MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi announced the winners of the 2026 Morris County Manual Cover Contest, presenting awards to the top three finalists during a ceremony held in the Joan Bramhall Conference Room in Morristown.

“This contest continues to showcase the remarkable talent of Morris County students,” said Clerk Grossi. “Their creativity and dedication are evident in every submission. I am honored to recognize these students, their teachers and the judges who generously gave their time to support this long-standing tradition.”

View Photos from the Morris County Clerk’s Manual Cover Contest Ceremony

The annual contest invites high school students throughout Morris County to design the cover of the Morris County Manual, a comprehensive reference guide that provides contact information for local, county, state and federal officials, as well as boards and commissions. A panel of judges selected the top three designs from this year’s submissions.

“I use this book every day, and for the next year we will be looking at the winning artwork. I want to thank the county clerk for continuing this tradition and congratulate today’s winners and all who participated. In the year we are acknowledging the 250th anniversary of our nation, the county manual stands as a patriotic symbol of local government and civic service,” said County Administrator Deena Leary, who spoke at the ceremony.

The 2026 Morris County Manual Cover Contest winners, who received certificates of recognition and scholarship awards, are:

• First place: Ryan Orr, a senior at Morris Knolls High School, received a $500 scholarship. His design will appear on the cover of the 2026 Morris County Manual. His teacher, Sandra Ostrowski, was also recognized during the ceremony.

• Second place: Stephanie Opalka, a senior at Roxbury High School, received a $200 scholarship. Her teacher, Scott Schilling, was recognized with a certificate.

• Third place: Lauren McKeon, a senior at Morris Knolls High School, received a $100 scholarship. Her teacher, Sandra Ostrowski, was also recognized.

In addition to appearing on the front cover of the 2026 manual, the artwork of all three honored students will be framed and displayed at the Morris County Clerk’s Office throughout the year.

Judges for this year’s contest were Randolph Council Member Joanne Veech; former Parsippany Council Member Mike dePierro; and Morris County Clerk’s Office staff members Vincenzo Ferrara, Gaetana Decicco and Ines Prost. The ceremony was attended by student finalists, their families, educators and county officials.

The Morris County Manual, first published in 1906, serves as a comprehensive guide to government contacts and services within Morris County’s 39 municipalities. It also includes congressional and legislative district information and an election timetable for 2026.

The 2026 edition will be available online and in print in the coming weeks. Click here for the latest information regarding the Morris County Clerk’s website.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Morris County neurologist has been temporarily suspended after allegedly violating strict conditions imposed by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Jonathan Fellus, a neurologist primarily practicing in Randolph, was suspended on Wednesday, and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has begun proceedings to revoke his medical license for a second time.

State officials said Fellus violated a prior order that prohibited him from treating female patients without a chaperone present. The order was put in place after his license was reinstated following earlier disciplinary action.

According to authorities, in 2008 and 2009 Fellus engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient who was described as mildly brain-damaged. While he was never criminally charged, he was found liable in a civil medical malpractice lawsuit and ultimately lost his medical license in 2014.

Four years later, the Board of Medical Examiners agreed to reinstate his license under strict conditions. Those conditions required that any treatment of female patients be conducted only with a chaperone present and included a ban on any social contact with female patients. The restrictions were imposed to prevent future misconduct and protect the public.

The Division of Consumer Affairs later learned that Fellus allegedly misrepresented the patients he was seeing in order to evade the chaperone requirement. Officials further stated that he contacted female patients and attempted to discourage them from cooperating with investigators reviewing the matter.

As a result of the suspension, Fellus is now prohibited from treating any New Jersey residents, whether in-state or out-of-state. He is also barred from charging, receiving, or sharing in any professional fees until the case is resolved following a trial.

“This doctor’s alleged conduct, if proven, demonstrates an utter contempt for the Board’s authority and a disregard for patient safety that will not be tolerated,” said Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Temporarily removing him from practice until this matter is resolved is necessary to protect the public.”

The allegations remain under review, and the disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.

MORRISTOWN — Songwriters across New Jersey and beyond are invited to attend the fourth annual New Jersey Songwriters’ Summit, a day-long event taking place Saturday, March 14, at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, located at 21 Normandy Heights Road. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and features a full schedule of workshops, networking, and an evening concert. Registration for the daytime program is $144 and must be completed in advance.

Designed for songwriters of all levels and genres, the Summit offers hands-on workshops and creative coaching led by four acclaimed artists. Organized by Tina Ross, host of the “Inside the Song” podcast, the event focuses on songwriting technique and artistic growth. Ross emphasizes that instructors are selected for their skill in both songwriting and teaching, aiming to help attendees “dig deep and sharpen their craft.”

2026 Instructors:

• Amy Speace: Award-winning Nashville-based artist and author of To the Performer: A Singer-Songwriter’s Handbook, she brings two decades of performance coaching and university-level writing experience.
• Susan Cattaneo: Celebrated Boston singer-songwriter and former Berklee College of Music faculty member who’s mentored thousands.
• Mark Aaron James: Nashville and New York-based writer with credits spanning Jimmy Buffett to musical theater, known for his dynamic songwriting workshops.
• Carolann Solebello: Founding member of Red Molly, award-winning songwriter, and longtime contributor to NYC’s Jack Hardy Songwriters’ Exchange.

Workshop topics will include:

• Overcoming creative paralysis
• Writing songs on a tight deadline
• The craft of rewriting
• Showing vs. telling in lyrics
• “Brain tricks” to make songs more appealing
• Emotional authenticity in songwriting

Attendees can also take part in song swaps—small group breakouts where participants share original material—and enjoy meals and refreshments throughout the day. A song contest offers the chance for one participant to open the evening concert.

The day concludes with a public concert featuring Amy Speace and Susan Cattaneo, also available via webcast. Concert-only tickets are $25.00.

Presented by The Folk Project, the Summit is supported in part by Morris Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Registration and Contact:

• Register at: folkproject.org
• More info: tinarossmusic.com
• Phone: 845-544-4583