MORRIS COUNTY — Enjoy a day out on the links with the County College of Morris (CCM) Foundation and help support students with fulfilling their dreams for a rewarding and satisfying life.

This year’s Annual CCM Foundation Golf Classic takes place Monday, September 27, at the Picatinny Golf Club in Dover and includes lunch and an extended cocktail hour. All participants will receive a special Golfer Gift and there will be a Hole in One Car and Prize Contest. Raffle prizes also will be given out during the evening program. The cost is $175.00 per player.

The outing raises funds for the college’s scholarship programs and this year is focusing on supporting student-athletes and the college’s athletic programs.

Picatinny is an exclusive, membership-only facility that is considered to be the most respected, perfectly balanced course in New Jersey.

“We’re thrilled to offer golfers this opportunity to experience and play on this top-notch, picturesque course in northern New Jersey,” said Katie Olsen, executive director of the CCM Foundation. “Players will discover why this course is so well respected for its toughness, fairness, and excellent greens.”

The day begins with registration at 10:00 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at noon. The extended cocktail reception takes place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Corporate foursomes, sponsorships, and individual players are being sought. For more information and to register, call (973) 328-5060 or click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — In response to new state guidelines for higher education, the County College of Morris (CCM) has updated its Fall 2021 Return to Campus Plan. When the new guidelines were published and released from the New Jersey Department of Health, CCM administrators engaged faculty, staff, and students to update its Fall 2021 Semester operating plans.

CCM’s operating plan was developed at the beginning of the pandemic by its employees and students with support from public health officials. The operating plan is updated when new guidelines are provided by federal or state officials. It has been deemed highly successful as evidenced by the fact that there have been no campus outbreaks and the college has demonstrated an ability to quickly and effectively support students and employees infected with the virus.

The college remains committed to maximizing the safety of its employees and students and minimizing risks related to COVID-19. As such, CCM has decided to begin the Fall Semester with the majority of its courses being held remotely. The college plans to offer instruction in this manner through October 26, 2021, the end of its first seven-week term. In its newly updated plan, the college continues to require everyone on campus to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.

Effective October 27 CCM will also require new protocols for everyone coming onto the campus. As of that date, new protocols require all individuals (students and employees) to be vaccinated, and if unvaccinated to have a weekly negative COVID-19 PCR test in order to be on campus, or be granted an exemption because of medical or religious reasons and have a weekly negative COVID-19 PCR test. Wearing masks when social distancing is not possible will continue unless medically exempted. These measures were developed after nearly a dozen meetings with employees and students as well as consultation with public health officials.

CCM is excited about the Fall Semester and eagerly looks forward to welcoming its faculty and students back on campus later this fall. Faculty have been instructing remotely or in an online format, except for a small number of classes that require in-person instruction, since the start of the pandemic.

The college also acknowledges that it will continue to adjust and make decisions based on federal, state, and local officials’ recommendations and guidelines. Students who are enrolled in courses that fall into an exception and will take place on campus will be contacted by a college official.

To provide ample opportunity for students and employees to become fully vaccinated before new requirements are in effect, CCM has partnered with Atlantic Health System to open a temporary vaccine center on its campus for employees and students. The college plans to keep most offices on campus open, with only a few areas operating remotely. The updated Return to Campus Plan can be found by clicking here.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker welcomed Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck, First Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Lyndsay Ruotolo, and Division of Criminal Justice Chief of Detectives Weldon Powell, during an official visit to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

The visit was twofold, beginning with a meeting between Acting A.G. Bruck and his leadership team with Prosecutor Carroll and his supervisors during an information-sharing session; which was followed by Acting A.G. Bruck addressing the majority of Morris County Prosecutor’s Office personnel on his objectives during his tenure.

Prosecutor Carroll opened the meeting by displaying the Mission Statement of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, emphasizing the importance of the partnership between our communities and citizens with our law enforcement agencies all to promote a safe and secure environment, free from the fear of crime. To achieve the stated mission, the Prosecutor’s Office has enabled the four Divisions in the Prosecutor’s Office, comprised of twentyt-two operational units, with an emphasis on inter-agency cooperation and restoring positive community relations through communication.

Prosecutor Carroll was followed by Chief Kimker, who displayed and explained the Table of Organization related to investigative operations. Chief Kimker was followed by Chief Assistant Prosecutors Brad Seabury, Melanie Smith and John McNamara, and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn, all of who gave individual presentations on a variety of topics relevant to law enforcement challenges in Morris County and discussing strategies implemented by the Prosecutor’s Office to combat those challenges. Topics presented included but were not limited to: current crime statistics and data; the (24-7) investigative and legal assistance provided by the Prosecutor’s Office to all law enforcement agencies operating in Morris County; opiate overdose and Narcan deployment statistics; gun crime, and gun seizures prompted by domestic violence incidents, as well as those due to individual mental health crises; auto theft and the nexus to other criminal activity; mental health and veteran diversion programs; robbery and homicide statistics; and the outstanding coordination between the Prosecutor’s Office and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Forensic Services, that contribute towards efficient and effective investigations.

Prosecutor Carroll followed up by providing further comment, emphasizing the Prosecutor’s Office’s commitment to Mental Health issues, and the approach of proactive intervention with those suffering from mental illness before they enter the criminal justice system, which benefits everyone. The formation of a new Mental Health Diversion Program was also discussed. Some other implemented strategies to combat criminal activity discussed were: the targeting of for-profit drug dealers, as opposed to users; proactive firearms investigations; and the continued operations of the Morris County Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF), which was created by the Morris County Chiefs of Police Association, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence Unit and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and has led to a reduction in auto theft within the county.

After complimenting the Prosecutor and his team on the presentation and effectiveness of the Prosecutor’s Office, Acting Attorney General Bruck addressed the majority of personnel to discuss his priorities. Initially, Acting A.G. Bruck conveyed the importance of he and his team meeting with those who participate in criminal justice in the State of New Jersey. He then discussed his desire to be effective during his tenure and will be focusing on gun violence, policing policy, and racial justice. He concluded by asking all those who serve in the criminal justice system to have and maintain integrity, decency, and urgency.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Prosecutor Carroll said, “We are honored by the visit to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office by Acting Attorney General Bruck and his team, where we had the opportunity to convey the efforts put forth by the fine men and women of our Office towards protecting and serving those who reside in and visit Morris County. We look forward to a continued and productive relationship with the Attorney General’s Office as we navigate through current law enforcement challenges, and whatever challenges that may develop in the future.”

“I have the greatest respect for Prosecutor Carroll and his colleagues and I was delighted by the opportunity to hear more about the good work they’re doing here in Morris County,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “I look forward to continuing our partnership as we work together to advance public safety and build community trust.”