Thursday, August 13, 2026
Home Blog Page 2

I-287 Northbound Lane Closures Scheduled Friday Night in Hanover, Morris Township

By
Frank Cahill
-
0

MORRIS COUNTY — Lane closures are scheduled on I-287 northbound tonight as a bridge replacement project continues in Hanover and Morris Township. The work was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 27, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Beginning at 8:00 p.m. tonight, Friday, August 7, until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, August 8, two lanes on I-287 northbound are scheduled to close to restripe the roadway and place construction barriers to shift traffic and implement a long-term closure of the right shoulder underneath the Hanover Avenue Bridge, between mile post 37.2 and 37.6. At least two lanes will remain open overnight.

By 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, all lanes on I-287 northbound are expected to reopen with traffic shifted to the left toward the median. The right shoulder will remain closed. This pattern is expected to remain in place through November 2027 and is necessary to complete bridge abutment repairs and other improvements to the right shoulder.

Motorists are advised to slow down, use caution and expect delays when traveling through the work zones.

The work is part of a $17.5 million federally funded bridge replacement project that will replace the concrete bridge deck on the Hanover Avenue/County Road 650 Bridge over I-287 in Hanover and Morris Township. The project will also improve drainage, lighting, signage and fencing on the bridge, replace sidewalks and upgrade curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2028.

The timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s traffic information website, 511nj.org, for construction updates and real-time travel information, and to follow the department on X, Facebook or Instagram for additional updates.

Video: Jefferson Township Council Meeting – August 5, 2026

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
Mayor Eric F. Wilsusen attended the meeting

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Jefferson Township Council Meeting – August 5, 2026

Click here to download the agenda.

  • Eric F. Wilsusen (R) – Mayor
  • Republican Party — Term expires December 31, 2026
  1. Robert “Bob” Birmingham (R) – Councilman
    • Republican Party — Term expires December 31, 2028
  2. Josh Kalish (R) – Council President
    • Republican Party — Term expires December 31, 2026
  3. Melissa Senatore (R) – Councilwoman
    • Republican Party — Term expires December 31, 2026
  4. Barbie Garruto (R) – Council Vice President

Longtime Jefferson Township Principal Dr. Michael Valenti Dies

By
Frank Cahill
-
0

JEFFERSON — The Jefferson Township school community is mourning the loss of longtime educator and administrator Dr. Michael Frank Valenti Jr., who died on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the age of 56.

Valenti, a Mount Arlington resident, dedicated more than two decades of his professional career to Jefferson Township Public Schools, serving as a principal and touching the lives of generations of students, families, teachers and staff members.

According to his obituary from Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, Valenti was born March 20, 1970, in San Gabriel, California, to Mary Tallon Valenti and the late Michael F. Valenti Sr. He was raised in Southern California before moving to New Jersey after high school and eventually settling in Mount Arlington.

Valenti earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy for kindergarten through grade 12 education and devoted his career to education.

For more than 20 years, Valenti served as a principal in the Jefferson Township school district. He spent years leading White Rock Elementary School and was reassigned as principal of Jefferson Township High School effective July 1, 2025. At the time, the district announced that Valenti was on an extended medical leave and said the school community continued to keep him in its thoughts. Jefferson Township Public Schools

In June, Valenti was among 20 retiring Jefferson Township educators and staff members recognized for their combined hundreds of years of service to the district. Valenti was honored for 20 years of service.

Hanover Township Police Arrest Boonton Man for DWI After Three-Vehicle Crash

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

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On Wednesday, July 8, Police Officer Robert Miele arrested Emmanuel Lomelicarvente, 30, of Boonton, for driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Police Officer Miele responded to a motor vehicle crash and spoke to the driver of the third vehicle, who was identified as Mr. Lomelicarvente. Police Officer Miele observed signs of impairment and an open container of alcohol in his vehicle, and he was asked to exit his vehicle so Standardized Field Sobriety Tests could be conducted.

Mr. Lomelicarvente was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated and transported to police headquarters for processing. During processing, he provided samples of his breath for testing.

Once processing was complete, he was issued traffic summonses for driving while intoxicated, following too closely, careless driving, no liability insurance, failure to wear a seat belt, and having an open container of an alcoholic beverage in his vehicle. His vehicle was impounded under John’s Law, and he was released to a responsible driver and advised of his court date.

Editor’s Note: 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.

Hanover Township Police Arrest Dover Woman on Outstanding Traffic Warrant

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
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 Tuesday, July 7, Police Officer Sean Coleman arrested Yineli Perez-Agosto, 25, of Dover, on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Hanover Township Court.

The Roxbury Township Police Department had arrested Miss Perez-Agosto and, once processed, notified Hanover Township that she was ready for pickup.

Police Officer Coleman and Matron Santora responded to the Roxbury Township Police Department, took custody of Miss Perez-Agosto, and transported her to the Morris County Jail, where she was lodged pending a court date.

Editor’s Note: 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.

Hanover Township Police Arrest Georgia Couple After Motel Parking Lot Stop Turns Up Handguns, Hollow Point Ammunition

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

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — On July 4, Police Officer Carlos Najera and Police Officer Joseph Dambra arrested Jeffery Vickers, 30, of Pearson, Georgia, and Jessica Guyton, 37, of Norman Park, Georgia, during an investigation at the Red Carpet Inn.

Police Officer Najera and Police Officer Dambra were driving through the parking lot of the motel when they observed two people standing away from others smoking an unknown item. Upon walking up, officers found the two were smoking cigarettes and had littered on the ground in violation of a Township ordinance.

Mr. Vickers and Miss Guyton were asked for identification, and Mr. Vickers began to walk away. He was told to stop, did so, and then provided his identification. During the investigation, both were being deceptive, and when asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, Mr. Vickers stated there were two handguns inside and that ownership was in question.

A search of the vehicle turned up two handguns, one of which was loaded with hollow point ammunition, along with additional hollow point bullets found in the vehicle. Mr. Vickers could not produce any documentation for the handguns and was placed under arrest.

Miss Guyton was issued a summons for littering and released at the scene with a court date, while Mr. Vickers was transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of hollow point bullets, and littering. He was lodged in the Morris County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Editor’s Note: 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.

As AI Data Centers Expand, Morris County Must Weigh the Costs

By
Rohan Mruthik
-
0

MORRIS COUNTY — Artificial intelligence is transforming the economy, but the massive data centers powering that technology can create serious consequences for the communities where they are built.

With its corporate campuses, major highways and proximity to New York City, Morris County could become an attractive location for future data-center development. Before approving such projects, municipal officials must determine whether the promised economic benefits justify the demands placed on electricity, water, land and surrounding neighborhoods.

Supporters argue that data centers can generate construction jobs, increase property-tax revenue and strengthen digital infrastructure. However, those benefits must be weighed against the substantial resources these facilities require.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported that data centers accounted for approximately 4.4 percent of the nation’s electricity use in 2023. That share could reach between 6.7 and 12 percent by 2028 as artificial intelligence and cloud-computing services continue expanding.

Large facilities operate around the clock and may require new substations, transmission equipment and other electrical upgrades. Because the regional power grid extends across municipal boundaries, a data center approved in one Morris County town could affect residents and businesses throughout the area.

Developers should be required to cover infrastructure costs created by their projects rather than shifting those expenses onto utility customers.

Water use is another concern. Servers generate significant heat and require extensive cooling systems. While some facilities use air cooling or closed-loop systems, others can consume substantial amounts of water. Any application should include independently reviewed estimates of expected water use during normal operations, periods of extreme heat and future expansion.

Noise and neighborhood impacts must also be considered. Cooling equipment, ventilation systems, transformers and backup generators can operate continuously. Even if a data center produces less traffic than a warehouse or office complex, nearby residents may still experience persistent industrial noise, exterior lighting and generator testing.

Land use is particularly important in Morris County, where commercial areas exist alongside neighborhoods, forests, reservoirs and preserved open space. A large data center could occupy property that might otherwise support offices, advanced manufacturing, housing or mixed-use development offering more permanent jobs and greater public benefit.

The employment argument also deserves scrutiny. Construction jobs are temporary, while completed data centers often require fewer on-site workers than similarly sized commercial developments. Officials should require developers to disclose how many permanent jobs would be created, what those positions would pay and whether local hiring commitments would be included.

Artificial intelligence will continue expanding whether or not additional data centers are built in Morris County. Opposing poorly planned facilities is not the same as opposing technology. It is a question of responsible development.

County and municipal officials should require studies examining electrical demand, water consumption, noise, pollution, emergency-response needs and long-term financial effects. Communities without specific data-center regulations should consider temporary moratoriums while appropriate zoning standards are developed.

Unless a developer can demonstrate substantial and enforceable public benefits without placing environmental, financial or quality-of-life burdens on residents, large-scale AI data centers would be a poor trade for Morris County.

Randolph Woman Arrested on Outstanding Warrant Following Traffic Stop

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

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Police Officer Jake Crane arrested Chantel Johnson, 31, of Randolph, on Friday, July 31, on a traffic warrant issued by Roxbury Municipal Court with bail set at $2,500.00.

Crane was observing traffic when he saw a vehicle with several equipment violations and conducted a traffic stop. Johnson was identified as the driver and found to have an active warrant for her arrest.

She was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for processing. Unable to post bail, she remained in custody until officers from the Roxbury Police Department responded and took her into their custody.

Johnson was issued traffic summonses for:

  • Driving with a suspended license
  • Failure to inspect
  • Failure to surrender her license after suspension

She was advised of her court date in Hanover Township Municipal Court for the new summonses.

Editor’s Note: 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.

Parsippany Man Reported Missing Found Dead in Madison Park

By
Frank Cahill
-
0

MADISON — A Parsippany man reported missing earlier this week has died, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Cavan Londergan, 49, of Parsippany, was reported missing to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police on Sunday, August 2. The investigation determined he was last seen in Madison on Monday, August 3.

The New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit joined the investigation on Tuesday, August 4, and investigators pursued a lead to Summerhill Park in Madison. A search was conducted by Madison Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and the Office of Emergency Management.

Officers located Londergan’s body in the park on the evening of Tuesday, August 4. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene.

The investigation remains active. At this point, authorities do not believe the death is suspicious.

New Assistant Prosecutor Joins Morris County Prosecutor’s Office

By
Frank Cahill
-
0

MORRIS COUNTY — Shayna Koczur has been sworn in as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.

The swearing-in ceremony was held Monday, Aug. 3, conducted by the Honorable Judge Stephen Taylor.

Assistant Prosecutor Koczur will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts & Administration Division.

She most recently served as an Assistant Prosecutor at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, where she was assigned to the Trial Team. Her role there included prosecuting major crimes, preparing victims for testimony and trial, presenting cases to the grand jury, assisting investigators with warrants, and litigating motions including competency motions, 104c motions, suppression motions and detention motions, among others.

Assistant Prosecutor Koczur also previously worked as a law clerk for New Jersey Superior Court Judge Richard Wischusen and as an expungement assistant at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and held internships with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

She graduated from Bard College with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs and earned her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.

“I welcome AP Koczur to our team at the MCPO,” Prosecutor Robert Carroll said. “We are excited to have her join our office.”

123...697Page 2 of 697

RECENT POSTS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

ABOUT US

Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© 2024 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.

Translate »