Latest news with #SouthJerseyans
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Hands Off!' protest in Pitman draws about 500 in a rally against Trump's policies
Approximately 500 people attended a "Hands Off!" rally in Pitman on Saturday to protest policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk. The protest, scheduled for 1:30-3:30 p.m., took place at Ballard Park. It included a few speeches from participants, including one from a man with blonde dreadlocks who identified himself as "Pastor Randy." Protesters, a mostly middle-aged crowd, lined up in the park and also along Pitman Avenue outside of McCowan Memorial Library, waving signs and chanting at traffic. Background: What are 'Hands Off!' protests? South Jerseyans among those hoping to put D.C. on notice. Some passing motorists honked horns in support. Police were on scene, but no problems or counter-protests were observed through at least 2 p.m. Saturday. Broadway was block for one block outside of the park, with traffic detoured around the library. Joe Smith is a N.E. 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, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Have a tip? Support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: 'Hands Off!' was a nationwide effort to protest Trump's policies
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USPS changes to mail delivery started in April. What to know.
The United State Postal Service is refining its services, and some changes have already started this month — with some of those changes likely to impact your mail. According to the USPS, these changes, which will be implemented in two phases, will save the service an estimated $36 billion over 10 years. Some changes went into effect April 1, while others are planned for July 1. More: What are 'Hands Off!' protests? South Jerseyans among those hoping to put D.C. on notice. Changes to the USPS Service Standards will impact the following mail types, according to a press release from the USPS: First-Class Mail. Periodicals. Marketing mail. Package Services (Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, Library Mail). USPS Ground Advantage. Priority Mail. Priority Mail Express. According to the Postal Service, most mail will have the same service standard under the new plan. Some will be faster and some will be slower. The 1-5 day standard for First-Class Mail and the 2-5 day standard for USPS Ground Advantage will remain the same, the press release stated. The day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals and Package Services will be shortened. "All mail will benefit from more reliable service," the USPS said in its press release. Based on the information provided by the Postal Service, it's hard to say which areas could expect to see slower delivery standards. More: Trump has set new universal tariffs, reciprocal tariffs. Here's what could cost you more. To assist with planning your domestic mailing and shipping, the USPS has provided a Service Standards Map on its website. Here, you can enter the zip code of the city you are shipping from and view the estimated delivery times based on where you are sending your mail and through which classification. The changes come on the heels of a national system of protests last month in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on privatizing the USPS. Mail carriers and their supporters flooded Haddon Avenue near the Collingswood Post Office in a sea of red shirts and signs on March 23 as part of a National Association of Letter Carriers network of protests against U.S. Postal Service privatization. "Dismantling the post office will not save taxpayers not one penny," said Willingboro mail carrier Jared Di Lello, who attended the protest with his young son, Jonathan. According to the association, any attempt to privatize or restructure the USPS would jeopardize the jobs of 7.9 million mailing industry employees, reduce services to rural communities, and raise shipping costs for businesses and consumers. More: Will Trump try to run for a third term? Where the president's approval ratings stand, 2025 According to USPS, the service is independent and self-financing, relying on the sales of stamps and postage, its products and services to fund operations. The USPS usually does not receive tax dollars for operating expenses. Last month, multiple outlets reported that the USPS has agreed to work with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, aka DOGE, which was created and tasked by Trump with the stated of aim of reducing government spending. Both Trump and Musk have expressed ideas about privatizing the USPS. Trump previously floated the idea of putting the USPS under his administration by merging the agency with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Last month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that postal workers could carry out the U.S. census and handle tasks performed by Social Security employees as cost-cutting measures. Newsweek reporting said a USPS merger, if it goes through, could close offices, slow delivery, increase costs and lead to layoffs. It also could hit rural areas hardest. Contributing: Bonnie Bolden, Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@ And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: USPS changes to mail delivery in April. Will shipping times change?
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Voters have approved $82M in projects at Willingboro, Southampton schools. What to expect.
Voters in two Burlington County towns have approved school-improvement projects with a combined cost of approximately $82 million. Willingboro residents on Tuesday supported two ballot questions worth $67.9 million, according to unofficial results on the county's website. "The community can look forward to improvements to every school and the construction of an Indoor track and basketball complex," stated a post expressing gratitude on the district's website. In Southampton, voters narrowly approved a $14.1-million bond to upgrade the local district's three elementary schools. Soul line dancing: South Jerseyans show off moves on national TV, at Library of Congress Southampton Superintendent Megan Geibel thanked the bond's supporters. But she acknowledged the close result in a letter to the community Wednesday. 'Our goal is to ensure that every voice is heard and considered as we move forward,' Geibel wrote, adding that the vote's outcome, with 52% approval, "underscores the diverse perspectives within our community." In Willingboro, almost 70% of voters supported the first ballot question, a $49.7-million proposal to upgrade the district's schools. The second question, which passed with 54% approval, called for spending $18.2 million on an indoor track/basketball complex. Here are some of the changes set to come to Willingboro: New or repaired roofs at the district's schools. Renovations for middle school and high school science labs. Conversion of elementary school libraries into media centers. Building gym annexes at the elementary schools. Installing bathrooms in preschool/kindergarten classrooms. Improved traffic flow for the parking lot at Garfield East Early Childhood Development Center. A track/basketball complex on Windover Lane, next to the district's administration building. The Willingboro projects are to result in a property tax increase of $23 annually for an average home assessed at $161,022. New Jersey is to cover $21 million of the school improvements, but none of the costs for the sports complex. State aid is to cover $3.5 million of debt service in Southampton. The bond's cost is to hike the annual property tax by $29 for an average home assessed at $189,284. Among other changes, the Southampton plan is to: Convert a bus garage at Southampton School No. 1 to hold all-purpose, art and music rooms, while an existing all-purpose room would become an instructional media center. The school also would add a history wall. Put new restrooms in seven classrooms for all-day preschool at Southampton School No. 2. Install an all-weather multipurpose field and running track, with pickleball and volleyball courts, and upgraded lighting at Southampton School No. 3. Implement security upgrades at all three schools, including cameras and additional fencing. They also would see infrastructure upgrades and playground refurbishment. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@ This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Residents vote for big changes at schools in Willingboro, Southampton
