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Homeless Solutions’ 26th Annual Dream Builders’ Bash

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — Homeless Solutions will celebrate its 26th Annual Dream Builders’ Bash on Friday, March 27 at a spectacular new venue, The Mansion at Mountain Lakes in Mountain Lakes.

The ‘Bash’ is the non-profit’s largest yearly fundraiser supporting the shelter programs and services HSI offers for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Morris County, helping them regain their independence. This year’s event, “Building Dreams Together,” will bring the community together to celebrate extraordinary supporters and honor two remarkable awardees whose dedication to Homeless Solutions has made a lasting difference.

Mary LeBlanc will be recognized with HSI’s Dream Builder Award, having been a steadfast part of the Homeless Solutions family for over 30 years. Dedicating herself to the mission as a volunteer, leadership donor, Board Trustee and HSI’s interim CEO in 2024, she has helped guide the organization’s growth with her operational expertise and an unwavering commitment to those HSI serves.

Parsippany-based Liquid Church will also be honored with the Mary E. Van Kirk Volunteer Spirit Award for showing care and compassion through their volunteerism. They are true stewards of community connection and HSI is grateful for their partnership.

In 2025, Homeless Solutions provided support and services to over 500 people through their programs and affordable housing opportunities, made possible by the generous support of events like the Dream Builders’ Bash. Tickets are available for this impactful – and fun! – evening featuring this year’s award presentations, inspiring stories and tributes, dinner, dancing and exciting Live and Silent Auction bidding, all in support of HSI’s mission of empowering community members working towards self-sustainability.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. For tickets click here.

For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please contact HSI Events and Donor Relations Manager Julie Hess at [email protected]

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. They offer more than just a healthy meal and a place to sleep. They 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.

Paterson Man Charged After $2,100 Tequila Theft from Liquor Store

By
Frank Cahill
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A Paterson man has been charged in connection with the theft of more than $2,000 worth of tequila from a liquor store in the Lake Hopatcong section of Jefferson Township, according to police.

Officers from the Jefferson Township Police Department responded to Chabons II Liquor Store on Espanong Road on Friday, January 10, at approximately 1:36 p.m., after receiving a report of a theft.

According to police, store employees reported that a man entered the store and asked for assistance purchasing several high-end bottles of tequila. The bottles were gathered and placed near the register while the customer continued speaking with the clerk.

The suspect then asked the clerk to retrieve a box of wine bottles from a rear storage area. While the clerk went to the back of the store, the suspect allegedly grabbed the tequila bottles from the counter and fled the store.

Authorities said the suspect left the area in a silver four-door sport utility vehicle, traveling in an unknown direction.

Detectives launched an investigation and issued an alert for the suspect and the vehicle. Through coordination with other law enforcement agencies, investigators later identified the suspect as Christopher Stamp, 36, of Paterson.

Stamp has been charged with third-degree theft. Police said the value of the stolen tequila bottles was approximately $2,100.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Jefferson Township Police Department at (973) 697-1300 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected]

Drew Forum to Feature Journalist Douglas Murray at Mayo Performing Arts Center

By
Frank Cahill
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Journalist and bestselling author Douglas Murray will speak at the Drew Forum speaker series on Monday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, where he will discuss global politics, Western culture, and his latest book, On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization.

MORRIS CUNTY — The Drew Forum speaker series will present journalist and bestselling author Douglas Murray at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street.

Murray is a bestselling author, journalist, and political commentator who has reported extensively from conflict zones, including Ukraine and Gaza. His most recent New York Times bestseller, “On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization” (2025), draws on on-the-ground reporting from Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon to examine the current conflict and its broader historical context.

The book analyzes the aftermath of the October 7 attacks in Israel and includes accounts from victims, survivors, and those involved in the violence.

Murray is also the author of several other bestselling books. His 2022 book, “The War on the West,” which examines criticism of Western culture and history, became a No. 1 bestseller on both The New York Times and The Sunday Times lists. Other notable works include “The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity” (2019) and “The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity and Islam” (2017), both Sunday Times bestsellers.

In addition to his books, Murray has been a contributor to The Spectator since 2000 and has served as an associate editor of the publication since 2012. He is also a columnist for The New York Post, The Free Press, The Sun, and The Telegraph, and contributes regularly to National Review and other media outlets.

A frequent public speaker and debater, Murray has appeared at venues including the British Parliament, the European Parliament, and the White House. His debate opponents have included Mehdi Hasan, Julian Assange, Rowan Williams, and Malcolm Gladwell.

Murray is also a frequent guest on major political and news programs, including the BBC’s “Newsnight,” “Daily Politics,” “This Week,” and “Question Time.” He has also appeared on widely followed podcasts such as “The Joe Rogan Experience” and “Waking Up with Sam Harris.”

Tickets for the event range from $47.00 to $79.00 and can be purchased by clicking here.

This event is generously sponsored by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

Letter to the Editor: Jefferson Administration Adds Insult to Injury

By
Letter to the editor
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Dear Editor:

As if our upcoming school budget nightmare was not a sufficient blast to our property taxes coming in June, at the budget hearing this evening in Town Hall the Mayor and Administrator are asking the Council to approve yet another 3.8 percent increase to our already bloated $35 million municipal budget.

Our budget has increased by 38 percent since 2019, the year this Mayor was elected. We have had property tax spike after property tax spike over the last seven years and they keep coming back to us for more and more.

During the hearing, the Mayor was asking for money to buy four more new police vehicles, which has become a theme for him every year since 2022. Needless to say, those vehicles are all outfitted by Atlantic Communications, and their labor costs are astronomical.

Look them up.

With this being the perfect time to curtail increases to property taxes due to the needs of our school’s sports programs, this administration just throws insult on top of injury for us.

Not only does this Township need a massive property tax cut, it needs new leadership — now.

Christian E. Barranco 

Driver Charged with DWI After Route 15 Crash

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A Sparta man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a single-vehicle crash on Route 15 North during the early morning hours of Saturday, February 15.

According to the Jefferson Township Police Department, patrol officers were dispatched at approximately 2:30 a.m. to the area of Route 15 North near the 3.5 mile marker for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle off the roadway after it had struck a guardrail. 

Police identified the driver as Anthony Green, 21, of Sparta. Officers reported that Green had been traveling northbound when his vehicle drifted out of the right lane, left the roadway, crossed the median, and struck a guardrail, disabling the vehicle. 

Green told officers he was driving home and declined medical attention at the scene. However, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage while speaking with him and began conducting field sobriety tests. During those tests, officers observed several indicators of impairment. 

Green was placed under arrest and transported to Jefferson Township Police Headquarters, where breath testing was conducted using an Alcotest device. The results showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.157 percent, nearly twice the legal limit in New Jersey. 

Police reported that Green stated he had consumed two glasses of Pinot Grigio earlier in the evening while in Paterson before driving. 

Green was charged with:

  • Driving While Intoxicated (39:4-50)
  • Careless Driving (39:4-97)
  • Failure to Maintain Lane (39:4-96)

After processing, Green was released to a responsible party and transported to his residence in Sparta. He was issued summonses and is scheduled to appear in Jefferson Township Municipal Court.  

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 Police Arrest Wharton Man for Driving While Intoxicated After Route 46 Traffic Stop

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

DOVER — A Wharton man was arrested for driving while intoxicated after Dover police stopped his vehicle early Wednesday morning on Route 46.

According to the Dover Police Department, the incident occurred on Wednesday, January 14, at approximately 12:54 a.m. when Sergeant Mario Tamariz conducted a motor vehicle stop after observing a driver fail to stop at a red traffic signal at the intersection of Route 46 and Pequannock Street.

Patrol Officer Anthony Morin responded to assist and approached the driver’s side of the vehicle. The driver was identified as Victor M. Torres-Martinez, 21, of Wharton. While speaking with the driver, officers reported detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery.

Officers asked Torres-Martinez to exit the vehicle and conducted several standardized field sobriety tests. According to the report, Torres-Martinez showed multiple signs of impairment during the tests, including difficulty maintaining balance and stepping off the line during the walk-and-turn test. He also lost balance during the one-leg stand test.

After failing the field sobriety tests, Torres-Martinez was placed under arrest and transported to Dover Police Headquarters for processing. He was later taken to the Randolph Police Department where breath testing was conducted using the Alcotest instrument.

Police reported that Torres-Martinez provided breath samples that resulted in a blood alcohol concentration of 0.178 percent, more than twice the legal limit in New Jersey.

Torres-Martinez was charged with:

  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Careless driving
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to maintain lane
  • Failure to obey traffic signals
  • Vehicle in unsafe condition
  • Improper display of license plates
  • Failure to produce insurance
  • Failure to produce vehicle registration 2026-00974 (1-14-26)

Following processing, Torres-Martinez was released to a responsible party in accordance with John’s Law, which requires intoxicated drivers to be released only to a sober individual.

The vehicle involved, a 2007 Nissan Versa, was towed from the scene by Bunky’s Heavy Towing & Auto.

Torres-Martinez was issued summonses and is scheduled to appear in Dover Municipal Court at a later date.

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.

Applications Now Open for the 2026 William Kogen Community Service Award

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

MOUNTAIN LAKES — Lakeland Hills Family YMCA announced that applications are now open for the 2026 William Kogen Community Service Award. This annual award recognizes two outstanding high-school seniors whose dedication to community service and measurable community impact exemplifies leadership, compassion, and social responsibility.

Each of the 2026 William Kogen Award recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education and personal growth, along with an engraved commemorative plaque. The recipients will be formally recognized at the YMCA’s Annual Dinner in June, where they will be honored alongside their parents/guardians and a teacher of their choice.

The scholarship celebrates not only remarkable achievements but also the values the award represents: dedication to community, compassion for others, and a deep commitment to strengthening the lives of those around them.

Established to encourage and celebrate the spirit of service in youth, the William Kogen Community Service Award is named in honor of William Kogen, a Applications Now Open for the 2026 William Kogen Community Service Award is named in honor of William Kogen, a Lakeland Hills Family YMCA board member and longtime youth advocate. The award is rooted in his belief that young people can be powerful agents of change and that service builds stronger, more connected communities.

“At the YMCA, we believe in empowering young people to reach their full potential,” said CEO Alex Martinez. “The William Kogen Community Service Award honors students who embody the Y’s values through meaningful action. These young leaders remind us that service is not just something we do, it is who we are.”

The award reflects the YMCA’s mission to strengthen community by fostering achievement, meaningful relationships, and a strong sense of belonging. By recognizing youth who led through service, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA affirms its commitment to developing the next generation of changemakers who help create communities where all people can thrive.

Applications are open to graduating high-school seniors in our geographic service area and will be evaluated solely on demonstrated community service and community impact. Additionally, applicants may be from a public or private high school. The application deadline is April 4.

Students interested in applying, as well as school counselors and educators wishing to nominate a student, can contact Community Engagement Manager, Kelly Horvath, at [email protected] for more information.

About Lakeland Hills Family YMCA

Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the foundations of our community by supporting youth, improving health and well-being, and fostering connection. From early learning and summer camp to aquatics, fitness, and enrichment programs, we serve people of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring everyone has access to opportunities that build confidence, relationships, and lifelong well-being. and longtime youth advocate. The award is rooted in his belief that young people can be powerful agents of change and that service builds stronger, more connected communities.

Lakeland Hills Family YMCA Announces New Art Exhibit Scholarship Award for Graduating Seniors

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is proud to introduce a new scholarship opportunity for graduating high school senior

MORRIS COUNTY — Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is proud to introduce a new scholarship opportunity for graduating high school seniors: the Art Exhibit Scholarship Award, celebrating artistic talent, creativity, and dedication to the visual arts.

This new scholarship will be presented to a high school senior within the YMCA’s service area and is awarded based solely on originality, technical skill, and presentation. The opportunity is open to seniors attending both public and private high schools. To ensure fairness and objectivity, the winning submission will be selected by a neutral judge.

The recipient will receive a $1,000 college scholarship and public recognition at the YMCA’s Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation in June.

The winning student will be honored during the Annual Dinner alongside their parents or guardians and a teacher of their choice, celebrating not only artistic achievement but also the mentors and supporters who helped guide their journey.

All artwork submissions must be received by Monday, April 13. Submitted pieces will be displayed at the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA from April 15 through June 15, showcasing the creativity and talent of local students for the entire community to enjoy.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Open to high school seniors graduating in June 2026.
  • Applicants must attend a high school within the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA service area.
  • Only one entry per student will be accepted.
  • All submissions must be the original work of a single student. Collaborative works are not permitted.

Through this scholarship and community exhibit, the YMCA continues its commitment to empowering young people to reach their full potential. By providing space for creative expression and recognizing artistic excellence through an impartial selection process, the Y fosters achievement, builds meaningful connections, and strengthens community through shared experiences.

For more information about the Art Exhibit Scholarship Award or application details, please contact Kelly Horvath, Community Engagement Manager, at [email protected] or 973-507-7016. For details on the Y’s geographic service area, reach out to Kelly.

About Lakeland Hills Family YMCA

Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the foundations of our community by supporting youth, improving health and well-being, and fostering connection. From early learning and summer camp to aquatics, fitness, and enrichment programs, we serve people of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring everyone has access to opportunities that build confidence, relationships, and lifelong well-being.

Man Charged with Driving While Intoxicated on Route 15

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A 36-year-old man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Route 15 during the early morning hours of Friday, January 3, 2026.

According to the  Jefferson Township Police Officer MatthewJohnson, at approximately 1:42 a.m., officers observed a 2025 Acura MDX traveling northbound on Route 15 near Club 15. Police reported the vehicle failed to maintain its lane and nearly struck another motorist, prompting a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Nico Vega, age 36, of Santa Ana, California, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Officers stated they detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from inside the vehicle. Vega allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol approximately one hour prior to the stop.

Police reported locating an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle.

Field sobriety tests were administered at the scene. According to the report, officers observed multiple indicators of impairment during the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, Walk-and-Turn test, and One-Leg Stand test. Officers concluded Vega was suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Vega was transported to Jefferson Township Police Headquarters, where he was administered an Alcotest. The report indicates two valid breath samples were obtained, with a reported blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent.

He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, and Wrong Way on a One Way Street. Vega was processed and later released pending a court appearance in Jefferson Township Municipal Court.

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.

College Club of Dover Offers Scholarships and College Loans to Local Young Women

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

DOVER — The College Club of Dover is once again offering scholarships to support and encourage young women graduating from area high schools as they pursue higher education.

The scholarship program is open to graduating seniors from Dover High School, Morris Knolls High School, Morris Hills High School, Randolph High School, and Roxbury High School. Awards are presented to young women who will be attending an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.

Applications are available through the guidance offices at each of the participating high schools.

In addition to scholarships, the College Club of Dover also offers one thousand dollar loans to young women attending an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.

Founded in 1932 by Esther Dunning King, the nonprofit organization has awarded more than 170 scholarships over the years. The College Club of Dover remains dedicated to assisting young women in attaining their aspirations of earning a college education.

Completed applications must be submitted by March 27.

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