MORRIS COUNTY— Many dozens of county residents in need attended the annual Project Homeless Connect event today in Morristown, where they participated in the consumer-focused, one-stop event designed to provide an array of resources and support to those experiencing homelessness in our Morris County community.

Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo and Sheriff James M. Gannon offered words of welcome and support to the residents and the dozens of volunteers who gathered on a very rainy morning at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown.

They were joined by county residents Deana Moscatello and Anthony Justo, who offered powerful and moving, first-hand stories about their personal ordeals with homelessness.

“Homelessness in our county affects people from every walk of life. Most have multiple disabilities, including mental illness, substance use disorders or other chronic health conditions,’’ said Freeholder DeFillippo. “Homelessness affects our neighbors, our children, our veterans, and our families.

“That is why it is essential to provide this special day, today, when anyone struggling with homelessness can come and receive help and hope,’’ she added.

More than 40 community-based service providers participated in the event, providing resources free of charge to all who attended, including mental health information, substance abuse treatment, health screenings, housing information and veteran’s resources.

“Project Homeless Connect is a county-wide partnership designed to provide some of our community’s most adversely affected individuals with resources, referrals and support,” said Bob Davison, Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, the lead agency coordinating the event.

“It is important for people facing such basic challenges as not having a roof over your head or knowing where your next meal is going to come from to be welcomed and treated with dignity and respect,” he added.

Project Homeless Connect began in 2004, when the city of San Francisco organized a special day dedicated to providing necessary services to the homeless. The Morris County Project Homeless Connect event began in 2008 under the leadership of the Mental Health Association and typically serves about 200 people each year.

Agencies, through donations collected throughout the year, gave out clothing, coats, hygiene products, backpacks, gift cards, food and more. They also offered free medical services, including free flu shots and health screenings for homeless residents.

“We may not be able to provide each of our attendees with an immediate solution to their problems, but we can let them know that Morris County is a community with a myriad of available resources and compassionate service providers who are there to assist them, not just on Project Homeless Connect Day, but throughout the year,” Davison said.

PARSIPPANY — Breaking news: Route 80 Mile Marker 44.8 near Smith Field. Motor vehicle accident involving a Adirondack Trailways bus carrying 35 people. I-80 partially closed both directions.

Multi ejections| Driver Heavily entrapped| Requesting medevac|

One death, 2 critical and multiple injuries. Reports 35 people on bus. Reports of 18 people transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital. PAL is being used by emergency personnel

MORRIS COUNTY — In celebration of 11 years in business the Wellness Gala will host a free event on Sunday March 10, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Parsippany Sheraton Hotel, 199 Smith Road, Parsippany.

The Wellness Gala is hosting a free event to help demonstrate the benefits and effectiveness of holistic healing, health and healing modalities to the community. “We are offering this event as a free service to the public as a thank you for supporting the Wellness Gala for the past 11 years. The Wellness Gala, has been able to host over 500 events nationwide, with the generous support of the wellness community”, says Founder & CEO, Debbie Peterson. My hope is that the community will come out and support the numerous practitioners and learn about the various holistic modalities that are available to everyone.  This will be a memorable event that will not leave anyone disappointed.”

The event is free to all attendees and includes: Speaker sessions, Unlimited mini-sessions with experts in the fields of Health, Beauty, & Wellness, Hors d’oeuvres and Live Music!  Cash Bar Available.

Special guest appearance by Shira, NY Times renowned medium, pet communicator and author.

Due to limited space, organizers are asking that you RSVP by clicking here. For more information please call (973) 713-6811.

MORRIS COUNTY — Hi there! My name is Lambchop, but everyone calls me Lambie. I am 17 years young and a purebred Bichon Frise. I am soft and gentle like a Lamb, hence my name.

I am very sweet and loving. I will give you my heart and soul in exchange for a few pets. I never ask for much besides your affection. What more could a girl want?

I adore children and seniors, and everyone in between! I hate to brag but I am extremely well-behaved and a perfect companion! I am housebroken and walk great on a leash.

I am very laid back and easy going. My favorite hobbies include laying next to you on the couch and taking naps in my bed.

I can’t wait to find my forever home where I can live out the rest of my golden years!

If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.

BOONTON — The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco to help veterans obtain employment in the insurance industry.

The legislation (A1924) waives the initial insurance producer licensing fee for honorably discharged veterans who have passed the licensing exam. A producer is a person licensed to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance.

“Although the unemployment rate for veterans has recently declined, there are still too many struggling to find a job,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “The problem is that sometimes it is difficult to pay for training or licensure when you aren’t employed to begin with.”

The bill also allows the commissioner of Banking and Insurance to waive other fees for disabled vets.

“The insurance industry is a great place to begin a career,” continued Bucco. “It’s a sustainable industry. People will always need insurance. Exempting veterans from these fees can be the jump start they need to a promising career.”

PARSIPPANY — The wall surrounding Waterview Marketplace collapsed this morning due to the heavy rainfall.

Waterview Marketplace is located at the intersection of Route 46 and Waterview Boulevard, across the street from Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.

The right lane of Route 46 West at Waterview Blvd. is currently closed due to a partial collapse of the retaining wall adjacent to the roadway. We currently do not have a time frame on when the lane will reopen.

Parsippany Township Engineering personnel are currently on scene evaluating the situation.

According to RD Realty all stores are looking to open in the summer of 2019.

Whole Foods, Shake Shack, Ulta Beauty, Orangetheory, Homesense, The Paper Store, B.Good, DSW and MedFirst are tenants that signed leases in the new shopping plaza.

As details are released Parsippany Focus will update this article.

MORRIS COUNTY –The Morris County Vocational School District in partnership with County College of Morris (CCM) is offering two new Share Time programs, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, and Horticulture & Landscape Design, for Morris County high school students. These programs will provide students the opportunity to prepare for careers in these fields of study.

Culinary Arts & Hospitality is designed for students with an interest in the hospitality industry and in the preparation, cooking and presentation of food, usually in the form of meals. Students will learn through college-level work and hand-on activities. The courses will provide a solid foundation of knowledge for the Restaurant and Culinary industries and a good understanding of management principles that will lead to a more successful career. These studies may eventually take students into diverse fields such as hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, amusement parks, destination marketing, convention centers, country clubs, travel, tourism, event planning and other related industries that practice hospitality principles on a regular basis.

Horticulture & Landscape Design is a program for students interested in the green industry. This program has a strong foundation in plant and soil science partnered with rigorous hands-on training in landscape design, construction, maintenance and greenhouse production techniques. Students will complete projects using the greenhouses on CCM’s campus, the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop. Studies will prepare students for many opportunities for rewarding and high-paying careers, such as a Landscape Designer, Landscape Contractor, Greenhouse and Nursery Manager, Sports Field Manager, Golf Course Superintendent, among others.

“Utilizing cutting edge technologies, in state-of-the-art facilities at CCM, students will be prepared for careers in growing industries, said Shari Castelli, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at the Morris County Vocational School District.

Upon completion of the two-year program, students will earn over 30 credits from CCM and may also earn Certificates within the programs. Students may then enroll for CCM’s Associates Degree, pursue workforce placement or transfer with advanced standing to a four-year college or university.

“We’re delighted to offer Morris County high school students these fast-track programs to prepare them for careers in the rapidly expanding fields of Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Horticulture and Landscape Design,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, President of CCM..

Students in tenth grade may apply via online application by clicking here, click Share Time Programs. The application deadline is March 29.

Share Time programs are half-day sessions providing juniors and seniors in high school the opportunity to receive daily career and technical education training as part of their school program. Horticulture & Landscape Design is currently planned for the morning session and Culinary Arts & Hospitality will be during the afternoon session. Both programs will be held at CCM in Randolph.

For additional information, call the Morris County School of Technology at (973) 627-4600 ext. 277.

MORRIS COUNTY — Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP is happy to announce that they successfully represented two governmental employees in a hostile work environment/discrimination/retaliation lawsuit which settled under terms of confidentiality, for $1,750,000.00.

The claim involved allegations that a manager discriminated against the employees due to one employee’s immigration status and due to the other having children out of wedlock.  It was alleged that the employees were verbally abused over a three year period and ultimately retaliated against when they reported the abuse to upper management.

After extensive discovery including evidential hearings and the deposition of 12 past and current employees, the employer agreed to settle without any admission of liability and under the condition of anonymity and confidentiality.

If you or anyone you know has been the victim of a hostile work environment, discrimination, harassment, retaliation or wrongful termination, please contact Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP.

Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman has a Parsippany office located at 90 East Halsey Road and can be reached by calling (973) 585-6254.

Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.