Category: NEW JERSEY

Pick-6 Rolls to $5.2 Million for Dec. 30 Drawing

TRENTON (Dec. 27, 2019)

– The Pick-6 drawing on December 26 produced

four

winners of

$6,041

for matching five out of six white balls drawn. The $5.2 million drawing will be held Monday, December 30, 2019.

The

winning numbers

for the

Thursday, December 26

, drawing were:

13, 16, 26, 30, 35 and 37

. The XTRA

Multiplier

was:

03

. By adding XTRA for an additional $1.00 per play, winners are able to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by the XTRA number drawn.

Acting Executive Director James Carey announced that there were 483,331 tickets purchased for the drawing and of those sold, thousands were prizewinners! For correctly matching four numbers, 323 ticketholders won $72 each and 45 others won $216 each with the addition of XTRA. Moreover, for correctly matching three numbers 6,773 ticketholders won $3.00 each and 997 others won $9 each with the addition of XTRA. Lastly 7,941 ticketholders each won $2.00 for correctly matching two numbers with the addition of XTRA on their purchase.

PETS ARE THE BEST: Eight new pups report for duty

Urban, a three-month-old black Labrador retriever, trains with Danielle Berger at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. Berger is leading the training for the U litter, composed of Urban and seven of her brothers and sisters, with assistance from interns including (left to right) Charlotte Kronick, Dominique Andrews, Trevor Vidas, and Tesa Stone. (All images: Eric Sucar/University Communications)

PHILADELPHIA PA–More sure-footed and confident by the day, the U litter puppies of the

Working Dog Center

are not yet 3 months old, yet are already a month into their training to use their agile bodies and sensitive noses to serve society.

These eight pups, all black Labrador retrievers, also fit into a special category: They are WDC legacies, the first to be born to two “

graduates

” of the Center, mom Pinto and dad Boomer.

Since their arrival at the WDC, they’ve been gradually introduced to tasks that will guide them on to careers in search and rescue, disease detection, police work, and more. With help from several interns, lead puppy trainer

Danielle Berger

makes sure the labs, each named for victims of September 11, receive a balanced mix of training, socialization, and rest.

Earlier this month,

Penn Toda

y

caught up with JUel, Ugo, Uli, Uman, Umar, Upton, Urban, and Uzza on a busy day of training, which, to an untrained eye, looks an awful lot like play—probably because, to the puppies, work and play are one and the same.

Though the U litter is graced with excellent pedigree—Pinto and Boomer both work in cadaver detection—they are still puppies with a lot to learn. “Play dates” with older dogs, such as Lucy, a Dutch shepherd, teach puppies like Ugo good social skills.

The puppies get a mix of one-on-one training, group “puppy play dates,” and frequent snuggles, to ensure they’re skilled and well-socialized. When they’re not at the WDC, each puppy lives with a volunteer foster family.

Cindy Otto, executive director of the WDC, works Casey, an older WDC dog, through training to improve strength, balance, and fitness. Otto drew inspiration to found the Center after caring for working dogs that responded to the 9-11 attacks. Each puppy that comes through the Center’s program is named for a 9-11 victim or working dog.

In a “runaway” drill, Drexel co-op intern Lauren Filipe hides in a crate, encouraging Urban to chase after her. The aim of the exercise is to elicit a bark from Urban, which will be her signal to her handler that she’s found the object of her search. Urban quickly obliged.

Located at Pennovation Works, across the Schuylkill River from Penn’s main campus, the WDC makes use of nearby buildings and open spaces to train the puppies and give them room to roam.

Trainers erect various obstacles and challenges for the puppies to navigate, helping them improve their agility and also conquer any fears. “The genetics are shining through in these dogs,” says Berger, encouraging Uman to cross a narrow plank.

SOURCE:

Protecting Animals, Serving Society

RELATED:

PETS ARE THE BEST

DAWN WATSON\’S PET TIPS

NJ Senator Singleton to Kick-Off 2020 Community Projects Jan. 20

Event will be held as a Day of Service in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MAPLE SHADE, NJ

– Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Senator Troy Singleton (photo) is partnering with Habitat for Humanity for his January community service project. The “Serve with Senator Singleton” event will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore located at 530 Route 38 East in Maple Shade.

The Senator and a group of volunteers will participate in a “Building Blitz” where they will help assemble furniture and other items for sale in the ReStore showrooms.  Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign-up on the Senator’s website:

https://www.senatorsingleton.com/habitat_for_humanity_restore_2020

“Over the past two years, we have joined with dozens of volunteers to donate over 1,000 hours to community service projects that benefit residents throughout Burlington County,” said Senator Singleton. “This is our third time returning to Habitat for Humanity to hold a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Habitat’s mission to provide affordable housing for deserving residents makes it the perfect partner to kick-off our 2020 service events.”

This will be Senator Singleton’s 26

th

“Serve with Singleton” event since becoming State Senator in 2018. Previous volunteer efforts include: indoor and outdoor clean-up days, animal welfare projects, various clothing and supply drives, painting projects, and community event set-up and staffing.

The ReStore is Habitat for Humanity’s home improvement store open to the public that offers new and used items for 50-90% off the retail price. Proceeds from the store go back to the construction of affordable houses in the community.

“As Dr. King said, ‘Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve…You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love,” said Singleton.

Political Observers Say There is a Deep Rift Among Democrats in New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. — Several political observers are suggesting there is a big rift among members of the Democratic Party in the states of New Jersey. The proof they say was seen at a State Senate hearing in November when Sue Altman, the leader of the left-leaning Working Families Alliance was singled out by New Jersey state troopers and forcibly removed her from the crowded State Senate hearing

on

corporate tax breaks.

The

New York Times

reported she was led past her main political rival,

George E. Norcross III

, a Democratic power broker who was at the hearing to testify in support of an $11 billion

economic incentive program

that Ms. Altman had criticized harshly and that is the subject of state investigations and subpoenas.

According to Times the imagery and its aftermath have roiled Trenton, exposing a generational and philosophical rift between progressive and mainstream Democrats that is mirrored nationwide

The clash thrust Ms. Altman into the limelight and offered a vivid example of how the grass-roots energy in New Jersey that helped Democrats

flip four seats in Congress

last year has spilled into the State House. Altman’s ejection from the November hearing is being reviewed by the attorney general, and it is coloring the discussion of a range of issues, including the renewal of the

corporate tax-break program

and the fight for control of the Democratic State Committee.

CONTINUE TO READ

PUBLISHED Gloucestercitynews.net

How to Use CBD oil for Better Sleep

Gloucestercitynews.net

(December 28, 2019)–It might come as a surprise but according to certain reports, more than 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. To put it the other way, a good lot of people are exhausted from personal and professional pressures of life, which often results in insomnia and other mental as well as emotional disorders.

There are many medical treatments available for getting you better sleep but most people do not recommend taking any sleep disorder medicines due to their addictive effects. This would be the moment where

top rated UK CBD oil brands

must enter your life.

Yes, currently, it’s the most natural treatment for insomnia and quite affordable as well.

If you or someone you know is suffering from sleeping problems, then CBD oil is just the thing for you! Of course, you would want to learn more about the use of

CBD oil for better sleep

and here it is!

First things first, let’s learn a bit about CBD oil

CBD oil is made from one of the 80 cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. However, it is not the same as other compounds derived from the same plant. Unlike other compounds of this plant, CBD doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is primarily responsible for creating the ‘high’ in the brain. Yes, people get stoned due to its presence in marijuana and hashish.  Since CBD doesn’t contain it, it is known to be a non-intoxicating or non-psychoactive substance.

In the United States, CBD or hemp oil has been excluded from the list of ‘controlled substance.’  This means that it’s legal to use CBD products as long as they are legal in your state. As per the 2018 Farm Bill, it has been made legal in all 50 states across America. So, unless your local laws disapprove of it, consuming CBD is absolutely all right!

So, what is CBD oil used for?

CBD oil has been in use since centuries dating back to 1200 A.D, where it was first mentioned that it can successfully treat people suffering from sleep disorders. Today, CBD oil used for the treatment of issues like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, epilepsy, inflammation, constipation, and in some cases, cancer.

There have been cases across the US where people successfully healed themselves with a daily dosage of CBD oil. So, anyone who is suffering from sleeping disorders must give it a try.

Can CBD oil impact the quality of your sleep?

Studies have shown that CBD, in fact, does help in improving the quality of your sleep.  It can readily shift your body from REM to NREM sleep (as mentioned by the World Health Organization).  As per experts, CBD oil can contribute in preventing the breakdown of a chemical neurotransmitter in the brain which affects the mental and emotional state of the body.  It allows the sleep-promoting chemical to flow freely through your body and

makes you sleepy

without getting you high.

There is still a lack of conclusive research on the matter but there are some studies support the issue. In a

2019 study

, it was concluded that patient suffering from anxiety as well as sleep disorders showed improvement after a month of 25 milligrams (mg) of the CBD.

According to another

study

, it was revealed that CBD was capable of successfully treating RBD. CBD is also known to heal day-time excessive sleeping and grogginess.

How does CBD oil help in improving your sleep?

There are many direct and indirect ways that contribute in helping you sleep better after you consume CBD oil in your system. Here’s how it happens.

1.

CBD helps in reduction of anxiety

: This means that CBD helps in regulation of cortisol, the stress hormone. It balances the serotonin level as well. When a person feels less-stressed, he or she sleeps better. According to a number of

studies

, CBD can successfully treat anxiety-related disorders and thus, improves the quality of sleep.

2. Relaxed muscles: As per certain

studies

, CBD treats movement disorders as well. It reduces muscle tremors which are often the result of anxiety disorder and keeps the person awake during the night. It helps in the treatment of insomnia as well.

3.Decreases restlessness: People who suffer from sleeping disorders have a habit of being restless all through the night and sometimes during the day as well. Those who suffer from REM sleep disorder which gives rise to nightmares and restlessness have shown positive signs of improvement in their sleeping patterns.

4.Relief from PTSD and trauma: Sleep disturbances and REM cycles often affect the mental health of patients. Sleeping problems might also be the result of post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD and trauma. A daily dosage of CBD oil reduces anxiety and depression related to PTSD and thus improves the quality of sleep.

5.Chronic pain: Those who suffer from chronic pain in joints or muscles always have a hard time sleeping. Since CBD oil has successfully proven to heal body pains. When pain is reduced from the body, it indirectly helps people sleep better during the night.

How to use CBD oil for sleep

Everyone has a different body type. Thus, there are a variety of CBD products, such as gummies, creams, sprays, vapes, and capsules that help one person in a far better way than the other. However, CBD oil has proven to have a great effect on most people dealing with sleeping disorders. A spoonful of CBD oil put under your tongue slowly releases its effect on your body slowly, thus, helping you sleep for a longer time than usual. The best time to consume CBD oil is an hour or so before bed time.

How much CBD should one use for the treatment of sleeping disorder

Since CBD is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) right now, this means that there is no guideline for a definite dosage of CBD oil. On the basis of studies, a higher dosage of CBD oil has proven far more healing than smaller ones. An optimal dosage of CBD oil anyway depends on height, gender, weight, and other deciding factors.

It is important to consult your doctor or a medical professional about the dosage of the oil. It is recommended to have a talk with your regular doctor, if possible since he or she knows all about your medical history and can decide the most suitable dosage for you.

Closing thoughts about cbd & sleep

When compared to other sleeping aids, CBD products are considered to be safer and more effective than the traditional medicines. It is natural and quite an affordable way to say goodbye to your sleeping disorders however slowly. However, there is still a lot of research needed to completely accept the therapeutic effects of CBD oil.

Nonetheless, people who are suffering from disturbing sleeping patterns can surely rely on this safe, effective, and non-addictive form of medication.

images courtesy of unsplash.com and pinterest.com

University of Washington: SAD lights push back depression during dark days

SAD is a subset of depression that can be marked by feeling blue and  tired, craving carbs, and having less interest in socializing.

Getty Images

About  ten percent of those who live in the Northwest suffer from SAD, according to UW Medicine experts.

For Robert, * it was getting just too hard to get out of bed in the morning during the winter months.

Finally, his partner, who lives near Skagway, Alaska, suggested using a seasonal affective disorder light, otherwise known as a SAD light, to deal with his sleepiness and mild depression.

“This worked far better than expected. I would even call it life changing,” said Robert, a Seattle resident and software engineer, who, like others living in the Northwest, endures many dark months in a place where sunlight barely limps pass the eight-hour mark in December.

Most of us struggle to get out of bed, but for Robert, the task was particularly hard, especially when the sun wasn’t rising until well after he was on his way to work.

“I had extreme trouble waking up in the morning,” he said. “Drinking coffee would boost my energy for an hour or so, but I could not sustain my energy throughout the workday.”

Then, on the recommendation of his doctor and his roommate, he bought a SAD light. The struggle to get out of bed and the need for coffee stopped.

While Robert’s experience might be dramatic, it is not surprising, said

Dr. Nina Maisterra

, of the UW Medicine Belltown Clinic, who has recommended SAD lights to her patients who struggle with depression or lack of energy during the winter.

About  ten percent of people living in the Northwest suffer from SAD, according to UW Medicine’s

Dr. David Avery

, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Avery has studied diminished  daylight and its effect on people for the last three decades.  For his patients, Avery suggests working at controlling their wake and sleep times, and keeping active socially but avoiding what resembles “jet lag” during the weekends, such as staying up late and sleeping in.

SAD is generally classified as a subset of depression, It can be marked by feeling blue and tired, craving carbohydrates and feeling less interest in socializing. Research has linked SAD to changes in circadian rhythms and serotonin levels, Maisterra said.

Treatments may include cognitive behavioral therapy that’s focused specifically on SAD; medications known as serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, which work by increasing the levels of a nerve-cell signal in the brain; and light boxes. These are used either as dawn simulators or as a daily exposure  that mimics being outdoors in the sun.

“It’s effective for some people. It’s just like many treatments, sometimes you have to use a combination of therapies,” Maisterra said.

Robert started using his SAD light in August. He sets the timer to go on 30 minutes before he actually wishes to rise in the morning. He reads in bed, the timer goes off, the light turns off, and it’s time to get up.

His co-workers are beginning to ask about using the light, now that winter is coming in.

“I tell them to test it out,” he said. “It’s easy to buy online and doesn’t really require any lifestyle changes to use.”

*Robert asked that only his first name be used for this article.

Copyright 2019 University of Washington. All rights reserved |

RELATED:

Combating the effects of gloomy weather

Holiday Events in SOUTH JERSEY

Adventure Aquarium\’s Christmas Celebration

Through December 30

1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ

A unique experience you can’t miss! Visitors can experience Scuba Santa and his elf swim alongside the Aquarium’s habitants while enjoying the twinkling lights, glowing trees, and falling snow of the Aquarium. AAA Members can save on Adventure Aquarium tickets.

LEARN MORE

New Year’s Fireworks from the Battleship @ Battleship New Jersey

December 31 • 4PM – 12:30AM

The annual tradition continues! Ring in the New Year with fireworks aboard the Battleship New Jersey. Music, concessions, and cash bar service will be available for both showtimes – 6pm and 10pm. Tickets required.

Purchase tickets here

.

Additionally, families can spend the night on the ship on December 31, with breakfast the next morning.

Purchase tickets for the overnight event here.

Smithville Holiday Light Show On The Lake

Thursday – Sunday until January 5 • Dark until 8PM

Historical Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205

In addition to exploring a variety of shops, families can explore over 120 Christmas trees magically floating on the lake while listening to orchestrated lights and music.

LEARN MORE

WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River

Thursdays – Sundays through February 17

Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill

Tasty treats, outdoor games, a heated tent with arcade games, an all-around family fun – visit Cooper River Park to experience this and more!

LEARN MORE

A Decade That Changed the Nation

Katrina vanden Heuvel

and

D.D. Guttenplan

|

For over 154 years,

The Nation

has seen political, economic, and cultural upheaval in America, but the ferocious drumbeat of the 2010s shaped a new media landscape: One defined by a 24/7 news cycle, amplified and accelerated by social media, and compounded by the financial challenges facing a free press.

Hindsight being 20/20, there are common threads we can trace to this current cultural and political moment. The dual and growing forces of monopoly and inequality intensified over the decade. But so too did public support in favor of the issues and ideals our editors and readers have long held to be important: questions of racial justice and feminism, a fair economy that works for all, and enduring civil liberties, environmental sustainability, and peace and nuclear disarmament.

This list of articles, while not at all comprehensive, pulls together the threads of some of the best that was in our pages and our pixels. America in 2020 is at an inflection point, and

The Nation

’s work will continue—as it has in good, not-so-good, and bad times—to offer alternative visions and ideas, and to inform today’s roiling political debates—as we strive to achieve that more perfect union.

Explore all the content from our

Decade in Review here

—we’ve placed these exemplary articles in front of our paywall for a limited time. Editorial director Katrina vanden Heuvel and Editor D.D. Guttenplan are available for very select interviews from New York City in the new year.

ABOUT:

Katrina vanden Heuvel is editorial director and publisher of

The Nation

, America’s leading source of progressive politics and culture. She served as editor of the magazine from 1995 to 2019. D.D. Guttenplan is editor of

The Nation

and the author, most recently, of

The Next Republic: The Rise of a New Radical Majority

(Seven Stories Press).

Founded by abolitionists in 1865,

The Nation

has chronicled the breadth and depth of political and cultural life from the debut of the telegraph to the rise of Twitter, serving as a critical, independent, and progressive voice in American journalism.

Chambersburg-to-NYC Drug Trafficking Ring Busted: 12 Suspects Arrested

December 20, 2019

| Topic:

Opioids

Press Release

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro today said agents from his Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police departments arrested 12 people and stopped a major Pennsylvania trafficker of the opioid Oxycodone. The ringleader of the group, David Bruce Darby of Chambersburg, is facing multiple charges, including drug delivery resulting in death.

The Attorney General said Darby smuggled Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, from New York City and distributed the drug to people in Franklin and Cumberland counties.

In August 2019, a delivery of the narcotic by Darby to Kayla Bertone, 28, of Chambersburg, lead to Bertone’s death.

“This defendant and his drug trafficking ring are responsible for the death of a young woman and the spread of an opioid epidemic we are fighting every day to stop,” AG Shapiro said following the round up of the 12 drug dealers, including Darby’s girlfriend Sarah Turesky. “The victim who overdosed had more than twice the intravenous therapeutic level of fentanyl in her blood. What’s more, this New York-to-Chambersburg pipeline flushed 6,000 pills and cocaine into the Franklin County area. Today, we have removed this cancer from south central Pennsylvania.”

Shapiro said local, state and federal law enforcement in Franklin County and New York have

arrested and charged the following individuals

:

David Bruce Darby

, 41, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; drug delivery resulting in death; criminal use of a communications facility; and persons not to possess a firearm.

Sarah Catherine Turesky

, 34, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; corrupt organizations; violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; criminal use of a communication facility.

Delisha Keyon Redden

, 39, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; corrupt organizations; drug delivery resulting in death (gave the pills to Darby); criminal conspiracy; and criminal use of a communication facility.

Cedric Stephens

, 48, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; corrupt organizations.

Natasha Gomez

, 38, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; corrupt organizations.

Jonathan Butler

, 41, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; corrupt organizations.

Karen Marie Sloane

, 49, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; corrupt organizations.

Alycia Logsdon,

30, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; and criminal use of a communication facility.

Stacey Spoonhour

, 39, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; and criminal use of a communication facility.

David Hemphill

, 57, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; and criminal use of a communication facility.

Michael Campoli

, 54, corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; and criminal use of a communication facility.

Malik Bonds

, 39, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; and criminal use of a communication facility.

Aside from the Office of Attorney General, the U.S. Marshals Service, Franklin County District Attorney, Franklin County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg Police Department, Washington Township Police Department, Waynesboro Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Shippensburg Police Department assisted in the investigation and today’s arrests. Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert Smulktis will prosecute.

All charges discussed are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

What to Know Going into an Oil Field Job

Gloucestercitynews.net (December 27, 2019)–By this point, many people have heard of the great prospects that lie in the oil industry, and working out on an oil field can be an attractive prospect for some, especially those with a predisposition for physical work. But it’s not a smooth experience all the way, and there are various potential problems that you’ll need to prepare for if you want to maximize your chances of success. This is not among the easier industries to be in, and you should definitely anticipate a rough uphill battle in the beginning, especially if you’re coming from another line of work.

It’s Tough

There’s no soft way to say this – working in the oil industry is simply very challenging. You should be prepared for long days of hard manual work with little in the way of breaks, and on some days, it might be particularly bad depending on the current state of the setup. It’s a very physically demanding job, so don’t expect that you’ll be able to perform it well with a soft body that’s been sitting in a desk chair all day long. That’s not to say that you can’t work on that, but it’s going to take quite a bit of effort to bring yourself up to a good enough state.

It’s Dangerous

Even if you’re already in a top physical condition, working in an oil field is going to be challenging and will hold many risks for your health, some of which you can’t really anticipate. You should be prepared for the problems that you can, though, and know a good

oil field accident attorney

who can assist you in case you run into a bad situation. Keep in mind that resolving these problems can sometimes take quite a long time, especially if it’s a more serious issue. This can leave you in a difficult financial situation, and you will want to plan ahead for this as well.

Isolation Can Creep Up on You

This does not apply to every job in this sector, but it’s definitely something you will want to keep in mind as a possibility. Depending on where you work, you might find yourself in a

somewhat isolated environment

without any contact other than your coworkers for days on end. While it’s not as bad as being out on an oil rig, it can still be a pretty big challenge for those who are used to more variety in their social interactions, and you should get ready for a difficult starting period.

The good news is that most of those things can be accounted for in advance and dealt with effectively if you put some planning and thought into it. It’s not going to be a smooth ride – we can tell you that right now. And, even if you’re very prepared, problems are still going to come up. But in the end, this is one of the best ways to earn a lot of money for physical work right now, and it’s definitely something you should look into if you’re looking for a new career.

images courtesy of unsplash.com