EAST HANOVER — The Township of East Hanover Recreation Department has announced that 2026 pool badges are now available. Residents can register in person at the Thomas Rinaldi Recreation Center for the upcoming pool season.
All individuals entering the pool must possess a valid membership, and badge sharing is strictly prohibited. Caretakers are also required to obtain their own membership based on residency status.
Memberships can be purchased using cash, check, or credit card, with applicable processing fees.
For more information, residents can call (973) 888-6085 or email [email protected].
The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On March 2, 2026, Hanover Township Patrolman Timothy Dalgauer arrested Sebastian Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 31, of Garfield, on an active traffic warrant issued by the Hanover Township Municipal Court.
Rodriguez was initially taken into custody by Montville Police on the outstanding warrant. Authorities notified Hanover Township Police after determining he was unable to post bail.
He was subsequently transferred to Hanover Township officers and transported to the Morris County Jail, where he was lodged pending a court appearance.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Hanover Township Sgt. Richard Camasta arrested Adras Vasquez-Gonzalez, 38, of Morristown, following a motor vehicle stop that led to multiple charges, including hindering apprehension.
Sgt. Camasta was on patrol when he observed a vehicle with equipment violations and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Vasquez-Gonzalez, was unable to provide a valid driver’s license and only presented expired documents for the vehicle, which was registered to another individual.
During the stop, Vasquez-Gonzalez provided the name “Migel Lopez” both verbally and in writing; however, no driver’s license was found under that name. He then provided a second false identity. Sgt. Camasta was ultimately able to confirm his true identity and determined that his driving privileges were suspended due to a prior DWI conviction.
Vasquez-Gonzalez was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with hindering, driving while suspended, and multiple motor vehicle violations.
The vehicle’s owner, Jose Mendez, 34, of Morristown, was also charged with allowing a suspended driver to operate his vehicle.
Both individuals were released pending their court appearances.
Editor’s 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 a reasonable doubt.
DOVER — The Dover community is mourning the loss of Cristhofer Jeremy Perez Huamani, an 18-year-old Dover High School student, whose sudden passing has left family, friends, and classmates grieving.Huamani, who immigrated to the United States two years ago with his mother, Erika, had made Dover his home while attending Dover High School. Known among peers and teachers, his loss has deeply impacted the school community.
Superintendent Luis Jaime shared a message with families acknowledging the tragedy. “Our hearts go out to the student’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this loss,” he said. “We understand that this news may be difficult for many members of our community.”
In response, community members have organized online fundraisers to support Huamani’s family during this difficult time. Efforts are focused on helping cover funeral expenses and fulfilling the family’s wish to transport his remains back to his native Peru.
“This sudden loss has left his family devastated and facing not only emotional pain but also unexpected financial burdens,” a fundraiser noted. “We are asking for your support during this incredibly difficult time.”
Dover Mayor James Dodd, speaking on behalf of the town, extended “my deepest condolences to the family who have suffered the tragic loss of their son.”
“This heartbreaking incident has impacted our entire community,” Dodd said. “We ask everyone to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Please know that you are not alone. Our community stands with you in support, compassion, and respect.”
Mayor Dodd has provided support to the family by also reaching out to the Peruvian consulate to assist them in repatriating their son’s body and to help secure a special immigration travel authorization so the mother’s process is not interrupted.
The tragedy has also prompted renewed conversations about safety in areas near railroad tracks and unauthorized gathering spots.
Grief counseling and support services are expected to be made available for students and staff as the community comes together to remember a young life lost too soon.
FLORHAM PARK — The Garden Club of Florham Park is inviting residents to welcome the spring season at its annual plant sale, set for Saturday, May 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Florham Park Community Center, 111 Ridgedale Avenue. The event will be held rain or shine.
Gardeners of all experience levels will find a wide variety of plants available, including annuals, perennials from members’ gardens, herbs, vegetables, and beautiful hanging baskets—perfect for Mother’s Day. The sale offers a great opportunity for residents to shop locally while supporting a longstanding community organization.
Proceeds from the event directly benefit Florham Park through public gardening programs, town beautification efforts, and local scholarships.
The Garden Club of Florham Park remains active throughout the year, hosting monthly gardening programs open to the public, maintaining Carolyn’s Garden at the Community Center, assisting with landscaping at the Florham Park Municipal Pool, and supporting the Ridgedale Middle School Graduation Awards Program.
For more information, residents can contact the Garden Club of Florham Park at [email protected].
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A critical opportunity is approaching for residents to make their voices heard on school funding, as the New Jersey State Board of Education prepares to host one of its three annual Open Topic Public Testimony sessions. Local officials and families are urging strong community participation to highlight Jefferson Township’s ongoing financial challenges and the impact of state policies.This is a critical moment for Jefferson Township. YOUR VOICE. THEIR FUTURE ongoing financial challenges and the impact of state policies.
Jefferson Township Families – This is a Massive Opportunity
On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the NJ State Board of Education is holding one of its three annual Open Topic Public Testimony sessions.
This is one of our strongest chances to put Jefferson’s $4.8 million deficit and the unfair impact of the Highlands Act on the official record.
How You Can Help:
1. Testify in Person (Trenton)
When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Where: 100 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ (First Floor Conference Room) Register by: Thursday, April 30 at Noon
Registered speakers will have 5 minutes to speak and should bring 6 hard copies of their testimony.
2. Testify by Email or Mail (samples in the comments)
Can’t attend in person? Written testimony is still official and counts.
Email:[email protected] Mail: New Jersey Department of Education State Board Office P.O. Box 500 Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Subject Line: Public Testimony – May 6 Open Topic – Jefferson Township Funding Crisis
Suggested Talking Points (Keep to 3–5 minutes):
Jefferson protects clean drinking water for millions of New Jersey residents under the Highlands Act.
Because of strict development restrictions, our local tax base cannot grow, yet the S2 funding formula continues to penalize us by cutting state aid.
We have already lost approximately $45 million in cumulative state aid and are now facing a $4.8 million shortfall this year.
Middle school sports have already been eliminated from the school and shifted entirely to rec leagues. High school sports and extracurricular activities are now at risk of being cut.
These programs are essential, not “extra.” They teach responsibility, teamwork, discipline, and provide critical mental health support.
We are respectfully asking the State Board to recognize how this formula is harming our students and to recommend adjustments that address this inequity in the Highlands Region.
Top Tips:
Prepare bullet points so you can look up and make eye contact.
Wear Royal Blue and Gold — even if you’re not speaking, your presence sends a strong message.
Arrive 20–30 minutes early for security screening.
A Note on the Numbers for Transparency:
Jefferson was originally facing a $4.8 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 school year. In March, the Board of Education made additional painful cuts and approved a 2% tax increase. These steps reduced the remaining gap to approximately $2.9 million.
Even after these difficult reductions, the district remains short — which is why officials continue to advocate for the full $4.8 million in emergency supplemental aid through A4456. This funding is needed to stabilize schools and prevent further cuts to high school sports and extracurricular programs.
Let’s make sure our voices are heard loud and clear. Every testimony helps.
Carpooling arrangements are being organized in the comments for registered speakers.
Team Tungsten is ready to take on the American Rocketry Challenge not just as competitors, but as a team shaped by resilience and experience.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Each Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon, in a room filled with the hum of 3D printers and tables scattered with prototypes, a group of high schoolers meet with a shared goal: building rockets that are able to win the American Rocketry Challenge.
The Makerspace at the Mountain Lakes Public Library is home to its very own rocketry team, Team Tungsten. The group includes Katherine Yakovets, Isabella Marotta, Evie Marotta, Josie Marotta, Jason Dimitov, Jack Wallace, Christian Lim, Andrew Matty, Medha Vavilia and mentor Richard He. Marotta Controls sponsors the team’s pursuit of model rocketry.
The team has spent months, dedicating hours to designing, testing, and refining their rockets and on April 5, 2026, the team officially qualified for Nationals, placing among the top 10% nationwide, being one of 100 teams out of over 1,000 to make it. Team Tungsten’s achievement is especially notable because the team manufactures and designs their rockets entirely using custom 3D printing.
After qualifying for regionals, Team Tungsten 3D printed four entirely new rockets, ensuring that they would do their best to maximize their chances for Nationals. Some of the major improvements the team made included printing custom weight sets for fine-tuning performance, improving egg capsule design to prevent breaking on impact, and fixing parachute deployment issues to make sure that their rockets would properly slow down for a stable descent back to land. Katherine Yakovets, member of Team Tungsten, explained, “We basically went back and fixed everything that went wrong at regionals.”
The American Rocketry Challenge is scored with precision. To make it to Nationals, teams aim for a flight time between 36-39 seconds and an altitude of 750 feet without the egg that is placed inside the rocket breaking upon impact. One point off second or per foot off target results in a penalty point with the goal being to have the lowest total score, similar to golf. Team Tungsten earned a score of approximately 14 points, which was well below the cutoff of around 23 points, securing their spot at Nationals. “Finding out that we qualified was amazing but not a total surprise. We knew how much work we had put in, so seeing it pay off was really rewarding and it still feels surreal” says Katherine.
Team Tungsten will be traveling to Virginia on May 16, to participate in the Nationals Finals for $20,000 and the chance to represent the United States at the International Rocketry Challenge at the Farnborough or Paris Air Show. At Nationals, there are other fun challenges that teams can compete in such as a costume contest and a scavenger hunt where there is a cash prize of $500 for winners. Teams also have the opportunity to receive awards like Outstanding Mentor and Outstanding Team Advisor.
I’m proud of the team. This is only our second year competing and we understood the challenge,” says Richard He, mentor of Team Tungsten. “Competing in Nationals is uncharted territory but we are fully prepared for anything and everything”
While their engineering skills have strengthened, the months of creating pieces, testing rockets, and random Walmart Trips have also brought the team closer together. With just over a month until Nationals, Team Tungsten is ready to take on the American Rocketry Challenge not just as competitors, but as a team shaped by resilience and experience.
MORRIS COUNTY — Homeless Solutions recently celebrated its 26th Annual Dream Builders’ Bash on Friday, March 27.
The ‘Bash’ is the non-profit’s largest yearly fundraiser in support of the shelter programs and services it offers for people who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Morris County, to help them regain their independence. The Mansion at Mountain Lakes provided a stunning new venue for this year’s event, “Building Dreams Together” celebrating the importance of community and paying tribute to honorees who have made immeasurable impact on the organization.
Mary LeBlanc was honored with Homeless Solutions’ Dream Builder Award in recognition of her remarkable 30-year commitment to the organization. From volunteer to leadership donor, Board Trustee, and interim CEO in 2024, Mary has worn many hats in service to HSI’s mission — bringing her operational expertise and a deep, unwavering dedication to those the organization serves at every step of the way.
Parsippany-based Liquid Church was honored with the Mary E. Van Kirk Volunteer Spirit Award for showing care and compassion through volunteerism. They are true stewards of the community, and as Pastor Keon Carpenter affirmed in his speech, “we’re never too far from the people we’re serving.”
Bash guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions, highlighted by a moving – and lively – appeal preceded by reflections from Leo, a current Transitional Housing Program participant. A single father who lost his home after a layoff and the passing of his wife, Leo and his teenage daughter found Homeless Solutions while navigating grief and hardship. Through his determination to take advantage of every opportunity HSI offered, the two are now thriving and preparing to sign a lease on a place of their own. As Leo put it, “Homeless Solutions treats us with dignity, humility and with pride. Since Homeless Solutions saved me, I now call it ‘Home Plus.'”
HSI CEO Jaclyn Stoll was joined by local dignitaries including Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney, current and past HSI Board of Trustees members, and remarkable sponsors among the nearly 250 attendees. Together, they helped raise $440,000 in support of HSI’s mission to empower neighbors like Leo in attaining lasting housing stability.
About Homeless Solutions Our Philosophy is “A Hand UP, not a HandOUT.” Since 1983, Homeless Solutions has been helping people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in our community. As a private, nonprofit organization, we are unique in what we do. We offer more than just a healthy meal and a place to sleep. We create pathways for people to rebuild stability, achieve lasting housing and pursue their long-term goals.
What sets Homeless Solutions apart from others is our comprehensive continuum of housing options, including our Main Shelter, Transitional Housing Program (THP) for families, Warming Center for individuals living unsheltered during the winter, Mt. Kemble Home for senior women, Women’s Campus for single women, and 72 additional units of affordable rental housing, owned and operated by HSI, throughout Morris County. Each of our programs is designed to meet people where they are and support their journey to sustainable housing.
For more information on how you can support Homeless Solutions click here.
JEFFERSON — — Boaters across Morris and Sussex counties are being encouraged to recycle—not discard—their seasonal boat shrink wrap as a free, environmentally friendly program returns this spring.
A drop-off event will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Jefferson Township Health Center. In addition, residents in Sussex County can bring shrink wrap Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority Solid Waste Facility.
“Recycling boat shrink wrap is a simple yet impactful way to protect our environment,” said Kellie Ann Keyes. “We’re proud to partner with local organizations to make it easy for boaters to recycle responsibly.”
The initiative—recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for its leadership in waste reduction—is a collaborative effort involving the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority, Roxbury Clean Communities, Jefferson Township, and Ultra-Poly.
“Programs like this help reduce the amount of plastic entering landfills and the natural environment,” said Kyle Richter. “It’s a practical way for boaters to be part of a broader effort to manage waste more responsibly.”
Now in its fourth year, the Morris and Sussex County Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program has already kept more than 50 tons of material out of the waste stream—and participation is completely free.
“We are thrilled to work with partners across the region to make boat shrink wrap recycling accessible and convenient,” said Ryan Miller. “This service not only reduces plastic waste but also supports the creation of new products from recycled materials.”
Once collected, the shrink wrap is processed through a closed-loop recycling system and converted into small pellets used to manufacture items such as composite lumber, packaging materials, and other durable goods.
“We are excited to see the continued success of this recycling initiative and its impact in reducing waste,” said Anthony Marrone. “This partnership is a great example of how creative solutions can make a real difference in our community.”
Residents planning to participate are reminded to properly prepare materials by removing all non-plastic items such as ropes, vents, and zippers. The shrink wrap should be cleaned of debris and folded or rolled into a manageable size before drop-off.
“We’re proud to support this regional effort to keep recyclable materials out of our landfills,” said Dawn Latincsics. “Programs like this show how partnerships can create real environmental benefits for our communities.”
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The Hanover Township Police Department handled a significant volume of calls and incidents during March 2026, reflecting its ongoing commitment to public safety and community service.
According to the department’s monthly activity report, officers responded to 3,018 calls for service throughout the month. In addition, police made 49 arrests, including 5 DWI arrests, underscoring continued enforcement efforts to keep roadways safe.
Traffic-related incidents remained steady, with 65 motor vehicle crashes reported. Officers also responded to 81 alarms (burglar and fire) and provided 166 medical aids, assisting residents in emergency situations.
Proactive policing efforts were evident through 1,232 property checks, helping to deter crime and ensure neighborhood safety.
The statistics highlight the department’s wide-ranging responsibilities—from emergency response to preventative patrols—demonstrating their dedication to protecting and serving the Hanover Township community every day.
