2025 6:57PMA tractor-trailer hauling trash caught on fire along I-295 in Mt (WPVI) -- A tractor-trailer hauling trash caught on fire along I-295 in Mt For the latest traffic in your area, click here. But finding the space necessary maintain state funding can be difficult In Mount Laurel, school district leaders wanted a plan that wouldn't put another tax strain on residents after a bond referendum in the 2018-2019 year They put feelers out for community partnerships and administrators at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA answered a building refurbished to meet childcare needs in Mount Laurel has 10 classrooms housing district preschoolers while the others are reserved for YMCA programming More: Atilis Gym Bellmawr defied COVID shutdown orders. Owner is now suing for $10M. The district also has an early learning center location through partnership with the YMCA along Commerce Parkway "It was the right thing to do," Shaun Elliott Greater Philadelphia YMCA president and CEO said of investing a significant amount in building refurbishments to serve as an early learning center when school officials began looking for community partners "How you get started in life is so important Success in school is a predictor of a lot of things." Inside the doors of the Briggs Road early learning center and through the windows smiling children sit on colorful carpets for circle time or prepare to line up in the hallway with a finger to their lips and a hand on their hip Elliott said that setting up a licensed childcare center is a large undertaking with specific requirements that don't always match the timeline of state funding "(The) school district is only able to enter into contract for a year with a local provider I think this would preclude many organizations," Elliott said Greater Philadelphia YMCA administrators had to enter a seven-year lease for their location resulting in what Elliott called a "mismatch between the government funding and our lease period." director of early childhood education for the school district this mixed delivery system is what's recommended by the New Jersey Department of Education as a way to support community businesses and give families the option to select potentially familiar childcare providers or centers What other districts are doing is actually unique," said DeSimone who noted that he previously taught in Camden City where their program was split about 50/50 between providers and district classrooms at the time and also a good number of my staff also came from that sort of a model." When the universal pre-K program began in the district Mount Laurel was able to partner with a provider in the township that could quickly provide spaces that fit the state requirements The next year the YMCA was able to jump on board making the financial lift to contribute a hub of classrooms for early childhood education "When we found out we were eligible for the grant we didn't have enough appropriately sized classrooms in the district to be able to do the expansion so we recognized up front that this partnership was going to be incredibly needed and meaningful," DeSimone said which will be the fourth year of the universal pre-K program Mount Laurel projects to serve 720 students which equates to approximately 81% of the district's preschool universe Mount Laurel will boast the largest preschool program in Burlington County Additional classrooms are expected to be made available from a handful of providers for the upcoming school year each of the YMCA centers have 10 district classrooms DeSimone said the overall district program consists of 40 classrooms including three special education classrooms and six inclusion classrooms in the district The main difference between the YMCA contribution and that of other providers in the district is the sheer amount of classrooms provided in one space which is a result of the YMCA's investment to configure the early learning centers with the district's needs in mind but it is a way," Elliott said of how other districts YMCA's and nonprofits could take on a similar partnership Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need Want to get a weekly summary of New Jersey news from dozens of trustworthy news sites and not just one who has five decades in the news business and now publishes local site 70and73.com The partly wooded empty lot at the intersection of Marne Highway Centerton Road and Topgolf Drive on the Mount Laurel-Moorestown border would be cleared for a Bank of America branch The Mount Laurel-Moorestown border divides the proposed site A representative for the Bank of America is scheduled to go before the Mount Laurel zoning board for permission to build a bank branch on two partially wooded lots sitting on the Mount Laurel and Moorestown border The Mount Laurel lot is at Marne Highway and Centerton Road and across from the entrance to Topgolf in a commercial area of town. The developer is scheduled to appear before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 7 at a meeting that begins at 6 p.m. to request a use variance and preliminary and final major site plan approvals Applicant Mount Laurel Realty LLC of Newton Massachusetts also needs Moorestown approval the developer attempted to file an application with the Mount Laurel Planning Board but was told it should instead go before the zoning board because a use variance is required "The Township planner has determined that a use variance is necessary we were instructed to file an application with the zoning board we do not agree that a use variance is required," the applicant's lawyer Del Duca of the Del Duca Lewis & Berr law firm in Haddonfield Del Duca maintained the 4,740 square-foot bank branch with a drive-through is a permitted use in the Major Commercial zoning district Plans filed with the application show the driveways would be on Marne Highway there are no recent results for popular images there are no recent results for popular videos Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Play It Again Sports® the leading family sporting goods resale concept has announced the grand opening of its location in Mount Laurel Township located at 3111 Route 38 The brand provides athletes of every age a place to sell their quality used sports and fitness equipment including: football equipment A favorite among families, the new Play It Again Sports® in Mount Laurel Township officially opens on May 1 to buy, sell and trade quality used sports and fitness equipment. Play It Again Sports is part of Winmark – the Resale Company®, a unique national retail resale franchise that focuses on sustainability small business formation and providing Resale for Everyone® The new Play It Again Sports is owned by South Jersey local Mark Torres Torres is a lifelong metro-Philadelphiaian who spent his career in IT and Marketing before transitioning to entrepreneurship following his wife’s success with Play It Again Sport’s sister store Torres opened his first Play It Again Sports location in 2015 in Deptford decided it was time to bring another location to the area After hearing about the void left behind in the sports equipment resale market Torres decided it was time to bring the business back to Mount Laurel after nine years “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Play It Again Sports back to the Mt “This brand has always been a trusted resource for athletes and families and we’re thrilled to once again provide quality new and gently used sports gear at affordable prices Whether you’re gearing up for a new season or looking to trade in equipment for something fresh we’re here to support your active lifestyle.”  Beginning on May 1 and throughout the weekend Play It Again Sports Mount Laurel is inviting guests to stop in to Play It Again Sports in Mount Laurel to experience the following:   More about Play It Again Sports Mount Laurel Play It Again Sports accepts new and quality used equipment from community members allowing the gear to end up in someone else’s hands rather than a landfill Play It Again Sports does not require appointments and pays cach or credit on the spot for sports and fitness equipment it purchases from customers For more information or store hours, the new Play It Again Sports can be reached at (856) 591-7140 or https://playitagainsports.com/locations/mount-laurel-nj/ is a nationally recognized franchising business focused on sustainability and small business formation We champion and guide entrepreneurs interested in operating one of our award winning resale franchises: Plato’s Closet® there were 1,350 franchises in operation and over 2,800 available territories An additional 79 franchises have been awarded but are not open © Copyright 2012 - 2023 | citybiz | All Rights Reserved Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions Search autocomplete is currently not responding Description:  Pavement milling and overlay of North Pemberton Road (CR 630) from Route 206 to County Route 616 in Pemberton Township Limits: North Pemberton Road (CR 630) from Route 206 to County Route 616.. The Burlington County Senior Expo is returning for its 23rd year with exhibitors This year’s expo will be held on Wednesday Work is scheduled to start next week on repaving a portion of North Pemberton Road in Pemberton Township Pavement milling and overlay work will begin Monday on a 3.1-mile section of North Pemberton Road The Burlington County Board of Elections is seeking civic-minded residents interested in serving as poll workers during the upcoming New Jersey Primary Election perspective poll workers must be United States citizens and residents of Burlington Co.. Six outstanding young scholars were celebrated for their achievements public service and aspirations to lead during this year’s Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council’s scholarships re.. Burlington County Elections officials are advising registered voters who requested a vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot for the upcoming New Jersey Primary Election to be on the lookout for their ballot to arrive in the mail soon The Burlington County Commissioners congratulate County Administrator Eve Cullinan on her Voice of Business Award from the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce Cullinan is one of the 14 award recipients who will be honored during the Chamber&amp.. Spring prom season is here and the Burlington County Commissioners want to help keep it safe for all participating teens To help encourage prom goers to have a safe the Commissioners are once again partnering with the Burlington Coun.. The Burlington County Commissioners adopted a fiscally-responsible 2025 County Budget that reflects the board’s commitment to affordability and delivering essential services amidst the current climate of economic upheaval and uncertainty.&nb.. The Burlington County Commissioners are sending financial assistance to all 40 county municipalities to help create or support local substance use prevention programs The Commissioners voted recently to appropriate $200,000 from the County’s opioid settle.. Take a step back in time to the 1970s during this year’s Burlington County Earth Fair at Historic Smithville Park recycling and stewardship returns to Smithville on Sunday The Burlington County Senior Art Show is returning to Historic Smithville Park this spring and the County Commissioners are encouraging senior artists to help make it the best one yet Artists 60 and older – both professional and non-professional.. The Burlington County Commissioners announced the receipt of a report from the independent special counsel detailing its review and analysis of the 2024 election and interim recommendations for improvements The 49-page interim report from Connell Foley LL.. America’s 250th anniversary isn’t until next year but Burlington County plans to begin its celebrations this month with a special event commemorating the start of the American Revolution The kickoff is planned on April 16th and will p.. Burlington County is partnering with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and 11 county municipalities to assess climate change-related hazards in towns within the Route 130 Corridor and make plans to improve resiliency to future floods Burlington County is beginning to study another addition to its growing network of regional trails The County Commissioners voted last month to accept a $50,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to conduct a feasibility study of .. The Burlington County Sheriff’s Office is taking steps to receive national accreditation for the first time in its history.  Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr Felicia Hopson and Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel announced nominations for the 2025 Outstanding Women of Burlington County Awards are now open The Commissioners and the Burlington County Women&r.. Burlington County has created an initiative to better protect first responders from stress that frequently accompanies their jobs The Burlington County Commissioners voted last month to continue the County’s partnership with nonprofit Prevention.. New Jersey’s favorite farmers market is now vying to be named the best in the nation The Burlington County Farmers Market is one of 20 finalists competing in the USA Today 10BEST contest for the title of Best Farmers Market in the nation Burlington County Library patrons can now enjoy beverages and other snacks with their reading materials courtesy of a unique new café that’s enhancing the library and giving students with disabilities opportunities for wo.. Burlington County had the lowest average county tax in New Jersey once again in 2024 according to the latest New Jersey Department of Community Affairs property tax data Released this week, the DCA data showed the county portion of the average residentia.. New Jersey’s favorite farmers market is back in season.  The Burlington County Farmers Market will return from its winter hiatus this Saturday for the first of four special preseason market days in March and April.  Burlington County’s trolls are sticking around The Burlington County Commissioners announced this week that Troll Trek the popular outdoor exhibit featuring troll sculptures created from recycled and natural materials The Burlington County Commissioners welcomed Randy Brolo as the Board’s newest member saying they looked forward to working with him to keep Burlington County affordable and its government responsive to the needs of all residents Burlington County residents have a new location to bring unwanted books A book recycling bin has been added to the Burlington County Resource Complex at 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road in Florence so residents can repurpose unwanted books rather than disp.. Read Across America Week kicks off soon and the Burlington County Animal Shelter is getting in on the fun The shelter is inviting children to bring their favorite book to the shelter at 35 Academy Drive in Westampton this Sunday Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel has been selected to serve as the President of the Southern New Jersey County Commissioners Association for 2025 Burlington County Commissioner Tyler  J The Burlington County Institute of Technology continues to upgrade its facilities and programs to help students find success and prepare for 21st century careers The vocational school district held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday to celebrate the comp.. There’s a new location for Burlington County residents to safely dispose of confidential documents and special plastic this year The Burlington County Institute of Technology’s Westampton Campus The Burlington County Health Department announced the county’s first bird to test positive for H5N1 avian influenza this week and encouraged residents to take precautions by avoiding contact with any sick or dead birds t.. The Burlington County Commissioners are encouraging local seniors to take advantage of the many services and programs available to assist them and their families Burlington Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson delivered a rundown of many of the services t.. WESTAMPTON – The Burlington County Institute of Technology is taking steps to expand its career and technical education programs for auto technology heavy equipment & logistics and diesel technology with the help of a new 39,000-square-foot.. Burlington County is celebrating Black History Month with events workshops and performances throughout the month of February and early March that showcase the county’s rich Black historical presence and culture Among the upcoming Black History Month even.. We all know that the winter season causes potholes but Burlington County road crews are busy making repairs on County highways This year’s season has already been a challenging one due to the fluctuating temperatures and precipitation The Burlington County Commissioners continue to provide financial support to local organizations that are helping to promote and support the arts the Commissioners approved more than $125,000 in grant awards to 15 organizations planning arts.. The Burlington County Commissioners are crediting County support services with helping to bring drug deaths down to the county’s lowest number in close to a decade the Burlington County Commissioners have appointed Connell Foley LLP as independent special counsel to review the 2024 General Election and report back with findings and recommendations f.. January is National Radon Action Month and the Burlington County Health Department is distributing free radon test kits to county homeowners to check their homes for the radioactive gas Around 110 kits are available as part of a partnership between Burlin.. Burlington County small business owners will have more opportunities to learn The Burlington County Commissioners and the Burlington County Bridge Commission announced the start of a new edition of the Burlington County Sma.. The Burlington County Commissioners helped honor a Mansfield farm for its outstanding land management and conservation efforts The Honey Hound Orchards in Mansfield was selected as the recipient of the annual Bill and Dorothy Pettit Farm Stewardship Award.. The Burlington County Commissioners selected Commissioner Felicia Hopson to lead the board once again and welcomed new Commissioner Tyler J Burrell during the board’s Organization Meeting for 2025 Held Tuesday evening in the Historic Olde Court.. Twelve Burlington County households can make much-needed repairs and improvements to their homes in 2025 with the help of zero-interest loans from the County The Burlington County Commissioners approved close to $300,000 in home improvement loans during t.. The Burlington County Commissioners celebrated the Burlington County Animal Shelter’s first adoptions of 2025 The Burlington County Commissioners continue to support organizations that are actively involved in preserving and promoting the county’s history and historic sites the Commissioners approved the distribution of a record high $78,861 .. Criminals looking for easy targets during the holidays be warned: Special details of Burlington County Sheriff officers will continue to patrol in towns along the River Line light-rail in December and into 2025 Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis an.. Burlington County is preparing for the start of resurfacing work on 16 roads totaling 32 miles under the County’s newest State Funded Overlay Plan The County roads scheduled for the repairs cross through 17 Burlington County towns Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson delivered the keynote address at the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 20th State of the County Dinner last week emphasizing the County’s continuing commitment to c.. Electric vehicle owners have two new convenient locations in Burlington County to charge up their rides The Burlington County Bridge Commission created two new Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at its Palmyra Administrative Building and the Palmyra Cove ... The Burlington County Commissioners honored the service of dozens of veterans and their family members Friday during the annual Burlington County Military Service Medal Ceremony Forty-one veterans from various eras received Burlington County Military Serv.. The Burlington County Bridge Commission continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and reducing the County’s carbon footprint with its third annual Tree Planting initiative the Bridge Commission has acquired and distrib.. Burlington County continues to help in the fight to tackle hunger by providing assistance to local food pantries and other nonprofit organizations on the front lines in the fight against food insecurity The Burlington County Commissioners announced nine n.. Burlington County is preparing to start construction on the county’s first-ever emergency shelter on the existing Burlington Couty Human Service campus at 795 Woodlane Road The Burlington County Commissioners celebrated today with a groundbreaki.. Burlington County is planning an upgrade to its Emergency Operations Center to help state county and local emergency management officials and first responders during all varieties of disasters and emergencies.  A former Burlington County Animal Shelter dog has found a new home and a new calling as a station dog for the New Jersey State Police was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis and the Burlington County Commissioners announced the launch of a new proactive law enforcement initiative to improve public safety deter crime and assist local police along the.. Burlington County has established a new round of grant funding for the year 2025 to County municipalities Grant Application Policy and Procedure Manual Application Insert Burlington County49 Rancocas RoadMount Holly, NJ 08060Phone: 609-265-5000Contact the Commissioners Pet lovers in South Jersey may soon have the purr-fect place to take their feline friends Happy Cat Hotel & Spa is slated to open in Mount Laurel on May 10 an adoption event and even a caricature artist that will draw your beloved cat according to a press release from the business The hotel is the first of its chain to open in South Jersey but the franchise has multiple locations across the country including one coming to Bergen County's Ridgewood area More: South Jersey real estate: Why — and where — the markets are heating up at this end of NJ The 33-room space is meant to provide a unique boarding service for cats climbing shelves and 24-hour webcam access "We are so proud to offer a one-of-a-kind space where cats can feel completely at home while their humans are away," owners Diane Kane and Keith Johnson said in the release "Happy Cat Hotel & Spa is not just a boarding facility — it’s a place where cats experience comfort Kane told this publication that her choice to join the franchise was spurred not only by her personal love for cats but also by her struggle to find sitting accommodations for her own feline friends "I just thought it was the greatest idea," she said about the Happy Cat Hotel & Spa which she had stumbled across years ago and kept up with as the franchise expanded Kane said that all of the room themes are franchised and based on the host cities of businesses across the country they're able to contribute a couple of room themes based on their area themes are to include playful twists on local favorites such as the "Atlantic Kitty Boardwalk" and "Phelinedelphia." Standard room reservations start at $59 per night though this price may fluctuate during peak seasons Up to three cats from the same family can be accommodated in a standard room and nightly discounted rates are available to families with multiple cats sharing a room the business also offers grooming and spa services for cats such as nail trimming The grand opening is to take place Saturday More: Moorestown bandshell to become the Town Green centerpiece. What to know about the project. MOUNT LAUREL — Township officials want a court order to resolve a long-running dispute with a closed hotel here over alleged construction and fire safety issues with a threat of demolition if township demands are not met The lawsuit against owners of the former Clarion Hotel & Suites escalates a situation that goes back almost three years The case is in Burlington County Superior Court with arguments scheduled to be heard on March 13 on a stiff enforcement order desired by Mount Laurel and the lawsuit says a fire code violation was issued that June Various code violations have followed and continued as late as December 2024 More: The Van Wagoner farm was nearly developed for housing. How it may be preserved. More: Waiting til April 15 to book a CPA is waiting too long 23 lists violation notices from Mount Laurel inspectors including one for an “unsafe structure” related to an offline sprinkler system The complaint also details unpaid property taxes and utility bills Township officials contacted about the litigation have not responded Attorneys Olivier Salvagno and Sean McGowan said some of the problems cited in the lawsuit are resolved including settling a reported $388,476 in overdue property taxes and various municipal and private utilities bills Salvagno acknowledged that the hotel is torn apart in many respects but said that's because the high-rise building is under reconstruction The goal is to covert the hotel into a property hosting two different hotel brands a Candlewood Suites and a Holiday Inn Express the township attempts to be critical of the fact that the sprinkler system at the property has been disabled,” Salvagno said Asked why Mount Laurel would take the litigation route I think there has been some issues related to financing for the property The construction on the property is being self-financed Salvagno said the reconstruction should be complete by March 2026 McGowan said the ownership of the hotel changed in 2023 although the prior owners hold a minority interest “And a lot of the allegations go back to prior to the change in ownership,” he said The lawsuit identifies the property as owned by RAAS Investment LLC The corporation bought the hotel in June 2005 The township is asking for a court order giving the owners 14 days to settle delinquent accounts have water lines inspected for freeze damage and secure the property against trespassers Other violations would have to be fixed within 30 days The lawsuit states that township police have responded to more than 1,000 calls about the property since 2020 The township also is asking the court to require demolition of the hotel if the owners do not fix the alleged safety concerns Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland Support local journalism with a subscription MOUNT LAUREL — A desperate search for a 66-year-old woman went missing Sunday had a happy ending Tuesday morning Danyila Nykytyn walked away from her home on Val Drive in Mount Laurel had not been seen since according to Mount Laurel police.  Nykytyn did not have her wallet She only speaks Ukrainian and is described as "shy." she usually only goes to Shop Rite on Union Mill Road and the rear of Laurel Acres Park The wife of a retired police officer noticed Nykytyn near the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital about a mile-and-a-half away on Mount Laurel Road around 6:40 a.m She was taken to an emergency room to be checked over Police blanketed their social media with pictures of Nykytyn and updates on their investigation After Video captured Nykytyn walking on Watson Drive near Nottingham Way and a pond Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m investigators asked residents of the neighborhood to check their own video security footage and search and rescue also searched the area for Nykytyn Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom Gallery Credit: Mike Brant A desperate search for a 66-year-old woman went missing Sunday had a happy ending Tuesday morning.\nRead More The wife of a retired police officer noticed Nykytyn near the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital about a mile-and-a-half away on Mount Laurel Road around 6:40 a.m Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom A man was fatally shot in Mount Laurel early Sunday apparently as he was driving on northbound Route 73 The victim was identified Thursday as Dominic Gunter III He is believed to have been shot several times while driving on the northbound highway at approximately 2:30 a.m. according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office Gunter was discovered moments later on the 1000 block of Atrium Way and died at an area hospital at approximately 4:15 a.m Long investigation: Murder suspect charged almost nine years after victim's death The prosecutor's office did not say who alerted police to the wounded man or where he was found on Atrium Way a roughly mile-long road that runs past a hotel and office buildings Route 73 was closed in both directions near Atrium Way to accommodate investigators It was reported open again at approximately 7:20 a.m Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s office at tips@co.burlington.nj.us or Mount Laurel police tips@mountlaurelpd.org (This story was updated to add information and a photograph.) Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight Lindsey Jett of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University leads a seminar Thursday at PAWS The PAWS Farm petting zoo and wildlife education complex in Mount Laurel which opened in 1979 and shut down in 2020 welcomed the public on Thursday as part of the mission of its new operator The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University which now oversees the Township-owned property held its first free program at the Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road facility as part of a series to inform pet owners Emergency: When to Worry and When to Hurry" explained how to judge when a pet needs immediate medical attention and when it does not Kate Hutton Tweedy, who with her husband Dr. Charles Tweedy founded PAWS 46 years ago, told www.70and73.com that she and her husband are pleased with what they saw and heard from the school's staff on a recent visit "PAWS will be fully engaged with the community and we are delighted Rowan (University) is an amazing educational and academic leader and the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine will be an outstanding addition." The last 18 months since the Shreiber School took over have been busy ones at the center, Phillip Barnes, the school's director of public relations and communications, told 70and73.com He said the center was in excellent shape upon the lease's signing "Mount Laurel Public Works did an amazing job helping get the property ready for its next chapter by removing some trees and brush as well as older playground equipment while the veterinary school team refurbished the Welcome Center into an educational space for students and the community," Barnes said in an interview The Mount Laurel Garden Club "continues to stay active in maintaining the butterfly garden and a new group of volunteers stepped up to help with projects like decorating and planting." The Thursday seminar was the the first of four pet owner information sessions that organizers called the Animal Care Workshop Series an emergency care veterinarian and section head of the emergency care and critical care department at the Shreiber School explained to about 20 pet owners what constitutes a medical emergency for a pet is being lethargic and not able to keep anything down should come in through the (emergency room) vomited once and is still acting and eating pretty normal it does not need to come through the ER" but perhaps an urgent care facility Another example Jett provided was that a dog that pants to cool off likely does not need emergency care if a dog is panting and cannot lie down and go to sleep should be taken to emergency care An urgent care facility is one that treats non-emergency illnesses and performs outpatient surgical procedures during the approximately 14 hours a day that it is open while emergency care facilities are those with hospitalization capabilities and treat life-or-death emergencies by triaging animals during the 24 hours that the facility is open Know what your pet's vitals are so you can advocate for them if something is wrong with them," Jett said Other Animal Care Workshop Series sessions will discuss cat and dog toxins, processes families with small children can utilize when contemplating adopting an animal and understanding euthanasia. Information on how to register for these sessions can be found on this webpage of the Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine The wheels to create the new center were set into motion in March 2023, when the Mount Laurel Township Council adopted an ordinance that would allow the township to lease what was then known as PAWS Farm to Rowan University In the 1970s when the Tweedys began their involvement with the former Darnell Homestead on the property they literally rolled up their sleeves and were  joined by a battalion of volunteers to rehabilitate the old farm and turn it into a popular nature center the Tweedys oversaw and helped pay for efforts that increased the site's nature and animal education opportunities provided medical care to hundreds of animals and ensured that the site's farmhouse smokehouse and icehouse resembled similar structures from previous centuries When the PAWS Farm lease on the site expired in 2004 its operations were turned over to the former Garden State Discovery Museum of Cherry Hill and the Tweedys retired the Tweedys once again got involved when they learned they learned PAWS was closing and had fallen into disrepair A total of 147,000 people signed an online petition seeking to reopen the site the Tweedys oversaw and helped pay for a second restoration effort which culminated in the agreement with Rowan University "Our goal is to honor the past and honor the legacy of PAWS Farm while bringing Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine to this location," said Leah Walker the school’s associate director of outreach and public engagement much of the PAWS Farm Educational Center programming will be geared toward "pre-K through 12th grade STEM education with the goal of sharing career pathways in veterinary medicine science and the health professions with students," Barnes said Programs will be led by school faculty or staff but the Darnell House will be used to explain to visitors the history of the home which will be used as a community event space Barnes said the site "should still feel very familiar to returning visitors …The facility will continue to be a place for children in the community to have a great experience connecting with nature and animals while learning important things about the world around them.” Barnes continued: "What is different now is that there is an intentional focus on teaching children about how we care for animals and showing them that a future career in veterinary medicine is possible for anyone especially if they discover a passion for it." The lot that will contain the senior housing complex and retail stores is outlined in yellow The developer has been building Haddon Point a 600-unit apartment and townhouse development next to the site Delco Development LLC plans a 175-unit Brightview senior living facility (left) and retail stores (right) A rendering of the retail part of the development A 175-unit facility for congregate care and assisted living and two retail buildings will be built on former agricultural cropland on Route 38 in Mount Laurel next to the Haddon Point apartment and townhouse complex which is next to the McDonald's restaurant and adjacent to the plaza containing ShopRite originally were approved at the board's September meeting Board members agreed to waive a restriction under Township law that requires a developer to protect 20% of a forested area from disturbance "The board finds that the applicant is proposing a robust landscaping plan with evergreen trees," according to the resolution A four-story Brightview Senior Living facility will be built on a 6.66-acre lot at the site The project will offer studio and one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments About half of the complex will be devoted to assisted living Brightview testified to the board that its senior residents typically are between 80 and 90 years old which has operated a senior living facility in Mount Laurel off Union Mill Road for about 12 years has a total of nine senior operations in New Jersey and more than 50 from Washington The two retail buildings — one 16,440 square feet and one 3,366 square feet — will be constructed on 3.98 acres of land and will be built after the senior project Access to the retail shops and Brightview includes a right-in and right-out entrance and exit on Route 38 One of the retail buildings will house a Tim Hortons restaurant and drive-through lane Plans call for 110 parking spaces on the retail part of the property and 143 spaces at the senior housing complex MOUNT LAUREL -- On the 50th anniversary of New Jersey's landmark affordable housing court decision Phil Murphy on Monday praised the civil rights activists who fought to build working-class housing in their suburban township noting it has led to 400,000 units statewide which compels each municipality to provide its fair share of affordable housing continues to face intense pushback from some municipalities leaving New Jersey with home prices and rent that outpaces income we have wrestled with how to apply the principles of the Mount Laurel doctrine in practice and along the way we've seen a slew of legal challenges that have sought to delay the development of new affordable housing units in the communities where they are needed most," Murphy said today New Jersey is now plagued by the same challenge that is impacting virtually every American state in the nation Our supply of affordable housing has not kept pace with demand." Murphy and affordable housing advocates commemorated the anniversary of the Mount Laurel decision at Jacob's Chapel AME Church where Ethel Lawrence served as an officer and became the lead plaintiff who successfully fought the town's zoning rules Affordable housing: NJ towns trying to get out of building 14,000 affordable homes statewide, builders say Despite towns' constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing New Jersey continues to have one of the nation's biggest racial wealth gaps.; the median household wealth of white families in New Jersey is $322,500 compared with $17,700 for Black families and $26,100 for Hispanic families the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice said And dozens of towns are challenging the state's recent calculations that lay out how many affordable units they need to provide during the next decade You can see a full list of what each town was told it owes in affordable housing at the bottom of this story "Housing justice lends to access to better education and health care those inequities will continue to persist," said Crystal Charley second vice president of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference Affordable housing: Can Toms River slash affordable housing requirement? This is how it will be decided The event Monday was hosted by Fair Share Housing Center a Burlington County town that had been a stop on the Underground Railroad Lawrence and other Black Mount Laurel residents were losing their homes as affluent white residents moving in They wanted approval to build 36 affordable homes with Mayor Bill Haines during a meeting at Jacob's Chapel in 1970 saying: “If you people can’t afford to live in our town and the case went to the state Supreme Court which ruled that not only did Mount Laurel have an obligation to provide affordable housing her family and her community," said Lawrence's daughter the state's constitution requires that towns provide their fair share of affordable housing for those with moderate and low incomes — up to $72,830 for an individual and $130,054 for a family of four in Monmouth and Ocean counties Builder vows to appeal: Lakewood blocks controversial housing development tied to yeshiva towns during the next decade are expected to build more than 80,000 affordable units including 13,822 in a region made up of Monmouth The Department of Community Affairs gave towns their share based on income The ruling has faced grumbling from suburban towns where officials have fought back by filing lawsuits and objecting to the state's obligations for any number of reasons: They don't have open space they bristle at the potential for over-development A review by the Press found that of the 86 municipalities in Monmouth and Ocean counties passed resolutions contesting the calculation for the next round of affordable housing which could open the door to lawsuits from builders and advocates Real estate prices: Monmouth County average home price second highest in NJ: See which towns rose the fastest Real estate prices: Ocean County average home price has shot up 57% since COVID Murphy himself is facing criticism from affordable housing advocates who say his budget proposes to divert millions from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund meant to help nonprofit agencies like the Affordable Housing Alliance in Neptune and Habitat for Humanity to build smaller developments The governor calls for that money to be used mainly for other low- and moderate income housing programs including two projects at the former Fort Monmouth post said the trust fund should be fully funded "It would dramatically reduce the number of affordable housing that we could build," said Randi Moore chief executive officer for the Affordable Housing Alliance Murphy and advocates were back on the same page Monday pushing ahead with their goal to expand access to affordable housing One notable change: More than 50 years after Mount Laurel's mayor told activists they would just have to leave Ethel Lawrence "taught us that we can never back down from defending the promise that we are all entitled to equal rights and economic dignity," Murphy said Ethel Lawrence taught us that when a community of concerned citizens stand together Diamond is a business reporter at the Asbury Park Press He has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry since 1999 He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com MOUNT LAUREL — A secondhand sports equipment shop is returning to Mount Laurel Play It Again Sports, which closed in Mount Laurel in 2016 is opening in the Larchmont Commons Shopping Center located at 3103-3117 NJ-38 Its new owner is West Deptford resident Mark Torres Play It Again Sports buys and sells both used and new equipment for a variety of sports The store offers both cash and in-store credit who also owns the Play It Again in Deptford located at 1450 Clements Bridge Road said he first had plans to purchase the original Mount Laurel location "Dom Zangi actually owned the original Mount Laurel location I actually remember driving to that store when I was a kid," Torres said "It wasn't the right time to purchase the business as I had just opened up the Deptford store." Even though he couldn't purchase it in 2016 Torres said his plans were delayed for opening a location in Mount Laurel "I wanted to try to open a location in 2019 but I am happy to finally be here," he said Torres said that they are still going through a soft opening and that hours could change moving forward the grand opening for the new Play It Again sports is to be either March 29 or April 3 Nick Butler is an impact reporter for the Courier Post the Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times covering community news in South Jersey A man died after being shot multiple times while driving on Route 73 in Mount Laurel early Sunday morning The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office believes the male victim was fatally shot while driving northbound on the roadway around 2:30 a.m Authorities say he was found bleeding on the 1000 block of Atrium Way not long afterward He died at an area hospital less than two hours later Authorities also said an autopsy will be performed by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office How police were alerted to the shooting was not clarified seeking to learn more about the shooting is requesting the public's help Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office at tips@co.burlington.nj.us or the Mount Laurel Police Department at tips@mountlaurelpd.org Gallery Credit: Dan Zarrow A man has died after being shot multiple times while driving on Route 73 in Mount Laurel early Sunday morning, according to police.\nRead More A motorist who was fatally shot in Mount Laurel over the weekend was a young man from suburban Philadelphia Investigators believe the Delaware County man was shot while driving on northbound Route 73 He was found wounded after turning left from 73 onto Atrium Way More charges: Mount Laurel daycare operator faces allegations Gunter was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s office at tips@co.burlington.nj.us or Mount Laurel police at tips@mountlaurelpd.org Gathering in a historic church in the town where the fight began, Gov. Phil Murphy joined a celebration Monday of the half-century effort to build more affordable housing in New Jersey a push that remains controversial to this day The governor spoke at Jacob's Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel on the 50th anniversary of what is now known as the state Supreme Court's Mount Laurel Decision a landmark ruling that established a constitutional obligation for towns to allow low- and moderate-income housing within their borders Murphy and other speakers said there is more hard work ahead to close an estimated gap of 200,000 affordable residences in New Jersey part of what many see as a national housing crisis The governor said he is "proud of the enormous success but very sober about the journey still before us," referring to the struggles to implement a law he signed last year to codify and streamline the process by which towns must approve housing "We have to keep both of those somewhat conflicting thoughts and impressions in mind," the Democrat said Dozens of towns have complied with the new law's deadlines so far. But more than two dozen municipalities have challenged it in court saying the legislation will accelerate overdevelopment that's already choking their communities More New Jersey news: Our guide as NJ marks 50 years since Mount Laurel I court decision on affordable housing New Jersey's efforts to build affordable housing in every community began in 1975 when the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in Southern Burlington NAACP v The suit accused the South Jersey township of using zoning to exclude people of lower incomes The Supreme Court decision led to changes in the township's zoning laws and established an affordable housing "mandate" currently fueling a building boom across the state Adam Gordon of the Fair Share Housing Center a nonprofit group empowered to assist courts in enforcing the mandate reminded the audience that controversy over that building boom is still generating bureaucratic roadblocks in many communities "We're here today because of people who stood up in a hard time a time much like today when many others chose to retreat instead of move forward." Among the speakers at the church was Ethel Halley, daughter of Ethel Lawrence one of the key figures in the Mount Laurel community's fight against a government seemingly determined to price them out of their family homes known as "the Rosa Parks of affordable housing," but made sure everyone knew it was a community-wide effort "You'll see 'Ethel Lawrence et al.' [on the court documents] which means 'and others,' each of whom were near and dear to all of us," said Halley who became an affordable housing advocate in her own right "I don't believe they have truly received the accolades and acknowledgment for their contributions to the success of this case "These women laid bare their personal stories to be shared with the world," Halley continued her voice breaking with emotion as she shared some of the names the trials and tribulations they had to face in a town that cared not for their housing situation and struggles to raise their families in a town they called home." Murphy said affordable housing remains a high priority for his administration citing efforts by the Department of Community Affairs "We have invested $250 million to support the construction of nearly 1,600 new affordable housing units across our state," the governor said Tahesha Way spoke of the magnitude of the Mount Laurel decision which she studied as a first-year law student in Virginia "There is no question that affordable housing touches every single community in New Jersey," Way said. "But for communities of color, affordable housing also carries with it the vestiges of slavery, segregation and redlining They also hindered our communities from benefiting from one of New Jersey's greatest strengths: her diversity." More: What you need to know to apply for affordable housing in New Jersey The laws and processes generated by Mount Laurel are not specifically aimed at racial disparities but Jacob's Chapel Pastor Terrell Person reminded the gathering that his church was a stop along the Underground Railroad during the nation's era of slavery "I know you are here for fair share housing but this is part of all that," Person said Murphy referred to the church and its roots in a historic Black community as "a house of worship that has long stood at the crossroads of our nation's journey toward racial justice." added: “When we embrace affordable housing we are investing in the future of our communities — creating stronger local economies and vibrant neighborhoods while addressing social and economic problems at their root." Link IconCopy linkFacebook LogoShare on FacebookXShare on XEmailShare via EmailLink copied to clipboardA new cat hotel and spa in Mount Laurel offers purrfect getaway for felinesThe hotel will offer theme rooms such as Felinedelphia and Rocky Meowntain Lodge Most cats can make themselves comfortable anywhere But when it comes to boarding a beloved feline Local cat owners who seek to elevate their pet’s experience during a weekend getaway or a longer vacation will soon have a fresh option: the Happy Cat Hotel & Spa The first Philadelphia-area location of the Connecticut-based franchise is scheduled to open next month in Mount Laurel “All of these rooms have a different travel theme walking with husband Keith Johnson along the main hallway of their hotel Kane, a lawyer, and Johnson, an owner of the Laurel Lanes bowling center in Maple Shade are renovating a 5,000-square-foot space that formerly housed a title company in an office park on Briggs Road near Route 38 Their hotel will offer 33 rooms with varied furnishings, colors, and names such as Atlantic City Boardwalk Kitty Prices will start at $59 a day for a standard room; $69 for a deluxe; and $79 for a luxury suite “Cat happiness is held in high regard” at the hotel Kane said a kitty concierge will be on the 10-member staff along with groomers skilled in services such as blow-dries Only cats from the same household will be allowed to share rooms; cats from different households will not mix Individual cats will go on walks with staff adding that the animals will have daily “enrichment” interactions with staff and will be able to watch each other through interior windows Each guest room also will have a window with outdoor views, and Cat TV featuring a loop of bird and squirrel videos Johnson said owners will provide the same food their cats enjoy at home Existing medications will be administered by trained staff A Grandview Research study projects that the $8.63 billion global pet boarding market of 2024 will grow by more than 8% by 2030 and noted that cats are increasingly popular as pets worldwide Kane and Johnson said they became interested in opening a cats-only facility after friends and acquaintances expressed frustration at the difficulty of finding such options Cats can detect the presence of dogs elsewhere in a facility Demand for cats-only facilities also may be lower because some cats can be left alone for a day or two as long as they have access to food But such arrangements simply aren’t an option for many cats and their owners founder and CEO of Happy Cat Franchising in Windsor “We opened our Happy Cat Hotels & Spas flagship in 2014,” he said “We can’t lay claim to inventing the concept The company has seven hotels operating and three in development “We go where the passionate cat people are: Atlanta The facilities “are so quiet and tranquil — like a library,” he said adding “we work very hard to understand feline behavior We work really hard to build their trust.” Two incumbents and a newcomer — all Democrats — were elected to Mount Laurel Township Council on Tuesday according to unofficial Burlington County election results the member of Council who now serves as deputy mayor was newcomer Silvia Catalan-Culnan with 13,121 votes the member of Council who now serves as mayor Moustakas, a first-generation immigrant from Greece, is the founding member and managing partner of Moustakas Nelson LLC, a law firm in Haddonfield, according to the Township website a first-generation Pakistani American and the first Muslim and South Asian woman selected as mayor is a first-grade teacher at Westfield Friends School The three Democrats got 59% of the 66,694 votes cast and the three Republican challengers got 41% SOURCE: Burlington County unofficial results its current implementation has placed an unsustainable burden on the small towns that define our state displacing wildlife and increasing pollution as more cars idle on already congested roads these costs seem futile — small suburban communities like Old Tappan simply do not offer the job opportunities that low-income families need to thrive Wouldn’t it make far more sense to direct future affordable housing projects toward transit hubs and urban centers where local economies are crying out for revitalization Mandating affordable housing in suburbia has only accelerated environmental degradation It has transformed our green spaces into concrete developments prone to flooding and stormwater runoff and driven up property taxes from endless litigation and infrastructure demands Opinion: New Jersey's energy future must be resilient. Here's a tool that can help New Jersey should not cling to outdated housing policies that fail both people and the environment we need smart growth strategies that provide affordable housing where jobs transportation and opportunity already exist sustainable housing policies — ones that protect both our environment and our future All five members of the Mount Laurel Township Council have endorsed former Senate President Steve Sweeney for the Democratic nomination for governor giving him solid support from Burlington County’s second-largest municipality in advance of the March 1 county convention The support comes from Mayor Nikitas Moustakas Councilmen Kareem Pritchett and Steve Steglik and Councilwomen Fozia Janjua and Silvia Catalan-Culnan “Every New Jerseyan deserves a seat at the table in Trenton when decisions are being made or how much money they make,” said Sweeney “That is what my run for Governor is about making sure all New Jersey families get a fair shake and have their voice heard.” and Assemblywomen Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel) and Andrea Katz (D-Chesterfield) Phil Murphy visits Mount Laurel to honor 50 years of milestone doctrine7 PHOTOSNew Jersey Gov Phil Murphy speaks during a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling held at Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel on Monday Lawrence and also an affordable housing advocate (center) applauds during a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling held at Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel on Monday Lawrence and also an affordable housing advocate speaks during a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling held at Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel on Monday Lawrence and also an affordable housing advocate (facing) is hugged by New Jersey Lt Tahesha Way during a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling held at Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel on Monday Tahesha Way (second from left) attend a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling held at Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel on Monday Lawrence and also an affordable housing advocate (facing) is greeted by New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy during a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling held at Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel held on Monday Phil Murphy exits Jacob’s Chapel AME Church in Mount Laurel after a commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel ruling on Monday Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A 72-year-old Mount Laurel man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Burlington County on Tuesday a Freightliner semi-trainer and a GMC terrain were traveling southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mansfield Township when the GMC struck the rear of the Freightliner a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries