MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce that Lamar Harris, 34, last known address 1 Jean Street, Morristown, has been sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison.

At approximately 12:29 a.m. on March 29, 2021, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male at the Morristown Train Station, Morris Street, Morristown.  Subsequent investigation confirmed that the male’s body was located on a stairway at the train station.  The male had sustained head injuries and a brick was located next to the body.  An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the manner of death was certified as homicide.  The victim was previously identified as Matthew Palla.  Subsequent investigation, including video surveillance, revealed the victim and Lamar Harris were together in Morristown and in the vicinity of the Morristown Train Station prior to the homicide.  The investigation also revealed that Matthew Palla was in possession of approximately $800 prior to the homicide.

On June 15, 2022, Lamar Harris pled guilty to first degree Aggravated Manslaughter and third degree Theft by Unlawful Taking before the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.

On August 11 Judge Taylor imposed a sentence of 18 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence, on the Aggravated Manslaughter.

Judge Taylor also imposed a concurrent sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison on the Theft.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $800 restitution.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation that led to the apprehension and prosecution of the defendant, including the Morristown Police Department, the New Jersey Transit Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

MORRIS COUNTY — Atlantic Health System is pleased to announce the arrival of Scott Leighty, FACHE, Executive Vice President, Chief Health System Officer.  An experienced leader in hospital performance and strategic growth, Leighty will lend his talents to the health system’s unwavering efforts to ensure extraordinary care and experiences for patients and their families.

Leighty will bring a commitment to teamwork and unparalleled community service to the inner workings of the nationally recognized, integrated care delivery system.  To ensure every patient has access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place, he will work closely and collaboratively with the system’s medical center presidents and leaders of its service lines and operations, pharmacy, laboratory and respiratory teams.

“Atlantic Health is well known for excellence in patient care and is a leader in safety, quality and workplace culture,” said Leighty. “Our team is committed to increasing value for the patients we serve – not only through closer coordination of care within our system but through new partnerships in our communities.  I’m thrilled to support Atlantic Health’s vision to transform health care by improving safety, access and affordability – for all.”

Throughout his 25 years in health care, Leighty has served as an advocate for care integration and patient satisfaction.  His dedication to a team-based approach to care and professional development for caregivers has led to improved efficiency and growth.  Leighty is also passionate about improving the convenience of care and building better relationships between patients and clinicians.

Leighty previously served as senior vice president, regional hospitals and clinical services for Allina Health, a leading care delivery system with 11 hospitals and 28,000 team members headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He also served as senior vice president, corporate operations for Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina and held leadership positions with Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa and Ohio Health in Columbus.

“Scott’s ability to create innovative, supportive environments that work for every member of the team will ensure our future workforce is as strong as our history as an organization,” said Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “At this pivotal moment for health care in our country, he is the ideal leader to advance our mission to build healthier communities while caring for our caregivers.”

Leighty has held board positions at various organizations including Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa and the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services, illustrating a deep commitment to local community service. He is also a fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Learn more about the rest of the Atlantic Health System click here.

Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 12 counties and 5.5 million people.

The not-for-profit system offers more than 400 sites of care, including its seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and through its partnership with CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold, NJ.

Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and joins Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners as part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.

Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 23 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.

Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.

Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Park Commission’s skating program at the Mennen Sports Arena is being honored by the national Learn to Skate USA organization, which has ranked it No. 1 in New Jersey.

Learn to Skate announced the ranking in an August 4, 2022 letter noting the Morris County skating program enrolled 1,242 skaters this year into the affiliated Mennen Learn to Skate program. The achievement will land the Mennen Arena program a highlight in the Winter Issue of the Learn to Skate USA Magazine and the October Issue of SKATING Magazine, where the Morris County program will be shared with all members of U.S. Figure Skating.

“To be acknowledged by Learn to Skate USA for the Arena’s Learn to Skate Program is a testament to the dedicated professional skate instructors, arena staff and the participants who will benefit from learning a skill that will allow for low impact physical activity for a lifetime,” said David Helmer, Executive Director of the Morris County Park Commission.

Learn to Skate USA is a world-recognized educational program that promotes skating nationally. It is supported by U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and U.S. Speedskating, as well as the Special Olympics, the Professional Skaters Association and the U.S. Ice Rink Association.

Learn to Skate USA offers a standardized curriculum designed to help skaters of all ages and abilities master the basics of ice skating through specially formulated pathways for preschoolers, older children, adults and skaters with disabilities.

The William G. Mennen Sports Arena was built in 1973 on donated land in Morris Township and it was opened to the public on January 12, 1975 with only one ice surface and permanent seating for 2,500 spectators. In 1986, a second ice surface was completed and in 2002, a third ice surface was completed.

Mennen Sports Arena now receives over 1 million visitors annually, and has hosted everyone from National Hockey League players and Olympic champion skaters to world class tennis players and pop-music stars at the many events held in nearly 50 years of operations.

Learn more about the Mennen Arena click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will be participating in two programs, organized to collect and distribute backpacks filled with various school supplies to those in need.  The first event, the Backpack Giveaway organized by Table of Hope, is scheduled for August 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of The County College of Morris; and the second event, the Community Book-Bag Giveaway organized by Bethsaida Chapter 7, is on August 27

from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Bishop Nazery Way parking lot, located at 65 Spring Street, Morristown.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Police Benevolent Association Local #327 has graciously donated twenty backpacks and school supplies for both events, and made financial donations to both organizations to assist with their efforts.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, “Members of our office consistently demonstrate acts of kindness and consideration for others, setting an example for all to follow.”

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette issued a statewide drought watch as of August 9, 2022, and the Murphy Administration is urging residents and businesses to conserve water as persistent dry and hot conditions continue to stress water supplies throughout the state.

Residents and businesses are urged to conserve water as persistent dry and hot conditions continue to stress water supplies throughout the state.

The Commissioner’s declaration of a drought watch is the first stage in the State’s three-stage drought advisory system. The watch is intended to sow public awareness and appreciation of the stress upon water supply sources and encourage voluntary water conservation measures.

If conditions do not improve, declaration of a drought warning or a drought emergency with mandatory water use restrictions may become necessary. Voluntary conservation measures at the watch stage can help to avoid more serious and restrictive drought conditions.

The DEP is continuing to closely monitor drought indicators, which include precipitation, stream flows, reservoir levels, ground water levels, and water demand. DEP will continue to inform the public, local governments, and water systems of future actions to mitigate the risk of more severe conditions.

Click here for 10 easy ways to conserve water.