A female passenger on a motorcycle was killed Sunday night when the vehicle she was riding struck a sedan on Route 206 in Mount Olive, according to Mount Olive Police Officer Eric Anthony.

The motorcycle was heading southbound on Route 206 when it collided with a Toyota Camry leaving the 7-Eleven convenience store, which was attempting to turn left into the northbound lane of the roadway, Anthony said.

UPDATE: Police identify woman killed as a 60-year-old Toms River resident.

The driver of the motorcycle remained on the bike when the vehicles collided, but the passenger was ejected from the rear seat, Anthony said.

The female driver of the Camry was taken to Morristown Medical Center, along with the motorcycle driver, with non life-threatening injuries, Anthony said.

Identification of the three persons involved has yet to be released by the police department until next of kin is contacted, Anthony said.

The crash closed down a portion of Rt. 206 for nearly four hours Sunday night.

Patch is following this story and will provide details when they become available.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the motorcycle was exiting the store parking lot and the Toyota Camry was heading south on Rt. 206. 

An alleged burglar is still on the loose after two cars were broken into at the Hackettstown Honda dealership early Saturday morning, Washington Township Police said.

Officer Robert Brobst was patrolling the business at 12:43 a.m. when he observed a U-Haul truck parked in the rear of the building with no lights on, Lt. Doug Compton said.

Brobst then noticed a 2012 Honda Accord with its driver’s side window broken out and parts of the vehicle strewn about on the ground, Compton said.

As Brobst continued his investigation of the U-Haul truck, he saw a male flee the scene, Compton said. During Brobst’s search for the alleged perpetrator, he found another 2012 Honda Accord damaged with parts missing, Compton said.

Authorities later determined the U-Haul was stolen out of Paterson. An ensuing search of the surrounding area by members of the Washington Township Police Department, Mount Olive Township Police Department, Hackettstown Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit and New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit turned up empty, Compton said.

The investigation is ongoing and being handled by the Washington Township Detective Bureau. If you have any information about the incident, call 908-876-3232.

For questions about this post, please email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.

A 60-year-old Toms River woman has been identified as the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash Sunday night on Route 206 in Mount Olive, police said Monday afternoon.

Svetlana Boyette was a passenger of a motorcycle that was heading southbound on Route 206 when it struck a vehicle making a left turn out of the 7-Eleven parking lot, according to a statement released by the Mount Olive Police Department.

The impact of the crash caused Boyette to be thrown from the motorcycle, police said.

The driver of the motorcycle, Richard Boyette, 63, of Toms River, and the driver of the other vehicle, Angela Manfredo, 20, of Flanders, were each transported to Morristown Medical Center for "less serious injuries" and were both expected to be released after receiving treatment, police said.

According to police, Manfredo's Toyota Camry pulled out of the 7-Eleven parking lot and began to cross the southbound lanes of Route 206 when it was struck on the driver's side by the motorcycle.

No charges have been filed as of Monday afternoon, police said.

The crash is being investigated by the Mount Olive Police Department in conjunction with the Morris County Prosecutor's Vehicular Homicide Unit.

The Flanders Fire Department, the Budd Lake First Aid Squad, paramedics from St. Clares Hospital and the New Jersey Department of Transportation also assisted at the scene.

Route 206 was closed in both directions Sunday night from 8:30 p.m. until Monday morning at 12:30 a.m., while authorities investigated the scene.

If anyone has information regarding the crash, contact Mount Olive Police Officer Eric Anthony at 973-691-0900 ext. 7590.

Whatever kind of theater you like, there's bound to be something playing on a stage in North Jersey that appeals to you.

If you like musicals, then head to Pleasant Valley Park in Bernards for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" or the Growing Stage children's theater in Netcong for "The Wiz."

If you like classical theater, the Shakespeare Theatre is offering two comedies: the Bard's "The Comedy of Errors" on its outdoor stage at the College of St. Elizabeth and "The Liar" on the main stage at Drew University.

Kids are sure to get a kick out of "Alice in Wonderland" at Brundage Park Playhouse, "Sleeping Beauty," at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre, "Winnie the Pooh" at Summit Playhouse or one of the children productions at the Bickford.

Even opera lovers are in luck, as Opera New Jersey is bringing Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore" to the Mayo Center.

Other offerings include concerts by Wynonna, Marc Cohn or Yes, a comedy show by Kathy Griffin or the mystical powers of the Amazing Kreskin.

Need some figuring what to go see? Here's your On Stage Scoop

Curiouser and Curiouser: Brundage Park Playhouse is staging "Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Jr." through July 21. The show is based on the Disney film of Lewis Carroll's classic story of Alice who encounters strange characters such as the Mad Hatter, the Chesire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee and more. Performances are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. July 12-14, 20-21 and 2 p.m. July 15 and 21. The Playhouse is located at 2 Bungalow Lane in Randolph. For reservations, call 973-989-7092. For more information, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Laugh it Up with "The Comedy of Errors:" The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is performing "The Comedy of Errors" as its annual outdoor stage at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road in Morris Township, through July 29. The family-friendly production features two sets of identical twins, mistaken identities and a chase sequence to rival all chase sequences. Audiences are invited to bring their own chairs or blankets, and a picnic. For tickets and information, go to ShakespeareNJ.org.

Here's the Truth About "The Liar:" The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is presenting David Ives' contemporary adaptation of Pierre Corneille's "The Liar" through July 29. The show promises hijinks surrounding young lover in Paris in the 1600s. For more information, go to ShakespeareNJ.org.

Free Mauricio de Souza and Bossa Concert: Mauricio de Souza and Bossa will perform a free concert on the Morristown Green, July 10 at noon. The group covers a wide array of Brazilian jazz standards including the music of Tom Jobim and Hermeto Pascoal, and Egberto Gismonti, among others. Their 2010 album, "Here, There," received widespread critical acclaim. For more details and information, visit MauriciodeSouzaJazz.com.

Bringing the Hip Hop: "Break: The Hip Hop Spectacular" is coming to The Mayo Performing Arts Center on July 11 for a 10:30 a.m. performance. The show for ages 5 and up promises a cast of four dancers and a percussionist who will dazzle audiences with amazing moves from the worlds of breakdancing, locking, power tumbling as well as bucket drumming. Tickets cost $12. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Fairy Tale Theater: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre will present "Sleeping Beauty," a musical for children, July 11-20. Performances begin at 10 a.m. on the following dates: July 11, 13 and 17-20, and at 11 a.m. on July 14 and 21. Tickets cost $12. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For reservations, call 973-691-2100.

Comedy Tonight (Starting July 12): Bernards Township and Trilogy Repertory Company will open its Plays in the Park Productions with "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Forum" July 12-14 and 19-21 at the Pleasant Valley Park amphitheater. The show is based on ancient comedies from Rome and features music by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Performances begin at 8 p.m. The theater will also host a concert by The Jersey Four, a Franki Valli tribute band, on July 10 at 7:45 p.m. and screening of the movie "Happy Feet Two," beginning at 4:45 p.m. on July 11. For more information, call 908-204-3003 or go to TrilogyRepertory.com.

Get Ready for Some Magic: The Bickford Theatre will host "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp" by Encore Performing Arts, July 12 with performances set for 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This original adaptation with songs follows the adventures of Aladdin and the Genie. Tickets cost $12. For more information, go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Silly Old Bear: The Summit Playhouse will open its Kaleidoscope Theatre for Youth season with "Disney's Winnie the Pooh Kids" July 12-15. Visit Hundred Acre Woods to meet Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger and Owl. The 30-minute show is based on the 2011 movie. Ticket cost $12. For more information, go to SummitPlayhouse.org.

They Will Rock You: Villagers Theatre will present "Theatre Rock: A Celebration of Rock Musicals Through The Ages" on July 13 and 14. The revue will feature an ensemble and band performing songs from shows including "Rent," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Aida," "Rocky Horror Picture Show," "Hair," "Godspell" and more. Tickets cost $20. For more information, call 732-873-2710 or go to VillagersTheatre.com.

Something Funny's Going On: KateLyn Reiter’s Humor in the Midst Comedy Workshop will perform at the Chester Theatre Group's Black River Playhouse, July 13 and 14, with performances beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. For more information, go to ChesterTheatreGroup.org.

Clowning Around: The Bickford Theatre will host a show titled "Circus, Circus" on July 14 as part of its Summer Theatre for Children Series. The show will include clowning antics, slapstick and wacky routines. Performances are at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets cost $12, $10 for members. For more information, call 973-971-3706 or go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Ease on Down the Road to "The Wiz:" The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, will present "The Wiz," July 14-29 at the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong. The musical is an urbanized retelling of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," adapted from the 1975 Broadway hit for young audiences. The story follows the adventures of Dorothy, who is transported to the Land of Oz, which resembles a fantasy version of New York City. Befriended by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion, she travels through the land to seek an audience with the mysterious "Wiz", who they say has the power to send her home. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, 4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost $12. For more information, call 973- 347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

Hi-De-Ho, the Cab Calloway Orchestra is Coming to Hackettstown: The Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July Concert Series will present the Cab Calloway Orchestra July 14, 8 p.m. at The Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College. Chris Calloway Brooks, the grandson of Cab, leads this 12-piece orchestra through songs like "Minnie the Moocher," "The Ghost of Smoky Joe," "The Man from Harlem," and more. Centenary College is located at 715 Grand Ave. in Hackettstown. Tickets cost $35, $30 advance. For tickets and information, call 908-979-0900 or go to CentenaryStageCo.org.

He Already Knows You're Going: The Amazing Kreskin will perform at The Newton Theatre, July 15 at 3 p.m. For 60 years, The Amazing Kreskin has, dramatized the unique facets of the human mind… his own. His very name has become an integral part of pop culture throughout the world, invoked in comedy clubs, comic strips, print stories, and TV shows from sitcoms on through national magazines. Tickets cost $19-$29. For tickets and more information, go to TheNewtonTheatre.com.

Audition Alert, "Noises Off:" The Barn Theatre will hold auditions for Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" on July 15 and 16, 7:30-10 p.m. Needed are five men and four women. The theater is seeking actors with great fast-paced comic timing, and strong physical comedy skills. Readings will be from the script. Actors should be prepared to demonstrate a British dialect. Directed by Tom Blewitt. Click here for more information, including character breakdowns.

Audition Alert, "Macbeth:" The Shakespeare Initiative will hold auditions for "Macbeth" on July 16 and 18, 7-9 p.m. at the RoxPAC/Investors Bank Theater, 72 Eyland Ave., Roxbury. The production will be presented in collaboration with the Roxbury Arts Alliance. Auditioners are requested to prepare a Shakespearean monologue (memorization is not necessary). Since TSI productions are generally quite physical, a movement/stage combat section to the audition will also be conducted. Please wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Auditioners should bring a current headshot/photograph and a copy of their theatrical resume. Appointments are not required. Auditions are open to those in their late teens and up. All roles are open. Performances will run October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. If you are unable to make the scheduled auditions or for further information please email: director@theshakespeareinitiative.org. For more information, visit TheShakespeareOnitiative.org.

All Aboard for Opera: Opera New Jersey will stage Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore" on July 18 at 8 p.m. at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. The operetta features sailors on the high seas, love and crowd-pleasing music. Featuring full orchestra, soloists and chorus, the show will be sung with English supertitles projected above the stage. Tickets cost $20-$110. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Summer Theatre for Children at the Bickford: The Bickford's Summer Theatre for Children series continues with the sleight-of-hand talents of "Magic Jim's Deluxe Magic Show" on July 18, and "Bubble-ology," in which the Discovery Channel's Keith Michael Johnson creates bubbles, on July 19. Performances on both days begin at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12. The theater is located at the Morris Museum. For more information, go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Don't Freak Out, It's Just "Zappa Plays Zappa:" Dweezil Zappa will bring the music of his father, Frank Zappa, to life with "Zappa Plays Zappa" at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on July 19, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $39-$79. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, "Baby Bear and the Big, Bad Wolf:" Villagers Theatre in Somerset will hold auditions for its first KidsVill show of the 2012-2013 season, "Baby Bear and the Big, Bad Wolf," on July 19, 7-9:30 p.m. and July 21, 1-4 p.m. Callbacks are scheduled for July 22, 1-4 p.m. The show will be directed by Leslie Hochman and will feature fairy tale characters teaming up to fight an evil force. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to VillagersTheatre.com.

Go 'Sea' The Little Mermaid: Somerset Valley Players will present "The Little Mermaid," July 20 through Aug. 5. The family show tells Hans Christian Andersen's tale of a mermaid's adventures on the ground. Performances are 8 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $10. The theater is located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough. For more information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org.

Here Comes Wynonna: Grammy winner Wynonna will perform with her band, the Big Noise, on July 20, 8 p.m. at The Mayo Performing Arts Center. Wynonna hit the big time music scene in the 1980s as a member of the Judds and has been called the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline by "Rolling Stone" magazine. Tickets cost $57-$97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Life in Song: Marc Cohn will perform at The Newton Theatre on July 20, beginning at 8 p.m. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter's hits include "Walking in Memphis," "Silver Thunderbird," "Miles Away" and "Ghost Train. The theater is located at 234 Spring St. in Newton. Tickets cost $34-$49. For more information, go to TheNewtonTheatre.com.

Going for the Laughs: The Newton Theatre will present "Big Apple Comedy Club VI" on July 21, 8 p.m. Comics on the bill include Dan Naturman, Bernie Pauley, Al Ducharme and Ross Bennett. The theater is located at 234 Spring St. in Newton. Tickets cost $20-$25. For more information, go to TheNewtonTheatre.com.

Funny Lady: Kathy Griffin will bring her brand of adults-only humor to The Mayo Performing Arts Center on July 21, with performances beginning at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The Emmy winner will be riffing on Hollywood and celebrities. Tickets cost $67-$115. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Say Yes to Some Classic Rock: Yes, with special guest Procol Harum, will perform at The Mayo Performing Arts Center on July 22 at 7 p.m. The pioneering progressive rock band has been recording and performing since the 1970s, with hits such as "Roundabout" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart." Tickets cost $67-$117. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, "The 39 Steps:" The Chatham Community Players is still seeking performers for its production of "The 39 Steps." The fast-paced comedy is based on the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The production runs Oct. 5-20 at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 N. Passaic Ave. in Chatham. Rehearsals start in early August. Bell Wesel directs.

Needed are four extremely versatile actors with great comic flair to play a multitude of roles. Must be physically agile and creatively fearless. Characters are: Richard Hannay: 30s to 40. Attractive, comic leading man type. Upper class British. Slightly full of himself but totally engaging. Annabella/Pamela/Margaret: 20s to 30s. Attractive and adaptable, great with physical comedy. Must play three distinct characters, Upper class British, German and Scottish. Clown 1 and Clown 2: Two wildly versatile and energetic male actors to play more than 100 roles (Upper and lower class British, Scottish, German, some male, some female and some inanimate objects). Great with verbal and physical comedy and quick changes.

Call Leslie Reagoso at 973-769-3886 or email her at lesliereagoso@yahoo.com for more information.

Art Garfunkel, Glen Campbell and Paul Anka Tickets on Sale: Tickets for concerts by Art Garfunkel, Glen Campbell and Paul Anka at the Mayo Performing Arts Center are now on sale. Garfunkel will perform on Oct. 5, Campbell will bring his Goodbye Tour to Morristown on Oct. 19 and Anka will perform "Christmas My Way" on Dec. 6. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Barn Theatre Announces New Season: The Barn Theatre in Montville has announced its schedule of shows for the 2012-13 season. First up is Michael Frayn's "Noises Off," Sept. 7-29. The musical "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!" will run Nov. 9-Dec. 1. "Fuddy Meers" by David Lindsay Abaire is scheduled to run Jan. 11-Feb. 2. "God of Carnage" will be on the Barn stage March 15-April and "A Chorus Line" will close out the season, starting May 17.  Tickets for musicals cost $20, $15 for plays. Subscription options are available. For more information, go to BarnTheatre.org.

Centenary Stage Co. Announces 2012-2013 Theater Season: Agatha Christie's record-breaking mystery, "The Mousetrap" will kick off Centenary Stage Company's 2012-13 theater season, Oct. 5-21. The production will be directed by Carl Wallnau, the company's artistic director.

Centenary Stage's Black Box Festival will include "A Couple of Blaguards" by Frank and Malachy McCourt Nov. 1-4; Parallel Exit will perform "Room 17B" Nov. 8-11 and Bill Bower's “Under a Montana Moon” will be performed Nov. 15-18.

The family musical "The Wizard of Oz" will have a holiday run, Nov. 23-Dec. 9. Martin McDonagh’s comedy-drama “The Cripple of Inishmaan" will be performed Feb. 22-March 10.

From CSC’s Women Playwrights Series comes the world premiere of “The English Bride” by New Jersey playwright Lucile Lichtblau, April 5-21.

Tickets for productions cost $20-$29.50. The Box office is open.  1-5 p.m. in the Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave. in Hackettstown. A new Main Street ticket location is scheduled to open soon.

For tickets and more information, call 908-979-0900 or visit www.centenarystageco.org.

This post is shared across Patch sites serving Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Sussex communities. Comments below may be by readers of any of those sites.

Long Valley’s Abby Bauer has been busy helping those less fortunate than her for the past two years.

And for her efforts, she was rewarded by a national organization recently.

Bauer, an incoming freshman at the Pingry School, has created music, craft and game activities for Homeless Solutions, Inc. (HSI) guest children. Twice a month, Bauer visits the organization’s shelter and transitional housing facility and brings her programs to life, according to Susan Robinson of HSI.

For her service, Bauer was recently recognized as a store winner in the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program.

Kohl’s honors volunteers between the ages of six and 18 who are making a difference in their communities and have demonstrated commitment and effort above and beyond what would be expected for their age, HSI said.

“Abby has brightened the lives of so many through her efforts, and HSI is excited that her work has been honored in this way,” Robinson said.

HSI is a private, non-profit organization that has been providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing to the homeless and working poor of Morris County since 1983.

Locally, HSI was behind the construction of 10 affordable-housing apartments in Washington Township in 2011.

Six recent graduates from West Morris Central High School received scholarships from the Long Valley Woman's Club for academic achievements and involvement in extracurricular activities.

The following recipients were awarded by the club:

• Avery Shannon, University of Richmond
• Halina Malinowski, Boston University
• Geoffrey Andrews, Penn State University
• John Isemann, Pepperdine University
• Dillon Schade, SUNY Binghamton
• Andrea McDermott, Susquehann University (Dr. Ruffino Music Scholarship)

See a full list of where this year's graduates are attending college. 

The club also awarded $50 each to six Long Valley Middle School students for their individual efforts in the 2011-12 school year.

Those students were Amy Kratch, Emily Hill, Alissa Diguglielmo, Matthew Zocholl, Julia Gagnon, and Reagan Sharkey. 

Information and photo provided by the Long Valley Woman's Club.

A 50-year-old man has been identified as the person who stood in front of a New Jersey Transit train Friday night in Hackettstown and died, according to organization spokesperson Nancy Snyder.

Eyewitness accounts to New Jersey Transit said Victor Motyka positioned himself in front of the train and did not move out of its path Friday night at about 11 p.m.

Snyder said Motyka's town of residence was still unknown, and the investigation is continuing. 

Motyka was pronounced dead just after 1 a.m. Saturday.

None of the seven passengers or any NJ Transit employees were injured in the accident, according to the organization. The train was on the Montclair-Boonton line heading westbound. 

Budd Lake's Nicholas Novaky was speeding and using a cell phone at the time his SUV crashed into a tree in Mt. Olive Township on June 19, killing him and a passenger, according to newjerseyhills.com. 

The report says cell phone records show Novaky was speaking on the hand-held device just a moment before the accident, and was traveling at a rate of 64 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone, according to Mt. Olive Police Officer Eric Anthony.

Novaky and his passenger, 19-year-old Neil Solanky of Flanders, both died as a result of the driver's Dodge Durango striking a tree on Wolfe Road. 

Novaky was scheduled to graduate Mt. Olive High School the following night and played football for the Marauders. 

Friends and family members created a roadside memorial for the two teens in the days following the crash. Those who knew the young men said they were always smiling and loved life.

This summer could be remembered as a traffic hell by the millions of people who travel east over the George Washington Bridge thanks to the closure of a lane on the oft-congested Cross Bronx Expressway from this Friday through Labor Day.

The lane closure will take place on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge, which spans the Harlem River and connects Manhattan to the Bronx. The bridge is already a chokepoint, as traffic from both levels of the GWB merge onto one roadway.

Several other significant roadways feed into and out of the span, including the Harlem River Drive and Major Deegan Expressway.

NJDOT officials are urging motorists to take mass transit into New York if possible and consider an “alternate route” or travel during off-peak hours “to limit delays.”

The Port Authority has also been issuing text and email alerts saying essentially the same thing: the long-term I-95 Cross Bronx Expressway construction “may cause significant EB delays at the GWB,” and motorists should therefore “seek alternate routes.”

And NJ Transit issued an advisory Monday, saying that the project will also impact commuters who travel across the GWB by bus “due to a significant reduction in vehicular traffic capacity along the eastbound Cross Bronx Expressway between Manhattan and the Bronx.”

Numerous bus routes operating at the inbound George Washington Bridge and points in and around Fort Lee will see “significant delays” due to increased traffic congestion, especially near the construction site, NJ Transit officials said.

Bus routes from New York City to New Jersey could also be delayed because of the domino effect created by buses arriving late at the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, according to NJ Transit, which identifies the following bus routes as the likeliest to be affected:

• 171: Paterson – New York
• 175: Ridgewood – New York
• 178: Hackensack – New York
• 181: Union City – New York
• 182: Hackensack – New York
• 186: Dumont – New York
• 188: North Bergen – New York

In addition, several bus routes that operate locally in Fort Lee will be impacted by congestion resulting from the construction project, according to NJ Transit, including the following:

• No. 153: Fairview – Fort Lee – New York Express
• No. 154: Fort Lee – Palisades Park – New York
• No. 156 & 156R: Englewood Cliffs – New York
• No. 158: Fort Lee – Edgewater – New York
• No. 159 & 159R: Fort Lee – New York
• No. 755: Edgewater - Fort Lee – Paramus
• No. 756: Englewood Cliffs – Fort Lee - Paramus

NJ Transit advises commuters who use these buses to allow extra travel time, especially during peak hours, and is cross-honoring bus passes and tickets for all of the above routes on trains along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Midtown Direct, Main/Bergen and Pascack Valley Lines from July 16 to July 31, with the exception of travel to and from Metro-North stations.

Visit NJ Transit online for more information or to sign up for “MY TRANSIT” alerts. For real-time traffic information, call 511 or visit 511nj.org; for updates on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge construction project, click here; and to register for George Washington Bridge alerts from the Port Authority, click here.

Editor's note: This is the first of a five-part series about a hearing held at Daytop Prep School in Mendham by the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use Amongst New Jersey's Youth and Young Adults.

One mother had lost her son, another was trying to save hers.

Both were keynote speakers as they testified Tuesday to the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use Amongst New Jersey's Youth and Young Adults at the Daytop Prep School in Mendham.

The task force heard from prosecutors, police officers, mental health professionals and parents in the second of three planned hearings that will result in a report to be delivered to Gov. Chris Christie and legislature, chairman Frank Greenagel Jr. said.

According to Greenagel, that report will recommend ways to improve prevention, treatment and recovery support services of opiate and heroin abuse and will be available online to the public.

Emotions ran high throughout the hearing, on both sides of the table. Family members of those who have struggled with the process of getting help for their loved ones shared their painful journey through the system. Their stories sparked obvious emotion in the members of the task force, many of whom have had their own journey through addiction, lost a loved one to addiction, work helping those with addiction or some combination of all three.

The testimony of the residents laid out the prescription pills as a gateway to a full-blown heroin addiction.

The Task Force considered the testimony from Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns who recently warned of dangerous heroin-causing overdoses among county residents.

“We have the purest heroin out of the surrounding states,” Kearns said.

Sparta Police Sgt. John Beebe spoke of a program he designed to get into the middle and elementary schools to change the culture early. The plan would be to have officers mentor 20 students from each middle school grade, give them a uniform, and allow them to accompany officers at special events.

But the testimony that ranked among the most powerful belonged to one of the recovering addicts known only as Emily. Emily, who is a graduate of the Daytop program, began taking pills at 14-years-old and within a year had transitioned to heroin.

“I was digging my own grave, basically. You always try to chase that first high, and you keep moving up and up,” Emily said. “I started sniffing heroin. One bag, then two bags, then three bags.”

According to Emily, she dropped out of school and began selling drugs to support her habit.

“I wanted to be like Johnny Depp in the movie 'BLOW.' That was my inspiration,” Emily said. “I wanted to be a drug dealer.”

Soon, despite swearing she would never use a needle for drugs, Emily found snorting heroin wasn’t enough.

“It was Christmas Eve and I will never forget it,” Emily said, recalling the first time she shot heroin. “I went from one bag to 20 bags a day before I came here. I was shooting 20 bags a day.”

Emily said an arrest with more than 100 bags of heroin led her to Daytop and it was after 60 days she realized she really wanted help.

“I felt happy being sober and I found different ways of dealing with my emotions besides using drugs. I was here for almost a full year and it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Emily said. “Treatment works, if you want it, it works.”

Emily supported the notion that more treatment centers available could make a difference to those struggling with addiction and that she was proof of their effectiveness.

“I am going to college, I got my permit here and now I have my license and my own car and I wake up happy and thankful,” Emily said. “I love my life now and I embrace it. “

Tuesday’s hearing coincided with the two-year anniversary of Emily’s Daytop graduation and James Curtin, executive director of Daytop and Task Force member, described Emily as a miracle.  

“She is the reason why we do what we do,” Curtin said.

For the past two weeks early morning readers have nailed our "Where In" column without a problem.

We're hoping this week's clue changes that. Of course, we're not going to give you a location that's inside some secret lair somewhere that only one or two people know about, but we're not going to make it easy anymore, either.

So, this week we offer you this little nugget. Where–and what–do you think this is?

Let us know in the comments section. Give your best guess and we'll have an answer for you on Friday morning. 

The winner is crowned champion of all things great by Long Valley Patch.

As always, thanks for participating. 

Repairs to a stretch of guardrail on Schooley’s Mountain Road will take an additional four to five weeks to complete this summer, according to Morris County Engineer Steve Hammond.

The work to reinforce guardrails that had been dislodged during a series of storms in the summer of 2011 began on June 4 by H&G Contractors of Ridgewood.

The foreman of the project, Carmen Gragnano, originally said the repairs would take about a month and week to complete.

In order to stabilize the ground behind and beneath the guardrail, H&G is using metal-wire baskets filled with gabion stones that will be inserted into the cliff side, according Gragnano.

The county engineering department said the project is still on budget and was not expecting any change in the cost.

“Sometimes conditions don’t allow for the original time table to be met,” said a member of the engineering department.

Two off-duty police officers have been contracted by the county to keep the flow of traffic steady between Camp Washington Road and “Big Turn” on the roadway, guiding traffic into one alternating lane between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. 

On Tuesday, because of how the work was being performed, a third officer was stationed on the road to help with traffic flow.

A Long Valley man was arrested an charged with driving while intoxicated in Hackettstown Sunday morning when he was operating his vehicle in a dangerous manner, Hackettstown Police said.

Luis Borromeo, 38, drifted into the opposite lane at 1:41 a.m. while driving on Washington Street in Hackettstown and had no headlights on, Det. Darren Tynan said.

A Hackettstown police officer stopped Borromeo after seeing his erratic driving, Tynan said. When the officer approached the vehicle, he smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage, Tynan said.

Borromeo was unable to perform field sobriety tests and was transported to police headquarters, Tynan said. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated in a school zone, failure to maintain lane, and no lights.

For questions about this post, please email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.

A man riding a motorcycle was rear-ended by a Long Valley driver in Hackettstown Wednesday morning, and was taken to the hospital after complaining of pain throughout his body, Hackettstown Police Det. Darren Tynan said.

Ener Durovic, 22, of Hasbrouck Heights was traveling south on Rt. 182 at 10:39 this morning when he yielded to a Washington Township patrol vehicle, which had its lights on siren activated heading to a emergency call, Tynan said.

When Durovic yielded, the driver behind him was unable to stop, Tynan said. The driver of the car was Mark Charles, 20, of Long Valley.

Durovic complained of pain in his body and was transported to Hackettstown Regional Medical Center. Charles was uninjured and issued a summons for careless driving.

For questions about this post, please email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.

For the first time in Washington Township, Rock Spring Park will host a Green Living Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where vendors and green-minded people alike can share their ideas of sustainability with attendees.

In an effort to help attain silver certification from Sustainable Jersey, the Washington Township Green Team came up with the plan earlier this year and will see it to fruition this weekend.

The event will showcase 40 vendors exhibiting their knowledge and products during the five-hour stretch and will be a “forum for sharing information and activities about conservation,” said township employee Andrew Coppola.

Coppola, also a member of the Washington Township Green Team, will help organize the event with other members of his team in addition to members of the Mansfield Township Green Team and Califon Business Association.

Exhibits will be showcased in the Rock Spring Park pavilion, inside the Senior Center, and documentaries will be shown at the Washington Township Library, Coppola said.

Funding for the event has come through donations, Municipal Alliance Committee funds, Clean Communities funds and registration fees from the vendors, Coppola said. No grants or township money has been allocated toward the festival.

Food and live music will also be available at the event.

The Washington Township Green Team currently has the bronze certification through Sustainable Jersey, Coppola said. The all-volunteer group has also taken part in a business and produce production project and is working on promoting more biking and walking areas in town.

For more information about the Green Living Festival, visit the township’s website here. 

In an effort to ramp up communications and assistance between the township and its residents, the Washington Township Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is offering different ways for townspeople to stay informed.

Residents can now receive spoken alerts on their mobile phones by signing up for Morris County Emergency Notification System (Reverse 911) when township officials are trying to communicate about a potential problem in town.

Jim Smith, the OEM deputy coordinator, has spearheaded the effort along with the establishment of the town’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), after the town was devastated by natural disasters and lengthy power outages on various occasions in 2011.

“The communications and help just wasn’t there last year,” Smith said. “We can’t let that happen again, and we’re doing whatever it takes to help the residents.”

Along with the Reverse 911 capability, residents can also receive text message alerts through the Nixle system, which is overseen by the New Jersey State Police, Smith said.

By signing up for Nixle, residents will receive text messages to their mobile phones in the event of road closures, severe weather alerts or anything that will delay or impede normal daily activities.

Reverse 911 will be used in cases of Amber and Silver alerts, when children or seniors go missing, Smith said. Reverse 911 was used to alert residents in town recently when a rabid cat bit an adult and was roaming a neighborhood, Smith said.

In the span of eight weeks in 2011, Washington Township was hit by a hurricane, tropical storm and blizzard. The hurricane and blizzard left some homeowners without power for as many as nine days.

Lack of communication from the town to residents, as well as from energy provider Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) were cause for concern going forward, and have been addressed since the weather problems.

The township hosted a meeting with officials from JCP&L demanding answers from the company. Since that time, an aggressive tree-cutting program has been in effect to help limit the amount of limbs that fall on power lines during storms.

The implementation of the CERT team was to provide assistance to law enforcement and first responders during a time of need. The group of 12 volunteers, currently going through training sessions, will be dispatched to help with road closures and other assistance measures during weather-related disasters.

To sign up for Reverse 911, visit morriscounty.onthealert.com and establish an account. To receive text messages from the Nixle service, send a text message reading “07853” to the phone number 888777.

For more information about the office of emergency management, visit wtmorris-oem.org. 

The Washington Township committee said it could save “substantial” money by outsourcing its website services to a private firm, and in turn relieved Information Technology personnel member Bob Kelly of his duties Wednesday night.

Committeeman Tracy Tobin was tasked earlier this year with looking into potential cost saving measures in the IT department by exploring shared services with surrounding towns, whether taking on their needs or having the township’s handed over.

The committee found a suitor, Scott Gaskill of Mt. Olive–that township’s IT director–who will take on the website duties of Washington Township through his private firm.

“Based on the economic conditions of the township, the committee is constantly looking at ways to save money,” Mayor Ken Short said. “Based on that, we’re looking to eliminate one position from the IT department. Our objective is to save money and pursue ways of doing that, like outsourcing.”

Tobin said the IT department was no longer a core function of what the township does since police and emergency dispatch had been moved to the county, and Gaskill’s work would be at a significantly lower cost than what Kelly was making in his 35-hour per week job now.

“At one time we could justify having two IT people,” Committeeman Dave Kennedy said. “I hate to see one person have to leave, but looking down the road, this is the best move for the township.”

Because of particulars within the new contract, the committee was asking Kelly to stay on board until Aug. 1 to make the switch seamless.

Kelly, who had requested the discussion topic be taken out of the work session meeting’s executive session and be handled in front of the public, wasn’t

“I’ve been in public service for 39 years,” said the former Florham Park police officer. “I brought email to this town. I created its website. Ray (Kenny) and I completely switched over the dispatch system to the county in 100 days. I answered every question the township asked of me.  

“But I do not want to sit by and assist in the deconstruction,” Kelly said. “Frankly, I’d rather just go.”

Kelly said he would further discuss the situation with township administrator Debbie Burd, and formal action regarding his position will take place Monday night at the committee’s regular meeting.

Details of Gaskill’s contract were not immediately made available. 

Their son had stolen from them. Lied to them. Made them pariah's in their community.

But John and Linda, whose last name was withheld for privacy, still loved their 19-year-old son, and they traveled from Spring Lake to be his advocate once again.

Sitting in the gym Tuesday at Daytop Prep School, a Mendham non-profit substance abuse treatment organization, John and Linda testified to the Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use Amongst New Jersey's Youth and Young Adults with details of their plight, and the hope that their experience could help make a change statewide.

Their testimony was first before the panel, who will be crafting a report of their findings for Gov. Chris Christie and the legislature on how to address the epidemic of opiates in the Garden State.

And while they did discuss the difficulty they had in getting their son into treatment, both Linda and John expressed their concern that facilities were not easy to work with. 

"In these facilities he could sign himself out after three days," John said. "Even if we are the ones paying for the treatment he can sign himself out."

While leaving a facility early is a major concern, just getting in for treatment can be daunting.

According to John, it is difficult to reach the criteria for admission, which is why he and Linda are pushing for parity.

"If my son had cancer, he would be able to get help," Linda said. "This addiction is a disease. He needs in-patient treatment at a good facility."

Beyond the financial cost of fighting the addiction, both John and Linda discussed stigma of their son's illness.

"We have had educated, professional people look at us and treat us like we were no better than drug addicts," John said. "There is a stigma attached to this."

Linda understood some of the reaction, even from their neighbors.

"They're parents too," Linda said. "I can understand that."

Editor's note: This is the second of a five-part series about a hearing held at Daytop Prep School in Mendham by the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use Amongst New Jersey's Youth and Young Adults.

Part I: Ex-Heroin Addict Tells Task Force: I Was Killing Myself