Philadelphia, PA (February 15, 2026)–The following is Preliminary information and is subject to change. Updates will be provided when available.
On February 14, at approximately 7:59 p.m., officers from the 22nd District responded to a shooting that occurred on the highway in the 1500 block of West Boston Street. Police transported the adult male victim, who had a gunshot wound to the chest, to Temple Hospital, where doctors pronounced him deceased at 8:21 p.m. At this time, no arrests have been made and no motive has been identified. The investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the Homicide Unit.
A West Berlin man has been arrested and charged in reference to a robbery that occurred yesterday at a McDonald’s in Berlin Township, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Berlin Township Police Chief Michael FitzGibbon. On Friday, February 13, 2026, at approximately 6:39 a.m., officers from the Berlin Township Police Department responded to the McDonald’s located on the 200 block of Route 73 for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers learned that a masked suspect – later identified as 42-year-old William Alvarado Jr. – entered the restaurant and demanded the employees turn over U.S. currency. During the robbery, the defendant kept his hands in his sweatshirt pocket, which led employees to believe that he was armed with a firearm. After receiving U.S. currency, he fled the restaurant on foot. No firearms were displayed and no injuries were reported. During the investigation, detectives from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Berlin Township Police Department used surveillance video from multiple locations to track Alvarado from the restaurant to his vehicle and ultimately to his residence in West Berlin. The defendant was taken into custody and charged with one count of 2nd -degree Robbery. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility, pending a future court hearing. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Michael Manning of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (856) 365-3246 and Detective Lieutenant David Childs of the Berlin Township Police Department at (856) 767-5878, ext. 214. Tips may also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS. All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured overnight next week as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County. This is a continuation of work that began in January.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday, February 17 until 5 a.m. Wednesday, February 18, and continuing Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19 at the same time, the I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured. The right lane on I-295 southbound also will be closed just after Exit 28/Route 168. All motorists traveling on I-295 southbound will be directed to stay left onto Exit 26. The closures are necessary removal of the temporary Browning Road Bridge west abutment. The following detour will be in place:
I-295 southbound to Route 42 southbound/I-295 southbound Detour:
Motorists traveling on I-295 southbound wishing to continue onto Route 42 southbound will be directed to exit left at Exit 26/I-76 westbound
Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound
Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Avenue
Turn right onto Collings Avenue
Turn left onto I-676 southbound, which becomes I-76 eastbound
Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1A/I-295 southbound
The work is part of the Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. To sign up for I-295 Direct Connect project updates go to 295DirectConnect.com or text CONNECT to 1-844-844-3681.
Portable variable message signs are being used to provide advance notification of traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.
The Philadelphia Council of Clergy (PCC) proudly announces its 2026 Honor the Dreamers Awards Program, to be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Now in its sixth year, this signature gathering has become a sacred and civic moment in the life of the city—bringing together clergy, elected officials, community leaders, and citizens to celebrate modern-day torchbearers who embody the spirit, sacrifice, and service of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For the past six years, the Philadelphia Council of Clergy has intentionally created space to recognize leaders whose work reflects Dr. King’s enduring commitment to justice, compassion, reconciliation, and community transformation. These are men and women who do not merely speak about change—they labor for it, often quietly, faithfully, and at great personal cost.
Since its inception, the Honor the Dreamers Awards have recognized a distinguished and diverse circle of honorees. Among them have been pioneers such as the Honorable Wilson Goode Sr., the first African American Mayor of Philadelphia, whose leadership helped shape the city’s modern civic landscape, and Bart Oates, President of the NFL Alumni Association, honored for his commitment to service beyond the gridiron. In addition, numerous clergy leaders have been recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards for decades of faithful ministry, moral leadership, and spiritual guidance within Philadelphia and beyond.
The 2026 class of honorees continues that rich tradition of excellence and impact:
· Trailblazer Award — Nelson Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
· Lifetime Achievement Award — Rev. Dr. William Moore, Pastor of Ten Memorial Baptist Church
· Lifetime Achievement Award — Bishop Millicent Hunter, Pastor of The Baptist Worship Center
· Bridge Builder Award — Inspector Jarreau Thomas, Philadelphia Police Department
· President’s Award — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania
This year, the Council has added a special distinction—the President’s Award—to recognize an elected official whose public service has demonstrated a commitment to putting people before politics and progress before partisanship. Governor Josh Shapiro is being honored for his leadership on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for modeling a results-driven approach to governance during a time of deep division.
Each award category reflects a dimension of Dr. King’s legacy:
· Trailblazer honors those breaking new ground.
· Lifetime Achievement recognizes decades of faithful service.
· Bridge Builder celebrates those fostering unity across communities.
· President’s Award affirms courageous and people-centered public leadership.
The evening program will feature tributes, award presentations, inspirational reflections, and moments of collective gratitude for leaders who continue to “keep the dream alive” through action and sacrifice.
In a season when the nation continues to wrestle with division along lines of race, class, politics, and ideology, the Philadelphia Council of Clergy believes it is both timely and necessary to lift up examples of servant leadership. Scripture reminds us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2). The Honor the Dreamers gathering seeks to highlight those whose authority is exercised with humility, justice, and moral clarity.
“The dream Dr. King spoke of was never meant to live only in history books,” said PCC leadership. “It lives wherever leaders choose courage over comfort, service over status, and unity over division. This evening is our way of saying—we see you, we honor you, and we thank God for you.”
Clergy, community partners, civic leaders, and members of the public are invited to attend and share in this celebration of faith-anchored service and transformational leadership.
Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that the Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project has officially been authorized to move forward, securing more than $24.3 million to protect one of the most vulnerable areas along the Jersey Shore.
“I just heard directly from the Secretary of Homeland Security’s office that this project has officially been authorized,” said Congressman Van Drew. “This is a major breakthrough for Cape May and for our entire shoreline. This section of Cape May was identified after Hurricane Sandy as a serious weak point, and that vulnerability has not gone away. The next major storm is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. This seawall project is making sure we are not caught unprepared. Thank you to the administration for making our coastline a priority. This has been a big week for our shore. I am proud to keep delivering real results and making sure South Jersey gets the attention it deserves.”
In a historic first for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, a broad coalition of Muslim civic and advocacy organizations hosted a CD-12 Candidate Forum on Super Bowl Sunday at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, drawing nearly 200 attendees from both the Muslim community and the broader public.
The forum was organized by CAIR Action NJ, Emgage Action, and the NJ Muslim Civic Coalition Activate, in partnership with American Muslims for Democracy (AMD), New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association (NJMLA), CAIR-NJ, ICNA Social Council for Justice, NJ Muslim League of Voters, and NJ Muslim Voters for Progress.
Today, the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee advanced three bills—which were reintroduced for the new legislative session—that would aid in keeping New Jersey residents safe as ICE continues to terrorize communities, commit violent acts, and prey on immigrant communities. The measures aim to strike a balance between individual privacy, due process rights, and public safety by defining the role state, county and local agencies play in relation to federal immigration authorities, limiting data collection by government and health entities, and ensuring law enforcement officers are easily identifiable. With these bills advanced today, along with the sensitive places bill recently signed into law, New Jersey is taking the lead among other states in crafting the strongest protections for immigrants. “Law enforcement should always be, first and foremost, partners in community safety, providing support to those who need it,” said Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset), Chair of the Public Safety and Preparedness Committee. “Today’s discussion was pivotal to ensuring that communities feel confident law enforcement is operating with transparency and accountability. With that trust in place, New Jerseyans can send their children to school, visit a food bank, or attend a place of worship with peace of mind.” A4071 would codify the Attorney General’s “Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities” directive, also known as the Immigrant Trust Directive, which has been upheld by state and federal courts. The directive, sponsored by Assembly members Ellen Park, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Gabriel Rodriguez and Annette Quijano, would prohibit state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies from stopping, questioning, arresting, searching or detaining anyone based solely on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status. It would also prevent these agencies from inquiring about the immigration status of any individual unless it is relevant to the investigation of an indictable offense committed by said individual. The bill also outlines the distinction between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, making it clear that New Jersey officers are not responsible for enforcing federal civil immigration law, but instead should remain focused on public safety and state criminal enforcement. “Our state and local law enforcement officers are vital to keeping New Jersey communities safe, working closely with our schools, business and residents. But amid a seemingly indiscriminate immigration crackdown, we have seen individuals without U.S. criminal convictions—and in some cases, people with protected legal status or even U.S. citizenship—being wrongly caught up in enforcement action,” saidAssemblywoman Park (D-Bergen). “By prohibiting racially-influenced policing by state and local officers, and affirming the distinction between them and federal immigration authorities, we help preserve the trust officers need to serve their communities, making sure everyone—regardless of where they were born or the language they speak—feels comfortable seeking help when they need it.” Bill A4070, sponsored by Assemblywomen Quijano and Park and Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald, would establish limits on how and when state and local governments and health care facilities collect and retain personal information. Known as the “Privacy Protection Act,” the bill recognizes that unrestricted sharing of sensitive data can discourage people from seeking needed services. The legislation would limit the collection of information such as citizenship status, place of birth, Social Security number, or taxpayer ID to situations where it is necessary to determine eligibility for or to administer a public service, benefit, or program, or professional qualifications and licensure. The bill also places restrictions on when the Motor Vehicle Commission would be permitted to share personal data on drivers. “When you give the government your personal information, you do so with the understanding that it will be used only for the specific purpose you authorized. You do not consent to it being publicly shared or sold to the highest bidder. If that trust is violated, you have a right to know,” said Assemblywoman Quijano (D-Union).“This bill goes beyond reaffirming your right to data privacy. It makes clear that we stand by our Constitution and that individual privacy and due process rights will not be undermined or ignored.” The committee also advanced today a bill establishing the “Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act.” Sponsored by Assembly members Reynolds-Jackson, Quijano, Alixon Collazos-Gill and Rodriguez, A1743 would require law enforcement officers—including federal officers—operating in New Jersey to reveal their facial identities while performing official duties. It would also require them to present sufficient identification prior to arresting or detaining someone. To ensure the safety of law enforcement, exemptions would be made in some situations, including if the officer is engaged in certain tactical operations or is the subject of a threat of retaliation. Masks would also be allowed to protect against exposure to biological or chemical agents, or exposure to cold during a weather emergency. “We all have rights—citizens and noncitizens alike— and when a law enforcement agent stops you, you have the right to know who they are, who they work for, and why they are stopping you, all before you’re detained or arrested. There have been verified accounts of criminals impersonating ICE to rob, kidnap, or sexually assault people. We can stop this before it becomes a pattern,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (Hunterdon, Mercer). “This bill is about public safety, and previous Republican proposals indicate bipartisan support. Legislation like this helps build community trust in law enforcement while ensuring officers can perform their duties safely and within the bounds of the law.”
Brought to you by the Camden County Board of Commissioners in coordination with the Trevor Project, these dynamic webinars empower adults with the insight, confidence, and practical tools to truly show up for LGBTQ+ youth. Through engaging conversation and eye-opening learning, participants will better understand the real challenges young people face and leave with actionable strategies to build acceptance, strengthen resilience, and support mental well-being in meaningful ways. To learn more and register, Click Here.
Webinar Session Schedule: LGBTQ+ Ally Training – Friday, February20th @ 9AM – 11 AM LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention & Sensitivity – Friday, March 20th @ 9 AM – 10:30 AM
Love riding bike trails? Want safer bike lanes? Curious how Camden County connects into the region’s growing trail network? This is your chance to join the conversation. Come out for a relaxed, informative evening co-hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Camden County, and presented in partnership with Bike Gloucester County and the Circuit Trails Coalition. On Wednesday, February 18th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Camden County Sustainability Center, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood, learn what’s happening, what’s next, and how you can help move local biking efforts forward! To learn more and register, Click Here.
