Starting Sunday, December 1st, anyone convicted of DWI in the Garden State, even for a first offense of .05%, which is below the legal limit of .08., will have to install a so-called “ignition interlock device” in their car to prevent them from driving with alcohol on their breath.The law also eliminates license suspensions for first-timers whose blood-alcohol level was only slightly above the legal limit, or between .08 and .10 percent. Up to now, only those convicted of a second DWI offense or more, or first-timers convicted of having a blood-alcohol level above .15 were subject to installation of the locking devices, including the cost of their installation and monthly monitoring charges that could amount to several hundred dollars. The law, signed by Gov. Murphy in August has been hailed by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and other supporters as a common-sense alternative to mandatory suspensions without ignition lock requirements. 

Situated along the Delaware River, the 6th District encompasses fifteen (15) communities straddling Burlington and Camden counties: Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gibbsboro, Haddon, Haddonfield, Hi-Nella, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Oaklyn, Pennsauken, Somerdale, Stratford, Tavistock and Voorhees. This has been a solidly Democratic district, with 45% registering with the blue party and 17% registering as Republicans. Most of the rest are not affiliated with any party. The incumbent Democrats - Assembly members Louis D. Greenwald, the majority leader who lives in Voorhees, and Pamela Lampitt of Cherry Hill - are now facing two Republicans, John Papeika of Cherry Hill and Cynthia Plucinski of Haddonfield.

If anyone is interested in a career in public safety or law enforcement, the New Jersey Civil Service Commission is accepting applications now through August 31, 2019. The list includes: Municipal Police Officer, County Police Officer, Campus Police Officer Recruit, Police Officer Recruit Human Services, Sheriff’s Officer, County Correction Officer, State Correctional Police Officer Recruit, and a Correctional Police Officer Recruit, Juvenile Justice Commission. Also available on this site is information pertinent to the Entry-Level Fire Fighter examination process.

Take a ride through Cape May’s Historic District to see festively decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music on a Holiday Light Tour. Offered nightly from November 24th through December 31st - except Thanksgiving and Christmas - these rides will highlight the holiday sights and sounds in this historic shore town. Rides start at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and last about 30 minutes. Tickets $15 adults; $10 children (ages 3-12). For more information, please call 609-884-5404

Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today recently announced the Grand Prize Winner of the 2019 #FindJerseyFresh photo contest is Sarah Licata, a food blogger based in Merchantville in Camden County. The grand prize for Licata is a $500 gift card to a business that features Jersey Fresh produce. Her place of choice was the A.T. Buzby Farm in Salem County. Licata sources some of her fruits and vegetables from that farm to feature in recipes she posts on her blog, saltjar.com. The winning photo by Licata featured a table of cherry tomatoes of different colors during the Burlington County Farmers Market at the Burlington County Agricultural Center.

The Philadelphia Inquirer provides a guide to which beaches are open, closed or under advisory, from Atlantic Highlands to Cape May based on live water quality monitoring data from New Jersey and Delaware (Here’s what that means.) You can also use this tool to save your favorite beaches, get driving directions and check the weather before you head out. Please note: Local beach patrols can close beaches for other reasons, such as surf conditions. The state’s data may not reflect these closures; check lifeguard stands for flags before you take a dip. This year, The Inquirer’s Ultimate Shore Guide also gives you a town-by-town look at the best of the Shore’s old routines and new additions. You’ll never have to worry about finding something fun to do – even on a rainy day.