Category: SOUTH JERSEY

Human Trafficking, a World Wide Problem

Every day, HSI agents around the globe work to uncover, dismantle and disrupt human trafficking. They come face to face with the worst of humanity – traffickers profiting off the forced labor and commercial sex of their victims using physical and sexual abuse, threats of harm and deportation, false promises, economic and psychological manipulation, and cruelty.

Human trafficking victims have been found in communities nationwide in the agriculture, hospitality, restaurant, domestic work and other industries, as well as in prostitution that is facilitated online, on the street, or in businesses fronting for prostitution such as massage parlors. Overseas forced labor can be used to produce the consumer goods that are in our homes and workplaces. The victims are men, women and children of all ages and may include U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. Many of them may have thought they had found a good paying job or a better life, only to have their hopes and dreams dashed and placed into modern day slavery.

In fiscal year 2019, HSI initiated 1,024 investigations with a nexus to human trafficking and recorded 2,197 arrests,1,113 indictments, and 691 convictions; 428 victims were identified and assisted. HSI continues to make human trafficking cases a top investigative priority by connecting victims to resources to help restore their lives and bringing traffickers to justice.

If you notice suspicious activity in your community, call the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or

report tips online

.

How to Make Your New Jersey Home Sell Faster

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 14, 2020)–If you are thinking of selling your home in New Jersey, there are a number of steps that you can take to ensure that your home appeals to the typical New Jersey buyer, regardless of the estate agent that you choose or the time that you choose to sell your home. By following these interior design tips, you will soon be able to ensure that your home only stays on the market for as little time as possible.

Paint Your Walls

Due to the fact that

more people are looking at leaving New Jersey

than staying within the state, it is important that your home is able to stand out from the crowd of houses on the market and ensure that it grabs the attention of potential home buyers. To allow your home to do this, you need to make sure that you are able to present your house to its maximum potential, and you can do this by sprucing up your home’s walls. Although you might not want to completely revitalize your home before moving out, painting your walls can help to cover any chips, cracks, or stains which can mar the modernity and attractiveness of your home. Then, to prevent your home from looking dated, you should invest in the right

painting tools

to enable you to perfect your home’s new finish yourself without having to call in professional help.

Declutter and Depersonalize

Even if your house has the best of décor and interior design, if your home is cluttered or unclean, this can decrease the viewer’s likelihood to buy your home. Instead, your home should be both clean and tidy so that viewers can see all of the features which your home provides, as well as the potential space offered by your home. Not only this, but there is evidence to suggest that depersonalizing your home is the perfect option to get your home in New Jersey sold quickly, as this will enable viewers to envision their own possessions within your home, helping them to imagine what it would be like for them to live within the property.

Make a Great First Impression

However, the interior of your home is not what makes the first impression on guests to your property. Instead, the front garden will be the first view that potential buyers have of your home, and so it is important to maximize the impact of this first impression. You can do this by creating a lavish and decorative outdoor space, ensuring that weeds are eradicated and that your garden is filled with bright and budding flowers and plants. You can also add to this sight by ensuring that your fences are strong and painted well. You can also have benches and other forms of outdoor equipment in your garden to transform it into a relaxing and peaceful space that can instantly appeal to potential buyers.

Conduct Repairs

With

house prices in New Jersey

reaching over a high $360,000 on average, potential buyers in Jersey City and beyond want to know that they are getting a good property for their money and that they will not have to spend extortionate amounts on repairs within the first six months of their tenure. You should make sure that any issues with your home are fixed efficiently before you have any viewings, and these include issues such as blocked drains, which can lead to nasty smells, leaks in the roof, and poor electrics, for instance.

Add Finishing Touches

With there being a lot of competition in

the best locations to buy houses in NJ

, it is important that you are able to add finishing touches that can wow your viewers and make them want to immediately buy your property. Your finishing touches can be added on the day of the viewing to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and these can include adding simple items such as plants and increasing natural lighting to allow your home to appeal to viewers. You may also consider adding incense burners or candles around your home to give off great smells that can influence the ambiance of the interior of your property and stun viewers into instantly loving your home.

Modernize Your Home

New Jersey is infamous for its

inspired home design trends

, and keeping up with the latest fashions is important if you want to appeal to homeowners in the state. In order to modernize your home, you should consider applying rules and trends such as neutral or feature walls, as well as minimalism to help your home look like an up-to-date and fashionable space that will appeal to all ages.

Summary

There are many reasons why you might need to sell your home fast, such as if you are part of a chain or if you need to take on a job in a new area. Although the New Jersey housing market can be competitive, with a few home improvements, as well as a good estate agent and selling platform, it is easy to sell your home fast and move as soon as possible.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

NJEA: There is no place for hate in NJ

The New Jersey Education Association’s (NJEA) Delegate Assembly stands in solidarity with Jewish Americans and all persons of diverse religious beliefs in light of recent anti-Semitic

violence and murder in Jersey City, New Jersey and Monsey, New York. Sadly, these are not isolated incidents. Reports of violence against individuals and groups based on their religion have been steadily increasing in recent years. As NJEA’s policy-making body consisting of representatives from throughout the state, the Delegate Assembly voted on Jan. 4 to make a formal statement denouncing such acts of violence and to explore ways to raise awareness of these crimes.

NJEA President Marie Blistan, NJEA Vice President Sean M. Spiller and NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty released the following statement:

There is no place in New Jersey for hatred and violence, and no one should fear for their safety because of who they are, what they believe, and where or whether they pray. Since before its founding, the United States has stood as a beacon of religious freedom. America has become a nation to which those persecuted for their beliefs around the world seek refuge.

Residents of New Jersey can be proud to live in one of the most religiously diverse states in the nation, but according to the FBI’s Hate Crimes Statistics Report in 2018, there were 561 violent attacks classified as hate crimes in New Jersey. Of those, 198 were people targeted because of their religion. There is much work to do to make every school and every community free from violence motivated by hatred based upon religion, race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and all manifestations of irrational hatred.

As educators, NJEA members take seriously the responsibility to instill in their students an appreciation for religious diversity and to empower them to stand up against anti-Semitism and other forms of religious bigotry. Below are several resources for educators and parents to assist them in the that mission.

New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education

Resources for the Classroom

https://www.nj.gov/education/holocaust/resources/

Teaching Tolerance

Southern Poverty Law Center – Includes resources to address all forms of religious discrimination.

https://www.splcenter.org/teaching-tolerance

National Education Association

Unite Against Hate!

http://www.nea.org/home/71339.htm

Classroom Close-up NJ

NJEA’s “Classroom Close-up NJ” video library contains dozens of segments on educators teaching about anti-Semitism and Holocaust and Genocide Education.

Home

NJEA Review

“American Muslim Students Need Understanding and Support”

https://www.njea.org/american-muslim-students-need-understanding-support/

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Teaching About Anti-Semitism

https://www.ushmm.org/antisemitism/teaching-about-antisemitism

Anna Green of Gloucester City, NJ

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Anna Green (Gloucester City, New Jersey), who passed away at the age of 78, on January 6, 2020.

She was loved and cherished by many people including : her husband Walter E. Green; her son David E. Green; and her siblings, Julio DiCresenzo (Joan), Mary Weigner, Frances Shone, Emma Malin (Elwood) and JoAnne Piontkowski (Robert). She was also cherished by nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on January 13, 2020. Interment at the New St. Mary\’s Cemetery (515 W Browning Rd, Bellmawr, NJ).

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary\’s Church. 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, new jersey 08030

Millville Woman Arrested for Killing Companion with Nail Clipper

MILLVILLE, NJ–On

January 12, 2020

, at

1:06 am

, officers from the Millville Police Department and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the area of Country Meadows, 2300 South 2

nd

Street, Millville

for a reported stabbing victim. Upon arrival on scene, responding

officers located Axel Torres (of above address – Lot#31, age 35 years old), in front of Lot #31, unresponsive and suffering from a knife wound to his left leg. On scene officers began to render aid at which time emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and transported Torres to the hospital, where he was originally listed in critical condition.

It was learned that the victim and Kathleen Ayala, age 30, of the same address, had gotten into a physical altercation at the residence.  Torres left the above referenced address and Ayala chased after him where an altercation ensued leaving Torres unconscious with several stab wounds, including one to his leg (allegedly having been inflicted by a nail clipper).

Torres was transported back to Lot #31 and authorities were summoned to the scene.

Based on the above information, officers filed a criminal complaint against Katheleen Ayala, charging her with assault and weapon offenses.

On Monday morning, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Cooper Hospital.  Thereafter, Ayala was charged with murder and lodged in the Cumberland County jail on 1/13/20.

*If this press release involves the charging, accusation or indictment of a criminal defendant, same is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

One Essex and One Union County Tickets Split $340,778 Jersey Cash 5 Jackpot

TRENTON (Jan. 13, 2020) – Two lucky tickets matched all five numbers drawn splitting the $340,778 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the Sunday, Jan. 12, drawing. Each ticket is worth $170,389. The winning numbers were: 05, 15, 19, 28 and 35 and the XTRA number was: 02. The retailers will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for each winning ticket sold. Those tickets were sold at the following locations:

  Essex County: Kings Super Market, 778 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills; and

  Union County: Parkway Exxon, 1601 Route 22 West, Union.

Acting Executive Director James Carey announced that there were 351,851 tickets purchased for the drawing. By adding XTRA, for an additional $1.00 per play, winners are able to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by the XTRA number drawn. For correctly matching four of the five numbers drawn, 68 ticketholders won $399 each and 19 others won $798 each with the addition of XTRA. Moreover, for correctly matching three of the five numbers drawn, 2,473 ticketholders won $12 each and 523 others won $24 each with the addition of XTRA. Lastly 5,528 ticketholders each won $2 for correctly matching two of the five numbers drawn with the addition of XTRA on their purchase.

###

View all New Jersey Lottery game winning numbers and drawings for the Pick-3, Pick-4, Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash games on the Lottery website (www.NJLottery.com) or on the official Lottery Facebook Page. Evening draws, with the exception of CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash, can be seen on WPIX-TV (PIX11) in New York and WPHL-TV (PHL17) in Philadelphia. Powerball and Mega Millions drawings can be seen on WABC-TV or WTXF stations.

ANE Adds Two New Hires in 2020 with Sights on New York Expansion

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. (January 14, 2020)

– ANE, Agency Network Exchange LLC, announced the addition of Kevin Grove (right) as Regional Director and Frank Vetrano (left) as Director of Membership.

“The quality of ANE is reflective of the caliber of talent we attract,” added Elizabeth Schenk, ANE’s Chief Executive Officer.  “Both Kevin and Frank bring a wealth of knowledge and a stellar reputation to our growing staff.  They will be instrumental in achieving our aggressive growth plans with our member agencies and carriers as well as expanding our footprint.”

Frank Vetrano brings 43 years of industry experience, previously with the Hanover Group as Regional Vice President for New Jersey and downstate New York.  His career path also included Fireman’s Fund, USF&G, and St Paul.  Vetrano has a keen understanding of the New York insurance environment and is well known and respected by agencies and carriers.  He will lead ANE’s expansion into New York.

Kevin Grove graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS in business management and a minor in economics.  He spent the last 16 years with Travelers as an account executive and most recently, regional director in Pennsylvania.  Kevin will manage the relationships with our current members in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, in addition to expanding the company’s footprint in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

About ANE

Established in 2009, Agency Network Exchange LLC (ANE) is a network of independent insurance agencies.  It provides its member agencies increased opportunities to grow their revenues and profits.  Currently, ANE has over 70 individually owned member agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that place more than $750 million in written premium.  Visit

www.ane-agents.com

for more information.

Robert W. J. Kain, 92, WW II Navy Veteran, KofC Council 674, GCHS Alum

Robert W.J. Kain (Bob/Beans) of Deptford, NJ died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 9, 2020. Age 92. Beloved husband of Ruth (nee Brill). Loving father of Maureen Underwood (Harry) of W. Deptford, Theresa Kain-Henry (Tom) of W. Deptford, Vincent Kain (Beth) of Glassboro, Julie McHenry (Pat) of Gloucester, Ronnie Kain-Beckett (Pat) of Deptford, Edward Kain (Cathy) of Somerdale, Marie Poloney (Adam) of Pitman and the late Robert J. Kain. Robert was blessed with fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Robert was a 1945 graduate of Gloucester Catholic H.S. where he was captain of the basketball team. He was a WWII Navy Veteran and a 1952 graduate and “Golden Hawk” of St. Joseph’s University. He was an Honorary Life member of Gloucester City Knights of Columbus Council #674. Robert worked at Koppens Beer Distributor for 25 years as an accountant and general manager before starting his own business – RJ Kain Fundraising. Robert loved his business and continued working well into his 90’s.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing Wednesday, January 15, 10am to 11:45am at St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth St. Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial 12pm at the church. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gloucester Catholic Alumni Association, 333 Ridgeway Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030.

Arrangements by BOUCHER FUNERAL HOME, Deptford.

www.boucherfuneralhome.com

Support veterans and families who need our assistance

Dear American Legion Family and Friends,

It was a year ago when American Legion members, posts and staff members worked together to collect, process and distribute more than $1 million in

Temporary Financial Assistance

(TFA) grants for Coast Guard families who were ensnarled in the

Bill Oxford, National Commander

federal government shutdown.

Fortunately at this time, we don’t have to step in for the federal government to ensure the brave men and women of the Coast Guard are compensated for keeping our nation safe. But there are other urgent needs that we will address now and throughout 2020 through The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF).

Grants from the foundation not only provide vital support for military and veteran parents in unexpected financial crises, they also support American Legion service officers in their tireless efforts to obtain care and due benefits and opportunities for disabled veterans and families.

These service officers provide free expert assistance to more than 700,000 veterans, widows and families as they navigate the complexities of VA benefits and services they have earned through their service.

Sadly, service officer support and TFA grants often go unnoticed in local communities.

But their importance cannot be overstated.

The Veterans & Children Foundation

improves lives for veterans, servicemembers and their families. It is essential that the foundation remain a resource for our comrades in need in communities throughout the nation.

Whether funds are used to assist Coast Guardsmen who are missing paychecks or a veteran and her spouse who lost their home to a fire or a military family struggling to make ends meet, the Veterans & Children Foundation needs your support.

For the remainder of my term as national commander, I will be focusing on my fundraising goal of $25 million for V&CF. That may sound like a lot of money. Just remember that in 1924-25, Legion members created the original American Legion Endowment Fund by raising $5 million — that’s about $72 million in today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation.

I am confident that with your kind contributions, we will indeed assist veterans, support military families and build a strong foundation for the future.

Rutgers University–Camden Named “Best Bang for the Buck” University

By Mike Sepanic

Rutgers University–Camden

once again has been recognized by

Washington Monthly

magazine as a great value, while also earning high overall rankings among research universities across the nation.

Among schools in the Northeast, Rutgers–Camden is named 24th in the “

Best Bang for the Buck

” category, which recognizes those institutions that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

In

Washington Monthly

’s overall 2019 ranking for national universities, which emphasizes such factors as social mobility, research, and promoting public service, Rutgers–Camden is ranked 57. This is the first year that Rutgers University–Camden appears in this category due to its recent elevation to R2 research university classification by Carnegie.

“Rutgers–Camden is committed to access and affordability,” says Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Phoebe Haddon. “We pride ourselves on providing students with a world-class Rutgers education at an affordable price. Our students are guided in the classroom and outside in internships, research, and civic engagement projects in the supportive, personalized setting which is a hallmark of Rutgers–Camden. We are pleased organizations recognize that Rutgers–Camden is a great value. Being recognized on

Washington Monthly

’s Best Bang for the Buck list affirms our commitment to our students and the wider community we serve.”

Factors that

Washington Monthly

utilizes to formulate its rankings include the percentage of low-income students who receive federal aid, the net price of attendance after financial aid, the number of students involved in the Peace Corps and ROTC, and faculty awards for research.

More than 7,350 students are enrolled at Rutgers University–Camden in undergraduate and graduate programs, led by faculty committed to excellence in research and teaching. Nearly 40 majors, including special programs and an Honors College, comprise the

undergraduate academic experience

. The campus also offers 27

graduate programs

, including three interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs, a doctorate in nursing practice, an MBA, and the only

law school

in southern New Jersey.

In 2016, Rutgers University–Camden received a signature honor when it was named as New Jersey’s first

Purple Heart University

by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in recognition of the university’s commitment to supporting its student-veterans. In 2015, Rutgers University–Camden was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive its

Community Engagement Classification

designation in recognition of Rutgers–Camden’s strength in civically engaged learning and community service.