MORRIS COUNTY — The Senate Environment and Energy Committee has advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris, Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, and Sen. Steven Oroho, R-Sussex, to supply critical funding to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions of New Jersey.

The Senate Environment Committee has approved the Legislation.

“Our lakes are critical to the ecological and economic well-being of New Jersey, but the State has consistently underfunded them,” said Pennacchio.

“This appropriation represents the most significant investment in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake in recent memory, if not ever. This one-time infusion will ensure our lakes get their vital support.”

The bipartisan bill (S-2246), also sponsored by Sen. Vin Gopal, D-11, makes a one-time supplemental appropriation of $17 million for Fiscal Year 2024 to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from the general fund. The bill directs the DEP to establish a program to use these funds for grants to assist qualified entities in paying certain costs associated with managing and maintaining lakes for recreation and conservation purposes.

The DEP would be required to develop a process for evaluating and ranking grant applications, prioritizing projects improving water quality and increasing recreational access, including efforts to control nutrient levels in lakes to prevent harmful algal blooms.

The bill also provides priority funding for projects located in the Highlands Region and Pinelands area in recognition of the critical role lakes in these ecologically significant locations provide in the supply of drinking water to residents throughout the State, watershed protection, and for recreation and conservation purposes.

“Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake are two of the most important destinations for summer recreation in northern New Jersey, so it’s important we guarantee them a significant level of funding,” added Bucco.

“This money will help these lakes address algal blooms and weed proliferation that have threatened boating and swimming for many years. I hope this appropriation is just the first step in securing recurring State funding for the future needs of our lakes.”

“Our lake communities have been devastated in back-to-back years by the financial impact of algal blooms and the coronavirus pandemic,” said Oroho.

“After they’ve suffered so much, it is even more critical that the State step up to meet the need. With this substantial appropriation, we will help these important lakes remain healthy and open to the public.”

In the 2020-2021 legislative session, Pennacchio, Bucco, and Oroho sponsored a similar measure that appropriated $10 million to the DEP for the same purpose.

MORRIS COUNTY — Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that appropriates $70 million of federal funds to support arts and culture organizations was advanced by the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

“Arts and culture organizations suffered greatly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated shutdowns,” said Bucco. “Although the pandemic is over, many of these groups continue to struggle financially due to lost revenues and shrinking audiences. This legislation provides grants to qualified organizations to support their work and safeguard against future financial uncertainties.”

“Live venues for the performing arts, museums, movie theaters, and other art organizations attract audiences from all over to the towns that host these facilities,” Bucco added. “New Jerseyans and tourists that travel to shows and art exhibits spend millions of dollars in our restaurants and downtown communities. We must support these facilities as they are an economic engine for our state.”

Many non-profit and for-profit art and culture organizations lost significant revenue during the pandemic and lacked financial cash reserves.

Under this bill, qualified organizations could receive money from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to offset pandemic revenue losses and bolster cash reserves to support future operations.

Bucco’s bill, S-2800, requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to administer allocated funds as grants in consultation with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. $50 million would be awarded to support the financial recovery, resiliency, and growth of qualifying arts and culture organizations, $10 million of which would be dedicated to art education organizations that offer programs for students in public schools.

The remaining $20 million would be distributed as grants to beautify and enrich public spaces.

This will support the installation of artistic paintings on roadways and sidewalks, educational signage, gardening and landscaping, and other cultural projects from qualified organizations.

“Billions of dollars are sitting in pandemic relief funds waiting to be utilized by people and groups that continue to struggle to recover from the pandemic,” Bucco noted. “Art organizations provide immense value to the community through their expression and creativity. Our legislation provides an opportunity to support their work in making our communities and schools a better place.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Mount Olive Township Chief of Police Stephen Beecher confirmed that a jury has found Vinicio Orellana, 45, of Landing, guilty on all charges related to sexual contacts and Endangering the Welfare of a Child on September 27, 2020, in Flanders. 

The jury returned a guilty verdict following a three-day trial on February 16. The defendant was found guilty of three counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact and one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. A sentencing date is scheduled for March 24  before Judge Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. 

The charges arose from September 27, 2020, incident in Mount Olive Township. The defendant touched a 16-year-old female victim on her intimate parts. The incident was reported to the Mount Olive Police Department on September 27, 2020. 

Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation which led to the successful guilty verdict, including the Mount Olive Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Child Endangerment Unit. The Prosecutor also credited the Trial Team: Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline Marotta, Assistant Prosecutor Alexandra Pecora, MCPO Detective Jenna Powers, and MCPO Detective Lamar Hagans, with their professional and dedicated service.

The Prosecutor further commended Detective Constantinos Pagonis and Det. Lt. Luis Sanchez of the Mount Olive Police Department, who were the lead investigators on this case, Detective Juan Munoz and Detective Shawn Casey of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and MCPO Victim Witness Supervisor Amanda Holloway, along with all others who contributed to the investigation and successful prosecution in this case. 

MORRIS COUNTY — Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11, and her Parsippany office collected and delivered 6,000 Valentine’s Day cards to District 11 seniors written by residents of the 11th District.

To kick off Valentine’s Day, the Congresswoman delivered cards and spoke with residents from the Crane’s Mill retirement community in West Caldwell.

“The outpouring of support for our seniors so heartens me. Valentine’s Day is a great time to support each other, and I know that these cards have brightened so many seniors’ day,” said Rep. Sherrill.

“Special thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Valentines for Seniors program. Everyone got in the spirit from schools to public libraries to local businesses, and together we spread Valentine’s Day love to thousands of seniors throughout North Jersey.”

This program is part of a series of community appreciation initiatives by Congresswoman Sherrill and her team, such as “Thanksgiving Thank-Yous for Veterans,” which resulted in over 6,800 thank-you notes delivered to veterans in the community last year, and “2022 Heroes,” celebrating the everyday heroes in the district that inspire.