Authorities Charge Delran Man with Possession of Child Pornography

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Delran Township Police Chief Alfonso A. Parente Jr. announced that a 63-year-old Delran Township man has been charged with possessing child

pornography.

Robert Tokarczyk, (photo)of the first block of Fox Chase Drive, was charged December 12 with Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Third Degree).

The investigation began earlier this year after the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit received information regarding Tokarczyk’s online activities from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigation revealed that Tokarczyk was utilizing a search engine to locate and download child pornography. Multiple electronic devices were seized during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. An examination of the devices by detectives from the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit revealed approximately 600 images of child pornography and child erotica.

Tokarczyk surrendered himself at the Prosecutor’s Office in Mount Holly. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. Tokarczyk will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office and the Delran Township Police Department. The lead investigator is BCPO Detective Jennifer Appelmann.

The Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit is a member of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NJDOT Releases 511NJConnect System

NJDOT announces proactive

Alert system uses geo-fencing technology to provide information to motorists

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti today announced the launch of 511NJConnect, a new alert system that allows transportation agencies the ability to proactively provide information directly to motorists who are stuck in long-term highway closures.

At the conclusion of the last winter, Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti directed New Jersey’s transportation agencies to find a way to use technology to keep motorists better informed in the event of an extended highway closure.

“We all understand the frustration and stress that can be caused by being stuck in traffic for an extended period of time,” Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “While we hope we never have to use it, 511NJConnect is an innovative way to use technology to provide motorists information and status updates during a long-term road closure. Just knowing that there is someone out there monitoring the situation can be extremely reassuring.”

In the event of a sustained stoppage of traffic, the 511NJConnect system, using geo-fencing technology, will identify motorists in the proximity of the incident and send an alert to their hand-held devices. Motorists within the target area will be given the option to register for automatic text messaging or phone updates throughout the event generated by transportation agency staff monitoring the situation. Once the incident is resolved, motorists who registered for the alerts will be automatically unsubscribed from the system and all personal data will be removed.

The system will allow direct communication and updates about the incident to those motorists who are impacted.

511NJConnect is not a substitute for calling 9-1-1

if a motorist has an actual emergency in their vehicle.

Developed in coordination with the New Jersey State Police, the 511NJConnect system will be used for long-term traffic incidents in which motorists become immobilized for an extended period of time on New Jersey’s Interstate highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, or the Atlantic City Expressway.

NJDOT remains committed to providing safe roadways to New Jersey motorists and in anticipation of the winter season, the Department is implementing this proactive approach to assist and inform motorists in the event of an unforeseen extended closure of a highway.

Motorists should keep a basic emergency kit in their vehicles that includes non-perishable food and water, a cell phone charger, weather-related items such as a blanket, shovel, ice scraper, or rain gear, and any specialized supplies such as baby or pet care items. Visit

ReadyNJ.gov

for more information about emergency kits and preparedness.

About the 511NJ Suite of Services

— The

511NJ.org website

, phone system, Personalized Travel Service, and

New Jersey Traffic

features provide valuable real-time traffic and traveler information about incidents, crashes, congestion, construction, special events, and travel times. The Department updates this information 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Sentencing of Millville Suspect Announced for Drug Induced Death Case

December 23, 2019

Cape May Court House, New Jersey – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announced the sentencing of Christopher R. Small, a 41 year old male from Millville, NJ, who was sentenced on Friday December 20, 2019, to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison by the

Honorable Judge Gibson, JSC.

This sentence was related to a October 3, 2018, drug induced death investigation of the victim, Kevin MacFarlane, a 54 year old male from Avalon, NJ, initiated by Troopers and Detectives from the New Jersey State Police Woodbine Barracks.

Defendant Christopher Small was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with no early release for the drug-induced death of the victim and a consecutive 5 year term for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

Prosecutor Sutherland stated that his office as well as all law enforcement agencies throughout Cape May County will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who engage in the distribution of CDS, especially those individuals who distribute CDS which results in the death of another. Sentencing for Christopher Verity, a co-defendant in this drug induced death investigation, is scheduled for January 16, 2020.

Prosecutor Sutherland would like to recognize the investigative efforts of the officers and detectives involved in this investigation along with Assistant Prosecutor Edward Shim who prosecuted this case.

Prosecutor Sutherland continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report information regarding any criminal activity within community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at

cmcsheriff.net

and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800, or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.

Obituary: Eleanor Jablonski of Audubon

Eleanor Jablonski (nee Bartoszek), went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2019, of Audubon. Age 89.

Beloved wife of the late Henry B. Jablonski. Devoted mother of Henry Robert Jablonski (Patricia) and Jane Jablonski. Loving grandmother of Gregory, Christopher and Kimberly and great grandmother of Brayden. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing from 9:45 to 10:45am Saturday morning at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, St. Vincent Palliotti RC Church, 901 Hopkins Rd., Haddon Twp., NJ 08033.

Funeral Mass 11am in church.

Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mrs. Jablonski’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

PATCO Unveils Brand New Elevator at Haddonfield Station

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks next step in progression of expansive elevator project

Pictured left to right are DRPA CEO and PATCO President John Hanson, PATCO General Manager John Rink, Haddonfield Mayor Neal Rochford and Borough of Haddonfield Commissioner Colleen Bianco Bezich.

Commuters in Haddonfield received an early holiday gift Thursday morning as PATCO held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of the station’s elevator.

The event was at the Haddonfield Station on December 19, 2019.

“Today is an exciting time to be here, cut the ribbon and put this elevator in service for our riders here in Haddonfield,” said PATCO General Manager John Rink.

Rink was joined by DRPA CEO and PATCO President John Hanson, Haddonfield Mayor Neal Rochford, Borough of Haddonfield Commissioner Colleen Bianco Bezich, as well DRPA Senior Engineer Elisabeth L. Klawunn.

“I consider this an awesome day in Haddonfield’s history. This Speedline has been such a vital part of our economic wellbeing,” said Mayor Rochford. “I know earlier this year PATCO celebrated their 50th anniversary and it’s nice to see so much work still continuing to make this such an awesome transportation system.”

Hanson stressed the importance of leaving the PATCO train line in better shape than it was received for the future employees of DRPA and PATCO.

“Sometimes people like to rest on their laurels after 50 years, but this is only getting better and better and it is an economic driver within the South Jersey community,” said Mayor Rochford.

Mayor Rochford is excited for the residents of Haddonfield to take advantage of the new elevator.

“We also have a very robust shopping district, so I’m hoping people will come over to Haddonfield to shop and bring all those packages. Before they had to go down the steps or elevator, now they can just get onto this very nice elevator and it will be very convenient for them,” said Mayor Rochford.

Hanson added his appreciation for all those involved in making the Haddonfield elevator a reality.

“I’m very proud of the PATCO team. I’m very proud of the DRPA team in doing this work,” said Hanson.

Last year, construction began on a

$31 million project

to install elevators in all currently unequipped PATCO train stations. The Ashland, Haddonfield, Westmont and Collingswood Stations will each receive one elevator, while the City Hall and 12/13th & Locust Stations will have two elevators installed. The Ashland elevator is scheduled to open next, followed by Westmont.

Upon completion in 2022, all 13 PATCO stations will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities and those using wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles.

People Still Have Reflux Symptoms Despite Taking Meds

Cedars-Sinai\’s Nationwide Study Shows Most Patients Still Have Symptoms Despite Taking Medications

Newswise — LOS ANGELES (Dec. 19, 2019) —

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a digestive disorder that causes heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms, may affect nearly a third of U.S. adults each week, and most of those who take certain popular medications for it still have symptoms, according to a new Cedars-Sinai study.

Also known as acid reflux,

GERD

is caused by gastric acid from the stomach flowing back up into a person\’s food pipe, or esophagus. This backup can happen when the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that briefly opens to let food into the stomach and closes to take food inside, relaxes too often or too long. Besides causing the burning sensation in the throat and chest known as heartburn, GERD can damage tissues and cause food to be regurgitated.

For their research, published today in the journal

Gastroenterology

, investigators conducted an online survey of more than 71,000 people age 18 or over across the U.S., asking them if they experienced specific GERD symptoms and how often, and if they were taking drugs for it.

\”Our study is among the largest and most diverse population-based studies on gastrointestinal symptoms ever conducted,\” said

Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS

, director of Cedars-Sinai\’s Health Service Research, professor of Medicine and corresponding author of the journal article. Most previous published research on GERD, which found a somewhat lower incidence of the disease than this study did, was conducted within limited geographic areas or with a less representative sampling of U.S. adults, he explained.

An important feature of the new study was its finding that more than half of GERD patients who took popular over-the-counter drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, designed to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, still reported persistent symptoms.

The survey also indicated that certain categories of people, including younger people, women, Latinos, and people with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn\’s disease, were less likely to respond to proton pump inhibitors.

\”Given the significant effect of GERD on quality of life for millions of Americans, further research and development of new therapies are needed to help patients whose disease does not respond to proton pump inhibitors,\” said Spiegel, who also directs the Cedars-Sinai Center for Outcomes Research and Education.

The investigators conducted their nationwide survey in October and November 2015 using MyGiHealth, a mobile app that asked respondents to select any symptoms they had experienced in the past week or \”ever experienced.\” Investigators measured the severity of patients\’ symptoms, using validated questionairres from the National Institutes of Health. The symptoms included GERD-relevant ones — such as heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux — plus other general gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation and nausea.

Out of 71,812 people who responded to the survey, 44.1% reported experiencing GERD symptoms in the past and 30.9% in the last week. More than a third of the GERD sufferers said they were currently on therapy, mostly involving proton pump inhibitors. Of those taking daily proton pump inhibitors, 54.1% reported persistent GERD symptoms.

\”The MyGiHealth digital platform allowed us to efficiently recruit a large, highly diverse, representative population in a very short period of time,\” said

Christopher Almario, MD

, MSHPM, assistant professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. Yet it also carried potential limitations because individuals with limited computer skills or poor access to the internet may be underrepresented, he explained. In addition, since the study was described as a \”GI Survey\” to potential respondents, it may have led to overestimating GERD prevalence since those without gastrointestinal issues may have opted not to complete the survey.

The other authors of the study were Sean Delshad, MD, MBA, a former research intern at the Cedars-Sinai Center for Outcomes Research and Education, and William Chey, MD, professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Disclosures

: Brennan Spiegel and William Chey are consultants for Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and patent holders and principals at My Total Health. Christopher Almario has a stock option grant in My Total Health.

Funding

: This study was funded by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, which did not have a role in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, or drafting of the manuscript. The Cedars-Sinai Center for Outcomes Research and Education is supported by The Marc and Sheri Rapaport Fund for Digital Health Sciences & Precision Health. Christopher Almario was supported by a career development award from the American College of Gastroenterology. Almario and Spiegel are supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science of the National Institutes of Health under UCLA CTSI Grant Number UL1TR001881.

Pennsylvania senators call for more information about Gov\’s judicial nominations

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

HARRISBURG, PA–Four Pennsylvania Senators say they are pushing for legislation to reform the state’s judicial nominating process, calling for more information about the individuals the governor picks to fill vacant seats to be made public.

A news conference this week to announce Senate Bill 978 came just hours before the state Senate voted 42-7 to affirm the nomination of Drew Crompton to fill an opening on the Commonwealth Court, an appellate-level court that hears cases involving state and local governments.

Nominated by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, Crompton served for nearly three decades as a legislative counsel, currently working as the chief counsel for state Sen. Joe Scarnati, the Senate President Pro Tempore.

While his name was mentioned in the news conference, state Sen. Anthony Williams, the Democratic whip in the state Senate, said he didn’t want to make it “the Drew Crompton Show.” While saying it was fair to call into question Crompton’s credentials, Williams – who voted for Crompton – said his issues with the process began well before that particular nomination.

“I don\’t want to draw to just one singular personality because I think that frankly, it underwhelms the argument for change,” the Philadelphia senator said. “It makes it more difficult for people to digest that. It could be a Democrat. It could be a Republican. If they don\’t qualify, they don\’t qualify.”

However, his colleagues at the presser certainly didn’t have qualms speaking out against a candidate they felt was unqualified. State Sen. Katie Muth, D-Royersford, said she wasn’t in Harrisburg to “appease the governor.” State Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Pittsburgh, spoke out against a process that she said allowed nominations to be made in backrooms.

State Sen. Maria Collett, D-Lower Gwynedd, said she came away concerned about Crompton’s qualifications after questioning him in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday morning.

“He has never practiced law outside of these walls, and that\’s problematic when we\’re putting someone on the court that doesn\’t have a varied level of experience and a varied level of experiences dealing with people from different walks of life,” she said.

Muth, Collett and Lindsey Williams were among those who voted against Crompton.

The senators’ bill does have the support of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. Maida Milone, the group’s president and CEO, said the organization has pushed for a merit-based process to fill vacancies for 30 years.

“I do see this legislation as a step in that direction by making the nomination process much more open and transparent to everyone and allowing for more public participation in the process,” she said.

published here with permission of The Center Square

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass Schedule at Cathedral Basilica

PHILADELPHIA PA (Dec. 22, 2019)–Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2019.

The Holy Day of Christmas is a most special occasion for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as we celebrate the Birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. All are welcome to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

– Christmas Eve Masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Music for the 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Masses will be provided by the Cathedral Schola and Instruments. The 7:30 p.m. Mass will be a bilingual celebration in English and Spanish.

– Beginning at 11:00 p.m. – Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments will provide the Choral Prelude to the Midnight Mass with sacred music and carols.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

-12:00 a.m. – Solemn Midnight Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., with music provided by the Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments. The Midnight Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput’s Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/ArchPhila

and

http://www.facebook.com/archbishopchaput

beginning at 12:00 a.m. (EDT).

-10:00 a.m. – Solemn Mass with music provided by the Cathedral Basilica Choir and Instruments.

Additional Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica at 8:00 a.m. with music provided by a cantor and an organist and 12:00 Noon Solemn Mass with the Cathedral Schola and Instruments.

THERE WILL BE NO EVENING MASS.

U.S. House members from Pennsylvania explain impeachment votes

By Dave Lemery |

The Center Square

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., speaks Dec. 18, 2019, as the House of Representatives debates the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington. House Television via AP

As the U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump, Pennsylvania\’s delegation stuck to party lines when casting their individual votes.

With the 18-member delegation split evenly between the two political parties, the state\’s nine Democrats voted in favor of the articles of impeachment and the nine Republicans voted against.

In both comments from the floor of the House and on social media, a number of lawmakers made their arguments justifying their decisions.

“It\’s with profound sadness that I stand here today in support of these articles of impeachment,” Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat, said during the debate. “President Trump\’s behavior is exactly what our founders feared most. They knew that with the awesome power of the presidency came the risk of a president abusing that power for personal gain. They were particularly concerned about an executive who became entangled with foreign governments, corrupted our elections, or sought to avoid consequences for his own misconduct in office.”

While Scanlon argued that the president’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was evidence of a “high crime” as defined in the U.S. Constitution, Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican, saw exactly the opposite.

“Abuse of power? Not according to the Ukraine,” Meuser said during his floor remarks. “President Zelensky confirmed many times that there was no quid pro quo, no action taken, and significant military aid was delivered without anything in return. Of course, his words have been conveniently dismissed.”

To Meuser, the impeachment effort marked a concerted effort by the Democratic Party to overturn the will of the voters at a time when Trump’s policies are bearing fruit.

“Our communities are benefiting greatly from President Trump\’s agenda – a booming economy, secure border, better trade deals, and a stronger military,” he said. “Unfortunately, inside the halls of Congress, Democrats\’ obsession with impeachment is all-consuming.”

Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat, insisted that the president’s crimes were so self-evident that there was no need to lay out a case.

“Ultimately, the matter before us today is not a question of fact, for the evidence is undisputed,” he said during House debate. “Nor is it a question of law, as the Constitution is clear. The heart of the matter is this: Will members of this House have the courage to choose fidelity to the Constitution over loyalty to their political party?”

Republican Guy Reschenthaler said the entire impeachment process was more about the 2020 election than anything that had taken place during the president’s term.

published here with permission of The Center Square

A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band

Back By Popular Demand! The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ –Presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders in association with BRE and the Borough of Collingswood, the Scottish Rite Auditorium welcomes Bruce in the USA, Back By Popular Demand! The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Doors open at 7 PM, showtime at 8 PM.

Bruce In The USA is much more than just another tribute…

This high-energy musical experience is a note-perfect and visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E St. Band show.

Matt Ryan, from the World Famous “Legends In Concert” cast, began playing the Springsteen character in 2000, in Legends “full scale” Las Vegas show. The great success in the famous Las Vegas show brought him to performances across the world, eventually evolving his character into the Bruce In The USA show.

The Bruce In The USA Band consists of seasoned world class professional musicians. The show has hosted musicians from such acts/bands as Queen/Paul Rogers, Meatloaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall and Oats, Joe Cocker, The Ojays, Aretha Franklin, David Cassidy, The Temptations, Slash… and so many more.

This high end, powerhouse, band has taken this genre of performance art to a whole new level, making it the World’s #1 Tribute to the E Street Band’s musical legacy.

Tickets go on sale August 22

Tickets are $39.50 and $29.50

Tickets Available from:

www.ticketmaster.com

or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

Camden County Store at Voorhees Town Center

(Echelon Mall), 1 Echelon Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 566- 2920

Scottish Rite Auditorium

315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ, 08108, United States

Saturday, Dec 28th, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

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