PARSIPPANY — The Becchi for Congress campaign is excited to announce that U.S. Marine Veteran Major Nick De Gregorio has joined the campaign to serve as the Chairman of Veterans For Becchi. The committee was formed with the joint goal of reaching out to local military personnel and families to learn and understand firsthand the problems and concerns our Veterans face, as well as, organizing support to elect Rosemary Becchi to Congress.
“We are honored that U.S. Marine Major Nick De Gregorio will serve as the Chairman of Veterans for Becchi. In just a short time, I have learned a great deal from Nick and his fellow Veterans in the 11th District and I am greatly appreciative of his support for my campaign. There is no question we have a lot of work to do to ensure Veterans have the access they have been promised to healthcare, education, and jobs. Taking care of those who put their lives on the line for our safety and freedom isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a priority I will uphold in Congress,” said Rosemary Becchi.
“Rosemary Becchi is the voice our Veterans need in Washington,” said De Gregorio. “Veterans are not a mere campaign talking point to her. From the first moment I spoke with Rosemary, it was clear that her mission is to find solutions to the chronic problems our Veterans face every day. As a nine-year Marine Corps infantry officer with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know Rosemary is the person I want fighting for Veterans. Her intelligence, tenacity, and experience is sorely needed. It is an honor to work on behalf of Rosemary and the Becchi for Congress campaign.”
If you are a Veteran looking for more information about Rosemary Becchi or would like to join Veterans for Becchi, click here or email [email protected]
FLORHAM PARK — Jillian Kane and Annalee Mueller were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
They are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”
More About Phi Kappa Phi
Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization’s notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi click here.
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 120, postponing primary elections on Tuesday, June 2 to Tuesday, July 7 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This includes primaries for President, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, the 25th District of the New Jersey Legislature, and county and municipal elections, as well as county committee elections.
Last month, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 105, which delayed certain elections set to take place in March and April until May 12. (Click here for copy of Executive Order No. 120)
“Preserving basic functions of our democracy is critical in this unprecedented time,” said Governor Murphy. “Citizens exercising their right to vote should not have to risk their safety and the safety of others in order to make their voices heard. Postponing our primary elections is a difficult, yet necessary, choice to ensure that our citizens can partake in their civic duty of voting.”
“Governor Murphy’s decision to move New Jersey’s primary election to July 7, 2020 will provide our state, county, and local election officials with the time we need to prepare for a free, fair, and safe election for New Jersey voters.” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way.
The Order also states that all deadlines for meeting statutory requirements for a primary election that are currently scheduled to occur after April 11 will be calculated using the July 7, primary election date. This would not affect any deadlines that 1) have already passed, such as the filing deadline for candidate petitions for the primary election, or 2) will pass prior to April 11. The only exception is the deadline for change of party affiliation declaration forms to be filed, which is currently scheduled for April 8 and will move to May 13.
Additionally, independent candidate petitions will be due by 4:00 p.m. on July 7, 2020, and the electronic signature and submission requirements that were set forth in Executive Order No. 105 for primary candidates will be extended to these independent candidate petitions.
Election rules have been modified during prior emergencies, including by Governor Kean in 1982 during a severe winter storm and by the Christie Administration in 2012 in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
PARSIPPANY — Liquid Church Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic by Distributing Easter Baskets Filled With Toilet Paper, Sanitizers, Food, Baby Supplies, and Household Essentials To Neighbors-In-Need.
Liquid Church, one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing churches, has partnered with Convoy Of Hope, a disaster relief ministry, to get emergency supplies to families in crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A tractor-trailer shipment with 26,000 pounds of relief supplies arrived just in time for distribution on Easter Weekend. Emergency Relief Kits in the form of Easter Baskets and Easter Boxes will be available for Saturday pickup and Easter Sunday delivery.
“Here in New Jersey we find ourselves in the epicenter of this pandemic, but we want to spread hope faster than COVID-19,” said Tim Lucas, lead pastor and founder of Liquid Church. “That’s why we’ve created Emergency Relief Kits in the form of Easter Baskets. Traditional Easter baskets would be filled with chocolate bunnies and jellybeans, but our baskets are packed with crucial essentials – toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, non-perishable food, and relief supplies that can help families impacted by this crisis.”
Liquid Church has turned its facility at 299 Webro Road, Parsippany, into a storehouse with pallets of supplies filling the warehouse and lining the halls. Boxes of diapers, wipes, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, hygiene kits, bottled water, spaghetti and sauce, cereals, and much more are piled high. A small team of Liquid Church staff are organizing those essential items to create Easter Baskets and Boxes of supplies to meet the needs of families of various sizes.
Any member of the community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and in need of an Emergency Relief Kit is welcome to receive supplies as part of the Easter Weekend Outreach. The first step is going online by clicking here, where individuals can submit an “Emergency Relief Request.” They can then pick up their Relief Kit on Saturday between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Liquid Church.
“On Saturday people can drive-up in their car, we’ll drop the basket or box of supplies in their trunk, and then they drive-off. No muss, no fuss, and no contact. On Easter, we celebrate how Jesus sacrificed himself to love and serve us, so it’s a blessing to serve our community this way,” added Lucas. “For senior citizens or those quarantined at home we have a special plan in place. Our team will make doorstep deliveries on Easter Sunday. We want our vulnerable neighbors to know that God sees them, so we’ll deliver hope right to their doorstep!”
While Liquid Church works to meet the physical needs of the community with its Easter Weekend Outreach, the non-denominational Christian Church will also work to meet the spiritual needs of its neighbors by livestreaming 13 Easter Services via Church Online on April 10 to April 12.
“Although people are social distancing, we don’t want them to relationally distance. In this pandemic, people are hungry for hope and community. The beauty of technology is that we can still connect with people virtually and livestream a message of hope right into their living room. On a typical Sunday, we’d have 5,000 people attend our church in person, but last week we had 20,000 people attend Church Online. I expect even more people to livestream our Easter Weekend services on their laptops, TVs, and smartphones,” said Lucas. “In my message, I’ll encourage everybody to choose faith over fear, peace over panic, and worship over worry. As people of faith, we believe that even when our world feels uncertain, God is still in control.”
Liquid Church is offering 13 live services on Easter weekend. The service will include inspiring music, a hope-filled message, plus the opportunity to participate in a live chat and receive live prayer from Liquid’s pastors. Liquid Church Online can be found by clicking here.
To learn more about Liquid’s Emergency Easter Baskets and Relief Kits by clicking here. To view Liquid Church’s services online click here. For Easter Weekend service times click here.
Liquid Church is one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Christian churches. Officially launched in 2007 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church’s vision is to “Saturate the State with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” with seven campuses in Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties. Each week, over 5,000 people experience Liquid Church’s worship services in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to those in need, with hundreds of completed wells in Africa and Central America. Liquid Church’s innovative approaches to outreach and ministry have been spotlighted by CNN, FOX News, and TIME magazine. For more information, visit www.LiquidChurch.com.
MORRIS COUNTY — In an email to Senator Joe Pennacchio’s district office, a constituent related the frustrations and fears of her friend who after conferring with a telemed doctor, went to the emergency room with symptoms of COVID-19. With no test, New Jersey does not allow the patient access to antiviral therapy (hydroxychloroquine).
The patient was sent home to “fight it out,” the email said.
“It is heartbreaking. People are ‘begging’ for help,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “No one should ever have to beg for their government to allow their doctors treat them.
“I felt so helpless,” said the Senator.
The letter-writer implored the Senator to “Please help us! We in NJ are desperate.”
Under the Governor’s executive order, hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine may be prescribed and dispensed for treatment of COVID-19 outside of a hospital only if supported by a positive test result.
“The Administration must stop procrastinating, waiting for test results, and delaying possible life-saving medication. The State needs to stop interfering with the doctors and let them treat patients with the tools that are available today,” Pennacchio said.
There has been growing support across the globe for the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat the virus and control the pandemic. The list of successes that doctors have treating with HCQ continues to grow.
“People are learning about the positive results patients are getting from hydroxychloroquine. Understandably, they want to try this medication when they get sick,” Pennacchio said.
“The idea of requiring patients to have a full-blown case of coronavirus and get tested before doctors can treat them with the medication of the doctor’s choosing is absurd and dangerous. The State must unshackle doctors and allow them to use the tools they presently have to treat their patients,” the Senator concluded.
MORRIS COUNTY — Say hello to this handsome charmer, Billie! He is a 12-year old Beagle weighing 35 pounds. Billie is a gentle soul with so much love to give. He will be your loyal companion through thick and thin!
Billie was dumped by his owners at an overcrowded inner city municipal shelter. He was lost and sad in the shelter with an uncertain future ahead. Since being rescued and staying with his foster family, Billie has embraced his inner puppy and has blossomed into a whole new dog!
Despite his age, he is active and loves to play! Stuffed toys are Billie’s favorite! He carries them around the house and proudly shows off his collection. He will play chase with his foster siblings and always wants to be where the action is. He does tire more quickly than his younger companions but uses his quality nap time to recharge.
He is a happy-go-lucky boy who never stops smiling! His mouth will open wide and his wrinkles bunch up to make a picture perfect smile. He does a “happy dance” when he gets excited- typically when he wants to play or he is about to get a treat!
Billie LOVES food and is very treat motivated! Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Billie has already learned sit while being in foster home and will happily learn more.
He enjoys relaxing in his crate and sleeps in it during the night. He walks well on a leash and does great in the car! As long as he is by your side, he is a happy camper!
Billie does great with other dogs. He wouldn’t mind having a canine friend in his forever home to play with! He would do fine in a home with kids above the age of 10. Billie is primarily house trained but will have an occasional accident if he is not let outside in time.
Despite his rough journey, Billie is incredibly sweet and loving. He is hoping to find a family who he can spend the rest of his golden years with!
If you are interested in adopting Billie, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
BOONTON TOWNSHIP — The Boonton Township Recycling Center will be open this Saturday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
You must unload your own recyclables – no assistance will be provided. The paper shredding has been postponed. – Once a new date is received from the shredding vendor, Morris Focus will update you.
For more information call Patty DiCenzo, Recycling Coordinator, at (973) 402-4024.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Chief Mark Roddy issued the following message:
It has come to our attention that individuals are improperly discarding their used personal protection equipment (PPE’s), such as gloves and masks, outside of some of our businesses that have been determined to be essential and permitted to be open.
This behavior is irresponsible, potentially hazardous, and disrespectful to not only those who have to clean this up but to all citizens as well. These businesses are open to assist you and the employees of these businesses do not need additional exposure risks by having to clean up the litter created by some irresponsible individuals.
Be advised that heavy penalties may be incurred should you be observed engaging in this reckless behavior.
I encourage all of you to immediately notify this department if you observe anyone improperly disposing of their PPE’s or engaging in any other behaviors which are in violation of the current Executive Orders issued by Governor Murphy.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County has risen to 2260 and increase of 175 cases since last report from Monday, April 6. (Click here to read previous article.)
The figures reflect open COVID-19 positive cases as of the date and time indicated, not cases which have been closed, some cases which may be pending, or have yet to be entered into the system.
The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1. Testing is scheduled beginning 9:00 a.m. and is for Morris County residents only. There is no fee for the test.
To sign up for an appointment online click here for details.
Cumulative COVID-19 Cases (as of 4:58 p.m., April 7)
Delivering 300 N95 Respirator Masks to Morristown Medical Center Emergency Room
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Chinese-American Community was out donating supplies to local organizations. The organizing team on behalf on Chinese-American residents in Hanover includes Nancy Yang, Ellen Xia, Hongli Li, Lihua Zheng, Meng Xu, and Annie Ma.
Ellen Xia and Hanover Mayor Francioli
Our first wave of donations, we sent:
300 Face Masks to Office of Emergency Management
5,000 Face Masks to Atlantic Health
100 to CVS Pharmacy
For our second wave of donations, we sent:
300 KN95s Office of Emergency Management
200 Surgical Masks & 300 Face Masks (500 total) to St Clare’s Denville
300 KN95s to Morristown Medical Center Emergency Room
200 KN95s to St Joseph Wayne Emergency Room
250 Face Masks to Seniors and Group Homes
200 Face Masks to CareOne Whippany
100+ Face Masks to Local Physicians and Nurses who contacted us privately
21 Tyvek Protective Covers to CK Fire & First Aid Squad
Lysol & Disinfectant to Pediatric Orthopedic at 218 Ridgedale Ave
Lysol & Disinfectant to YMCA Livingston for Essential Worker Childcare
YMCA daycare for essential workers
Over 7,000 PPEs (including medical grade KN-95s) have been distributed to date. These shipments come from overseas. They continue to work with Township Officials and community to determine the most vulnerable population and first responders.
You’ll notice that each and every place that received a donation is local and relevant to Hanover specifically. Almost every place they dropped off at, they recognized a Hanover resident or WPHS alumni. They were really touched to see our own neighbors working the frontlines in Covid-19 response. In every donation, we continue include a note of support from the heart: “United We Stand Against covid-19”
Our strategy will now change in the coming week, as CDC guidelines for face coverings have changed.
Morristown Medical Center Emergency RoomHeather, RN at Morristown Medical Center Emergency RoomCedar Knolls Fire and First Aid SquadTeddy Musarra, WPHS Alum, for Care One WhippanyTom Quirk Sr, Office of Emergency ManagementLocal Physicians on Ridgedale AvenueSt. Clare’s Hospital, Denville