Philadelphia Bar Association\’s Statement on Alleged Racially Derogatory Remarks by Judge

PHILADELPHIA, PA –

In response to recent reports that Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli is alleged to have made racially derogatory comments about a black juror,

Philadelphia Bar Association

Chancellor Hon. A. Michael Snyder (ret.) issued the following statement:

“The Philadelphia Bar Association, and its members, have long been committed to the

imperative of respect for all individuals. We cannot, and will not, tolerate comments by a jurist which reflect racial bias or disparagement. The allegation of any such comments by a judge demands a full investigation.

“We condemn the comments alleged to have been made by Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli. We join with the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association in demanding a full and complete investigation of the alleged conduct.

“Such comments, if made, reflect an intolerance and lack of respect for all involved in the judicial process. The fair administration of justice demands that everyone, of any race, ethnicity or gender be treated with dignity and respect.

“We cannot expect our citizenry to respect the judicial process if members of the judiciary do not demonstrate a respect for those who appear before them.

“We must remember that justice denied to one is justice denied to all.

“Therefore, we anticipate a full and appropriate review by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board. We further anticipate a speedy and just resolution of these charges.”

JEROME BY DAVE WOLFE

ARTIST Dave Wolfe

Vol. 6 No. 33 (February 16, 2020)

Editor\’s Note: Each Sunday morning we post a weekly comic strip provided by cartoonist Dave Wolfe. (click image to enlarge)

Barbara C. Hanna (nee Gruenski) of Bellmawr

Barbara C. Hanna (nee Gruenski), suddenly on February 14, 2020, of Bellmawr. Age 79.

Beloved wife of the late William J. Hanna, Jr. Devoted mother of William J. Hanna III, Mark C. Hanna (Andrea), and Daniel S. Hanna. Loving grandmother of William J. Hanna, Sara

Hanna, Daniel Hanna, Marc Hanna (Jason Rosner), Tyler Hanna (Brittney Twyman), Alexandra Hanna (Joshua Ledden), Abigail Hanna, and the late Daniel Brown-Hanna. Dear great-grandmother of Aubree Ledden. Sister of the late Frank Gruenski, Daniel Gruenski, and Theresa Gruenski.

There will be a viewing 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday evening and from 10am to 11am on Thursday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral service 11am at the funeral home. Interment Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38106, 800-822-6344.

Beware of Social Security Scams

NEWS FOR OLDER AMERICANS

(NAPSI)—Calls and e-mails from scammers pretending to be government employees are widespread. Social Security phone scams are the #1 scam

If you get a threatening call from someone saying they are from Social Security, it is from a scammer.

reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Chances are you, a friend, or a family member have received a call like this.

You don’t have to be receiving benefits to become a victim. You may get a call saying there is a problem with your Social Security number or account. Everyone, regardless of age, income, and geography, is at risk. Scammers will try to scare and trick you into giving them your personal information or money.

Is It A Scam?

The best way to protect yourself and your money is to recognize a scam. Scammers use intimidating language and often offer a “solution” to fix what they say is a serious problem with your Social Security number or account. How can you tell when it’s a scam? Social Security will not:

• Say your Social Security number has been suspended.

• Promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information.

• Call to demand an immediate payment.

• Insist you pay a debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.

• Require payment by retail gift card, pre-paid debit card, Internet currency, wire transfer, or by mailing cash.

• Ask for your personal information.

Scammers prey on your fears. The stories they tell you would scare anyone. No matter how horrible the story, if they do anything above, it’s a scam.

What Should You Do?

If you receive a suspicious call, the safest thing for you to do is:

1. Hang up!

2. Don’t share personal information or make a payment.

3. Report the scam to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General at

https://oig.ssa.gov.

And, if you receive such threats via e-mail, delete the e-mail and do not click on any links or download any attachments. Even if the e-mail or an attachment contains Social Security’s seal or names of real people, ignore it. Then, report the scam.

Other Tips

How about if Social Security needs to contact you? Generally, they will mail you a letter and only contact you by phone if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with them.

Usually, Social Security will mail you a letter that contains telephone numbers for contacting them. You can also contact Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting

SSA.gov

Scammers are always looking for the next way to trick someone. No matter how someone might try to scam you, learning the warning signs shared here can go a long way to protecting yourself and someone you care about from identify theft and financial loss.

If you think you have been scammed, don’t be embarrassed. Report the scam to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General at

https://oig.ssa.gov

and share this important information with your family and friends.

Think Vaping Is Safe?? Think again!!!

Get The Facts On The Dangers Of Vaping-

The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Addiction, and Camden County College Human Services Program are sponsoring an

informational event on the dangers of vaping on February 20, 2020 at 6pm at the Camden County College Connector Buidling- Rm 105, 200 College Drive Blackwood NJ.

Camden County College Series

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

NJCU Over Rutgers-Camden

CAMDEN City, N.J. (Feb. 15, 2020) – The New Jersey City University men’s basketball team outscored Rutgers University-Camden, 51-28, in the second half to overcome a one-point halftime deficit and went on to defeat the Scarlet Raptors, 90-70, in a New

Jersey Athletic Conference game here Saturday afternoon.

The contest served as Senior Day for four-year Scarlet Raptor letterman

Isaac Destin,

who closes out his stellar career Wednesday night when the Scarlet Raptors host Montclair State University at 8 p.m.

NJCU, which entered the day locked in a three-way battle with Rowan and Montclair State to claim the final two spots in the upcoming conference playoffs, improves to 12-12 overall and 9-8 in the NJAC. The Gothic Knights lead their all-time series against the Scarlet Raptors, 67-5, and have won their last 10 games against Rutgers-Camden.

The Scarlet Raptors fall to 7-17 overall and 5-12 in the NJAC.

In a tight first half that saw 10 lead changes, Rutgers-Camden scored the final field goal on a layup by junior guard

Arian Azemi

to take a 42-41 advantage at the break. Azemi also had a layup to open the second half, making it a 44-41 game, before NJCU scored the next 10 points to grab a 51-46 lead.

NJCU increased its margin to seven points (53-46) before Rutgers-Camden scored 11 of the next 15 points, tying the game at 57-57 on a trey by Azemi. NJCU answered, however, on a trey by senior forward Sam Toney, the Gothic Knights’ two-time NJAC Player of the Year. That shot sparked a six-point run that put NJCU ahead to stay.

NJCU led by as many as 23 points (92-69) near the end of the game.

Toney paced four players in double figures for the Gothic Knights, scoring 24 points and barely missing a double-double by ending with nine rebounds. Junior guard Denzel Banks scored 22 and senior forward Jaimik Moore added 18 points and four assists for NJCU. Junior forward Jahmere Calhoun finished with a double-double of 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, while also leading both teams with four steals.

Azemi notched a game-high 31 points for Rutgers-Camden, including 5-for-10 shooting from three-point range. Destin collected his ninth double-double of the year with 23 points and 11 rebounds and sophomore forward

Jake Petrik

nailed four treys on his way to 12 points.

Destin and junior forward

Ian McCarthy

both had four assists for the Raptors, tying NJCU’s Moore for game-high honors.

The Gothic Knights shot 35-for-61 from the floor (57.4 percent), including 9-for-19 (47.4) from three-point range. Rutgers-Camden shot 23-for-52 (44.2) overall, including 10-for-23 (43.5) from beyond the arc.

The Gothic Knights held a 38-26 advantage off the boards.

Congressman Kim Joins Burlington/Ocean County Schools to Deliver Valentines for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C.

(February 14, 2020)––

Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03)

joined Toms River Regional and North Hanover Schools to participate in Valentines for Veterans, an effort as part of the annual “

Salute a Veteran Patient Week

” to thank New Jersey veterans for their service and remind them of their special place in our

communities.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, we owe them our thanks and gratitude,” said Congressman Kim. “It is incredibly inspiring to see students from Toms River and North Hanover come together to provide that thanks to our veterans. I want to thank the Toms River and North Hanover schools for their leadership and initiative. They’ve shown the importance of coming together to support those who served.”

Students from Toms River Regional Schools and the North Hanover Township School District participated in this program, making Valentine’s Day cards for veterans. Congressman Kim delivered these valentines to the VA’s Philadelphia Medical Center to be distributed to local veterans.

“The district is always proud to support our local veterans, especially when doing so highlights the talent and compassion of our students,” said Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent David Healy. “We’re thankful to Congressman Kim and his team for helping facilitate this project, we’re proud of our teachers and students for their work and creativity, and we’re hopeful these cards brighten the days of our veterans in VA facilities throughout the area.”

Congressman Kim has been a vocal proponent for a

new veterans’ health care facility in Ocean County

, and has introduced bipartisan legislation to

protect veterans from VA errors

and help

veterans identify employment opportunities

during their transition to civilian life. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by

clicking here

Raptors Eliminated from Playoff Contention by NJCU Women

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. (Feb. 15, 2020) – Entering their New Jersey Athletic Conference showdown here Saturday afternoon, the Rutgers University-Camden women’s basketball team had its playoff hopes on life-support, while New Jersey City University was on the verge of program history.

The Gothic Knights made history, earning their first NJAC playoff berth since 1989. In the process, they eliminated Rutgers-Camden from a post-season berth with a 54-49 victory.

NJCU, which started the day two games ahead of Rutgers-Camden with two remaining in the fight for the final NJAC playoff berth, improved to 11-13 overall. The Gothic Knights are 8-9 in NJAC play with one game remaining before heading into their first conference playoff game in 31 years.

Rutgers-Camden fell to 12-12 overall and 5-12 in the NJAC. The Scarlet Raptors have lost their last three games against the Gothic Knights, although they lead the all-time series, 39-27.

Prior to the game, the Scarlet Raptors celebrated Senior Day, honoring four-year star

Fatimah Williams,

their lone senior. Williams will play her final collegiate game Wednesday when Rutgers-Camden hosts Montclair State University at 6 p.m.

NJCU led for the entire first half, taking a 24-17 lead into halftime. Rutgers-Camden scored the first seven points of the third quarter, tying the game at 24-24 on a three-point field goal by junior guard

Shane Holmes.

Once again, the Gothic Knights took the lead and didn’t relinquish it until a pair of foul shots by Williams gave the Raptors a 36-34 advantage with 1:53 left in the third quarter. Entering the final frame, Rutgers-Camden held a 40-38 advantage.

With the Raptors leading, 42-40, junior guard/forward Dayjah Anderson hit a three-pointer to give NJCU the lead for good. The Gothic Knights built their margin to seven points (54-47) late in the game.

Freshman forward Sarah Edmond and senior guard Aaliyah McCrae both scored 11 points for the Gothic Knights, with Edmond completing an impressive double-double with 18 rebounds. Anderson added nine points and eight rebounds for NJCU, which held a 54-49 advantage off the boards.

Williams collected 20 points to lead the Scarlet Raptors, jumping over the 1,200-point milestone for her career and vaulting into eighth place on the all-time scoring list. She passed both Michelle Obasi (1,193 points from 2014-18) and Brittany Turner (1,195 from 2009-13).

Freshman guard/forward

Jalissa Pitts

added 15 points for the Raptors. Both Pitts and Williams barely missed double-doubles, finishing with nine rebounds apiece.

NJCU shot 13-for-50 (26.0 percent) from the floor and Rutgers-Camden shot 16-for-56 (28.6), but the Gothic Knights went 21-for-35 (60.0) from the foul line, while the Raptors made were 13-for-18 (72.2) and made 21 turnovers.

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Police Blotter: Feb. 3-9

Reminder for the week: Spring ahead of Spring Aboard boating safety campaign

DOVER (Feb. 14, 2020) – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education, and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Feb. 3-9 made 869 public contacts and

responded to 22 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

On Feb. 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed their role and reviewed safe hunting practices, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field with attendees of a Hunter Education Class held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 16 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation:

Failure to tag traps, hunting license forgery, and hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp.

Fisheries Conservation:

Harvesting oysters without a commercial shellfish license.

Public Safety:

Possession of marijuana – civil and reckless endangering.

Other:

Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area* and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area*.

Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app downloaded from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to

http://de.gov/ogt

, or using the DENRP Tip app; Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

This year’s Spring Aboard campaign will take place from March 17-23; however, courses are being offered now. These courses cover the rules and regulations of Delaware’s waterways, including appropriate speed limits, responsible boating skills and awareness, how to distinguish navigational aids and water depths, weather tips, information about basic engine mechanics, required and recommended safety equipment, what to do if a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer stops your vessel, and the dangers of boating under the influence. Upon completing the course, boaters receive a boating safety certificate, which is required to operate motorized boats in Delaware for boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1978.

For more information, including Delaware’s boating safety course schedule, access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook, and other boating information, please visit

Delaware Boating Safety