HANOVER — The New Jersey Coalition for Education and Positive Choices, in partnership with Mennen Arena, is spearheading a highly acclaimed initiative, “Friday Nights at Mennen.”

This endeavor offers families, particularly children, the chance to enjoy a safe, supervised, and healthy environment while having fun with friends, all free from the influence of drugs.

Many of the scheduled nights will feature diverse themes, with the dual purpose of keeping our children entertained during a season when outdoor options are limited and fostering their curiosity in new and engaging activities.

The cost of each night will be $9.00 per person (normally $15) and includes skate rental from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. while enjoying a night of music by the great DJ Earl. This program begins on Friday, January 5 and runs through Friday, March 8.

Mennen Arena has a snack bar which will be open throughout the evening.

Mennen Arena is located at 161 Hanover Avenue, Morristown.

Many of the nights will have different themes with a goal not only to entertain our children at a time of year when outdoor activities are limited, but also to create interest in activities, hobbies, and possible future career opportunities that they might not have otherwise been exposed.

Future highlights include Law Enforcement Night. Firefighter Night. Martial Arts and Fitness Night. Dance Night. Many township police departments and law enforcement agencies will be on hand to display equipment explain its purpose and most importantly, allow the youngsters to meet and greet true heroes. Photo IDs supplied by the Morris County Sheriff’s Department are free to any child who would like one. For more information click here.

For additional information email Thomas “Ace” Gallagher at [email protected].

HANOVER — The Mental Health Symposium, organized by Hanover Township Mayor Thomas Ace Gallagher,  provided interested family members and friends with crucial information about where and how to receive information about addiction services, crisis hotlines, and primary and elder care services. This Mental Health Symposium,  organized and designed to help raise mental health awareness, will be replicated throughout several participating municipalities.

Although the pandemic may be over, the impact of this once-in-a-lifetime event lingers. Begin you and your family’s journey to mental wellness here.

Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, one of the founders of the N.J. Coalition 4 Education & Positive Choices, invites you to watch this video recap of a recent ground-breaking Symposium on Mental Health where you will be introduced to professionals from all walks of life.  The members of the Symposium, and authorities in their respective fields, are working together to provide you with a better understanding of how mental wellness can be improved in individuals of all ages. Included in the video is crucial information on resources that are available to you at no cost. 

This Symposium on Mental Health is the first of a series of Symposiums that will be scheduled in communities throughout North Jersey. This video is an opportunity for you and your family to take that first step toward improved mental health and wellness.

HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Hanover Township Police Chief Michael Loock confirmed the filing of a first-degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death charge against Anthony Q. Dello-Russo, 26, of Cedar Knolls. The charge arises from a fatal drug overdose that occurred in Whippany in February 2023.

On February 16, law enforcement responded to a residence in Whippany on a report of an unconscious male. The male victim, later identified as T.H., 28, was pronounced deceased on scene. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office has certified the cause of T.H.’s death as combined toxicity of cocaine, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl.

Based on subsequent investigation, it is alleged that Dello-Russo distributed controlled dangerous substances to T.H. on February 15, 2023, in Hanover. It is further alleged that T.H.’s death resulted from his ingestion of the substances distributed by Dello-Russo. (Click here to read the article)

Dello-Russo has been charged with first-degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-9 on December 26, 2023. This statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any of many controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance. This is a first-degree crime, which is punishable by up to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. In connection with the fatal overdose, Dello-Russo has also been charged with two counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Dello-Russo was previously charged on December 8 with second-degree Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute; third-degree Possession of Cocaine; second-degree Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute; third-degree Possession of Marijuana; and third-degree Money Laundering. Those charges relate to the seizure of over one-half ounce of suspected cocaine, over five pounds of marijuana, and over $51,000 in cash from Dello-Russo’s residence.

Under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Dello-Russo has been detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.

Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation, including the Hanover Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Enforcement Unit.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “Drug dealers should be on notice that we will not hesitate to charge them with the first-degree Strict Liability Drug-Induced Death statute when the facts support the connection between the dealer and the death of their user/victim..”

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the individual(s) are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.