HANOVER — Pine Plaza has been empty for months and is finally being demolished. In its place would go 70,000 square feet of commercial space and 130 total market-value units and 60 affordable senior units.
The Pine Plaza redevelopment would help the township meet its third round of affordable housing obligation, as is being negotiated with the Fair Housing Center.
MORRIS COUNTY — Sheriff James M. Gannon announces the promotions of two Sergeants for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Frank Benevento and Detective Edward Zienowicz were promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Both officers will be assigned to the Court Services Division. The officers were promoted in a ceremony held on September 24, 2021, in the Historic Courtroom of the Morris County Courthouse with family and colleagues present.
Sheriff James M. Gannon began the ceremony by saying, “These promotions are the result of hard work, dedication, loyalty, and most of all, leadership that both of these individuals have demonstrated. Leadership is a combination of honorable character and selfless service to the public and our agency.”
Sergeant Frank Benevento Jr. graduated from West Orange High School. He comes from a law enforcement family with his father, Frank Benevento, retiring as a Captain from the Orange Police Department, and his uncle, Anthony Benevento retired as the Chief of Orange Police Department and later retiring as Police Director of Wallington Police Department. Additionally, his brother-in-law, John Rolli, is a Lieutenant with the West Orange PD, and his cousin, Anthony Benevento, is a Morris County Correctional Police Officer.
Sergeant Benevento began his career serving the public with the United States Postal Service and later became a Correctional Police Officer working at the Morris County Correctional
Sergeant Benevento began his Bureau of Law Enforcement career in the Protective Services Division, assigned to the Access Control Section. Then in February 2006 he was assigned to the Process Section of the Court Services Division and was provided the title of corporal in April 2014. Throughout his career with the Bureau of Law Enforcement, he has been closely involved with PBA Local 151 and proudly served as NJSPBA State Delegate for PBA Local 151 from September 2015-November 2018.
In addition to his work life, Frank is a loving father of four children: Frank, Jessica, Nick, and Vincent; and enjoys watching his son’s sporting events and playing softball.
Sergeant John Rospond is a decorated law enforcement officer and veteran. He began his career in law enforcement with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 working in the Protective Services Division. In 2005, Sergeant Rospond was transferred to the Emergency Services Section as a K9 Handler. In 2007, Sergeant Rospond returned back to the Protective Services Division and was assigned as a Corporal in 2014. His current duties include supervising Access Control of the Morris County Administration and Records Building, as well as being a Division Training Officer, an active shooter instructor, and a Master of Arts in Justice Studies in 2016.
After being hired by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in 2005 he successfully completed the Basic Police Recruit Class #66, at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. After the academy, he was assigned to the Protective Services Division for approximately nine years, where he worked in a uniform capacity primarily conducted security within the Courthouse and protected the Superior Court Judges and staff, as well as assisting other police agencies within Morris County with various law enforcement operations. Additionally, he was a member of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT), New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, and Morris County Sheriff’s Officer Honor Guard.
After his assignment in the Protective Services Division, Sergeant Zienowicz was placed on loan with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Enforcement Unit, and later assigned to the New Jersey State Police Opioid Taskforce Trafficking North Unit. In 2020, Sergeant Zienowicz was recalled from his taskforce assignment and reassigned to the Warrants Section. Recently in 2021, he was again placed on loan with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Enforcement Unit.
In his free time, Sergeant Zienowicz enjoys spending time with his wife and their four children, along with hunting and fishing.
Sheriff James M. Gannon commented, “Sergeant Zienowicz is a good man and a good leader. He has been involved in some dangerous situations. He has also represented us well and he will bring the Officers up and show them the way.”
BOONTON — A successful “Breakfast Meet and Greet” with Boonton Town Council and State Legislative Council Members featuring Ward 3: Council Member Joe Bock; Ward 2: Council Candidate Lou Karvonidis; State Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn were held at Pergamino’s Bakery and Cafe, 720 Main Street.
EAST HANOVER — New Jersey Blood Services is conducting a blood drive at St Rose of Lima Parish, 312 Ridgedale Avenue, on October 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Due to the coronavirus, they are experiencing low blood supplies. They urgently need people to make every effort to donate blood!
Blood products have a short shelf life – from five to 42 days, so constant replenishment is necessary. Each day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma to stay alive. But blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.
To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive
Please call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566 or click here.
Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during the summer months. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, blood pressure, and hematocrit level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health, and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor’s note.
MORRIS PLAINS — New Jersey Blood Services is conducting a blood drive at the Morris Plains Community Center, Morris Plains, on October 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Due to the coronavirus, they are experiencing low blood supplies. They urgently need people to make every effort to donate blood!
Blood products have a short shelf life – from five to 42 days, so constant replenishment is necessary. Each day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma to stay alive. But blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.
To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive
Please call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566 or click here.
Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during the summer months. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, blood pressure, and hematocrit level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health, and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor’s note.
PARSIPPANY — Republican Candidate for Governor Jack Ciattarelli will appear at a Town Hall Event on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, 100 Centertown Drive.
The event is free to attend, but RSVP is required. Text PARSIPPANY to 21776.
For questions or concerns, please contact Seven Szemple at (732) 259-8975 or email [email protected]
MORRIS COUNTY — With the CDC urging everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccination by the end of October, Stop & Shop today announced that flu shots are now available at its pharmacy locations across New Jersey. Per the State of New Jersey, Stop & Shop’s trained and trusted pharmacists are authorized to immunize patients 10 and older without documentation from their physician, and those 7 to 9 years of age with a patient-specific prescription and parental or custodial consent.
Customers in need of a COVID-19 vaccine or Pfizer COVID-19 boosters can receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at once as the CDC has indicated that these vaccines may be administered alongside one another with no need for a waiting period. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are available to patients 12 and older, and boosters to eligible individuals, all depending on individual store supply.
Stop & Shop is taking extensive health and safety precautions at its pharmacies and has secured additional stock of the flu vaccine, anticipating higher demand because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Stop & Shop has enhanced its health and safety protocols for vaccinations at all its pharmacies. To receive the flu, COVID-19, or other vaccine, customers will be required to wear face coverings, and pharmacists will be equipped with face coverings and gloves. The immunization area will have strict disinfecting and sanitization measures in place between each patient.
“Stop & Shop is ready to take care of its communities across New Jersey this flu season,” shares Jim Dinicola, Manager of Stop & Shop Pharmacies in New Jersey. “We are well-stocked and offer same-day immunizations without appointments. While prices associated with vaccinations are dependent upon customers’ insurance plans, most flu shots end up being low or no-cost. Stop & Shop aims to make it easy for everyone to get the care they need this fall.”
Stop & Shop offers several types of flu vaccines, and its licensed, trained, and trusted pharmacists can help each patient select the type that is best for them to address any concerns about allergies, preservatives, or potential adverse effects. Stop & Shop pharmacies also have an ample supply of COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer COVID-19 boosters, shingles, pneumonia, and tetanus vaccines available, and customers should consult their local Stop & Shop pharmacist on all other immunizations that may be available and valuable to them and their families.
To find a Stop & Shop Pharmacy near you, to view which vaccine is available in your local Stop & Shop Pharmacy, or to schedule, a vaccination appointment click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, and President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association, Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher report an increase in suicide rates this year in Morris County and remind residents that resources are available.
Suicide rates have continued to rise in the last three years. In 2019, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Section and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to 27 suicides. The statistic rose to 30 suicides in 2020 and the county has already responded to 36 suicides year to date this year.
Sheriff James M. Gannon said, “Suicides are up drastically in comparison to previous years. There’s a lot going on in the world. COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, isolation and hopelessness are affecting people. We have available services to Morris County residents through Hope One. No one should feel alone.”
Hope One travels four times a week to locations throughout Morris County, bringing services to persons in need. A Sheriff’s Officer, licensed mental health professional, and a certified peer recovery specialist staff the vehicle. They offer mental health services and help people access services and Narcan training. The stigma-free environment offers conversation and critical support through the Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris. Hope One has provided 61 mental health services this year and 236 to date from April 3, 2017.
To find Hope One locations and times click here.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741
MORRIS COUNTY — The public is invited to attend the first annual Morris County National Coming Out Day on Saturday, October 9, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments, food, and music.
The event is a collaboration with LGBTQ+ liaisons from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Morristown Police Department, and is intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community in providing a safe environment. Health and wellness resources will be provided for education and awareness.
Annually observed on October 11, National Coming Out Day is intended to support LGBTQ+ individuals and sometimes individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community to “come out.”
This event will be held at 10 Court Street (between Morris County Superior Court and Morris County Administration Building.
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.
Contact us: [email protected]
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