Category: SOUTH JERSEY

Voice Recognition Technology: Why Alexa Succeeds

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 15, 2020)–I

t would be understandable to think that voice recognition does not have too much of a place in the realm of modern technology. While it would be nice to have, it is understandable to think that it might be more of a nuisance than anything. When compared to something such as touch technology, voice recognition might be seen as more of a luxury than a necessity. However, Alexa has continued to prove that voice recognition has a place in today’s world and has so far exceeded expectations.

With the help of

Alexa skill development

and a bit of creativity, Alexa has become known as the premier voice assistant – and for a good reason! One of the technological standards that helps Alexa in its rise to stardom is the modern app, as the tech behind

Amazon Alexa skill development

allows it to fully integrate and be used in ways that continue to surprise.

A boon in marketing and more

One of the most successful uses of Alexa involves skill development in stain removal, with the help of Tide. Not only will Alexa help you in ridding yourself of hundreds of different varieties of stains, but it will also suggest the best types of products to help you achieve your goals. Since we have all had to deal with stains at one point or another, it is a convenient way of utilising Alexa, and it simultaneously markets Tide products to create the perfect storm of marketing.

As if that was not enough,

Alexa for business

is something that is still seen as relatively untapped. There are still plenty of potential ways to utilise Alexa for business, such as the use of business software between departments.

A joy to have at home

Aside from Alexa’s uses in business, its primary function is to be used in the household. It can integrate with other apps to aid you in providing as much convenience as possible. Are you looking to stream your favourite shows or videos? What about gaming? Alexa has your back!

What is surprising about Alexa in the household is it can be utilised in many creative ways. For example, it is entirely possible for an Alexa skill to be used in controlling the lighting or the temperature in your home. You can transform your humble abode into the house of tomorrow!

A world of untapped potential

The best part is that when it comes to what Alexa can do, it is still relatively untapped. The limits to Alexa’s uses in today’s world are only limited by the imagination of those who utilise its skills and features. While voice recognition might not necessarily be seen as necessary when compared to touch technology or apps, Alexa’s potential could very well hold the future.

Without a doubt, Alexa succeeds because she is making use of convenience instead of a gimmick. Instead of burdening us with more to do, she offers a more natural way to get the job done!

Image:

https://pixabay.com/photos/pokemon-pokemon-go-phone-game-1553989/

Anthony Michael Lombardo, Jr. of Blackwood, formerly of Audubon

Surrounded by his family, on January 12, 2020, at age 72. Of Blackwood. Beloved father of

Michael A. Lombardo and his wife, Lori. Cherished grandfather of Logan and Luke Lombardo. Beloved brother of Lena P. Butler, Pasquale Lombardo (Brenda) and Martin Lombardo (Rita). Loving companion of Patricia Dougherty. Cherished son of the late Anthony, Sr. and Matilda Lombardo (nee Mullër). Beloved nephew of Elsi (nee Mullër) or Mineral Point, MO.

Anthony was raised in Audubon, NJ and attended Camden County Vocational School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Anthony retired following 30 years of service from USPS in Bellmawr, NJ. He was an avid skier and proud member of the Fall Line and South Jersey Ski Clubs. Anthony could often be found riding his bike down the shore and living the beach life in Avalon.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday, January 18

th

from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City, where his funeral service will be held at 3:30 PM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, 127 26th St, Avalon, NJ 08202, in honor of Tony\’s love of the beach, and the memories and friendships he made in Avalon. Please memo, Anthony Michael Lombardo, Jr.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Anthony Michael Lombardo, Jr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph:856-456-1142

Raymond \’Mack\’ McNamara, of Woodbury, age 93

On January 7, 2020. Age 93. Of Woodbury. Loving and devoted husband of 59 years to the late Elaine McNamara (nee Conaty). Loving father of Raymond McNamara, Jr., Cathy Cesario and the late Timothy McNamara. Cherished grandfather of Devin McNamara, Alessandro Cesario, Marcello Cesario and the late Shane McNamara. Cherished great-grandfather of Shane McNamara, Jr. Beloved brother of Matthew McNamara, James McNamara and Eleanor Desposito.

Mack was born in Manhattan, NY on September 21, 1926 to the late Matthew and Mary McNamara (nee Keenan). He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, having received the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Victory Medal and Meritorious Mast. Mack retired as a supervisor for the Department of Sanitation for New York City.

Funeral services will be private.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Raymond F. McNamara, Sr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:  McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ.  Ph: 856-456-1142.

Route 47 Traffic Shift Required at 47 Bridge Over I-295 on Thursday

I-295 southbound Exit 25B to remain closed for another month

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced daytime lane

closures with alternating traffic on Route 47 as the Bridge over I-295 replacement project nears completion in Deptford, Gloucester County.

Beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, January 16, NJDOT’s contractor, South State, is scheduled to close one lane on the Route 47 Bridge over I-295 and set up alternating traffic to facilitate a traffic shift.  In addition, the ramp from I-295 southbound to Route 47 southbound will be closed temporarily while alternating traffic is in effect.  The following signed detour will be in place until approximately 3 p.m.:

I-295 southbound Exit 25A to Route 47 southbound detour:

(Thursday, January 16 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Motorists on I-295 southbound wishing to take Exit 25A to Route 47 southbound will be directed to take Exit

24B/CR 551 (Westville/Woodbury Heights)

Bear left onto CR 551 South/Woodbury Heights

Continue on CR 551 South which becomes North Evergreen Avenue

Turn left onto CR 642/Red Bank Avenue, which becomes Tacoma Avenue to Route 47

By 3 p.m., traffic on the bridge will be shifted into the final configuration, with one lane open in each direction.  The I-295 southbound Exit 25A ramp to Route 47 southbound will reopen.

The I-295 southbound Exit 25B ramp to Route 47 northbound will remain closed to allow for overhead sign installation.

The following detour will remain in place for approximately one month:

I-295 southbound Exit 25B to Route 47 northbound detour:

(Will remain in place for approximately one month)

Motorists on I-295 southbound wishing to take Exit 25B to Route 47 northbound will be directed to take Exit 24B to CR 551/Broadway (Westville/Woodbury Heights)

Keep right at the fork onto CR 551 north/Broadway toward Westville

Continue on CR 551 north which becomes Broadway

Turn left onto Route 47 northbound

The $7.7 million federally-funded project will replaced the existing concrete bridge deck, parapets and superstructure, which were in poor condition.  It also increased the vertical clearance of the bridge up from 14 feet 4 inches, to meet current standards of 16 feet 6 inches.

Portable variable message signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. 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 and updates follow us on the

NJDOT Facebook page

or on Twitter

@NJDOT_info

.

Overdose Prevention Act Provides Instructions on How to Administer Naloxone

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS AT RISK FOR A HEROIN/ OPIOID OVERDOSE?

CAMDEN CITY, NJ–The Overdose Prevention Act provides an opportunity for those in a position to help and assist someone during an overdose by administering Naloxone. The law eliminates civil and criminal liability

to anyone who administers Naloxone.

Free trainings and education on how to administer Naloxone to reverse a heroin/opioid overdose will be provided in Camden County. Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a free Naloxone kit.

All trainings will be provided by credentialed substance abuse counselors. The trainings are open to the public however, space may be limited. Pre-registration is required.

TRAININGS INCLUDE

Addiction education and treatment options

Overdose prevention techniques

Signs and symptoms of overdose

Steps to take when an overdose occurs

Rescue breathing

How to administer naloxone, self-help, family support, and other important resource information

TRAINING DATES

Trainings are held on the last Tuesday of each month starting January through November, 2020. 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Camden County Library – Ferry Avenue Branch

852 Ferry Avenue

Camden, NJ 08104

REGISTER TODAY

Registration is required

To register, contact Patty DiRenzo at

(856) 374-6137

or email Patty.Direnzo@CamdenCounty.Com

Camden County Freedom Medal 2020 Nominees

CAMDEN CITY, NJ–Camden County residents will be honored for the unselfish contributions to improving their community at the 2020 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony

on

January 22nd

.

The award, created by the Freeholder Board in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate the ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Every year since 2001, the Camden County Freedom Medal has been presented to honor extraordinary Camden County citizens who have generously contributed their time and effort to better their community while espousing the ideals indicative of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “These exemplary citizens have demonstrated significant contributions in the area of community service. They serve as a model to us all.”

The ceremony will take place at the Collingswood Ballroom, located at 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ. The reception will

start at

5:30 PM

and dinner will be served

at

6 PM

with the award ceremony immediately following. Tickets are available for $40 each. Please RSVP your attendance by clicking here or by calling or emailing Scott Petrozza at

(856) 216-8217

or

Scott.Petrozza@camdencounty.com

.

2020 Freedom Medal Nominees:

Vedra Della Chandler

Leona Davis

Chief Harry Earle

Marc Goldstein

Bishop Anthony J. Harley

Abe Karetny

Mary Anne McFarland

Michael Mignogna

Ian Dublin Mosley

Raheel Nayyer

Orlando Pettigrew

Rubab Sameer Sarfraz

Dominic Vesper

Dr. Jubril Oyeyemi & The Cherry Hill Free Clinic Team, MLK Congressional Medal

Click here

to read bios for each nominee.

GTPD Community Bulletin: Emergency Needs Preparedness Registry

Many people may need extra help during a time of emergency including people who:

• Use life support systems such as oxygen, respirator, ventilator, dialysis, pacemaker, or are insulin dependent;

• Have mobility disabilities and use a wheelchair, scooter, walker, cane, or other mobility device;

• Are visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing, or deaf;

• Have speech, cognitive, developmental or mental health disabilities; or

• Use assistive animals or prosthesis.

The Gloucester Township Police Department (GTPD) has created a voluntary Gloucester Township Emergency Preparedness Registry that will let police, fire and other first responders in our community better prepare for, and respond to your needs during a hurricane, storm or other major emergency.

The information submitted to the Gloucester Township Emergency Needs Preparedness Registry can be shared with local first responders and emergency management officials. Your information is held confidentially and will only be accessed to assist in your safety and well-being in the time of an emergency affecting your area of Gloucester Township.

For additional information on this program you may contact the Community Relations Bureau at communityrelations@gtpolice.com or call Police Services at 856-228-4011. #GTPD

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

Two Neptune Township Teenagers Plead Guilty in Newborn Killing

FREEHOLD – Two teens have pleaded guilty in connection with a March 2019 infanticide in Neptune Township, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Jada M. McClain, 18, of Neptune Township, pleaded guilty to first degree Aggravated Manslaughter. Quaimere Mohammed, 19, also of Neptune Township, pleaded guilty to second degree Disturbing or Desecrating Human Remains in connection with the death of a newborn baby.Under the terms of the plea agreement, Ms. McClain faces a sentence of 10 years in Prison on the Aggravated Manslaughter subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” (NERA) requiring her to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. Mr. Mohammed faces a sentence of 5 years in State Prison on the Disturbing or Desecrating Human Remains offense.

On April 4, 2019, the Asbury Park Police Department received a report that Jada McClain, a student at Neptune Township Regional High School, had recently given birth, and that the newborn was deceased. The investigation was referred to the Neptune Township Police Department who, together with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, launched an investigation into the matter.

The joint investigation revealed that McClain had become pregnant by her boyfriend, Quaimere Mohammed, a student at Asbury Park High School, sometime in July 2018.  McClain explained to investigators that she hid the fact that she was pregnant from her parents and that she gave birth to a boy in the early morning hours of March 29, 2019, in her home. After giving birth to the child, McClain pressed her hands on the boy’s chest until he stopped breathing.  McClain contacted Mohammed, and later that morning, the two disposed of the child’s body in a dumpster on Monroe Avenue in Asbury Park.  Investigators later recovered surveillance video which captured Mohammed disposing of the child’s body near the Washington Village apartment complex.

Investigators learned that the contents of the dumpster, including the newborn’s remains, were transported to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center in Tinton Falls, where they were compacted and buried.  The infant’s body was never recovered.

McClain and Mohammed are scheduled to appear in Superior Court for sentencing for their crimes before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman on March 20. McClain remains incarcerated in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, where she has been detained since her arrest.

“This case is a horrible tragedy. An infant is dead and two young people are going to prison.  None of this should have happened. Young persons who are not yet ready for parenthood need to understand that there are safe, legal and completely confidential ways to give up custody of a newborn,” said Gramiccioni.

On August 7, 2000, the New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act became law. The law allows a parent who is unable or unwilling to care for an infant to give up custody of a baby who is less than 30 days old, safely, legally and anonymously.  All that is required is that the baby be brought to a hospital emergency room or police station in New Jersey.  As long as the child shows no signs of intentional abuse, no names or other information is required from the person delivering the baby.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Joseph Competello and Stephanie Dugan.  McClain is represented by Thomas Catley Esq. of Ocean Grove.  Mohammed is represented by Stephen Nelson Esq., of Neptune Township.

6 Top Environmental Issues You Need to Worry About in 2020

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 15, 2020)–Most people are aware that the environment is changing; after all, it’s almost impossible to avoid all the new stories about climate change and how the ice caps are melting, and huge hurricanes are on the way. But how many people

really

understand what is happening to the natural world around them and the impact it will have on their future, not to mention their children’s future? Probably not that many.

That being said, the environmental issues that our world faces today are not going to suddenly disappear overnight. So, steps must be taken to try to tackle these problems head-on; unless people want the world that they know and love to be irrevocably changed forever. We can start by taking a look at the top six environmental issues that should be on everyone’s radar going into 2020.

The Expansion of Urban Areas

The world’s population is expanding at unfounded rates; people are living longer due to impressive developments in medical science, and the number of babies being born is not decreasing any time soon. This means that more housing is needed, which has led to contractors building more and more new developments, mainly by expanding urban areas.

What effect does this have on the environment? By covering the natural landscapes to concrete and bricks, contractors are interrupting the ground’s natural water cycle by stopping water from being absorbed into the ground, leading to

flooding

. Not to mention the fact that an increase in the number of homes being built leads to an increase in gas emissions, resulting in more air pollution.

An Increase in Waste

There are currently 2,000

active landfills

in the U.S., with the average person throwing out 4.4 pounds of trash a day. However, America is in danger of running out of space in their landfills in the next 15-20 years, and then where will the trash go?

Reducing the amount of waste that households throw away is vital, with every person needing to actively try to recycle or compost their waste whenever possible. With more people throwing out nearly twice as much waste compared to a few years ago – most of which is recyclable – the excessive landfills are posing a big risk to our climate.

Endangered Species

Did you know that one out of every 10 plant and animal species will be extinct by 2050? As our ecosystems continue to diminish, the list of endangered species will only continue to get longer; because where are these animals going to live if their habitats become lost? Who can forget the shocking and haunting image of a polar bear balancing on a small piece of ice in the middle of the ocean? We must work to avoid situations like this by supporting conservation efforts.

When we look at success stories of conservation efforts, such as the work being done by

Eric Mogensen

, CEO of Gulf Breeze Zoo, it becomes apparent that we need to do more to protect endangered species. Anyone can donate or volunteer for a conservation group to support this cause.

Climate Change

Whether you want to admit it or not, climate change is real, and it is happening right now, with a majority of experts stating that both natural and man-made greenhouse gasses are to blame. Greenhouse gasses impact so many elements of our planet, from wildlife habitats to the ocean to natural disasters such as hurricanes and tsunamis. So, how can climate change be reduced?

There are, in fact, several actions that can be taken to reduce the threat of climate change. These include:

·

Building more sustainably

·

Using

renewable energy sources

·

Reducing waste

·

Reducing pollution

Deforestation

Around 15% of greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation, which might not seem like a huge amount but is still significant. And, as more rainforests are cut down for wood, this number is only set to increase.

Furthermore, what about all the animals and plants that live and thrive in the forests? What will happen to them when their homes are chopped down? It’s a vicious cycle where ecosystems are destroyed, species become endangered, and climate change continues to worsen.

Trees are needed to produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, so what will happen when all the forests have been cut down? Rather than waiting to see the negative effects this will have on our planet, we can stop cutting down trees, or at the very least, ensure that every time a tree is cut down, another one is planted in its place.

A Lack of Water

Running water is so simple in today’s developed world that you probably never thought about what would happen if there wasn’t any. However, there is currently a big problem with water scarcity across the globe, with an estimated 780 million people not having access to clean water, and it is most definitely not just a problem for underdeveloped countries.

Water can often become

contaminated

with diseases, toxins, or chemicals, making it unsafe to drink. Luckily, everyone can help with the issue of water shortage by simply being more mindful of the water that they use on a daily basis; for example, have a quick shower instead of a bath and don’t continuously run the tap when doing the washing up.

Saving the environment is not the job of some big corporation, nor is it down to just one man; everyone needs to do their part and start taking active steps in order to make a difference. Starting now.

Michael A. Gleeson of Gloucester City, NJ

Michael A. Gleeson of Gloucester City, New Jersey passed away on January 4, 2020.

He was predeceased by : his parents, Mary Jane (Nee Lannon) and Chester Gleeson; his brothers, Jason Gleeson and David Armstrong; and his grandparents, Charles Gleeson and Bertha. He is survived by : his step-father David Armstrong; his grandparents, Betty Gleeson and Raymond Lannon; his significant other Amy; and and also Ally Marie Slover. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, friends.

Funeral services were under the direction of the McGuinness Funeral Home (34 Hunter St, Woodbury, NJ). A mass of christian burial was held on Monday, January 13 at the Holy Angels Parish 64 Cooper St, Woodbury, NJ.