Category: SOUTH JERSEY

I-76 Eastbound and I-295 Northbound Ramp/Lane Closures Begin Tonight

(Trenton)(February 13, 2020)–

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a series of ramp and lane closures on I-76 eastbound and I-295 northbound as the Direct Connection project advances in Camden and Gloucester counties.

Beginning at 10 p.m., tonight, Thursday, February 13 until 5 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, February 14, NJDOT’s contractor, South State, Inc., is scheduled to close and detour the ramp from I-76 eastbound to I-295 southbound to replace damaged concrete construction barrier.  The following signed detour will be in place overnight:

I-76 eastbound ramp to I-295 southbound detour:

(10 p.m. Thursday, February 13 until 5:00 a.m. Friday, February 14)

Motorists traveling on I-76 eastbound to I-295 southbound will be directed to take Exit 1B (which comes before the closed exit 1A) to Route I-295 northbound

Take Exit 28/Route 168 to I-295 southbound

Beginning at 10 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, February 14, until 5 a.m. Saturday, February 15, all lanes on I-295 northbound are scheduled to be closed and detoured between Exits 26 and 27 to reset construction barrier for daytime work and repair damaged bridge parapets.  The following signed detour will be in place overnight:

I-295 northbound detour:

(10 p.m. Friday, February 14 until 5:00 a.m. Saturday, February 15)

Motorists traveling northbound on I-295 between Exits 26 and 27 will be directed to keep left and take Exit 26 to I-76 westbound

Continue on I-76 westbound and take Exit 2 towards I-676 northbound

Continue on I-676 northbound and take Exit 1 to Collings Avenue

Turn right onto Collings Avenue

Turn left onto the ramp towards I-676 southbound/I -76 eastbound

Continue on I-76 eastbound to Exit 1B towards I-295 northbound

The work is part of the $900 million Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. The Direct Connection project has been divided into four construction contracts, with completion expected in the fall of 2024. NJDOT\’s project website provides

construction activity schedules and updates

.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of traffic pattern changes associated with Direct Connection.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT\’s traffic information website

www.511nj.org

for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter

@NJDOT_info

or on the

NJDOT Facebook page

.

Protecting Your Ability To Drive Safely

It may be the safest, wisest course to get help with your driving before you have to give it up.

(NAPS)—Driving a car means maintaining independence for many older adults. Driving allows you to shop, see friends and family, keep up with medical appointments, and avoid social isolation. But sometimes staying safe behind the wheel as you age can be a challenge.

Age-related physical and mental changes can affect your ability to drive safely. If you’re alert to these changes and manage them carefully, you may be able to continue driving safely for some time.

To keep your skills as sharp as possible, consider following these suggestions from experts at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older people:

Check your eyesight to keep it as sharp as possible by getting a complete annual eye exam once you turn 60. Test yourself to monitor your vision:

•    Do you have problems reading street signs?

•    Are you having difficulty seeing road or pavement markings, curbs, or other vehicles or pedestrians, especially at dawn, dusk, and nighttime?

•    Is glare from oncoming headlights making it hard to see when driving at night?

Assess your physical fitness to drive by asking yourself:

•    Can I comfortably turn my neck to see over my shoulder when I change lanes?

•    Can I easily move my foot from the gas pedal to the brake? Can I easily turn the steering wheel?

•    During the past year, have I fallen one or more times?

•    Do I regularly walk more than a block a day?

•    Can I raise my arms above my shoulders?

Perform a reality check on your attention span and reaction time:

•    Are you overwhelmed by signs, traffic signals, and car and pedestrian traffic, especially at busy intersections?

•    Does it seem harder to merge into traffic on the highway?

•    Do you take any medications that make you sleepy, dizzy, or confused?

•    Do you feel less confident about driving at highway speeds?

•    Do you react slowly to cars entering your roadway, or to cars that have slowed or stopped in front of you?

Pay attention to changes and warnings:

•    Have friends or family members expressed worries about your driving?

•    Have you ever gotten lost on familiar routes or forgotten how to get to familiar destinations?

•    Has a police officer pulled you over to warn you about your driving?

•    Have you been ticketed for your driving, had a near miss, or a crash in the last three years?

•    Has your healthcare provider warned you to restrict or stop driving?

Consider Getting a Professional Driving Assessment

If you’ve experienced driving problems like these or are worried about your ability to be a safe driver, consider getting a professional assessment of your skills.

Occupational therapists trained as driving rehabilitation specialists can evaluate your driving skills and strengths, as well as any physical, visual, and cognitive challenges you may face. They can also evaluate your ability to operate a vehicle safely and, if needed, recommend ways to reduce your risks.

Driving rehabilitation specialists are trained to evaluate older drivers for:

•    Muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion

•    Coordination and reaction time

•    Judgment and decision-making skills

•    Ability to drive with special devices that adapt your vehicle to your needs

The specialist may recommend ways for you to drive more safely after the evaluation. Suggestions may include getting special equipment for your car or helping you sharpen your skills.

Not sure how to find a driving rehabilitation specialist? Talk to your healthcare provider or contact the American Occupational Therapy Association for a directory. You can also visit the AGS’s public education website,

https://www.healthinaging.org/driving-safety

, for more safe driving resources for older adults and caregivers.

Burlington County Winter Coat Drive Ends Friday

The Burlington County Freeholders and the Women’s Advisory Council \’s winter coat drive for the County’s Housing Hub and Hope One mobile unit ends on Friday, February 14.

“I am asking County residents to join our efforts to help assist our neighbors,” said Freeholder Director Hopson. “We want to do our part to provide some assistance to those who are struggling during these cold winter months.”

We are collecting only

new

winter coats. The coats will be distributed at the County’s Housing Hub or Hope One mobile unit to those in need.

Boxes will be stationed at the following locations:

Human Services Building Lobby (Woodlane Road, Westampton) M-F, 9AM-5PM

Administration Building Lobby (49 Rancocas Road, Mt. Holly) M-F, 9AM-5PM

Health Department (Pioneer Drive, Westampton) M-F, 9AM-5PM

The County Store at the Moorestown Mall M-F, 10AM-7PM and Saturdays 10AM-5PM

Burlington County Library Main Branch (Pioneer Drive Westampton) M-F, 9AM-9AM Saturdays 9AM-5PM and Sundays 1PM-5PM

Bordentown Library (18 East Union Street, Bordentown) Mon-Thurs, 10AM-8:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays 10AM-5PM

Cinnaminson Library (1619 Riverton Road, Cinnaminson) Mon-Thurs, 10AM-8:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays 10AM-5PM

Evesham Library (984 Tuckerton Road, Marlton) Mon-Thurs, 10AM-8:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays 10AM-5PM and Sundays 1PM-5PM

Maple Shade Library (200 Stiles Avenue, Maple Shade) M-F, 10AM-8:30PM, and Saturdays 10AM-2PM

Pemberton Library (16 Broadway, Browns Mills) Mon-Thurs, 10AM-8:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays 10AM-5PM and Sundays 1PM-5PM

Pinelands Library (39 Allen Avenue, Medford) Mon-Thurs, 10AM-8:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays 10AM-5PM and Sundays 1PM-5PM

Riverton Library (306 Main Street, Riverton) Mon-Thurs, 10AM-8:30PM, Fridays 10AM-2PM, Saturdays 10AM-5PM and Sundays 1PM-5PM

In December, Burlington County opened an innovative, and first-of-its-kind Housing Hub in the Human Services Facility that serves as a single point of entry for residents who are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis. This new Hub serves as a fusion center to respond to residents’ needs by providing immediate access to services, case management, guidance and our network of community providers.

Burlington County’s Hope One mobile unit offers critical support for persons and families struggling with addiction and related issues with the goal of preventing drug overdoses and deaths and providing linkages for treatment and recovery support services. The unit, which schedules stops all around the county, offers Narcan trainings and free kits, immunizations, and the opportunity to meet with a counselor and coach.

“The Housing Hub and Hope One mobile unit are both doing an incredible job of assisting residents in need,” concluded Freeholder Hopson. “We are thankful to have these resources in Burlington County and want to equip them with the tools they need to keep serving our residents.”

The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness of the special needs and roles of women, provide mentoring opportunities for women, and enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information follow the Council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit:

http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council

Mt. Holly Woman Found Guilty of Murdering Her Wife

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 12, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 31-year-old woman was convicted today in Superior Court of fatally shooting her wife inside their Mount Holly

home during the summer of 2017.

After deliberating over three days, the jury found Laura Bluestein guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter (First Degree) and Tampering with Evidence (Fourth Degree). The Hon. Terrence R. Cook, P.J.Cr., scheduled sentencing for April 23.

The investigation began on August 6, 2017 when Mount Holly police went to the couple’s Mill Street residence after being notified by Bluestein’s father that an incident had occurred inside the home.

Upon arrival, police discovered the body of Felicia Dormans, 29, who had been shot in the face. Dormans, who was Bluestein’s wife, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Jeremy Lackey and Lisa Commentucci. The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit, along with the Mount Holly Police Department. The lead investigator was BCPO Detective Michael Reagan.

In Burlington County, help for victims of domestic abuse and their children is provided free of charge by Providence House. The organization emphasizes that services are offered regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

Providence House can be reached through a 24-hour hotline at 1-877-871-7551 or 609-871-7551, or online at

Providence House Domestic Violence Services

.

Gabrielle Oliva Noto, of Cherry Hill, age 31, Special Education Teacher, Triton HS Alum

Gabrielle Oliva Noto

On February 7, 2020. Age 31. Of Cherry Hill. Predeceased by her daughter, Alaia Carmella Eisenhower. Beloved daughter of Michele Noto (nee Fortune) and the late Joseph J. Noto. Loving fiancée of Adam Eisenhower. Beloved niece of Joyce Fortune and Godchild of Gerardine Benedetto.

Gabrielle was a graduate of Triton High School and received her bachelor’s degree in education. She worked many years a special education teacher.

At the request of her family, her funeral services will be private.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Gabrielle Oliva Noto. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph:856-456-1142

8th ANNUAL GLAMSINO ROYALE: Cannes

Boutique

Rittenhouse

Hotel Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Casino Fundraiser to Benefit Action Wellness

PHILADELPHIA, PA

– Kimpton Hotel Palomar welcomes guests to its eighth annual Glamsino Royale event to benefit Action Wellness

on

Thursday, February 20

from

6 – 9 p.m

.

The event is crucial for Action Wellness to raise funds and continue to spread awareness  and provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses throughout Philadelphia.

This year’s event,

Glamsino Royale: Cannes

, transforms the hotel’s top floors into a glamorous Cannes Film Festival inspired casino scene. Guests should practice their best camera-ready pout and get ready to mix, mingle, and vogue like the best of them! Attendees will sip on chilled libations, enjoy morsels created by the talented Chef Mackenson Horebe of

Square 1682

, and play classic casino games.

Winnings can be swapped for raffle tickets to enter for a chance to win a host of prizes from local retailers, theaters and restaurants, as well as stays at various Kimpton properties in fabulous destinations! The fabulous

Bingo-Verifying Divas

will mingle with the crowd, and DJ Sharyn Stone will be spinning the freshest tunes. Glamsino Royale is an event guests look forward to every year.

Tickets for the event include beer from

Yards Brewing Company

, wine, signature cocktails made with

Faber

spirits, and appetizers.

Tickets

go on sale today,

Wednesday, January 8th

via

https://glamsinoroyale.ticketleap.com/cannes

/

.

For more information, go to

ActionWellness.org

. Get event updates by following along on Twitter

@ActionWellPHL,

@Kimpton

, Instagram

@KimptoninPHL

,

@ActionWellnessPHL

, and

Facebook.com/ActionWellnessPHL

, and share using the hashtag

#GlamsinoRoyale

.

About Action Wellness:

Action Wellness

is one of Philadelphia’s largest AIDS service organizations.  It is committed to helping people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses.  Its services include: medical case management, a range of health screenings including HIV testing, treatment as prevention, prevention education, supportive housing and volunteer services. Action Wellness currently serves over 4,000 clients annually through the efforts of over 400 dedicated volunteers and over 100 professional staff working together to sustain and enhance the quality of life for the diverse community it serves. For more information, visit

actionwellness.org

.

###

Kevin Graham of

Tumbling Dice

with Action Wellness team Kevin Burns and Sarah DeLaurentis at Glamsino Royale 2018.

Guests enjoying casino games at Glamsino Royale 2019.

The Bingo-Verifying Divas mingling with the crowd at Glamsino Royale 2019.

Det. Paul S. Skill President of Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association

Cape May Court House, New Jerse

y (Feb. 11, 2020)— Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announces the swearing in of Chief of County Detectives Paul S. Skill as the President of the Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association.

The ceremony took place on Saturday evening, February 8th, at La Finestra Ristorante in Sea Isle City.

Chief Skill and the other members of the Executive Board of the Chiefs Association were sworn in by U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew.

Chief Robert Regalbuto of the Wildwood Police Department was sworn in as Vice President; Chief Jay Prettyman of the Ocean City Police Department was sworn in as the Treasurer; and Chief Thomas Schutta of the Stone Harbor Police Department was sworn in as the association\’s Secretary.

The Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association includes all of the municipal Police Chiefs within Cape May County along with the County Prosecutor\’s Office, the County Sheriff\’s Department, the County Police Academy, the Station Commander of the Woodbine State Police Barracks, the Troop Commander of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, and Federal partners to include the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Secret Service.

The association meets monthly to coordinate training and law enforcement activities throughout Cape May County.

Chief Skill and the new members of the Executive Board were congratulated by N.J. Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, Freeholder Vice-Director Leonard Desiderio, Administrator Beth Bozzelli, Middle Township

Mayor Timothy Donahue

, and Chief Christopher Leusner, the President of the N.J. State Chief\’s Association, along with other local and State dignitaries and former Chiefs of Police.

Members of the Gloucester County Commission for Women Sworn In

(Deptford, NJ) –Freeholder Jim Jefferson attended the swearing in ceremony of four members of the Gloucester County Commission for Women (CFW) who were confirmed for new terms.

Marguerite Stubbs, Gail Slimm, Lisa Cerny, and Beverly Wellons took the oath to continue serving the CFW, a fact-finding and advisory group who work to suggest and urge identified reforms in regards to treatment of women.

Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, “Thanks to the continued work of individuals like these four women and the Commission for Women as a whole that our county is able to promote reforms in regards to the treatment of women.”

Freeholder Jefferson, who serves as liaison to the commission, said, “The work done by this commissions will always carry a lot of weight and we have so much respect for the members who work tirelessly to help support other women.  This is an appropriate time in our world to highlight the inequity women have faced in every facet of our culture, and change it for the better.”

Pictured: Marguerite Stubbs, Gail Slimm, Freeholder Jim Jefferson, Lisa Cerny, and Beverly Wellons

GCAS’s My Furry Valentine Adoption Event

Fall in love with a new pet

(Clayton, NJ) This Valentine’s Day residents have the opportunity to fall in love with a new furry friend during the Gloucester County Animal Shelter’s (GCAS) My Furry Valentine adoption event taking place on Feb. 14.

Click to enlarge

Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, “Even our animals are looking for their special someone on Valentine’s Day. We have plenty of great animals looking for their forever homes and we’re hoping this event helps connect some residents with animals that just need a little extra love this Valentine’s Day.”

Freeholder Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco, who oversees the GCAS said, “This one-day adoption event features reduced-price and waived fees for dogs and cats. We’re hoping that this reduced cost event can help our animals find great homes and help residents who were on the fence about getting a furry companion use this opportunity to adopt.”

On Friday, Feb. 14 from noon to 4 p.m., dogs and cats five years old and younger will have their adoption fees reduced to $35 while dogs and cats six years and older will have their adoption fees waived.

“On a day made to celebrate loved ones and promote love, we encourage residents to extend that love to the animals in our shelter who have plenty of love to give,” added Freeholder Deputy Director DiMarco.

Residents must have their adoption applications approved by Feb. 14 to participate. Applications can be found at

http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/depts/a/shelter/peradoptapp.asp

and can be completed online or mailed to the GCAS.

The Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton.

For more information call (856) 881-2828.

Food Waste Recycling Pilot in Camden County

(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Cafeterias and kitchens in county buildings will soon begin filling recycling containers instead of dumpsters thanks to a pilot program approved by the Freeholder Board. Proposals are currently being accepted to find a vendor who will collect food waste generated during meal preparation and transport it to local composting and food recycling sites.

Mass production kitchens, like the ones at Camden County College and the Camden County Correctional Facility, produce thousands of pounds of food waste during preparation. However, the skin of potatoes, peels of bananas, and other excess organic materials currently being carted away to the incinerator or landfill along with the rest of Camden County’s trash, can be recycled and reused just like paper and plastics.

The pilot program is one more way the Freeholder Board hopes to lessen the environmental impact of facilities owned and operated by the county.

“We’re looking at thousands of pounds of organic material that has an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective use, and we are currently throwing it away with all of our other trash,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Office of Sustainability. “By reducing the tonnage we’re sending to the incinerator we can save the taxpayer money, while also taking the county one-step further towards environmental sustainability.”

To implement the program, the county is looking for a vendor to supply 55-gallon bins that can store food waste generated in kitchens at county facilities. That vendor will then collect the recyclable material and deliver it to sites where it can be reused as animal feed or recycled via composting or anaerobic digestion.

Composting involves mixing food waste with browns like leaves and dirt to create a nutrient rich soil conditioner. Once the organic material has broken down, the mixture can be combined with soil used to grow plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Alternatively, anaerobic digestion uses microorganisms to break down the food waste, which then releases methane. This methane can be converted into usable gas which generates electricity, heat, or other fuels.

Collected materials for the pilot program are to come solely from kitchen preparation, where the majority of waste is generated. Cooked ingredients and food that has been handled by customers or patrons will continue to be thrown in the trash to avoid contamination.

“The United States generates more than 100 billion pounds of mostly edible food waste each year,” Young said. “If we can find a way to reduce our contribution to that total, while also saving the taxpayer money and reducing the amount of material entering our waste stream, then we are going to pursue it.”

Bids for the program will be opened on Feb. 11. The chosen vendor will be awarded a one-year contract for food waste collection services, with the opportunity to renew the program twice.

The program will be administered by Camden County’s Office of Sustainability, the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey, which also runs several county-wide sustainability programs and initiatives and serves as a central hub for all of the county’s 37 municipalities. The office runs the Hydroponic Greenhouse Program, started in 2016, which grows fruits and vegetables year-round to use in lunches for senior programs and to generate revenue by partnering with local restaurants.