Monday, July 20, 2026
Home Blog Page 6

Kiwanis Club of Randolph Freedom Festival Marks 50th Anniversary

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
No carnival is complete without a Ferris wheel. The Kiwanis Club of Randolph Annual Freedom Festival brings classic family fun to new heights.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Randolph Recreation Department, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Township, will close out the 50th Annual Freedom Festival with one final night on Saturday, July 11, at County College of Morris, Lot 1, 214 Center Grove Road.

On Friday night, BO’s Revolution had the crowd dancing and singing along as the band delivered an energetic tribute to the biggest hits of the 1980s during the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Annual Freedom Festival.

The event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, July 12.

The Sky Slide lights up the night as festivalgoers race to the bottom, adding another classic attraction to the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Annual Freedom Festival.

Now in its 50th year, the Freedom Festival remains one of Morris County’s most anticipated summer traditions, drawing families from across the region for multiple evenings of entertainment, food, and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, beer, and live entertainment, with something for all ages.

Live music on the festival’s closing night will be provided by DJ Nick & The Jerseytones. The weekend will culminate with a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m., marking both Independence Day and the festival’s 50-year legacy.


The Toon Town fun house delighted children and families with colorful cartoon characters, twists, turns, and plenty of laughs during the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Annual Freedom Festival.

Organizers said the event brings the community together while supporting local initiatives through Kiwanis, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities.

Residents are encouraged to come out for the final night of this golden anniversary celebration.

Kiwanis Club members manning the booths
Howard Gordon, Randolph Township Kiwanis Club, welcomed visitors throughout the festival, sharing information about the club’s mission of serving children and the community while helping make the Annual Freedom Festival a success.
Congressional candidate Joe Hathaway and a campaign volunteer greeted festivalgoers, handed out American flags, and spoke with attendees during the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Annual Freedom Festival.
Kiwanis member Kevin White with Governor of NJ District Kiwanis International Frank Cahill
Kevin Henderson of ReCoat Revolution of the NJ Highlands welcomed New Jersey District Kiwanis Governor Frank Cahill during the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Annual Freedom Festival.

Morristown Woman Charged With Robbery After Alleged Assault at Hanover Township QuickChek

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — A Morristown woman was arrested after police said she assaulted a QuickChek employee while attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise.

According to police, officers responded June 12 to the QuickChek at 2 South Jefferson Road in Hanover Township on a report of an irate customer who had assaulted an employee.

Police said employees reported that a woman attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise. When confronted, she allegedly became irate and threw a large cup of ice at an employee, causing a cut to the employee’s lip and a scratch to the face.

The suspect then left the store as a passenger in a vehicle, police said.

Investigators determined the suspect was a frequent customer and was wearing a shirt identifying her employer. Officers responded to her workplace but learned she had left work shortly after the incident.

Police identified the suspect as Amya Washington, 22, of Morristown. With assistance from the Morristown Police Department, officers responded to her residence, where she was arrested and transported to Hanover Township police headquarters.

Washington was charged with:

  • Strong-arm robbery
  • Unlawful possession of a weapon
  • Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose

She was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

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.

Rockaway Man Charged with DWI, Drug Possession After Route 46 Stop

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Rockaway man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled dangerous substance following a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 East on Wednesday, July 8, according to the Denville Police Department.

Officers conducted the stop at approximately 9:23 p.m. after observing multiple violations. During the stop, the driver was identified as Ronald S. Brooks, 56, of Rockaway. Officers determined that Brooks was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and placed him under arrest, transporting him to Denville Police Headquarters for processing.

Following processing, Brooks was issued the following motor vehicle summonses:

  • Driving an unregistered vehicle
  • Failure to possess a driver’s insurance card
  • Driving after license suspension
  • Operation of a motor vehicle while in possession of narcotics
  • Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor or drugs
  • Reckless driving
  • Careless driving
  • Failure to give proper signal

Brooks was also charged criminally with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and faces a mandatory court appearance at Morris County Superior Court.

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

Flanders Man Charged with DWI After Failing to Proceed Through Green Light

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Flanders man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after a Denville police unit observed his vehicle failing to proceed through a green light early Thursday, July 9, according to the Denville Police Department.

At approximately 1:43 a.m., after a full light cycle had passed, a patrol officer made contact with the driver, later identified as Gilberto Castillo, 49, of Flanders, and asked him to exit the vehicle. During the investigation, Castillo displayed signs of intoxication and was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor or drugs.

Castillo was transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing and released on his own recognizance pending a future court appearance in Denville Township Municipal Court. Before his release, he was issued the following motor vehicle summonses:

  • Operating under the influence of liquor or drugs
  • Careless driving, likely to endanger person or property
  • Delaying traffic
  • Reckless driving

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

Massachusetts Man Arrested by FBI in Connection with Boonton, New Hampshire Bank Robberies

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
The suspect was described as a male who concealed his identity by wearing a ski mask, sunglasses, and gloves. He was armed with a handgun and entered the bank demanding money before fleeing with approximately $12,000 in cash.

BOONTON — A Townsend, Massachusetts, man was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with two armed bank robberies, including one at a Chase Bank in Boonton, as part of a federal initiative targeting violent crime.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Concord, New Hampshire, Joseph Sawyer robbed St. Mary’s Bank at 4 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Friday, June 12, and the Chase Bank at 530 Myrtle Avenue in Boonton on Saturday, June 27. During both robberies, the complaint alleges Sawyer brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun and ordered those inside the banks to get on the ground and surrender their cell phones.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Summer Heat 2.0, an FBI initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. Sawyer was arrested by the FBI Albany Division’s SWAT team after the FBI’s Boston Division developed information indicating he may be in upstate New York.

The FBI credited the Nashua Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the New York State Police, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI New Jersey for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.

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

Formerly of Whippany, Man Arrested on No-Bail Warrant at Black Brook Park

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Patrol Officer Carlos Najera arrested Donald Rolandelli, 36, formerly of Whippany, on Friday, June 12, on an active National Crime Information Center no-bail warrant issued by the Morris County Superior Court.

According to police, Patrol Officer Najera was on patrol when he observed Rolandelli at Black Brook Park and stopped to check on his well-being. Rolandelli was uncooperative, and a records check revealed he was wanted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Rolandelli was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was then lodged in the Morris County Jail pending a court date.

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

Irvington Woman Charged with Shoplifting from ShopRite

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
Hanover

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Detective Erick Magley charged Dhanae Williams, 19, of Irvington, with shoplifting on Monday, June 1, after she allegedly walked out of Shoprite on two occasions in April without paying for $512.94 worth of merchandise.

According to police, loss prevention personnel notified Detective Magley of the incidents and provided a photograph of the unknown female suspect. Detective Magley began an investigation and positively identified the woman as Williams, who was employed at another business within the same complex.

Detective Magley attempted to arrest Williams, but she had since been terminated from her employer. He prepared a complaint summons and mailed it to her residence along with a court date.

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

Florham Park’s Celine Ramos-Rodriguez Named to Georgia Tech Dean’s List

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
Celine Ramos-Rodriguez of Florham Park has been named to the spring 2026 Dean's List at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

FLORHAM PARK — Celine Ramos-Rodriguez of Florham Park has been named to the spring 2026 Dean’s List at the Georgia Institute of Technology, an honor awarded to undergraduate students who earn a 3.0 grade point average or higher for the semester.

Ramos-Rodriguez was valedictorian of Hanover Park High School’s Class of 2024. She was recognized at a banquet hosted by the Morris County Association of School Administrators, along with that year’s salutatorian, Thomas Callanan.

Established as a leading public research university, Georgia Tech offers degrees in business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences, along with professional development and K-12 programs. The Institute enrolls more than 56,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries, studying at its main Atlanta campus, at instructional sites worldwide, and through distance and online learning.

As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech conducts more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society, serving as an economic development engine for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation.

For more information, visit gatech.edu.

New Jersey Highlands Coalition Presents Solo Exhibition of Paintings by George Chiavelli

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
George Chiavelli stands beside one of his paintings featured in "Reflections," his debut solo exhibition on view at the historic Maxfield Engine House in Boonton through August 1.

BOONTON — The New Jersey Highlands Coalition is presenting “Reflections,” a solo exhibition of paintings by Hopatcong resident George Chiavelli, at the historic Maxfield Engine House, 713 Main Street, through August 1.

The exhibit, Chiavelli’s debut solo show, traces seven years of his artistic development, moving away from a traditional retrospective format to reveal an evolving dialogue between the artist, his materials, and his process.

“The title carries more than one meaning,” Chiavelli said. “There is the act of looking back personally, watching ideas grow, shift, and sharpen over years of making. And there is the reflection that happens in the studio every day, the ongoing dialogue between paint, canvas, and self. Some works in the show take that idea further, becoming reflections of themselves, the process turning back on its own image.”

Chiavelli will host a free Artist Talk on Saturday, July 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., facilitated by local architect Eric Bieber, offering insight into his artistic process and the ideas behind the exhibition.

The exhibit is free and open to the public, with visiting hours posted at highlandsart.org. Exhibited works are for sale, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the forests, water, and wildlife of the Highlands region for future generations. The organization says the region supplies clean drinking water to 6.2 million New Jersey residents.

A free closing reception will be held Saturday, August 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Michele Reilly Named Morris County’s New Clerk of the Board

By
Frank Cahill
-
0
Michele Reilly

MORRIS COUNTY — Michele Reilly has joined Morris County as the new Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of longtime Clerk of the Board Debra Lynch.

Reilly officially joined Morris County on May 19 and assumed the role of clerk of the board on July 1.

She brings 18 years of municipal government experience, including nearly a decade as Jefferson Township clerk, where she served as secretary to the governing body and managed statutory responsibilities including maintaining official records, administering elections, overseeing public notices, processing Open Public Records Act requests, and handling municipal licensing.

Reilly is a Registered Municipal Clerk and Certified Municipal Registrar.

1...567...688Page 6 of 688

RECENT POSTS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

ABOUT US

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.

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© 2024 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.

Translate »