MORRIS COUNTY — Charlie’s story is very sad. His owner passed away and Charlie was left alone. The next day, he was being given away on the street and a local dog walker took him into foster to make sure he found a great home.
Charlie is a very sweet boy who is easygoing and relaxed. He is currently living with others dogs and getting along with them fabulously. Charlie loves to have as many friends–human and doggy–as possible! He is also good with cats!
He absolutely loves to cuddle and will crawl up on your lap or under the covers with you. Charlie would really like a home where he can be spoiled, loved, and get loads of hugs. He is potty-trained, totally ok when left alone, and low-energy. Charlie does love a good walk around the block though with his doggy friends!
If you’re looking for a sweet senior to add to your family, apply to adopt Charlie today!
If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.
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PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and renowned crime victims’ lawyer and advocate Richard Pompelio testified before the Assembly Appropriations Committee in support of her bill (A3391/S498) that increases financial support for victims of crime. The bill was unanimously approved by the committee and awaits a vote by the full Assembly.
“Since 1989, since Rich’s son was murdered, I’ve been an advocate for victims of crime. I’ve worked closely with Rich and my late husband Alex to fight for the rights of victims in this state and I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished to date,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “This bill is going to help more victims of crime and get them the compensation they deserve without affecting taxpayers.”
The compensation is funded by state criminal penalties and fines, prison commissary fees, payments under the Sexual Assault Treatment Fund, criminal restitution, and the Federal Victims of Crime Act.
“It’s probably one of the most important bills in the history of victims of crime in this state,” said Pompelio, who runs the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center. “You have areas in the inner cities that have not been treated appropriately by the system. The Victims of Crime Compensation Office is a safety net for victims that have no other resources to help them pay for the costs of crime. With this bill, there are literally going to be thousands of people who will be able to receive free legal assistance and of course the compensation they need to help pay for things like funeral costs, bereavement assistance and child care.”
The state office of victim compensation has been under criticism for failing to achieve its objectives. Since, 2009 the denial rate for compensation has consistently exceeded 50 percent.
“We needed to reform the victim compensation system in New Jersey,” said DeCroce. “This bill will right many of the current wrongs and make sure victims of crime and their family members find fairness, respect and compassion.”
The bill increases the legal fees benefit from $3,000 to $10,000 so that more victims of crime may receive pro bono legal assistance. In addition, the bill updates the definition of a victim to match existing state law so that a person who suffers personal, physical, or psychological injury or death resulting from a crime may be awarded compensation. The bill also expands the list of crimes for which a victim can receive compensation to include simple assault, disorderly conduct and leaving the scene of an accident, and increases the time limit on filing a claim from three to five years.
The Senate version (S498) passed by a 38-0 vote in June.
MORRIS COUNTY — Applying for Financial Aid can seem overwhelming, but it makes good sense to find out what may be available to fulfill your goal to obtain a higher education. The Financial Aid Office at County College of Morris (CCM) will be holding workshops for students to assist them in submitting the 2020-21 or the 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application or the New Jersey Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.
A special Saturday session will be held on Saturday, January 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on the CCM campus, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, in Henderson Hall, Room 114. Registration is required and due to limited seating, only one guest, along with the applicant, may attend the workshop.
CCM financial aid advisors also will be available to meet with individuals at the CCM Financial Aid Office located at the Student Community Center , Room 210 from January 21, through January 31, Monday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. FAFSA or the New Jersey Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers is required of all students who plan to utilize financial aid to help them meet their educational expenses.
To attend the special Financial Aid Workshop on January 18 or to register for an individual appointment click here.
CCM is now offering the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG), a tuition assistance program to students. The CCOG may cover the full cost of tuition and approved educational fees for 6-18 credits after all federal, state, institutional and community aid have been applied.
To qualify, students need to have a family adjusted gross income of no more than $65,000, not already have an associate or bachelor’s degree, be registered for 6–18 credits, and have completed the FAFSA or if a New Jersey Dreamer the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
The first step to qualify for tuition-free funding is to apply to CCM, which can be done byc clicking here. Then fill out the FAFSA by clicking here or if a New Jersey Dreamer the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application by clicking here. The deadline to apply for the FAFSA is February 15, 2020.
CCOG is not just for traditional students. Those in the workforce who would like to earn or complete their college degree also may quality.
MADISON — On February 6 at 10:30 a.m., Marta McDowell will present “The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder,” at the Thursday Morning Club.
General public, members and guests are welcome to join the Thursday Morning Club at the Madison Community House at 25 Cook Avenue, Madison for a free program following their February General Membership Meeting.
FLORHAM PARK — The “Taste of Florham Park”, organized by the Florham Park Rotary, is coming this Thursday, January 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A $30.00 ticket gets you “private tastings of culinary selections by several local food establishments, two hours of background cello music by local cellist Randy Calistri-Yeh, and tours of the Twombly Mansion are offered at 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.. Fun Tricky Trays too!
Tickets may be purchased at the Florham Park Diner, Florham Park Liquors, or at the event.
This is the third annual “Taste of Florham Park” fundraiser to raise money for college scholarships for Florham Park high school Seniors who have volunteered their time and efforts to local community initiatives.
“Taste of Florham Park” will be held at Twombly Mansion, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 285 Madison Avenue, Madison.
Rabbi Levi Dubinsky of the Chabad of Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Denville
MORRIS COUNTY — More than 350 Morris County residents participated in a “Community Rally Against Hate,” joining together with the Morris County Board of Freeholders, Morris County Sheriff and Prosecutor, the state Attorney General and religious leaders from across Morris County in a special forum held at the Gottesman RTW Academy in Randolph, on Thursday, January 9.
The crowd, clergy and political and law enforcement officials stood united against the hatred and bigotry that recently has targeted the Jewish community and other faiths in our state and nation.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon
Emceed by Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, the event featured a wide array of messages from a leaders from across the state and region, including New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Freeholder Director Deborah Smith and Freeholder John Krickus, and Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp
Attorney General Grewal addresses the unity Rally, and Sheriff Gannon looks on
Video messages were sent by Rep. Mikie Sherrill and state Sen. Anthony Bucco, who were in legislative sessions in Washington and Trenton on Thursday, January 9.
It also included the following religious leaders: Rabbi Levi Dubinsky of the Chabad Center of Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Denville; Basel Hamdeh of Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center, Boonton; Rev. Herman Scott of Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown; Chandu Bhoraniya, devotee of B.A.P.S. Swaminarayan Mandir, Parsippany; Rabbi Mendy Herson, Rabbinical College of America, Morristown; and Moshe Vaknon, Head of School, Gottesman RTW Academy, Randolph.
Prosecutor Fredric Knapp, Freeholders Deborah Smith and John Krickus at Unity Rally – with Attorney General Gurbir Singh Grewal on the far left
Students from the Gottesman RTW Academy offered songs during the event, including the Star Spangled Banner and Hatikvah. Along with Moshe Vaknin, they led a closing song that featured clergy and community leaders singing, hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm.
Freeholder Director Deborah Smith addresses the Unity Rally
Freeholder Director Smith made the following statement: “On behalf of the entire Morris County Board of Freeholders, I thank you and welcome you for being here at this important event. We are dealing with a wave of anti-Semitism and hate-crime attacks against religious institutions across our nation.
“The attack in Jersey City. The horrible event in Monsey, N.Y. The shooting at a Christian church in Texas. And so many more. Even here in Morris County, a Menorah recently was vandalized in a public space in Mendham.
“As a community, we cannot accept this behavior. I can tell you as a leader of county government, and a woman of the Jewish faith, that here in Morris County that we will not ignore it. We will not hide from it. We must confront it. And we will.
“All of our residents must be able to live their lives in our county, state and nation without fear of being harassed or persecuted for their personal and religious beliefs. That is a basic tenet of our democracy. Nothing is more sacred in America.
“So today, we stand as a countywide community in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors and other religions, and we reject hate with one clear voice from all of the people of Morris County.
In the wake of recent attacks, the freeholders reached out to county law enforcement and religious leaders to explore a possible county response, and are asking members of faith-based communities across the county and the general public to join in standing up against hatred, violence and bigotry.
A group of Morris County residents listen to the speakers
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer’s Megan Pritchard, Martino and Williams responded to the Red Carpet Inn for a noise complaint, on Monday, January 6.
During the investigation in to the complaint one of the involved parties, Mr. Dashawn Garrison, 29, Brooklyn NY, decided to throw a punch at Officer Martino resulting in his arrest.
He along with Mr. Gilbert Guzman, 24, Rockaway NY was arrested and both were transported to Hanover Township Police Headquarters for processing.
Mr. Garrison was charged with aggravated assault, obstruction and terroristic threats while Mr. Guzman was charged with obstruction and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Mr. Garrison was transported to the county jail. Mr. Guzman was released pending his court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Officer Stephen Manney responded to a residence on Glenn Place for a reported burglary to a motor vehicle, on Wednesday, January 1.
According to the victim, his vehicle as well as his wife’s vehicle were gone through overnight. He reports missing his wallet which contained cash and several credit cards. Both vehicle were left unlocked.
A surveillance video captured a vehicle and the suspects entering the victims vehicle at approximately 3:00 a.m. The Hanover Detective bureau is investigating further.
Lakeland Youth Symphony Board Members (Left to Right): Lorraine Leung, Stefanie Nifenecker, Laura Nifenecker, Carol Meiseles, Angel Liu, Pam Heinrich, Sue On, Parsippany Troy-Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Petko Dimitrov, Pappaparvathi ‘Bobbi’ Patham, Danielle Wilson, Laurence Ibrahim Aibo
MORRIS COUNTY — The young musicians of Morris County’s Lakeland Youth Symphony treated family and friends to a memorable evening of holiday tunes on Sunday, December 15. String players ranging from ages 5 to 18 delighted the audience during the Lakeland Youth Symphony’s Annual Holiday Concert at Parsippany Hills High School.
The beginners of the Prelude class, taught by Ms. Angel Liu, charmed the audience followed up by the Lakeland Strings Orchestra. Violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists ranging in age from 6 to 12 years old comprise this orchestra, which is conducted by Ms. Carol Meiseles.
Ms. Sue On, Youth Ensemble conductor, Ms. Bobbi Patham, LYS Publicity, Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano
The Youth Ensemble, conducted by Ms. Sue On, progressed to a more advanced level of play with other holiday selections. The audience was mesmerized by the 11 to 18 year olds of the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Petko Dimitrov. The advanced level of play was demonstrated in sophisticated pieces of music by Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A Major Season Finale Music, impressing the audience and creating some of the evening’s most memorable moments.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano participated/performed musical GPS with Youth Ensemble orchestra. He made this season’s musical event more memorable.
Lakeland Youth Symphony’s sparkling holiday gift of a musical evening was one to be thankful for during this season of giving.
Since the 1957-58 Season, the Lakeland Youth Symphony Orchestra has provided musical education and performance opportunities for young string musicians in Northern New Jersey for 61 years.
The Lakeland Youth Symphony is a not-for-profit organization. Most number of students come from Parsippany, Boonton, Whippany, Mountain Lakes, Rockaway, Livingston. A scholarship program exists to make this opportunity accessible to all. If you would like more information about their programs click here.
Image Contribution: Don Heinrich & Bobbi Patham
Article: Pappaparvathi ‘Bobbi’ Patham
MORRIS COUNTY – Rainbows for All Children is a peer support program for children who have experienced grief through a death or divorce in the family. Winter-Spring registration is now being accepted. Sessions begin February 4 and continue every Tuesday through April 7.
The meetings are held at Saint Francis Residential Community Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 122 Diamond Spring Road, Denville.
Small groups are formed for children ages five years and up. There are no fees to parents. Call Diane Thormann at (973) 627-2134 or Wendy Spector (973) 625-3352 for registration information click here.
