PARSIPPANY — Vanessa Brown, who was acquitted Thursday on all criminal charges in the 2012 crash that killed East Hanover community activist Ralph Politi, Jr., was found guilty Monday of driving while intoxicated. Brown, 35, Parsippany, was found not guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree vehicle homicide charges in the death of Politi. She…
“Cinderella” to be performed at PHS
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Drama Club will be opening its production of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” this Thursday, March 31 at Parsippany High School. There will also be performances on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2. All shows start at 7:00 p.m.
The musical is the 2013 Tony Award winning Broadway revival of the 1957 TV Special of the same name, featuring the music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Rediscover classic songs including “In My Own Little Corner”, “Impossible/It’s Possible”, and “Ten Minutes Ago” in this re-imagining of the classic Cinderella tale. A spectacle of emotion, ballroom dancing, and theater magic, this family-friendly musical about finding your true self and the power of kindness is a must see for children and adults alike.
Leading Cast: Ella: Talia Wynzel; Madame: Carly Pasquale; Gabrielle: Lyla Evans; Charlotte: Brianna Cooper; Marie: Anya Kosachevich; Prince Topher: Brendan Laux;
Jean-Michel: Jahmil Roland; Sebastian: Bobby Wilson and Lord Pinkleton: Noel Chambers.
Admission is $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for children, students and seniors, and free for Parsippany students with a valid ID.
There is an opportunity for young children to participate in a “tea-time” and meet-and-greet with the cast on the afternoon of the Saturday show for $10.00 per child. This special opportunity includes reserved seats for the Saturday night show and a backstage tour. Anyone interested should visit the Facebook event page by clicking here for an RSVP form.
UPS to Open Tech Facility in Morris Corporate Center
PARSIPPANY — A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, March 29. The facility will serve as a hub for the company’s developers, designers, and other technology professionals to collaborate, innovate, and maintain current applications. The facility will serve as a new location for software developers, designers and other technology professionals – previously based in Paramus – to collaborate and develop innovative technology solutions that serve our customers, improve operational efficiencies, drive growth and run UPS’s global network.
Parsippany is already home to a gigantic UPS warehouse and customer center at 799 Jefferson Road.
UPS officials, Governor Chris Christie and Mayor James Barberio attended ground-breaking ceremony on a new facility for its information technology professionals. The new 200,000 square-foot building will be constructed in the Morris Corporate Center, off Cherry Hill Road. Governor Chris Christie spoke about employment at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new UPS facility.
“UPS is known for its innovation, whether that means helping customers succeed with transportation and supply chain management solutions or giving consumers real-time visibility to their package at every step of the delivery cycle,” said Dave Barnes, UPS chief information officer. “This new facility will provide a collaborative setting for the creative team developing the UPS technology of tomorrow.”
“We are proud UPS will be developing this state-of-the-art technology facility in New Jersey further demonstrating a firm commitment and faith in the state as a place to live, work and do business,” said Governor Chris Christie. “UPS is another example of the economic growth and innovation that is continuing throughout our state. It’s the success of companies like these in the private sector – not the government – that will grow our economy and create jobs.”
The new building will belocated at 10 Upper Pond Road will sit on 20 acres. In demonstration of UPS’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, the facility was designed by HLW International to be LEED certified.
The four-story office space, expected to open in mid-2017, is designed to promote collaboration, communication, efficiency and learning in a work environment that fosters creativity and problem solving. The building will also feature a full-service cafeteria, indoor fitness center and campus hiking trail.
UPS corporate headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia. There are more than 15,000 employees based in New Jersey.
Ashley Nicole Cistaro passed away
PARSIPPANY — Ashley Nicole Cistaro passed away on Sunday, March 27 at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Ashley was born in Livingston and has lived in Parsippany for the past nine years. She was a third grade student at Troy Hills Elementary School. Ashley was a member of Saint Ann R.C. Church. Ashley’s curly hair, freckles, scrunchy smile and bubbly personality was a ray of sunshine to everyone she knew.
Survivors include her parents, Joseph A. and Christina N. (nee-Gaudenzi); her sister, Ella Josephine; her Paternal grandparents, Peter and Mary Ann Cistaro; her maternal grandparents, Dennis and Phyllis Gaudenzi; and her Maternal Great-Grandmother, Bernadette De Santis; Ashley is also survived by her many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, many cherished friends and her fur babies Charlie and Huey.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Liturgy of Christian Burial to be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 31 at Saint Ann R.C. Church, 781 Smith Road. Interment is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.
Visiting hours are on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Par-Troy Funeral Home, 95 Parsippany Road.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, 1347 Perrineville Road, Monroe Township, New Jersey 08831 or Autism Speaks 5455 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2250 Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Easter Bunny visits Kafe Mozart
PARSIPPAN — The Easter Bunny visited Kafe Mozart on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27. He took pictures with the children and gave out candy to everyone. The Easter Bunny even had treats for a service dog that visited with his owners.
Kafe Mozart serves Panini’s, Savory Crepes, Sweet Crepes, Entrees and homemade Soups.
Kafe Mozart is located at 2900 Route 10 West, in the Powder Mill West Shopping Center. For more information call (973) 998-7788 or click here.
Team Mastrangelo Caught in a Lie
PARSIPPANY — On Tuesday, March 22 Republican freeholder candidates Lou Valori, Roman Hirniak and Peter King, the Morris County United team, called on Team Mastrangelo to apologize to the Jefferson Township Police Department for wasting the department’s time and resources and to apologize to attendees of their kickoff event after learning Freeholder Mastrangelo sent his son to secretly film event attendees.
Parsippany Focus received documents from the Jefferson Township Police Department that Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo’s son, Christopher, admitted that he was sent to secretly film the Valori, Hirniak and King event by his father.
Christopher stated to Office Brian Seeley “That his father, Thomas Mastrangelo is running for a spot as a Morris County Freeholder and one of his opponents is holding an event at the Jefferson Diner.” Christopher stated to the officer that he was asked by his dad to video the supporters that attended the event.
The officer, Brian Seeley, then advised Christopher that he had to leave the area because he was on private property and he was making the employee?s of the Chase Bank very nervous. Christopher stated he was sorry and left the area. Click here to view police report. (Editors Note: Parts of the report were redacted to exclude telephone numbers and addresses.)
To make matters worse, according to the published report, Freeholder Mastrangelo, when asked about the incident by a reporter, claimed he knew nothing about it.
Another member of Team Mastrangelo, Freeholder Doug Cabana, fed into the lie by claiming the call from Valori, Hirniak and King for Team Mastrangelo to stop engaging in these tactics was “not worthy of comment” and questioned the type of campaign Morris County United would run.
Morris County United campaign manager Steve Kush said, “In light of this published report, I sincerely hope Team Mastrangelo immediately apologizes to the police for wasting their time, the bank employees for scaring them and the supporters of Lou Valori, Roman Hirniak and Peter King for secretly filming them.”
“I don’t know what would make Mr. Mastrangelo lie when asked directly about the incident but it certainly makes one wonder whether he lies to the residents of Morris County as easily,” Kush added. “Team Mastrangelo should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen.”
“And for Mr. Cabana to question the kind of campaign we will run is ridiculous,” Kush continued. “It was his team caught secretly filming people, not the other way around. I guess Mastrangelo pulled his string and those were the words that came out. He owes our campaign an apology too, because the people of Morris County deserve better than sleazy in-the-gutter politics, elected officials who willingly lie to the press and by extension the people and a campaign team that, given Cabana’s willingness to feed into Mastrangelo’s lie, has a puppet master in charge of the ticket.”
Kush said “It’s time for positive change and Lou Valori, Roman Hirniak and Peter King will be that positive change to the freeholder board. They will continue to run a positive, issues-based campaign.”
Eastlake Interim Principal Duct Taped to Wall
PARSIPPANY — As an incentive for Eastlake Elementary School National Reading Month, the interim principal, Bryan Hershkowitz agreed to be duct taped to the wall during family shopping night, if the children collectively read a total of 50,000 minutes this month. The children surpassed this number.
Eastlake Elementary School is part of the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District in Morris Count. Eastlake serves approximately 320 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade.
Pictured above Fifth Grade teacher Mrs. Michele Mizerek holding the book Interim Principal Bryan Hershkowitz read while duct taped to the wall.
Robbery at Woodlands Restaurant
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department’s Communication Center received a phone call reporting a robbery that had occurred at 296 Route 46, the Mysore Woodlands Restaurant at 7:26 a.m. on Saturday, March 26.
Multiple Parsippany Police Officers responded to the scene. Preliminary Investigation indicates the victim, a 34-year-old male from Parsippany, had arrived at work at 5:35 a.m. to begin prepping for the day.
A short time later, the victim heard noises coming from the dining area, at which time he encountered the unknown male suspect.
The suspect wanted to know where the money was located, at which an altercation took place and the victim was struck by a wooden object and a glass.
After the brief struggle the suspect fled the restaurant and entered a four door black vehicle parked on Old Bloomfield Avenue and left the area.
The victim received injuries to his face due to the altercation and was transported to Saint Clares Hospital for treatment by Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services.
The suspect was described as skinny black male approximately 5’5 feet tall with long braided hair or dreadlocks, wearing a white jacket or hooded sweatshirt.
Morris County Sheriff’s Department CID along with Parsippany Police Department Detective M. Czajka responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
Children have fun at Easter Egg Hunt
PARSIPPANY — First Baptist Community Church (FBCC) held its annual Easter Egg hunt.
First Baptist Community Church was organized on April 14, 1963 with the name of First Baptist Community Church of Parsippany.
Rev. Dr. Turk is an ordained American Baptist minister. She grew up in Queens, New York and graduated from Queens College with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts, eventually working as a commercial sculptor. After hearing God’s call, she enrolled at New York Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity degree, and then Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where she was awarded her Doctorate in Ministry to Marriage and Family.
First Baptist Community Church is located at 800 Vail Road. For more information, click here.
Knapp Announces Ceremony to Commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will recognize 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10-16, with a Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony.
The ceremony, honoring victims and advocates of victims’ rights, will take place on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Freeholder Public Meeting Room, Fifth Floor, in the County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is honored to have Patty Sly, Executive Director of the Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) as its ceremony’s Keynote Speaker.
The Honored Guest this year will be Chief Christopher Wagner, of the Township of Denville Police Department. Chief Wagner is the President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been a time of national remembrance since 1981. It is an opportunity for communities, victims and their loved ones, and professionals serving victims to join together and reflect on the progress achieved in victims’ rights.
The theme for the 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.” This year’s theme highlights the importance of early intervention and services for victims. It highlights the importance of building pathways to create an environment of trust, and re-establishing hope towards recovery.
Thirty years ago, crime victims did not have rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victims’ compensation funds.
Prosecutor Knapp applauds the daily work accomplished by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit who serve as advocates in addressing all crime victims’ needs.
All are invited to join the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at the ceremony. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Unit at (973) 285-6282 or e-mail MorrisVW@co.morris.nj.us.
Petracca named as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills law firm of King and Petracca has announced the selection of partner, Matthew R. Petracca, Esq., as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine for the third year in a row. According to Super Lawyers Magazine, only 2.5 percent of attorneys are selected to the list, which limits candidates to being either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.
Matthew R. Petracca focuses his practice on civil litigation on behalf of individuals, businesses, municipalities and other governmental entities. Mr. Petracca’s practice includes matters in family law and divorce, municipal court, real estate, personal injury, workers compensation, tax appeals and insurance defense.
Mr. Petracca appears before the Superior Court of New Jersey and Federal District Court of New Jersey on a routine basis, and has also appeared before the Appellate Division and Supreme Court of New Jersey arguing appellate matters.
Mr. Petracca also holds a certified tax assessor designation in the State of New Jersey and is committed to public service. He currently serves as Municipal Prosecutor for the Borough of Morris Plains, Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of Randolph, and Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of Morris. He previously served as a councilman for the Borough of Lincoln Park, and, prior to that, served as a member of the Planning Board for the Borough of Lincoln Park. Mr. Petracca has appeared as prosecutor in many of the municipal courts throughout Morris County and also previously served as Municipal Prosecutor to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Mr. Petracca is a member of the bars of the State of New Jersey and the State of New York. Mr. Petracca is a cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and a magna cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University.
The office of King and Petracca is located at 51 Gibraltar Drive, Suite 2F, Morris Plains, and can be reached via telephone at (973) 998-6860. To learn more about the firm and Mr. Petracca their website can be visited by clicking here.
Breaking news: Family cat dies in house fire on Stratford Way
PARSIPPANY — A fire started just before noon at Two Stratford Way. There were no injuries, although a family cat died in the fire.
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1, Rainbow Lakes Fire Volunteer Fire Department District 2, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3, Cedar Knolls RIC team, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery assisted in the fire. Rescue and Recovery Patriots trailer was also called to the scene.
The family has been displaced. American Red Cross has been called to the scene.
According to Zillow.com, the home was built in 1975 and contains 3,085 square feet.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Relay For Life Fundraiser at Gourmet Cafe
PARSIPPANY — The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Central Morris County’s “Strike Out Cancer” team will be holding a fundraiser at the Gourmet Café, as part of the Gourmet Café’s “Make A Difference Mondays” program, on Monday, April 4, 2016.
Regardless of whether you eat lunch or dinner, dine in or take out, or purchase a gift certificate for future use, Relay For Life will receive 10% of the entire day’s proceeds. Please help us fight cancer, while enjoying a delicious meal!
Gourmet Café is located on 136 Baldwin Road, across from St. Peter’s Church. For reservations, please call the Gourmet Café at (973) 316-0088.
Should you have any questions about Relay For Life of Central Morris County, which will take place on the campus of County College of Morris on June 4 through June 5, please contact Margie Forman, “Strike Out Cancer” Team Captain, at (973) 879-9310 or by emailing her at margieforman@optonline.net.
Driver in East Hanover fatal crash found not guilty on all charges
MORRISTOWN — Parsippany resident Vanessa Brown was acquitted on all charges in the 2012 crash that killed popular East Hanover community activist Ralph Politi, Jr. Brown burst into tears and hugged her attorney, Edward Bilinkas, as the jury cleared her of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree vehicle homicide charges Thursday in Morris County Superior Court. The family of…
Early morning accident sends both drivers to hospital
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Ahmadi Humayon, 61, Lake Hiawatha, was travelling east on Hiawatha Boulevard. Ms. Ahmadi Naheed, 25, Lake Hiawatha, was travelling south on Roosevelt Avenue. She stated she stopped at the stop sign at the intersection and proceeded straight on Roosevelt Avenue. This accident happen at 7:28 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16.
Mr. Humayon stated he never saw Ms. Naheed traveling on Hiawatha Boulevard. Ms. Naheed struck Mr. Humayon’s 2012 Ford Fusion at the intersection causing Mr. Humayon to leave the roadway to the right impacting a utility pole.
Both drivers were transported to Morristown Medical Center by Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
Ms. Naheed was at fault due to not yielding to traffic. Mr. Naheed was driving a 2015 Dodge Van.
At the time of the report, there were no summons issued.
Two teenagers break in Preston Road home
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department received a call reporting a burglary that had just occurred, at 6:09 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. Multiple Parsippany Police Officer’s responded to the scene and spoke to the homeowner. He advised the Officers as he returned to his residence at 6:00 p.m. he saw two males fleeing from his home.
The homeowner briefly chased the two males, but ultimately lost track of them in the wooded area near his property.
A check of the interior of the residence was conducted at which time it was determined that the unknown suspects damaged the interior of the home prior to fleeing.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Department CID and K-9 arrived on scene and assisted in the investigation.
The first suspect was described as white male between 13-16 years old, with blonde hair, wearing blue jeans, and a grey hooded sweatshirt.
The second suspect was described as a white male between the ages of 13-16 years old, with brown hair, wearing blue jeans, and a black and red hooded sweatshirt.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
Children enjoy Easter Egg Hunt in Grafton Park
PARSIPPANY — Sedgefield Civic Association held its Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26. They hid over 1,000 eggs throughout the Grafton Park and the children had to search and find the eggs. After the hunt, there was a surprise guest, the Easter Bunny. Mayor James Barberio was also a surprise guest visiting the children.
The children finding the golden eggs received a special basket. Padraig Beadle, 4, standing in for his brother, Brennan, 3, Lizmarie Orama, 6 and Sara Iemanowicz, 9, were the winners of a large Easter basket.
The history of Sedgefield starts in the late 40″s Justus Nienaber purchased a 200 acre tract from Peter Freylinghuysen Jr. This was formerly the Ballantine Estate and included a beautiful two-story white colonial mansion, complete with gazebo, creek, pond and other outbuildings.
In 1949, he started to develop Sedgefield with a group of builders. The name was taken from a charming and peaceful Carolina resort hotel, The Sedgefield Inn, which is surrounded by a development of gracious homes.
The name Sedgefield itself is derived from two Anglo-Saxon words: secg (a sword), its popular meaning – any course, grasslike herb, growing in damp places; and feld – a cleared piece of land.
Carrying on with the Anglo-Saxon Association, all the streets bear the names of English towns, villages or locations. The three entry streets are Sherwood, Sedgefield and Dartford. All streets between Sedgefield and Dartford are in alphabetical order. All streets between Robinhood and Friar are of English origin but are not in alphabetical order.
Development in Sedgefield can be determined by the type of roads in the area. The first section contained ranch or single story homes built on streets with no curbs. The second section contained ranch, split-level and two-story colonials built on streets with concrete curbs. The third and final section contained two-story colonials or split-level homes built on streets with Belgian block curbing and sidewalks.
Long time residents can remember when Littleton Road (US 202) was a two-lane tree-line road with very little traffic. It passed Rusty’s Hardware Store, the old St. Christopher’s Church (which was housed in the Blue Swan Inn) and a goat farm that used to be in the area of the Littleton Road bridge over Route 80. Alderney Dairy had a barn and pasture where Gatehall is now located. Cows and deer used to wander into Sedgefield along Robinhood Road. A few deer still visit us on occasion.
Back then, the Morris Plains Shopping Center had a Two Guys store. Sip and Sup was located at the intersection of Route 202 and Route 10 where one could enjoy food and dairy products in a leisurely manner and watch the few cars going through the intersection. The area now covered with commercial buildings (Campus Drive, Sylvan Way and Dryden Way) contained dairy farms and was used by the Civic Association for picnics and fireworks.
In the 1970s, Sherwood Village (the section around Sherwood, Friar, Robinhood and Littlejohn Roads) was included as part of Sedgefield. Crawford Road was the last area to be developed.
The last home in Sedgefield was erected in 1988, a two-story colonial manufactured in Pennsylvania. This was the 295th home in Sedgefield.
For more information on the Sedgefield Civic Association visit their website by clicking here.
Kiwanis Club holds service project at Parsippany Day Care Center
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany held a “Service Project” on Saturday, March 26 at Parsippany Child Day Care Center, 300 Baldwin Road.
Steve Dickens, Karen Gajewski, Carol Tiesi, Gordon Meth, Kyle Meth, Ian Crawford and Rob Mlyarski all participated in chores at the daycare. The chores included moving mulch, paths were re-discovered and some trim was painted.
Parsippany teachers hosted community health fair
PARSIPPANY — Free blood pressure, cancer, and glucose screenings, advice on fire prevention and preparedness, and low cost on-site eye exams were just a few of the many offering to Parsippany residents at a community-wide health fair held on Saturday, March 26.
The free “Community Health Fair” was hosted by Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association.
Easter Bunny visits IHOP
PARSIPPANY — The Easter Bunny visited IHOP, 792 Route 46 on Saturday, March 26. The Easter bunny gave out treats to all the visitors.
