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Debra Weisberg Honored as New Jersey Professional Lawyer of the Year

By
Frank Cahill
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Debra Weisberg, founding partner of Hagan, Weisberg & Nunn, was honored as the Professional Lawyer of the Year by the New Jersey State Bar Association at the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law's annual Professionalism Awards Luncheon.

MORRIS COUNTY — Debra Weisberg, a founding partner of Hagan, Weisberg & Nunn, has been recognized as the Professional Lawyer of the Year by the New Jersey State Bar Association at the annual Professionalism Awards Luncheon hosted by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law.

The prestigious award recognizes attorneys who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity, and dedication to the legal profession.

Weisberg, a highly respected family law attorney, has spent more than three decades serving clients throughout New Jersey. Known for her legal expertise, professionalism, and compassionate approach, she has built a reputation as a trusted advocate for families navigating complex legal matters.

Colleagues at Hagan, Weisberg & Nunn praised Weisberg’s commitment to her clients and the legal profession, noting that she consistently demonstrates the values of professionalism and excellence that the award represents.

“We are incredibly proud to announce that our partner, Debra Weisberg, was honored as the Professional Lawyer of the Year,” the firm stated. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to Debra’s unwavering dedication, exceptional legal acumen, and the deep compassion she brings to her family law practice every single day.”

As a founding partner of the firm, Weisberg has played a significant role in shaping its reputation for excellence while mentoring attorneys and contributing to the broader legal community.

The Professional Lawyer of the Year Award is among the highest recognitions bestowed upon attorneys in New Jersey, celebrating those whose careers reflect outstanding professional conduct and service.

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Jefferson Township Schools Honor 20 Retirees With More Than 400 Years of Service

By
Frank Cahill
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Jefferson Township Public Schools recognized its 2025-2026 retirees, a group of 20 educators, administrators and support staff members whose combined service totals more than 400 years.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Jefferson Township Public Schools is recognizing 20 staff members retiring during the 2025-2026 academic year, honoring a group that represents more than 400 combined years of service to students, families and the community.

The district announced the retirements June 19, thanking the educators, administrators and support staff members for their years of dedication and impact on Jefferson Township schools.  

The retirees recognized by the district are:

  • Louis Migliacci, computer science and robotics teacher — 38 years
  • Susan Sincavage, security and cafeteria aide — 29 years
  • Amy Connors, kindergarten teacher — 28 years
  • Ginny Paccioretti, special education aide — 27 years
  • Judith Jahn, secretary — 25 years
  • Kathleen Tobia, assistant principal — 24 years
  • Mary Cantwell, special education aide — 23 years
  • Ernest Fisher, mathematics teacher — 23 years
  • Donna Nimmo, secretary — 23 years
  • Jeanne Howe, superintendent — 22 years
  • Maria Clarizio, English teacher — 21 years
  • Dominick Pisciotto, business teacher — 20 years
  • Adrian Zaimaj, custodian — 20 years
  • Michael Valenti, principal — 20 years
  • Dawn Bublitz, secretary — 17 years
  • Laura Ryan, special education aide — 16 years
  • Karen Slusark, secretary — 15 years
  • Linda Albertson, preschool aide — 9 years
  • Donna Nadratowski, Spanish teacher — 5 years
  • Jodi Reinstein, supervisor — 4 years

Topgolf to Open New Parsippany Location on July 3

By
Frank Cahill
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PARSIPPANY — Topgolf will open its newest New Jersey location in Parsippany on July 3, bringing the sports and entertainment company’s latest venue design to Morris County just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Located at 1269 Route 46 near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Interstate 287, the three-level facility will be Topgolf’s third New Jersey location, joining existing venues in Edison and Mount Laurel. The Parsippany site will also be the company’s 102nd venue nationwide.

The venue is expected to employ approximately 350 to 400 people and will serve as the first location to showcase Topgolf’s newest prototype design, featuring enhanced entertainment options and personalized technology.

“We’re thrilled to debut the latest Topgolf sports and entertainment concept to Parsippany, expanding our presence in New Jersey,” said David McKillips, Topgolf CEO. “As the ultimate sports and entertainment leader, Topgolf is a gateway to golf for many first-time players, and we’ve now expanded our entertainment offering and technology personalization to welcome guests and players of all ages and skills.”

Among the new features is “My Bay, My Way,” a personalized experience available through the Topgolf mobile app. Guests will be able to customize their visit by ordering food directly to their bay, selecting television channels and saving game highlights.

The Parsippany venue will feature 102 climate-controlled hitting bays spread across three levels, along with lounge-style seating, a full-service restaurant and bar, private event spaces, a rooftop terrace and outdoor social areas.

Additional attractions include 20 arcade games, reimagined outfield targets and slopes, and more than 250 television screens throughout the facility.

The location will also include 24 dedicated game-day suites, significantly more than the typical number offered at other Topgolf venues. Each suite is designed to provide an immersive sports-viewing experience with multiple large-screen displays.

To celebrate the opening, Topgolf is offering several promotions. Guests who book and complete a one- or two-bay reservation between July 3 and July 17 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one year of free game play at the Parsippany location. In addition, the first 100 guests to visit on opening day will receive a $50 Topgolf gift card courtesy of Honda and Acura.

Topgolf officials said the new venue is designed to appeal to golfers of all skill levels, from first-time players to experienced golfers. The company’s Toptracer technology tracks each shot’s flight, distance and accuracy in real time, creating a competitive and interactive experience.

Reservations and additional information are available through the Topgolf website at topgolf.com/parsippany and the Topgolf mobile app.

New Jersey Senate Passes Bill Creating Crime of Political Violence

By
Frank Cahill
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Senator Douglas J. Steinhardt

TRENTON — The New Jersey Senate has approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Doug Steinhardt and Sen. Brian Stack that would create a new criminal offense for acts of political violence and require specialized training for law enforcement officers.

The measure, Senate Bill 1090, would establish the crime of political violence when a person commits, attempts to commit or conspires to commit a violent crime against an individual, a family member or another victim with the intent to interfere with or retaliate against a person because of that individual’s political affiliation or political expression.

Supporters of the legislation said the bill is intended to address politically motivated violence and intimidation while protecting participation in the democratic process.

“This political violence bill protects everyone—Conservative, Liberal, and Independent,” said Sen. Steinhardt, R-Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren. “No person should fear hate-fueled political violence for expressing their opinion, and anyone who resorts to such violence to silence that opinion will suffer the full weight of the law. Hate-fueled political violence hurts everyone and erodes the very principles on which our Republic was built.”

Steinhardt and Stack, a Democrat representing Hudson County, introduced the legislation on a bipartisan basis.

“I’m proud to stand with Doug on this critical legislation and will do everything I can to help move it through the legislative process,” said Sen. Stack. “Politically motivated violence is an attack on the foundation of our democracy. No one in this country should live in fear for speaking their mind, and elected officials must be able to govern free from threats, harassment, or attempts to silence them for their beliefs. This bill protects people’s rights to participate in our democracy freely and without fear. By imposing tougher penalties, we are making it clear: if you use violence to punish, deter, or silence a victim from engaging in political expression or participation, there will be consequences. Enough is enough; this kind of behavior has no place in a free society.”

In addition to creating the offense, the bill would require law enforcement training related to identifying and investigating politically motivated acts of violence.

The legislation now advances for further consideration in the state Legislature.

Hathaway Questions Mejia’s “Capture Governing Power” Remarks, Contrasts Activist Politics with Results-Driven Leadership

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Press Release
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Joe Hathaway

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey 11th District Republican nominee Joe Hathaway has released a new video responding to remarks made by Congresswoman Analilia Mejia in which she described her political playbook as “capturing governing power,” shaping narratives, identifying “villains,” and making demands.

The comments came during a progressive forum in which Mejia outlined what she called “the assignment” for organizers. Hathaway said the remarks provide voters with a revealing glimpse into Mejia’s dangerous views on politics and governance.

“Most people enter public service because they want to solve problems, improve their communities, and make life better for the people they represent,” said Hathaway. “What voters heard from Analilia Mejia was something much more sinister and calculated. In her own words, politics is about capturing power, injecting theories of change, identifying villains, and making demands. Her vision of leadership is a dark path that will lead us towards a dystopian, anti-American future.”

Mejia’s comments closely resemble the power-based organizing model popularized by activist and communist sympathizer Saul Alinsky and embraced by many radical progressive political movements, where political success is measured not simply by winning elections, but by suppressing dissent, controlling narratives, and executing government takeover to advance an ideological agenda.

Hathaway argued that such an approach is increasingly disconnected from the everyday concerns of families and that now is the time for a responsible, steady leader to represent New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

“Working families across New Jersey’s 11th District don’t want political extremism or ideological power struggles,” Hathaway continued. “They’re worried about rising costs, public safety, greater affordability, and building a better future for their children. As Mayor of Randolph, my focus was always on delivering results and bringing people together. Analilia Mejia talks about capturing power. I’m focused on fixing problems and returning our state to sanity. That’s the choice voters will have in November.”

The video is the latest in a series released by the Hathaway campaign highlighting what it describes as a growing contrast between Hathaway’s record of local leadership and Mejia’s increasingly activist-oriented approach to public office.

Joe Hathaway is the Republican nominee for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District. Hathaway has served on the Randolph Township Council since 2022, and is the immediate past Mayor. He lives in Randolph with his wife Whitney, and their three young children.

Boonton Army Veteran to Receive New Roof Through Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project

By
Frank Cahill
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BOONTON — U.S. Army veteran Christian Camacho of Boonton will receive a new roof on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, courtesy of Matute Roofing as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project.

Camacho was selected and approved as the recipient through a partnership with Rebuilding Together North Jersey. The Owens Corning Foundation is donating the roofing materials, while Matute Roofing, an Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor, is donating the labor. Work is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. at 609 Birch Street, Boonton.

The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide initiative to honor veterans and the families who support them. Since the program launched in 2016, more than 300 military members have received new roofs across the country.

Matute Roofing is a family-owned and operated contractor based in New Jersey with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing. For more information, visit matuteroofing.com.

To learn more about the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project or how to get involved, visit www.owenscorning.com/roofdeployment.

Mountain Lakes Man Charged with DWI Following Traffic Stop in Parsippany

By
Frank Cahill
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Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

MOUNTAIN LAKES — A Mountain Lakes man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a late-night traffic stop on Route 46 West, according to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.

On April 8, 2026, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Ptl. Jesse Hughes observed a grey 2021 Audi Q7 make a left turn from Parsippany Boulevard onto Route 46 West while a red left turn arrow was illuminated, nearly striking another vehicle that had a green light. Hughes activated his emergency lights and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 West, just prior to Waterview Boulevard. The vehicle took an unusually long time to pull over. Ptl. Ribaudo responded to assist.

Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Ronald S. Kramer, 66, of Mountain Lakes, Hughes noted signs of impairment. Kramer provided both a New Jersey and a New York driver’s license and fumbled while attempting to produce his registration and insurance card. Body worn camera footage was recorded throughout the stop.

Kramer was charged with the following:

  • Operating under the influence of liquor or drugs (39:4-50)
  • Consent to take samples of breath, record (39:4-50.2)
  • Refusal to submit to chemical test, penalties (39:4-50.4A)
  • Failure to observe a traffic control device (39:4-81)
  • Reckless driving (39:4-96)

The report was filed by Ptl. Jesse Hughes, Badge #479, and reviewed by Ptl. Gregory Bloete, Badge #476. The incident was assigned report number 26-019287.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Jefferson Township Board of Education Announces Scot Burkholder as Next Superintendent

By
Frank Cahill
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Scot Burkholder has been selected as the next Superintendent of Jefferson Township Public Schools. Burkholder brings more than two decades of educational leadership experience and will officially assume the role on July 1, 2026.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The Jefferson Township Board of Education announced its intention to appoint Scot Burkholder as the next Superintendent of Jefferson Township Public Schools, effective July 1, 2026.

The appointment was scheduled for approval at the Board’s regular meeting on Monday, June 15, following a comprehensive superintendent search conducted with assistance from the New Jersey School Boards Association.

According to the Board, the search process focused on identifying a leader with a strong commitment to academic excellence, strategic vision, and the ability to guide the district into the future. Following multiple rounds of interviews and a review of a highly qualified candidate pool, Board members selected Burkholder to lead the district.

“His experience, leadership qualities, and dedication to student success align with our mission to cultivate positive, contributing members of both our local and global communities,” the Board stated.

Burkholder joins Jefferson Township after spending 11 years with Wayne Township Public Schools, where he served as both a principal and Director of Federal, State, and Special Programs. Since 2018, he has worked as a central office administrator, collaborating with principals, counselors, nurses, intervention teachers, and other educational professionals to support student achievement.

Burkholder was approved for a three-year contract from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, with a 2.6% salary increase each year.

The salary for each school year is as follows:

2026–2027: $200,000

2027–2028: $205,200

2028–2029: $210,535

During his tenure in Wayne, Burkholder also served in several districtwide leadership roles, including Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Homeless Liaison, DCPP Liaison, District Testing Coordinator, Residency Coordinator, Grants Administrator, and Affirmative Action Officer.

Prior to his work in Wayne, Burkholder spent 15 years with Plainfield Public Schools, serving as a teacher, vice principal, and principal.

Burkholder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical, Health, and Adapted Education from West Virginia University and a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from University of Scranton. He has also completed advanced leadership studies, including the School Turnaround Leaders program through the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

His professional accomplishments include receiving a citation from the New Jersey Legislature for educational commitment and being recognized as a “Hero of the Pandemic” by former Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.

A resident of the Highlands region, Burkholder said he understands Jefferson Township’s strong sense of community and commitment to educational excellence. He believes that effective instruction and meaningful professional development provide the foundation for student success and that every child can thrive when given the proper support and opportunities.

The Board thanked residents, parents, staff members, and community stakeholders who participated in surveys and public input sessions throughout the search process.

With Burkholder’s appointment, Jefferson Township Public Schools begins a new chapter of leadership focused on building upon the district’s strengths while continuing to expand opportunities for students, staff, and families.

Sparta EMT Dies Following Jefferson Motorcycle Crash

By
Frank Cahill
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Jonathan Kressman, 24, of Sparta, is remembered for his dedication to serving others as an Emergency Medical Technician with Atlantic Mobile Health. Kressman died following a motorcycle crash on Route 15 North in Jefferson Township on June 14. As an organ donor, his final act of service will help save and improve the lives of others through the NJ Sharing Network.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A 24-year-old Sparta man who was critically injured in a motorcycle crash on Route 15 North in Jefferson Township has died from his injuries.

Jonathan Kressman was discovered on the roadway after his motorcycle went down near Edison Road at approximately 2:56 a.m. on Sunday, June 14. Officers Evan May, Michael DeRosa and Matthew Johnson of the Jefferson Township Police Department responded to the scene and immediately began lifesaving measures before advanced medical personnel arrived.

Kressman was flown to Morristown Medical Center for treatment.

According to police, the crash remains under investigation by the Jefferson Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Crash Unit.

Township police were assisted at the scene by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Crash Unit, Jefferson Township Rescue Squad, Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 2, and St. Clare’s EMS.

Kressman served as an Emergency Medical Technician with Atlantic Mobile Health. A GoFundMe campaign established following his death described him as a dedicated healthcare provider whose commitment to serving others left a lasting impression on patients, colleagues and the communities he served.

“Jonathan’s commitment to serving his community, compassion for his patients, and dedication to his colleagues made a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the fundraiser states.

Kressman primarily provided emergency medical care throughout Sussex County, including Hamburg, Vernon, Sussex, Wantage, Lafayette, Branchville, Sandyston, Montague and Newton.

The fundraiser also noted that Kressman was an organ donor and that his final act of service would be through organ donation to the NJ Sharing Network.

According to a social media post from Fire & EMS Alerts of Hunterdon & Warren County, Kressman joined Atlantic Mobile Health in June 2024 through the organization’s EMT Academy, earned his EMT certification in October 2024, and most recently worked full-time on BLS 297.

In a tribute posted on social media, RMC Performance, a motorcycle repair shop in Newton, remembered Kressman as a valued customer and passionate motorcycle enthusiast.

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Safety Officer Charles Paskas of the Jefferson Township Police Department at [email protected].

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Click here to donate to his GoFundMe page. Any funds raised will go to Jon’s family to help cover any outstanding medical, funeral, or other expenses they may incur with his passing.

Mia Zirpoli Named to University of Alabama Dean’s List for Spring 2026

By
Frank Cahill
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Mia Zirpoli, a 2024 graduate of Hanover Park High School

FLORHAM PARK — Mia Zirpoli has been named to the Dean’s List at The University of Alabama for the Spring 2026 semester.

A total of 14,306 students enrolled during the Spring 2026 semester earned recognition on either the Dean’s List or President’s List. Students named to the Dean’s List achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, while students on the President’s List earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

The University of Alabama’s Dean’s and President’s Lists recognize full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Graduate students and undergraduate students carrying less than a full course load are not eligible for the honor.

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, The University of Alabama is the flagship institution of the University of Alabama System. The university offers more than 200 degree programs and is recognized for its teaching, research, and service. Through more than 30 research centers, the institution advances innovation and discovery while serving as a major driver of economic growth in Alabama and beyond.

Zirpoli’s academic achievement reflects a strong commitment to excellence and places her among the university’s top-performing students for the semester.

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