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Jefferson Resident Christian Barranco Announces Candidacy for Mayor

By
Frank Cahill
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Christian Barranco

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Jefferson resident Christian E. Barranco has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Jefferson Township, pledging to address what he describes as long-standing fiscal and accountability concerns within local government.

Barranco, who has served four years in the New Jersey Legislature, said his decision to run was driven by his experiences at the state level.

“After four years of serving in the NJ Legislature and seeing first-hand how our State is being held under the thumb of those who hold public office for their own self-interests, I have decided to give Jefferson Township the opportunity to free ourselves from that same problem locally,” Barranco said. “For over 20 years, our Township has seen a very real pattern of expanding government, rising costs, and declining accountability.”

Barranco pointed specifically to municipal budget growth over the past several years.

“Since 2019, the year this Mayor was sworn in, our Municipal budget has increased by nearly 40% according to our Township’s own website,” he stated. “At every opportunity, the administration of our Town expands on the size and cost of our local government. Our property taxes continue to rise every year by larger and larger numbers and the services that we receive from our Township do not improve.”

While acknowledging the ongoing impact of the Highlands Act on local municipalities, Barranco argued that it does not fully account for the township’s fiscal trends.

“While the Highlands Act continues to affect us, it cannot explain years of unchecked spending growth created right here at home,” he said. “Our Township does not have a revenue problem; WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM!!”

Barranco indicated that his campaign will focus on fiscal responsibility, controlling spending, and restoring accountability within township government. Additional details about his platform and campaign plans are expected in the coming weeks.

Jefferson Township Board of Education Launches Search for New Superintendent

By
Frank Cahill
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Jefferson Township High School is located at 1010 Weldon Road Oak Ridge

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The Jefferson Township Public Schools Board of Education has officially launched its search for a new Superintendent of Schools, seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking leader dedicated to academic excellence, whole-child development, and meaningful partnerships with families and the broader community.

The search is being conducted in partnership with the New Jersey School Boards Association, which is assisting the district in identifying qualified candidates who can build upon Jefferson’s tradition of educational excellence while preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Located in Morris County, the Jefferson Township Public Schools serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve across multiple schools, including Jefferson Township High School. The district is known for its strong academic programs, competitive athletics, performing arts, and a commitment to supporting the social and emotional well-being of its students.

Board members have emphasized the importance of selecting a leader who values transparency, communication, and collaboration. The next superintendent will be expected to work closely with educators, staff, parents, and community stakeholders to ensure students receive a well-rounded education that balances rigorous academics with character development and extracurricular opportunities.

The position closes on March 13. Interested candidates and community members can learn more about the opportunity by visiting the New Jersey School Boards Association website by clicking here.

As Jefferson Township looks toward the future, the Board of Education is focused on finding a superintendent who will continue strengthening the district’s foundation while leading it confidently into its next chapter.

Whippany Park High School Honors February Students of the Month

By
Frank Cahill
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Bethany Rizzo and Nicholas DeAngelis were named Whippany Park High School’s February Students of the Month, recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and positive contributions to the school community.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Whippany Park High School proudly recognized Bethany Rizzo and Nicholas DeAngelis as its February Students of the Month, celebrating their academic achievement, leadership, and positive contributions to the school community.

The Students of the Month program highlights individuals who demonstrate excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Bethany and Nicholas have distinguished themselves through strong academic performance, active participation in school activities, and a commitment to upholding the values that define Whippany Park High School.

Whippany Park High School, located on Whippany Road, serves students from Hanover Township as part of the Hanover Park Regional High School District. The school is known for its rigorous academic programs, competitive athletic teams, vibrant performing arts department, and a wide range of clubs and service organizations that encourage student involvement and leadership development. From Advanced Placement coursework to championship-caliber athletics and award-winning arts programs, Whippany Park provides students with opportunities to excel in multiple arenas.

Administrators and faculty consistently emphasize character, responsibility, and community engagement, preparing students not only for college and career success but also for meaningful citizenship. The recognition of Bethany Rizzo and Nicholas DeAngelis reflects the high standards and strong sense of community that define the school.

Random Act of Kindness: Hanover Park High School Student Matt Valenti

By
Frank Cahill
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Matt Valenti

EAST HANOVER — When a fellow student needed assistance, Hanover Park High School student Matt Valenti stepped forward without hesitation. There was no spotlight, no need for recognition, just a sincere willingness to help in the moment.

It is these everyday choices that help define the culture at Hanover Park High School. Small acts can make a meaningful difference.

The Hanover Park community is proud of Matt for leading by example and demonstrating what kindness looks like in action.

Hanover Park High School HOSA Students Gain Hands-On Experience

By
Frank Cahill
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EAST HANOVER — Students at Hanover Park High School recently had the opportunity to participate in an engaging, hands-on learning experience as members of the school’s Health Occupations Students of America program welcomed back several distinguished alumni.

The visiting graduates returned to their alma mater to share their professional knowledge, career experiences, and passion for the healthcare field with the next generation of Hornets. Their guidance provided students with valuable real-world insight into emergency medical services and health-related careers, reinforcing classroom instruction with practical application.

Partnering with the school for the program was East Hanover Emergency Medical Services, whose team worked alongside students to demonstrate equipment, review emergency response procedures, and provide interactive instruction. The collaboration allowed students to explore potential career pathways while gaining a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and rewards of serving the community in healthcare roles.

The event highlighted the strong connection between Hanover Park High School and its alumni, as well as the importance of community partnerships in preparing students for future success.

Once a Hornet, always a Hornet.

Academic Excellence Recognized at Hanover Park High School

By
Frank Cahill
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Hanover Park High School, located at 63 Mount Pleasant Avenue in East Hanover, serves students from East Hanover and Florham Park as part of the Hanover Park Regional High School District.

EAST HANOVER – Hanover Park High School, Principal Thomas J. Callanan, announced the following is the honor roll for for the second marking period.

Distinguished Honors are for grades of 4.00 or above for the marking period.

High Honors are for grades of 3.50 to 3.99 for the marking period. Honors are for grades of 3.00 to 3.49 for the marking period.

Distinguished Honors

Grade 12

Ava Adochio, Daniel Amalfitano, Lindsay Behre, Natasha Blumberg, Jack Botwin, Ava Caccavelli, Jonathan Callanan, James Casola, Sabrina Casola, Evangelina Chaveco, Kayla Chung, Daniela Cicalese, Sophie Cicerone, Carlie Corrao, Tanvi Daita, Nyla Daly, Ava Damurjian, Lily David, Mia DeNicola, Christopher DeTitta, Allison DiBrienza, Christina DiGrazio, Julianna DiRienzo, Margaret Dolan, Piotr Dymnicki, Grace Eilers, Cristina Galhofo, Jared Gerben, Alyssa Giuca, Gianna Hastie, Joshua Ho, Cory Hueston, Scott Hunter, Nicholas Ionete, Ishan Kapadia, Harlan Kim, Samantha Larena, Michela Le Rose, Matthew Lei, Kelly Lu, Juliana Madigan, Ruby Marlin, Jaythan Martinez, Valentino Martinez, Allison Massarano, Gabriella Messana, Brenda Moreno Arias, Kayla Nemec, Chinwe Orjiekwe, Dev Ramcharan, Sydney Shepard, Julia Shrager, Asia Sohoni, Caden Thomas, Thi Tran, Ava Trinity, Heidi Tsai, Nina Tsai, Madison Viana, Kaitlin Vitti, Fiona Wang, Iclal Yapici, Isaiah Zeitz and Sandy Zhong.

Grade 11

Maria Adesso, Angel Ajish Yohannan, Anvitha Bharathkailash, Carinna Bolante, Jackson Bozydaj, Alexandra Burmeister, Bernis Cakmak, Cody Capizano, Madelyn Cardone-Tamburello, Parvati Chiarella, Melissa Coniglio, Gabriella Conte, Alyson Crofton, Evan Cushman, Jaedyn D’Ambola, Luke David, Neil DellaTorre, Francesca Devane, Meadow Dougherty, Darius Firooznia, Jonathan George, Tory Henning, Cheyanne Johnson, Amber Jones, Brendan Keane, Victoria King, Alexa Lombardo, Ava Madine, Vanshi Naithani, Cambria O’Connor, Stella Roberts, Gianna Schiavone, Shalin Shah, Patricia Shallis, William Tober, Sabas Vega and Sofia Viegas.

Grade 10

Brandon Asistido, Ava Berardi, Bree Bertoline, Rithika Bhoopathi, Lilia Broyer, Sophia Caccavelli, Morgan Campbell, Madeline Carrell, Genevieve Cavicchia, Ellie Chuang, Ava Clarke, Jake Cosentino, Brooke Damurjian, Manual de Araujo, Hansh Dondapati, Christopher Doscher, Emilia Dymnicki, Brayden Esposito, Lily Folkemer, Giuliana Gagliardo, Julia Ho, Melissa Ho, Sydney Holmes, Ryan Huang, Natalie Kelly, Madelin Kinney, Sahil Kulkarni, Gianna Langereis, Sean Lee, Nina Matarazzo, Sebastian Mayan, Ryan McPartland, Ryan Medich, Kylie Mesz-Atchison, Sebastian Miller, Martina Mulholland, Ava Mushinske, Raghav Natarajan, Vincent Nguyen, Shilah Noori, Nicolette Novalis, Lucia Orlovsky, Tyler Palmarozzo, Sofia Paulus, Mikayla Pham, Giovanna Pignataro, Isabella Pignataro, Karl Policarpio, Albina Qosaj, Adrianna Rhodes, Amber Saif, Caitlin Sherwood, Jordyn Stevens, Dylan Sugg, Brooklyn Tabao, Kevin Tran, Trent Underwood, Isabella Vicari and Maveric Yoon.

Grade 9

Danielle Ahlert, Maya Alexander, Stella Alvarez, Olivier Asselin, Liana Banasiak, Aubrey Beck, Avidanth Bharathkailash, Analisa Cannizzo, George Caponegro, Felipe Carabajal Stortoni, Brooklynn Catalano, Joshua Chung, Spencer Croessmann, Kyler Cushman, Avery Davis, Shivali Dhrangadhria, Santino DiPaolo, Francesca DiStasio, Allison Dolan, Isabella Frank, Luca Garruto, Nina Greenwald, Mia Guillen, Stacey Guo, Ella Heinold, Samantha Hunter, Maxwell Jordan, Chayse LaBerth, Samantha Lupo, Riley Magee, Christopher McCann, Lola Palardy, Tanay Paripatyadar, Leon Reyes, Katherine Rios, Morgan Rios, Massimo Salvatore, Kaylee Scully, Sanvi Shah, M Haaris Shaikh, Alexa Shrager, Michael Soliman, Sienna Sommerville, Olivia Spina, Kelly Stella, Rhea Thaker, Charles Tober, Natalie Tomczyk, Emma Toto, Kushal Verzi, Minette Viljoen, Kiran Viswanadhan, Sofia Woroch, Danica Zhu and Marti Zizza.

High Honors

Grade 12

Brooke Ahearn, Louana Baltazar, Ava Buchanan, Gianmarco Canziani, James Carney, Jiana Casale, Jolie Casale, Jack Connolly, Sophia Cortese, Milo Crimi, Mohamed Elsadig, Alexa Gagliardo, Colin Heinhold, Abigail Holmes, Samantha Manias, Mario Marrano, Salvadore Mazzuca, Avery Neilan, Phat Nguyen, Theodore Petro, Dante Rosato, Ella Santos, Darya Tarasevich, Hailey Underwood, Alejo Viera Perez, Robert Vogt, Wylder Wickman, Nicholas Zakhary and Morgan Zwigard.

Grade 11

Tala Abualhayja’a, Robert Akos, Ayham Bitar, Philip Bogardus, Christopher Buzza, Sofia Cabrera, Emma Ciasullo, Tyler Del Vecchio, Arianna DiPaolo, Vincent Dorey, Patrick Dorst, Olivia Farneski, Maeve Flaherty, Vincent Fusella, Paul Grieco, Braden Huang, Aiden Jackson, Gavin Krus, Karina Kuzmych, Denece Lee, Joseph Marcantonio, Chloe Mazzarella, Gabriealla Mhley, Sutton Paulus, Cristiano Pereira, Isabella Piscitelli, Adriana Rosa, Presley Sacher, Nicholas Scerbo, Francesco Scrocco and McKayla Sommerville.

Grade 10

Giancarlo Andolino, Paityn Armstrong, Victoria Behringer, Jonathan Berry, Dylan Brown, Dante Cavezza, Matteo Cesaro, Carissa Christopher, Matthew Cohen, Sean Diskin, Azman Farooqui, Connor Fisher, David Frasca, Mikaela Gardiner, Giada Garruto, Leana Giuliano, Adan Gjonbalaj, Shayla Gooch-Asim, Brendan Hamilton, Benjamin Jimenez, Sophia Marinelli, Blaise Markey, Nicholas Martinelli, Luke Matusheski, Mia Mayan, Ryan Mellage, Michael Miscia, Sara Mokhemar, Zaina Mokhemar, Sabrina Mulholland, Isabella Murudumbay, Diana Orani, Luciana Ott, Maya Rinzivillo, Giuliana Rodrigues, Giulia Scioscia, Fiona Seubert, Gianna Spatola,Giuliana Spatola, Giuseppe Spatola, Demarcus Steward, Isabella Valastro, Gabrielle Valentino, Markiyan Vulchak, Liana Weakland, Sofia Weiss and Callen Yadlovski.

Grade 9

Jude Abdy, Leon Alexin, Nicholas Amato, Amadu Barrie, Maria Bumazhnaya, Adrianna Capozzi, Dante Caputo, Elias Chen-Ott, Isabella DeMelo, Brian DiBrienza, Charles Dorst, Layla Flaumenbaum, Brody Fleming, Dylan Gabelman, Vinzian Gutierrez, Arianna Levine, Patrick Long, Emersyn Lopez, Christina Madigan, Owen Murray, Quinn Neilan, Chikezie Orjiekwe,Marc Ortiz, Arnav Patel, Joseph Pepe, Peter Quinn, Erick Quito Alvarado, Liam Rocha, Anthony Rosa, Alexander Spagnuolo, Devyn Strauss, Caden Williams, Liam Wu and Camryn Zwigard.

Honors

Grade 12

Jake Colatrella, Madison DeRosa, Luchiana Salvatore and Lauren Schmit.

Grade 11

Francesca DeFillippes, Kyle Dunn, Ryan Lenci, Joseph Monticello, Luke Morgese, Kevin Ranghel and Liam Teeling.

Grade 10

Antonio Cardella, Khari Cooper, Sophia Di Popolo, Karim Fernandez, Makayla Ferraro, Luciana LaSala, Alexa Latona,Andrea Lozada, Mason Marchal, Mark Perillo, Sofia Ritrivi, Arianna Schilare and Marino Zizza.

Grade 9

Danelle Ho, Alanna Iannacone, Joson Joseph, Idris Muhammad, Marco Orani, Michael Paris, Leonard Rettenberg and Celeste Sewall.

Hanover Park opened in 1956 and serves the Townships of East Hanover and Florham Park. The current enrollment is 697 in grades 9-12 with 192 in the Class of 2026. The school operates on a traditional 8-period schedule. Each academic course meets daily for a minimum of 42 minutes. Hanover Park has a Student:Faculty ratio of 9:1 and a Student:Counselor ratio of 140:1. Hanover Park students are consistently recognized at the state and regional level for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts.

Rotary Club Announces Scholarships for High School Seniors Committed to Community Service

By
Frank Cahill
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0

FLORHAM PARK — The Rotary Club of Florham Park will offer scholarships to high school seniors who reside in Florham Park and have demonstrated a strong record of volunteering and community service.

The scholarships are designed to assist students who are applying to attend an accredited college or technical school.

“Our club members are very proud of our Florham Park students and how significantly they contribute their talents to keeping this community such a wonderful place to live,” said Betty O’Brien, Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Florham Park and Chair of the Scholarship Committee.

To be considered and begin the application process, students should obtain an application from their school counselors within the next two weeks. Students who are awarded a Rotary Club of Florham Park scholarship will receive a certificate, a check, and an invitation to participate in the Florham Park Independence Day Parade.

The scholarship funds are made possible through the generous support of the Florham Park community, including fundraising efforts such as the Taste of Florham Park and the Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest.

To learn more about the Rotary Club of Florham Park, guests are welcome to attend a weekly breakfast meeting held every Friday from 7:47 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. at the Florham Park Diner, located at 182 Ridgedale Avenue.

Letter to the Editor: Jefferson Candidates Challenge Backroom Politics and Property Tax Failures

By
Letter to the editor
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0

Dear Editor:

I have been a Republican my entire life and for 50 years I have been proud to call myself one. This year, I decided that I would do my best to represent our Republican brand by seeking to run for Council in the Town I love.

Yesterday, during a Republican Club meeting, I was informed by those in attendance that Senator Bucco, Sheriff Gannon and other Party “leaders” were present at a meeting and that they were endorsing three people who are directly responsible for our continued annual property tax spikes without even having the opportunity to speak my mind and practice my American right to seek a proper nomination from my Party.

This is not the America I grew up in. This is political insider garbage and it is the type of thing that is strangling this town and our State as a whole. It is also the type of thing that many of us despise about our governments lately.

I would like everyone to know that my interest in making a difference in Jefferson is pure and selfless. Sheila and I are going to mount a strong and open campaign for Jefferson and we want you all to be a part of it.

Please help us Save Jefferson.

Dotte Santasieri
Sheila Brown

Jefferson Needs Us. WE NEED YOU!

Roxbury Woman Charged with Drug Possession at Saint Clare’s

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

DENVILLE — A 36-year-old Roxbury woman was charged with drug offenses following an incident at Saint Clare’s Denville Campus on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Denville Police Department, officers responded to the hospital at approximately 1:51 p.m. on February 9, 2026, after receiving a report of a patient allegedly in possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and drug paraphernalia.

Police identified the individual as Mallory Grunn, 36, of Roxbury.

Upon arrival, officers determined that Grunn was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance and related drug paraphernalia. She was charged with two counts of possession of CDS (2C:35-10A(1)) and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia (2C:36-2A).

Grunn was issued complaint summonses and is pending a court appearance in Morris County Superior Court.

Editor’s Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dover Man Arrested for DWI Following Early Morning Traffic Stop

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

MORRIS COUNTY — A Dover resident was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 15.

Officers from the Township of Denville Police Department conducted a traffic stop at approximately 12:47 a.m. on South Salem Street in Randolph after observing a vehicle speeding on Route 10 westbound.

Police identified the driver as Francil L. Amaya-Ramirez, 29, of Dover.

During the investigation, officers determined that Amaya-Ramirez was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. He was placed under arrest and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing.

Authorities issued multiple motor vehicle summonses, including:

  • Driving While Under the Influence (39:4-50)
  • Open Container of Alcohol (39:4-51B)
  • Reckless Driving (39:4-96)
  • Careless Driving (39:4-97)
  • Failure to Possess Insurance Card (39:3-29C)

After processing, Amaya-Ramirez was released pending a court appearance in Denville Municipal Court.

Editor’s Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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