Gary Darden, associate professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University, will teach "Dawn of a World Power: The U.S. from the Spanish-American War to the Interwar Crisis" as part of the Friends of the Madison Public Library's fall minicourse series.
MADISON — The Friends of the Madison Public Library are again offering minicourses for the fall semester, giving residents the chance to take five-week, in-person classes taught by area college faculty.
The courses will be held in the Chase Room of the library, 39 Keep Street, and are open to the public.
The first course, “Dawn of a World Power: The U.S. from the Spanish-American War to the Interwar Crisis,” will be taught by Gary Darden, associate professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University. The course examines U.S. global expansion through military intervention and economic activity in the years between the Spanish-American War and the end of World War I, along with the resurgence of isolationism in the 1930s.
Classes will be held Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on September 10, 17 and 24 (there will be no class October 1), and October 8 and 15.
The second course, “U.S. Foreign Policy,” will be taught by Phil Mundo, professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Drew University. The course will review U.S. foreign policy from the nation’s founding to the present, focusing on key events and turning points and examining competing explanations of U.S. actions.
The purple flags symbolize the Angels we loved and lost to an overdose in Morris County
MORRIS PLAINS — Morris County will hold its seventh annual Overdose Awareness Day ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 31, outside the Human Services Complex at One Medical Drive in Morris Plains.
Families who have lost loved ones to overdose or fentanyl poisoning are invited to arrive at 9:30 a.m. to view memorial name banners. The program will feature county and state officials, guest speakers, service providers and nonprofit partners. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs.
Overdose Awareness Day is recognized internationally every August 31 to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding the opioid crisis, including fentanyl-related overdoses. The Morris County event is organized by the Morris County Division of Community and Behavioral Health Services in collaboration with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and its Hope One mobile services unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and community partners.
State Senator Anthony Bucco sponsored legislation, signed by then-Governor Phil Murphy, designating August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey. The Morris County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution recognizing the observance.
The annual ceremony honors people who were lost to overdoses, recognizes the impact those deaths have on families and communities, and highlights the resources available to support prevention, treatment and recovery.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
JEFFERSON — A Jefferson Township man was charged with driving while intoxicated after police arrested him at Jefferson Market on Tuesday afternoon.
Robert B. Goldsworthy, 69, was arrested at 1:03 p.m. on August 18, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department. Police said Goldsworthy was taken into custody at the scene without a warrant.
Goldsworthy was charged with the following:
Driving while intoxicated
Operating a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device
Reckless driving
Possessing an open container of alcohol or unsealed cannabis in a motor vehicle
The case was investigated by Officer Jarred Schulz of the Jefferson Township Police Department.
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.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
JEFFERSON — A Newton man was charged with driving while intoxicated after police said he crashed his vehicle into a utility pole on Weldon Road early Sunday morning.
Alexander T. Kays, 36, of Newton, was arrested at 1:26 a.m. on August 16, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department. Police said Kays was driving north on Weldon Road near Pascoe Road when he fell asleep, causing his 2021 Jeep station wagon to veer off the roadway and strike a utility pole guide wire.
Investigating officers determined Kays was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, according to police. A breath test recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent.
Kays was charged with the following:
Driving while intoxicated
Reckless driving
Failure to maintain a lane
The vehicle was towed from the scene by Sars Auto Towing. No injuries were reported.
The case was investigated by Officer Shane Cadigan of the Jefferson Township Police Department.
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.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A 55-year-old man was arrested early Saturday, August 15, after being stopped on Route 15 North, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department.
Edgarsant Portillo, a building supervisor at River Bend Recovery, was taken into custody around 2:51 a.m. following the traffic stop, police said.
Portillo was charged with the following offenses:
Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50)
Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
Traffic on Marked Lanes (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88)
A court appearance is required on the driving while intoxicated and reckless driving charges, scheduled for Thursday, September 3, at 1:00 p.m. in Jefferson Township Municipal Court. The traffic on marked lanes charge carries a penalty of $186, payable by Saturday, August 29, according to court documents.
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.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Township of Denville will hold a lien sale of properties for non-payment of taxes, assessments and other municipal charges, according to a public notice issued by Tax Collector Susan Pfeil.
The sale will be held via online auction on Thursday, October 8, or at such later time and place to which it may be adjourned. Several parcels of land on which taxes and other municipal charges remain unpaid for 2025 and prior years will be exposed for lien sale, subject to New Jersey statute. The properties will be sold subject to redemption at the lowest rate of interest, but in no case will the rate exceed 18 percent per year. Payment for liens purchased must be made by cash, money order, certified check or wire transfer prior to the conclusion of the sale.
Industrial properties may be subject to the Spill Compensation and Control Act, the Water Pollution Control Act and the Industrial Site Recovery Act. In addition, the municipality is precluded from issuing a tax sale certificate to any prospective purchaser who is or may be in any way connected to the prior owner or operator of the site.
In compliance with Chapter 75 of the Public Laws, delinquent interest must be paid for a property to be removed from tax sale. Property owners are asked to call the tax office for additional charges before remitting payment.
The online auction website will open Tuesday, September 8, and close Thursday, October 8, at denville.newjerseytaxsale.com. Information can be viewed on the website free of charge. Additional documents are available on the township’s website at denvillenj.gov.
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.
MORRIS COUNTY — A 21-year-old Manhattan man was arrested after officers say he inappropriately grabbed a juvenile female before fleeing the area.
Denville Police responded to a report at approximately 4:20 p.m. Friday involving a juvenile female who was allegedly grabbed inappropriately by an adult male who then fled the area. Shortly after the initial 9-1-1 call, responding officers located and apprehended the suspect on Broadway as he attempted to leave the area in an Uber. Following a brief investigation, the suspect was identified as Ronald Hidary.
Hidary was placed under arrest and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing. He was charged with:
Criminal Sexual Contact, Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1))
Hidary was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he will remain lodged pending a future court appearance in Morris County Superior Court.
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.
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A 30-year-old woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop on Route 15 South, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department.
Michelle C. Dilapi was stopped by Police Officer Liam Shernce at approximately 4:05 p.m. Thursday, July 9. She was taken into custody and transported for processing.
Dilapi was charged with the following offenses:
Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50)
Failure to Maintain Lane (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88)
Open Container of Alcohol or Unsealed Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-51b)
Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
Dilapi is scheduled to appear in Jefferson Township Municipal Court.
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.
MADISON — The Madison Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to purchase yellow mums to decorate their storefronts this fall.
In addition to beautifying Madison’s downtown each fall, the Garden Club of Madison holds a merchant mum sale that helps fund the hanging baskets that line borough streets in spring and summer and the seasonal plantings at the Waverly clocktower.
A 12-inch pot of yellow mums, supplied by local merchant J&M, costs $28.00 and can be ordered and paid for online by clicking here.
Orders must be completed by Friday, September 18, and will be delivered Tuesday, September 22, in time for Bottle Hill Day.
Aadhira Venugopal, 9, of Parsippany, competes at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she defended her national titles with a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures, a bronze medal in Primary A Girls Loops, and a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures/Loops Combined.
FLORHAM PARK — Ten skaters from the Florham Park Figure Skating Club competed at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships, held in Lincoln, Nebraska. Seven skaters earned a combined 14 medals, with two athletes qualifying for Team USA.
Lydia Castelblanco, 18, of Chatham, captured the Senior Ladies Figures national title in her 10th and final U.S. Nationals appearance. The victory secured her fourth consecutive Team USA qualification, which she has deferred as she prepares to begin college.
Over her career, which began more than a decade ago, Castelblanco earned 22 national placements across figures, loops and free skating. She also placed in the top 10 in all three of her appearances at the World Skate World Figure Cup and has competed internationally in Germany, Italy, Argentina, China and Colombia.
In addition to her gold medal, Castelblanco received the USA Roller Sports Elmer Ringeisen Sportsmanship Award, recognizing exemplary character, humility and respect in competition. She served as club team captain for four seasons and was co-captain of Team USA at the World Figure Cup in Buenos Aires.
Iris Acuña Salazar, 14, of Newark, earned a silver medal in Cadet Ladies Figures qualifying for Team USA for the first time. She will compete at the World Skate World Figure Cup in Lynwood, Illinois, this September. Acuña Salazar went on to earn three additional silver medals in figures, loops and combined events, finishing the championships with four total medals. During Nationals, she also succeeded Castelblanco as club team captain.
Aadhira Venugopal, 9, of Parsippany, defended her national titles from the previous year by earning a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures, a bronze medal in Primary A Girls Loops, and a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures/Loops Combined.
Shrinidhi Bingi, 12, of Parsippany, competes at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned a silver medal in Elementary A Girls Figures and was also a finalist in the Elementary B Girls Free Skating event.
Also in the Primary A division, Samhita Aniruddh, 7, of Livingston, earned a silver medal in Primary A Girls Figures. Adya Poddar, 10, of Morris Plains, earned a silver medal in Juvenile A Girls Figures and a bronze medal in Juvenile B Girls Loops. Shrinidhi Bingi, 12, of Parsippany, earned a silver medal in Elementary A Girls Figures and was also a finalist in the Elementary B Girls Free Skating event.
Srinika Janardhanan, 10, of Randolph, earned her first national title placing first in Juvenile B Girls Figures. She also placed third in the Juvenile B Girls Figures/Loops Combined event.
Samhita Aniruddh, 7, of Livingston, competes at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned a silver medal in Primary A Girls Figures.
All of the athletes represent the Florham Park Figure Skating Club, based at the Florham Park Roller Rink, which has operated continuously since 1937. Skaters train under coach Scott Bartell in figures and loops. Also coaching at the club is current Team USA member Courtney Kennedy and former club competitor and 2021 Team USA member Gillian Muldoon.
Bartell, a lifelong resident of Hanover Township, has coached at Florham Park Roller Rink for nearly 30 years and currently serves as head coach and director of competitive skating at the rink. Since 2023, he has served annually as Team USA coach for USA Roller Sports at the World Figure Cup and also serves as chairman of the board of directors for USA Roller Sports.
Roller figure skating demands that skaters combine precision, strength and artistry into a single performance. Figure skating requires tracing accuracy, body control and concentration, as each skater retraces a series of figure patterns on a set of circles painted on the skating surface. Free skating requires creativity, technical agility and virtuosity, blending jumps, spins and footwork with music.
Several Olympic figure skaters began their careers in roller skating, including 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski and 2010 Olympian Caydee Denney, both of whom competed at national roller skating events early in their careers.
