PARSIPPANY — Santa Claus had a busy weekend in Parsippany. He was touring the streets of Parsippany on fire trucks in all areas of the Township.
In the Sedgefield area they held their annual Tree Trimming Celebration on Friar Way. Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Cookies were provided along with Homemade Treats. There was also a sing along with The Allegro Academy of the Morris Family of Carolers compliments of The Music Shop, Boonton.
On Saturday and Sunday morning children had the opportunity to have Breakfast with Santa, which was co-sponsored by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
Santa will also make a last minute stop at IHOP, 792 Route 46 on Christmas morning from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for another opportunity to have Breakfast with Santa This will be your last opportunity this year before Santa heads back to the North Pole.
Santa sitting on top of Fire District 6 fire truck roaming the streets of ParsippanyMembers of Lake Hiawatha Fire District 4 was walking the streets of Lake HiawathaCouncil-elect Loretta Gragnani, Santa, Mayor James Barberio and Councilman Michael DePierro by Sedgefield Civic AssociationSanta visiting children in the Sedgefield neighborhoodSanta with members of Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department and residents of Glacier Hills areaDozens of children in Sedgefield talking to SantaChildren from Sedgefield with SantaChildren in Glacier Hills receiving treats from SantaCouncil elect Loretta Gragnani, Carlos I. Guzman, President Sedgefield Civic Association, Councilman Michael dePierro and Mayor James Barberio during the Annual Tree Trimming celebration.Santa was visiting IHOP. Pictured are the employees of IHOP talking to Santa
PARSIPPANY — Santa Claus had a busy day in Parsippany on Saturday, December 19. First he was on top of a Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 6 Fire Truck roaming the streets around Greenhill Shopping Center, Smith Road and Colonial Heights. Then Santa went with Lake Hiawatha Fire District 4 and was roaming the streets of Lake Hiawatha then off to International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 792 Route 46.
He remained at IHOP and took pictures with children from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Robert Jr and Santa
Santa with 5 year old Sara Parulekar and 8 year old Piya Parulekar
Santa with 12 year old David Cotugno and Robert Sayle
Santa with IHOP owner Mo Abdelhadi
Santa with the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce sign
Nicolas Lopez sitting on Santa’s lap
IHOP employees with Santa
Santa was giving out candy canes and children had the opportunity to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas! Santa will return again on Sunday, December 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Santa told Parsippany Focus that after he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve, he will be going to IHOP on Christmas Day for breakfast at 10:00 a.m. and stay there until 1:00 p.m. So if you didn’t get a chance to see Santa, you will have one last opportunity before he returns to the North Pole.
This event was co-sponsored by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
PARSIPPANY — Talented young musicians at Northvail Elementary School gave a great performance during the annual winter concert, on December 9.
Miss Kristin Kirbos, Chorus Director with Northvail students
The chorus, under the direction of Miss Kristin Kirbos, performed a variety of songs including Winter Wonderland, Solitary Snowflake, You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch and others
The fourth and fifth grade bands under the direction of Mr. Peter Pettinelli, featured an assortment of instruments consisting of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, drums, baritone horns and trumpets performing a variety of holiday classics and contemporary tunes.
On behalf of the Northvail community, we would like to thank the directors, performers and their parents for all their hard work and to those who support the arts in our school.
It will finally start to feel like winter is approaching this weekend in New Jersey. Though temperatures are in the 40s as of 7 a.m., it’s going to get much colder this evening. The chill is expected to stick around all weekend, according to the National Weather Service. During the day Friday, we’ll see a mix…
WEST HAVEN, Ct. — A woman serving 11 years in prison for helping rob an elderly driver in Parsippany who was then stuffed in a car trunk was charged Wednesday as an accomplice in another carjacking in West Haven, the New Haven Register reported. Authorities in Connecticut say Marilyn Nadeau, 54, took part in a carjacking…
PARSIPPANY — School bus drivers and aides at Student Transportation of America (STA) in Parsippany, overcame tough opposition from management Wednesday, voting decisively in favor of union representation by Teamsters Local 102 in Springfield Township.
The 78 bus workers are calling for improved working conditions, respect on the job and assurances that they will be paid for all hours worked.
“The union has already given us hope. Now it will bring us strength,” said Jose Alvarez, a driver with STA in Parsippany. “We are looking forward to negotiating a strong contract that puts an end to wage theft abuse and unfairness from management.”
The victory in Parsippany marks just the latest group of workers who have been successful in their organizing efforts at STA, the third-largest school bus operator in the country. Alvarez and his co-workers will join hundreds of STA employees represented by the Teamsters Union nationwide.
“We are very proud of this group of men and women. The workers stood strong as the company tried to put pressure on them and gave themselves an early Christmas gift,” said Kevin O’Connor, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 102.
The Teamsters’ Drive Up Standards campaign is a global campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the privatized school bus and transit industry. Since the campaign began in 2006, nearly 40,000 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters. For more information on the Drive Up Standards campaign, click here.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol units responded to the area of Kingston Road and Lawrence Road on a motor vehicle crash, at 11:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11.
Upon their arrival they found a 2010 Jeep Cherokee with its front passenger wheel detached along with two struck vehicles.
Patrol Officer Ernest Ebanks determined that Kelly Daily struck two parked motor vehicles and then came to rest on the side of Kingston Road just south of Lawrence Road.
Patrol Officer J. Lubeck conducted a brief investigation and placed Mrs. Daily, 34, Morris Plains, under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.
Ms. Daily was transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters were she was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone, Reckless Driving and Operating Motor Vehicle while Using a Cellphone.
Mrs. Daily was released into the custody of a family member pending her court appearance.
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Jonathan Rojas, 28, Parsippany was traveling south on Parsippany Boulevard, approaching Route 46. Ms. Elena Tapiaderivera, 52, Dover, was stopped at a stop sign while traveling on the ramp from Route 46 to Parsippany Boulevard. Mr. George Piegaro, 73, entered Parsippany Boulevard and struck Mr. Rojas’s vehicle, a 1994 Volvo 940, and then continued traveling and striking a vehicle driven by Ms. Tapiaderivera, a 2008 Ford Econoline. As a result of the impact the Ford Econoline struck a curb before striking a light pole and coming to a stop.
Mr. Piegaro was driving a 2012 Ford F-150.
This accident occurred on Tuesday, December 8 at 9:48 a.m.
Mr. Piegaro was at fault for failing to yield the right of way of Mr. Rojas’s vehicle.
Mr. Rojas was charged with driving on a suspended license.
Mr. Piegaro was transported to St. Clare’s Hospital, and Ms. Tapiaderivera and two passengers were sent to Morristown Medical Center.
All three vehicles were towed from the scene by Ajaco Towing. Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer William Stone investigated the accident.
The 1994 Volvo 940 was towed by Ajaco Towing
The 2008 Ford Econoline was carrying passengers. The vehicle was towed by Ajaco Towing
The 1994 Volvo 940 was towed by Ajaco Towing
Three passengers were sent to Morristown Medical Center
PARSIPPANY — The Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company is preparing for the 2015 Santa tour! Gather the family to meet Santa and share good tidings with friends and neighbors on Thursday, December 24. The tour will start approximately 5:30 p.m. and will continue after 8:00 p.m.
On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus and his helpers will visit the neighborhood at the times shown below. Santa invites the young and old to visit with him. He will have a gift for those up to and including age seven, with Christmas candy for those a bit older. Santa and the elves of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Detective M. Czajka arrested and charged Nicholas Zicolello, 25, Lake Hiawatha, with Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card (Third Degree) and Theft of Movable Property (Third Degree).
The investigation began on May 27 when Parsippany Police Headquarters was contacted by Applebee’s management to report credit card fraud at their location at 1057 Route 46.
Nick ZicolelloOnce Patrol Officer G. Lowe arrived on scene he spoke to the management who advised him that there has been a rise in the amount of credit cards disputes in the last two months.
Upon further investigation by Detective M. Czajka, it was found that Mr. Zicolello was using customer’s credit cards to pay for other customer’s orders when they paid in cash.
Mr. Zicolello would then void out the food and beverage orders and take the money.
After he was arrested and charged on December 9 by Det. M. Czajka, Mr. Zicolello was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.
Editors Note: Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Mr. Matthew McGovern, 38, Mountain Lakes was traveling north on Route 287 and exited onto Intervale Road (Exit 43) continued up the ramp and was attempting to make a left turn and when he crashed into the utility pole across from the ramp exit ramp. The driver admitted being on his cell phone at the time of the accident.
McGovern was driving a 2013 Volkswagen Passat was towed from the scene by Eagle Towing. This accident occurred on Sunday, November 29, at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Mr. McGovern was charged with Careless Driving (39:4-97) by Parsippany-Troy Hills Officer Pasquale Parisi.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany donated 60 new pajamas and a check to Jersey Battered Women’s Service on Thursday, December 17.
Karen DeChristopher, Kiwanis Board member and Director of the Young Children Priority One program, has been collecting children’s pajamas from members since the beginning of November, and also received several pairs of pajamas from members of her church, First Baptist Community Church.
Accepting the donation was Patty Sly, Executive Director at Jersey Battered Women’s Service. “We are grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for their generosity and thoughtfulness in providing new pajamas to our residents in time for the holidays. The holidays can be especially trying for domestic violence victims and acts of kindness such as these can make all the difference,” says Patty Sly.
Kiwanis Board and the Director of Young Children Priority One program, Karen DeChristopher said “For many years it has always been a tradition for me as a child and continuing with my children to wear new pajamas on Christmas Eve and I am happy to participate in collecting pajamas for such a great organization.
Sixty pajama sets were donated to the children of JBWS
Jersey Battered Women’s Service Inc. in Morris County is a full-service domestic violence and domestic abuse prevention agency with volunteer opportunities. The services include a 24-hour hotline; counseling; safe house; transitional living; children’s services; life skills education; vocational counseling; batterers’ intervention; legal assistance; teen dating violence services; and professional training, education and youth prevention programs.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders will hold its annual reorganization meeting for 2016 on Sunday, January 3 at 2:00 p.m., in the public meeting room of the county’s Administration and Records Building, 10 Court Street in Morristown.
Newly elected freeholders Christine Myers, Mendham Township, and Deborah Smith, Denville, also will take their oaths of office their initial three-year terms on the county governing board.
Freeholder John Cesaro
Freeholder John Cesaro, Parsippany, who won re-election in November, will be sworn in for a second three-year term.
Other members of the 2016 Freeholder Board will include Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo of Roxbury, Doug Cabana, Boonton Township, Hank Lyon, Montville and Tom Mastrangelo, Montville.
Public parking for the event is available in the Schuyler Place garage, one block from the county administration building, and nearby public lots on Cattano Avenue, as well as street parking.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Christian Rivera, 31, Dover, was sentenced in connection with three separate robberies of three individual victims that occurred in Rockaway, Wharton, and Roxbury, within a span of a week in April 2012.
The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. sentenced the defendant to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, of which he must serve 85 percent before being eligible for parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
On September 22, 2015, Rivera entered guilty pleas to three, first degree robberies, before the Honorable Stephen Taylor, P.J.Cr.
On April 18, 2012, the defendant approached the first victim in a parking lot in Rockaway Township. The defendant brandished a firearm and subsequently took the victim’s engagement ring.
On April 24, 2012, defendant approached the second victim at the Wharton Shop Rite. The defendant brandished a firearm and demanded that the victim give him her engagement ring. The defendant was not successful in his attempt.
On April 25, 2012, the defendant approached the third victim at the Succasunna Shop Rite. The defendant brandished a firearm and subsequently took the victim’s engagement ring.
Assistant Prosecutor Stephen G. Bollenbach represented the State during the prosecution of this matter.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Rockaway Township Police Department, Wharton Police Department, Roxbury Township Police Department, Denville Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the General Investigations Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
PARSIPPANY — Restaurant Programs of America (RPA) and Innovative Coverage Concepts (ICC) announced today that Susan LaBar has joined the sister restaurant insurance company in order to develop and implement customized risk solutions. PRA is located at Eight Wood Hollow Road.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Susan’s caliber within the risk management field as a part of our team,” said Dean Carras, President and CEO of RPA.
In her new role as Director of Claims Management, LaBar will focus on building out claims and risk management practice solutions. These solutions encompass claim reviews, reserve and loose trending analysis, litigation management, and claim investigation strategies.
LaBar has a 23-year track record of delivering risk management claims solutions as a client advocate. She spent 12 years as the Regional Claims Manager at One Source Facility Services, managing all lines of claims in 12 states. Most recently, LaBar was the Risk Manager at Coach USA, responsible for 19 separate companies in 23 states and Canada.
LaBar’s programs have reduced claims by 30 percent over five years, representing a savings of over $10 million for her clients.
Restaurant Programs of America (RPA) is a national restaurant insurance agency focused solely on providing quality business insurance products and services to restaurants throughout the United States. We first offered our services in the NJ/NY metropolitan area, and over the last 40 years, have grown RPA into a national provider of property & casualty insurance to restaurants. Our corporate headquarters is located in Parsippany, New Jersey, and we also maintain offices in California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri,North Carolina, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.
Insurance Coverage Concepts (ICC), founded in 2001, has now grown to be a premier National Managing General Agency (MGA) specializing in all types of restaurants and food and entertainment related risks. ICC differentiates themselves by implementing customized Risk Management solutions to reduce risk and control claims costs.
MORRISTOWN — An employee of the Morris County Board of Elections has been arrested for alleged possession of child pornography, according to county officials. Anthony P. DeSimone, 73, of Morris Township, was arrested Saturday on a fourth-degree charge of child endangerment for possession of child pornography, according to court records and the county prosecutor’s office. DeSimone…
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Town of Dover Police Department Director Dominic Saldida announce the arrest of an armed drug distributor, Germal A. Bynoe, 25, Dover, involved in the distribution of significant quantities of marijuana in and around the Town of Dover.
As a result of this joint investigation, over 5 pounds of marijuana, a stolen handgun, $560.00 in cash (drug distribution proceeds) and various items of drug paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution, including drug packaging materials, were seized.
The marijuana has a retail street value in excess of $10,000.00.
Over the past several months, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) received information concerning marijuana distribution in and around the Dover area. Detectives from the Narcotics Task Force and Dover Police Department conducted an investigation that resulted in the above referenced seizures including a stolen .380 caliber Hi-Point semi-automatic handgun. When detectives approached Bynoe to arrest him for narcotics distribution, he fled from their arrest on foot and after a brief foot chase detectives took Bynoe into custody.
The investigation culminated on December 15, 2015 with the arrest of Germal A. Bynoe, who was charged with the following:
1 count of second degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana).
1 count of fourth degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana).
1 count of second degree Possession of a Firearm (handgun) while in the course of Possessing a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana).
1 count of third degree Resisting Arrest by creating a substantial risk of physical injury to the officer.
1 count of fourth degree Resisting Arrest by fleeing on foot from Law Enforcement Officers.
1 count of third degree Hindering Prosecution.
1 count of second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun)
Bynoe’s bail was set by Municipal Court Judge Joseph E. Deming at $250,000, with no 10% option. The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp stated: “Members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit worked in conjunction with the Town of Dover Police Department and successfully removed an illegal handgun from our community as well as over 5 pounds of marijuana. In an effort to make our community safer, the Morris County Narcotics Task Force will work collaboratively with local law enforcement to infiltrate armed drug distribution networks.”
Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), the Town of Dover Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
During the evacuation all residents were given the option to be transported to Mount Tabor Firehouse
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department received a 911 call reporting a bomb was located in the basement of Parsippany Inn and Suites, located at 2939 Route 10 East.
Patrol Sergeants A. Keiser and E. Conklin, Detectives A. Morelli and J. Keiling, Patrol Officers P. Kolln and A. Ohlsen responded to the scene.
Township buses brought residents to the Mount Tabor Firehouse
Upon arrival of the responding units a perimeter of the property was set up and the area was evacuated. Mount Tabor Fire Department along with Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance were dispatched to stand by at the Mount Tabor Fire Department’s building on South Powder Mill Road.
During the evacuation all residents were given the option to be transported to Mount Tabor Firehouse on South Powder Mill Road due to the low temperatures by Parsippany Office of Emergency Management.
Morris County Bomb Squad checked the premise and determined the area was clear and no threats to the public were present. All residents were transported back from the Powder Mill Firehouse and allowed back into the building.
Upon further investigation by Detectives A. Morelli and J. Keiling information was developed that the caller was Brian Miller, 49, Parsippany, and was possibly in the area of the Dover train station.
Detectives located Mr. Miller in Dover and a short time later he was placed under arrest for False Public Alarm.
His bail was set at $35,000 and was also found to have an active arrest warrant from Rahway Municipal Court in the amount of $150.00.
Mr. Miller was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility until his court date or he posts bail.
The building was evacuated and residents were standing on the front lawnResidents keeping behind the yellow tape blocking access to Parsippany Inn
Council-elect Loretta Gragnani will be sworn in during the Inauguration Ceremony
PARSIPPANY — The reorganization meeting for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is set for Tuesday, January 5 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Municipal Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
On New Years Day, Friday, January 1, at 12:00 noon the Inauguration Ceremony forCouncil President Paul Carifi, Jr, and Councilman Michael dePierro and Council-elect Loretta Grangani will be held. Loretta will be sworn in for her first term on the Council. Currently, Loretta serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. All three council members will serve for a term of four-years. The ceremony will take place in the Municipal Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Current Councilman Brian Stanton did not run for re-election this year, but sources told to Parsippany Focus, Stantonwill be running in an upcoming election.
At the reorganization meeting they will appointing choices of committees that each member of the council will sit on.
Also the Township Council and Mayor James Barberio will appointment residents to any open committees.
Some of the committees include Community Resolution Dispute Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Knoll Country Club Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees, Municipal Alliance Committee, Open Space, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Committee, Storm Water Management, Traffic Advisory Committee or Zoning Board of Adjustment. To apply for a position on a committee, click here.
