To fix America’s health crisis, we need to treat the real problem: Metabolic disease

By Tro Kalayjian, DO

A new program just helped 50 participants shed more than 40 pounds each, get off nearly 100 prescriptions, and save roughly $83,000 in medication and care costs over one year. The program — focused on improving participants’ metabolic health — offered a clear glimpse of what’s possible when we address America’s health crisis at its root.

Today, one in three American adults suffers from metabolic syndrome — a condition marked by obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, low cholesterol, and too many triglycerides in the blood. It underlies many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease, and it sharply increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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Discover Jersey Arts Launches Women’s History Month Campaign

This March, Discover Jersey Arts, a program of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, proudly launches its Women’s History Month seasonal campaign, amplifying the voices of women whose creativity shapes our communities, even when those voices haven’t always been centered.

This year’s campaign leans into a timely and powerful message: when young women look to the stories of those who lived, fought, and created before them, they gain more than inspiration; they gain direction. Across cultures, disciplines, and generations, women have led movements, challenged norms, and redefined what art can be. By celebrating their legacies, Discover Jersey Arts invites the next generation to see themselves in a long line of artists who made change through expression, and to know their voices belong in what comes next.

“This Women’s History Month, we are turning up the volume,” said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey. “When young women see themselves reflected in the stories of groundbreaking performers, comedians, visual artists, and cultural leaders, they understand that their creativity carries power. The arts give voice to possibility, and New Jersey’s arts community continues to lead the way.”

The arts remain a powerful economic driver in New Jersey, generating $692.1 million in economic revenue annually, supporting nearly 13,000 jobs, and contributing $156.6 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue.

Beyond those numbers, the arts fuel confidence, identity, and connection to community.  This is especially for young women seeking examples of resilience and innovation.
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Donald Thomas Reiter, Sr., 85, of Audubon

Donald Thomas Reiter, Sr. (Don), devoted husband, father, grandfather, and United States Coast Guard veteran, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at the age of 85 surrounded by family.

Born January 9, 1941, in Darby, Pennsylvania, Don moved to Audubon, New Jersey during his school years– a community he proudly called home for the rest of his life. Don attended Audubon High School graduating in 1958. In high school, Don was a member of the Aces and developed a lifelong appreciation for fast cars.

Following graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served honorably as a Radioman Second Class, pulled down an Expert Medal on the National Match “A” Course and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. The values of duty, integrity, and service that defined his military career guided him throughout his life. He was also a skilled woodworker and loyal fan of the Phillies and Eagles.

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PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Returns to Reading, Pa March 6-7

Two Day Event Slated for This Weekend

READING, Penn. – Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is bringing the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour back to Pennsylvania with PBR Reading, the fourth time America’s original extreme sport will storm into Reading at Santander Arena, March 6-7, 2026.

Over the course of the two-day event in March, 35 top riders will appear in two full round taking on some of the sport’s toughest bulls. After two rounds, the top 10 riders with the highest aggregate scores take on one final bull for a chance at the event title.

The riders will battle for crucial points toward the Velocity Global Standings, which determine qualification for the season-ending Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals in Corpus Christi, Texas, on May 1–2. At the Velocity Tour Finals, one rider will be crowned the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Champion, and five riders not already qualified will earn coveted spots to compete at the PBR World Finals, beginning May 7 at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.

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New Jersey American Water to Start Annual Spring Cleaning

Beginning this weekNew Jersey American Water will perform the annual flushing of its water distribution system to continue to provide customers with high-quality, reliable water service.

“System flushing is a routine but critical part of maintaining water quality and system performance,” said Ben Morris, Vice President of Operations at New Jersey American Water. “It clears out natural sediment, helps us confirm hydrants are functioning properly, and helps ensure the system can deliver the pressure and flow our customers expect every day.”

Flushing involves simultaneously opening fire hydrants in a specific area to create increased water flows. This routine flushing program also includes flushing blowoff valves on dead-end water mains throughout the system. While water mains are being cleaned, customers may notice short periods of low water pressure or discolored water. If customers experience temporary water discoloration, New Jersey American Water recommends running the cold water until it is clear. The following steps are also encouraged: 

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ID Scan Software for KYC Compliance: What You Need to Know

Regulatory pressure on businesses to verify customer identities has never been more intense. Global financial crime compliance costs have reached hundreds of billions of dollars annually, and regulators across the EU, UK, US, and beyond are tightening KYC requirements year after year. For businesses operating in financial services, healthcare, gaming, and other regulated industries, failing to implement a reliable verification process is not just a compliance risk — it can result in significant fines, reputational damage, and even loss of operating licenses.

The challenge is not simply whether to verify identities, but how to do so accurately, efficiently, and at scale. Here’s when technology-driven verification solutions enter the game — replacing slow, error-prone manual checks with automated, audit-ready workflows.

Modern ID scan software is designed to address exactly this problem: enabling businesses to capture, extract, and validate identity document data rapidly, while generating the compliance documentation that regulators require. Given this, understanding how such tools work — and what to look for when selecting one — is essential for any compliance-conscious organization.

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Coast Guard Interdicts Suspected Drug Smuggling Vessel

MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge’s crew interdicted a suspected smuggling vessel, Saturday, at approximately 2:15 p.m., about 8 miles offshore of Miami.

During the boarding, the joint law enforcement crew found approximately 17 pounds of marijuana and 174 pounds of cocaine, later confirmed through laboratory testing, worth an estimated $1.3 million.

The two suspected smugglers were taken into custody for further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.

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Lower Township Annual Report

The 2025 Lower Township Police Department Annual Report has been published.

View entire report here.

How Slot Machines Changed Over the Years

Walk into almost any place where games are offered and you will probably see something familiar. The casino slot machine is one of those objects most people recognize right away, even if they have never used one. Around Gloucester City and the surrounding area, plenty of residents will have seen these machines on trips, day outings, or weekends away. What often gets missed is how much these machines have changed. The story is not about big wins or losses. It is about how a simple idea kept being reworked as times changed and how a piece of everyday entertainment found ways to stay relevant.

Long before screens and apps, slot machines were built as solid, physical objects. They were meant to be touched, heard and watched. The sound of reels spinning and stopping was part of the experience and for many people that sound is still tied to memories of visiting gaming venues or passing through entertainment spots in the region.

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Commissioners, Congressman Norcross Celebrate New Maryville Outpatient Office in Voorhees

The Board of Commissioners attended the ribbon cutting of Maryville Integrated Care’s new outpatient office,  526 S Burnt Mill Road in Voorhees Township.

“Maryville Integrated Care has been an incredible partner in our ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “We are thrilled that this new facility is located in Camden County, ensuring that our residents will have enhanced access to lifesaving treatment.”

The Voorhees office offers Outpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, and Medication-Assisted Treatment for adults and adolescents 11 – 17 seeking flexible, ongoing recovery support.