PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Detective M. Czajka arrested and charged Nicholas Zicolello, 25, Lake Hiawatha, with Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card (Third Degree) and Theft of Movable Property (Third Degree).
The investigation began on May 27 when Parsippany Police Headquarters was contacted by Applebee’s management to report credit card fraud at their location at 1057 Route 46.
Nick ZicolelloOnce Patrol Officer G. Lowe arrived on scene he spoke to the management who advised him that there has been a rise in the amount of credit cards disputes in the last two months.
Upon further investigation by Detective M. Czajka, it was found that Mr. Zicolello was using customer’s credit cards to pay for other customer’s orders when they paid in cash.
Mr. Zicolello would then void out the food and beverage orders and take the money.
After he was arrested and charged on December 9 by Det. M. Czajka, Mr. Zicolello was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.
Editors Note: Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Matthew McGovern, 38, Mountain Lakes was traveling north on Route 287 and exited onto Intervale Road (Exit 43) continued up the ramp and was attempting to make a left turn and when he crashed into the utility pole across from the ramp exit ramp. The driver admitted being on his cell phone at the time of the accident.
McGovern was driving a 2013 Volkswagen Passat was towed from the scene by Eagle Towing. This accident occurred on Sunday, November 29, at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Mr. McGovern was charged with Careless Driving (39:4-97) by Parsippany-Troy Hills Officer Pasquale Parisi.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany donated 60 new pajamas and a check to Jersey Battered Women’s Service on Thursday, December 17.
Karen DeChristopher, Kiwanis Board member and Director of the Young Children Priority One program, has been collecting children’s pajamas from members since the beginning of November, and also received several pairs of pajamas from members of her church, First Baptist Community Church.
Accepting the donation was Patty Sly, Executive Director at Jersey Battered Women’s Service. “We are grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for their generosity and thoughtfulness in providing new pajamas to our residents in time for the holidays. The holidays can be especially trying for domestic violence victims and acts of kindness such as these can make all the difference,” says Patty Sly.
Kiwanis Board and the Director of Young Children Priority One program, Karen DeChristopher said “For many years it has always been a tradition for me as a child and continuing with my children to wear new pajamas on Christmas Eve and I am happy to participate in collecting pajamas for such a great organization.
Sixty pajama sets were donated to the children of JBWS
Jersey Battered Women’s Service Inc. in Morris County is a full-service domestic violence and domestic abuse prevention agency with volunteer opportunities. The services include a 24-hour hotline; counseling; safe house; transitional living; children’s services; life skills education; vocational counseling; batterers’ intervention; legal assistance; teen dating violence services; and professional training, education and youth prevention programs.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders will hold its annual reorganization meeting for 2016 on Sunday, January 3 at 2:00 p.m., in the public meeting room of the county’s Administration and Records Building, 10 Court Street in Morristown.
Newly elected freeholders Christine Myers, Mendham Township, and Deborah Smith, Denville, also will take their oaths of office their initial three-year terms on the county governing board.
Freeholder John Cesaro
Freeholder John Cesaro, Parsippany, who won re-election in November, will be sworn in for a second three-year term.
Other members of the 2016 Freeholder Board will include Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo of Roxbury, Doug Cabana, Boonton Township, Hank Lyon, Montville and Tom Mastrangelo, Montville.
Public parking for the event is available in the Schuyler Place garage, one block from the county administration building, and nearby public lots on Cattano Avenue, as well as street parking.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Christian Rivera, 31, Dover, was sentenced in connection with three separate robberies of three individual victims that occurred in Rockaway, Wharton, and Roxbury, within a span of a week in April 2012.
The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. sentenced the defendant to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, of which he must serve 85 percent before being eligible for parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
On September 22, 2015, Rivera entered guilty pleas to three, first degree robberies, before the Honorable Stephen Taylor, P.J.Cr.
On April 18, 2012, the defendant approached the first victim in a parking lot in Rockaway Township. The defendant brandished a firearm and subsequently took the victim’s engagement ring.
On April 24, 2012, defendant approached the second victim at the Wharton Shop Rite. The defendant brandished a firearm and demanded that the victim give him her engagement ring. The defendant was not successful in his attempt.
On April 25, 2012, the defendant approached the third victim at the Succasunna Shop Rite. The defendant brandished a firearm and subsequently took the victim’s engagement ring.
Assistant Prosecutor Stephen G. Bollenbach represented the State during the prosecution of this matter.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Rockaway Township Police Department, Wharton Police Department, Roxbury Township Police Department, Denville Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the General Investigations Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
PARSIPPANY — Restaurant Programs of America (RPA) and Innovative Coverage Concepts (ICC) announced today that Susan LaBar has joined the sister restaurant insurance company in order to develop and implement customized risk solutions. PRA is located at Eight Wood Hollow Road.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Susan’s caliber within the risk management field as a part of our team,” said Dean Carras, President and CEO of RPA.
In her new role as Director of Claims Management, LaBar will focus on building out claims and risk management practice solutions. These solutions encompass claim reviews, reserve and loose trending analysis, litigation management, and claim investigation strategies.
LaBar has a 23-year track record of delivering risk management claims solutions as a client advocate. She spent 12 years as the Regional Claims Manager at One Source Facility Services, managing all lines of claims in 12 states. Most recently, LaBar was the Risk Manager at Coach USA, responsible for 19 separate companies in 23 states and Canada.
LaBar’s programs have reduced claims by 30 percent over five years, representing a savings of over $10 million for her clients.
Restaurant Programs of America (RPA) is a national restaurant insurance agency focused solely on providing quality business insurance products and services to restaurants throughout the United States. We first offered our services in the NJ/NY metropolitan area, and over the last 40 years, have grown RPA into a national provider of property & casualty insurance to restaurants. Our corporate headquarters is located in Parsippany, New Jersey, and we also maintain offices in California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri,North Carolina, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.
Insurance Coverage Concepts (ICC), founded in 2001, has now grown to be a premier National Managing General Agency (MGA) specializing in all types of restaurants and food and entertainment related risks. ICC differentiates themselves by implementing customized Risk Management solutions to reduce risk and control claims costs.
MORRISTOWN — An employee of the Morris County Board of Elections has been arrested for alleged possession of child pornography, according to county officials. Anthony P. DeSimone, 73, of Morris Township, was arrested Saturday on a fourth-degree charge of child endangerment for possession of child pornography, according to court records and the county prosecutor’s office. DeSimone…
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Town of Dover Police Department Director Dominic Saldida announce the arrest of an armed drug distributor, Germal A. Bynoe, 25, Dover, involved in the distribution of significant quantities of marijuana in and around the Town of Dover.
As a result of this joint investigation, over 5 pounds of marijuana, a stolen handgun, $560.00 in cash (drug distribution proceeds) and various items of drug paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution, including drug packaging materials, were seized.
The marijuana has a retail street value in excess of $10,000.00.
Over the past several months, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) received information concerning marijuana distribution in and around the Dover area. Detectives from the Narcotics Task Force and Dover Police Department conducted an investigation that resulted in the above referenced seizures including a stolen .380 caliber Hi-Point semi-automatic handgun. When detectives approached Bynoe to arrest him for narcotics distribution, he fled from their arrest on foot and after a brief foot chase detectives took Bynoe into custody.
The investigation culminated on December 15, 2015 with the arrest of Germal A. Bynoe, who was charged with the following:
1 count of second degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana).
1 count of fourth degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana).
1 count of second degree Possession of a Firearm (handgun) while in the course of Possessing a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana).
1 count of third degree Resisting Arrest by creating a substantial risk of physical injury to the officer.
1 count of fourth degree Resisting Arrest by fleeing on foot from Law Enforcement Officers.
1 count of third degree Hindering Prosecution.
1 count of second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun)
Bynoe’s bail was set by Municipal Court Judge Joseph E. Deming at $250,000, with no 10% option. The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp stated: “Members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit worked in conjunction with the Town of Dover Police Department and successfully removed an illegal handgun from our community as well as over 5 pounds of marijuana. In an effort to make our community safer, the Morris County Narcotics Task Force will work collaboratively with local law enforcement to infiltrate armed drug distribution networks.”
Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Town of Dover Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.
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.
During the evacuation all residents were given the option to be transported to Mount Tabor Firehouse
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department received a 911 call reporting a bomb was located in the basement of Parsippany Inn and Suites, located at 2939 Route 10 East.
Patrol Sergeants A. Keiser and E. Conklin, Detectives A. Morelli and J. Keiling, Patrol Officers P. Kolln and A. Ohlsen responded to the scene.
Township buses brought residents to the Mount Tabor Firehouse
Upon arrival of the responding units a perimeter of the property was set up and the area was evacuated. Mount Tabor Fire Department along with Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance were dispatched to stand by at the Mount Tabor Fire Department’s building on South Powder Mill Road.
During the evacuation all residents were given the option to be transported to Mount Tabor Firehouse on South Powder Mill Road due to the low temperatures by Parsippany Office of Emergency Management.
Morris County Bomb Squad checked the premise and determined the area was clear and no threats to the public were present. All residents were transported back from the Powder Mill Firehouse and allowed back into the building.
Upon further investigation by Detectives A. Morelli and J. Keiling information was developed that the caller was Brian Miller, 49, Parsippany, and was possibly in the area of the Dover train station.
Detectives located Mr. Miller in Dover and a short time later he was placed under arrest for False Public Alarm.
His bail was set at $35,000 and was also found to have an active arrest warrant from Rahway Municipal Court in the amount of $150.00.
Mr. Miller was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility until his court date or he posts bail.
The building was evacuated and residents were standing on the front lawnResidents keeping behind the yellow tape blocking access to Parsippany Inn
Council-elect Loretta Gragnani will be sworn in during the Inauguration Ceremony
PARSIPPANY — The reorganization meeting for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is set for Tuesday, January 5 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Municipal Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
On New Years Day, Friday, January 1, at 12:00 noon the Inauguration Ceremony forCouncil President Paul Carifi, Jr, and Councilman Michael dePierro and Council-elect Loretta Grangani will be held. Loretta will be sworn in for her first term on the Council. Currently, Loretta serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. All three council members will serve for a term of four-years. The ceremony will take place in the Municipal Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Current Councilman Brian Stanton did not run for re-election this year, but sources told to Parsippany Focus, Stantonwill be running in an upcoming election.
At the reorganization meeting they will appointing choices of committees that each member of the council will sit on.
Also the Township Council and Mayor James Barberio will appointment residents to any open committees.
Some of the committees include Community Resolution Dispute Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Knoll Country Club Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees, Municipal Alliance Committee, Open Space, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Committee, Storm Water Management, Traffic Advisory Committee or Zoning Board of Adjustment. To apply for a position on a committee, click here.
PARSIPPANY — All boys in first grade & kindergartern are invited to a basketball skills workshop and chance to join your local Cub Scout Pack on Monday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m., at the Greater Morristown YMCA, 79 Horsehill Road in Cedar Knolls.
First graders will be able to join your local Cub Scout Pack and start having fun all year long. We will have all the info mom or dad needs to sign you up in your local pack.
Current Cub Scouts can come if they bring a friend who is not yet a Cub Scout.
Kindergarten parents will learn about the Pack your son can join in the spring.
Wear sneakers & comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle with your name on it.
This is a free event but registration is required. Register online by clicking here or contact District Executive Al Thomas, Patriots’ Path Council, Boy Scouts of America, (973) 765-9322 x229, or email.
PARSIPPANY — A suspicious device was reported found in a guest room at the Parsippany Inn, 2939 Route 10.
Residents and guests have been evacuated and are being sent to Mt. Tabor Fire Department District 1, Powder Mill Station. Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad is on scene.
Morris County Bomb Squad just arrived at the scene. As details become available Parsippany Focus will update this article.
PARSIPPANY — A state appeals court ruled on Tuesday that a 17-year sentence will stand for a Parsippany man found guilty of sexually assaulting and beating an 18-year-old woman who was walking home alone at 3 a.m. in Parsippany in 2007. The decision came in the second appeal pursued by Eric Clemente Rangel, now 28, who…
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Robert Esnes, 38, Boonton, entered a guilty plea today before the Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C. to Child Abuse and Neglect (fourth degree).
In exchange for his guilty plea, at the time of sentencing, the State will recommend probation, and as a condition of probation up to 364 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility, forfeiture of his teaching certificates, follow the recommendations of a psycho-sexual evaluation, and no contact with the victim.
The sentence is scheduled for February 5, 2016.
The prosecution stemmed from the arrest of Esnes on April 15, 2013, after the victim’s father reported that the defendant engaged in inappropriate conduct with his minor child. The victim was interviewed and disclosed an incident that occurred on April 13, 2013, where she and the defendant engaged in sexual conduct when she was less than 16 years of age, and the defendant was more than four years older than her.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Chatham Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and Hi-Tech Crimes Unit, whose efforts contributed to this result.
PARSIPPANY — Rauchberg Dental Group welcomes its newest associate, Dr. Deepa Rupani, to its expanding multi-specialty practice. The office now includes three general and cosmetic dentists, two on-site periodontists for implant placement and treatment of gum disease, an endodontist for root canal care, as well as an orthodontist and an oral surgeon.
Dr. Rupani has extensive experience in all areas of dentistry and is also an Invisalign® provider. Practice owner Dr. Alan Rauchberg says, “We are very excited that Dr. Rupani is joining our team. She is compassionate, patient, and skilled at working with both adults and children.”
Dr. Rupani received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DDM) from Rutgers School of Dentistry. She also obtained her masters degree in biomedical sciences from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
“I am looking forward to providing the utmost care for my patients at Rauchberg Dental Group,” says Dr. Rupani. “And I’m excited to work in this unique environment that offers such a comprehensive range of dental services.”
One of the only multi-specialty practices in northern New Jersey, Rauchberg Dental Group offers state-of-the-art technology, modern comforts and amenities, and a focus on education and dental innovation.
For information, please visit Rauchberg Dental Group at www.rauchberg.com, or call (973) 334-3777 for an appointment.
PARSIPPANY — ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? The Parsippany High School African American Club is holding their first annual Kwanzaa Feast. Come out and celebrate and learn about this great holiday. It will be a night of soul food, music and great company. All proceeds go to charity.
The event has been cancelled.
Parsippany High School is located at 309 Baldwin Road.
PARSIPPANY — A judge in Passaic County Superior Court threw out an official misconduct indictment against a suspended Morris County sheriff’s officer, Jason Campbell, stating the charges were the “fruit of a poisonous tree” after he was entrapped by a State Police trooper, according to Bergen Record.
Campbell, 36, was accused of flashing his sheriff’s badge to avoid being ticketed during a traffic stop in March 2012.
Superior Court Judge Raymond Reddin explained his ruling for more than an hour on Monday, December 14. “Those offenses and a subsequent driving-under-the-influence charge against Campbell would be dismissed because the stop was designed to coax the officer into showing his badge,” he stated.
“It was a ruse, it was a pretext, it was no different from racial profiling,” the judge continued, at times becoming animated. “It wasn’t a bona fide pulling over of the vehicle.”
In July 2014, Campbell rejected an amended plea deal that would have put him behind bars for two years.
It was reported, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office had been in contact with an anonymous tipster who said Campbell – who had to turn over his badge and gun while suspended on arson charges – frequently was driving while intoxicated and making trips to Newark to purchase narcotics. The tipster said Campbell had a secondary badge he would use if he was ever pulled over.
About eight to nine members of the county prosecutor’s office had followed Campbell’s vehicle on one such trip, in March 2012, and had instructed a state trooper to pull him over if he found a justification to do so.
The trooper told Campbell that he stopped his 2004 silver Dodge Ram pick-up truck because he was having “a little hard time staying in your lane” and that he was tailgating a vehicle in front of him. Campbell explained that he was “on the job,” after which the trooper repeatedly pressed him to produce his badge. This incident occurred on Route 287 north.
Eventually, the trooper explained that Campbell faced a ticket that would result in five points on his driver’s license before saying, “If you have your ID, that would be spectacular.”
Reddin said Campbell produced the badge only after he was essentially threatened and was clearly entrapped. The stop, he said, amounted to an unwarranted seizure of his vehicle and a violation of his 4th Amendment Constitutional rights.
The judge also said it was improper for officers to pat down Campbell’s wife, Jennifer Campbell, during the traffic stop, because she had done nothing wrong until officers recovered pills in her possession.
Jeffrey Patti, Esq. of Sparta, praised the judge’s ruling Monday, saying that it did away with a misconduct charge that carried a mandatory five-year prison term.
Jeffrey Patti, Esq. said “Naturally, we are very pleased with the court’s ruling. In their zeal to settle a political score the Morris County Prosecutor stepped way beyond the bounds of fundamental fairness. The real victor in this is the 4th amendment to our constitution.”
PARSIPPANY — Erika Jones, a 2011 graduate of Parsippany High School, was one of 592 candidates for graduation at Coastal Carolina University at ceremonies on December 11 and 12 at the HTC Center. South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman was the speaker and received an honorary degree, Doctor of Public Service. She advised the Class of 2015 not to forget their roots as they go forward in their lives and careers.
“Your journey in life may never take you back there to live again,” said Spearman, “but you need to do what you can to support and uplift the people who have made you what you are today. Don’t forget them. So whether you become a teacher, a scientist, a CEO of a company, a health care professional — in later years when you are reminiscing, the relationships you had with the people along the way will be what matters the most.”
Jones graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in management
Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 70 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree, and 17 master’s degree programs, plus two educational specialist degrees. The University began offering its first doctoral program – the Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science – in Fall 2014. View the full list of Academic Programs.
More than 10,000 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.
Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.
PARSIPPANY — Chanukah was celebrated at the Parsippany Municipal Building on Thursday, December 10 with the lighting of the menorah, live music, potato latkes, donuts, Chanukah gelt for the kids and fun for the entire family. Rabbi Baumgarten, Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey emceed the event.
Rabbi Baumgarten addressing the crowd before lighting of the Menorah
The Lighting of the Menorah at Town Hall
Michele Sylvan dancing with Mayor James Barberio to Chanukah favorites
Michele Sylvan dancing with Mayor James Barberio to Chanukah favorites
Rabbi Baumgarten addressing the audience inside Council Chambers
Children of Adath Shalom performing Chanukah favorites
Children of Temple Beth Am performing Chanukah favorites
Rabbi Herson of Shaya Ahavat Torah
Rabbi Moshe Rudin of Adath Shalom
Rabbi Steve Mills of Temple Beth Am
Rabbi Shalom Lubin of Shaya Ahavat Torah
The audience listening to Chanukah favorites
Lee Neidich
After the Menorah Lighting the crowd moved into the Council Chambers and they listened to Chanukah favorites performed by the children of Adath Shalom and Beth Am.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery was lighting up the outside area.
Chanukah — the eight-day festival of light that begins on the eve of Kislev 25 – celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d. When they sought to light the Temple’s menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, the one day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity. To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are kindled. On Chanukah we also recite Hallel and the Al HaNissim prayer to offer praise and thanksgiving to G-d for “delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few … the wicked into the hands of the righteous.”
Chanukah customs include eating foods fried in oil — latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts); playing with the dreidel (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, “a great miracle happened there”); and the giving of Chanukah gelt, gifts of money, to children.