DUI Lawyers in Morris, NJ

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Milestone in Morris County

Morris County marked a major milestone this week with the official opening of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail, a 5.1-mile multi-use path constructed atop a former railroad and stretching from Pequannock Township to Wayne.

About 100 local officials, residents and partners responsible for constructing the trail gathered Thursday behind the Pequannock First Aid Squad to cut the ribbon on the scenic, accessible route that was three decades in the making.

View More Photos from the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Morris County Commissioners Tayfun Selen, Stephen Shaw and Douglas Cabana were joined by representatives from the Morris County Park Commission, Morris County Department of Public Works, Passaic County Board of County Commissioners and Pequannock Township to celebrate the completion of the trail. The new recreational path runs from River Drive in Pequannock to Mountain View Boulevard in Wayne, near NJ Transit’s Mountain View Station.

“This new trail provides a safe and scenic way to walk or bike to the train station -- cutting down on car traffic and helping everyone breathe a little easier. The 10-foot-wide paved path is fully accessible and has multiple entry points, allowing residents to step onto the trail right from their neighborhoods,” said Director Tayfun Selen.

Design and construction of the project -- formerly known as the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Bicycle and Pedestrian Shared Use Path after the rail line it repurposes -- was managed by the Morris County Department of Public Works. According to Morris County Engineer Christopher Vitz, the trail was the largest infrastructure project in his department’s history.

Construction began in 2022 and was funded by a $32 million federal grant administered by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

“I want to thank the NJTPA for securing the federal funding made this trail possible. This project is just one example of the many ways that we work together on everything from trails to safety and infrastructure investments. Another example is our shared vision for the Morris Canal Greenway, which we hope will one day stretch from the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, through Morris County, to the Hudson River in Jersey City,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, who also serves as secretary of the NJTPA.

“This project is a great example of how we work together across county lines and across party lines to advance regionally significant projects. This project not only connects folks to the Mountain View train station in Wayne, but also brings us one step closer to our vision for a much larger regional trail network,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, who has been a member of the NJTPA Board of Trustees since 2013.

Safety was also a top priority when designing and constructing the trail, which includes upgraded crossings with high-visibility signals, clear signage and tactile surfaces for visually impaired users. A landmark bridge spanning the Pompton River was among the final elements completed.

“One of the great benefits of the quality of life here in Morris County is our park system. This trail is nearly twice the length of the Traction Line in Morristown, and we hope it becomes just as popular for families and residents to enjoy,” said Commissioner Douglas Cabana, liaison to the Park Commission.

As a token of appreciation, Morris County Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer presented commemorative railroad spikes to key project contributors during the ceremony. The spikes, collected over several years and personally assembled by Morris County Park Commissioner Richard Seabury, were labeled with imprinted brass tags reading: “Pompton Valley Rail Trail, Dedicated May 29, 2025.”

The Pompton Valley Rail Trail is now the longest bike and pedestrian trail maintained by the Morris County Park Commission, adding 5.1 miles to more than 260 miles of county park trails and pathways. It also adds 57 acres to the Park Commission’s stewardship of land, bringing its total to over 20,600 acres -- the largest county park system in New Jersey.

“I believe this trail system will probably be our second busiest trail system next to the Loantaka Brook Reservation trail system in Morristown and Morris Township, which receives 850,000 visitors. That's a tough one to beat, but with this one I expect we'll see about 150 to 200,000 visitors this year alone,” said Helmer.

During the ceremony, Helmer thanked Sheriff James Gannon and Chief Jack Ambrose of the Sheriff’s Patrol Division, who were present, for their support in maintaining trail safety along with township first responders. Participating in the ceremony were Betty Cass-Schmidt, a Morris County Park Commissioner and Pequannock resident, along with Pequannock Township Mayor John Driesse and Councilmembers David Kohle and Melissa Florance-Lynch. Chris Williams, director of Community Engagement & Grants for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, was also present.

Special thanks were extended to numerous contributors, including the NJTPA, the New York & Susquehanna & Western Railroad, NV5 of Parsippany, New Prince Concrete Construction of Hackensack, French & Parrello Associates of Wall, the Norfolk Southern Railway, and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission for their roles in the project.

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Photo 1: Cutting the ribbon to officially open the trail are, from left, Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, who is also secretary of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, Morris County Commissioner and liaison to the Morris County Park Commission Doug Cabana, Pequannock Council members Melissa Florance-Lynch and David Kohle, Morris County Park Commissioner Betty Cass-Schmidt, Pequannock Mayor John Driesse, Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen, and Chris Vitz, Morris County Engineer and Director of the Department of Public Works.

Photo 2: Marty Lawrence of Wayne walks with his dog Olive on the Pompton Valley Rail Trail, already in use by runners, walkers, bicyclists and other dog walkers.

Photo 3: Commissioner Deputy Director Shaw speaking to the crowd of attendees.

A house in Chatham that sold for $3.7 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Morris County in the past week.

In total, 150 residential real estate sales were recorded in the county during the past week, with an average price of $957,385. The average price per square foot ended up at $339.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of May 19 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $1.6 million, single-family residence at 8 Rose Terrace

A sale has been finalized for the single-family residence at 8 Rose Terrace in Chatham. The price was $1,550,000 and the new owners took over the house in May. It was built in 1950 and the living area totals 2,748 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $564. The deal was finalized on May 7.

9. $1.7 million, single-family home at 3 Nesbitt Drive

The sale of the single-family house at 3 Nesbitt Drive, Mendham, has been finalized. The price was $1,720,000, and the house changed hands in May. The house was built in 1998 and has a living area of 4,484 square feet. The price per square foot was $384. The deal was finalized on May 8.

8. $1.8 million, single-family house at 3 Ascot Lane

The property at 3 Ascot Lane in Morristown has new owners. The price was $1,800,000. The single-family residence was built in 1989 and has a living area of 6,012 square feet. The price per square foot is $299. The deal was finalized on May 5.

7. $2 million, single-family house at 31 Girard Ave.

A 1,888-square-foot single-family home at 31 Girard Ave., Chatham, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in May and the total purchase price was $2,005,400, $1,062 per square foot. The house was built in 1961. The deal was finalized on May 6.

6. $2.2 million, single-family home at 16 Glenmere Drive

A 3,305-square-foot single-family residence at 16 Glenmere Drive in Chatham has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in May and the total purchase price was $2,150,000, $651 per square foot. The house was built in 1967. The deal was finalized on May 2.

5. $2.6 million, single-family residence at 6 Warwick Road

The property at 6 Warwick Road in Chatham has new owners. The price was $2,625,000. The house was built in 2006 and has a living area of 3,688 square feet. The price per square foot is $712. The deal was finalized on May 7.

4. $2.8 million, single-family residence at 7 Dale Drive

The sale of the single-family house at 7 Dale Drive in Chatham has been finalized. The price was $2,752,000, and the new owners took over the house in May. It was built in 1954 and has a living area of 4,054 square feet. The price per square foot was $679. The deal was finalized on May 5.

3. $2.8 million, single-family home at 17 Crestwood Drive

The property at 17 Crestwood Drive in Chatham has new owners. The price was $2,825,000. The single-family house was built in 2007 and has a living area of 4,533 square feet. The price per square foot is $623. The deal was finalized on May 8.

2. $3.5 million, single-family residence at 199 Howard Blvd.

The property at 199 Howard Blvd. in Mount Arlington has new owners. The price was $3,500,000. The single family residence has a living area of 9,952 square feet. The price per square foot is $352. The deal was finalized on May 2.

1. $3.7 million, single-family home at 11 Lincoln Circle

The sale of the detached house at 11 Lincoln Circle in Chatham has been finalized. The price was $3,650,000, and the new owners took over the house in May. It was built in 2014 and has a living area of 5,643 square feet. The price per square foot was $647. The deal was finalized on May 7.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

PENNSAUKEN – Rohan Tucker had a simple goal in the 200 meters at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. The Madison junior was in it to win it.

As Tucker came across the finish line, he “looked to my right and looked to my left and saw nobody there, and I was just happy.” He pumped his fists, releasing a lot of nervous energy.

Tucker's time of 21.18 seconds broke the Morris County record, and was also a school record and personal best. Tucker also finished 10th in the 100 meters in a PR 10.69.

Despite being the No. 1 seed in the 200, Tucker had been plagued with anxiety during the meet. He hadn’t performed up to his standard at the MOC last spring, but felt more focused on June 4.

“Everyone’s counting on me, and I can’t let them down,” said Tucker, whose older sister Ella had competed in the 200 and the 2022 MOC outdoors. “I need to start believing in myself more. It’s a bigger stage. That means bigger nerves.”

■ The Roxbury girls 4x800 finished fourth in a season-best 9:22.27. Morris Hills broke a 15-year-old school record (9:28.92) but wound up just off the podium in ninth.

Morris Knolls senior Olivia Capala was sixth in the 800 meters with a new PR of 2:09.92. Montville senior Alex Pelov was also sixth in the 800 (1:53.8).

Golden Eagles juniors Sean Wemmlinger (9:22.87) and Aaryan Pethe (9:26.88) were fifth and sixth in the 3,200.

■ Randolph junior Kennan Byers finished third in the 1,600 in 4:13, 50 seconds behind champion Hunter Celkupa of Colts Neck. Villa Walsh senior Maggie Boler, a Harding resident, was seventh in the 1,600 (4:57.95).

■ Morristown junior Kayla Ewing was fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (14.57).

■ Randolph junior Seannah Parsons was fifth in the triple jump (38-11).

Over the last few years, I've written about dozens of supposed mountain lion sightings in New Jersey.

These sightings have been reported from all parts of the state, although the majority of the sightings seem to come from the northern third of New Jersey.

Now comes a report I haven't heard about before: one family had two sightings - in two different places - in Morris County, New Jersey.

Father and daughter both report seeing a mountain lion in New Jersey

An eyewitness, we'll call her "J", claims that twenty years ago, both her daughter and her husband had sightings in the same week!

J says it all happened about twenty years ago. The first sighting was reported by her daughter, at the time an elementary school student at Littleton School in Parsippany. The child says she saw " a huge animal that looked like a cat she said in the woods just standing there observing all the kids nearby."

J says she showed her daughter pictures of several animals, and right away she told her that it was much bigger than a bobcat. When mom showed her a photo of a mountain lion, she confirmed that a mountain lion was what she saw.

J says just a few days later, her husband and his sister were driving in a car on Route 10 in Morris Plains, when they saw an animal cross their path. "My husband saw a HUGE feline crossing in front of him into the woods. "He and my sister in law confirmed that it really looked like a mountain lion, the same as what my daughter has stated."

Officially, New Jersey officials say there are no mountain lions in the state. If not, what did these three people see?

If you have had an encounter with a mountain lion in New Jersey, I'd love to hear from you. My email is joe.kelly@townsquaremedia.com.

READ MORE: More of our mountain lion stories can be found here.

WOW: 19 Exotic-Looking Animals Surprisingly Found in America

While some are native and others arrived by accident, there are animals living quite happily in the U.S. that will make you say, “No way!” From seriously big cats to the pinkest bird you’ve ever seen, here are some of the most exotic creatures calling America home.

A 5-1 loss to Delbarton in the Morris County final was a mental turning point for West Morris.

The team felt it was a tighter game than what the scoreboard indicated and the belief sank in that it could compete with the best of the best.

A hot stretch run carried into the state tournament and now West Morris sits two wins away from reaching a state final.

“Losing a county final game against one of the best teams, only losing by one earned run, it’s kind of a stab in the heart,” said Jake Novello. “But since then, we’ve just been rolling. So, (we need to) just keep doing what we’re doing. Nothing’s going to change.”

Novello was a major piece in another complete team effort on Tuesday with two hits and two RBIs that helped power fourth-seeded West Morris to a one-hit, 8-0 victory over top-seeded West Essex in the semifinal round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 Tournament in North Caldwell.

West Morris has won five of six games since that crushing loss to Delbarton on May 16.

“It’s a young group and they haven’t been phased by failure or lack of success or losses. It’s just been, ‘So what? Move on.’ Bad at-bat? So what? Move on. We lose a game, so what? Move on,” said West Morris head coach Tom Reindel.

“We talk about not being intimidated by Delbarton, but they’re on that pedestal in Morris County. For some reason, we don’t play our best against them. ... It’s almost like we just flushed it and moved on. I don’t think it affected them. I think they’re able to move on and just learn from it.”

The offense continued to click and has now averaged 5.7 runs over its last six games compared to 2.6 in the preceding stretch, when the team was struggling and dropped four of five.

West Morris’ discipline at the plate was a difference-maker on Tuesday, as the team drew 13 walks and had two batters hit on top of it.

The top of the order did its job.

Novello, Cooper North and Cole Wormann, who put an exclamation point on the win with a diving catch in left for the final out, reached base safely in 12 of a combined 15 plate appearances.

Novello drew two walks, singled and had a two-run double in the fifth to stretch the lead to 7-0. The last two games have been a much-needed boost of confidence for the senior. He hit .351 with 11 RBIs and 16 runs scored in his first 13 games but was just 4-for-26 going into the sectional quarterfinals against Rutherford. He’s 3-for-7 in the last two outings.

“I don’t even have any words for it,” he said. “Whenever us three are on, the whole team just decides to click together. I’ve had some pretty bad games recently, so this is just like a lift from everything else. I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to do it with.”

North brought in the second run of the game in the second with a bases-loaded walk after Liam Costello scored on an error. Wormann followed with a two-run single moments later. North then came home on a wild pitch.

The pitching took care of things from there.

Nick Rotundo got the start and with his team up 7-0 was able to come out after four innings and just 46 pitches, making him eligible for Thursday’s sectional final. He allowed just one hit and fanned six. Liam Costello threw 2 1/3 innings after that and Luke Jacobsen got the final two outs of the one-hit shutout.

Its the third time in the last five games the West Morris pitching staff has allowed two or fewer hits.

The last team standing in the way of West Morris’ second sectional championship is one of its biggest rivals less than 10 miles away.

Mendham, the No. 11 seed, edged 10th-seeded Bernards in its semifinal game on Monday and will be looking for its second win against West Morris after a 6-4 victory on April 28 and first sectional title since 2000.

“(We just have to) keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Novello. “Honestly, the goal is just to beat Mendham. It’s always the goal, no matter what sport.”

“It’s going to be a pretty cool atmosphere and a pretty cool experience for these guys,” added Reindel. “We know each other very well.”