MORRIS COUNTY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is currently seeking Jigar Prajapati, a 29-year-old individual who left his residence in the Lake Parsippany Section of town at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13th, and has not returned.
His last known sighting occurred at the Hanover Marriott (Route 10) around 12:10 a.m., according to reports from the front desk staff. Jigar is without his cell phone or any credit cards.
He is described as a 5’7″ male with black hair, weighing approximately 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and black sandals.
If you have any information, please contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Communication Center at 973-263-4300 extension 0.
MADISON — Madison Mayor Robert Conley, accompanied by representatives from the downtown council, the Downtown Development Commission, the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as friends and family, extended congratulations to Tracy Walsh, owner of Stay, the Salon during the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, March 6th. Well-known and respected for her decades of experience as a Master Colorist and Color Director, Tracy is joined by a team of talented hair professionals.
Situated at 20 Waverly Place in Madison, Stay, the Salon provides a range of services including cuts, styling, bridal, retexturing, and hair treatments.
Stay has been the lifelong dream of owner/operator Tracy Walsh. Well-known and respected for her decades of experience as a Master Colorist and Color Director, she is well-prepared and excited to introduce you to Stay The Salon.
Tracy is delighted to be in the heart of Madison and surrounded by her team of talented hair professionals, many of whom she has known and worked alongside for years. Catering to discerning clients who will enjoy a delightful, loving salon experience full of creative, positive energy that mirrors that of the entire staff and delivers on our passion for you to look beautiful, feel beautiful, and stay beautiful.
Commissioner DeFillippo (center) with her husband, Bob (left) and Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo (right).
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Chamber of Commerce will honor former Morris County Commissioner Kathryn DeFillippo with the 2024 Alex DeCroce Public Leadership Award at its annual Legislative Luncheon on March 20.
The Alex DeCroce Public Leadership Award is presented to a Morris County official who exemplifies the values of public service by the late Assemblyman Alex DeCroce: an unwavering commitment to making the community a great place to live, grow a business, and raise a family.
Morris County Commissioner Director Christine Myers, along with fellow County Commissioners, will present the award at the event, which is being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park.
DeFillippo, who is retired, served three terms on the Board of County Commissioners from 2014 to 2022, including two years as board director. During her tenure, she served as the chief liaison to the Morris County Department of Human Services and area nonprofits. She was also Mayor of Roxbury Township in 2009 and served on the Township Council from 2006 to 2013.
DeFillippo served as a Morris County member of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority from 2014 until her retirement and chaired the board from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, she was a trustee to the board of the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National MS Society, leaving in 2016 after a decade of service.
DeFillippo had a private career as a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, assisting society’s most vulnerable citizens. She served as director of a sheltered workshop for adults with physical and mental handicaps in New York and worked in the insurance industry in the Washington, D.C., area, providing medical management and vocational rehabilitation services to injured workers.
The annual Legislative Luncheon, part of the chamber’s Public Policy Series, will feature members of the New Jersey Legislature, prominent public officials, and political analysts discussing matters that affect the business community. The panel this year will include Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, and state Senators Anthony Bucco (R-25) (scheduled) and Nicholas Scutari (D-22) (invited).
The Legislative Luncheon is open to both chamber members and non-members. To register or learn more click here.
EAST HANOVER — The East Hanover Health Department, in partnership with the Roseland Board of Health, will conduct a male cancer screening program from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, at the Senior Citizens Center, 96 Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
The emphasis of this screening is to detect early signs of prostatic, testicular, and colorectal cancer.
DOVER — Mayor James Dodd, along with Councilmen Sergio Rodriguez and AB Santana, cordially greeted Luz de Mar as they inaugurated their new location at 10 North Sussex Street in Dover with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, March 11.
Marina Guerrero and Luciano Diaz, the dynamic duo behind Luz de Mar, a burgeoning beauty and wellness haven nestled in Dover’s heart. With a decade of dedicated service to Dover’s community, Marina, hailing from Mexico, and Luciano, from Uruguay, have seamlessly merged their expertise to offer a comprehensive array of rejuvenating services.
Marina’s journey into the world of beauty began in Guadalajara, Mexico, under the tutelage of her mother, Isabel de la Cruz Vallejo, a seasoned beauty professional. With over 30 years of experience, Marina’s passion for cosmetology blossomed early, leading her to enroll in the Academy of Cosmetology in 1996. In 2001, she embarked on a new chapter in New York, where she earned her cosmetology license and honed her craft before settling in Dover with her husband in 2013 where she earned her beautician license.
Dover Mayor James Dodd joins in the celebration of the opening of Luz de Mar
Meanwhile, Luciano’s path to wellness started in 2009, when he graduated from the American Institute of Business. Over the years, Luciano has added various modalities to his practice, including seven years of providing medical massage therapy at a local chiropractor’s office. Following his relocation from Uruguay in 2002, Luciano found his calling, combining his chiropractic background with massage therapy to offer holistic healing. His commitment to holistic wellness drove him to establish Luz de Mar alongside Marina. They share a vision of promoting overall well-being for mind, body, and spirit.
Since Luz de Mar’s inception three weeks ago, Marina and Luciano have garnered praise for their unparalleled services, ranging from hair treatments to massages, and facials to physical therapy. Their commitment to excellence extends beyond mere pampering; it’s about fostering a sanctuary where clients find solace and rejuvenation.
But their journey doesn’t end there. Marina and Luciano are on a mission to redefine the beauty and wellness landscape in Dover. With a keen eye on innovation and the latest trends, they’ve introduced cutting-edge amenities like sauna facilities and shower accommodations for massage sessions, setting Luz de Mar apart from the rest.
Moreover, their dedication to community engagement is evident through initiatives like the Polar Express toy drives, where they offered chair massages to raise funds for noble causes. For Marina and Luciano, Luz de Mar isn’t just a business—it’s a beacon of compassion and inclusivity, where everyone, from first responders to military personnel, receives a warm welcome and special discounts. As Luciano aptly puts it, “A massage is a wellness, not a luxury,” encapsulating their ethos of prioritizing holistic well-being above all else.
Marina and Luciano have garnered praise for their unparalleled services, ranging from hair treatments to massages, and facials to physical therapy. Marina and Luciano are on a mission to redefine the beauty and wellness landscape in Dover. With a keen eye on innovation and the latest trends, they’ve introduced cutting-edge amenities like sauna facilities and shower accommodations for massage sessions, setting Luz de Mar apart from the rest.
MORRIS COUNTY — Starting Monday, March 25, New Jersey will join the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service to further strengthen the security of driver licenses and IDs issued in the Garden State.
By joining the program, New Jersey will finalize its compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.
“Ensuring one driver has one license is the goal of the State-to-State service,” said Latrecia Littles-Floyd, Acting Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC). “With New Jersey signing on to the program, the Motor Vehicle Commission will enhance the integrity of the licensing process here and in other states, leading to safer roads and better identity theft protections that benefit everyone.”
To bring the S2S service online, required NJMVC system maintenance and updates will take place from Saturday, March 23, through Sunday, March 24.
This will result in the following NJMVC service impacts that weekend:
All NJMVC agencies (Licensing and Vehicle Centers) will be closed on Saturday, March 23. Appointments will not be scheduled, and no customers will be serviced at agencies that day.
State inspection stations will remain open and on normal operations Saturday, March 23.
From March 23 to 24, limited online services will be available at the Commission’s website, NJMVC.gov. Online license/ID transactions and changes of address will not be accessible. Some online vehicle transactions that do not require a change of address will be accessible.
State and law enforcement access to NJMVC systems will not be affected during the system upgrade.
All NJMVC online services will resume normal functionality by 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 24, and all NJMVC agencies and facilities will resume normal operations on Monday, March 25.
For motor vehicle services, appointment scheduling, and more NJMVC information, visit NJMVC.gov.
Mountain Lakes Bank Robbery Suspect, Tony Winst, 46, was arrested by authorities
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Mountain Lakes Police Chief Shawn Bennett confirmed a man has been taken into federal custody for a bank robbery that occurred on November 17, 2023, at the PNC Bank.
At approximately 11:15 a.m. on November 17, 2023, law enforcement received a report of a bank robbery that occurred at the PNC Bank, 425 Boulevard. Subsequent investigation revealed that a male suspect entered the bank branch and demanded money. No weapon was displayed or threatened. The suspect fled the bank with approximately $1,000 in U.S. currency.
Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey worked with federal authorities to identify the alleged suspect as Tony Winst, 46, last known address Cresskill.
On March 9, 2024, Winst was taken into custody by federal authorities in New York City. Winst remains in federal custody and the case will be prosecuted at the federal level.
Numerous law enforcement agencies participated in this investigation, including the Mountain Lakes Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the Newark FBI at (973) 792-3000, or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
PNC Bank is located at 425 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
MORRIS COUNTY — A Morristown man was arrested on Monday night after he and his passenger were found asleep in the middle of Route 10 in Denville Township.
On March 11, around 11:46 p.m., police responded to a report of a motor vehicle stopped in the center lane on Route 10 eastbound, with the driver and passenger appearing to be asleep. Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle and found the driver and passenger asleep inside.
Following a brief investigation, the driver, identified as Milton Gonzalez, 21, of Morristown, was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Gonzalez faces charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving, having open containers in a motor vehicle, and obstructing traffic.
He was released pending a court appearance.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dr. Maria Isaza, (center) receives a S.H.I.N.E. Award on Thursday, March 7 at the annual S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awards Gala. She was supported at the Gala by the following from CCM from left: Melissa Albright, vice president of marketing, public relations & enrollment management; Patrick Enright, senior vice president of academic affairs, workforce development and student success; Dr. Anthony Iacono, president; and Julian Gomez, executive director of diversity, equity & inclusion/EOF programs.
MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) Dean of the School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences, Dr. Maria Isaza, has been recognized as a S.H.I.N.E. (Serves, Helps, Inspires, Nurtures, and Excels) Award recipient by Child & Family Resources.
Dr. Isaza received the award for the S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year in the Higher Education category on Thursday, March 7 at the annual S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awards Gala.
FLORHAM PARK — The Knights of Columbus Council 2248 of Florham Park and Madison is bringing back its round-robin chess tournament on Saturday, April 13, to be held in the gym of Holy Family Church at 35 Orchard Road.
This competition is open to all local students in grades 3 through 8.
