MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Zelante, and Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker announce the hiring of Detective Matthew G. Belcastro, Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Bennett, Assistant Prosecutor Jessica L. Marshall, and Detective Raquelin Perea.

On Monday, October 5, Prosecutor Knapp, Acting Chief Kimker, Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., and Honorable Philip J. Maenza, J.S.C. administered the oaths of office to the new Assistant Prosecutors for whom they had served as law clerks. Prosecutor Knapp administered the oaths of office to the two detectives.

Detective Belcastro will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts & Administration Division. He was previously a Patrol Officer for the Chatham Borough Police Department. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Kutztown University and a Master of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Detective Belcastro has earned several professional law enforcement certifications and awards. He also holds administrative positions in volunteer organizations. AP Bennett will be assigned to the Megan’s Law Unit. He graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He worked as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Philip J. Maenza, J.S.C., Morris/Sussex Vicinage, and as a Student Attorney for the Criminal Justice Clinic at Seton Hall University School of Law, Center for Social Justice. He also interned for the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. AP Marshall will be assigned to the Appellate Unit. She graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law, received her Bachelor’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her Associate’s Degree from the County College of Morris. Prior to serving as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., Superior Court, Criminal Division, Morris/Sussex Vicinage, she worked as a Student Attorney for the Criminal Justice Clinic at Seton Hall University School of Law and a Legal Intern for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Detective Perea will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts & Administration Division. She began her law enforcement career as a Community Service Officer at Rutgers Department of Public Safety and has also served as a Senior Security Officer and Dispatcher at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Police Officer for the Newark Police Department, and as a Sheriff’s Officer for the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.

She has completed credits towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University and is a member of several professional law enforcement associations. Prosecutor Knapp welcomed them to the department. Prosecutor Knapp said, “Each of these individuals brings a depth of experience to the MCPO and should be great additions to our staff. We are fortunate to have such talented attorneys and law enforcement professionals join our ranks. They are outstanding additions.”

MORRIS COUNTY — On October 8, NJ Sharing Network and its many healthcare partners and volunteers throughout the state will work together to register as many organ and tissue donors as possible in celebration of Organ Donor Enrollment Day. The non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization has set a goal of amassing at least 2,020 new donor registrations on 2020 Organ Donor Enrollment Day. The 2,020 goal helps create a positive spin on the number ‘2020’ as opposed to the negative ‘2020’ references seen virtually everywhere due to the challenges faced this year.

Currently, there are nearly 110,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant.

“Organ Donor Enrollment Day is about taking action and inspiring others to learn more about how they can save lives through organ and tissue donation,” said Joseph S. Roth, president, and chief executive officer of NJ Sharing Network. “One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and restore health to over 75 people. I am confident that everyone’s efforts on Organ Donor Enrollment Day will go a long way toward bringing hope to those currently waiting for a transplant.”

In New Jersey, one person dies every three days waiting for an organ transplant. However, the generosity of those in the Garden State is providing hope for the future. New Jersey’s organ and tissue donor registrations continue to rise thanks to strong community education and outreach efforts as well as simplified ways to register as organ and tissue donors are also helping to save more lives. It is now easier than ever for New Jerseyans to register in any of the following options:

• Online by clicking here.
• Through the iPhone Health App
• In-person at your local Motor Vehicle Agency

Another key component of Organ Donor Enrollment Day is encouraging those who register to have a conversation with their family and friends about their decision to donate.

“Donation provides comfort and healing to so many families after losing a loved one. It is so important to talk to your family and share your decision about organ donation so your gift is honored,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, vice president, and chief clinical officer, NJ Sharing Network.

Organ Donor Enrollment Day is deeply personal for NJ Sharing Network’s partners, advocates, and volunteers who are motivated to save and enhance the lives of those in need. Jayla Sorenson of Toms River is just one example. Jayla has a kidney disease that limits her ability to filter and clean her blood. The vivacious 8-year-old loves to dance, play outside, and hug and kiss her family members. But the clock is ticking towards a more critical stage in Jayla’s condition that will eventually involve a pediatric kidney transplant. Jayla and her family actively participate in events and programs to promote organ and tissue donation, including Organ Donor Enrollment Day and NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life with Team Jayla’s Journey.

“It’s all about raising awareness and helping others in need because someday we will be the ones in need,” said James Sorenson, Jayla’s father.

Typically, Organ Donor Enrollment Day features local and regional in-person activities and community events to raise awareness that will not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While NJ Sharing Network’s clinical and laboratory team members have continued their around-the-clock efforts to focus on saving and enhancing lives, the organization has developed creative ways to promote its mission virtually in online efforts throughout the pandemic through its robust social media channels, on its website and through targeted e-mails and mailings to its wide circle of supporters. NJ Sharing Network will be providing social media tools that supporters can use. Supporters will also be asked to share their stories about how organ and tissue donation has improved their lives or why they registered as organ donors.

About NJ Sharing Network
Dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation, NJ Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents waiting for a life-saving transplant. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization, selected by NJBiz as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for the third consecutive year, is also part of the national recovery system, serving the nearly 110,000 people on the national waiting list. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling announced that effective Monday, October 5, the Morris County Surrogate’s Office will begin accepting appointments for in-person probate in our newly designed COVID-19 compliant probate rooms.

No walk-in appointments will be permitted and all appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling the Morris County Surrogate’s Office at (973) 285-6500.

Please be advised that to maintain public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments will be limited considerably, as compared to the past. They will be accepting a maximum of four appointments in the morning and four appointments in the afternoon each day, Monday through Friday. Clients are limited to having a maximum of one additional person at their appointment (usually their attorney) and no one under the age of 18 will be permitted in the probate rooms. Clients will be required to go through Morris County screening procedures upon entering the building, which includes a temperature check as well as passing through a metal detector. COVID-19 protocols require that masks are worn in the building at all times for everyone’s safety.

“The Surrogate’s office serves some of Morris County’s most vulnerable citizens, including those who have lost a loved one, and I am pleased to again offer these citizens the in-person services that many have been requesting,” said Surrogate Darling.

The Surrogate’s office has been operational and serving Morris County citizens throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by telephone appointments and mail. Surrogate Darling looks forward to bringing back the convenience of in-person appointments as one of the options for probate. “Our online probate platform will be in place at the beginning of November, as previously announced, which will allow our citizens the option of fully remote services from the Surrogate’s Office, providing more options and efficiencies to Morris County, especially our citizens with mobility issues,” the Surrogate said.

For more information click here.