TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced an agreement on legislation to raise New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. The agreement is the result of months of deliberative and thorough negotiations between the Governor’s Office, Senate, and General Assembly to institute a $15.00 per hour minimum wage, raising wages for over one million workers and promoting broad-based economic growth.
“We are taking a historic step to provide more than one million New Jersey workers a stronger foothold in the middle class,” said Governor Murphy. “No one working a full-time job should ever live in poverty. Putting the minimum wage on a clear and responsible path to $15.00 per hour is good for workers, good for our businesses, and good for our economy. A higher minimum wage strengthens all of New Jersey. I thank Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin for their commitment to this issue, and look forward to signing this legislation into law.”
Under the bill, the minimum wage for the vast majority of workers would increase to: $10.00 per hour in July; $11.00 per hour in 2020; $12.00 per hour in 2021; $13.00 per hour in 2022; $14.00 per hour in 2023 and $15.00 per hour in 2024.
BOONTON — Kiernan McCormick, a resident of Boonton, has been named to the Emerson College Dean’s List for the Fall 2018 semester. McCormick, who is majoring in Journalism, is a member of the class of 2022. The requirement to make Emerson’s Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theatre District, Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership in communication and the arts, a mission informed by liberal learning.
The College has 3,750 undergraduates and 750 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 80 student organizations and performance groups. Emerson is known for its study and internship programs in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., the Netherlands, London, China, and the Czech Republic.
A new, permanent facility on Sunset Boulevard for its L.A.-based program opened in January 2014. The College has an active network of 39,000 alumni who hold leadership positions in communication and the arts. For more information click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — While full-term classes have begun at County College of Morris (CCM) for the Spring Semester, there is still time to enroll in the college’s mini session courses.
A 13-Week spring session runs from February 8 through May 16. Classes being offered during this session include Biology, Business, Communications, Computer Information Systems, English, Mathematics, Nursing, Psychology and more.
A Late 7-Week session starts on March 18 and runs through May 4. Classes being offered during this session include Accounting, Biology, Business, English, Photography and more.
Also being offered are 2 Week sessions in English Skills Review. Mid Start 2 Week begins February 4 and runs through February 16. Late 2 Week runs from February 18 through March 2.
To see what classes are being offered during what days and time, and to register, click here.
Prior to registering for courses, students need to apply to the college. Applications can be submitted online by clicking here. The Admissions office also can be reached at admiss@ccm.edu or (973) 328-5100. Walk-ins, too, are welcomed. The Admissions office is located in the Student Community Center, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869.
With more than 45 Associate Degree programs, 150-plus transfer agreements and a wide range of certificate programs, CCM offers numerous opportunities to obtain a high-quality education designed to meet career goals.
Visit www.ccm.edu and discover how you can “Start Right … Finish Strong.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Project Homeless Connect, a daylong, consumer focused, one-stop event designed to provide an array of resources and support to those experiencing homelessness in our Morris County community, will be held on Thursday, January 24 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 70 Maple Avenue, in Morristown.
An Opening Ceremony is planned for 9:00 a.m. with doors opening at 10:00 a.m. The event runs until 2:00 p.m.
“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, which is 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.
Some 43 community-based service providers will participate in the upcoming Morris County event and provide resources free of charge to all who attend. Project Homeless Connect guests can obtain mental health information, substance abuse treatment, health screenings, housing information and veteran’s resources.
Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo
Agencies collected donations throughout the year and many goods will be given out at the event including clothing, coats, hygiene products, backpacks, gift cards, food and more. Other services will include free haircuts, skincare with Mary Kay and medical services including free flu shots and health screenings for homeless residents.
“We strongly support this program and also strongly back the efforts by our Human Services team, the Mental Health Association and other nonprofit agencies in Morris County to help county residents find appropriate housing,” said Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, who is the county governing board’s liaison on social services.
“It’s an especially important issue during this time of year, when some of our less-fortunate residents without homes spend bitterly cold nights at our Code Blue warming centers.”
This year Morris County also is launching Everyday Connect, a project that offers a way for services to come to those who need them throughout the year instead of just at one annual event. Service providers will be visiting the Dover and Morristown drop in centers, Edna’s Haven and Our Promise on a rotating basis throughout the year. This will allow homeless individuals to access services at locations they visit daily without an appointment, instead of having consumers seek out services.
A Point in Time Count also will take place during Project Homeless Connect. It is a street and shelter count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness within Morris County.
In 2018, NJCounts found 9,303 homeless men, women and children (300 in Morris County) in 6,982 households across New Jersey. This number increased by 771 persons, or nine percent, from 2017. Click here for the NJCounts 2018 reports and the Morris County report.
“This count is important to us because it helps us to know how many people are in need. Once we know the homeless population we can create programs to address their needs to lift them out of homelessness,” said Danielle Pera, who is director of the Mental Health Association’s PATH program, which provides direct outreach to homeless individuals.
“In the past, we’ve seen veterans, chronically homeless individuals with undiagnosed medical issues and even entire families take advantage of the resources available during the event. Homelessness is very real and can affect anyone so we hope to send that message and let them know help is available.”
“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.
To learn more about Project Homeless Connect, residents can contact Danielle Pera at (973) 334-3496.
MORRIS COUNTY — Auditions for MPAC’s 7th annual Spring Musical, Grease, will take place beginning February 10 at the Theatre.
MPAC is seeking musical talented and diverse performers ages 15-25 for Principle roles and Ensemble. Performers should be excellent actors who sing and dance.
Grease will be directed by MPAC Education Director Cathy Roy. Charles Santoro will serve as Musical Director. Performance dates are May 31-June 2. Tickets will go on sale in April.
Individuals interested in auditioning should prepare 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show. Musical Theatre, Pop or Rock and Roll songs are acceptable. Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key, hole punched, double sided and in a binder for the accompanist. All lyrics must be memorized. If you do not have sheet music, you can purchase music online at www.musicnotes.com or www.sheetmusicplus.com. ABSOLUTELY NO ACAPELLA SINGING. **If you have an audition book, please bring it in case you’re asked for another selection. If you have one, please bring a copy of your headshot/picture and resume.
MPAC Spring musicals present a unique opportunity for young performers to participate in a fully professional production in which they work with a professional crew and guest Equity artists. Previous MPAC Spring productions have included Shrek the Musical (2018), West Side Story (2017), Mary Poppins (2016), Les Miserables (2015), Hairspray (2014) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013).
For more information about the musical, auditions, roles and a show synopsis, click here.
Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kevin Rongo, IHOP Manager Mariella Mendiola and Assistant Chief John Downs
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — IHOP, located at 102 East Hanover Avenue, recently donated $1,000 to the Morris Plains Fire Department. IHOP also made a donation to the Cedar Knolls Fire Department.
Accepting the check from IHOP Manager Mariella Mendiola was Chief Kevin Rongo and Assistant Chief John Downs.
IHOP donated to the Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department and Cedar Knolls Fire Department for their quick in responding to a kitchen fire that occurred at the newly opened restaurant.
Owner Sobhy Abdelhady said “We wanted to show our appreciation to the volunteer fire department for the job they did in putting out our kitchen fire, and kept damage to a minimum. If it weren’t for their quick response, the damage could have been much worse. We are very thankful for our volunteers.”
A kitchen fire at the Cedar Knolls IHOP occurred on Friday, November 23. IHOP. Mutual Aid departments assisted with response and manpower.
There were no injuries and everyone was evacuated safely by restaurant management.
MADISON — Please join in the fun at the 18th annual Taste of Madison 2019, the festive food extravaganza at Brooklake Country Club, 139 Brookdale Road, Florham Park, that benefits several non-profit initiatives in Madison. This event will be held on Monday, March 18, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Click here for more information regarding tickets.
Chefs from the area’s finest restaurants will be serving samples of their best dishes. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, the event’s longtime presenting sponsor, will be providing samples of fine wine, beer and spirits. The Taste is a celebration of the best of Madison. For the enjoyment of its guests, the Taste includes a premium beer garden, a silent auction, a tricky tray event and a 50/50 raffle.
Ticket and volunteer sign-up sheets will be distributed at Club meetings starting in early February. Rotarians’ support and participation is a major key to the Taste of Madison’s continuing success.
The Taste is our Club’s second largest annual fundraiser. Taste revenue derives from corporate sponsorships, ticket sales and proceeds from the silent auction and the trick tray event. For information about Taste of Madison sponsorship opportunities, please contact David Morozoff at dmorozoff@havenbk.com.
Please consider donating products and services to the silent auction or to the tricky tray events. Weekend vacations, golf outings, spa visits and the like are in much demand. Please share your donations with Maureen Byrne, David Morozoff, Michael Odell or John Morris.
MORRIS COUNTY — Meet Brandi! Brandi unfortunately came into rescue when her dad’s dementia progressed and he could no longer care for her.
Brandi is an 8½-year-old Pug/Beagle mix (often referred to as a puggle). Her family describes her as very affectionate and that she gets along well with everyone. Her favorite activities include playing with her toys, having her belly rubbed, and snuggling up on the couch. Brandi knows basic commands, is potty-trained, and gets along well with other pets!
Brandi has diabetes which is well-controlled by just two insulin shots a day. This doesn’t slow her down one bit though! She loves going for walks around the neighborhood and running around in her backyard.
Brandi likes her special treats a lot and doesn’t like to give them away so it’d be best if she lived with children 16+. Other than her fondness of her bones and food, Brandi is a sweet, sweet girl who would make any house a home!
If you are interested in adopting Brandi, 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.
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today issued a Winter Weather Congestion Alert and are implementing the Department’s Business Day Protocol based on the forecast for expected snow and freezing rain overnight tonight and into the morning commute tomorrow, Friday, January 18, which may result in difficult driving conditions.
NJDOT will be deploying the necessary resources in advance of the storm and is coordinating its response with NJ Transit and the toll road authorities to ensure the best response for New Jerseyans.
In order for NJDOT and our regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow and ice, motorists need to Clear the Roads so We Can Clear the Roads.
The Department and our transportation and law enforcement partners are recommending motorists:
Avoid Unnecessary Travel during the storm
Consider Telecommuting, if possible
If you are driving, plan extra travel time
During the morning commute it may be best to leave later to give crews more time to clear roads and to spread traffic out over a longer period of time
If you are driving and road conditions deteriorate, PULL OFF somewhere safe and wait it out
Always STAY CLEAR of plowing and spreading trucks. If they are behind you, let them pass
DO NOT pass between trucks that are in a plow formation
Be patient and use caution
NJDOT will be using Variable Message Signs throughout the storm to provide updates. Once conditions improve, NJDOT will lift the Winter Weather Congestion Alert.
Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website by clicking here for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news and updates follow us on the NJDOT Facebook page or on Twitter @NJDOT_info.
PARSIPPANY — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill has postponed her town hall until Sunday, January 27, as Congress will be called back into session next week to address the government shutdown. The town hall will now be held at the Parsippany PAL, 33 Baldwin Road.
Please note that the town hall is still subject to additional changes if the shutdown remains in effect by the January 27.
UPDATED DETAILS: NJ-11 TOWN HALL
NEW DATE: Sunday, January 27th NEW TIME: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. NEW LOCATION: Parsippany PAL, 33 Baldwin Road, Parsippany
Chefs from the area’s finest restaurants will be serving samples of their best dishes. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, the event’s longtime presenting sponsor, will be providing samples of fine wine, beer and spirits. The Taste is a celebration of the best of Madison. For the enjoyment of its guests, the Taste includes a premium beer garden, a silent auction, a tricky tray event and a 50/50 raffle.
