Christmas Village in Philadelphia Returns

Presented by Bank of America

Philadelphia, PA – One of America’s most celebrated authentic German Christmas markets returns to the heart of Center City with more time than ever to celebrate the holiday season! Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by Bank of America will return to LOVE Park (1500 JFK Blvd.), City Hall’s Courtyard, and the North Broad section from Thanksgiving Day (November 26) through December 27, with a special preview on November 21 and 22, 2026. New for the season, Christmas Village will extend beyond Christmas Eve for the first time and remain open through December 27, giving visitors one additional weekend to experience the market. At the heart of LOVE Park, the market’s 30-foot authentic German Christmas Pyramid will once again tower above the festivities as one of Christmas Village’s signature landmarks. Inspired by the traditional wooden pyramids from Germany’s Ore Mountains and illuminated by over 3,000 sparkling lights, the Pyramid will be joined by rows of wooden vendor booths, holiday lights and returning crowd favorites including the 65-foot-tall illuminated Ferris Wheel, the historic double-tier Christmas Village Carousel and the Kids Train presented by SEPTA. Santa Claus will return for wish-taking and heart-warming photo opportunities. For food lovers, Christmas Village will serve up a mix of new flavors and returning favorites, including charcoal grilled Bratwurst, freshly melted Raclette Swiss Cheese Sandwiches, Austrian Strudels, Schnitzel and more European specialities. New offerings include Chesapeake Crab Loaded Baked Potatoes, the new Churro Split for a festive spin on the classic banana split, and a brand new booth serving Mac & Cheese. For beverages, enjoy the market’s famous hot Glühwein (hot mulled wine) by local Pennsylvania winery Mazza Wines, spiked hot beverages featuring local Boardroom Spirits, and kid-friendly offerings like hot chocolate and apple cider.

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DNRP Gathering Toys for Tots Donations

DNRP will continue its tradition this year of collecting unwrapped, new toys for families in need in Delaware/Delaware DNREC photo

The Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP) are collecting donated toys ahead of the upcoming giving season for families in need in all three counties beginning Nov. 1. Donations will be distributed as gifts to children in communities statewide through the local branch of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

The national program collects new, unwrapped toys, for all age groups of children, and distributes them as holiday presents to underprivileged kids in communities across the country. In the First State, DNRP officers from each of the three units – Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Crimes, and State Parks – lead this holiday effort, with donation boxes at Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) locations statewide.

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Medical Education Needs To Adapt

By Dr. James W. Schroeder

Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize most industries, and medicine is no exception. Eight in ten doctors already use AI for everything from taking notes to getting up to speed on the latest medical research in order to better diagnose patients.

AI promises to deliver enormous benefits to clinicians and patients alike. But like any tool or technology, AI also has limitations.

Medical educators need to adjust their curricula in response to the AI age. That means putting less emphasis on memorization — and more on developing an empathetic bedside manner, communicating well, and handling the many other uniquely human elements of the job.

Doctors have the unique privilege and responsibility of being invited into some of the most intimate and vulnerable moments of patients’ lives. Physicians often meet patients and their families when they are confronting anxiety, life-altering diagnoses, even death.

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Van Drew Demands ICE Custody of Illegal Immigrant

Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement after a judge ordered the pretrial release of the illegal immigrant charged with drunk driving and seriously injuring Middle Township Police Officer Austin Kapurelos. The release order has since been stayed, keeping Lucio Lopez-Perez in county custody until his next court date in December.

“This is absolutely outrageous,” said Congressman Van Drew. “This man, who is in this country illegally, admitted to drinking throughout the day, got behind the wheel of a car, and struck a police officer so hard that he was thrown 30 feet. Austin suffered a compound fracture, a bruised lung, and multiple broken bones. He is lucky to be alive. And somehow, a judge determined that the man charged with doing this could be released back onto our streets. They are calling him low risk when his criminal history outside New Jersey has not even been fully vetted. Give me a break.

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Mom, 22, Killed In Fiery Gibbstown I-295 Crash Mourned

By Cecilia Levine

A 22-year-old New Jersey mother who was killed when her car crashed into a tree and burst into flames on Route 295 leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter, according to a fundraiser launched by her grieving family.

Aigner Johnson, of Oaklyn, died in the crash on Route 295 southbound in East Greenwich Township on Wednesday, Oct. 21, New Jersey State Police said. Now, loved ones are raising money to give her a proper farewell.

“Aigner was a loving girl with an amazing spirit, and everyone gravitated to her,” her aunt, Camilla Dowd, wrote on GoFundMe. “Her loss is heartbreaking for our family, and it is even harder knowing she leaves behind her beautiful 5-year-old daughter.”

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Trenton Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Girlfriend

A 52-year-old New Jersey man was sentenced today to mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and related charges in the fatal domestic violence shooting of his girlfriend at a Bensalem hotel.

Orenthia Upshur, of Trenton, N.J., entered the guilty plea in Bucks County Court for the Jan. 15, 2025, murder of 49-year-old Maisha Coon, also of Trenton. Following the plea, Common Pleas Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. immediately imposed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Court testimony indicated that the two had been in a relationship spanning three decades and had gone to the hotel to address ongoing relationship issues before the encounter turned fatal, another tragic reminder of the lethal nature of domestic violence.

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Local Trick or Treat Hours

Below are Trick or Treat hours for surrounding area.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! 🎃

Keep these safety tips in mind while trick-or-treating! Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult, use sidewalks and crosswalks, carry flashlights or glow sticks, and wear reflective clothing so motorists can see them. Never enter a stranger’s home or car, and always inspect candy before eating it. Drivers are urged to slow down, stay alert, and watch carefully for children on the streets.

Let’s work together to make Halloween fun, safe, and enjoyable for everyone! 👻

Sharon A. Samchuck, 74, of Atco

Sharon A. Samchuck, of Atco, Age 74, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2026, at Virtua Hospital – Voorhees in the loving care of Oaks Integrated Care. Born on October 31, 1951, at Warren Air Force Base in Laramie, Wyoming to the late Raymond Samchuk & Pearl Letta Samchuk (nee Jensen).

Sharon Samchuk was a bright, loving woman with a quick wit and playful sarcasm. She loved her Barbies, drawing, horses and other animals, dressing up, getting her hair done and attending day program. She was cherished by Nina, Paula, Marva, Nikita, Katrina, Katrea, Aniya, Candacea, Dominique, NaShawn, Siniya, Shaila, Tia and Tiffany; Donna and the staff & consumer at Pat LeBon. Pink also held a special place in her heart for Ms. Samchuk. Sharon’s spirit and loving heart will be deeply missed.

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Sherrill Announces GSPT Approval of $88 Million

The Sherrill Administration today announced the Garden State Preservation Trust’s (GSPT) approval of more than $88 million for projects across the state that will preserve open space to protect critical water supplies, connect habitats, and expand access to open spaces, fund capital improvements for New Jersey’s state parks, forests, historic sites, and wildlife management areas, and advance flood protections through the voluntary Blue Acres program.

The funding, which comes from the constitutional dedication of Corporation Business Tax revenue, will enhance the quality of life for residents across New Jersey, especially in many overburdened communities. The Garden State Preservation Trust approved the Department of Environmental Protection-recommended funding package at its meeting on Oct. 21. The package now advances to the Legislature for formal appropriations. For details, visit dep.nj.gov/greenacres/gspt-fy2027/

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HOME COUNTRY: It happened in the checkout lane…

It happened in the checkout lane down at the Soup ‘R’ Market last week.

As sometimes happens, when we are glancing at the tabloids to see who fathered Bigfoot’s new baby, we get into discussions of trivia. Annette was sliding broccoli and corn flakes over the glass-window dinger machine, and we were just chatting about … I think it was bears this time. You know…

“I read,” said Annette, “that a bear can run 45 miles an hour, faster than a race horse.”

To which I added, “Did you know a polar bear’s skin is black, and a black bear’s skin is white?”

“Really?” Annette said, weighing the plastic bag of apples. “And did you know,” she said, “that horses can’t vomit?”