Category: CONSUMER NEWS

The World Lottery Association Recertifies New Jersey Lottery

for Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification

TRENTON (Dec. 20, 2019) – In 2016, the New Jersey Lottery was only the third state lottery in the nation to be awarded a World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming Level Four Certification, the highest level of international recognition in the

gaming industry. The Lottery has been recertified by the World Lottery Association in 2019 for continued efforts to incorporate responsible gaming best practices into its every day operations.

The World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming Principles and Framework Certification Program outlines lotteries\’ level of commitment to corporate social responsibility and responsible gaming. New Jersey Lottery received the recertification of its Level 4 distinction for its commitment to continued review and ongoing development of extensive responsible gaming efforts.

“I am proud of New Jersey Lottery’s efforts to incorporate responsible gaming messages into all areas of communication and our work toward continued enhancements of the Responsible Play Program,” said New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director James A. Carey, Jr. “We are pleased that the extensive review by the World Lottery Association of our responsible gaming initiatives and continued commitment has earned the New Jersey Lottery recertification of the prestigious Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification.”

(VIDEO) Be on the Lookout for the Spotted Lanternfly

TRENTON, NJ (December 2019)–The State of New Jersey is warning the public once again about the dangerously invasive spotted lanternfly. It has been found  in Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Burlington, Salem, Somerset and Warren counties. State officials say that Cape May and Gloucester counties are among the newest additions to the list.

Spotted Lanternfly Background

• Detected on September 22, 2014 in Berks County Pennsylvania

• Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is a plant hopper, Lycorma delicatula (white) belonging to the family Fulgoridae in the order Hemiptera (true bugs).

• Makes use of over 70 different plant species, including fruit trees, ornamental trees, woody trees, vegetables, herbs and vines. Strongly prefers the invasive “Tree of Heaven”

Damage

• Like most hemipterans, SLF feeds on plants using their sucking and piercing mouthparts to extract plant sap.

• Adults and nymphs feed on phloem tissues of young stems with their piercing and sucking mouthparts and excrete large quantities of liquid (honeydew).

• Feeding creates weeping wounds

• Honeydew facilitates the growth of sooty mold

• Weeping Sap attracts activity from hymenopteran such as wasps, hornets, ants, bees etc.

• Impacts quality of outdoor life for everyone

MORE INFORMATION HERE

NJDOT Releases 511NJConnect System

NJDOT announces proactive

Alert system uses geo-fencing technology to provide information to motorists

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti today announced the launch of 511NJConnect, a new alert system that allows transportation agencies the ability to proactively provide information directly to motorists who are stuck in long-term highway closures.

At the conclusion of the last winter, Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti directed New Jersey’s transportation agencies to find a way to use technology to keep motorists better informed in the event of an extended highway closure.

“We all understand the frustration and stress that can be caused by being stuck in traffic for an extended period of time,” Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “While we hope we never have to use it, 511NJConnect is an innovative way to use technology to provide motorists information and status updates during a long-term road closure. Just knowing that there is someone out there monitoring the situation can be extremely reassuring.”

In the event of a sustained stoppage of traffic, the 511NJConnect system, using geo-fencing technology, will identify motorists in the proximity of the incident and send an alert to their hand-held devices. Motorists within the target area will be given the option to register for automatic text messaging or phone updates throughout the event generated by transportation agency staff monitoring the situation. Once the incident is resolved, motorists who registered for the alerts will be automatically unsubscribed from the system and all personal data will be removed.

The system will allow direct communication and updates about the incident to those motorists who are impacted.

511NJConnect is not a substitute for calling 9-1-1

if a motorist has an actual emergency in their vehicle.

Developed in coordination with the New Jersey State Police, the 511NJConnect system will be used for long-term traffic incidents in which motorists become immobilized for an extended period of time on New Jersey’s Interstate highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, or the Atlantic City Expressway.

NJDOT remains committed to providing safe roadways to New Jersey motorists and in anticipation of the winter season, the Department is implementing this proactive approach to assist and inform motorists in the event of an unforeseen extended closure of a highway.

Motorists should keep a basic emergency kit in their vehicles that includes non-perishable food and water, a cell phone charger, weather-related items such as a blanket, shovel, ice scraper, or rain gear, and any specialized supplies such as baby or pet care items. Visit

ReadyNJ.gov

for more information about emergency kits and preparedness.

About the 511NJ Suite of Services

— The

511NJ.org website

, phone system, Personalized Travel Service, and

New Jersey Traffic

features provide valuable real-time traffic and traveler information about incidents, crashes, congestion, construction, special events, and travel times.  The Department updates this information 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band

Back By Popular Demand! The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ –Presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders in association with BRE and the Borough of Collingswood, the Scottish Rite Auditorium welcomes Bruce in the USA, Back By Popular Demand! The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Doors open at 7 PM, showtime at 8 PM.​

Bruce In The USA is much more than just another tribute…

This high-energy musical experience is a note-perfect and visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E St. Band show.

Matt Ryan, from the World Famous “Legends In Concert” cast, began playing the Springsteen character in 2000, in Legends “full scale” Las Vegas show. The great success in the famous Las Vegas show brought him to performances across the world, eventually evolving his character into the Bruce In The USA show.

The Bruce In The USA Band consists of seasoned world class professional musicians. The show has hosted musicians from such acts/bands as Queen/Paul Rogers, Meatloaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall and Oats, Joe Cocker, The Ojays, Aretha Franklin, David Cassidy, The Temptations, Slash… and so many more.

This high end, powerhouse, band has taken this genre of performance art to a whole new level, making it the World’s #1 Tribute to the E Street Band’s musical legacy.

Tickets go on sale August 22

Tickets are $39.50 and $29.50

Tickets Available from:

www.ticketmaster.com

or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

Camden County Store at Voorhees Town Center

(Echelon Mall), 1 Echelon Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 566- 2920

Scottish Rite Auditorium

315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ, 08108, United States

Saturday, Dec 28th, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

–

10:00 pm

Archbishop Chaput\’s Message: Christmas 2019

In his Christmas message of 1944 – the fifth year of a Second World War that spanned the globe with its suffering – Pope Pius XII offered these words:

The Church has the mission to announce to the world . . . the highest and most needed message that there can be: the dignity of man, the call to be sons of God.  It is the powerful cry which, from the manger in Bethlehem to the furthest confines of the

earth, resounds in the ears of men at a time when that dignity is tragically low.

The holy story of Christmas proclaims this inviolable dignity of man with a vigor and authority that cannot be gainsaid. – an authority and vigor that infinitely transcend that which all possible declarations of the rights of man could achieve.

Christmas, the great feast of the Son of God who appeared in human flesh, the feast in which heaven stoops down to earth with ineffable grace and benevolence, is also the day on which Christianity and mankind, before the crib, contemplating “the goodness and kindness of God our Savior,” become more deeply conscious of the intimate unity that God has established between them.

The birth of the Savior of the world, of the Restorer of human dignity in all its fullness, is the moment characterized by the alliance of all men of good will.  There to the poor world, torn by discord, divided by selfishness, poisoned by hate, love will be restored, and it will be allowed to march forward in cordial harmony, toward the common goal, to find at last the cure for its wounds in the peace of Christ.

Today, a lifetime of 75 years later, the world is infinitely different and implacably the same.   Different in its marvels of medicine, technology, and science.  Different in its deliverance of many millions of people from illness, illiteracy, and poverty.  But the same in the millions more who are homeless, or persecuted, or refugees, or locked in poverty, or killed casually on an industrial scale by abortion.   Times and circumstances change.   Human nature doesn’t.  The world still needs –

urgently

needs – “the birth of the Savior” and “the cure for its wounds in the peace of Christ.”

This will be my last Christmas as the serving Archbishop of Philadelphia.  Ministry in this archdiocese is one of the great gifts and joys of my life.  My memories of Philadelphia’s priests, deacons, people, and religious are and always will be a treasure to me.  I thank you for welcoming me among you — I arrived as a stranger, and you made Philadelphia my home — and I hope that all of us will remember throughout this season to thank God for our baptism, for the Church, and for each other.

May God bless all of us and our families on this wonderful Christmas feast of life.  And may he grant us a happy and holy new year.

THE 41st ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES

NATAS Announces Inclusion of eSports Category in this year’s Competition

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences today announced the call for entries for the 41st Annual Sports Emmy® Awards. Entries in more than 40 categories are now open for submission. Deadline for all entries is February 6, 2020. For more information, please go to

https://emmyonline.tv/2019-

sports-emmy-awards/

NATAS also announced a new category that recognizes outstanding esports coverage. Outstanding Esports Coverage will recognize the craft behind the delivery of coverage and presentation of competitive, organized video gaming to the viewer during a “championship” or “final” event. The addition of this new category acknowledges the rapid global growth of the competitive video gaming industry.

“We are entering an exciting new chapter for the Sports Emmy Awards with the addition of an exclusive category dedicated to recognizing excellence within esports,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS. “The category, Outstanding Esports Coverage, illustrates the Academy’s commitment to remain on the forefront of the ever-changing world of sports production.”

The global esports market has shown rapid growth including increased media coverage by many major networks such asESPN. According to a new study from gaming researcher, “New Zoo,” total revenue will hit $1.1 billion in 2019, representing a 26.7% growth rate compared to the $897.2 million it generated in 2018.

The Academy also announced the appointment of four-time Emmy Award winner Justine Gubar as Executive Director of Sports Emmy Awards Administration. In this role she will manage all areas of sports competition as a standard-bearer for the premiere recognition of excellence in the television industry. Gubar spent 20 years working for ESPN along with stints at Univision, Turner Sports, and ABC News.

“It is an honor to be a part of the Academy during such a pivotal time,” said Gubar. “The addition of a category dedicated to esports welcomes an entire new pool of talent. I look forward to recognizing the creative minds that embrace newer technology, trends and passions within the sports industry .”

The 41st Sports Emmy Awards will take place in New York City in the spring of 2020.

About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy A ward for News & Documentary , Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, and Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of over 18,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the country. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the website at

www.theemmys.tv

The Junkluggers Welcome their Newest Members to the Executive Team!

SEYMOUR, Conn. (December 18, 2019) – There have been quite a few exciting announcements at The Junkluggers over the past several months – from celebrating their 15 year anniversary in June to announcing a partnership with minority investor Contractor Nation in August and opening the first franchise in the state of California in November. With the company on the

brink of explosive growth across the country, starting with several franchise deals closing in December, The Junkluggers now announces the expansion of our executive management team with the recent hire of Vicky Hochhauser as Director of Business Development and Karren Nash as Appointment Center Manager.

“Both Vicky and Karren are joining The Junkluggers at a pivotal time, as the growth of our franchise network across the country is accelerating,” said Josh Cohen, The Junkluggers founder and CEO. “Each of these talented women brings a track record of success with them, and both will be instrumental in driving and supporting our expanded sales efforts.”

Vicky Hochhauser brings to The Junkluggers over thirty years of experience in the travel, publishing and digital media industries, developing partnerships and leveraging marketing to enhance overall sales performance. Most recently, Hochhauser was the Business Development Manager for our Long Island and Queens franchise where she was able to strengthen its strategic partnerships with local charities, professional organizers and real estate agencies leading to consistent referrals and contributing to solid revenue growth as well as a strong channel for donations. In her new role at The Junkluggers, Hochhauser will be leading the effort to grow the company’s strategic partnerships and accounts on a national level while working directly with The Junkluggers franchise partners to drive sales and partnerships on a local level.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team doing what I love, developing strategic and tactical plans, while coaching and mentoring a team of people who are passionate about what they do,” says Hochhauser. “The Junkluggers has been on my radar for a long time and I have watched it grow from a start-up to an emerging brand. I admire the commitment to their mission of giving back to the community and I’m excited to help bring our eco-friendly junk removal solution to more companies that are focused on their sustainability efforts.” Karren Nash is currently the Director of the International Call Center at Treehouse Internet Group, a division of Contractor Nation. Nash oversees the strategic planning and execution of all Call Center Operations for Contractor Nation and was the natural choice to manage The Junkluggers’ Appointment Center. She has over twenty years of sales operations and call center management experience and is skilled at coordinating analytical, strategic and customer service resources to meet franchise expectations and ensure customer satisfaction. Nash’s role at The Junkluggers will include staff recruiting and training, implementation of effective Quality Assurance programs, and management and leadership of processes for the continuous improvement of the customer experience.

“I love what I do, and I was immediately drawn to The Junkluggers work hard/play hard while supporting a healthy work/family balance mentality,” says Nash. “Leading people to become better personally and professionally is what makes me eager to go to work every day, and I am excited to join a team that supports one another and works hard to accomplish the goals set forth by a company they believe in.”

About The Junkluggers Established in 2004, The Junkluggers has revolutionized the hauling and removal industry by providing sustainable junk removal services. This team of big-hearted professionals is focused on environmentally friendly and community-oriented practices, striving to enhance lives, the community and the environment by donating, recycling, upcycling and supporting local charities. The Junkluggers recently added franchises in

Peoria, Illinois and Baltimore, Maryland for a total of 23 locations operating across 14 states, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The brand, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has additional pending franchise deals that are expected to close by spring of 2020. For more information, please visit

www.junkluggers.com

.

Vaping of marijuana on the rise among teens

NIH’s 2019 Monitoring the Future survey finds continuing declines in prescription opioid misuse, tobacco cigarettes, and alcohol.

Findings from the 2019 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey demonstrate the appeal of vaping to teens, as seen in the increased prevalence of marijuana use as well as nicotine vaping.

Results from the 45th annual MTF survey, a nationally representative sample of eighth, 10th and 12th graders in hundreds of U.S. schools, were announced today by the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, along with the University of Michigan scientist who leads the research team. The self-report survey is given annually to students who respond to questions about their drug use and attitudes.

Past year vaping of marijuana, which has more than doubled in the past two years, was reported at 20.8% among 12th graders, with 10th graders not far behind at 19.4% and eighth graders at 7.0%. Past month marijuana vaping among 12th graders nearly doubled in a single year to 14% from 7.5%–the second largest one-year jump ever tracked for any substance in the history of the survey. (The largest was from 2017-2018 with past month nicotine vaping among 12th graders).  For the first time, the survey measured daily marijuana vaping, which was reported at 3.5%  among 12th graders, 3.0% among 10th graders, and 0.8% among eighth graders. The MTF investigators documented more detailed findings on teen vaping of marijuana in a

research letter

released today in the

Journal of the American Medical Association.

High rates of nicotine vaping reported in the MTF survey were

released

in September.

Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug by adolescents. After remaining mostly stable for many years, daily use of marijuana went up significantly since 2018 among eighth and 10th graders–now at 1.3% and 4.8% respectively. However, overall past year marijuana use rates remain steady among teens (35.7% among 12th graders; 28.8% among 10th graders; and 11.8% among eighth graders).

Past year rates of any illicit drug use, other than marijuana, remain relatively low among 12th graders; past year use was 3.6% for LSD; 3.3% for synthetic cannabinoids; 2.2% for both cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy); and 0.4% for heroin. Other drug use, including the misuse of prescription medicines and the use of alcohol as well as tobacco cigarettes, continues to decline.

“We are heartened to see the continuing decline in the use of many drugs, particularly non-medical use of prescription opioids; however, teens are clearly attracted to vaping products, which are often concentrated amounts of drugs disguised as electronic gadgets,” said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow. “Their growing popularity threatens to undo years of progress protecting the health of adolescents in the U.S.”

Other highlights

Prescription Drugs

Past year rates of misuse of the opioid pain reliever Oxycontin dropped significantly among 12th graders over the past five years, with only 1.7% reporting in 2019–the lowest level of use since it was first measured in 2002 (at 4.0%).

Past year rates of misuse of the opioid pain reliever Vicodin is now at 1.1% for both 12th graders and 10th graders. For 12th graders, it is a significant drop from 2018 and the lowest rate since it was first measured in 2002 (at 9.6%). These rates represent a significant five-year decline in these two grades.

Past year misuse of the ADHD medication Adderall saw a significant decline over the past five years among 10th and 12th graders–from 4.6% to 3.1% for 10th graders and from 6.8% to 3.9%, for 12th graders. However, there was a significant increase among eighth graders — now reported to be 2.5%, up from 1.3% in 2014.

Tobacco Products

Use of regular cigarettes continues to decline among teens, especially among 12th graders who had a significant decline in past month use, now at 5.7%, down from 7.6% last year and 13.6% five years ago.

In 2019, 2.4% of 12

th

graders said they smoked cigarettes daily, a significant decline from 3.6% in 2018. However, 11.7% said they vaped nicotine daily in 2019, the first year daily vaping use has been measured.

One in 4 12th graders say they vaped nicotine in the past month, along with 1 in 5 10th graders, and nearly 1 in 10 eighth graders.

Many teens say they vape for the flavor, to experiment, for social reasons, or to feel good. However, from 2018-2019, the number of 12th graders saying they vape because they are “hooked” more than doubled to 8.1%, up from 3.6%. It is important to note that not all teens know what is in the products they are vaping.

Alcohol

Alcohol use (past year) saw a significant five-year drop among 10th and 12th graders in 2019, now at 37.7% and 52.1%.

There was also a five-year decrease in binge drinking in the 10th and 12th grades. The survey reports that 14.4% of 12th graders said they binge drank in 2019 compared to 19.4% in 2014. Among 10th graders, 8.5% reported binge drinking compared to 12.6% five years ago. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks.

To highlight the MTF survey findings, NIDA will post two

infographics

on its website: one related to vaping and the other on several other drug categories.

The survey, conducted since 1975, is funded by a government grant to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and is the only comprehensive, large-scale federal government survey on teen drug use that releases findings the same year the data is collected. In 2019, questions were added on daily vaping to address public health concerns about e-cigarettes and vaping devices. This year, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have warned the public about lung illnesses and deaths related to vaping, with some patients as young as 13. The CDC posts periodic

updates and recommendations

for the public.

The MTF investigators have published several papers and research letters related to these findings:

Trends in Adolescent Vaping, 2017–2019

,

The

New England Journal of Medicine,

Sept. 18, 2019 (online).

NIDA Press Release

:

Teen e-cigarette use doubles since 2017

Flavors of e-Cigarettes Used by Youths in the United States

, Journal

of the American Medical Association

, Nov. 5, 2019.

NIDA Science Spotlight

:

NIH-funded study finds teens prefer mint and mango vaping flavors

Trends in Reported Marijuana Vaping among U.S. Adolescents

, 2017-2019,

Journal of the American Medical Association

, Dec. 18, 2019.

Overall, 42,531 students from 396 public and private schools participated in this year\’s MTF survey. The survey has generally been administered to students in paper form, but investigators have been transitioning to electronic tablets. The survey will be fully electronic by 2020. The survey measures drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes in eighth, 10th and 12th graders nationwide. Survey participants generally report their drug use behaviors across multiple time periods: lifetime, past year, past month, and in some cases, daily. NIDA has provided grant funding for the survey since its inception. MTF is funded under grant number DA001411.

Follow Monitoring the Future 2019 news on Twitter at @NIDANews or join the conversation by using: #MTF2019. Information on all drugs can be found on

NIDA\’s website

.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy and improve practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and information on NIDA research and other activities can be found at

https://www.drugabuse.gov

, which is compatible with your smartphone, iPad or tablet. To order publications in English or Spanish, call NIDA’s DrugPubs research dissemination center at 1-877-NIDA-NIH or 240-645-0228 (TDD) or email requests to

drugpubs@nida.nih.gov

. Online ordering is available at

https://drugpubs.drugabuse.gov

. NIDA’s media guide can be found at

https://drugabuse.gov/mediaguide

, and its easy-to-read website can be found at

htt

ps://www.easyread.drugabuse.gov

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

NIH, the nation\’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit

www.nih.gov

.

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health

®

PINE HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERS WITH VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

PINE HILL, NJ (Dec. 18, 2019)–Pine Hill Police Department announced this week an exciting new partnership with the Volunteers of America – Delaware Valley (VOA).  The partnership is the first of its kind in Camden County, keenly focused to provide the most effective outreach to the citizens of Pine Hill through progressive policing and community services.  Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer was honored to speak at the press conference in Pine Hill at which the Pine Hill Police Department and the VOA detailed their joint goal to foster stability in the lives of those we protect and serve.  The partnership will feature a social services satellite office embedded within the Pine Hill Police Department in order to offer much needed services to citizens as swiftly as possible.  VOA workers will also be available to assist Pine Hill Officers when they are on-site at a call.  The program also includes both the Pine Hill Police Department and the VOA partnering with the school system to provide assistance to homeless families.

Released Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

Congratulations to Voorhees Police & Fire Chief Louis Bordi

Voorhees, New Jersey: Congratulations to Voorhees Police & Fire Chief Louis Bordi for receiving a community impact award from the Voorhees Business Association. Chief Bordi was recognized for his hard work and implementation of outreach programs within the community. During Chief

Bordi’s tenure, progressive community policing programs have been incorporated into the department’s annual agenda. Some of the most popular programs consist of national night out, coffee with a cop, LEAD drug awareness courses, the junior police academy, the citizens police academy, and the Car Show. The priority that Chief Bordi has placed on community policing has fostered and solidified a transparent an open relationship with the residents and business owners of Voorhees.

The Voorhees Business Association (VBA) is a community-based partnership of business, civic and educational segments within Voorhees Township. They have over 100 members and this year marks their 30th anniversary. The VBA meets on a monthly basis and assists with supporting many community initiatives such as the Voorhees Police Holiday Fund, Voorhees Special Olympics and scholarships to students from Eastern Regional High School.

Address/Location

Voorhees Township Police Department

1180 White Horse Road

Voorhees Township, NJ 08043

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-428-5400