Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that Camden County will be under a Code Blue Alert from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Thursday, December 17th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 7 p.m.Thursday until 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18. “Current forecasts project temperatures under 30 degrees throughout the week, with a mix of winter precipitation expected Wednesday into Thursday,” Rodriguez said.  “When temperatures reach this low, it is important to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and to ensure that they are warm and safe. Even inside, cold conditions can quickly become dangerous for vulnerable populations, especially those who lack heat or electricity.” Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather. Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.

Camden County has partnered with Touch New Jersey to bring FREE food distribution to those in need throughout Camden County every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Drive-up and walk-up options available. Everyone must wear a mask and practice social distancing. Computers will be available at the food distribution events through September for people to fill out the 2020 Census. Next Events: Friday, September 18th at Lindenwold Memorial Park, 1000 United States Ave, Lindenwold; Friday, September 25th at St. Joseph’s Procathedral, 2907 Federal Street, Camden; Friday, October 2nd at Pennsauken Soccer Complex, 1601 Bethel Ave, Pennsauken; Friday, October 9 - Antioch Baptist Church, 690-700 Ferry Ave, Camden 10:30am **Friday, October 16th at The Parkview at Collingswood, 700 Browning Road, Collingswood; 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 23rd at St. Joseph’s Procathedral, 2907 Federal Street, Camden 10:30 a.m. and, Friday, October 30th at Camden County College, Blackwood Campus, Lot 6.

Seasonal Flu Shots will be offered to county residents by the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services who recommends everyone get a flu shot this flu season, especially children and seniors who are most vulnerable. The flu shots are provided for no-out-of-pocket cost. Flu vaccinations are provided for children age 9 and older at the flu clinic sites. Children under the age of 9 need to see their primary care physician. The schedule may be found here. For more information, contact the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-999-9045. Stay safe and protected this year!

Mayor Brennan would like resident to know that "there are plenty of options for dropping off Vote By Mail ballots. For Merchantville, each of our neighboring communities, Camden, Pennsauken and Cherry Hill have drop boxes. These are secure ways to vote by mail should you have concerns about voting through the USPS." The State of New Jersey has provided vote-by-mail (VBM) drop boxes for each county in advance of the general election on Nov. 3. Camden County will have 13 VBM drop box locations that will be available 24 hours each day through the close of polls on election day. Each location is well-lit, secured and monitored by video surveillance cameras. Camden County’s VBM drop boxes can be found at the following locations local to Merchantville: Pennsauken Municipal Building, 5605 North Crescent Blvd., Cherry Hill Municipal Building, 820 Mercer Street; Haddon Township Municipal Building, 135 Haddon Ave. and the Camden Administration Building, 600 Market Street.

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office is excited to announce its Diaper Drive and proud that police departments across the county have teamed up to participate. You can help by donating diapers - preferred sizes are 4, 5, 6, and pull-ups - and baby wipes in the coming weeks through Sunday, Sept. 27th. Please drop off all donations to these local police departments: Cherry Hill Police Department, 820 Mercer Street, Cherry Hill or Pennsauken Police Department, 2400 Bethel Avenue, Pennsauken. Each department will have a donation box inside their lobby, allowing for a quick, contact-free drop-off. “In light of the hardships caused by the current health crisis, we recognize that a number of parents may find themselves in difficult financial times. This Diaper Drive is just one small way to help alleviate one stressor on our families,” said Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill Mayer. “The Camden County community is home to numerous agencies who take a proactive, preventative approach to help protect children and we are happy to work together in the fight against child abuse."

For those who are concerned about the health risk posed by coronavirus, Camden County has an alternative voting process which is just as safe, secure, and confidential called "Vote by Mail". This option allows a voter to vote without going to the polls on election day. Any registered voter can Vote By Mail and no reason is necessary to apply. If you would like to Vote by Mail, click on the Vote by Mail Application. Governor Phil Murphy on April 8th, 2020 signed Executive Order No. 120, postponing primary elections on Tuesday, June 2nd to Tuesday, July 7th in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.