Category: SOUTH JERSEY

Pennsylvania Offers New Funding to Help Philly Students Discover Opportunities in Manufacturing

HARRISBURG, PA (January 15, 2020)–Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) was approved for $110,000 in Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career funding to nearly double the number of teams in Bucks, Montgomery, and

Philadelphia counties participating in the educational competition, ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?’ (WSCM).

“More and more students have a growing interest in manufacturing employment because of innovative and interactive programs like ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?’ said Gov. Wolf. “We are proud to support the creative efforts being made by Pennsylvania teachers, students, and manufacturing companies as they collaborate to illustrate the opportunities available in this industry.”

WSCM matches teams with manufacturing businesses in their communities that invite student filmmakers to highlight products, interview staff, and best showcase what it would be like to work for that employer. The new funding made available by the Wolf Administration will help grow the number of participating teams from 28 to 40 this year.

WSCM was created to help shape the image of manufacturing and career and technical education opportunities for students by highlighting the potential for good-paying, stable jobs in an evolving industry. A focus on career pathways in schools and more STEM education in many Pennsylvania classrooms combined with technological innovations in the industry are shaping the future of manufacturing and preparing the next generation of workers.

The contest creates regional awareness of advanced manufacturing careers, increases both student and parent interest in STEM and technical education opportunities, helps students get an inside look at manufacturing companies in their community, encourages collaboration between industry and educators, and offers a project-based learning experience for students.

The funding will support additional outreach to schools and companies in the Philadelphia area, professional services and consultations, trainings, equipment and supplies, and more. This funding supports Governor Wolf’s commitment to enhancing the growth and competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry by identifying and training a skilled workforce.

“The commonwealth’s support for ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing’ allows us to manage and promote the program for another year to demonstrate to the future workforce the importance of manufacturing in the region,” said DVIRC Executive Vice President Tony Girifalco. “With support from the Montgomery and Bucks County Workforce Investment boards and the Manufacturing Alliance of Bucks and Montgomery counties, we’re pushing hard to increase participation to 40 teams—a nearly 50 percent increase over last year. Companies love it, students love it, and parents and teachers love it, so anything we can do to build more interest in and support for manufacturing and manufacturing careers, we are glad to do.”

Governor Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative

was launched in October 2017, and since then has funded 35 projects and invested more than $9 million through the Training-to-Career program. Training-to-Career grants support projects that result in short-term work-readiness, job placement, or the advancement of manufacturing. The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career program works collaboratively with local manufacturers to identify and teach missing essential skills for entry level applicants seeking manufacturing employment, engage youth or those with barriers to career opportunities in manufacturing, and advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers.

For more information about the Wolf Administration’s commitment to manufacturing, visit the

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) website

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NJBIA Statement on State of the State Address

New Jersey Business & Industry Association President CEO Michele N. Siekerka, Esq. issued the following statement in response to today\’s State of the State address by Gov. Phil Murphy.

\”As we embark on a new decade, we can all support a New Jersey where everyone has the greatest opportunity to succeed.

\”Through the midpoint of his term, Governor Murphy has defined his mission for a \’stronger and fairer\’ economy. Part of the fulfillment of this calling has been a focus on returning New Jersey to its status as the Innovation State, and positive steps to foster workforce development.

\”We commend the governor for these efforts, and we look forward to learning more about Jobs NJ as its mission aligns with our continued workforce development efforts.

\”The major issues that remain for New Jersey, however, are escalating taxes, untenable increases in spending, deepening fiscal deficits and a worsening business climate. For the sake of our affordability and competitiveness, New Jersey needs to reverse course on each of these issues.

\”New taxes of any kind will not address or solve New Jersey\’s structural challenges. We simply cannot tax ourselves out of our pension liability and post-employment benefit obligations. New Jersey desperately needs a commitment to impactful fiscal reforms to ensure a stable future, instead of continued, excessive taxation heaped upon overburdened residents and businesses.

\”Re-authorizing a new tax incentive program is the next big step, and it\’s one Governor Murphy and the Legislature must take together. This urgency cannot be overstated. It should have appropriate oversight and regular reviews of effectiveness. But it also should be a strong, robust program to give New Jersey the competitive boost it sorely lacks right now.

\”Absent a strong economic incentive program, New Jersey cannot level a playing field mined with excessive taxes and costs.\”

VOORHEES MAN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

VOORHEES, NJ–Lafayette Adams, 46, of Voorhees, was charged with one count of Possession of Child Pornography and two counts of Possession of CDS, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Voorhees Police Chief Louis Bordi.

On January 15, 2020, detectives from the High-Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Cherry Hill Office executed a search warrant for Lafayette Adams’s residence on the 200 block of Echelon Road in Voorhees. An onsite preview of digital media devices found in the home resulted in Adams being charged. Numerous digital devices were taken to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office’s HTCU forensic lab to be further analyzed.

Lafayette Adams was transported to the Voorhees Police Department, where he was processed and released pending further court proceedings.

The Voorhees Police Department, Lower Camden County Emergency Response Team and a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Electronic Storage Detection K9 assisted the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office HTCU Detectives and HSI-Cherry Hill in this investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Amish Patel, 31, of Delanco Sentenced for 2018 Willingboro Double Fatal Collision

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Delanco man was sentenced today to 12 ½ years in New Jersey state prison for causing the deaths of a married couple during a collision two years ago in the jug handle at Route 130 and Bridgeboro Road in Willingboro Township.

Amish Patel, 31, must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The sentence was handed down in Superior Court in Mount Holly by the Hon. Philip E. Haines, J.S.C.

Patel pled guilty in November to two counts of Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree) and Driving While Intoxicated for the deaths of Robert Stephens, 52, and his wife Janet, 50, of Burlington Township, on January 13, 2018. He acknowledged in court that he had been drinking and at the time of the accident was traveling at a speed of more than 100 miles per hour.

The investigation revealed that at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Stephens’ minivan was stopped in the jug handle waiting to cross Route 130 onto Bridgeboro Road when Patel, who was traveling northbound on Route 130, lost control of his BMW 440, entered the jug handle and crashed into the minivan.

The force of the impact propelled the minivan over the guardrail and down an embankment, where it submerged into a body of water that is part of Olympia Lakes. Autopsies revealed that both victims had drowned.

“Our thoughts are with the friends and family members of Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, who spoke so beautifully today about what special and selfless people they were,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “This tragedy is made all the worse by the fact that it was entirely avoidable. There is absolutely no justification for anyone who is intoxicated to get behind the wheel.”

Patel was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Josh Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, and Assistant Prosecutors Douglas J. Bligh and Brandon Almeida. The collision was investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Willingboro Township Police Department. Assistance was provided at the scene by the Delran Township Police Department, Edgewater Park Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police. The lead investigators were BCPO Detective Michael Reagan and Willingboro Township Police Detective Ed Walker.

CNB Hunting/Fishing News NJ: Species on the Edge 2.0 Social Media Contest

CWF invites high school students from across the state to submit a series of original social media posts showing why it is important to protect wildlife in New Jersey.

Register by February 28, 2020. Contest runs March 1-8, 2020.

The fun and educational

Species on the Edge 2.0 Social Media Contest

capitalizes on high school students\’ expertise with social media platforms and provides them with the opportunity to showcase their talent, creativity, and love of nature.

Students will create their own original content (for example: video, text, photograph, computer graphic) or use existing Conserve Wildlife Foundation content to create a series of posts focusing on a vulnerable New Jersey species that CWF helps protect.

The contest helps to develop students’ experience in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and apply critical thinking and project management skills.

Best of all, it’s

free

– and gives students the chance to win prizes! All entries will be eligible to win a day in the field with a wildlife biologist.

1

st

place wins $1,000

2

nd

place wins $500

3

rd

place wins $250

Read the contest kit

for details on entering, judging and rules.

Apply online

, or use the form in the kit, by February 28, 2020.

Species on the Edge 2.0 Contest Kit 2020

–

271.8KB

Species on the Edge 2.0 Contest Kit 2020

In order to participate, the completed

entry form

must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2020.

Social media posts must run between March 1, 2020 and March 8, 2020 at midnight.

For more information

email

Ethan Gilardi.

Big second quarter helps MSU sink Rutgers-Camden women

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (Jan. 15, 2020) – The Montclair State University women’s basketball team outscored Rutgers University-Camden by 20 points in the second quarter and went on to defeat the Scarlet Raptors, 88-53, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Wednesday night.

The Red Hawks, who improved to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the NJAC with their sixth straight win, held a narrow 15-11 lead after one quarter before going on a 26-6 run in the second quarter. They had a nine-point run in the first quarter on a trio of three-pointers by junior guard Taylor Brown to take the lead for good at 15-9.

In the second quarter, Montclair State had an early seven-point run before closing out the half by scoring the last 12 points. They held a 41-17 lead at the break.

The loss snapped the Scarlet Raptors’ four-game winning streak and dropped Rutgers-Camden to 9-6 overall and 2-6 in the NJAC.

Montclair State now leads the all-time series, 45-17, after Rutgers-Camden won the two head-to-head games last season.

Freshman guard Nickie Carter paced the Red Hawks with 22 points, shooting 9-for-15 from the floor, including three treys. Brown, who was 4-for-8 from three-point range, finished with 12 points and a game-high six assists, while freshman forward Saniya Myers added 11.

The Red Hawks, who shot a red-hot 15-for-29 (51.7 percent) from three-point range, placed 13 players in the scoring column. Junior forward Kayla Bush had a game-high 12 rebounds to help Montclair State hold a 48-27 advantage off the boards. Bush added nine points as she barely missed a double-double.

Senior guard

Fatimah Williams

collected a game-high 15 points for the Scarlet Raptors, two days after joining the 1,000-point club against the University of Valley Forge. Williams raised her career total to 1,021 points.

Freshman guard/forward

Jalissa Pitts

finished with 12 points for the Raptors, while sophomore guard/forward

Tamara Johnson

added 11 points and seven rebounds. Freshman forward/center

Kayla Newton

paced the Raptors with 10 rebounds, tying her career high accomplished three previous times this season.

Rutgers-Camden shot 20-for-61 (32.8) from the floor, including 3-for-14 (21.4) from three-point range. Montclair State was 33-for-64 (51.6) from the floor.

The Scarlet Raptors return to NJAC action Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at New Jersey City University.

Azemi powers Raptor men to first win at MSU since 2004

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (Jan. 15, 2020) – Junior guard

Arian Azemi

scored a career-high 35 points and senior forward

Isaac Destin

notched his sixth double-double of the season to power the

Rutgers University-Camden men’s basketball team over Montclair State University, 89-77, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Wednesday night.

Rutgers-Camden snapped a four-game losing streak, raising its record to 5-9 overall and 2-6 in the NJAC, while Montclair State fell to 8-7 overall and 6-2 in conference play.

It was only the Raptors’ second win in their last 14 games against Montclair State, with the last coming in Camden by a 72-71 score on Jan. 10, 2018. It was Rutgers-Camden’s first win

at

Montclair State since Jan. 28, 2004, a 77-70 victory.

Montclair State leads the all-time series, 55-11.

Led by the all-around play of Azemi, the Scarlet Raptors built a 44-36 halftime lead. Azemi notched 19 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals in the opening half, while Destin added 10 points and six rebounds in the first 20 minutes. A layup by Destin early in the half gave the Scarlet Raptors the lead for good at 4-3.

Montclair State cut the deficit to a single basket on a pair of occasions in the second half. With 15:37 remaining, the Red Hawks made it a 51-49 game, but junior forward

Ian McCarthy

answered with a clutch three-pointer for the Scarlet Raptors.

With 13:45 remaining, it was a 56-53 game before a jumper by Destin sparked the Raptors on a six-point run. The Red Hawks never came closer than six points the rest of the way.

Azemi’s 35 points were the most at Rutgers-Camden since Vincent Anfield Jr. scored 39 against Stockton University on Jan. 31, 2018. The first-year Raptor, who played two seasons at California’s San Bernardino Valley College, beat his previous Rutgers-Camden scoring high of 29 points, set against Rowan University on Nov. 26. He also added his Raptor career high of nine steals, while dishing off six assists and grabbing eight rebounds. His points, assists and steals were all game highs.

Destin, meanwhile collected 23 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. His scoring output lifted his career total to 1,064, passing the total of 1,053 points shared by Phil Larsen (1953-57) and Keith Harris (1963-67) on the all-time program list. Destin moved into 12th place in program history, with his next target being the 1,141 points recorded by James Washington (1995-98).

Sophomore guard

Keysean Simmonds

added 10 points and four assists for the Scarlet Raptors, while McCarthy canned nine points.

Senior guard Akbar Hoffman scored 31 points for the Red Hawks.

Rutgers-Camden shot 34-for-56 from the floor (60.7 percent), including a 14-for-24 performance by Azemi. The Red Hawks were 30-for-65 (46.2) and held a slim 34-32 edge off the boards.

Rutgers-Camden plays another NJAC game Saturday when it travels to New Jersey City University for a 3 p.m. contest.

ALEX KARRAS FINALLY VOTED INTO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

By Raymond Rolak

Sports Editor

NEW YORK–

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio announced that Lions Defensive Tackle Alex Karras was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 15-person Centennial Slate for the Class of 2020.

Alex Karras hosting Saturday Night Live in 1985 with guests Billy Crystal and Tina Turner.

This special added class into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was expanded to celebrate the National Football League Centennial.

Karras was known as the dominant defensive tackle of his time who utilized a variety of innovative moves and stunts to elude his blocking opponents.

Karras played for Detroit from 1958-70 and was named first-team All-Pro three times, earned four Pro Bowl berths and was a member of the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team.

He was selected by the Lions in the first round (10th overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa.

Mrs. Martha Firestone Ford, the Lions owner and chairman said, “We would like to congratulate the entire Karras family on the selection of Alex into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While we were thrilled to induct Alex into our most recent Pride of the Lions Class in 2018, today’s announcement solidifies his place as not only one of the all-time great Lions players, but also one of the best to ever play in the NFL.

We also would like to congratulate all of Alex’s fellow Centennial Slate Hall of Fame inductees.”

He also was a member of what many consider to be the NFL’s original “Fearsome Foursome” – Karras, Roger Brown, Darris McCord and Sam Williams.

These four defensive linemen dominated the NFL in the early 1960’s.

In 2018, along with Herman Moore and Roger Brown, the Lions inducted Karras into the ‘Pride of the Lions’, the highest honor bestowed upon former Detroit Lions players.

He was previously snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame because of his NFL suspension in 1963.

Karras\’s partial ownership in Detroit\’s Lindell A.C. Bar became a source of controversy.

League officials urged him to sell his financial interests in the place because of reports of gambling and organized crime influence.

After first threatening to retire rather than give the bar up, Karras admitted placing bets on NFL games and was suspended by the league, along with Green Bay Packers\’ running back Paul Hornung.

The suspensions were harsh.

Both received banishment for one season.

During his exile, Karras had a celebrated pro wrestling match, taking on the memorable character, Dick-the-Bruiser, in front of a standing-room-only event at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit.

Karras\’ story telling skills and unique sense of humor came to the attention of writer George Plimpton.

Plimpton had heard many funny Karras stories while training with the Lions for his book

Paper Lion

.

When the book was made into a full featured movie in 1968, Karras made his film debut, playing himself.

The film premiered in Detroit on October 2, 1968 and starred Alan Alda.

That was the start of a new career for Karras.

In 1972, Karras hosted a local weekly football program for Windsor, Ontario CBC affiliate CKLW-TV,

The Alex Karras Football Show

; his program generally preceded the CBC\’s Wednesday night CFL telecasts.

A very memorable role came shortly after.

In the western parody and comedy,

Blazing Saddles

(1974), Karras played Mongo, a very strong and slow-witted thug.

Mongo rode into town on a huge Brahman Bull and knocked out a horse with one punch.

His famous line came next.

He responded to a question from the Sheriff with, \”Don\’t know …… Mongo only pawn in game of life.\”

The scene made pop-culture history.

Alex Karras was born on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana.

Besides football, he excelled as an actor, sports broadcaster, author and producer.

Other hit credits also included

Porky\’s

(1981) and

Victor Victoria

(1982).

In the 1980s, Karras had huge success with the TV sitcom

Webster

, playing George Papadapolis.

It was the story of an inter-racial adoptive father and son.

It was a role that showcased his softer side.

Karras had a contentious relationship with his college coach, Forest Evashevski.

On Evy’s 90th birthday, Karras called his old coach and apologized for being such a ‘Malakas‘ (Greek for jerk), at Iowa.

Karras was very proud of his Greek heritage.

Karras was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

He was married to the actress Susan Clark.

His first wife was Ivalyn Joan Jurgensen.

He had six children.

He died on October 10, 2012 of chronic kidney failure in Los Angeles, California.

Freeholder Young Attends Groundbreaking for New Collingswood Public Safety Facility

Freeholder Jonathan Young will join Collingswood officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Borough’s new Public Safety facility. The building will house both Collingswood’s Police and Fire Departments at

434 Haddon Avenue

.

“This is a critical project for the Borough and we’re excited to see the public servants in the Police and Fire Departments get the upgrades they need,” Young said. “The Freeholder Board is always focused on supporting projects that will improve the public safety of communities and residents.”

The new $10.7 million, 30,000 square foot building is designed to reduce operation and maintenance costs for both police and fire, improve response times, provide better communication and efficiency for both departments, provide increased community visibility and improved accessibility for residents. It will also be home to Collingswood’s Office of Emergency Management with upgraded technology and communication equipment. Expected completion is early 2021.

Five Ways To Take Your Manufacturing Business To The Next Level

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 16, 2020)–There comes a time where every manufacturing business will be ready to reach the next level. Once you have found some stability and initial success, it is important to keep this positive momentum going so that you can continue to grow, develop and evolve.

It is easy for the competition to catch up when you stand still for too long in the business world, so an intelligent owner will always be aware of a few growth strategies that can be used to take the manufacturing company forward.

Here are a few effective strategies to consider if you are looking to reach new heights with your business.

1. Embrace New Technology

Technology has developed at a rapid rate in the last decade, and the manufacturing industry is one which has benefited greatly from this. This includes automation which can speed up the process, reduce errors and costs, while AI is a technology that is now also

being used heavily in this industry

.

2. Upgrade Equipment

Similarly, you are likely to find that there is new and better manufacturing equipment which could streamline the entire manufacturing process and make work much easier for staff. This might include finding high-quality

conveyors for sale

which can speed up the process, reduce errors and allow for a more efficient daily operation.

3. Add To Your Product Range

One of the smartest ways to take your manufacturing business to the next level is to add to your product range. This will help you to retain your existing customers as well as attract new ones, plus, it is also helpful for developing brand reputation and awareness.

The products that you add should keep your target customer in mind, and be complementary to your current range.

4. Hire The Right People

When first starting out, the recruitment process can often be rushed, but it will be hard to succeed if you do not have the right people in place. This is why you need to be intelligent with recruitment and take the time to find people that are skilled, experienced, and passionate about their work.

You then need to create a

positive working environment

and support staff so that you can retain your top performers and encourage people to work to the best of their ability each day.

5. Research The Competition

A smart business owner will always

keep a close eye on the competition

, so that they can learn from them and make informed business decisions. You should consider what your competitors are doing well, what mistakes they have made, and if there are any gaps in the market that you could fill. You must be careful not to copy intellectual property when learning from your competitors, but you should find that there will be something to learn from them.

If you want to take your manufacturing business to the next level, then these are the best strategies to do so.

Combining a few of these could have a huge impact on your success and help you to achieve your goals.