Category: CONSUMER NEWS

MURPHY ADMINISTRATION ISSUES STATEWIDE DROUGHT WARNING

DIRECTIVE ACTIVATES DEP AUTHORITY TO CLOSELY MANAGE WATER SUPPLIES

(25/P54) TRENTON – The Murphy Administration today issued a statewide water supply Drought Warning, urging residents and businesses to reduce water use as a result of persistent below-average precipitation and deteriorating water supply conditions across New Jersey.

Every Drop Counts Logo“The Department of Environmental Protection is closely monitoring drought indicators and water supplies to ensure we have enough water across the state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “While there are currently no mandatory restrictions in place, it is up to each of us to take precautions now and do our part by conserving water use in and around our homes and businesses.” “The precipitation and water supply uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “We ask residents, businesses, and partners in local government to join us in spreading the urgency of the need to conserve water.”Commissioner LaTourette today signed an Administrative Order authorizing the Drought Warning designation, which is the next stage of drought status after a Drought Watch and a step below a Drought Emergency, which could call for mandatory water-use restrictions. The state had been under a Drought Watch since Oct. 1 of this year.The last statewide Drought Warning was issued in November 2024. The warning was lifted in June of this year, following record rainfall in May, although the Coastal South region of the state remained in a watch. Overall, though, the state has experienced below-average precipitation for more than a year, leading to the issuance of a Drought Watch in October and today’s issuance of a Drought Warning.“Over the past 15 months, we’ve seen a significant deficit in precipitation, with only two months exceeding average levels,” said State Climatologist Dave Robinson. “While May 2025 brought much-needed relief as a ‘drought buster,’ it wasn’t sufficient to completely alleviate the ongoing drought conditions.”
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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:

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‘Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway’ Returns

Drive-thru light show open every evening from Thanksgiving through Jan 4.
Several theme and discount nights, including $5 Military Mondays on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, planned throughout the schedule.
Buy tickets at GiftOfLightsDover.com

DOVER, Del. (Nov. 20, 2025) – The holiday spirit will sparkle once again during the return of the “Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway” drive-thru light show at The Monster Mile.

The fourth annual Gift of Lights event will illuminate the campgrounds of Dover Motor Speedway nightly from Thanksgiving through Jan. 4, featuring more than 100 festive scenes and 2.5 million lights along an almost two-mile pathway winding through the property.

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Annual passes provide access to Delaware’s 17 state parks

Delaware State Parks will begin the sale of its 2026 park passes and surf fishing permits on Dec. 9.

Passes and permits can be purchased online at the destateparks.com/buy-a-pass webpage or at park offices. Daily entrance fees in state parks will begin on March 1, 2026 with the start of the annual fee season. The rates include:

Daily entrance fees:
⦁ Inland parks: $5 for vehicles registered in Delaware: $10 for out-of-state vehicles
⦁ Beach parks: $10 for vehicles registered in Delaware: $20 for out-of-state vehicles

Annual passes:
• $50 for vehicles registered in Delaware; $100 for out-of-state vehicles; 50% discount for seniors and military members

Lifetime Pass:
⦁ $150 for Delaware residents only, ages 65 and older

Surf Fishing Permits:
⦁ No changes to the surf fishing permit program or fees in 2026, but the off-peak surf fishing permit will be discontinued in 2027 now that weekend and holiday reservations were removed from most surf fishing beaches in July 2025.

New fees were adopted for 2026 for the first time in 10 years after extensive public outreach, including three public open houses, communication across multiple channels, endorsement by Park Friends groups and the approval of the state Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. In a survey of more than 1,200 people, 68 percent of respondents said they strongly agree or agree that a fee increase was justified to continue current services.

“Delaware State Parks are now hosting 7.4 million visitors annually, nearly 2 million more people than in 2015, and we are grateful our residents and visitors appreciate the quality of the parks and the programs they provide,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “And they appreciate the value; for Delaware residents, a family can spend a day in a state park for less than a single movie ticket, and a pass to get them in any park unlimited times for a whole year is less than a family dinner out.”

Under restrictions on federal funding used to operate parks in Delaware and around the country, charges for out-of-state residents are not allowed to be more than double that for in-state residents.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation will continue to offer free or low-cost options to make Delaware State Parks accessible for all. In partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, those who receive assistance from a State Service Center are eligible to purchase an annual pass for $10. A park pass also can be reserved online at no cost using a library card.

For more information on fees, visit the destateparks.com/passes-permits-and-fees webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina.  For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Celebrate the Holidays: Shop Local in Gloucester City

The holiday season is here, and there is no better time to support the vibrant, independent eateries, shops, and small businesses that give Gloucester City its unique character. This year, consider giving gifts or experiences that matter not only to your loved ones but also to your neighbors, your community, and the local businesses that help keep our city thriving.

And with so many great options right here in town — from award-winning candy and Gloucester City–made hot sauce to home-improvement essentials, floral gifts, and a wide variety of restaurants and pubs, you do not have to leave the city to score great holiday gifts.

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AI Review of Holt Marine Terminal and its Effect on Gloucester City’s Waterfront

According to an article written by CNBNews editor, William E. Cleary Sr., published in 2011 in gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook, Holt Logistics and the city of Gloucester City signed a 79-year lease in 1996 for the company’s corporate headquarters. The lease for the former Coast Guard building on the waterfront is set to expire in 2075. 

Key details about the lease agreement:

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Congressman Van Drew: This Gas Tax Increase Is a Punch in the Gut to New Jersey Families

Rep. Van Drew calls on Governor Murphy and Governor-elect Sherrill to reverse the upcoming gas tax hike. Washington, DC –Today, Congressman Van Drew released the following statement regarding the state’s outrageous gas tax hike to nearly 50 cents per gallon beginning January 1st.”New Jersey families are getting hit from every direction,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Thanks to state leadership, utility bills are up, delivery fees are up, and now they are raising the gas tax again. We already have one of the highest gas taxes in America. Raising it is the last thing working people need. This is a direct result of the policies that Governor Murphy signed into law, which make these tax hikes more likely year after year. They refuse to control their spending, so instead, they stick the bill on hardworking families. Let me be clear: talking about affordability means nothing if you stay silent when the state keeps raising taxes. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and Governor Murphy must reverse this hike immediately. People are tired of being punished for the state’s own failures, especially when the rest of the country is seeing gas prices go down.”

The Best Table Game to Try on GameZone for Non-Stop Fun

For Filipino players, the joy of playing a table game goes far beyond betting and winning. It’s about the thrill of anticipation, the playful banter with friends, the calculated strategy, and the shared moments of victory and defeat. Today, that lively spirit has evolved onto the digital stage—and at the center of this movement is GameZone, one of the most active online destinations for card-playing enthusiasts.

On GameZone, players can dive into a huge variety of table game experiences—from timeless classics to modern variations that keep gameplay fast, challenging, and endlessly interesting. If you’re curious about which games are dominating players’ attention and how you can make the most of your time on the platform, this guide gives you everything you need.

What Makes a Table Game Trend?

A table game becomes a player’s favorite when it strikes a perfect balance—easy enough for newcomers to pick up quickly, yet deep and strategic enough that experienced players keep coming back for more. On GameZone, this formula is alive and thriving. The platform continuously highlights trending games, introduces fresh updates, and features limited-time events that keep the experience dynamic from week to week.

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Boosting Local Business Visibility in Gloucester City: Tips for Small Owners

Image from Unsplash

Running a small business in Gloucester City means juggling many roles, owner, marketer, customer liaison, and sometimes even accountant. Some entrepreneurs partner with professionals like a small business accountant to handle finances, freeing up time to focus on growing their brand. But visibility isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about being seen, trusted, and remembered by local customers. If your business could use a boost, here are actionable tips to help small businesses in Gloucester City shine without needing a huge budget.

Why Visibility Matters Locally

Before diving into strategies, it helps to understand why visibility is essential, especially in tight-knit communities like ours:

  • Most customers start locally: They search for “near me,” see what friends recommend, or just walk around and notice signage.
  • Trust comes from consistency: Businesses that appear regularly, online, in person, in their neighborhoods, feel more reliable.
  • Word-of-mouth is powerful: A satisfied local customer can bring in several others; reputation spreads fast in smaller communities.

With that in mind, here are ways to improve visibility effectively.

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GTPD Citizens Police Academy 2026- Register Now!

REGISTER NOW OPEN FOR THE Gloucester Township Police 2026 CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY! 

Registration links can be found on our website here!:  https://gtpolice.com/community-page/198

Classes are FREE, and begin on January 15, 2026. They are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and run for 14 weeks!

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