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Monday, feb 17
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Rockaway Township, NJ
News
Former NJ Firefighter Kills Wife, Takes Own Life In Mt. Pocono Murder-Suicide: Police
A New Jersey native killed his wife before taking his own life days before Christmas in Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania, police announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Craig Zigarelli, 54, a former Rockaway Township, NJ, volunteer firefighter, fatally stabbed Joann Alberti, 47, inside their home on Brookville Terrace before turning a gun on himself, according to a Pocono Mountain Regional Police investigation and a Monroe County Coroner’s ruling. Officers discovered the couple’s bodies on Dec. 23, 2024, at 1:54 p.m., after being dispatched for a welfare check. A concerned family member had reported…
Police & Fire
Wrong-Way DUI Driver Kills PA Man On Route 80: Police, Court Records
A 31-year-old Pennsylvania man was killed by a wrong-way intoxicated driver on Route 80 early Sunday, Feb. 2, authorities said. Victor Peters, 45, of Parsippany was heading east in the westbound lanes of Route 80 in a Mercedes SUV in Rockaway Township when he struck a Ford pickup truck driven by Destinn McKnight around 2:20 a.m., according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan. McKnight died while Peters was seriously injured, Marchan said. Records show Peters has been charged with a slew of motor vehicle offenses including DUI, reckless driving, careless driving, wrong way…
Police & Fire
'Be Better Dude:' Fed-Up NJ Resident Calls Out Smoker Amid NJ Wildfires
As wildfires continue to rage in Morris County, patience is wearing thin. A Morris County wildfire that residents say was caused by fireworks set off on Halloween night had spread to nearly 140 acres last week as the state continues to be hit with a drought of more than a month. The wildfire occurred at The Craigmeur Lookout near Notch Road in Rockaway Township. Several farms in the area had to to evacuate their animals for the second time this month, following the Microwave Wildfire last month. One Redditor had enough, in the thread "To the guy in the white Acura…
Police & Fire
140-Acre Wildfire Possibly Sparked By Halloween Fireworks Continues To Rage In Morris County
A Morris County wildfire that residents say may have been caused by fireworks set off on Halloween night had spread to nearly 140 acres as of Friday, Nov. 1. The Craigmeur Lookout near Notch Road in Rockaway Township had been 30% contained as of 8 p.m. Friday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. Residents were asked to avoid the area, the NJFFS said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wyckoff Fire Department (@wyckoff_fire_department) The blaze threatened 13 structures and eight structures on Green Pond Road were evac…
Police & Fire
Woman Airlifted In Route 80 Crash:
Njsp
A woman had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital after a crash on Route 80, the early morning of Monday, Oct. 28, state police said. At 2:56 a.m., a Madza SUV was traveling westbound on Route 80 in Rockaway Township when it entered the right shoulder and crashed into the back of an unoccupied truck, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. The driver, a 28-year-old Kenvil woman, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said.
Police & Fire
Three Boys Alert Morris County Firefighters To Two-Alarm Blaze: FD
Some quick thinking young men alerted firefighters to what became a two-alarm fire in Morris County on Friday, Oct. 25, authorities said. At 3:10 p.m., firefighters were alerted to a fire in the White Meadow Lake section of Rockaway Township by three boys, the Rockaway Township Fire Department said. Firefighters confirmed a second fire and swiftly upgraded it to a second alarm, requesting additional units to assist with fighting the blaze, fire authorities said The fire was knocked down around 5 p.m., firefighters said. Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit was requested and assisted with sa…
Police & Fire
Photos: Firefighters Battle 77-Acre Forest Fire In Morris County
Firefighters are working to contain a 77-acre wildfire in Morris County this weekend. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said that 30% of the fire along Jacobs Road in Rockaway Township had been contained as of Sunday morning, Oct. 20. The fire threatened 30 structures but none of them were evacuated. A helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water dropped 15 loads of water on the fire Saturday, Oct. 19, the NJFFS said. The cause remains under investigation. Multiple fire departments shared stunning photos of firefighting efforts. 10-19-2024. Mutual Aid. Brush Fire Rockawa…
Traffic
Two Tractor Trailers, Two Cars Collide On Route 80 (
Update
)
A crash involving two tractor-trailers and two passenger vehicles closed a portion of Route 80 early Wednesday, Aug. 21, police said. Troopers responded to the crash in the eastbound lanes at milepost 37.6 in Rockaway Township around 8:15 a.m., Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. Minor injuries were reported and the crash remains under investigation.
Police & Fire
Truck Overturns In Three-Vehicle Crash:
Njsp
Two trucks and a car collided in a three-car crash on Thursday, April 11 on Route 80 in Morris County, causing one of the trucks to overturn, authorities said. At 1:58 p.m., a Freightliner tractor-trailer, a Subaru passenger vehicle and an Isuzu box truck were traveling westbound on Route 80 in Rockaway Township when they collided, causing the Isuzu to overturn, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. The driver of the Subaru sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said.
Police & Fire
Passenger Killed, Driver Seriously Injured In Route 80 Crash (
Update
)
A 65-year-old passenger was killed and a driver seriously injured in an early morning crash on Route 80 on Tuesday, Nov. 21, state police confirmed. A Hyundai passenger vehicle and Ford van were heading westbound when the Hyundai attempted a lane change and struck the Ford near milepost 34.4 in Rockaway Township around 6:50 a.m., NJSP Trooper Troy McNair told Daily Voice. The Hyundai passenger, Maxima Arcibal, of Dover, was killed in the crash, while the driver was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The Ford driver suffered minor injuries, McNair added. The …
News
Heroes
: Rockaway Township Officers Rescue 5 Residents Trapped In Burning Home
Police in Rockaway Township immediately rescued five local residents as their home went up in flames earlier this month, preventing what officials are saying would’ve been a “horrific demise.” The heroic rescue went down on the morning of Sunday, May 1. Officer David McAndrew was on his way to begin a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. patrol shift when he saw a home up in flames on Mount Hope Avenue. “Without hesitation, he stopped his vehicle and forced open the front door to help four trapped residents flee the burning home,” reads a post from the township’s Facebook account. Meanwhile, a second group …
Sports
Youth Baseball Coach, Sub Teacher Sexually Assaulted Teen Player In Morris County: Authorities
A 27-year-old substitute teacher and baseball coach is accused of having a sexual relationship with a teen boy on his team for months, authorities in Morris County said. Joseph Derose Jr., of Rockaway Township, who is a substitute teacher at Catherine A. Dwyer Elementary School, began a relationship with the 16-year-old boy in May 2021, and continued through January 2022, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said. Derose was the boy's baseball coach for various recreational and school-related teams during the specified time period, authorities said. The alleged assaults took plac…
News
Feds: Hudson Grammar School Teacher From Morris Indicted On Child Porn Trafficking Charges
A longtime Hudson County grammar school teacher from Morris County shared child porn images with undercover investigators who found hundreds more on his cellphone, federal authorities charged. Anselmo Girimonte, 52, of Wharton, has remained in federal custody since being arrested by special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security HSI's New Jersey Division last March. A grand jury in U.S. District Court in Newark subsequently returned an indictment that contains more specifics, authorities revealed on Saturday, Jan. 14. Over the course of three weeks beginning in late 2021, Girim…
News
North Jersey Drug Ring Leader Gets 6½ Years In Federal Prison For 55 Pounds Of Coke, More
UPDATE: A man caught with more than 44 pounds of cocaine and $322,000 in cash in his home must spend the next 6½ years in federal prison -- without parole -- for his role in running a major North Jersey drug ring. Victor Pimentel, 46, of Parsippany, was the last of three men to be sentenced in the case. He and the other two -- Narcisco Ramirez of Passaic and Kiuny Perez of Rockaway Township -- took deals from the government rather than face trial after authorities seized a combined 55 pounds of cocaine and more than $700,000 in drug cash. All three must serve out just about all of their se…
Obituaries
Beloved North Jersey Dad Dies Suddenly, 40
North Jersey native and beloved father John Marshall Godley died suddenly on Sunday, March 13 at age 40. Born in Dover, Godley grew up in Rockaway Township and moved to Lake Hopatcong during his second year of high school, his obituary says. Godley then went on to graduate from Sussex Community College before pursuing his paralegal certification, his memorial says. He also had an interest in history, Marvel films, and fine metalwork. Godley was remembered for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, generosity, and overall kind and caring soul. “He was the type of guy who would give you the sh…
Police & Fire
Man Seriously Hurt After Being Struck By Pickup Truck While Crossing Rt. 80, State Police Say
A 49-year-old man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after he was struck by a pickup truck while attempting to cross Route 80 Saturday night, state police said. Michael Gachko, of Summit, had parked his vehicle on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes before entering the highway and crossing over to the westbound lanes, where he was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck near milepost 36.6 in Rockaway Township just before 9:50 p.m., NJSP Trooper Brandi Slota told DailyVoice.com. Gachko was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries, Slota said. Meanwhile, the high…
Police & Fire
Update
: Missing 13-Year-Old Morris County Girl Found In Virginia
A 13-year-old Morris County girl missing since Monday was safely located in Virginia, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Deris Avila-Ulloa, who also goes by the nicknames Sofia and Daisy, was last seen at her Rockaway Township home around 8 p.m. Monday, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland. As of Wednesday, Avila-Ulloa was found in Virginia, and plans are underway for her to return to New Jersey, authorities said. The circumstances surrounding Avila-Ulloa’s disappearance remain …
Police & Fire
Alert Issued For Missing 13-Year-Old Morris County Girl
UPDATE: Avila-Ulloa was located safely in Virginia, authorities confirmed Wednesday. ----------------------------------------- Police are searching for a missing 13-year-old girl from Morris County. Deris Avila-Ulloa, who also goes by the nicknames Sofia and Daisy, was last seen at her Rockaway Township home around 8 p.m. on Nov. 22, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland. She weighs approximately 100 pounds, stands at 5' 5" tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, authoritie…
News
Twister Touchdown Confirmed In NJ
The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in New Jersey on Wednesday. The EF-0 twister wreaked havoc in Rockaway Township (Morris County). Storm survey team has confirmed an EF-0 tornado occurred last night in Rockaway Township, NJ (Morris County). More details should be be released on Friday. #njwx — NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 19, 2021 More information was expected to be released Friday. Meanwhile, two tornados were confirmed in Pennsylvania. Have footage? Email clevine@dailyvoice.com Photo provided by Ray Leichner Bucks Co. News Feed.
Police & Fire
Busted
: 4 Charged; Handgun, $8K Cash Recovered In Scheme To Mail Cocaine Kilo In Morris County
Four people have been charged in a scheme involving the alleged distribution of cocaine to Morris County residents through the US Postal Service, authorities said. Two half-kilo cocaine packages were intercepted United States Postal Inspection Service, who determined that the drug was being sent to residences in Jefferson and Rockaway Townships, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker said in a release Friday. A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Raymond D. Rosario, 38, Anthony J. Cavallone, 25, Rebecca R. Keir, 25, all of Lake Hopa…
Police & Fire
State Police: 3 Hospitalized After Mercedes Van Strikes SUV On Route 80 In Morris County
Three occupants of an SUV were hospitalized after being struck by a Mercedes van on Route 80 in Morris County Monday night, state police said. The driver of a Toyota 4Runner was backing up in the right lane of Rt. 80 westbound when the vehicle was struck by a Mercedes van, causing the SUV to overturn near milepost 35 in Rockaway Township just after 9:30 p.m., NJSP Sgt. Philip Curry told Daily Voice. Three Toyota occupants were taken to Morristown Medical Center with injuries considered non-life-threatening, Curry said. The Mercedes driver was uninjured in the crash, which remains under inv…
Obituaries
Morris County Native, Truck Driver Daniel Merz Dies, 31
Morris County native and truck driver Daniel J. Merz died May 31 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville. He was 31. Merz was born in Dover and lived in Rockaway Township for 11 years, his obituary says. Merz worked as a truck driver for MXI Environmental for 13 years and enjoyed photography and fishing in his free time, according to his memorial. Merz is survived by his mother, Liz Vastola; his step-father Gerard Vastola; two siblings: Kassie and Nick Merz; his grandmother, "Nan" Carolyn Merz; his father, Dan McErlean; and many extended family members. Merz’s visitation will be hel…
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Morris County Man, 21, Threatened Victims With Handgun Twice
A 21-year-old Wharton man was arrested for threatening multiple people with a handgun across Morris County, authorities announced Sunday. Steven Retana was arrested in Morris Township Saturday and charged with terroristic threats and weapon-related offenses stemming from incidents on May 10 and 21, Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said. The initial investigation started following a tip that Retana threatened and pointed a handgun at someone in Dover on or around May 10, the prosecutor said alongside other county and local officials. Then, authorities launched a separate investigati…
Obituaries
Morris County Father, Landscaper Ryan Koroly Dies Suddenly At 30
Morris County father and landscaper Ryan J. Koroly died suddenly at home on May 9. He was 30. Born in Dover, Koroly grew up in the Mt. Hope section of Rockaway Township, his obituary says. Koroly worked as a landscaper for a variety of different businesses, according to his memorial. Koroly is survived by his daughter, Vanessa; his parents, John and Teresa; his brothers, Nick and Guy Robert Raffa; his grandmother, Ann Carper; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members. Koroly’s visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bermingham Funeral Home on Main St…
Police & Fire
Morris County Man Busted In Mercedes ID Swap Scheme, Police Say After Tip From Repair Techs
A Morris County man police say was involved in a Mercedes ID number swap scheme was arrested after a tip from local repair technicians. Nicolas Bedoya Ramirez, 20, dropped off a vehicle for repair at Mavis Tire on Route 46 in Rockaway Township, local police said Saturday. Technicians contacted officers after the parts they ordered based on the vehicle’s VIN did not fit, police said. Police found that the car’s VIN had been switched with a VIN from a similar but older model vehicle, they said. The car’s real VIN was found to be a 2017 Mercedes Benz GLS450 reported stolen from Avis Rentals…
Police & Fire
Police: Morris County Man Who Attempted To Steal Idling Car Crashes On Route 80, Flees
A Morris County man attempting to steal a running car from a local parking lot later crashed on Rt. 80 and fled from police, authorities said. Blaise Wiget, 32, entered and drove away in a vehicle that had been left idling in the parking lot of a business in Franklin on Feb. 6, borough police said. Wiget, of Succasunna, later crashed on Route 80 east in Rockaway Township and ran from the scene, authorities said. A follow-up investigation linked Wiget to the crash and found that he had stolen the car, police said. Wiget was charged Feb. 9 with numerous offenses related to vehicle theft, na…
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Morris County Man, 29, Harassed Woman, Followed Her Home And Watched Her Change
A Morris County man is facing charges for stalking and invasion of privacy after he was accused of harassing a woman, following her home and looking into her bedroom window while she changed clothes on several occasions, authorities said. Luis Rodriguez-Ponce, 29, allegedly stalked a woman he knew as an acquaintance, harassing her, following her home and looking into her bedroom window while she changed numerous times between Dec. 1 and Jan. 9, Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said in a joint release with Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations Christoph Ki…
Police & Fire
Seen
HER? Alert Issued For Morris County Girl, 13, Missing Since Last Week
Authorities are asking for the public's help in locating a missing Morris County girl. Deris M. “Daisy” Avila-Ulloa, 13, was last seen at her Rockaway Township home on Dec. 21 around 11 p.m., Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said in a joint release with Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland. Avila-Ulloa is 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 90 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes, Carroll said. She was last seen wearing a red shirt, black sweatpants, and white/black shoe…
News
Covid-
19: Morris County Elementary School Goes Remote
A Morris County elementary school is closed for the week following a positive COVID-19 case. The positive case was reported among a community member at Stony Brook Elementary School, Superintendent Peter Turnamian said in a letter sent Monday to parents. All students will participate in remote learning while contract tracing is carried out, Turnamian said. Those in close contact with the individual who tested positive were notified. Anyone who was less than six feet away from the individual with the positive case for more than 10 minutes is considered a “close contact,” Turnamian sai…
Police & Fire
Motorcyclist Injured, Passenger Airlifted With Serious Injuries In Route 80 Tire Blowout
A motorcyclist was injured and his passenger airlifted with serious injuries in a crash on Route 80 in Rockaway Township Thursday morning, state police said. Corey Uzzell, 39, of Hillside was riding a Victory motorcycle on Route 80 westbound when it overturned due to a tire blowout near milepost 37.4 just before 11 a.m., NJSP Sgt. Philip Curry told Daily Voice. Uzzell was ejected and moderately injured, along with his passenger, Lakeisha Green-Uzzell, 42, of Irvington, who was airlifted to Moorestown Medical Center as a result of her injuries, Curry said. The two left lanes of Route 80 wer…
Police & Fire
Heroes
: Neighbors Rescue Elderly Morris County Couple As House Fire Burns
Rockaway Township residents Charles Eberle, 81, and Kim Eberle, 79 may have lost their home in a recent fire, but they didn’t lose their lives — thanks to several generous neighbors who came to their rescue. The Aug. 11 blaze tore through the couple’s Circle Drive home, prompting several neighbors to take action, Daily Record reports. “The neighbors were actually outside and saw the flames and went and banged on the door,” Police Chief Martin McParland said in the report. “They got the couple out. The neighbors tried to help with garden hoses and stuff. Then our guys came, but you ca…
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