TRENTON — The minimum wage for most employees in New Jersey will rise to $16.48 per hour on Friday, January 1, an increase of $0.56 over the current rate. Employers must adjust their payroll to comply with the new rates.
Additional rates taking effect January 1 include:
Agricultural workers: $15.00 per hour, up from $14.20
Seasonal and small employers (fewer than six employees): $16.25 per hour, up from $15.23
Long-term care direct care staff: $19.48 per hour, up from $18.92
Tipped workers (minimum cash wage): $6.61 per hour, up from $6.05, with a maximum tip credit of $9.87
If a tipped worker’s minimum cash wage plus tips does not equal the state minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference.
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TRENTON — Employers across New Jersey are required to report every employee separation electronically through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Employer Access portal.
The requirement applies to all separations regardless of the reason, including layoffs, terminations, resignations and retirements.
Employers must provide separation information immediately when an employee becomes unemployed. The law requires electronic reporting so that unemployment benefit determinations can be made more quickly.
Employers who willfully fail to furnish the required reports face penalties.
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BOONTON — Finn Buzby is one of nearly 1,300 new students who enrolled at the State University of New York at Delhi (SUNY Delhi) for the fall semester.
Buzby, a graduate of Mountain Lakes High School, is pursuing a degree in Residential Construction.
Founded in 1913, SUNY Delhi is a technology college in New York State that integrates hands-on, career-focused teaching and learning into each of its more than 60 academic programs. The college offers certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees, both on campus and online, in fields such as applied technologies, nursing, hospitality, veterinary science and liberal arts. In recent years, SUNY Delhi has seen record enrollment in many of its popular programs.
SUNY Delhi is a member of the State University of New York. For more information, call (607) 746-4550 or visit delhi.edu.
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The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — A 48-year-old Whippany man was arrested on an outstanding warrant after police found him asleep in a disabled vehicle on Route 10, according to police.
On Wednesday, September 16, Police Officer John Kiszka arrested Philip Capavanni on a criminal warrant issued by the East Hanover Municipal Court, with bail set at $3,000.
Officer Kiszka responded to Route 10 for a reported disabled vehicle and found the driver asleep in the vehicle while awaiting gas. It was learned that Capavanni had the outstanding warrant, and he was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.
Capavanni was unable to post bail, so East Hanover Police took custody of him and lodged him in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court hearing.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — A 43-year-old Dover woman was arrested on multiple charges, including promoting prostitution and drug-related offenses, following an investigation at a Hanover Township motel, according to police.
Tracy Scafidi was arrested on Wednesday, September 9, after police received information about alleged prostitution activity at the Scottish Inn, 1245 State Route 10, Whippany.
Hanover Township Police Officer Patrick Thompson identified the motel room where Scafidi was staying and responded to investigate. During their interaction, Scafidi allegedly provided false information about her identity, and she was subsequently taken into custody.
Scafidi was charged with:
Hindering Apprehension (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b)
Promoting Prostitution (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1b)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2)
Failure to Make Proper Disposal of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10c)
Authorities also determined that Scafidi had three outstanding arrest warrants, including a $1,000 warrant issued by the Fairfield Township Municipal Court and two no-bail warrants issued by the Middlesex County and Morris County Superior Courts.
Scafidi was transported to police headquarters for processing. Police said the new criminal charges were filed on a complaint warrant, and she was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing. The three outstanding warrants were also forwarded to the jail as additional detainers.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
Built in 2007, the four-bedroom, seven-bathroom home at 54 Halsey Island in Jefferson sits on a 45,302-square-foot lot. (Photo provided by Jump Photography)
JEFFERSON — Ten homes recently sold across Jefferson Township, with sale prices ranging from $270,000 to $1,461,500.
The highest sale was a lakefront home at 54 Halsey Island on Lake Hopatcong, which sold for $1,461,500.
A lakeside gazebo overlooks Lake Hopatcong from the property at 54 Halsey Island in Jefferson. (Photo provided by Jump Photography)
The fully furnished island home, built in 2007, has four bedrooms, seven bathrooms and a large loft, and can accommodate up to 18 guests. It features detailed woodwork, stained-glass accents and an open floor plan connecting the living room, dining area and kitchen, along with a glass-enclosed porch overlooking the lake and a shuffleboard area. The second floor offers additional space for gaming, lounging or extra sleeping quarters.
Outside, the 45,302-square-foot property includes two private boat slips, a boathouse, a gazebo, a playhouse and a stone lakeside patio. A walking path known as the “Halsey Oval” circles the island, and waterfront restaurants, miniature golf and a market are a short boat ride away.
The kitchen at 54 Halsey Island in Jefferson has wood cabinetry, a center island and hardwood floors, and opens to the living and dining areas. (Photo provided by Jump Photography)
Karen Foley of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty represented the seller. Lisa Peluso of RE/MAX Town & Valley II represented the buyer.
The glass-enclosed porch at 54 Halsey Island in Jefferson offers wide views of Lake Hopatcong. (Photo provided by Jump Photography)The lakefront home at 54 Halsey Island in Jefferson, seen from Lake Hopatcong, sold for $1,461,500. (Photo provided by Jump Photography)
Among the other sales, a home at 86 Minnisink Road sold for $780,000, while 72 Weldon Road sold for $600,000. The lowest sale of the group was 30 Terrence Avenue, which sold for $270,000.
Address
Town
Selling Price
16 Sierra Road
Jefferson
$450,000
54 Halsey Island
Jefferson
$1,461,500
30 Terrence Avenue
Jefferson
$270,000
101 New Jersey Avenue
Jefferson
$564,000
145 Schwarz Boulevard
Jefferson
$525,000
221 South Maryland Avenue
Jefferson
$365,000
62 South Cherry Road
Jefferson
$300,000
94 Castle Rock Road
Jefferson
$580,000
86 Minnisink Road
Jefferson
$780,000
72 Weldon Road
Jefferson
$600,000
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Residents waiting for the food distribution on Saturday, October 17
DOVER — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Dover’s Free Food Giveaway was a complete success, but club members say the turnout made one thing clear: there is an obvious need in Dover.
Boxes of food being unloaded for the food distribution
About 35 to 40 people were lined up before volunteers even had the food out, and in less than one hour all the food was gone. More people kept coming by and getting what they could, and everybody left with a bag of groceries.
The club said it is extremely happy to be able to help fill that need, but noted it has not been fulfilled entirely. Members see the response as a sign that there is more need in the community.
Volunteers unloading food to be distributed to residents of Dover
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Dover is asking anyone, especially local businesses, who would like to donate and give directly to the community of Dover to reach out to the club. Everything the club receives goes directly into the community and to the people of Dover. Learn more about volunteering by clicking here.
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HANOVER TOWNSHIP — A woman staying at the Red Carpet Inn was arrested on theft charges after a stolen pair of Apple AirPods pinged to the motel.
On Sunday, September 6, Hanover Township Police Officer Trevor Smith arrested Takia Leverett, 26, of the Red Carpet Inn, for theft of movable property, theft of lost property and theft of credit cards.
Officer Smith, along with other officers, responded to the Red Carpet Inn on a report of stolen Apple AirPods pinging to the location. The officers met with friends of the victim and began an investigation into the AirPods, which had been stolen from the Hanover Marriott. They identified Leverett as a suspect and went to her room.
Officers also learned from the victim that a credit card in her stolen purse had recently been used to make a $234.53 purchase in Morris Plains.
While speaking with officers, Leverett stated that she had found the purse on Route 10, which police said was not true. She was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. A description of the person who made the purchase in Morris Plains matched Leverett.
Leverett was charged with:
Theft of Movable Property (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a)
Theft of Lost Property (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-6)
Theft of Credit Cards (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6c)
She was charged on a complaint summons and advised of her court date. She was then transported and turned over to the Morris Plains Police Department to be charged with use of the stolen credit card in that jurisdiction.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Chamber of Commerce, the Morris County Economic Development Corporation, and County College of Morris are partnering on recruitment initiatives to connect local employers with students.
County College of Morris (CCM) offers companies the opportunity to present internship opportunities and related information to students through recruitment tabling on campus.
Companies interested in learning more are asked to fill out a short survey. Click here to learn more.
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The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On Saturday, September 5, Police Officer Timothy Dalgauer arrested Giovanni Gadison, 36, of Bronx, New York, after spotting a loaded handgun on the front passenger seat of his car during a traffic stop on Interstate 287 North.
Officer Dalgauer observed a vehicle with equipment violations and found that it was unregistered, so he stopped the vehicle on Interstate 287 North. While speaking with the lone driver, Officer Dalgauer observed the butt of a handgun protruding from under a pair of shorts on the front passenger seat and was safely able to remove it from the vehicle.
Gadison did not have a permit for the handgun, which had a large capacity magazine and was loaded with prohibited hollow point bullets. A search of the vehicle located other ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
He was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. At headquarters, it was found that he had a prior felony arrest and thus could not possess a handgun.
Gadison was charged with:
Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b)
Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b)
Possession of a Prohibited Large Capacity Magazine (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j)
Possession of Prohibited Hollow Point Ammunition (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3f)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2)
He was also issued multiple traffic summonses and then lodged in the Morris County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
