The WOW Van is On the Move in Gloucester County!

Gloucester County’s Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Van will be making TWO stops next week to provide free, on-site support and resources to the community.

🚌 STOP 1 – Newfield
📍 Liberty Bell Motel – 2656 Harding Way, Newfield, NJ

🗓️ Tuesday, December 9

🗓️ Wednesday, December 10

⏰ 10AM–2PM

🚌 STOP 2 – Pitman
📍 First Baptist Church Pitman / Lighthouse Community Center – 30 N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ

🗓️ Thursday, December 11

⏰ 10AM–2PM

💙 Services Available at Both Locations
Our WOW Van team provides free connections to:

✔️ Substance use treatment

✔️ Medical & health services

✔️ Shelter & housing assistance

✔️ Mental health resources

Professionals on-site include doctors, nursing & med students, peer recovery specialists, and social workers, ready to help individuals access the care and support they need.

📞 Newfield Info: 856-384-6985

📞 Pitman Info: 856-384-6885

📲 Scan the QR code(s) on the flyer for additional details.

TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1 

Agency will refer passengers to the fee-based TSA “Confirm.ID” payment option if they do not present a valid, acceptable ID at checkpoints

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. 

Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. TSA urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

Continue reading “TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1 “

Domestic Violence Victims Would Receive More Protections Under Bills Advanced In Committee 

Leaving a domestic violence situation can be both difficult and dangerous. Today, the Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced several bills aimed at easing domestic violence victims’ path to safety. The legislation would address the unjust penalties and sentencing imposed for crimes committed under duress, reinforce domestic violence restraining orders, and expand training of coercive control for judges and law enforcement officers. The bills advanced following moving testimony from women who lived through abuse and prevailed, but who still contend with the lasting aftermath. 

Continue reading “Domestic Violence Victims Would Receive More Protections Under Bills Advanced In Committee “

Holiday Small Business Spotlight

Check out these ideas for places to shop to score great local gifts for everyone on your list this season. Follow us on social media and get even more ideas or share your favorite places in Gloucester to shop with us!
Duffy’s Fine Chocolates & Delicious Candy, Award Winning Sweets A hometown favorite for stocking stuffers, candy trays, custom gift boxes, and nostalgic holiday treats. Perfect for teachers, coworkers, hosts, and anyone who appreciates something sweet.
Carr’s Hardware, Practical Gifts for the Home For the DIY enthusiast or new homeowner, Carr’s offers tools, seasonal supplies, and practical items that always come in handy. A Carr’s gift card is a thoughtful choice for anyone on your list.
Sunshine Florist and Gifts, Flowers, Plants, and Seasonal Decor A reliable spot for holiday arrangements, poinsettias, gift items, and home decor. Perfect for hosts, family gatherings, or anyone who enjoys seasonal touches around the home.
Local Restaurants and Pubs, Gift Cards for a Night Out Gloucester City has many great places to eat and relax. Gift cards are an easy and well loved option that support local establishments and make gifting simple and flexible. You can make it even more personal and special with an invitation to go out for a date night, special time with the kids, or fun girls night out.  
Gloucester Travel, The Gift of Experience For those dreaming of a future getaway, Gloucester Travel offers planning services and gift certificates. A meaningful option for couples, families, and friends who prefer experiences over traditional gifts.

St. Mary’s Parish 175 Anniversary

 SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ(SEPTEMBER 2023)--COME HOME TO ST. MARY CHURCH IN GLOUCESTER CITY ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2023, AND JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR PARISH. WE WILL BE HONORING PAST AND PRESENT STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF OF GLOUESTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL AND ST. MARY GRAMMAR SCHOOL. WE INVITE YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES TO JOIN TOGETHER WITH OUR CURRENT GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOR THE 11:30 MASS. 

Continue reading “St. Mary’s Parish 175 Anniversary”

Celebrate the holiday season with Gloucester City’s annual Winter Wonderland celebration!

The community is invited to a festive Winter Wonderland celebration that brings families, friends, and neighbors together for an evening of holiday cheer, outdoor fun, and timeless traditions. All activities are funded and supported by the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone (GCUEZ) and the Neighborhood Preservation Programs, which help bring engaging, family-friendly events to our community throughout the year, along with a variety of community and business development initiatives and improvements.

Read more: Celebrate the holiday season with Gloucester City’s annual Winter Wonderland celebration!

The fun begins with Santa’s arrival, as the Santa Parade steps off at 5:00 PM from the Gloucester City Library and travels along Monmouth Street to King Street before concluding at Proprietors Park. Leading the way will be the Gloucester High ROTC, followed by Durning String Band, the Gloucester City Fire Department, local businesses such as Top Notch Landscaping, Ferry Fence, and Solutions in Warehousing, along with Girl Scout troops, Rock Life, Community Rocks – I Really Like NJ, and the Gloucester City Mustangs.

Once at the park, kids can enjoy free ice skating on a magical outdoor rink. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there with small gifts for the children, and St. Mary’s Church will present a live nativity with live animals—a cherished holiday tradition for families to experience together. DJ James G and Zephyr on keyboard will keep the festive music going all evening.

Guests can warm up with hot chocolate for kids and enjoy tasty offerings from food vendors including Bondie’s Daughters Concessions, Anthony “The Weenie Genie,” and Kona Ice. Children and adults alike can enjoy a variety of family activities and games throughout the event.

Winter Wonderland will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The Santa Parade begins at 5:00 PM at the library, followed by the tree lighting and Winter Wonderland festivities at Proprietors Park at approximately 5:45 PM.

Gather your family, friends, and neighbors and join us for an unforgettable celebration—let’s make this holiday season memorable for our entire community!

If your fire company, business, or community group would like to be part of the parade with a decorated vehicle or lighted display, please email Patrick Hagan at pat.hagan@gloucestercityfd.org. Let’s make Winter Wonderland 2025 shine brighter than ever!

GTPD STUFF A TRUCK for the Gloucester Township Mayor’s Toy Drive!

Now to December 18th bring new, unwrapped toys to the GTPD Watch Desk at 1261 Chews Landing Road, and if the Watch Desk Officer is available they’ll unlock our decorated GTPD Truck parked in front of our headquarters where you can stuff the truck! 

Also, if you capture a photo of you or your kiddies with our Officer and send them to communityrelations@gtpolice.com, we’ll post them on our GTPD social media! 

A drop box for toy donations is also located at the watch desk. Thank you!

Cooper Air Medical Services Celebrates 15 Years of Lifesaving Service

Cooper University Health Care’s Air Medical Services is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month, marking a decade and a half of delivering rapid, lifesaving emergency transport and critical-care response for communities across South Jersey.  The Air Medical Services team supports southern New Jersey’s leading academic health system and only Level 1 Trauma Center — and the busiest  in the region.

Launched on December 4, 2010, Cooper Air Medical Services has become an essential extension of Cooper’s regional trauma and emergency care system. Over the past 15 years, Cooper Air crews have responded to thousands of emergencies, providing swift transport for trauma patients, supporting inter-facility transfers, and ensuring critically ill and injured patients receive timely access to advanced care.

Read more: Cooper Air Medical Services Celebrates 15 Years of Lifesaving Service

“Cooper Air Medical Services is more than just the transport of patients, it’s Cooper’s promise to the communities we serve to provide the highest level of trauma and specialty care available in South Jersey,” said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper University Health Care Board of Trustees. “We are very grateful to Cooper’s Air Medical Services team for 15 years of saving lives and providing rapid response and medical expertise that is not offered anywhere else in the region.”

“Cooper Air Medical Services plays a vital role in linking communities throughout our region directly to Cooper’s Level I Trauma Center and our nationally recognized specialists,” said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper“Every minute matters in an emergency, and for 15 years this team has delivered exceptional care with unmatched skill and dedication.”

“Providing lifesaving academic medicine to residents across South Jersey  is both an honor and a profound responsibility,” said Kevin O’Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper. “The entire Cooper team is grateful for the extraordinary professionals who make up Cooper Air Medical Services and their steadfast commitment to saving lives.”

The helicopter fleet includes Cooper 1 and Cooper 2, both EC135 Eurocopters owned and operated by Cooper’s partner for the past 10 years, Metro Aviation, Inc.  Metro’s expert pilots, specialized mechanics, and meticulously maintained aircraft help drive the success of Cooper’s air medical program. 

Metro’s industry-leading safety record remains central to ensuring the safest possible transport for patients. Both Cooper 1 and Cooper 2 are equipped with advanced GPS navigation, weather radar, aircraft collision-avoidance systems, night-vision capability, and a comprehensive satellite-based, real-time in-flight data monitoring and communication suite to support the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Each flight is staffed by Cooper’s highly trained team of flight nurses and flight paramedics, all nationally certified in their respective specialties, including certified flight registered nurse (CFRN) and flight paramedic (FP-C) certification.

“For 15 years, our crews have responded at a moment’s notice—day or night—to deliver critical care when it matters most,” said Rick Rohrbach, MBA, BSN, RN, CFRN, CCRN, MICP, assistant vice president, EMS and Air Transport Operations at Cooper. “Patients and families can trust that Cooper Air Medical Services will always provide expert, compassionate care.”

As Cooper marks this milestone anniversary, the health system celebrates the dedication of its Air Medical Services team and its ongoing mission to expand access to lifesaving care throughout the region.

About Cooper University Health Care
Cooper University Health Care is a leading academic health system affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Cooper, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, has revenues of more than $2.4 billion and an A+ credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.

Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 employed physicians representing 95 specialties and subspecialties, and more than 600 advanced practice providers.

Cooper operates MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper as well as three hospitals – its 663-bed flagship Cooper University Hospital in Camden, its 229-bed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House, and Children’s Regional Hospital in Camden.

Cooper University Hospital in Camden is the only Level 1 trauma center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. The hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals annual survey for six years.

More than 2.4 million patients visit Cooper’s facilities annually. Cooper’s ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, several urgent care centers, a wound care center, and more than 130 physician, physical therapy, and radiology offices extending from the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore.

Cooper was named one of America’s Best Large Employers for 2025 by Forbes, ranking among the top 200 in the nation. Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.

Verrelli Bill Strengthening Workers’ Rights Clears Assembly Committee

 Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli’s bill to prohibit the use of non-compete clauses, with certain exceptions, and no-poach agreements cleared the Assembly Labor Committee today. Bill A5708 seeks to strengthen workers’ rights and encourage fair competition in the labor market.

“Workers deserve the ability to pursue new opportunities without being shackled by outdated and restrictive agreements,” said Assemblyman Verrelli (D-Hunterdon, Mercer), Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee. “By prohibiting non-compete clauses and no-poach agreements, we are standing up for workers’ rights, promoting a healthier labor market, and creating a level playing field for businesses across our state.”

Under the bill, no employer – whether public, private, or nonprofit – would be allowed to require, demand, or accept a non-compete agreement for any employee or other individual who provides services for, or on behalf of, the employer. Additionally, every contract restraining an individual from engaging in lawful professions, trades, or businesses after employment termination would to that extent be void.

The bill would include exceptions to ensure that legitimate business interests, such as trade secrets, are protected without restricting worker mobility. Similarly, non-compete agreements established during the sale of a business entity, its operating assets, or ownership interests are allowed. Existing non-compete agreements with senior executives would also remain valid if they meet specific requirements.

The bill would also explicitly ban no-poach agreements where employers agree not to hire each other’s employees or former employees.

A5708 would note that there must be no retaliation against workers who exercise their rights under this bill.

Assemblyman Verrelli, who has been a proud union member for 35 years, noted that legislation stems from a landmark finding from the Federal Trade Commission that non-compete clauses trap workers and hold back the economy.

Christmas Appeal 2025 Supports Gloucester Catholic Students!

Support Gloucester Catholic’s Christmas Appeal 2025!
Gloucester Catholic’s Annual Christmas Appeal will arrive in your homes shortly. Be among the first to make an online donation to support Ram students and their families who need financial assistance for tuition.  Merry Christmas from Gloucester Catholic! Click Here to View GC’s 2025 Christmas Appeal Letter! Three Ways To Give!VENMO — @gcramsgiving ONLINE — CLICK HERE OR ON GRAPHIC TO MAKE ONLINE DONATION! TRADITIONAL MAILKindly make check payable to:Gloucester Catholic High School333 Ridgeway StreetGloucester City, NJ 08030  Merry Christmas from Gloucester Catholic!Once a Ram… Always a Ram