It's official. The NorthStar Pet Rescue is officially open.
BOONTON — Boonton Mayor Matthew DiLauri officially cut the ribbon during the Grand Opening Celebration of The NorthStar Pet Rescue located at 117 Washington Street.
NorthStar is a group of passionate volunteers committed to saving these innocent dogs and finding them a new forever home. NorthStar Pet Rescue, founded in October 2017, and although they might be a relatively new name among New Jersey animal rescues, you may recognize some of their from the work they’ve done volunteering with other rescues to help animals over the past decade. NorthStar is 100% dedicated to operating in a safe, transparent, and ethical manner, and to ensuring the best veterinary practices are followed with regards to the care and transport of our animals.
Boonton Mayor Matthew DiLauri cutting the ribbon
NorthStar Pet Rescue has achieved the Bronze certification level from GuideStar, the highest rating available to a new organization!
Support from generous donors is the engine that makes the organization run and allows them to effect positive change and save lives. The costs associated with vetting and transporting a dog are extremely high. They make every attempt to cover the expenses through adoption fees. Like most rescues, NorthStar operates on a stringent budget that leaves little room for unexpected expenses such as veterinary emergencies and dogs with serious medical issues. None of the board members receive a penny in salary, and they have no employees. All donations goes 100% towards directly helping care for the animals that they rescue.
Tracy McCauley, Sarah Rogaski, Abigail Rogaski holding Petunia, Tammy Probst-Smith, Mayor Matthew DiLauri and Jeff Smith
GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. More than 8 million visitors per year and a network of 200+ partners use GuideStar data to grow support for nonprofits. NorthStar Pet Rescue is pursuing GuideStar “Silver” status which requires audited financial statements which will available after our first year of operation.
For more information call (973) 658-7001 or click here to visit their website.
Tracy McCauley, hold Elaine; Jeff Smith, Co-Owner; Tammy Probst-Smith, Co-Founder holding Elvin; Assemblyman Anthony Bucco and Susan Smith holding Baroness Zelda.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Nicholas Ricciotti and Timothy Palazzolo assisted detectives from the Morristown Bureau of Police and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in identifying and apprehending a 21-year-old man suspected of hiding an imitation handgun under a bush minutes before his appointment with a Morris County Probation Officer.
The investigation began on Wednesday, May 1 when the Morris County Sheriff’s Office contacted Morristown Police to advise that a witness reported seeing what appeared to be a black-colored handgun under a bush on Court Street, by the Morris County Administration and Records Building.
The witness reported to police that the suspected handgun was gone when he checked a short time after he first spotted it. The witness made the observation on Tuesday, April 30 and reported it on May 1.
Entrances to the Morris County Courthouse and Administration and Records Building are heavily monitored by surveillance cameras and Morris County Sheriff’s Officers, who operate metal detectors that expose all weapons, real and imitation.
Detective Ricciotti reviewed surveillance footage of the area around the Administration and Records Building and observed a man, later identified as Morristown resident Maurice J. Bates, remove a black object from his pocket and place it under a bush near the front entrance to the Administration and Records Building on Tuesday, April 30.
Mr. Bates was observed on the surveillance video entering the Administration and Records Building and walking to the Probation office around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30. Around 2:30 p.m., as the videotape shows, Mr. Bates was seen, allegedly retrieving the black object from under the bush, putting it in his pocket, and walking away.
Detectives Ricciotti and Palazzolo gathered information identifying Mr. Bates and his residence. Morristown Police Detectives Scott Pino and Scott Weaver had integral roles in the investigation, including preparing search and arrest warrants that received judicial approval before being executed.
Detectives from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morristown Bureau of Police and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit conducted surveillance on Mr. Bates’s home on Wednesday, May 1. Detectives verified that Mr. Bates was at home. With the assistance of the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT), officers entered Mr. Bates’s apartment and arrested him before conducting a search that revealed a black imitation handgun.
Mr. Bates was charged on Thursday, May 2 by Morristown Detective Scott Pino with possession of a weapon, an imitation firearm, for an unlawful purpose. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to detain him in the Morris County Correctional Facility while the charge is pending.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon and Morristown Public Safety Director Michael Corcoran commend the detectives for the thorough and timely investigation.
“There are aggressive, proactive security safeguards in and around the Morris County Court Complex and Administration and Records Building. People who bring illegal weapons to the area will be caught,” Sheriff Gannon said.
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.
PARSIPPANY — The iconic $1 Neighborhood Drink of the Month that started it all is back and nope, that’s not the tequila talking, it’s still only ONE dollar. Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill + Bar is celebrating all month long at participating locations with the “OG” and America’s go-to Cinco de Mayo cocktail, the DOLLARITA. Applebee’s is located at 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center.
“The DOLLARITA taught America that $1 is an unbeatable price for a cocktail. Where else can you find a good Margarita for only $1, all day, every day?” said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage and innovation at Applebee’s. “Some might say this is too good to be true, but to them I say, margaritas never lie.”
Served in a 10-ounce mug with tequila and a classic Margarita mix, you’ll be ready to make a toast to the drink that started it all.
Price, participation and availability of the Neighborhood Drink of the Month may vary by location, and guests must be 21-years old or over to enjoy responsibly. Void where prohibited.
As always, Applebee’s reminds you to please drink responsibly.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is recognized as the 59th largest privately-held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business and the 15th largest franchisee in the United States as ranked in the Restaurant Finance Monitor, operating six restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak & Lube and two of its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In 2018, Nation’s Restaurant News ranked Doherty Enterprises as the 77th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates over 150 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, on Long Island, as well as locations throughout Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and sections of Florida and Georgia. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” For more information click here.
Tri-Town Committee Co-Chairmen Dr. Lewandowski and Michael Andalaft; Kashiem Ingram, Store Manager, Verizon-Victra, Boonton; Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso and Executive Board Member Frank Cahill
BOONTON — Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce is please to welcome new member Verizon-Victra, 540 Myrtle Avenue. Tri-Town Committee Co-Chairmen Dr. Lewandowski and Michael Andalaft; Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso and Executive Board Member Frank Cahill presented Kashiem Ingram, Store Manager, Verizon-Victra, with a certificate on Wednesday, May 1.
Victra is the leading exclusive premium retailer for Verizon, including being honored as Agent of the Year in 2016. They don’t just consider you as a customer – they strive to treat you as their “guest” when you join in any of their convenient locations. Their knowledgeable and dedicated store consultants and managers offer a full range of wireless devices including phones, tablets, mobile broadband, wearable technology, accessories and product insurance. Getting the best performance for this technology matters, and Verizon delivers. Once again, the nation’s most rigorous, independent study (RootMetrics®) has rated Verizon the #1 network in the United States. Verizon swept all six network categories for all of 2016 — including reliability, data, speed, call, text and overall performance – an industry first since testing began.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The Lawyers of Distinction announced that Joseph D. Sullivan of Morris Plains, has been certified as a member and is recognized for his service in the area of Probate Law.
Members receive this designation based upon objective evaluation of an attorney’s qualifications, license, reputation, experience, and disciplinary history.
Mr. Sullivan, an experienced trial litigator has been practicing law for the past 27 years. He now personally and with great care handles legal matters from his Law Offices in Cedar Knolls or Garden City, Long Island in New York.
Mr. Sullivan—who is licensed to practice in Federal and State Courts in both New York and New Jersey–focuses on Estate Litigation and Planning as well as and Collection matters, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Real Estate and Family Law. Mr. Sullivan provides a free consultation and offers a discount to AARP members. If you need legal assistance, please visit his website by clicking here or call (973) 361-4099.
Lawyers of Distinction uses it own independent criteria, including both objective and subjective factors in determining if an attorney can be recognized as a Lawyer of Distinction in the United States in their respective field. This designation is based upon the proprietary analysis of the Lawyers of Distinction organization alone, and is not intended to be endorsed by any of the 50 United States Bar Associations or The District of Columbia Bar Association.
PARSIPPANY — Meet Paco, an 11-year-old Schnauzer mix coming in at just 39 pounds. Don’t let his age fool you though, he’s ready to go for walks, play, and snuggle up with you!
This senior cutie is well-behaved, potty-trained, and looking for a retirement home to spoil and love him for the rest of his days. He loves to play with toys, run around in the yard, and is very intelligent.
Paco has previously lived with other dogs and children and is living with dogs right now. He’s very friendly and happy! We think he would be happy in a home with other pups and children 10+.
If you’re interested in adding Paco to your pack, apply today!
If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.
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Drew Blind, franchise owner of the new Chick-fil-A on Route 10, Morris Plains
MORRIS PLAINS — Chick-fil-A has selected Drew Blind as the local franchise owner of the chain’s Morris Plains restaurant as hiring of up to 125 new Team Members is under way in preparation for the projected June grand opening.
When Blind’s stand-alone Chick-fil-A location opens at 1711 Route 10 East it will be a homecoming for the New Jersey native who is relocating from the chain’s location inside Garden State Plaza in Paramus.
Blind, who grew up in Morris County, is excited to return to his hometown where numerous family members reside and where his Chick-fil-A career began. A Team Member at the chain’s location in Howell, Blind worked at Chick-fil-A as a teen and during breaks while attending college at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
After graduating with a degree in business management, Blind and his wife, Colleen, moved to South Carolina where he worked on the leadership team at a Charleston Chick-fil-A restaurant until his wife’s career brought them back to Pennsylvania.
Blind knew early on that Chick-fil-A’s focus of freshly prepared food, genuine hospitality and having a positive impact on the communities it serves matched his entrepreneurial goals. Blind became director of operations at the chain’s location in Nazareth and began his pursuit of owning his own restaurant while also serving on corporate teams helping open new locations around the country. His dream of owning his own restaurant was realized when he was selected to operate Paramus location in 2015.
Drew Blind
The new 4,700-square-foot Chick-fil-A location in Morris Plains will offer indoor seating for 102 and patio seating for 20 as well as a two-story playground for children. The interior will feature the chain’s heritage restaurant interior design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including subway tiles, large windows to let in natural light and a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood. A single drive-thru ordering lane will divide into two lanes for ordering to enhance the chain’s award-winning drive-thru service before merging back into a single lane for pickup. The new restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.
Blind has begun hiring as many as 125 Team Members as he builds his Morris Plains staff. He is filling full-time and part-time positions in all areas of the restaurant, including leadership development, hospitality, catering, training, and marketing. Each position will include benefits such as scholarships for continuing education. In addition, Chick-fil-A restaurant team members appreciate having Sundays off, flexible schedules, and the family atmosphere fostered at the restaurant.
Named one of the “best places to work” by Glassdoor, Chick-fil-A is known for hiring and retaining talent and offering a supportive workplace with opportunities for leadership development, respect for work-life balance and competitive wages.
Chick-fil-A Team Members are eligible for the chain’s initiative, Remarkable Futures. In 2019, more than 6,000 Team Members will be awarded with $15.3 million in scholarships, one of the highest unrestricted per employee scholarship investments in the industry. Team Members, who are beginning or continuing their higher education, are awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,500 or $25,000 which can be applied to any area of study at any accredited institution. In addition, Team Members have access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,428 restaurants in 47 states and Washington, D.C. Chick-fil-A reported more than $10 billion in revenue in 2018, which marks 51 consecutive years of sales growth. A leader in customer service satisfaction, consumers voted Chick-fil-A, Inc. fourth in Harris Poll’s annual corporate reputation survey, ranking the company fourth out of 100 in 2018. Chick-fil-A was also recognized for customer experience again in the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings survey, was named “Best Franchise Brand” in 2018 by Airport Revenue News and was named one of the top 100 best places to work by Glassdoor in 2017. Continuing its founder’s legacy of generosity and service, in 2019 Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures initiative awarded $15.3 million in scholarships to restaurant Team Members nationwide. In 2018 the company’s philanthropic Chick-fil-A Foundation awarded $1.23 million to 22 not-for-profit organizations across 18 states through the True Inspiration Awards. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com.
Hanover Township Little League catchers take a photo with Bayer's Ray Kerins and Wegmans' Tim Lockwood, who threw out the first pitches on Little League Opening Day and joined Mayor Ron Francioli in announcing the business neighbors' August 10th softball charity rematch to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry. From left to right: Lily Pecora, who caught Kerin's pitch, Ray Kerins, Mike Halibej, HTLL President, Tim Lockwood, and Luke Ench, who caught Lockwood's pitch
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — During the Hanover Township Little League (HTLL) April 27 opening day ceremony, it was “Game On!” as Mayor Ron Francioli announced this year’s “Annual Charity Classic,” a softball rematch between Bayer and Wegmans, Saturday, August 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Malapardis Park in Cedar Knolls.
Both companies’ employees stepped up to the plate last year for seven innings of competitive fun that ended with a Wegmans’ victory, all for a great cause – a $5,000.00 donation from each business to the Interfaith Food Pantry.
The non-profit organization, which feeds Morris County families struggling financially, will again be this year’s beneficiary.
Hanover Township Little League catchers take a photo with Bayer’s Ray Kerins and Wegmans’ Tim Lockwood, who threw out the first pitches on Little League Opening Day and joined Mayor Ron Francioli when he announced the business neighbors’ August 10th softball charity rematch to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry. From left to right: Lily Pecora, who caught Ray Kerins’ pitch, Ray Kerins, Tim Lockwood, and Luke Ench, who caught Lockwood’s pitch
Joining Francioli to make the announcement were Mike Halibej, HTLL President, Ray Kerins, Bayer’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, and Tim Lockwood, Hanover Wegmans’ Store Manager. The HTLL, whose members will play a significant role in this year’s Charity Classic, honored Kerins and Lockwood by asking them to throw out the first Little League Opening Day pitches.
The friendly rivals gladly obliged, and viewed the opportunity as a fitting prelude to the August softball skirmish.
Bayer’s Ray Kerins (left) and Wegmans’ Tim Lockwood (right) pause for a photo with Mayor Ron Francioli at Hanover Township’s Little League Opening Day just after the Mayor announced the second Annual Charity Classic, which will see the two business neighbors step up to the plate again for a softball rematch benefitting the Interfaith Food Pantry
“We look forward to successfully defending our title against Bayer,” stated Lockwood, “and are thankful to work with such a great community supporter as our friends at Bayer.”
“Actually, the Bayer team is ready to win the rematch. But the real winners will be the members of our community who will benefit from the Bayer-Wegman’s partnership supporting the great work of the Interfaith Food Pantry,” said Kerins.
Mayor Francioli applauded Bayer and Wegmans for their ongoing, strong community support, and lauded the civic groups, volunteers, and other non-profits who will be partnering with the municipality to make the second Charity Classic an even greater success than last year’s. “With the Rotary, Knights of Columbus, Whippanong Library, Fire Departments, and Little League helping, we’re envisioning a truly dynamic event,” noted Francioli.
“We’re adding some things to make it even more fun-filled and family oriented. There’ll be free giveaways, photo ops with Wegmans’ Ready for Prime Time Produce Players and Recreation’s Sting the Bee, and a concert following the game at 4:00 p.m. by The Shots with the Bergen County Firefighters Bagpipes.”
From left to right: Ray Kerins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Bayer, and Tim Lockwood, Hanover Wegmans’ Store Manager look on as Mayor Ron Francioli announces August 10th Charity Classic softball rematch between the two business neighbors during the Hanover Township Little League Opening Day ceremony
Members of the public are urged to save the August 10 date (rain date August 11) and to check the Hanover Township website, by clicking here, the Hanover Township Recreation Facebook page, and local newspapers for future Charity Classic updates.
Admission to the event is free, but it is requested that attendees help their Morris County neighbors in need by bringing a canned good or other non-perishable food item that will join a collection to be used by the Interfaith Food Pantry in feeding hungry families.
MORRIS COUNTY — Following the arrest of Elmwood Park’s Mayor Frank Caramagna on election fraud charges, a group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal requesting his office provide guidelines that would allow the N.J. Division of Elections to issue rules to county superintendents of elections for the purpose of ensuring a secure vote-by-mail process.
Caramagna, who was forced to resign, is accused of filling in vote-by-mail ballots of other registered voters during the 2017 election. Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi and Assemblyman Robert Auth, of the 39th Legislative District, and Assemblymen Kevin J. Rooney and Christopher DePhillips, of the 40th Legislative District, cited this incident and several others in the letter.
“Voting is a linchpin of democracy, and protecting the rights of our voters and the integrity of our elections must be resolved promptly and fairly,” they wrote.
In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed a new vote-by-mail law that caused confusion because the state did not provide proper guidance on interpretation and implementation prior to it going into effect. Under the law, voters who signed up for and got mail-in ballots for the 2016 general election will continue to be sent those ballots for all future elections unless they opt-out in writing to their respective county clerks. If they don’t opt-out, they are required to vote by mail or fill out a provisional ballot at the polls.
“Vote-by-mail ballots provide easy opportunities for fraud and hastily implemented changes have only lead to more confusion for officials and voters,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is imperative that rules are prepared and distributed to county superintendents of elections to prevent this from happening during the 2019 primary and general elections.”
In addition to securing the integrity of the vote-by-mail process, the lawmakers called for a thorough investigation of any alleged voter fraud, which is consistent with the attorney general’s initiative to combat corruption and increase confidence in government in the newly created Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA).
Gabriel Lukijaniuk, of Hackettstown, won third place in the individual competition at the 16th Annual New Jersey Undergraduate Mathematics Competition. Sofiia Shvaiko, of Livingston, won the highest-ranking individual score overall and the highest-ranking female score. Together, the two won first place for the highest-ranking team from a two-year institution
MORRIS COUNTY — Two County College of Morris (CCM) freshmen won top prizes at the 16th Annual New Jersey Undergraduate Mathematics Competition (NJUMC) recently held at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg.
A total of 84 participants from two- and four-year colleges across the state competed individually and as teams. Sofiia Shvaiko, of Livingston, won the highest-ranking individual score overall and the highest-ranking female score. Her teammate, Gabriel Lukijaniuk, of Hackettstown, won third place in the individual competition. Together, they won first place for the highest-ranking team from a two-year institution.
Shvaiko is an international student from Kharkiv, Ukraine and has competed in several math competitions in Eastern Europe. Still, the computer science major was not certain she could win the top spot in the NJUMC. “My family was proud of me that I proved my knowledge outside of my country and had the skill to compete,” she says. When she graduates from CCM, she hopes to complete her bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University and become a software developer.
“Winning at the competition was strange,” Lukijaniuk says. “I wasn’t sure how I compared to other people who majored in math and had the same passion and studying habits as me. So I was actually quite surprised when I had found that I placed that high.”
Like his teammate, he prepared for the competition by going to the NJUMC website and taking tests from past competitions. He says the tips and techniques he learned from his math classes at CCM gave him an edge. He hopes to complete his bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University. His ideal job would be a combination of math professor and math researcher.
“Our thanks go out to the entire mathematics faculty for supporting these students throughout their academic journey, as well as to Don Phelps, director of Campus Life, and the Math Club for funding the competition,” says Associate Professor Kelly Fitzpatrick, advisor to the team. “These wins are truly impressive results.”
Following the competition, students enjoyed the day viewing poster presentations, listening to student talks and hearing from major companies about job opportunities for math majors in actuarial science, analytics and data science.
Members receive this designation based upon objective evaluation of an attorney’s qualifications, license, reputation, experience, and disciplinary history.
