MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Wharton Borough Police Chief Dave Young confirmed Shonette St. Clair, 46, formerly of Branchburg, has been sentenced to an aggregate 11 years in New Jersey State Prison.
On June 7, 2023, a Morris County jury found St. Clair guilty of a number of crimes, following a six-day trial. Specifically, St. Clair was found guilty of second-degree Aggravated Arson (two counts), second degree Attempt to Cause Widespread Injury or Damage, and disorderly persons Simple Assault. The jury found St. Clair not guilty of fourth degree Criminal Mischief.
Evidence at trial established that on March 8, 2021, emergency first responders, including the Wharton Borough Police Department and Mine Hill Fire Department, were dispatched to a residential structure fire on Joseph Lane in Mine Hill. Upon arrival, they located an active fire in a multi-unit townhome structure. One of the residents, who reported having escaped through a window, was located outside the unit. The resident was transported to the hospital for medical treatment, including smoke inhalation. After the fire was extinguished, investigators determined cause of the fire to be incendiary and identified four points of origin on the exterior of the residence. Shonette St. Clair was later identified as a suspect and subsequent investigation revealed her to have been in the area of the residence at the time of the fire.
On August 11, the Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. sentenced St. Clair, imposing an aggregate term of 11 years in New Jersey State Prison. The first six years of the sentence are subject to the parole ineligibility terms of the No Early Release Act.
Prosecutor Carroll credited the Trial Team of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler, Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Herda and MCPO Detective Supervisor Luis Goncalves. The Prosecutor would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation which led to the successful prosecution, including the Wharton Borough Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Branchburg Police Department, the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Mine Hill Fire Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Arson and Environmental Crimes Unit.
MORRIS COUNTY — On Saturday morning, August 19, a tragic collision between a Nissan Sentra and a parked Freightliner truck on Interstate Route 78 westbound in Clinton Township claimed the life of a Dover resident.
The incident, occurring near milepost 17.4 around 4:37 a.m., is still under investigation by New Jersey State Police.
Preliminary findings suggest the Nissan, driven by Kevin Notis II, 24, veered into the median before crashing into the disabled truck on the road’s right shoulder.
Notis suffered fatal injuries. Sgt. FC Philip Curry of the NJ State Police provided the details.
MORRIS COUNTY — James T. Hess, 50, Landing, faced sentencing on Friday, August 11, receiving a three-year term in New Jersey State Prison. The charges against Hess include child endangerment and distributing child sexual abuse materials, as shared by Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided the initial tip that led investigators to Hess’s activities. It was found that he had uploaded and viewed the incriminating videos using the Kik chat app. Notably, this took place at the Netcong Volunteer Fire Department, where Hess held the position of captain. Additionally, he was employed at the New Jersey Fireman’s Home.
Hess entered a guilty plea earlier this year on April 11. As a result of his actions, he will be required to register under Megan’s Law once he completes his prison sentence.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, with both the Roxbury Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force playing integral roles.
In a proud moment for Parsippany's Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 173, Nicholas "Nick" Shatynski was honored with the illustrious rank of Eagle Scout on Sunday, August 20
HANOVER — In a proud moment for Parsippany’s Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 173, Nicholas “Nick” Shatynski was honored with the illustrious rank of Eagle Scout on Sunday, August 20. This memorable ceremony, which took place at Hanover Community Center, also celebrated the achievements of Ethan Adam and Andrei Filipescu.
In the end, Nick’s journey to Eagle wasn’t just about badges or ranks, but about embracing challenges, serving the community, and becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration for all young Scouts.
The Eagle Scout rank is indeed a prestigious achievement within the Scouting movement. It represents the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program and carries significant honor and responsibility.
Only 5% of Scouts earn the Eagle rank demonstrating the rigorous requirements needed to achieve this distinction. To become an Eagle Scout, a Scout must demonstrate leadership skills, earn a specified number of merit badges across various areas of interest, complete a significant service project benefiting the community, and embody the principles and values of Scouting.
Once a Scout attains the rank of Eagle, they hold this title for life, regardless of their age or continued involvement in Scouting. This lifelong designation is a testament to the character, dedication, and leadership qualities exhibited by Eagle Scouts.
Eagle Scouts are encouraged to serve as role models and leaders within Scouting and their communities. Many Eagle Scouts go on to excel in various fields and industries, as you mentioned, including the military, higher education, academia, professions, clergy, business, and politics. The values and skills instilled through the Scouting program often contribute to their success in these endeavors.
It’s worth noting that while Eagle Scouts have achieved great accomplishments, not all of them pursue these specific paths. Some may find success and leadership in other areas or industries, but the principles and values they learn as Eagle Scouts continue to influence their lives positively.
Nick’s Scouting adventure began in the first grade, enrolled in Hanover’s Pack 40. With the guidance of Cubmaster Ventura, Nick quickly developed a passion for Scouting.
Nick began his Scout career in the first grade. He joined Hanover’s Pack 40 and became hooked on Scouting thanks to Cubmaster Ventura.
With a significant family history in Scouting, Nick intended to become the 8th Shatynski Eagle Scout in two generations.
In 2019, Nick earned Arrow of Light and joined Troop 155 in Hanover Township with Mr. Mihalko as Scoutmaster. Nick earned his first rank in just a few short months and was elected Patrol Leader twice. He attended summer camp that year at Camp Winnebago and had the time of his life. He had found his home away from home.
In February of 2021, Nick joined Troop 173 in Parsippany. He was quickly and warmly welcomed by the Senior Patrol Leaders of that year and his Scoutmasters, Mr. Catapano, and Mr. Franz. He was assigned the position of Instructor and was sent to National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) that summer where his love for Scouting continued. He made many new friends and brought many new ideas to the troop as he served as the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) and Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) for the 2021-2022 Scout year.
Nick became the youngest Senior Patrol Leader in the troop’s history at 13 years old.
Assemblyman Brian Bergen, representing New Jersey’s legislative district, had the honor of presenting official proclamations to Nick, Andrei Filipescu, and Ethan Adams.The event was a poignant reminder of the values and skills that Scouting instills in its members. Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher’s presentation to the new Eagle Scouts not only honored their achievements but also underscored Hanover Township’s commitment to celebrating and supporting its young leaders.Holding official proclamations from the County Clerk’s office, Grossi praised each of the Eagle Scouts for their respective service projects, noting how they addressed various community needs and showcased the Scouts’ leadership, vision, and dedication. “Morris County,” she remarked, “is better off because of young leaders like you.”
In 2022, Nick served as Klondike Sled Captain and led his Junior sled team to 1st place out of 16 competing teams at the Fishawack Klondike. In 2023, Nick served as Klondike Sled Co-Captain for his Senior team reaching 3rd place out of 27 competing teams.
Outside of Troop 173, Nick is involved with other Scouting activities including NYLT Staff and the Order of the Arrow. Nick also earned the Light is Life religious emblem for Eastern Catholic Scouts and was honored to serve as Lector during the Scout Recognition Service in June 2022. In these programs, Nick was able to meet lifetime friends, learn and teach skills, deepen his faith, and give back to Scouting. He found it to be a way to do his duty to others.
During the summer of 2023, Nick attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico where he was the Chaplain Aide for his Crew. He also attended the National Jamboree in West Virginia. He will always remember and cherish these experiences.
For Nick’s Eagle Project, he chose to work with Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, where he optimized the design of, constructed, stained, and insulated four feral cat houses – all beginning with four simple 8′ x 8′ sheets of plywood. They replaced the old and run-down houses and gave the feral cats a dry and warm place to spend nights. Nick and his helpers completed over 100 hours of service to complete his project. He is very proud of his accomplishment and thanks all who helped him along the way.
An active camper, Nick received the National Outdoor Award for camping completing 103 tent nights. His trek at Philmont allowed him to earn the 50 Miler award. In addition, Nick has completed 202 service hours. He continues to camp with his Troop and give back to his community.
Nick is the 99th Eagle Scout from Troop 173 and has fulfilled his goal of becoming the 8th Shatynski Eagle Scout in two generations! Nick will be a sophomore at Whippany Park High School this fall. He is involved in sports teams (soccer and track) and various clubs. He served as President of his Freshman Class and has recently been elected as President of his Sophomore Class. Nick and his fellow Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members placed in the Top 10 in New Jersey at the April 2023 State Leadership Conference competition based on their Social Media Strategy pitch. Nick also enjoys serving as a referee for the Hanover Township Soccer Club. It is safe to say that he gets involved in almost any opportunity that interests him.
In an emotional and heartwarming segment of the Eagle Scout recognition ceremony, Maria Shatynski stepped forward to pin her son, Nicholas “Nick” Shatynski, with the coveted Eagle Pin, marking his official ascent to the highest rank within the BSA.
Looking ahead, Nick contemplates attending West Point, venturing into business, or pursuing a career as a history teacher. Regardless of the path he chooses, his Scouting experiences and values will undoubtedly guide him.
The crowd watched in silent reverence as Nick approached his mother, Maria, with a small, gleaming pin in his hand. The gesture, a tradition in many Eagle Scout ceremonies, serves as an acknowledgment that the journey to Eagle is not traversed alone. It is a journey accompanied by the unwavering support, love, and guidance of parents and mentors.With a solemnity befitting the occasion, Nick faced his father and pinned the emblem onto Joseph’s lapel. This simple act was charged with profound meaning. It was an acknowledgment of the countless campfires they had shared, the stories exchanged under starry skies, the challenges faced, and the triumphs celebrated.The emotional gravity of the ceremony took another poignant turn as Nicholas “Nick” Shatynski, fresh from honoring his parents, stood before a man who played a significant role in his journey to the rank of Eagle Scout: his mentor, Michael Catapano.
Nick earned 41 merit badges including American Business, Art, Aviation, Camping*, Canoeing, Citizenship In Community*, Citizenship In Nation*, Citizenship in Society*, Citizenship In World*, Communication*, Cooking*, Crime Prevention, Emergency Preparedness*, Environmental Science*, Family Life*, Fingerprinting, Fire Safety, First Aid*, Geocaching, Indian Lore, Kayaking, Leatherwork, Music, Nature, Personal Fitness*, Personal Management*, Pets, Pioneering, Railroading, Rifle Shooting, Robotics, Rowing, Scholarship, Small Boat Sailing, Soil and Water Conservation, Space Exploration, Sports, Swimming*, Welding, Wilderness Survival and Wood Carving.
BSA Eagle Hall of Fame: 1957 to 2023: James Searing, Geoffrey Brown, John Chervenak, Guy Corbett, Tim Corbett, Robert Burney, Juan Correa, Richard Lauber, Tim Roche, Christopher Callahan, Thomas Cook, Stephan Pirylis, Brian Stewart, Patrick Roche, Edward Chiorazzi, Brian Pomarlen, Simon Healey, Keith Henderlong, David Chezem, Alex Lin, Robert Strechay, Jr., John Oleske, Daniel Strechay, Joseph Strechay, Kevin Smithers, Joseph Stevens, James Ward, Jason Viglione, Michael DeGuarde, Michael Smith, Tim Foster, Christopher Malcolm, Mark Viglione, Gary Hwang, William Barcliffe IV, Jonathan Cook, Daniel Aguanno, Anthony Valvano, Eric Kratz, David Kratz, Thomas Corigliano, David Kinskey-Lebeda, Ryan Diggle, Mike Fulton, Dan Fulton, Brian Galley, Shane Moravsik, Paul Rossnagel, Jesse Garbarino, Shay Grabinsky, Sean Galley, Matthew Breeman, Ryan Barwick, Dylan Grabinsky, John Stretavski, Brendan Barwick, Eric Galley, Bobby Ebel, Sean Michie, Michael Ludwig, Matthew Luther, Chris Gardner, Chris Worthington, Cameron Boone, Daniel Metcalf, Rishi Konkesa, Noah Munn, Erik Darling, Thomas Catapano, Daniel Corcoran, Colin Aguesseau, David Dodd III, Michael Gaudio, Galen Wu, Timothy Metcalf, David Albin, Ryan Porcelli, Jack Summa, Anthony Paterno, Chris Meumann, Alex Geddes, David Sinchi, Kyle Cipkins, Anli Liu, Joseph Messana, Evan Vojta, Matthew Sinchi, Sreemanth Meka, Dylan Franz, Jacob Kaplan, Tyler Catapano, Ethan Geddes, Andrew Modin, Matthew Rankel, Christopher Stearns, Nicholas Shatynski, Jonah Lance, Ethan Adams, and Andrei Filipescu.
Troop 173 was chartered by the Sedgefield Civic Association in 1957. Yet, Troop 173 has included boys from over Morris County in its programs. While most of our members come from Parsippany, from Lake Parsippany to Powder Mill and across the Township, they have had members as far away as Succasunna and Randolph.
For several years the Troop met in an old mansion on the former Ballantine estate where the Mack-Cali Business campus now stands. Upon completing the gymnasium at Littleton School in the early sixties, its weekly Friday night meetings moved there. In 2009, the troop’s home base for meetings moved to Mt. Tabor School off Park Road.
During its 60-year history, eighteen Scoutmasters have led Troop 173, assisted by many trained Assistant Scoutmasters and an active Troop Committee. They have assisted in overseeing Troop 173’s active outdoor program for well over 1200 boys, of which 73 have become Eagle Scouts, or approximately twice the national average. Among our Eagle Scouts is a partner in an accounting firm, an attorney, a physician, a radio programming director, and an Air Force officer. Undoubtedly the leadership skills learned as Scouts have helped them with their achievements.
Many youth leaders have had the opportunity to share the fellowship of Scouting across the United States by participating in National Jamborees on both the East and West coasts and in leadership training locally and at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Community service has always been an important part of Troop 173’s program. Eagle Scout projects have included work at public recreation spaces in Sedgefield, Glacier Hills, Lake Parsippany, and Knoll Park. Other service projects have been wide-reaching – they have benefited the Parsippany Public Library, The Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Parsippany Little League, and we have helped victims of hurricanes and flooding by collecting supplies and money to be distributed by local disaster relief. In 2017, the Fishwick District (eastern Morris County area) recognized the Scout Troop with the most community service hours in the year.
Troop 173 has participated annually in the “Scouting for Food” national “Good Turn”; over 30,000 items have been donated to a Parsippany food bank. Troop 173 has been at the forefront of the recycling movement. One of our early fundraisers was a deposit bottle collection. They collected scrap newspapers and magazines for over fifteen years until Parsippany began mandatory recycling. Along with collections in the other sections of town, our newspaper collection allowed Parsippany to earn a grant from the State of New Jersey to expand the reach and scope of its recycling program.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Officer Sean Coleman arrested Ms. Alexandra Pilco, 34, Dover, for DWI. Ms. Pilco was originally stopped for a motor vehicle violation when the odor of marijuana was detected on August 13.
Subsequent field sobriety tests resulted in Ms. Pilco being arrested and charged with two counts of possession of CDS, as well as being issued motor vehicle summonses for improper passing, open container, consumption, CDS in a motor vehicle, improper right turn, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, delaying traffic, failure to observe traffic control device, careless & reckless driving, traffic on a marked course, improper turn, failure to possess license and DWI.
She was provided with a court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Hanover Police Department was inundated with eleven complaints concerning disruptive activities on Bee Meadow Parkway.
HANOVER — Hanover Township’s Sergeant Eric Prach served complaints summonses to Whippany residents, Joseph and Cynthia Fallivene, on July 27 for consistently maintaining a nuisance in their locality. From May to July, the Hanover Police Department was inundated with eleven complaints concerning disruptive activities on Bee Meadow Parkway. Allegations ranged from noisy early morning engine revving, burnouts, and even fireworks to neighborhood disputes.
Repeated motor vehicle stops led to several warnings and summonses directed at the residents of the household, Mr. Christopher Fallivene, 21, and Mr. Nicholas Fallivene, 18. Despite multiple interventions, the disruptions persisted, prompting Sergeant Prach to issue two additional complaints each to the homeowners for maintaining a nuisance.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER — During a recent traffic stop over a notably loud exhaust, Hanover Township Police Officer Carlos Najera pulled over Nicholas Fallivene, 18, of Whippany, handing him motor vehicle summonses.
In a defiant act, Fallivene crumpled and discarded one summons out of his car window right in front of Officer Najera. Consequently, Fallivene was issued an additional Municipal Ordinance Summons for littering from a vehicle and public place littering.
He is currently awaiting his court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
File Photo. Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Officer Sean Coleman was called to Police Headquarters regarding a stolen credit card incident. The complainant reported leaving her purse unattended at her workplace. The following day, she discovered an unauthorized charge on her card from the TJ Maxx store in Cedar Knolls, along with a cash loss of $40.00 on July 25.
Surveillance footage from TJ Maxx identified the suspect as Ms. Parulben Patel, 48, from Lake Hiawatha, who is also a colleague of the victim.
Ms. Patel was apprehended and faces charges for credit card theft and its illicit use. She awaits her court appearance after being released.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey businesses are now restricted from profiting off credit card surcharges, following a new law enacted by Gov. Phil Murphy. Effective immediately, this law mandates that details about these charges be made public.
Gov. Murphy emphasized the need for transaction transparency for everyone in New Jersey, highlighting the financial strains on families with limited incomes. The legislation prevents vendors from adding surcharges exceeding their own costs to process credit card payments.
Dana Lancellott, CEO of the NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association, commented on how the industry values transparency in costs. She pointed out that while surcharges aren’t novel, they’ve grown in various sectors as a means to offset high fees charged by credit card processing firms, not for extra profit.
Beverly Brown Ruggia, Director of the New Jersey Citizen Action Financial Justice Program, expressed concern over unfair fees amplifying financial pressures on New Jersey families. She commended Gov. Murphy and the bill’s sponsors for shielding consumers from unnecessary charges on regular financial activities.
The new regulations come under bills A4284/S3508A4284/S3508.
