JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Registration is now open for Jefferson Soccer’s 2026 Spring season, offering programs for young athletes from under-4 through under-15 with age-appropriate instruction designed to build skills, confidence, and a love of the game.

The program begins with Falcons First Touch (U4/U5), an introductory clinic focused on fundamentals through fun, non-competitive activities. Players meet once per week for practice, with no scheduled games. The Falcons Developmental Fun Fours (U6/U7/U8) program continues skill development with one practice per week and Saturday morning games. Older players can enroll in Falcons Intramural RVSL (U9–U15), which includes two practices per week led by a coach and trainer, along with weekend games.

Registration closes on March 15, with late fees applying after that date. The anticipated start of the season is the week of April 20, subject to change. Families can register online at www.jysonline.com, where an age chart is also available under the Resources section.

Equipment requirements vary by age group: U4–U8 players need a size 3 ball, U9–U11 a size 4 ball, and U12 and older a size 5 ball. All players should also have shin guards, cleats, and a water bottle.

Parents with questions may contact program coordinators by email: [email protected] for First Touch, [email protected] for Fun Fours, and [email protected] for Intramural RVSL.

Organizers encourage families to register early to secure placement and prepare for the upcoming spring season.

JEFFERSON — Registration is now open for the 2026 season of Jefferson Youth Lacrosse, offering boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade the opportunity to learn and play one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports.

Jefferson Youth Lacrosse provides age-appropriate programs focused on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Practices for the upcoming season are scheduled to begin on March 1, giving players time to build fundamentals and confidence before competition begins.

Early-bird registration is available through January 15, 2026, at a reduced rate of $200. Regular registration runs from January 16 through January 26, with a fee of $250. Program officials note that parents of first- and second-grade players should be sure to select the correct registration option, as pricing differs by $30 for those age groups.

Jefferson Youth Lacrosse welcomes both new and returning players and emphasizes a positive introduction to the sport for beginners, while continuing to challenge more experienced athletes as they grow.

Families can register online at www.jylax.org. Those new to lacrosse or with questions about the program may contact Jeff Martin for boys’ programs at [email protected] or Jessica Hall for girls’ programs at [email protected].

Organizers encourage interested families to register early to take advantage of discounted pricing and to ensure placement for the upcoming spring season.

JEFFERSON — A 21-year-old woman from Lake Hopatcong has died following a single-vehicle off-road crash involving a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) in Jefferson Township.

Allyson Marie Legora, died on December 28, 2025, two days after she was critically injured in a crash that occurred on Roosevelt Avenue on December 26 at approximately 10:15 p.m. Legora was a passenger in the UTV when it overturned, pinning her beneath the vehicle, according to police.

Emergency responders were able to remove the UTV and began lifesaving measures before Legora was transported to Morristown Medical Center in serious condition. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries two days later. The driver and another passenger remained at the scene. No charges have been announced at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Legora was a student at Montclair State University, where she was pursuing a degree in education with aspirations of becoming a teacher. According to her obituary, teaching children and helping others was central to who she was, reflecting a life defined by kindness, generosity, and compassion.

Described by loved ones as kind, funny, strong, and endlessly giving, Legora was deeply devoted to her family. She shared a close bond with her parents, Casey and Jodi Legora, and her sister, Brielle, who were the center of her world. Family members said she loved “deeply, fiercely, and selflessly,” always putting others before herself.

Legora had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and found joy in nature, hiking, and time spent with her dogs, Sam and Harley. She also cherished the home she shared with her boyfriend, Nick, creating a space filled with warmth and love. Her friends, including her best friend Haley LaPlatte, were an important part of her life and remain devastated by her loss.

In her passing, Legora continued to help others. As an organ donor, she saved the lives of four people, a final act that family members described as a reflection of her heart and character.

Legora is survived by her parents, Casey and Jodi; her sister, Brielle; her grandparents Judy Condit, Gerry Condit, and Gary Legora; her boyfriend Nick; her dogs Sam and Harley; and many extended family members and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in Mendham. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 3, from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 South Main Street, Wharton. A Celebration of Life will follow at 6:30 p.m. Interment will be private.

Legora’s family said her love, light, and legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the lives she saved.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Newly seated members of the Jefferson Township Board of Education were sworn in on Monday, January 5, stepping into roles that help guide the future of the township’s public schools. Among those taking the oath were Christine Seugling, Alberto Camacho, and Kristin Ruggiero.

The Board of Education is the governing body responsible for setting policy and overseeing the fiscal and educational operations of the Jefferson Township Public School District, which serves students in preschool through 12th grade across the township. Board trustees are elected by local voters to serve three-year terms on a staggered election cycle.

Seugling, Camacho, and Ruggiero join a nine-member board that works with district leadership to advance academic excellence, manage the budget, and ensure that local schools meet the needs of students, families, and the community. School board members play a key role in hiring and evaluating the superintendent, shaping curriculum goals, and advocating for resources that support student achievement and classroom success.

Serving alongside them are fellow board members committed to maintaining strong educational standards for township students. The board partners closely with Superintendent of Schools Jeanne Howe and district administrators to oversee operations in six schools that collectively provide a comprehensive education for Jefferson children.

In stepping into their roles, Seugling, Camacho, and Ruggiero join a long tradition of local volunteers focused on enhancing educational opportunities and ensuring transparent governance of the school district. The board encourages community engagement at its regular meetings, where residents can stay informed and share their perspectives on priorities facing local schools.

MORRIS COUNTY — After more than two decades of dedicated public service, Detective Lieutenant Tracy Medwin has retired from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, concluding a career marked by leadership, professionalism, and wide-ranging contributions to the agency and the residents of Morris County.

Detective Lieutenant Medwin was hired by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in December 2000 and graduated from the Morris County Police Academy in May 2001. She began her career in the Protective Services Division before transferring in September 2004 to the Administration Division, Research and Planning Section, where she played a key role in organizational planning and policy development.

In June 2006, Medwin continued her service in the Administration Division and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in April 2014, remaining in Research and Planning. Her leadership trajectory continued just months later when, in September 2014, she was promoted to Sergeant and reassigned to the Protective Services Division, where she was stationed at the Control Desk and supervised multiple operational sections.

Following years of frontline and supervisory experience, Medwin transferred in February 2019 to the Process Section of the Legal Services Division, further expanding her institutional expertise. Her career culminated in November 2022, when she was promoted to Detective Lieutenant, assuming responsibility for supervising the Community Outreach and Planning Section of the Sheriff’s Office.

Throughout her career, Detective Lieutenant Medwin made significant contributions to advancing professionalism within the department. She managed multiple successful reaccreditation efforts under executive programs of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), helping ensure the agency met the highest national standards for law enforcement operations and accountability.

Colleagues credit Medwin with a broad knowledge base, adaptability across assignments, and a commitment to excellence that strengthened the Sheriff’s Office at every level. Her service to the people of Morris County, officials noted, is rarely paralleled.

Reflecting on her career, Detective Lieutenant Medwin said, “My career has been a wild ride to say the least, and I am extremely grateful to raise anchor and set sail for my new adventure.”

Her retirement marks the close of a distinguished chapter for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the community she faithfully served for more than 24 years.