still depend on financing, inspection results, appraisal approval, and sale contingencies. Any one of these can delay or cancel the deal.

This matters when the homeowner needs certainty.

A higher offer is not always better if it comes with too many conditions.

Sellers should compare the full offer structure.

Look at financing type, inspection terms, closing date, contingencies, requested repairs, and buyer reliability.

Certainty has value, especially when timing matters.

Marketing Still Matters

Even when selling quickly, presentation and visibility still matter. A clean exterior, clear photos, accurate property details, and simple communication can help buyers understand the opportunity faster.

For homeowners, agents, investors, or local property events, custom yard signs can also support visibility when used for open houses, neighborhood notices, or direct local marketing.

The message should be simple.

A sign should not try to explain every detail.

It should help the right person know what action to take next.

Final Thoughts

A quick home sale can make sense in New Jersey when the owner needs speed, certainty, fewer repairs, or relief from carrying costs.

It may be useful for relocation, inherited homes, vacant properties, financial pressure, major repairs, divorce, or other life changes.

The right decision depends on the full picture.

Compare the likely sale price, timeline, costs, risks, and stress involved in each option before moving forward.

How Lease Accounting Supports Business Compliance

0

Lease accounting is more than a finance task. It helps businesses report obligations accurately, maintain audit-ready records, and meet financial reporting requirements with fewer last-minute surprises.

Many companies lease offices, vehicles, equipment, warehouses, software infrastructure, or specialized assets. Each lease can include payment schedules, renewal options, embedded terms, incentives, escalation clauses, and modification rights.

When leases are tracked manually, compliance becomes harder. Spreadsheets can miss key dates, formulas can break, and supporting documents can get lost across emails and folders.

Why Lease Accounting Matters

Lease accounting gives companies a structured way to record lease assets, liabilities, expenses, and disclosures. This matters because leases often create long-term financial commitments that need to appear correctly in financial statements.

Businesses using tools such as LeaseQuery can centralize lease data, automate calculations, and support reporting workflows in one system.

That structure helps finance teams reduce manual errors.

It also gives auditors, executives, and accounting teams a clearer view of lease obligations.

Without accurate lease accounting, a business may understate liabilities, misclassify expenses, or struggle to explain changes during review.

Centralized Lease Records Reduce Risk

A compliant lease accounting process starts with complete records. Every lease should be stored in one controlled location with the signed agreement, amendments, renewal notices, payment schedules, and related correspondence.

A central lease file makes it easier to verify terms.

It also prevents teams from relying on outdated documents.

Lease Details to Track

Important lease details include:

  • Lease start date
  • Lease end date
  • Payment amount
  • Payment frequency
  • Renewal options
  • Termination rights
  • Discount rate
  • Escalation terms
  • Amendment history

When this data is organized, companies can calculate balances more accurately and respond to audit questions faster.

Better Calculations Support Accurate Reporting

Lease accounting involves more than recording rent payments. Finance teams may need to calculate lease liabilities, right-of-use assets, amortization, interest, remeasurements, and journal entries.

Manual calculations increase the risk of mistakes.

A small formula error can affect multiple reporting periods.

Strong lease accounting controls help companies apply calculations consistently across the lease portfolio.

This is especially important for businesses with multiple locations, departments, entities, or equipment leases.

Accurate calculations support financial statement reliability and help leadership understand the real cost of leased assets.

Compliance Depends on Clear Internal Processes

Lease accounting often touches more than the accounting department. Legal may review contracts. Operations may negotiate locations or equipment. Procurement may manage vendors. Finance may record payments and disclosures.

If these teams do not communicate, important lease terms may never reach accounting.

Companies should create a formal lease intake process.

New leases, amendments, renewals, and terminations should be reported to finance before reporting deadlines.

For businesses rolling out updated finance procedures, training sessions, or internal compliance materials, branded resources from Imprint Now can support a more consistent internal communication effort.

Clear communication helps employees understand what needs to be reported and when.

Audit Trails Make Reviews Easier

Auditors need evidence. They may ask for lease agreements, calculation support, journal entries, approval records, modification details, and disclosure schedules.

A strong lease accounting process should preserve a clear audit trail.

This means the company can show who entered data, who reviewed it, when changes were made, and why calculations changed.

Audit Materials to Prepare

Useful audit support includes:

  • Signed lease agreements
  • Lease classification support
  • Payment schedules
  • Journal entry reports
  • Discount rate documentation
  • Modification records
  • Disclosure reports
  • Approval history
  • Reconciliation files

A clean audit trail reduces back-and-forth and helps finance teams avoid rushed document searches.

Critical Dates Need Active Tracking

Lease compliance also depends on key date management. Renewal deadlines, rent increases, purchase options, termination windows, and notice periods can all affect accounting and business decisions.

Missing a date can create financial consequences.

It may also change the lease term used in accounting calculations.

Businesses should use reminders and ownership rules for important dates.

Each critical date should have a responsible person and a clear review process.

This protects both reporting accuracy and operational flexibility.

Lease Data Supports Better Decisions

Good lease accounting does not only support compliance. It also improves planning.

Leadership can use lease data to review upcoming payments, location costs, renewal decisions, asset utilization, and future obligations.

This helps businesses decide whether to renew, renegotiate, relocate, purchase, or terminate leased assets.

Clean lease data also supports budgeting and forecasting.

Finance teams can see future cash requirements and avoid surprises during planning cycles.

Final Thoughts

Lease accounting supports business compliance by creating structure around lease data, calculations, documents, approvals, and reporting.

Companies that manage leases carefully reduce reporting risk and improve audit readiness.

They also gain better visibility into future obligations.

A strong lease accounting process helps businesses stay compliant while making smarter decisions about leased assets, cash flow, and long-term planning.

FAQs

What is lease accounting?

Lease accounting is the process of recording and reporting lease-related assets, liabilities, expenses, payments, and disclosures in financial statements.

Why is lease accounting important for compliance?

It helps businesses report lease obligations accurately, maintain proper documentation, support audits, and meet applicable accounting standards.

What makes lease accounting difficult?

Lease accounting becomes difficult when companies manage multiple leases, amendments, payment changes, renewal options, discount rates, and reporting requirements manually.

How can companies improve lease accounting controls?

Companies can centralize lease documents, standardize lease intake, automate calculations, track key dates, limit system access, and review lease data regularly.

Who should be involved in lease accounting?

Finance should lead the process, but legal, procurement, operations, real estate, and department managers may all need to share lease information.

Pennacchio: State Budget Continues to Turn Away from Special Needs Children

0
Senator Joe Pennachio

MORRIS COUNTY โ€” State Senator Joe Pennacchio, a Republican representing Morris and Passaic Counties, delivered the following remarks on the fiscal year 2027 budget during the Senate’s voting session:

“Once again, the people of New Jersey are presented with a budget which prioritizes where you live, not what you need. Those voting for this budget will say they are addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. That in certain instances may be true, but not when it comes to our most vulnerable and needy children. Who would deny that the education we give our special needs children should be paramount in what this budget addresses. It does not.

“A number of years ago then Senate President Sweeney and I, along with other Senate colleagues, held statewide meetings to discuss school funding. What was agreed upon by all Republicans and Democrats was that the state had to first address the needs of those children. It happened. The State began increasing its share of the cost of special education. What was important to me was that this increase was not based on the zip code that the child lived in. Those children were determined to be all our children. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. The 2022 budget funded ninety percent of extraordinary special education costs.

  • 2023 โ€” eighty-four percent
  • 2024 โ€” seventy-two percent
  • 2025 โ€” sixty-two percent
  • “Last year, fifty-two percent. Final numbers are not in for this year’s budget but no doubt it follows the same pattern established the last five years. So, as this budget climbs ever higher, having increased seventy percent in nine short years, the obligation that we had agreed to when it came to the needs of our state’s special needs children has begun to evaporate. Plenty of taxpayer dollars for all sorts of things, some good, some not so good. This budget does not reestablish our educational priorities for all our most needy children. It does only if they live in the right zip code. So, I would ask my colleagues to please preface their commitments to our children by saying they do care about children, only their children,” Senator Pennacchio said.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll Named NJSACOP Public Official of the Year

0
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll accepts the โ€œPublic Official of the Year Awardโ€ from outgoing NJSACOP President Andrew Caggiano, the Montville police chief

MORRIS COUNTY โ€” The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police has named Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll its 2026 Public Official of the Year, recognizing a professional career that has spanned more than fifty years and reshaped how New Jersey investigates and prosecutes organized crime.

“Prosecutor Carroll has consistently demonstrated the kind of leadership and dedication to public service that this award recognizes,” said former New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police President Andrew Caggiano, the Montville police chief, whose term concluded June 24, 2026. “His commitment to Morris County reflects the highest standards we hold our public officials to, and the association is proud to honor him as Public Official of the Year.”

Few careers in New Jersey law enforcement carry the weight of Prosecutor Carroll’s. He built his reputation taking down some of the state’s most dangerous criminal organizations, work that culminated in the prosecution of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious “Iceman” killer, and a hierarchy-level racketeering murder conviction against the New Jersey Lucchese Crime Family.

As Chief of the state’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Task Force, Prosecutor Carroll, working with a talented and dedicated team of state prosecutors and detectives, led investigations into all five La Cosa Nostra families operating in New Jersey, securing hundreds of convictions against organized crime figures and their networks.

That track record was built over decades, starting in the early 1970s as an Essex County Investigator and Assistant Prosecutor, and continuing with his selection in 1980 to the Division of Criminal Justice’s elite Special Prosecutions section, where he specialized in electronic surveillance and undercover organized crime investigations.

By 1986, Prosecutor Carroll was leading the Organized Crime and Racketeering Task Force itself, rising to Assistant Attorney General.

Prosecutor Carroll’s influence has extended well beyond the courtroom. He has trained hundreds of state and tribal law enforcement leaders as an instructor at the New Jersey State Police Academy, the Essex County Police Academy, and in Native American programs, and his work has drawn commendations from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Attorney’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and numerous county prosecutor’s offices.

His public service record also includes stints as Acting Sussex County Prosecutor, Director of the Law Department for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and Compliance Officer overseeing thousands of background investigations for major Native American gaming facilities, where he also chaired a Gaming Regulatory Commission.

Since his appointment as Morris County Prosecutor in 2020, Prosecutor Carroll has continued that legacy, leading an office the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police cited for its steady leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to public safety.

Diya Kakadia Awarded Presidential Scholarship at New York Institute of Technology

0
Diya Kakadia

PARSIPPANY โ€” Diya Kakadia has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship at New York Institute of Technology, the university’s highest scholarship awarded to incoming first-year students.

Kakadia was among more than one hundred ten students to receive the scholarship.

Kakadia is a 2026 graduate of Morris County School of Technology, where she was involved in National Honors Society, Multicultural Club, HOSA, ERASE, Red Cross, and served as an Academy Student Representative.

New York Institute of Technology’s six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and other professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; information technology and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability. A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly eight thousand students worldwide. The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world. More than one hundred twenty thousand alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals.

Mutual Morris to Present “Mutual Aid 101” at Parsippany Library

0
File Photo

PARSIPPANY โ€” Mutual Morris, one of New Jersey’s longest-running mutual aid groups, will host an introductory presentation on mutual aid at the Main Parsippany Library on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Thousands of families across Morris County, and many more around the world, have received support during the coronavirus pandemic, storms, poverty and homelessness, and other crises through mutual aid. Countless mutual aid groups have formed and are active in communities responding to need and building systems to care for people over the long term.

The presentation, titled “Mutual Aid 101,” will address what mutual aid is, how it works, and why communities practice it. It will also explore how mutual aid differs from other kinds of support programs, how it can help keep communities safe and well, and how residents can get involved and benefit from participating.

Organizers say the event is intended for anyone looking for a new sense of community, an opportunity to help neighbors and share their gifts, or a way to receive help and support themselves.

The presentation will take place at the Main Parsippany Library. Registration is required and is available through the library at this link.

Shreyas Angadi Earns Faculty Honors at Georgia Tech

0
Shreyas Angadi

PARSIPPANY โ€” Shreyas Angadi earned Faculty Honors for the Spring 2026 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology, an academic distinction awarded to undergraduate students who achieve a 4.0 grade point average for the semester.

Angadi is a graduate of The Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, where he earned his high school diploma in June 2025 and was involved in Physics Club, Varsity Fencing, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Tech Honor Society, and Sociรฉtรฉ Honoraire de Franรงais.

Since January 2026, Angadi has worked on-site as a Field Programmable Gate Array Engineer with the Georgia Tech Vertically Integrated Projects Program. In that role, he has contributed to a secure, dual-core RISC-V voting machine by updating and validating a Verilog processor design of more than three thousand lines for physical implementation on a Xilinx PYNQ-Z1 field programmable gate array.

He has also redesigned legacy hardware interrupt request logic to manage complex exceptions, bringing the custom processor architecture into full compliance with the Privileged Instruction Set Architecture, and has collaborated across a multidisciplinary team, authoring engineering notebooks to document hardware architecture and coordinate code merges with other intellectual property blocks.

The Georgia Institute of Technology, known as Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the United States, developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.

The institute offers degrees in business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences, along with professional development and kindergarten through twelfth grade programs for fostering success at every stage of life. More than fifty-six thousand undergraduate and graduate students, representing fifty-four United States states and territories and more than one hundred forty-six countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, Georgia, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning.

As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech conducts more than one billion dollars in research annually for government, industry, and society.

Governor Sherrill Announces New Website to Help Qualifying Families Easily Access Child Tax Credit

0
Governor Mikie Sherrill

TRENTON โ€” Governor Mikie Sherrill has announced the launch of SimpleFile, a free website designed to help thousands of lower-income New Jersey families quickly apply for the state’s refundable Child Tax Credit. New Jersey residents can learn more about the mobile-friendly website at SimpleFile.NJ.gov.

SimpleFile was developed through a partnership between the New Jersey Innovation Authority, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation, and Code for America to help lower-income families claim credits they qualify for but may miss out on if they are not required to file taxes. The tax filing website helps eligible families claim the Child Tax Credit within fifteen minutes. Eligible filers who had a child aged five or under in 2025 can apply in both English and Spanish.

“Helping more New Jersey families benefit from our state’s Child Tax Credit is one of the most direct ways we can make life more affordable, because every dollar matters for parents who need childcare, groceries, clothes, and other essentials,” said Governor Sherrill. “While the federal government strips free tax filing away from families across the country, New Jersey is doing the opposite. We fought to expand our state’s Child Tax Credit in this year’s budget, and children across New Jersey will benefit from that increase starting next year. SimpleFile makes sure families can access the credit they qualify for today and turns a budget win into real money in the hands of our families.”

“New Jersey families deserve a government that works as hard as they do,” said Lieutenant Governor Caldwell. “As a father, I know that every dollar and every hour matters when you are raising a family. SimpleFile is how we deliver on that promise, removing barriers between hardworking families and the support they have already earned.”

“Building a more affordable New Jersey goes hand in hand with creating a more accessible government that delivers services effectively,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “SimpleFile is one way we are delivering on those goals by offering eligible working families a faster, streamlined way to apply for and receive the state Child Tax Credit. As the cost of raising a family continues to climb, tools like SimpleFile help put relief within reach.”

Building on that commitment, the fiscal year 2027 budget expands the Child Tax Credit from up to $1,000 this year to up to $1,250 next year. With over 200,000 families already claiming the credit each year, SimpleFile is designed to reach the thousands more who qualify but have not filed.

SimpleFile is the latest in a series of actions by the Sherrill administration aimed at ensuring New Jersey’s children receive the support to which they are entitled. Just weeks earlier, Governor Sherrill delivered Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer benefits to more than 681,000 eligible children so no child goes hungry when school is out of session. SimpleFile extends that same commitment to the families who need it most.

Last year, the Trump administration announced plans to cancel the Internal Revenue Service’s Direct File program, a free service available to millions of Americans to file their taxes. Governor Sherrill had supported the creation of Direct File while serving in the House of Representatives. As Washington makes it harder for families to navigate tax season and claim the benefits they are owed, Governor Sherrill said she is increasing accessibility and making sure government delivers for all families, not just those who can afford a tax preparer.

“Navigating tax season can be overwhelming for many families. SimpleFile provides a clear, convenient way to apply for the Child Tax Credit, particularly for low-income residents not required to file taxes,” said State Treasurer Aaron Binder. “Our goal is for every eligible family to apply for and receive this vital benefit.”

“Governor Sherrill made a promise to New Jersey families, and SimpleFile is how we keep it,” said New Jersey Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. “We built this website with Code for America because too many families were leaving money on the table, not because they didn’t qualify, but because it was too hard to claim what was already theirs. We are committed to cutting through those barriers and building technology that meets people where they are. That is what delivering affordability actually looks like.”

“SimpleFile is a pathway to tax benefits that can transform eligible New Jerseyans’ lives. Code for America is proud to partner with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and the New Jersey Division of Taxation as the state works to support more of its families through an expanded Child Tax Credit,” said Code for America Chief Executive Officer Amanda Renteria. “This new tool is a continuation of Code for America’s longstanding commitment to making tax filing free and simple for households that can benefit most from state tax credits.”

“As a Community Action Agency, HOPES CAP, Incorporated, is excited to assist families with navigating the tool in all three counties the agency provides services in, which are Hudson, Union, and Somerset. Staff at HOPES CAP, Incorporated, will help qualifying families navigate the tool and educate families on the benefit,” said HOPES CAP Director of Community Programs Evelyn Mercado. “This is much needed, especially in today’s economic climate, as families are struggling to stay afloat.”

New Jersey residents can check their eligibility and apply for the tax credit at SimpleFile.NJ.gov.

Video: Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting – July 8, 2026

0
Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting – July 8, 2026.

Parsippany Smoke Shop Employee Charged in Multi-Agency Investigation Targeting Illegal Smoke Shops

0

PARSIPPANY โ€” Ashley Naranjo Belaczar, an employee of Green Lux Smoke Shop at 974 Tabor Road, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance as part of a multi-agency investigation into illegal smoke shops across Morris County, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Randolph Police Department Chief Keith Donovan, Boonton Police Chief Chris Petonak, Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, Roxbury Police Chief Matthew Holland, Denville Police Chief Scott Welsch, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Richard Pantina.

The charge against the Parsippany employee was one of dozens filed as part of a broader crackdown that also targeted businesses in Boonton, Montville Township, Randolph Township, and Roxbury Township. The investigation was conducted in furtherance of the New Jersey Attorney General’s initiative targeting smoke shops that sell illegal flavored vapes, intoxicating hemp products, and marijuana.

The Parsippany Police Department was among the agencies that participated in the investigation, joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, the Randolph Township Police Department, the Boonton Police Department, the Montville Township Police Department, the Roxbury Police Department, the Denville Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Morris County Weights and Measures, the Morris County Division of Health, and personnel from local municipal health departments.

Beginning in April 2026, investigators focused on eleven stores across the county, including Green Lux Smoke Shop in Parsippany, that were allegedly selling marijuana, intoxicating hemp products including tetrahydrocannabinol vapes, and illegally flavored vapes without a license or permit to operate as a cannabis dispensary.

On July 1, 2026, eleven search warrants were executed simultaneously at the businesses, as well as at a residence and a vehicle. Investigators seized the following items as evidence:

  • 17,323 tobacco flavored vapes
  • 56,699 units of tetrahydrocannabinol vapes, approximately 125.5 pounds
  • 328 pounds of gummies and edibles
  • 16.5 pounds of marijuana
  • approximately 100 canisters of nitrous oxide
  • $45,265.32 in currency

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed if appropriate.

Green Lux Smoke Shop, 974 Tabor Road, Parsippany

Ashley Naranjo Belaczar, an employee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

Ten other individuals were charged in connection with businesses outside Parsippany as part of the same investigation:

Vape Waves Smoke Shop, 440 Main Road, Montville Township

Dhafer Ghaleb, owner, and Ali Alsaydi, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, and unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication.

True Blaze Smoke Shop, also known as Wah Wah 2 Smoke Shop LLC, 504 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton

Firas Damra and Madhat Abunasser, owners, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. David Grzesiak, employee, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Green Lux Smoke Shop, Roxbury Township

Sandra Porras was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Crown Cigar and Smoke, 131 Hawkins Place, Boonton

Srinivasa Koppisetti, owner, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, and unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication.

Heritage Marketplace, 1272 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph Township

Goktan Ozdemir, manager, and Levent Unal, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

MK Mini Mart, 760 Route 46, Roxbury Township

Devinder Singh, owner, Amit Pundir, employee, and Dinesh Chander, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sweet Dreams, Roxbury Township

Anthony Castro, employee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

M&S Convenience and Cigar, 707 Main Street, Boonton

Mead Almontaser, owner, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin under one ounce.

Stardust Smoke Shop, 1206 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph Township

Jigarkumar Patel, Riya Patel, and Meet Patel, part-owners, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin under one ounce.

Search warrants were also executed at Smoke and Deli in Boonton, which resulted in a written warning being issued for a first offense of offering for sale less than one ounce of marijuana. No charges were filed against that business.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said, “I acknowledge and thank all the agencies who participated in this investigation to disrupt and dismantle the illegal sale of marijuana, intoxicating hemp, and illegal flavored vapes from these businesses operating in our communities. The scale of the operation could not have been accomplished without the professional men and women involved, including detectives, assistant prosecutors, and civilians, who worked collaboratively to make this operation a success.”

Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, past president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “This operation represents months of coordinated work between county and municipal law enforcement, health officials, and prosecutors to address a problem that has been hiding in plain sight in our neighborhoods. Smoke shops that sell unlicensed marijuana, intoxicating hemp products, and illegally flavored vapes are not harmless corner stores. They are unregulated points of sale for products that our laws were specifically designed to control, whether because of their appeal to young people, their lack of any safety testing, or their connection to untaxed and unlicensed markets.”

Collingswood Police Chief Kevin Carey, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “The volume of contraband recovered on July 1, tens of thousands of vape products, hundreds of pounds of edibles and marijuana, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash, makes clear that this was not a handful of isolated infractions. It was a pattern of businesses operating outside the licensing and public health framework that New Jersey has put in place for cannabis and hemp products, and profiting from it. I want to be clear that this is not the end of this work. Police chiefs across New Jersey will keep working with our municipal partners to identify and act on businesses that put profit ahead of the safety of our residents and children.”

The prosecution of the defendants will be handled by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan and Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Kelly.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Parsippany Library Now Offers Passport Services

0

PARSIPPANY โ€” Residents preparing for international travel now have a convenient option close to home. The Parsippany Library has become an official United States Passport Acceptance Facility, offering passport application services, passport photographs, and document review under one roof.

Passport services are available at the Main Library, 449 Halsey Road, with both walk-ins and appointments accepted.

Passport service hours are Monday and Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The passport service is closed on Sunday.

For additional details or to schedule a passport appointment, click here.

Multiple Parsippany Companies File WARN Notices in 2026

0
Embassy Suites by Hilton in Parsippany, which filed a WARN notice in May affecting 54 employees, effective August 14.

PARSIPPANY โ€” Several Parsippany-based companies have filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices in 2026, affecting a combined total of 243 employees, according to state records. The filings are listed below by company.

  • Reckitt Benckiser โ€” Notice posted in March, effective March 2 through August 31, affecting 62 employees.
  • RB Health โ€” Notice posted in March, effective March 2 through August 31, affecting 14 employees.
  • Mead Johnson โ€” Notice posted in March, effective March 2 through August 31, affecting 18 employees.
  • Fulton Bank โ€” Notice posted in May, effective July 31 and October 2, affecting 95 employees.
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton โ€” Notice posted in May, effective August 14, affecting 54 employees.

The federal WARN Act generally requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days’ advance notice of plant closings and mass layoffs. New Jersey’s state WARN Act imposes additional requirements, including mandatory severance pay in certain circumstances.

The reasons behind the layoffs and whether the positions affected are being relocated, eliminated, or restructured were not detailed in the notices.

Morris County Sons of Italy Annual Charity Golf Outing Deemed a Success

0

PARSIPPANY โ€” The Morris County Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 held its annual charity golf outing on Thursday, July 9, at Knoll West Country Club, with the event selling out once again.

The outing included 18 holes of golf in scramble format, complete with a cart, buffet lunch, dinner, drinks on the course, an open bar following the round, prizes, and other giveaways.

This year’s outing was held in memory of past members Joseph Jannarone Sr. and Adam Gragnani.

Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 is a nonprofit organization that contributes thousands of dollars annually to charities and families in need. According to the organization, 100 percent of funds raised go directly back to local families, including support for the Parsippany Food Pantry, Interfaith Food Pantry, The Shelter for Battered Women, Lily’s Hope, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation, along with high school scholarships and other causes.

The organization thanked all those who supported the event, crediting their continued involvement for its ongoing success.

Massachusetts Man Arrested by FBI in Connection with Boonton, New Hampshire Bank Robberies

0
The suspect was described as a male who concealed his identity by wearing a ski mask, sunglasses, and gloves. He was armed with a handgun and entered the bank demanding money before fleeing with approximately $12,000 in cash.

BOONTON โ€” A Townsend, Massachusetts, man was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with two armed bank robberies, including one at a Chase Bank in Boonton, as part of a federal initiative targeting violent crime.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Concord, New Hampshire, Joseph Sawyer robbed St. Mary’s Bank at 4 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Friday, June 12, and the Chase Bank at 530 Myrtle Avenue in Boonton on Saturday, June 27. During both robberies, the complaint alleges Sawyer brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun and ordered those inside the banks to get on the ground and surrender their cell phones.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Summer Heat 2.0, an FBI initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. Sawyer was arrested by the FBI Albany Division’s SWAT team after the FBI’s Boston Division developed information indicating he may be in upstate New York.

The FBI credited the Nashua Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the New York State Police, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI New Jersey for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Homeless Man Arrested on Criminal Warrant at Red-Carpet Inn

0
The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriffโ€™s Office.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP โ€” Patrol Officer Carlos Najera arrested Samuel Poff, 57, who is currently homeless, on Thursday, June 25, on a criminal warrant issued by the Parsippany Municipal Court.

According to police, Hanover Township Patrol Officer Najera was checking the Red Carpet Inn when he came across two people sitting in the parking lot. A records check found that Poff was wanted on a criminal warrant stemming from a prior shoplifting charge.

Poff was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. Upon completion, he was transported to the Parsippany Police Department and turned over to that agency. He was later lodged in the Morris County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lake Hiawatha Man Charged with DWI, Refusing Breath Test After Anonymous Tip

0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

PARSIPPANY โ€” A Lake Hiawatha man was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusing to submit to a chemical breath test after officers responded to a report of a running, occupied vehicle with possibly intoxicated occupants on Saturday, April 11, according to Patrol Officer Sean Golden of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.

According to Patrol Officer Golden, he and Patrol Officer Cavaluzzo were dispatched at approximately 1:29 a.m. to the area of 79 North Beverwyck Road in Lake Hiawatha following an anonymous call. Upon arrival, Patrol Officer Golden located a 2009 Nissan Altima parked on Hiawatha Boulevard with its engine running and lights on, occupied by a male driver and a female passenger. He reported observing an open container of Modelo beer in the center console cup holder.

Patrol Officer Golden said that when he approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Ignacio Servantes-Maceda, 40, of Lake Hiawatha, rolled down the window. Patrol Officer Golden reported detecting the odor of alcohol and observing watery eyes and slurred speech. When asked if he had consumed alcohol, Servantes-Maceda said he had “some.”

Servantes-Maceda was asked to step out of the vehicle to perform standardized field sobriety tests. According to police, he missed heel-to-toe contact on every step of the walk-and-turn test and stopped partway through both that test and a subsequent attempt to restart it. During the one-leg-stand test, Servantes-Maceda held his hands together for balance instead of at his sides and began to lose his balance shortly after raising his foot, prompting Patrol Officer Golden to end the testing for safety reasons. When asked again how much he had consumed, Servantes-Maceda said “maybe six” beers.

Servantes-Maceda was placed under arrest, searched, and secured in a patrol vehicle before being transported to police headquarters. There, he was advised of his Miranda rights and read the standard statement for driving under the influence. Police said he declined to consent to a chemical breath test when asked twice, and Patrol Officer Cavaluzzo, a trained Alcotest operator, processed the refusal. Servantes-Maceda was later transported to complete requirements under John’s Law, and his wife completed and signed the required forms.

Patrol Officer Golden charged Servantes-Maceda with the following offenses:

  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Refusal to submit to chemical test
  • Refusal to consent to breath testing
  • Driving after license suspension or revocation
  • Open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle
  • Reckless driving

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lake Hiawatha Man Charged with Assault by Auto After Fleeing Crash, Later Arrested for Driving Under the Influence

0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

PARSIPPANY โ€” A Lake Hiawatha man was charged with assault by auto and leaving the scene of an accident after fleeing a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North Beverwyck Road and Vail Road on Monday, June 1, and was later arrested that evening on a driving-while-intoxicated charge, according to Patrol Officer Jaime Mendez of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.

According to Patrol Officer Mendez, the crash occurred at approximately 7:48 p.m. when a vehicle traveling southbound on North Beverwyck Road ran a red light at a high rate of speed and struck a second vehicle that was crossing the intersection westbound on Vail Road with the right of way. The driver of the second vehicle, Michael R. Lambert, 34, of Lake Hiawatha, reported the crash to police.

Patrol Officer Mendez said the striking vehicle fled the scene southbound on North Beverwyck Road, an act captured on traffic camera footage. His investigation determined the driver caused the crash due to unsafe speed and failure to observe the traffic signal, and that the vehicle was uninsured at the time.

Later that evening, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Patrol Officer Mendez was conducting a driving-while-intoxicated investigation in the area of Oneida Avenue involving Miguel Angel Salazar Salazar, 30, of Lake Hiawatha. After Salazar Salazar was administered a standard field sobriety test, Patrol Officer Mendez placed him under arrest on a charge of driving under the influence and transported him to the Montville Police Department for an Alcotest breath examination.

Patrol Officer Mendez subsequently charged Salazar Salazar in connection with the original crash with the following offenses:

  • Assault by auto
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury
  • Failure to report an accident
  • Driving under the influence
  • Failure to exhibit a driver’s license
  • Failure to exhibit vehicle registration
  • Failure to exhibit an insurance card
  • Driving while suspended
  • Operating a vehicle in unsafe condition
  • Improper maintenance of lamps
  • Delaying traffic
  • Disregarding a traffic control device
  • Improper lane usage (traffic on marked lanes)
  • Reckless driving
  • Careless driving

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Parsippany Hills High School Senior Awarded Spencer Savings Bank Scholarship

0

PARSIPPANY โ€” Prableen Kaur, a senior at Parsippany Hills High School, has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from Spencer Savings Bank as part of the bank’s 2026 scholarship program.

Kaur was one of 26 New Jersey high school students selected by their school’s guidance department to receive the scholarship, which totaled almost $40,000 across all recipients this year. Since the program began in 2002, Spencer Savings Bank has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships to local students.

Kaur and her family attended a scholarship ceremony held at the Spencer Savings Bank financial center in Elmwood Park on June 24, where students enjoyed a buffet dinner and connected with the bank’s executive and senior leadership teams.

“As tuition costs continue to rise, community support is critical in making higher education accessible to students. At Spencer, we are committed to providing this support and removing financial barriers,” said Jose B. Guerrero, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Spencer Savings Bank.

Spencer Savings Bank, a New Jersey-based community bank, has served local communities for more than 130 years. The bank has about $4 billion in total assets and operates 27 financial centers throughout New Jersey.

Translate ยป