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Morris County to Hold 25th Anniversary September 11 Remembrance Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil

By
Frank Cahill
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Dennis Letts
Dennis Letts

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners is inviting residents to join the twenty-fifth anniversary Morris County September 11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Morris County September 11 Memorial, 460 West Hanover Avenue.

Keynote remarks will be delivered by Dennis Letts, a retired United States Secret Service executive and Tunnel to Towers Foundation ambassador, who was at the World Trade Center in New York City when terrorists carried out the attacks on September 11, 2001. This year marks a quarter century since nearly three thousand people were killed after four commercial airliners were hijacked by terrorists, who flew two planes into the Twin Towers and another into the Pentagon in Washington, District of Columbia. A fourth plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought to regain control of the aircraft.

This year’s remembrance ceremony will begin after sundown, more than an hour later than in previous years, to accommodate residents observing Rosh Hashanah.

The evening will feature a candlelight vigil, musical tributes, an invocation, the reading of the names of the sixty-four Morris County residents who perished in the attacks, and a procession of firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, veterans and other dignitaries.

About the Keynote Speaker

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Dennis Letts, a United States Secret Service special agent at the time, was exiting the North Tower of the World Trade Center when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building directly above him. He immediately returned to assist with the evacuation of thousands of occupants and later supported the emergency evacuation of civilians from Lower Manhattan after the towers collapsed. For his extraordinary courage and leadership during the attacks, he was awarded the United States Secret Service Medal of Valor.

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the ceremony, as seating is limited.

Parking is available at the Morris County Department of Human Services offices, 340 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Township. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the memorial.

Police, fire and rescue departments may participate by sending one apparatus per agency and assembling by 6:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue.

The ceremony will also be livestreamed on Facebook at facebook.com/share/19AqWm3TEx.

Applebee’s Launches Fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Research

By
Frank Cahill
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0

DOVER — Applebee’s has launched its “Squeeze Out Childhood Cancer” fundraiser to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), the largest independent charity in the country dedicated to childhood cancer research and family support, marking the 22nd year of the partnership between the two organizations.

The Applebee’s location in Dover, at 435 Route 46 East, is among the restaurants nationwide taking part in the campaign, which runs through August 30. This year’s fundraiser aims to raise more than $1.5 million for pediatric cancer research and family support programs.

Through the promotion, Applebee’s will donate 50 cents from every new Lemon Berry Sunshine drink sold, whether ordered for dine-in or To Go. Restaurants nationwide, including the Dover location, will also convert into “Lemonade Stands” to raise awareness of childhood cancer.

Guests can also support the fundraiser by adding a $1, $5, $10 or $20 digital donation to an online or mobile app order, or by donating directly to ALSF when purchasing an Applebee’s gift card online.

Since the partnership began in 2005, Applebee’s says it has raised more than $20 million for ALSF, including more than $2.2 million in 2025, which the company says has helped fund more than 360,000 hours of pediatric cancer research.

“We’re honored to celebrate 22 years of partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and to have raised more than $20 million to fund lifesaving pediatric cancer research,” said John Peyton, Applebee’s president and Dine Brands CEO. “At Applebee’s, we take Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood to heart and together with our franchisees and guests, look forward to raising more than ever this year.”

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation traces its roots to a front-yard lemonade stand run by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was diagnosed with cancer as an infant and began raising money to fund research to find cures for childhood cancer. Scott died at age 8 after raising $1 million, and the foundation established in her name has since grown into the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the country.

More information on the Dover location’s hours and participation is available by visiting the restaurant at 435 Route 46 East or at Applebees.com.

New Jersey Reduces Business Formation and Filing Fees

By
Frank Cahill
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TRENTON — It now costs less to start a business in New Jersey after Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a bipartisan bill cutting business formation and filing fees by up to $25 across several business types.

The legislation, A-5325/S-4534, took effect July 1 and was one of more than 100 bills the Legislature passed in its most recent voting session, though it drew far less attention than the $60.7 billion state budget signed the same day.

Under the new law, the fee to file a Certificate of Incorporation for a corporation drops from $125 to $100. Nonprofit corporations will pay $50 instead of $75 for their original certificate, and limited partnerships and limited liability companies will see formation fees reduced from $125 to $100 as well. Annual report fees are now set at $75 for most business types and $30 for nonprofits. Other filing fees, including those for amendments, mergers, and dissolutions, have also been standardized or reduced.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-16), Senator John Burzichelli (D-3), and Senator Carmen Amato (R-9).

“New Jersey should be encouraging entrepreneurs to invest and create jobs, not making it more expensive to get started,” Amato said. “This law removes an unnecessary cost for businesses and is a step toward creating a more welcoming environment for employers and job creators.”

The bill passed with broad bipartisan support, clearing the Senate 40-0 and the Assembly 78-0 with one abstention on June 30. Sherrill signed it into law a few hours later.

The state Department of the Treasury estimated the fee reductions will reduce state revenues by $4.1 million, a figure reflected in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Supporters of the bill say the long-term economic benefit of increased business activity is expected to outweigh the short-term revenue loss.

Jefferson Student Named to NYIT Presidential Honor List

By
Frank Cahill
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Jacqueline Taylor

JEFFERSON — Jacqueline Taylor of Oak Ridge has been named to the New York Institute of Technology’s Presidential Honor List for the spring 2026 semester.

The Presidential Honor List recognizes undergraduate students who achieve outstanding academic performance during the semester.

Taylor is pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture at NYIT, expected in May 2027, and is a member of the American Institute of Architecture Students. She previously earned an associate degree in business administration and management from County College of Morris, where she studied from 2020 to 2022, and is a graduate of Pope John XXIII High School.

About New York Institute of Technology

New York Institute of Technology’s six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, professional, and medical degree programs in disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; IT and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability. Founded in 1955, the nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute welcomes more than 7,000 students worldwide, with campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York, and Jonesboro, Arkansas, as well as programs around the world. More than 120,000 alumni are part of a network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals.

For more information, visit nyit.edu.

Jefferson Township Woman Charged With DWI, Open Container Violation

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

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A township woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated on July 9, according to a Jefferson Township Police Department report.

Michelle C. Dilapi, 30, was arrested at 4:05 p.m. and handcuffed at the scene, according to the report. Police said Dilapi’s car was checked before and after she was placed in the back seat of the patrol vehicle. The case was investigated by Police Officer Liam Shernce.

Dilapi was charged with the following:

  • Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs (39:4-50)
  • Reckless driving (39:4-96)
  • Traffic on marked lanes (39:4-88)
  • Open container of alcohol or unsealed cannabis in a motor vehicle (39:4-51B)

Dilapi is due to appear in Jefferson Township Municipal Court on July 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. on the driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and open container charges. The traffic on marked lanes charge carries a penalty of $186.00, payable by July 23, 2026.

Editor’s Note: 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.

Hopatcong Woman Charged With DWI After Crash

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

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A Hopatcong woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after a two-vehicle crash on Nolans Point Road on June 16, according to a Jefferson Township Police Department report.

Denise L. Sloane, 62, was arrested at 6:11 p.m. after police said her vehicle crossed the centerline on Nolans Point Road near Castle Rock Road and struck a second vehicle. Sloane was handcuffed and taken into custody following the crash, according to the report.

According to the crash investigation report, a vehicle driven by Diane L. Tyrpak was traveling west on Nolans Point Road when Sloane’s vehicle crossed the centerline and struck it. Sloane was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated, the report states. Police said Sloane refused a breath test at the scene.

Sloane was charged with the following:

  • Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs (39:4-50)
  • Reckless driving (39:4-96)
  • Traffic on marked lanes (39:4-88)
  • Refusal to submit to a chemical test (39:4-50.4a)
  • Consent to take samples of breath (39:4-50.2)

Sloane is due to appear in Jefferson Township Municipal Court on July 9 at 1:00 p.m. The case was investigated by Traffic Safety Officer Charles Paskas.

Editor’s Note: 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.

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish to Hold Three-Day Rummage Sale in Oak Ridge

By
Frank Cahill
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0

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — St. Thomas the Apostle Parish will hold a three-day rummage sale at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5635 Berkshire Valley Road, Oak Ridge, from Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20, 2026.

The sale will run Friday, September 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Items for sale will include clothes, household goods, seasonal items, toys, tools, garden supplies, vintage finds, jewelry, small furniture and sports equipment. Every dollar raised will go directly to the parish’s ministries and its Hardship Fund, which supports neighbors in the community who need a helping hand.

The parish is seeking help in three ways: donations, which can be dropped off after every Mass through the sale; volunteers to help sort, price, set up, work during the sale and clean up; and shoppers looking for a bargain. The parish is accepting clothing, household items, seasonal decor, toys, tools, garden items, vintage pieces, jewelry, small furniture and sports equipment, but is not accepting televisions, electronics, or anything that will not fit in a small two-door car.

Those with questions may text (917) 405-0596.

Morris County Historical Society to Host Walking Tour in Denville

By
Frank Cahill
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0

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Historical Society will host a walking tour on Saturday, September 12, with tours beginning at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at 560 Openaki Road.

The tour is part of the Morris County Walking Tour Series, presented by the Morris County Historical Society in partnership with local historians and history organizations. The series runs from April through October and features nearly forty guided walking tours exploring almost two dozen communities throughout Morris County, with topics ranging from historic districts, downtowns and neighborhoods to local industries that shaped the landscape and the individuals who left a lasting impact.

The Denville tour will follow the Den Brook to the sites of two pre-Revolutionary War forges, and to an eighteenth century tavern, saw mill and gristmill, where a slave woman named Dinah tended to patrons, where local Native Americans came to hear the news of the day, and where George Washington likely waited while his horse was shod by a local blacksmith.

The tour is free and will proceed rain or shine. Pre-registration is required. Those with registration inquiries may contact the Morris County Historical Society at [email protected].

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum Hosts Lunch with the Librarian Series

By
Frank Cahill
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0

MORRISTOWN — Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, in partnership with the Morristown and Morris Township Library, is hosting “Lunch with the Librarian,” a free program for preschool children and their caregivers, on Wednesday, July 22; Wednesday, July 29; Wednesday, August 5; and Wednesday, August 12, at 12:00 p.m.

Children and caregivers are encouraged to bring lunch and enjoy stories in the museum’s garden. Attendees should enter the garden through the side gate. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in the museum’s Center Hall.

The program is free and will be held at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960.

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Mobile Unit Coming to Morris Plains

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

MORRIS PLAINS — The Morris Plains Police Department, in conjunction with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, will host a mobile inspection station at Community Park, 51 Jim Fear Drive, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“By bringing inspections directly to Morris Plains, we want to help residents stay compliant with state requirements in a more convenient and efficient manner — reducing travel time, long wait lines, and overall burden on Motor Vehicle Commission facilities,” the department said.

Inspections will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, and no appointments are required. Vehicles will be lined up and processed in the order they arrive. Inspections can be performed only up to two months in advance of a vehicle’s expiration date.

Vehicles that pass inspection will receive a two-year inspection sticker, while new car dealer vehicles will receive a five-year inspection sticker. Vehicles that fail inspection will receive a rejection sticker along with a thirty-day report, allowing the owner time to address the issue and return to an inspection facility for a re-inspection.

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Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

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