Mother Earth News says, "Two thousand gardeners can’t be wrong — the best tools for keeping ahead of weeds include several types of hoes, a good garden fork, a garden knife, a dandelion puller - some use an old screwdriver or butcher knife instead - and a high-quality pair of gloves." Weeds are an inevitable thorn in every gardener’s side. While some weeds offer benefits, such as the edible greens of young dandelions and the nutritious roots of burdock, many quickly become a frustrating, ongoing struggle if you don’t spot them early. Garden weeds can steal water, sunlight and soil nutrients from food crops, and some even release toxic chemicals into the soil that inhibit the growth of other plants. Gardeners also rated several mulch types and organic herbicides based on their effectiveness in controlling weeds. Paper or newspaper, black plastic and straw or hay proved 70-80% effective as mulch and vinegar, herbicidal soap and Neem oil were the most successful organic herbicides.

Merchantville School is looking for a part-time IT technician. Flexible hours 25 – 29.5 hours per week, some time during school hours and others after hours. The chosen applicant will work with our current consultants to provide continuous service for the Merchantville School District which provides 1-to-1 Chromebooks for students in grades 1 - 8. Position starts as soon as possible $20 per hour - negotiable based on experience. This is a part-time position and does not warrant benefits. To be considered please forward a letter of interest and resume to: J. Scott Strong - Chief School Administrator, Merchantville School, 130 South Centre Street, Merchantville, NJ 08109 or email the same to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fall Ball registration is open for all divisions of Merchantville Pennsauken Little League baseball and softball - except for tee ball. Online registration runs through August 26th. Offerings: Coach Pitch Baseball, Minor and Major League Softball and, Junior and Major League Baseball.  Season Dates: 09/10/2021 to 10/31/2021. Fee: $100. Mustang Softball registration is also available for high school age players at $160. MPLL is also looking for enthusiastic individuals who are interested in coaching softball or baseball for our fall and/or spring season. Questions about what's involved? Reach out to us via social media on Facebook or through our website or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will test the nation’s public alert and warning systems at 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 11th.The purpose of the test is to assess the effectiveness of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to receive and convey a national message via radio and television and of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) infrastructure to deliver a test message to mobile phones. FEMA regularly tests the public alert and warning systems to assess the operational readiness of the supporting infrastructure. The tests also help identify any needed technological and administrative improvements to the systems.

New Jersey’s first heat wave of August is expected to arrive on Tuesday and could last through Friday as a tropical air mass settles over our region and pumps in hot, humid air. Heat and humidity will become increasingly more oppressive as the week progresses. An Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisories are now in effect for Wednesday and Thursday, when dangerously high Heat Index values of 100-105° or greater are expected. If you must be outdoors during the afternoon or early evening hours, wear light clothing, take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of water. Check on your friends, family, and neighbors who may be susceptible to heat illnesses, especially if they do not have air conditioning. National Weather Forecast.

Mayor Brennan is urging all Merchantville residents to get vaccinated. In a Facebook post on Friday he shared that our vaccination rates are good but they can be better -- much better! The transmission rates for COVID-19 as a result of the delta variant are increasing and cases in our area have doubled in just the past week. Getting vaccinated saves lives and protects the lives of our friends and loved ones. As of August 6, 2021, Merchantville's fully vaccinated residents included 93% of those 65 and over, 74% of those 30 and over and 73% of those 18 and over. Partially vaccinated residents include 97% of those 65 and over, 79% of those 30 and over and 78% of those 18. Both pharmacies in Merchantville, CVS and Rite Aid, are administering vaccines and have availability this and every week. You can also use the NJ's appointment finder here for walk-in and scheduling options. Please get vaccinated and if you need assistance, please contact the Borough of Merchantville at 856-662-2474 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Let's get all age groups in our town fully vaccinated!

Longtime Omak, Washington resident, Mary Hancock, marked her 101st birthday with a family gathering this week in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Mary was born in Merchantville, NJ to Margaret and David E. Davis on August 8, 1920. She had an older sister, Gertrude, and a younger brother, David E. Davis.

Officials at the Camden County Vaccination Center are urging residents to protect, laminate and make duplicate copies of the card that proves inoculation to COVID-19. In this evolving environment the vaccination card will be imperative for travel, entering entertainment events and locally for students going back to class at Rutgers University. Camden County has created vaccination card holders which can be picked up at the County Store, one of our local libraries or at any Camden County run vaccine site. The COVID vaccination card is a certified document with the CDC logo in the upper corner, which includes, the date, type of vaccine and was provided to patients by the vaccine clinic, pharmacy or health care provider facilitating the shot. If you lose your vaccine card you should return to the place it was provided for a replacement card.

The Camden County Department of Health announced 421 new positive cases of COVID-19, between Saturday, July 31st, and Friday, August 6th, including 4 in Merchantville, 41 in Cherry Hill, 17 in Pennsauken and 23 in Camden. “One week ago, we saw 50 new cases in a single day, the highest number we’d seen in months. Just seven days later and that figure has doubled to nearly 100 new cases today,” said County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “Every day we see stories of people in the hospital fighting for their lives against this virus because they didn’t get vaccinated. Universally, they regret that decision and plead for others to get their shot before it’s too late. Do not leave yourself vulnerable to a preventable disease – get vaccinated right away.” Testing site locations. Vaccination pop-up sites.