NJ American Water Highlights Investment at Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant

Continued Investment Ensures Protection and Sustainability of Water Supply for More Than

1 Million People in Central New Jersey

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. (November 26, 2019)

–

New Jersey American Water

today released a

new video

about its multi-year, $65 million investment to ensure the resiliency and sustainability of its Raritan-Millstone Water

Treatment Plant. The video can be seen on the company’s YouTube Channel and other social media channels.

The Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant, situated in Bridgewater, Somerset County, N.J., is New Jersey American Water’s largest water production facility and a regional source of potable water supply for seven counties in central New Jersey. The plant is located near the confluence of the Raritan and Millstone Rivers – an area of Somerset County that experiences severe flooding during significant storm events due to the relative low ground surface elevations in the floodways adjacent to the two rivers.

The plant produces an average system delivery of 132 million gallons a day (MGD) and is capable of peaking at 190 MGD. As a Tier 1 New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness facility, the Raritan-Millstone facility is also considered “Critical Infrastructure” by the federal Department of Homeland Security. Water supply from the plant is also provided to five large bulk water sales connections, and two Critical Regional Emergency Interconnections – the cities of Newark and Trenton.

“This video highlights the plant’s history and the investments we have made over the years to continue to ensure its reliability during severe weather events that have tested it,” said Cheryl Norton, president of New Jersey American Water and senior vice president of American Water’s eastern division. “Our recently completed flood protection project was designed to achieve a recommended level of protection from 500-year storm events, to enable us to maintain a sustainable water supply for the more than 1 million people in Central New Jersey who rely on us.”

The first major flood protection project at the facility in the early 2000s was a result of the plant being flooded by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The recently completed $65 million flood protection project was spurred by the near-flooding of the plant during Hurricane Irene, with peak flood water levels recorded within inches from the top of the facility’s floodwall.

With the completion of this project, the entire floodwall system at the plant was raised by four feet to an elevation of 48 feet, which is the level of flood resiliency supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corp of Engineers. The raising of the floodwall, which accounted for $37 million of the total $65 million investment, provides flood protection from storm events up to 500-year recurring frequency. In addition to raising the plant’s north reinforced concrete floodwall, the earthen berms in the northeast and west were also raised and widened, with additional reinforced concrete flood walls constructed, new flood gates installed, and drainage mechanisms improved at the plant.

For more information about this project and other critical investments the company makes to ensure high quality, reliable water service, visit the company’s website at

www.newjerseyamwater.com

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

and follow American Water on

Twitter

Facebook

and

Delaware hunting and trapping seasons opening in December

A retriever brings back a snow goose taken by a Delaware hunter near Little Creek/DNREC photo.

Multiple opening waterfowl hunting seasons run into January

DOVER (Nov. 26, 2019) – Numerous Delaware hunting and trapping seasons open in December, including multiple waterfowl seasons that extend into or through January, coinciding with the influx of a variety of migratory waterfowl for the winter, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Many other hunting and trapping seasons provide opportunities to enjoy the winter outdoors as temperatures drop and provide favorable hunting and trapping conditions.

Hunting seasons opening in December:

Beaver: Dec. 2 – March 20, 2020, private land only

Woodcock and common snipe: Dec. 7 – Jan. 21, 2020

Antlerless deer: Dec. 14 – 22, including all Sundays*

Waterfowl (ducks, coots, and mergansers): Dec. 13 – Jan. 31, 2020

Brant: Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, 2020

Canada geese (migratory): Dec. 21 – Jan. 21, 2020

*Archery and crossbow hunters may NOT take antlered deer during the December antlerless deer season.

Trapping seasons opening in December:

Red fox, coyote: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020

Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, nutria:

o New Castle County: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020 (March 20 on embanked meadows)

o Kent and Sussex counties: Dec. 15 – March 15, 2020

Beaver: Dec. 1 – March 20, 2020

Continuing hunting seasons include:

Bobwhite quail: through Jan. 4, 2020

Sea ducks in the special sea duck area: through Jan. 31, 2020 (See page 30 of the hunting

guide

for more information about the special sea duck area.)

Tundra swan: through Jan. 31, 2020, by permit only, issued via pre-season lottery

Snow goose: through Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020

Mourning dove: through Jan. 31, 2020

Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 1, 2020

Gray squirrel: through Feb. 1, 2020

Archery and crossbow deer: through Feb. 2, 2020, including all Sundays

Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 29, 2020

Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020

Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020

Raccoon & opossum (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020*

Crow: through March 31, 2020 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays only)

Red fox (chase) through April 30, 2020**

Groundhog: through June 30, 2020 (open year-round)

*Raccoon and opossum may be hunted from 7 p.m. until midnight during the December and January firearm deer seasons.

**Red fox chase season closed during December antlerless season.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at

Wildlife Area Hunting Maps

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp. More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at

Delaware Licenses

. Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN or HIP number, hunters can go to

Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration

or call toll free 1-855-335-4868. For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird stamp is also required to hunt waterfowl.

To purchase a hunting license, either in person or online, hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter safety course starting in 2008 can print their hunter safety card by going to

http://de.gov/huntersafety

. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter safety course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a CAP, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at

Delaware Licenses

, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at

Federal duck stamps

For more information on hunting, click

2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide

and

Wildlife Area Hunting Maps

. Hard copies of the guide and hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and the Conservation Access Pass is also available by calling the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Heroin, Marijuana and 9mm Ammunition Found During Raid at Millbridge Garden Apts.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Nov. 26, 2019)–Today, at approximately 06:00 AM, the Gloucester Township Police Special Response Team (SRT) executed a narcotics related search warrant at 1341 Blackwood-Clementon Rd. (Millbridge Garden Apartments). A long term investigation by the Gloucester Township Special Investigations Unit (SIU) led to the arrest of 29 year old

DVaughn White

of Gloucester Township.

During the search of the apartment, a quantity of heroin, marijuana, and 9mm ammunition were recovered. A significant amount of U.S. currency was seized from the suspected heroin dealer.

These restorative Community Policing efforts encouraged residents to take back their community, and assist the Gloucester Township Police Department with keeping our community safe. Heroin is a highly addictive drug where its use has long been associated with crime because many addicted people turn to theft, prostitution, and various other criminal activities to obtain money to buy the drugs. The Gloucester Township Police Department has implemented a number of initiatives and programs to combat the abuse of dangerous narcotics which do led to reported fatal overdoses. If you know someone who is suffering from addiction, you are encouraged to call the Gloucester Township SAVE Advocate at 856-302-7051, to get help.

The arrest of this individual is another example of the pro-active law enforcement campaigns targeting those who illegally distribute narcotics in Gloucester Township. The Gloucester Township Police Department will continue to attack this scourge, with the assistance of local, state, and federal partnerships, the abuse, and sale of this highly addictive drug in our community.

Arrest:

DVaughn White, age 29, 1341 Blackwood-Clementon Rd., Gloucester Township , NJ 08021

Charged with Manufacturing, Distribution of CDS (Heroin) (2nd Degree), Money Laundering (3rd Degree), Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm (2nd Degree), Possession of CDS (3rd Degree), and Possession of CDS (Disorderly Person). White was remanded to the Camden County correctional Facility in accordance with N.J. Bail Reform.

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

2006 Turkey Day Football: Gloucester City HS vs Gloucester Catholic HS

Originally Published November 2006

By LEA KOROS

Special to ClearysNotebook

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ —With the Lions / Rams game less then a week away the talk has begun. The “ELECTION” is over and the residents and alumni have started the annual rite only a local GHS or GCHS graduate can appreciate. This talk is for the locals not the wannabes, the talk is not held on the bus ride from Deptford or

Washington Twp, but held at the Memorial A.A. church. I’ve heard the sermons at the bright orange church about mixed marriages. Lately the sermon preached why can’t we forgive and accept these marriages. How can a Lion marry a Ram? How can they send their children to that place on Cumberland St?

Yes, it has begun. Wednesday night the hardworking, church going, people of Gloucester will head to a local establishment and dissect the upcoming Turkey Day game. They will argue that no game on Turkey Day was better then the 1971 Delsea game. Or the Froggy Rebstock catch a few years later against Delsea. Anyway they look at it some old-timer will say it was the “Shot heard round the world”, forgetting they are talking about

football

and not the 1971 boys basketball.

Yes, it is Turkey Day. The two teams will prepare differently, the Rams will have their moms make a pre-game team breakfast, while the Lions players will go to their own breakfast at the “Orange Church”. The church better known as Coffee Corner at Broadway and Market St. has a pew and will be occupied Mr. Harris, Ken Settar, Steve Cowgill, and Ma Hagan the few survivors of Wednesday evening. The Preacher Pop Cowgill will hand out communion a Breakfast sandwich to each Lion. After these players are blessed, they will head over with the Pride of the City on their shirts.

It is game time. Lions Coach Harris has a team, which was a play, or two from the playoffs and the team wants to end the season with a .500 record while the Rams underachieved and missed out on the playoffs.

On offense, the Rams will rely on the passing of Brooklawn’s Ray Mc Kenney. Mc Kenney who has struggled at times this season will look to get the ball to City teammates Mike Calzonetti (child of a Lion/Ram marriage) and George Spingler. If Mc Kenney is on his game, it will be a long day for the Lions.

The Lions have been hurt to many times by the pass so look for Coach Harris to give

Bryan Collins some extra help in the deep patterns. The Rams backfield has struggled with its running game. Locals

Ryan Alcott and RB Ed Saunders have carried the load and will have another difficult time establishing a running game against the Lions strong

defensive line

On offense, the Lions have suffered in the passing game. With the exception the short pass to WR Liam James or TE Mike Becker, the Lions have not put together any consistency in the passing game. The Lions will provide a running game with TB Brandon Mc Elwee and the punishment of FB Josh Porter. Mc Elwee is coming off a strong game against Audubon where he rushed for 250 yards and scored 3 TDs. Both of these players will provide the majority of the Lions “O”.

The game will come down to Mc Kenney or backup quarterback Calzonetti’s ability to work the ball down field against a soft Lions secondary. The Rams will not be able to move the ball on the ground so look for an aerial attack from the Rams. The Rams will work away from the Lions DB Liam James and work more towards DB Brian Collins with help from FS Brandon Mc Elwee

The Lions will work the inside game and will win the battled of the line. Behind Mike Marchionne, the Lions will hammer a running game against the Rams, which has not been able finish off tackles. A few missed tackles and the Rams will be in trouble. Nevertheless, the game will come down to the pass. Who can pass, will win the game? The Lions have a lot of pride and will make all necessary adjustments to win this event but the locals who went astray and betrayed our great city, Alcott, Spingler, Mike Gartland, Mc Kenney, Harry Amwake and Calzonetti will provide enough offense and defense to beat the Lions.

My prediction……..Rams 26 Lions 14

PATCO AWARDED $12.6 MILLION “BUILD” TRANSPORTATION GRANT

Project identified by U.S. Department of Transportation to have significant regional impact.

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that it will receive a $12,580,000.00 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for its

PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project

. The project will revitalize and reopen an existing rail station consistent with modern Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The USDOT awarded the grant under the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Previously known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, BUILD grants provide opportunities for USDOT to invest in roads and other projects that have a significant local or regional impact.

“This BUILD grant will help the Delaware River Port Authority to re-open Franklin Square Station, giving Philadelphians more transit options,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “The funding will contribute to necessary upgrades for the station and will serve new residential and commercial growth in the area. I was proud to advocate on behalf of DRPA for this important project for the Philadelphia metropolitan area.”

“PATCO is excited to be a recipient of a 2019 BUILD grant,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “It is a testament of the importance that the Franklin Square Station Project has to the community and the continued economic development in our region.”

In September 2018, PATCO announced plans to reopen its shuttered Franklin Square Station located beneath Franklin Square Park. Construction on rehabilitating the existing station is expected to begin in late 2020 with an opening date in Summer 2023. The work covered under the project will allow the station to become fully functional and in-line with the existing PATCO stations. The project will address improvements to the station’s civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and will provide access in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In order to reach the concourse area, a new head house building will be constructed where the previous head house was located at the corner of 7th & Race Streets. The total budget for the project is $30 million.

“The BUILD grant comes at an exciting time for the DRPA and its transportation infrastructure investments,” said Michael P. Venuto, DRPA Chief Engineer. “DRPA’s Capital Budget is approximately $200 million in 2020 with a total spending of $810 million over the next five years. The grant enables the DRPA and PATCO to further advance its mission of world-class stewards of transportation assets.”

“On behalf of the DRPA and PATCO, I would like to thank the Department of Transportation and Senator Casey for recognizing the importance of the Franklin Square Project,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO President. “BUILD grants provide infrastructure funding to better connect communities, and connecting people is at the heart of what we do every day at DRPA and PATCO.”

For more information about the 2019 BUILD Transportation Grant program, please visit

www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

. For more information about the Franklin Square Reopening Project, please visit

RidePATCO.org/projects

Obituary: Frank Serio, of Runnemede

Frank Serio, on November 23, 2019, of Runnemede. Age 81.

Beloved son of the late Vincent and Angelina (nee DiTullio) Serio. Devoted brother of Michael Serio and the late Rose Klose. Loving brother in law of John Klose. Dear uncle of John Klose Jr. (Valerie) and Angela Gkonos (James). Great uncle of Haley, Abigail, Brittany and Andrew.

Frank proudly served in the US Army during the Vietnam era. Frank retired from the Philadelphia Police Department after 20 years of service and he was a member of the FOP.

There will be a viewing on Saturday from 8:15am to 9:15am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral mass 10am at, Holy Child Parish, St. Teresa Church, 13 E. Evesham Road, Runnemede, NJ 08078.

Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

Grand Jury Indicts Mt. Laurel Woman for Mother’s Murder

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Mt. Laurel woman has been indicted for fatally stabbing her mother earlier this year inside the residence they shared at the Ramblewood

Village Apartments.

Marisa G. Rivera, 24, of the first block of Pine Cove, was indicted on one count of Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree), and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).

An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court. Rivera has been in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since her arrest.

She is accused of killing her mother, 56-year-old Denise DeNapoli, in the early morning hours of September 6 and then fleeing the apartment. She was arrested several hours later at a Route 73 hotel and taken into custody without incident by Mount Laurel Township police officers.

Denise DeNapoli’s body was discovered by police who were sent to the residence by her employer to conduct a wellness check after she could not be reached by co-workers.

Rivera is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit – Violent Crimes Section.

The case was investigated by the Mount Laurel Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are Mount Laurel Police Detective Thomas Corsanico and BCPO Detective Nicholas Villano.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

PATCO Announces New Owl Schedule

In early May, PATCO announced plans for a new Owl Service schedule in an effort to improve security on the PATCO transit line. After community feedback, the implementation was postponed and a special owl task force was assembled to recommend ways to improve the safety and security of riders and employees during the owl hours. The goals of the task force were to increase police presence, keep as many stations open as possible and maintain 24-hour service. Over several months, the task force analyzed 25-months of data pertaining to owl service and provided recommendations which PATCO will implement on Saturday, December 7.

“It’s important to PATCO to listen to the communities we serve, and then act on what we have learned,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “Safety and security are still our top priority at PATCO and our new owl service plan incorporates the feedback and concerns of our riders. Based on a suggestion from our Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the task force took a deeper dive in reviewing entries and exits for each station for both weekday and weekend Owl service hours over the past two years.”

The following service adjustments will take effect beginning 12 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2019:

Owl Service

Weekdays: 12 a.m. Midnight to 4 a.m.

Weekends: 2 a.m. Midnight to 5 a.m.

All stations remain open 24/7/365 with the exception of 9/10th & Locust St. Station which is currently closed daily between 12:07 a.m. and 4:15 a.m.

Trains will operate every 60 minutes instead of every 45 minutes.

A police officer will be onboard owl trains from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays and from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends.

Only one train will be in the system making a continuous loop during the owl hours.

Owl riders are encouraged to board the train, even if it’s traveling in the opposite direction, rather than waiting in a station for the same train to return. Riding the train offers a comfortable, climate-controlled environment with PATCO personnel.

PATCO will operate 4-car trains and doors will not open on the first and last cars to encourage riders to sit closer together rather than spread out.

In addition to the service adjustments, PATCO will implement additional safety and security measures for all riders:

Launch a transit safety and security mobile app called “Look Up. Speak Up.” which will allow riders to discreetly and confidentially report security or safety issues on PATCO directly to DRPA/PATCO Police. The app is available now for download in the Google Play and Apple App stores.

Launch a safety awareness campaign aimed to remind and encourage riders to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings.

“Our number one goal is to ensure the safety of our riders and employees,” said DRPA/PATCO Police Chief John L. Stief. “The owl task force provided solutions for increased police coverage and aligning riders in greater numbers together on trains and stations.”

Click here

to view the new schedule effective Saturday, December 7.

EPA Proposes Plan Related to Combined Sewer Overflow Impacts on the Newtown Creek Superfund Site

NEW YORK

– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a proposed plan that evaluates impacts of the current and expected future volume of combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area in New York City. EPA added Newtown Creek to its Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s highest priority

hazardous waste sites in September 2010, and investigations of the entire site are ongoing.

“This proposed plan is an important step forward in advancing the cleanup of the Newtown Creek Superfund Site,”

said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez.

“In this plan, EPA acknowledges that the work that the City is already obliged to do to improve the water quality of Newtown Creek, including major water infrastructure improvements through compliance with the state imposed long term CSO control plan, will be consistent with meeting the needs of the Superfund program and help EPA fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment.”

The Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area is comprised of the waters and sediments of Newtown Creek in Brooklyn and Queens. Outside of the Superfund process, the City of New York is under order by the State of New York to implement a CSO Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) for Newtown Creek. The LTCP, which was approved by the state in June 2018, includes a number of components to reduce future CSO discharges to the creek, including construction of a storage tunnel. The LTCP is ultimately anticipated to reduce the volume of CSO discharges to Newtown Creek by approximately 61%, and to achieve waterbody-specific water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. EPA evaluated the LTCP in the context of the Superfund site to determine if the volume reductions anticipated under the LTCP are sufficient to meet the needs of the future cleanup of the Superfund site. EPA has determined that the water pollution volume controls prescribed by the LTCP that the city and state will implement, in accordance with requirements of the Clean Water Act, are sufficient to meet the needs of an eventual Superfund cleanup for the Study Area of the Newtown Creek Superfund Site. The EPA anticipates requiring monitoring of the four largest CSOs to confirm the assumptions made in this proposed plan.

The EPA is conducting in-depth investigations of the extent of the contamination at the entire Newtown Creek Superfund Site in order to determine how best to clean it up over the long-term. This proposed plan is for one aspect of the site.

The EPA will determine in the future whether additional control actions, either in the creek or at CSO points-of-discharge, are needed to address the cleanup of the full site. These additional control actions could include the placement of sediment traps and/or oil sorbent pads at the end of CSO discharge pipes and in-creek maintenance dredging to address potential accumulation of contaminated solids near the CSO discharges.

During the public comment period, EPA will hold two public meetings in New York City to inform the public of EPA’s proposed plan for reducing the volume of CSO discharges to the creek, and to receive public comments on the proposed plan and other options that were considered. The public meetings will be held on December 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street in Queens and on December 11 at 6:30 p.m. at P.S. 110, 124 Monitor Street in Brooklyn.

Written comments on the proposed plan, postmarked no later than close of business December 23, 2019, may be emailed to

schmidt.mark@epa.gov

or mailed to Mark Schmidt, U.S. EPA, 290 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

To view the EPA’s proposed plan for the site, please visit:

www.epa.gov/superfund/newtown-creek

Newtown Creek is part of the core area of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, which has been designated by EPA as an “estuary of national significance.” In the mid-1800s, the area adjacent to the 3.8-mile Newtown Creek was one of the busiest hubs of industrial activity in New York City. Numerous industrial facilities were located along its banks, including more than 50 oil refineries, as well as petrochemical plants, fertilizer and glue factories, sawmills, and lumber and coal yards. The creek was crowded with commercial vessels, including large boats bringing in raw materials and fuel and taking out oil, chemicals and metals. In addition to the industrial pollution that resulted from all of this activity, the city began dumping raw sewage directly into the water in 1856. During World War II, the creek was one of the busiest ports in the nation. Some factories and facilities still operate along its banks, and various adjacent contaminated sites have contributed to its contamination. Today, as a result of its industrial history, including countless spills, Newtown Creek is badly polluted.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at

Tweets by EPAregion2

and visit our Facebook page,

http://facebook.com/eparegion2

Investors Foundation Grant Helps Bring Joy of Reading to At-Risk Students Through BookMates

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J.

– BookMates, a program offered by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey, has received a $5,000 grant from the Investors Foundation. The grant will be paid out over two years and be used to bring the joy of reading to children in low- to moderate-income communities.

Photo Caption: Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president, business lending, (center) and Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager (right), recently presented a $5,000 grant payable over two years, to Rhonda Shevrin, BookMates Director, at a kick-off session for the 2019-2020 school year at the office of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

BookMates applied for the grant from the Investors Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending, along with Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager, presented the check at one of the BookMates kick-off meetings for the 2019-2020 school year at the office of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

“We are so pleased to support the BookMates program,” explained Warren. “More than 25 years ago, my wife and I participated in a very similar program and it made us realize the importance of giving back to the community. Investors Bank also is committed to giving back to the community. Literacy and education are particular passions for the bank. Investors is grateful for the opportunity to help children gain a love for reading that hopefully will carry through the rest of their lives.”

“I am so grateful that Investors Bank has chosen to support our mission of reading to at-risk students,” said BookMates Director

Rhonda Shevrin.

“I am looking forward to a long relationship.”

BookMates provides weekly one-to-one reading sessions with an adult volunteer in more than 40 schools receiving Title 1 funding in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. Through the efforts of the trained volunteers, the children are further exposed to a wide range of literature, an expanded vocabulary, and an additional focus on reading comprehension.

According to Shevrin, more than 300 BookMates volunteers, many of who are retirees, read to more than 600 children in Kindergarten through second-grade. The children are not the only beneficiaries. Many of the volunteers return year-after-year to participate in the program because they see it as an enjoyable and satisfying opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.

“We are delighted to support BookMates,” said Epps. “Investors Bank is committed to bringing ‘community’ back to banking. We believe that we only can be successful if we are involved and giving back to the communities we serve.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With over $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About BookMates

BookMates is a social justice program of the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Catholic-Jewish Commission. It was founded in 1999, and is s

ponsored by Townsend Press in memory of Henry H. Nadell and Marjorie Nadell Schneider.

The mission of BookMates is to provide a nurturing one-to-one literacy experience for at-risk children that encourages them to develop a love of reading and provides them with a foundation to succeed in life. The program currently has 300 readers mentoring students in 40 schools in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. For more information, contact

BookMates@jfedsnj.org

or visit the website at

www.bookmatessnj.org