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Denville Motor Vehicle Crash Involving Bicyclist

By
Frank Cahill
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File Photo

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating a reported motor vehicle crash between a pick-up truck and a bicyclist that occurred on Old Boonton Road near Bush Road in Denville, on Thursday, July 17, at approximately 10:30 a.m. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash.  

This incident is an active ongoing investigation. Further information may be disseminated regarding this case when appropriate; however, no additional information is available for release at this time.

This investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the Denville Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.  

Schenck, Price, Smith & King LLP Is Pleased To Welcome New Associate To Firm

By
Frank Cahill
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Thomas R. Lahey Joins Schenck, Price, Smith & King as Associate Attorney

FLORHAM PARK – Schenck, Price, Smith & King LLP is pleased to announce that Thomas R. Lahey has joined the firm as an Associate. The firm is continuing its unprecedented growth.

Thomas focuses his practice on Elder and Special Needs Law, Estate and Trust Litigation, and Estate, Gift & Charitable Planning. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself exclusively to estate and tax planning, estate administration, trust and estate litigation, and elder law.

Thomas counsels individuals and families in crafting customized estate plans that align with their financial objectives and personal values. His work spans advanced estate and trust tax strategies, special needs planning, elder law solutions, and the administration of estates and trusts. Beyond planning, Thomas represents clients in a range of litigation matters, including fiduciary disputes, contested probate cases, guardianships, and fiduciary accounting proceedings.

According to John E. Ursin, Managing Partner of Schenck Price, “Thomas is an exceptionally bright and motivated attorney. His level of experience and expertise is certainly quite advanced for an attorney his age. He is very community-oriented and has strong networking ties to Bergen County.  We are fortunate to have him join us and are looking forward to his future growth here at SPSK.”

For more information about the firm, please don’t hesitate to contact Deborah Cmielewski, Esq., Partner and Chair of the Marketing and Business Development Committee, at [email protected] or 973-540-7327.

Thomas R. Lahey is an Associate in Schenck Price’s Elder and Special Needs Law, Estate and Trust Litigation and Estate, Gift & Charitable Planning Practice Groups, where his practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, estate administration, and trust and estate litigation.

Thomas advises individuals and families on developing comprehensive estate plans tailored to meet their unique financial and personal goals. His work includes sophisticated estate and trust tax planning, estate and trust administration, special needs planning, and elder law strategies. In addition to his planning work, Thomas is actively involved in litigation matters, representing clients in fiduciary disputes, contested probate proceedings, guardianship litigation, and fiduciary accounting actions.

Thomas is frequently appointed by the court in New Jersey to serve in fiduciary and advocacy roles. These include appointments as counsel and Guardian ad Litem for alleged incapacitated persons or minors, temporary or substitute fiduciary in contested estate actions, and Special Fiscal Agent in corporate litigation involving closely held businesses.

He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), both nationally and in the New Jersey chapter, the Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council, and the Trusts & Estates and Elder Law sections of both the New Jersey and New York State Bar Associations. Thomas is also active in the Bergen County and Morris County Bar Associations and is currently serving as a pupil in the Morris Pashman Inn of Court for the 2024–2026 term.

Before joining Schenck Price, Thomas practiced in the trusts and estates department of a prominent law firm in the New York area. He previously served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable James J. DeLuca, J.S.C. (Ret.) and completed internships with the Honorable Menelaos W. Toskos,   P.J. Ch. (Ret.)  and the Honorable Vincent F. Papalia, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge.

Thomas earned dual B.A. degrees in International Relations and Philosophy from The Catholic University of America and received his J.D., cum laude, from Rutgers Law School (Newark). While in law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Rutgers University Business Law Review and was a Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.

ABOUT SCHENCK, PRICE, SMITH & KING: 

Schenck, Price, Smith & King is a full-service law firm with offices in Northern New Jersey and Manhattan, serving closely held, growing companies. For more than 110 years, Schenck Price has represented commercial businesses, individuals, public institutions, and charitable organizations with excellence and integrity. We are proud that, in addition to their expertise and experience as legal practitioners, our attorneys have served in positions of leadership in public institutions, as well as community and charitable organizations.

Founded in 1912 as a two-person law firm in Morristown, Schenck Price has entered its second century of service as a firm of over 80 attorneys, serving virtually all the legal needs of businesses and individuals. The firm’s long history of legal excellence in the areas of healthcare, education, construction, trust and estate planning, corporate law, real estate, insurance defense, banking, and commercial litigation has expanded as the Firm has grown. Our areas of practice also include telecommunications, technology, environmental law, corporate governance, labor and employment law, and family law. Many of our attorneys have been recognized as leaders in their respective fields of practice.

Mayor Dodd to Address Local Entrepreneurs at Meet & Greet

By
Frank Cahill
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Mayor James Dodd

DOVER — Mayor James P. Dodd and the Dover Town Council are inviting local business owners, entrepreneurs, and residents to attend the second “Business Meet & Greet,” a community event focused on the revitalization of downtown Dover.

The event will take place on Tuesday, August 6, at 6:00 p.m. at El Patron, located at 142 East Blackwell Street. Admission is free.

Hosted in collaboration with the Dover Business Development Group, this gathering aims to foster partnerships, encourage business growth, and promote ongoing efforts to revitalize Dover’s business district. The event offers a unique opportunity for the community to engage directly with town leadership, share ideas, and network with fellow business stakeholders.

A key highlight of the evening will be a presentation by Natalie Pineiro, Executive Director of Downtown New Jersey, who will discuss strategies and resources available through the Downtown Improvement District program.

Mayor Dodd emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, stating, “This event reflects our administration’s ongoing commitment to rebuilding a thriving, vibrant downtown for all of Dover. We want our business community to be part of the journey every step of the way.”

For more information or to register, visit www.dover.nj.us or call (973) 366-2200, ext. 2116.

JCP&L and FirstEnergy Corp. Foundation Award Grant to Support County College of Morris College Promise Program

By
Frank Cahill
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DOVER — Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), through the FirstEnergy Corp. Foundation, has awarded a grant to the College Promise program at County College of Morris (CCM). This initiative is designed to help students prepare for college and pursue a brighter future through academic and community support.

The College Promise program currently supports 90 students from Dover High School and 58 students from Morristown High School, providing them with critical resources to succeed both in college and in service to their communities.

“We’re proud to support an initiative that empowers local students and strengthens the future of our communities,” said representatives from JCP&L and FirstEnergy. “These students are not only excelling academically, but they’re also learning the value of giving back.”

The grant highlights FirstEnergy’s ongoing commitment to education and workforce development across New Jersey.

Judge Dismisses Gonzalez Counterclaim, Delivering Another Blow to Dover Gadfly’s Legal Effort

By
Frank Cahill
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Richard “Rico” Gonzalez, the former Dover police officer currently at the center of a legal dispute with the Town of Dover over alleged violations of a 2015 non-disparagement agreement.

MORRIS COUNTY  — The legal dispute between the Town of Dover and former police officer Richard Gonzalez took another turn this week, as Superior Court Judge Noah Franzblau granted the Town’s motion to dismiss Gonzalez’s counterclaim under the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA).

The decision follows earlier rulings in which the court declined to dissolve the restraints it imposed on Gonzalez based on a 2015 settlement agreement. That agreement included a non-disparagement provision, which Dover alleges Gonzalez violated through a series of social media posts about town officials, including Mayor Jim Dodd.

In the July 18 decision, Judge Franzblau reaffirmed that UPEPA does not apply to the case. He found that Gonzalez had accepted $175,000 in consideration for his agreement not to disparage the Town or its officials, and that the Town’s lawsuit seeks only to enforce that contract. The judge again noted that Gonzalez remains free to engage in political discourse, but must honor the specific terms of the settlement he signed.

The hearing also marked the first in-person appearance by Richard Flaum, counsel for Gonzalez. Although Flaum had signed prior briefs, he had not previously appeared in court. During oral argument, Flaum spent much of his time challenging the judge’s prior rulings. His approach was similar in tone to that of his co-counsel Lisa Fittipaldi, who appeared on Gonzalez’s behalf at the April 4 hearing.

The Town of Dover is represented by Jonathan F. Cohen of Plosia Cohen LLC, who argued that Gonzalez’s counterclaim under UPEPA had no legal basis and that enforcement of a bargained-for settlement agreement does not implicate First Amendment protections.

With the counterclaim now dismissed with prejudice, Dover may pursue the return of the $175,000 settlement payment as part of its breach of contract claims, which may proceed to discovery and potentially result in a trial.

Free Lead Testing Event to Be Held at Morris County Library

By
Frank Cahill
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Residents are invited to bring household items like toys, cookware, and antiques to the Morris County Library on Saturday, July 19, for free on-site lead testing using an XRF Lead Detector.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Division of Public Health, in partnership with the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA), is hosting a free community lead testing event on Saturday, July 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Morris County Library, located at 30 East Hanover Avenue in Whippany.

Residents are encouraged to bring household consumer items such as toys, spices, mugs, dishes, cookware, clothing, and antiques to be tested for lead. Items will be scanned using an XRF Lead Detector, with results available in just a few minutes. Attendees will also have the option to safely discard lead-contaminated items on site.

The event aims to raise awareness about the dangers of lead exposure—particularly in children—and to promote safer home environments. Removing lead-contaminated objects is a key step in preventing lead poisoning, which can cause serious health issues.

This public service is offered at no cost, and no appointment is necessary. For more information, residents can call the Morris County Division of Public Health at (973) 631-5484

Upcoming Big Night Out Honors Local First Responders and Their Families with Music, Dance, and Comedy for a Great Cause

By
Frank Cahill
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Community Rallies for Injured Firefighter Jim Danus at “Big Night of Thanks” Event

HANOVER — Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher and the 200 Club of Morris County proudly invite you to the “Big Night of Thanks” hosted by All Seasons Golf & Social Club of Cedar Knolls on Friday, July 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This gala evening of headline entertainment is fun with a purpose!

“We can never repay the sacrifices made by our local first responders and their families, “says Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher. “However, we can and must honor them. The 200  Club of Morris County, a non-profit organization that provides support to first responders and their families, is hosting The Big Night of Thanks with us. Our focus for the evening is to support Whippany firefighter Jim Donus, who was injured in the line of duty.”

There is no admission fee for the event, but attendees are asked to consider a $20.00 donation in support of Jim Donus’ recovery. Whippany firefighters will be on hand to collect the donations.

Headline entertainment features dance, music, and comedy.

Be prepared for an evening of entertainment with something to please everyone! Whippany’s Sharon School of Dance kicks off the evening with performances by Miss Tammy and her students. Sharon’s School of Dance is celebrating its 50th year in 2025, and the Big Night of Thanks is an appropriate showcase for the school’s talented teachers and students.

Imagine the combination of a former New Jersey gubernatorial candidate, a formidable lawyer and a stand up comic. Put them together and the result is Senator Jon Brammick, the funniest lawyer in New Jersey! You’ve seen the billboards, now see him at his comic best!

Live musical entertainment will be provided by some of the area’s top musicians, also known as “1 Adam 12” for this special evening! The band members include:

         Joe Bilotti (guitar and vocals)

         Michael Cifelli (keyboards)

         Carolyn Dempsey (vocals)

         Dan Gallagher (guitar, vocals)

         Thomas “Ace” Gallagher  (drums)

         Mike Panicello (vocals)

         Mike Stanzillis (bass)

The All Season Golf & Social Club is located at 235 Ridgedale Avenue in Cedar Knolls. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment begins at 7 p.m.

Here’s the perfect opportunity to thank those who sacrifice so much and enjoy first-class entertainment as well.

Three Charged Following Altercation at Red Carpet Inn in Hanover Township

By
Frank Cahill
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Red Carpet Inn, 1255 Route 10, Cedar Knolls

HANOVER — On June 2, 2025, Hanover Township Police Officers Daniel Foesel, Carlos Najera, and Michael Kaiser responded to a reported altercation at the Red Carpet Inn. Following an investigation, officers determined that a physical fight had occurred involving multiple individuals.

As a result:

  • Alejandra Caceres Ruiz, 30, of the Red Carpet Inn, was charged with disorderly conduct.
  • Erlin Hernandez-Gomez, 34, also of the Red Carpet Inn, was charged with disorderly conduct and assault.
  • Robert Rawza, 40, of Morristown, was charged with disorderly conduct.

All individuals were released with a pending court date.

Morristown Man Charged with DUI Following Crash in Denville

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

DENVILLE — A Morristown man is facing multiple motor vehicle charges after police responded to a crash on East Main Street near Estling Lake Road, the Denville Police Department reported.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 11, when officers were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle crash. During the investigation, police identified one of the drivers as 41-year-old Manuel N. Callechimborazo of Morristown.

While interacting with Callechimborazo, officers observed several signs of impairment. He was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing.

Callechimborazo was charged with the following offenses:

  • Driving Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs (39:4-50)
  • Careless Driving (39:4-97)
  • Consent to Take Breath Samples (39:4-50.2)
  • Refusal to Submit to Chemical Testing (39:4-50.4A)
  • Following Too Closely (39:4-89)
  • Careless Driving with Property Damage (39:4-97A)
  • Reckless Driving (39:4-96)

He was later released pending a future court date.

Editor’s Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: 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.

Roxbury Man Arrested in Denville for Hindering Apprehension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

DENVILLE — A routine traffic stop on Indian Road led to the arrest of a Roxbury man on multiple charges, according to a release issued by the Denville Police Department.

On Saturday, July 12, officers initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing that the driver and front-seat passenger were not wearing their seatbelts properly. During the stop, the passenger allegedly provided a false identity to officers.

After a brief investigation, the passenger was identified as Eduardo M. Vallejo, a 37-year-old resident of Roxbury. Vallejo was arrested and charged with hindering apprehension and possession of drug paraphernalia. A search conducted incident to arrest revealed drug paraphernalia in his possession.

Vallejo was also found to have active warrants from both the Morris County Sheriff’s Office (NCIC) and Roxbury Municipal Court (ATS).

He was transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing and issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to wear a seat belt. Following processing, Vallejo was turned over to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Editor’s Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: 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.

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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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