Category: Local News

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Local News

Park Commission deer management program under way

The Mercer County Park Commission is conducting a deer management program at Mercer County Park, Mercer Meadows, and Baldpate Mountain. This program is meant to reduce the overabundant deer herd in the greater Mercer County region.

 

Bow hunting for County deer management hunters began at parks on Sept. 10. Hunting is permitted Monday through Saturday until Feb. 18, 2023. The parks will remain open to the public during bow hunting season.

 

Firearm hunting will occur at Baldpate Mountain and the area north of Mercer Lake at Mercer County Park beginning Monday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 10, and every Wednesday through Saturday thereafter through Feb. 11. The parks/regions will be closed to the public when firearms are in use. There will be no hunting on Sunday.

Hunting is only permitted by those who have applied for and met all the requirements to participate in the program.

All parks will have posted signage at parking areas and trail heads displaying the hunting schedule and closure dates as a reminder and notice to the public. Park rangers will patrol the parks during closures to ensure public safety.

 

Read More: Deer management program under way

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Culture Local News Regulations & Security

Mercer County receives ‘We Value Our Veterans’ Governor’s award

Mercer County Exec. Brian M. Hughes announced that Mercer County has been recognized as a Veteran-friendly community by the State of New Jersey.

 

Mercer County Veteran Services, which is led by Division Chief Medina Wilson, was presented with the New Jersey’s Governor “We Value Our Veterans” Community Award during the State Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel.

The Community Award recognizes communities that honor the sacrifices, patriotism, and bravery of New Jersey service members.

 

To learn what goes on behind the scenes at Mercer County Veteran Services, led by Chief Medina Wilson, watch our video! 

 

Check out our other videos on the Mercer County, NJ YouTube Channel. 

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Culture Local News Politics

Gen. George Washington and his Continental Army famously cross the Delaware River  Dec. 25-26, 1776

One of the most famous American paintings shows Washington and his army crossing the Delaware River.

 

Painted in Dusseldorf, Germany, Washington Crossing the Delaware shows a bold General Washington navigating through the frozen river with his compatriots braving the elements on their way to victory at Trenton.

 

While the painting was in Germany, Leutze hoped that this brave episode in pursuit of American independence and republican rule would stir his fellow countrymen to more liberal reforms. In the fall of 1851, the painting was shipped to the United States where it wowed audiences in New York City and the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. The New York Evening Mirror boldly called it “the grandest, most majestic, and most effective painting ever exhibited in America.”

Painted in 1851 by German artist Emanuel Leutze, Washington Crossing the Delaware became a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic.

Leutze went to great lengths to make his portrait accurate, but even his efforts still left many inaccuracies in place. Nevertheless, the 12’ 5” by 21’ 3” (3.8m x 6.5m) painting stirred the patriotic emotions of countless Americans who have seen the painting, which now is on display in the American Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

Source: Washington Crossing the Delaware: Restoring an American Masterpiece. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2011.

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Education Healthcare Local News Science

Leading NJ health school’s groundbreaking AmIOK program awarded $1 million to expand trauma-informed campus model to other colleges

TCNJ’s AmIOK program receives another round of funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to spread its trauma-informed campus model.

 

 

Our program has given students a voice on campus.

Tulika Desai, TCNJ Nursing major, 2023

 

EWING, N.J. —  The newly rebrandedSchool of Nursingand Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) today announced its trauma-informed campus initiative, AmIOK, has been awarded another $1 million Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant to expand to other colleges in the Mercer County, NJ area.

“We’re expanding services provided by the AmIOK program to other colleges to share our work with higher education institutions that might not have the resources to develop a trauma-informed campus community. In a recent college-student survey, 95% of respondents reported negative mental health symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and those with previous trauma caused by experiencing a criminal act are likely to have even higher rates. Our vision is to cultivate a trauma-informed campus community that supports and promotes healing for all,” says Dr. Dara Whalen, TCNJ Assistant Professor of Nursing and AmIOK Executive Director.

Along with colleagues, Dr. Whalen presented on the AmIOK model at the 2022 Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference and the 2022 Sigma International Nursing Research Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Whalen and other healthcare experts at TCNJ developed AmIOK in 2021. The program provides college students and residents in the greater Mercer County area who experience a crime or traumatic event with a 24-hour confidential hotline operated by trained counsellors and nurse practitioners. AmIOK also supports peer-to-peer campus initiatives, including a student-run racial trauma workshop and art-themed healing events.

TCNJ student and AmIOK volunteer, Tulika Desai, Nursing major 2023, explains, “Our program has given students a voice on campus. They have the space to share their own experiences, and feel in control of their own care when their autonomy has been stripped from them.”

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events experienced at a young age that can impact personal health outcomes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims ACEs can increase chances of illness, early mortality, injury, involvement in criminal acts and chronic diseases. Trauma-informed care is a human service framework that promotes understanding trauma’s influence on people’s lives to encourage healing.

AmIOK Program Director and Clinical Supervisor, Liza Woods, adds, “The program’s impact goes far beyond the walls of TCNJ classrooms and even beyond the borders of our campus. Our culture and mindset are all about creating a space to heal now, while also educating to intervene and stop the systemic cycles of trauma. Our students learn skills that influence how they operate in the world and how they advocate for themselves and others. AmIOK refuses to accept the status quo and recognizes the changes that need to be made in our communities to address trauma.”

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is a 1984 law enacted to assist crime victims through resources outside of the justice system. VOCA established the Crime Victim’s Fund, a funding source for crime victims throughout the nation.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “Dr. Whalen’s efforts to export the successful AmIOK model to other college campuses in New Jersey inspires not just our School, but healthcare professionals across the nation and the globe. TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences is honored to take the lead on the world stage in elevating trauma awareness and shaping healthier environments for future generations.” The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Source: TCNJ School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Categories
Local News Politics Regulations & Security

Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello issues election statement following prosecutor’s report

After a public meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello issued a statement about the Nov. 8 Gen. Election following the conclusion of Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri’s investigation into the recent Election Day scanner failure.

 

The investigation was aimed at determining whether, or not there was malicious or criminal intent to disrupt the conduct of the election. The inquiry was launched after County Clerk Covello requested that the County Prosecutor review the circumstances and report findings of the investigation to the State Attorney General, Mercer County Commissioners, County Executive and Mercer County’s other two election offices.

 

Following the publicly held meeting by the Mercer County Commissioners, Prosecutor Onofri announced his findings, stating that his Office conducted a thorough investigation and determined there was no criminal intent or vote tampering during the election. The investigation further concluded that there was a human error made in the programming of the voting machines by an employee of Dominion Voting Systems, which did not allow the machines to scan.

 

Despite this setback, on Election Day, all ballots were securely transferred to the Board of Elections Office, where they were counted by a bipartisan group of commissioners on high-capacity scanners. Every ballot that was cast on Election Day was counted and the integrity of the election remained intact throughout this process. The only difference from last year was that ballots were scanned at a central location instead of on-site at the polling locations.

 

“I would like to thank the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for their swift and thorough investigation into this matter,” said Sollami Covello.

 

 “I am pleased there was no intentional criminal action that created this problem. Election integrity is something I have worked hard to ensure and have taken great pride in over the past 17 years serving as Mercer County Clerk.”

 

Sollami Covello also praised the Board of Elections Commissioners for their handling of the ballot scanning process on Election Day and beyond, which was completed on time and certified to her office within the State timeline of Nov. 21. She also thanked the Office of the Superintendent of Elections for their work on reviewing the provisional ballots in a timely manner. The County Clerk’s certification of the general election has concluded ahead of the State deadline of Nov. 26.

 

 For additional information regarding the 2022 General Election, please visit the Mercer County Clerk’s website here or call 609-989-6494 or 609-989-6495

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Culture Lifestyle Local News Sports & Gaming Travel & Leisure

Input sought on Trenton’s Bike Plan

Needs Assessment Survey Released

 

Do you ride a bike in the City of Trenton? Or do you wish you could ride but don’t because of safety or other concerns?

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the City of Trenton want to hear from you!  Please fill out @DVRPC’s online survey to identify future needs and improvements.  Versions of the survey exist both in English and in Spanish.  Please fill out the survey if you live or work or go to school in Trenton.

 

Trenton’s bicycle plan complements previous work, including DVRPC’s downtown Trenton bicycle and pedestrian plan, its Complete Streets Design Handbook for the City, and a Trenton Health Team/Rutgers complete streets existing conditions analysis.

Trenton is not alone in planning for bicycle facilities.  Mercer County adopted a Bicycle Master Plan for its roads in 2020 and has been striping bicycle lanes, where feasible, as part of its annual paving program.  As County projects are implemented, they will link Trenton to surrounding destinations.

For more information about the Trenton project, please reach out to Cassidy Boulan, Assistant Manager, Bicycle Programs, DVRPC, cboulan@dvrpc.og

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Culture Lifestyle Local News

Nominations are open for 2023 Woman and Young Woman of Achievement

Mercer County Exec. Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women are seeking nominations for the 2023 Woman of Achievement and Young Woman of Achievement awards and encourage the public to assist in identifying outstanding individuals who give back to their community and to submit the name of a deserving woman or young woman.

 

Recipients will be recognized at a cocktail reception on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Mercer Oaks Clubhouse, West Windsor. More information regarding the reception will be available soon!

 

The deadline for accepting nominations is Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.

To nominate a Woman of Achievement, please complete this form.

To nominate a Young Woman of Achievement, please complete this form.

 

The Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women looks forward to your recommendations.

For more information, please contact Adrienne Hart at 609-989-6526 or womenscommission@mercercounty.org.

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Culture Local News

Most Mercer County offices to close for Thanksgiving holiday

TRENTON, N.J. — Most Mercer County government offices and facilities will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in observance of Thanksgiving.

 

The Mercer County Clerk’s Office will close at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, instead of holding its normal extended hours. Both the Clerk’s Office in Trenton and the County Connection office in Hamilton will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 25. County Connection, which is normally open Saturdays, also will be closed Saturday, Nov. 26.

 

All branches of the Mercer County Library System will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, Nov. 25, the Ewing, Hickory Corner, Lawrence and West Windsor branches will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; all other branches will be closed.

 

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

 

Holiday hours for Park Commission facilities are as follows:

Mercer County Tennis Center will be open Thanksgiving Day from 7:30 a.m. to noon and will have regular hours, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Friday. Outdoor courts are open, weather permitting. Mercer County Skating Center will be closed Thanksgiving Day but will be open Friday, with public skate sessions from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 5 to 7 p.m., and 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. Hopewell Valley Golf Course, Mountain View Golf Course and Princeton Country Club will be open Thanksgiving Day, weather permitting, with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. Call the respective pro shops to reserve a spot. Thanksgiving Day tee times at Mercer Oaks (West and East courses) will start at 8 a.m. and end around 1 p.m., weather permitting. Pro shop will be open until 2 p.m.

 

The Park Commission will hold its annual Golf Gift Card Sale on Black Friday. Customers will earn an additional 20 percent bonus on all gift card purchases in any golf shop or online at https://golfmercercounty.com/.

 

Howell Living History Farm will be closed both Thanksgiving Day and Friday, but will reopen with Wreath & Sleighbell Sale and Share the Harvest Tours on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mercer County Stables will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday. The Tulpehaking Nature Center will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday but Opt-Outside self-guided programs will be offered on the day after Thanksgiving. The Wildlife Center will be open both Thanksgiving Day and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accept new patients by appointment only. The Outdoor Education Environment will be open the same hours. Park Commission administrative offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, and will reopen Monday.

 

For more information on Park Commission facilities and programs, please visit www.mercercountyparks.org.

Categories
Education Healthcare Lifestyle Local News

Mercer Office on Addiction Services seeks community’s opinion on substance abuse

The Office on Addiction Services is completing a community needs assessment, which guides the funding priorities for the Mercer County Comprehensive Plan 2024-2027, and has issued a questionnaire to help determine the funding needs and gaps in services for Mercer County residents in accordance to Public Law 1983, ch.51.

 

Responding to this questionnaire will allow the Office on Addiction Services to hear your concerns regarding the needs surrounding substance use disorders in Mercer County.

 

Mercer County residents can complete this questionnaire here; it will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old. Responses will be collected through Nov. 28.

 

If you have any questions or are interested in more information on the Mercer County Office on Addiction Services, please contact Ann Dorocki at adorocki@mercercounty.orgor 609-989-6897 or visit the office’s web page.

 

Thank you for your interest and assistance in this effort!

Categories
Healthcare Lifestyle Local News Science

Mercer County transitions from mail order to pickup for COVID-19 testing

On Nov. 30, 2022, Mercer County will be ending the mail-order at-home COVID-19 testing program through the website www.mercercares.org. The Mercer County Division of Public Health (DoPH) is transitioning to distribution of rapid take-home COVID-19 tests.

 

County residents will no longer be able to receive COVID-19 tests in the mail. Instead, moving forward, free take-home rapid COVID-19 tests will be available at all scheduled Mercer County DoPH clinics.

 

County residents are encouraged to use up and mail in any remaining tests received through the Mercercares website, and should do so at least one week ahead the Nov. 30 close. No tests will be processed after Nov. 30, 2022. Any questions can be directed to HomeTesting@mercercounty.org.