State of NJ Sued by U.S. Department of Justice

By Bethany Blankley |

The Center Square

The U.S. Department of Justice has sued the State of New Jersey, Gov. Philip Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal for refusing to provide information to the U.S. Immigration and Customs

U.S. Attorney General William Barr speaks at the National Sheriffs\’ Association Winter Legislative and Technology Conference in Washington, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. Susan Walsh / AP

Enforcement (ICE) related to the immigration status and release dates of individuals in their custody.

The move is an attempt by the Trump Administration to reign in so-called sanctuary states and cities that have refused to enforce federal immigration laws.

“Today is a significant escalation in the federal government\’s efforts to confront the resistance of sanctuary cities,\” U.S. Attorney General William Barr said. \”But by no means do the efforts outlined above signify the culmination of our fight to ensure the rule of law, to defend the Constitution and to keep Americans safe.\”

The lawsuit challenges New Jersey Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2018-6, which prohibits state officials from sharing information with ICE and requires New Jersey law enforcement to “promptly notify a detained individual, in writing and in a language the individual can understand” if ICE files an immigration detainer request for the individual.

According to the complaint, New Jersey officials failed to provide information regarding the release dates of illegal immigrants who had been charged with or convicted of crimes multiple times last year.

“New Jersey’s decision to obstruct federal immigration enforcement by refusing to provide such information is unlawful under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution,” the DOJ argues.

The complaint states that “Congress has exercised its authority to make laws governing the admission, presence, status, and removal of aliens within the United States by enacting various provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act … the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 … and other laws regulating immigration.

“Congress has also codified basic principles of cooperation and comity between state and local authorities and the United States. Among the tools DHS uses to facilitate the sort of cooperation that Congress contemplated between law enforcement agencies and federal immigration officials is the ‘detainer request.’”

The detainer request is used by DHS to arrest and detain individuals subject to removal or removal proceedings.

In November 2018, the N.J. Attorney General issued a directive, which became effective in March 2019 and revised again in September 2019. The directive prohibits law enforcement agencies from “providing notice of a detained individual’s upcoming release from custody” to assist “federal immigration authorities when the sole purpose of that assistance is to enforce federal civil immigration law.”

republished by the Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

OFFICER DOWN: White Mountain Apache Tribal Policeman David Kellywood Shot/Killed

Officer David Kellywood

White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department, Tribal Police

End of Watch

Monday, February 17, 2020

Officer David Kellywood was shot and killed after responding to reports of shots being fired near the Hon-Dah Casino in Pinetop, Arizona, shortly before 1:00 am.

Officer Kellywood was the first officer to arrive on the scene and encountered the subject, who immediately attacked him. During the ensuing struggle, the man fatally shot Officer Kellywood. Another officer who arrived on the scene shot and killed the subject.

Officer Kellywood had served with the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department for nine months and had previously served with the Navajo County Sheriff\’s Office. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

CNB Crime

Blue Line

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

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BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | February 18, 2020

Moms and Daughters Weekend of Connection at Appel Farm

Elmer, New Jersey – Appel Farm Arts and Music Campus will create a weekend packed with intentional opportunities for connection at this year’s Mother Daughter Art Retreat March 13-15, 2020.

Mother Daughter Art Retreat is an opportunity to laugh, listen, and create while participating in movement, writing, and visual arts workshops that explore the concept of dreams. Mother Daughter Art Retreat creates a supportive and safe environment that fosters community and personal growth for participants as they enjoy time for intentional and meaningful connection and communication.

Moms get to hear about their daughter’s hopes and dreams for the future. Daughters will discover that mom is not only “mom” but a woman just like them, with her own dreams and aspirations.

“This retreat is not only for mothers and daughters. We’ve had grandmothers and grandchildren, aunts and nieces, and everything in between. This retreat is a special place to connect and create,” said Arts Integration and STEAM Education Director, Kristina Hill.

Attendees will spend the weekend sleeping in a cozy, dorm-style bunk and enjoy delicious meals in a spacious dining hall overlooking the Appel Farm organic garden. Moms and daughters will make new friends while getting to know other women in workshops, campfires and even an afternoon wine tasting for moms!

The retreat costs $260 for a pair of participants. This includes 2 nights of overnight accommodations, 5 meals, all workshops and materials, s’mores, snacks, and the afternoon wine tasting for moms. Additional family members are $120 per person.

Mother Daughter Workshops:

Imagine learning some American Sign Language, taught by a mother-daughter duo? Sip some wine during a wine and painting pairing. Try your hand at a sketch journaling class. And that’s just a few of the workshops for this year’s Mother Daughter Art Retreat, with more to come! The ASL Workshop is going to be so special, taught by Hands Up Silent Theatre‘s Kristy Whilden and her daughter! Appel Farm teaching Artist Zoungy will offer a sketch journaling class early on Saturday to encourage attendees to sketch throughout the weekend, and he’s also teaching a painting lesson!

To learn more and register for Mother Daughter Art Retreat, visit

appelfarm.org/mother-daughter-art-retreat

. Contact Kristina Hill with any questions at

khill@appelfarm.org

or 856-358-2472.

Jefferson Health Hosts FREE Wellness Programs for Seniors Through May 2020

Join Jefferson Health experts for FREE community wellness programs for seniors through May:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – The Basics

;

Thursday, March 5, 2 p.m.; Kennedy Health & Wellness Center (405 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Suite 201, Sewell)

: COPD affects almost 15 million Americans. Learn what COPD is; how it affects the lungs; causes, signs and symptoms; and disease management.

Weight Loss and Fiber – What’s the Connection?

;

Wednesday, March 18, 11 a.m., at the

Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library

(606 Delsea Drive, Sewell)

: Eating enough fiber is essential for a healthy diet. Join Jefferson Health’s Danielle Hall, RD, to learn how much dietary fiber you need, the foods that contain it, how it aids in weight loss, and how to add it to meals and snacks.

Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia

;

Tuesday, April 21, 2 p.m., at Jefferson Stratford Hospital (18 East Laurel Road, 3

Floor, Room L)

: Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join the Alzheimer’s Association to learn about Alzheimer’s impact, differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.

Seconds Count when Stopping Strokes

;

Thursday, May 7, 2 p.m., at the

Gloucester County Library Mullica Hill Branch (389 Wolfert Station Road)

: Join Jefferson Health’s Kathryn Donley, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNRN, Program Director, Stroke & Life Support Education, for a discussion on ways to reduce your risk, identify early signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and when to call 9-1-1. FREE blood pressure screenings are included.

Horticultural Therapy – Creating an Indoor Fairy Garden

;

Tuesday, May 19, 2 p.m., at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital (2201 Chapel Avenue, Rooms 2 & 3)

: Discover the fun in designing your own “indoor fairy garden.” Adults all over are experiencing the magic in constructing them. Inspirational Horticultural Therapy’s Rachelle Hasenberg, will provide step-by-step instructions as participants plant in their own container and choose from a wide variety of items to create their unique miniature “fairy garden.” No experience necessary. A fee of $12 is due by Tuesday, May 5.

These programs are sponsored by Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s PrimeTime, a free health and wellness program for active older adults in South Jersey. All community members are invited. For more information and to register, visit

JeffersonHealth.org/NJclasses

or call

800-522-1965

Jefferson Primary & Specialty Care offices celebrate “Patient Appreciation Day”

There was a sweet treat awaiting Jefferson Primary & Specialty Care patients in New Jersey on Valentine’s Day. Four of our medical practices – Marlton, Voorhees, Regulus (Turnersville) and Kingsway (Sewell) – celebrated \”Patient Appreciation Day” as a well to thank patients for trusting us with their healthcare needs. The all-day events featured snacks, Jefferson “swag” and a chance to win a gift basket. Patients could also learn about the benefits of MyChart, which offers free, online access to their medical record, and allows patients to request medical appointments, review test results and more.

Left to right, at the Jefferson Voorhees Primary & Specialty Care Office: Family Medicine physician Dr. Vishal Phakey; Certified Medical Assistant Briana Cook; Front Office Coordinator Karyn Washington-Brown; and Patient Service Representative Yu Juan Tan.

PA. Sues JUUL for Targeting PA Youth, Deceiving Consumers About Safety

HARRISBURG―Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced his office is filing a

lawsuit

against JUUL Labs for violating Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer

Protection law and jeopardizing the health of Pennsylvanians, in particular the young people JUUL targeted with their products. Attorney General Shapiro’s lawsuit calls for JUUL to cease sales in Pennsylvania of their products.

Shapiro’s suit alleges JUUL’s actions violated the law by strategically targeting young people with “kid-friendly” flavors, chemically enhancing the amounts of nicotine and its absorption rate in the products, and rushing to market before providing proof of the safety of their product. The complaint also alleges that the company is liable for not disclosing the health risks of JUUL products.

“JUUL knowingly targeted young people with tactics similar to the tobacco companies’ playbook,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “There is no proof these e-cigarettes are safe and until there is, we need to get JUUL products off shelves and out of the hands of young people.”

“JUUL manipulated data to deceive consumers about the nicotine content of its products. First JUUL estimated their products delivered substantially more nicotine than its competitors in a patent, and then doubled back to say the products were comparable to an average cigarette.

“They disregarded their growing audience of young users, taking no action, as their profit margins skyrocketed on the backs of American kids.”

The complaint alleges JUUL “deliberately and cynically” marketed its products to young people in Pennsylvania, as a result, approximately 28 percent of American high school and middle school students are e-cigarette users. The company also led consumers to believe JUUL devices helped people stop smoking, while the engineer behind its flavors stated the company was “not trying to design a cessation product at all.”

The complaint also describes the deceptive marketing tactics employed by JUUL to target Pennsylvania youth, including its “Vaporized Campaign” on social media and in convenience stores. This campaign’s focus on social media attracted the interest of young people, many of whom were under 18 at the time of JUUL’s debut in 2015.

Attorney General Shapiro is asking the Court to, among other things, take JUUL devices out of production altogether. If the Court does not agree, the Attorney General’s office is asking the Court impose restrictions on the way the JUUL product is designed, marketed, and sold, and to require the company to pay for youth-oriented prevention programs, public health research, and nicotine cessation programs to help abate the harms they’ve already caused.

# # #

New Pharmacist for Shore Physicians Group

mvitale

February, 2020

When it comes to medications, the best-trained healthcare professionals on the subject are pharmacists, who can be a valuable asset in primary care, especially with patients who are on

David Totten is the new pharmacist for Shore Physicians Group. (Courtesy Shore Physicians Group

)

Medicare.

That’s why Shore Physicians Group in Somers Point recently added pharmacist David Totton, PharmD, to its staff to support primary care providers in completing Medicare patients’ Annual Wellness Visits and provide comprehensive medication management.

Totton, who received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of the Sciences, came to SPG this fall after completing a year-long residency at Shore Medical Center.

Totton works collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice nurses and physicians assistants to provide Annual Medicare Wellness Visits on schedule, an essential part of preventative care. Totton spends an hour with each patient reviewing their family and medical histories, scheduling important preventative screenings and vaccinations, updating their list of current providers, and of course – reviewing their medications.

As part of the Medicare Wellness Visits, Totton provides comprehensive medication management as needed in partnership with their physician. Patients who are on multiple medications from multiple specialists or experiencing symptoms that could be related to medication side effects are just some examples of those who are benefiting from Totton’s expertise.

Chief Administrative Officer of Shore Physicians Group Mark Stephens says the addition of Totton to SPG makes perfect sense.

“An estimated 40 percent of people aged 65 or older are on five or more medications, so it makes sense to have a pharmacist on their healthcare team. If we can help eliminate some of those medications or better manage their side effects, we can help patients save money, feel better, and be healthier in the long run. Our providers are thrilled to have David on board,” Stephens says.

Totton is seeing patients at Shore Physicians Group’s primary care offices at 401 Bethel Road in Somers Point, 4 Roosevelt Boulevard in Marmora, and 2605 Shore Road in Northfield. To make a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit appointment, contact your SPG primary care provider.

To learn more about SPG, visit

www.ShorePhysiciansGroup.com

Authorities Investigate Murder of Atlantic City Man

MAYS LANDING – The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit is continuing its investigation into the shooting death of an Atlantic City man who was found inside a vehicle earlier this month, Atlantic County Prosecutor announced.

“We urge everyone who may have been in the area to contact the Prosecutor’s office if they witnessed or heard anything that could assist in the apprehension of the person responsible for this homicide,” Prosecutor Tyner said.

On February 7, 2020, at approximately 5:32 p.m., Atlantic City Police responded to the beach block of Melrose Avenue, Atlantic City, in reference to 911 call regarding an unconscious and unresponsive male. The victim was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (City Division) where he was pronounced deceased. The victim is identified as Jeffrey Simpson (53), who is also known as Rasheed Abdullah.

An autopsy was completed by the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and the cause of death was ruled to be multiple gunshot wounds. The manner of death ruled is determined to be homicide.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is looking for assistance in identifying any suspicious activity surrounding a white Chevrolet sedan with tinted windows. The attached maps and embedded yellow star depict where this vehicle may have been parked for several hours during the afternoon hours of February 7, 2020. Anyone with information pertaining to this vehicle is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

What You Need to Know About IVF in South Africa

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 18, 2020)–Prospective parents who are having trouble conceiving a child are more common than you may think. Statistics show that 1 in 6 parents will have trouble successfully conceiving their first child within 12 months of trying.

When this happens, couples turn to fertility clinics to help them conceive. Specifically, the procedure of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is designed to help parents with fertility issues so that they can successfully conceive a baby.

What this process entails and the factors that make it a successful conception alternative are things that you should consider when wondering if IVF is right for you and your significant other.

Only after you’ve been properly educated will you know what to look for in an

IVF clinic in South Africa

, or whatever area in which you’re looking.

What is IVF?

Since the first successful IVF in 1978, in vitro fertilization has become a common assisted reproductive technology (ART). It involves a complex series of medications and procedures that hope to result in successful embryonic fertilization, development, and implantation.

The first step involves medication designed to make a woman’s eggs mature so that they can be harvested by a doctor and fertilized in a laboratory with the desired sperm. These prepared eggs are then surgically inserted directly into the woman’s uterus.

Many people require multiple tries and many months for this process to be successful, as so much can go wrong. Most commonly, the uterus simply does not accept the implanted egg and no fetus ever develops.

This is why finding an accredited IVF clinic is so important. In a procedure already fraught with financial and physical complications, you want the best chance of getting it done right the first time.

IVF clinics in South Africa

Since so much can go wrong, you want to look for a few key factors when choosing an IVF clinic in South Africa.

The first is: are they accredited? You should only visit clinics that have been registered by

The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA)

, the primary advisor on regulating and accrediting healthcare professions in South Africa.

Facilities

Next, you should ask if they have modern facilities and access to the latest fertilization technologies. Advanced laboratories like the one at Wijnland Fertility import IVF equipment from top manufacturers all over the world.

The Wijnland fertility clinic in South Africa, for instance, uses a device called an

Embryoscope

to maintain ideal conditions for eggs while they are being analyzed for quality. This is particularly useful for couples who have tried and failed many times with other fertilization methods.

Staff

You should also ask if the clinic has professional and experienced staff. Head doctors should have received specialist training in gynecology or obstetrics and have completed fellowships in fertility and related biological processes.

Do some research online to see what the embryologists and specialists at the clinic in question have done for experience, education, and additional training.

Mind and body

Finally, you want to assess whether the clinic treats patients as a whole person rather than merely as a medical procedure.

Fertilization is a trying process both physically and emotionally. Many different mental and social pressures converge on it to make it a stressful situation that your doctors need to address.

There’s the social judgment of not being able to conceive naturally, the pressure from family expectations when multiple attempts fail, and the strain on your finances. You may even have natural guarding and avoidance systems in your personality that make it really hard for you.

A clinic with staff trained in psychology or with counselors on call who are experienced in fertility counseling will be better suited to addressing all your needs as a prospective patient.

The Takeaway

In vitro fertilization is now a common process. This doesn’t mean that it’s always successful, however, as the process relies on many factors that all have a high failure rate. Variabilities such as your family history, the quality of the technology, and the inherent problems with successful fertilization mean that each attempt involves a series of stressful mental and physical trials.

This is why finding a suitable clinic to take care of all your needs is so essential. When evaluating your options for IVF treatment facilities in South Africa, look at the resumes of the resident doctors, the quality of their facilities, and the availability of mental counseling procedures to supplement the strain of going through this process.

Even though becoming a parent is difficult when you have fertility issues, it is possible in the modern age. With the right personnel and procedures, you can make the family you’ve always wanted into a reality.

How to Prevent Dog Attacks on Mail Carriers

PET PEEVES

If your dog bites a postal carrier, it could cost you thousands.

(

NAPSI)—Can you picture a member of your family attacking a mail carrier? Of course you couldn\’t, but it happened 5,714 times last year across the nation.

Dearborn, Mich., letter carrier Tameka

Toliver

recalls being pinned on a porch by a dog that bit her above her knee. \”It happened so fast, even with all my training, I barely had time to react,\”

Toliver

said last year. \”I\’m still scared when I get close to that house because I remember the attack so vividly. It takes a long time to get over the fear.\”

When a dog attacks a letter carrier, the dog owner could be held liable for all medical expenses, repayment of lost work hours, replacement of the uniform and other costs, which can run into thousands of dollars. The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority and dedicates a week each April to Dog Bite Awareness.

Here are four simple tips to prevent dog bite injuries that should be enforced year-round:

Door Delivery:

If a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Some dogs burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors.

Electronic Fencing:

Although the electronic fence may keep your dog from wandering, it does not protect your Postal Service carrier, who must enter your property to deliver the mail. Even homes with curbside mailboxes may have oversized packages or signature-needed items that require the carrier to approach a doorstep and cross the boundaries of the electronic fence.

Dog in Yard:

Make sure your dog is properly restrained on a leash away from where your mail carrier is delivering the mail. Mail delivery service can be interrupted at an address or neighborhood the carrier deems unsafe because of an unrestrained dog. When service is interrupted at an address or neighborhood, all parties involved will have to pick mail up at their local post office.

Tracking:

Dog owners who have access to postal notification features such as Informed Delivery (

informeddelivery.usps.com

) for letter mail and package tracking are urged to use this as a way to gauge when the carrier is on his or her way and to ensure their dog is properly restrained.