• Bitterly cold weather grips Salem County
Its not just cold, it's dangerously cold.

• Fugitive Safe Surrender efforts lauded
SALEM - On behalf of the thousands benefiting from a second chance through November's Fugitive Safe Surrender in Camden, the hundreds of work hours devoted locally were recognized here Thursday.

• Prison inmates to move
Inmates will be gradually transferred from Riverfront State Prison in Camden to other facilities around the state until the medium-security unit is closed this summer.

• GOP under fire for actions
PILESGROVE TWP. - Rallying around their newly-elected committeewoman, residents here went on the offensive this week, playing hardball with the Republican Party which has long manned the township's helm.

• Gov: Aid to towns to be cut more
TRENTON Ð Gov. Jon S. Corzine warned mayors Wednesday that state aid to municipalities will likely be reduced further in next year's budget as revenues continue on a downslide, but said passage of a stalled pension payment deferral bill could provide relief to cash-strapped towns. The governor said he did not yet know how much municipal aid would be cut since revenue figures have not been fully assessed. However, he said he would be "hard-pressed" to talk about sustaining the current levels for the state spending plan that takes effect July 1.

• Senate reviews Jackson for EPA
WASHINGTON - Lisa Jackson, New Jersey's former environmental protection commissioner, said Wednesday she intends to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency according to scientific standards.

• Students get lesson in teamwork
PITTSGROVE TWP. - While running on the soccer field or swinging for that home run, students at the Olivet Elementary School will now have a better sense of safety and sportsmanship when they play.

• Behnke to head Social Services
SALEM - Aiming to cut down on the bureaucracy some of the neediest residents face when seeking help, freeholders announced Tuesday the creation of the new Department of Social Services.

• Gov vows economic survival
TRENTON - Gov. Jon S. Corzine used his third State of the State address Tuesday to offer encouragement to New Jerseyans that despite an "economic tsunami" that is engulfing the nation, the state will weather the storm and emerge strong.

• R.O.P.E. aims to curb gang violence
Volunteers from the Calvary Community Development Corporation (CCDC) are again reaching out to provide a specific kind of service designed for young men.

• County residents prepare for Polar Bear Plunge
A group of county residents are taking the plunge.

• DuPont sued for past due bill
SALEM - DuPont Chambers Works is being sued in Superior Court here by its neighboring power supplier for apparently defaulting on a $14 million electric bill.

• Mascot brings important message
PENNSVILLE TWP. - The Phillie Phanatic made a special visit to the Central Park Elementary School Monday to congratulate Mrs. Maurer's second-grade class for their efforts in the Be a Phanatic about Reading Contest.

• Optimism expected in State of State
TRENTON - Despite a national recession that has thrown New Jersey finances into disarray, Gov. Jon S. Corzine will strike an optimistic tone when he delivers his State of the State address today to a joint session of the Legislature.

• Endangered buildings named
Preservation Salem County has published a list of the five most endangered buildings in the county, some that may not be around for a 2010 list.

• Talks of shared services at Vo-Tech
MANNINGTON TWP. - The meeting was about talks, but the focus turned to shared services.

• Woodruff Energy gets new president
BRIDGETON - Robert A. Woodruff Sr. is confident the family business will be in capable hands as he heads into semi-retirement.

• After 34 years, Chief McCaffery to step down
PENNSVILLE TWP. - After 34 years of loyal service to the Pennsville Police Department, Chief Patrick M. McCaffery will step down and retire as chief on Feb. 1.

• Colleges fight for share of stimulus
Rowan University and eight other state colleges are asking to be part of President-elect Barack Obama's proposed stimulus package.

• County tackles school bullies
OLDMANS TWP. - Taking a page from Miss Salem County, the county and its sheriff's department have launched their own brand of an anti-bullying campaign here this week.

• County better than literacy average
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has released a study calculating the estimated low literacy rates among adults around the country.

• LoBiondo top Republican on House panel
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd Dist., now is the top Republican on a House subcommittee that oversees Coast Guard issues.

• Officials pledge to keep county economy strong
CARNEYS POINT TWP. - Freeholder Director Lee Ware devoted as much time assuaging fears of the local business community as he did marking progress during Friday's State of the County Address to members of the Salem County Chamber of Commerce.

• Christie seeks nod for Gov run
Answering years of speculation and more than a few Republicans prayers, former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie launched his campaign for governor Thursday, declaring New Jersey "broken" and offering himself as the leader to fix it.

• Despite bankruptcy, Flying J operating
CARNEYS POINT TWP. - The Flying J Travel Plaza will remain open despite having its parent company, Flying J Inc., file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

• Police offer $5,000 reward
SALEM - Inside a church here that has helped heal many grieving hearts since the murders of two city men last year, authorities announced on Thursday a $5,000 reward for information leading to their killers.

• Suspect sought in C.P. robbery
CARNEYS POINT TWP. - Carneys Point Police Department detectives said Thursday they are actively seeking the whereabouts of a female suspect in connection with the robbery of a man at the Wellesley Inn here late last month.

• A message of hope for county
CARNEYS POINT TWP. - Speaking deep within the reality of our times, though at every turn edging the cautionary tale with messages of hope, freeholders began the new year with a new agenda at the annual county reorganization Wednesday evening.

• DEP plans $19M in projects for river watershed
The state Department of Environmental Protection has announced plans for more than $19 million in ecological restoration and enhancement projects for the Delaware River watershed, mostly in Salem County.

• Moore sworn in for fourth mayoral term
OLDMANS TWP. - No major changes was the theme as the Oldmans Township Committee came together on Wednesday night for the annual reorganization meeting.

• N.J. American Water seeking rate increase
After recently being granted a 15.2 percent rate increase by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, New Jersey American Water is petitioning yet again for another increase.

• Gov. Corzine visits Iraq to thank troops
Gov. Jon S. Corzine has taken an unannounced trip to Iraq to thank New Jersey troops for their service and sacrifice.

• Mannington Twp. sees first committee Dem in 21 years
MANNINGTON TWP. - Taking his seat on the township committee, Dante Spina Sr. broke ground here this week which hasn't been disturbed in more than two decades.

• P.G. swears in 2 to council
PENNS GROVE - The borough council here welcomed back veteran Councilwoman Carol Mincey and newcomer Joseph E. Venello Jr. as both were sworn in by Freeholder Bruce Bobbitt Tuesday night at the 2009 reorganization meeting.

• Burglars brazen now, say police
PILESGROVE TWP. - State police here working to crack the case on a series of brazen daytime home invasions and a separate rash of overnight car burglaries in the area are asking for the public's help.

• Miller named mayor
PILESGROVE TWP. - The Pilesgrove Township Committee chose a new mayor at its annual reorganization meeting Monday, which didn't come without controversy as concerned residents voiced frustration over the decision.

• Power shifts into Democratic hands in Carneys Point
CARNEYS POINT TWP. - Political power shifted dramatically here from a Republican to a Democratic majority as the new year saw two Republicans leave and two Democrats take their places.

• Schools, towns targeted by massive state budget cuts
TRENTON - Gov. Jon S. Corzine's administration released the details Monday of $812 million in spending cuts to the current state budget to help plug a $2.1 billion hole resulting from the nationwide economic downturn.

• Scholar, mother of 7, gets chance of lifetime
PENNS GROVE - A recent Salem Community College graduate has been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to extend her education through a two week trip to South Africa.

• 2 students head to inauguration
PENNSVILLE TWP. - Two local university students will be attending the 2008 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. Danielle Griscom and Christina Hoffman will attend the University Presidential Inaugural Conference in Washington from Jan. 17 to 21.

• Dept. of Justice lauds voting
PENNS GROVE - The borough here and county were recently commended by the U.S. Department of Justice for progress made in the November election to make voting more accessible to the Spanish-speaking community.

• Farewell, Freeholder Sullivan
SALEM-The small chapel of St. Mary R.C. Church was filled Saturday as family, friends and colleagues of Freeholder Charles "Chuck" R. Sullivan said a final goodbye to the longtime public servant.

• Bryant appeals guilty verdict
Former Sen. Wayne Bryant has asked a judge to overturn his conviction on federal corruption charges, claiming that prosecutors evidence was insufficient to prove his guilt.

• States dig for $1T in fed pockets
TRENTON - Gov. Jon S. Corzine joined four other governors Friday in calling for a $1 trillion federal stimulus package for cash-strapped states that would include a $250 billion infusion for education.

• Voros, Ridgway enter 10th year as Pittsgrove leaders
PITTSGROVE TWP. - Long-time committeemen Peter Voros and Jeffrey Ridgway Sr. were sworn in Friday night and then minutes later appointed as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

• Woman paralyzed after tree collapses on car
ELSINBORO TWP. - A resident here whose vehicle was crushed by a falling tree during intense winds Wednesday has been hospitalized with injuries much more serious than originally suspected, authorities said Friday.

• Woodstown sets 2009 goals
WOODSTOWN - Leaders of the upwardly mobile borough hit the ground running at their annual reorganization here Friday, announcing what will be a must-see meeting in the days to come.