New Jersey American Water to Upgrade Camden Water Infrastucture with $400,000 Investment

New Jersey American Water is investing approximately $400,000 to upgrade critical water infrastructure in Camden. The project includes replacing 1,700 feet of water pipe originally installed in the early 1900s with new 8 inch ductile iron water main, helping improve reliability, water quality, and fire protection for local customers.

As part of this work, crews will also install new meter pits at the curb area—within the
company’s rightofway—at properties where none currently exist. Affected customers will be contacted directly to schedule appointments to relocate their water meter from inside the property to the new pit. Work will take place along the following streets:
 Grand Avenue from Berkley Street to Baird Boulevard
 Benson Street from Eutaw Avenue to Marlton Avenue
This investment is part of New Jersey American Water’s ongoing, multi-year commitment to strengthen water infrastructure in more than 100 communities across the state. Planned upgrades like this help reduce the likelihood of service interruptions, improve water flows for homes and businesses, and support dependable fire protection. These improvements are designed to deliver long-term value by reinforcing the system before issues arise.

Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026. Crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekend work is not expected unless needed to maintain the project schedule. Contractors will ensure customers can enter and exit their driveways as needed, and access to homes and businesses will be maintained.

Work is being performed by New Jersey American Water’s local, qualified contractor Pioneer Pipe Contractors, Inc., with traffic control coordinated in partnership with local officials. Motorists should use caution near work zones and expect typical construction noise during work hours. Daily cleanup will occur, and driveway and sidewalk restoration will be completed as construction concludes. Where excavation is required, temporary surface restoration will be provided, with permanent restoration after the soil has time to settle.

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

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.

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Advisory: Air Quality Alert until 09:00AM Thursday

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates, until midnight EST tonight. An Air Quality Advisory means that air quality within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. For more information on current and forecast concentrations of ground-level ozone and fine particulates, visit www.airnow.gov or www.state.nj.us/dep/airmon/ or call the New Jersey Bureau of Air Monitoring at 609-292-0138

* AFFECTED AREAS: SUSSEX … WARREN … MORRIS … HUNTERDON … SOMERSET … MIDDLESEX … MERCER … GLOUCESTER … CAMDEN … NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON

Rowan’s Penny Kempf Announces Retirement after 30-Plus Years of Service

After more than 30 years of dedicated service to Rowan Athletics, first as a national championship-winning coach, and then as an administrator, associate athletic director Penny Kempf has announced her retirement from the University.

Kempf has been a trusted leader and mentor for countless student-athletes, coaches and colleagues and an instrumental figure in the growth and success of Rowan athletics, and especially the women’s athletics program.

After retiring from coaching, Kempf served as Rowan’s associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator and has been a steady presence in the department providing leadership, institutional knowledge and a commitment to Prof athletics.

Continue reading →

Congressman Van Drew Hosts Assistant Secretary of the Army to Discuss Beach Replenishment

Together, they announced a major investment coming to the Jersey Shore.

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Van Drew hosted Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, along with federal, state, and local officials, to evaluate the erosion along the Jersey Shore following a year of damaging hurricanes and nor’easters. The visit focused on beach replenishment, long-term storm protection, and ensuring South Jersey receives the federal attention it deserves.

“This was an important visit for South Jersey,” said Congressman Van Drew. “What matters is this: they are here, they are listening, and they understand what is at stake. The Assistant Secretary saw firsthand the damage our shore communities are dealing with, and he understands how important the Jersey Shore is to our economy and to the families who live here. They announced a significant investment into our shoreline of tens of millions of dollars, and it is only beginning of the process to bring more major funding our way. I want to thank Assistant Secretary Telle for coming down and taking the time to walk the beaches with us, meet with our mayors, and talk with the Army Corps about this. We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with him, the Army Corps, and all our local partners to make sure this gets done the right way.