PARSIPPANY — First Baptist Community Church (FBCC) held its annual Easter Egg hunt.
Roman showing off his Easter Eggs
Children hunting for Easter Eggs
Children hunting for Easter Eggs
Ava all dressed up
Children hunting for Easter Eggs
Cousins Frankie and Ava
First Baptist Community Church was organized on April 14, 1963 with the name of First Baptist Community Church of Parsippany.
Rev. Dr. Turk is an ordained American Baptist minister. She grew up in Queens, New York and graduated from Queens College with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts, eventually working as a commercial sculptor. After hearing God’s call, she enrolled at New York Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity degree, and then Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where she was awarded her Doctorate in Ministry to Marriage and Family.
First Baptist Community Church is located at 800 Vail Road. For more information, click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will recognize 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10-16, with a Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony.
The ceremony, honoring victims and advocates of victims’ rights, will take place on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Freeholder Public Meeting Room, Fifth Floor, in the County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is honored to have Patty Sly, Executive Director of the Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) as its ceremony’s Keynote Speaker.
The Honored Guest this year will be Chief Christopher Wagner, of the Township of Denville Police Department. Chief Wagner is the President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been a time of national remembrance since 1981. It is an opportunity for communities, victims and their loved ones, and professionals serving victims to join together and reflect on the progress achieved in victims’ rights.
The theme for the 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.” This year’s theme highlights the importance of early intervention and services for victims. It highlights the importance of building pathways to create an environment of trust, and re-establishing hope towards recovery.
Thirty years ago, crime victims did not have rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victims’ compensation funds.
Prosecutor Knapp applauds the daily work accomplished by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit who serve as advocates in addressing all crime victims’ needs.
All are invited to join the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at the ceremony. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Unit at (973) 285-6282 or e-mail MorrisVW@co.morris.nj.us.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills law firm of King and Petracca has announced the selection of partner, Matthew R. Petracca, Esq., as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine for the third year in a row. According to Super Lawyers Magazine, only 2.5 percent of attorneys are selected to the list, which limits candidates to being either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.
Matthew R. Petracca focuses his practice on civil litigation on behalf of individuals, businesses, municipalities and other governmental entities. Mr. Petracca’s practice includes matters in family law and divorce, municipal court, real estate, personal injury, workers compensation, tax appeals and insurance defense.
Mr. Petracca appears before the Superior Court of New Jersey and Federal District Court of New Jersey on a routine basis, and has also appeared before the Appellate Division and Supreme Court of New Jersey arguing appellate matters.
Mr. Petracca also holds a certified tax assessor designation in the State of New Jersey and is committed to public service. He currently serves as Municipal Prosecutor for the Borough of Morris Plains, Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of Randolph, and Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of Morris. He previously served as a councilman for the Borough of Lincoln Park, and, prior to that, served as a member of the Planning Board for the Borough of Lincoln Park. Mr. Petracca has appeared as prosecutor in many of the municipal courts throughout Morris County and also previously served as Municipal Prosecutor to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Mr. Petracca is a member of the bars of the State of New Jersey and the State of New York. Mr. Petracca is a cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and a magna cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University.
The office of King and Petracca is located at 51 Gibraltar Drive, Suite 2F, Morris Plains, and can be reached via telephone at (973) 998-6860. To learn more about the firm and Mr. Petracca their website can be visited by clicking here.
Flames shooting out of the windows. Photo by Mount Tabor Fire Department
PARSIPPANY — A fire started just before noon at Two Stratford Way. There were no injuries, although a family cat died in the fire.
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1, Rainbow Lakes Fire Volunteer Fire Department District 2, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3, Cedar Knolls RIC team, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery assisted in the fire. Rescue and Recovery Patriots trailer was also called to the scene.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery boarded up the home
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery boarded up the home
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery boarded up the home
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery boarded up the home
Bedroom window
Members of the family and neighbors with firemen
Bedroom window
The family has been displaced. American Red Cross has been called to the scene.
According to Zillow.com, the home was built in 1975 and contains 3,085 square feet.
PARSIPPANY — The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Central Morris County’s “Strike Out Cancer” team will be holding a fundraiser at the Gourmet Café, as part of the Gourmet Café’s “Make A Difference Mondays” program, on Monday, April 4, 2016.
Regardless of whether you eat lunch or dinner, dine in or take out, or purchase a gift certificate for future use, Relay For Life will receive 10% of the entire day’s proceeds. Please help us fight cancer, while enjoying a delicious meal!
Gourmet Café is located on 136 Baldwin Road, across from St. Peter’s Church. For reservations, please call the Gourmet Café at (973) 316-0088.
Should you have any questions about Relay For Life of Central Morris County, which will take place on the campus of County College of Morris on June 4 through June 5, please contact Margie Forman, “Strike Out Cancer” Team Captain, at (973) 879-9310 or by emailing her at margieforman@optonline.net.
MORRISTOWN — Parsippany resident Vanessa Brown was acquitted on all charges in the 2012 crash that killed popular East Hanover community activist Ralph Politi, Jr. Brown burst into tears and hugged her attorney, Edward Bilinkas, as the jury cleared her of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree vehicle homicide charges Thursday in Morris County Superior Court. The family of…
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Ahmadi Humayon, 61, Lake Hiawatha, was travelling east on Hiawatha Boulevard. Ms. Ahmadi Naheed, 25, Lake Hiawatha, was travelling south on Roosevelt Avenue. She stated she stopped at the stop sign at the intersection and proceeded straight on Roosevelt Avenue. This accident happen at 7:28 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16.
Mr. Humayon stated he never saw Ms. Naheed traveling on Hiawatha Boulevard. Ms. Naheed struck Mr. Humayon’s 2012 Ford Fusion at the intersection causing Mr. Humayon to leave the roadway to the right impacting a utility pole.
Both drivers were transported to Morristown Medical Center by Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
Ms. Naheed was at fault due to not yielding to traffic. Mr. Naheed was driving a 2015 Dodge Van.
At the time of the report, there were no summons issued.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department received a call reporting a burglary that had just occurred, at 6:09 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. Multiple Parsippany Police Officer’s responded to the scene and spoke to the homeowner. He advised the Officers as he returned to his residence at 6:00 p.m. he saw two males fleeing from his home.
The homeowner briefly chased the two males, but ultimately lost track of them in the wooded area near his property.
A check of the interior of the residence was conducted at which time it was determined that the unknown suspects damaged the interior of the home prior to fleeing.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Department CID and K-9 arrived on scene and assisted in the investigation.
The first suspect was described as white male between 13-16 years old, with blonde hair, wearing blue jeans, and a grey hooded sweatshirt.
The second suspect was described as a white male between the ages of 13-16 years old, with brown hair, wearing blue jeans, and a black and red hooded sweatshirt.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Sedgefield Civic Association held its Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26. They hid over 1,000 eggs throughout the Grafton Park and the children had to search and find the eggs. After the hunt, there was a surprise guest, the Easter Bunny. Mayor James Barberio was also a surprise guest visiting the children.
The children finding the golden eggs received a special basket. Padraig Beadle, 4, standing in for his brother, Brennan, 3, Lizmarie Orama, 6 and Sara Iemanowicz, 9, were the winners of a large Easter basket.
George Kimmey, Easter Bunny and Mayor James Barberio
The children gather around the Easter Bunny
The children gather around the Easter Bunny
The children gather around the Easter Bunny
The children waiting in line to start the Easter Egg Hunt
Five year old twins Jonathan and Madison Jachera waiting to meet the Easter Bunny.
The history of Sedgefield starts in the late 40″s Justus Nienaber purchased a 200 acre tract from Peter Freylinghuysen Jr. This was formerly the Ballantine Estate and included a beautiful two-story white colonial mansion, complete with gazebo, creek, pond and other outbuildings.
In 1949, he started to develop Sedgefield with a group of builders. The name was taken from a charming and peaceful Carolina resort hotel, The Sedgefield Inn, which is surrounded by a development of gracious homes.
The name Sedgefield itself is derived from two Anglo-Saxon words: secg (a sword), its popular meaning – any course, grasslike herb, growing in damp places; and feld – a cleared piece of land.
Carrying on with the Anglo-Saxon Association, all the streets bear the names of English towns, villages or locations. The three entry streets are Sherwood, Sedgefield and Dartford. All streets between Sedgefield and Dartford are in alphabetical order. All streets between Robinhood and Friar are of English origin but are not in alphabetical order.
Development in Sedgefield can be determined by the type of roads in the area. The first section contained ranch or single story homes built on streets with no curbs. The second section contained ranch, split-level and two-story colonials built on streets with concrete curbs. The third and final section contained two-story colonials or split-level homes built on streets with Belgian block curbing and sidewalks.
Long time residents can remember when Littleton Road (US 202) was a two-lane tree-line road with very little traffic. It passed Rusty’s Hardware Store, the old St. Christopher’s Church (which was housed in the Blue Swan Inn) and a goat farm that used to be in the area of the Littleton Road bridge over Route 80. Alderney Dairy had a barn and pasture where Gatehall is now located. Cows and deer used to wander into Sedgefield along Robinhood Road. A few deer still visit us on occasion.
Back then, the Morris Plains Shopping Center had a Two Guys store. Sip and Sup was located at the intersection of Route 202 and Route 10 where one could enjoy food and dairy products in a leisurely manner and watch the few cars going through the intersection. The area now covered with commercial buildings (Campus Drive, Sylvan Way and Dryden Way) contained dairy farms and was used by the Civic Association for picnics and fireworks.
In the 1970s, Sherwood Village (the section around Sherwood, Friar, Robinhood and Littlejohn Roads) was included as part of Sedgefield. Crawford Road was the last area to be developed.
The last home in Sedgefield was erected in 1988, a two-story colonial manufactured in Pennsylvania. This was the 295th home in Sedgefield.
For more information on the Sedgefield Civic Association visit their website by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany held a “Service Project” on Saturday, March 26 at Parsippany Child Day Care Center, 300 Baldwin Road.
Steve Dickens, Karen Gajewski, Carol Tiesi, Gordon Meth, Kyle Meth, Ian Crawford and Rob Mlyarski all participated in chores at the daycare. The chores included moving mulch, paths were re-discovered and some trim was painted.
PARSIPPANY — Free blood pressure, cancer, and glucose screenings, advice on fire prevention and preparedness, and low cost on-site eye exams were just a few of the many offering to Parsippany residents at a community-wide health fair held on Saturday, March 26.
The free “Community Health Fair” was hosted by Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association.
Dr. Ninoska Fergusson, Karen DeChristopher and Doris Latorre
Nicolas Limanov and Nick Kumburis
American Red Cross volunteers Reema Patadid, Nehali Patel, Chewie Chmura and George Varghese
Jay Duhl, Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association
Four year old Arabella with Taylor Donnelly, Breanne Calabrese, Mark Turo and Patrick Turo from Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance
Carole Beck, Todd Cohen, Pietrina Girimonte and Anselmo Girimonte from Pancreatic Cancer. This years walk is November 13
Michele Picone and Public Health Nurse Marianne Willis Cucchiara from Parsippany Health Department
Deepika Saravana, Deepika Nagabhushan, Likitha Ma
Fire Official Robert G. Schmitt and Fire Inspector Brian Ricci handing out information on Fire Prevention
Dr. Ninoska Fergusson and Doris Latorre, Dental Assistant from Real Dental Care
Margie Forman, Karen DeChristopher and Patrick Clackner from Rely for Life
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department’s Communication Center received a call reporting a disturbance at Pure Restaurant and Lounge, 707 Route 46, at 11:39 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.
Upon arrival of multiple Patrol Officers they spoke with the complainant who worked at the restaurant and Abel Manzo, 30, Oakland, CA, was the party involved in the disturbance.
After a brief investigation, Mr. Manzo was advised he needed to leave the restaurant. Mr. Manzo began to shout at the Officers and refuse to leave the restaurant.
Mr. Manzo was then placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters for processing. Mr. Manzo was issued a summons for Disorderly conducted and released on his own recognizance pending his court appearance.
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 — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department’s Communication Center received a call reporting a motor vehicle crash on Lord Stirling Drive at Faber Road at 10:58 p.m. on Thursday, March 17.
Patrol Officer R. McGinnis arrived on scene and found a 2005 Hyundai Tiburon that crashed into a 2016 Mercedes Benz, which was parked on the roadway.
He then made contact with the driver of the Hyundai, Gregory Brennan, 25, Parsippany, who was standing outside of his vehicle.
After a brief investigation Mr. Brennan was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test, Failure to Maintain Lane and Reckless Driving. He was released on his own recognizance into the custody of a family member pending his court appearance.
Patrol Officer R. McGinnis completed the crash investigation and determined that Mr. Brennan, the sole occupant of the vehicle, crashed into the parked Mercedes Benz after he failed to maintain his lane as he turn left from Faber Road onto Lord Stirling Drive.
MORRISTOWN — Following four hours of closing arguments Wednesday, a jury will begin deliberations Thursday in the trial of a Parsippany woman charged with killing popular East Hanover community activist Ralph Politi, Jr. in a 2012 drunk-driving accident. During closing arguments, defense attorney Edward Bilinkas questioned the prosecution’s case against Vanessa E. Brown, stating there was…
PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, March 17 during the evening rush hour there was a six car chain reaction accident on Route 46 West, in the left lane leading to the ramp for Route 80 West, approximately 500 feet west of Edwards Road.
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
Six car accident on Route 46 West
All vehicles were travelling west in traffic on Route 46 in the left lane, leading to the ramp for Route 80 West.
Vehicle 1 attempted to stop in traffic, hydroplaned and struck Vehicle 2.
Vehicle 2 left roadway left, struck guardrail, passed Vehicle 4 on the left.
Vehicle 2 struck Vehicle 3 on the driver side, removing the driver side mirror.
Vehicle 4 accelerated and struck the rear of Vehicle 3.
Vehicle 2 then struck the driver side of Vehicle 5, and continued and struck the rear of Vehicle 6.
Elizabeth Crouse, 25, was driving in Vehicle 1, a 2012 Chevy; Cheryl Panian, 33, was driving a 2010 Hyundai in Vehicle 2; Zachary Loss, 24, was driving a 2013 Chevy in Vehicle 3; Robin Zweig, 22, was driving a 2006 Hyundai identified as Vehicle 4; Shilpa Desai, 50 was driving a 2010 Toyota Sienna in Vehicle 5 and David McGettrick, 57, was driving a 2013 Kia in Vehicle 6.
None of the occupants required any medical attention. According to police records, there were no summons issued at the time of the incident.
The accident was investigated by Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman R. McGinnis.
Vehicle 3, 4, 5 and 6 were towed by Powder Mill Towing and vehicle 1 and 2 was able to drive away from the scene.
Accident diagram by Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department. Not to scale.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has received word that the Easter Bunny will be staying in Parsippany this weekend to make sure all the children receive their baskets. Did you know in 2015, the Easter Bunny delivered over two billion Easter baskets?
How does the Easter Bunny travel around the world? A question on the mind of many children is how the Easter Bunny travels around the world. Like Santa’s remarkable sleigh, some things just can’t be explained by science. Despite extensive studies and research, researchers have not been able to pin down how the Easter Bunny travels around the world in 24 hours.
What is known is that the Easter Bunny is a hare and not a rabbit.
Hares are generally faster and larger than rabbits and have very long and strong hind legs. The physical characteristics give the Easter Bunny an advantage and allow the Easter Bunny to hop fast and far.
Before the Easter bunny makes its travel to your home, he will stop at IHOP, 792 Route 46 on Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. You can enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny.
On Sunday, March 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. he will visit Kafe Mozart, 2900 Route 10, to pose and take pictures with the children You can enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny.
The Easter Bunny would never expect you to leave a treat, but if you do, carrots are always a good choice if you have them available. The Easter Bunny also loves drinking water. However, if you don’t leave anything, that’s OK. The Easter Bunny understands because the Easter Bunny has prepared for Easter weekend all year long and has to move quickly.
PARSIPPANY — Over 1,800 Easter eggs were hidden on the property of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Children of all ages had fun finding the eggs. Eggs were filled with surprises for children of all ages.
2-1/2 year old Sofia Roman collecting Easter Eggs
Robert Peluso grabbing for eggs
Artan Hutz, 5, showing off the eggs she collected
Robert Peluso checking the eggs he gathered during the Easter egg hunt
The children enjoyed hunting for Easter Eggs at St. Andrew Lutheran Church
The eggs were everywhere!
Rev. Frederick L. Lentz with Kiersten Koch handing out treats to the children
After the children found over 1800 Easter Eggs, Pastor Fred and Kiersten Koch passed out treats at the end of the Easter Egg Hunt at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
The very successful event was coordinated by Tina and Mark Levorse, and donations for the eggs came from all the parishioners.
Saint Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church is an inter-generational and inclusive congregation which is mission-driven, Christ-minded and open to new ideas. They are a fun mix of ages, characters, individuals, families, orientations, vocations, abilities and callings.
Saint Andrew is a joyful place with a heart for mission to people in need … locally, nationally and globally. Saint Andrew is a welcoming place where being there is more important than what you wear; and where you’re going is more important than where you’ve been.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church is located at 335 Reynolds Avenue. For more information, click here
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is hosting its Annual Golf Outing, on Tuesday, May 10 at Knoll County Club, Parsippany.
Golfers will enjoy a day of golf, golf cart, lunch and dinner for $125.00 per player, or $500.00 per foursome. Click here to download the event flyer.
Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. Shotgun starts at 8:00 a.m. A full continental breakfast will be available for you to enjoy luncheon at 12:30 includes wine and beer. All fees are included in your registration. There will be additional raffles and 50/50s. The golf course requires a collared golf shirt.
Score a hole-in-one on Hole 3, a par 3, and win a new car. Make it to the green on the 17th hole and earn a chance to enter a special 50/50 drawing. Standard playing rules apply.
Sponsorships are available.
For more information contact Steve Dickens, Golf Committee at (201) 412-1613 or email steved031@optonline.net.
Knoll Country Club is situated on 360 beautiful wooded acres in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, the Knoll Golf Club consists of two 18-hole golf courses, the Knoll East and Knoll West. Conceived in the Roaring Twenties by a few extremely wealthy men who wanted a superb private course for their personal pleasure, the 339-acre Knoll Golf Club West is today one of the finest golf courses in the state of New Jersey. The Knoll Golf Club West was established in 1929 as a champion course designed by Charles H. Banks. It is a par 70 course playing 6,752 yards from the blue tees and 6,479 from the white tees. This course is semi-private. Over the years, The Knoll Golf Club West has grown to more than 900 members strong and while it has gone through some minor alterations, the course remains virtually unchanged since its beginning.
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915.
Kiwanis clubs focus on changing the world by serving children, one child and one community at a time.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department’s Communication Center received a call reporting a disturbance at Pure Restaurant and Lounge, 707 Route 46, at 11:39 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.
