The 2025 Lower Township Police Department Annual Report has been published.
View entire report here.
Lower Township Annual Report
Category: NEWS
How Slot Machines Changed Over the Years
Walk into almost any place where games are offered and you will probably see something familiar. The casino slot machine is one of those objects most people recognize right away, even if they have never used one. Around Gloucester City and the surrounding area, plenty of residents will have seen these machines on trips, day outings, or weekends away. What often gets missed is how much these machines have changed. The story is not about big wins or losses. It is about how a simple idea kept being reworked as times changed and how a piece of everyday entertainment found ways to stay relevant.
Long before screens and apps, slot machines were built as solid, physical objects. They were meant to be touched, heard and watched. The sound of reels spinning and stopping was part of the experience and for many people that sound is still tied to memories of visiting gaming venues or passing through entertainment spots in the region.
Continue reading “How Slot Machines Changed Over the Years”Commissioners, Congressman Norcross Celebrate New Maryville Outpatient Office in Voorhees
The Board of Commissioners attended the ribbon cutting of Maryville Integrated Care’s new outpatient office,  526 S Burnt Mill Road in Voorhees Township.
“Maryville Integrated Care has been an incredible partner in our ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “We are thrilled that this new facility is located in Camden County, ensuring that our residents will have enhanced access to lifesaving treatment.”
The Voorhees office offers Outpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, and Medication-Assisted Treatment for adults and adolescents 11 – 17 seeking flexible, ongoing recovery support.
St. Patrick’s Parade, Today! – Parade is Rain or Shine
Gloucester City is proud to celebrate Irish Month with the 11th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, presented by the NJ Irish Society and the Camden County Board of Commissioners. The parade steps off rain or shine at 1:00 PM from Martin’s Lake (Johnson Blvd. & Francis Street) and continues along Monmouth Street.
This year’s celebration features string bands, bagpipes, Irish dancers, Irish music groups, community organizations, and more. We are also excited to welcome back Bob Kelly of FOX 29 as our celebrity host, bringing his signature energy and parade‑day flair.
Continue reading “St. Patrick’s Parade, Today! – Parade is Rain or Shine”The Gloucester Township Police Recruiting Team Open House- Join GTPD!
Are you interested in becoming a Gloucester Township Police full time Police Office, part time Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO I), part time or full time Telecommunicator (911 Operator/ Radio Dispatcher)?
Our Open House will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 from 3 PM to 5 PM at the Gloucester Township Senior Center, 1261 Chews Landing Road, Laurel Springs, NJ 08021 (next to GTPD Headquarters).
Those attending will have an opportunity to meet Officers and Civilian Staff to help answer questions about these positions within Gloucester Township Police and the hiring process! Gloucester Township Police is committed to improving the quality of life, in partnership with our community, through fair and professional police services.
Continue reading “The Gloucester Township Police Recruiting Team Open House- Join GTPD!”Philly Icon and Nationally Recognized HIV Activist to Retire After 30 Years with GayBINGO!
Philadelphia, PA – Action Wellness today announced the retirement of a Philadelphia and national icon after three decades of extraordinary service to people living with HIV. Following the conclusion of GayBINGO!’s 30th anniversary season, longtime host Michael Byrne will officially retire his legendary drag alter ego, Carlota Ttendant, bringing to a close his role in one of the most successful and beloved fundraisers in the region and nation. Through the larger-than-life presence of Carlota Ttendant, Byrne helped transform GayBINGO! into a cultural phenomenon featured on television, in print, and across national media, raising millions of dollars in support of HIV services while blending sharp wit, camp and community-driven activism. What began as a local fundraiser grew into a nationally recognized event, widely celebrated for its impact, inclusivity, and unmistakable Philly spirit. Byrne will count down to Carlota’s retirement by hosting four of the final five GayBINGO! events of the season on March 14, April 11 and May 9, and culminating in a giant farewell celebration at Rainbow Bombshell GayBINGO! on June 13, 2026. GayBINGO! will continue into the 2026–2027 season, with future plans and information about the next host to be announced later this year.
Continue reading “Philly Icon and Nationally Recognized HIV Activist to Retire After 30 Years with GayBINGO!”Owner of Harriett’s and Ida’s Bookshops to Speak to Lawnside Historical Society
Entrepreneur First Sells Books, Then Becomes An AuthorÂ
Jeannine Cook, founder of Harriett’s, Josephine’s and Ida’s BookShops, will speak to the Lawnside Historical Society Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. about her journey to fulfill her dream to celebrate, sell and write books herself. Her debut novel, “It’s Me They Follow,” a blend of magical realism, romance, connection and self-discovery, was published in 2025.
Join our virtual, literary-focused meeting with the entrepreneur and author who aspires to emulate her inspiration, Harriet Tubman that “wade in waist-high water in the winter” freedom fighter.
Her second book, “Shut Up and Read,” about opening an independent bookstore during the pandemic, will be published on March 10. It can be pre-ordered at this link: https://jeannineacook.com/shut-up-read.
Attendance is free but pre-registration is required. Register at this link: https://www.petermotthouse.org
Proposed Rail Line in Elk County, Pa, Has Community Concerned
By Lauren Jessop |Â The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – A community is fighting to stop a proposed rail line in Elk County that would move trash through Horton Township to a landfill in nearby Fox Township, warning it could harm the quality of life and the local environment.
The project, currently under federal review, has been paused, though, and whether it resumes may hinge on a 1.5-mile stretch of sewer line.
Supporters say it could reduce long-haul truck traffic by shifting waste transport to rail, while opponents argue it would cut through private property and raise concerns about impacts on homes, churches, and waterways.
It would add 3.87 miles of new track along an abandoned rail bed, beginning at the end of an active Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad line – commonly referred to as the “Toby Branch” – near the O-I Crenshaw Glass Plant, and ending at the Greentree Landfill. The landfill is operated by Noble Environmental, the parent company of Lampwrights LLC, which was formed to develop the proposed rail line.
Continue reading “Proposed Rail Line in Elk County, Pa, Has Community Concerned”Rabid Skunk Confirmed in Cherry Hill
The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services has been notified by the New Jersey Department of Health that a skunk found in Cherry Hill has tested positive for rabies.
On February 20, two Cherry Hill residents found a skunk having an altercation with their two dogs in their backyard. The residents were able to trap the skunk safely and took it to a wildlife rescue center. The wildlife rescue center arranged for rabies testing at the state Public Health & Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Trenton. On February 26, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services was notified by PHEL that the animal was rabid. There were two potential human exposures.
The wildlife rescue center and the dog owners were notified. The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services received proof of vaccination for both dogs. The dogs will be under confinement and observation for 4 months. The involved humans were recommended to speak to their physicians about receiving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Continue reading “Rabid Skunk Confirmed in Cherry Hill”Delivering $12M in Community Project Funding to South Jersey
Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to work directly with local leaders to ensure the needs of our congressional district are being met. This year, I was honored to secure nearly $12M in Community Project Funding for South Jersey, including $850,000 for Camden County College.
There’s been a lot of tough news lately, but this funding is a reminder of what can happen when government listens and delivers. From improving flood prevention infrastructure and expanding access to clean water, to supporting new education programs at Rowan University and Camden County College, these investments will make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient. Learn more about the projects being funded here.