FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A former Parsippany police sergeant who successfully sued his department for harassment, recently had drugs charges in Florida dismissed due to alleged police entrapment, the Sun Sentinel reported. Kevin Pisano was arrested in Dec. 2011 while on duty as a Fort Lauderdale police officer on charges of possessing and delivering prescription drugs…
Help Save Lives in Your Community During National Blood Donor Month
PARSIPPANY — Community Blood Services extends a sincere thank you to its many blood, plasma and platelet donors for their ongoing lifesaving donations during 2015 and invites those donors who are eligible this January to help celebrate National Blood Donor Month by making their next donation.
“We want to thank our volunteer donors during National Blood Donor Month for their ongoing donations and remind them how important they are to the patients whose lives they help to save in our community hospitals,” said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs at Community Blood Services.
Donors will receive a mystery gift card as a thank you when they donate on Sunday or Monday, January 3 or 4 at a New Jersey donor center to help boost the post-holiday supply. The Paramus and Parsippany centers are open on Sunday and the Paramus, Montvale and Lincoln Park donor centers are open on Monday.
Ferriday said there is a critical need for Type O negative blood and platelets to rebuild the supply following the holiday season when the supply traditionally dips.
“It’s important that we continue to build our supply in case illness and inclement weather during the winter months keeps donors away or result in canceled blood drives,” Ferriday said. As the new year begins, she asked that donors consider donating blood regularly in 2016, noting more than 44,000 blood donations are needed daily throughout the U.S.
Donors can call (201) 251-3703 or click here to make an appointment to donate or to find a convenient donor collection site or mobile blood drive in New Jersey. Whole blood donors also can walk in to any donor center but appointments are needed to donate platelets.
Donors must be 17-75 years old (16 and 17 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds.
All blood types are needed to meet the needs of patients in the more than 20 hospitals Community Blood Services serves in New Jersey and New York but O negative is in most demand by hospitals because it can be transfused to any patient in need regardless of their blood type. Platelets are also needed to treat patients diagnosed with cancer or other blood disorders and AB male plasma is needed for trauma victims.
CCM Awarded Grant to Become Part of ‘Citizenship Under Siege’ Project
RANDOLPH — County College of Morris (CCM) is one of seven community colleges, and the only one in New Jersey, awarded a $17,500 grant through the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to take part in a new nationwide project on “Citizenship Under Siege.” AAC&U, along with The Democracy Commitment, is providing the funding through a $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to sponsor a series of public forums around the country. The project builds on a previously NEH-funded initiative, Bridging Cultures to Form a Nation: Difference, Community, and Democratic Thinking, in which CCM also was a recipient and participant.
“We’re honored to receive this support to continue the work CCM has undertaken through The Bridging Cultures project as part of our commitment to supporting diversity and civic engagement,” said Dr. Edward J. Yaw, CCM president. “Through this grant, we will be able to facilitate public dialogue on how we as a nation can bridge differences and build stronger communities.”
In announcing the grants, AAC&U noted that since the nation’s origins, who counts as a U.S. citizen has been hotly contested, and today those divisive debates are as intense as ever.
Public forums, supported by the grant, will explore critical questions about citizenship such as historic struggles for social justice and how the humanities can provide fresh understanding for contemporary issues involving equality, individual dignity, opportunity, liberty and happiness.
Dr. Jill Schennum, chair of the Department of Sociology, Economics and Anthropology, and Dr. Michael Parrella, chair of the Department of History and Political Science, applied for and will be overseeing the grant at CCM.
Schennum explained that the funding will be used to develop a public forum to investigate the theme of stratified citizenship. Faculty and students then will expand upon the themes raised and discussed in the forum and develop a series of resources for the college community and general public.
The Learning Center at the Morris County School of Technology Accepting Preschool Applications
DENVILLE — Morris County School of Technology’s learning center, located in Denville, will be accepting applications for the Fall 2016 preschool program.
The Learning Center runs a morning and afternoon program for children in Morris County who are 3 – 5 years of age and toilet trained.
Students in the full time high school Academy for Education and Learning teach the program which runs Mondays through Thursdays for two sessions each day from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. School is in session from the end of September to the middle of June. Additionally, two certified teachers supervise the program.
Children must be 3 years old by October 2016 and residents of Morris County. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Current tuition for the year is $1350 (anticipated to increase 2% for 2016), which is broken into four payments. The first ¼ payment is due by May 2016 to hold a spot.
For more information on how to enroll a child in The Learning Center, call (973) 627-4600 ext. 276 or email skomialj@mcvts.org. Applications and additional information can be found at www.mcvts.org under the Programs tab (The Learning Center).
Allegro Music Academy presented a holiday concert
PARSIPPANY — The Music Shop presented the “Allegro Music Academy in Morris” in concert on Friday, December 11 at the Parsippany High School.
The performing ensembles included the Suzuki Plus beginning violin classes, the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Strings and the Encore adult full orchestra. The finale was the “Children’s Christmas March” which included all the players, with ages from 4-74.
All participating musicians brought wrapped diapers to donate to the Parsippany Rotary Club to assist local families in need.
The wrapped packages decorated the stage during the concert and afterwards were distributed by the Rotary. The members of Allegro was pleased to be able to share their music and their gifts with the community.
The Allegro Music Academy in Morris is located at the Music Shop, 56 Fanny Road, Boonton, and offers lessons on all instruments and ensembles and workshops for the most complete music education in Morris County.
All programs are offering an Open House in January.
For more information contact Debra@themusicshop.com or Diane@themusicshop.com.
Brooklawn Middle School raises money to support Alex Gallego
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PARSIPPANY — The students of Brooklawn Middle School held a fundraiser for “IM4ALEX.”
The Brooklawn spirit was everywhere as they were for 4Alex, just like in 2005 when he made the school proud as a State Officer.
On Wednesday, December 23 students donated a buck and were able to wear a hoodie, and teachers who donated $3.00 were able to wear jeans.
On Wednesday the students and faculty of Brooklawn Middle School raised over $1,300 to support Alex Gallego and his family, with more donations on the way from people who saw their posts. The students proved that “Once a Black Knight, always a Black Knight!”
Alex was the student council president at Parsippany Hills High School during his senior year. He graduated in 2010.
On Sunday, January 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Applebee’s, 1057 Route 46 will be holding a flapjack fundraiser for Alex. Alex was a server at Applebee’s.
Italian American Police Society held Christmas Party for children in need
MORRIS COUNTY — Italian American Police Society of New Jersey Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Morris, Bergen and Passaic counties held its Annual Christmas Party for children in need. The event was held at the American Legion Hall in Whippany.
The US Customs and Border Protection Law Enforcement Explorers helped to make the holiday party for Big Brothers and Big Sisters a huge success. These young men and women did an outstanding job.
Over 200 children received an afternoon of gifts, enjoying pizza, cake, brownies, soda, face painters and Elmo and Sponge Bob and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. They gave away truckloads of toys and gifts to the young children who enjoyed spending time with police officers from the area. Undersheriff William Schievella said “Thank you so much to all that worked hard to make our event another success. I also want to thank those who generously gave to help those in need. There is nothing better than serving the community around the holidays.”
Narcotics Task Force Arrest Three Individuals for Bulk Cocaine Distribution
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Chief Mark West of the Lincoln Park Borough Police Department, and Chief Brian Spring of the Pequannock Township Police Department announce the arrest of three individuals for distributing bulk quantities of cocaine.
Over the past several months, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) received information concerning cocaine distribution in the Borough of Lincoln Park. Detectives from the Morris County Narcotics Task Force, Lincoln Park Borough Police Department, and Pequannock Township Police Department jointly conducted an investigation that resulted in the seizure of over four ounces of cocaine, approximately $3,800.00 in United States currency, a digital scale, and a 2000 Toyota Camry that was utilized in the drug distribution scheme.
The retail street value of the seized narcotics is over $7,000.00.
The investigation culminated late yesterday evening with the arrest of the three individuals that were charged with the following offenses:
Mr. Alexis R. Rosario, 34, Lincoln Park, who was charged with the following:
- 3 counts of second-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).
- 3 counts of second-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine).
- 3 counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).
- 4 counts of second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances (cocaine).
- Rosario’s bail was set by Superior Court Judge James DeMarzo at $150,000, no 10% option and a bail source hearing required. The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
Ms. Randee M. Lotterman, 30, Lincoln Park, was charged with the following:
- 1 count of second-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).
- 1 count of second-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine).
- 1 count of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).
- 1 count of second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances (cocaine).
Lotterman’s bail was set by Municipal Court Judge Andrew Wubbenhorst at $100,000, no 10% option and a bail source hearing required. The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
Mr. Vincent P. Fierro, 20, Pequannock, was charged with the following:
- 5 counts of second-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).
- 5 counts of second-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine).
- 5 counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).
- 4 counts of second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances (cocaine).
Fierro’s bail was set by Superior Court Judge James DeMarzo at $150,000, no 10% option and a bail source hearing required. The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of bail. Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Lincoln Park Borough Police Department, Pequannock Township Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team and K9 Unit.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sons of Italy donates to Jersey Battered Women’s Services
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Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 purchased $3,000 worth of gift cards this holiday season for donation to needy families. President, Joe Jannarone, Jr., presented Regina Braham, Director of Community Relations at Jersey Battered Women’s Services, with $750 worth of Walmart gift cards for victims of domestic violence. Sons of Italy, united by their Italian heritage, is a constant contributor to various charities and always willing to help the community.
Remember to recycle your wrapping paper and holiday cards
During this holiday season, Parsippany Focus reminders it’s readers that all holiday cards and wrapping paper (with the exception of foil wrapping paper) are recyclable.
Ah, the day after Christmas – if you’ve been greening your holiday thus far, why stop now? Parsippany resident Roy Messmer said “One of the simplest ways to keep up the great eco-work is to recycle that colorful mound of ripped-up wrapping paper left in the aftermath of Christmas day.”
If you need ideas, we’ve got five easy ways to reuse your gift wrap:
1) RECYCLE IT: Shredding before recycling is one option, and if you have a manual shredder, you use no electricity.
2) COMPOST IT: Shredded paper is a great starter component for that vermicompost you always wanted to try, but which gave you the creepy crawlies. As one blog commentator wrote, “I use [shredded paper] in my worm composting bin. They love it and then the castings are great for the garden, house plants, even as a type of fertilizer for your yard.” Something to jot on your list of New Year’s resolutions.
3) STUFF IT: When shredded, gift-wrapping paper makes a great packaging tool. This of course means you would have to save the stuff for the next time you’re snail-mailing a delicate gift cross-country to grandma. You can also use it to return that sagging bean bag chair to its original, more rounded, shape.
4) MUSH IT: Make paper mache masks! What kid wouldn’t love his or her very own personalized mask? And it’s easier than you think. All that is required is equal parts flour, water and imagination. If the idea of a mask spooks your kid, make a papier mache bowl instead. Painted Fish Studio has a great tutorial.
5) PET IT: When minced into tiny bits, discarded paper makes great bedding for small pets. I’ve been doing this for over a year now, and our pet bunny couldn’t be happier. It does absorb less than store-bought bedding, does not contain deodorizers and so will require more frequent changes.
If all else fails, you can go the route of this resourceful recycler: “I stuff torn pantyhose and knee highs with shredded paper, spray with Febreze and stuff this into my kids’ stinky sneakers!” But I’d suggest a quick Google search first.
Shelter a pet for Christmas!
PARSIPPANY — St. Hubert’s has an adorable holiday program where local families can give a shelter pet a family to spend Christmas with. You would go and pick an appropriate pet at the Shelter and foster it until Saturday, December 26. The pet goes home with a wrapped gift and gets to hang out with a family during the holiday instead of the shelter.
If anyone would like to be considered for a holiday foster, they can contact our foster coordinator Kim Lehner at KLehner@sthuberts.org for more information. They are still accepting families.
St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center is located at 575 Woodland Road, Madison.
Parsippany Focus will be taking pictures and interviewing a Parsippany family who is participating in the program for Christmas.
Please note: The photo used is for illustration purposes only.
Founded in 1939, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center operates animal shelters in Madison and North Branch, and they opened a third North Jersey location in 2015. St. Hubert’s welcome animals directly from guardians, animals rescued by our animal control officers, from overcrowded shelters across New Jersey, from disaster situations, and from distance partners.
Their nationally renowned Training and Behavior Center, located at the Madison campus, offers specialized training classes and behavior consultations. The Madison facility also houses the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, a ground-breaking behavior program for dogs that are victims of puppy mills, hoarding, or other abuse.
Additionally, St. Hubert’s provides a variety of community services, including pet adoption, humane education, a pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter of community cats, a pet helpline, and a professional education series. They regularly advocate for animal welfare legislation and work to engage our community to help protect animals in New Jersey and beyond.
In addition to their role as a nonprofit organization, St. Hubert’s provides animal control services to a number of municipalities in Somerset and Morris counties. Officers assist domestic animals and wildlife in need, and provide educational information to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
Santa Claus tours Parsippany on fire trucks
PARSIPPANY — Santa Claus had a busy weekend in Parsippany. He was touring the streets of Parsippany on fire trucks in all areas of the Township.
In the Sedgefield area they held their annual Tree Trimming Celebration on Friar Way. Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Cookies were provided along with Homemade Treats. There was also a sing along with The Allegro Academy of the Morris Family of Carolers compliments of The Music Shop, Boonton.
On Saturday and Sunday morning children had the opportunity to have Breakfast with Santa, which was co-sponsored by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
Santa will also make a last minute stop at IHOP, 792 Route 46 on Christmas morning from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for another opportunity to have Breakfast with Santa This will be your last opportunity this year before Santa heads back to the North Pole.
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Santa makes a visit at IHOP
PARSIPPANY — Santa Claus had a busy day in Parsippany on Saturday, December 19. First he was on top of a Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 6 Fire Truck roaming the streets around Greenhill Shopping Center, Smith Road and Colonial Heights. Then Santa went with Lake Hiawatha Fire District 4 and was roaming the streets of Lake Hiawatha then off to International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 792 Route 46.
He remained at IHOP and took pictures with children from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Santa was giving out candy canes and children had the opportunity to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas! Santa will return again on Sunday, December 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Santa told Parsippany Focus that after he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve, he will be going to IHOP on Christmas Day for breakfast at 10:00 a.m. and stay there until 1:00 p.m. So if you didn’t get a chance to see Santa, you will have one last opportunity before he returns to the North Pole.
This event was co-sponsored by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
Northvail Elementary School held Winter Concert
PARSIPPANY — Talented young musicians at Northvail Elementary School gave a great performance during the annual winter concert, on December 9.
![Miss Kristin Kirbos, Chorus Director with Northvail students](https://i0.wp.com/parsippanyfocus.com/uploadedmedia/2015/12/Miss-Kristin-Kirbos.jpg?resize=696%2C522&ssl=1)
The chorus, under the direction of Miss Kristin Kirbos, performed a variety of songs including Winter Wonderland, Solitary Snowflake, You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch and others
The fourth and fifth grade bands under the direction of Mr. Peter Pettinelli, featured an assortment of instruments consisting of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, drums, baritone horns and trumpets performing a variety of holiday classics and contemporary tunes.
On behalf of the Northvail community, we would like to thank the directors, performers and their parents for all their hard work and to those who support the arts in our school.
Chance of snow flurries in parts of Jersey
It will finally start to feel like winter is approaching this weekend in New Jersey. Though temperatures are in the 40s as of 7 a.m., it’s going to get much colder this evening. The chill is expected to stick around all weekend, according to the National Weather Service. During the day Friday, we’ll see a mix…
Woman convicted in Parsippany carjacking charged in another
WEST HAVEN, Ct. — A woman serving 11 years in prison for helping rob an elderly driver in Parsippany who was then stuffed in a car trunk was charged Wednesday as an accomplice in another carjacking in West Haven, the New Haven Register reported. Authorities in Connecticut say Marilyn Nadeau, 54, took part in a carjacking…
Parsippany School Bus Workers Choose Teamsters Union
PARSIPPANY — School bus drivers and aides at Student Transportation of America (STA) in Parsippany, overcame tough opposition from management Wednesday, voting decisively in favor of union representation by Teamsters Local 102 in Springfield Township.
The 78 bus workers are calling for improved working conditions, respect on the job and assurances that they will be paid for all hours worked.
“The union has already given us hope. Now it will bring us strength,” said Jose Alvarez, a driver with STA in Parsippany. “We are looking forward to negotiating a strong contract that puts an end to wage theft abuse and unfairness from management.”
The victory in Parsippany marks just the latest group of workers who have been successful in their organizing efforts at STA, the third-largest school bus operator in the country. Alvarez and his co-workers will join hundreds of STA employees represented by the Teamsters Union nationwide.
“We are very proud of this group of men and women. The workers stood strong as the company tried to put pressure on them and gave themselves an early Christmas gift,” said Kevin O’Connor, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 102.
The Teamsters’ Drive Up Standards campaign is a global campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the privatized school bus and transit industry. Since the campaign began in 2006, nearly 40,000 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters. For more information on the Drive Up Standards campaign, click here.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Crash on Kingston Road; Driver charged with DWI
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol units responded to the area of Kingston Road and Lawrence Road on a motor vehicle crash, at 11:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11.
Upon their arrival they found a 2010 Jeep Cherokee with its front passenger wheel detached along with two struck vehicles.
Patrol Officer Ernest Ebanks determined that Kelly Daily struck two parked motor vehicles and then came to rest on the side of Kingston Road just south of Lawrence Road.
Patrol Officer J. Lubeck conducted a brief investigation and placed Mrs. Daily, 34, Morris Plains, under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.
Ms. Daily was transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters were she was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone, Reckless Driving and Operating Motor Vehicle while Using a Cellphone.
Mrs. Daily was released into the custody of a family member pending her court appearance.
Four sent to hospital in a three vehicle accident in front of town hall
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Jonathan Rojas, 28, Parsippany was traveling south on Parsippany Boulevard, approaching Route 46. Ms. Elena Tapiaderivera, 52, Dover, was stopped at a stop sign while traveling on the ramp from Route 46 to Parsippany Boulevard. Mr. George Piegaro, 73, entered Parsippany Boulevard and struck Mr. Rojas’s vehicle, a 1994 Volvo 940, and then continued traveling and striking a vehicle driven by Ms. Tapiaderivera, a 2008 Ford Econoline. As a result of the impact the Ford Econoline struck a curb before striking a light pole and coming to a stop.
Mr. Piegaro was driving a 2012 Ford F-150.
This accident occurred on Tuesday, December 8 at 9:48 a.m.
Mr. Piegaro was at fault for failing to yield the right of way of Mr. Rojas’s vehicle.
Mr. Rojas was charged with driving on a suspended license.
Mr. Piegaro was transported to St. Clare’s Hospital, and Ms. Tapiaderivera and two passengers were sent to Morristown Medical Center.
All three vehicles were towed from the scene by Ajaco Towing. Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer William Stone investigated the accident.
Rainbow Lakes Fire Department to tour on Christmas Eve with Santa
PARSIPPANY — The Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company is preparing for the 2015 Santa tour! Gather the family to meet Santa and share good tidings with friends and neighbors on Thursday, December 24. The tour will start approximately 5:30 p.m. and will continue after 8:00 p.m.
On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus and his helpers will visit the neighborhood at the times shown below. Santa invites the young and old to visit with him. He will have a gift for those up to and including age seven, with Christmas candy for those a bit older. Santa and the elves of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve.