Online Voting Has Opened For The 2020 New Jersey Shout Down Drugs Music Competition

Finalists To Perform at the Prevention Concert April 3, 2020

MILLBURN — The New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music contest is back for its 16

year. The competition, sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), was open to any New Jersey high school individual or group, to create and enter original songs with an anti-drug message. The songs have been submitted and online voting is ongoing now through January 31.

“Each of the contestants are all unique, talented, and winners for just having participated,” states Angelo Valente, PDFNJ’s Executive Director. “It is a really great opportunity for people from all over the country to hear their music and the important anti-drug messages. More than 1 million people have listened to at least one of these students\’ songs over the course of 15 years.

Voting will remain open until April 2 for voters to choose their favorite performers. The online vote tallies will be factored into each final score at the end of the concert.

The finalists will perform in the statewide Prevention Concert, which will be held Friday, April 3, at the Two River Theater in Red Bank. Tickets to the event are free and can be ordered at the website (www.shoutdowndrugs.com).

The concert first-place winner will receive a $5,000 music contract, second place will earn a $3,000 contract, and third place will take home a $2,000 contract.

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $100 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 180 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.

Rescue Puppy Named New Voice Of The TurfMutt Foundation

(NAPSI)—A puppy named Mulligan has big paws to fill, but the mixed breed rescue dog is up to the challenge of becoming the new voice for the TurfMutt Foundation, says his new owner and guardian, Kris Kiser, President of the organization.

Since 2009, Kiser’s rescue dog, Lucky, “pawed it forward” by leading the Foundation’s environmental education and stewardship program for students in grades K to 8. Sadly, Lucky passed away recently, but his superhero cape is being picked up by perky Mulligan, who was found by Kiser last month during Lucky’s Mutt Madness, a national pet adoption event organized by the Foundation during GIE+EXPO, the nation’s leading trade show for outdoor power, landscaping and hardscaping industry professionals, held each October in Louisville, Ky.

Mulligan was not the only rescue pup to find a new home. Fifteen other dogs from the Kentucky Humane Society also went home with new owners.

Carl Bennett and his family brought home a beagle mix puppy, named Jovial. “She is completely living up to her name. She’s happy and sweet and loves everyone. She’s very smart and is already learning tricks,” said Bennett.

Bennett admits they weren’t planning to bring a puppy home but added, “When we saw her sweet little face and floppy ears we all fell in love. We never expected to adopt but something told us she needed to be a part of our family.

A ten-year-old dog named Mama went home with Mark Potocki. He was concerned she wouldn’t get the love she deserved because she was older. “Once I had the chance to hold her, she curled up in my arms and my decision was made,” said Potocki.

He said Lucky’s Mutt Madness was a wonderful experience. “What a great event. The vibe of the afternoon was fun and drew attention to the need for pet adoption,” said Potocki.

Kiser is deep into puppy training for Mulligan. “As a spokesdog, TurfMutt has to visit schools, and sometimes goes with me for public appearances and on TV sets, so Mulligan needs to be well-socialized and know how to behave.”

“Mutt Mulligan” marks a new page in the TurfMutt platform, which grew from a youth education program launched in 2009 in a handful of Sacramento and Washington, D.C. schools to reaching 70 million students, teachers, and families with its message that everyone can help save the planet, starting with their backyard.

Kiser added, “People can understand the value of a living landscape, when they see it through the eyes of a dog. You suddenly realize that soft grass is kinder to paws than hard concrete and that you need shade and a variety of plants in your yard.”

The TurfMutt program has become a national platform, appearing on every major television network, The Hub, Animal Planet and more, including the award-winning show, “Lucky Dog,” for three seasons; being featured in Parade magazine’s Earth Day issue; and winning awards. TurfMutt is an official USGBC Education Partner and part of its global LEARNING LAB, and has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

More information on Lucky’s Mutt Madness event and the program is at

www.TurfMutt.com

Differences Between Motorized and Non-Motorized Whitewater Rafting Trips in the Grand Canyon

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 22, 2020)–In this day and age, we live most of our lives following our usual routines. We get up early, prepare for the day ahead, head on to school or work, take some few breaks, get to work again, before we finally go home and drag ourselves to bed so we can rest and prepare to do the same routine the following day. Of course, leading a healthy life is necessary but don’t you think following a strict routine could be monotonous and boring at some point?

This is why we seek adventure. We try to find ways to do unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to tick off that bucket list. We feel a different sense of accomplishment if we’re able to do something out of the box, something that we once thought of as unachievable.

If you’re prepared to take the big leap of experiencing the adventure outdoors, one of the many little thrillers to get you started is the white water rafting. This is a kind of water sport where you get to dodge whirlpools and rocks while rushing down a wild rapid river on board a rubber boat. And if isn’t enough of an adventure, imagine wearing only a life jacket and no seatbelts. Now that is thrilling!

The

Grand Canyon

is one of the best places to experience white water rafting. If you’re planning for an adventure at the canyon, it’s best that you learn all the basic things necessary about water rafting.

First thing to learn is the

boat type for the rafting

. There are several types you can consider: non-motorized rafts like the oar rafts, dories, and paddle raps, and the motorized rafts. A lot of people see themselves paddling thru the 225-mile whitewater rapids of the Grand Canyon. However, this can be quite tiring especially it is common to see upstream winds in the water. Thus oar trips are better options. This will give you ample intimacy and pace of the rapids, without the strain. It’s been noted that guests have successfully manned their whitewater adventures using oar rafts with the careful instructions of professional guides.

The downside also of oar trips (as well as the other non-motorized rafts) is that it can be tough for people. The whole trip takes about 13 days; plus the hiking in and out of the canyon along the way, may cause physical strain to some.

Motorized trips therefore are more convenient options. Guests can enjoy a full canyon trip in just seven days. Most motorized rafts run on 30 horsepower, averaging about 8 mph. That’s a far cry from the 4mph average speed you get when taking the non-motorized options.

Another consideration you need to note are the canyon trip terms. A full canyon trip runs between 188 and 280 river miles. This trip allows you to experience the most amazing side hikes and the biggest rapids in the river. The upper canyon trip, on the other hand, runs about 87-89 miles. You need to be physically prepared for this trip since this will involve intense hiking

out of the Grand Canyon. Trails are rocky and steep and offers very little shade along the way. This is ideal only for the experienced hikers.

The cost is also one thing to check out for a Grand Canyon whitewater rafting adventure. Depending on the type of trip you want, you have several options to consider: from the transportation to lodging, and even the cost of the camping gears. The final cost will generally vary. It is always wise to do your research before you book for that Grand Canyon adventure.

Impact Of Climate Change on Humans and Forests

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 22, 2020)–Eight is coming down to seven, with half the planet already having been destroyed. How long do you think the earth can sustain the weight of negativity? With the current conditions, probably not for long. While life ebbs out of people, authorities are still abstracted of the fact that earth is on the verge of annihilation. The conniving deeds of humans have paved half the way to oblivion, while the foundation to the other half has already been laid.

Glaciers are melting into the rivers of a dark future where an evolutionary reversal is bound to happen. With the world having already stepped into an unforgettable age of greed and savagery, more is undoubtedly taking form. Do any of you know for certain every little event that is pushing the world towards a collapse? The answer would be a straight-out \’NO\’ since more than half of what is happening around us stays unrevealed.

Levels of Climate Change Impact

A rise in temperature all across the globe.

Destruction of several resources affect the growth of crops, production of food, and further leads to the outbreak of diseases.

Death of flora and fauna.

Impacts on Forests

While the impeachment and potential world war updates took over the television screens and front pages of every newspaper, brutally trivialized natural disasters burnt the green face of the earth. The Amazon rainforest wildfires and the Australian bushfires were warnings from the substrates of an imminent cataclysm. It is only when the fire consumes one of us that we get cautious and move stealthily towards a secure future. But this time the planet isn\’t giving humans another chance to live through the disaster and beyond. Sighs of exhaustion have already taken the form of floods, meltdowns and forest fires, which if not addressed with concern at the earliest, can take down the entire planet.

Changes in temperature, weather, and rainfall are just a few factors that affect the productivity and growth of forests. A surge in the levels of carbon dioxide can also harm the prolific trees and animal inhabitants.

The growing season gets prolonged with the warming temperatures, and this would further lead to the shift of geographic ranges of some tree species. Local or regional species could also be at risk if the conditions in the present habitats are unfavorable for growth. Make sure that you clear all the unwanted overgrown trees and plant new ones, as the earth pleads for it. A

tree company

can help you uproot the trees and free your plots of the redundant greenery.

Chances for floods, droughts and excessive precipitation is likely to increase with the changing climatic conditions. The availability of water can also get affected by the alter in the timing of snowmelt. With the increasing temperatures, droughts are likely to be more adverse than it was in the past. They can impose a huge risk since dry shrubs and trees are potential detonators of wildfires.

Impacts on Human Beings

With the rise in temperatures, dehydration within humans will also increase. Deaths resulting from such adverse climatic conditions would be countless and can keep on rising until obliteration occurs. Humans are likely to be afflicted with sunstrokes and diseases related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular systems if they are exposed to extreme heat. Populations in the northern latitudes could get severely affected by the excessive heat.

Athletes, outdoor workers, and homeless people spend most of their time in the sunlight, and the heat could ebb all their energy and gradually lead to death. People with certain medical conditions, pregnant women, children, and older adults could be more vulnerable to the heat. People from urban areas could get affected more by the heat waves since rural areas have recorded relatively lower temperatures in the past years.

Conclusion

Earth is rolling down the slope towards destruction; there is no denial. All living beings, from humans to animals to trees, are going to be affected by the changing climatic conditions. Reversal of catastrophes isn\’t possible, so take immediate necessary steps to stop it before the deluges subdue the whole planet.

NJ Fixes Solar Program Bill For Now

Governor Murphy signed S4275 (Smith) into law. The bill allows BPU to increase cost to customers of Class I renewable energy requirement for energy years 2022 through 2024, under certain conditions.

“This new law will temporarily stop the solar market from crashing, but we need to do more. This will raise the cost cap, which lets more sunlight in and allows the solar program to move forward. Our concern is that this is a stopgap instead of a real solution. We have said from the beginning that the cost cap would hurt the solar industry and cause it to crash. This legislation is just a short-term fix that averages the cost cap out over five years to extend the program. Under this bill we can only get to 200 Megawatts per year instead of the 500 MW that we need to reach our clean energy goals,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We should be completely getting rid of the cap. We don’t have caps on energy from coal, nuclear, oil, or gas. Having a cap on solar hurts renewable energy and favors fossil fuels.”

The bill would allow the BPU to increase the cost cap on Class I renewable energy requirements if the total energy costs during energy years 2019 through 2021 is less than 9%. Since the solar program went into effect about 10 years ago, solar has become 29 percent more efficient and gone down in price by 25 percent.

“We are glad that Murphy signed this bill because it will help extend the solar program, but we need a real fix. Having a cost cap on solar will only allow for a modest solar program. This law raises the cost cap and averages it out over five years. If the costs exceed the limit the BPU is still required to set aside the Renewable Portfolio Standard for that year. You also have to factor in legacy SRECs as well as transition SRECs. Our concern is that even with this change in the law it will not allow us to have a robust solar program,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We need to remove the cost cap, but we also need to come up with a new solar program that is more cost effective and works for all of New Jersey. This includes looking at other funding mechanisms and regulations to push for solar programs to get done.”

GLOUCESTER CITY AWARDED $400,000 FROM NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Funds to be used to replace water, sewer lines along Sussex Avenue

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ –

The City of Gloucester was recently awarded $400,000 from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to be used to replace the water and combined sewer lines along Sussex Avenue between Market Street and Cumberland Street, announced Mayor Daniel Spencer today.

“We are appreciative of the DCA’s award and very pleased that our application was so favorably received,” said Spencer.

According to Spencer, r

eplacing the water and sewer lines along Sussex Street is a priority for the City in light of the age and condition of the existing system.

“Much of the infrastructure throughout Gloucester City is over 110 years old,” Spencer stated.

“As a result, it is deteriorating and becoming a financial burden on the City’s budget.”

In the instance of Sussex Street infrastructure, Spencer noted, there are aging water and sewer lines that are also being overused due to the significant increase in residential and commercial growth over the past one hundred years.

Consequently, he said, the existing lines are in need of removal and replacement.

he money for this project comes from the DCA’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program – an extremely competitive funding opportunity that provides grants to develop or improve public facilities and infrastructure that primarily benefit low-income persons and to rehabilitate housing owned and occupied by low- and moderate-income residents.

Typically, DCA approves approximately two dozen applications each year, totaling roughly $6 million.

Gloucester City’s application was written by Triad Associates of Vineland – a community and economic development firm that has secured nearly $1 billion in funding for its clients over the past 41 years.

“The City of Gloucester has long been committed to improving critical public infrastructure for the benefit of our residents,” Spencer concluded.

“This latest award is a continuation of that commitment, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community.”

Burlington County Authorities Arrest 6 After Investigation into Recent Shootings

Nasir Harper

Daymon Thomas

Terrance McKinney

Samir Ellis

Nasir Hickson

Yakim Thomas

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a multi-agency investigation in response to recent shootings in Mount Holly and Willingboro Township has led to six individuals being arrested on weapons and drug charges.

Nasir Harper, 22, of Bordentown City, was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Second Degree), Receiving Stolen Property (Third Degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Third Degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Fourth Degree) and two counts of Possession of High-Capacity Magazines (Fourth Degree), including one that held 30 rounds.

Daymon Thomas, 21, of Bordentown City, and Terrance McKinney, 21, of Pemberton Township, were charged with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Second Degree) and Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm (Second Degree).

The following people were charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Third Degree) and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Fourth Degree): Samir Ellis, 21, of Willingboro; Nasir Hickson, 19, of Willingboro; and Yakim Thomas, 19 of Bordentown City.

Nobody was struck by gunfire during the shootings, which occurred in September near Dellhurst Lane and Beechfern Lane in Willingboro and in December on Garden Street in Mount Holly. None of the defendants has been charged to date in connection with the shootings.

“I would like to commend all of the agencies that participated in this investigation for their diligence and coordination in response to these shooting incidents,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who put the public at risk with such reckless, unlawful conduct.”

The arrests were made between January 7 and January 9. The charges will now be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment. Harper, McKinney and Daymon Thomas were ordered detained by a Superior Court judge and lodged in the Burlington County Jail. Ellis, Hickson and Yakim Thomas were released.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force, the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the New Jersey State Police, the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, the Burlington Township Police Department, the Pemberton Township Police Department and the Willingboro Township Police Department.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Barrington PD Traffic Alert: Clements Bridge Rd at Gloucester Pike Detour

Barrington Police Department advises you to AVOID Location due to an upcoming traffic issue. A road construction project near Clements Bridge RD and Trinity PL. will close Clements Bridge

RD. Southbound at Gloucester Pike and will require a detour of traffic from January 27-29 7:00am to 5:00pm. Southbound vehicles can either take W. Gloucester Pike into Bellmawr and utilize Black Horse Pike, or take E. Gloucester Pike to utilize Atlantic Ave and White Horse Pike.

Address/Location

Barrington Borough, NJ

229 Trenton Ave

Barrington, NJ 08007

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-547-0706

Catholic Charities Partner with Philadelphia 76\’s

A portion of all tickets sold will directly benefit Catholic Charities Appeal beneficiaries providing support to the homeless, special needs students, food cupboards, after school programs, and more.

The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA), the Archdiocese of Philadelphia\’s single most important fundraiser, benefiting hundreds of thousands of people through countless organizations and ministries in the Archdiocese, will partner with the Philadelphia 76ers to host a night of family fun at the Wells Fargo Center.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

8:00 p.m.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Wells Fargo Center

3601 South Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148

Each year, CCA helps to ensure the vitality of countless organizations and ministries throughout the five-county Archdiocese. CCA beneficiaries are grouped into five areas of ministries including Education; Social Services; Evangelization, Parish and Spiritual Life; Clergy; and Local Mission Activities.

Those interested in supporting Catholic Charities Appeal can purchase tickets online through a dedicated link at

https://fevo.me/cca76

. If 150 tickets are sold, Mr. James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), a CCA beneficiary, will be honored on court prior to the start of the game.

NJ Residents Receive Degrees from Wilkes University

WILKES-BARRE, PA (01/21/2020)– Wilkes University awarded 302 bachelor\’s, master\’s and doctoral degrees when it held its winter commencement ceremony on January 19. The event was held in the Arnaud C. Marts Center, 274 South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes interim President Paul S. Adams presided at the event. The commencement address was delivered by Paul Riggs, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University. Kristin Donati, who received her master of business administration degree at the ceremony, was the student speaker. Donati is associate director of graduate enrollment at Wilkes University.

Janine Pietrangelo of Cherry Hill (08003) received the Master of Science degree with a major in Education.

Brittany Chan of West Deptford (08051) received the Master of Science degree with a major in Education.

Salvatore Piccone of Mullica Hill (08062) received the Bachelor of Business Admin. degree with a major in Marketing.

Andrew MacDonald of Bridgeton (08302) received the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting.

About Wilkes University

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation\’s finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 46 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master\’s degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at

www.wilkes.edu