MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Department of Law & Public Safety and the Morris County Board of Commissioners announced the tenth-annual Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy (MCPSYA). This program will be coordinated by the Morris County Office of Emergency Management and held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy.
Applications for the 2023 Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy program are now open. The program is open to all Morris County high school students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2023. The free program will take place from July 31 to August 4.
Applications are being accepted until April 14, 2023.
The MCPSYA is a distinctive program that exposes our cadets to the many facets of the public safety field and focuses on introducing our cadets to real-world issues happening worldwide today. This intensive program will provide cadets with hands-on experience in the fields of Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, and more.
EAST HANOVER — East Hanover Police Lt. Frank Franco retired from the East Hanover Police Department after 26 years of service. (1997-2023).
Lt. Frank Franco retired from the East Hanover Police Department
Lt. Franco started in 1997 when he began his career in our patrol division and made an instant impact in our community by coaching our youth football program and working in our schools (DARE / LEAD).
He was then assigned to Hanover Park High School and tasked with security for several years.
Lt. Frank Franco retired from the East Hanover Police Department
Lt. Franco was also part of our Emergency Services Unit and Swift Water Team, among many other assignments, including our Detective Bureau and support services unit.
He was recognized several times for outstanding police work and life-saving awards throughout his successful career.
“Frank, thank you for all the years of your dedicated work, friendship, laughter, and loyalty to us here. We wish you the best, and you will be missed,” said Christopher F. Cannizzo, Chief of Police.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Dan Acquaro arrested Ms. Danayah Allen, 32, Sayreville, for eluding on Thursday, February 9. Officer Acquaro attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop on South Jefferson Road. The vehicle stopped briefly, made a U-turn, and continued North on South Jefferson Road, failing to stop for his activated lights and sirens.
Eventually, Ms. Allen got stuck in traffic and was forced to stop. She was arrested and charged with eluding and was issued motor vehicle summons for obstructing, suspended license, failure to signal, reckless and careless driving, windshield obstruction, improper U-turn, failure to possess insurance card, no insurance, unregistered, improper backing, failure to inspect, failure to follow marked course and failure to observe traffic signals.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Stephen Manney arrested Janakkuma Patel, 42, Whippany, for DWI on Sunday, February 5.
Officer Manney responded to a disabled motor vehicle call in the area of Troy Hills Road. He located the vehicle with front-end damage and spoke with the driver, who stated he swerved to avoid ghosts in the road which caused the accident. Mr. Patel was asked to perform a field sobriety test and was subsequently arrested and charged with DWI.
He was issued summonses for recklessness, carelessness, DWI, and failure to follow a marked course. He was released pending his court date.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Officer Carlos Najera arrested Mr. Javier Galeanocuesta, 31, Dover, and Ms. Stephany Ramirez-Gomez, 35, Dover, for shoplifting on Friday, February 3.
Officer Najera responded to ShopRite for a report of two suspects being detained by loss prevention due to shoplifting.
Upon arrival and after a review of the surveillance video, both parties were arrested and charged with shoplifting and conspiracy to commit shoplifting. After processing, they were released pending their court dates.
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.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Due to multiple thefts occurring in recent weeks at the Ulta Beauty Store in Cedar Knolls and the State, Det. Peter Hermans was conducting surveillance when he observed a vehicle containing multiple individuals driving suspiciously through the parking lot approximately 15 minutes before Ulta closing on Thursday, February 23.
The vehicle backed into a parking spot close to the store and was left running with its headlights on. Several of the occupants exited the vehicle and entered Ulta carrying large bags.
Det. Hermans radioed in the plate number to dispatch. Approximately a minute later, the individuals came running out of the store towards their parked running vehicle carrying bags stuffed with stolen merchandise.
Det. Hermans exited his vehicle, identified himself as a police officer, and ordered the suspects to stop running and to put their hands up. The suspects ignored his order, entered the vehicle, and accelerated, causing Det. Hermans jumped out of the way of the vehicle. Det. Hermans broadcast the description and direction the vehicle fled.
Soon after his broadcast, Officer Tim Dalgauer radioed that he located the vehicle on Hanover Ave. and was attempting to stop them. The vehicle refused to stop for its lights and sirens and continued on Hanover Avenue until the driver lost control and crashed on Burnham Road in Morris Township. All five occupants fled the crash site, and a foot pursuit commenced. Officer Dalgauer could chase and immediately apprehend three of the five suspects when they got tangled in a large bush. The other two suspects were eventually captured walking on Hanover Avenue covered in mud. Three of the five suspects were juveniles (Two females and one male) and were charged with shoplifting, conspiracy to commit shoplifting, obstruction, and resisting arrest. We later learned that the male juvenile is wanted for stealing over $200,000.00 worth of merchandise from 25 other thefts from Ulta’s throughout the state.
The juveniles were transported to the county youth detention center pending court dates. Ms. Jade Lindsey, New York, and Ms. Catherine Sanoja, 28, New York, were charged with several offenses. Ms. Sanoja was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy to commit shoplifting, eluding, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, obstruction, and employing a juvenile to commit a crime. Ms. Lindsey was charged with shoplifting. Conspiracy to commit shoplifting, obstruction, resisting arrest, and employing a juvenile to commit a crime. Both were lodged in the county jail pending their court dates. Multiple bags of merchandise from the Cedar Knolls Ulta were recovered from the vehicle valued at over $20,000.00. Several other bags with an unknown value from other locations were also recovered. No injuries were reported during this incident.
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 Commissioners Tom Mastrangelo, Doug Cabana, Deputy Director Christine Myers, Director John Krickus, Commissioners Deborah Smith, Stephen Shaw.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners is reaffirming Morris County’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine at a memorial service tonight at Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the sovereign nation.
Director John Krickus, Father Stefan Bilyk, Community Leader Myron Bytz.
Commissioner Director John Krickus will present a framed proclamation cementing Morris County’s commitment to the Ukrainian people and denouncing Vladimir Putin’s ruthless assault on Ukraine. Over the past 12 months, the larger Morris County community has embraced the Ukrainian cause and delivered aid to the European nation.
“Let me announce Morris County’s donation of 100 radios to Ukraine for the first time last summer. We did not announce it then out of caution for those receiving the equipment. Morris County has also provided 100 protective vests and helmets from the Sheriff and Prosecutor’s Office, with additional donations from local police departments and surplus medical supplies from Morris County. I want to thank everyone in Morris County government who facilitated these donations,” remarked Director Krickus leading up to the event.
Director Krickus will offer some remarks on behalf of the board at the memorial, acknowledging and thanking the Morris County community for coming together to support Ukraine, a nation in turmoil. Supplies and aid from Morris County and its residents have been delivered through the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACCNJ), located on the same grounds as Saint John Church at 60 North Jefferson Road.
The UACCNJ estimates that the aid moved through its center amounted to 18 shipping containers valued at over $4 million.
“The support we have received from Morris County and the Commissioners is overwhelming. People have opened their hearts and souls to our community and our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, which means the world to us. Evil will not prevail. We need continued prayers and support,” stated UACCNJ Board Member Michael Halibej, the Cultural Center’s Social Club manager.
Morris County, with an estimated 12,000 residents of Ukrainian descent, has maintained a unique kinship with Ukraine dating back more than a century when immigrants first arrived in the Whippany and Malapardis sections of Hanover Township in 1908.
They found hope for a new life and employment in the many mills that once drove the regional economy. In Whippany, Ukrainian immigrants built the original Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church on a corner of what is now Route 10 and Jefferson Road, establishing a community that continues to significantly contribute to our wonderful way of life in Morris County and throughout the United States.
“As a veteran, I served, as millions of others did, to protect our democracy, and now Ukraine’s people and armed forces fight for these same values. Their fight is our fight, and when you are fighting for freedom, you fight harder,” stated Director Krickus.
With this awful war entering its second year, inflicting irreversible damage on a nation and its people that will have lasting impacts on generations to come, the memorial will include prayers that the carnage will all end soon for our sisters and brothers in Ukraine.
Anyone interested in donating funds, goods, or medical supplies should contact Myron Bytz, a community leader with the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, by clicking here. He can also be reached by phone at (973) 585-7175 or by email: uaccnj@gmail.com.
UACCNJ Board Member Michael Halibej, Community Leader Myron Bytz, Director John Krickus, Communications Division Manager Keith Heimburg of Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Father Stefan Bilyk.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Mountain Lakes Borough Council Meeting will be held on Monday, February 27, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Mountain Lakes High School Media Center, 96 Powerville Road. (Executive Session starts at 6:00 p.m.)
The Township of Hanover has a Township Committee form of government comprising five members.
Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, Mayor
Michael A. Mihalko, Deputy Mayor
Brian J. Cahill, Committeeman
John L. Ferramosca, Committeeman
Ronald F. Francioli, Committeeman
Brian J. Cahill, Michael A. Mihalko, Ronald F. Francioli, John L. Ferramosca, and Thomas "Ace" Gallagher
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The Township Committee of the Township of Hanover will meet Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., for an in-person, open public conference and closed, executive legal and personnel meeting in Conference Room “A” at the Township Municipal Building located at 1000 Route 10 West (intersection of Route 10W and North Jefferson Road) in Whippany.
Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting.
