NJ SIERRA CLUB: Philly Refinery Led Nation in Benzene Pollution

TRENTON NJ (February 7, 2020)–The Environmental Integrity Project released a report today which monitored benzene levels at 100 refinery fence lines across the nation. As of the third quarter of 2019 (which ended on September 30, 2019), fence line benzene levels at 10 refineries exceeded the EPA “action level”. Facilities like the

Philadelphia Energy Solutions in Pennsylvania had the highest benzene levels where net concentrations were 49 and 444% greater than EPA Action Level and three times higher than California’s chronic reference exposure level. The refinery filed for bankruptcy and has been closed since July, they are looking to sell.

“The recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project should be an alarm bell going off to the Murphy Administration. The fenceline at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Facility had benzene levels that are over 5 times the EPA standard. This is the biggest release of benzene in the country and the EPA is not cracking down on mitigating it. Benzene has serious impacts on public health, including respiratory diseases, higher cancer rates, and even premature death. The facility is also right over the Delaware River and prevailing winds could have caused major impacts to South Jersey, including the Camden area. It’s good that the facility shut down but not because the EPA forced it too for polluting our health and environment,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System indicates that inhaling benzene concentrations as low as 13 micrograms per cubic meter over a lifetime is likely to cause one additional cancer case for every 10,000 people exposed. The EPA requirements include if the benzene level at any of the monitoring location exceeds an average of 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a one-year period, the EPA regulations require the facility to conduct a root cause analysis to determine the source of the toxic emissions and to then take action to fix the problem and lower the concentrations.

“Oil refineries like the one in South Philly need to be held accountable for emitting toxic chemicals like benzene and other toxic pollutants. Benzene is known as a human carcinogenic and Communities living near the fenceline of these facilities can have long term and chronic exposure to this chemical. Since Trump’s EPA have let these facilities get away with putting our environment and health at risk, it is even more important that states step up,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

In Response to Climate Change, the State DEP Begins Reforms Environmental Requirements

TRENTON – One week after Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced a comprehensive effort to modernize New Jersey\’s environmental regulations to protect our communities and economy against the threats of climate change, the Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with a collaborative rule making process, holding several stakeholder events throughout February and March, to make the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJ PACT) reforms a reality.

The DEP has scheduled a series of stakeholder sessions to gather input from residents, businesses and advocates on the development of new greenhouse gas reduction and environmental land use regulations aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and adapting to the realities of certain impacts, like sea-level rise.

\”New Jersey is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from sea-level rise that threatens our coastline to air pollution that harms our most vulnerable communities,\” said Governor Murphy. \”We are moving swiftly to enact the regulations outlined in NJ PACT to reduce fossil fuel emissions and ensure investments in our innovation economy and communities. These policies, which will make New Jersey a global leader in the clean energy transition and fight against climate change, will help propel New Jersey to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.\”

\”In New Jersey, we take seriously the science of climate change. We are heeding the warnings about risks like sea-level rise and acting with the urgency that these threats demand,\” said Commissioner McCabe. \”As we work to modernize our environmental regulations to reflect the best available science, DEP is committed to a thoughtful and collaborative approach that engages stakeholders from across all sectors of our economy, non-governmental organizations, academia, and local government. We are all in this together.\”

On Jan. 27, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 100, directing the DEP to make targeted regulatory reforms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change through the NJ PACT initiative. New Jersey is the first state to embark on a such an ambitious framework of measures targeted to both reduce emissions of climate pollutants and reform environmental land use policy to adapt to climate realities and ensure long-term resilience.

With Governor Murphy\’s leadership, New Jersey has been implementing a number of initiatives to both mitigate against future climate change and adapt to its certain effects, including releasing a clean-energy focused Energy Master Plan and ordering the development of a Statewide Climate Resilience Strategy, making New Jersey a national leader in the fight against climate change.

NJ PACT is the next evolution of these efforts, modernizing air quality regulations that will limit emissions of climate pollutants that exacerbate global warming, as well as environmental land use regulations that equip DEP, local governments, residents and businesses with tools to effectively respond to current climate threats. They are also forward looking, seeking to reduce future climate damages through rules for green infrastructure and resilient building that will help New Jersey fight risks like sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Soliciting feedback from the public and stakeholders for proposed environmental regulations is the first step in the rulemaking process that will conclude by January 2022. In advance of that date, DEP will consider all input it receives during its public stakeholder process as it formulates rule proposals. Once proposals are finalized, they will be published in the New Jersey Register for public comment and, after careful consideration of any comments received, finalized for adoption.

The DEP will hold initial stakeholder sessions on the following potential rules:

* Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., focusing on periodic monitoring and reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., focusing on ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Wednesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to discuss rules to better plan for sea-level rise, extreme weather events and flooding, hosted by the Land Use Management program.

All sessions for both programs are open to public comment. They will be held at the DEP\’s First Floor Public Hearing Room, 401 East State Street, Trenton 08625.

Due to space limitations, the DEP is requesting attendees to RSVP. For more information, including session details, RSVP deadlines and contacts, visit

https://www.nj.gov/dep/njpact/

Donna M. Miller of W. Collingwood Hts.

Donna M. Miller (nee Polidora), on February 6, 2020, of W. Collingswood Hts. Age 65.

Loving daughter of the late William and Mary Polidora. Devoted mother of Eddie Miller and his wife Shannon. Dear Mom-Mom of Ava, Ella and Braeden. Sister of Bill Polidora and his girlfriend Cheryl Knecht. Aunt of Dana McGovern (Michael) and great aunt of Keagan, Finnegan, Cavan and Maeve.

There will be a visitation from 6 to 8pm Tuesday eve at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Memorial Service 8pm at the funeral home.

Interment private.

Patrick J. Tobin of Mickleton; Basketball and Softball Coach, GCHS Alumnus

Patrick J. Tobin, of Mickleton, New Jersey, passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 2, 2020. He was 46 years old. Patrick was born in Woodbury, New Jersey and graduated from Gloucester Catholic & Wilmington University. Patrick spent his life dedicated to helping others with his career as a Registered Nurse. Patrick\’s

greatest passion was his family, especially his three adorable daughters whom he loved to the moon and back. He was larger than life and always brought out the best in everyone he encountered along his life\’s journey. Patrick loved spending time on the beach. He was a passionate Eagles fan and was a huge Philadelphia Sports enthusiast. Patrick coached his daughter\’s basketball team at St. Margaret\’s Regional School and also coached softball. Patrick will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is the beloved husband of Colleen (nee Tinney); loving father of Madelyn, Charlotte & Elizabeth Tobin; dear brother of Phil (Anita), Mary Kate

Smith

(Dan), Jimmy, Tommy (Mary), Johnny (Dawn), Peggy Ann Gambone (Mike), Ellen McKenna (Bruce); brother-in-law of Connie (David) Lees and son-in-law of Edward & Dorothy Tinney. Patrick is predeceased by his parents, Philip & Margaret (nee Ryder) and his brother, Michael (Stacia). A cherished uncle to many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Patrick\’s visitation on Monday, February 10th, 2020 from 4 to 8 PM at the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 11th, 2020 at 10:30 AM in Holy Angels Parish, St. Patrick\’s R. C. Church, Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Swedesboro. In lieu of flowers, Patrick\’s family kindly requests memorial contributions made to The Tobin Girls\’ Educational Fund, c/o TD Bank, 148 North Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062.

Gloucester City Weekend Sports

Gloucester High School

Gloucester Catholic

https://darrowphotos.com

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (February 8, 2020)–The future GHS basketball standouts were on display this weekend. The Gloucester City Basketball Travel boys grade 3/4 hosted Oak Valley, while the Lions Junior Varsity and Varsity Boys hosted up and coming Salem County Vocational from Woodstown.

Pictured below #13 Adrian DelGado

Pictured below #15 Austin Elmore

Pictured below #33 Evan Coxe

Pictured below Jon Smith

Pictured below Xavier DePoder

Pictured below Goucester Connor Cohan

\”Hatchet Killer\” Shane Whipple, 29, of Berlin Sentenced to 75 Years Prison Term

Camden City, N.J. – A Berlin man was sentenced to life in prison Feb. 7 for brutally killing his aunt with a hatchet inside her Berlin apartment in 2018, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill Mayer.

Shane Whipple, 29, of Berlin, (photo) was sentenced to 75 years subject to the No Early Release Act by Judge

Mark Chase.

Whipple was convicted Dec. 10, 2019 of killing his aunt, 44-year-old Jennifer Whipple. Detectives said Whipple was staying with his aunt at her Berlin apartment before she called police Jan. 25, 2018 and asked them to escort him off the property due to his violent behavior.

Homicide detectives discovered that Whipple purchased a hatchet at the Berlin Mart the next day and returned to the apartment with it. Surveillance footage at the Taylor Woods complex captured him entering and leaving Jennifer Whipple’s apartment building shortly before 5 p.m. Jan. 26 carrying what was believed to be the hatchet.

Police discovered Jennifer Whipple’s body Jan. 27, 2018 while conducting a well-being check requested by her family She had been fatally hit in the head multiple times with a sharp object.

At the trial, Acting Assistant Prosecutors Christine Shah and Anna Trenga presented evidence to a jury over four days. The jury convicted Whipple of first-degree murder and associated weapons offenses after only 90 minutes of deliberation.

Under No Early Release Act guidelines, Whipple must serve 63 years, 9 months and three days before becoming eligible for parole.

Kimmel Center Presents : Grey Rock

\”\’Making theater shows in Palestine\’ — with a limited infrastructure and lack of state funding — \’sometimes feels like building rockets,\’ [Amir Nizar Zuabi, playwright] said. \’But when they take off, it’s glorious.\’\”

– The New York Times

PHILADELPHIA PA–A play about the inalienable right to dream, Grey Rock tells the story of a Palestinian man so enamored with the 1969 American moon landing that he muses, \”shouldn\’t Palestine, the land of prophets, also have a presence on the moon?\” Without

money or technology, but with the help of his bemused West Bank neighbors, he sets out to build a space shuttle. Knowing full well that he can\’t succeed with this impossible, but necessary task. Chaos ensues when his family discovers his plan.

This humorous, poetic work is performed by a five-member cast (from the West Bank and Israel) featuring renowned theater/screen actor, Khalifa Natour. Commissioned and Produced by U.S.-based Remote Theater Project to address English speaking communities.

Credits

The play was developed with support from The A. M. Qattan Foundation, Tajwaal Foundation, CEC Arts Link, Tilt Left Fund , The Still Point Fund, La MaMa Theatre, and many private individuals. Grey Rock first premiered at La MaMa Theatre.

Who is Remote Theater Project?

Remote Theater Project, an American theater company founded and led by Producing Artistic Director Alexandra Aron. The company is dedicated to bringing theater artists who are geographically or politically isolated to New York City to develop new work and help them to tour internationally to have their voices heard outside the confines of their region and reach. Grey Rock is the first play commissioned by Remote Theater Project.

Who is Amir Nizar Zuabi?

Amir Nizar Zuabi is considered by his peers and theatre critics, to be one of the leading theatre directors in the Middle East. After graduating with honors from Israel’s prestigious Nissan Native Acting Studio, and attending workshops in France and Russia, Zuabi first cut his teeth directing “Stories Under Occupation” for Al Kasabah theatre in Ramallah. (Best Production – Cairo Theatre festival and Cartage festival). The show toured extensively, to wide acclaim, at the Royal Court London, Tokyo International Arts Festival, Goteborg Festival, amongst other destinations.

Family Magazine Names Jessica Li Its NJ Cover Kid

SUMMIT, NJ, February 6, 2020

– Today,

New Jersey Family

, NJ’s leading parenting and lifestyle source, announced the winner of its Cover Kid contest. After reviewing hundreds of entries from around the state, 6-year-old Jessica Li of Basking Ridge was crowned the winner and appears on the magazine’s Feb/March cover.

The magazine asked parents to share a photo of their kid for a chance to appear on the cover. Judges looked for a bright smile and bubbly personality, both of which won over contest judge

Renee’ Lauren with Click Models

in Philadelphia.

As the winner of the contest, Jessica received a cover shoot by

Hartshorn Portraiture

in Hoboken and a cover wardrobe from

OshKosh B’gosh

. “We were thrilled to hear Jessica was the winner,” said Haiyi Li, Jessica’s mom. “We are honored that she will appear on the cover of our favorite New Jersey magazine and we are proud of her first magazine cover photo shoot!”

The contest, sponsored by

Tenafly Pediatrics

, was open to kids from New Jersey ages 2-12. All parents entering who entered received a PDF cover with their child on the cover and 15 percent of contest proceeds supported

Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer

, a Middletown-based nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding research for childhood cancer. To see all contest finalists, go to

njfamily.com/coverkidfinalists

. To read all about Jessica, go to

njfamily.com/coverkid

For nearly 30 years, New Jersey Family has been the #1 trusted authority on what to do, where to go and where to raise a family for more than half a million parents in New Jersey. We know what families in the Garden State need to live happier, healthier, more involved lives—and we deliver it. Find us at

njfamily.com

, on Facebook at

facebook.com/newjerseyfamily

and on Instagram at

instagram.com/newjerseyfamily

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

WASHINGTON – February 6 marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, and the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, all members of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC), join U.S. and foreign government partners, non-governmental organizations, and local communities to call for the eradication of the practice.

The elimination of FGM/C has broad implications for the health and human rights of women and girls, as well as societies at large. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect on victims who have suffered from female genital mutilation/cutting, including many women and girls who have died or suffered lifelong health complications from the practice. The day also renews a global commitment to the health and well-being of all women, girls and communities by eliminating the practice.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a federal crime, and any involvement in committing this crime is a serious human rights violation, which may result in imprisonment and potential removal from the United States. Individuals suspected of FGM/C, including sending girls overseas to be cut, may be investigated by the HRVWCC and prosecuted accordingly. In 2017, the HRVWCC initiated Operation Limelight USA, a program designed to bring awareness of FGM/C to passengers flying to countries where FGM/C is prevalent, to identify potential victims and perpetrators of FGM and to deter its practice. Since June 2017, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in partnership with non-governmental organizations, FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and others have conducted outreach operations at 18 U.S. airports and have engaged with nearly 4,000 passengers on 168 flights.

“Female genital mutilation is an affront to the human rights of women and girls throughout the world,” said Mark Shaffer, Chief of ICE’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. “Ending this practice will require continued cooperation and creativity of governments, partner organizations, and communities.”

“Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting is a significant threat targeting women in our communities and around the world. The FBI is committed to identifying and investigating the human rights violators who perpetrate this heinous crime,” said Acting Unit Chief Tyrone Lara of the FBI International Human Rights Unit. “We are also dedicated to working with our domestic and international partners to bring perpetrators to justice and put an end to this practice worldwide.”

FGM/C prevalence is primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, but also occurs in parts of Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. It is global in scope and found in multiple geographies, religions, and socioeconomic classes.

Anyone who has information about an individual who is suspected of assisting in this crime is urged to call the toll-free ICE tip line at (866) 347-2423 or complete the

ICE online tip form

or the

FBI online tip form

. All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously.

For more information about the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting,

view this Fact Sheet on FGM/C from the U.S. Department of State

visit the United Nations\’ Zero Tolerance Day website

5 Players We Could See At The Philadelphia Eagles in 2020

Gloucestercitynews.net (February 7, 2020)–Last season wasn’t terrible for the Philadelphia Eagles. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible. The joy of winning the Super Bowl in 2018 still looms large in the memory of many of the team’s younger fans, and sometimes obscures the fact that prior to that, the Eagles had never won the competition before, and had in fact only made it to two previous finals in their entire existence. Reaching the playoffs is still an acceptable result for a team of the Eagles’ standing, even if the

loss to the Seattle Seahawks

was a disappointing one.

As with every team in the NFL at the moment, the upper management and coaching team of the Eagles will be taking stock of what they have, what they need to improve on, and who\’ll soon be available to acquire both in terms of April\’s draft and in terms of free agency. There are places in which the team could definitely be improved, and conversations about making those improvements will already be happening as you read this article. It\’s probably safe to assume that we\’ll see some significant movement in and out of the Eagles before the first game of the new season arrives.

Making major changes to a settled lineup is never easy, and always comes with an element of risk involved. It’s as if the popular

online slots

‘Gridiron Glory’ has come to life. In exactly the same way an online slots player puts their money into a game and hopes for the best, Doug Pederson will be placing the club’s money into players and hoping that luck is on his side. Neither the online slots player nor the coach can change their selection after they’ve made it – they just have to trust the Gods of fate and hope that everything goes his way. But who might Pederson be looking at, and who can we realistically expect to see at Lincoln Financial Field when the new season kicks off? Let’s take a look.

Darron Lee

In the run-up to the Super Bowl, the New York Post ran an article about

Darron Lee’s ‘crazy’ journey

to the biggest game in the sport. We guess they must have a different definition of \’crazy\’ to us, because Lee barely even featured in the build-up to the final, and didn\’t see the field in the final game at all. Lee is, without a shadow of a doubt, a talented player, but he appears to be surplus to requirements at Kansas City. If he is, he will make an excellent addition to the Eagles, who could do with more strength and competition in the squad when it comes to linebackers. His statistics from last season are misleading. The numbers will tell you that he played every game of the regular season without making a single interception or sack, but that\’s not fair. Lee only started two of those games. At the age of 25, the prime of his career is still ahead of him, and there\’s the potential for him to come and play through it at Philadelphia.

Arik Armstead

You might think that this suggestion belongs in the realms of fantasy, but there are whispers that Armstead may be interested in a move when free agency comes around. The defensive end knows how good he\’s been this season, and he\’ll expect his level of performance to be reflected in any new contract he signs. It may be the case that the San Francisco 49ers simply can\’t pay him what he\’s looking for, but the Philadelphia Eagles can. The Eagles wouldn\’t be the only team in the hunt for him if he decides to test the market – we suspect every single ambitious team in the NFL does – but the Eagles make for an attractive package, and stand as good a chance as anybody else. All they would have to worry about is whether his form holds up. He was excellent last season as we\’ve already said, but for the four seasons prior to that, he was mostly anonymous.

Bryce Hall

This kid should be a priority for the Eagles when it comes to the draft. He was born locally, and he looks like the real deal. Bryce Hall has stood out in an exceptional Virginia team in the past, but due to an unfortunate injury, he\’s slipped under the radar during 2019 while he\’s focused on getting healthy again. Teams worry about rookies who\’ve already had breakages or dislocations, and Hall has had both, but the opinion of his doctors is that he\’ll be fully fit in time to start the season. This gives the Eagles the chance to pick up a naturally gifted outside corner that nobody else has on their shortlist – and given his connections with the area, he could stay with the team for the next ten years or more if the move works out.

Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson is not the best wide receiver who\’ll be available in this year\’s draft, but he\’s the best wide receiver likely to remain available when picking 21 rolls around, and the Philadelphia Eagles desperately need a new wide receiver. We suspect that he might even be a first-round pick for the team if nobody else picks him up first. In 2019 he picked up 111 catches – that\’s more than any other player at his level in the country. He also ranked second for TD catches and third for receiving yards. As the old saying goes, the numbers don\’t like – and the numbers all look very good where Jefferson is concerned.

Justin Madubuike

We think it might be a tale of two Justins when it comes to the NFL Draft in 2020. Justin Jefferson will almost certainly appear high on the list, and we think Justin Madubuike will, too. At 6’3 and over three hundred pounds, Madubuike is a big, big man, and he’s becoming available at the right time when we look at the current DT options within the Eagles squad. Malik Jackson is about to turn 30, and nobody knows whether he’ll ever fully recover from his foot injury or not. Fletcher Cox is also nudging on 30. Ridgeway and Jernigan, the only other options, haven’t developed as well as the Eagles hoped, and will likely be leaving as free agents. That will leave the Eagles with a big hole in the DT position – and to us, it looks like a Justin Madubuike-sized hole.

This is just our take on the matter, though – the Eagles could end up with all of these players, some of them, or none of them. That’s the risk you take when you try to make sporting predictions! From now until the first day of next season, we’ll be watching and waiting to see if we were right.

images courtesy of unsplash.com