MORRIS COUNTY — An ice rescue training exercise on Lake Hopatcong turned into an actual life-saving mission on Wednesday, February 19, when members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and multiple first responder agencies saved an 82-year-old man who had fallen through the ice near their emergency drill.

“It is work like this, with our other public safety partners, that makes it all worth it. Responding in a time of need and applying our training to help an individual with dire consequences, all with positive outcomes. Saving lives is the purpose of our mission and why we train together and ensure seamless performance,” said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon.

The incident unfolded while the Sheriff’s Office conducted joint training alongside the N.J. State Police, Mt. Arlington Police Department, Hopatcong Police Department, and the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Police at Lee’s County Park Marina in Mt. Arlington. An urgent report showed that a man had fallen through the lake ice near the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club on Bertrand Island.

Sgt. Edward Koster of the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Sgt. Nicholas Vernotica of the Patrol Division, Cpl. Ivan Bajceski and Sheriff’s Officer Ryan Wood of the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and the N.J. State Police Marine Bureau quickly mobilized to assist in the rescue.

The victim, who had been operating an iceboat on the lake, was observed lying on the ice and his vessel was partially submerged in the broken ice. Three Mt. Arlington firefighters were already crossing the unstable ice to reach him when Sgt. Koster and Cpl. Bajceski reached the scene with the Sheriff’s ESU truck and met the Mt. Arlington Fire Department incident commander.

Sgt. Vernotica and Sheriff’s Officer Wood arrived with the Sheriff’s Heavy Rescue Truck and deployed the MARSARS® Ice Rescue Sled. While tethered to the shoreline, Sgt. Koster, Cpl. Bajceski and N.J. State Police Trooper Thomas Gilroy carefully advanced across the ice and maneuvered the sled toward the victim, who remained conscious and alert. Mt. Arlington firefighters had secured a sling around him and rescuers placed him onto the sled before signaling the shoreline team to pull him to safety.

As the sled reached the edge of the ice shelf, Sgt. Vernotica, Sheriff’s Officer Woodand Mt. Arlington Police Officer Matthew Kaiteris waded into waist-deep water to carry the victim to solid ground, where he was immediately transferred to St. Clare’s EMS for medical evaluation.

Following the successful rescue, Troopers Gilroy and McClafferty of the N.J. State Police and two Mt. Arlington firefighters later returned to the ice and recovered the man’s iceboat.

The dramatic rescue underscores the dangers of venturing onto the ice and the critical role of specialized training in emergency response. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution on frozen lakes and remain aware of changing ice conditions.

MORRIS COUNTY — Famed singer, songwriter, and storyteller Tom Chapin is celebrating his 80th birthday, and the public is invited to join the festivities! Tom Chapin and Friends will perform a Special Concert at the Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series on Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown.

Chapin has dubbed this event his “80th Big Birthday Bash”, just days before his milestone birthday. A beloved entertainer with a vast repertoire, Chapin delivers a rich mix of story songs, ballads, comedic and political songs, family music, sing-alongs, old-time folk classics, and tributes to his late brother, Harry Chapin. His soulful vocals are accompanied by banjo, autoharp, and both 6- and 12-string guitars. Over a career spanning six decades, 27 albums, and three Grammy Awards, Chapin has captivated audiences of all ages. Generations of children have grown up with his witty and uplifting recordings, which never talk down to young listeners. Beyond music, he has also performed on Broadway, appeared in television, radio, and film, and remains an advocate for the arts, justice, and environmental sustainability.

Tom Chapin and Friends feature his longtime musical partners Jon Cobert (vocals, piano, keyboards, accordion) and Michael Mark (vocals, bass, concertina, marimba, guitar), both five-time Grammy nominees. Their tight harmonies, instrumental versatility, and decades of camaraderie add to the evening’s musical and comedic charm.

This Special Concert is part of The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series, celebrating its 50th year and sponsored by The Folk Project, which hosts performances every Friday at the Fellowship.

• Admission: $30.00 per adult at the door, Folk Project members $25.00. Children 12 and under are free.
• For more information: Call (201) 650-6928 or visit www.folkproject.org.
• Music samples: Available at troubadour.folkproject.org.

The Folk Project is New Jersey’s leading acoustic music and dance organization, presenting traditional and contemporary acoustic music in North Jersey since 1971.

Morris Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, provides funding for this event in part through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.

MORRIS COUNTY – In an ongoing effort to combat homelessness, substance use disorders, and mental health crises, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office will host the Hope One Symposium on Friday, March 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the County College of Morris’ Dragonetti Auditorium. This impactful event will bring together law enforcement officers, treatment providers, and community partners across the state to share strategies, ideas, and resources for addressing these critical issues.

The symposium will mark the eighth anniversary of Sheriff Gannon’s Hope One, a mobile outreach program dedicated to providing access to addiction recovery and mental health services. The Hope Hub, a program designed to assist individuals or families facing acute elevated risks, will also celebrate its fourth anniversary during the event.

Attendees can expect presentations focused on mental health community resources, highlighting available support systems for individuals and families in need. A range of expert speakers and service providers will discuss best practices, innovative programs, and success stories that have made a tangible difference in Morris County and beyond.

“This symposium serves as a crucial platform for community engagement and collaboration,” said Sheriff James Gannon. “By bringing together professionals from different fields, we are working towards breaking the cycle of addiction, homelessness, and mental health struggles while ensuring that those in crisis receive the support they need.”

A free breakfast will be provided for attendees. Registration for the event is now open at https://www.rsvpbook.com/2025symposium.

For further details, interested participants can contact Corporal Valvano via email at [email protected] or call 973-590-0300.

The Hope One initiative has been a beacon of hope in Morris County, reaching thousands of individuals and providing life-saving connections to services. Through events like the Hope One Symposium, the community continues to unite in support of those struggling with addiction, mental health disorders, and housing instability.

MORRIS COUNTY – The Montville UNICO Foundation is bringing magic to town with a special Buffet Dinner and Magic Show featuring celebrity magician and artist John Stessel on Sunday, March 9, at 1:00 p.m. at the Montville Senior House, located at 356 Main Road, Montville.

Stessel, featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, The New York Times, People, Bravo, and NYC comedy clubs, will showcase his mind-blowing illusions and sleight of hand in an event tailored for an 18+ audience.

Guests will enjoy a buffet-style dinner while entertained by Stessel’s incredible magic. The event is BYOB, and tickets are available for $65.00 per person. Seating is available in tables of 8 to 10 people, making it the perfect outing for friends and family.

Attendees must RSVP by March 3. Reservations can be made online by clicking here, or checks can be made payable to Montville UNICO Foundation, c/o Michele Maddalena, 46 Anthony Blvd., Lincoln Park, NJ 07035.

For additional details, contact Michele Maddalena at 973-885-9057 or [email protected].

All proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships and charitable distributions through the Montville UNICO Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to community service.

Don’t miss out on a magical afternoon filled with great food, unforgettable entertainment, and support for a worthy cause!