PARSIPPANY — Steve Conte, owner of Funny Books, welcomed a visit from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee, accompanied by Video on the Go.
Funny Books is located at 98 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha.
Parsippany’s gem, Funny Books, shines on Public Access Channel 21. Join Mayor and the Economic Development Committee in the #SHOP LOCAL, #SHOP PARSIPPANY initiative. Keeping community and business intertwined!
In conjunction with Video on The Go Producer, Cinematographer, and Director Brian Satch, Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill began working with local businesses within Parsippany to help publicize their business.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor said, “Parsippany businesses create job opportunities here in Parsippany. And add to the Township character. They also contribute to our charitable organizations. As Mayor of the Township Parsippany-Troy Hills, I ask you to #SHOP LOCAL, #SHOP PARSIPPANY.
The video will be aired on Public Access Channel 21 and included on the Township’s social media posts. In addition, Parsippany Focus will promote the videos as a free service to the Parsippany business community.
“In addition to working with the Administration on attracting new business to Parsippany, our committee is committed to working with current businesses and helping promote business within Parsippany,” said Cahill.
The service is free to any Parsippany business. Contact Frank Cahill at (973) 559-6000 for scheduling.
Funny Books is located at 98 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha.
Agenda subject to change without notice Although the information on this site is believed to be reliable, online postings of meeting agendas are not considered official copies.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting was held on August 22, 2023.
Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.
Mayor James R. Barberio Council President Loretta Gragnani Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro Councilman Paul Carifi Jr. Councilman Frank Neglia Councilman Justin Musella
Mr. Douglas Anderson, lost control of his Subaru Crosstrek near 2467 Route 10 East
PARSIPPANY — Landing resident, Mr. Douglas Anderson, lost control of his Subaru Crosstrek near 2467 Route 10 East, leading to an accident at The Mountain Club entrance.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 12, around 10:15 a.m. Anderson’s attempt to turn into the address came too late, causing him to strike the entrance’s median curb, pass through the exit, and eventually hit a rock wall.
The vehicle was later towed by Powdermill Towing.
The vehicle was found resting in the nearby woods. While Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Jeffrey Williams cited improper turning and speeding as causes, no legal summons was issued as of this report. The vehicle was later towed by Powdermill Towing.
MORRIS COUNTY — Lakeland Hills Family YMCA begins its Fall 1 Program Session on Monday, September 11.
Most all youth and teen classes are open to the community as well as available for member registration. Most know the YMCA is the number one provider of children and adult swim lessons across the United States. But did you know there are an amazing number of classes that are open to the community for youth and teens? Here are some of the really cool classes your kids or teens will love: Senior Parkour Fitness, Middle-School Dodgeball, Basketball Clinics for ballers of all ages, and more. Have a teen who is a gaming wiz? The Y is the leader in esports gaming, infusing computer skills with communication strategies, teamwork, and hand-eye coordination. You may choose from an in-person or virtual program, club level, or high-school competitive esports club. Don’t forget there is Outdoor Archery on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for ages 8-13 as well!
This is the time of year your youngster might want to try ballet or gymnastics. Why pay for a specialty school when you aren’t sure your child is going to enjoy this new activity? The Y is the perfect place to start your child. Beginner Ballet and Beginner Gymnastics are available on Saturday mornings and are open to everyone, not just Y members. Intermediate-Level Gymnastics is also offered for beginner-to-intermediate gymnasts. These are just three classes in the Y’s brand-new Saturday Schedule, perfect for multiple sports opportunities.
Other Saturday morning classes include STEM, Junior Parkour Games, and Senior Parkour Fitness. Mini Achievers is for 3–5-year-olds held on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., where staff identify each child’s individual needs and then prepare them for a school setting or help them make new friends. Children will gain confidence, curiosity, communication, and a love of learning. Children ages 3-6 will have a great time as they move and groove in a program called “Kids Rhythm”. This upbeat program is a fun way for children to express themselves and increase their fitness while moving to the latest tunes. It is held on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.
With over one dozen special events being held this Fall, there is a program or event for everyone in the family, not just kids. Some quick highlights include:
• Kids Night Out: Saturday, September 23 with the theme of Lego-Mania • Kids Night Out: Saturday, October 21 with the theme of Harry Potter • Archery Tag for teens ages 10-15 on Friday, October 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. • Family Adventure Weekend at Frost Valley YMCA – call for info • It’s back, and bigger and better: GRIT ‘n SNOW, the Y’s award-winning youth resilience series combining snowboarding with social, emotional, and mental health lessons to build confidence, make new friends, and earn their GRIT.
Returning in December is the Y’s famous Indoor Youth Sports Leagues featuring basketball and soccer. Registration is open and available to both Y members and non-members. All the above programs and classes are open to the community. Registration is underway and classes begin September 11, so be sure to register online by clicking here.
Mark your calendars and get ready to be a part of a grand celebration! Parsippany’s Fall Festival is back
PARSIPPANY — Mark your calendars and get ready to be a part of a grand celebration! Parsippany’s Fall Festival is back for its monumental 20th year, and we are extending a warm invitation to you. Join on Sunday, October 1 from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m., and immerse yourself in what promises to be the most lively and memorable edition of the festival yet. We’re all set to make history, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! The Fall Festival is staged on North Beverwyck Road.
Highlights:
Food & Drinks: Indulge in a variety of culinary delights.
Entertainment: Enjoy live performances and engaging activities.
Attractions: Experience an array of fun-filled attractions designed to captivate attendees of all ages.
Vendor Details:
Space Allocation: Each vendor will have a space starting from a minimum of 12’ x 12’, with variations based on location and purpose.
Vendor Placement: Stalls will be strategically placed along the festival route to ensure maximum visibility and accessibility.
Preference to Local Merchants: North Beverwyck Road businesses will receive priority for spaces directly in front of their establishments.
If this sounds like an opportunity you don’t want to miss, we’d love to have you onboard.
Hudson Distribution Services, located at 701 Jefferson Road, has received approval for a Cannabis Warehouse and Distribution Operation.
PARSIPPANY — Hudson Distribution Services, situated at 701 Jefferson Road, has been granted approval by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Minor Site Plan and Subdivision Committee to operate a Cannabis Warehouse and Distribution Operation.
The company, which takes up the entirety of the 134,700-square-foot building, plans to allocate 25,000 square feet for the distribution of cannabis products alongside general merchandise within the Specialized Economic District (SED-5A) Zoning District.
Pleasantville Realty, based in Teaneck, owns the property.
While they’ve secured Minor Site Plan and Subdivision approval, Hudson Distribution Services must still secure a license from the Township Clerk and meet all state requirements, notably acquiring a Class 4 Distributor License from the State’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
On July 20, 2021, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills enacted an ordinance, amending Chapter 430 of its Code, allowing a select number of Class 3 Cannabis Wholesaler and Class 4 Cannabis Distributor licenses to operate within specific zoning districts in the Township. This ordinance ensures these entities function responsibly, safeguarding the well-being of the Township’s residents, and maintaining alignment with State laws and regulations.
MORRIS COUNTY ~ Paul Mcveigh, 23, of Parsippany was charged with driving under the influence July 30 after a motor vehicle accident involving a deer was reported.
Sparta Patrolman Matthew Pletcher responded to West Mountain Road and talked to the driver, Mcveigh. The officer suspected that he had consumed alcoholic beverages and was showing signs of impairment.
Mcveigh was asked to perform field sobriety tests after he was taken to Sparta Police Headquarters. After the tests, he was arrested.
Further investigation showed that the accident occurred in Franklin and did not involve a deer, police said.
Mcveigh refused to provide breath samples and also was charged with refusal to submit to breath testing, reckless driving, failure to report accident, open container of alcoholic beverage, careless driving and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Councilman Justin Musella, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., Council President Loretta Gragnani, Council Vice President Michael dePierro and Councilman Frank Neglia
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting will be held on August 22, 2023.
Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.
Mayor James R. Barberio Council President Loretta Gragnani Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro Councilman Paul Carifi Jr. Councilman Frank Neglia Councilman Justin Musella
RANDOLPH — The County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees is seeking dedicated Morris County residents to fill three board seats for four-year terms starting November 1, 2023. Current trustees wishing to be reconsidered for their positions must reapply by September 1, 2023.
Key Details:
Submission Deadline: Resumes should be sent to the special trustee search committee by September 1, 2023.
Selection Process: The search committee will evaluate all applications and forward their recommendations to the Morris County Board of County Commissioners for the final decision.
Eligibility Criteria:
Residency: Must have lived in Morris County for at least four years.
Conflicts of Interest: Cannot currently hold an elected position in Morris County or be employed by Morris County government or CCM.
Qualities: Demonstrated independent judgment, professional distinction, knowledge of higher education, community involvement, and a commitment to the college.
Time Commitment: Candidates should be prepared to dedicate 20-30 hours monthly to trustee duties.
Trustee Responsibilities:
Oversee the college president.
Modify or confirm the college’s mission statement.
Approve long-term plans and educational programs.
Ensure fiscal stability and oversee the college’s infrastructure.
Application Requirements:
A resume and a background statement detailing the applicant’s motivation and the specific skills they offer.
Where to Send Applications: Office of the Morris County Counsel, County of Morris, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, N.J. 07963-0900.
About the CCM Board of Trustees: The board consists of eleven volunteers from Morris County, hailing from fields such as business, education, and law. They serve in four-year terms. By law, eight members are appointed by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, and the Governor appoints two members. The Morris County Superintendent of Schools is also a statutory member. Additionally, a non-voting CCM graduate, elected by the graduating class, serves a one-year term, and the CCM President is an ex-officio member.
The trustees shape the policy and oversee budgets, and expenditures, while the President manages internal administrative tasks.
For further details on the CCM Board of Trustees, click here.
PARSIPPANY — In the Spring 2023 semester, Mount St. Mary’s University celebrated the achievements of 596 scholars who secured their spots on the Dean’s List. Complementing this achievement, another 147 students made their mark on the President’s List with a pristine 4.0-grade point average.
Among the esteemed list of achievers is Julia Vincent from Lake Hiawatha, who holds the distinction of being a Parsippany High School alumnus from the Class of 2020.
Diving deeper into Mount St. Mary’s University, this private Catholic liberal arts institution nestles within the picturesque Catoctin Mountains close to the historical Emmitsburg, Maryland. Apart from its primary campus, it extends its academic outreach with a satellite branch in Frederick, the second-largest city in Maryland. Catering to a diverse student population, the university offers an expansive range of over 70 academic pathways for traditional undergraduates. In addition, more than 20 tailored programs are available for adult undergraduates and postgraduates. The revered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, the second oldest of its kind in the U.S., along with the tranquil National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, provides a spiritual sanctuary on a hill overlooking the academic grounds.
PARSIPPANY – When our all-Republican Mayor and Council campaigned to Parsippany voters, they ran on a platform of fiscal conservatism. The last thing anyone expected was a tax increase of over 18% in just two years. That will be the result of the 2023 budget proposed by the Mayor. The Council has a responsibility to reduce the budget before our residents are forced from their homes by out-of-control tax increases.
We, Judy Hernandez, Bernard Clarkin, and Matt Kavanagh, have reviewed the Mayor’s budget and see several areas of alarm. This administration has proposed a massive, undefined $750,000 salary adjustment, nearly four times the $200,000 salary adjustment included in the 2022 budget.
The Mayor has also budgeted $1,091,000 for salaries and expenses in his own office and the administrator’s office. That is a $264,000, or 32%, increase over the $827,000 paid in 2022.
These two items alone combine for over $1 million in spending increases.
This proposed budget also includes another raid on our sewer and water utility fees amounting to $1.8 million to make up for this increased spending. Unfortunately, this crucial information is hidden away in the “User Friendly” version of the budget, despite last year’s $1.5 million raid being clearly shown in the 2022 User Friendly budget. The User Friendly version of the budget is meant to be easier for Parsippany residents to read and interpret, not to hide the facts.
These raids have the same effect on Parsippany residents as tax increases: less money in your pocket and more for the Mayor’s runaway spending.
Our community needs to hold this Mayor and Council accountable before it’s too late. A tax increase of over 18% in two years is unacceptable. A $3.3 million raid on utility fees in two years is unacceptable. We are calling on the Council to tackle this budget line-by-line and eliminate overspending.
We are as sick and tired as you are of being overtaxed. It’s clear that this administration needs a check to keep spending down and put more money in our residents’ pockets. We are asking for your vote this November so we can be that check.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Officer Sean Coleman was called to Police Headquarters regarding a stolen credit card incident. The complainant reported leaving her purse unattended at her workplace. The following day, she discovered an unauthorized charge on her card from the TJ Maxx store in Cedar Knolls, along with a cash loss of $40.00 on July 25.
Surveillance footage from TJ Maxx identified the suspect as Ms. Parulben Patel, 48, from Lake Hiawatha, who is also a colleague of the victim.
Ms. Patel was apprehended and faces charges for credit card theft and its illicit use. She awaits her court appearance after being released.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the actors are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The day's events kicked off with the hoisting of the Indian tricolor flag
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township joined in global celebrations by marking the 76th anniversary of India’s Independence Day with enthusiasm and reverence. Residents and officials came together to recognize the significance of the day and to honor the deep cultural ties between Parsippany and its vibrant Indian community.
Master of Ceremonies Sanjiv Pandya
The day’s events kicked off with the hoisting of the Indian tricolor flag, accompanied by the American and Indian national anthem, invoking feelings of pride and nostalgia among attendees. Various cultural performances highlighted the rich tapestry of India’s diverse heritage. Traditional dances, songs, and speeches painted a vivid picture of India’s journey over the past 76 years and the country’s influence on Parsippany’s multicultural fabric.
Cultural performances by Hum India Wale-Sonia Dadeech, Vedika Singh, Vanshi Xitij Shah, and Aashna Thakker; Patriot Song by Arya Dance Academy; Ramadevi; Patriotic Dance by Taal Dance School; and Patriotic Dance: Chandra Mishra, Aradhya Mishra, Madhulika Swamy, and Bina Menon.
Nilesh Desai, Danny Desai and Santosh PeddiEvents like this emphasize the importance of cultural recognition and appreciation, further solidifying Parsippany’s reputation as a community that embraces diversity.
Mayor James Barberio addressed the gathering, emphasizing the strong bonds that the township shares with its Indian-American residents. “The spirit of India thrives in Parsippany,” the Mayor stated. “Today, we not only celebrate India’s independence but also the contributions of our Indian-American community to the township’s growth and diversity.”
Chand Palace provided attendees with a taste of India’s rich culinary traditions. From spicy curries to sweet delicacies, the aromas were tantalizing, drawing large crowds and offering a genuine taste of India in Parsippany.
Councilman Justin Musella had the privilege of viewing a collection of paintings by the young and talented Riya Dadheech. The celebration provided a platform for Riya to display her artistry and passion for painting.
This event not only commemorated a significant moment in history but also showcased the strength of Parsippany’s multicultural community and the enriching influence of Indian culture in the township.
The buildings at 1500 Littleton Road recently faced demolition after standing prominently for years.
PARSIPPANY — The GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) buildings recently faced demolition after standing prominently for years.
Glaxosmithkline was located at 1500 Littleton Road.
Sold for $8,500,000 on October 6, 2017, the property at 1500 Littleton Road has a storied history. In March 2021, Parsippany Littleton, LLC proposed to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board (Application No. 20:529) to develop an age-restricted residential complex with roughly 250 multifamily units on the site.
The buyer Parsippany Littleton, LLC. office address is listed as 820 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills. (click here to view corporate formation)
The property consists of all the land together with the appurtenances thereto, being known as Block 181, Lot 19 on the Tax Map of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Also listed at the address of 820 Morris Avenue is Garden Homes. Garden Homes is owned in part or wholly by Zygi Wilf. Zygi Wilf is the Owner/Chairman of the Minnesota Vikings (click here for additional details).
Wilf joined the family business and became head of one of the company’s affiliates, Garden Commercial Properties. Wilf has grown the company from four shopping centers in Northern New Jersey to over a hundred properties, including several large malls. In addition to the commercial properties, the Garden companies also own and manage 90,000 apartment units around the country. In Parsippany, Garden Communities consists of Powdermill Heights, Knoll Gardens, Mill Run at Parsippany, Lakeview Gardens, Redstone Gardens, Ridgeview Gardens, Ridgeview Commons, Redstone Gardens, Vail Gardens, Vail Manor 55+, Mountain Way Estates and Westgate Apartments.
Garden Commercial Properties also is listed at 820 Morris Avenue. Some of the properties in that portfolio include Parsippany’s Arlington Plaza, among over a dozen other shopping centers in New Jersey. Rutgers Village, Powder Mill East Shopping Center, and Powder Mill West Shopping Centers are part of Pineview Homes, which is a subsidiary of the Wilf empire.
The buildings recently faced demolition after standing prominently for years.
Originally, this land housed Spring Side, a country estate established in 1877 by brewery magnate Peter H. Ballantine. The region was popular among the elite New York and New Jersey families as summer retreats. Isabelle Ballantine, Peter’s widow, was the estate’s last inhabitant. Following her death in 1946, the estate was sold off in parts, with some becoming the Sedgefield neighborhood.
The Texas-US Chemical Company later acquired 26 acres in the 1950s, repurposing the mansion as their office. However, the mansion met its end in 1962. Its replacement, Building A, served as GSK’s primary entrance.
The barn was saved by former Mayor Michael Luther and Mimi Letts
A notable remnant from the estate, the Carriage House, was nearing collapse by 2010. After assessing its potential, GSK transformed it into a training center in 2013. Today, it stands with a gazebo and stone wall as relics of the Ballantine estate on Littleton Road. Key historical elements, such as the “1803” barn beam and original woodwork, were preserved and incorporated into the renovated Carriage House. The once-stables now function as restrooms, maintaining their initial layout. The Carriage House’s original trusses remain exposed, highlighting the rich history of the space.
On Saturday, August 11, key figures from Parsippany-Troy Hills gathered to inaugurate Eli’s Eatery, a fresh Korean-French fusion spot in the Galleria 10 Mall, situated at 2569 Route 10 East.
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, August 11, key figures from Parsippany-Troy Hills, including Mayor James Barberio, Councilmen Paul Carifi, Jr. Justin Musella, and Frank Neglia, Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, alongside board members Ildiko Peluso and Nicolas Limanov, gathered to inaugurate Eli’s Eatery, a fresh Korean-French fusion spot in the Galleria 10 Mall, situated at 2569 Route 10 East.
Mayor James Barberio of Parsippany-Troy Hills officiates the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Eli’s Eatery, a new Korean-French fusion restaurant in the Galleria 10 Mall, located at 2569 Route 10 East.
The event was uplifted by a drummer in traditional attire, creating a vibrant ambiance. Mayor Barberio expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Parsippany is fast becoming a sought-after dining spot. I’m thrilled to see Eli’s Eatery join our culinary map and wish them great success.”
Cahill bestowed a plaque upon David Oh, one of the eatery’s pioneers, expressing gratitude for choosing Parsippany and conveying wishes for success and prosperity. He added, “Thank you for enriching our community with your presence!
During the festivities, Cahill bestowed a plaque upon David Oh, one of the eatery’s pioneers, expressing gratitude for choosing Parsippany and conveying wishes for success and prosperity. He added, “Thank you for enriching our community with your presence!”
This culinary venture is the brainchild of David Oh and Chef Eleazar “Eli” Martinez. The duo, already celebrated for their establishment of Woodham Korean Cuisine in Morris Plains, bring their flair to Parsippany with Eli’s Eatery. Unlike Woodham’s traditional approach, Eli’s offers a blend of classic Korean and elegant French cuisines, ensuring diverse options, including a menu tailored for children.
Eli’s Eatery emerges as a delightful and diverse addition to Parsippany’s gastronomic landscape. The ambiance strikes a balance between sophistication and laid-back charm, promising to be a favored choice for both casual lunches and relaxed dinners.
The ambiance strikes a balance between sophistication and laid-back charm, promising to be a favored choice for both casual lunches and relaxed dinners.The ambiance strikes a balance between sophistication and laid-back charm, promising to be a favored choice for both casual lunches and relaxed dinners.
PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany sonography company has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) to resolve criminal charges relating to kickback allegations and will pay $95,000 to resolve the civil claims, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger confirmed.
As part of the resolution, a criminal information was filed on August 17, charging H&D Sonography, 60 Baldwin Road, with this conduct. H&D entered into a three-year DPA that requires it to abide by certain measures to avoid conviction. H&D also entered into a civil settlement agreement under which it has agreed to pay $95,000 to the United States to resolve civil claims under the federal False Claims Act.
The criminal matter has been assigned to the U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court.
According to H&D’s admissions from January 2015 through December 2018 in the District of New Jersey, H&D and others agreed to pay rent in excess of reasonable value to physicians to induce the physicians to refer patients for diagnostic testing to H&D. These agreements called for inflated rent payments from H&D to the physicians, purportedly to use space in the physicians’ offices for a set number of hours each week in order to perform diagnostic tests. H&D agreed to pay for significantly more hours than the technicians actually used, as a method to funnel payments to physicians. H&D structured the payments as sublease payments for the physicians’ shared offices. The sublease payments that H&D paid the physicians were more than the value of the total rent that the physicians actually paid for the shared offices. After H&D began making payments, the physicians in receipt of those payments began to refer patients to H&D for diagnostic tests, which were then billed to Medicare.
According to the contentions of the United States set forth in the civil settlement agreement:
From January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2018, H&D knowingly and willingly paid renumeration to referring physicians in the form of space rental payments that were above fair market value and commercially unreasonable for the purpose of inducing diagnostic testing, in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
The civil allegations were originally made in a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act brought by Dr. Richard Chesbrough. The Act permits private parties to sue for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Chesbrough will receive approximately 17 percent of the proceeds of the civil settlement.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, with the investigation leading to the resolution.
The criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit; the civil case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit.
PARSIPPANY — The Friends of Parsippany Library will hold a Book and Media Bag Sale beginning September 8 at 11:00 a.m. and running through September 25.
The sale will be held at the Parsippany Main Library and will be open during all regular hours. Adult and Children’s Fiction and Non-fiction books, DVDs, CDs, and Audio Books. Fill a large bag for $6.00, and an extra-large bag for $12.00. Reuse your previously purchased FOL Bag and fill it for $10.00.
Board Games and Puzzles will also be sold and priced individually. All profits will be donated to the Parsippany Library.
The Main Branch of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library is located at 449 Halsey Road.
MORRIS COUNTY — Officials from Morris County, including Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert M. McNally, and Boonton Township Police Chief Thomas L. Cacciabeve, announced the apprehension of Jeff A. Fernandez, 25, Boonton Township, related to charges of possessing Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM).
The accused faces a charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Possession of CSAM), categorized as a second-degree crime.
The case originated from a CyberTip provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which highlighted specific video and photo files that are believed to showcase the abuse or exploitation of minors. Investigators, upon reviewing the tip, singled out Jeff Fernandez as a potential suspect. It was discovered that Fernandez allegedly had over 1,000 CSAM items on a digital device.
On August 15, Fernandez was detained based on these charges. Post-arrest, under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, he was granted a pretrial release with conditions that involve close monitoring and restricted online access.
Prosecutor Carroll expressed gratitude to the Boonton Township Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the New Jersey State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations for their commitment to the case.
Anyone possessing further details related to this case is urged to reach out to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. They can be contacted at (973) 285-6200.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon and Officer Dominic Alheidt
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office is proud to introduce Officer Dominic Alheidt as the latest addition to their team.
A graduate of Farleigh Dickenson University with a degree in finance, Officer Alheidt previously served at the Family First Funding mortgage firm. He will be commencing his duties with the Protective Services Division, overseeing security for courtrooms and the broader courthouse premises.