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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

PARSIPPANY — There were a number of burglaries to motor vehicles over the weekend. Anyone with information on any of these incidents is urged to contact the Parsippany Police at (973) 263-4300.

BURGLARY TO AUTO AT HILTON HOTEL – 1 HILTON COURT

Patrol Officers M. Kimble and A. Ohlsen, with assistance from Patrol Sergeant E. Kinsey, responded to the Hilton Hotel for a report of a burglary to an automobile. A 48 year old male victim from Ledgewood advised Officer Kimble that between Friday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight, unknown suspect(s) attempted to enter his 2012 black BMW X6 which was parked in the hotel parking lot. The initial investigation resulted in observing the driver’s side door lock damaged as well as damage to the windshield molding. No items appeared missing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Parsippany Police at (973) 263-4300.

BURGLARY TO AUTO – NORTH BEVERWYCK ROAD

Patrol Officer E. Elston responded to a residence on North Beverwyck Road for a report of a burglary to an automobile on Saturday, April 25 at approximately 11:23 p.m. Upon his arrival, Officer Elston was met by the 28 year old female victim from Bloomingdale who left her purse in her unlocked 2002 beige Chevy Malibu.

Unknown suspect(s) entered the unoccupied, parked vehicle and stole her purse. No suspect information was obtained.

BURGLARY TO AUTO – LONGVIEW AVENUE

Patrol Officer W. Stone responded to a Longview Ave residence for a burglary to an automobile. Upon his arrival, the female victim advised him that unknown suspect(s) entered her unlocked 2012 silver Honda Accord sometime between 11:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 and 4:18 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 while it was parked in her driveway. The contents of the center console were strewn about the interior of the vehicle; however no personal items were removed. No suspect(s) were observed.

Swatting Incident at residence on Iroquois Avenue

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Patrol Sergeants A. Keiser and S. Miller along with Patrol Officers M. Kimble and E. Elston responded to a residence on Iroquios Avenue, in the Lake Hiawatha section, for a report of a man with a gun at 2:28 a.m. on Sunday, April 26.

The call came through the Montville Police Department, via 9-1-1.

Upon the officers’ arrival, with assistance from Boonton Township Police Officers also on scene, the female homeowner was contacted and her home cleared for suspects.

The investigation revealed that this was a swatting incident.

No contact could be made when the 9-1-1 phone number was called back numerous times. The incident was turned over to the Parsippany Police Investigative Division for further investigation.

Swatting is the act of tricking an emergency service (via such means as hoaxing a 9-1-1 dispatcher) into dispatching an emergency response based on the false report of an ongoing critical incident.

Criminal Mischief on New England Drive

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division is seeking information for ongoing acts of Criminal Mischief that occur to residences along New England Drive.

Within the past year, approximately ten incidents have been reported for unidentified suspect(s) who have vandalized fences, lawn ornaments, and sidewalks / walkways.

The suspect(s) also bang on doors or the sides of houses. The incidents usually occur on Thursday evenings between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight, but are not exclusive to that time frame.

Extra attention is being conducted by our Patrol Officers and we are urging anyone with information to contact the Parsippany Police at (973) 263-4300.

Littleton Girl Scouts Learn About Women In Law Enforcement

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Littleton Girl Scouts invited Lt. Yvonne Christiano of the Parsippany Police Department to learn about women in law enforcement on Thursday, April 23.

Lt. Christiano described to the girl scouts her reasons for joining the department and her training at the police academy. Lt. Christiano can boast a number of “firsts” in her career including first female supervisor in the department and first female Field Training Officer with responsibility of one-on-one training and evaluations of new recruits.

She was a 2011 honoree of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for Women’s Achievement in Law Enforcement.

Internationally Acclaimed Jewish Musical Recording Artist to perform

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Dan Nichols, internationally acclaimed recording artist will appear at Temple Beth Am for a Rock’n Shabbat Service and Song Session on Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m.

The service and song session are free and open to the public. Dan Nichols is a singular talent in the world of Jewish music. He is one of the most dynamic, influential and beloved Jewish musicians in North America. Dan’s melodies have become an integral part of the spiritual and liturgical experience of countless individuals and Jewish communities.

Dan’s anthology includes a wide range of sounds and styles, from energetic Jewish rock anthems to moving interpretations of traditional Jewish liturgy. Jewish youth and adults from around the world have drawn inspiration from Dan’s music and its positive message of Jewish values, identity and pride.

His live performances are legendary for their unrestrained energy and infectious spirit. Dan spends more than 180 days each year on the road, where he often serves as artist-in-residence for congregations and camp communities. He has performed live in Israel at the historic fortress of Masada and in the studio for the groundbreaking XM Radio presentation of Radio Hanukkah. In addition to these highlights, Dan has been featured at conferences and conventions of nearly every major Jewish movement, including the URJ Biennial, NFTY Convention, BBYO International, and Limmud.

Temple Beth Am is located at 879 South Beverwyck Road.

West New York man arrested for criminal mischief to Lake Hiawatha Firehouse

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Apr 27, 2015

PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officers A. Ohlsen and J. Pledger, with assistance from Patrol Sergeant A. Keiser responded to the Parsippany Fire Department’s District 4 Firehouse, located at 39 North Beverwyck Road for a report of criminal mischief, on Sunday, April 26 at 8:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, the officers were informed by individuals that a male suspect vandalized the firehouse by throwing rocks through the windows of the two front garage doors, and side entry door glass, with subsequent damage to the fire apparatus windshield and an electronic message board. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival.

While conducting the investigation, Parsippany Police received a call for an intoxicated injured male who fled the North Beverwyck Road 7-11.

The description of the injured male matched that of the suspect. However during the course of the investigation, the suspect returned to the 7-11 as a passenger in a vehicle. He was approached by Officers Ohlsen and Pledger who determined he was the suspect for the criminal mischief to the firehouse. The intoxicated suspect, identified as Mr. Kiefer Corro, 26, West New York, was placed under arrest and transported to Saint Clare’s Hospital by Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad for injuries suffered during the vandalism.

Upon his hospital release, he was transported to Police Headquarters where he was charged with third degree criminal mischief due to the approximate $3,500 in damages.

He was given a bail amount of $5,000 with no 10% option by the Parsippany Municipal Court. He was released on bail pending a court appearance.

Editors Note: A complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Patrick Fagan arrested for stealing wire from Home Depot

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Apr 27, 2015