Morris to be Lauded for Drug Takeback Initiative

'MedReturn' units allow prescription drug disposal at police departments.

Thanks to county law enforcement, there's now a permanent option for those who need to safely dispose of prescription drugs. The Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris will thank Morris County law enforcement for giving citizens a safe and secure place to dispose unwanted or expired prescription drugs with a luncheon at noon Friday at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Pharmacy in Florham Park. There are now 16 "MedReturn" stand-alone units around the county into which expired or unused meds can be dropped. The units are firmly fixed to a secure surface in a police station, where they are monitored 24/7 and are checked regularly, with the items collected then properly destroyed. For further information about the event, …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Slingshot-Firing Morris Man Gets Probation for Shooting at Cars

Lawrence Ball, a former county worker, must submit to mental health treatment.

A former Morris County employee will be on probation for five years after he used a slingshot to fire at passing cars. Lawrence Ball, 55, of Randolph was sentenced Friday to five years probation by Judge Robert J. Gilson. Ball, a 19-year Morris employee, had pleaded guilty March 12 to third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (a BB gun) and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (a slingshot). Ball was arrested on Sept. 13, 2010, after authorities reported he had been firing the weapons at passing cars, acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said in a release. The Randolph man will have to submit to mental health treatment as a condition of his probation. Ball also must forfeit public employment, any weapons …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Nearly $1M in Road Improvements Coming to Morris County

Assemblywoman DeCroce announces funding for five projects.

Municipalities in Morris County will share just under $1 million in state grants for road improvement projects, according to District 26 Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce.  The projects receiving state funding range from a $250,000 Interpace Parkway improvment project in Parsippany to $140,000 road resurfacing project for Carey Avenue in Butler. “I am extremely pleased that we were able to secure this funding through the state Department of Transportation to upgrade the infrastructure in [these] district  communities,” said DeCroce. “The state funding is critical to help offset the costs of road and bridge improvements for local taxpayers.”     MORRIS COUNTY DISBURSEMENTS Municipality Project Type Amount Total Butler Borough Carey Ave …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Morris Pays Tribute to 'Forgotten' Crime Victims (VIDEO)

County kicks off National Crime Victims Rights Week.

Residents and officials gathered in Morristown Monday to pay tribute to crime victims, just one week after the Boston Marathon bombings. “As we can just see from last week’s tragedy in Boston, we have to keep ever vigilant to ensure the protection of our citizens and maintain the rights of victims in the justice process,” acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp told a crowd of 50. “The victims are often the forgotten people in the criminal justice system," he said at a dedication for National Crime Victims' Rights week. Keynote speaker Richard Pompelio, an attorney with the New Jersey Crime Victims' Law Center, said the legal system has long shown "disinterest" in the victims of crimes. "Somewhere along the way, the system began to …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (7)
• Videos (5)

Morris Residents Recycled 32K Tons of Trash in 2012

ReCommunity releases annual sustainability report.

ReCommunity, Morris County’s recycling partner, announced Monday—Earth Day—the overall impact of local recycling efforts for 2012.  “Earth Day marks a perfect opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to forward-thinking communities like Morris County,” said James Devlin, ReCommunity CEO, “and to celebrate the community’s recycling efforts which helped create more jobs and a better future.”  County residents produced 32,227 tons of recyclable materials at the group's Morris facility in 2012. Within all those tons were found the following facts: What’s contained in 32,227 tons of recyclable material in Morris County? What’s the economic impact of recovering 32,227 tons of recyclable materials? Additional environmental impacts of …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

5 Cars

5 Cars: Sunshine on My Shoulders

For many, the best part of spring and summer is riding in a convertible with the top down.

Is there anything better than driving along the highways and byways on a gorgeous, warm day with the car's top down and your hair flying in the breeze—or, if you are follicle-challenged, with the wind caressing your scalp as you motor? We think not. Convertibles come in a variety of forms, from compact sports roadsters to large four- and five-seat cabriolets. According to Convertible Car Magazine, the industry is expected to make a big resurgence in 2013. With an improving economy, it appears car makers are showing confidence by presenting a host of new cars. So we figure this is a great time to look at what's available in Morris County in the way of new (and one used) stylish, breezy rides. Listings and photos come from Cars.com, …

• Photos (5)

Crime Victims' Rights Week Will be Recognized in Morris County

Prosecutor's office to recognize professionals who assist crime victims Monday.

Morris County will be recognizing National Crime Victim's Rights Week next week beginning with a special ceremony on Monday. The ceremony, according to an announcement by Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp, will be held at noon in front of the County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown. County professionals who assist crime victims and advocate on their behalf will be honored. "Thirty years ago, crime victims did not have rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing," Knapp's office said in a press release. "…

• Photos (1)

Morris County OEM Encourages Vigilance in Reporting Suspicious Activity

In wake of Boston Marathon explosions, county reminds residents 'if you see something, say something.'

Following Monday's Boston Marathon explosions that left dozens injured at the finish line of the famous annual race, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management issued a statement on their Facebook page. "We have received a number of calls from citizens concerning the explosion at the Boston Marathon," the county OEM said. "We are encouraging everyone to be vigilant and follow the 'if you see something, say something' philosophy." The county also advised that the state has a terrorism tip line staffed by trained employees.  "We have been in touch with our emergency response community and we will continue to monitor this tragic event," the county office said. "Our continued prayers are with the victims and their families." To reach the…

• Photos (1)

Federal Loan Deadline Looms For Hurricane Sandy Victims

Small Business Association has already approved more than a half billion dollars for home and business owners

An April 1 deadline is approaching for New Jersey home and business owners seeking federal aid for damages wrought by Hurricane Sandy last year. The Small Business Association has already approved 9,562 disaster loans worth $631 million to Hurricane Sandy victims, they said Wednesday. Of that total, 8,754 loans for $548 million went to homeowners and renters, while business owners have received 808 loans for $83 million, according to an official with the SBA.  In Morris County $3.17 million was approved for 73 home loans and nine business loans. The federal government late last year offered low-interest loans to owners of homes and small businesses in Morris County for damage or other losses related to Hurricane Sandy—up to $200,000 to …

• Photos (1)