MORRIS COUNTY — Police agencies from around New Jersey, including the Morris County Park Police Department, are gearing up for the state’s largest annual drunk driving crackdown. The 2019 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Statewide Labor Day Crackdown begins Friday, August 16 and concludes on Monday, September 2. During the campaign, local and state law enforcement officers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols targeting motorists who may be driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is a national campaign designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement backed up by educational activities including national radio and television advertisements, posters, banners, and mobile video display signs. The campaign looks to curtail impaired driving during the busy summer travel season, including the Labor Day holiday period.

“During the past five years, New Jersey’s roadways experienced 36,778 crashes and 679 fatalities involving impaired drivers,” said Chief Gabe DiPietro. As part of the initiative, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local police agencies throughout the state to run the two-week campaign. During last year’s crackdown, participating agencies made 1,196 DWI arrests.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2019 crackdown offer the following advice:

• If you plan to drink, designate a driver, someone who will not drink alcohol, before going out.
• Take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity is held.
• Always buckle up, every ride, regardless of your seating position in the vehicle. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep.

MORRIS COUNTY — Thanks to a generous grant from New Jersey Natural Gas, GFWC Woman’s Club Denville-Rockaway Area will be able to continue its scholarship program in the coming year. This Scholarship Program awards gift-cards to middle school students, who advance to high school while overcoming difficulties. They also award a scholarship to a graduating Morris Knolls and Morris Hills High School student, as well as, two students graduating from the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program at Morris County School of Technology.

The most recent Scholarship recipients include two 2019 graduates from the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program of the Morris County School of Technology, Jaqueline Mondero and Julia Donna.

The GFWC Woman’s Club of the Denville-Rockaway Area, founded in 1932 is a non-profit community service organization, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others, one project at a time. To learn more about the organization, visit the GFWC Woman’s Club of Denville-Rockaway area Facebook page or click here.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) keeps homes warm and businesses running for over half a million customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, Middlesex and Burlington Counties. Annually, NJNG supports more than 2,000 organizations across the communities it serves with an emphasis on education, health, and the environment. Click here for more information.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that would add the word “police” to the titles of county correctional officers, wardens and deputy wardens.

“This will help eliminate any confusion over their authority and just clarifies the powers that these officers of the law already possess,” said Assemblyman Parker Space (R-Sussex), sponsor of the measure S1739/A3236.

In January last year, similar legislation was enacted that changed the titles of state corrections officers. The laws aim to support officers when they are assigned to duties outside their normal operations by making it clear they have police powers, including the ability to make arrests.

The Civil Service Commission will create the following new titles: county correctional police officer, county correctional police warden and county correctional deputy police warden. Any fees associated with the title changes will be covered by the officer, warden and deputy warden. This may include any cost associated with an updated uniform, badge, or equipment.

Assemblyman Hal Wirths (R-Sussex) is also a co-sponsor of the legislation that passed the Assembly 76-0 on June 20.  The Senate version is prime sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) and passed 34-0 on June 27.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Sunday, September 15, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., spend the day at one of Morris County’s most popular fall festivals at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township.

Hop aboard the open-air wagon for a scenic ride around the farm, visit the friendly farm animals, lend a hand churning butter and pressing apples into cider, and watch a blacksmith perform his craft.

Enjoy live music, and learn some new old-fashioned dance steps. Food will be available for purchase as well.

Stop by the 1920s Farmhouse, and discover seasonal foods being prepared on the wood-burning cook stove, and watch a sewing demonstration on a treadle sewing machine. At the Visitors Center, experience the interactive display at the Transportation Exhibit. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy!

Admission is $8.00 per adult, $7.00 per senior (65+), $6.00 per child age three through 16, and free for children under three. Friends members are half price with a current membership card.

For more information and directions to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township, visit morrisparks.net, or call (973) 326-7645.

The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 20,197 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy.

DENVILLE — “Dogs Gone Wild” swimming party will be held on Saturday, September 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cooks Pond Denville Recreation, 19 Entrance Way, Denville.

Off leash swimming and playing for your dogs enjoyment, picnic area and playground for your enjoyment the entire facility is fenced in and safe for your dogs. Fee for the event is $20 all money goes to support the Denville Dog Park and Animal Shelter.