DOVER — On Monday, July 15, at 2:35 p.m., Dover Police Patrol units were dispatched to Prospect Street for a report of a male sleeping in his vehicle at the traffic light.

Dover Police Officers Kristopher Martinez and Francisco J. Aragon responded to the scene.

Upon arrival at the scene, Officer Aragon observed a gray Honda Civic stopped northbound on Prospect Street at the intersection with West Blackwell Street.

Officer Aragon activated the overhead patrol vehicle lights and positioned the marked patrol vehicle facing the front of the car.

Officer Aragon then stepped out and approached the driver’s side door. Through the window, he could see the figure of a person leaning over. It was difficult to see due to the dark window tint on the glass. Officer Aragon knocked on the door window to get the person’s attention, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Officer Aragon then attempted to open the car door, but it was locked. Due to emergent circumstances, the Officer broke the driver’s side door glass to open the door.

The driver later identified himself as Cristian F. Rojas Alvarez, 32, Dover.

After the officer opened the driver’s side door, the driver woke up, and the officer asked him to step out of the vehicle. After asking him to step out multiple times, the male did not get out. While speaking to the male, the officer noticed his speech was slurred and the odor of alcoholic flavorings emanating from his breath.

Officer Aragon then asked him if he had any alcoholic beverages that day or if he had one or two beers, and he said yes. I then asked him if he was sick or had any medical issues. He said, “I’m O.K.” I then advised the county dispatcher to send the squad to my location.

When Rojas Alvarez stepped out of the vehicle, he stumbled and regained his balance by holding on to the vehicle’s roof. Officer Aragon then asked him to follow him to the sidewalk; Rojas Alvarez remained by his vehicle and did not walk in my direction as instructed. Officer Martinez then assisted him to the sidewalk. Once on the sidewalk, Officer Aragon asked him for his driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance. Rojas Alvarez then handed me his cell phone. Officer Aragon advised once again for his documentation two more times. Rojas Alvarez did not comply with the officer’s instructions when handing over his documentation.

Officer Aragon performed various field sobriety tests on Mr. Rojas Alvare, which he was unable to complete.

After the field sobriety tests were performed, Officer Aragon advised Rojas Alvarez he was going to be placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Officer Martinez placed the handcuffs on his wrists behind his back and searched him for contraband. The search yielded negative results. Officer Martinez then placed him in the backseat portion of his patrol vehicle and was transported to Dover Police headquarters.

Dover Police Officer Bryan Flammia remained with his vehicle until it was towed and stored by Bunky’s Towing.

Mr. Rojas Alvare was issued the following summons with a court appearance on July 22:

•39:4-50 – Operating under the influence of liquor or drugs
•39:4-97 – Careless Driving: Likely to endanger person or property
•39:3-29B – Failure to possess driving registration
•39:3-29A – Failure to possess a driving license
•39:3-29C – Failure to possess driving insurance card
•39:4-56 – Delaying Traffic

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.

DOVER — Santiago Rodriguez of Dover was among the nearly 70 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 who participated in the Jesuit school’s Donning of the Stole Ceremony. The annual ceremony celebrates and honors the accomplishments of members of its graduating class from underrepresented identities who received their undergraduate degrees. The purpose of the ceremony, which was a student-led initiative, was to highlight the students’ success in overcoming the particular barriers and obstacles faced by students from these groups, particularly students of color, in attaining a higher education.

The students honored include outstanding academic and leadership achievement award recipients, future physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, accountants, teachers, engineers, nurses, and many other highly successful members of the University’s graduating class.

Narissa O. Hill, an early and primary teacher education major from Nashua, New Hampshire, spoke on behalf of the class of 2024 at the ceremony that took place on campus on May 18 as part of Scranton’s commencement activities and events. Also speaking at the ceremony were Robert C. Walker, a counseling and human services major from Jersey City, New Jersey; Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., vice president for student life and dean of students; Shaefny Grays, Ed.D., assistant dean of culture and inclusion; Jose Sanchez, assistant director of the University’s Cultural Centers; and Deniya Thompson, of Scranton’s class of 2020, who offered the Closing Prayer.

Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in international business with a minor in Mandarin and a concentration in Asian Studies. He was a Scranton Dean’s List student.

The University of Scranton is a Jesuit university located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

DOVER — The Italian American Police Society of New Jersey, in collaboration with local officials, is organizing a school supply drive to support needy students. The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Shop Rite of Rockaway at 437 Route 46, Rockaway.

This community initiative ensures all students have the necessary supplies for a successful school year. Donations of various school supplies are requested, including glue sticks, #2 pencils, hand sanitizer, crayons, pens, pocket folders, composition notebooks, 2GB USB drives, graph paper, index cards, wet wipes, construction paper, highlighters, Post-it Notes, and tissues.

“We are thrilled to partner with local officials and the community to support our students,” said a representative from the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey. “Every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in a student’s education and overall well-being.”

Community members are encouraged to bring their donations to the designated location during the event hours. The collected supplies will be distributed to students who need them most, helping to alleviate the financial burden on families and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed in school.

For more information about the school supply drive or how to get involved, don’t hesitate to contact the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey at president@iapsnj.org or call 1-800-IAPSNJ-1. Additional details can also be found on their website at www.iapsnj.org.

Join us in making a difference in our community by supporting the educational needs of our students. Together, we can help pave the way for a brighter future.

DOVER — After a prolonged illness, Edward Michael James Nazzaro, affectionately known as Ed, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His devoted husband and life partner of more than 20 years, Michael John Gary, was by his side.

Born on March 30, 1951, in Dover to Joseph Salvatore Nazzaro and Clementine DeLorenzo Nazzaro, Ed discovered his passion for teaching early in life. Returning home from Sacred Heart Elementary School each afternoon, Ed set up his classroom to teach imaginary students, taking attendance, administering tests, and rewarding hard work. During cherished weekly Italian Sunday gatherings at his grandmother’s house, Ed tutored his younger cousins in Spanish.

Ed’s love for the Spanish language and culture was profound. As Dover High School’s first international exchange student, Ed spent a transformative year in Cusco, Peru. He earned his B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and an M.S. in Education in four years from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, Ed studied Spanish literature at the University of Valencia, one of Spain’s oldest universities. Upon graduating magna cum laude, he was inducted into The Phi Beta Kappa Society. Ed completed his graduate coursework in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. Natural-born Spanish speakers regularly complimented Ed’s beautiful Spanish.

Ed’s distinguished teaching career began at Randolph High School. In 1977, he returned to Dover High School as Supervisor of World Languages, ESL, and Bilingual Education, a role he held for 23 years. He went on to serve as Vice Principal at both North Dover and Academy Street elementary schools. He brought his teaching career full circle when he retired from the language faculty at Randolph High School. Concurrently, Ed became an adjunct professor of Spanish and ESL at the County College of Morris.

Ed’s educational contributions were recognized through numerous awards, including Morris County’s Best Teacher Award, two Best Practice Awards from the State of New Jersey, and Outstanding Educator of the Year presented by CHISPAC (Hispanic Political Action Committee). Additionally, he was awarded a prestigious Rockefeller Foundation grant to study the history, culture, and literature of Puerto Rico and two Fulbright Scholarships to study education in Japan and to teach in Porto, Portugal. Ed’s passion and talent for teaching inspired many of his students to pursue education as a career.

Ed founded and ran Dover High School’s annual International Festival, the International Club, and the Latin Mix Dance Group. He also produced a successful series of Spanish-language plays for the community performed by Repertorio Español and organized playwriting workshops that resulted in three winners of the New Jersey Young Playwrights Festival.

Knowing firsthand the benefits of traveling abroad, Ed chaperoned and organized numerous European exchange programs for Dover students, including trips to Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and even the former Soviet Union. Ed remained an avid traveler, sharing many wonderful trips with his husband, Michael, to Egypt, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and Spain.

Renowned for his dancing prowess, Ed’s joy for life was evident on every dance floor he graced, from NYC’s Studio 54, The Saint, and The Roxy to the galas of the Santa Fe Opera. His love for dancing left an indelible mark on all who watched him and those who had the privilege to dance with him, including the current and former Governors of New Mexico!

In 2013, Ed and Michael moved to Santa Fe, where Ed embraced the local culture. He joined the Santa Fe Community College as an adjunct faculty member, teaching ESL and forming deep connections with his students. He volunteered as a docent at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and the San Miguel Chapel. A passionate gardener, Ed and Michael became Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners, caring for public gardens across Santa Fe. During COVID, Ed began volunteering as a dog walker at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter.

Ed’s artistic spirit thrived in Santa Fe. He studied classical guitar under the tutelage of world-class concert guitarist Anna Maria Cardinalli. He pursued devotional painting and sculpture, including writing Russian icons, painting traditional retablos, and sculpting bultos under the guidance of Master Santero Felix López. His artistic expression blended Spanish and Italian traditions.

Ed’s culinary skills, particularly his mastery of his mother Clem’s eggplant parmesan, were celebrated by many.

Faith and family were the cornerstone of Ed’s life. He is survived by his beloved husband, Michael John Gary; his cherished dogs, Bosco and Bella (who now belong to their devoted predecessor Jersey’s eternal pack); his brother Joseph and sister-in-law Sharon Nazzaro of Randolph, both of whom were educators he deeply admired; his sister Anita Fehsal of Succasunna, who babysat him with her many high school friends, developing Ed’s lifelong love of music from the 50s and 60s; nieces Kelly Dahms (Ryan), Chrissy Tully (Sean) and Jenny Fehsal (Steve); and nephews Michael Fehsal (Sandy), Jody Nazzaro (Meredith) and Tim Nazzaro (Maureen); and a large extended family of grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins; his faithful caregiver Dominic Vasquez; and countless friends and colleagues who will forever remember his kindness, compassion, intelligence, generosity, gentle smile, warm laugh, and loving soul.

All are welcome to join the Rosary and his Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The mass will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. A reception will follow.

On September 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., a Celebration of Ed’s Life will be held at the Tuttle Funeral Home in Randolph, New Jersey. A private family burial will follow.

Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter, the San Miguel Chapel, and the Dover College Promise Program.

DOVER — Jamal Naymeddin, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ, has been named to the Honors List for the Spring 2024 semester.

To qualify for the Honors List, a student must carry a 3.5 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in at least 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).

The University’s Metropolitan Campus, located in the dynamic NY/NJ corridor in Teaneck, NJ, features a university atmosphere with an international perspective, attracting students from the U.S. and around the world. Undergraduates have access to the resources of a major graduate center and nearby New York City as an integral part of their learning experience.

Devoted to preparing world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey’s largest private university. It features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions, special programs, and status within the United Nations. For more information, go to www.fdu.edu.