PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officer Joseph Chmura responded to the lobby of Parsippany Police Headquarters at 1:16 p.m. on March 23 to speak to a Baldwin Road business owner regarding a theft.
After speaking to the victim it was alleged that employee Daisy Ramos, 35, Elizabeth, was cashing checks that were made out to the business.
Detective M. Czajka conducted an investigation into the incident and discovered between April of 2015 and October of 2015 Ms. Ramos cashed in excess of $40,000 in checks issued to the victim’s business.
Detective M. Czajka charged Ms. Ramos with Theft on June 18. Shortly thereafter she was placed under arrest and released on her own recognizance pending her court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — While investigating an activated burglar alarm at 7:23 a.m. on July 12 in the Galleria Mall at 2651 Route 10 East, Patrol Officer made contact with Jonathan Robbins, 42, Dover.
After a brief investigation it was determined that he was allowed to be on premise, but had two active no bail warrants.
The first warrant was issued by the Morris County Superior Court and the second warrant was issued by the Essex County Superior Court.
While being placed under arrest, one partial Suboxone pill and one Suboxone sublingual film were found in his possession.
Mr. Robbins was transported to Parsippany Police Headquarters where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled and Dangerous Substance in the third degree.
Judge Frese authorized the warrant with a bail amount of $5,000.00 with no 10% option. Mr. Robbins was transported to Morris County Correctional Facility until his court dates.
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 Police Departments Communication Center received a call from the victim of a car theft on Northfield Road at 10:06 a.m. on Saturday, July 16. Upon arrival of Patrol Officer G. Cacioppo, it was determined that the victims 2013 Dodge Charger was stolen between 3:45 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. It was also determined that the vehicle was left unlocked with the keys inside the vehicle.
At 7:28 p.m. Officers responded back to the victim’s residence and advised them that their vehicle was recovered by the Newark Police Department. This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Parsippany Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Police Department’s Communication Center received a call at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20 from a passerby about a broken window at Quick Stop, 1446 Route 46, Troy Hills Village Shopping Center.
Upon arrival of Patrol Officers McAuliffe and Ohlsen they observed a broken front window and a metal object laying inside on the floor. Officers checked the interior of the store, but the unknown suspect had already fled. The store owner arrived on scene and advised the Officers that a lockbox with cash was stolen from inside the business. Parsippany Detective John Keiling and the Morris County Sheriff’s Department CID responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation.
Captain J. Wieners observed a broken front window at 1446 Route 46, Quick Stop, while he was traveling through the parking lot on Friday, August 5 at 6:57 a.m.
He advised Police dispatch of his location and multiple backup units responded to the scene. Once the Officers checked the interior of the building it was determined that the unknown suspect had already fled the area. Responding units found two bricks inside the business which were used by the unknown suspect to smash the window and make entry into the business. Once the business owner arrived on scene he advised the Officers that cash and cigarettes were stolen. Morris County Sheriff’s Department CID responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
These incidents remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Parsippany Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department’s Communication Center was contacted by a concerned motorist reporting a possible drunk driver in a Hyundai Santa Fe who had just pulled into Parsippany Inn and Suites, 2939 Route 10 East on Monday, August 1 at 6:49 p.m.
Responding units located the vehicle at 2939 Route 10 and conducted a motor vehicle stop. Patrol Officer S. Baker made contact with Erik Torgersen, 51, Parsippany, who was driving the vehicle.
After a brief investigation Mr. Torgersen was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters.
Upon his arrival, he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He was released on his own recognizance into the custody of a family member pending his court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The Department of Public Works conducted the 10th Annual Rockaway River Clean-up on Saturday, August 6. Volunteers met at the Lake Hiawatha Swim Club at 8:00 a.m. The Township supplied gloves, garbage bags, grab sticks and safety gear to facilitate in the clean up.
Clean Communities Coordinator Eddie Celardo issuing equipment
Coffee and Donuts were provided to the volunteers & crew
Council Vice President Robert Peluso participated in the removal of trash
Teams preparing to deploy
The team cleaned up areas around the Rockaway River, along Lake Shore Drive, Knoll Road, Vail Road and Greenbank Road.
Over a dozen bags of trash were collected and other debris removed including trash floating inside the river and tree debris blocking the passage ways.
Council Vice President Robert Peluso participated in the clean up as well as Director of Human Services Michele Picone.
Clean Communities Coordinator Eddie Celardo and Department of Public Works Director Greg Schneider directed the efforts.
Parsippany Police and Morris Couny Sheriiff Office Detectives along with multiple ambulance squads investigating a body found in the Troy Hills Shopping Center
PARSIPPANY — A deceased body was discovered Friday afternoon, August 5 behind the Michaels Craft Stores, 1099 Route 46. Although the name hasn’t been released by the Parsippany Police Department, the individual was a homeless man in his late sixties, who was frequently seen around the shopping center.
There is no reason for the public to be alarmed, it is believed the individual died of natural causes.
Parsippany Police Officers, along with the detective bureau and the Morris County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation team were on scene. Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad was also on the scene.
Parsippany Focus will update this article when additional information becomes available.
PARSIPPANY — Realtor Jacqueline Scura (of RE/MAX First Choice in Parsippany) announced the recipient of the 2016 “Jackie Scura’s Chance for Success” scholarship is Sarah Ansari of Parsippany High School.
Ms. Scura’s scholarship is not strictly a recognition of academic achievement or athletic skill. Instead, this scholarship is an acknowledgement of an exceptional work ethic and drive for personal and professional success. 30 years in Real Estate have taught Jackie the rewards of hard work and determination, and with this scholarship, she hopes to encourage ambitious local students to pursue their own goals.
Parsippany High Senior, Sarah Ansari submitted an application which showed exactly the kind of promise Jackie was looking for. Sarah has excelled academically throughout her high school career, receiving honors and taking college level coursework whenever possible, but what sets her apart is her willingness to go out in the world and act on goals she formed very early in life. After losing her grandmother to cancer, Sarah saw how many other lives around her were touched by the same disease – including a fellow student and a teacher in her school. This led to an interest in studying medicine and the pharmaceutical research being done to combat cancer.
Those are common goals, but Sarah is not a common girl, so she decided to take a more hands on approach to learning about medicine. At 14, she joined the Parsippany First Aid Squad and got a first hand look at what it is to care for people in her community. By 16, she was old enough to join an active duty squad and offer direct support as a Junior EMT. In her time on the squad, Sarah was voted onto the board of the Youth Squad and used her influence to run fundraisers and bring the Youth Squad budget from $20.00 to almost $2000.00.
This experience gave Sarah far more than a look at medicine – it gave her the chance to step outside of her comfort zone and grow as a person. Before joining the squad, Sarah describes herself as a “timid, wavering teenager”, but now “with encouragement from my parents and the acquisition of over 1000 service hours, I’ve flourished as a person and found my calling.”
Sarah will be attending Boston College this coming fall and taking a pre-med course load. She still wants to both practice medicine and engage in cancer research, but most of all she wants to make her contribution in this world. There’s no doubt that she will succeed.
Put down the coffee, bagel or hairbrush and drive! Or else! A bill winding its way through Trenton would impose stiff fines and even a possible license suspension for drivers who eat, drink, groom, read or use electronic devices behind the wheel. Violators could face a $200 to $400 fine for the first offense and a…
Young writers: Sisters Rhaya Lau, 11, and Maya Lau, 9.
PARSIPPANY — Children who read eight hours so far in the Summer Reading Club at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library celebrated at the Halftime Party, the halfway point of the Summer Reading Program with games, an author presentation and an icy treat.
Award winning author for children and teens, Alison Ashley Formento shared some of her stories; This Tree Counts, These Bees Count, These Rocks Count, and These Seas Count to a captive audience. She also presented a special Writing Seeds Workshop for third to seventh grade students. Students were given a prompt then added three words and proceeded to create a paragraph or two. Stories were then shared with the group.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library is located at 449 Halsey Road.
The Highlands at Hilltop is similar to a development they are constructing in Morris Plains
MORRIS PLAINS — Roseland Residential Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation held a ceremonial ground breaking for its newest luxury residential community, Signature Place at Morris Plains. The new multi-family community will feature 197 luxury apartment homes and is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.
This site was previously a vacant Mack-Cali office building that is being repurposed into a multi-family residential community.
The repositioning of select Mack-Cali office buildings into multi-family communities was a key part of the company’s strategic plan announced last year. The repurposing of certain assets will create significant value and is designed to ensure the highest and best use of those selected properties. Mack-Cali and Roseland are in the process of repositioning several of its underperforming, obsolete assets and continue to evaluate the portfolio for additional repositioning opportunities.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the Mack-Cali and Roseland team as we move forward with another of the cornerstone initiatives we laid out in our strategic plan,” said Michael J. DeMarco, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation. “In order to provide the highest rate of return for our investors, we know that we must optimize the value of each and every property in our portfolio. Creating Signature Place at Morris Plains will accomplish exactly that for this site.”
“This is an incredibly attractive location for a luxury residential community – with excellent transit options and a vibrant surrounding area,” said Andrew Marshall, President and Chief Operating Officer of Roseland Residential Trust. “Bringing 197 apartment homes to Morris Plains is a win-win for both our company and the borough, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”
This new community is located at 250 Johnson Road in a park-like setting with lake views. Signature Place at Morris Plains is ideally situated in the heart of Morris County, in close proximity to numerous recreational, dining, and shopping destinations along Route 10. It also features a number of convenient options for commuters including indoor/outdoor parking, NJ TRANSIT’s Morris Plains train station with hourly service to New York Penn Station, and access to Interstates 287 and 80.
Each of the 197 luxury apartment homes will feature a high-end living experience designed to attract a wide range of residents from young professionals to empty-nesters looking to downsize from their current residence. The property includes one- and two-bedroom units, all with state-of-the-art appliances and finishes. Signature Place will also provide residents with access to a wide range of amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, dog run with dog-washing station, resort-style, outdoor swimming pool with sun deck, barbecue grills, tennis court, golf simulator, resident clubroom with billiards, and conference room.
“Roseland and Mack-Cali are excellent partners and this exciting development will bring tremendous benefits to our already wonderful borough,” said Morris Plains Mayor Frank J. Druetzler. “We look forward to coming back here for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of what I know will be a first-class residential community.”
About Roseland Residential Trust
Roseland Residential Trust (Roseland), a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI) was recently formed to own, manage, and develop Mack-Cali’s luxury multi-family residential portfolio. Roseland is a premier, full-service residential and mixed-use owner and developer in the Northeast with an industry-leading reputation for successful completion, execution, and management of class A residential developments. Roseland’s scalable and integrated business platform oversees the Company’s operating and in-construction assets, geographically desirable land portfolio, sourcing of new development and acquisition opportunities, and repurposing activities on Mack-Cali’s office holdings.
Volunteers cleaning up the Rockaway River in previous years
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township cleanup has been scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
There is something to do for all participants so bring your friends, neighbors, family, civic group members and anyone else who is dedicated to helping to create a debris-free Rockaway River. Volunteers will meet at River Drive across from the Lake Hiawatha Swim Club.
The rain date for this event will be Saturday, August 13.
For additional information, please call (973) 263-7273.
Karen DeChristopher and Al Goldberg with Parsippany Police Community Relation Officers Brian Conover and Remo D' Alessandro
MORRIS TOWNSHIP – For the 14th year, Morris County’s Annual National Night Out event was held on Tuesday, August 2 at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morris Township.
The local take on the national event was held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. offering a variety of free attractions, including food, drinks, live entertainment, ice-skating, and giveaways.
Fire, police, and rescue personnel were on hand to demonstrate a range of skills and equipment used in helping protect Morris County residents.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Chief Louis Yuliano, Morris County Park Police Chief Gabriel DePetro with Parsippany Rescue and Recovery member Joseph Bellardino
“This is a perfect event to bring together our police, fire and county rescue teams with county residents, to have them explain what they do, talk about important community crime and safety efforts, and also to have a good time at the ice rink on a hot summer night,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Douglas Cabana in a statement.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery along with local firefighters extricated a vehicle as part of a demonstration.
The Morris County Park Police offered registration for their Child ID cards, an initiative launched in 2000 that has registered more than 1,000 children annually.
Mennen Arena is located at 161 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township.
Jersey Central Power and Light employees invited children to explore their bucket truck and equipment Photo courtesy of JCPL
National Night Out, which began in 1984, is an annual nationwide communituilding campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and better places to live. It provides an opportunity to bring police and residents together in a positive setting, while promoting a countywide sense of community.
The event is meant to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch and other anti-crime programs.
Neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.
The National Night Out event in Morris County had a special focus on families, and the police, rescue and emergency services available to them.
Visitors were able to investigate the essential equipment of police, fire, and emergency teams, including motorcycles, ambulances, all-terrain vehicles, fire engines, and squad cars.
New Jersey Transit Police Officers at Morris County National Night Out
“The Morris County National Night Out for the past seven years has received national recognition because it offers a comprehensive array of participating agencies to educate the public on available community services,” said newly appointed Park Police Chief Gabriel DiPietro.
Each year since 2007, the National Association of Town Watch has named the Morris County’s National Night Out event a national award winner.
The Park Police Department currently patrols park facilities in cars and on motorcycles, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, and horses to ensure public safety.
TRENTON — If you need to renew your driver’s license but don’t want to wait in a long line, Gov. Chris Christie has a suggestion: Don’t procrastinate. The governor on Tuesday told people concerned of excess wait times at the Motor Vehicle Commission not to delay their visit until the end of the month, when he…
TRENTON — Future New Jersey high school students have to prove that they are ready to graduate by passing two standardized tests that fewer than 50 percent of students have conquered thus far. The state Board of Education on Wednesday approved the PARCC exams as the state’s new graduation assessment, and students will now be required…
The organizers of the QuickChek Festival of Ballooning clarified their refund and ticket replacement policy after the rainy weather forced the early closure of the festival on Sunday, with many events postponed or canceled.
“For all of our guests who experienced challenges due to this weekend’s unprecedented weather, we appreciate your feedback,” the festival wrote on their Facebook page. Heavy rain on Saturday forced the evacuation of the festival ground at Soleburg Airport in Readington. The festival opened as scheduled on Sunday but closed after 11:00 a.m because of soggy conditions.
General admission ticket holders are being offered tickets to next year’s festival but not straight refunds. You can review the information on their website, by clicking here.
Those customers holding general admission tickets that were not used will be able to get a ticket by presenting the body of the ticket, the bar code, and the ticket stub that includes the area to write your e-mail address. If the 2016 unredeemed ticket does not contain all three parts it is ineligible for 2017 tickets.
Hard ticket holders who went to the festival but were asked to leave because of the weather and didn’t return, should mail their ticket no later than August 16 to QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, Attn: Festival Director, 363 Route 46, Suite 200, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004. A note should be included as to when you entered the grounds.
Those with unused tickets ordered online and printed at home should e-mail their order numbers to information@balloonfestival.com to receive a replacement ticket for the 2017 Festival. This includes Groupon orders. For those that went to the festival but were forced to leave, an email should be sent with the order number to receive an equal number of tickets to the 2017 festival.
Concert ticket holders will also be offered tickets to next year’s concerts. The KC and the Sunshine Band concert was performed but those who were asked to leave the festival can email the festival their order number. Those ticket holders will pick a concert in June 2017.
The John Kay/Steppenwolf/Foghat concert was not performed on Sunday and reserved concert ticket holders will automatically get a refund by August 5. Replacement tickets are not being offered for the Pop Sensation concert with Dove Cameron and Ryan McCartan, as it was performed as scheduled.
The weather also stopped most of the balloon rides with Saturday night and all Sunday rides canceled. Ticket holders will be automatically refunded.
Runners in the canceled Running with the Balloons 5K will automatically be entered in the 2017 race and will receive two tickets to the 2017 festival.
Festival of Ballooning, Inc., is located at 363 Route 46 West, Suite 200, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education has entered into agreement with Source4Teachers, a leading provider of educational managed service solutions for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school districts, to manage the substitute and paraprofessional program in its entirety.
The partnership requires Source4Teachers to recruit, screen, train, hire and manage applicants looking to be part or full-time substitutes in Parsippany-Troy Hills. This is Source4Teachers’ first partnership in Morris County.
Those interested in joining Source4Teachers, including both current Parsippany-Troy Hills substitutes and those looking to serve for the first time, may apply online by clicking here. Additionally, there will be multiple hiring events in August. The dates, time and locations will be available by clicking here.
“As a school district, our primary responsibility is to our children and we’re confident that they’ll be the biggest beneficiary of the District’s partnership with Source4Teachers,” said Dr. LeRoy Seitz, interim superintendent of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District. “We did our homework and took this selection process very seriously so we’re confident that Source4Teachers is the right partner. We’re pleased that they’ll be deepening the talent pool of available substitute talent-which helps to ensure a seamless and meaningful education to the children of Parsippany-Troy Hills.”
“Source4Teachers is pleased to be working with The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District and eager to serve the students, parents and community of Parsippany,” stated Andy Hall, chief operating officer, Source4Teachers. “This relationship will improve the delivery of a quality education to students and cut down on the administrative burden associated with managing the substitute process. Perhaps most significantly, we’ll be helping the district to avoid unwelcome costs.”
Recognized with several awards for its entrepreneurial vision and growth, Source4Teachers has become a leader in the educational services space. To become a substitute employee in the Parsippany-Troy Hills township schools, applicants must have a valid New Jersey Standard CEAS, CE, or Substitute Certificate, a valid New Jersey Criminal History Approval Letter and a tuberculosis test reflecting negative results obtained within six months of initial employment.
About Source4Teachers
Established in 2000, Source4Teachers is a leading provider of educational-managed solutions. The company recruits, hires, trains, places and manages qualified substitute teachers, substitute paraprofessionals and educational support staff throughout the U.S. Each day, the company fills more than 6,000 daily and long-term school vacancies for more than 230 clients.
The community youth group of India Culture Foundation aka Parsippany Indian Association held a food drive
PARSIPPANY — The community youth group of India Culture Foundation aka Parsippany Indian Association held a food drive event on July 23 at ShopRite of Parsippany.
The purpose of the event was to give back to the community and make a difference to those who are not as fortunate as we are. It was also a character building exercise for children. The youth group’s goal was to collect and donate at least 1,000 items but they far exceeded their goal.
Donations collected during the food drive and support from local businesses (Radio Chai 1310AM, ShopRite of Parsippany, Parsippany’s Best Pizza, Patel Brothers and Deep Foods) they were able to donate over 2,500 items to the Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center of Morristown.
As part of character building exercise this event brought out the best in children. This event has helped children develop morals. Values and effective leadership that is necessary not only to excel in school, but also in their personal life.
This event would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation from the dedicated members of the youth group (Prisha, Riya, Maahi, Dhairya, Dhara, Kush, Drasti, Richa, Heta, Sahil, Pruthvi, Raj, Shreya, Rushil, Darsh, Nishil and Shivam) and support from their parents and Youth group mentor, Mr. Rajiv Kunderan (Executive Committee member of India Culture Foundation).
The community youth group of India Culture Foundation aka Parsippany Indian Association held a food drive
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Chief of Investigations John Speirs of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Chief Robert Treiber of the Florham Park Police Department, Chief Stanley J. Hansen of the East Hanover Police Department and Chief Mark D. Roddy of the Hanover Township Police Department announce the arrest of Colin Bolger, 19, of Florham Park, on numerous charges of Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, related to allegations involving two underage females.
Colin Bolger has been charged in four separate complaints from conduct alleged to have occurred in three different municipalities. Each complaint charges him with one count of Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), a crime of the second degree, and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), a crime of the third degree.
In late June 2016, the mother of a 15 year old female reported to the East Hanover Police Department that her daughter had been sexually assaulted by Mr. Bolger when she 14 years old. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement determined that various acts of sexual penetration had allegedly been committed upon the female in both Florham Park and East Hanover between September 2015 and April 2016.
Subsequent investigation revealed that a separate 14 year old female had also allegedly been sexually assaulted by Mr. Bolger when she was 13 years old in both Florham Park and Hanover Township between September 2015 and April 2016.
Bail was set by the Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C. at $50,000 no 10%, cash bond or property, with a Nicole’s Law Restraining Order as to each victim.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Florham Park Police Department, specifically, Detective/Sergeant Scott Bartell, the East Hanover Police Department, specifically Detective Frank Franco, the Hanover Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, specifically Detective/Supervisor Marshall Wang.
Anyone with information related to Colin Bolger and/or these allegations is asked to contact Detective Marshall Wang of the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, Detective Scott Bartell of the Florham Park Police Department at (973) 377-5441 or Detective Frank Franco of the East Hanover Police Department at (973) 428-3053.
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.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA will be hosting their first annual 5K run on Saturday, September 24 and everyone is invited! “5K for a Cause” will begin and end at Briarcliff School in Mountain Lakes and all proceeds will benefit the Y’s financial assistance program.
This is a USATFNJ 500 point, certified event and it’s on a stroller-friendly course. Registration and packet pick up starts at 8:00 a.m. with the race start time of 9:00 a.m.
Free t-shirts for all pre-registered participants.
Awards for the top three in all categories. Register now for the event online by clicking here.