MORRIS COUNTY — First Lady Tammy Murphy tested positive for COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test. She is asymptomatic. Governor Murphy and the rest of the family have tested negative, and they will continue to test regularly in the coming days.

The Governor and First Lady tested themselves due to a recent known non-family contact in their home. Required procedures for reporting, case investigation, and contact tracing have been followed.

The Governor’s regularly scheduled COVID-19 briefing will shift to a virtual format and stream online. As the Governor is vaccinated and boosted, he is not required to quarantine per CDC guidance. He will continue to wear a mask in all public settings.

Both the Governor and First Lady are vaccinated and boosted and have exercised caution whenever possible, including double masking. They urge all New Jerseyans to get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask, and keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Young Republicans held its annual Christmas Party Fundraiser at Elma’s Turkish and Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant in Parsippany. During the event, the members of the 2022 MCYR Executive Board took their oaths of office and assumed their leadership positions.

The 2022 Leadership consists of the following members:

Chair – Luke Ferrante, Parsippany. Luke graduated from Ramapo College class of 2020 after completing internships at local, state, and federal levels. Luke recently was North Regional Field Director for the Jack Ciattarelli campaign and since has accepted a role on a 2022 congressional campaign.

Vice-Chair – Anthony DeSpirito, Parsippany. Anthony spent time as both a legislative and campaign intern before graduating from Saint Joseph’s University in 2020. In 2021, Anthony was campaign manager for Webber Barranco for Assembly and has since accepted a position as a legislative aide in Assemblyman Jay Webber’s office. Come January 2022, Anthony will be filling the role of Executive Director of the Morris County Republican Committee.

Treasurer – Asad Ullah, Boonton. Asad spent 2021 working for the Jack Ciattarelli campaign after graduating in May 2021 from Seton Hall University.

Secretary – Mike Andrejcisk, Roxbury. Mike served in the Airforce for four years before spending 2021 as an intern for the Jack Ciattarelli campaign. He currently works in airplane maintenance at Newark Airport.

Committeewoman – Gianna Libretti, Florham Park. Gianna, a past intern for Senator Joe Pennacchio, graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and a double minor in Forensic Psychology and Psychology. She is currently in the Master’s program at FDU for Criminal Justice and will graduate in 2022. While earning her master’s she works as a legislative aide for Assemblyman Webber.

Committeeman – Chris Paz, Landing. Chris graduated from Rutgers University Newark in 2019 with a BS in Criminal Justice and BA in Political Science. Since then he has worked both in politics and government in Morris County. Chris has been the MCYR Committeeman for several years and looks forward to continuing his success with a new slate of leadership.

The Morris County Young Republicans enjoyed a very successful 2021, as many of its General Members won local campaigns or played an important role in the Governor, State, and local campaigns. Club Members Justin Musella (Parsippany) and Christina Kovacs (Denville) won the election to their first terms in their municipalities. Joe Bock (Boonton Town) and Sarah Neibart (Mendham Township) won their re-election campaigns. Young Republican Kyle Holman and his running mate Christopher Heil won their re-election campaigns to the Chester Borough Council unopposed.

For club voting rights, members must be registered Republicans between ages 18-40 and live in Morris County. However, any supporters outside of those requirements are welcome to join as Associate Members and participate in all events.

For more information or to join the club, please visit the Morris County Young Republicans website by clicking here

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon presided over a swearing-in ceremony today for Park Police officers who were merged into his agency as sheriff’s officers under actions taken in October by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the Morris County Park Commission.

The Morris County Park Police were absorbed by the Sheriff’s Office, effective January 1, 2022, in a move that will keep the 24 park officers on staff and enable an increase in overall park patrols, while addressing insurance coverage issues that arose earlier in the year. The newly sworn officers will become part of a newly formed Patrol Division within the Sheriff’s Office, with Chief Warrant Officer Jack Ambrose serving as chief of the unit.

“This is a historic moment. Today, we join two outstanding law enforcement agencies to create a new, highly trained Patrol Division within my office that will enhance the protection of not only our unique, one-of-a-kind park system, but also all of our county facilities and the Morris County community in general. Under the tutelage of Jack Ambrose, a seasoned, law enforcement veteran who was sworn in as Chief of the new division today, the people of Morris County can expect nothing short of the finest service from this professional team of officers,” said Sheriff Gannon.

The special ceremony was held in the Dragonetti Auditorium at the Student Center at the County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph.

Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw and Commissioner John Krickusattended the event with a host of other county dignitaries. Among the attendees, in person and virtually, were Morris County Park Commission Chairman Stuart Lasser, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, CCM President Anthony J. Iacono, and his administrative staff, Morris County Crimestoppers Chairman John Sette, and Washington Township Chief of Police Jeffrey Almer, who is Chairman of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association.

“This ceremony culminates a necessary and prudent consolidation of law enforcement resources that will enhance the safety and enjoyment of our Morris County park system for more than four million people who visit it each year. With more than 20,000 acres of parkland and 39 facilities ranging from golf courses to historic sites, this is the largest county park system in New Jersey and an important community asset that we need to properly protect,” said Commissioner Director Shaw.

“The Park Commission is excited and looks forward to working on the continued protection of the county properties and the public. Sheriff Gannon has been most gracious and fully understands the needs of the Park Commission,” said Park Commission Chairman Lasser.

The decision to merge the state’s last remaining county Park Police department into the Sheriff’s Office was prompted by concerns over insurance coverage for the park officers. It brings the Park Police in line with insurance coverage afforded all other officers in law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey, particularly in terms of coverage should any legal actions arise in regards to an officer’s performance of his or her duties.

“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office commends the merger of the former Morris County Park Police into the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.  This action provides a beneficial unification of command, improves efficiency, enhances coverages of key County properties, and increases the law enforcement protection of all our communities.  The appointment of Jack Ambrose as Chief Warrant Officer adds a highly experienced and respected law enforcement professional to lead the Patrol function and the Morris County Prosecutors Office looks forward to working with the Sheriff and Jack in this new unification,” said Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.

“I worked with Jack for over 25 years and I have never met such a loyal, natural leader. He is dedicated and motivated, and he will excel in leading this new Patrol Division within the Sheriff’s Office. I can think of no one better suited for this position,” said East Hanover Police Chief Christopher F. Cannizzo.

Ambrose joined the Sheriff’s Office in May 2020 after retiring in November 2019 as a Captain for the East Hanover Police Department following 33 years with the department.  For 25 of those years, he helped to train generations of police officers in Morris County and beyond as the lead Drill Instructor and a Physical Training Instructor at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy

The 20,000-plus acres of parkland and 39 facilities making up the park system also include outdoor educational and recreational facilities, arboreta, conservation areas, more than 253 miles of trails, and an ice skating arena. Park activities operate year-round, requiring police presence to ensure the safety of visitors and park employees alike.

At the ceremony, officers officially retired the flag and patch of the Morris County Park Police, and those items will be preserved with county historical artifacts.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Italian American Police Society of NJ hosted a Holiday Party for hundreds of children and volunteers from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northern New Jersey at the Parsippany Police Athletic League. Santa and Mrs. Claus joined officers to provide toys, gifts, pizza, and gift cards to children in single-parent families.

The Society, founded in 1987, is comprised of more than four thousand local, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers of Italian ancestry. The Society holds several charitable and social events each year and is the state’s largest ethnic law enforcement organization.

MORRIS COUNTY — Marking its 30th year as the Mid-Atlantic’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts, First Night Morris County will feature over 50 performances at 13 in-person venues throughout downtown Morristown, from 4:00 p.m. to Midnight on December 31.

This year’s event adds a live stream of 4 different acts from the Mayo Performing Arts Center, which can also be seen live and in-person, plus on-demand access to over 40 films and select live performances through January 3.

The live stream and on-demand access bring the venue total to 15. This is the first time that First Night will offer a live stream from a venue and the second year of on-demand services. Attendees have access to all in-person performances, live streams, and on-demand capability included in their admission, plus complimentary parking, free shuttles, a mobile app, film festival, and a Midnight Countdown to welcome in the New Year.

Thanks to its supporters/partners/volunteers, First Night Morris County provides its attendees with outstanding value and world-class performances.  Once again, this year’s performances feature the exceptional artists audiences have come to expect at First Night Morris County. Thanks to artistic guidance provided by Dr. Lynn Siebert of Morris Arts, the program is well-balanced, offering numerous performance genres:  theatre, music (rock, jazz, classical, etc.), visual arts, world cultures, children’s programs, and so much more.

This year’s program is available by clicking here.
For additional information or to purchase tickets click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s bill to increase annual payments to blind and other wartime-service disabled veterans unanimously passed the full Assembly on Monday.

Under the bill (A2559), service members in programs for blind and paralyzed veterans would receive an annual assistance increase to $1,800 from $750.

“The amount given to disabled veterans through these programs has not changed in 40 to 50 years. They earned these annual payments by sacrificing life and limb in selfless service to our country. This increase recognizes their lives were forever changed during the war,” DeCroce (R-Morris) said.

Veterans, who sustained a total loss of sight, are permanently paralyzed in a part of their body, lost a limb through amputation, disease, or an accident as a result of service, and their surviving spouses, are currently entitled to an annual sum of $750, which is paid out monthly.

“Now is an especially appropriate time to pass this bill as consumers face rising costs of food, gas, and everyday goods,” DeCroce said. “It is a small way to extend our gratitude to service members and helps them make ends meet.”

As of March 2021, there were 185 blind and otherwise disabled veterans receiving an allowance under the Blind Veterans’ Allowance Program and the Paraplegic and Hemiplegic Veterans’ Allowance Program. Some veterans may be eligible for both allowance payments.

The last increase for blind veterans was in 1971. The payment under the program for paralyzed veterans has not changed since 1981.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker, Morris Township Police Chief Mark DiCarlo, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce charges have been filed against Ruben Gonzalez, 19, of Morristown, in connection with alleged serial sexual assaults that occurred between December 2020 and November 2021.

Subsequent investigation revealed four different victims whose ages range from 14 to 18.

The sexual assaults occurred in Morris Township and Morristown. Upon arrest and following the issuance of a search warrant, a subsequent analysis of the defendant’s cell phone identified several videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

Following investigations of these incidents, Gonzalez has been charged with:

• One first-degree count of Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Physically Helpless Victim
• Eight second-degree counts of Sexual Assault
• Three third-degree counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• Seven fourth-degree counts of Criminal Sexual Contact
• One third-degree count of Possession of Child Pornography

Gonzalez is currently in the custody of the Morris County Correctional Facility following a detention hearing, pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act.

Anyone with information relating to this case or any related incident is asked to call Detective Melissa Enslen of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6307 or Detective Scott Weaver of the Morristown Police Department 973-292-6656.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the 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.