Verizon to Repair 21 Poles in Twp. This Summer

Communications company says FiOS not coming to area for at least four years.

If you see Verizon personnel roaming the roads and replacing utility poles in the next 90 days, don’t be concerned: they’re cleaning up a months-old mess. Verizon Area Manager Mark Bocchieri met with the Washington Township Committee recently to introduce himself as the new representative, but to also discuss some issues the company hadn’t addressed. The township has counted 21 Verizon-owned utility poles in the township that were either cut, broken, or dangerously situated since Super Storm Sandy devastated the area. “Admittedly so, there may have been some areas not taken care of during the power restoration phase after Sandy,” Bocchieri told the governing body. But now, more than six months later, the phone company is ready to fix the …

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Bullying Claim Pits Family Against School District

Chester mother wants vindication for her daughter, apology from Mendham High School.

What began with a Mendham High School junior’s quest for a varsity cheerleading letter devolved into harassment, bullying, intimidation and retaliation, according to her mother. Ellen Runyon claims her daughter Cassandra was subjected to an escalating pattern of abuse that began shortly after cheerleading tryouts in May 2012 and that school officials didn’t do enough to address the concerns when they were brought to them.  School officials admitted that bullying had taken place and pledged corrective action would be taken, but Runyon questions the steps the district took. “The issues began right away after my daughter made the cheerleading team as a member of the varsity competition B squad. Immediately the competition A kids told her that…

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This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Family's Cancer Fight a Gift to Those Searching for a Cure

New foundation formed by cancer patient's daughter to help fund research for rare form of adrenal cancer.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Linda Gannon got an unusual gift for Christmas last year: a certificate and a promise that her family would start a foundation in her name to fund research for curing the rare form of cancer that she has. The 52-year-old has adrenal cancer, an aggressive disease that affects her adrenal glands. Only about one person in a million suffers from adrenal cancer, according to Michele Gannon, Linda Gannon's daughter and the 25-year-old president of the ACC C.U.R.E. Foundation, which was formed in Gannon's name. Gannon, …

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Central Pole Vaulter Wins Morris County Title

Track and field athletes have strong showing at annual championships.

Junior Pole Vaulter Marlena Paz cleared an outdoor best 10' 6" to top a field of 30 competitors and win the county title at the Morris County Outdoor Track and Field Championships contested earlier this week at Boonton High School.  Her victory was the lone top finish for Central over the two day championship meet; however, there were plenty of other outstanding performances by WMC athletes at this very competitive and entertaining event. On the second day of competition, the Central boys top pole vaulter, Max Maroney, was able to clear 13' 6", good enough for third place in the county. Maroney also finished in third place in the County Championship during the indoor season, when he vaulted 12' 6". Perhaps the emotional highlight of the …

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How to Help Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado

Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.

Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile-wide tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor.

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Wolfpack Baseball Slugs Morristown in Playoffs

West Morris Central will head down the road and face sister-school Mendham Friday, May 24.

West Morris Central's baseball players don't want the season to end just yet. It wasn't exactly David versus Goliath, but the Wolfpack, seeded number 12 in the NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 playoffs, knocked off the number 5 seed Morristown Colonials Monday by a score of 3-1, according to nj.com. Central's Mike Feula went the distance, giving up just one run in the first inning before blanking the Colonials the rest of the way, nj.com reported. The pitcher was backed up by a solo home run from Tyler Amandos and two runs batted in from Connor Thompson. Next up for the Wolfpack is a trip across town to sister-school Mendham High on Friday, May 24, where they'll face the number 4 seed Minutemen.

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The Last Picture Show Plays Out in Chester

Clearview Cinemas closes its doors after more than three decades.

On Sunday afternoon, movie goers in Chester saw their last images on the big screen at their local theater, Clearview Cinemas.  The theater, in operation for 30 years, closed at the end of business.  Some of the patrons had no idea of the closing while others came for the final time. "We understand why it is closing, but it has been great for the community and we are sad to see it go," said Chester resident Debbie Foster.  "We've had a good time here growing up going to the movies; we are going to miss it." In the Subway shop, Dakesh Patel hoped it wouldn't impact the shopping center or his business.  "The closing will effect us until something else opens up, we will have to see what the foot traffic for the gym is going to be," said Patel…

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CCM Will Graduate More Than 1K Students This Spring

Commencement ceremony will include Peace Prize announcement, speech from college president.

The County College of Morris (CCM) will graduate more than 1,100 students Thursday as the college hosts its 44th annual commencement ceremony. CCM President Edward Yaw will serve as the speaker of the event, which begins at 7 p.m. To highlight the graduation ceremony, the school will announce this year's Peace Prize winner, Alisa Brescic of Budd Lake. "Students were invited to create works focused on the general theme of world peace while expressing themselves through a number of artistic forms including writing, music, dance or visual arts," the college noted in a press release. Brescic will be honored for working to advance world peace through her video essay, "The Peace of the U.S." (Watch Brescic's video attached to this article.) This…

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