Lynn Brunskill was an artist and a graphic designer, and her restored Victorian home in Mount Tabor is a monument to her aesthetic values. “Our house is definitely filled with her spirit,” said her husband, Adam McGovern. “It was all Lynn.” It was Lynn who picked out the classic-looking armoire and ornate lamp sconces that were…
Thunderstorms roll across Parsippany Saturday
A humid Saturday will give way to potentially hazardous weather throughout New Jersey, as thunderstorms roll across the Garden State from Pennsylvania, according to an alert by the National Weather Service. The hazardous weather warning issued by the National Weather Service early Saturday morning said parts of central, southern and northern New Jersey will all see…
Workers at UPS steal cell phones from packages
PARSIPPANY — UPS security personnel contacted the Parsippany Police Department to report they had two employees they suspected of stealing items out of packages prior to loading them into the shipping trailers, on Wednesday, July 15 at 8:11 a.m.
Patrol Officer A. Van Orden and J. Lubeck responded to UPS and spoke to UPS security personnel. Through the course of their investigation, along with evidence received from UPS security, Sean Stevenson, 26, North Haledon and Joseph Meola, 27, Hawthorne, were placed under arrest and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters.
Mr. Meola was charged with Theft of Movable Property for the theft of a cell phone. Mr. Stevenson was charged with Theft of Movable Property for the theft of five cell phones.
Both parties were released pending their court appearance.
Editors Note: A complaint or a charge is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Out of state driver arrested for DWI
PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officer P. Kolln was making a left turn from Baldwin Road onto Route 46 east, on Thursday, July 9 at 11:29 p.m.
As the officer was turning he observed a vehicle driving west in the left lane of Route 46 east at which time he activated his emergency lights and conducted a motor vehicle stop.
The 2012 Ford Escape came to a stop in the left lane of Route 46 east. After a brief investigation, the driver, Bridget McNulty, 26, Green Harbor, MA was arrested for suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated and transported to Police Headquarters.
While at Police Headquarters she was issued summons for Driving While Intoxicated and Driving the Wrong Way on Route 46.
She was released to an acquaintance, pending her court appearance.
Editors Note: A complaint or a charge is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Christopher Beyel Shoplifts at Home Depot
PARSIPPANY — Home Depot Asset Protection contacted the Parsippany Police Department to report they had a shoplifter detained in the store on Tuesday, July 7 at 4:29 p.m.
Patrol Officer P. Kolln and C. Cifaldi responded to the scene. Once on scene they were advised by Asset Protection personnel that Christopher Beyel, 23, Parsippany, had placed three different power tools into his cart and exited the store.
Asset Protection personnel then stopped him and brought him back inside the store until Parsippany Police arrived.
Mr. Beyel was arrested and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters. He was issued a summons for Shoplifting and released pending his court appearance.
Editors Note: A complaint or a charge is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Vehicle stolen from Marcella Road; recovered in Newark
PARSIPPANY — A resident on Marcella Road contacted the Parsippany Police Headquarters to report that his vehicle was stolen from his driveway between Monday, July 6 at 11:00 p.m. and Tuesday, July 7 at 7:15 a.m.
Patrol Officer J. Michel arrived on scene and spoke to the resident. Through his investigation it was determined that the vehicle, a black 2014 Infiniti Q50, was stolen.
Shortly after the initial call, Parsippany Police received notification from Newark Police Department that the vehicle was recovered in Newark.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Parsippany Police Department at (973) 263-4300.
PTE Girls Softball won State Champs!
PARSIPPANY — The Par-Troy East Senior Girls Softball team won State Champs, Friday, July 17 after winning against Elmora 16-7 at Lodi Little League,72 Church Street, Lodi. They now advance to Regionals in Worcester, Mass. next Saturday, July 25.
Summer Concert series kicks off in Parsippany
Parsippany-Troy Hills Recreation Department kicked off the Summer Concert Series, on Thursday, July 16, with the Rachel Allyn Band.
Mayor James Barberio welcomed the Band and the crowd at Veterans Park to the first of four summer concerts. The band entertained the crowd in near perfect weather with a mix of original songs and covers of other popular songs.
The next concert is Wednesday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. and will feature the music of the Eagles by the band Hotel California.
Par-Troy East wins to Monroe 12-2 in State Finals
PARSIPPANY — PTE Senior Girls 2015 continued their quest for the NJ Senior State Championship with a 12-2 victory over Monroe Little League in the winner’s bracket game on Wednesday night.
PTE moves on to the championship game on Friday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. against either Monroe or Elmora. PTE needs to win one game on Friday night.
Monroe or Elmora would have to beat PTE twice on Friday night to capture the State Championship.
The game was decided quickly as PTE exerted its will early with six runs in the first three innings.
An RBI single by Elizabeth Quigley in the first inning and an RBI single by Quigley, an RBI single by Alivia Mercuro, and an error during the second inning helped PTE put some runs on the board early. PTE was led by a flawless day at the dish by Luisa Barone, who went 5-5 against Monroe’s pitching. She doubled in the fifth inning and singled in the first, second, third, and sixth innings.
Caitlin Brennan struck out 14, moving to 6-0 with an ERA at .96 this all star season paving the way for a PTE win. Brennan allowed no earned runs, one hit and six walks over six innings. Vischoric was charged with the loss. She allowed 12 runs in six innings, walked none and struck out one. PTE built upon its lead with five runs in the fifth. Barone doubled, scoring Julz Del Viscio who started the rally with a single. That was followed up by Meg Leitner’s double, bringing home Barone. PTE’s top 3 hitters in the lineup went 13-15 to pace the 19 hit attack on Monroe.
Victims of fiery Route 80 crash were family from Kentucky
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP – Services for the three people killed in a chain reaction crash last weekend on Route 80 will be held Saturday in Kentucky, where the family lived, according to the funeral home handling the arrangements. The accident claimed the lives of Briana Mae Anderson, 21, her fiance, Edward Russell Hitt, 24, and their one-and-a-half-year-old…
Parsippany Police remind pedestrians to use crosswalks; drivers yield to pedestrians
PARSIPPANY — As the weather has warmed up over the last few weeks more people have been out walking around town. For your safety always use the marked crosswalks at intersections and mid street, where applicable.
If you are in a marked crosswalk with walk, don’t walk signals, you must obey the walk/don’t walk signals. Failure to do so may result in a summons.
If the marked crosswalk is not controlled by any signs or signals, traffic must stop for you, or they can be ticketed. This does not mean you should dart into the roadway in marked crosswalk. Always be safe.
If no crosswalks are present you must yield the right of way to vehicles. You should always look both ways and confirm no vehicles are coming.
If a vehicle fails to yield the right of way, you can write down their license plate information. You can then go to the Parsippany Municipal Court and issue a summons. Police Officers cannot issue a summons unless we witness the violation.
So far 82 pedestrians have been struck and killed by motor vehicles during various incidents this year in the State of New Jersey.
For reference here are some of the pertinent traffic laws:
39:4-32 Crossing a Roadway
39:4-33 Use of Designated crosswalk: PEDESTRIANS MUST obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections. Both carry a $54.00 fine for failure to observe the law.
39:4-36 Driver to yield to pedestrian at crosswalk: MOTORISTS in New Jersey MUST stop for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Failure to observe the law may subject you to one or more of the following: 2 points, $200 Fine, 15 days community service and/or insurance surcharges.
The driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals, or where otherwise prohibited by municipal, county, or State regulation, and except where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided, but no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
For more information, click here.
Police Department makes presentation at Community Center
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Police Officers Remo D’Alessandro and Brian Conover gave a presentation at the Parsippany Community Center on Knoll Road about identity theft and phone scams, on Wednesday, July 15.
A few points the Parsippany Police Departmetn would like to repeat to the public are:
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Never give any personal information over the phone unless you can verify who is calling. When in doubt hang up and call them at a number that you know, such as the one off the back of your credit card or billing statements.
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Communicate with family members, who are not going, prior to vacations or trips so they know where you will be. Scams have evolved to the point were people will call and state that their family member has either been in a bad car accident, kidnapped, or arrested at some location.They demand you wire them money or purchase money cards and give them the information for their medical treatment/ransom/or bail. These scams are extremely frequent.
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If you receive an email or phone call that you won the lottery in some overseas country or someone overseas has millions of dollars they need your help securing, I’m sorry to say its a scam.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not call and demand money to be sent them or else you will be arrested.
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Always research the charity that is calling for a donation. Scammers will attempt to use tragic situations to tug at your emotions and get you to donate.
Kiwanis International delegates make history, elect first female president of organization
Susan A. “Sue” Petrisin will be the first female president-designate of a major international service organization following elections at the 100th Annual Kiwanis International Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Lance Incitti, of Denville, a member of Denville Kiwanis Club was elected to the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees.
Kiwanis celebrated 100 years of service to children of the world with a pancake lunch and birthday celebration, a playground dedication and a business meeting.
“In being elected it is an opportunity to continue serving the children of the world” said Incitti, a 28-year member of Kiwanis. Incitti has served as a Distinguished Club President, Distinguished Lieutenant Governor, Distinguished Governor of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis and in 2008 was appointed to the Kiwanis International Foundation Board and served as President of the International Foundation in 2013-2014. The Kiwanis Club of Denville provides annual scholarships to County College of Morris, sponsors a little league team, Eagle Scout projects, St. Francis Octoberfest, the Deville food pantry and rings bells for the Salvation Army.
Petrisin, of East Lansing, Michigan, USA, will assume her duties on October 1, 2015. She is associate director of alumni programs for the Michigan State University Alumni Association and has been involved in Kiwanis for nearly 25 years as a member of the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing. She also has held multiple leadership roles with Kiwanis youth programs.
Also elected were Jane Erickson, Bellevue, Nebraska, USA, president-elect, and James “Jim” M. Rochford, Peoria, Illinois, USA, vice president. Erickson, a Kiwanis member for 25 years and past governor of the Nebraska-Iowa District, has served in nearly every club leadership role and as president of Kiwanis International Foundation. Rochford, an international trustee and past governor of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, has been an active member of Kiwanis since 1979.
“Kiwanis will concentrate on serving the children of the world in our 101st year,” Petrisin said. “Our mission is serving the children of the world, wherever we have a Kiwanis club, and we’ll focus on how to best serve our communities as we launch our next century of service.”
Also elected at the 2015 Kiwanis International convention in Indianapolis, home of Kiwanis International, were new members of the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees. They include: John E. DeVilbiss, West Alexandria, Ohio, USA and Terry A. White, Evansville, Indiana, USA. Their three-year terms also begin October 1, 2015.
The new members join Immediate Past President John Button, M.D., of Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada; Kenneth A. Alovera, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines; Patricia “Patti” Barsotti, San Ramon Valley, California, USA; Bruce Berven, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Kevin Dean, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Patrick R. Ewing, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Koshiro “Kit” Kitzato, Tokyo, Japan; Marcel Kreienbühl, Gossau-Flawil, Switzerland; Florencio C. “Poly” Lat, Inter-City Homes, Muntinlupa, the Philippines; Arthur N. “Art” Riley, Westminster, Maryland, USA; Dewey Smith, Albany, Georgia, USA, Barbara K. “Barb” Thompson, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; and Daniel Vigneron, Howald, Luxembourg, elected last month in Luxembourg at the Kiwanis International-European Federation convention.
About Kiwanis
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for students age 14–18, Builders Club for students age 11–14, Kiwanis Kids for students age 6–12 and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, annually dedicate more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 600,000 adult and youth members in 80 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, visit www.kiwanis.org.
Court finds that Summit Housing Authority violated OPRA
SUMMIT — Union County Superior Court Judge James Hely issued an opinion on Monday, July 13 that the Summit Housing Authority failed to properly reply to an Open Public Records Act request for minutes of the non-public (executive or closed session) meetings of its Board of Commissioners.
The ruling followed oral argument on July 10. The court date was announced along with details of the case last week (click here to read article).
The Judge opined that the request for the last three sets of closed session minutes was unambiguous and found fault with the Authority’s attempt to narrow the search window to only the tenure of its current Executive Director / Custodian of Records. The request included no such limitation, nor does the law authorize that interpretation, the court ruled.
Per its own admission, the agency hasn’t kept minutes for closed session meetings held since its current Director, Joseph M. Billy, Jr., began on April 1, 2013. The agency didn’t contest that minutes exist for closed sessions held in earlier years but failed to provide copies of those minutes in its response to the OPRA request.
Decision is still pending with regard to Open Public Meetings Act violations, which include the agency’s failure to keep minutes for its non-public meetings.
Parsippany Communications Firm Welcomes Boonton Resident as Intern
PARSIPPANY — Sumera Munhaf recently began a summer internship with SCG (Success Communications Group), a full-service communications firm located at 26 Eastmans Road.
Munhaf, a rising junior at Seton Hall University in South Orange is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in graphic design. Munhaf is a member of the Leadership Development Honors Program and is the President of the Women’s Leadership Program.
“Interning at Success Communications Group will allow me to acquire valuable skills which will better prepare me for my career,” says Munhaf. “I am thankful for this opportunity because it will allow me to gain hands-on experience in the communications field.”
Since January 2003, more than 200 college students from approximately 50 different colleges and universities have participated in SCG’s continuing public relations internship program. These student have earned significant professional experience and, in many cases, college credit as well.
Founded more than half a century ago, SCG (Success Communications Group) provides 21st century communication services highlighted by creativity, passion, and innovation. With specific expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, social media, digital marketing, and recruitment, SCG is headquartered in Parsippany with regional offices in the metro areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa.
Family Law Expert Challenges Lawmakers to Revamp Domestic Violence Laws
PARSIPPANY — Following the tragic Asbury Park killing of Tamara Seidle, allegedly murdered by her ex-husband, Neptune police Sgt. Philip Seidle, New Jersey family law expert Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq. is demanding the NJ Legislature revamp the state’s dated domestic violence laws. Weinberger has offices at 119 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 120.
– The officer must surrender their weapons on the spot;Ms. Weinberger, a featured expert in the recent Asbury Park Press investigative report, Inside the Dark World of Domestic Violence, addressed current police protocol for domestic violence calls when the alleged domestic violence offender is a fellow police officer. Among special rules that apply:
– The county prosecutor must investigate allegations immediately. While the case is pending, the prosecutor can find that guns should remain out of the hands of the accused officer; and
– If a charge or complaint is withdrawn, the officer’s department chief must still investigate to determine if the officer can carry a firearm.
According to Weinberger, even with these rules in place, more can be done to protect domestic violence victims.
“Although New Jersey has some of the most stringent DV laws in the nation, we still have a long way to go in how well they function to protect victims and punish offenders,” she said in a statement.
To this end, Weinberger, who has represented domestic violence cases in the state for over 15 years, is issuing a challenge to New Jersey lawmakers to prioritize a string of domestic violence bills introduced last fall, around the time of the Ray Rice scandal. Since then, the bills have languished in committee. These include:
- A2154, a bill allowing domestic violence victims to testify by closed circuit television, and
- A3801, establishing a three-year Domestic Violence Court pilot program in Monmouth and Camden counties.
- A3802, which upgrades domestic violence crimes and includes a mandatory three years of imprisonment for offenders who injure their victims.
- A3803, which requires that all judges receive at least three hours of domestic violence training.
“I am eager to sit down with lawmakers to give them guidance on why these domestic violence laws deserve to be passed.” she stated.
Weinberger also encourages discussion of whether police officers should be required to leave their weapon at the station when not on duty. Tamara Seidle was reportedly murdered by multiple gunshots from Philip Seidle’s service firearm.
“If such a rule were in place, could this murder have been prevented? This is a discussion that needs to take place with lawmakers and I am prepared to lead it,” she stated.
Franklin Lakes Police arrest Parsippany man on DWI
PARSIPPANY — Franklin Lakes Police issued 40 summonses and made several arrests during a DWI enforcement checkpoint on Route 208 in Franklin Lakes over the weekend of Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.
A Parsippany resident, Thomas Green Jr., 42, was charged with DWI and no registration or proof of insurance as part of the DWI enforcement. Mr. Green was driving a 2005 Madza, according to Franklin Lakes Detective Lieutenant John Bakelaar. He also stated he was released to a friend, and would not disclose his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Mr. Green was charged on Saturday, July 11.
In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. BAC refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood. Although the law refers to a 0.08 percent BAC, you can be convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor even when your BAC is below 0.08 percent.
Editors Note: A complaint or a charge is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CCM to close for College-Wide Electrical Repairs
RANDOLPH — The County College of Morris (CCM) will be closed from Saturday, August 1, through Sunday, August 9, due to the installation of new electrical switchgear that will replace the original equipment that was installed when the college first opened in 1968.
The upgrades will result in improved reliability of the college’s electrical service and reduce equipment maintenance costs.
Switchgear or electrical switchgear is a generic term which includes all the switching devices associated with power system protection.
Both CCM’s main Randolph campus and its Morristown location will be closed during that period. The CCM Department of Public Safety will maintain patrols of the campuses during the closure.
The CCM website will not be affected by the shutdown, but WebAdvisor, the online tool that allows students and others to access class schedules and related information, will not be available beginning on 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, due to a system upgrade.
It is anticipated that WebAdvisor will be available again on Thursday, August 6. A message will be posted on the CCM website when WebAdvisor becomes available.
Local Students Named To Dean’s List At Loyola University
PARSIPPANY — Loyola University Maryland has announced the members of its spring 2015 Dean’s List. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List at Loyola, a student must achieve a minimum QPA of at least 3.500 for the term, provided that, in the term they have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits. The following local students have achieved this honor:
Andrew Rodrigues, a 2013 Graduate of Parsippany High School. He is a member of the class of 2017.
Nelson Gonzalez, Graduated Brooklawn Middle School Class of 2010, and St. Peter’s Preparatory School, Class of 2014. He is a member of the class of 2018.
John Mucciolo, Graduated Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2014 and is a member of the class of 2018 at Loyola University Maryland.
Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 3,700 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students from across the country.
Motor Vehicle stop in Parsippany nets seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the guilty plea entered by Pablo A. Home, 30, of Sparta, on Wednesday, July 15 before the Honorable William J. McGovern, J.S.C.
Home pled guilty to one count of first-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1). The State is recommending ten (10) years New Jersey State Prison with thirty-one (31) months parole ineligibility. Defendant also agreed to forfeit $13,676.00 which were the proceeds of his drug distribution activity.
This plea is the culmination of a three month long investigation into the drug distribution/money laundering activity of Home. Money Laundering is also known as the financial facilitation of criminal activity. Home transported U.S. currency derived from his drug distribution activities.
This case was initiated in February of this year based on intelligence gathered by a municipal patrol officer in the Borough of Wharton following a motor vehicle stop on Route 46. This intelligence ultimately led to law enforcement halting the importation of a large quantity of powder cocaine and crack cocaine into Morris County by Home.
This investigation concluded on Thursday, May 21 with the motor vehicle stop and arrest of Home in Parsippany and the seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine with a street value in excess of $12,000.00 as well as U.S. Currency.
Home has been lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on a $200,000.00 no 10% bail set by the Honorable William J. McGovern, J.S.C.
This investigation was led by Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Scibetta and Detective George Tsimpedes of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force.
Prosecutor Knapp stated “This investigation and prosecution was a coordinated effort of our Narcotics Task Force and municipal police. Municipal law enforcement remains a critical element of narcotics interdiction and our special thanks go out to the Wharton and Parsippany Police Department’s for their vigilance.”
Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp specifically wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, theTownship of Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Borough of Wharton Police Department.
Home is scheduled to be sentenced before The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor on September 11, 2015.