| TRENTON, N.J. – Following today’s Assembly vote, a bill (A4233) requiring the Adjutant General to issue state flags to all residents enrolling in one of the five federal service academies will go to Gov. Murphy for his signature. “We are so proud of the young men and women from New Jersey who earn acceptance into one of the nation’s prestigious service academies,” said Assemblyman Ron Dancer, a prime sponsor of the bill. Acceptance rates for the United States Military, Naval, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard academies range from 9 to 18 percent. Applicants for every academy, except the Coast Guard, need a nomination from the vice president or a member of Congress. In exchange for free tuition, applicants must commit to military service after graduation. “No matter where their service takes them, home will always be New Jersey. I hope that ‘liberty and prosperity’ reminds them of our state’s gratitude for their commitment to defending our country, and I hope they fly it proudly,” said Dancer (R-Ocean).
The Senate passed the bill unanimously in October. |
February 2020
Planet Fitness Coming To Robbinsville – MidJersey.News
December 19, 2019
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—After over a month of rumors and speculation of another tenant coming to Foxmoor Shopping Center it is now official, Planet Fitness is coming to Foxmoor Shopping Center. Planet Fitness will occupy at least half the space of the former Marrazzo’s Thriftway after signing a 10 year lease with , Pennmark Properties. The building will be shared with the STEM Academy a school and childcare facility.
The project is expected to cost $4 to $5 million to renovate the building and get the space outfitted for both tenants, the project could be completed as early as May 2020.
As of September 30, 2019 Planet Fitness has 14.1 million members and 1,899 locations in 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico. The Company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which they call the “Judgement Free Zone”
At Planet Fitness standard membership fees run $10. Per month with access to the local location. To access all 1,899 clubs, all amenities, and bring a guest every workout, the PF Black Card runs $22.99 per month. Many Planet Fitness locations are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, while some locations are open 24 hours a day 5 days a week with a modified weekend schedule.
Ed Note: Author is a member of the Hamilton Township, NJ Planet Fitness. In the spring several e-mails were sent to Planet Fitness for suggesting club locations, including contact information for Robbinsville-Foxmoor Shopping Center and also information was given to a regional manager at the Morrisville, PA location. Earlier last month (November) Mid-Jersey.news reached out to the press office at Planet Fitness and has not received any communication back about the Robbinsville, NJ location.
Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade – MidJersey.News
November 29, 2019
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
HIGHSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–The Annual Christmas Lighting of the Highstown Engine Company #1 lights and Santa Parade was held on November 29, 2019. Santa was escorted to the firehouse in a parade of fire trucks, ambulances, police cars and a float of Hightstown High School Softball players. When Santa got to the firehouse he threw the big light switch to light the firehouse Christmas lights. Santa proceeded upstairs to meet children and hear their Christmas wishes and have a photo take with Santa. The Girl Scouts also sang Christmas carols during the event.
Main Street Robbinsville Closed Due to Car Crash Into Pole – MidJersey.News
November 23, 2019
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–The Robbinsville Township Police and Fire Departments were summoned to a car crash at Route 33 and Lake Drive. Moments later another crash into a utility pole was reported on Main Street in Robbinsville near Route 33.
Robbinsville Fire Department ambulance transported patients from the first accident, a second ambulance was called from Hamilton to transport the patient from the car into the utillity pole.
PSE&G was called to make repairs and replace the utility pole. Robbinsville Police have Main Street shut down so PSE&G can do their work. There may be some temporary power failures until the repairs are made.
Robbinsville Police Department is still on scene at time of this report conducting their investigation and performing traffic control around main street.
Use caution traffic lights could be out in the area of Main Street and Route 33, and also Pond Road and Robbinsville-Allentown Road until repairs are completed.
More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Robbinsville FD Santa Ride Schedule Update – MidJersey.News
December 10, 2019
ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Fire Department has released the schedule for the Santa Ride this year. (the save this date we told you about last month) The Santa Ride will take place this Saturday, December 14, 2019 between 11 am and 4 pm.
Robbinsville Township Fire Department Santa Ride 2019 Zone Map.
We are excited to provide live GPS tracking of Santa. The day of the event links will be posted which will provide live tracking of Santa’s progress (Santa has more than one helper). You will be able to track, in real time, Santa’s location and when he will be approaching your neighborhood/street.
The tracker will be posted on the Facebook pages of the Robbinsville Township Fire Department and the Robbinsville Professional Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 3786.
There will be no listed schedule by street this year. Santa’s arrival often depends on the duration of prior stops or any emergency calls that we may have to respond to during the event, making the schedule inaccurate. On the day of the event the “Santa Tracker” will be posted showing his exact location which will assist in estimating arrival.
Millstone Scouts Collect over 1,250 lbs food – MidJersey.News
November 22, 2019
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ–Scouts are HELPFUL As we move into the season of giving, the scouts from Pack 116 in Millstone Township held their annual Scouting for Food drive and collected over 1,250 lbs of food and other non-perishable items that were donated to the Caring Hearts Food Pantry, also in Millstone. (www.upcm.org)
Scouts ranging in age from 5-10 years old collected food from friends, neighbors and family, then sorted and stacked food on the shelves of the food pantry last Friday evening.
For more information about joining Pack 116, please visit
https://millstonetwp116.mypack.us/
Assembly passes Dancer bill permitting electronic proof of vehicle registration – MidJersey.News
| TRENTON, N.J. – Drivers may soon be able to show electronic proof of registration under a bill (A5752) sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer and passed by the Assembly today. “We are living in a digital age, so it makes sense that we lessen the stress of finding a paper document and allow drivers to show proof of registration electronically,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). This is not the first time Dancer pushed to modernize the Motor Vehicle Commission. In 2016, Dancer sponsored a bill that was signed by Gov. Chris Christie to study the feasibility of issuing digital driver’s licenses through a mobile app. “People are rarely without their phones. We have to keep up with technology and offer drivers the convenience and accessibility they have become accustomed to,” said Dancer. “Allowing drivers to show proof of insurance and registration on their phone makes the process easier and safer for both the officer and driver.” In 2015, Gov. Christie signed legislation to allow proof of auto insurance to be displayed either physically through a paper card or electronically via a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device. The practice is now permitted in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Under this bill, the Motor Vehicle Commission must publish rules and regulations addressing the issuance, design and content of electronic registration certificates, as well as the deterrence and detection of counterfeit or fraudulent certificates. Electronic proof of vehicle registration is currently permitted in Tennessee and Michigan.
The bill unanimously cleared the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on Monday. It passed the Assembly 74-0 today. |
2019 Annual Allentown, NJ Tree Lighting Celebration – MidJersey.News
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH) — The annual Allentown Tree Lighting was held on November 30, 2019. The lighting is hosted by the Allentown Economic Development Commission and the Allentown Business Community Association. The Stone Bridge Middle School Redbird Singers were singing Christmas Carols. There was free cider at The Moth Coffeehouse. There was free cocoa and cookies at Bruno’s Bicycles and One Sweet Ride. The Hope Fire Company will escort Santa to the Allentown Public Library.
Photos by: Dennis Symons, Jr. Dennis Symons Photography http://www.dennissymons.com
Fire Under Investigation at House That Was Being Renovated – MidJersey.News
November 23, 2019
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ–Firefighters were dispatched to a house fire in the 100 Block of Gary Drive this afternoon. It was reported over the radio that the alarm was going off all day and now smoke was coming from the house. Firefighters arrived to find a fire in one of the bedrooms and stretched a 1 3/4″ line to extinguish the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished. Hamilton Township Fire Department Stations 17, 13, 18, 16 as well as Robbinsville Twp Fire Department Station 40 responded to the scene.
Fire Investigators from Hamilton were on scene at the time of this report. The Hamilton Township Building Department was also responding.
Mark Your Calendars for Holiday Events – MidJersey.News
November 22, 2019 (List will be updated at events are scheduled)
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
Friday November 29, 2019:
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ–Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade sponsored by Hightstown Engine Company # 1 Ladies Auxiliary. The event starts at 6:30 pm. The Santa parade will begin at Leshin Lane down South Main Street through the center of town to the firehouse. The “Man in Red” will end up at the firehouse to pull the switch to turn on the holiday lights in the downtown area. Everyone is then invited into the firehouse where the children may visit with Santa and have their picture taken ($3.00 each) and enjoy refreshments.
Saturday November 30, 2019:
10 am to 6 pm:
ALLENTOWN, NJ–ABCA, Allentown Business Community Association–Small Business Saturday. Shop in and around Allentown, NJ for Small Business Saturday on Saturday November 30, 2019 between 10 am and 6 pm As you shop tag your Instagram, Twitter, and other social media with #ShopSmall to help spread the word about Small Business Saturday
6 pm:
ALLENTOWN, NJ– Allentown Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 30th at 6PM at Pete Sensi Park hosted by ACBA, Allentown Business Community Association and Allentown Economic Development Commission. The event will have Stone Bridge Middle School Red Bird Singers, free cider at the Moth Coffee House, free cocoa and cookies at Bruno’s Bicycles-One Sweet Ride, Hope Fire Company will escort Santa to the Allentown Public Library Association and more. Follow this link for more information.
Tuesday December 3, 2019
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration at the Robbinsville Senior Center 1117 Route 130, Robbinsville, NJ (municipal complex) Events start at 5 pm. Arts and Crafts sponsored by C.A.R.E., Gingerbread House Displays by Girl Scouts, Photos with Santa, Free Hot Chocolate by David Bradley, Robbinsville High School Choir, and Tree and Menorah Lighting.
December 6 & 7, 2019
HAMILTON, NJ–Hamilton Winter Wonderland Event held at Kuser Farm Park, on Friday and Saturday December 6 & 7, 2019 from 5 pm to 8 pm on both nights. This is a free to attend event. This beloved annual event, which is a favorite among families with young children, includes a number of exciting activities for children, such as:
- Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, December 6 at 6pm
- Food Drive: Non-perishable foods to be collected
- Toy Drive: Collection of unwrapped new children’s toys
- Visit Santa’s Village (free photo with Santa)
- Ride our “Holiday Express Train”
- Petting Zoo
- Tour historic Kuser Mansion (decorated for the holidays)
- Jersey Valley Model Railroad Club display (in Mansion basement)
- Take in the decorations and lights throughout Kuser Farm Park
- Visit Santa’s Secret Workshop of crafters
- Make your own “reindeer food” to help direct Rudolph
- Musical Entertainment
- Food Vendors and more
December 7, 2019
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ–An Olde Fashioned Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday December 7, 2019 at the Plumsted Township Municipal Building 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533. Event starts at 6 p.m. and will be held rain, snow or shine. Santa will make a special appearance by arriving on New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company’s fire engine. Take photographs with Santa. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Pop Warner will be singing carols, The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts will have the Gingerbread Contest from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item(s) for the annual School Food Drive at the tree ceremony.
December 7 & 8, 2019
ALLENTOWN, NJ–ACBA, Allentown Business Community Association, Holiday Open House Weekend in Allentown. 10 am to 5 pm
December 8, 2019 (rain date December 15)
WEST WINDSOR, NJ–Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday December 8, 2019 at Ron Rogers Arboretum, Clarksville Road and County Road 571 event starts at 7 pm. Program will include a chior performance from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, performance by WWP-South High School First Edition, and a fireworks display. There will also be free refreshments during the event.
December 9, 2019
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–Friendly’s is sponsoring Holiday’s at the Foxmoor Shopping Center. There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting, Visit by Santa Claus, Allentown High School Choir, Karaoke, and gifts for the kids. The event is held at Foxmoor Shopping Center and will start at 6 pm.
December 13, 2019
HAMILTON, NJ–Hamilton Little Lads Holiday Shopping Event, 400 Edward Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08610 Event will be from 5 pm to 9 pm