Greeting card for Kwanzaa depicting seven candles and fruit.
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.
PARSIPPANY — Santa Claus will make a visit to the Parsippany IHOP located at 792 Route 46 on Saturday, December 19, Sunday, December 20 and Christmas Day from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Santa will be giving out candy canes and children will have the opportunity to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas! Be sure to bring your camera and take lots of pictures to catch that special time you spend on Santa’s lap!
MORRISTOWN — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Andrew Pfitzenmayer, 27, Peapack, was sentenced today before the Honorable Salem V. Ahto, J.S.C. and received a sentence of three years in New Jersey State Prison, with a one year period of parole ineligibility.
Pfitzenmayer was arrested on July 29, 2015 at approximately 10:00 a.m., when the Morristown Police Department responded to the Headquarter’s Plaza building, located at 19 Speedwell Avenue regarding a male acting suspiciously. Pfitzenmayer was placed under arrest on scene for possession of weapons charges.
On October 27, 2015 Pfitzenmayer pled guilty before the Honorable Salem V. Ahto, J.S.C. to one count of second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. The psychiatric evaluation that was previously ordered by the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J. Cr., pursuant to a court order, was filed under seal and will not be available to the general public.
Prosecutor Knapp stated: “This case demonstrates how important it is for everyone to be alert to their surroundings at all times. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Headquarters Plaza Security, Morristown Bureau of Police and other law enforcement agencies who acted so quickly to prevent any possible furthercriminal activity.”
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library will host “It’s a Wrap! FREE Gift Wrapping for the Man Who Doesn’t Have Time” on Wednesday, December 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the main library, located at 449 Halsey Road.
Registration is not required, but doors close at 8:45 p.m.
For more information, call the library at (973) 887-5150 or click here.
US Customs & Border Protection Law Enforcement Explorers issuing Child IDs
Undersheriff William Schievella and Eboni Phillips talking to a child
Demonstrating the bomb squad robot
A view from above
Undersheriff William Schievella, Frank Cahill, Eboni Phillips and Sheriff Rochford
The crowd surrounds the table
US Customs & Border Protection Law Enforcement Explorers issuing Child IDs
Lisandro Maldonado signing up children for Child ID’s
Morris County Sheriff Detective Thomas Reilly with Nicolas Limanov, demonstrating “bomb” gear
Balkis Bernard, William Schievella, Sheriff Edward Rochford, Eboni Phillips, SCBPO, Det./Lt. Michael Puzio, Det. Tom Reilly, Chief Philip A. DiGavero, Sean Lomax and Justin Getchins
Det. Thomas Reilly with Sheriff Edward Rochford
Undersheriff William Schievella explaining the duties of the Sheriff’s Department
Undersheriff William Schievella , Det. Tom Reilly and Balkis Bernard
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Rockaway Police Department and the US Customs & Border Protection Law Enforcement Explorers Post from Newark to bring shoppers a unique opportunity to experience first-hand some of the ways law enforcement is protecting each of us on a daily basis. This event was held on Saturday, December 12, at the Rockaway Townsquare, 301 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway.
A child identification booth was set up along with officers from the partnering agencies to assist in taking your child through the fingerprinting process. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Special Units’ tactical equipment and law enforcement educational programs were on display.
MORRISTOWN — A trial date of Feb. 8 has been set in the long delayed case against Vanessa Brown, accused of killing East Hanover community leader Ralph Politi Jr. in a 2012 drunken driving accident. The date was set following a pretrial conference Wednesday in Superior Court in Morristown involving Judge William McGovern, Morris County Assistant…
MORRISTOWN — A 25-year-old Newark man was sentenced Friday to state prison on weapon and drug charges, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said. Zakee Odom pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to unlawful possession of a handgun, drug possession and being a person not allowed to have a firearm based on his criminal history, the prosecutor’s office said.…
Baby Jesus was stolen from an Adam Avenue residence
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department was advised by a resident on Adams Street that an unknown individual stole her baby Jesus from her property.
Upon arrival of Patrol Officer Adam Clark, the resident advised the officer that between Sunday, December 6 and on Monday, December 7
an unknown person stole her baby Jesus statue from her nativity scene on her front yard.
The statue had an approximate value of $80.00.
Witnesses reported a black vehicle driven by a male stopped in front of the victim’s house and placed an item into the vehicle at which time they left the area.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4313.
PARSIPPANY — The 2015 South Indian floods resulted from heavy rainfall during the annual monsoon in November-December floods 2015.
The flooding has been attributed to El Nino phenomenon, which broke a 100 year record and the areas effected were capital of Tamil Nadu – Chennai and adjacent villages and cities. Nearly 400 people have died and 1.8 million have been displaced, with damages exceeding US $15 billion.
Thousands of people have been rendered homeless and are in immediate need of basic requirement: food, shelter and clothing. In an effort to help people, Indian community living in New Jersey have come up with a novel idea to donate clothing. As part of this clothing drive, we are collecting new and gently used clothes for all age groups. Goal: We are a group of more than 20 volunteers who are actively involved in this drive. We have 20 feet container, which is roughly 300 large home depot boxes. The estimated shipping cost is $3,000.
The organizers notified Parsippany Focus, that they received enough clothing at this point, and is just requesting donations money to help pay for the shipping costs, and can be anything from $1 to $10 or even more.
You can donate at PAL (Police Athletic League) at the following times:
PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Freeholders presented Parsippany High School Marching Band on Wednesday, December 9.
Parsippany High School Marching band enjoyed a very successful 2015 season, capturing the Group IV A State Championship and National Championship. The talented musicians and color guard also landed numerous caption awards for Best Overall Effect, Best Music, Best Visual, and Best Percussion; and the U.S. Marine’s “Esprit de Corps” Award.
Band Director, Mr. Dalakian. Drum Majors Miki Hansen, Megan Wang, and Dev Lad. Color Guard Captains Bee Kelley, Xue Ting Lin, and Justina Avent with Freeholders Hank Lyon and Thomas MastrangeloBand Director, Mr. Gregory Dalakian; Drum Majors Miki Hansen, Megan Wang, and Dev Lad. Color Guard Captains Bee Kelley, Xue Ting Lin, and Justina Avent
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, December 12 the children at Parsippany Child Day Care Center enjoyed a breakfast and a visit from Santa sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
The chefs from Kiwanis Club volunteers prepared the breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, pancakes, bagels and muffins.
The children received coloring books and crayons from Santa as well as a goodie bag.
Ashlyn, 4, Allyson, 6, Amy 2 with Mom Glenda Lemus sitting with Santa
Santa talking to four-year old Vihaan Tippireddy
Cook Steve Dickens with President Connie Keller displaying the pancakes served to the children
Five-year old Iskaan and 1 year old Anivrna Bilavari sitting on Santa’s lap
Susan Elbin ejoying breakfast after all the children were served
One-year old twins Charlotte and Hillary Castro
Eight month old Jennifer with her parents Jackie and Sean Devore
Giuliana Torres, Lucia Castro, Charlotte Castro and Hillary Castro
Elves Adaman Bravo, Melisa Lozada, Liliana Lozada, Ivette Cabrera, Daniella Regifo, Noreen Estrada, Ixchel Bravo DeDios with Ally and Malikai
Mimi Letts smiling at Santa
Two-year old Reva, 5-month old Riyan with parents Rakesh and Chazu Shasma with Santa
The Kiwanis volunteers at Parsippany Child Day Care Center
Four-year old Mahi Pandya sitting on Santa's lap at Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department
PARSIPPANY — Santa arrived at the Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, December 12 and enjoyed his visit with area children.
Santa stays in the firehouse rather than going around on the fire trucks because it’s safer for the children and gave him the opportunity to talk with each child to hear those special Christmas wishes. Parents brought their cameras and take pictures to catch that special time the children spend on Santa’s lap.
Sisters Olivia, 3, and Pricilia, 6, Licin sitting on Santa’s lap at Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire DepartmentThe Nolan family at Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department’s Santa arrival. Antoinette holding 2-year old Katherine, Ken and 6-year old Liana with 8-year old brother Ryan
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the sentencing of Douglas J. Scherr, 34, of the Budd Lake section of the Township of Mount Olive, on December 11, 2015, before the Honorable Catherine Enright, J.S.C.
Judge Enright sentenced Scherr to serve five years in New Jersey State Prison on one count of Aggravated Arson. Scherr will be required to serve 85% of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, pursuant to the No Early Release Act (“NERA”).
On August 18, 2015, Scherr entered a guilty plea to the crime of Aggravated Arson (a crime of the second degree) before Judge Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.
On May 2, 2014, at approximately 3:13 a.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to Scherr’s Budd Lake Apartment, 8A of 33 Eagle Rock Village, Budd Lake, in the Township of Mount Olive on a call of a smoke condition with an audible fire alarm.
Upon arrival, first responders encountered heavy smoke and extinguished a fire located in the kitchen area of the apartment. The source of the fire was determined to be a glass candle that was underneath a chair with clothing draped over it.
Throughout the apartment, officials located multiple propane tanks that were venting a flammable substance into the apartment. Officials were able to evacuate the adjacent apartments and no one was injured. Scherr was not present at the apartment at the time emergency personnel responded but he was arrested in New York State later the same day.
During his guilty plea, Scherr admitted he placed open propane canisters in the living room and kitchen of his apartment, and started a fire in the kitchen with an intent to ignite the propane, thus placing others in the apartment complex in danger of death or bodily injury.
The State was represented at sentencing by Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Arson-Environmental Crimes, Major Crimes and High-Tech Crimes Units of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mount Olive Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office-Criminal Investigation Section, as well as the New York State Police and Chenango County (NY) Sheriff’s Department, whose collective efforts contributed to Scherr’s arrest and conviction.
George Esparza: Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus and Wahoo Medicine Show
MORRIS COUNTY — It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2015, a reminder that comes with the notice that tickets to the 24th annual First Night Morris celebration are now on sale, with the New Year’s Eve just four weeks away.
This New Year’s Eve, First Night Morris will feature more than 200 artists and 80 performances in 24 venues, all within walking distance of the Morristown Green. This celebration of arts and culture in an alcohol-free environment includes two fireworks displays – at 9:15 and 12:00 Midnight.
There is also free shuttle service all evening.
The December 31, 2015 event will feature dance, theater, music, world cultures, visual arts and children’s events. More than half of the program will feature new artists (or artists returning after several years), many of whom have performed at top venues, performed on national radio/TV, in major films, and/or collaborated with superstars of performing arts.
For the cost of a ticket is $17.50 to $25.00 — you can experience everything from classical chamber music to the Australian aboriginal didgeridoo.
Some examples: On the jazz/rock front, audience favorite The British Invitation Tribute (which opened for Ringo Starr) performs note-perfect classic 60’s rock, while the Zydeco Revelators share Cajun rhythms. James Langton offers a Salute to Sinatra, or for classic bluegrass, fiddlin’ and banjo pickin’, catch the Feinberg Brothers.
Councilman Louis Valori helping unload the donated food from the vehicle
Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Lou Valori, Joanne Rinaldi-Brashier Interfaith Community Relations & Development Associate, Anjani Katikaneni, Ramsatish Katta and Prakash Yalamanchili
PARSIPPANY — VTSeva Parsippany held its second annual food drive from November 17 to December 9. This year the group raised a total of 1,500 pounds of quality food items, topping last years total of 1,250 pounds. Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Louis Valori helped the group unload the donated food from the vehicles.
The team delivered the food to Interfaith Food Pantry on December 9 and Joanne Rinaldi-Brashier, Director of Community Relations and Development conducted a tour of the facility.
Middle school and high school children from Mazdabrook Preserve went throughout the community distributing flyers and collecting donations for the annual food drive. The impact in raising awareness in the community, helped some people responding very positively.
Mazdabrook Commons community also did active campaigning for the food drive and some people became involved in VTSeva this year.
With team work and the efforts of sincere, dedicated volunteers they were able raise almost twice the amount of food as the group did last year.
In this holiday season which is the season of giving, we hope that with our team effort we made a small difference in the lives of few homeless families of Morris County.
VTSeva Parsippany encourages students in middle school, high schoolers or any individual interested in participating in community services to contact them at vtsevaparsippany@gmail.com or call (862) 571-9518.
VTseva does several community service activities under the guidance of the founder HH Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami. VTSeva has different branches nationwide who do holiday food drives, toy drives, environment protection programs and walkathons throughout the year. You can Find the group on Facebook by clicking here or visit www.vtsworld.org to learn more about the organization.
VTSeva Parsippany sincerely thanks the participants and the donors for their support.
Bravo Pet Foods of Manchester, Conn., is recalling select lots of Bravo Chicken Blend diet for dogs and cats due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
Routine testing by the Colorado State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella contamination in a single package of Bravo Chicken Blend Diet for Dogs and Cats (2 lb. chub only) made on 11/13/14 with a best used by date of 11/13/16.
The recall includes the following product and production lot:
Product Name: Bravo Blend Chicken Diet for Dogs & Cat
Item Number: 21-102
Size: 2 lb. (32 oz.) chub
Best Used By Date: 11-13-16
UPC: 829546211028
According to an alert on the Bravo website, 201 cases of this product were sold to distributors, retail stores, Internet retailers and directly to consumers in the US.
In addition, the company is voluntarily recalling products that were produced in the same manufacturing facility on the same day as the product that tested positive. These additional lots are being recalled out of an abundance of caution and have not tested positive for Salmonella contamination.
Product Name: Bravo Blend Chicken Diet for Dogs & Cats
Item Number: 21-105
Size: 5 lb. (90 oz.) chub
Best Used By Date: 11-13-16
UPC: 829546211059
Product Name: Bravo Blend Turkey Diet for Dogs & Cats
Item Number: 31-508
Size: 5 lb. bag of 8 oz. patties
Best Used By Date: 11-13-16
UPC: 829546315085
Product Name: Bravo Balance Turkey Diet for Dogs
Item Number: 31-401
Size: 3 lb. bag of 4 oz. patties
Best Used By Date: 11-13-16
UPC: 829546314019
These products were sold to distributors, retail stores, Internet retailers and directly to consumers in the U.S. All products tested negative by a third party independent laboratory prior to release for distribution to consumers.
The company has received no reports to date of illness in either people or animals associated with these products.
Salmonella can cause serious illness or fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
The recalled product should not be fed to pets. Pet owners who have the affected product at home should dispose of it in a safe manner. To submit a claim, pet owners should fill out Bravo’s claim form by clicking here and return to the store where they bought the product.
More information can be found by clicking here, or call toll free 866-922-9222 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST).
RANDOLPH — Enrollment is now taking place for the Spring 2016 Semester at County College of Morris (CCM). By applying and registering early, students are more likely to get the classes that best fit their schedules.
Offering a high-quality education at an affordable price, full-time students can save up to $50,000 or more by beginning their education at CCM. Along with that savings, students benefit from small class sizes and a faculty specifically focused on teaching.
In addition to offering a wide range of academic programs, CCM has a wide selection of transfer agreements to simplify the process of transferring credits to a bachelor’s program. A listing of those agreements can be found by clicking here.
After being accepted to CCM, students have the option of registering for courses online, mailing or faxing their registration, or attending an in-person registration session. In-person registration sessions will be held January 14 – 16.
The Spring Semester begins January 19. To apply online, click here or visit the Admissions office in the Student Community Center on CCM’s Randolph campus, 214 Center Grove Road.