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PARSIPPANY — Applebee’s Family Restaurant, 1057 Route 46, held a “Flapjack” fundraiser on Sunday, April 26 to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital is to find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. And no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.”

For more information on St. Jude’s click here.

Do No Harm Symposium in Morris County Address Opiate Abuse

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Nicolas Limanov

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Apr 30, 2015

IMG_6904-1 — Morris County addresses Opiate Abuse and Correctional Facilities

Group Supervisor Phil Streicher, Tactical Diversion Squad, Drug Enforcement Administration

Dr. Sindy Paul, Medical Director, New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners

Morris County addresses Opiate Abuse and Correctional Facilities

MORRISTOWN – Physicians in Morristown and neighboring counties had the opportunity to learn more about the prescription drug and heroin abuse epidemic in New Jersey, and the effect of the epidemic on our correction facilities.

The Do No Harm Symposium featured expert speakers from law enforcement, the medical community, and treatment and prevention fields. The symposium is hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Morris County Sherriff, Morris County Prevention is Key, and the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Jersey Division. Former Governor James McGreevey, executive director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Dr. Sindy M. Paul, the medical director of the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, and Phil Streicher Tactical Diversion Squad, Drug Enforcement Administration – New Jersey Division presented to the audience.

Angelo M. Valente, executive director of PDFNJ, explained, “with prescription drug abuse at catastrophic levels in our state, the Do No Harm symposium allowed leaders and stakeholders from the medical community and law enforcement to come together to discuss solutions for prescription drug abuse in our state.”

“The opioid abuse problem is a plague currently threatening our communities locally and nationally. The Do No Harm symposium stressed that this is not a problem that can be solved by any one entity. There needs to be cooperation among law enforcement, prevention organizations, physicians and pharmacists to help tackle this issue,” said Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford concluded, “It is important to me that all inmates are treated with the utmost respect and are given an environment that encourages success. One measure of success in the facility is determined by the rate of recidivism. If we can assist in an inmate’s ability to give their life a positive direction, it is better for the whole community.”

The Do No Harm Symposium was at the Morristown Correctional Facility, 43 John Street, Morris Township.

Parsippany High School Track and Field team receive certificates from the Township

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Apr 30, 2015

Ally Schlosser receives a certificate from Mayor James Barberio

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio presented the Parsippany High School Track and Field team with certificates congratulating the team for winning the 2014 NJAC Small School Championship.

Cop didn’t have to kill our dog, Wyckoff family says

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Apr 30, 2015

WYCKOFF — Igor Vukobratovic came back from a trip to the mall Wednesday with cousins visiting from out of the country and saw police cars surrounding his house. He immediately ran to the backyard. Vukobratovic’s dog, Otto, was lying against a corner of the house near the grill. Blood covered the yard. He started screaming. “What…

Stamp Out Hunger: Saturday, May 9

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Apr 30, 2015

Saturday, May 9, will mark the 23rd anniversary of the National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive.

This annual collection, the largest one-day food collection event in the nation, has made a difference each year to those across the country who are struggling to make ends meet.

Last year, generous individuals donated more than 72 million pounds of food, which marked the 11th consecutive year that at least 70 million pounds were collected.

Summer donations are traditionally low because potential food drive donors go on vacation and are busy with their children who are home from school.

While donations to food banks are heaviest during the holiday seasons from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, there is a need throughout the year and the Stamp Out Hunger drive helps to fill the shelves for the summer months. With most school lunch programs suspended during summer months, millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition.

According to the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition, the food insecurity level in New Jersey was 12.7 percent overall and 19.0 percent for children. That’s some 394,240 children living in food insecure households.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/StampOutHunger.

For 35 years, Feeding America has responded to the hunger crisis in America by providing food to people in need through a nationwide network of food banks.

The concept of food banking was developed by John van Hengel in Phoenix, AZ in the late 1960s. Van Hengel, a retired businessman, had been volunteering at a soup kitchen trying to find food to serve the hungry. One day, he met a desperate mother who regularly rummaged through grocery store garbage bins to find food for her children. She suggested that there should be a place where, instead of being thrown out, discarded food could be stored for people to pick up—similar to the way “banks” store money for future use. With that, an industry was born.

Open Space Funding Applications Now Available

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Apr 30, 2015

The Morris County Department of Planning and Public Works, Division of Planning and Preservation, has announced that grant applications for 2015 funding of open space projects under the Morris County Preservation Trust are now available online by clicking here.

Any of the 39 municipalities in the county and qualified charitable conservancies are eligible to apply for grant funding, said Barbara Murray, open space program coordinator.

Over 13,000 acres of open space have been preserved with the assistance of grant funding from the program, Murray said. The program was created in 1993.

The deadline for submitting applications and appraisals is Friday, June 19.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Morris County Division of Planning and Preservation at (973) 829-8120.

Morris County to Use Non-Profit “Green Vision” to Recycle County Government-Generated E-Waste

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Apr 30, 2015

Freeholder-Scappichio — Freeholder Scappichio meets with Tim Butler, President of Green Vision.

Morris County has entered into a voluntary E-waste recycling agreement with Green Vision Inc., a non-profit electronic (E-waste) waste recycling organization. GreenVision trains and employs mentally disabled adults, to disassemble electronic waste, such as those generated by county government operations, for recycling.

Green Vision, based in Randolph, will collect outdated and unneeded electronic equipment accumulated by county government, and which by law is banned from disposal (landfill). The county will arrange to periodically haul outdated equipment to Green Vision, which will recycle the accumulated equipment at virtually no cost to the county.

Green Vision has 27 employees and an even longer waiting list for jobs. It is the first organization in the state to educate, train and employ developmentally challenged adults in the business of electronic waste and to properly dismantle and recycle unwanted electronic equipment and devices.

“This is a win for everyone involved,’’ said Freeholder David Scapicchio, the board’s public works liaison, who toured the Green Vision facility in Randolph this week. “It provides valuable education, hands-on training and employment for mentally disabled adults, while offering a valuable service to county government, taxpayers and society. We are very pleased to be partnering with Green Vision.’’

Green Vision gives adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn and work in real life job situations, according to Green Visions’ Board President Tim Butler. The employees strip down virtually every component of the unwanted E-waste, right down to the wiring, for potential sale to a recycling market. The proceeds are used to help finance the nonprofit operation.

“This gives our clients the ability to have a paying job and to continue working on skills they have learned in school. They are working on employment skills and social skills. It helps to dismantle the stigmas of developmental disabilities,’’ said Butler. “Not only is Green Vision providing a service to our students by giving them meaningful job skill training, but we also are providing an environmentally sound “green’’ solution to county government and the local community.’’

Green Vision employees have recycled more than 135,000 pounds of electronic materials this year. Green Vision challenges students with tasks that allow them to use problem-solving skills while dismantling a wide variety of devices. As the E-waste is being taken apart, students sort the materials so it can be recycled, with less than one percent of the material requiring landfilling.

The state in 2011 enacted an E-waste recycling law that banned the disposal computers, televisions, computer monitors and laptops. For organizations with over 50 employees, such as the county government, this means contracting with a licensed E-waste recycling company, such as Green Vision. For smaller businesses as well as residents, the law requires manufacturers to provide free E-waste recycling programs which in Morris County are managed by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) as part of its household hazardous waste program, participating municipalities and select retail outlets such as Best Buy and Staples.

For more information on Green Vision, click here.

For a full list of state-mandated E-waste requirements and recycling options, click here.

Click here to view the database of Morris County electronics recycling drop-off locations.

CCM and Send Silence Packing to Give Faces to College Suicide

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Apr 30, 2015

RANDOLPH — Just be happy. Stop feeling that way. It only happens to “those” people.

These are just some of the comments of misconception when it comes to mental illness. They are the sort of comments that can prevent helping those who eventually commit suicide, the second leading cause of death among college students nationwide.

Misconceptions and stigma are something County College of Morris (CCM) is hoping to combat when Send Silence Packing and its powerful images come to the college’s Randolph campus, 214 Center Grove Road, on Thursday, April 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a candlelight vigil to follow.

The event is an award-winning national public exhibit of 1,100 backpacks representing the 1,100 college students who die by suicide every year. It is a program of Active Minds, the leading national nonprofit organization working to engage students in the conversation about mental health. CCM is the first New Jersey community college to host the event.

To give a “face” to the lives lost, personal stories and testimonies written by families and friends accompany the backpacks.

“The impact is immense, as it puts a visual in people’s minds about what 1,100 really means,” says Joanna Leyko, of Landing, a CCM nursing student and the president of the college’s Active Minds chapter. “It means a large number of college students commit suicide each year.

“Our hope is it can change the perception on mental health. If people read the personal stories, they’ll see that it’s not just people who they believe are stereotypical who suffer, but everyone in all walks of life.”

Passersby will be invited to walk among the backpacks and read the stories of those who died. In addition, CCM’s Active Minds will hand out literature on mental health, suicide prevention and where to seek help.

“Send Silence Packing will give people a better understanding about suicide and mental illness,” says Jennie Abat, of Hackettstown, a liberal arts major and the vice president of CCM Active Minds. “Since mental illness is invisible to people who don’t suffer from it, this type of illness does not exist because there is no proof that is visible to justify it.”

The powerful outdoor exhibit sheds light on college student suicide and promotes a healthy dialogue around mental health. Statistics show more than half of college students have had suicidal thoughts and 1 in 10 have seriously considered attempting suicide.

CCM counselors will be on hand for those who feel they need to talk to someone. Representatives from the New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse and the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance will also be on campus.

“The misconception that those who suffer mental illness are weak is a dangerous one,” says Shelsey Vazquez, a liberal arts major who leads the public relations for CCM Active Minds. “These are real people who suffer. There are individuals behind it.”

A candlelight vigil will be held at the end of the event, featuring co-founders of Attitudes in Reverse (AIR) Tricia and Kurt Baker as guest speakers. The vigil begins at 7:00 p.m. and will take place in front of the flagpole outside of the Student Community Center, with a rain site in the center’s lobby. The Bakers lost their 19-year-old son, Kenny, to suicide. Experiencing judgement and stigma about their son’s mental illness themselves, they wanted to create an organization to educate others on mental illness.

Send Silence Packing is co-sponsored by the CCM departments of Campus Life, Counseling and Student Success, and Special Events. The event came about after CCM Active Minds applied to the organization’s national chapter to have the event come to the college during its northeastern tour.

“We felt it was important to try to host Send Silence Packing here to bring people’s attention full force on the subject of mental health awareness,” Leyko says.

The club members say they are proud to be making history at New Jersey community colleges, and hope that it will encourage more to host the event and call attention to mental health awareness.

Greater Morristown weekend preview: From Francis Albert to Pope Francis, art walks to AIDS walks

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Apr 30, 2015

Compiled by Kevin Coughlin From Francis Albert (Sinatra) to Pope Francis, from Art Walks to AIDS Walks, from Beach Parties to 5Ks, Greater Morristown has plenty to offer this weekend. Looking for Great Conversations? You can find them, too. Scroll down for all this and more. And if you crave even more activity, see our handy…

Freeholders Celebrate Month of May as Older Americans Month

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Apr 30, 2015

LYONS — Freeholders Hank Lyons and John Krickus

MORRISTOWN —The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be celebrating the month of May as Older Americans Month. “May is set aside each year to honor and recognize older Americans for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society,” said Theresa Davis, Director of the Division of Aging, Disabilities, and Veterans.”

“Our senior citizens have contributed so much to our community that its important we remember to salute their achievements,” added Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.

In anticipation of Older Americans Month, Morris County Freeholder Hank Lyon, liaison to the Department of Human Services, took time at the Freeholder’s April 22 meeting to highlight some of the county’s ongoing initiatives for senior citizens.

“The county has made a concerted effort over the past year to increase the operational and financial efficiencies at the Morris View Healthcare Center,” commented Freeholder Lyons. “As a result, Morris View continues to be a home for a number of our most vulnerable senior residents. In addition, the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance is one of the leaders on reducing the backlog of Food Stamp and Medicaid cases.”

Statewide, counties are experiencing backlogs after the State’s expansion of Medicaid. These backlogs place a burden on the community, with seniors representing a large number of those affected. In his remarks, Freeholder Lyons applauded the State for exploring the hiring of the Xerox Company to help process the Affordable Care Act application backlogs throughout New Jersey. Morris County maintains a high standard of efficiency with regard to Food Stamp and Medicaid eligibility processing in the State, at times beating State averages and surpassing Federal standards and the County will continuously strive to achieve a standard of excellence in this area.

Morris County also continues to provide hundreds of thousands of meals annually to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. These meals are served at both nutrition sites across the county and at home to homebound seniors. The County will be holding a number of special events during May to celebrate the occasion. More details will be made available shortly and can be found on the County website at http://www.co.morris.nj.us/.

The lights come back on at the former Revel, owner says

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Apr 30, 2015

Nearly three weeks after the former Revel Casino Hotel went dark, the new owner of the boardwalk resort said that electricity has been restored. “There’s power on,” Florida developer Glenn Straub said Wednesday. ACR Energy cut off utility service to its sole customer two days after Straub’s Polo North Country Club closed on a deal to…

Westwood DWI driver clocked at 120 mph on Route 80 during Elmwood Park chase

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Apr 30, 2015

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A Westwood man fleeing Elmwood Park police drove drunk at speeds of up to 120 miles an hour on Route 80 last night, at times using the shoulder, before he became stuck in traffic, authorities said. Pursuing officers kept the vehicle in site before Vincent J. Giovanniello got stuck at the…

Enter to win: See Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at NJPAC

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Apr 30, 2015

NEWARK — The balance and grace of one of America’s most successful dance troupes will sweep through Newark this Mother’s Day weekend, and here’s your chance to score some tickets. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company will perform Friday night at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and we are giving away three pairs of tickets…

Home health aide sentenced to three years for Medicaid fraud

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Apr 30, 2015

TRENTON — A home health aide who pleaded guilty to submitting phony claims to Medicaid for patients he never saw was sentenced to a three-year prison term Wednesday. Anatoli Rountsev, 53, of Totowa was one of six employees from the Confident Care Corporation nabbed in the scam, according to an announcement from acting Attorney General John…

Want to be a Little Vikings Cheerleader? Registration will be held in May

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Apr 30, 2015

phsmotorcadecheerleaders — PHHS Viking Cheerleaders

PARSIPPANY — Registration will be held for Little Vikings Cheerleaders at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive, Room D-36 on Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Open to all girls in the PHHS sending district for grades 1 though 8 in September 2015.

Cheerleader (must be present for uniform fitting)

Completed registration form (download from website by clicking here)
Registration check for $150.00
Work bond check for $100.00 dated for November 1, 2015.
Proof of residency and copy of birth certificate for all new cheerleaders

Please make all checks payable to LVF Cheerleading

Please take note that if your child cheers, this should be their only fall sport.

For additional information or questions contact Maureen by clicking here.

Mission Statement
Little Vikings Football Cheerleading program is dedicated toinstilling firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect of authority. This program will give all children the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of cheerleading, regardless of ability, sex, race or religion. Little Vikings organization as a whole provides continuity of teaching, strategies, and code of conduct for their football players and cheerleaders that prepares them for their high school career.

Valley National Bank to host Identity Theft Awareness Event

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Apr 30, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Valley National Bank announced that it will host an Identity Theft Awareness Event on Saturday, May 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Parsippany branch, located at 800 Route 46 West, in the Arlington Shopping Plaza. This event is partnered with USA SHRED, which will provide an on-site truck to shred personal and confidential documents, at no cost, to help customers avoid becoming victims of identity theft.

Residents from the community are encouraged to bring documents such as old bank statements, checks, income tax returns, credit card statements, etc., that can be shredded on-site, for free. Staff members will discuss effective measures that can be used to reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft.

The event is also hosted by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5. Children will get a free tour of the firetruck and receive a hat. Parents will also learn about fire safety tips.

For more information about this event, contact Branch Service Manager at (973) 263-0600. For information about similar events, click here.

Valley National Bancorp is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey with $18 billion in assets. Valley National Bank is one of the largest commercial banks headquartered in New Jersey and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest in product innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable staff with a high priority on friendly customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information about Valley National Bank and its products and services, click here or call Customer Service, 24/7 at 800-522-4100.

Christie not concerned over Bridgegate probe or report that former ally Wildstein may plead guilty

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Apr 29, 2015

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

NEW BRUNSWICK — Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday said he’s “not the least bit concerned” about the federal probe into the George Washington Bridge lane closure controversy that’s rocked his administration. The governor, speaking to reporters in New Jersey for the first time in months, also refused to speculate on the outcome the probe just as…

Christie pal to plead guilty, report says

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Apr 29, 2015

David Wildstein, the former ally and classmate of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will plead guilty on Thursday, according to a report this afternoon in Bloomberg.

The report says Wildstein may be cooperating with prosecutors investigating the traffic jams he ordered near the George Washington Bridge.

For the full report, go here.

Talk of impending indictments have been occurring for weeks. One Parsippany Focus source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said charges would be made public as early as tomorrow .

Increased law enforcement leads to quiet night in Baltimore the day after riots

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Focus contributor

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Apr 29, 2015