All New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) facilities, including agencies, road test sites, and inspection stations, will be closed Monday, October 13, 2025, in observance of the state holiday.
Regular operations will be in effect at all facilities the remainder of the week, including on Saturday, October 11.
The Commission’s website at NJMVC.gov remains open 24/7, giving customers access to more than 25 online services, appointment booking, and motor vehicle information whenever and wherever it is convenient for them.
While most customers can complete their motor vehicle business online in New Jersey, nearly all in-person services at NJMVC facilities — for permits, driver testing, document renewals, REAL IDs, new titles and registrations, and more — require an appointment that must be scheduled at the website.
Haddon Township will hold its 10th Annual Music Festival sponsored by 1st Colonial Community Bank, on Saturday, October 11 from 1 pm to 9 pm on Haddon Ave. between Strawbridge Ave. and Cooper St. in the heart of its downtown.
The 2025 lineup features a diverse range of acts, spanning many different musical genres on two separate stages. The full schedule can be found here.
The avenue will be lined with food trucks, local artisans, beer gardens, a kid-zone, and a 70-foot ferris wheel, creating a full festival experience for attendees of all ages. The event is free and open to the public, and is located approximately four blocks from the Westmont PATCO Speedline.
“Our music festival has become a signature event that draws visitors from across the region,” says Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague. “It’s a day filled with great music, food, and community spirit. The ferris wheel and family-friendly activities make it a day everyone can enjoy.”
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife reminds the public to reduce the potential for encounters with black bears this fall by taking measures to properly store garbage and eliminate access to other sources of food around their yards or while outdoors. Fall brings a period of heightened black bear activity as the animals must consume large amounts of food in preparation for the winter denning season.
“Black bears are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever food is available,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner David Golden. “They have a keen sense of smell and will investigate all potential food sources – natural or unnatural, including garbage. Property owners, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of unwanted encounters with bears by removing or properly securing any potential food sources.”It is important for people to never feed black bears. Bears attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These animals may then become nuisance bears that cause property damage, seek handouts from people or become dangerous.
Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in New Jersey and carries a fine of up to $1,000.
Black Bears and Food Sources
Most of New Jersey’s black bears are found in the northwestern portion of the state, particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren and northern Passaic counties, as well as portions of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Bergen counties. However, black bears have been reported in all 21 counties.Throughout the fall, black bears need to eat more than 20,000 calories worth of food a day to bolster their fat reserves in preparation for the winter denning season. Their natural diet is comprised of plants, berries, fruit, nuts, insects, bird eggs, small mammals, and carrion. However, black bears are opportunistic feeders with an extremely keen sense of smell and are attracted by odors from potential food sources created by people from long distances. Carefully controlling these sources of food, such as improperly stored trash, can help prevent black bears from being attracted to homes and into backyards and campgrounds, and associating people with food.
Tips for Minimizing Potential Bear Conflicts
To minimize potential conflicts, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife recommends:Secure trash and eliminate obvious sources of food such as pet food bowls, easy-to-reach bird feeders, or food residue left on barbecue grills. Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage, or in the basement, a sturdy shed or other secure area.Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant solution to remove odors. Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.Avoid feeding birds when bears are active. If you choose to feed birds, do so during daylight hours only and bring feeders indoors at night. Suspend birdfeeders from a free-hanging wire, making sure they are at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.Immediately remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors.Clean outdoor grills and utensils to remove food and grease residue. Store grills securely.Do not place meat, dairy or any sweet foods in compost piles.Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.Properly install electric fencing as an effective way to protect crops, beehives and livestock.Motorists are reminded to drive with caution and watch out for bears that may be near or on roadways.
Safety Tips When Encountering a Black Bear
If you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these safety tips:Remain calm. Never run from a bear, as this may trigger its predatory instinct. Instead, slowly back away. Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Make sure the bear has an escape route.
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans, or blowing an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.Make bears aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises. If hiking through bear country, always make your presence known through loud talking or clapping of hands.If a bear utters a series of huffs, makes popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws or swats the ground, these are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away and avoid direct eye contact. Do not run.If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. This is usually non-threatening behavior.Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, slowly back away and do not run.If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area, such as a vehicle or a building.Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back.Report black bear damage or aggressive bears to your local police department or to NJDEP Fish & Wildlife by calling 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).
Black Bear Educational Resources
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife continues to implement the highly successful Know the Bear Facts black bear safety multimedia outreach campaign. Including messages in English and Spanish, the campaign provides bear safety tips and public service announcements on social media, TV streaming services, radio broadcasts, and NJDEP Fish & Wildlife bear safety webpages and email blasts.NJDEP Fish & Wildlife also offers bear safety brochures and other information about living with black bears to the public. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Bear Outreach Specialist also offers free black bear education seminars to schools and civic groups statewide. For more information about black bears in New Jersey, and to obtain bear safety publications or schedule a free bear education seminar, visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/
Parents, relatives, and friends of the family can save for a child’s future education endeavors by opening an NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan. Depending on their eligibility, residents may also be able to access helpful incentives offered by the State to contributors and beneficiaries (the student for whom the plan is opened), such as:A one-time, dollar-for-dollar match of up to $750 of the first contribution into a new NJBEST 529 planAn annual State tax deduction of up to $10,000 each year for contributions into an NJBEST 529 planA one-time scholarship opportunity up to $6,000 for eligible beneficiaries who attend a New Jersey college or universityLearn more and get started at the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) website.
Celebrating the Services who secured 250 years of independence.
As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – the Semiquincentennial – Philadelphia and New Jersey will be commemorating the founding of the military services that helped the United States gain and defend our independence for 250 years. This special week will include exciting events, including the parade of Navy ships and other vessels, a spectacular flyover by the Blue Angels, special museum exhibits, tours of modern and historic ships, and much more.
These celebrations will shine a spotlight on the birthplace of our nation, honor the Navy and Marine Corps, salute our military service members and veterans, and remind us what unites us all.
✭ Most events are free and open to the public unless noted ✭
All Homecoming 250 events are still scheduled to take place. If any changes arise, we’ll share updates right away. Thank you for your support!
Time: 8 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Along the Delaware River and at the Navy Yard
Watch at multiple locations along the Delaware River as multiple Navy ships and Coast Guard vessels sail to their berths in Philadelphia and Camden County. Homecoming 250 will celebrate their arrival with it Opening Ceremony and the blessing of the fleet at the historic Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Watch parties are free and open to the public.
Williamstown, NJ – September 29, 2025 – The NAACP Gloucester County Freedom Fund Committee issues an urgent call to action: join us on Saturday, November 1 for our 2025 Freedom Fund Dinner—an evening where purpose meets celebration, and where “The Fierce Urgency of Now” drives every toast, every award, every commitment to justice.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, more than 280,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
Deputy Director Jim Jefferson and the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners encourage all residents to stay proactive—schedule regular screenings, know the signs, and take advantage of available support and resources.
Delaware drivers should have heightened roadway awareness as the days shorten and the deer mating season nears /Delaware DNREC graphic
Shorter Days and the Approaching Mating Season Mean More Deer Are on the Move, Particularly in the Predawn and at Dusk
Days are getting shorter, and for Delaware drivers, that means darker commutes in the morning and evening – even before clocks fall back in November. Shorter daylight hours also bring more encounters with white-tailed deer on roadways.
“With rut activity approaching, bucks (males) chasing does (females) will soon begin repeatedly crossing Delaware roadways, unaware of the danger they pose to themselves and to motorists,” said DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Sam Millman, adding that bucks will start expanding their home ranges as the rut nears. “That’s why starting in early October, we remind Delaware drivers to take extra precautions, especially when traveling on dark backroads and roadways lined by woodlands and forests, where white-tailed deer are more likely to cross.”
Deer rut, or mating season, runs from about mid to late October through late November and into December. But collisions are already happening, and drivers who build safe habits now will be better prepared when deer activity surges.
The average white-tailed deer in Delaware weighs about 140 pounds, but larger bucks can top 200 pounds or more, according to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. To put that in perspective, a deer-vehicle collision is equivalent to hitting a small top-load washing machine, or in the case of a large buck – a mid-sized refrigerator. Colliding with an animal that size can result in severe injury to those in the vehicle, while other motorists can become collateral damage and the vehicle itself may be totaled or need major repairs.
The latest figures from OHS confirm that most deer-vehicle collisions in Delaware occur between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and again between 5 p.m. and midnight. To date in 2025, there have been more than 923 deer-related crashes. OHS data also finds deer-related crashes to be most common in October, November and December, representing 47% of all Delaware vehicle-deer collisions from 2020 to 2024.
“During deer mating season, drivers must stay alert and avoid distractions such as using a cellphone while driving,” said Sharon Bryson, director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “Staying focused on the road helps you react quickly if a deer crosses unexpectedly. We urge everyone to take extra care to arrive alive.”
In 2024, 1,873 or 94% of the 1,993 animal-related collisions investigated by the Delaware State Police involved deer. Of that number, 912 collisions occurred during the deer mating season. (Deer mating season is defined as October, November, and December.)
“As we enter this year’s deer mating season, Delaware drivers should be aware that nearly all of DSP’s animal-related crashes in 2024 involved deer,” said Lieutenant India Sturgis, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. “Of those crashes, more than 900 occurred during the time of year when deer are most active. These numbers show how quickly deer activity can impact road safety. Drivers can reduce their risk by slowing down, staying alert at dawn and dusk and using high beams when it is safe to do so. Taking these steps will not eliminate every danger, but they can make the difference between a close call and a serious crash”
DNREC, OHS and DSP offer these safety tips to promote safe driving during the rut and all year long:
Always wear your seatbelt.
Slow down at night, on curves and in bad weather.
Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic to spot deer eyes along the roadside.
Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs and slow down when in those areas.
Expect groups. If you see one deer, more are likely nearby.
If you spot deer, slow down and honk your horn with one long blast to frighten them away. Do not depend on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
Never swerve to miss a deer – brake and stay in your lane. Swerving increases the risk of hitting an oncoming vehicle, tree or utility pole.
If you hit a deer, and your vehicle is damaged, stop at the scene, get your car off the road, if possible, turn on your vehicle hazard lights – and if you or anyone in your vehicle are injured, call 911.
Do not touch the animal or get too close to it. An injured deer may bite or kick and can cause serious injury.
For more on white-tailed deer, visit the de.gov/deer webpage.
About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.
(Lindenwold, NJ) – Several roadway projects will be underway across Camden County during the week of October 6 to October 10.
“Motorists should plan ahead to take alternate routes and give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations,” said Commissioner Al Dyer, liaison to the Department of Public Works. “Also, remember that when you’re traveling through a construction area, please slow down and stay alert for crew members and debris.”
Camden
Crews will be working on Haddon Ave on Monday, October 6 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be lane closures between Newton Avenue & Euclid Avenue.
Crews will be working on Collings Ave from Monday, Oct. 6 to Thursday, Oct. 9 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be lane shifts between the southbound exit/entrance ramps for Interstate 676 & the Newton Creek Bridge on the westbound and eastbound sides.
PSE&G will be working on Mt. Ephraim Avenue from Monday, Oct 6 to Friday, Oct 10 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a full road closure between Carl Miller Boulevard & Ferry Avenue.
PSE&G will be working on Haddon Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. There will be a lane shift between Dr. Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Cooper Plaza.
PSE&G will be working on River Avenue & Federal Street from Tuesday, Oct. 7, to Friday, Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a full road closure on River Avenue between Federal Street & Moro Street and a lane shift on Federal Street between River Avenue & 16th Street.
Crews will be working on Market Street from Wednesday Oct. 8 to Friday, Oct. 10 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be lane closures and shifts between 2nd Street & 4th Street.
Collingswood
Crews will be working on Park Avenue from Monday, Oct. 6 to Friday, Oct. 10 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be a full road closure between Dill Avenue & Ogden Avenue.
Gibbsboro
Crews will be working on Clementon Road East from Monday, Oct. 6 to Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a full road closure between Haddon Avenue & Lakeview Drive South.
Gloucester Township
Crews will be working on Little Gloucester Road on Wednesday Oct. 8 and Thursday Oct. 9 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a partial road closure northbound between Blackwood-Clementon Road & College Drive.
Laurel Springs
Crews will be working on East Atlantic Avenue & Stone Road on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be partial road closures on Stone Road at the intersection with Washington Avenue.
Lindenwold
Crews will be working on East Linden Ave from Monday, Oct. 6 to Friday, Oct. 10 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a full road closure between Irving Avenue & Emerson Street.
Merchantville
Crews will be working on Chapel Avenue on Monday, Oct. 6 and Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a full road closure between South Center Street & West Maple Avenue.
Winslow Township
Crews will be working on Mays Landing Road on Monday, Oct. 6 and Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a partial road closure northbound between Old Albertson Road & the Atlantic County Line.
The Camden County Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining over 1,200 miles of county roadway, 50 bridges and several dams. They are dedicated to making our area safer for motorists and pedestrians through county highway construction projects and road maintenance, including pothole repairs, street sweeping, grass cutting and storm drainage upkeep. The Public Works Department is located in Lindenwold where personnel are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve the residents of Camden County.
To report concerns on Camden County roadways, call (856) 566-2980 or visit www.camdencounty.com.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (October 4, 2025) (CNBNEWS) –The dedicated officers and members of the Gloucester City Fire Department, Engine 51, warmly invite all residents to join them for a Open House and Fire Prevention Night on Tuesday, October 14th, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the firehouse, at the intersection of King and Monmouth Streets.
October is more than just a month on the calendar; it is honored as Fire Prevention Month throughout North America. Spearheaded by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this observance aims to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety, particularly during Fire Prevention Week, which takes place during the first full week of October in remembrance of the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This month presents a crucial opportunity to educate our community on effective fire safety practices to help prevent fires and safeguard lives and property.
The purpose of Fire Prevention Month is to raise public awareness about fire safety and promote life-saving fire prevention practices in homes and businesses. The observance began in response to the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871, leading to the establishment of Fire Prevention Week in 1922.
Fire departments and the NFPA provide educational resources, fire safety tips, and encourage practices like checking smoke alarms, creating escape plans, and practicing fire drills.
WHY OCTOBER WAS CHOSEN
The colder months are approaching, which can increase fire risks, especially with more heating and cooking. And, it serves as a crucial reminder to check smoke alarms, review family escape plans, and implement overall home and workplace safety measures.
In years gone by, the Gloucester City Fire Department proudly hosted a parade, on a Friday night, showcasing the heroism of all fire departments in the South Jersey area. The streets would come alive as each fire department paraded down Broadway, their shiny fire trucks gleaming under the streetlights, sirens wailing, and horns blaring in a joyful cacophony. It was a breathtaking sight to behold, filled with the camaraderie of firefighters and the excitement of the community! Following the parade, our dedicated volunteer fire department members would serve hearty hot dogs and refreshing beer to the participating firefighters, fostering a sense of unity and celebration among those who bravely protect our city. / Continue reading “GLOUCESTER CITY FIRE DEPT. ENGINE 51 OPEN HOUSE”→
“Black bears are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever food is available,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner David Golden. “They have a keen sense of smell and will investigate all potential food sources – natural or unnatural, including garbage. Property owners, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of unwanted encounters with bears by removing or properly securing any potential food sources.”It is important for people to never feed black bears. Bears attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These animals may then become nuisance bears that cause property damage, seek handouts from people or become dangerous. 
