Category: LegacyImport2

Investors Foundation Grant Helps Bring Joy of Reading to At-Risk Students Through BookMates

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J.

– BookMates, a program offered by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey, has received a $5,000 grant from the Investors Foundation. The grant will be paid out over two years and be used to bring the joy of reading to children in low- to moderate-income communities.

Photo Caption: Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president, business lending, (center) and Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager (right), recently presented a $5,000 grant payable over two years, to Rhonda Shevrin, BookMates Director, at a kick-off session for the 2019-2020 school year at the office of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

BookMates applied for the grant from the Investors Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending, along with Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager, presented the check at one of the BookMates kick-off meetings for the 2019-2020 school year at the office of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

“We are so pleased to support the BookMates program,” explained Warren. “More than 25 years ago, my wife and I participated in a very similar program and it made us realize the importance of giving back to the community. Investors Bank also is committed to giving back to the community. Literacy and education are particular passions for the bank. Investors is grateful for the opportunity to help children gain a love for reading that hopefully will carry through the rest of their lives.”

“I am so grateful that Investors Bank has chosen to support our mission of reading to at-risk students,” said BookMates Director

Rhonda Shevrin.

“I am looking forward to a long relationship.”

BookMates provides weekly one-to-one reading sessions with an adult volunteer in more than 40 schools receiving Title 1 funding in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. Through the efforts of the trained volunteers, the children are further exposed to a wide range of literature, an expanded vocabulary, and an additional focus on reading comprehension.

According to Shevrin, more than 300 BookMates volunteers, many of who are retirees, read to more than 600 children in Kindergarten through second-grade. The children are not the only beneficiaries. Many of the volunteers return year-after-year to participate in the program because they see it as an enjoyable and satisfying opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.

“We are delighted to support BookMates,” said Epps. “Investors Bank is committed to bringing ‘community’ back to banking. We believe that we only can be successful if we are involved and giving back to the communities we serve.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With over $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About BookMates

BookMates is a social justice program of the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Catholic-Jewish Commission. It was founded in 1999, and is s

ponsored by Townsend Press in memory of Henry H. Nadell and Marjorie Nadell Schneider.

The mission of BookMates is to provide a nurturing one-to-one literacy experience for at-risk children that encourages them to develop a love of reading and provides them with a foundation to succeed in life. The program currently has 300 readers mentoring students in 40 schools in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. For more information, contact

BookMates@jfedsnj.org

,

or visit the website at

www.bookmatessnj.org

.

EPA Proposes Plan Related to Combined Sewer Overflow Impacts on the Newtown Creek Superfund Site

NEW YORK

– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a proposed plan that evaluates impacts of the current and expected future volume of combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area in New York City. EPA added Newtown Creek to its Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s highest priority

hazardous waste sites in September 2010, and investigations of the entire site are ongoing.

“This proposed plan is an important step forward in advancing the cleanup of the Newtown Creek Superfund Site,”

said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez.

“In this plan, EPA acknowledges that the work that the City is already obliged to do to improve the water quality of Newtown Creek, including major water infrastructure improvements through compliance with the state imposed long term CSO control plan, will be consistent with meeting the needs of the Superfund program and help EPA fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment.”

The Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area is comprised of the waters and sediments of Newtown Creek in Brooklyn and Queens. Outside of the Superfund process, the City of New York is under order by the State of New York to implement a CSO Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) for Newtown Creek. The LTCP, which was approved by the state in June 2018, includes a number of components to reduce future CSO discharges to the creek, including construction of a storage tunnel.  The LTCP is ultimately anticipated to reduce the volume of CSO discharges to Newtown Creek by approximately 61%, and to achieve waterbody-specific water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. EPA evaluated the LTCP in the context of the Superfund site to determine if the volume reductions anticipated under the LTCP are sufficient to meet the needs of the future cleanup of the Superfund site.  EPA has determined that the water pollution volume controls prescribed by the LTCP that the city and state will implement, in accordance with requirements of the Clean Water Act, are sufficient to meet the needs of an eventual Superfund cleanup for the Study Area of the Newtown Creek Superfund Site. The EPA anticipates requiring monitoring of the four largest CSOs to confirm the assumptions made in this proposed plan.

The EPA is conducting in-depth investigations of the extent of the contamination at the entire Newtown Creek Superfund Site in order to determine how best to clean it up over the long-term. This proposed plan is for one aspect of the site.

The EPA will determine in the future whether additional control actions, either in the creek or at CSO points-of-discharge, are needed to address the cleanup of the full site. These additional control actions could include the placement of sediment traps and/or oil sorbent pads at the end of CSO discharge pipes and in-creek maintenance dredging to address potential accumulation of contaminated solids near the CSO discharges.

During the public comment period, EPA will hold two public meetings in New York City to inform the public of EPA’s proposed plan for reducing the volume of CSO discharges to the creek, and to receive public comments on the proposed plan and other options that were considered. The public meetings will be held on December 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street in Queens and on December 11 at 6:30 p.m. at P.S. 110, 124 Monitor Street in Brooklyn.

Written comments on the proposed plan, postmarked no later than close of business December 23, 2019, may be emailed to

schmidt.mark@epa.gov

or mailed to Mark Schmidt, U.S. EPA, 290 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

To view the EPA’s proposed plan for the site, please visit:

www.epa.gov/superfund/newtown-creek

Newtown Creek is part of the core area of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, which has been designated by EPA as an “estuary of national significance.” In the mid-1800s, the area adjacent to the 3.8-mile Newtown Creek was one of the busiest hubs of industrial activity in New York City. Numerous industrial facilities were located along its banks, including more than 50 oil refineries, as well as petrochemical plants, fertilizer and glue factories, sawmills, and lumber and coal yards. The creek was crowded with commercial vessels, including large boats bringing in raw materials and fuel and taking out oil, chemicals and metals. In addition to the industrial pollution that resulted from all of this activity, the city began dumping raw sewage directly into the water in 1856. During World War II, the creek was one of the busiest ports in the nation. Some factories and facilities still operate along its banks, and various adjacent contaminated sites have contributed to its contamination. Today, as a result of its industrial history, including countless spills, Newtown Creek is badly polluted.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at

and visit our Facebook page,

http://facebook.com/eparegion2

.

PATCO Announces New Owl Schedule

In early May, PATCO announced plans for a new Owl Service schedule in an effort to improve security on the PATCO transit line. After community feedback, the implementation was postponed and a special owl task force was assembled to recommend ways to improve the safety and security of riders and employees during the owl hours. The goals of the task force were to increase police presence, keep as many stations open as possible and maintain 24-hour service. Over several months, the task force analyzed 25-months of data pertaining to owl service and provided recommendations which PATCO will implement on Saturday, December 7.

“It’s important to PATCO to listen to the communities we serve, and then act on what we have learned,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “Safety and security are still our top priority at PATCO and our new owl service plan incorporates the feedback and concerns of our riders. Based on a suggestion from our Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the task force took a deeper dive in reviewing entries and exits for each station for both weekday and weekend Owl service hours over the past two years.”

The following service adjustments will take effect beginning 12 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2019:

Owl Service

Weekdays: 12 a.m. Midnight to 4 a.m.

Weekends: 2 a.m. Midnight to 5 a.m.

All stations remain open 24/7/365 with the exception of 9/10th & Locust St. Station which is currently closed daily between 12:07 a.m. and 4:15 a.m.

Trains will operate every 60 minutes instead of every 45 minutes.

A police officer will be onboard owl trains from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays and from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends.

Only one train will be in the system making a continuous loop during the owl hours.

Owl riders are encouraged to board the train, even if it’s traveling in the opposite direction, rather than waiting in a station for the same train to return. Riding the train offers a comfortable, climate-controlled environment with PATCO personnel.

PATCO will operate 4-car trains and doors will not open on the first and last cars to encourage riders to sit closer together rather than spread out.

In addition to the service adjustments, PATCO will implement additional safety and security measures for all riders:

Launch a transit safety and security mobile app called “Look Up. Speak Up.” which will allow riders to discreetly and confidentially report security or safety issues on PATCO directly to DRPA/PATCO Police. The app is available now for download in the Google Play and Apple App stores.

Launch a safety awareness campaign aimed to remind and encourage riders to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings.

“Our number one goal is to ensure the safety of our riders and employees,” said DRPA/PATCO Police Chief John L. Stief. “The owl task force provided solutions for increased police coverage and aligning riders in greater numbers together on trains and stations.”

Click here

to view the new schedule effective Saturday, December 7.

Grand Jury Indicts Mt. Laurel Woman for Mother’s Murder

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Mt. Laurel woman has been indicted for fatally stabbing her mother earlier this year inside the residence they shared at the Ramblewood

Village Apartments.

Marisa G. Rivera, 24, of the first block of Pine Cove, was indicted on one count of Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree), and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).

An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court. Rivera has been in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since her arrest.

She is accused of killing her mother, 56-year-old Denise DeNapoli, in the early morning hours of September 6 and then fleeing the apartment. She was arrested several hours later at a Route 73 hotel and taken into custody without incident by Mount Laurel Township police officers.

Denise DeNapoli’s body was discovered by police who were sent to the residence by her employer to conduct a wellness check after she could not be reached by co-workers.

Rivera is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit – Violent Crimes Section.

The case was investigated by the Mount Laurel Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are Mount Laurel Police Detective Thomas Corsanico and BCPO Detective Nicholas Villano.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

Obituary: Frank Serio, of Runnemede

Frank Serio, on November 23, 2019, of Runnemede. Age 81.

Beloved son of the late Vincent and Angelina (nee DiTullio) Serio. Devoted brother of Michael Serio and the late Rose Klose. Loving brother in law of John Klose. Dear uncle of John Klose Jr. (Valerie) and Angela Gkonos (James). Great uncle of Haley, Abigail, Brittany and Andrew.

Frank proudly served in the US Army during the Vietnam era. Frank retired from the Philadelphia Police Department after 20 years of service and he was a member of the FOP.

There will be a viewing on Saturday from 8:15am to 9:15am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral mass 10am at, Holy Child Parish, St. Teresa Church, 13 E. Evesham Road, Runnemede, NJ 08078.

Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

PATCO AWARDED $12.6 MILLION “BUILD” TRANSPORTATION GRANT

Project identified by U.S. Department of Transportation to have significant regional impact.

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that it will receive a $12,580,000.00 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for its

PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project

. The project will revitalize and reopen an existing rail station consistent with modern Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The USDOT awarded the grant under the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Previously known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, BUILD grants provide opportunities for USDOT to invest in roads and other projects that have a significant local or regional impact.

“This BUILD grant will help the Delaware River Port Authority to re-open Franklin Square Station, giving Philadelphians more transit options,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “The funding will contribute to necessary upgrades for the station and will serve new residential and commercial growth in the area. I was proud to advocate on behalf of DRPA for this important project for the Philadelphia metropolitan area.”

“PATCO is excited to be a recipient of a 2019 BUILD grant,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “It is a testament of the importance that the Franklin Square Station Project has to the community and the continued economic development in our region.”

In September 2018, PATCO announced plans to reopen its shuttered Franklin Square Station located beneath Franklin Square Park. Construction on rehabilitating the existing station is expected to begin in late 2020 with an opening date in Summer 2023. The work covered under the project will allow the station to become fully functional and in-line with the existing PATCO stations. The project will address improvements to the station’s civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and will provide access in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In order to reach the concourse area, a new head house building will be constructed where the previous head house was located at the corner of 7th & Race Streets. The total budget for the project is $30 million.

“The BUILD grant comes at an exciting time for the DRPA and its transportation infrastructure investments,” said Michael P. Venuto, DRPA Chief Engineer. “DRPA’s Capital Budget is approximately $200 million in 2020 with a total spending of $810 million over the next five years. The grant enables the DRPA and PATCO to further advance its mission of world-class stewards of transportation assets.”

“On behalf of the DRPA and PATCO, I would like to thank the Department of Transportation and Senator Casey for recognizing the importance of the Franklin Square Project,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO President. “BUILD grants provide infrastructure funding to better connect communities, and connecting people is at the heart of what we do every day at DRPA and PATCO.”

For more information about the 2019 BUILD Transportation Grant program, please visit

www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

. For more information about the Franklin Square Reopening Project, please visit

RidePATCO.org/projects

.

The Irish Tenors to Coming to Collingswood

Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Declan Kelly

Presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders in association with BRE and the Borough of Collingswood, the Scottish Rite Auditorium welcomes The Irish Tenors: Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Declan Kelly on Friday, December 13. Doors open at 7 PM ,showtime at 8 PM.

The Irish Tenors

Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Declan Kelly

We Three Kings: An Irish Tenors Christmas

The Irish Tenors have been the acknowledged Celtic music kings since they burst upon the scene during a 1998 PBS special. With 10 best selling CDs to their credit, they share company with the likes of The Three Tenors and Andrea Bocelli as the biggest money makers PBS has presented.

The Irish Tenors rekindled the love of all things Irish in America, and opened the door for countless Irish music groups to hit the United States.

But The Irish Tenors cannot be duplicated; The Irish Tenors are the real deal! They have stood the test of time; audiences of all ages love The Irish Tenors and clamor to get tickets wherever they perform. Full houses and standing ovations are the norm for The Irish Tenors.

Tickets are $89, $75, $59.50, $39.50

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

Friday, Dec 13th, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Pope Honors 10 for Exceptional Service to the Church of Philadelphia

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is proud to announce that Pope Francis has bestowed Papal Honors upon 10 individuals for their exceptional service to the Catholic Church.  One individual will receive the Benemerenti Medal; four will receive the

Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

(Cross for the Church and Pontiff); three have been named Dame/Knight in the pontifical Order of Saint Gregory the Great; and two have been named Dame/Knight Commander in

the same Order.

The honors will be conferred by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. at an evening Vespers service:

Monday, December 9, 2019

6:00 p.m.

Chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

B

ackground Regarding the Benemerenti Medal

The Benemerenti Medal was established by Pope Pius VI in the last quarter of the 18th century as a military honor for outstanding service to the Holy See.  The medal was later extended to worthy  members of the clergy and civilian laity.  It can be granted to persons as young as 35, and its reception is open to Catholics as well as members of other faith traditions.

Mr. Christopher J. Stefanick

Mr. Stefanick began his career as a highly regarded youth and young adult minister working at the parish level before assuming larger responsibilities at the diocesan level. He later founded and continues to lead successful evangelization efforts on a national scale. His work forming the character and leadership skills of Catholic men has been exceptional.  He has provided outstanding counsel for many years to various bishops throughout the country, including Archbishop Chaput, and to several committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Background Regarding the

Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

The Cross

Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice,

or Cross of Honor, was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.  It is awarded to Catholics aged 45 and above who have shown long and distinguished service to the Church and to the Papal office.

Reverend Philip G. Bochanski

Father Bochanski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for more than 20 years, has spent the last decade counseling and supporting persons who experience same-sex attraction. He has worked tirelessly, with compassion and great sensitivity, to advance Church teaching on human sexuality, and gained national respect for the Courage apostolate in the process. Starting as a local chaplain for Courage International, he later advanced to National Associate Director, and now serves as the National Executive Director.

Mrs. Helen Mc Connell

For three decades, Mrs. McConnell has cared for the priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a registered nurse, Administrator of Villa Saint Joseph, and Director of Priest Retirement Services. In addition to her administrative duties on site at the Villa she frequently travels to care for priests living independently, in parish rectories, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.  Her career in service to the Church has been one of extraordinary compassion and care for those men who have given their lives to a priestly vocation for the benefit of others.

Dr. Phillip J. Miraglia

Dr. Miraglia, a distinguished clinical counseling psychologist, began his professional association with the Archdiocese in the mid-1970s. At that time, he worked as a counselor for Catholic Social Services. Over the last four decades, he has served the needs of clergy, religious men and women, and seminarians with exceptional dedication and discretion. As a psychologist consultant and collaborator, Dr. Miraglia’s counsel— on some of the most difficult and sensitive issues faced by the Catholic Church — has been generous, wise, and honest. His career has been an invaluable gift to the Church.

Mrs. Louise M. Sullivan

Mrs. Sullivan has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in various capacities for more than 30 years. In the early 1990s, she was part of the leadership team responsible for Archdiocesan nursing homes. During that time, she worked on numerous projects aimed at ensuring the highest quality of life for the aging. Since 2005, she has served as Office Manager for the Archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy. In addition to her critical administrative service for this secretariat, she assists with on-going formation programs, retreats, workshops, and continuing education programs for the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese.

Background Regarding the Order of Saint Gregory the Great

The Order of Saint Gregory the Great, one of the five pontifical knightly orders, was founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831 to honor his great sixth century predecessor. Over the course of nearly two centuries, it has been awarded to philanthropists, diplomats, military and business leaders, artists, scientists, and interfaith leaders who have shown, by their service, extraordinary love for Jesus Christ and his Church. With the exception of Catholic heads of state, diplomats assigned to Vatican City State, and others of international standing, the Order of St. Gregory the Great is the highest honor granted by the Holy Father to laypersons.

Dame/Knight in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great

Mrs. Jacqueline J. Delaney

Mrs. Delaney has embodied a lifelong, active commitment to the mission of the Church. She has served on numerous Catholic-related boards and committees, and is the first woman named chair of the Board of Directors for the Malvern Retreat House. Over the last decade, Mrs. Delaney has also served as the chair of the Archbishop’s Benefit for Children, raising funds vital for youth programs administered by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese.

Mr. James Delaney

Mr. Delaney has more than 40 years of business leadership in the health care and financial industries. He has served on numerous boards and foundations including the National Advisory Council of the U.S. bishops, the National Advisory Board of the Church Leadership Institute, the National Catholic Community Foundation, the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute, and Catholic Athletes for Christ.   He is also the former Chairman of the Board at Neumann University, in addition to serving as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Board of Trustees.

Miss Kerry F. Kober

Miss Kober has provided superior and irreplaceable executive assistance to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap for more than 25 years. She has supported his episcopal ministry in Rapid City, Denver, and Philadelphia with exceptional discretion and diligence on a wide range of sensitive Church matters. Her commitment to Jesus Christ and to the work of the Church makes her a powerful Christian witness.

Dame Commander/Knight Commander in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great

Mrs. Suann T. Maier

Mrs. Maier’s distinguished teaching career — in Catholic schools in New York, Los Angeles, and Denver — spanned more than four decades. As a mother and grandmother of children with disabilities, she has been a counselor, coach, grassroots organizer, volunteer, and leader in prolife and special needs organizations for 45 years.   In addition to her parish volunteer work over the decades, Mrs. Maier founded 14 prolife centers and 21 prolife hot lines for women with problem pregnancies, and has served in leadership and on boards for various Catholic women’s organizations.

Mr. Francis X. Maier

Mr. Maier has a career spanning 41 years in Catholic journalism and senior diocesan service, including 23 years as senior advisor and special assistant to Archbishop Chaput in Denver and Philadelphia.  Over the decades he has written, spoken, and mentored extensively on Church matters, served as a youth minister and catechist, and been active in Catholic men’s groups and prolife advocacy. In 2005, Mr. Maier and his wife Suann, were named Knight and Dame in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Saint John Paul II.

Obituary: Frank D\’Ancona, of Mystic Island, NJ

Age 100, of Mystic Island, NJ, born and raised in South Philly, passed away on Sept. 7, 2019. Beloved husband and dance partner of the late Mary Jane (nee Van Doren) for 47 years. Loving father of

Lorraine (Gary) Bellotti, and Gary (Diane) D\’Ancona. Also, survived by 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, his adoring niece and goddaughter Gail (Paul) Gangi, devoted niece Denise (Tom) Durkin, and his caring nephew Dr. Richard Costa (Maria). Predeceased by his parents, Maria and Adamo D\’Ancona, his brothers Antonio, Vincenzo, Thomas, and Orlando, and his grateful sister-in-law, Nancy Costa.

He was an

Army

veteran and served in England and France during WW II. Years after his discharge, he proudly worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance for 33 yrs. An avid fisherman, dancer, cook, great storyteller, passionate listener of Jazz Music, Philly sports fan, Frank and Jane loved wintering in Sunny Isles, Fl for 33 years. He will also be sadly missed by many dear nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives, and treasured friends and neighbors. Interment was private.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated at  St. Luke Church, 55 Warwick Rd. Stratford, NJ 08084. Donations in his memory may be made to the Veterans Assoc. of your choice. Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ

www.mccannhealey.com

Delanco Man Pleads Guilty in 2018 Willingboro Double Fatal Collision

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Delanco man pled guilty today in Superior Court to causing the deaths of a married couple during a collision early lastyear in the jug

handle at Route 130 northbound and Bridgeboro Road in Willingboro Township.

Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Amish Patel, 31, of Delanco, pled guilty to two counts of Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree) and Driving While Intoxicated for the deaths of Robert Stephens, 52, and his wife Janet, 50, of Burlington Township, on January 13, 2018.

According to the plea agreement, Patel will be sentenced to 12 ½ years in New Jersey state prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Patel must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The Hon. Philip E. Haines, J.S.C., scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2020.

Patel acknowledged before Judge Haines that he had been drinking and at the time of the accident was travelling at more than double the posted speed limit, which is 50 miles per hour along that stretch of Route 130.

The investigation revealed that at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Stephens’ minivan was stopped in the jug handle waiting to cross Route 130 onto Bridgeboro Road when Patel, who was traveling northbound on Route 130, lost control of his BMW 440, entered the jug handle and crashed into the minivan.

The force of the impact propelled the minivan over the guardrail and down an embankment, where it submerged into a body of water that is part of Olympia Lakes. Autopsies revealed that both victims had drowned.

Patel is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Josh Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, and Assistant Prosecutors Douglas J. Bligh and Brandon Almeida. The collision was investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Willingboro Township Police Department. Assistance was provided at the scene by the Delran Township Police Department, Edgewater Park Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police. The lead investigators were BCPO Detective Michael Reagan and Willingboro Township Police Detective Ed Walker.