Camden County, NJ – An Essex County man has been arrested and charged for attempting to engage in sexual conduct with an underage girl whom he met online, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay.
Continue reading “Essex County Man Arrested for Attempting to Engage in Sexual Conduct with Minor”
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.
(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 “Camden County Monitoring Presumptive Cases of Bird Flu Throughout the State”
Several roadway projects will be underway across Camden County during the week of February 16 to February 20.
“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.”
Berlin Township
Berlin Township, NJ – 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.
Continue reading “Suspect Arrested for Robbery at McDonald’s in Berlin Township”William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNEWS
PHILADELPHIA, PA (February 14, 2026) — An MSC cargo ship departed the Port of Philadelphia on Saturday morning as three tugboats worked in unison to turn the massive vessel around in the ice‑covered Delaware River. Two tugs pulled from the bow while a third pushed from the stern, slowly rotating the ship through sheets of broken ice created by the recent cold snap.
The dramatic maneuver underscored both the scale of modern container vessels and the skill required to navigate them through winter river conditions.
Read more: MSC Cargo Ship Departs Philadelphia Port Amid Icy River Conditions—
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has steadily expanded its relationship with the Port of Philadelphia in recent years. Its maiden call at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal occurred on April 27, 2022, when the MSC Michaela, a 6,730‑TEU container ship, arrived as part of MSC’s Indus 2 service.
The Indus 2 route provides Philadelphia shippers with direct connections to India, Italy, Spain, and Portugal — a significant advantage for regional importers and exporters seeking faster, more efficient access to global markets.
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Members of the Holt Family, operators of the Holt Marine Terminal in Gloucester City, were onboard during the 2022 inaugural visit of the MSC Michaela. Their involvement reflects the long-standing partnership between Holt Logistics, PhilaPort, and international carriers seeking dependable East Coast gateways.
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“Shippers want more efficient options and this new India/Med service fits perfectly into our wheelhouse,” said Jeff Theobald, Executive Director and CEO of PhilaPort.
Sean Mahoney, PhilaPort’s Director of Marketing, noted that securing the Indus 2 service was years in the making. “We have been working on attracting a service like Indus 2 for a while. Our terminal operator, Holt Logistics, has really done a great job with the customer base and made this service a reality.”
Officials say Philadelphia continues to play a major role in helping international supply chains adapt to global logistics challenges, offering shippers alternative routes and reliable port performance.
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Photo caption: On the Bridge of M/V MSC Michaela Voy#: 211A – Pictured (L to R) CBP Inspt Damiani, Sean Mahoney – PhilaPort, James Walsh – PhilaPort, Tom Holt – Holt Logistics, MSC – Capt. Carlo Fortuna, Christian Holt – Holt Logistics, Phillip Holt – Holt Logistics, CBP Inspt Mason
For more information on this service, contact: marketing@philaport.com
FROM PEN TO PAPER
By William E. Cleary Sr.
eBook $9.99; Paperback $16.99
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE: THE ENIGMATIC VISITOR
• July 17, 1989
• August 18: Lyons Preps Bevan for Meeting
• The Investigation Begins
• Face to Face with the South Jersey Building Contractor
• Sit-Down with New Jersey State Police
• Smith Demands a 99-Year Lease
• Smith Issues Stern Warning About Tommy Holt
• July 26: Document Pickup
• August 4: “A New Beginning for Gloucester City’s
Waterfront”
• August 17: Smith’s Demands Escalate
• Unanswered Questions
• Retired FBI Agent Says, “You’re the Target, Bill!”
• The Target Is You, Bill!
Read more: CNBNEWS Editor Shares Lessons from a Lifetime in the NewsroomCHAPTER TWO: THE MAN WHO INSPIRED ME
• The Fire Whistle
• A Life Forged in Tragedy
• 1950: A New Beginning
• The Crusader
• The Urban Renewal Battle
• Passing the Torch
• The Long Goodbye
• The Legacy
CHAPTER THREE: MY SUMMER LOVE BECOMES MY WIFE
• The Front Porch Conversation
• Answering the Call: Joining the National Guard
• The Rifle Range
• Early Married Life
• The Postmaster’s Offer
Continue reading “CNBNEWS Editor Shares Lessons from a Lifetime in the Newsroom”
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:
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.
Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information, and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT, on the NJDOT Facebook page, or Instagram @NewJersey.DOT.
BROOKLAWN, NJ — The Brooklawn School District will receive more than $6 million to modernize and upgrade Alice Costello Elementary School, following the Camden County Improvement Authority’s successful issuance of $6.29 million in Borough‑Guaranteed Lease Revenue Bonds.
County officials say the investment will address long‑needed improvements to the school’s infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient learning spaces for students.
“This project reflects Camden County’s commitment to investing in education, strengthening community assets, and ensuring safe, modern learning environments for our children,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr., liaison to the CCIA. “I applaud the CCIA, Brooklawn Borough, and the Brooklawn Board of Education for their steadfast commitment to improving Alice Costello Elementary School, ensuring student success for years to come.”
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What the Funding Will Cover
The financing package will support a wide range of capital upgrades at Alice Costello Elementary, including:
Officials say these improvements will help extend the life of the school building while providing students and staff with a healthier, more reliable environment.
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A Cost‑Saving Approach for Local Schools
CCIA Executive Director Jim Lex emphasized that the agreement demonstrates the authority’s ability to help local governments and school districts finance major projects at reduced cost.
“This agreement highlights the CCIA’s capacity to assist municipalities, non‑profits, and community organizations in their capital investments by providing a cost‑saving alternative to traditional municipal bonds,” Lex said. “We are excited to support the Brooklawn Board of Education Project and look forward to seeing the improvements made through innovative funding available for schools that need code and safety repairs.”
The project is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
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About the Camden County Improvement Authority
The Camden County Improvement Authority is an independent public agency created by the Camden County Board of Commissioners. The authority provides low‑cost financing, economic development services, and project management for local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations. Its mission includes supporting redevelopment, employment growth, affordable housing, and capital projects that improve quality of life throughout Camden County and other eligible areas of New Jersey.
Learn Impactful Tools to Help Show Support!
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