ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On July 18, Conservation Police Officers Nicole Carman and Michael Bickerton investigated a group of four out-of-state individuals who were collecting freshwater clams from Doctors Creek in Allentown, New Jersey. This creek is in the immediate vicinity of a sewage treatment plant. The waterway is deemed condemned by NJDEP due to pollution, rendering shellfish dangerous to public health if consumed. Officers apprehended the individuals in possession of approximately 64,000 corbicula clams, which are an invasive species. Thanks to a call from an observant passer-by, these clams were seized before they could find their way into the food supply chain. Please contact the 24-Hour DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP if you observe individuals collecting freshwater clams or mussels.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for Mercer and Burlington Counties.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children…people suffering from asthma… heart disease or other lung diseases…and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
NJZ015-019-027-220400-
Mercer-Northwestern Burlington-Southeastern Burlington-
850 AM EDT Wed Jul 21 2021
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 21...
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has
issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for Mercer
and Burlington Counties.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution
concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for
sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children...people
suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung
diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can
be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine
particles...visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/
$$
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Browns Mills NJ, Marlton NJ, Croydon PA until 4:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/mJeVYkd1CU
Wildfire Smoke has created a haze in the sky turning the sun and moon a reddish color.
July 20, 2021
ROBBINSVILLE – HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER)- ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The skies were hazy and the sun was a strange color today due to wildfires in the Western United States and Canada that were picked up by air currents and brought to our area.
The National Weather Service Tweeted, “Anyone notice how hazy the skies have looked of late? This is due to smoke from the U.S. wildfires which is getting transported across the country via the jet stream. While most of the smoke is higher in the sky, some of it could make its way closer to the ground.”
The National Weather Service issued a Air Quality Alert today. An Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Matter (PM2.5) has been declared for Tuesday, July 20, 2021 Levels of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) are forecast to rise into the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) category due to a plume of smoke, associated with the Canadian wildfires, moving over the region. Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors.
The good news is that tomorrow cold front will help usher out the smoke but there is potential for strong thunderstorms. The National Weather Service states that Thursday could quite possibly be the best weather day in July.
Good evening everyone,
A cold front will help scour out the smoke Wed afternoon, but it will also bring with it the potential for strong thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and large hail.
Sunset from Mercer Corporate Park in Robbinsville, NJ just outside of Allentown. On a clear day you would recognize the Allentown water tower but it was covered in smoky haze this evening.
Usually a special solar filter is used to take photographs of the sun, smoke was thick enough this evening that no filter was needed.
Smoky haze can be seen on I-195 from NJ Turnpike Exit to Route 130
Smoky haze has turned the moon from the normal white appearance to a reddish color.
NWS images
Air Quality Alert
NJZ001-007-008-009-010-012-015-018-019-027-210400-
Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex-Mercer-Camden-
Northwestern Burlington-Southeastern Burlington-
1139 AM EDT Tue Jul 20 2021
...Air quality alert is in effect from 12 PM Tuesday until 12 AM
Wednesday...
The New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection has issued an air quality action day for the following
counties...
Camden...Hunterdon...Mercer...Middlesex...Morris...Northwestern
Burlington...Somerset...Southeastern Burlington...Sussex...Warren.
An Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Matter (PM2.5) has been
declared for Tuesday, July 20. Levels of Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
are forecast to rise into the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG)
category due to a plume of smoke, associated with the Canadian
wildfires, moving over the region. Sensitive individuals, including
those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and young should
limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors.
$$
A milky appearance to the sky is likely tomorrow due to smoke arriving from West US wildfires. You may see this somewhat today, and we've seen it other days this year. But it will be more prominent tomorrow, as models show a denser smoke layer moving in. #NJwx#PAwx#DEwx#MDwxpic.twitter.com/tE3lyIwXkX
Smoke from wildfires across the western US and southern Canada is resulting in air quality issues as far east as portions of the Upper Midwest and even the Northeast US.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)-A Juneteenth celebration was held today in Heritage Park in Allentown. It was a day of unity where everyone was invited to come together and celebrate the voices from diverse Africana (African American) culture.
Throughout the day there were several performances, music, and speakers on the stage. In the park there were several interactive displays on African American history and cultural heritage.
ALLENTOWN-UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown High School Senior Car Parade, a tradition that was restarted last year due to COVID-19 was held tonight though the streets of Allentown and Upper Freehold Township. The parade started at 6:00 p.m. and featured the Class of 2021. It was reported the tradition was held prior to 1980 and faded away and restarted last year due to the pandemic. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and members/fire police from the Hope Fire Company of Allentown assisted with the parade.
Video and photo gallery from the 2021 Senior Car Parade:
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Dr. Richard (Dick) Fitzpatrick, Upper Freehold Regional School District Superintendent of Schools from 2007 to 2018 has passed away. The notification was emailed and posted online in a statement from Mark Guterl the current Superintendent of Schools. The full statement below:
Dear UFRSD Community,
It is with tremendous sadness that I report the passing of our former beloved Superintendent, Dr. Richard (Dick) Fitzpatrick. Dick’s tenure in the UFRSD was transformative, student-centered and impactful. It is a sad day in the UFRSD, but our many wonderful memories of Dr. Fitzpatrick will definitely be in the forefront of our feelings soon.
Dr. Fitzptrick came to the district in 2007 with an unmatched energy and passion for kids. Anyone who knew Dick or came into contact with him knows that he loved our students…”his kids.” His love for students and people was the foundation for every decision he made, and became the central focus of the UFRSD’s transformation academically and culturally. Patrick Nolan, Board of Education President recalls, “Dr. Fitzpatrick came to us at a moment of great growth in our communities and transition in our district. He influenced our evolution in so many areas, including our current curriculum and our hiring practices. Most of all, he was the biggest cheerleader for our students, no matter what they were doing. Many of the accolades that our district currently enjoys are a result of his passionate leadership. He touched the lives of so many here, and we owe him great thanks.” Dick’s impact on the district will be lasting.
Dick’s belief in our staff and his love for the community was also witnessed day in and day out. He was constantly on the move and loved interacting with as many people as he could every single day of school. Whenever you were talking with Dick, you felt as if you were the only one that mattered at that moment. His personal attention to every member of our district and community gave everyone a model of what it meant to always put people first.
For those who didn’t know Dr. Fitzpatrick, you should know that he would do anything for anyone and was definitely focused on doing whatever he could to make a difference. He cherished his large family and his numerous grandchildren. He loved working with Villages in Partnership and the people of Malawi. He thought highly of the entire community and alway felt that this was a special place to work. Dick believed in kids and loved them as if they were his own. He preached that if students did their “personal best” there was nothing that could stop them.
Fortunately, Dr. Fitzpatrick made all of us want to do our “personal best,” which motivated everyone to be better. This I guess is central to what Dick did for all of us, make us better. The UFRSD will forever be grateful to have had Dick Fitzpatrick as a part of our family.
Dick Fitzpatrick – Superintendent of Schools – 2007 – 2018; Cheerleader for the UFRSDl – Forever.
My best,
Mark Guterl
Superintendent of Schools
. Upper Freehold Regional School District Facebook & Twitter Photo
Dr. Dick Fitzpatrick (Superintendent of Schools at Upper Freehold Regional School District) for receiving the Honorary American FFA Degree in 2013 Photo: NJ FFA Association
Special visitor—Dr. Fitzpatrick-to celebrate the 100th Day of School and Valentine’s Day! He’s wearing 100 Get Well cards from his UFRSD family!! pic.twitter.com/o9OuaIeTbb
The UFRSD is sad to hear of the passing of our former beloved Superintendent, Dr. Fitzpatrick. Please read about this legacy in the UFRSD here – https://t.co/BPdnxArWfk. He was truly #NextLevelRedbirds!
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor David Fried will seek Council support in order to purchase and preserve Block 41.01, Lot 1 on the Robbinsville Township Tax Assessment Map, commonly known as the Wittenborn property at 824 Robbinsville-Allentown Road, near its border with Allentown Borough and Monmouth County.
According to Mayor Fried, the approximately 15-acre parcel should be preserved to prevent further development. The Township Department of Community Development has ordered a professional appraisal by Sockler Realty Services Group, Inc. Robbinsville previously prioritized this parcel, which is currently zoned as “Village Transitional,” for Open Space Acquisition/Preservation Lands when performing its Master Plan Review.
Block 41.01, Lot 1 is located along the proposed development of Mercer Corporate Park, which made headlines for its application before the Township Zoning Board April 20. Residents living along the Indian Run waterway in Allentown were vocal in their opposition to the Johnson Corporation development due to what some consider to be the imminent destruction of an endangered bird habitat.
Preservation of Block 41.01, Lot 1 demonstrates to Robbinsville’s neighbors in Monmouth County that the Township is committed to preventing negative impacts to this area by decreasing the potential for increased traffic and other activity. Robbinsville preserved approximately 54 acres directly across Robbinsville-Allentown Road near the Wittenborn property in 2008. Since taking office in 2005, Mayor Fried has preserved more than 1,250 acres of open space.
In 2016, Robbinsville residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of increasing the Open Space Tax levy by 1.5 cents for every $100 of assessed value to purchase the property formerly known as Washington Woods (225 acres), as well as the golf course at Miry Run (158 acres) – both in partnership with Mercer County.
Allentown’s Mayor Fritts put out a special announcement about the preservation today:
For months I have been meeting and discussing a variety of topics with our neighbors.
Robbinsville’s Mayor fried and I have discussed mutual interests and one of those interests which is a top priority of our historic village, is preserving the Wittenborn property.
Today I bring great pleasure in announcing that Robbinsville has publicly stated their desire and efforts to preserve Wittenborn on behalf of Robbinsville and Allentown.
This is just one of the initiatives that we are currently working on with more great news to come in the coming weeks. On behalf of the Allentown governing body and myself, our promise is to do everything we can to ensure a quality future.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Yesterday’s (June 8, 2021) NJSIAA semifinal round of the girls lacrosse South Jersey, Group 2 Tournament was on hold due to lighting and needed to be finished today because of a thunderstorm and the final round being set for tomorrow.
Just as the Allentown and Manasquan girls took the field a clap of thunder was heard putting the game on hold for a half hour. The lacrosse teams were finally able to take the field at 4:18 p.m. when the all clear was given.
The game resumed with 14:32 left in the second half. Score was Allentown 8 and Manasquan 7 when the game resumed.
The game was tied 9-9 as the clock in regulation ran out. Allentown was able to score first in overtime and won the game sending them to the final round tomorrow.
The Allentown girls team will play at Rumson-Fairhaven tomorrow in the final round at 2:00 p.m.
Rumson-Fairhaven is ranked #1 and Allentown is ranked #2
In other Allentown NJSIAA tournament play, Baseball and Softball are both at Colts Neck High School tomorrow both games are set for 2:30 p.m.
The game resumed with 14:32 left in the second half. Score is Allentown 8 and Manasquan 7
Yesterday (6/8/2021) at Allentown High School the NJSIAA Semifinal Round, South Jersey, Group 2 Tournament part of the 2nd half was postponed until today 6/9/2021 due to lightning.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Due to a thunderstorm the South Jersey Group 2 Girls Lacrosse NJSIAA Tournament game between Allentown and Manasquan is on hold and will be finished tomorrow afternoon June 9, 2021 at Allentown at 4:00 p.m.
Postponed due to lightening. Game will resume with 14:32 left in the second half. Score is 8-7 Allentown.
Photo gallery:
Scenes from the NJSIAA Tournament held at Allentown on June 8, 2021. The game between Allentown and Manasquan is on hold due to a thunderstorm and will be restarted on Wednesday June 9, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. So far Allentown leads by 1 goal and the score is Allentown 8 Manasquan 7 with 14:32 left to play in the second half.
RUMSON, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Allentown traveled to Rumson-Fair Haven High School for 2021 NJSIAA Boys Lacrosse Tournament, South Jersey, Group 2 Semi-Final Round. Allentown scored 5 goals and Rumson-Fair Haven scored 21.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–In the quarterfinal round of the 2021 NJSIAA Boys Lacrosse Tournament, South Jersey, Group 2, Allentown scored 14 and Hopewell Valley scored 8 goals. Allentown will take on Rumson-Fair Haven at Rumson on Saturday in the semi-final round.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Allentown baseball beat Jackson Liberty today with a final score of 1-0 in NJSIAA Tournament, First Round, Central Jersey, Group 3.
Allentown will take on Wall Township in the next round.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown High School boys lacrosse team beat Lawrence Township High School today with a final score of 15-7 in the NJSIAA, South Jersey Group 2 tournament. Allentown takes on Hopewell Valley High School on Thursday in the quarterfinal round.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–The 68th Annual Allentown Lions Club Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Service was held today. The parade started at 10:30 a.m. at the north end of Main Street and ending at the Newell Elementary School on High Street. Immediately following the parade the annual memorial service was held and concluded around 12:20 p.m.
A list of participants were, Allentown Lions Club Grand Marshal Dr. Joan Ruddiman, The Allentown Hope Fire Company, The Award Winning AHS Redbird Marching Band, The Allentown First Aid Squad, Jerry Rife and the Rhythm Kings, Allentown Borough Police Dept., The Ancient Order of Hibernian Bagpipe Band, Elected Officials from Allentown and Upper Freehold, New Egypt Fire Co., Larry the Lion, The Shamrock and Thistle Pipe and Drum Band, The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) The Knights of Columbus AHR Color Guard Dragons Lacrosse Team, Special Music Provided by DJ Nebbs, The Upper Freehold Professional Firefighters, The Allentown High School FFA and their Salute to our Agricultural Heritage, Allentown/Upper Freehold Little League and Softball Teams, Uncle Sam, Allentown Troop 180A Boy Scouts, Allentown Boy Scout Troop 55, Jacobstown Fire Co., Allentown Pack 180 Cub Scouts, Allentown-Robbinsville Girl Scouts, Clever Clover 4-H Horse Association of Millstone, Civil Air Patrol Color Guard, Crescent Temple Provost Guard, Shrine Clowns, Tin Lizzies, Chesterfield Hose and Crosswicks Fire Co., The FEZ Float, The Allentown Garden Club, Mid-Jersey Antique Cars and others.
Video and Photo Gallery:
The 68th Annual Allentown Lions Club Memorial Day Parade started on North Main Street and ended at Newell Elementary School where the Annual Memorial Day Service is held.
