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Bottle Hill Day Returns to Madison October 3, Marking Fifty-First Year

By
Frank Cahill
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MADISON — Bottle Hill Day, Madison’s signature annual street festival, will return on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., marking the event’s fifty-first year.

This year’s celebration will carry the theme “Celebrating America’s 250th.”

Founded in 1974 by Mayor Elizabeth Baumgartner to promote Madison’s business district, Bottle Hill Day takes its name from the village of “Bottle Hill,” established in Madison in 1715. The event has grown steadily since its founding and now draws between ten thousand and twenty thousand visitors to downtown Madison each fall.

The rain-or-shine festival spans more than six blocks following an expansion onto Kings Road several years ago. This year’s event will feature sidewalk sales, four stages of live music, three amusement areas, food vendors, and more than two hundred twenty-five vendors, including nonprofit organizations, crafters, and retail businesses.

Music will be a central focus of the day, with four stages positioned throughout the festival footprint offering family-friendly live performances beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the event. Organizers said the stages are intended to showcase the depth of musical and performing arts talent based in Madison, with local artists returning each year to perform for the community.

The Madison Chamber of Commerce and Madison Police Benevolent Association Number 92 will again host their annual Madison Car Show in conjunction with the festival.

Food options will include a Food Court on Cook Avenue, additional food vendors throughout the festival grounds, participating local restaurants, and a Food Truck Court on Kings Road.

The Bottle Hill Day Beer Garden, sponsored by the Downtown Development Commission, will return for its thirteenth year, located on Kings Road between Prospect Street and Maple Avenue, featuring a selection of draft beers, wine, and specialty items.

Family activities and rides will be provided by Seashore Amusements at Dodge Field, located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Kings Road.

A park-and-ride shuttle will be available for visitors, running in a continuous loop between the parking lot at the Madison Community Pool and the center of town from 9:15 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The following streets will be closed for the event: Waverly Place; Central Avenue from Main Street to Brittin Street; Kings Road from Prospect Street to Green Avenue; and Green Village Road from Main Street to Kings Road. Main Street will remain open to traffic throughout the day.

Parking will be available in the municipal lots at Waverly Green, Cook Avenue, and Elmer Street. Additional parking will be available in the Madison Junior School parking lots, accessible from Brittin Street behind the school, as well as in the Kings Road parking lot behind the Public Safety Building and the Prospect Street parking lot. Street parking will also be available where permitted.

Bottle Hill Day is free and open to the public. Vendor applications, food vendor health and fire department applications, and sponsorship packets are available through the Downtown Development Commission. For more information, contact the Downtown Development Commission by email at [email protected].

Event Information

VENDOR INFORMATION & APPLICATION HERE

FOOD VENDOR HEALTH & FIRE DEPT. APPLICATION

SPONSORSHIP PACKET HERE

Youssef Galal Awarded Presidential Scholarship at New York Institute of Technology

By
Frank Cahill
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New York Institute of Technology

EAST HANOVER — Youssef Galal has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship at New York Institute of Technology, the university’s highest scholarship awarded to incoming first-year students.

Galal was among more than one hundred ten students to receive the scholarship.

New York Institute of Technology’s six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and other professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; information technology and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability.

A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly eight thousand students worldwide. The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world.

More than one hundred twenty thousand alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals.

Safety Meets School Spirit in the Calais Gym

By
Frank Cahill
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New wall padding featuring The Calais School's Cougar mascot lines the gymnasium, part of a $30,000 safety and renovation project funded by The Calais Foundation.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — The Calais School, located at 45 Highland Avenue in Whippany, is a state-approved, private special education school serving students in kindergarten through grade twelve plus with multiple learning disabilities. The school has received a grant of thirty thousand dollars from The Calais Foundation to replace outdated wall padding in its gymnasium.

The project has significantly enhanced student safety while refreshing one of the school’s most visible and frequently used spaces. As one of the busiest areas in the school, the Calais gymnasium serves as a central gathering place for school assemblies, performances, graduations, lunch periods, community events, and other activities that bring together more than two hundred students and staff, along with families and guests throughout the year.

Replacing the aging wall padding provides an important safety upgrade by helping reduce the risk of injury during physical activities while creating a more welcoming and functional environment for the entire school community. The new acoustic-grade padding also helps absorb sound, reducing noise levels and creating a calmer, more inclusive space that supports focus, communication, and learning.

“This project reflects our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming environment where every student can thrive,” said Calais School Executive Director John Cohrs. “We were especially excited to unveil the new look at this year’s graduation, allowing families and the entire Calais community to celebrate this milestone in a space that reflects the great pride we have in our school.”

The custom-designed wall padding features The Calais School logo and Cougar mascot in the school’s signature maroon and white colors. Beyond its practical purpose, the updated design fosters a sense of school pride and belonging for every student.

Funding for the project was made possible through The Calais Foundation, whose ongoing support of The Calais School helps provide resources and opportunities that enrich the educational experience for students.

Sultan Almosbeh to Pursue Dual Master’s Degree at Stevens Institute of Technology

By
Frank Cahill
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Sultan Almosbeh

BOONTON TOWNSHIP — Sultan Almosbeh will pursue a dual degree Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering as an incoming graduate student at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken beginning this fall.

Almosbeh is a graduate of Mountain Lakes High School, where he earned his high school diploma in 2023 with a focus on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial studies and served as a two-time Track and Field captain, played three varsity sports, and participated in Investment Club, Entrepreneurship Club, and Key Club, in addition to tutoring peers in English and physics. He went on to study at Muhlenberg College for two years and five months, with a background in physics and mathematics, and is a member of the Brown University Pre-College team.

Almosbeh said his undergraduate coursework in electricity and magnetism sparked a deeper curiosity that drew him toward the field of electrical engineering. At the same time, he said he has long been drawn to the goal of owning his own business one day.

“Why not both?” Almosbeh said of his decision to pursue both degrees simultaneously.

Almosbeh said he is looking forward to earning both master’s degrees through an accelerated program while working alongside faculty at Stevens Institute of Technology, located in Hoboken.

Video: Tierras y Sabores

By
Frank Cahill
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DOVER — Tierras y Sabores in Dover brings the authentic flavors of Latin America to the community with a menu featuring traditional dishes, fresh ingredients, and homemade specialties. Known for its warm hospitality and vibrant atmosphere, the restaurant offers guests a welcoming dining experience that celebrates culture, family, and delicious cuisine every day.

Video: Freeway Tires

By
Frank Cahill
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DOVER — Freeway Tires provides dependable tire sales and professional automotive services to keep drivers safe on the road. From quality brand-name tires to tire repairs, balancing, rotations, and routine maintenance, the experienced team delivers honest service, competitive pricing, and reliable workmanship, helping customers maximize vehicle performance, safety, and tire longevity.

Governor Sherrill Announces New Website to Help Qualifying Families Easily Access Child Tax Credit

By
Frank Cahill
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Governor Mikie Sherrill

TRENTON — Governor Mikie Sherrill has announced the launch of SimpleFile, a free website designed to help thousands of lower-income New Jersey families quickly apply for the state’s refundable Child Tax Credit. New Jersey residents can learn more about the mobile-friendly website at SimpleFile.NJ.gov.

SimpleFile was developed through a partnership between the New Jersey Innovation Authority, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation, and Code for America to help lower-income families claim credits they qualify for but may miss out on if they are not required to file taxes. The tax filing website helps eligible families claim the Child Tax Credit within fifteen minutes. Eligible filers who had a child aged five or under in 2025 can apply in both English and Spanish.

“Helping more New Jersey families benefit from our state’s Child Tax Credit is one of the most direct ways we can make life more affordable, because every dollar matters for parents who need childcare, groceries, clothes, and other essentials,” said Governor Sherrill. “While the federal government strips free tax filing away from families across the country, New Jersey is doing the opposite. We fought to expand our state’s Child Tax Credit in this year’s budget, and children across New Jersey will benefit from that increase starting next year. SimpleFile makes sure families can access the credit they qualify for today and turns a budget win into real money in the hands of our families.”

“New Jersey families deserve a government that works as hard as they do,” said Lieutenant Governor Caldwell. “As a father, I know that every dollar and every hour matters when you are raising a family. SimpleFile is how we deliver on that promise, removing barriers between hardworking families and the support they have already earned.”

“Building a more affordable New Jersey goes hand in hand with creating a more accessible government that delivers services effectively,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “SimpleFile is one way we are delivering on those goals by offering eligible working families a faster, streamlined way to apply for and receive the state Child Tax Credit. As the cost of raising a family continues to climb, tools like SimpleFile help put relief within reach.”

Building on that commitment, the fiscal year 2027 budget expands the Child Tax Credit from up to $1,000 this year to up to $1,250 next year. With over 200,000 families already claiming the credit each year, SimpleFile is designed to reach the thousands more who qualify but have not filed.

SimpleFile is the latest in a series of actions by the Sherrill administration aimed at ensuring New Jersey’s children receive the support to which they are entitled. Just weeks earlier, Governor Sherrill delivered Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer benefits to more than 681,000 eligible children so no child goes hungry when school is out of session. SimpleFile extends that same commitment to the families who need it most.

Last year, the Trump administration announced plans to cancel the Internal Revenue Service’s Direct File program, a free service available to millions of Americans to file their taxes. Governor Sherrill had supported the creation of Direct File while serving in the House of Representatives. As Washington makes it harder for families to navigate tax season and claim the benefits they are owed, Governor Sherrill said she is increasing accessibility and making sure government delivers for all families, not just those who can afford a tax preparer.

“Navigating tax season can be overwhelming for many families. SimpleFile provides a clear, convenient way to apply for the Child Tax Credit, particularly for low-income residents not required to file taxes,” said State Treasurer Aaron Binder. “Our goal is for every eligible family to apply for and receive this vital benefit.”

“Governor Sherrill made a promise to New Jersey families, and SimpleFile is how we keep it,” said New Jersey Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. “We built this website with Code for America because too many families were leaving money on the table, not because they didn’t qualify, but because it was too hard to claim what was already theirs. We are committed to cutting through those barriers and building technology that meets people where they are. That is what delivering affordability actually looks like.”

“SimpleFile is a pathway to tax benefits that can transform eligible New Jerseyans’ lives. Code for America is proud to partner with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and the New Jersey Division of Taxation as the state works to support more of its families through an expanded Child Tax Credit,” said Code for America Chief Executive Officer Amanda Renteria. “This new tool is a continuation of Code for America’s longstanding commitment to making tax filing free and simple for households that can benefit most from state tax credits.”

“As a Community Action Agency, HOPES CAP, Incorporated, is excited to assist families with navigating the tool in all three counties the agency provides services in, which are Hudson, Union, and Somerset. Staff at HOPES CAP, Incorporated, will help qualifying families navigate the tool and educate families on the benefit,” said HOPES CAP Director of Community Programs Evelyn Mercado. “This is much needed, especially in today’s economic climate, as families are struggling to stay afloat.”

New Jersey residents can check their eligibility and apply for the tax credit at SimpleFile.NJ.gov.

Video: Jefferson Tax Revaluation Presentation

By
Frank Cahill
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0

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The presentation by Appraisal Systems, Inc. followed by resident questions/comments and answers.

Click here to the PowerPoint that Appraisal Systems used during the presentation. You can minimize the video and follow along with the PowerPoint.

Eleven Charged in Multi-Agency Investigation Targeting Illegal Smoke Shops Across Morris County

By
Frank Cahill
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0
M&S Convenience & Cigar, 707 Main Street, Boonton

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Randolph Police Department Chief Keith Donovan, Boonton Police Chief Chris Petonak, Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, Roxbury Police Chief Matthew Holland, Denville Police Chief Scott Welsch, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Richard Pantina announced that several defendants have been charged in connection with a multi-agency investigation targeting smoke shops in Boonton, Montville Township, Randolph Township, and Roxbury Township.

The investigation was conducted in furtherance of the New Jersey Attorney General’s initiative targeting smoke shops that sell illegal flavored vapes, intoxicating hemp products, and marijuana.

Agencies involved in the investigation included the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, the Randolph Township Police Department, the Boonton Police Department, the Montville Township Police Department, the Roxbury Police Department, the Denville Township Police Department, the Parsippany Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Morris County Weights and Measures, the Morris County Division of Health, and personnel from local municipal health departments.

Beginning in April 2026, investigators focused on four stores in Boonton, one store in Montville, two stores in Randolph Township, and four stores in Roxbury Township that were selling marijuana, intoxicating hemp products including tetrahydrocannabinol vapes, and illegally flavored vapes without a license or permit to operate as cannabis dispensaries.

On July 1, 2026, eleven search warrants were executed simultaneously at the businesses, as well as at a residence and a vehicle. The following items were seized as evidence:

  • 17,323 tobacco flavored vapes
  • 56,699 units of tetrahydrocannabinol vapes, approximately 125.5 pounds
  • 328 pounds of gummies and edibles
  • 16.5 pounds of marijuana
  • Approximately 100 canisters of nitrous oxide
  • $45,265.32 in currency

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed if appropriate.

The following individuals were charged in connection with the investigation:

Vape Waves Smoke Shop, 440 Main Road, Montville Township

Dhafer Ghaleb, owner, and Ali Alsaydi, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, and unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication.

True Blaze Smoke Shop/Wah Wah 2 Smoke Shop LLC, 504 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton

Firas Damra and Madhat Abunasser, owner, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. David Grzesiak, employee, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Green Lux Smoke Shop, Roxbury Township

Sandra Porras was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Green Lux Smoke Shop, 974 Tabor Road, Parsippany

Ashley Naranjo Belaczar, employee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

Crown Cigar & Smoke, 131 Hawkins Place, Boonton

Srinivasa Koppisetti, owner, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, and unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication.

Heritage Marketplace, 1272 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph Township

Goktan Ozdemir, manager, and Levent Unal, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

MK Mini Mart, 760 Route 46, Roxbury Township

Devinder Singh, owner, Amit Pundir, employee, and Dinesh Chander, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sweet Dreams, Roxbury Township

Anthony Castro, employee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

M&S Convenience & Cigar, 707 Main Street, Boonton

Mead Almontaser, owner, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin under one ounce.

Stardust Smoke Shop, 1206 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph Township

Jigarkumar Patel, Riya Patel, and Meet Patel, all part-owners, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin under one ounce.

Search warrants were also executed at Smoke & Deli in Boonton, which resulted in a written warning being issued for a first offense of offering for sale less than one ounce of marijuana. No charges were filed against that business.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said, “I acknowledge and thank all the agencies who participated in this investigation to disrupt and dismantle the illegal sale of marijuana, intoxicating hemp, and illegal flavored vapes from these businesses operating in our communities. The scale of the operation could not have been accomplished without the professional men and women involved, including detectives, assistant prosecutors, and civilians, who worked collaboratively to make this operation a success.”

Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, past president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “This operation represents months of coordinated work between county and municipal law enforcement, health officials, and prosecutors to address a problem that has been hiding in plain sight in our neighborhoods. Smoke shops that sell unlicensed marijuana, intoxicating hemp products, and illegally flavored vapes are not harmless corner stores — they are unregulated points of sale for products that our laws were specifically designed to control, whether because of their appeal to young people, their lack of any safety testing, or their connection to untaxed and unlicensed markets.”

Collingswood Police Chief Kevin Carey, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “The volume of contraband recovered on July 1 — tens of thousands of vape products, hundreds of pounds of edibles and marijuana, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash — makes clear that this was not a handful of isolated infractions. It was a pattern of businesses operating outside the licensing and public health framework that New Jersey has put in place for cannabis and hemp products, and profiting from it. I want to be clear that this is not the end of this work. Police chiefs across New Jersey will keep working with our municipal partners to identify and act on businesses that put profit ahead of the safety of our residents and children.”

The prosecution of the defendants will be handled by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan and Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Kelly.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Novartis Files Multiple WARN Notices Affecting East Hanover Workforce

By
Frank Cahill
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0
In one of the largest new industrial projects in Morris County Russo Development and Onyx Equities have purchased 62 acres at Route 10 and Ridgedale Avenue in East Hanover, from Novartis.

EAST HANOVER — Novartis has filed a series of Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices in 2026 affecting its East Hanover operations, with a combined total of 572 employees impacted across four separate filings.

According to state WARN notice records, the filings include:

  • A notice posted in March, with an effective period from June 26 to November 27, affecting 114 employees.
  • A notice posted in April, with an effective period from July 24 to November 20, affecting 60 employees.
  • A notice posted in May under Novartis Group, with an effective date of August 21, affecting 76 employees.
  • A notice posted in July under Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, with an effective date of October 2, affecting 322 employees.

The federal WARN Act generally requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days’ advance notice of plant closings and mass layoffs. New Jersey’s state WARN Act imposes additional requirements, including mandatory severance pay in certain circumstances.

The reasons behind the layoffs and whether the positions affected are being relocated, eliminated, or restructured were not detailed in the notices.

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Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

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