Camden County Office of Emergency Management issues “Code Blue”

(Gloucester Township, NJ) – The Camden County Office of Emergency Management declared that Camden County will be under a Code Blue Advisory from for the following dates and times due to projected dangerously low temperatures by the National Weather Service:

Tuesday December 30, 7:00 p.m. – Wednesday December 31, 7:00 a.m.
• Projected temperature: 27°F
Wednesday December 31, 7:00 p.m. – Friday January 2, 7:00 a.m.
• Projected temperature: Low of 18°F

Code Blue Advisories are declared when the National Weather Service predicts that the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or the wind chill temperature will be zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower for a period of two hours or more.

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Beatrice K. Crecelius, 95, of Haddon Heights

(nee Deuter) Lifelong resident of Haddon Heights, NJ, passed away on December 27, 2025.  She was 95 years old.

Beloved wife of 62 years of the late Kenneth D. Crecelius.  Dear mother of the late Darren K. Crecelius.  Loving grandmother and great grandmother.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Friday, January 2, 2026, 10:30 to 11 AM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 250 S. White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ.  Remembrance Service will follow at 11 AM.  Interment Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill, NJ.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Beatrice K. Crecelius, please visit our flower store.

Philadelphia CBP officers intercept six more dangerous ketamine smuggling attempts from Europe

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted six separate ketamine smuggling attempts in Philadelphia, most recently on Dec. 11, that shipped from Europe to addresses in the United States.

Ketamine hydrochloride is a Schedule III non-narcotic compound regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. It is a dangerous anesthetic commonly known on the street as “Special K,” “Donkey Dust,” and “Cat Killer,” and is smoked, snorted, or mixed in beverages, or cut with other dangerous drugs. Overdoses can lead to serious health threats, such as nausea, elevated heart rate, unconsciousness, convulsions, and respiratory failure.

Ketamine is used lawfully by medical professionals to treat human and animal patients. However, ketamine is used illegally by street addicts and recreational users as a hallucinogen, similar to phencyclidine (PCP). Sexual predators also use ketamine to incapacitate their victims.

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New Year’s Eve forecast calls for colder air in the Northeast, rain returns to the West

AccuWeather® Global Weather Center – Dec. 29, 2025 – People planning to celebrate the new year at outdoor events should plan for colder air in the Northeast, while families heading to the parade and the bowl game in Southern California should prepare for rain.


“The stormy stretch after Christmas Day is finally winding down, just in time to celebrate the new year. Snow showers and some periods of heavier snow could create some travel trouble across the Great Lakes and Northeast on New Year’s Eve. While there still will be pockets of poor travel through New Year’s Day, much of the country will have good travel conditions following the back-to-back winter storms that swept through parts of the Midwest and Northeast,” AccuWeather® Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco said.


New York City Forecast



AccuWeather® expert meteorologists say there could be more than confetti in the air at the New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York City this year.  

“People heading out to the ball drop or other outdoor celebrations should bundle up. Flurries could be flying in Times Square before the ball drops,” Danco said. “The AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature before midnight will drop into the teens. Make sure you have a winter coat, hat, gloves and a scarf. Winds could gust around 15 mph.”

The forecast to ring in 2026 in New York City is drastically different from last year’s celebration. 

“It will feel roughly 20 to 30 degrees colder outside compared to last year, but at least everyone should stay much drier. Showers and thunderstorms soaked revelers in New York City last year,” Danco said

Courtesy: AccuWeather

Mantua Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material 

WOODBURY, N.J. – Nicholas Bounasis, 41, of the Sewell section of Mantua, pled  guilty to one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and one count of  second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material before the Honorable  Kevin T. Smith on Monday. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in open court:  

Bounasis was arrested on June 27, 2024 following the execution of a search warrant  of his residence by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Unit.  During the search, detectives found devices belonging to Bounasis containing images of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and evidence that Bounasis had sent  those images to other individuals via the internet. Further investigation found Bounasis had sexually assaulted a child under the age of twelve. 

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Smart Home Tech Upgrades Making Life Easier for Gloucester City Households

Homeowners in Gloucester City are increasingly turning to smart-home technology to add convenience, comfort and better control to daily life. From intelligent thermostats to connected security systems and energy-monitoring devices — these innovations are helping families streamline routines and reduce costs.

As digital tools continue to weave into daily life, Gloucester City residents are relying on a broad mix of apps that help manage everything from utility accounts to transit updates and household scheduling. Weather services, local traffic trackers and streamlined payment platforms have all become part of the quiet infrastructure people turn to throughout the day. These familiar tools show how quickly expectations shift toward systems that respond smoothly, load reliably and stay easy to navigate even as new features appear.

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The same trend is shaping entertainment and information-based apps, where developers refine layouts and strengthen device support for steadier performance. Streaming platforms, news readers and audio services now follow similar patterns aimed at smoother, more predictable use. In that wider context, updates in casino apps for 2025 align with the same user-experience priorities seen across other app categories. Like many other mobile apps, they emphasize smooth performance, simple navigation and broad device support. Many use optimized mobile sites instead of standalone apps. Fast payments, easy logins and steady access remain key features, consistent with broader expectations for modern mobile services.

These changes across everyday apps show how residents now expect technology to work smoothly in the background with minimal effort. That same preference for clarity, reliability and quiet automation extends into the home, creating a natural shift toward smart systems that manage essential functions with steady, low-friction efficiency.

Smart thermostats are among the most popular upgrades. By learning household patterns and adjusting heating and cooling automatically, these devices help minimize unnecessary energy use and maintain steadier indoor comfort throughout the day. As more homes adopt smart home devices, the combined effect can support lower utility costs and reduce overall energy strain while contributing to a more efficient living environment.

Beyond climate control, smart security systems are gaining traction across town. Integration of sensors, cameras, and smart locks provides residents with real-time access to their homes from anywhere. Users can receive alerts, review video feeds, and verify security with a few taps on a phone. That kind of flexible monitoring has been shown to enhance the sense of security and provide peace of mind, helping home life feel more controlled and manageable.

Another benefit lies in overall energy management. Smart home technologies extend beyond thermostats: devices like automated lighting, smart plugs and whole-home energy monitors help coordinate usage across appliances. They offer homeowners insights into power consumption and tools to cut waste. Studies indicate that broader adoption of such systems can deliver convenience alongside potential environmental and economic gains.

Adoption of smart home solutions is not just a fad among tech-savvy households. Recent research indicates growing acceptance among mainstream homeowners, motivated by factors like comfort, sustainability and safety. Many value the ability to automate routine tasks and manage their homes more efficiently.

For Gloucester City residents, the result is a shift in how home life feels and functions. What was once a matter of manual adjustment — fiddling with thermostats, leaving lights on or wondering whether doors were locked — becomes remote, automated, and simple. The smart-home revolution quietly reshapes daily routines, turning ordinary houses into homes built for the demands of modern living.

Across the city, the shift is subtle but steady. More households are discovering that small, precise upgrades can soften the edges of daily routines, replacing old habits with quiet automation. Lights that respond to presence, systems that steady indoor temperatures without fuss, and alerts that surface only when needed create a calmer, more predictable home environment. It’s a modern convenience that settles in without fanfare, shaping a way of living that feels both current and comfortably familiar.

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute

For more than two decades, MANIA: The ABBA Tribute has been bringing the joy and energy of ABBA to millions of fans across the globe. Their spot-on harmonies, dazzling costumes, and unforgettable hits make every performance a celebration. The world’s number one touring ABBA tribute, is back for its 2026 World Tour and they’re bringing their electrifying energy to Camden County’s Scottish Rite Auditorium on SaturdayJanuary 10th2026. Start your new year with the ultimate feel-good show, don’t miss your chance to dance and have the time of your life! Presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and in association with BRE and the Borough of Collingswood.  Doors open at 7 PM, show starts at 8 PM. To learn more, Click Here.

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration

On WednesdayDecember 31st from 11 AM to 12:30 PM at the M. Allan Vogelson Library Branch, 203 Laurel Road, Voorhees, celebrate the New Year a little early with a festive family event designed especially for families and young children!

Our Noon Year’s Eve party offers all the fun of a New Year’s celebration, without the late bedtime. This daytime celebration gives families a chance to ring in the new year together in a joyful and age-appropriate way. Join us for: Story Time, Games, Crafts, Snacks, and the Countdown to Noon! Come make memories and start the new year with fun and laughter! No registration required, just drop in and join the party. To learn more, Click Here.

Saying goodbye

During recent Assembly gatherings—voting and committee sessions—various Assembly members have taken time to bid farewell to some of the legislators who will soon be completing their final legislative term.

On December 8, the Assembly wished farewell to Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Assemblywoman Garnet Hall and Assemblyman John Allen.

Assemblywoman Sumter was honored for her years of impactful work which leave a lasting legacy. A champion for maternal health, mental health access, economic opportunity, and equity, in addition to chairing the Assembly Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee, Assemblywoman Sumter also served as Chair of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, advocating tirelessly for communities across the state. Assembly members Shanique SpeightVerlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Al Abdelaziz—her legislative district partner—shared heartfelt thanks and well wishes as they bid farewell.

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Barbara Grace Sagges, 88, of Oaklyn

Barbara Grace Sagges (nee Aspey) passed away on December 23, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. A resident of Oaklyn, NJ and formerly of Somerset, PA and Beltsville, MD, Barbara was 88.

Mother of Cindy Lou Pattana (Louis) and Timothy Sagges (Joseph Sirak). Grandmother of Jesse Paul Pattana. Sister of John (Sheila) Aspey, Vernon Aspey, Lucille Mileo, Louis (Barbara) Aspey and the late Stanley Aspey. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

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