Assemblywoman Katz to Hold Press Conference on Youth Mental Health and Social Media Safety Legislation

Assemblywoman Andrea Katz will hold a press conference to discuss her legislative package aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis by strengthening online protections for children. The package includes a bill to enact a New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), which would require online service providers to implement measures to protect minors’ online privacy; legislation that would require mental health warning labels on certain social media platforms (A4013); and a measure that would establish a social media research center (A4014). These bills will be heard in the Assembly Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee immediately following the press conference.

When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Room L-109, New Jersey State House, 125 West State Street, Trenton, NJ

Invited Guests:

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin
Assemblyman Christopher Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz
Erin Popolo – Parent advocate, whose daughter Emily died by suicide in 2021 after intense cyberbullying on Snapchat and Instagram.
Julie Scelfo – Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Laura Miranda-Browne – Co-founder of Roots To Results, a women-owned business in New Jersey, mother of three children, school board member, and member of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Sebastian Mahal – Co-Chair of Design It For Us

Bill to Protect Health Coverage for Adults with Disabilities Clears Committee

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Rosy Bagolie, Shanique Speight, and Carmen Morales would allow continuation of health benefits coverage for young adults with physical or intellectual disabilities who are chiefly dependent on a parent or guardian for support and maintenance. The bill, A2550, cleared the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee last week.

Under current New Jersey law, coverage may continue for a dependent adult child after age 26 while the parent remains with the same employer; however, if the parent changes employers, the new employer is not required to offer continued coverage for that dependent adult child over age 26. Bill A2550 would require health insurers and group health plans that provide dependent coverage to continue to make that coverage available.

“Turning 26 should not mean losing access to critical care for individuals who cannot live or work independently,” said Assemblywoman Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic). “This bill is about protecting residents. It would close a dangerous gap in our law and would give families the stability and peace-of-mind they deserve.”

Currently, many adults with disabilities rely on NJ FamilyCare, the State’s Medicaid program, for health coverage. Yet not all physicians and specialists who accept private insurance accept Medicaid, leaving many individuals without access to care.

Recent federal Medicaid funding reductions enacted under the federal 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act have placed additional financial strain on states, putting hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents at risk of losing coverage.

“Families with individuals with disabilities are already navigating complex medical and financial realities,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “With uncertainty surrounding federal Medicaid funding, we must ensure there is a reliable safety net in place so individuals with disabilities are not left without care.”

“This legislation is about protecting access to care and preserving dignity,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “New Jersey has long been committed to supporting residents with disabilities, and this bill would reinforce that commitment by ensuring coverage does not disappear because of a job change or shifting federal policies.”

Arrest Made in July 2025 Shooting Death of 19-Year-Old in Germantown

Philadelphia Police announced Tuesday that an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old that occurred last summer in the city’s Germantown neighborhood.

Tayvone Bibbs was taken into custody on Feb. 17 by the Fugitive Task Force in connection with the July 3, 2025 murder of Michael Allen. Bibbs was extradited from a correctional facility in Montgomery County to Philadelphia to face formal charges.

The incident began in the early morning hours of July 3, 2025. At approximately 5:31 a.m., Philadelphia police officers responded to a “person with a gun” call on the 200 block of East Rittenhouse Street. Upon arrival, police discovered Allen on the highway suffering from a gunshot wound to the face.

Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced Allen dead at the scene at 5:47 a.m.

Investigators have not yet released a motive for the shooting.

Bibbs’ capture marks a significant turn in the seven-month investigation led by the Homicide Unit.

A booking photograph of the suspect is not currently available.

Free Rabies Clinic at Gibbsboro Fire Hall

Free Rabies Clinic at Gibbsboro Fire Hall – Saturday, 2/21/26 from 9-11 a.m. Gibbsboro residents may also obtain pet licenses at clinic.

Flexible Assessment Roles Available for Experienced Social Workers

For many dedicated professionals in the social care sector, there comes a point where the standard nine-to-five grind (which, let’s be fair, is rarely actually just nine-to-five) starts to lose its shine. The passion for helping vulnerable young people is still very much there, of course, but the desire for a bit more autonomy often starts to creep in. It raises a tricky question: how does one stay involved in making a difference while reclaiming a bit of personal time?

Well, moving into independent assessment work is often the answer for those who have already put in the hard yards and gained significant experience. It offers a way to keep using those valuable skills but on a self-employed basis, which naturally allows for a much better balance between professional duties and life outside of work.

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Camden County Monitoring Presumptive Cases of Bird Flu Throughout the State

(Gloucester Township, NJ) – The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services is currently monitoring the spread of bird flu throughout New Jersey. Currently, no birds in Camden County have tested positive for bird flu and the risk to the public remains low.

Between February 14 and February 16, 2026, more than 1,100 dead or sick wild birds were reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Most reports involved Canadian geese, with a smaller number involving other species. Within this timeframe, Gloucester Township reported approximately 10–20 dead geese.

At this time, NJDEP is unlikely to conduct additional avian flu testing in areas where the virus has already been detected. In March 2025, levels of avian influenza were detected in our local wastewater.

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Statement from Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. and Commissioner Jonathan Young

“In trying to find the best fit for a regional justice complex we are respecting Mayor Maria Lawrence and the local elected body’s formal request that it not go at the state facility located in the southern end of Winslow Township. We are paying deference to the integrity of the municipality and its local elected officials in their decision. Moving forward, we will work to find a new location where a majority of the local governing body agrees that this facility and additional development would be a benefit to their town. That said, we do believe in the concept of a new regional justice complex that focuses on the needs of the occupants, so regionally and as a community, we can cut down on recidivism and center our attention on rehabilitative practices that make our society safer.

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Gloucester City Irish Parade, Sunday, March 1st

One of the best parts of the Irish Parade? The crowds! From families in green to friends cheering along the route, the energy you bring is what makes this day so special

The sidewalks fill up, the music echoes through the streets, and strangers become friends for the day. That’s the magic of parade day!

Grab your crew, wear your green, and come be part of the sea of smiling faces on parade day!

March 1st at 1pmGloucester City, NJ, starting at Martin’s Lake (Johnson Blvd. and Francis St.) and continuing down Monmouth Street.

Pre-Parade Event: Irish Person of the Year Award: 9:30 am at St. Mary’s Mass, followed by the parade.

Gloucester City Dog and Cat Licenses Due Now

Dog and Cat Licenses may be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Wednesday; 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Thursdays. Municipal offices are closed on Fridays. No license can be issued for an animal whose rabies vaccination expires before Sept. 30. Licenses purchased after March 31 will be assessed late charges. For further information please contact the Clerk’s Office at 456-0205 ext. 203.

HOME COUNTRY: It was Doc’s idea, of course.

It was Doc’s idea, of course. That’s what made it sing. That’s why it took off in gales of laughter and fun.

He knew we needed the money for the children in our area who might be without warm clothes this winter, so he brainstormed among himself and came up with the golf tournament.

He went to Delbert McLain, who is our local chamber of commerce. Delbert’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, but then suddenly clouded over with doubt.

“But Doc,” Delbert said, “we don’t have a golf course.”

“Leave that to me, Delbert me lad. Leave that entirely to me.”

And so our medical leprechaun talked to two farmers whose land adjoined each other, and after they quit laughing, they agreed.

Doc rounded up Dud and Herb Collins and laid out an 18-hole golf course in about an hour. They used steel t-posts for flags (with bandanas tied to the top) and dug a hole with a shovel. They put smaller flags at the tee-off spots, and there you go! An 18-hole golf course that was one hundred percent hazard.

No fairway, just hazard. Rocks and trees and Lewis Creek and the occasional cactus and yucca. Doc figures if you make it around all 18 holes without encountering a poisonous snake, you should get bonus points.

“This course,” said Doc, “is so bad, everyone will want to play, because everyone will have a terrific excuse for having a terrible game.”

The cattle were moved to safer locations before the tournament began, and enough money was raised to keep the kids warm this winter.

“Life,” said Doc, “should be ridiculous and fun. So let’s do this again next fall.”

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Brought to you by Saddle Up, A Cowboy Guide to Writing by Slim Randles. On the internet and from Rio Grande Publishing in Albuquerque.

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