Amid worsening drought conditions and a spike in forest fires major restrictions on outdoor burning have been imposed by New Jersey officials. Last week alone, there were 107 fires - 183 acres burned. As a result of the serious drought conditions, an uptick in wildfires and a strain on the state‘s drinking water systems, the governor’s office declared a drought watch late last week and the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, imposed Stage 3 fire restrictions on Monday

The 2024 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The 2024 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. There are a few changes to New Jersey Vote-By-Mail for 2024. Unlike the weeklong option in the fall, early in-person voting is only from May 29 to June 2nd at designated early voting locations in each county. For those interested in voting by mail, unaffiliated voters must declare their party affiliation with either the county commissioner

With poll workers needed across the region, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Thursday, October 7th, increasing the pay from $275 to $300 for Election Day poll workers and increasing the hourly rate by a commensurate amount for those who work during the early voting period of October 23rd through Oct. 31st. You can apply to serve as a poll worker in New Jersey if you are 16 years of age, a US citizen and a resident of New Jersey. By staffing a polling location, you will earn $21.44 per hour on in-person early voting days and $300 on Election Day. Earn an additional $30 when you attend required training provided by the County Board of Elections and fulfill your commitment at the polls. To apply to be a poll worker in Camden County or elsewhere in New Jersey, go to PollWorker.NJ.gov. For a list of all polling places in your hometown, go to: https://www.camdencounty.com/service/board-of-elections/

An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued for the heart of New Jersey, in effect until Wednesday evening. The warning covers Gloucester, Camden, NW Burlington, Mercer, inland Monmouth, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris counties. Tuesday afternoon, the heat index could soar as high as 105 degrees. Wednesday, June 19th, is the last day of potentially dangerous heat and humidity. High temperatures will once again soar into the lower to mid 90s. Even the beaches

The state's population was estimated to have fallen by nearly 22,000 between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021. More than half of the state's municipalities - 307 - are believed to have seen their populations shrink in those 15 months, while about 248 are thought to have grown. Ten were unchanged. Just seven of the 37 municipalities in Camden County grew in the 15 months since the 2020 Census, with two of them standing out. Cherry Hill is estimated to have gained 950, pushing its population beyond 75,000 residents. Merchantville seems to be holding pretty steady. Our 2020 Census was 3,814 and our 2021 estimate is 3,803 or a change of -0.29%. Read more here.

The South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH), established by the the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors (Joint Board) to improve health outcomes in our region, is pleased to announce its inaugural funding initiative for 2021. SJIPH’s Call for Proposals will fund research projects that involve collaborations between Rowan University, Rutgers University-Camden, and community-based organizations in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic and Cape May Counties. Requests for Proposals.