Category: LegacyImport2

Cellphone shock: Pennsylvanians Paying More in Fees Than Most

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

Nov 26, 2019

Pennsylvanians are paying more taxes on their cellphone bill than all but one of their neighbors and significantly more than the national average. That’s

according to a report

by a nonpartisan tax policy research group.

The combined local, state and federal taxes on a resident’s cellphone bill is 25.4 percent. The Washington-based Tax Foundation noted that was the seventh-highest rate in the nation. Excluding the federal 9.1 percent rate, Pennsylvania’s state and local tax is slightly more than 16.3 percent.

A state resident who has a $100 monthly bill from their wireless provider pays more than $304 in taxes per year. The average U.S. resident pays about $260 annually in local, state and federal levies.

“It’s important that people keep an eye on these things because they are well-hidden within people’s phone bills,” said Ulrik Boesen, a senior policy analyst for the foundation.

Two things stand out regarding Pennsylvania’s higher than average costs. First, Boesen said Pennsylvania charges a 5 percent gross receipts tax that’s in addition to the 6 percent sales tax.

Telecommunications is one of five industries on which Pennsylvania levies a gross receipts tax. The others include electric utilities providers, transportation companies, private bankers and managed care organizations.

The other surcharge that Boesen noted was the $1.65 monthly fee for state wireless 9-1-1 service. That represents a tax rate of nearly 4.4 percent. By comparison, Ohio’s charge is just 25 cents per number per month for state and local wireless 9-1-1.

While 9-1-1 is an essential service for residents, Boesen said that doesn’t mean it should have its own tax.

“In general, we don’t like when you have specific taxes for specific services,” he said. “We like it more when you broaden your tax bases to be as broad as possible and as low-rate as possible.”

A year ago, Pennsylvanians were paying a rate of 22.9 percent, but the bulk of that is due to a nearly 2.5 percent increase in the federal surcharge, which provides funding for certain organizations, such as schools and hospitals, in communities with higher than normal costs. The federal tax also can assist low-income residents in those areas.

Among neighboring states, only New York residents paid a higher percentage of taxes, as its 18.7 percent state-and-local rate ranks fourth in the U.S. Maryland was also in the top half of states at 14.7 percent, 14th highest.

West Virginia was 32nd overall at 10.2 percent, New Jersey landed at 38th at 9 percent, and Ohio residents pay 8.5 percent in state and local taxes, which ranked 43rd. Delaware’s rate of 6.6 percent is 49th in the study, which also includes Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

D\’IYANU Unwraps African Inspired Holiday Collection

Ready-to-Wear Brand Hosts Pop-up Events for Holiday Collection at Local Showroom

Philadelphia, PA (November 2019)

– Bells are already ringing as the world prepares for another season of joyous memories with loved ones. For Nigerian-born entrepreneur Addie Elabor and her fashion line

D’IYANU

, the holidays are not only a time to be festive but to look and feel the part. With its official release set for today

(Black Friday)

, Elabor and her team present

D\’IYANU’s Holiday Collection.

Inspired by traditional African prints, the D\’IYANU Holiday Collection features dazzling formal wear for men, women, and kids along with special gifts for the entire family to enjoy. Ladies can rock the festive vibes in hues of red, gold, navy, and black with blouses, dresses, and jumpsuits.  Men can flaunt African-inspired prints in dapper blazers with matching dress pants and button-up shirts. Completing the photo-worthy family look are dresses for the girls and shirts for the boys along with the perfect accessories to match –

including sweaters, hoodies, socks, bow ties, pocket squares, and handbags.

Ranging from $15.99-179.99 and available

online

, there’s plenty of pieces to raise a glass to.

Next month D’IYANU will host three pop-up events – opening their Norristown showroom to customers interested in shopping the Holiday Collection. Their beautiful showroom is located on

910 E. Main St

., which offers guests a uniquely intimate personal shopping experience. Meet Elabor and her team of fashion experts/stylists who are onsite to answer your questions about fit, fabric selections, and building your D\’IYANU wardrobe.

December 7th 11AM – 4PM

December 14th 11AM – 4PM

December 21 11AM – 6PM

To register for the pop-up events click

here

. Connect and follow the latest trends with

D’IYANU

on

Facebook,

Twitter

, and

Instagram

. Shop their holiday collection and best sellers on their

website.

For media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact

tamara@phillyprgirl.com.

About D’IYANU

The tough, competitive, and nerve-wrecking fashion industry didn’t stop Addie from following her heart and launching

D’IYANU

January of 2014. Iyanu translates to

“miracle” or “wonderful”

in the Nigerian Yoruba language, and D’ means “of” or “from” in French. With the combination of her Yoruba and French background, the name

D’IYANU,

“of something wonderful” was established to remind everyone they are uniquely made and to dress like it. Addie also made it her purpose to help build schools and clinics for underdeveloped communities in Nigeria and other African countries. Since the start of

D’IYANU

, the fashion brand has donated over $20,000 to causes that support African communities, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, and The Women’s Safe House.

Beware of Certain Toys, Some are Dangeous

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

Nov 2019

With Black Friday just about here, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale held a news conference with a public interest group and a public health expert to highlight the findings in this year’s Trouble in Toyland report.

Now in its 34th year, the study released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) points out dangers that may be lurking behind some popular toys and gadgets for children this holiday season. Since the first report, more than 150 recalls or other administrative actions have been taken against toys deemed to be unsafe.

The concern today isn’t just about choking hazards, although officials said that still remains an issue with items like deflated balloons and board game pieces. To determine if a toy or toy piece, like a wheel, can cause choking, experts said parents should take the piece and try to fit it through an empty toilet paper roll. If the item passes through the cylinder, it can lead to choking.

Emma Horst-Martz, a PennPIRG associate, said some toys expose children to harmful chemicals or elements. Others, such as toy police car she demonstrated, can produce sounds that are too loud for young kids’ ears.

“Sometimes that toy gun or action figure isn’t just annoying,” said Horst-Martz. “If it’s too loud, it can actually be harmful to a child’s developing hearing.”

In some instances, parents can take steps to reduce the noise impact by either taking out the batteries in a toy or placing tape over the speaker to muffle the sound.

However, DePasquale, who said he championed regulatory efforts as a state lawmaker, said it shouldn’t come down to parents or gift-givers trying to determine if something’s safe. And he also warned consumers that just because a toy is on a store shelf or available in an online store, that doesn’t mean it\’s not the subject of a recall notice.

Information about toys that have been recalled is available at

consumertips.uspirg.org

.

“While I do think a lot of these consumer warnings and public interest outreach are important, I also think that the stores and the companies should do a better job of making sure these toys aren’t available in the first place,” he said. “When something is recalled, I believe they should be off the shelves and not available for resale.”

Some safety issues have been withdrawn. For example, standards regarding toy magnets were repealed three years ago. As a result, toys like construction or sculpture sets, which can contain small pieces, can cause harm if small child swallows one or more magnetic pieces. In some cases, the magnets can settle in a child’s digestive system and pinch vital organs to the point of blood loss.

According to the report, doctors in an Oregon hospital removed 54 small magnets from four children in a one-month time frame.

Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reveals that toy injuries led to more than 250,000 emergency room visits in 2017. Amy Bollinger, who serves as the program manager for the Penn State Children’s Hospital pediatric trauma and injury prevention program, said her hospital sees such injuries on a weekly basis.

“We have a real responsibility to talk about what we can do as adults and caregivers to keep kids safe,” Bollinger said. “Because toy injuries are preventable.”

The 2019 report is available at

toysafetytips.org

.

published here with permission

Morristown Business Association Candle Light Stroll

Main Street Saturday from from 2-8pm. Watch for pedestrians. Speed limit 15 mph

The Mooristown Business Association (MBA) is hosting the Candle Light Stroll event in support of our local merchants on Main St. from 2-8pm Saturday, Nov. 30 Horse/Carriage rides will be available at Main & High Streets.

Motorists are asked to drive with caution in the area, not to exceed 15 mph for the safety of event attendees on Main St. between Chester Ave. & Church St.

Mill St. will be closed at Main St. for pedestrian safety.

Motorists should be aware that the Horse & Carriage rides will be traveling along the shoulder of Main St. from High St. east to just past the Community House.

Address/Location

Township of Moorestown Police Department

1245 N Church St

Moorestown, NJ 08057

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-234-8300

Two Atlantic County Men Plead Guilty to Setting Man on Fire

MAYS LANDING – Two men pleaded guilty on Thursday to aggravated assault after setting a man on fire in March, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Brandon Perez

Brandon Perez, 23, of Hammonton and David Sult, 24, of Mays Landing, both pleaded guilty to second degree aggravated assault in exchange for five years New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act (85% period of parole ineligibility and three years parole supervision upon release).

David Sult

On the evening of March 15, 2019, Brandon Perez and David Sult were at Sult’s residence in Mays Landing hanging out with a group of other men. Raymond Mullen was asleep on a couch when Perez and Sult decided to play a “prank” on him. Perez sprayed lighter fluid on the back of Raymond’s clothing. Perez ignited it. Raymond suffered severe burns to his back.  The men claimed Raymond had been burned accidentally by an electronic smoking device but the investigation revealed the fire had been set intentionally.

Township of Hamilton Police Det. Lawrence Fernan investigated the incident and ACPO Det. Danielle Kratky assisted with the prosecution.

The men are on pretrial release, pending sentencing. They were released after a detention hearing. Sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2020.

***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ***

***************************

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.  (source press release)

Remembering Inky, the Thanksgiving Whale

MediaWize

November 28, 2019

Sheila Dean, co-director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, holds a replica of a pygmy sperm whale like the one found in Longport on Thanksgiving Day 1994.

Submitted by STEVE JASIECKI

It was 1994 on Thanksgiving Day when a female pygmy sperm whale ended up stranded on a beach in Longport. Police and volunteers gave up their dinners to watch over the whale until the Marine Mammal Stranding Center arrived. The whale was in very poor condition and wouldn’t survive without immediate care. It was transported to the stranding center, a flurry of phone calls were made, and the Coast Guard agreed to airlift the dolphin-sized whale by helicopter to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.

When she arrived in Baltimore she was weak, dehydrated and in shock.  There were no obvious signs of any sickness or injuries. She had poor muscle tone and seemed malnourished. Marine veterinarians could not figure out what was wrong and they didn’t expect her to live.

Because animals that arrive in her condition usually don’t survive, the Marine Animal Rescue coordinator had to decide if the expense of her care was warranted. Veterinarians would observe her for a few days to see if there would be any improvement. Like squid, pygmy sperm whales squirt out an inky substance to elude predators and confuse their prey. Her attendants decided to try to rehabilitate her and she was given the name “Inky.”

Over the next several days, Inky remained lethargic. She ate very little and didn’t gain any weight. A series of tests including blood work and X-rays were performed but didn’t yield any results.  Finally, after three weeks, an endoscopy was performed to see if she had any ulcers or foreign materials in her stomach.

The endoscopy didn’t find any ulcers but it did find something else — a mylar balloon, a trash bag and other types of plastic that blocked her digestive tract. Once the items were removed she was able to eat again. Although she started to gain weight, she was still weak from the stranding. She was sluggish and had difficulty swimming.

Like trainers in a gym, aquarium volunteers and staff members would help her exercise. They swam with her in the rehabilitation pool, coaxing her to swim harder, build muscle and gain strength. The goal was to get her strong enough to return her to the ocean.

It took a while, but Inky improved and she started to become more active. Her strength came back and after a while the staff felt that she was ready.

Preparations were made for Inky to be released back to her environment. When the time came, it was a sad but exciting day for all the technicians and volunteers who nursed her back to health. They said their goodbyes as Inky was loaded onto a Navy cargo plane that would fly her to Florida. After landing, she was taken to Marine Land where she needed to spend four more weeks in an outdoor pool to get adjusted to the outside environment.

It had been six months since she was found on the beach and after months of medical attention and rehabilitation, Inky was ready to be set free.

The final leg of her journey to the ocean came when she was loaded onto a NOAA research ship that would release her into the ocean. Inky was fitted with a tracking device and released into the middle of the Gulf Stream where she would be able to find her favorite food, squid. The ship stayed with her to make sure she would be OK while the crew monitored her behavior with the tracking device. She was swimming, making deep dives and feeding well and the crew felt confident that she would survive.

Not long before, Inky was stranded on a beach, starving because of human garbage in her stomach and she was expected to die. Hundreds of people were involved in bringing this helpless whale back to health. After traveling thousands of miles by trucks, helicopter, airplane and finally by ship, this small pygmy whale received a second chance at life.

Inky truly is a Thanksgiving Whale.

Steve Jasiecki is chairman of Sustainable Margate.

source https://somerspoint.com

Obituary: Warren A. Theckston “Tex”, of Gloucester City

On November 26, 2019. Of Gloucester City. Age 82. Born in Camden, he is the son of the late Howard and Caroline (Wiedeman) Theckston. Tex is survived by his loving children; Dorothy Passini (Dennis), Teresa Theckston, Jacqueline Sherriton (Brian), James Theckston; step-children, Gerald Sheridan, Eileen Nemeroff (Dave) and Kathleen Chiodi (John); grandchildren, Nichole, Nicholas, and Edward Sheridan, Daniel Theckston, Matt Nemeroff, Katherine Bradley, Olivia, Joshua, Jenna and Philip Sherriton: brother, Howard Theckston, Jr.; sister, Carol Monforte. He was predeceased by his wife, Jacqueline Theckston; step-children, Margaret Sheridan, Edward Sheridan, granddaughter, Heather Nemeroff and his brother, Norman Theckston.

Tex was an entrepreneur in Florida and Gloucester City, NJ

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7

th

at 10:30 am in St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, where family and friends may visit from 10 to 10:30 am. Burial will be held at a privately later date in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Tex to help with his daughters needs thru:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/diggers-for-teresa

or sent to Mr. Frank Lopergolo, Detect America, 144 East Arbor Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360, Attn: Diggers for Teresa Theckston, or to her sister: Jacqueline Sherriton, 820 NW 120 Avenue, Plantation, FL 33325.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Warren A. Theckston. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME

, Gloucester City.

Ph: 856-456-1142

Lower Township Police Arrest Four Suspects on Robbery Charges

Villas NJ (Nov. 29, 2019)— On Monday, November 25, 2019, at approximately 4:30 P.M., officers from the Lower Township Police Department responded to a call in the Villas section of the Township for a subject reporting he was assaulted and then robbed at gunpoint.  Upon arrival, officers found the victim with injuries to his face.  The victim told officers that he went to a residence in the

first block of East Atlantic Avenue to conduct a drug transaction when a juvenile male struck him in the face.  Investigation revealed that an adult male, Louis Garcia, 18, of North Cape May, then pointed a handgun at the victim and told him to empty his pockets.

The victim was treated by Lower Township Rescue and transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and medical treatment.

During the investigation, Detectives from The Lower Township Police Department, The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Cape May County SWAT Team executed a search warrant at the home on East Atlantic Avenue.  During the search of the home, an adult male, Jonathan Halas, 19, of Cape May and a male juvenile were taken into custody.  A short time later, additional suspects, Louis Garcia and a second male juvenile were located at a separate house, also in the first block of East Atlantic Avenue, where they were also taken into custody.

The four suspects were charged with Robbery, Title 2C:15-1a (1); Aggravated Assault, Title 2C:12-1b (1); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Title 2C:39-5b; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Title 2C:39-4a; and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Title 2C:5-2. The adults were then lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center and both juveniles were placed in a juvenile security facility.

Address/Location

Lower Township Police Department

405 Breakwater Rd

Cape May, NJ 08204

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 609-886-1619

Coast Guard closes search for missing kite surfer near Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (Nov. 29, 2019)-—The Coast Guard has closed the search for a missing kite surfer near Ocean City, New Jersey, after the missing individual called and reported themselves to be safe, Friday morning.

Coast Guard Station Atlantic City watchstanders received a call from 911, notifying them of a kite surfer reportedly wearing all black, seen drifting out to sea after falling off a kiteboard approximately 500-yards off Corson Inlet, at around 3:20 p.m., Thursday evening.

At approximately 10 p.m. this morning, the missing kite surfer contacted Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders to inform them that after his kite malfunctioned, he had cut it free and used the board to paddle ashore and return home.

Involved in the search were:

Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew

Station Atlantic City 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew

Station Cape May 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew

Ocean City Police Department members

New Jersey State Police helicopter aircrew

Coast Guard members searched an area covering approximately 550 square miles over a period of 16 hours.

\”This case highlights the effectiveness of the interagency search and rescue system,\” said Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Castonguay, a watchstander at the Sector Delaware Bay command center.  \”Cases like this also illustrate the importance of labeling your kayaks, canoes, kite boards and other recreational marine vehicles, so that in the event they are lost, or you are missing, we can reach out to contact you or return it.\”

-USCG-

A Guide to Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 29, 2019)–The festive season is rocketing into view and, as all grown-ups know at this time of year, that means more work, more guests, more mouths to feed and more joy and laughter to nurture. The festive period is full of fun for your close and extended family, and visiting friends, but it’s also a time during which your home will be sheltering more heads than usual – and as such, it’s an important time to be prepared for. In this handy guide, you’ll learn how to best prepare your home for the holiday season in order to make your Christmas as wonderful and carefree as possible.

Seating Arrangements

Your first task is undoubtedly simply to understand how so many more people arriving in your home will find places to sit, talk, socialize, make merry, and – most importantly – eat. If you’re unable to find enough chairs for all the guests you’re expecting, you may wish to hire some more from a local furniture warehouse, or else buy some second-hand from local furniture stores. Meanwhile, make sure you know how to cater to everyone who visits. You may wish to invest in some

elegant furniture

for your new arrivals – in order to provide seats, beds, couches and tables for everyone who’ll be attending your home this Christmas.

Cleaning and Tidying

With a host of guests due to arrive in your home, there is the usual cleaning and tidying to undertake in order for you to present the home interior that you want to promote to your friends, family, and guests. Go around your home

fastidiously to clean each and every corner

– and be especially careful to hide or secure some of your more precious belongings: Christmas is a time of indulgence, and those who’ve had a little too much cherry may find themselves breaking items that you’ve left out.

The Kitchen

Hands-down the most important room in the house during the festive period, the kitchen will require some work before your guests begin to arrive. You need to make sure that everything’s clean, and that you have enough plates, knives, forks and cooking accessories for some of the feasts you have planned. It goes without saying that you should also check the food in your fridge, and stock up on meat, dairy and beverages to keep you ravenous and excited guests happy throughout the duration of their stay.

Festive Touches

With all the preparation out of the way in terms of seating, sleeping and cleaning, it’s time to add the flourishes that can make your home sparkle and gleam with the

red-and-green festive feel of Christmas

. Whether that means hanging stockings and mistletoe, heaving a Christmas tree into the main room, or adding little cutlets of ivy and holly to your mantelpiece, this is the final stage to decorating your home in the anticipation of a festive frolic with all your closest loved ones this festive period. Decorate in order to luxuriate in a truly Christmas-themed interior this holiday season.

Prepare your home for the festive season with the four tips outlined above – guaranteeing all of your guests a merry, wonderful time!

images courtesy of unsplash