DENVILLE — Dillon Costanza, 30, of Succasunna is facing charges including driving while intoxicated and drug paraphernalia possession following a traffic stop Saturday in Denville, according to police.

On March 18, an officer stopped a vehicle on Route 10 east after observing the vehicle fail to maintain its lane.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Costanza and several items related to drug paraphernalia were observed in plain view.

Costanza was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, careless driving, and failure to maintain lane. He was released pending a court appearance.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORRIS COUNTY — Now in its 18th year, the 2023 Valerie Fund Walk & 5K will be held Saturday, June 10 event in Essex County’s Verona Park to celebrate and honor Valerie Fund patients battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders. The event starts at 8:30 a.m.

The fundraiser is presented by Valerie Fund founders and Warren Township natives Ed and Sue Goldstein, and JAG-ONE Physical Therapy.

There are several new ways to get involved in the walk and 5K run this year.

Team Captains who raise $1,000 or more for their team will earn a gold shirt to set them apart as a Fundraising Gold Team at June 10 event.

In addition, numerous table prizes will be offered via drawing at the event. Tickets for prizes may be purchased through team captains, online at www.TheValerieFund.org/Walk or at their local JAG-ONE office. The holder of the winning ticket does not need to be present on the day to win.

For even more fun on the day, The Valerie Fund has added a Color Run component to the Kid Sprint, sponsored by The Learning Express. There will also be a family games area with the naming sponsorship still available. Contact Leah DelPiano at ldepiano@thevaleriefund.org if interested in this or any other sponsorship opportunities.

The event has raised more than $11 million to fight childhood cancers and blood disorders over its 18 years.

To learn more about the event and to register for the sanctioned 5K race and the walk, visit www.thevaleriefund.org/Walk2023. Many questions can be answered by referring to the website’s FAQ tab or calling The Valerie Fund offices at (973) 761-0422.

The Valerie Fund offered special thanks to Sue and Ed Goldstein, its founders, and presenting sponsors. JAG-ONE Physical Therapy is the exclusive run sponsor. Additional sponsors include RWJ Barnabas, Atlantic Health, Burger King, CBSTV, Jersey Mikes, Bank of America, CBOE, Inserra Shoprite, Merck, and St. Joseph’s Health.

<strong>About The Valerie Fund</strong>

After their 9-year-old daughter Valerie succumbed to cancer, the Goldsteins were determined that no family should have to travel great distances to receive superior medical care.

Along with a group of close friends, they began fundraising efforts from their living room – tireless work that would lead to the 1977 opening of New Jersey’s first pediatric oncology facility at Summit’s Overlook Hospital. More than 40 years later, The Valerie Fund’s mission remains that of supporting comprehensive health care for children battling cancer and blood disorders.

The Valerie Fund addresses the most immediate needs of patients and families whose lives are suddenly and dramatically upended. Core services provide emotional, practical, and financial support complementing state-of-the-art medical treatment at seven Valerie Fund Children’s Centers located in New Jersey, New York, and metro Philadelphia.

The hallmark of The Valerie Fund services ensures that families and hospitals do not have to rely on insurance reimbursements to receive the range of support of a multi-disciplinary team including a staff of social workers, psychologists, child life specialists, and educational liaisons. More than 6,000 children with cancer and blood disorders are treated annually – a network that is one of the largest of its kind in the country.

To learn more <a href=”http://www.thevaleriefund.org” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>click here</a>.

MORRIS COUNTY — Dr. George Eugene Clark, DDS, MS, Ph.D., 85, passed away on March 5, 2023.

George was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2011 and battled as hard as he could like the champion he was until March 5, 2023. He passed peacefully in his sleep with his devoted wife at his hospital bedside where they spent his last 23 days.

George graduated from Lakewood High School and Ohio State University in 1962 with DDS. George had participated in ROTC and entered the US Navy as Lieutenant Clark in 1962 stationed in Boston Chelsea Hospital where he trained in anesthesiology in order to serve as an anesthesiologist during surgeries while on ships. George served as the dental officer in Newport News – for two years and in Everglades – for two years. He received his MS and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from George Washington University. George was transferred to Illinois where he became the Commanding Officer of the Naval Dental Research Institute for nine years.

He was headhunted and upon Change of Command, he moved to New Jersey and was employed by Block Drug Company, Jersey City in their dental products division. He joined Rose City Runners where he and Arlene met on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, 1991. They married on June 5, 1993.

George was also a member of the Morristown Kiwanis Club and PeaceWorks, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to Nicaragua.

He was a loving family man and was loved and admired by all who knew him. He will be forever missed.

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland confirmed the arrest of Joseph Derose, Jr., 27, of Rockaway Township, on sexual assault and related charges.

Derose is a substitute teacher at Catherine A. Dwyer Elementary School in Rockaway Township. He has been charged on two separate complaints from Rockaway Township and Rockaway Borough.

Each complaint charges the defendant with two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault with supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim, one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.

It is alleged that Derose had a sexual relationship with the victim from May 2021 through January 2022 when the victim was 16 years old and while the defendant was his baseball coach for various recreational and school-related teams during the specified time period.

The alleged assaults took place at the defendant’s residence, the victim’s residence, Oak Meadows Field, and Fitness Factory Gym. The relationship ended when the victim was 17.

Derose was arrested on the above charges on March 16, 2023.

Following his arrest, he was lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act.

A motion for Pretrial Detention was filed and a Detention hearing will be held on March 22, 2023.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973)285-6200.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County will receive $3 million in federal funds for safety improvements including a roundabout, a pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon, and high-visibility crosswalks at six intersections within Mendham Township, Mendham Borough, and Dover.

“These improvements will help to create a safer environment in an area frequented by people of all ages, particularly high school students, as well as those going to the local shopping center or the nearby Post Office,” said Morris County Commissioner Stephen H. Shaw, who serves as Morris County’s representative to the NJTPA Board.

The improvements, funded through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), will be completed as part of two separate projects:

• $1,885,000 to improve safety and overall operations at three intersections along East Main Street/Mendham Road (CR 510) from Tempe Wick Road (CR 646) to Cold Hill Road in the Borough of Mendham and Mendham Township. Improvements will include a roundabout, streetlighting upgrades, pedestrian signal upgrades, accessible curb ramps and high-visibility crosswalks. In addition, a new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of East Main Street (CR 510) and Tempe Wick Road (CR 646). Tempe Wick Road is separated by a teardrop island but has no pedestrian features.
• $1,175,000 for improvements at three intersections along South Morris Street (CR 643) from Millbrook Avenue/Munson Avenue to Byram Avenue in Dover. Improvements will include street lighting upgrades, accessible curb ramps, and high-visibility crosswalks. Two new traffic signals with 12-inch signal heads and pedestrian countdown heads will be installed. An improved school crossing with curb extensions and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon will be installed at South Morris Street and Byram Avenue. Road geometry will be reconfigured at the intersection of South Morris Street and Millbrook Avenue/Munson Avenue.

“The South Morris Street corridor includes three intersections in need of safety improvements, all of which currently have only stop signs,” added Commissioner Shaw.

South Morris Street provides a direct connection with State Route 10 in Randolph and U.S. 46 and State Route 15 in Dover and also connects to NJ TRANSIT’s downtown Dover Train Station, which provides service along the Morris & Essex and Montclair Boonton lines.

The projects, which are two of 19 safety improvements totaling $188.3 million across the NJTPA region, were approved by the NJTPA Board of Trustees at their March 13 meeting. The funding is for two programs: the Local Safety Program and the High-Risk Rural Roads Program. These programs fund high-impact, cost-effective solutions to reduce crashes and improve safety for all travelers. More information on the programs and project factsheets is available on the NJTPA website. Funding approved for the programs doubled from the previous program cycle in 2020.

“The increases are the result of highly successful partnerships between the NJTPA and its member county and city governments to deliver vitally important projects on our local roads. This federal support helps free up local dollars, state aid, and municipal aid for other priorities,” said Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, the current Chair of the NJTPA.

The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers, and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects.

The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren), and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a Governor’s Representative, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the President & CEO of NJ TRANSIT, the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a Citizens’ Representative appointed by the Governor.

Any inquiries regarding the NJTPA should be directed to NJTPA Communications and Public Affairs Director Mark Solof at the phone number (973) 639-8415.