PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Troy-Hills Fire District 6 and Parsippany Fire District 5 were dispatched to Zimmer Trabecular Metal Tech, 10 Pomeroy Road at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 25 on a reported fire in a commercial building. Upon their arrival, they were met by the plant supervisor and security guard who confirmed that employees were evacuated prior to Parsippany Police arrival.
Upon arrival fire crews found a small fire in a piece of the machinery inside the building, which was caused by a malfunctioning motor.
Lake Hiawatha Fire Department District 4 and Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1 were dispatched for their Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) and Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Company District 3 for additional manpower.
Crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly, but were faced with a hazmat condition. Parsippany Volunteer District 5 Hazmat Team was dispatched to the scene.
The Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Morris County Hazardous Materials Team and New Jersey department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) were also on scene along with Whippany Fire Department, and Morris County Hazmat.
After the fire was extinguished, the NJ DEP conducted a chemical reading and did not locate any high levels of chlorine in the building, deeming the premises safe for reentry. No injuries resulted during the incident and the 15 exposed firefighters were decontaminated prior to leaving the scene.
Parsippany Police Department, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit were also at the scene.
Pine Brook Volunteer Fire Department and East Hanover Fire Department provided station coverage during this time at District 5 Old Bloomfield Avenue firehouse.
Parsippany Focus observed early this morning Department of Enviromental Protection (DEP) officials and Hazmat Response Team Marines Services, a private contractor, were working on the clean up from the loading dock in front of the building.
Editors Note: Story was updated with additional information on June 25 at 4:20 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Success Communications Group (SCG), a full-service communications firm focused on public relations and advertising – recently welcomed Fort Lee resident Erin Ford to its public relations department. Success Communications Group is located at 26 Eastmans Road.
A former intern with SCG, Ford’s responsibilities include creating online content and distributing releases for clients in a wide range of industries, including retail, education, healthcare, and real estate.
“SCG is pleased to welcome Erin back as a full-time member of our team,” says Michael Cherenson, APR, executive vice president of the Parsippany-based firm. “As the communications field evolves, recent graduates like Erin enter the work force with strong backgrounds in social media platforms and online content. Our clients will benefit from this foundation of knowledge.”
Ford graduated from Penn State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, with a minor in International Studies.
“I believe there’s a lot of room to grow and introduce new, creative approaches to fit our clients’ needs,” Ford says. “I’m grateful to be given this opportunity to kick off my career.”
About Success Communications Group
Success Communications Group (formerly The Cherenson Group) was founded 50 years ago, and is a respected leader among agencies that provide advertising, public relations, and recruitment/classified advertising services. The firm is based in Parsippany, with satellite offices throughout the country.
PARSIPPANY — Come celebrate Pet Valu’s new location with a Grand Opening Celebration at the Parsippany store on Saturday, June 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PetValu is located at Morris Hills Shopping Center.
Enjoy complimentary refreshments, face painting, raffle prizes and fun with the Pet Valu mascot.
A variety of animal rescues and organizations will be onsite throughout the day facilitating pet adoptions and showcasing pet services:
8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Ruff Rehab Inc.
8:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Mind of Dog, LLC
10:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Classy Lassies Mobile Pet Spa
12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. FernDog LLC
3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Miss Pat’s Cats.
Pet Valu Pet Store is a specialty retailer of premium pet food, treats, toys and accessories. They offer over 7,000 products, including holistic, national and premium brands of pet foods and treats as well as a wide selection of essential and innovative pet supplies for all budgets, purchased from over 200 suppliers in 11 countries. Visit Pet Valu online at www.petvalu.com.
A server at a New Jersey Houlihan’s is suing the restaurant’s owners over what she alleges is an illegal tip-pooling policy. Erica Sargent, of Woodbury Heights, filed a lawsuit on June 13 in federal court against ACE Restaurant Group, which owns and operates about 15 Houlihan’s locations in the Garden State. The suit claims that Houlihan’s…
TRENTON — Casinos in north Jersey? The odds are against it. A Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll of 913 New Jersey residents released Tuesday found 56 percent oppose allowing casinos outside of Atlantic City, while just 37 percent support it. “The public is questioning the logic behind allowing the spread of casino gambling,” said Krista Jenkins,…
TRENTON — More than two and a half years after Hurricane Sandy pushed his approval rating to an all time high of 77 percent, Gov. Christie’s polls are now reaching record lows seemingly every month. To better understand his precipitous slide, NJ Advance Media asked a quartet of top Garden State pollsters to describe the governor’s…
PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, June 25 and possibly Friday, June 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Northbound lane of Littleton Road, East of the Parsippany Boulevard intersection will be closed due to construction. The following access is affected:
1) Traffic traveling East from 202 will NOT be able to continue through the Parsippany Boulevard intersection.
2) Traffic traveling South on Parsippany Boulevard will NOT be able to make a left turn onto Littleton Road.
3) Traffic traveling North on Parsippany Road will NOT be able to make a right turn onto Littleton Road.
Please use Route 46 East to the Littleton Spur which is located between the gas stations prior to Smith Road. This will direct you to the intersection at the District 6 Firehouse near the Route 287 North on-ramp. Thank you for your patience.
Customers who bought the 24-ounce size of Wish-Bone ranch dressing distributed by a Parsippany firm are in for a surprise: In some cases, what’s inside is blue cheese dressing. For some folks, that will be nothing more than a disappointment. For people with an allergy to eggs, however, it could be highly dangerous. For that reason,…
SONJ athletes Derrell Phinney (left) and Paul Butera (center) with special friend of SONJ, Pete Samahas (center), and SONJ coach, Bob Benjamin (far right), at the 25th Annual Delta Dental of New Jersey Golf Classic
PARSIPPANY — Delta Dental of New Jersey has raised nearly $58,000 at its 25th Annual Golf Classic benefiting Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ). The event was held at Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman.
SONJ golf coach Bob Benjamin; SONJ athlete Derrell Phinney; SONJ athlete Paul Butera; SONJ Director of Corporate Sponsorships Beth Conover; DDNJ President/CEO Dennis Wilson; SONJ special friend Pete Samahas
To date, the Delta Dental Golf Classic has raised more than $1 million for SONJ. In addition to celebrating the ongoing partnership between the two organizations, this year’s milestone event also honored the memory of Diane Belle, who managed the Golf Classic for 24 years.
This is a major event and high point each year for Delta Dental of New Jersey. Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers all take part in making the Golf Classic a success, allowing thousands of Special Olympics Athletes to participate in individual and team sports. Funds were raised by sponsors, Delta Dental’s management team, golfers, and raffles.
“Delta Dental of New Jersey is a longtime supporter of Special Olympics New Jersey, and a Premier Sponsor. The Golf Classic is not only an event that greatly benefits our athletes, but one that members of our organization really enjoy,” said Diane M. Paraskevas, Senior Director of Corporate Development, SONJ.
DDNJ President/CEO Dennis Wilson says a few words to honor the memory of former colleague, Diane Belle, who managed the Golf Classic for 24 years
Dennis Wilson, President and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey added, “This year we celebrated the thriving 25-year partnership Delta Dental of New Jersey has with Special Olympics New Jersey, and we honored the memory of our friend and colleague, Diane Belle. I think Diane would be very proud of what we accomplished at this year’s event – raising $58,000, which will support and allow thousands of athletes to participate in sports training and competitions year round.”
Delta Dental of New Jersey’s affiliation with Special Olympics began in 1990. Since that time, the company has gone from being a Bronze Sponsor to a Premier Sponsor.
Special Olympics New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. To learn more about SONJ and how to get involved, or to make a donation, contact Heather Andersen at (609) 896-8000 or HBA@sonj.org.
About Special Olympics New Jersey
Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for more than 24,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Visit www.sonj.org for more information.
About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.5 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental Insurance Company writes dental coverage on an insured basis and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.
David Islinger, Jackson Lewis, P.C.; DDNJ Senior Account Executive, Sales & Marketing, Allan Berkin; DDNJ President/CEO Dennis Wilson; Stew McClure, SONJ Board Member and Lakeland Bank
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education and its senior administration announced a number of administrative additions and changes designed to advance the district’s many programs and opportunities for the students it serves.
Mr. Gary Borges, currently serving as Principal at Central Middle School, has accepted the appointment to serve as Coordinating Principal for Athletics/Physical Education and Health Supervisor K-12/East. In addition to Mr. Borges’ many years of experience in service as a building principal, he will bring to this new assignment a strong background in sports and athletics including his earning of an M.A. in Sports Administration; experience and certifications as an athletic trainer with Major League Baseball Organizations; and state certifications as Principal, Athletic Trainer and Physical Education/Health Teacher.
Mr. Mark Gray, currently serving as Principal at Eastlake Elementary School, has accepted the assignment to serve as Principal at Central Middle School. Mr. Gray will enjoy a homecoming at CMS of sorts, having previously served CMS both as Assistant Principal, Language Arts teacher for 11 years and Lead Teacher of Language Arts for eight years.
Ms. Marisa Rosa will be joining the district as its new Principal at the Knollwood Elementary School. Ms. Rosa most recently served as Principal of the Charles Olbon Elementary School in Woodland Park, NJ. She joins the Knollwood School as our district bids a fond farewell and best wishes to Mrs. Susan Raymond who is retiring after many years of dedicated service as Principal at Knollwood.
Mr. Evan Totka and Mr. Michael Nicosia have both accepted assignments to serve as Middle School Dean of Student Affairs. Mr. Totka, to be assigned to serve that role at Central Middle School, has more recently served as Physical Education and Health teacher at Brooklawn Middle School. Mr. Nicosia will serve in the same role at Brooklawn Middle School, having most recently been assigned as a Mathematics teacher at Parsippany High School.
Ms. Michele Neal, who has served the district for almost fifteen years as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant generally assigned to teams supporting secondary students, has accepted the assignment to serve as Supervisor of Special Education/Secondary Programs Grades 6-12. Ms. Neal will partner with Ms. Bernadette Flaherty, currently assigned as the sole Supervisor of Special Education K-12, and who will be reassigned in that role to provide service exclusively to students in grades preK-5. Ms. Neal’s addition will allow our district to provide greater time and attention to our 1,100 plus special needs students currently enrolled.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education honored Parsippany Hills High School Academic Decathlon students.The Advisors are Elizabeth Mejia and Jaclyn Bevacqua. PHHS took Third Place Team Regional Competition State Competition.
The students honored at a Parsippany-Troy Hills Board Meeting held on Tuesday, June 23 were:
Board Member Alison Cogan, Kristin Chin and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Kristin Chen received recongition forRegional Competition: First Place-Music, Second Place-Mathematics, Science, And Super Quiz; Third Place Overall Decathlete For Scholastic; Honorable Mention-Language /Literature, Highest Scoring Scholastic Parsippany Hills High School Decathlete, Most Valuable Team Member; State Competition: First Place-Music; Honorable Mention- Language /Literature And Speech; Highest Scoring Scholastic Parsippany Hills High School Decathlete.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Peter Chin and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Peter Chiu received recongition for Regional Competition: Honorable Mention-Social Science.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Ananya Iyengar and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Ananya Iyengar received recongition for Regional Competition: Second Place-Interview; Honorable Mention-Essay, Language/Literature And Speech. State Competition: Second Place-Speech; Highest Scoring Honors Parsippany Hills High School Decathlete; Most Valuable Player- Highest Overall Scorer.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Tara Kakkaramadam and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Tara Kakkaramadam received recongition for State Competition: Second Place-Science.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Saketh Nibhanupudi and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Saketh Nibhanupudi received recongition for Regional Competition: Second Place-Science.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Rahul Shah and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Rahul Shah received recongition for Regional Competition: Second Place-Science; Third Place Social. Science
Board Member Alison Cogan, Vanessa Ting and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Vanessa Ting received recongition for Regional Competition: First Place-Social Science; Second Place-Art.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Annie Wang and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Annie Wang received recongition for Regional Competition: Second Place-Mathematics, Third Place-Interview; Honorable Mention-Science And Speech; State Competition: Third Place-Mathematics.
Also receiving recognition was Michael Tran for Regional Competition: Second Place-Speech; Honorable Mention-Economics; Highest Scoring Honors Decathlete For Parsippany Hills High School and Alezander Wu received recongition for Regional Competition: Second Place-Interview And Honorable Mention-Essay; and Karoline Xiong received recongition for Regional Competition: Second Place-Mathematics; and Joseph Yao received recongition for Regional Competition: Honorable Mention-Interview, Highest Scoring Varsity Decathlete For Parsippany Hills High School; State Competition: Highest Scoring Varsity Decathlete For Parsippany Hills High School. (not pictured).
DECA Emerging Leader Honor Awards
John Pico, Advisor
The purpose of the DECA Emerging Leader Honor Award is to provide recognition of graduating DECA members studying marketing, finance, hospitality and management for being an academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leader through participation in DECA. Receiving DECA awards were:
Board Member Alison Cogan, Ashley Bostek and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Ashley Bostek received recongition for State Finalist; Regional Honorable Mention For Entrepreneurship.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Eva Cavanaugh and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Eva Cavanaugh received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Principles Of Finance.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Mattew Eng and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Matthew Eng received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Financial Services.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Victoria Eng and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Victoria Eng received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Principles Of Finance.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Daphne Gao and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Daphne Gao received recongition for National Role Play Regional First Place; State Second Place Regional First Place For Principles Of Hospitality.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Rohan Gupta and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Rohan Gupta received recongition for Regional Second Place For Sports Marketing.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Nilam Kalawadi and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Nilam Kalawadia received recongition for State Second Place And Regional First Place For Principles of Business.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Mark Lalo and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Mark Lalo received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Automotive Services.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Anthony Kfoury and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Anthony Kfoury received recongition for State First Place; Regional Honorable Mention For Business Law and Ethics.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Danielle Lee and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Danielle Lee received recongition for State Finalist; Regional Honorable Mention For Hospitality Sales.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Austin Li and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Austin Li received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Marketing Management.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Harshkumar Patel and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Harshkumar Patel received recongition for State Finalist For Financial Services.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Riya Patel and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Riya Patel received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Hospitality Sales.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Alexa Porter and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Alexa Porter received recongition for State First Place; Regional Honorable Mention For Business Law and Ethics.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Matthew Thomas and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Matthew Thomas received recongition for State Finalist; Regional Honorable Mention For Financial Decisions.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Vanessa Ting and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Vanessa Ting received recongition for State First Place For Virtual Hospitality; Regional Honorable Mention For Human Resource Management.
Yasmine Ashour received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Principles of Accounting; and Katherine Demottie received recongition for State Finalist; Regional Honorable Mention For Hospitality Professional Sales; and Carlyn Griscti received recongition for State Finalist; Regional Second Place For Apparel and Accessories; and Nina Indyke received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Human Resource Management; and Rachel Karger received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Principles of Business; and Alice Liang received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Professional Sales Event; and Raj Patel received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Business Financial Services; and Chintal Shah received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Quick Serve Restaurant Management; and Neha Shah received recongition for State Second Place For Human Resource Management; and Ammer Soliman received recongition for Regional Honorable Mention For Business Financial Services.
Math Team
Advisors – Eric Berkowitz And Catherine Driscoll
Second Place Morris County New Jersey Mathematics League
Kristin Chen, Rohan Gupta, Jonathan Leung, Timothy Lin, Justin Lu, Eshan Saran and Ammer Soliman.
Eileen Wang received recongition for Third Place Individual Winner; Association Of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey.
Board Member Alison Cogan, Kristen Chen and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Board Member Alison Cogan, Rohan Gupta and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Board Member Alison Cogan, Eileen Wang and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
Board Member Alison Cogan, Eshan Saran and Board Vice President Frank Neglia
PARSIPPANY — Safilo Group, the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide distributor of quality and trust, has announced today the intent to relocate its North American headquarters which is currently co-located with a Distribution Center at 801 Jefferson Road.
This follows the decision to simplify and streamline operationally its US Logistics and Distribution network, which will be run entirely out of its existing Distribution Center in Denver (Colorado). Following a carefully planned operational transition, the Parsippany Distribution Center will close by mid next year.
A relocation study for the Group’s future North America headquarters has been launched involving an employee taskforce to identify the most attractive HQ location closer to New York City and better connect with Safilo’s Fifth Avenue showroom. The study will conclude by this fall, and the move is anticipated within 2016.
“Safilo’s business in North America is strong and growing. We start here with the worldwide simplification of our Logistics and Distribution network as per our 2020 Strategic Plan,” comments Luisa Delgado, CEO of Safilo Group. “North America’s leading eyewear retailers, trend setting design and innovation, and our Solstice Sunglasses shopper lab, offer important inspiration for our Group worldwide. We are also opening here our fourth global Design Studio, co-located within our NYC Showroom. A new North American headquarters offers further unique opportunity to re-invent ourselves and attract additional talent to build North America’s future business growth.”
The DC consolidation into Denver leverages Denver’s already important track record in delivering customer service across the region. All Distribution Center employees in Parsippany are being offered the choice to relocate to Denver or alternatively to receive transition and outplacement support.
Safilo has been present in the US since 1986, and has been located in Parsippany since November 1997.
As Tuesday afternoon potentially destructive storms bear down on New Jersey, here’s a few tips for what to do before and during severe weather events. RELATED: Concern mounting this afternoon as N.J. quickly becoming fertile ground for severe weather If you hear thunder, the National Weather service advises people to get inside. Wait until 30 minutes…
Today’s severe thunderstorms haven’t hit the state yet, however meteorologists say storms are on their way. The National Weather Service has extended its severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. for the entire Garden State. Latest regional radar associated with severe thunderstorm watch 346. Really starting to light up. pic.twitter.com/YJh9ZLz4pw — Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) June 23, 2015…
TRENTON — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush will host two fundraisers in New Jersey next month. Two sources familiar with Bush’s plans said they will both take place on July 23. A 5:30 pm reception is scheduled to be held in Middletown, followed by a 7:30 pm reception in Short Hills, said the sources, who requested…
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, will stop selling merchandise bearing the Confederate battle flag and copies of the flag as the long divisive symbol comes under yet more scrutiny following the fatal shooting of nine African-Americans in a South Carolina church last week, CNN reported Monday. “We never want to offend anyone with the products that…
PARSIPPANY — Each year, Parisppany-Troy Hills Township receives grant money through the New Jersey Clean Communities program. Parsippany received a grant of $111,553.58 of the total distribution for fiscal year 2015 of $18,494,161.22. (Click here to review full report)
The program is designed to support municipalities in their effort to educate citizens and abate littered areas.
The Township will kick off its program within the next couple of weeks. Mayor Barberio is asking residents to help identify areas within our Township that are in need of a cleanup.
Residents are asked to contact the Department of Public Works at (973) 263-7273 to report cleanup locations.
The Clean Communities Program was created in 1986 with funding from taxes levied on the sale of litter generating products. In 2002, the Clean Communities Fund was reauthorized. Twenty-one counties and five hundred fifty-nine municipalities are eligible to receive funding.
PARSIPPANY — A 59-year-old Orange woman was killed Tuesday morning in a single-vehicle crash on Route 280, State Police said. Lucia Luxama was driving a silver 2003 Infiniti at 6:41 a.m. westbound on Route 280 near milepost 1.8 — located near the border of Parsippany and East Hanover — when she lost control of the vehicle…
PARSIPPANY — New Jersey resident and Parsippany business owner Eric Moss recently released his autobiography “The Performing Strongman’s Experience: Real Stories and the Lesson’s Learned While Becoming A Modern Day Man of Steel.” His book is an inspirational story about him overcoming adversity as a child and moving on to become part of a unique subculture of entertainers who bend steel. To celebrate the release of his book, he will be performing feats of strength at his first book signing.
Spectators will be in for a treat because Eric plans on bending a structural steel bar, twisting a horseshoe, roll up a frying pan, drive a nail through a board without using a hammer as well as other feats of strength. Listed among the feats is the rarely performed feat of bending a reinforcing bar on the bridge of the nose, a specialty of his.
“Whenever I would do a show, people always asked me how I got involved doing this stuff.” Eric says. “And when I told them they said I should write a book, so I did and everybody who has read it seems to really enjoy it.”
The event will take place at Miami Mike’s Sports Zone, 130 Route 10, East Hanover, on Sunday, June 28 between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. It is welcome to the public and will be kid friendly.
Some New Jersey high school graduating seniors were slated to receive their diplomas outside and throw their caps up in the air this evening, but those plans could change. High schools that planned to host graduations tonight are starting to make decisions to change the ceremony locations, thanks to a warning of possible hail, severe thunderstorms…
PARSIPPANY — New Jersey resident and Parsippany business owner Eric Moss recently released his autobiography “The Performing Strongman’s Experience: Real Stories and the Lesson’s Learned While Becoming A Modern Day Man of Steel.” His book is an inspirational story about him overcoming adversity as a child and moving on to become part of a unique subculture of entertainers who bend steel. To celebrate the release of his book, he will be performing feats of strength at his first book signing.