Camden County

May 10, 2008

Ride PATCO to Riversharks Games And Receive Discounted Admission

Media Release May 9

   Attention sports fans! Baseball season is here. PATCO and the Riversharks have teamed up once again to offer PATCO riders discounted admission to games.

Fans can take advantage of this offer by riding PATCO to the game and presenting their PATCO ticket or FREEDOM card at the ticket office for a $3 discount. PATCO offers free parking at seven of its New Jersey Stations. Exit at PATCO’s City Hall or Broadway stations for a short walk to the stadium.

For questions or information about PATCO call (856) 772‑6900 or (215) 922‑4600 or visit our website at www.ridepatco.org.

In addition to PATCO, the Delaware River Port Authority owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, the RiverLink Ferry System and Philadelphia Cruise Terminal.

May 08, 2008

Velvet Paws

Come celebrate and shop for Mother's Day in Haddonfield.  Lots of events and sales throughout.  Velvet Paws is offering 10% off entire store.
 

May 06, 2008

DRPA Facilitates Green Ports Initiative with Local Port Operators

May 5, 2008 South Jersey Port, Beckett Street Terminal

With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the Delaware River Port Authority today took a major step toward making the ports in South Jersey and Philadelphia more environmentally friendly. The agreement solidified a partnership among DRPA and port agencies South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) to launch a "Green Ports" initiative.

Dsc_0401  DRPA Vice Chairman Jeffrey L. Nash announces the partnership among DRPA, SJPC and PRPA to develop a Green Ports Initiative.Behind him pictured Left to Right : DRPA CEO John J. Matheussen, SJPC Executive Director Joseph Balzano, PRPA Executive Director Jamie McDermott, DRPA Chairman Designee and PRPA Chairman John Estey and City of Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison. 

    The "Green Ports" initiative will assist all three agencies in creating a cooperative approach to develop environmental programs and projects aimed at reducing or neutralizing the impact of port operations upon the environment and the surrounding community.

    "All three agencies share the same waterway and as a result share the responsibility of maintaining a clean environment," said DRPA Chairman Designee John Estey. "By banding together, we can leverage our capabilities to improve the environment in which we live and work.

Port Officials sign Memorandum of Understanding. Seated left to right: DRPADsc_0409 CEO John J. Matheussen, PRPA Executive Director Jamie McDermott and SJPC Commissioner Dick Alaimo. Standing behind the signers: DRPA Vice Chairman Jeffrey L. Nash, DRPA Chairman Designee and PRPA Chairman John Estey, City of Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, SJPC Executive Director Joseph Balzano. 

 

"We live in a world where pollution and its effect on our livelihood has become a pressing concern, said DRPA Vice Chairman Jeff Nash.  "As leaders in the port community, we feel that we should do our part to find solutions to decrease the impact of port operations on the surrounding community"

    Over the next few months, the organizations will work together to select a consultant, who will review operations at DRPA, SJPC and PRPA facilities in order to recommend short term and long term alternatives for making port operations more environmentally friendly. A few examples of greening solutions that may be explored include energy/water conservation, electric or alterntive fuel vehicles and equipment, renewable sources of energy (solar and wind installations), new technologies and innovations in logistics processes (traffic management controls, congestion mitigation) and green building/facilities.

"DRPA has a long-standing commitment to clean air, clean water and sustainable development, said DRPA Chief Executive Officer John J. Matheussen. "Partnering with PRPA and SJPC for the Green Ports initiative demonstratres our effort to improve our impact on the environment."

DRPA, SJPC and PRPA join other port operators such as Port Authority of NY/NJ and the Port of Long Beach in California in taking steps to "green" America's ports The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation and development agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

Ablett Village on the edge

http://www.courierpostonline.com

Neither said anything, officials said, but their appearance proved a point residents are echoing -- drug dealers are the real bosses of this public housing complex. They use homes as stash houses, hold court out in the open and peddle cocaine to those in need of a fix.

If there was a silver lining, it is that business has historically  been conducted with little violence.

That is changing.

Since July 2007, three people have been gunned down inside the public housing complex. Police have said each of the homicides was drug related and at least two of the victims were known gang members. No arrests have been made.

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May 02, 2008

The RiverLink Ferry Opens for the 2008 Season

Media release

The warm weather is here and the feeling of summer is beginning to fill the air. That can only mean one thing. It must be the start of the RiverLink Ferry season. On Saturday, May 3, the RiverLink Ferry kicks-off its 2008 season with a “Kids Ride Free Promotion”. From Noon until 6 p.m. the ferry will offer a FREE ride to children ages 12 years and younger with each paid adult ticket purchase.

“The RiverLink Ferry has become a very popular attraction for many people and an integral part of the summer waterfront experience. We look forward to a great season” said John J. Matheussen, Chief Executive Officer of DRPA and President of PATCO.

Join the celebration this Saturday as the Camden Riversharks’ mascot “Blueper” greets ferry passengers for a fun-filled ride across the Delaware River. Each child in attendance will receive a FREE pinwheel souvenir to remember the day. Then, stop by the Susquehanna Bank Center on the Camden Waterfront to see Nickelodeon’s adventure buffs, The Backyardigans, perform. The last ferry run of the day will be from Camden at 6:30 p.m. and from Penn’s Landing at 7 p.m.

May 01, 2008

ANIMAL ADVOCATE JOINS CAMDEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Media Release

Blackwood, NJ: The Camden County Animal Shelter (CCAS), whose primary goal is to reduce euthanasia for healthy, adoptable animals in Camden County, announced today the appointment of its new Executive Director.  Jennifer Andersch was selected following an extensive and thorough search process.

"We are committed to finding creative solutions to pet overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia.  We require a professional who shares our objectives," explained Catherine Harr, Board Member.  "Ms. Andersch's professional experience, combined with her in-depth knowledge of animal rescue, makes her the ideal candidate to move this organization forward."

Andersch joins CCAS with a BA in Communications from Rowan University and 15-years of public relations, marketing and fundraising experience.  In 1999, she began her second "career" as a volunteer rescuer upon completing her first T-N-R (trap, neuter, return) project, where 150 feral cats were living on the grounds of her workplace, and she took it upon herself to help them.  It took her almost a year to finish, but she explained, "After that, I was prepared to take on ANY challenge."  In addition to her new position with CCAS, she intends to continue her volunteer role as Vice-Chairwoman for Furrever Friends Rescue and Volunteers, Inc.  Andersch credits "Moomie" - her childhood pet cat - for inspiring her enduring love and respect for all animals.

CCAS' numerous programs have made a positive impact throughout the local animal welfare community.  They offer monthly low-cost spay/neuter clinics, maintain a network of over 100 foster homes, encourage T-N-R (Trap, Neuter, Return) programs for feral cats, partner with breed specific and local rescues, recruit valuable volunteers and implement multiple adoption programs and opportunities.  These programs are all in addition to housing 4000 homeless animals a year.  The result has been a rapid decline in CCAS's euthanasia rates.

Andersch's first goal is to pull the community together to cope with the current "kitten and puppy season", as animals arrive at the shelter in numbers 5 times greater than potential adopters.  She pleads, "We need the families of Camden County to understand the urgency here.  We need them to take action and come forward to foster animals, to adopt, and to volunteer at events and clinics. It is crucial that we actively work together for the survival of the animals coming into CCAS.  Each deserves to leave with a responsible, loving guardian".

The Camden County Animal Shelter was built in 1997 by the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders in response to the overwhelming stray/unwanted animal population in the county that overburdened other local shelters.
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April 30, 2008

Body pulled from Maple Shade creek

source www.philly.com

A body was retrieved in Maple Shade this afternoon after it washed up on the banks of Pennsauken Creek, police said.

Authorities have not released any further details.

In January, two men confessed to beating a teenager to death and dumping her body in the waterway.

Officials believe that Felicia Mikels, a 17-year-old mother from Pennsauken, was bludgeoned at a garage where her uncle, Christopher Mikels, stored cleaning equipment.

Prosecutors have charged Christopher Mikels, 26, and Douglas Mandichak, 25, with her murder.

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ClearysNoteBook: Search Continues For Felicia Mikels; former ...

The search is continuing for the body of Felicia Mikels, 17 of Pennsauken. Mikels lived with her grandmother, Margaret Mikels, and her sister in a two-story ...
gloucestercitynews.typepad.com/clearysnotebook/2008/01/search-continue.html - 98k - Cached - Similar pages

ClearysNoteBook: Friends/ Family of Felicia Mikels set up fund for ...

Feb 9, 2008 ... Although the body of 17-year-old Felicia Mikels remains missing in the icy waters of the Pennsauken  Creek in Cinnaminson, her neighbors, ...
gloucestercitynews.typepad.com/clearysnotebook/2008/02/friends-family.html - 94k - Cached - Similar pages

ClearysNoteBook: Pained kin defends brother*

Officials have said Christopher Mikels, 26, was present in mid-January when Douglas Mandichak, 25, of Maple Shade, allegedly beat 17-year-old Felicia Mikels ...
gloucestercitynews.typepad.com/clearysnotebook/2008/03/pained-kin-defe.html - 88k - Cached - Similar pages

April 28, 2008

Camden City: Missing Boy Has Been Found

 

April 28, 2008

SOURCE Press Release

The missing child, Raul Maure, a thirteen year old boy from Camden City, was found last night at a friend's house in Mount Holly, safe and sound.

The Camden City Police Department would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in this matter.

He was reported missing by his mother on April 24, 2008. Raul was last seen in his residence located at the 800 block of North 32nd Street. He left for school that day at  6:50 AM but never reported to class.

April 25, 2008

Gloucester City: Robert Dornbach Missing Since Nov. 2005

Robert   William   Dornbach        Source NJ State Police Home Page

To see Missing Person's List click .   SEE RELATED STORY ON CNB

   
         
                 
                                                                                                                                    
Last NameDornbach   
First NameRobert   
Middle NameWilliam   
SexMale   
RaceCaucasian   
Date Of Birth9/15/1988   
Place Of BirthNew Jersey   
Height5'8"   
Weight170 pounds   
HairBrown   
EyesBrown   
ComplexionFair   
Scars/Marks/TattoosSee Below   
Last SeenNovember 27, 2005   
NCICM065330110   
Robert was last seen in Gloucester City, NJ on November 27, 2005. He does have a scar on his right knee, a tattoo on his left arm "D BACH," a tattoo on his right ankle "Cross," and a pierced lower lip.
He does wear a silver necklace. Robert does have relatives in the Atlantic City area.

Any further information, please contact Gloucester City Police Department at #856-456-0900 or NJSP Missing Persons Unit at #800-709-7090.

April 24, 2008

Camden County: Police Ask Public for Assistance in Locating 14-Year-Old

Media Release April 23, 2008  

Acting Camden County Prosecutor Joshua Ottenberg and Clementon Police Chief David Kunkel asked for assistance Wednesday locating a 14-year-old who ran away from home early this morning. 

Francess Inigo,(PHOTO) of Clementon, was last seen by her family last night, April 22. About 3 a.m. this morning they reported to police they found a note from Inigo saying she had left home and would come back at some point. She was last seen wearing pink flannel pajama bottoms, a black tank top and gray sneakers. She is Filipino, about 5-feet-2-inches tall, 125 pounds, with shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes.  

Investigators are looking into the possibility that Inigo may be with an acquaintance, Kevin Y. Caberto, M/22, of Voorhees. Caberto is described as a 5-foot-7-inch Asian with black hair, brown eyes, weighing about 210 pounds. He drives a blue 2007 Honda Civic, New Jersey license plate number VUK69X, and is a student at Camden County College. He also left a note with family stating he was leaving. 

Anyone with information on Inigo's whereabouts is asked to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Investigator Amy Pisano at (856) 225-8400 or Clementon Police Detective Robert Worrick at (856) 783-2271.

ROBERTS, REDD TO HOST JOB FAIR FOR CAMDEN* YOUTH

Media Release

CAMDEN) – Senator Dana L. Redd and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. will host a job fair at One Stop Career Center Auditorium, 2600 Mt. Ephraim Ave, Suite 105, Camden, Tuesday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sponsors include NJ Dept. of Labor, South Jersey Transportation Authority, Camden County One Stop Career Center and Summer HEAT (Help Employ Area Teens). Employers attending will include The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, US Vision, Express Personnel, Student Transportation of America, A-1 Dependable Cleaning, NEST International and UPS.

Free transportation will be provided to residents across the street from Camden Transportation Center, in front of the Ronald McDonald House, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at 20 min. intervals. Contact: Debbie Sutherland for more details at (856) 968-4212.

April 21, 2008

Lautenberg, Menendez Announce $1.2 Million To Clean Up Sites In Newark, Jersey City & Camden

Media Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award three New Jersey cities with a total of $1.2 million to clean up and re-develop several Brownfield sites.

     “The Brownfields program is essential in the effort to clean up contaminated sites,” said Sen. Lautenberg.  “This funding will not only help Newark, Jersey City and Camden revitalize these sites for the benefit of our residents and communities, it will also create much needed jobs and stimulate the economy.”

      “This funding will go a long way to returning these brownfields to productive uses, while also protecting our environment and improving overall quality of life in these communities,” said Sen. Menendez.  “I am happy to see that we are working to restore brownfields sites in New Jersey and hope that we can continue to invest in projects that benefit our state both environmentally and economically.”

    The EPA Brownfields program, which Sen. Lautenberg has helped strengthen as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, helps communities clean up, redevelop or reuse facilities that range from major industrial sites to small facilities or old gas stations. This year, the EPA awarded 194 assessment grants totaling $38.7 million as well as 108 cleanup grants totaling $19.6 million through the program.

      EPA Brownfields grants have been awarded to the following New Jersey cities:

    •    Newark – two grants totaling $400,000 to assess local Brownfield sites impacted by hazardous substances and petroleum contamination;

     •    Jersey City – one $200,000 grant to assess sites potentially contaminated with hazardous substances and another $200,000 grant to assess abandoned gas stations; and

    •    Camden – two grants totaling $400,000 for petroleum cleanup at the former Tire and Battery Site located at 1350 Admiral Wilson Boulevard.

               

Camden City: Schools Close Early Do to Union Job action

http://www.courierpostonline.com

The problems continued into the day until the district dismissed students at 12:45 p.m. today -- about two hours early -- because there was not enough custodial staff, a district spokesman said. Spokesman Bart Leff would not call the absent workers a "sick-out" or "strike," though those were terms a number of callers to the Courier-Post this morning used.

It was not immediately clear whether janitors had organized to halt work. The custodial staff is represented by the Communications Workers of America. Leroy Baylor, CWA Local 1079 president, did not immediately return a call for comment.

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April 20, 2008

Bridge lighting a green effort

 
source www.nj.com

Sunday, April 20, 2008
 

CAMDEN The Ben Franklin Bridge will be arrayed in green decorative lighting on Tuesday to mark the significance of Earth Day.

The Delaware River Port Authority is promoting the importance of "going green" by urging everyone to use recycled materials and cut down on car emissions by using mass transit, such as PATCO.

read more

April 11, 2008

Collingswood NJ: Developers pack meeting about 'transit village'

source www.courierpostonline.com

Last month, the borough and the Delaware River Port Authority announced they were seeking a developer to build a Transit Village for the 9-acre site.

Transit villages are high density, mixed-use developments built within 1/4 to 1/2 mile of a mass transit station in hopes of attracting residents who want urban conveniences in a small-town setting.

The purpose of Thursday's meeting was to give developers interested in submitting their qualifications for the job a chance to learn more about the project.
read more
 

SENATOR REDD OPENS NEW OFFICE IN CAMDEN’S VICTOR BUILDING

 (CAMDEN) – Senator Dana L. Redd today reaffirmed her commitment to providing 5th Legislative District residents with high quality constituent services and access by opening a new district office at The Victor Building on Camden's revitalized waterfront.

"Our goal is to provide residents with ample opportunity to make suggestions, provide feedback and ask questions," said Senator Redd (D-Camden, Gloucester). "Efficient, effective service is our highest priority."

Senator Redd's new office address is The Victor, One Market Street, Suite 203, Camden, NJ 08102. The new phone number is (856) 225-9068 and the fax number is (856) 225-9369. Senator Redd can also be reached via email at SenRedd@njleg.org.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. The district office is staffed by professionals who can answer questions dealing with constituent concerns such as property tax rebates, state services for senior citizens, and other state governmental issues.

"We encourage residents to reach out and provide input about the issues that are important to them," Redd said. "Our ability to serve is enhanced when people express their concerns or share their opinions."

New Jersey' 5th Legislative District consists of Audubon, Barrington, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Camden, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Hi-Nella, Lawnside, Magnolia, Mount Ephraim, Runnemede, Somerdale, Stratford and Woodlynne in Camden County; and Deptford, Westville, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights in Gloucester County.

# # #

April 09, 2008

Plans for new Camden Diocese School Moves Ahead

source www.nj.com

The diocese plans to build a 1,200- to 1,500-student high school with an athletic complex and a 500- to 600-space parking lot on 100 acres across from the Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds. The school would require approximately 30,000 gallons of daily sewer capacity, according to Larry Reader, director of temporal services for the diocese. However, the site is outside the township's sewer service area. Furthermore, Harrison does not have the sewer capacity to bring the school online at this point in time. Township officials anticipate sewer capacity to possibly become available in the future. Once capacity becomes available, the township would have to amend its wastewater management plan to include the school site in the sewer district.

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Camden County Emerald Society Fire Truck Pull, see application

Fire_truck_pull_copy

Fire Truck Pull Application:

http://www.ccespd.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77&d=1206645668

April 08, 2008

Kennedy Health System offers meals for seniors

 


The Kennedy Health System is offering its monthly breakfasts and dinners for senior citizens in the cafeterias of its Camden County hospitals.

Breakfast will take place from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Chapel Avenue and Cooper Landing Road, Cherry Hill, on April 14. It will be available at the same time at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, 18 E. Laurel Rd., Stratford, on April 15.

Menu items include a choice of eggs, breakfast meat and potatoes or oatmeal, fruit and yogurt. The cost is $3.50.

The dinners will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 16 at the Cherry Hill facility and April 24 at the Stratford hospital.

The menu includes a choice of entree, vegetable, soup and salad bar, dessert and beverage. The cost is $4.99.

To make reservations, call the system's ElderMed office at 800-522-1965.

April 07, 2008

Decision a shocker for parish, pastor

source www.courierpostonline.com

"This will go down as the dumbest decision in the history of the  diocese".... Bill Bloemker (St. Vincent parishioner since 1965)

Just five months ago, the church spent $1 million to build a 7,000-square-foot rectory and a nearly 8,000-square-foot memorial hall to replace the toxic-mold-ridden old rectory. Because the church shares its parking lot with Paul VI High School, parishioners have 400 off-street parking spaces available to them and the church seats roughly 800 people, about twice the size of St. Aloysius.

St. Aloysius is half the size of St. Vincent, sits in an area with little room for expansion and has very little off-street parking, St. Vincent parishioners said.

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April 04, 2008

Bishop announces a reconfiguration of parishes in the diocese

Source http://www.camdendiocese.org

Thursday, 03 April 2008

Citing the need to bring new vitality to parish life, Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden today announced his intention to reconfigure parishes in the six southern counties of New Jersey. Bishop Galante made the announcement in a web video posted to the diocese's website on Thursday afternoon.

Under the announced reconfiguration, there will be 38 merged parishes, three parish clusters (involving six parishes) and 22 stand-alone parishes.  The reconfiguration, when fully implemented, will bring about an overall reduction in the number of parishes from the current 124 parishes to 66 parishes.   

The number of worship sites serving each new configuration will vary. There will be primary, year-round sites, while others will function as secondary sites, mission sites or will be utilized during summer months to accommodate overflow populations in shore areas during the peak tourist season.   In all, up to 100 worship sites could be utilized by the 66 parishes, depending on the time of the year.

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April 03, 2008

Bishop announces massive Camden Diocese shakeup

source www.courierpostonline.com

Mergers will affect four parishes in Cherry Hill.

Queen of Heaven is to join with nearby St. Peter Celestine on the town's west side, while St Pius X (west side) will join with Holy Rosary on the east side.

   In addition, St. Mary parish is to be clustered with St. Thomas More.

   Other mergers in Camden County:

   --St John and Transfiguration, both in Collingswood will join with Holy Saviour in Westmont.

   --St. Aloysius of Oaklyn and St. Vincent Pallotti of Haddon Township.

   --Also Sacred Heart in Mount Ephraim with Holy Maternity in Audubon.

--Annunciation of Bellmawr is to join St. Anne of Westville and St. Maurice of Brooklawn. Standing alone would be St. Peter in Merchantville, St. Stephen in Pennsauken, Immaculate Heart in Woodlynne and St. Mary of Gloucester City, the oldest parish in the diocese.

More mergers:
read more


  

March 31, 2008

Bishop Galante set to announce new parish configurations

source http://www.catholicstarherald.org

Having completed a lengthy process of consultation with deanery planners, the Diocesan Planning Commission and the Presbyteral Council, Bishop Joseph Galante next week will announce his intentions for the reconfiguration of parishes in the six counties of the diocese.

The announcement will be made Thursday, April 3 at 1:30 p.m. through a web-based video that will be available for viewing at www.CamdenDiocese.org. The video, along with the full text of Bishop Galante’s remarks, will be archived on the website for viewing at any time after that. Bishop Galante also is expected to brief area media that afternoon.

For those who do not have access to the Internet, the text of the Bishop’s remarks will be printed in its entirety in the April 4 edition of the Catholic Star Herald. DVDs of the announcement will also be available to parishes.

read more


March 25, 2008

Bill Winegardner, of Gloucester City, Retired after 34 Years working in Pennsauken School District, Soccer Coach for 3 Area High Schools

Williamcwinegardner William Charles Winegardner, passed away on Sunday, March 23rd.  The family will receive friends from 11:30am to 1:00pm on April 5th at McCann-Healey Funeral Home, 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ (856-456-1142). A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on April 5th at the same location.

Family and friends are invited to gather after the service to celebrate Bill's life. Bill was born in Woodbury, NJ, on February 13th, 1940.  He attended Glassboro State College where he earned a B.A. in Education in 1964 and a Masters Degree in Student Personnel Services in 1971. Bill was a science teacher and Guidance Counselor in the Pennsauken School district for 34 years, retiring in 1998. He was also a celebrated soccer coach for Camden Catholic High School, Pennsauken High School and Paulsboro High School.

Bill was predeceased by his loving parents William Winegardner and Helen Freas. A devoted husband to his wife, Dianne, they were high school sweethearts and have been together for fifty years. Also survived by his children, Krista and William, his daughter-in-law Jennifer, cousin Janet (Bob) Fleeger, nieces Susan, Alyne and Lori, nephew Robert and Soccer buddy Charles "Skip" Arnold.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Collingswood Manor Fellowship Fund: 460 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ  08108. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey .com under online obituaries of  William Charles Winegardner. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Phone: 856-456-1142

Related: Obituaries

March 24, 2008

The retired aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy arrived

Dsc_0188wtmk

Photos courtesy of William E. Rieger III

The retired aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy arrived Saturday, March 22  iDsc_0007wtmk n Philadelphia, where it will remain until the Navy decides its fate.

Spectators lined the shore as the 1,050-foot-long ship, which has a 4.6-acre flight deck, was towed slowly up the Delaware River to Pier 4 in South Philadelphia.

The ship, which entered service in 1968, was modernized at a cost of $600 million as the last project of the old Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the mid-1990s.

USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), formerly CVA-67, was a supercarrier of the United States Navy. Nicknamed "Big John", she was named after the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was originally designated a CVA, or strictly an air combat ship; however, the designation was changed to CV to denote that the ship was capable of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), making her an all-purpose carrier.

Kennedy held her decommissioning ceremony on March 23, 2007 at Mayport, Florida. 18 months short of 40 years service in the United States Navy. She was officially decommissioned on August 1, 2007 [1] leaving the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) as the US Navy's only conventionally-powered carrier remaining in commission.

The ship's keel was laid on October 22, 1964. She was christened May 27, 1967 by Jacqueline Kennedy and her 9-year-old daughter, Caroline at Newport News, Virginia, and entered service September 7, 1968. John F. Kennedy is a modified version of the earlier Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers but there are enough differences in the Kennedy that the Navy considers her in a single-class of her own. Kennedy was ordered as a nuclear carrier, using the A3W reactor, but converted to conventional propulsion after construction had begun. The island is somewhat different from the Kitty Hawk class, with angled funnels to direct smoke and gases away from the flight deck.   Source Wikepedia


Dsc_0078wtmk

 

March 21, 2008

Camden County fires 4 jail officers who live in Glouco*

source www.courierpostonline.com

All four officers were given one year to move back to Camden County, but decided instead to fight the residency requirement. They claim many of their fellow officers at the jail also live outside Camden County, but aren't being disciplined because they provided a false address or are friends with supervising officers.

The county's residency policy dates to November 1981. Since then, it's been relaxed three times during episodes of confusion over the rule so that out-of-county employees could continue working for the county.

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, D-Union, has introduced a bill in the state Assembly that would ban counties from requiring county law enforcement officers to live in the county in which they work.

The bill didn't come up for a vote in either the Assembly or the Senate last legislative session. If it were to pass this time, however, it would be too late for the four officers because it wouldn't be retroactive, Davis said.

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March 10, 2008

The $1 Billion vision for Pennsauken's mostly decayed, industrial riverfront has hit a snag.

source www.courierpostonline.com

The township and its chosen redeveloper, North Carolina-based Cherokee Investment Partners, are now in talks about the future of a $1 billion-plus project that was supposed to bring more than 2,600 housing units, retail, restaurants, a hotel conference center, a golf course, a marina and community recreation facilities to the riverfront and the ecologically sensitive Petty's Island, said David Luthman, the township's solicitor.

On Feb. 28, the state Inspector General's Office released a report that harshly criticized a Cherokee company, EnCap Golf Holdings LLC, for its management of the Meadowlands remediation and redevelopment project in Bergen County.
read more

Related: Encap on CNB

March 09, 2008

Camden City: Campbell’s Expansion Will Proceed

source www.globest.com
By Eric Peterson

CAMDEN, NJ-Campbell Soup Co. is set to move forward with its headquarters expansion and the development of a surrounding business campus in this city’s Downtown. The plans signal the company’s intention to keep its headquarters here, where it’s been since 1869.

Plans were initially announced a year ago, but stalled over density issues for the 100-acre site and a proposal to demolish the former Sears building. The latter has not been occupied by Sears since the early 1970s, but is considered a local landmark.

The anchor for the proposed redevelopment remains intact--under a revised project development agreement with the state, city and Camden Redevelopment Agency, a new 80,000-sf employee services building for Campbell, with an estimated price tag of $72 million, will rise on 40 acres. But the proposed office park has been scaled back from 500,000 sf to 200,000 sf. Campbell will also kick in $23 million toward infrastructure improvements.

read more


March 07, 2008

Haddonfield: Rotary Club offers foreign study grants

 

The Rotary Club of Haddonfield is seeking candidates for the Rotary District Ambassadorial Scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.

The scholarship, given by the Rotary district, provides a flat grant of $23,000 to college students in their junior or senior year for one academic year (2009-10) of study in another country.

Candidates must be endorsed by the Rotary Club of Haddonfield and be sponsored by a local Rotarian. Those closely related to Rotarians are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Applications are due to the Rotary Club of Haddonfield by April 10. For more information, call Susan Briant at 856-429-1304 or e-mail sbriant384@aol.com.

 

March 05, 2008

Soul of Camden gets support in efforts to help children

source www.catholicstarherald.org

Published by Star Herald Writer
 
Thu, February 28 2008

CAMDEN — After viewing last year’s “20/20” broadcast about living conditions in Camden, parishioners at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Collings Lakes, have partnered with Soul of Camden, Inc. to work toward making a difference in the quality of life for children and families living in the city.

The Soul of Camden, Inc., is a non-profit, faith-based, community development organization founded by members of St. Bartholomew Church, located on Kaighns Avenue in Camden.

Parishioners of Our Lady of the Lakes have been contributing monetary as well as in-kind donations to the Soul of Camden, Inc., to support various community outreach programs.

Recently, the parishioners raised funds by collecting donations in exchange for recipe booklets containing many of the “treats” offered after Sunday Mass. These donations were used to support education enrichment activities for students attending the Soul of Camden, Inc. after-school program.

There are 22 students enrolled in the program, with 16 who attend on a regular basis. The program is free to families, with the understanding that the parents will make an effort to participate in community activities and events that address quality of life issues.

The after-school program uses the facilities of St. Bartholomew Church, and currently depends on volunteers and donations to remain active. The program’s focus is on mentoring at-risk youth between the ages of 6 and 14.

Homework help is provided, along with a range of activities that are directed at building positive moral values and citizenship. Field trips have included The King Tut Exhibit; the African-American History Exhibit; the Philadelphia Zoo; Adventure Aquarium; Discovery Museum; Camden Children’s Garden; and the Battleship New Jersey.

A small delegation representing St. Bartholomew Church and the Soul of Camden, Inc., traveled to Verona on the first Sunday in October last year to attend Mass and speak about the mission of the Soul of Camden, Inc. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Soul of Camden, Inc., was able to provide $50 and $30 food gift certificates to 33 families, with contributions from Our Lady of the Lakes and the Office of Black Catholic Ministry.

In December 2007 a group of parishioners from Our Lady of the Lakes came to St. Bartholomew with a truckload of donations, gifts of new clothing and toys for children attending the after-school program, as well as for many other children of families in need, identified through the organization’s outreach activities.

Our Lady of the Lakes parishioners have also outlined a number of additional activities they will support throughout the school years, such as a book drive and a pen pal program.

The Soul of Camden, Inc., has volunteer opportunities for high school and college students who are looking to fulfill community service requirements working with youth in Camden. Seniors are also welcome, as well as anyone who would like to support community outreach activities. To help, contact Marian E. Jones at watkinsjones@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or leave a message at 856-365-4440.

March 03, 2008

Cherry Hill native manager of new Florida Oliver Garden

source www2.highlandstoday.com

According to a press release from the company, the bar top is crafted from lava stone, then hand-painted by artisans in Italy with design created exclusively for Olive Garden.

A native of New Jersey, McCullough has been with Olive Garden for seven years. She started with the chain as an hourly employee. Most recently, she was the culinary manager at the Cherry Hill, N.J., location.

McCullough received a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminal justice and a secondary social studies teaching certificate from the University of Delaware.

She wanted to come to Florida because she has relatives in Tampa and DeLand.

In her spare time, McCullough said she likes to play pool ( she was in a billiards league in New Jersey) and to ride her bike.

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