MORRIS COUNTY — Each month, thousands of New Jersey Lottery players claim winning tickets of all prize values in a variety of ways. While many of our prizes may be cashed at any lottery retailer, those lucky players with big winning tickets should be aware of the options to claim prizes.
Prizes under $599.50
These tickets can be redeemed for cash instantly at any lottery retailer throughout the state. Simply present the ticket to the retailer and receive the prize.
Prizes over $599.50
For these prizes, players will need to file a claim to receive a check for their prize. Claim forms can be found at any retailer or printed from the lottery website, by clicking here. Tickets that are damaged, questionable, or otherwise unable to be claimed at a retailer may also be submitted using the claim form. Claims take around 4-6 weeks for processing, and claims are processed in the order they are received. All options have equal processing times.
Over 90% of players opt to mail their winning tickets to our office in Lawrence. The completed claim form and winning ticket can be mailed to:
NEW JERSEY LOTTERY
Attn: Validations
P.O. Box 041
Trenton NJ 08625-0041
If a player prefers to drop their claim and winning ticket off in person, they may visit their office (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) where a secure drop box is available to leave the claim. Claim forms are available at the office. Their address is below:
Lawrence Park Complex
1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle
Trenton, NJ 08648
If a player has won a jackpot, other large prizes (approx. $25,000 or more), or otherwise feels more comfortable filing their claim in person with a Lottery representative, they may request an appointment by calling 1-800-222-0996.
Players can visit their website at NJLottery.com or call 1-800-222-0996 for more information.
MORRIS PLAINS — Morris Plains will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, January 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at DPW Garage – 10 Borough Terrace (Snow Date is Saturday, January 15)
In the Interest of SAFETY:
▶ ALL DOGS must be on a leash.
▶ ALL CATS must be in a carrier.
▶ ONE PET, PER PERSON allowed at a time.
Morris Plains Resident Tips: Many pet owners tend to come early and form a line which can lead to some waiting time outside in the cold. Those who arrive after 2:00 p.m. typically have little to no wait. Parking is available in Municipal Lot behind DPW Garage (enter behind Arthur’s).
EAST HANOVER — Unconfirmed reports indicate that OYO Hotel, 130 State Route 10, East Hanover, is now closed by the Township of East Hanover.
If you visit the sites like Expedia or Hotels.com, you could book a room for tonight for $73.00.
In a Facebook post from East Hanover resident William Salemme, he stated “As I mentioned several times, the Town was aware of the situation at OYO and thanks to the Mayor, Council, Morris County Sheriff’s Department, the property owner, and the EHPD, the hotel is now officially closed down! Some things take longer to accomplish than others but rest assured, East Hanover always puts its residents first.”
“The hotel’s common areas were 1980’s no-tell motel all the way, complete with a filthy carpet and heavily worn/stained furnishings. The heavy vinyl mattress cover and “signature” OYO logo bed topper were, perhaps, the only recent additions to the room. None of the typical mid-scale hotel room amenities – no coffee, ice bucket/cups, not even clothes hangers or a TV remote,” one recent hotel guest said.
Our staff was alerted by guests of the poor condition of the hotel, and recently took a visit. Our staff witnessed, the elevators out of order, holes in the walls, ice machines out of order, and ripped or dirty carpets. We did not enter any guest rooms.
Morris Focus reached out to local officials, but they did not comment.
On August 15, 2021, Morris Focus reported “Suspicious Death at the OYO Hotel,” click here to read the story. On August 17, Edwin A. Urbina, 27, in Custody in Connection with Murder of Three Year Old Child, click here to read the story.
The hotel was formerly Fairbridge Hotel and prior to that, it was a Ramada Inn.
OYO stands for – On Your Own Rooms
OYO Rooms, also known as OYO Hotels & Homes, is an Indian multinational OTA, homes, and living spaces. Founded in 2013 by Ritesh Agarwal, OYO initially consisted mainly of budget hotels.
The air conditioning units need repairsThe bathtub areas are in need of repairThe walls are just patched instead of being replacedThe carpets are old and worn out in the guest rooms
MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) joined a press conference to highlight the critical importance of tax relief for New Jersey families, including teachers and first responders, and urge the Senate to include an adequate fix to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap in the Senate version of the reconciliation package.
Rep. Sherrill was joined at the press conference by the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03), President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten, and President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Edward Kelly.
Before the SALT deduction was capped in the 2017 tax bill, 54 percent of NJ-11 families took the deduction.
“It’s wonderful to be here with such a great group of colleagues and friends to talk about this critical deduction,” said Rep. Sherrill. “When we’re standing here today and we see our teachers here, when we see our firefighters here, we’re talking about the backbone of the organizations that got us through COVID. These are people that we really couldn’t have made it through the darkest days of the pandemic without. And to see that they’re getting kneecapped by the SALT cap is really devastating. Not only are our middle-class families paying the price, but our communities are paying the price – and they’re paying for it with the services we all rely on. That’s why we are calling on the Senate to ensure the SALT deduction is addressed in the final version of this bill.”
“We are here today to fight for tax cuts for the hard-working families we represent, like the firefighters, teachers, and first responders who support communities across the country and in Northern New Jersey. By reinstating the State and Local Tax deduction, we will be putting money right back into the pockets of hard-working Jersey families and families around the country,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “Now, I am again asking our Senate colleagues to keep moving forward, to include restoring SALT as part of their legislation.”
“New York State has one of the highest levels of union membership in the United States. The SALT cap caused union families to see a tax increase,” said Rep. Suozzi. “More importantly, the cap has accelerated a race to the bottom where wealthy taxpayers flee our state for lower tax jurisdictions that not only have low union membership but are openly hostile to unions. We must address this and ensure the Senate-passed version of the Build Back Better Agenda includes a SALT fix that we in the House can support.”
“In 2017, when Republicans were trying and failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, they also silently raised taxes for hardworking middle-class families,” said Rep. Beatty. “By imposing a $10,000 SALT cap, small-minded politicians kneecapped middle-income families in the places where they were already struggling. It’s time to correct their mistake and reinstate the SALT deduction.”
“We’re fighting for the revival of SALT because working families need it. The first tax code in the USA had state & local tax deductions in 1913. Why? Because they knew then what we should know now: We have a federal system, services are developed by the states,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. “Let’s deliver for the middle class. This is a way of putting the incentive system back in place to invest in localities, in sewer systems, in fire systems, and in schools.”
“In 2018, the previous Administration signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which neither cut taxes nor created jobs. Despite the name of this law, it put enormous, unnecessary strain on cities and towns all across America, and it’s made it even harder for us as firefighters to do our jobs protecting the citizens. That financial strain has made funding levels unsafe. This critical funding is needed to ensure that firefighters and paramedics and teachers and police officers have the staffing, training, and equipment we need, not only to educate our kids, not only to police our streets, not only to fight the fires…but also to take care of the most vulnerable amongst us, our elderly, our children,” said Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “I call upon our members in the Senate to support this initiative, to support your firefighters, to support your teachers, support the children and the elderly and the people who make this world, our world, that we all took an oath to serve, better.”
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Native, Small business owner, Pastor, and former Gubernatorial Candidate Phil Rizzo announced his campaign for Congressional District 11.
“The people of New Jersey are ready to take back our state. We’re tired of being told we don’t have a voice in our kids’ education, our health decisions, our livelihoods, our speech, our safety, and our elections,” said Rizzo.
Phil is no stranger to facing setbacks and beating them. As a kid growing up in Morris County, he lost his right arm at the elbow during a home accident. For an energetic child with a love of sports, this was devastating. But Phil bounced back despite his injury and went on to star in athletics, attend college, raise a family, start a small business, a church, and a school, and run for Governor of New Jersey – sparking a statewide movement still growing today.
“I’m running for Congress because empowering New Jersey didn’t end with the Governor’s race. Now it means standing up to the federal government and radical, out-of-touch Leftist politicians and unelected bureaucrats trying to tell New Jerseyans how to live our lives,” Rizzo explained. “It also means bringing appropriate federal accountability to New Jersey’s state government when it oversteps our Constitutional rights.”
“I will fight for New Jersey’s values and freedoms – for education that prepares our kids for life, not activism; for strong borders, law and order; for elections, we can trust; and for lower taxes, a balanced budget, fewer regulations, and a stronger workforce so New Jerseyans can actually afford groceries, gas, and electricity,” Rizzo promised.
“The challenge ahead will take a fighter with the true spirit of New Jersey — someone who won’t be pushed around, who doesn’t take no for an answer, and who won’t back down when it comes to defending the freedoms of our people and lifting the voices of New Jerseyans.”
“With such overwhelming enthusiasm, momentum, and energy,” says Rizzo, “New Jersey’s best days are ahead.”
Congressional District 11 includes the following towns in our readership area: Boonton Town, Boonton Township, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Madison, Morris Plains, Mountain Lakes, and Parsippany-Troy Hills.
MORRIS COUNTY — Leslie T. Bensley, who built the Morris County Tourism Bureau from a mere idea in 1997 into a driving economic force in the region, was honored by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners upon the announcement of her retirement as Executive Director of the agency after 24 years.
Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw presented her with a framed Resolution of Honor on behalf of the board, followed by state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, who issued a state honor during the board’s public meeting.
“We are forever indebted. You put Morris County on the map and helped the local economy. It is phenomenal what you have done. Once again, on behalf of this board, and all the residents of Morris County and all the people who visit Morris County, it’s my privilege and honor to present you with this resolution, and to thank you,” Shaw said.
The Beginning Bensley has been at the helm of the Tourism Bureau since it opened its doors across the street from the historic Morris County Courthouse with the support of the board, then known as the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and particularly then-Freeholder Frank Druetzler.
“I am very humbled and honored to have been the executive director for nearly a quarter-century,” said Bensley, praising Druetzler for having the foresight to invest in the Tourism Bureau.
Bensley accepts Resolution from Shaw
“I remember when Frank hired me in 1997, he did something so remarkable. He saved and salvaged tourism because when it had started before, it had petered out, and he felt it was too important to this county not to do something,” Bensley explained.
Shaw noted that Bensley initiated the Bureau’s efforts to promote Morris County’s exceptional historic, cultural and recreational opportunities, helping Morris County tourism to grow four-fold and generate more than $2.3 billion in annual economic activity in 2019. The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism estimates the county averaged 6.5 million annual visitors at the time.
Bensley initially focused on Morris County’s historic links to the Revolutionary War in luring visitors to the area through “heritage tourism.”
“That’s been my guiding star. That’s my loadstar. It says, tell the destination story,” Bensley explained. “No matter who else has American Revolutionary history, or Gustav Stickley history, or Thomas Nast history or the magnetic telegraph history, our story is unique to us. So as long as you are true to that, you will find an audience because it is worthy.”
Force of Nature Bensley’s heritage tourism focus was so effective, she was appointed in 2010 to the Governor’s Task Force for Heritage Tourism, where she served as vice-chair and worked on the publication of the Heritage Tourism Plan for New Jersey. The document served as a roadmap for heritage tourism development throughout the state.
“Leslie is a force of nature. She can move anything, and she could probably solve climate change,” said Druetzler, who attended the meeting. “What was the visitor’s center before she came? In the lobby was a bulletin board with some flyers on it. That was it. … Morris County is really the true capital of the American Revolution and she made people realize that.”
Number One Cheerleader Bucco referred to her as “the number one cheerleader of Morris County.”
“Not only did you represent millions of people that were coming into the county, but billions of dollars in economic revenue that your office helped to generate around the county — and that is so important for the economic growth of this area,” Bucco said. “So tonight I’m honored to also present a Senate and General Assembly Citation recognizing your work. I also have a Senate resolution which will be adopted on the floor of the Senate and the Assembly recognizing all of your achievements, so good luck and God bless you.”
The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism honored the Morris County Bureau of Tourism’s marketing campaigns on many occasions over the years. Bensley was additionally honored with the 2013 Award of Recognition by the New Jersey Historical Commission for her many years of support, advocacy, and promotion of Morris County’s history and historic sites.
A Tour of the Tourism Bureau Under Bensley’s tutelage, the Bureau grew by creating a membership program and obtaining grants beyond the county contributions. She also established historic kiosks and walking tours, as well as destination signs to guide visitors, and frequently created public events to attract attention to Morris County’s historic locations.
During her tenure, Bensley also served as the Treasurer of the Advocates for New Jersey History, co-founded the Coalition of New Jersey Destination Marketing Organizations, and served on the boards of both the Crossroads of American Revolution Heritage Area and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association.
Bensley lives in Morris Township with her husband of 36 years, Charlie, with whom she had two children, Eliza and Sam. She said she plans to spend more time in retirement being a tourist as well as spending time in Morris County with a new addition to her family: grandson, Graham McKenzie Folsom.
Chopt Creative Salad Company will be opening in the Briarcliff Commons, Route 10 and 202
MORRIS PLAINS — Two new stores will be opening soon in the Briarcliff Commons: Chopt Creative Salad Company and Crumbl Cookies will be opening along with Uncle Giuseppe’s.
Crumbl Cookies has over 300 stores nationwide. Jason McGowan and his cousin Sawyer Hemsley opened the first store in Logan, Utah in 2017.
Chopt for over 18 years has been working on making the most delicious salads imaginable.
Other New Jersey Chopt locations include Florham Park, Montvale, New Providence, Princeton, and Paramus. Although hours haven’t been released for the new store, other stores in New Jersey are open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Click here to download a typical menu.
Crumbl Cookies was co-founded by Jason McGowan (CEO) and Sawyer Hemsley (COO). They both teamed up and dove head-first into the world of baking. After thousands of dollars in the wasted dough, recipes that did not live up to their expectations, and cookies that are just plain embarrassing to them today, the two cousins decided to take their ‘perfect cookie quest’ to the people. They gathered feedback and tested recipes — a practice that is still part of the Crumbl process — until they created the world’s best chocolate chip cookie.
After developing the perfect recipe, the duo and their family opened Crumbl’s first store in Logan, Utah in 2017 while Sawyer was attending Utah State University. From day one, it was important to them that Crumbl customers see their cookies being mixed, balled, baked, and dressed in real-time. Equally as important were the high-quality ingredients used in each unique batch. At first, Crumbl only served fresh milk chocolate chip cookies for takeout and delivery, but other services slowly began being offered such as curbside pick-up, catering, nationwide shipping, and more! For more information click here.
Chopt Creative Salad Company and Crumbl join Chick-fil-A, First Watch, Kohls, Wells Fargo, Harmon Face Values, Pro-Haircutters, GameStop, Skechers, Village Spa, Terry’s Pet Depot, Chipotle Mexican Grill, GNC, Mattress Firm, Verizon Wireless, and soon Uncle Giuseppe’s.
Uncle Giuseppe’s will occupy over 42,000 square feet and will feature its signature gourmet offerings in a full-service grocery setting. It is expected to open in Winter 2022 and will be the grocer’s second store in New Jersey, following the enormous success of its first store in Ramsey. The new Uncle Giuseppe’s store at Briarcliff Commons will bring this beloved brand to Morris County, offering key essentials as well as its unique selection of specialty items in a convenient location with ample parking.
Mark Semeraro is a partner at DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP.
MORRIS COUNTY — DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, is pleased to announce it has bolstered its law practice with the addition of thirteen new legal professionals, effective on December 1. This expansion provides the firm with additional expertise in existing practice areas such as complex litigation, labor and employment, land use, real estate, and banking as well as extends the firm’s purview to a new practice area, namely, personal injury law. With more than 100 attorneys and staff, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, will continue to exponentially grow its footprint across New Jersey, with offices in Paramus and Parsippany.
Co-Managing Partner Michael R. DeCotiis remarked on the milestone, “This expansion combines a wide variety of skills and expertise across multiple practice groups that enable DeCotiis to continue to provide sophisticated and comprehensive solutions to our clients in both the public and private sectors. I am incredibly proud to uphold the legacy and continued growth of the firm.”
DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP’s, current expansion involves the addition of nearly all of the preexisting attorneys from Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP, including two of the principals, Paul C. Kaufman, Esq. and Mark J. Semeraro, Esq. “As attorneys practicing in New Jersey for over 70 combined years, we are eager to join DeCotiis to expand the resources available to our clients. Our experience with that of DeCotiis means the continued growth of our practice areas and depth of expertise,” Kaufman and Semeraro shared.
Named Equity Partner Vincent Giblin acknowledged, “The addition of Paul and Mark along with the seven attorneys joining the firm will contribute to DeCotiis’ long list of accomplished attorneys barred across the United States, fortifying our national presence and delivering more than exceptional solutions to complex legal problems for our clients.”
“I am honored to be a third-generation DeCotiis at DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP,” stated Joseph M. DeCotiis III. “The legacy of our firm is that of excellence and commitment to high-quality representation. I look forward to learning from and working alongside this new group of legal professionals.”
In addition to Mark Semeraro and Paul Kaufman, the seven other new attorneys joining DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, are Deena B. Rosendahl, Justin D. Santagata, Scott Fahrney, Jaime R. Placek, Gregory K. Asadurian, Danielle M. Federico, and Avi Meger.
Founded in 1986, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, has become a leader in New Jersey government, legal, and business communities. As demonstrated with this expansion, the firm has continued its growth, expanding its scope of work and bringing on top legal talent. Continuing with the firm’s tradition of upholding professional identity and excellence, the incoming attorneys will join a large group of attorneys within the firm who have earned Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ and who have earned AV Preeminent® Ratings, the highest peer rating standard.
DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, added a second location at 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 385, Parsippany.
For more information about DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, click here or call (201) 928-1100. municipal law, government, and regulatory affairs, healthcare law, corporate law, banking, and bankruptcy.
PARSIPPANY — Athos is a Sato — a mutt from Puerto Rico who is similar in body type to a Shiba Inu/Chihuahua mix! He is eight months old.
Athos is searching for a loving, patient family who takes their time letting him adjust to their home as he can be a bit fearful. He craves affection but needs to be taught that it’s safe and ok! He would thrive with a canine companion to help show him the ropes.
He gets along with other dogs but is not sure about cats. He is house trained and has good leash manners.
He is up to date on all of his vaccinations and is very healthy.
Athos is five years old and weighs forty pounds. Athos likes children above the age of 16 because sometimes he gets spooked by loud noises or fast movements.
If you are interested in adopting Athos click here.
The Securities and Exchange Commission recently charged the former Chief Financial Officer of pharmaceutical company Immunomedics, Inc
MORRIS PLAINS — The Securities and Exchange Commission recently charged the former Chief Financial Officer of pharmaceutical company Immunomedics, Inc. and his former romantic partner with insider trading in the company’s stock.
According to the SEC’s complaint, while serving as CFO of Immunomedics, Usama Malik, 47, learned that the FDA had permitted the company to halt a clinical trial for a breast cancer drug because the existing trial data provided compelling evidence that the drug was effective.
The complaint alleges that Malik – who was subject to a trading “black-out” that prohibited him and anyone living in his household from purchasing Immunomedics stock – immediately tipped Lauren S. Wood, 33, with whom he lived at the time, as well as three family members.
According to the complaint, Wood and two of the family members then bought Immunomedics stock, as did an account in the name of the third family member’s spouse. As alleged, after Immunomedics announced the FDA’s decision, its stock price nearly doubled, resulting in a gain of $67,060 to Wood and a combined gain of approximately $21,000 to the family members. The complaint further alleges that, when Malik was asked about Wood’s trading as part of an inquiry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), he failed to identify her as his romantic partner and falsely claimed that he had not communicated with her during the relevant period.
“Public company executives have a duty to safeguard material nonpublic information and must not use it for their personal benefit, as we allege Malik did by tipping Wood and his family members,” said Joseph G. Sansone, Chief of the SEC’s Market Abuse Unit. “The Enforcement Division remains focused on detecting and investigating insider trading by public company executives.”
The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, charges Malik and Wood with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and seeks against each of them a permanent injunction and civil penalty and, against Malik, an officer and director bar.
In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Jersey announced criminal charges against Malik and Wood.
The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Tracy Sivitz and Vanessa De Simone of the Market Abuse Unit, and Elizabeth Baier of the New York Regional Office. The case has been supervised by Mr. Sansone. The SEC appreciates the assistance of FINRA.
