MORRIS COUNTY — Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced that consumers may be eligible for partial refunds or credits from their health club memberships, now that gyms across the state have been closed for 30 days under Executive Orders issued by Governor Phil Murphy to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Under New Jersey law, if your health club facility is closed for more than 30 days, you generally are entitled either to extend your contract with the health club facility for a period equal to the length of the closure or to receive a prorated refund of the amount you paid.
The law on refunds/credits for health clubs that are closed for more than 30 days does not apply to single-sport or single-focus establishments like basic aerobic or dance centers, yoga or spin studios, or children’s gyms that offer only scheduled/hourly classes; martial arts, gymnastic, or dance schools; or swim clubs, tennis clubs, or racquetball clubs. It applies only to establishments that allow patrons to use the establishment whenever it is open or during specific time periods (like all weekends, weekdays, mornings, etc.).
For more information related to business closures, we encourage consumers to review the Division’s guidance on refunds related to COVID-19. The document answers the most frequently asked questions from residents wondering about their entitlement to refunds for services they did not receive as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and/or measures taken to stop the spread of the virus. (Click here to download document)
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by clicking here or call (800) 242-5846 to receive a complaint form by mail.
MORRIS COUNTY — Suspected fatal overdoses in Morris County are up by 38 percent over the same 14-week time frame in 2019, prompting the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One team to re-emphasize its network of support services during the COVID-19 healthcare crisis.
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon
“Help from the Hope One team is here, just a phone call away. We don’t accept that anyone agonizing over a heroin addiction or substance use disorder be alone without resources and support, especially at this very difficult time,” Sheriff Gannon said.“Morris County, right now, is following a statewide trend of increased fatal opioid-related overdoses. It’s possible that individuals struggling with addiction feel increased stress during this pandemic or, because of social distancing, lack direct contact with supportive friends and family who normally would check on their welfare,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.
So far in 2020, 26 individuals in Morris County have suffered suspected lethal overdoses, including one Thursday night. In the first 14 weeks of 2019, by comparison, there were 16 suspected fatal overdoses.
Following the same upswing, in New Jersey there have been 789 suspected fatal overdoses between January 1 and March 31, 2020. In the same time frame last year, there were 657 suspected overdose deaths.
Hope One, which has made more than 10,400 contacts with individuals since its launch, is a partnership with the Rockaway-based Prevention Is Key (PIK) and its sister agency, the Center for Addiction Recovery, Education & Success (CARES); Daytop-NJ, the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, and the Morris County Department of Human Services. Hope One is Sheriff Gannon’s award-winning mobile substance abuse and mental health outreach program launched on April 3, 2017 to stem the crisis of opioid addiction and overdoses.
If you or someone you care about needs help, contact the following services:
CENTER FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY, EDUCATION &SUCCESS (CARES): 24-hour support line at (973) 625-1143. CARES also will deliver Narcan, upon request, in a safe, non-contact way.
HOPE ONE: (973) 590-0300. For Narcan training via Zoom, please contact Morris County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Erica Valvano at erice@co.morris.nj.us or at (973) 590-0300.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF ESSEX AND MORRIS: Peer support line from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.: (877) 760-4987; (866) 445-3902; (800) 381-2059. The Mental Health Association has added a daytime number for peer support, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call: 877-760-4987.
The upward trend has led to Morris County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Erica Valvano, the Hope One coordinator, urging the 14 municipal police departments in Morris County that are trained in the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) to refer known individuals struggling with addiction to Hope One.
“Hope One-PAARI would like to make an aggressive approach to assist people before they overdose,” Corporal Valvano said.
PAARI-participating police departments welcome individuals who voluntarily enter headquarters to request help for a substance use disorder. Trained Officers screen the individuals and then contact Daytop-NJ, who connects the individual with a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who assists them in accessing detox, rehab and recovery services. The Morris County Sheriff’s Trends and Analysis Team (MCSTAT) examined the overdose data and determined that most of the individuals who recently died had overdosed in the past.
PAARI-trained law enforcement agencies in Morris County include the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Lakes, Butler, Chatham Township, Chester, Dover, Jefferson, Mendham Township, Montville, Morris Plains, Morristown, Mount Arlington, Mount Olive, Rockaway Borough, and Washington Township Police Departments.
Corporal Valvano also is brainstorming with Hope One’s community partners to determine ways of following-up with clients who already have come in contact with service providers.
Despite a temporary halt to the Hope One vehicle making its customary twice-weekly stops in the community due to the coronavirus, its team has aggressively made its telephonic availability and support known. Upon request, a team member also will deliver free Narcan and advise how it is administered to reverse an opioid-induced overdose.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has added a new feature called “What’s Open.”
A free, streamlined listing that allows businesses to post updates directly to our readers.
Businesses have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. For restaurants, those that remain open are only offering takeout and delivery. Scores of restaurant staff members have been laid off and many owners are having difficulty making their bottom line. This program is intended to boost business for the suffering industry.
The homepage of Parsippany Focus and Morris Focus has a message board that conveys updated specials, hours and announcements from restaurants.
Users can search by city, business type or town. Restaurants can add store hours and takeout and delivery options are listed for each restaurant.
Listings are free to any business, although there are some upgrades available.
MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has issued approximately 514 cease-and-desist letters and 89 subpoenas to businesses reported by consumers to have engaged in price gouging or other consumer protection violations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cases include investigations of brick-and-mortar retailers in New Jersey, companies from other states that are accused of increasing prices for New Jersey consumers, and sellers located in New Jersey who has been accused of raising their prices on online marketplaces.
In addition, about 40 merchants based in New Jersey are under investigation by the Division for engaging in price gouging or other consumer protection violations related to COVID-19 through their use of online marketplaces like Amazon, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.
To date, the Division has logged a total of 2,978 complaints related to the COVID-19 emergency against about 1,800 business locations.
Morris County consumers who believe price gouging is occurring are encouraged to file complaints online to report specific details investigators can follow up on. Photographs of items being sold, receipts and pricing can now be uploaded to our new price gouging complaint form.
Approximately 90 percent of the complaints involve price increase on items including surgical masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays and wipes, food, bottled water, and other items in demand by consumers concerned about protecting their health and maintaining enough supplies for their homes.
“When people are concerned about keeping their families healthy and paying their bills, they shouldn’t have to worry about becoming the victim of unscrupulous market practices,” said New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.
Paul Rodríguez, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, said his agency is reviewing thousands of potential violations. He asked consumers to take advantage of our new online complaint form which allows them to submit photo evidence when they report suspected violations.
New Jersey’s price-gouging law took effect on March 9, when Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The law prohibits excessive price increases during a declared state of emergency and for 30 days after its termination. A price increase is considered excessive if the new price is more than 10 percent higher than the price charged during the normal course of business prior to the state of emergency.
Price-gouging violations are punishable by civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first violation and $20,000 for the second and subsequent violations.
Boxes of Tyson Chicken placed on the table to be distributed
Michael Sifonios carrying boxes of Tyson Chicken from the vehicles to distribute to the residents
Mayor Michael Soriano and Rev. Dr. Sidney S. Williams Jr.
Cars waiting in line to receive the bags of food
Vehicles are lined up to receive the food
Liquid Church: Hope Is Here
Loaves of bread ready for the people in need
Mayor Michael Soriano opening up the lettuce to distribute to residents
Liquid Church
Boxes of food ready for the residents
Potatoes, Lettuce, and Onions are among the items available
Boxes of food ready for the residents
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano assisted at Parsippany’s third Mobile Food Drop. The event was moved from the PAL parking lot to Liquid Church in order to accommodate the increased need from residents to get them the nutrition assistance quickly and efficiently.
In partnership with Table of Hope and Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills residents received fresh groceries including bread, Tyson Chickens, dairy, canned goods and produce.
If you or anybody you know is concerned with food security during this time, call the know Mayor’s Action Center at (973) 263-4262.
As a reminder, Parsippany has a food bank open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, where you can also receive food essentials. For more information, call (973) 263-7160.
Table of Hope is a place “Where Hope Starts, and the Community Gathers to Share.”. TOH serves meals 5:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday at no cost to Morris County residents. Dinners are also delivered to the sick and shut-in at local senior centers and a clothing closet, food pantry, blood pressure screenings, resource information and other services for specific needs are made available to guests.
With the Community Food Bank of New Jersey as their primary food supplier, the Table of Hope serves more than 300 meals per week. Other providers of food and produce include ACME, Trader Joe’s, Grow it Green, and local farmers. Their constituency includes homeless individuals, single-family households, and senior residents.
If you want to get involved by donating food, money, or your time to volunteer for this program, please contact the Springstreet CDC at (973) 998-9330, or email info@springstreetcdc.org.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp reminds residents that criminals continue to operate even during these unprecedented times. The recent national attention on the Economic Impact Payments, or COVID-19 relief stimulus checks, is one such opportunity for scammers.
The United States Postal Inspection Service advises that scammers are calling and/or emailing individuals claiming to be from the Treasury Department, and offering expedited stimulus payments or assistance with obtaining a stimulus payment. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, citizens do not need to pay taxes or processing fees in order to obtain the relief stimulus payment.
Prosecutor Knapp advises if you receive a call asking for personal information or for fees to obtain a stimulus check, do not give the caller any personal information or do not send money. Just hang up.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service offers the following tips for protecting yourself and others against incoming mail theft:
Promptly pick up mail, or arrange for prompt pickup
Inquire about overdue mail
File a change of address if you move
On March 30, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced the creation of a Federal-State COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to investigate and prosecute those who exploit the COVID-19 pandemic by defrauding others.
If you believe you have been victimized, please notify the National Center for Disaster Fraud’s National Hotline at (866) 720-5721, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200, or your local police department.
Residents can also report the theft of stimulus checks from the mail to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or 1-800-ASK-USPS.
MORRIS COUNTY — In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Morris Habitat for Humanity is launching a virtual food drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry. There is an unprecedented need for food as a result of the crisis and purchasing food online allows people to fight hunger while staying safe at home.
As people practice social distancing, traditional food drives are no longer an alternative. Morris Habitat’s food drive allows donors to actually see and shop online for the items they wish to donate. For example, a donation of $3.75 will purchase a carton of milk while $24.00 will purchase a six-pack of canned chicken. All of the food options are healthy items that the Interfaith Pantry wants and needs. At the end of the drive, all donations are delivered directly to the food pantry.
“This health crisis is now an economic crisis, and so many people have lost jobs and income making it difficult to afford basic needs like food,” said Blair Schleicher Bravo, CEO of Morris Habitat for Humanity. “Our organization’s focus has traditionally been on providing affordable homes, but now we’re broadening our outreach because the need is so great to feed our communities.”
The Interfaith Food Pantry is a non-denominational, non-profit organization helping families make ends meet by supplementing their monthly groceries. The organization is now facing an unprecedented challenge, as demand is picking up and they are bracing for an influx of unemployed workers. Companies, houses of worship, and schools that typically hold food drives are now unable to do so; their most important spring fundraising gala has been postponed.
Food donors will receive $20.00 off online purchases at Morris Habitat’s Restore and Morris Habitat will give an additional $20.00 in food purchases to Interfaith Food Pantry for each donation.
The ReStore is a retail home improvement outlet featuring new and second-hand building materials and furnishings—all at reduced prices. Inventory is donated and proceeds help fund the construction of affordable homes. To date, the ReStore has funded 28 of the 112+ houses constructed by Morris Habitat and saved over 10,200 tons of materials from landfills. The store is closed temporarily but $20.00 coupons can be used online or when the store reopens.
Click here to donate to Morris Habitat’s Food Drive
For more information about Morris Habitat for Humanity click here.
PARSIPPANY — The County of Morris has identified an additional 11 Parsippany residents presumptively tested positive for COVID-19, since it was last reported on Thursday, April 16. (Editors Note: Our next reporting will be on Monday, April 20)
The number of presumptive positive cases in Parsippany-Troy Hills stands at 415 individuals. (This data is as of 4:09 p.m., Friday, April 17).
Morris County has a total of 3725 residents presumptively tested positive for COVID-19. This is an increase of 89 cases since Thursday, April 16. A total of 232 deaths have been reported.
Please remember to continue the best practices of social distancing, washing your hands as often as possible, disinfecting any surfaces you may touch, and avoid touching your face. If you exhibit any symptoms of illness, please remember to consult your personal doctor immediately.
The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1. Testing is scheduled beginning at 9:00 a.m. and is for Morris County residents only. There is no fee for the test.
To sign up for an appointment online click here for details.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.covid19.nj.gov or call 211.
For a complete breakdown of Morris County total presumptively tested positive cases, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) joined with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), leading a letter from Members of Congress urging the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to establish an official coding or labeling system for the prioritization of COVID-19 tests.
A standard system for health care providers and testing centers to label samples sent to commercial laboratories would ensure laboratories have the information necessary to prioritize the samples for health care workers and first responders, as well as those most at-risk for complications, such as hospitalized patients and nursing home residents. It would also save our hospitals and health care providers the personal protective equipment used in the days they wait for COVID-19 testing results to arrive from commercial laboratories.
“The emergence of testing centers in our state is putting even more pressure on commercial laboratories, despite their best efforts to increase capacity to keep pace with the pandemic,” the lawmakers wrote. “Given the insurmountable challenge of laboratory capacity being outpaced by the number of cases, it is essential to establish a prioritization framework for both our health care providers and laboratories.”
The letter was also signed by Senator Cory A. Booker and Representatives Albio Sires (NJ-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Danny K. Davis (IL-07).
PARSIPPANY — The Food Pantry at Saint Peter the Apostle Church, 179 Baldwin Road, is in need of our support. PLEASE Consider making a food donation this weekend…
Their next Food Pantry collection takes place this weekend Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.
Since the church remains locked, drop off will take place at the back door, or drive-up entrance, to the Food Pantry in the back of All Saints Academy. Please DO NOT drop off food at the church. Volunteers will be available to assist with dropping off bags between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The most needed items include cold cereal, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, paper products, coffee, tea, and any cleaning products.
Thank you for supporting our parish Food Pantry which helps so many of our sisters and brothers in need.
PARSIPPANY — The County of Morris has identified an additional 34 Parsippany residents presumptively tested positive for COVID-19, since it was last reported on Wednesday, April 15.
The number of presumptive positive cases in Parsippany-Troy Hills stands at 404 individuals. (This data is as of 4:09 p.m., Thursday, April 16).
Morris County has a total of 3635 residents presumptively tested positive for COVID-19. This is an increase of 166 cases since Wednesday, April 15. A total of 216 deaths have been reported.
Please remember to continue the best practices of social distancing, washing your hands as often as possible, disinfecting any surfaces you may touch, and avoid touching your face. If you exhibit any symptoms of illness, please remember to consult your personal doctor immediately.
The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1. Testing is scheduled beginning at 9:00 a.m. and is for Morris County residents only. There is no fee for the test.
To sign up for an appointment online click here for details.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.covid19.nj.gov or call 211.
For a complete breakdown of Morris County total presumptively tested positive cases, click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Many bills have been introduced and passed by the legislature, but Assemblyman Brian Bergen says those measures are providing too little to remedy the self-inflicted shutdown of the state’s economy.
“Nothing is being done to consider the losses faced by shuttered businesses and people trying to put food on the table,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “The well-intended ideas by my colleagues show that they got into politics for the right reasons, but insufficient relief to less than one percent of businesses and delaying inevitable payments does not make things more affordable.”
He says that delaying short-term problems, such as paying rent, will only create larger problems down the road for struggling residents, but reducing costs on residents and businesses to address their loss of income and revenue isn’t being considered by Democrats.
Bergen has introduced multiple bills that would provide significant tax relief for small businesses, homeowners and renters. Those bills include a sales tax holiday for businesses and consumers (A3866), increasing renters’ property tax deduction to 30 percent from 18 percent (A3928), and providing a one-time standard deduction of $10,000 for middle- and lower-income filers (A3955), on which he is the second prime sponsor.
“The same unaffordable costs will only increase if they are delayed. Instead of two payments, one payment is doubled. We must, we absolutely must, lower the costs for our constituents instead of just delaying them. The expense of the government is not more important than the expense of the people,” said Bergen. “This is a zero-sum circumstance, and constituents should never end up on the wrong side of their elected officials’ decisions. We need to reflect on what really helps the people we represent.”
State relief programs were oversubscribed within the first hours as applications flooded the Economic Development Authority. Only one-tenth of a percent of New Jersey’s small businesses received relief. Federal relief programs were also quickly exhausted, despite providing $350 billion to businesses.
Efforts to save small businesses during a government-enforced shutdown have had little effect on unemployment, which has now erased all jobs gained since the Great Recession nationally. New Jersey has lost more than twice as many jobs as gained over the same period.
PARSIPPANY — A “Final Sendoff” for Paterson Police Officer Francesco Scorpo, 34, who succumbed to COVID-19, was held Thursday, carrying the officer from St. Joseph’s Medical Center to a Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, where Funeral Services will be private.
Final Send off for the Fallen Paterson Police Officer
Hundreds of Police Officers, Fire Trucks and other Emergency Vehicles lined North Beverwyck Road to show their condolences for Paterson Officer Francesco Scorpo.
He was hospitalized for more than ten days with the coronavirus.
“Frank was the love of my life, and there are no words that can describe what I’m feeling right now,” wrote his wife, Kristina, a nurse, on a Facebook post.
“Officer Scorpo was a dedicated public servant who served our profession and our community with pride, honor, and distinction,” the Paterson Police Department said in a statement.
He is survived by his father Sebastiano “Sam” Scorpo and his mother Anna.
“A dedicated son, husband, and father, Officer Scorpo, was a family man who cared so very much about people and his profession,” the statement read. “He will be remembered not only for being an exemplary police officer but as an exceptional and very special human being.”
Francesco Sebastiano Scorpo, Sr., passed away Sunday, April 12, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.
Born in Wayne, he was raised in West Paterson and Wayne and moved to Montville Township in 2014.
Frank attended Wayne Valley High School, where he played for the Varsity Football Team. He earned his Bachelors Degree in History from William Paterson University in 2009. A member of the Class #115, Frank graduated from the Bergen County Police Academy in 2015.
Parsippany resident Brandon Cafferata, a high school friend of Kristina Scorpo set up a GoFundMe account. To donate, click here.
Final Sendoff for Paterson Police Officer
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North Beverwyck Road in front of Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service. Drone Photo by Iain Waldrum
North Beverwyck Road at Lake Shore Drive. Drone Photo by Iain Waldrum
North Beverwyck Road in front of Foodtown. Drone Photo by Iain Waldrum
North Beverwyck Road in front of Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service. Drone Photo by Iain Waldrum
North Beverwyck Road in front of Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service. Drone Photo by Iain Waldrum
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio today warned that the Murphy Administration’s over-reaching coronavirus policies are putting the lives and finances of the state’s residents at risk and is calling for the Senate to investigate the Administration’s handling of the crisis.
“I am in extreme disagreement with the Administration and its over-reaching policies during these difficult times,” said Senator Pennacchio (R-26). “Some of the policies make no sense. How does closing parks and beaches keep you safe, but crowding people together in isolation is supposed to spare us from this contagion?
“How is forcing sick patients to wait until they are so sick they need to be admitted to overcrowded hospitals before they can be treated with hydroxychloroquine – a cheap effective and safe medication – considered good medical practice?
“Since when does the Governor and Attorney General know more about medicine than doctors? I have been fighting to unshackle our doctors and give them the tools necessary to treat patients unencumbered by government restrictions,” Senator Pennacchio continued.
“The people of New Jersey are anxious to get back to work and return to their normal lives. Public policy cannot be one size fits all, especially when it’s based on faulty and constantly changing data,” said the Senator. “Demanding continued isolation until this virus ‘goes away’ is a flawed and dangerous approach.
“Ridding ourselves of this pandemic may still require isolation of those who are most at risk, testing to determine who has the COVID-19 virus, testing for antibodies to discover who has had the virus and recovered, and implementing a treatment protocol using hydroxychloroquine as both therapeutic, early treatment and/or a preventative measure.
“To date, the Administration has hidden behind the bureaucratic skirts of agencies that failed to adequately prepare us for this pandemic – the FDA, CDC and the national and international health institutes. New Jersey deserves better,” concluded Senator Pennacchio.
“In the interest of our residents, the Senate Select Oversight Committee will determine what policies and their timings were and were not in the best interest of the citizens of New Jersey, and to what extent the Governor was or was not thinking of our Constitutional rights as these policies were being formulated.”
Mobile Food Drop This Friday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. To accommodate the increase in popularity of this program, we have moved the location from the Parsippany PAL to the Liquid Church, located at 299 Webro Road.We also have our own food pantry located at 1130 Knoll Road in Lake Hiawatha. Please call our Human Services Department at (973) 263-7163 for safe drop-off and pick-up procedures.
Mobile Food Drop This Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
To accommodate the increase in popularity of this program, we have moved the location from the Parsippany PAL to the Liquid Church, located at 299 Webro Road.
We also have our own food pantry located at 1130 Knoll Road in Lake Hiawatha. Please call our Human Services Department at (973) 263-7163 for safe drop-off and pick-up procedures.
PARSIPPANY — Members from Chinese Christian Church of New Jersey, 232 South Beverwyck Road, will be distributing “Surgical Masks” starting on Friday, April 17 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Saturday, April 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday, April 20 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
They will set up outside ShopRite, 808 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Center, to provide local residents with masks. Each day they will distribute 1,500 masks starting at 7:00 a.m. There is a limit of three per person.
They will also have a second team at ShopRite, 540 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell, the same dates and times.
PARSIPPANY — The County of Morris has identified an additional 12 Parsippany residents presumptively tested positive for COVID-19, since it was last reported on Tuesday, April 14.
The number of presumptive positive cases in Parsippany-Troy Hills stands at 370 individuals. (This data is as of 2:58 p.m., Wednesday, April 15).
Morris County has a total of 3469 residents presumptively tested positive for COVID-19. This is an increase of 113 cases since Tuesday, April 14.
Please remember to continue the best practices of social distancing, washing your hands as often as possible, disinfecting any surfaces you may touch, and avoid touching your face. If you exhibit any symptoms of illness, please remember to consult your personal doctor immediately.
The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1. Testing is scheduled beginning 9:00 a.m. and is for Morris County residents only. There is no fee for the test.
To sign up for an appointment online click here for details.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.covid19.nj.gov or call 211.
For a complete breakdown of Morris County total presumptively tested positive cases, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Frank Cahill, Publisher of Parsippany Focus, and current President of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany was elected to serve Lt. Governor for Division 9, New Jersey District of Kiwanis International.
Cahill was elected on Monday, April 14, by unanimous votes of the majority clubs that serve Division 9. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the election was held using a Zoom Conference.
“Your fellow Kiwanians have elected you to one of the key leadership positions in your district. Your responsibilities include helping clubs maintain or increase their membership, opening new clubs, ensuring participation in club leadership education, and increasing club members’ engagement and morale,” said Carol Tiesi, current Lt. Governor Division 9.
Division 9 serves Boonton Kiwanis, The Chathams, Denville, Dover, Greater Parsippany, Montville, Morristown, Randolph, Tri-Town (Morris County) and Mount Olive.
Cahill will be sworn in during the New Jersey District Convention to be held in August at the Hilton Hotel, Hasbrouck heights. He will officially start serving on October 1. His first major assignment will be installing the new officers and directors in each of the clubs in the division.
Cahill currently is Lt. Gov. Elect serving under the current Lt. Governor Carol Tiesi.
Cahill is a Charter Member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany joining in 1991, and has served as Vice President, President-Elect and two terms as President. He is also a Charter Member of Tri-Town Kiwanis Club which was formed in December 2019.
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Today, they stand with more than 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance.
Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced lane closures on Route 10 westbound over four weekends as a roadway improvement project begins in Hanover, Morris County.
Beginning at 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 17, until 6:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, and repeating for the next three weekends, NJDOT’s contractor, Crisdel Construction Group, Inc., in scheduled to close one lane on Route 10 westbound in the vicinity of the I-287 interchange in Hanover. This closure will allow the contractor to complete full-box reconstruction of the roadway. One lane of westbound traffic will be maintained at all times during the weekend closures, and access to all ramps to and from I-287 will be maintained.
The $4.5 million state-funded project will reconstruct a half-mile portion of Route 10 westbound, which is in poor condition. The project also includes the installation of improved overhead signage and guide rail replacement, which will be completed during the week following the completion of weekend closures.
Advance warning and variable messaging signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) joined with Senator Anthony M. Bucco (LD-25) and Senator Richard J. Codey (LD-27) to urge Governor Phil Murphy to provide direct relief to Morris County as his administration decides how to allocate CARES Act funding across the state.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by the President on March 27th, included the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to support states fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. New Jersey is expected to receive $3.44 billion from this fund, and counties with more than 500,000 people are eligible for a direct payment. Morris County had 491,845 residents in 2019, putting it just under that cap as it fights on the front lines of the pandemic.
“We do not believe a distinction can be made between the efforts and investment required by Morris County, with a population of 491,845 in 2019, and other only slightly more populous counties,” wrote Sherrill, Bucco, and Codey.
Representative Sherrill, Senator Bucco, and Senator Codey enumerated the actions taken by the county since late February to respond to COVID-19. “Like the other counties of a similar size, Morris County has had to confront this crisis on numerous fronts,” they continued. “This funding is critical to Morris County’s ability to continue their efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and work to keep our constituents safe.”
Representative Sherrill also continues to fight at the federal level for additional support for New Jersey. Last week, she co-sponsored the Coronavirus Community Relief Act, legislation that would provide an additional $250 billion in direct stabilization funding to counties and municipalities with fewer than 500,000 residents.
