Mercer plans COVID vaccine clinic for kids 6 months to 5 years

Mercer County’s Division of Public Health will offer COVID-19 vaccines to children 6 months to 5 years at a special vaccination clinic on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, announced Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends vaccinating all children in the age group with one of two separate COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.

“Parents of very young children have expressed their concern about potentially exposing their unvaccinated baby or toddler to the virus in congregate settings such as daycare centers and social gatherings,” Mr. Hughes said. “For parents who have anxiously waited, we are pleased to now be able to offer these FDA-approved vaccines at our county-run clinic.”

County’s electric vehicle charging stations up and running

he electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that the County of Mercer has installed at 11 of its facilities are now open and available for public use, County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced.

“The availability of additional charging stations around Mercer County will benefit electric vehicle owners and, we hope, help reduce the ‘range anxiety’ that might prevent other consumers from investing in electric vehicles,” Mr. Hughes said. “This initiative will also help raise awareness about the environmental benefits of gasoline alternatives as we further our commitment to increasing sustainable practices throughout the County.”

Deadline to enter Mercer County Senior Art Show is July 15

Calling all artists age 60 and older! Submissions are being accepted for the annual Mercer County Senior Art Show, which will take place July 22 through Aug. 5 at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College.

The exhibit features works of art created within the past three years, and not previously entered in a Mercer County Senior Art Show or the State Senior Art Show, and is open to all Mercer County residents age 60 or older. Applicants may submit one piece of art in any of the following categories: acrylic, craft, digital imagery, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, and watercolor. The registration deadline is July 15.

For information and registration, go to: https://www.mercercounty.org/…/culture…/senior-art-show or call (609) 989-6899.

County donates reusable bags to area agencies

In response to New Jersey’s new progressive bag ban, Mercer County handed out the majority of its first round of 10,000 bags to local agencies serving the most vulnerable citizens. Pictured with County Executive Brian M. Hughes is Joyce E. Campbell, Executive Director of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). Ms. Campbell told Mr. Hughes that the reusable bags will be beneficial to visitors and clients at TASK, whether they are used to carry goods home from the facility or to use for shopping elsewhere where they might otherwise incur a bag fee.

Other agencies receiving bags were Arm in Arm, Rise, HomeFront, Jewish Family and Children Services, Mercer Street Friends, Ginny’s Pantry at Christ Presbyterian Church, CYO of Bromley Food Pantry, East Trenton Collaborative – Urban Promise Trenton, Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen at St. Mary’s Church, Sacred Heart Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church.

The new law is meant to prevent litter and encourages the use of reusable bags by phasing out single-use plastic and paper bags.

Mercer offers fresh-produce vouchers to qualifying older adults

The Mercer County Office on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is accepting applications for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides vouchers for the purchase of fresh, nutritious, unprepared foods such as fruits, vegetables and herbs to low-income older adults.

“With foods provided from authorized farmers, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program not only helps increase the nutritional health of our communities, but also increases the demand for locally grown produce and boosts the income of farmers who produce and sell locally grown products,” said County Executive Brian M. Hughes. Last year, the Office on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Connection distributed vouchers to 1,430 Mercer County older adults, he added.

Four correctional officer candidates graduate from academy

Four Mercer County correctional police officer candidates recently completed the 110^th Correctional Police Officer Academy at the Camden County Correctional Police Officer Training Academy, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced.

Above, from left, Officers Nicolas Martin and Corey Frost, both of Lawrence, and Albertito Colon and Alex Episcopo, both of Ewing, flank Mercer County Correction Center Warden Charles Ellis. Pictured at left are Officer Corey Frost, who was awarded the Academic Achievement Award for averaging a 98.6 through 55 examinations, and also was chosen by his peers to receive the 110^th Class Peer Leadership Award; and Officer Albertito Colon, who was presented with the Marksmanship Award as the outstanding marksman of the class.

State to accept pre-applications for rental assistance waiting list

Many low-income residents can qualify for vouchers for safe and sanitary housing through the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP). The SRAP waiting list is now open for pre-applications, which will then enter a lottery for the statewide SRAP program in the Elderly, Family, Disabled, and Homeless categories.

Elderly applicants must serve as head of household and be 62 years of age or older. For the Family category, the head of household must be 18 years of age or an emancipated minor. To qualify in the Disabled category, the head of household or spouse must be permanently disabled. Applicants in the Homeless category must lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

All pre-applications submitted online during the open enrollment period from Monday, July 11, at 9 a.m. until Friday, July 22, at 5 p.m. will be entered into the lottery. Those selected in the lottery will join the wait list and will be eligible to receive SRAP vouchers as they become available. For more information, including income limits and the link to apply (once the lottery opens), go to https://nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/srap.html

Most Mercer County offices to be closed for Independence Day

Most Mercer County government offices and facilities, including all branches of the Mercer County Library System, will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

In addition to being closed July 4, the County Connection office in Hamilton will be closed Saturday, July 2.

The following County facilities will remain open: Trenton-Mercer Airport (except administrative offices), Correction Center, Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services Communications Center.

The following Mercer County Park Commission facilities will be open July 4: Hopewell Valley Pool, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Mercer County Park Marina and Spray Park, noon to 6 p.m.; Tennis Center, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and County golf courses, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Wildlife Center will accept patients by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the holiday weekend. The Outdoor Education Environment will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no appointment necessary. Howell Living History Farm, Mercer County Stables, Tulpehaking Nature Center and Park Commission administrative offices will be closed July 4. For more information on Park Commission facilities, visit www.mercercountyparks.org

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join the fun at the LHT Full Moon Bike Ride!

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Full Moon Bike Ride at Mercer County’s Mercer Meadows park is back after a two-year hiatus. A fantastic night of fun and music capped off with a moonlight ride through the park on Saturday, July 9, from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Register here!

Mercer County 4-H Fair set for July 30-31 at Howell Farm

The annual Mercer County 4-H Fair will take place Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31, at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township.

The fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hay rides, pony rides, music, magic shows and farm tours, as well as displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association and many more. Admission and parking are free. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.

Visit the 4-H Fair page on the Cooperative Extension of Mercer County website for information and updates, including a listing of projects that the general public and 4-H members may enter in the fair. https://mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair/

Summer is here. Experience nature!

Upcoming Mercer County Park Commission nature programs include:

“Wellness Walk” – Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m. to noon, Tulpehaking Nature Center parking lot. Free, all ages. Registration required at https://abbottmarshlands.org/events/
“Kayak Nature Tours” – Thursday, July 7, Mercer County Park Marina (weather permitting). $30 in county, $35 out of county. Ages 16 and up. Registration required.
“Naturally Friends: Butterfly Bonanza” – Saturday, July 23, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Howell Living History Farm. Free, all ages. Registration required.

For a complete list of Park Commission nature programs and registration information, click here or on the image.

Mercer County Park’s Summer Concert Series announced

Upcoming shows at Mercer’s CURE Arena!

Mercer County’s CURE Insurance Arena’s 2022 schedule is shaping up with something for everyone. Upcoming events and shows include:

Sanju Baba Chale Amerika, Aug. 27
GHOST “Imperatour,” Sept. 9
Jeff Dunham: Seriously?! Oct. 23 (rescheduled)

TRENTON THUNDER 2022 SEASON SCHEDULE

COVID-19 INFORMATION

COVID-19 vaccine now available for young children

Vaccination against COVID-19 is now available for everyone 6 months and older. The FDA and CDC have authorized the use of smaller, pediatric doses of both Pfizer (under age 5) and Moderna (under age 6) in children at least 6 months of age. For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations and where to get one, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine

A helping hand for homeowners in need

If you have experienced a financial hardship and an increase in housing-related expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that created a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure or property tax lien, the Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help. Click here or on the flyer for more information and to apply.

Assistance may be available for renters affected by COVID-19

As New Jersey winds down the COVID-19 eviction moratorium, the State has introduced critical protections to renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a temporary eviction moratorium. To take advantage of state and federal protections, you should complete both the State’s self-certification form and the CDC declaration. To fill out these forms and find more information, visit the State’s web page dedicated to this. You also may call 609-490-4550 for assistance.

In addition, the Mercer County Department of Human Services may be able to help renters and landlords. For more information, visit the County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program web page.

Looking for work? County, state offer job-seeker services

As a result of COVID-19, many New Jerseyans are facing economic insecurity and are seeking benefits and resources to help them safely get back to work. Mercer’s One-Stop Career Center offers a variety of services to job seekers throughout the county, including free virtual job preparation workshops and links to job listings. Click here for information. The State’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides links to the New Jersey Career Network and other resources.Click here for information.

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Doing business with Mercer County

Mercer’s Business Outreach program helps minority, veteran, and women-owned small businesses learn how to do business with county, state and local governments. Contact James Chambers Jr., Coordinator, at (609) 989-6212; jchambers@mercercounty.org or Wendy Sturgeon, 609-989-6503; wsturgeon@mercercounty.org

SBE – Small Business Enterprise
WBE – Woman Business Enterprise
DVOB – Disabled Veteran Owned Business
MBE – Minority Business Enterprise
VOB – Veteran Owned Business

We are excited to help you! Click here to learn more about the program.