MORRIS COuNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted for two critical pieces of legislation that protect and bolster women’s freedom after they were dismantled by the U.S. Supreme Court last month.

“When the partisan Supreme Court struck down 50 years of legal precedent, they stripped women of our constitutional freedoms and put our health at risk,” said Rep Sherrill. The freedom of our residents. But we cannot forget about women in places like Texas or Mississippi where state legislators are controlling residents and acting to punish them for seeking healthcare. I’m proud to vote for these two bills that ensure women, no matter where they call home, have the right to access the healthcare they need and the right to control their own bodies.”

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which codifies the right to an abortion in federal law, was passed by the House in September 2021. As a result of the Senate failing to act on it, the House passed the bill with language addressing the current events to pressure the other chamber to do their duty and protect freedom.

The Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022 extends legal protections to Americans who utilize their constitutional freedom to travel to another state to seek an abortion. These pieces of legislation head to the Senate for a vote.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Mount Olive Township Police Chief Stephen Beecher filed first degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death charge against John P. Rowe, 30, with a last known address in Budd Lake.

The charge arises from a fatal drug overdose which occurred in Mount Olive on September 21, 2021.

On September 22, 2021, law enforcement responded to the Days Inn located in Mount Olive on a report of an unconscious male. The male victim, later identified as G.B., 19, was transported to the hospital and subsequently pronounced deceased on September 23, 2021.

The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office has certified the cause of G.B.’s death as fentanyl toxicity. Based on subsequent investigation, it is alleged that John P. Rowe distributed fentanyl on September 21, 2021, in Morristown. It is further alleged that G.B.’s death resulted from his ingestion of the fentanyl distributed by Rowe. Rowe has been charged with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-9.

This statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any of a number of controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance. This is a first-degree crime, which is punishable by up to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.

In connection with this investigation, Rowe was previously charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S. 2C:35-5b(5), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S. 2C:35-5b(5), and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-10a(1).

In accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Rowe has been detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Sunday, July 10, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, and multiple members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office participated in the annual Diversity Day, which was held on the Morristown Green from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

During the event, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office maintained an informational table to engage attendees and provide helpful literature, such as brochures on identity theft and internet safety for children, as well as other hand-outs and gifts; drawing numerous people throughout the day to converse and ask questions about the public service provided by the office.

Organized by the Diversity Coalition of Morris County, the event was attended in full force by residents of Morristown and surrounding communities, as well as various officials, religious and community leaders.  The day included an Interfaith Service, live music, local performers, food, and door prizes.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “Events such as Diversity Day bring residents together to keep us all focused on the positive value of diversity and how it benefits the fabric of our community. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to participate in community outreach programs like this event to expand upon the productive relationships our office has with those we serve.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Former Passaic County prosecutor and Republican nominee for
Congress in NJ-11, Paul DeGroot, has challenged Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill to a
series of debates throughout the district as the November general election approaches.

Paul DeGroot:
“Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill votes with Biden and Pelosi 99% of the time. With hard-
working Americans struggling from the pump to the grocery store, it’s time for
accountability. I’m calling on Congresswoman Sherrill to face the voters of New Jersey’s
11th district in a series of debates between her and I as we approach the November
election. Starting in September, I propose one debate, at a minimum, in each county
throughout the 11th.”

“I’m an outsider and former Chief Assistant Prosecutor. I’ve kept violence and gangs off
our streets and put the worst of the worst behind bars. Congresswoman Sherrill
supports a radical government agenda that wants to defund the police and is bringing
economic ruin to communities and families, causing more lawlessness and violence
throughout our state. I support reining in reckless spending that is draining the wallets of
the middle class. Congresswoman Sherrill never met a spending bill she didn’t like.
Voters deserve to hear where we stand on the issues.”

MORRIS COUNTY — United Way of Northern New Jersey is seeking help from volunteers and donations of new school supplies for its annual United Way Tools for School drive, which provides students with the basic tools needed to succeed in the classroom.

As students return to school in the fall, children will need basic school supplies. The drive typically seeks to benefit nearly 10,000 elementary and middle school children of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) workers and those in poverty throughout the northern New Jersey region.

United Way Tools for School aims to alleviate the budget strains on families struggling to afford the basics and who are now impacted by rising inflation.

“ALICE families and households in poverty were unable to make ends meet before the pandemic and continue to struggle as the cost-of-living skyrockets,” said Kiran Handa Gaudioso, CEO of United Way of Northern New Jersey. “The United Way Tools for School drive offers our community the opportunity to provide some much-needed financial relief to families while giving children the tools they need to succeed.”

>Through a partnership between United Way and YouGiveGoods.com, donors can make an online purchase of needed supplies that will be delivered automatically to United Way or a partner school in the five counties served: Morris, Somerset, Suburban Essex, Sussex, and Warren. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Based on the needs expressed by local educators, United Way is collecting packed backpacks and the following school supplies: hand sanitizer, masks, backpacks, lunch boxes, binders, three-ring notebooks, book covers, filler paper, pocket folders, composition and spiral notebooks, index cards, calculators, pencils, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, erasers, pens, highlighters, crayons, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, glue, tape, rulers, and scissors.

Donations of individual supplies and new, age-appropriate backpacks can also be made. In addition, school nurses have asked for personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, and kindergarten and first grade-aged children’s underwear and socks. Gift cards that can be used to purchase items such as shoes and clothing are also appreciated.

Last year, with the help of 65 volunteers, hundreds of backpacks and supplies valued at $54,000 were collected and distributed to 40 local schools and 10 nonprofit agencies throughout the northern New Jersey region.

For more information about making donations, holding a United Way Tools for School drive, or volunteering with sorting supplies, click here, email [email protected], or call (973) 993-1160 x405.

*Suburban Essex County towns served by United Way of Northern New Jersey include the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona.

United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization fighting to improve life for families and individuals in our five-county footprint who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty. We believe that by securing racial and economic equity for ALICE we can improve life for all. We’re investing in ALICE’s future in the workplace, at home, and across the community. We do this through our initiatives that fill gaps in services, community partnerships, public policy work, and volunteer efforts. United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County including the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona. To learn more, call (973) 993-1160 or click here.