Month: February 2020

New Name for Philadelphia Union Stadium

Agreement is first of its kind globally for the automaker; Home of the Union and Union II to become Subaru Park

CHESTER, Pa. (February, 2020)

– Philadelphia Union and Subaru of America, Inc. today announced a multi-year stadium naming rights partnership in a global first for the automaker. As a part of the partnership, the home of the Union will be named Subaru Park, an 18,500-seat sports and events destination in the greater

Philadelphia area. Subaru will become the official and exclusive automotive partner of the Philadelphia Union. Additionally, the two companies have jointly made a commitment to the greater Philadelphia community that will produce a series of charitable programs as an extension of the Subaru Love Promise vision.

The agreement between the Union and Subaru marks the first time the leading automaker has entered into a partnership with a major league sports team, domestically and globally. Extending beyond a naming rights agreement, the core of the partnership is the development of community programs that enhance the greater Philadelphia community where both organizations are headquartered. The programs will benefit causes centered around youth soccer, pediatric cancer, pet adoption, and environmental sustainability.

\”Today is the start of a historic new chapter for the Philadelphia Union, both with the inauguration of our 2020 season at Subaru Park and in the official beginning of our relationship with Subaru of America, a partner that shares in our vision for a better future for our fans and surrounding community,” said Tim McDermott, Philadelphia Union President. “Subaru of America has consistently exemplified a passionate commitment to the community and bringing people together, which is a core value upon which our club was founded. We are committed to working hand-in-hand to give back and create a better world for our fans and the people of the Greater Philadelphia area.”

\”When organizations unite for the greater good, everyone wins, which is why we at Subaru of America are excited to come together with our local professional soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, under a shared goal to do good and strive for the betterment of our local communities,” said Thomas J. Doll, President and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. “This partnership extends the reach of our commitments to improve the lives of people in our community. Subaru of America, along with our retailers and the Philadelphia Union, will develop community programs that will directly tie to our Subaru Love Promise initiatives.\”

At the center of the agreement is a commitment to the community through outreach programs as a part of the Subaru Love Promise company vision. Those initiatives include:

Subaru Loves the Earth

: A focus on creating a more sustainable environment for fans and the Philadelphia community through recycling efforts and a community garden to grow and donate fresh fruits and vegetables to local communities in need.

Subaru Loves to Help

: An effort to provide underserved communities the equipment and resources needed to become active and experience the game of soccer in and around the city.

Subaru Loves to Care

: A commitment to support children battling cancer, to highlight and recognize unsung heroes in our community, as well as a celebration of all walks of life regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

Subaru Loves Pets

: A mission to unite pets with loving homes and to support pet adoption and animal welfare in the Greater Philadelphia community.

In addition to becoming Subaru Park and adding new dynamic signage, the Union’s home will receive numerous additional improvements ahead of the 2020 season, including:

State-of-the-art Videoboard

: Subaru Park will feature an all-new, high dynamic range (HDR) videoboard for the 2020 season. This will be the first HDR compatible videoboard in a Philadelphia sports venue and the first in any MLS soccer-specific venue. The board will be 109 ft. x 32 ft. with 3,440 sq. ft. of video surface, a 281% increase in surface, and feature a 200% increase in resolution. The stadium will also feature upgraded LED ribbons around the field and bowl as well as more than 200 new monitors throughout the stadium and concourse.

New Parking Lots

: Three new parking lots have been acquired by the Union during the off-season, providing more parking and improved ingress and egress for ticket holders. In addition, there will be more than 30 reserved spaces in Lot B, free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis for fans who are Subaru owners.

Tunnel Club

: After a soft opening during the 2019 playoff game, the new premium VIP Tunnel Club is now open and offers special game day experiences to West Side Field Seat, Field Table, Manager’s Row and Presidential Row Season Ticket Members. The Tunnel Club provides exclusive benefits ranging from all-inclusive food and beverage to one-of-kind experiences such as behind the scenes, close-proximity to the players and their locker room throughout the game.

OVG Global Partnerships served as the naming rights agency for the Philadelphia Union and was instrumental in the creation of this partnership.

ABOUT SUBARU LOVE PROMISE

The Subaru Love Promise is just that. A promise. It is a promise to do right by our community by partnering with nonprofit education, health, community, environment, and animal organizations – to set Subaru apart through our deeds and the deeds of our partners. To be unlike any other car company by doing what is right and good, just for the sake of doing it.

ABOUT SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Subaru of America, Inc.

(SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of

Subaru Corporation

of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.

is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the

Subaru Love Promise

, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $165 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

For additional information visit

media.subaru.com

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ABOUT PHILADELPHIA UNION

The Philadelphia Union is an innovative, forward-thinking professional soccer club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) and one of Philadelphia’s five major league sports teams. Driven by unprecedented fan support, MLS awarded the Philadelphia expansion franchise rights to Jay Sugarman in 2008 and the Union kicked off its inaugural season in 2010. The club has reached the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2018, and has appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

The Philadelphia Union is part of parent company Keystone Sports & Entertainment, which also operates USL Championship side Philadelphia Union II, the Philadelphia Union Academy, Philadelphia Union Foundation and Philadelphia Union Youth Programs. With a commitment to developing talent from the Delaware Valley, the Union have signed nine local players from their academy to a first team contract.

The Union play at Subaru Park in Chester, PA on the banks of the Delaware River. The custom-built stadium is part of the Union’s unique waterfront campus, featuring an historic power plant rebuilt into a 500,000 sq. ft. creative office building, a state-of-the-art Training Complex, over 7 acres of professional grade practice pitches and multiple onsite parking fields. For more information about the Philadelphia Union, visit

www.philadelphiaunion.com

and follow the Union on

Twitter

or

Instagram

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New Jersey Man Charged With Coercing And Enticing Commercial Sex Workers

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man who allegedly lured commercial sex workers to travel from out of state to engage in prostitution and other sexual acts by use of force, violence and threats in and around Middlesex County, New Jersey,  appeared in court February 19,  U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jose Torres, 42, is charged by complaint with two counts of coercion and enticement. The defendant is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelly in Boston federal court. Torres was arrested on Feb. 14, 2020, in Boston.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From May 2015 to October 2019, Torres persuaded, induced and enticed commercial sex workers to travel from various out of state locations, including Canada and New York, in order to engage in prostitution. Torres lured commercial sex workers to New Jersey with promises of large payments. When the commercial sex workers asked for payment, Torres became aggressive, often assaulting and raping them. Torres never paid the sex workers.

The coercion and enticement charges each carries a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment and a potential $250,000 fine.

The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma Spiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; the Middlesex County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Christopher L. C. Kuberiet; and the Peabody, Massachusetts, Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Griffin, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The charges and allegation in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Now Available, Beard Guyz® Micro-Mist Beard Oil with Pump

Glendale Heights, IL – Beard Guyz®,

a Men’s Care brand from Universal Beauty Products, Inc., has expanded its grooming product lineup for 2020 with a lightweight oil

Beard Guyz® products

that’s applied directly to the beard using a proprietary pump sprayer. Beard Guyz Micro-Mist Beard Oil softens and moisturizes the beard without weighing it down and is

conveniently sized to meet the busy lifestyle needs of modern sporting enthusiasts.

Many beard oil products require the use of hands to apply the oil and shape the beard. Beard Guyz Micro-Mist Beard Oil bypasses this step, allowing oil to be sprayed directly on the beard for a more controlled and even application – no hands, hassle or cleanup required.

“We’re excited about crafting a beard oil that is convenient to apply and provides moisturization in a hands-free manner for sporting enthusiasts,” says Ricky Arias, Brand Manager – Beard Guyz. “Beard Guyz products are designed to help beard wearers look their best for life’s important as well as everyday moments and we think our new oil will do just that, all while saving them precious time.”

Beard Guyz Micro-Mist Beard Oil is available in a 1.0-ounce size for convenient use at home or on-the go. Micro-Mist Beard Oil provides lightweight moisturization and includes a deodorizer.

“With beards becoming more popular every year, the grooming landscape is changing,” says John Fitzgerald, Senior Director – Marketing/Men’s Division at Universal Beauty Products. “Our customers require solutions with the versatility to meet their grooming needs in any situation and time of day. We believe that our Micro-Mist Beard Oil meets and exceeds expectations for convenience and quality.”

Beard Guyz® Micro-Mist Beard Oil is available starting February 2020 at select retail outlets throughout the United States, including Bed Bath & Beyond® and Giant®, as well as at online retailers including

Amazon.com

and

beardguyz.com

.

###

About Universal Beauty Products, Inc.

Universal Beauty Products, Inc., located in Glendale Heights, Illinois, is a leading manufacturer of personal care products. With over 10 brands, Universal Beauty Products offers an extensive portfolio of grooming, beard, hair and skin products. The Men’s Care division includes Beard Guyz®, focused on men’s beard care, and Van Der Hagen®, focused on the flourishing grooming market. The company headquarters operates a 200,000+ square foot facility that includes research and development laboratories, sales, marketing, manufacturing, customer services, administration and warehousing and is committed to producing performance-proven products.

Pennsylvania Meth Ring Busted, 32 Arrested

ALTOONA― Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. This law enforcement action is the result of wiretaps and a year-long

grand jury

investigation into a drug trafficking network between Philadelphia and Blair counties which authorized the arrest of 17 individuals including the Philadelphia sources of methamphetamine and Blair County’s upper and mid-level dealers.

Beyond the 17 arrested as a result of the grand jury, additional investigation led to the arrest of 15 more people who are alleged to have been connected to the larger drug organization.

In confiscations conducted over one week in October 2019 alone, the West Drug Task Force seized approximately 12,000 doses of meth totaling over $300,000. This represents the largest seizure of methamphetamine destined for Blair County in the County’s history. The grand jury determined that deliveries of a similar size occurred once every 7 to 10 days; in one year, the meth ring trafficked well over 94,000 doses worth approximately $2,500,000.

“Blair County and much of rural Pennsylvania is suffering under the drug crisis being fueled by organizations like those taken down today,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “These individuals sold thousands of dollars in addictive, life-altering drugs, sometimes in the presence of children. They did not consider how their actions would ravage the lives of their loved ones, their neighborhoods, communities like Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and East Freedom, and families all across Pennsylvania.

Departments involved include:

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Altoona Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, State College Police Department, Patton Township Police Department, Ferguson Township Police Department, and Logan Township Police Department.

Those arrested today include:

Adrian Speedwell, Nichole Merkerson-Beale, and Ricardo Cade, all of Philadelphia; Terry Bookwalter of Mapleton Depot, Mark Watson of Huntingdon,Tituscott Potts of Hollidaysburg, and Jennifer Strayer of East Freedom; Carlos Custalow Jr., Khalil Graham, Elroy Wise, Shawn Jackson, Kimberly Riggleman, Darwin Herring Sr., Troy Hicks, William Snyder II, Aleeta Queen-Dively, Barbara Bordell, Gerell Shepard, Jenna Raia, Kenneth Roberson, Justin Spanik, Rashelle Summers, Tyler Hetrick, Michael Fletcher, Gregory Betar II, Tiffany Mills, Michael Lowe, Effiann Potts, Scott Redfield, Robert Stanley, Darien Banks, and Rashawn Atkinson, all of Altoona.

The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Alyssa Donato of Cedarville, NJ Named to 2020 Kutztown University Softball Team

KUTZTOWN, PA (02/20/2020)– Kutztown University will have 21 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2020 season, including Alyssa Donato of Cedarville, NJ (08311).

The Golden Bears opened their season with a 4-5 record across their first two tournaments. Head coach Judy Lawes is in her 33rd season at KU, 19 wins shy of 1,000 for her career.

KU will next hit the diamond for their spring break trip beginning Saturday, March 7, against Winston-Salem State in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Golden Bears will then play six days in Florida.

Softball website

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

As the region\’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU\’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU\’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

Harrison on Wednesday\’s Cumberland County Democratic Caucus Vote

“I want to sincerely thank each of the members of the Cumberland Democratic County Steering Committee for all the time they invested in their endorsement process, the full

Caucus for their support, and would also like to congratulate all the others who won their endorsements tonight including Carol Musso and George Castellini, and Bruce Cooper.

“I am grateful that the Committee took the time to thoroughly evaluate and interview each of the candidates and honored that they recognized that I am the best qualified candidate to beat Jeff Van Drew and represent the needs of the working families of Cumberland County.  To all the members of the Caucus, whether they supported me tonight or not, I remain committed to earning your support, will work as hard as possible to ensure everyone in Cumberland County is represented and that our full Party has the strongest possible voice.

“Beating Jeff Van Drew is going to come down to doing the work, asking for support, taking nothing for granted, bringing people together, and having a true track record of supporting our community.  It is clear that in the last two years, Jeff Van Drew have forgotten these key principles and NJ-02 is now demanding a change.

“Finally, I want to continue to thank my army of volunteers across the district, from teenagers to retirees, who have all been instrumental in helping me earn every vote.

“It is my determination as the Democratic candidate for the 2nd congressional district to provide leadership that will always put the needs and demands of people first.  I am proud to stand with the Cumberland County Democratic Party as their chosen candidate to beat Jeff Van Drew and I am grateful for everyone’s support tonight.”

Lowell M. McCown, Marcus S. Mackroy-Davis, Zahire N. Williams Indicted for Burlington City Murder

(Left to right) Lowell M. McCown,  Marcus S. Mackroy-Davis,  Zahire N. Williams

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 20, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that three men have been indicted for the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Burlington City resident late last year.

Zahire N. Williams, 20, of Burlington City, Marcus S. Mackroy-Davis, 23, of Westampton, and Lowell M. McCown, 20, of Philadelphia were indicted on charges of Murder (First Degree) and Conspiracy (First Degree).

Williams, who is accused of being the shooter, was indicted on additional charges of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree). Mackroy-Davis was also indicted on one count of Obstructing the Administration of Law (Fourth Degree).

The indictment was returned February 13 and signed by First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment is scheduled for March 9 in Superior Court. Williams and Mackroy-Davis were detained and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly.

The trio is charged with killing Kion Edwards the morning of November 10 on York Street in the city’s Historic Yorkshire neighborhood. The investigation revealed that Edwards was standing outside with acquaintances when the three defendants drove by and Williams fired shots in the group’s direction, striking only Edwards.

The defendants are being prosecuted by BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson. The case was investigated by detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the City of Burlington Police Department. The lead investigators are BCPO Det. Erica Ridge and City of Burlington Police Department Det. Jamie Lambing.

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

Tomlin Station Road/CR 607 Bridge over I-295 to close tomorrow deck replacement project begins

Signed detour will be in place

(Trenton)

(February 20, 2020)–– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the closure and detour of the Tomlin Station Road/CR 607 Bridge over I-295 to begin a bridge deck replacement project in Greenwich, Gloucester County.

Beginning at 7 a.m., tomorrow Friday, February 21, NJDOT’s Contractor, South State, Inc. is scheduled to close the Tomlin Station Road Bridge over I-295.  The following signed detour will be in place:

Tomlin Station Road northbound detour:

Motorists wishing to take Tomlin Station Road northbound will be directed to turn left onto the ramp to I-295 north/Route 130

Take Exit 16A towards Swedesboro Road

Keep right at the fork and continue onto Swedesboro Road

Turn left onto the ramp to I-295 south/Route 130

Take Exit 15 to Tomlin Station Road/CR 607

Turn left onto Tomlin Station Road/CR 607 northbound

Tomlin Station Road southbound detour:

Motorists wishing to take Tomlin Station Road southbound will be directed to turn right onto the ramp to I-295 south/Route 130

Take Exit 14 and turn left at the stop sign onto Repaupo Station Road

Turn left onto the ramp to I-295 north/Route 130

Take Exit 15 to Tomlin Station Road/CR 607

Turn right onto Tomlin Station Road/CR 607 southbound

The $3 million federally-funded Tomlin Station Road/CR 607 Bridge over I-295 Bridge deck replacement project will replace the bridge deck, which is in poor condition. In addition to replacing the deck, the project includes curb work, new parapets and sidewalks, and guardrail improvements. The project is expected to be completed by August 2020.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the bridge project.

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

or on the

NJDOT Facebook page

.

Tabernacle Fire Co. Receives Grant from SJ Gas

TABERNACLE, NJ (February 18, 2020)—-South Jersey Gas recently presented a $4,681 grant to Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1 as part of its First Responders Grant Program. Pictured, from left, is Lauren Hurtt, Supervisor of Government Affairs with South Jersey Gas presenting the check to Kate Holden, Al Freeman and Chief Andy Cunard of Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1.

The grant funds, awarded in late-2019, were used by the fire company to purchase a thermal imaging camera and two gas detection meters.

“Our First Responders Grant Program provides crucial financial assistance to support operations, improve safety and provide training to departments throughout the South Jersey region,” said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. “Through this investment, South Jersey Gas can help hardworking, courageous first responders and express gratitude for the work they do each day to ensure our communities remain safe. We are proud to partner with Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1 and commend them for their efforts.”

The thermal imaging camera and gas detection meters are vital safety tools that will aid the fire company in various situations. Thermal imaging cameras greatly enhance search and rescue capabilities in zero visibility environments, and gas detection meters gauge the levels of various types of gas, alerting the crew to atmospheric hazards so they can react accordingly.

The First Responder Grant Program will be offered again in November 2020. Program information and eligibility guidelines are available at southjerseygas.com/community.

Tips On Saving Time/Money This Tax Season

(NAPSI)—Tax season is upon us, and you should have received all the documents needed to file your taxes and (hopefully) get a refund. To help reduce the stress that comes with filing taxes, Glinda

F

inancial expert

Glinda Bridgforth

Bridgforth, a leading financial expert who explores the emotional and cultural factors that block financial success, identifies a few ways to save time and money this tax season:

1.    Get organized.

Whether you visit a tax professional or do it yourself, gather all documents ahead of time, such as your employer W-2s and any 1099 forms you may receive for interest income, retirement plans, or gig work such as driving for Uber. Don’t forget to check your online accounts where you might need to download tax documents.

“Avoid the panic and stress that comes from disorganization,” says Bridgforth. “Also, look at last year’s return, which can serve as a good guide.”

2.    Start (and finish) early.

Don’t wait until April. Starting the process early will let you get organized, and have more time if you need it. Filing early will not only help you get your refund faster, it may also help you avoid tax-related identity theft since you will already have filed using your own Social Security number before someone else tries to. Speaking of identity theft…

3.    Watch out for scams.

Where there’s money there’s a con, and criminals have become very good at exploiting tax season. Be wary of threatening phone calls from “IRS agents” and phishing e-mails “from the IRS” seeking your personal information. Also, while all tax preparers and DIY websites aim to minimize taxes and maximize refunds, beware of promises for more than your fair share. Unscrupulous “tax preparers” entice unsuspecting taxpayers with hopes of a high refund, only for them to lose it all. The IRS just launched “Identity Theft Central” (IRS.gov/identitytheft) to help taxpayers report identity theft and learn how to protect themselves against crimes.

4.    Get all your tax breaks.

Did you get married? Have children? Change jobs? Take all the deductions you deserve.

“Even if nothing has changed in your life, you may have missed credits in the past that you’re entitled to,” notes Bridgforth. “For example, according to the IRS, one in every five eligible workers fails to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).”

If you find out you qualify for the EITC this year and didn’t claim it in the past, you can even file amended returns for 2016, 2017, or 2018. The IRS provides a wealth of this type of information online at IRS.gov/eitc.

5.    Look for tax prep discounts and promotions, then use direct deposit.

The full service tax prep companies, as well as the DIY websites, are competing for your business, so be sure to shop around and look for coupons or rebates to find the best deal. Many free options are also available to those who qualify. Just go to IRS.gov/freefile to check eligibility.

And for the fastest and most secure delivery of your tax refund, opt for direct deposit instead of a check.

“If you don’t have or don’t qualify for a traditional branch bank account, there are new digital options to consider,” says Bridgforth. “Several FDIC-insured digital bank accounts and prepaid debit cards are available to open online or on your mobile phone, such as Green Dot Bank’s Unlimited Cash Back Bank Account, or Intuit’s Turbo Card prepaid debit card for those who use TurboTax.”

In addition, if you direct deposit your federal tax refund into your Green Dot account, not only will you get it faster, you’ll be entered in the Green Dot Extreme Tax Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of fifty $1,000 prizes. Details and official rules can be found at

greendot.com/ExtremeTax

.