PARSIPPANY — This video is a tribute to all our healthcare professionals. It was created by Parsippany High Schools Future Health Professionals, also known as HOSA. Our future health professionals want to thank our current healthcare professionals for all the sacrifices they have made to keep us all safe and healthy.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Nicole Santiago is the creator of “Adopt a Parsippany 8th Grade Graduate 2020” FaceBook group to get together and do something special for the graduates. The students were looking forward to the end of the year activities (Dorney Park, Hershey Park, the Shining Stars Dance, and of course Graduation), but due to the Coronavirus, all of their plans have changed.
Each student (or their parent) will post a picture of the graduate along with his/her school activities, accolades, or exciting moments in Junior High School.
They are seeking residents to adopt a middle school graduate and do something special (words of kindness, cards, gifts, or anything they would like to do) to help lift their spirits and make the best out of their quarantined graduation.
Please comment “adopt” under the post of the child you would like to adopt and connect with their parent/guardian to plan ideas and set up pick-up/drop-off. Let’s work together to make them smile.
Some basic rules: There is a limit of four adoptions per eight-grader to be fair and make sure that every graduate gets adopted. Once the child has been adopted four times, the administrator will shut off commenting on the post so no further adoptions can be made until every graduate has been adopted. This is meant to be something nice for all of the eighth-graders and no one is left out and have hurt feelings.
To join the 8th Grade Facebook Page click here.
Some of the suggested items are. But of course you can be creative and there are no requirements. Just have fun and put a smile on the face of a graduate.
Memorial Day is one of our nation’s most important commemorations, as we honor those brave men and women who have fallen in the service our armed forces. In light of current circumstances, we will not be holding our usual Memorial Day services this year.Instead, we will be recording a Memorial Day ceremony to be broadcast to the public on the morning of Monday, May 25. With safety and social distancing a top priority of production, we are planning a beautiful ceremony that will match the in-person observances we’ve held for years.SIgn up below for Township emails and make sure you don't miss this year's commemoration: https://parsippany.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5bbd81d2dac4277f0805e7c10&id=8ee3ad31aa
Posted by Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills on Friday, May 8, 2020
MORRIS COUNTY — On March 16, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 104 implementing aggressive social distancing measures to mitigate further spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey.
Among other directives, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order indefinitely closed all public, private and parochial preschools and elementary and secondary schools to students beginning on March 18, 2020.
Executive Order No. 107 signed on March 21, 2020, prohibits gatherings of individuals for parties, celebrations, and other social events, which includes all in-person graduation ceremonies (see also letter to the education community and Administrative Order No. 2020-12 from Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, State Director of Emergency Management).
Since the Executive Orders will remain in effect until further notice, only virtual graduation ceremonies can be planned at this time. We recognize that this sudden disruption to the normal operating procedures could be jarring for school communities at all levels. The resilience and adaptivity required to thrive in the face of unprecedented situations are characteristics embodied by the Class of 2020. Recognizing that high school graduation is certainly a milestone for students and families, the Department has compiled tips and suggestions for holding virtual graduation ceremonies and related celebratory activities to honor this year’s graduating class while ensuring the health and safety of the school community during the COVID-19 emergency.
Virtual Celebrations
• Virtual Graduation Ceremonies offer a number of ways to celebrate this year’s graduating class. From airing graduation messages on local network stations to designing virtual graduations on gaming platforms, virtual graduations offer districts an opportunity to involve the community in planning and facilitating a memorable ceremony. Below are some ideas for hosting a virtual ceremony:
• Stream your ceremony on your district website or on another streaming service that includes prerecorded speeches or messages
• Consider reaching out to celebrities or public figures to record speeches or messages for seniors in your school district
• If resources allow, your district may consider developing a virtual reality graduation, where within a virtual graduation environment, student avatars participate in a graduation ceremony
• Schools can also consider asking members of the graduating class to take a leading role in the graduation ceremony. Senior students can be asked in advance to send video messages wearing their cap and gown and/or other regalia. During the virtual ceremony, students and their families will hear prerecorded messages from speakers, edited together in the flow of a traditional graduation ceremony, and students’ names, as well as messages, will be announced with their photo displayed.
Community Recognition
Communities across the country have shown their support by making a special effort to recognize the Class of 2020. Some examples include posting banners with students’ senior pictures around the school community, listing the names of graduates in the local newspaper, and creating yard signs for all students to post.
• Some communities have secured digital billboards to publicize and celebrate the Class of 2020. The digital billboards display the students’ names and personalized messages developed by school staff and students.
• We encourage school districts to coordinate any recognition efforts with various community stakeholders.
We welcome you to share your virtual graduation celebration or related activities by using the hashtag #NJGrad2020 on social media.
MORRIS COUNTY — Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the need for social distancing and avoiding group gatherings, the Morris County Board of Freeholders will meet on Wednesday evening, May 13, via telephone conference calls.
The Freeholder Board will hold a work session at 6:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. regular public meeting. Public comment is only allowed at the 7:00 p.m. session.
The Freeholder Board held similar phone-in sessions for its public meetings on March 25, April 6, and April 22.
“It is vitally important for county government to continue operating during this crisis, not just to deal with COVID-19 but to continue with all of our important programs, from home delivery of meals to seniors and disabled residents to paving our roads and maintaining our bridges,” said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith.
“But we also have to continue to be vigilant when it comes to social distancing and public gatherings. So, we invite you to listen in to our meetings and to comment to us on issues of importance to yourself and your communities,” she added.
Residents are invited to call into the May 13 meetings, at 6:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m.:
Call: 1-201-546-5293
Guest Passcode: 439862
Residents are asked to mute their phones as they listen, and to speak only during the public comment period during the 7:00 p.m. public meeting. Please try to “line up” politely with other callers during the comment period. It would be much appreciated.
PARSIPPANY — ShopRite and Procter & Gamble has partnered with ProCamps to host a Virtual Guest Teacher series, bringing professional athletes into distance learning classrooms across multiple cities this month.
Each participating pro will conduct an interactive virtual class for kids across the area to help keep them engaged, learning, and physically active while they are away from their classrooms.
Children from across the country are welcome to join and view each class as it’s live-streamed via Facebook.com/ProCamps.
The ShopRite Facebook page will also live stream the virtual classes at Facebook.com/ShopRite.Supermarket.
Professional football, baseball, and soccer players will connect with children during the virtual lessons, which will include a fun pop quiz on history and science, physical fitness tips, and the opportunity for participants to ask the guest teacher questions.
Upcoming classes include:
MORRIS COUNTY — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority has decided to CANCEL the Household Hazardous Waste disposal event scheduled for May 16 at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany.
The event is being canceled out of an abundance of caution to protect the health of county residents and MUA staff, while adhering to state and federal social distancing and gathering guidelines.
The MUA also is announcing that the scheduled June 13 Household Hazardous Waste event will be moved from the County College of Morris in Randolph to the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany.
For residents who planned to attend the May event, it is recommended that you safely store any materials and dispose of them in June.
“While we have come to know how important events such as these are to the public, we believe this decision is in everyone’s best interest in order to take the necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. I hope you will all join me at our next disposal event in June,” said MUA Executive Director Larry Gindoff.
Two Household Hazardous Waste events planned for the fall remain scheduled at this time. These two events are currently set for Saturday, September 12, at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, and Saturday, October 10, at Chatham High School.
Click here to visit the MCMUA website for additional updates regarding Household Hazardous Waste and other programs.
MORRIS COUNTY — In a heartfelt, emotional showing of support, several members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office PBA Local 327 participated in a parade on May 7 to recognize Nurses Week. The event was organized by the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Committee, Finance Chairman Ryan Dawson, and Grand Marshall Mary Waller. The Parade of Our Heroes proceeded from Morristown Town Hall parking lot to Morristown Medical Center. Many nurses and other healthcare workers watched as a caravan of Police, Fire and Emergency Services vehicles saluted them with flashing lights, sirens and honking horns. Several bagpipers also accompanied the caravan of vehicles.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker applauded the agency’s role in the festive event: “The nurses and other healthcare workers have put their lives on the line for our protection. We are proud to salute their service on this special day.”
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School ‘17 alumni Czar Alexei Sepe, Alisha Gangadharan, Lucas Folan, and Nicky Parekh are excited to announce the launch of Parsippany College Connect. (Click here)
Parsippany College Connect is an online community for Parsippany-Troy Hills School District students to learn from and connect with past PTHSD students currently in college, featuring an alumni directory, blog, and college FAQs.
The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted almost every part of our day-to-day lives. High school seniors, in particular, have been deprived of the traditional resources they would normally have as they transition into their first year of college. In addition, many college students now find themselves at home, as the pandemic has put a pause on their summer plans. So they asked themselves: how can they, as current college students and former Parsippany high school students, help the Class of 2020? After a brisk jog around Lake Parsippany and a text in our group chat, Parsippany College Connect was born!
They hope that Parsippany College Connect provides an online platform to build community in our town during a time when they may feel the most disconnected. This grassroots effort created for Parsippany students by Parsippany students provides a way that PTHSD alumni can lend a helping hand to a graduating Class of 2020 who deserve to feel comfortable and supported as they enter the next chapter of their lives. For them, this is their small way of giving back to the community that has constantly supported them.
They would like to thank all faculty, teachers, and PTHSD students past and present who have contributed to the project so far.
Special thanks go to Mrs. Van Wingerden of Parsippany High and Mrs. Mejia of Parsippany Hills for their initial feedback and support.
If you are interested in helping out or contributing to our ongoing project please email parsippanycollegeconnect@gmail.com.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Rite Aid Store, 480 North Beverwyck Road, will begin testing for COVID-19 starting Monday, May 11.
Testing will be done through the pharmacy’s drive-through only. Rite Aid nationally is working with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and is standing up mobile COVID-19 testing sites around the country, with the approval of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Other key points below MUST be followed for the health and safety of others:
There is no direct ask of Parsippany, and everything is done at no cost to the municipality, county, and the State of New Jersey.
For more information, please call (973) 334-4343, and press option #3 to be directed to the Pharmacy Department.
PARSIPPANY — Memorial Day is one of our nation’s most important commemorations, as we honor those brave men and women who have fallen in the service of our armed forces. In light of current circumstances, we will not be holding our usual Memorial Day services this year.
Instead, Parsippany-Troy Hills will be recording a Memorial Day ceremony to be broadcast to the public on the morning of Monday, May 25. With safety and social distancing a top priority of production, we are planning a beautiful ceremony that will match the in-person observances we’ve held for years.
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Attorney General Grewal announced that the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issued charges against numerous bars, restaurants, breweries and liquor stores for violating executive orders related to COVID-19. All of the establishments face suspension of their liquor licenses for at least ten days. Two other establishments were issued fines for lesser COVID-19 related infractions.
Under executive orders issued by Governor Murphy, businesses licensed to sell alcohol in the state are permitted to remain open during the COVID-19 state-of-emergency, but only for take-out or delivery services of food and alcohol. No table or bar service is permitted, on-premise alcohol consumption is prohibited, and alcoholic beverages “to go” must be in sealed original containers.
Among the establishments facing suspension for violating the orders are:
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Catholic High School held a Contact-Free Food Drive for Catholic Charities. After hearing that the Father English Center was running dangerously low on food supplies.
They moved swiftly to organize a school-wide Food Drive. Their goal was to fill a trunkload, but managed to fill the entire Catholic Charities van! All were respectful of the drive up, drop off, and drive away policy adapted to make this program run safely. They are so grateful to all who donated during this most difficult time.
They would like to acknowledge: Whitney DuBose, mother of three alumni who helped coordinate the drive with a local parish, Saint Catherine of Siena, Howard’s Mission in Cedar Knolls, and our girl’s lacrosse team who donated their snack money from a lost season to buy goods for those in need. Together we all made a difference.
At Morris Catholic – every student matters, and on Saturday we learned – every donation matters!
Morris Catholic is located at 200 Morris Avenue, Denville.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Pequannock Township Police Chief Brian C. Spring announce the sentencing of Philip N. McGrantham, 70, of Little Falls.
On December 20, 2019, McGrantham pled guilty to first-degree Robbery and second-degree Robbery in connection with two bank robberies that occurred in September of 2019.
On Friday, May 8, 2020, the Honorable Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C. sentenced McGrantham to an aggregate sentence of five years New Jersey State Prison. McGrantham must serve eighty-five of this term before he is eligible for parole. McGrantham was also ordered to pay restitution for unrecovered proceeds from the Pequannock Township robbery.
This prosecution stemmed from two (2) separate bank robberies committed by McGrantham in September of 2019. On September 26, 2019, the defendant entered the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 523 Route 23, in Pequannock Township, Morris County, and demanded money from the teller. After being provided a sum of money, he fled the scene. Four days later, on September 30, the defendant entered the TD Bank, located at 280 Valley Road, in Wayne Township, Passaic County, and again demanded money. In addition, the defendant threatened the teller that he would detonate an explosive if money was not provided. The defendant was apprehended at his home in Little Falls later that afternoon. He was found in possession of proceeds from the TD Bank robbery.
Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wang of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Assistant Prosecutor Steven Bollenbach of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office represented the State during the prosecution and sentencing. Prosecutor Knapp said “Multiple county, local and federal law enforcement agencies were responsible for the successful prosecution of this defendant. Their collaborative work is a model for future investigations.”
Prosecutor Knapp would like to acknowledge the contributions of various agencies, including the Pequannock Township Police Department, the Wayne Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit. The exceptional collaboration between these agencies led to the positive identification and successful prosecution of McGrantham.
PARSIPPANY — Members of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company (Parsippany District 2), delivered care packages to front line workers at St. Clare’s Hospital-Denville; Morristown Memorial Medical Center; RWJ/St. Barnabas Medical Center and The NJ Fireman’s Home.
Firefighters thanked the healthcare heroes and the hospital staff for their service and dedication. Company President Frank DeRienzo said the idea came out of a suggestion made at the company’s May meeting by Kathi Condurso. 
This was the first time in the fire companies history the monthly meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom and teleconference.
Chief Joe Reeber thanked the Commissioners and all the members of the company who supported the project which included 1,300 snack packages.
MORRIS COUNTY — Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics received an amended emergency use authorization from the FDA late Thursday for the first SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test that will allow people to collect their own saliva at home and send to a lab for results.
The decision follows the FDA’s recent emergency approval to RUCDR Infinite Biologics for the first saliva-based test, which involves health care workers collecting saliva from individuals at testing sites.
The new at-home saliva self-collection assay, developed by RUCDR in partnership with Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs, allows for broader screening than through the standard method using nose and throat swabs at a healthcare facility or testing location that requires a physical interaction with a healthcare professional.
“The impact of this approval means that not only do we no longer have to put healthcare professionals at risk for infection by performing nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal collections, we can now preserve precious PPE for use in patient care instead of testing and can significantly increase the number of people collected each and every day in places other than a healthcare setting,” said Andrew Brooks, chief operating officer and director of technology development at RUCDR, who also is a professor in the School of Arts and Sciences Department of Genetics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
“This will enable testing for people that do not have the means to get to a collection center and/or are at home because they are sick, quarantined, at increased risk for infection, or simply concerned about exposing themselves by traveling to a collection site. This approach will have a significant impact on helping people in New Jersey and across the United States get back to work as we will be able to monitor large numbers of people in a variety of locations.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy announced the formation of a statewide council of leaders to advise on New Jersey’s restart and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council will work in conjunction with the commission named last week and will bring together leaders from various industry, community, and faith-based groups and institutions across New Jersey to advise state leadership on economic issues impacted by the pandemic.
“As we begin the difficult task of restarting New Jersey’s economy and recovering from the damaging effects of COVID-19, this advisory council brings together leaders from all walks of New Jersey life,” said Governor Murphy. “This group will not only help us gather the local intelligence we need to get our economy running again, but also will help us create the framework for coping with our new long-term economic realities.”
In addition to focusing on issues surrounding the short-term restarting of New Jersey’s economy, this council also will begin the task of positioning the economy and creating a framework for the long-term recovery.
The council will be co-chaired by New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan, and Choose New Jersey President and CEO Jose Lozano. The council will have nine subcommittees, each of which will be chaired by a council co-chair.
“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of life and every sector of our economy in some way. As we plan for how we can ensure New Jersey remains a place where opportunity meets innovation, I am honored to join many of our state’s most talented thought leaders, as well as my state colleagues, to ensure we are not overlooking any aspect of a successful recovery,” said Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, Secretary of Higher Education. “The work of this council will complement a group of higher education leaders who will consider the role of higher education in the state’s restart and recovery efforts.”
“COVID-19 is first and foremost a public health crisis, but it’s also an economic crisis on a scale that outpaces anything in recent memory. Restarting and then driving a recovery of our economy will require comprehensive input from a wide spectrum of economic and community stakeholders, and Governor Murphy has assembled an extraordinary group of New Jerseyans to help guide these efforts via this council,” EDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “I’m honored to join Zakiya, Jose and the Governor’s Office to help lead this effort to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient economic future for New Jersey.”
“I look forward to working with New Jersey Higher Education Secretary Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis and NJ Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan to co-chair the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, as well as various industry leaders and community members, to rebuild our economy in the wake of the worst pandemic of our lifetime,” said Jose Lozano, CEO of Choose New Jersey. “It is critical that we engage our state’s business community and help them every step of the way on the road to recovery. As a blueprint for restarting New Jersey’s economy is developed, we’ll look to the council to advise on short and long-term considerations and opportunities. I look forward to working with committee members to ensure New Jersey rebuilds stronger than ever from this crisis.”
The advisory council subcommittees will begin virtual meetings next week. The nine subcommittees are Facilities and Construction; Government; Health Care; Main Street; Manufacturing and Supply Chain; Professional Services; Social Services and Faith; Tourism and Entertainment; and Transportation and Infrastructure.
While the commission named by Governor Murphy last week will focus on national, state, and macroeconomic issues surrounding the restarting, the advisory council will take a microeconomic view of the recovery, determining the individual challenges that each sector faces. The advisory council is expected to remain empaneled for as long as necessary to advise the Governor on the state’s recovery.
“We understand that we need a smart, granular approach to recovery. How you reopen a restaurant at the shore is different from how you restart a factory in South Jersey,” Governor Murphy noted. “This council will also be guided by our core principle of building a New Jersey that is stronger and fairer and works for every family.”
Members of the council and their respective committees can be found by clicking here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio has obtained a letter sent by the New Jersey Department of Health dated March 31 directing hospitals and nursing care facilities not to inhibit the transfer of hospital patients with COVID-19 entering post-acute care settings such as long-term nursing and rehabilitation facilities.
The letter also states “post-acute care facilities are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized patient/resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission. (Click here for letter)
“New Jersey has continually cited testing as a way to identify and respond to COVID-19. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense that we would specifically not want to test patients who would enter isolated nursing homes containing our most vulnerable population,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic).
Senator Pennacchio criticized the administration for taking extra care of prisoners before they became COVID-infected by releasing them from prisons yet forcing nursing facilities to accept patients with COVID, then locking the doors.
The Senator pointed to initial warnings that the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. started with an outbreak and multiple deaths in a Washington State nursing facility.
“Applying science and reason, one would surmise that releasing a highly contagious pathogen in an isolated and vulnerable location, like a nursing home, could have devastating effects, and it did,” added Pennacchio.
The Department of Health cites Executive Order No. 103 signed by Governor Murphy on March 3. New Jersey is the number one state in the union with 50% of its COVID-19 deaths occurring in long term nursing facilities. (Click here for Executive Order 103)
“The State of New Jersey has direct regulatory oversight over these nursing facilities. Although the population of nursing homes makes up less than 0.7% of the Garden State’s population, the 4,151 deaths in these facilities account for half of all New Jersey’s COVID-19 deaths,” concluded Senator Pennacchio.
PARSIPPANY — In the next week, I’m proud to say that we’ll be launching an Online Small Business portal on our township website, www.parsippany.net.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is partnering with The Mansion at Mountain Lakes to help individuals and families in need of prepared food during the COVID-19 crisis.
U.S. Foods has donated various foods to be prepared by the chefs at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes to be distributed or given out to those in need.
If you or someone you know is in need of food due to financial hardship please contact The Mansion by calling (973) 794-3900 or emailing Jim@themansionML.com.
The Mansion at Mountain Lakes is located at 90 Route 46 East, Mountain Lakes. Food trays will be prepared for individuals, couples, or families. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help! We are all in this together.
Additionally, if you or someone you know needs help with grocery shopping, running errands, or in need of something in particular the Y has a volunteer team ready to help! Email Robb at Robbe@Lhymca.com.
As with the food trays, feel free to reach out at any time; that’s what community is all about. Be well.
Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 30 years.
Contact us: news@parsippanyfocus.com
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