MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Senate passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) to allow fusion energy projects to receive funding from the Clean Energy Fund.

“Fusion energy is rapidly transitioning from scientific theory to real-world application,” said Senator Pennacchio. “This revolutionary energy source has the potential to provide a zero-carbon sustainable future, and this bill will help direct critical funds for its research and development. By classifying fusion energy as a Class I renewable and unlocking investment, New Jersey can position itself as a global leader in fusion technology, helping restore America’s energy dominance once again.”

Nuclear fusion is a naturally occurring process that powers stars, and if harnessed on Earth, it could generate limitless clean energy. Senator Pennacchio’s bill, S-364, would classify fusion energy as a Class I renewable, making fusion projects eligible for financial assistance from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Fund.

Senator Pennacchio has been a leading advocate for fusion energy, sponsoring several bill packages intended to establish New Jersey as the epicenter of its research and development. Most recently, in 2024, the Senate Economic Growth committee passed S-366 to allow fusion energy and technology companies to receive benefits under certain economic incentive programs.

You can read the full bill by clicking here.

CONDADO DE MORRIS – El Senado de Nueva Jersey aprueba legislación bipartidista para financiar proyectos de energía de fusión

El Senado de Nueva Jersey aprobó una legislación bipartidista patrocinada por el senador Joe Pennacchio (R-26) que permitirá que los proyectos de energía de fusión reciban financiamiento del Fondo de Energía Limpia.

“La energía de fusión está avanzando rápidamente de la teoría científica a la aplicación en el mundo real”, dijo el senador Pennacchio. “Esta fuente de energía revolucionaria tiene el potencial de proporcionar un futuro sostenible sin emisiones de carbono, y este proyecto de ley ayudará a dirigir fondos críticos para su investigación y desarrollo. Al clasificar la energía de fusión como una fuente renovable de Clase I y desbloquear inversiones, Nueva Jersey puede posicionarse como un líder global en tecnología de fusión, ayudando a restaurar nuevamente el dominio energético de Estados Unidos”.

La fusión nuclear es un proceso natural que alimenta las estrellas, y si se logra aprovechar en la Tierra, podría generar energía limpia e ilimitada. El proyecto de ley del senador Pennacchio, S-364, clasificaría la energía de fusión como una fuente renovable de Clase I, lo que permitiría que los proyectos de fusión sean elegibles para recibir asistencia financiera del Fondo de Energía Limpia de Nueva Jersey.

El senador Pennacchio ha sido un firme defensor de la energía de fusión, patrocinando varios paquetes legislativos con el objetivo de establecer a Nueva Jersey como el epicentro de su investigación y desarrollo. Recientemente, en 2024, el Comité de Crecimiento Económico del Senado aprobó el proyecto de ley S-366, que permite a las empresas de energía de fusión y tecnología recibir beneficios bajo ciertos programas de incentivos económicos.

MORRIS COUNTY —  Step into the world of star-crossed lovers and bitter rivalries in the theatrical production of “Romeo & Juliet” at County College of Morris (CCM). This spellbinding performance of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy will run for three nights only—Thursday through Saturday, March 6-8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Marielaine Mammon Black Box Theater.   

The show opens on a street in Verona, where audiences will be thrown into the middle of a long-standing bloody and brutal battle between two families—the Capulets and the Montagues. Amid the chaos, two young souls, Romeo and Juliet, meet by chance and fall madly in love. Their passion is forbidden, but the couple decides to defy it and marry in secret. As pride, betrayal, and heartbreak collide, their love becomes a desperate fight against time—one that leads to a devastating conclusion of death. 

“Romeo & Juliet is so much more than a love story. It is a tragedy, a cautionary tale of two warring families, so committed to a tradition of hatred, that they stifle their children’s potential to explore their own desires, their own values, and their meaning of love,” said Director Michele Danna, of the Marielaine Mammon School of Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies at CCM. “Though this play was written over 400 years ago, it has been truly incredible to witness our young actors working with this text and discussing themes such as breaking generational patterns, challenging familiar norms, and what love and honor mean to them. It has been aspiring to direct and teach students who are on the precipice of adulthood as they approach characters who are also examining their own place in their world.” 

The cast and crew include: Ethan Abellard (Romeo)—Rockaway; Carolina Hunchak (Juliet)—Denville; Andrew Berkemeyer (Lord Capulet)—Randolph; Savanna Brackelmanns-Puig (Montague/Apothecary)—Randolph; Matthew Budesheim (Mercutio)—Butler; Sebastian Cedeno (Citizen)—Mine Hill; Jayden Cohen (Abraham)—Mount Tabor; Elijah Cooke (Frair Laurence)—Belvidere; Collin Eagen (Paris)—Livingston; Kyri Fletcher (Sampson)—Parsippany; Khristen Giron (Citizen)—Dover; Hyron Gonzalez Jr. (Tybalt)—Mount Olive; Elizabeth Grant (Lady Capulet)—Wayne;  Diana Luba (Benvolio)—Rockaway; Victoria Morris (Angelica, the Nurse)—Mount Olive; Gwendolyn Rivera (Prince Escalus)—Parsippany; Kathryn Sanders (Gregory/Assistant Director)—Long Valley; Cristie Ventura Cedeno (Peter)—Hackettstown; Wyatt Whittenburg (Stage Manager)—Roxbury; and Justin Wyble (Assistant Stage Manager)—Jefferson. 

Do not miss this emotionally charged production, brought to life by CCM’s talented cast, in the intimate setting of the Marielaine Mammon Black Box Theater. General admission tickets are $15.00 each, and tickets for CCM students, alumni, children under 12, and seniors 62 and over are $10.00 each. To purchase tickets, click here. Visitors can park in Lot 7 at 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, and go directly to the Marielaine Mammon Black Box Theater, located in the Music and Technology Building (MTC) 105.  

To learn more about the Marielaine Mammon School of Music, Performing Arts, and Music Technologies at CCM click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Denville Police Chief Frank Perna confirmed the operator of a massage business on Route 10 has been arrested and charged with promoting prostitution and money laundering.

Investigators determined Soon Y. Bang, a.k.a. “Cindy”, 63, of Fairview, owns Oasis Spa, located at 3108 Route 10 West in Denville. It is alleged that Bang operated an illicit massage business at the Oasis Spa location and received the proceeds that were made as a result of the sex acts performed at the business.

On February 20, 2025, Denville Police, with the assistance of the MCPO and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at the massage business and residence of the manager in Fairview. Evidence that was collected, including a large quantity of U.S. currency, is indicative of prostitution. It is alleged Bang and Yushun Li, 67, of Flushing, New York, engaged in sexual activity in exchange for U.S. currency.

As a result of the investigation, Soon Bang was charged on a summons complaint with Promoting Prostitution, a crime of the third degree, Money Laundering, a crime of the second degree, and Engaging in Prostitution, a disorderly persons offense. Yushun Li was also charged by summons complaint with Engaging in Prostitution, a disorderly persons offense.

Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the Denville Township Police Department, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking Task Force, United States Secret Service, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Edison Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Denville Police Department at (973) 627-4900.

Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.