Good morning, Morristown.

Marcus Partners began construction at 35 South Jefferson Road in Whippany to turn a 6.6-acre site into a 72,000-square-foot Class A logistics facility that will replace a 40,000-square-foot vacant office building—designed for single or multi-tenant use and expected to be completed in the third quarter.

The Morris County Courthouse and Administration Building will close to the public on Oct.

9 for a planned security exercise; the courthouse will be closed from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while the Administration Building will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will reopen for county business.

The U.S. Department of Transportation paused reimbursements for the Gateway Tunnel project on Oct.

1 because it began reviewing race—and sex-based contracting rules during a government shutdown that forced staff furloughs. The Gateway Development Commission said it will follow federal laws while lawmakers and candidates blame political moves for delaying funds needed to fix the aging tunnels used by New Jersey commuters.

NJ politicians blamed each other over the federal government shutdown that began Oct.

1 when Congress failed to pass a funding bill—saying both sides put politics before the needs of local families. State leaders warned that delays may push up health care costs and cause more hardship, urging lawmakers to work together to reopen the government.

New Jersey voters will cast ballots on Nov.

4 with referendum questions alongside elections for governor, assembly, and local offices—voters in North Jersey towns like Morristown, Alpine, and Dumont will decide on issues such as open space funding, cannabis operations, and public works projects, and those needing to register must do so by Oct. 14.

The Murphy administration issued a statewide Drought Watch on Wednesday as below-average rain stressed water supplies and left many areas dry; residents and businesses are urged to conserve water—using fewer indoor uses and delaying lawn watering to help ease the strain.

If conditions worsen, the state will likely impose mandatory restrictions to protect local water resources.

A Rutgers Health expert urged local residents to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and RSV in the coming weeks to reduce severe illness this fall and winter.

He said that vaccines work best when given between mid-September and late October—offering better protection from hospitalization and death.

A new guide lists seven scenic drives in North Jersey that will offer the best views of fall foliage as colors are expected to peak on October 6—drivers can enjoy stops at parks and historic sites along routes like Skyline Drive and Ramapo Valley Road.