USDA Approves Plans for Domestic Production of Hemp by Louisiana, NJ, and Ohio and Three Indian Tribes

(December 28, 2019)–The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the first set of plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp under the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The plans were submitted by the states of Louisiana, New Jersey, and Ohio, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santa Rosa Cahuilla, and La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indian Tribes.

image courtesy of

https://www.agriculture.com/

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) directed USDA to develop a regulatory oversight program for hemp and include provisions for USDA to approve hemp production plans submitted by states and Indian tribes. Accordingly, on October 31, 2019, USDA issued an

interim final rule

establishing the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program and the provisions for USDA to approve submitted plans. State and tribal plans provide details on practices and procedures that enable hemp producers in their jurisdictions to operate according to their individual plans and in compliance with federal laws.

To produce hemp, growers must be licensed or authorized under a state, tribe, or USDA production program. The program a grower is licensed under depends on the location of the hemp growing facility. If a state or tribe has an approved plan or is in the process of developing a plan, growers must apply and be licensed or authorized under its hemp program. If a state or tribe does not have a plan and does not intend to have a plan, growers can apply for a license from USDA.

USDA continues to receive and review plans from states and Indian tribes and maintains a list of all on our website, along with approved plans. To check the status of a plan or to review approved plans, visit:

Status of State and Tribal Hemp Production Plans

For additional information about the program and the provisions of the interim final rule, visit the

U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program

web page.

For information or questions related to a specific plan, please contact the applicable state or tribe.

Recording Artist CC Miles Named Youth Ambassador for Food Bank of South Jersey

PENNSAUKEN, NEW JERSEY – With a focus on increasing awareness of the impact of food insecurity and the importance of healthy eating in the youth community of South Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey announces recording artist CC Miles, 18, will serve as Youth Ambassador 2020.

Recording artist CC Miles

As Youth Ambassador 2020 for the Food Bank, Miles will bring the message of food insecurity and hunger awareness to regional schools, communities and organizations, as well as work directly with the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Health & Wellness and Community Engagement & Impact teams to distribute information and resources to support healthy eating, nutrition awareness and an understanding of the many faces of food insecurity in South Jersey communities today.

“I am honored to support the Food Bank of South Jersey’s mission to spread food insecurity awareness and health and wellness strategies and eating habits to young people throughout South Jersey,” CC Miles shares. “Nutrition is a very important topic for me, personally, and I can see no better way to share my enthusiasm for healthy eating and proper nutrition while, at the same time, assist young people in South Jersey in understanding the disaster of everyday hunger that impacts so many children, families and entire communities.”

Currently, in Camden County alone, there are 17,200 food-insecure children, 24% of whom are currently ineligible for federal nutrition programs, and 76% of whom are currently income-eligible for nutrition programs – at least, as of today.

Overall in Camden County alone, the total food-insecure population is over 60,000. Food insecure populations in Burlington, Gloucester and Salem counties are equally sobering. Burlington County currently has 41,680 food-insecure residents, of which 10,960 are food-insecure children. Gloucester County holds 8,180 food-insecure children in a total food-insecure population of 26,860 individuals. Suffering the impact of rural hunger, the less populated farmlands of Salem County shows 8,080 food-insecure individuals, of which 2,550 are children – all of which may live more than 10 miles from the nearest grocery store.

“We are delighted to appoint CC Miles our Youth Ambassador for 2020,” reports Fred Wasiak, CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey. “The message of food insecurity and its impact on children throughout our region is a vital point of understanding for today’s youths – awareness can, and will, create power and change in the effort to end hunger in South Jersey.”

ABOUT CC MILES

Recording artist and songwriter CC Miles has released three albums in less than five years, with her most recent album,

Almost

, released in August 2018. Popular on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify, CC engages her growing

Instagram

and

YouTube

followers with new releases and original music between touring the country performing live in Nashville, New York, throughout the United States and internationally, including performances in Italy. Whether on stage, on tape, or on-screen, 18-year-old recording artist CC Miles invites everyone into her world. By way of candid lyrics, genuine charm, and undeniable charisma, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist imparts a storytelling sensibility on impassioned and irresistible pop. Driven by her voice as a writer and augmented by personal instrumental prowess, she shines through each side of every song. At first listen, you might just feel like you know her. CC Miles was born and raised in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. For more information, visit

www.ccmiles.com

ABOUT FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY

Marking its 35th year in 2020, the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. Throughout 2019, FBSJ distributed 14 million pounds of food, including 75,000 after school snacks, over 200,000 summer meals and more than 15,000 senior food boxes, as well as serving 95 health and wellness programs to more than 6,000 residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more, visit

www.foodbanksj.org

DOWN THE SHORE: United Methodist Communities (UMC) Recipient of Four 2019 MarCom Awards

UMC The Shores in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ–United Methodist Communities (UMC) is the recipient of four 2019 MarCom Awards, an international creative competition recognizing outstanding marketing and communications professionals.

The MarCom Awards administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and

Communication Professionals, consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, digital, and web professionals. This year, they judged over 6,500 entries representing the United States, Canada, and 18 other countries.

The fall 2018 issue of

engage

, UMC’s newsletter, took Platinum. With the theme, Then and Now, it contrasted the organization’s founding year, 1907 with 2017. Platinum winners are the most outstanding for their excellence in quality, creativity, and resourcefulness. They demonstrate excellence in terms of quality, creativity, and resourcefulness. About 17 percent won Platinum.

Entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm received Gold awards. Approximately 24 percent fell into this category. The United Methodist Communities at Collingswood Facebook site garnered Gold.

MarCom conferred two Honorable Mention awards: A video from the Connections series (UMC’s YouTube channel), Lori and Irma, portrays the endearing relationship between a frontline professional and a resident. The UMC Foundation’s summer 2018 newsletter,

United in Philanthropy

, received the second Honorable Mention.

The awards represent collaboration with creative partners Merz Branding (West Chester, PA), Image Revolver (Philadelphia, PA), and Masterpiece Marketing (Lancaster, PA).

Robbie Voloshin, corporate director of marketing, reflected, “Our Marketing Department and partners continue to produce outstanding work showcasing United Methodist Communities as an expert senior living resource in New Jersey. These four awards further encourage us in our overall goal to benefit older adults.”

Corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies, and freelancers, submitted entries. With varied talent, they have participated in the concept, writing, and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs entered. Judges are industry professionals who recognize talent that exceeds a high standard of excellence and serves as an industry benchmark. Winners range from individual communicators to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies.

# # #

About United Methodist Communities

United Methodist Communities is a not-for-profit organization guided by a volunteer board of directors affiliated in ministry with the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey. The mission of the United Methodist Communities is compassionately serving in community so that all are free to choose abundant life.

With over 112 years of continuous operation, the organization has grown to 13 locations offering independent, residential and assisted living; Tapestries® Memory Care; respite; rehabilitation; long-term care; Bridges Hospice and Palliative Care; affordable senior housing; and case management, live-in and in-home personal care through HomeWorks.

Route 22 Eastbound Connector to Hillside Ave. to Close Next Week

Safety improvement project begins in Hillside Signed detour will be in place

(Trenton)(December 29, 2019)– – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced that the Route 22 eastbound connector ramp to Hillside Avenue will be closed next week as the Route 22 Hilldale Place/North Broad Street safety improvement project begins in Hillside, Union County. The $10.3 million federally-funded project will replace the existing bridge that serves as the Route 22 eastbound connector. The new bridge will meet current design and safety standards and improve the vertical under clearance over Route 22.

It will also include an acceleration lane for the Route 22 eastbound entrance ramp from Hillside Avenue, a deceleration taper for the Route 22 eastbound entrance ramp to Hillside Avenue, and a right turn lane in the area between N Broad Street and Harding Terrace.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2019, NJDOT’s contractor, Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc., is scheduled to close the Route 22 eastbound connector ramp to Hillside Avenue. The ramp from Hillside Avenue to Route 22 eastbound will remain open.

Variable Message Signs will provide advance notification to motorists of the traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT\’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info and on the NJDOT Facebook page.

Helen B. Johnston of Collingswood; Teacher at Collingswood and Cherry Hill Schools; GHS Alum

Helen B. Johnston

COLLINGSWOOD NJ –Helen B. Johnston (nee Hughes) Born August 1, 1920, passed into the loving arms of the Lord at age 99 on December 24, 2019 at her home in Collingswood, NJ. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Helen grew up in Gloucester City, NJ and was the class Salutatorian as she graduated from Gloucester City High School in 1938.

Following graduation, Helen was a bookkeeper for several companies including Photo Developing Co. in Camden, NJ and Amburgo Co. and Ridgewood Paper Co., both of Philadelphia. During World War II, she volunteered as a Nurse\’s Aide at Cooper Hospital, Camden and Fort Dix Army Hospital.

After graduation from Glassboro State College in 1958, Helen taught 2nd grade in Collingswood for 10 years and Cherry Hill for 15 years. During this time she taught every student in her class with love and dedication and was the recipient of the \”Miss Peach\” award presented by the Courier Post newspaper in 1958. To further her professional skills during this time, she continued her education with courses at the University of Pennsylvania.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where she was active with the Altar Guild and several other church ministries. She was a life member of the NJEA and NEA teacher organizations. She enjoyed traveling in this country and overseas, reading, doing arts and crafts, bird watching and classical music.

Helen was predeceased by her parents Charles C. and Helen M. (Turnier) Hughes, her brothers Charles, Robert and Wesley Hughes and her husband, William J. Johnston, Jr. She is survived by their daughters Barbara L. Nichols of Hamilton and East Windsor, NJ, Donna L. Johnston, Esq. of Seattle, WA and Wendy Lu Brown of Lancaster, PA, her beloved grandchildren Jamie Leigh and Scott Jay Nichols, as well as sisters-in-law Agnes Lake and Dot Johnston. In addition, many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews will miss her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Saturday, January 4, 2020, 11 AM to 1 PM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 820 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ. Memorial Service will follow at 1 PM. Inurnment will take place in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, Haddon & Fern Ave., Collingswood, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate memorial donations be sent in her name to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Rd. #100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (

www.diabetes.org

) or Grace-St. Paul Episcopal Church 3715 East State St. Extension, Mercerville, NJ 08619.

Dawn DiGiacomo Loved Life; Died Too Soon

by William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNewsnet

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 29, 2019)–—Funeral services for Dawn DiGiacomo will be held this afternoon starting 4 PM to 6 PM at McCann-Healey Funeral Home 851 Monmouth

Dawn DiGiacomo

Street., Gloucester City.

Dawn was a lifelong resident of Gloucester educated in the local Catholic School system, She graduated from Gloucester Catholic in 1987.

Her husband Vince DiGiacomo said he and Dawn were together for 32 years.

He said that Dawn wasn\’t sick for very long. \”She was having trouble walking, her knee kept giving out. It got so bad she couldn\’t walk. She was admitted

to Cooper Hospital and underwent a battery of tests. At the end of two weeks the doctors said she either had Stage 4 lung cancer or it was a parasite that was causing her problems. We looked at each other and said if we have a choice we will take the parasite. But, as you know it didn\’t work out that way\”

Vince said she was released from the hospital and for the next month as an outpatient she underwent two weeks of chemo and another two weeks of radiation.

\”After the treatments she was at home when she got a terrible pain in her ribs.

We thought she pulled a muscle and went back to the hospital.

Why doctors were examining her she told me not to stress out, go get a coffee. When I came back later she was in a different room and hooked up to all these machines. She had a breathing tube inserted in her trachea. We never had a verbal conversation again after that day. That was the last time I talked with her. \”

At one point she died but doctors were able to revive her after 8 minutes. \”She was never the same after that,\” Vince said.

\”The cancer

spread into her back and into her brain. The doctors said she had 50 lesions on her brain.\”

Dawn loved spending time down the shore. She was into crafts and would gather seashells from the beach her husband said. \”She would make wreaths out of the shells and give them to friends as a gift. She also liked crabbing and fishing. One of the places she like was Champagne Island which was near the North Wildwood Marina. We would head out there in our pontoon boat and spend the day. She loved to garden. She always had to have some kind of water feature like a pond around the garden. Dawn died too soon, she loved life,\” he said.

Besides her husband Dawn is survived by her children Derick and Ashley Fowler, Amber DiGiacomo, Vincent DiGiacomo, Jr. and Dominick DiGiacomo. Cherished grandmother of Brianna, C.J., Maximus and Derick, Jr. Cherished daughter of Earl T. Fowler, Sr. and the late Louise A. Fowler. Beloved sister of Michelle and Thomas Quinn, Stephanie and John Bryszewski, Kimberly and Michael Morrell and Earl Jr. and Kelliann Fowler. Beloved daughter in law of Amelia Fountain and sister in law of Aldy and Tina DiGiacomo, Georgeanne and John Fagan and Nicole and Doug Rathbone. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and her beloved dog, Opie.

Tomorrow, Monday, December 30

a viewing will be held from 9:45 to 10:45 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM in the church. Entombment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum, Hurffville.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to Animal Welfare Assoc., 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043. Please memo, Dawn M. DiGiacomo.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mcannhealey.com

under the obituary of Dawn Marie DiGiacomo. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ. Ph: 856-456-1142.

Dawn DiGiacomo, 51, of Gloucester City; GCHS Alumnus

Linda J. Bauman (nee Southward) of Bellmawr; Employed by Botte Insurance

Linda J. Bauman (nee Southward), on December 29, 2019, of Bellmawr. Age 66. Beloved wife of Bob, Devoted mother of Danielle Borbon (Froilan) and Renee. Loving grandmother of Nicholas and Gavin. Dear sister of Brian and Kevin. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law and her best friend Terri Sherlock.

Linda loved to bowl and crochet. She worked for Botte Insurance Company. Linda loved helping people and spending time with her family and grandkids.

There will be a visitation from 8:15am to 9:45am on Friday at St. Joachim Parish, Annunciation BVM Church, 601 Browning Road Bellmawr. Funeral Mass at 10am at the Church. Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made in Linda’s memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center. 2 Cooper Plaza, Camden NJ 08103.

Blenheim Suspect Arrested after Fleeing Police

BLENHEIM, NJ– Saturday, 12/28/2019 at approximately 10:45 pm, a Gloucester Township Police Officer patrolling the Blenheim section of the Township, initiated a motor vehicle stop on a 2018 Honda Accord for a motor vehicle violation. The driver failed to stop and continued driving onto the Old Black Horse Pike and eventually onto Boxwood Drive.

The driver, identified as Karron Martin, pulled into a driveway and fled into a residence which was later determined to be his own. As officers attempted to take him into custody, he resisted arrest and fled out the back of the residence and onto the Valleybrook golf course.

Assisting officers and a Gloucester Township Police K9 team established a perimeter and later located and took Martin into custody as he attempted to return back to his residence. One officer received a minor injury during the arrest. Martin was found to have an active warrant for his arrest as well as driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Karron Martin was charged on a criminal summons with Eluding (3rd degree), Resisting Arrest (3rd degree) and Obstruction (4th degree) as well as numerous motor vehicle violations. Martin was processed and released pending court in accordance with bail reform.

Jasmin Wallace was charged with Obstruction, a disorderly person’s offense, for interfering with Martins arrest at the residence. She was released at the scene with a pending court date.

Accused: Karron M. Martin – 36 Years Old – 1400 Block of Boxwood Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012

Accused: Jasmin S. Wallace – 31 Years Old – 1400 Block of Boxwood Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

Illegal Immigrants Can Get Drivers Licenses in NJ

TRENTON, NJ–A new law signed by NJ Gov. Phil Murphy will allow drivers licenses to be issued to illegal immigrants. According to a New Jersey101.5 report, supporters of the measure claim roads will be safer as a result. However, opponents argue the state is just rewarding the lawbreakers.

The legislation creates two classes of license. One is compliant with federal REAL ID standards, and will be the only sort of license that can be used to fly on a plane or enter a federal facility starting in October of 2020. Applicants for those licenses will have to prove they have a legal right to live in the U.S. and New Jersey.

The other is a standard license — similar to the ones most NJ residents have now — and will be available to all Garden State residents, regardless of immigration status.

Sue Fulton, the Motor Vehicle Commission\’s chief administrator, told the state Senate Transportation Committee on Dec. 12 many immigrants are already driving without a license because they can’t get one.

\”In my view, our roads are safer when our drivers are trained, tested, licensed and insured,\” she said.

An AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report found over a two-year period, nearly 20% of fatal crashes involved unlicensed or invalidly licensed drivers.

Fulton also argued an unlicensed driver is more likely to flee the scene of a crash, complicating police efforts.

FAQ: New Jersey driver\’s licenses for immigrants here illegally

Harry W. Hofflinger, Sr. of Westville

Harry W. Hofflinger, Sr.

On December 24, 2019.

Age 72, of Westville. Born in Woodbury, he was the son of the late Harry M. and Mary T. (Bowe) Hofflinger. Harry is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia R. (Butler) Hofflinger, his loving children, Sharon Hofflinger (Gill), Harry W. Hofflinger, Jr., Joe Brown, Dawn Colofranson (Tony), Janet Goetz (Pete); 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brothers, Bob Hills (Diane), Barry Hills (Vicki), Brian Hills (Sean) and his sisters, Karen Jones, Barbara Robbins, Regina Morrison and Karen Hills. Harry was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Colleen Brown; brothers, Roger and George Hills and his sister, Ruth Nail.

Harry worked for many years as a Pipe Insulator for the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, liked hunting, fishing and was an avid Eagles and Phillies fan. He was a family man who loved spending time with his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 31st, at 11 AM in St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, where family and friends may visit from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hurffville, NJ

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Harry to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN

38105. Please write: Harry W. Hofflinger in the memo.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Harry W. Hofflinger, Sr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City

Ph: 856-456-1142