MORRIS COUNTY — What goes better with a hot summer day than the cold taste of a delicious ice cream treat! On Sunday, August 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., take the family to Bamboo Brook OEC in Chester Township to enjoy an old-fashioned summer day filled with games, such as hoops and sticks, croquet, a yo-yo contest, and more. Watch the duck races as entries float through the site’s water features among historic gardens. Bring your camera along for a scenic guided tour. Plan on relaxing? Take your favorite lawn chair and blanket, and even a picnic basket, and enjoy an ice cream treat.

Bamboo Brook’s gardens were designed by Martha Brookes Hutcheson, one of the first women landscape architects in the United States. These gardens were designed for cool fun on hot summer days. So travel back in time to see these gardens in their full summer glory. Cost is $8.00 per person. Pre-registration is required. To register click here or call (973) 326-7601.

The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 20,197 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!

MORRIS COUNTY — Forever Home Dog Rescue rescued Pugsley and his siblings from a high kills shelter in NC and they are now living in foster homes in New Jersey. The puppies are about 12-14 weeks old and they were owner surrendered because of the owner’s poor health. The owner told the shelter their mom is AKC Belgian Malinois and the guess is their dad is some type of a mix, maybe lab mix. Pugsley has a shiny black coat with white under his chin and chest. And, he currently weighs 17-18 pounds.

This is what Pugsley’s foster family has to say about him…..”Pugsley is so very sweet! He is affectionate and enjoys cuddling and being around people. Give him a belly rub and he will be very happy puppy! This sweet and calm puppy likes playing with my 2 dogs, playing in the yard and he loves playing with toys! When he wants to be petted, Pugsley will sit patiently and just wait for you to pet him. He is a very smart puppy and he is learning quickly from my dogs.  He sleeps through the night without having accidents and he is doing very good with house training.  Pugsley is laid back, sweet and cuddly!”

We are sure when you meet Pugsley, you will fall in love!!

Please email FHDR@att.net for an adoption application if interested in adopting this sweet pup!  You can see more photos and a video clip of him as well as other adoptable pups by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY —  Businesses that make charitable food donations would be permitted to deduct contributions from their state income taxes under a measure that cleared the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee today. The bill A1914, sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber, would mirror the federal income tax deduction for food donations made from business inventory.

“New Jerseyans are some of the most charitable people in the world,” said Webber (Morris). “It’s time the state starts to reward businesses that make the effort to eliminate waste and help feed the hungry. By offering an incentive like a state tax deduction, we hope to reward those who already do good, encourage more donations, and recognize the businesses that selflessly serve our communities.”

More than a dozen states, including neighboring New York and Delaware, already offer some type of a state-level income tax deduction for charitable food donations. Legislation seeking to create a deduction in New Jersey has been introduced every year for over a decade.

“This is an important piece of legislation that needs to get over the finish line,” said Webber.

To be eligible for the deduction, businesses would have to make the donation to an organization that the IRS has determined is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. In addition, the food must fit the federal definition of “apparently wholesome food,” which means it meets all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with law enforcement agencies in six New Jersey counties to track down a couple suspected of breaking into at least 27 concession stands at Little League, school and community recreation fields since April.

The burglaries, which span April 24 through Thursday, June 20, have been reported in Morris, Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic and Sussex counties. The break-ins involve significant damage to the doors of the structures and theft of cash, candy, beverages and other items.

Surveillance images of a man and woman whom authorities suspect of targeting the concession stands were captured at the Woodbridge Little League concession stand on Van Buren Street in Woodbridge. Additional images were captured at stands in Teaneck and Hasbrouck Heights in Bergen County.

The largest theft so far during a break-in netted the perpetrators as much as $700 in cash. Beyond cash or items stolen, the thieves caused significant damage while breaking in. Some local businesses have stepped forward to assist with paying for repairs.

The latest break-in, occurring sometime between the evening of Wednesday, June 19, and the morning of Thursday, June 20, was reported at a concession stand at Overpeck County Park in Paramus.

Morris County Sheriff’s Office Systems Analyst Jane Recktenwald, who oversees the Office Trends and Analysis Unit known as MCSTAT, is gathering and assessing data, and working cooperatively with police in all the affected municipalities on the crime they have in common.

“This is a prime opportunity for law enforcement agencies to share intelligence to apprehend perpetrators who are stealing from children, their families, schools and recreation programs that count on concession stand sales to support Little League and other sport activities,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

Analyst Recktenwald said concession stand operators are advised to remove cash from the premises upon closing and try to secure or lock up candy, beverages and other sale items. Police are also advised to make frequent checks of concession stands in their communities.

Morris and Passaic counties have been targeted most frequently so far, with eight concession stands reportedly burglarized in each.

Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) detectives are assisting in the investigations, including collection of evidence, within Morris County.

The Morris County burglaries include:

• Parsippany-Troy Hills Little League East on May 2;
• Jefferson Parks Department concession stand between May 11 and May 13;
• Burnham Park Little League concession stand between May 15 and May 16.
• Lake Parsippany Park concession stand between May 24 and May 27;
• Madison High School concession stand between May 31 and June 1;
• Dodge Field in Madison concession stand between May 31 and June 2;
• Anderson Field in Kinnelon concession stand between June 6 and June 7;
• Donatoni Park concession stand, Rockaway Borough, break-in reported June 20.

Bergen County authorities are investigating related burglaries at four stands in Elmwood Park, Paramus, Teaneck and Hasbrouck Heights.

In Essex County, stands were burglarized in Belleville, Livingston and Verona.

In Middlesex County, a concession stand was broken into in Woodbridge.

In Passaic County, thieves burglarized the same stand twice in Totowa, two separate fields in Clifton, and stands in Wayne, Paterson, Little Falls and Bloomingdale.

In Sussex County, two stands in Stanhope Borough were burglarized.

PARSIPPANY — The Assembly advanced a bill (A605) sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce that would stop dental insurance companies from selling or renting their provider networks and discounts to third parties. These arrangements, referred to as “silent PPOs” or “rental networks,” are often made without the knowledge of dentists or patients.

“This bill is all about transparency and protecting patients and dentists from these hidden agreements that end up costing them,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “People should know what is being covered by their health insurance and dentists should know what to expect in the form of reimbursements.”

Dentists and other providers generally join a health insurance’s PPO network and agree to take lower compensation than they otherwise might charge in exchange for a flow of patients. When the health insurance company sells or rents their PPO network to a third party without notifying the providers it is called a silent PPO. The in-network dentist then unknowingly provides service at a discounted rate to patients not in the original network.

Most health care providers are not even aware they are in a silent PPO until they receive reimbursement from a third party that claims entitlement to a payment reduction.

Silent PPOs hit a nerve in patients, too. Without accurate cost and benefit information, patients could end up receiving an unexpected bill or forgo treatment because of the out-of-pocket price.

“No one deserves a surprise statement in the mail,” said DeCroce. “Not only can this impact their pockets, but also their oral health.”

The bill would only permit health insurers to contract with third parties if they give dentists in their network the ability to opt out of such an agreement.

PARSIPPANY — 21 teams and 100 fans participated in the Wifflemania XXXV tournament held this past Saturday, June 22 at Smith Field Park.

The competition was great during bracket play as they saw a total of 18 games decided by 1 run.

Congratulations to New Era’s Jeremy DeCotiis, Austin DeCotiis, Matt Ajaj & Brandon Magnotta. The wiffle studs from Jefferson lived up to their 3-peat guarantee winning their 3rd consecutive title.  After going 4-0 in bracket play, they went on to smash 6 HR’s en-route to a 12-4 thrashing of the Bangers in the finals to take home the cup.

New Era RF, Brandon “Spongecake” Magnotta was named the tournament’s MVP for the 1st time while teammate, Jeremy DeCotiis won HR King, blasting 8 HR’s, including 2 in the finals.

New Era defeated Batnottas 13-0 in the NL Bracket Final while Bangers defeated Dad Bods 6-5 in the AL Bracket Final.

Thanks to all our reliable friends and family who helped put this event together and to those guys that umped all day.

Wiffle Mania XXXV raised approximately $1500 dollars which we will again be donating to The Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Valerie Fund and The Parsippany Food Pantry.

Official WM XXXV Records
New Era 5-0
Bangers 4-1
Dad Bods 5-2
Batnottas 3-2
Intervale Bulldogs 3-2
Young Guns 3-2
Splash Bros. 3-2
Mudhens 2-2
Ballbusters 2-2
EH Ballers 2-2
Lox Stocked and Bageled 1-2
Odd Balls 1-2
Sons of Italy 1-2
El Hectors 1-2
Wise Guys 1-2
NYC Sluggers 1-2
Harry Ballers 1-2
FP All Stars 0-2
Friends Wiff Benefits 0-2
Barnyard Bombers 0-2
Outlaws 0-2