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Brendan Waivada Named to Hamilton College Spring 2026 Dean’s List

By
Frank Cahill
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Brendan Waivada

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Brendan Waivada has been named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2026 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must be a current member of the Class of 2026 or 2027, have carried a course load of four or more graded credits throughout the semester, and earned an average GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Waivada, a rising senior majoring in economics and mathematics, is a graduate of Seton Hall Preparatory School.

Hamilton College, a leading liberal arts institution located in Clinton, New York, is where exceptional students explore passions through an open curriculum and robust research, internship, and off-campus study opportunities. Students graduate ready to lead purposeful lives thanks to highly regarded faculty mentors, generous resources that support each student’s interests, and a loyal alumni network. The College’s need-blind admission policy ensures access for talented students with limited financial means. Learn more at www.hamilton.edu.

Jefferson Man Charged With DWI After Route 15 Traffic Stop

By
Frank Cahill
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Jefferson Township Police

JEFFERSON — A Jefferson Township man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Route 15 South early on the morning of May 12.

According to Jefferson Township Police, an officer conducting a radar detail at Sebring Automotive observed a black pickup truck make a left turn onto Route 15 South without its rear lights illuminated. The officer also observed the driver having difficulty maintaining his lane and initiated a motor vehicle stop in the Fuel 15 parking lot. The stop was conducted by PO Matthew Johnson of the Jefferson Township Police Department.

The driver was identified as George DeTorres, 49, of Jefferson Township. Police said the officer detected an odor of alcohol and observed DeTorres’ movements to be clumsy while searching for his documentation. DeTorres told the officer he had not consumed alcohol since the day before.

DeTorres was administered standardized field sobriety tests, including the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, walk-and-turn test and one-leg stand test. Police said he showed multiple indicators of impairment across the tests. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the officer determined DeTorres was under the influence of alcohol.

DeTorres was placed under arrest and transported to Jefferson Township Police Headquarters for breath testing. After initially declining, he later agreed to provide breath samples, which registered a .14% blood alcohol concentration, according to police.

DeTorres was issued summonses for:

  • Driving while intoxicated (39:4-50)
  • Reckless driving (39:4-96)

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.

PBA Local 151 Hosting Clam Bake Fundraiser to Support Sheriff’s Officer Battling ALS

By
Frank Cahill
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Detective Murarik of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement, PBA Local 151, is receiving an outpouring of support from fellow law enforcement officers and community members following his diagnosis with ALS. PBA Local 298 and other organizations are encouraging the public to stand with him and his family as they face the challenges ahead.

MORRIS COUNTY — PBA Local 151 is hosting a clam bake fundraiser in support of Christopher Murarik, a Morris County Sheriff’s K-9 officer fighting ALS.

The event will be held Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Pub 199, 199 Howard Boulevard in Mount Arlington.

Tickets are $85.00 per person and include food, beverages, and more.

Those wishing to contribute can pay via Venmo at @PBA-LocalMorris-SherrifLE or by check payable to PBA151, with “ALS Fundraiser” and the payer’s name included in the payment notes.

For more information, contact Rosie at (973) 477-1569.

Jefferson Township Woman Charged With DWI After Denville Traffic Stop

By
Frank Cahill
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File Photo

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A Jefferson Township woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop Monday night, according to the Denville Police Department.

Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Franklin Road near Route 46 at approximately 10:35 p.m. on June 29 after observing a vehicle speeding and failing to stop at a stop sign. The driver was identified as Carolyn Vanlenten, 22, of Jefferson Township.

While speaking with Vanlenten, officers observed signs of possible impairment. Standardized field sobriety tests indicated she was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, and she was placed under arrest.

Vanlenten was transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing and was issued motor vehicle summonses for operating under the influence of liquor or drugs (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50), reckless driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96), careless driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97), speeding (N.J.S.A. 39:4-98), and disregard of a stop sign (N.J.S.A. 39:4-144).

She was released pending a future court appearance in Denville Municipal Court.

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.

Morristown Man Charged With DWI After Denville Traffic Stop

By
Frank Cahill
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File Photo


DENVILLE — A Morristown man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop early Sunday morning, according to the Denville Police Department.

Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Openaki Road at approximately 12:02 a.m. on June 28 after observing a vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel. The driver was identified as Carlos Garcia Aguilar, 26, of Morristown.

During the stop, officers determined Aguilar was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and exhibited signs of impairment. After conducting standardized field sobriety tests, officers placed Aguilar under arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Aguilar was transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing and was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while license suspended (N.J.S.A. 39:3-40), failure to maintain lane (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88), careless driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97), reckless driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96), and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor or drugs (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50).

He was released pending a future court appearance in Denville Municipal Court.

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.

Alexandra Pallozzi of Oak Ridge Graduates From Shenandoah University

By
Frank Cahill
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Alexandra Pallozzi

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Alexandra Pallozzi, of Oak Ridge, was among 1,180 graduates who earned degrees and/or certificates from Shenandoah University during the 2025-26 academic year, a total that includes graduates from August 2025, December 2025, and May 2026.

Pallozzi earned a Master of Science in Athletic Training.

Shenandoah’s 2026 University Commencement took place May 9 in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center.

Shenandoah University was established in 1875 and is headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, with additional educational sites in Clarke and Loudoun counties, and online offerings. The private university enrolls more than 4,400 students across more than 200 areas of study in six schools.

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Jefferson Township to Undergo First Property Revaluation Since 2001

By
Frank Cahill
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — By order of the Morris County Board of Taxation and with approval from the New Jersey Division of Taxation, Jefferson Township will conduct its first full property revaluation since 2001, with new assessments set to take effect for the 2027 tax year.

The revaluation was originally scheduled for completion in 2026, but delays in obtaining state tax map approvals pushed the timeline back. The process is now expected to be completed by December 2026 for implementation in 2027.

Letters were mailed to all property owners on June 8, 2026.

The revaluation is intended to establish new assessments on all Township properties reflecting fair market value as of October 1, 2026. Property values across Jefferson Township have shifted significantly since the last revaluation was implemented more than two decades ago. The township had conducted rolling reassessments until 2020, but a comprehensive revaluation is now required by both the state and Morris County.

“This process will help ensure that all property owners receive an accurate valuation for their property, and pay their fair share of the local, school, and county tax burden,” township officials stated. “The Township is doing its best to make this process run as efficiently as possible without undue hardships to Jefferson residents.”

The revaluation will be conducted by Appraisal Systems, Inc. (ASI), a state-approved firm specializing in New Jersey revaluations since 1981. ASI appraisers will conduct preliminary valuations in the fall of 2026, which will then be submitted to Jefferson’s Tax Assessor for review and approval. Once new value notices are mailed, property owners will have an opportunity to meet with an ASI representative to discuss their valuation before it is certified.

Property owners with questions about the inspection procedure or revaluation process may contact ASI at (201) 493-8530. Additional information, including an online presentation and frequently asked questions, is available at asinj.com.

Junk Doctors Truck Stolen, Flipped During Police Pursuit on Route 24

By
Frank Cahill
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The stolen Junk Doctors NJ work truck lies on its side following a police pursuit near Morristown on Route 24 in the early morning hours of June 5, 2026.

MORRIS COUNTY — A work truck belonging to Junk Doctors NJ was stolen in the early morning hours of June 5, 2026 from the Denville/Route 10 area and later flipped during a police pursuit near Morristown on Route 24, dealing a significant blow to the small Morris County business.

The theft occurred around 3:00 a.m. The stolen truck — a dump-body work vehicle valued at approximately $73,000 pre-owned, with the dump body alone worth around $40,000 — was pursued by police before the driver lost control and the truck overturned. The incident was captured on video.

For Junk Doctors NJ, the loss goes well beyond the vehicle itself. The truck was fully paid off and central to the company’s daily operations serving Morris County, Northern New Jersey, and Central New Jersey with junk removal, estate cleanouts, hoarding and apartment cleanouts, garage and office cleanouts, construction debris removal, and full property cleanouts.

“This is not just a story about a stolen truck,” said Christopher Rose of Junk Doctors NJ. “It is a story about what happens when local businesses are left to absorb the cost of theft, damage, downtime, and rising insurance while still trying to show up for customers.”

The incident has disrupted the company’s crew, schedule, customer commitments, and equipment inventory, while triggering a lengthy insurance process with no guarantee of full recovery.

Junk Doctors NJ is asking the Morris County community to watch, share, and support local small businesses affected by incidents like this. More information is available at junkdoctorsnj.com.

Newmark Associates CRE Honored with Morris County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award

By
Frank Cahill
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Susanne Newmark, Founder and CEO of Newmark Associates CRE, displays the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award presented to the firm.

MORRIS COUNTY — Newmark Associates, New Jersey’s largest and longest-established woman-owned commercial real estate brokerage firm, has been honored by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce with its Community Service Award, recognizing the Cedar Knolls-based firm’s nearly four decades of civic engagement alongside its business success.

Founded in 1987 by Susanne Newmark, and now co-led by Newmark and Nancy Glick, the firm has built a reputation across New Jersey’s key commercial real estate submarkets while maintaining an active presence in Morris County’s civic and charitable life. Newmark Associates holds WBENC, WBE, and SBE certifications and has long championed the advancement of women and minorities in business.

“This recognition belongs to everyone at Newmark Associates, and to the community that has supported us for nearly 40 years,” said Susanne Newmark, Founder and CEO. “From the beginning, we have believed that a business owes something to the place where it operates — not just as a matter of principle, but because strong communities and strong businesses build each other.”

Among the firm’s most visible philanthropic efforts is a summer internship program that brings commercial real estate education to students in the Newark school system, offering young people direct exposure to an industry that shapes the built environment of their own neighborhoods. Newmark has also served on the board of Jewish Family Services and remains active in the Morristown community. Team members across the firm serve in voluntary roles on planning boards, economic development committees, recreation and parks advisory committees, and numerous charitable organizations.

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award recognizes businesses and individuals whose contributions to civic, charitable, and community life reflect exceptional dedication beyond the ordinary course of business.

“We are deeply grateful to the Morris County Chamber of Commerce for this honor,” Newmark said. “Morris County has been home to this firm for nearly four decades. The relationships we have built here — with clients, colleagues, and neighbors — are the foundation of everything we do.”

Newmark Associates, located in Cedar Knolls, is an affiliate of CRESDA (Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance), servicing the supplier diversity requirements of Fortune 100 companies nationwide. The firm specializes in lease and sales transactions of office, industrial, retail, land, healthcare, and mixed-use properties, and has been recognized repeatedly by NJBIZ magazine and the CoStar Commercial Real Estate organization.

Schiff Natural Lands Trust Announces Its 8th Annual Farm to Table Dinner

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — Schiff Natural Lands Trust is proud to announce the return of its celebrated Farm to Table Dinner, now in its eighth year and more anticipated than ever. This year’s event takes place on Friday, September 25, at Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill in Chester, New Jersey — and for the first time, guests will be invited behind the gates of one of New Jersey’s last working heritage cider mills for a one-of-a-kind evening.

Hacklebarney Farm is a fifth-generation family farm rich in agricultural tradition and heritage, set among the rolling hills of Chester. A rare example of a working landscape, the farm has sustained its orchards and cider-making traditions through generations of careful stewardship. This year, for the first time, its gates open for an intimate public evening — a behind-the-scenes experience unlike anything the farm has offered before.

“Hacklebarney Farm is exactly the kind of place that reminds you why this work matters. It is a living, working landscape — one that has been tended with intention and care for generations. We are excited to bring our community inside these gates for the first time to get a close-up view of the value of regenerative farming— stewardship is what this evening is about. There is no more fitting place to celebrate what Schiff stands for,” said Marissa S. McDonnell, M.D., Board President, Schiff Natural Lands Trust.

An Evening to Remember

Guests will dine outdoors in a uniquely curated setting, surrounded by rolling orchards, historic barns, and the natural beauty of the New Jersey countryside. The evening is an immersive farm-to-table celebration — with education into regenerative apple orcharding, seasonal cocktails under the open sky, and live bluegrass from The Lazy Sky, culminating in a three-course candlelit dinner from locally sourced ingredients. This year’s dinner is again curated by Chef Zach Fabian, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America whose career has taken him through the kitchens of some of New York City’s most acclaimed restaurants.

Become a Member. Secure Your Place First.

Schiff Natural Lands Trust members will receive a private ticket link in early July — weeks ahead of general public sales, which open in mid-August. Membership directly supports the permanent protection of forests, streams, wildlife habitat, environmental education, and miles of trails that enrich our community, and comes with one of the most coveted benefits of the season — first access to an unforgettable evening.
Seating is limited to 200 guests. This event has historically sold out.

Join or renew your membership today by clicking here.

A VIP Experience

A limited VIP ticket option will be available, offering an exclusive, curated immersion into the farm’s land stewardship, orcharding, and artisanal practices ahead of the main event. Details and pricing to be announced.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now

The 8th Annual Farm to Table Dinner offers a variety of ways to align your brand with conservation, community, and one of New Jersey’s most distinctive culinary experiences. Sponsor recognition will reach an audience of more than 6,000 individuals across Somerset Hills and Morris County through event communications, social media, and press outreach. Long-standing, high-visibility sponsors have included community leaders such as Alstede Farms and River Bend Farm, whose support has helped strengthen the event’s impact and reach.

To explore sponsorship, please contact Jayson Daniels [email protected] or visit schiffnaturepreserve.org.

About Schiff Natural Lands Trust

Schiff Natural Lands Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of Schiff Nature Preserve in the Mendhams and Chester. Through education, community programming, and land protection, Schiff connects people with the natural world. To learn more, visit schiffnaturepreserve.org.

Contact: [email protected] | 973-543-6004

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Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

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