MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris, is set to receive the Community Advocate accolade from Good Grief, a nonprofit dedicated to grief support and education, during their annual gala on Wednesday, October 25.

“It’s a deep honor to be acknowledged by Good Grief, especially when many of my legislative efforts, such as amplifying the number of mental health professionals and diminishing the stigma linked to mental health services, mirror the vital objectives of Good Grief,” remarked Dunn.

“Being an advocate is fundamental to my role in public service. The chance to champion the causes of New Jersey residents drives many of my initiatives in Trenton.” In a prior session, Dunn’s proposal (A3007), which mandates higher education entities to introduce students to on-campus mental health resources, was enacted.

Currently, Dunn is advocating for close to twelve bills geared towards enhancing the accessibility of mental health services, with a focus on youth, veterans, and marginalized communities. Among her proposals is a loan forgiveness initiative for child and adolescent mental health professionals, and a program assisting veterans in addressing PTSD and brain injuries. Additionally, Dunn supports a pilot scheme designed to furnish middle and high school students with resilience-building skills, along with a tuition refund program for advanced practice nurses rendering mental health services in New Jersey’s underprivileged regions.

Dunn expressed, “I wholeheartedly appreciate the strides Good Grief has made in addressing the barriers preventing many from seeking the aid they require. Collectively, I am hopeful about establishing New Jersey as a benchmark in superior mental health care provision and accessibility.”

MORRIS COUNTY — A shooting at a local motel in Morris County is currently under investigation, as confirmed by Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, October 18, when, at approximately 8:54 p.m., reports came in of a shooting at the Roxbury Motel, situated on Route 46 within Roxbury Township.

Upon arrival, Roxbury Police officers found a man suffering from a gunshot injury to his leg. Immediate medical assistance was rendered at the scene, stabilizing the victim before he was rushed to a nearby medical facility. He is reported to have severe injuries, though they are not expected to be life-threatening.

Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that the perpetrator or perpetrators left the scene promptly following the shooting.

The probe into the circumstances surrounding the shooting remains both active and comprehensive, as stated by Prosecutor Carroll.

The investigative team comprises members from the Roxbury Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Individuals who have any information pertaining to this case are urged to reach out to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit by dialing (973) 285-6200, or the Roxbury Police Department at (973) 448-2100. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Morris County Crimestoppers by calling 973-COP-CALL or by clicking here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Wharton Borough Chief of Police David Young confirmed that Antony S. Rodriguez-Santana, 30, Camden, has been sentenced to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, of which five years must be served before he is eligible for parole.

On September 12, Rodriguez-Santana entered a guilty plea to second-degree Certain Persons Not to Have Firearms in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7(b)(1).

On October 13, the Honorable Judge Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. sentenced Gonzalez to ten years of New Jersey State Prison subject to five years of parole ineligibility.

The guilty plea came as the result of an investigation by the Morris County Special Enforcement Unit, during which time the defendant sold a Smith & Wesson MP .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a defaced Raven Arms model P25 .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, hollow point bullets, and a large capacity magazine, while previously being convicted of aggravated assault.