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baltimore1 — Photo by D. Beizer for Parsippany Focus

National Guard members, state troopers and Baltimore Police patrolled Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Tuesday.

Dozens of Guard members and police were stationed outside of the National Aquarium, the Cheesecake Factory and Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museum. Crowds along the promenade were lighter than normal, but several people walked, pushed strollers and ran along the scenic route.

A city-wide curfew went into effect at 10 p.m. on Tuesday; the curfew is schedule to last one week.

The relatively quiet night spurred business owners to launch a petition asking Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to lift the curfew.

According to the petition: “With National Guard, we feel safe. With a curfew, you will do more damage financially to our bars & restaurants than rioters will do. In this month, we have to deal taxes, license renewals, and more. Now you are cutting businesses, employees ability to recover. We have insurance for vandalism, not loss of revenue. Please lift the Curfew for at least Over 21. We are adults and can make our own choices.”

Wednesday’s Orioles vs. White Sox game is being played in a nearly empty ballpark; the game was closed to fans.

According to a team announcement: Due to circumstances involving riots and protests in the city of Baltimore, today’s Orioles-White Sox game will begin at 2:05 p.m. ET and be closed to the public. In addition, this weekend’s games against the Rays, originally scheduled to be played at Camden Yards, have been moved to Tampa Bay.

Orioles pitcher Zach Britton told Focus that the decision was correct and that pulling law enforcement resources away from the important task of protecting the city would not have made sense. Britton currently has 4 saves and 12 strikeouts for the last place Orioles.

Near-perfect spring weather in Parsippany today before slightly cooler temperatures arrive

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Apr 29, 2015

sunnyspringday — Spring Time in Skyview Heights

Spring weather in New Jersey doesn’t get much better than it will be Wednesday. Then conditions take a bit of a slight turn for the worse on Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Enjoy today though — it will be sunny and warm with highs in the mid 70s, though it will be…

Four Parsippany Schools Join In With Acclaimed Composer, Musician Mark Miller

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Apr 29, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Thanks to a grant by the Parsippany Education Foundation, Central Middle School Choral teacher Adam Aguanno has made arrangements to bring renowned composer and musician and Drew and Yale Universities Choral professor Mark Miller to Parsippany to work with and inspire all chorus students from Central Middle School, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School, on Friday, May 1.

Approximaely 350 students and their choir teachers will come together at Parsippany Hills High School to spend the afternoon participating in workshops and rehearsing with Mr. Miller and his group of musicians.

Mr. Mark Miller believes passionately that music can change the world. He also believes in Cornell West’s quote that ‘Justice is what love looks like in public.’ His dream is that the music he composes, performs, teaches and leads will inspire and empower people to create the beloved community.

Support from the Parsippany Education Foundation has also allowed the commissioning of a new song written by Mr. Miller specifically for the PTHSD students. Lyrics for this newly commissioned piece were developed using poems and essays written by select student participants across the district. The song will be premiered and performed by these 350+ PTHSD students under the direction of Mr. Miller and his musicians in a culminating concert that will take place on Friday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m., at the Parsippany Hills High School Auditorium.

The concert will also include performances from each of the four schools. All parents and community members are welcomed to attend the concert.

This is an exciting opportunity for the district’s choral students and their teachers to join in this music collaboration, benefit from the expertise of and be inspired by Mr. Mark Miller and his musicians, and celebrate the talent and gifts of the PTHSD students.

For more information on Parsippany Education Foundation, click here.

Morris County Young Republicans hosting State Convention

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Apr 29, 2015

The Morris County Young Republicans will host the Biennial NJ Young Republican State Convention at the Hyatt in Morristown, said Gary La Spisa, Chairman, Morris County Young Republicans.

Tickets for the event are $125.00 which includes the open bar and welcome dinner at Pazzo Pazzo on Friday, May 1 as well as breakfast and lunch during the convention on Saturday, May 2.

If you can’t join us for the convention, you can purchase a ticket for the event at Pazzo Pazzo for $50.00.

After the convention you can join the group for the annual MCYR Spring Stroll starting at 6:00 p.m., just in time for the Kentucky Derby!

Tickets for all events can be purchased by clicking here.

You can find more information about the convention by clicking here.

The MCYRs is planning to send out weekly “Volunteer Call” emails throughout the rest of the primary election season. Any local, county or state candidate who is seeking volunteers should send an email to morrisyr@gmail.com.

All emails should include: candidate, meeting place, task, contact person and contact email or phone number. The Morris County Young Republicans DOES NOT endorse candidates in primaries.

Emails will include any Republican candidate who submits a request and will be organized by office and listed in the order in which they were received.

Sincerely,

Sections of Smith Road temporarily closed this week

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Apr 28, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Smith Road will be closed between East Halsey Road and Westminster Drive on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Detours signs will be in place and the routes are listed below:

Vehicles driving south on Smith Road will have to make a right onto East Halsey Road and take the second left onto Westminster Drive, which brings you back to Smith Road.
Vehicles driving north on Smith Road will have to make a left onto Westminster Drive, which will bring you to East Halsey Road. Once there you will make a right turn which brings you back to Smith Road.
Vehicles traveling eastbound on East Halsey from the Jefferson Road area that need to take Smith Road southbound will need to take Westminster Drive to the end and turn right onto Smith Road.

As a reminder Westminster Drive has a 25 mph speed limit and East Halsey Road has a 30 mph speed limit.

Anisha Shah was inducted into Rho Chi, the Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy

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Apr 28, 2015

PARSIPPANY —Anisha Shah, a 2011 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, was among the newest members in 2015 from University of the Sciences inducted into the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Alpha Tau Chapter of Rho Chi, the Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy. The Rho Chi Honor Society recognizes and encourages academic excellence.

Shah is doctor of pharmacy student.

To be nominated for membership in Rho Chi, a student must rank among the top 20 percent of his or her class and have completed at least the fall semester of their fourth year.

The society also accepts membership for graduate students, faculty, alumni, as well as an honorary membership. New members are inducted into Rho Chi during the spring semester of each year.

University of the Sciences has prepared students to be leaders and practitioners in the healthcare and science fields for nearly 200 years. Key to our distinctive education is a tradition of hands-on research and experiential learning that is evident in every graduate who has walked its campus.

Since its founding in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America, USciences has grown to more than 30 degree-granting programs from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees in the health sciences, bench sciences, and healthcare business and policy fields. Discover how USciences students are proven everywhere they go at usciences.edu.

7 of the 10 counties in America with the highest property taxes are in N.J; Morris included

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Apr 28, 2015

barberioandchristie — Mayor James Barberio introducing Governor Chris Christie at a press conference (File Photo)

It’s no secret that New Jersey homeowners are hit with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. But just how high, relative to other parts of the country, might be a bit of a shock. A typical homeowner in Bibb County, Ala., paid just $228 in property taxes in 2013, according to an analysis…

1 receipt, 2 shopping carts, nearly $500K in losses for Home Depot

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Apr 28, 2015

NEWARK — A Bloomfield man was sentenced to three years probation Monday for scamming Home Depot out of nearly $500,000 with an elaborate ruse prosecutors say was carried out hundreds of times at stores in New Jersey and along the East Coast. Daniel Chalet, 29, pleaded guilty in January 2014 to conspiring to commit wire fraud…

Convicted burglar from Hopatcong, found hanging from tree in Washington state

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Apr 28, 2015

YAKIMA, WASH. — A man found hanging from a stranger’s tree earlier this month in Yakima, Wash. was identified Monday as a 39-year-old Hopatcong man who was previously convicted of breaking into a woman’s Rockaway home and attacking her boyfriend. Mike Bastinelli, a spokesman for the Yakima police, told NJ Advance Media that police received a…

Sunny, breezy in Parsippany; dry and warmer on Wednesday

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Apr 28, 2015

Two delightful spring weather days are ahead for New Jerseyans. Tuesday will feature sunny skies with seasonable temperatures in the mid 60s for most of the state, according to the National Weather Service. It will be cooler along the Shore, with temperatures only reaching the upper 50s and a stiff breeze of close to 20 mph…

Two car accident sends one driver to St. Clares Hospital

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Apr 28, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Ms. Michelle Decaro, 41, was driving a 2012 Chevy east on Littleton Road, when Ms. Switi Patel, 37, pulled out in front of Ms. Decaro off the ramp from Route 287. Ms. Decaro stuck Ms. Patel’s vehicle, hit the curb and ran over a street sign. This accident occurred on Saturday, April 25 at approximately 3:30 p.m.

According to police investigation Ms. Patel was at fault. Ms. Decaro was transported to St. Clare’s Hospital by Parsippany Emergency Medical Services.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene. There were no summons issued at the scene.

IMG_9860-1 — Ms. Patel was driving a 2001 Nissan Maxima.

IMG_9864-1 — Debris from the accident lay on the side of the road.

IMG_9876-1 — Ms. Decaro’s 2012 Chevy substained front end damage and was towed from the scene.

IMG_9883-1 — Parsippany Police investigating the accident.

Littleton Girl Scouts Support ELLAgance

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Apr 28, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Littleton Elementary School Girl Scouts from Grades 1 through 5 collected donations and assembled care packages for ELLAgance.

ELLAgance is an organization that collects and donates care packages for parents with a hospitalized child.

The care packages included items such as soap, face wipes, shampoo, toothpaste and tooth brushes. The Littleton girl scouts would like to thank their families, friends and the Littleton Elementary School community for their generosity to this good cause.

Parsippany Dems tap three; Team announced for Primary Election

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Apr 28, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Nick Kumburis, Janice McCarthy and Greg Elbin have been endorsed by the Parsippany Democratic Committee to run for Town Council on the Democratic Committee Line.

Nick Kumburis, a resident of Lake Parsippany, is a U.S.Navy veteran. He is a graduate of Montclair State with a degree in biology and chemistry and will receive an MBA from Rutgers this month. He and his wife, Sue Martin, are raising two children who attend Eastlake School. Nick is a member of the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association and has served St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church as a Vice President of their Council and is currently employed at PAR Pharmaceuticals.

Janice McCarthy lives in Mount Tabor with her husband Joe. She has an undergraduate degree in Business from Bloomfield College and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson. After a career as a financial professional managing and directing for Fortune 500 companies, she helped lead the Budget and Planning function at Montclair State University, served in the University’s freshman mentoring program, and taught finance at Seton Hall. Janice has volunteered for Literacy Volunteers and served as trustee and treasurer for a local homeowner’s association.

Greg Elbin is a graduate of Dickinson College and earned an MA from Penn State. He taught at Morris Knolls High School for 28 years. He and his wife, Susan, are active in environmental causes. Their daughter is a graduate of Parsippany High School. Greg is active in Kiwanis and Parsippany United Methodist Church.

The team of Kumburis, McCarthy and Elbin will work to build consensus on the Town Council to support an open and transparent town government that advocates for spending accountability and responsible development.

Baltimore devolves into chaos, violence, looting

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Apr 28, 2015

BALTIMORE — After two weeks of tension over the death of Freddie Gray, Baltimore devolved into chaos Monday. Roaming gangs clashed with police in the streets, seriously injuring officers, tearing open businesses and looting their stocks. Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and called up the National Guard, and state police requested as many…

Parsippany Town Council Budget Meeting 04/23/2015

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Apr 27, 2015

Northvail Takes First Place in District Wide Competition

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Apr 27, 2015

Northvail's-2015-Expressive-Reading-Team — The students pictured are Neil Mathew, Mahi Desai, Ark Ouyang, Neel Godbole, Syan Ghosh, and Olivia Chou. The teachers/coaches are Miss Cassetta and Mrs. Hackett

PARSIPPANY — The Northvail School Expressive Reading Team finished in first place in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District competition. This is the first time in the 21 years of the competition that Northvail has taken the first place title. The 2015 team members include Syan Ghosh (overall third place), Olivia Chou, Ark Ouyang, Neil Mathew, Neel Godbole, and Mahi Desai. The Northvail students were coached by teachers, Lauren Hackett and Janet Cassetta.

“I didn’t care about me winning individually, I cared most about our team winning it together because it took a lot of practice and dedication of our teachers helping us at recess, and our parents helping us at home,” explained Syan Ghosh.

The annual Expressive Reading competition has students competing against their fifth-grade peers from each of the 10 Parsippany elementary schools. Each student chose a three-to five-minute piece of literature, which they practiced reading with expression, poise, good enunciation, pacing and eye contact.

During the competition, teacher-volunteers judged the students on seven characteristics during two rounds of competition. While the students adjourned for dinner with their parents and coaches, the results were tallied and the top-five scorers read their pieces one last time on stage in the auditorium. Northvail’s student, Syan Ghosh, was one of the five students to read his piece to the entire auditorium.

Trophies were awarded for fifth place, fourth place, third place, second place and first place. In addition, one reader from each school received a trophy for best performance in their individual school. Northvail School’s Olivia Chou was the reader with the best performance from Northvail. The school with the highest total scores receives the “Forensics Cup” trophy, which travels from school to school each year.

The Harlem Wizards vs. the Brooklawn Bombers fundraiser

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — The Harlem Wizards are warming up to play the Brooklawn Bombers on Saturday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m.

The evening promises to be a fun filled event that is great for kids and adults. This is Brooklawn PTSA’s only biennial fundraiser that sold out two years ago. Support our own Brooklawn Bombers as they take on the world-famous Harlem Wizards at Parsippany Hills High School!

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; game starts at 7:00 p.m. Have dinner, purchase 50/50 Raffle Plus tickets and win money or prizes.

The Harlem Wizards have a unique mission: create awe-inspiring events throughout the country. At a Wizards game, fans witness amazing basketball talent combined with hilarious comedy. It’s two hours of time where families and friends can all laugh together. Fans will experience a magical display of tricks, coordinated ball handling, fancy passing and aerodynamic athleticism combined with high-energy comedy and audience interaction. The experience can only be summed up in two words: Awe-inspiring!

Purchase a Wizards jersey and get the chance to warm up with the Wizards team! Go to www.harlemwizards.com/schedules to order online ($0.99 handling charge will apply per ticket) or email us for an order form by clicking here.

Tickets are $10.00 students, $12:00 adults in advance, $12.00 students, $15.00 adults at the door.

They are also offering $20.00 reserved seating in the first three rows, which will include a free Wizardsposter for each ticket.

Lastly, the limited Courtside VIP seats are $35.00 include the courtside reserved seat, an exclusive 10-minute meet and greet with a Wizard, a swag bag and complimentary food from Buffalo Wild Wings.

Criminal Mischief and Burglary to Auto on Interpace Parkway

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officers E. Paseler and Z. Koch responded to an office complex on Interpace Parkway for a report of criminal mischief, on Saturday, April 25 at 11:35 p.m.

Upon their arrival, a 50 year old male employee advised the officers that he parked his 1999 red Ford F150 Pick-up truck along the wood line at this location.

Upon returning to the vehicle, he observed that unknown suspects removed the weather stripping surrounding the driver’s side window, all four tires flat and contents of the vehicle strewn about the interior.

Numerous items from the interior were also outside the vehicle and the suspects removed a can of soup from the vehicle, opened it and poured it into the vehicle’s gas tank and onto the driver’s side of the vehicle. The suspects then relocked the pick-up and fled the scene.

Officer Paseler viewed video surveillance from the premises’ security system which shows four (4) suspects walking away from where the vehicle was parked, toward Upper Pond Road at approximately 11:35 p.m.

Three of the four suspects are again observed walking toward where the vehicle was parked at approximately 12:17 a.m.

The suspects are all male, no definitive race.

One suspect is described as young with a thin build, wearing a zip-up dark hooded sweatshirt, yellow/blue sneakers and sweatpants.

Another suspect is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Another is wearing shorts or sweatpants rolled up, with bright orange sneakers.

The fourth suspect was out of camera focus and no clothing description could be obtained. No images were available at this time.

The area where the vehicle was parked is adjacent to 300 Interpace Parkway and Upper Pond Road.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Parsippany Police at (973) 263-4300.

Numerous Burglaries to Automobiles

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Apr 27, 2015