HACKETTSTOWN — Centenary University has named Daniel Armida as its new director of athletics, following a national search that drew candidates from New Jersey and across the country.

The search included an extensive interview process involving multiple groups of representatives from the campus community. University officials said Armida brings a combination of athletic leadership, student development expertise, business acumen and a commitment to the success of student-athletes and coaches.

Armida has spent the past three years at Centenary as assistant coach for men’s and women’s volleyball, mental performance coach and student success specialist, working with students to strengthen academic performance, leadership skills, confidence, resilience and personal growth.

“Dan’s unwavering belief that athletics should develop the whole person, mind, body and spirit, stood out throughout the search process,” said Centenary University President John Schol. “I am confident that under Dan’s leadership, Centenary Athletics will continue to build on its proud tradition while creating new opportunities for success.”

Armida brings more than 25 years of coaching experience to the role. Before joining Centenary, he served as a mental performance coach for Team USA’s sitting volleyball team, scouted for the Atlanta Braves organization, founded and led nationally recognized athletic programs, and coached athletes at the youth, high school, collegiate, national and professional levels. He is also a certified mental performance master coach who operates a private practice, the World’s Strongest Mindset program, which has featured collaborations with three-time World’s Strongest Man Bill Kazmaier and former Mr. Universe Stuart Garrington.

“I am honored to step into the role of director of athletics at Centenary University,” Armida said. “My approach starts with a simple belief: People do their best work when they feel seen, valued and heard. My goal is to build a culture that feels like family, one where we compete at the highest level while never losing sight of the person behind the performance.”

Centenary student-athletes celebrated a national champion, a team that finished third in the nation, a team that placed first in the conference, seven student-athletes recognized on Academic All-American teams, two conference coaches of the year and a team that earned a national sportsmanship award over the past year, according to the university.

Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University is located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn criticized Trenton’s spending priorities on Tuesday during a debate on the $60.75 billion fiscal year 2027 state budget, arguing school districts are struggling while legislative Democrats direct funding to district-specific pet projects.

“While we’re finding $611 million for legislative pet projects, school districts up in the Highlands are being told there isn’t enough. In West Milford, an elementary school is closing. In Jefferson Township, high school athletics are on the chopping block,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “These are real communities, real kids, real programs being cut because this budget leaves them underfunded by the state’s own formula.”

In May, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn introduced a bipartisan school funding fix (A4860) for districts located in municipalities subject to Highlands development restrictions. The legislation would provide additional state aid to school districts in communities where large portions of land are protected by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, which limits a municipality’s ability to grow its tax base. 

“Unfortunately, our school funding system has failed to account for the economic impact of these environmental burdens that limit a town’s ability to expand their tax base in the same way that urban districts are limited by municipal burdens,” she said after introducing the bill. 

From the floor of the Assembly, Dunn noted Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s first state budget includes $253 million in last-minute legislative add-ons, on top of $358 million in supplemental spending for fiscal year 2026 discreetly pushed through by Democrats, a practice the governor denounced earlier this year.  

“If we have time to find money for Christmas tree projects, we have time to fix the school funding formula for districts like these,” Dunn said. 

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County officials gathered at The Grand Café in Morristown on July 1, 2026, to celebrate the restaurant’s forty-fifth anniversary, presenting owner Allison Lloyd Porter with proclamations and awards honoring the Morristown institution.

The event, held indoors as outdoor temperatures reached ninety-five degrees, drew about fifty attendees, according to Morris County Commission Director Stephen Shaw, who praised the café’s legacy. Assistant County Administrator Brian Murray noted that some guests in attendance had been patrons since the restaurant’s earliest days, when men were required to wear jackets to dine there.

Desmond and Alice Lloyd, immigrants who built what became known as an American dream story, opened The Grand Café on July 1, 1981, bringing high-end French-American cuisine and old-world hospitality to Morristown’s dining scene. Desmond Lloyd drew inspiration from his years in the English Merchant Navy, where he worked as a waiter in the upscale dining rooms of luxury cruise liners before eventually working his way up at Rod’s Steakhouse in Morristown.

Both founders have since passed away, and their daughter, Allison Lloyd Porter, now runs the restaurant. Porter grew emotional while thanking the community, saying the past forty-five years were built not only by her parents but by the countless staff members who have served customers over the decades. She added that the café will continue to evolve as it looks toward its next forty-five years.

Officials in attendance included Morris County Commission Deputy Director John Krickus, along with fellow commissioners Deborah Smith, Christine Myers and Thomas Mastrangelo, as well as former freeholder John Murphy. Morris County Sheriff James Gannon and state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn also attended, along with Chiara Garcia, chief of staff for state Senator Anthony Bucco, and former Morris County Republican chair John Sette. Morristown Fire Chief Robert Flanagan was also present.

The Grand Café, located at 42 Washington Street, is marking the milestone with a month of special events, dining promotions and live entertainment throughout July. Offerings include a forty-five-dollar prix fixe lunch menu featuring signature dishes from the restaurant’s history, select wines offered at forty-five percent off, and live piano music every Saturday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the main dining room. A jazz quartet is scheduled to perform on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and harpist and vocalist Lexie Lowell is set to perform later in the month.