South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas Offer Winter StormTips

Winter is here and, as storms move in, South Jersey Gas and
Elizabethtown Gas, subsidiaries of SJI, provide tips aimed to keep customers safe through the winter
season.
“We think it’s important to be proactive by offering our customers tips on how to plan for winter
storms,” said Craig Stewart, vice president, safety and shared services, SJI Utilities. “As a trusted
community partner, our customers need to be aware of how they can protect themselves and their
families this winter season.”
South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas offer the following tips to help customers prepare for the
possibility of winter storms.
Prepare your home:
 Insulate your home to prevent heat loss and drafty areas.
 Keep extra blankets, flashlights, water, and a supply of non-perishable food readily available.
 Have a generator on standby, but keep it outdoors.
Clear the area around your gas meter:
 Check your gas meter, especially after storms, to ensure it’s free from debris, ice, snow, or other
blockages.
 Gently remove snow buildup around and on top of the meter using a broom or your
hands—avoid using a shovel, as it could damage the meter.
 Prevent ice from accumulating on the meter by ensuring that gutters or other sources of dripping
water are not directed at it.
 Ensure that paths to the meter are free of obstacles, such as snow piles.
Clear snow safely:
 When shoveling snow, take breaks to avoid overexertion.
 Push snow instead of lifting it, and avoid twisting your back while shoveling.
 Use a snow blower with caution, and keep hands and feet clear of moving parts.
Prepare for power outages:
 Charge your electronic devices and have extra batteries on hand.
 Keep a supply of bottled water in case pipes freeze or the water supply is interrupted.

Be safe and smart with natural gas:
 While natural gas lines are underground and generally well-protected, they can still be damaged
during severe weather events. However, if your gas lines or service is disrupted, follow these
safety tips:
o Never attempt to turn your gas off or on by yourself.
o Knowing the location of your natural gas meter during an emergency will be helpful if a
South Jersey Gas or Elizabethtown Gas technician needs to quickly access it.
o If you smell natural gas — which has been treated to smell like rotten eggs —
immediately leave the area without using any electrical switches, appliances, phones, or
creating any source of ignition. Once at a safe location away from the building, call 911
and then contact South Jersey Gas at 1-800-582-7060 or Elizabethtown Gas at 1-800-
492-4009. Do not re-enter the premises until authorized by emergency responders or
utility personnel.

For more safety tips please visit South Jersey Gas – Committed to Safety or Elizabethtown Gas –
Committed to Safety.

AG Platkin, DEP Commissioner LaTourette File Suit Against Major Scrap Metal Recycler for Hazardous Fires at Its Facilities

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today that they have filed a public-nuisance lawsuit against a major scrap metal recycler that seeks to put an end to the hazardous conditions that have led to numerous fires at their facilities since 2020.

The complaint, filed today in Superior Court, alleges that there have been at least 12 hazardous fires in the last five years at facilities in Camden that are owned and operated by defendants EMR Advanced Recycling, LLC, EMR USA Holdings, Inc., EMR Eastern, and Camden Iron & Metal (collectively known as EMR). The fires have filled nearby streets with smoke and air pollution, creating an ongoing public nuisance that has severely harmed the health and well-being of Camden’s residents.

“It is outrageous that EMR has failed to correct the dangerous conditions at its facilities in Camden—conditions that have resulted in over a dozen hazardous fires in recent years that threaten the lives and health of Camden residents. We’re taking action today to hold EMR accountable for its reprehensible conduct and to protect Camden residents,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Companies should never be allowed to turn a quick buck at the expense of their communities—but that’s exactly what EMR has been doing for years in Camden. It’s time to put an end to this unacceptable conduct.”

“Neighbors of EMR should not have to live in fear of the industrial business next door to them, wondering whether the air is safe to breathe and the company values its role in the community as much as its profits,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “The DEP is grateful to Attorney General Platkin and his team for pursuing justice on behalf of the residents of Camden.”

EMR owns and operates metal recycling facilities that collect, process, and recycle scrap metal. It has facilities in the Camden Waterfront South neighborhood, which is an area characterized as an environmentally overburdened community under New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law. These communities have significant low-income, minority, and/or limited English proficiency populations.

One of the most extensive fires at an EMR facility happened in February 2025, when a four-alarm fire started at EMR’s facility located at 1400 South Front Street in Camden. The fire originated from a two-story tall pile of scrap metal material that was waiting to be torn apart into smaller pieces. The fire burned for approximately eight hours before Camden firefighters brought it under control, and it took 12 hours to fully extinguish it.

Altogether, firefighters were on the scene for about 19 hours. Approximately one hundred residents evacuated, and people living nearby reported illnesses and acute symptoms from smoke inhalation, including nausea, headaches, difficulty breathing, burning eyes, and throat irritation.

Another significant fire occurred in the early morning of January 29, 2021. Residents evacuated and a school temporarily closed due to smoke and metallic odors. Five firefighters needed treatment for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter and two residents were hospitalized. Residents complained of odors and smoke in their homes, and they heard explosions coming from the facility.

As the complaint alleges, these fires are the direct result of EMR’s conduct. EMR has maintained hazardous conditions at its facilities, including by maintaining stories-high piles of plastic, glass, dirt, and other discarded material that create a high risk of fires. Even though EMR has known about the risks stemming from its practices, it has failed to take appropriate corrective action—and as a result, there continue to be regular fires at EMR’s facilities, including several fires in recent months.

The complaint explains that EMR has a long history of fires at its facilities across the state. There were at least three fires at another EMR facility previously located in Newark, and at least two fires in scrap metal piles at an EMR Bayonne facility. Similarly, a fire occurred on May 23, 2022, on a barge in the Delaware Bay carrying scrap metal between Defendants’ then facility in Newark and their facility in Camden.

Today’s public nuisance complaint asks the court to order EMR to immediately take action to end the conditions that have led to these fires and that continue to persist, creating chaos and severe health hazards for nearby Camden residents. The complaint asks the court to require EMR to immediately take effective measures to control the risk of fire at its Camden facilities—measures EMR has failed to take.

The State is represented in this matter by Deputy Attorneys General Lisa J. Morelli and Alana V. Paccione in the Environmental Enforcement and Environmental Justice Section within the Division of Law’s Environment and Clean Energy Practice Group under the supervision of Assistant Section Chief Kevin Fleming, Section Chief Gary Wolf, and Deputy Director Paul Stofa.

Gloucester Township Police Advisory: Massive Verizon Outage

As of January 14, 2026 1 PM, a widespread Verizon network outage is currently impacting voice, text, and data services for tens of thousands of customers across the United States.

At this time, Gloucester Township Police 911 Systems and Emergency Communications has NOT been affected. If you are a Verizon Wireless customer and are having issues with your cellular service, you may still be able to call 911 in an emergency. If not, use another carrier’s device or a landline. You also have the alternative to connect your cellular phone to a home or local WiFi connection to establish phone service.

Current Outage Status
– Widespread Impact: Over 460,000 reports were recorded on DownDetector as of 1:00 PM ET.
– Affected Services: The outage is disrupting wireless voice, text, and data services for mobile users. Some Verizon Fios internet customers are also reporting connectivity issues.
– “SOS” Mode: Many users report their phones are stuck in “SOS” or “SOS only” mode, meaning they have no cellular connection but may still be able to contact emergency services.
– Affected Areas: Significant disruptions are reported in the eastern half of the U.S., specifically in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, the Carolinas, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana.
– Emergency Services: Officials in cities like New York and Washington, D.C., have warned that the outage may affect some users’ ability to call 911. If you cannot connect, use a landline or a device from another carrier.

Moen Legislation to Create Veterans Resource Mobile Application Clears General Assembly

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr. that would help veterans and their families easily access essential services

passed the New Jersey General Assembly today. Bill A2138, would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a user-friendly mobile application that guides veterans and their families to available benefits, programs, and support resources.

The application would provide information related to veterans’ legal rights, medical and insurance issues, education, housing, and the transition from active to civilian life. The guide should mirror the resource guide available on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website. Legislation establishing the Department of Veterans Affairs was signed into law in September and became effective on January 9, 2026.

“As we continue to find ways to connect veterans and their families to the resources they need and earned, a mobile app just makes common sense,” said Assemblyman Moen (D-Camden, Gloucester). “This bill is designed to do three important things: honor New Jersey’s veterans, provide fast and simple access to veteran services, and strengthen the support system for these individuals and their families.”

The bill is also sponsored by Assemblymen Joe Danielsen and Robert Karabinchak.

Asw. Murphy’s Statement on Bill to Support Vaccine Access Clearing General Assembly

Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D-Burlington), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, issued the following statement on the General Assembly’s passage of legislation designed to strengthen New Jersey’s public health infrastructure by ensuring clear, science-based vaccine guidance statewide. Bill A6166 aims to support vaccine access and reduce confusion for families and providers.
This bill is in response to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent moves to change the national standards for vaccine policies, including limiting access to the COVID-19 vaccine and changing recommended childhood immunizations. The legislation would require health insurers and the State Medicaid Program to provide coverage, without cost sharing, for expenses incurred in the provision of childhood immunizations recommended by the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). The DOH would be required to consider guidance from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, as well as recommendations from nationally recognized medical organizations, including pediatricians, family physicians, and obstetricians.
“When it comes to childhood immunizations, families deserve clarity and confidence. This bill would ensure parents can rely on trusted, evidence-based guidance from experts at the New Jersey Department of Health, so their children can continue to receive recommended vaccines without unnecessary barriers.
“On the very day that we advanced this bill in the Assembly Health Committee, the federal government announced the overhauling of children’s vaccine schedule to require fewer immunizations. These changes were made without formal public comment from experts. My bill would ensure that DOH takes into consideration guidance from leading medical groups, enabling the state to make well-informed decisions to keep our young people safe.
“Now is the time to provide families, health care providers, and pharmacists with clear and consistent direction, particularly when federal policies change or conflict. This bill would do that. I thank my colleagues for advancing this timely and life-saving legislation.”

Statement from Speaker Craig J. Coughlin on the Final Voting Session of the 221st Legislature

“Today marks the final voting session of the 221st Legislature, and as we bring this chapter to a close, I couldn’t be more proud of the work our caucus has done on behalf of the people of New Jersey. Over the last two years, Assembly Democrats kept a steady focus on the challenges families talk to us about every day, and together we met those challenges with purpose and resolve. At a time of mounting uncertainty and pressure from Washington, we stood firm in our shared values and made clear that New Jersey would continue to lead with fairness and stability. “We enacted meaningful property tax relief which put real money back into the pockets of working families. We expanded access to housing, strengthened an economy that continues to grow, and invested in our communities. We also made sure addressing hunger and food insecurity remained a priority, because we recognize that no one can get ahead when they are struggling to put food on the table. “We will continue that work in this final voting session, passing bills that strengthen the foundation we have built, protecting workers through expanded family leave, protecting our privacy, and safeguarding our diverse communities with measures that reinforce trust and safety. “The progress we reflect on today, though worthy of our acknowledgement, is not the result of a single vote or a single moment, but of a caucus that showed up, did the work, and understood that change is built piece by piece. I want to thank every member of our caucus for their partnership, their leadership, and their unrelenting willingness to put the needs of New Jersey families first. I look forward to continuing our work in the next legislative session.”

NJ Coalition for Free Speech Celebrates the Defeat of the Controversial IHRA Antisemitism Bill

The NJ Coalition for Free Speech today welcomes the decision of State Assembly and Senate Leadership not to advance the harmful IHRA Antisemitism Bill (A3558/S1292) in the New Jersey State Legislature, marking a significant victory for free speech, academic freedom, civil liberties, and democratic values. The lack of support for the IHRA bill, as reflected in public statements by elected officials, demonstrates the strength of a broad, principled coalition of Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, K–12 and higher education, labor union, and civil rights organizations, advocates, and community members who came together to oppose legislation that would have threatened constitutionally protected speech and political expression.

This diverse coalition stood united in the belief that combating antisemitism must never come at the expense of free speech or the silencing of legitimate criticism of government policy. Members of the coalition consistently warned that the IHRA bill, as drafted, risked conflating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism, chilling speech, and disproportionately harming Muslim, Palestinian, Arab, and Jewish advocates for human rights.

“The defeat of the IHRA bill is a testament to the power of principled coalitional organizing,” said Ali Aljarrah, State Lead for CAIR Action NJ. “Our diverse coalition proved that fighting hate and protecting free speech are not competing values, but inseparable ones.”

“Combating antisemitism and protecting civil liberties are interconnected goals that safeguard all communities. This objective is poorly served by legislation that misrepresents human rights advocacy as hate speech,” said Haliema Twam, Civic Engagement and Advocacy Manager at the Palestinian American Community Center.

“Despite being framed by some media outlets as primarily a Jewish versus Muslim issue, that is not true. Many Jewish organizations and individuals represented by our free speech coalition reject the weaponization of antisemitism and affirm that protecting the safety and dignity of those of us who identify as Jewish but deny any connection to the Israeli state goes hand-in-hand with defending free expression,” said Renée Steinhagen, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace-Northern New Jersey. “As Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, said, we need ‘more speech, not forced silence.’”

“The rejection of IHRA is a foundation to build on as we continue confronting attempts to silence communities of conscious, criminalize advocacy for justice in Palestine, and normalize policies that enable genocide,” said Hafsa Habehh, American Muslims for Palestine – NJ Chapter. “The long-term efforts to institutionalize the IHRA definition now face organized opposition.”

“Our office has been fighting variations of this definition for over six years. We’re glad our legislators have chosen to uphold free speech once again.” said Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director for CAIR-NJ. “While this bill is now dead for this session, we remain vigilant and call on our elected officials to continue opposing it should it be reintroduced in the future.”

“Resistencia en Acción is relieved that the IHRA definition of antisemitism did not pass in the legislature. This definition can be used to suppress political speech and further criminalize immigrant communities, including through ICE and other enforcement systems—as was done to a New Jersey resident, Leqaa Kordia,” said Ana Paola, Executive Director of Resistencia en Acción NJ.

Throughout the legislative process, including three Assembly committee hearings and one multi-day Senate committee hearing, each lasting for several hours, the advocates testifying in opposition to the IHRA bill appreciated that their voices were heard.

“The State of New Jersey has shown that it can simultaneously protect civil rights and uphold free speech,” said Dr. Heather Pierce, political science professor and president of the Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union. “We urge our elected leaders to build on this moment by listening to impacted communities, engaging in genuine dialogue, and rejecting the false dichotomy between combating antisemitism and defending democratic values.”

The coalition now calls on New Jersey’s elected officials, including incoming Governor Mikie Sherrill, to stand on the right side of history by rejecting legislative efforts that erode First Amendment protections. Elected leaders must instead pursue policies that address hate and discrimination through education, community investment, and enforcement of existing civil rights laws, without compromising constitutional freedoms.

Gov. Murphy signs bill to ban cellphones in classrooms

Gov. Phil Murphy speaking at Ramsey High School on Jan. 8, 2026, before signing a bill that will ban cellphones in K-12 classrooms beginning next school year. (Photo by Jake Hirsch/Governor’s Office.)

By :Sophie Nieto-Munoz

New Jersey public school districts will be required to bar their students from using cellphones and other smart devices during school hours under a bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy Thursday.

Murphy, a Democrat whose second term ends on Jan. 20, had made banning phones during class a priority of his final year in office. He signed the bill during a ceremony in Ramsey High School, where classrooms have been phone-free for a year already.

Murphy said that within four months of Ramsey High School’s cellphone ban, nearly 80% of teachers reported increased engagement in class and a majority of the faculty observed greater student-to-student interaction, fewer classroom distractions, and more attentive students.

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New Jersey Designates July 30th as Brian Sicknick Day

Newly signed legislation honors South River native and fallen U.S. Capitol Police officer

Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Joint Resolution 215 (AJR215) into law, formally designating July 30 of each year as Brian Sicknick Day in New Jersey. Sponsored by Assemblymen Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley, the legislation honors Brian Sicknick, a South River native who served in the New Jersey Air National Guard and spent more than 12 years with the United States Capitol Police, including service in the First Responder’s Unit.

According to the U.S. Capitol Police, Officer Sicknick responded to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, where he was assaulted while defending Congress. He later suffered two strokes and died the following night.

“Designating Brian Sicknick Day ensures that New Jersey formally recognizes the life, service, and sacrifice of a son of our state who answered the call to protect others,” said Assemblyman Karabinchak. “This designation ensures his legacy will always be remembered.”

“Officer Brian Sicknick represented the very best of public service,” said Assemblyman Stanley. “By setting aside this day each year, we ensure that the memory of his service is never forgotten and reaffirm our commitment to honoring those who lost their lives fulfilling their duty to protect others.”

Following the bill signing, Governor Murphy, Speaker Craig J. Coughlin and Assemblymen Joe Danielsen, Karabinchak and Stanley participated in a wreath placement ceremony in Officer Sicknick’s honor.

“A life dedicated to service and country reminds us that the safety and stability we count on never happens by accident, it comes from those who never lose sight of their responsibility to the people around them,” said Speaker Coughlin. “Officer Brian Sicknick showed up, did his duty, and stood firm when our democracy needed defending. A proud son of New Jersey, shaped by his family, his community, and his commitment to serving others, he will forever be remembered and deeply missed by his home state and by all who loved him.”

“Officer Brian Sicknick answered the call to serve with courage and dedication,” said Assemblyman Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset). “Honoring him with this designation is a meaningful way to ensure that future generations remember his service and the sacrifices made by those who protect others.”

Last year, Officer Sicknick’s brother—Craig Sicknick—delivered remarks on the General Assembly floor after receiving a ceremonial resolution honoring Officer Sicknick’s life and service.

Statement from Speaker Coughlin on Governor-elect Sherrill’s Decision to Keep Kris Kolluri as Head of NJ Transit and Run New Jersey Turnpike Authority

“From the very beginning of his service at New Jersey Transit, Kris Kolluri has been a tireless advocate for our state’s public transportation system, making sure the agency is not only on firm ground but also moving forward in the right direction. I commend Governor-elect Sherrill’s decision to keep him in place and naming him to lead the Turnpike Authority is a credit to the work already underway thanks to his leadership and experience.

“In New Jersey, our transportation infrastructure is the lifeblood of our economy and a driving force behind our success, keeping our commuters connected and making sure our state maintains its competitive edge in the region. As we stand on the cusp of an unprecedented coordination of our transit system and highways with eight World Cup matches, including the final, continuity of leadership at New Jersey Transit is critical and I look forward to working together to support the progress that keeps our state moving.”