MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Habitat for Humanity recently received a grant of $10,000 from Provident Bank Foundation to help fund its Neighborhood Revitalization/Aging in Place program. This important program helps low income home owner families maintain their homes. Projects have included home repairs and weatherization, construction projects, and community park renovations.
Funding from The Provident Bank Foundation will support repairs to improve the accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency of low income seniors’ homes. Living in unsafe and unhealthy homes can mean emotional and financial devastation, and a simple modification like a smoke detector or hand rail can enable seniors to maintain their financial stability and independence while living safely in the home and community of their choice.
“This generous gift from the Provident Bank Foundation will help families stay in their homes by supporting our Neighborhood Revitalization and Aging in Place programs,” said Morris Habitat for Humanity CEO, Blair Schleicher Bravo. “Provident Bank Foundation’s long time support of Morris Habitat for Humanity helps us further our commitment to providing decent, safe and affordable housing for people in the community.”
The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $24 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities.
For more information click here or call (862) 260-3990.
PARSIPPANY — Every Dollar Store Inc. has applied to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Building Department for building, plumbing, electrical and fire prevention permits to renovation the former Quick Chek location in the Troy Shopping Center located at 480 North Beverwyck Road.
The former Quick Chek occupied 2,800 square feet. The new store will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. according to the application.
The property owner is Troy Investment and managed by The Heller Group, Madison.
Quick Chek closed on Friday, November 2, 2018.
The Lake Hiawatha QuickChek opened in 1977 and has been a staple in the area for 41 years and is missed by many. The Lake Hiawatha location was outdated compared to the newer millennial-friendly concept stores.
PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany man has been arrested and charged in connection with the hit-and-run incident that left, Jeremy Maraj, 12-year-old child fatally injured in Union on Wednesday, July 17, said Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Union Police Director Daniel Zieser.
Jose V. Marrero, 37, Lake Hiawatha, turned himself in to authorities Friday evening and is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with the death of Jeremy Maraj of Union.
Union Police Department patrol units responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle just before 8:00 p.m. in the area of Forest Drive and Galloping Hill Road in Union, according to the investigation.
Maraj was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead two days later.
A joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force and Union Police Department revealed that Marrero was driving his work vehicle, a Nissan NV200 cargo van, when he struck Maraj.
Marrero was lodged in Union County Jail after turning himself in, pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Superior Court during the coming days.
Anyone with information about this matter still is being urged to contact Task Force Detective Sean Holcomb at (908) 358-8377 or Union Police Officer Michael Salerno at (908) 851-5070.
Convictions on second-degree criminal charges are commonly punishable by five to ten years in state prison.
Editor’s Note: These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
MORRIS COUNTY — A federally required annual county of homeless persons in New Jersey, including breakouts for Morris County and all 20 other counties in the state, has found a slight decrease in homeless numbers, according to a snapshot taken statewide in January of this year.
In a report released this week, #NJCounts 2019 found 8,864 men, women and children, in 6,748 households, experienced homelessness across New Jersey. This number decreased by 439 persons of 5 percent from 2018.
In Morris County, on a count taken on the night of January 22, a total of 288 households, including 388 individuals were found to experiencing homelessness, according to the 2019 Point-InTime Count, which was done by a host of county and local social services representatives and volunteers. The numbers show an overall increase of 4 persons, or 1 percent, from 2015 to 2019.
Of those Morris County residents counted this year, 65 persons were identified as chronically homeless and 42 were not sheltered on the night of the count.
Over this five-year period there was a five percent increase in persons staying in emergency shelter and a 24 percent increase in unsheltered persons, but there was a ten percent decrease in persons staying in transitional housing between 2015 and 2019. The report also found that 36 percent of the homeless household respondents in Morris County in 2019 reported that their last permanent address prior to becoming homeless was outside of the county.
The full statewide report and county by county reports are available by clicking here.
Some key statewide findings of the NJCounts 2019 as compared to NJCounts 2018 include:
1,462 persons, in 1,351 households, were identified as chronically homeless, representing 16.5 of the total homeless population, an increase of 174 persons, or 13.5 percent, from 2018;
1,482 persons were living without shelter, showing a decrease of 141 persons of 9 percent;
992 households were counted as families, showing a 6 percent decrease in family homelessness (a family is defined as a household with at least one child under the age of 18 and one adult);
34 unaccompanied youth under age 18 were identified in the count, which represents a 3 percent decrease in the number of unaccompanied homeless youth households.
“The count provides a consistent benchmark from which we can evaluate the effectiveness of strategies being implemented, the quality of data collection within communities, and the impact of larger societal factors,” said Taiisa Kelly, CEO of Monarch Housing Associates.
Counties across the state annually conduct NJCounts as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to secure federal funding for programs serving persons experiencing homelessness.
Commissioned by the N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Monarch Housing Associates coordinates NJCounts activities and completes analysis of data collected from the Point-in-Time survey.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County residents interested in serving on the County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees are invited to send their resumes to a special trustee search committee of the Morris County Board of Freeholders.
Resumes must be received by the search committee by Friday, September 6. The committee will review all of the applications and then submit recommendations to the Board of Freeholders, who will make the appointments this fall.
Three four-year terms of freeholder-appointed trustees expire at the end of October. Those sitting trustees must reapply by the Friday, Sept. 6 deadline if they wish to be considered for reappointment.
To qualify for consideration by the search committee, a candidate must be a resident of Morris County for at least four years, and may not hold a current elected office in Morris County or be an employee of Morris County government or CCM.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate independent judgment, distinction in their profession, knowledge of higher education, and a firm commitment to serving the college. A candidate must be willing to commit at least 15-20 hours a month to his or duties as a college trustee to be considered for appointment.
Duties of trustees include appointing, supporting and evaluating the college president; clarifying and, if necessary, revising the college’s mission statement; ratifying long term plans; approving the college’s educational program; insuring fiscal viability; and maintaining the college’s physical plant.
The CCM search committee requests a resume and a background statement from each applicant outlining why he or she wishes to serve as a trustee and what specific skills the applicant would bring to the board.
Applicants must send one copy of their resume and a brief background statement to the Office of the Morris County Counsel, County of Morris, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, N.J. 07963-0900.
The County College of Morris Board of Trustees is composed of eleven Morris County residents from business, education, law and other professional fields, who volunteer their services in four-year terms.
By statute, eight members are appointed by the Morris County Board of Freeholders, and two members are appointed by the Governor. The Morris County Superintendent of Schools is also a member of the Board by statute. One non-voting CCM graduate member is elected for a one-year term by each year’s graduating class. In addition, the CCM President serves as an ex-officio member.
The Board of Trustees sets policy and has final authority over budgets and expenditures, and the President is responsible for internal administrative operations.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County is embarking on a countywide upgrade to curve warning signs along county roads that are located within all of the county’s 39 municipalities to meet federal government standards.
Work is expected to begin in August and continue into December to upgrade a curve sign network that, in many cases, dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, and was installed by the state Department of Transportation.
Morris County has awarded a $297,953 contract to LC Equipment of Tuckahoe to remove 2,121 existing curve warning signs and install nearly 2,800 new signs and signposts at 870 horizontal curves located on county roads.
The project is required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which has set a nationwide compliance date of Dec. 31, 2019 to meet new curve sign standards. The project will be funded by county tax dollars.
To prepare a plan for the sign upgrade, the county previously hired a consultant, Greenman-Pedersen (GPI).
The $176,997 contract required GPI’s team to drive all of the county’s roads to assess curves and determine appropriate advisory speed and sign placement in accordance with the new federal standards.
Changes in roadway design and consideration of modern motor vehicles were key factors in the development of the new standards.
GPI also will oversee the sign removal and installation project and inventory the newly installed signs for the county.
To see which signs are being added or replaced in your town click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Three Morris County Sheriff’s Office superior officers, two of whom helped probe some of the county’s most heinous or baffling crimes, retired as of Wednesday, July 31 with 75 years of experience between them.
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon with Sheriff’s Office Chief Edward Crooker
The retirees, Sheriff’s Office Chief Edward Crooker, Detective Captain Bruce Dunn and Detective Lieutenant Philip DiGavero, all joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Office on July 18, 1994, as Corrections Officers who worked in the Correctional Facility and several years later transferred to the Bureau of Law Enforcement.
Chief Crooker spent nearly his entire career, 19 years, in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit. Detective Captain Dunn worked in the Protective Services Division and for many years in CSI, the unit that is responsible for collecting and analyzing evidence amassed from crimes throughout Morris County’s 39 municipalities.
Detective Lieutenant DiGavero is credited with overseeing the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit at one time, helping to electronically modernize evidence storage, and arranging with the Rockaway-based Prevention Is Key program (PIK) to have expired medication drop-off boxes at police departments that are collected, inventoried and destroyed by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Evidence Unit.
“These three Morris County Sheriff’s Office superior officers have served the county and the office with class and distinction by pouring their minds, hearts and souls into investigations and serving the public with integrity. I am proud to know them and to have worked beside them, and I wish them the best in the years ahead,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.
The three retirees all worked in the now-demolished Morris County jail that was replaced by a new facility that opened in Morris Township in 2000. Chief Crooker recalled how he also worked in the 1990s as a CSI detective in a dilapidated building on Washington Street in Morristown and then in another location before a state-of-the-art crime lab that today is the base of operations for CSI was opened in 2013.
Detective Captain Bruce Dunn with Morris County Sheriff James Gannon
Both Detective Captain Dunn and Chief Crooker worked in CSI on the investigation and successful prosecution of the killer of 10-year-old Walter Contreras Valenzuela in Morristown in May 2001. Chief Crooker matched a garden cultivator found near the child’s body to wounds on his head while Detective Captain Dunn located multiple items of evidence at the crime scene that gave detectives insight into the child’s final moments.
A friend of the Valenzuela family wrote a moving letter in 2008 that praised then-Sergeant Dunn’s involvement in the probe and trial.
“I feel his work was phenomenal and done in such a professional manner that his investigation was never questioned. I cannot express in words how important he is to the Valenzuela family and those that love them. Without his skills we know that perhaps there may have been a different outcome in the trial. We are eternally grateful to him and feel very blessed to know that we are under the protection of the very competent Morris County Sheriff’s Department,” the friend wrote.
Detective Captain Dunn also had the ingenious idea of lifting fingerprints from a decayed body found in 2002 that involved soaking the skin in glycerol for 24 hours and placing the skin over a detective’s fingers and rolling for prints. The prints of the deceased woman were on file in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which led to her identification.
“I’m very lucky to have had a good career,” Detective Captain Dunn said.
Besides cases of bank robberies, fatal crashes, robberies and other crimes, both Detective Captain Dunn and Chief Crooker worked on the high-profile 2002 double murders of Jeffrey Eresman and Erik Rewoldt at the Funcoland video game store in Roxbury, and assisted federal officials in executing search warrants after the largest mass murder through acts of terrorism in America on Sept. 11, 2001.
Chief Crooker worked on multiple major crimes, including the killing of Father Edward Hinds in 2009 in Chatham Borough, but he has never forgotten a simple event that ended well. He was called out to process the scene of what a homeowner thought was a burglary but Chief Crooker, then a CSI detective, was able to find the woman’s missing ring under a bed.
Chief Crooker thanked Sheriff James Gannon for his responsiveness and support of officers and detectives.
“The resources he gives us are second to none,” said Chief Crooker.
Detective Lieutenant DiGavero with Morris County Sheriff James Gannon
Detective Lieutenant DiGavero, who also worked in the Sheriff’s Office Warrants Section and Protective Services Division which oversees security at the Morris County courthouse, said he is honored to have worked with many exceptional people.
He said he is proud of helping to organize the storage of evidence from crime scenes, which is managed electronically through a program called BEAST, for Bar-Coded Evidence Analysis Statistical Tracking.
“I’ll miss everybody. It’s been a real honor,” Detective Lieutenant DiGavero said.
MORRIS COuNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon and Public Safety Director Daniel DeGroot and Chief Anthony Smith of the Dover Police Department announce an investigation into a deceased person found in Dover.
On Thursday, August 1, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male in a wooded area near a culdesac at the end of West Clinton Street in Dover.
Morris County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit processed the scene and the investigation confirmed that a deceased male’s body was located in the woods in close proximity to a homeless campsite. An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause and manner of death are pending. The investigation remains ongoing and the identity of the individual will not be released at this time.
If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, or the Dover Police Department at (973) 539-0777.
Sheriff Gannon also reminds the public that information can also be reported anonymously to the Morris County Sheriff’s Crimestoppers at (973) 267-2255 or click here.
MORRIS COUNTY —For those who dream of building a business in the landscaping industry, County College of Morris (CCM) offers a number of pathways to make that possible through its Department of Landscape and Horticultural Technology (LHT).
Degrees and certificates are offered in Agribusiness, Landscape Management and Design, and Turf and Turfgrass Management. The Landscape Management and Design track is the most popular, according to Brian Oleksak, associate professor and chair of the LHT department.
An average of 85 students enroll in the department each year, keeping class sizes small and professor-student relationships close. “Many students in this department are working part-time landscaping jobs while enrolled,” notes Oleksak. “They tend to be the best students because they are applying what they are learning right away.”
A degree or certificate from CCM’s LHT department allows students to propel a small landscaping business to the next level. Education in cutting-edge technology and practices can transform a small business into one with multiple employees and a highly profitable income stream.
LHT students learn in a setting where science, sustainability and technology all come together. They study and work in a LEED Gold Certified Building in design labs using the latest programming tools. Included among the software students learn is DynaSCAPE, an industry recognized landscape business management program. LHT students also have access to two Kubota sub-compact tractors, a skid-steer and various small-to-mid sized equipment.
Fall Semester courses in the Department of Landscape and Horticulture Technology begin Wednesday, September 4. Classes being offered include Plant Science, Land Plant Identification, Management and Use, Horticulture Computer Application, Landscape Design and Planning I, Plant Pest Management, Landscape Construction and Equipment, and Arboriculture.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher installed new member Erin Hoffman. She was sponsored by Club Member Nicolas Limanov.
Karen DeChristopher said “We welcome Erin to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”
“Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new members into our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Erin to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany,” said President Karen DeChristopher.
Kiwanis sponsoring member Nicolas Limanov places the membership pin on Erin
Erin is a 2014 Graduate of Parsippany High School
Erin is an Associate with Certified Financial Services, 600 Parsippany Road, Suite 200. Certified Financial Services educates people to better understand the importance and benefits of holistic financial planning and wealth management as well as secure them with protection to help their plans succeed.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club. In addition, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports a Circle K Club at Seton Hall University.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany raises funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here. To join online click here.
PARSIPPANY — Miracles USA Taekwondo celebrates the achievements of its elite competition team at the 2019 USA Taekwondo National Championships held in Minneapolis, MN, from June 28 to July 4. The competition team earned a total of ten medals in a variety of Taekwondo disciplines.
Silver Medal
Joshua Aguirre – Board Breaking Division – Individual
Bronze Medals
Kyra Kozar, Liana Gonsalves, and Lura Xu – World Class Senior Division Poomsae – Team
Destinie Nodarse, Erin Block, Laura Rossi – World Class Junior Division Poomsae – Team
Jerrick Li, Alexia Rae Kouletsis, Sabrina Kim, Isaiah Gonsalves, Connie Lee – Freestyle Team
Emma Lee – Youth Division Poomsae – Individual
Julia Cho – Youth Division Poomsae – Individual
Miracles USA Taekwondo also thanks Master Kim’s Taekwondo Institute of Rochester, NY, and KIMA of Hershey, PA, for their collaboration with the Miracles team. Congratulations to their athletes for their medal-winning Poomsae performances with the team.
The Miracles USA Taekwondo competition team is now looking forward to participating in the 2020 USA Taekwondo National Championships, and perhaps the 11th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Denmark.
Miracles USA Taekwondo is located at Parsippany Shopping Plaza: 374 Route 46.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is advising commuters to plan ahead for commuter parking options during the National Night Out Event scheduled for Tuesday, August 6.
The Park and Ride lot located off Baldwin Road at Smith Field, along with the Park and Ride lot on Route 46 East at Smith Field (next to Empire Diner) will be closed between 12:00 Midnight and approximately 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6. The parking areas are being utilized during the event.
Depending on the time you travel and location, below are a few alternate areas you can park and ride the bus:
•Waterview Park and Ride (Route 46 East just past Waterview Boulevard)
•South Beverwyck Road Park and Ride (Corner of Route 46 East and South Beverwyck Road)
•Arlington Plaza Park and Ride (Route 46 West near Wendy’s. The parking lot is next to Wendy’s and has a marker).
National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center and Smith Field. Free Rides, Free Games, Food, Fun, Music, Dunk-A-Cop and Giveaways.
Parking will also be available at St. Peter’s Church, 179 Baldwin Road, with a shuttle running back and forth.
Children are reminded to bring their Police Trading Cards to the event for a chance to win a bicycle.
PARSIPPANY — Four candidates filed petitions for seats on the Parsippany Board of Education by the deadline of Monday, July 29. There are three seats available for the term ending December 31. Board Member Mr. Joseph Cistaro is not seeking re-election. Alison Cogan and Andrew Choffo is seeking re-election.
The election will be held in conjunction with the General Election of 2019 on Tuesday, November 5.
The four candidates seeking election to Parsippany Board of Education are:
Alison Cogan (Incumbent)
Andrew Choffo (Incumbent)
Robert Quinn
Kendra Von Achen
Robert Quinn and Andrew Choffo are running as a team. (Click here).
Von Achen isn’t new to seeking a Board of Education seat. In 2018 she ran for a one-year term against Andrew Choffo and received 4,492 votes, while Choffo received 5,469. This will be the first time Robert Quinn entered the race. Quinn is a graduate of Parsippany High School Class of 2016 and is employed at Foodtown of Lake Hiawatha.
The winners in November 5 election will be sworn in at the Tuesday, January 7, 2020 reorganization meeting.
MORRIS PLAINS — On Saturday, July 27, at approximately 6:45 p.m. three suspects were involved in cutting the power to the Aires Jewelry Store, 3 Harrison Avenue (located on the corner of Route 10 East).
On video, one male is seen checking out the rear of the business before another male and female return, cut the power box lock and shut down the power to the store.
The first male is seen on Harrison Avenue using his cell phone as an apparent lookout.
The suspects leave the property without any attempt to gain access to the store.
Anyone that may have information to contact The Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers at: www.copcall.org; or call 973-COP-CALL (or use the free “P3 Tips” app on any mobile device). No one will be asked their name. You could receive a reward of up to $1,000.00.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker announce the Indictment of Afamefuna Nwandu, 33, Mt. Olive, on various Insurance Fraud and Tax related charges.
Mr. Nwandu was employed as a financial adviser by Morgan Stanley in New York City from July 1, 2016 to September 25, 2016.
On March 12, 2017, Mr. Nwandu applied for New Jersey unemployment benefits using the online application where he submitted altered documentation (Pay Stubs) in support of his claim for benefits.
From March 2017 to September 2017, Mr. Nwandu fraudulently collected $17,602.00 in unemployment benefits from the State of New Jersey.
On May 20, 2018, he reapplied for New Jersey unemployment benefits from May 2018 to June 2018 where he also fraudulently received $2,043 in benefits.
During an unemployment hearing for this claim with the New Jersey Department of Labor, Mr. Nwandu falsely testified about the location of his employment with Morgan Stanley and provided additional misleading statements and fraudulent documents to the State of New Jersey Department of Labor in support of his claim for benefits.
The defendant was originally charged on January 16, 2019, on the Insurance Fraud related charges and was subsequently charged with the Tax related charges on May 31, 2019.
The defendant has been Indicted with the following offenses:
Two counts of Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a, a crime of the Third degree;
One count of Forgery, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(2), a crime of the Third degree;
One count of Forgery-Uttering, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(3), a crime of the Third degree;
One count of Failure to Pay Taxes, in violation of in violation of N.J.S.A. 54:52-9a, a crime of the Third degree;
Three counts of Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns, in violation of in violation of N.J.S.A. 54:52-10, a crime of the Third degree; and
One count of Preparation of Fraudulent Tax Return, in violation of in violation of N.J.S.A. 54:52-11, a crime of the Third degree.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Crimes, Fraud Unit; New York Department of Labor and New Jersey Department of Labor whose efforts contributed to the investigation of this case.
Editor’s Note: The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations and this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Health Department was notified that a raccoon found on Tarn Drive has tested positive for the Rabies virus.
Rabies is a fatal disease of warm-blooded mammals caused by a virus, most frequently spread through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. An infected animal has the rabies virus in its saliva and infects other animals or people through bites and contact with saliva. Once infected animals become ill, they may bite or attack other animals or people.
Common carriers of the virus are raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, bats, and feral (stray) cats. You are advised to stay away from wild animals and animals that you do not know. Please DO NOT FEED STRAY ANIMALS. Do not make pets of wild animals. Be certain that your dog is properly licensed, vaccinated and up to date on their rabies vaccination. If you know of any stray cats, or dogs or any other animal in the area acting strangely, please contact the Parsippany Animal Control at (973) 263-7083.
Please keep garbage in a container with a tight fitting lid to prevent attracting animals. Clean up spilled bird seed. Do not leave pet food out for extended time periods.
If you are exposed (either bitten or scratched) by any suspected animal; please act promptly. Immediately wash the bite wound with soap and water and call your physician and the Health Department. If your pet is bitten or in a fight with a wild animal, please contact the Parsippany Health Department at (973) 263-7160 and your Veterinarian.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Girl Scout Troop 96326 from Troy Hills School enjoyed their ice cream party at The Dairy at Lake Hiawatha together with their leaders Laurie Chowtavi and Luz Lorente.
The troop won First prize in the 2018 scarecrow contest sponsored by the Friends Of Lake Hiawatha.
Parsippany Girl Scout Troop 96326 from Troy Hills School is enjoying their ice cream partyParsippany Girl Scout Troop 96326 from Troy Hills School is enjoying their ice cream partyParsippany Girl Scout Troop 96326 from Troy Hills School is enjoying their ice cream party
MORRIS COUNTY — Wegmans Food Markets is now offering families who have young children with mobility restrictions a safer, easier way to grocery shop together with the introduction of a specially adapted cart, the Firefly GoTo Shop. The carts are designed by Leckey, a globally recognized manufacturer of mobility equipment for children and young people, and manufactured together with US cart supplier, Peggs. Wegmans is located at 34 Sylvan Way, Hanover.
Known for providing an exceptional and inclusive customer experience, Wegmans, following a two-store pilot, is the first retailer in the United States to offer the cart in all its stores.
“At Wegmans, we are committed to providing incredible customer service to all our shoppers, and we’re always looking for better ways to make our stores accessible to everyone,” said Wegmans Community Relations Manager Linda Lovejoy. “When Liza Rudroff, a customer at our Alberta Drive store in Buffalo, New York, brought this cart to our attention and shared her family’s need, we recognized that there are more families, throughout all our market areas, who would benefit from the availability of this cart at our stores.”
Rudroff’s daughter, Sydney, has a neurological movement disorder that prevents her from standing or walking. Because Sydney is too big to sit in the front of a regular shopping cart, and too small for other special needs carts, Rudroff found herself planning shopping trips for when a family member could stay with Sydney. When Rudroff learned the GoTo Shop was available in the United States, she approached the Alberta Drive Wegmans management team to see if they would consider offering the cart. Within two months, Wegmans began piloting the GoTo Shop carts at its Alberta Drive and Pittsford, New York, stores.
The GoTo Shop is designed for children ages two through eight (or up to 77 pounds) who require extra postural and head support. The cart features an open front allowing users to easily place their child in the seat, adjustable head and lateral supports, and a fully adjustable, cushioned five-point harness.
“Now, I can comfortably and safely take Syd grocery shopping with me, whether it’s a planned trip or a last-minute decision to stop on the way home from school” said Rudroff. “Going to the store immerses Syd in the community and gives her the opportunity to engage with others, explore the sights and sounds, and learn how to shop. It’s a great life experience for her, that is now effortless and worry-free for me.”
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Wegmans on our journey to make shopping trips more inclusive for all families around the world,” said Firefly managing director Jayne Leckey. “For us it’s not just what we make, it’s what we make possible, and to have a forward-thinking company like Wegmans believe in our campaign is fantastic. We are very proud to call them a partner.”
To learn more about the Firefly GoTo Shop, please visit Firefly’s website. For more information about the specialized services provided at all Wegmans stores please click here.
PARSIPPANY — On July 6 at Key Club International Convention in Baltimore, MD, Kaitlin Cirillo, a rising senior and member of the Parsippany Hills High School Key Club, was elected as the Vice-President of Key Club International.
This is the first time there has been an International Vice President from Parsippany Hills High School.
In her position, Kaitlin will work with the International President on assigning International Trustees to their districts, creating meeting agendas and proposals, and helping plan both next week’s Leadership summit (for District Governors and the International Board) and next year’s Key Club International Convention.
Kaitlin will also serve as Global Outreach Committee Chair where she will assist in forming new districts (Western Canada, Taiwan, and the Philippines) and also work with clubs without a district (in Japan, Europe, and Malaysia).
Kaitlin will also keep in constant contact with governors in all of the US Districts, work with the International Board on all committees, create social media posts, and continue to serve her home club and attend club, NJ District, and international events and service projects.
Kaitlin joined the PHHS Key Club in her freshman year, where she had the highest number of service hours of all freshmen that year.
Her rise began when, in February of her freshman year, she was appointed as Lieutenant Governor (LTG) of NJ Division 21. The following year she ran for and was elected as NJ District Treasurer, and now will serve as IVP until next July.
Along the way, she was awarded the Robert F. Lucas Distinguished LTG award, the Distinguished District Treasurer award, and served on many committees at the division level, all the while being one of the most active members of her home club at Parsippany Hills High School.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher, Kaitlin Cirillo, Parsippany Hills High School Key Club Advisor Bonnie Strum and Kiwanis Club Sponsored Youth Key Club Advisor Davey Willans
Key Club International is the oldest and largest student-led service program for high school students. Key Club promotes leadership through serving others. Key Club members around the world are learning how to lead and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. In partnership with their local Kiwanis club, high school students are making a positive impact as they serve others in their schools and communities.
All of the members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany are so proud of Kaitlin’s many accomplishments. “Sponsored Youth” programs are the major focus of Kiwanis’ mission and in Parsippany we sponsor clubs in every school; K-Kids in every elementary school, Builders Club in both middle schools and Key Clubs in both High Schools. The leadership and community service opportunities that these clubs provide help prepare our young people to become ambassadors for our community, Katilin is a great example.
PARSIPPANY — A group of former Parsippany-Troy Hills Rotarians and a whole bunch of prospective members are meeting every other Tuesday morning at the Parsippany IHOP, 792 Route 46. The purpose of their bi-monthly get-togethers – to rekindle the flame of the defunct Parsippany-Troy Hills Rotary Club.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Rotary Club, a long standing vital organization in Parsippany, gave up its charter two years ago after a long struggle to maintain a viable membership. Over the past several decades, the club has made significant contributions to the people of Parsippany through scholarships, sponsorship of many youth programs and support of various local and international charitable projects.
As part of the process of re-establishing itself, the new club will be nurtured under the wings of the Morris Plains Rotary Club as a “Satellite Club” of the neighboring group. Chairman of the Parsippany Satellite Rotary Club is Venkat Bijala.
The public is invited to join them at their bi-monthly meeting.
For further information about the club, contact Rotary District 7475 Deputy Governor Marc Lebowitz at marcleb@yahoo.com or (973) 476-7354.
To learn more about Rotary in your community click here.
Morris County has awarded a $297,953 contract to LC Equipment of Tuckahoe to remove 2,121 existing curve warning signs and install nearly 2,800 new signs and signposts at 870 horizontal curves located on county roads.
The Miracles USA Taekwondo competition team is now looking forward to participating in the 2020 USA Taekwondo National Championships, and perhaps the 11th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Denmark.
