Beginning May 31, in recognition of World No Tobacco Day, all Burlington County parks will become smoke- and tobacco-free—permanently.  The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners worldwide recognize World No Tobacco Day every May 31 to highlight the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and to promote quitting smoking. According to the WHO, tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death globally and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide. “We all know that smoking is a serious health risk, but secondhand smoke, even breathed outdoors, can …

UPDATE: Roadwork continues on Riverton Road this week, from the Cinnaminson Township line to Bridgeboro Road. One lane of traffic will be kept open, primarily for emergency response vehicles.  Moorestown Police advise that motorists should expect significant delays and seek alternate routes.  _________________ Take note, commuters: The county will begin resurfacing a 2.7-mile section of Riverton Road today. The project, which is expected to take about two weeks to complete, involves milling and overlay of Riverton Road from Route 130 in Cinnaminson to Bridgeboro Road in Moorestown. The work …

Burlington County is seeking volunteers to assist with two park cleanup events the next two weekends. 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 27Amico Island Park, Norman Avenue, Delran: Volunteers will learn about watersheds and help inventory, and collect litter and debris along the shoreline of this 55-acre park. This event is part of the NJ Adopt-a-Beach Clean Water Challenge. Event flyer: http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/upload/Clean_Communities/Images/2013April_Amico_IslandEvent.pdf Park information: http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/upload/Parks/Images/Amico_Island_Park.pdf 8:30 a.m. to noon, …

Have a firearm you don’t want anymore? Need a little extra cash? The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department will hold a gun buyback event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Abundant Life Fellowship Church, located at 4151 Route 130 South in Edgewater Park. “Every gun we get off the street is one less opportunity for a child to be harmed, an accidental shooting to occur, or a weapon to be stolen and used in a crime,” said Sheriff Jean Stanfield. The buyback will allow Burlington County residents to voluntarily surrender their firearms in exchange for up to $150 per weapon. Each …

Anxious because your teenage son or daughter is about to get their driver’s license? The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department can help. Sheriff Jean E. Stanfield will hold a free presentation this weekend designed to reduce teen driver crashes by increasing parental involvement. The program, called "Share the Keys," will be held from 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, at the Emergency Services Training Center, 53 Academy Drive, Westampton. "Share the Keys" is structured for parents and teen drivers in the pre-permit/permit stage of licensure. It is designed to support parental involvement and safe …

Burlington County College, in partnership with the county, has stepped in to give the Underground Railroad Educational Center a new home.The Underground Railroad Educational Center, formerly housed on Union Street in Burlington City, has recently fallen on hard times, which has resulted in the center losing its lease in Burlington City. Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly asked the college to assist the center in finding a new space, and it responded by suggesting its new Willingboro Town Center location, which is ideally located along the Route 130 corridor.“This is a significant piece of …

To the editor: Bolstering our Burlington County business community has been and will continue to be a major focus of county government. This will be evident in the coming weeks, as we partner with business organizations countywide on a “buy local” campaign to encourage residents to spend their consumer dollars in their own downtown areas. That said, today I am seeking business partners to work with us on another initiative—one that will showcase Burlington County’s historic, environmental, and of course, economic resources. Specifically, we are looking for business sponsorships for our …

Burlington County residents, this weekend’s your chance to get rid of a bunch of junk around the house without having to leave your car. The county will hold a recycling event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Robert C. Shinn Recycling Center, 130 Hancock Lane, in Westampton.County residents will have the opportunity to shred confidential documents and safely dispose of computers and TVs. Nearly 5,000 residents participated in recycling events last year, bringing in more than 123,000 pounds of documents and disposing of 170,000 pounds of “e-waste.”“This event is ideal for residents …

Worried about your child's car seat? The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department will hold a “Safety Day” at the Medford Lakes Fire Department on Stokes Road from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. The free event will include child safety seat checks by certified child safety seat technicians. Anyone who has a car seat in their vehicle can stop by to make sure the seat is installed properly. “Parents should stop by to have their child’s safety seat checked. It only takes a few minutes to complete,” said Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield. “We have inspected more than 10,000 safety seats since …

  In celebration of Black History Month, Burlington County is presenting two special art exhibits showcasing the work of famed local artist Lady Bird Strickland and acclaimed Haitian artist Frandy Jean. The Lady Bird Strickland exhibit will run from Feb. 1 through March 2 at the Warden’s House on High Street in Mount Holly. An opening reception has been set from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. The gallery will be open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free.  Now a resident of Willingboro, Lady Bird Strickland was …

The Burlington County Sheriff's Office annual toy drive is officially under way and residents can donate toys for children of families in need at 65 drop-offs located throughout the county. The collection will continue through Dec. 17, when sheriff's officers will gather the bins and return them to the county complex. Last year, the department collected approximately 1,100 toys; the sheriff said she is optimistic that it will exceed that number this holiday season. Here is a complete list of drop-offs in Burlington County. We've bolded the closest locations.: Beverly City Municipal, 446 Broad…

Looking for a scenic, historic backdrop for your wedding? Burlington County Clerk Timothy Tyler will be performing individual wedding ceremonies at the county’s historic Smithville Mansion on Smithville Road in Eastampton on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. “It is once again my pleasure to offer couples the unique opportunity to exchange vows at the stately Smithville Mansion,” said Tyler, who has performed more than 500 ceremonies since taking office in 2009.  There are a limited number of spots available, so interested couples should contact the clerk’s office as soon as possible to schedule their…

Burlington County issued the following press release: With a strong coastal nor’easter bringing cold weather to the area, the Burlington County Health Department today declared that a Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency will commence at 7 p.m. Wednesday and remain in effect through 7 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8. Officials will then review and assess upcoming weather forecasts. A winter weather advisory is in effect for our area, indicating that snow, sleet or freezing rain is in the forecast, along with temperatures in the 30s, high winds and wind chill factors in the 20s. A Code Blue declaration is …

Burlington County freeholders will host an economic development summit Monday, Oct. 22, to highlight strategies for 2013, and to provide stakeholders with an overview of economic tools that are available to them. Some 100 invited business leaders, legislators, local officials, and other key players, are slated to attend the summit, which will kickoff at 8:30 a.m. at the Roebling Firehouse and Community Center at 69 Main Street in Florence. “This summit is not about where we are, but where we are going, and what we need to do to ensure that we are building a strong economic environment in …

Auditors gave Burlington County’s finances a clean bill of health for the second time this year, this time focusing on the county’s accounting of $36.8 million in state and federal funds in 2011.  In the parlance of auditors, the audit prepared by Bowman & Company found no “significant deficiencies, material weaknesses, or instances of noncompliance.”“To put it in plain language, this confirms that our fiscal house is in order,” said Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. “Our mission has been to reduce taxes and spending, and continue to run programs and services in a fiscally responsible …

Planning a wedding or other special event? Stop by the (free) Bridal and Special Event Fair at Historic Smithville Park on Sunday, Oct. 21, and find out about the county venues at your disposal. Sponsored by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the fair offers guests an opportunity to learn about the two historic sites available for rent from April through October: the Smithville Mansion courtyard in Eastampton; and the Burlington County Prison Museum grounds in Mount Holly. Both outdoor venues are uniquely suited for entertaining guests. During the fair, visitors will have an …

Burlington County freeholders are seeking volunteers to help the Clean Communities Office and Eastern Mountain Sports with a park cleanup next Tuesday at Boundary Creek Park in Moorestown.  “Our county residents have really stepped up to help us keep our parks clean,” said Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. “We really appreciate all their efforts. It is great to see folks working together to keep our community green.”Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants, long sleeves, long socks and sturdy close-toed shoes that can get muddy. The cleanup will focus on the removal of invasive …

After cutting $17.1 million in spending, Burlington County freeholders reduced the county tax rate for the 22nd year in a row.   Freeholders adopted a $199.8 million budget Wednesday that cuts the amount of tax dollars needed to run county government by $6.2 million, making this the fifth year in a row the tax levy has been reduced.Since 2007, taxes have been cut a total of $14.7 million and spending has been reduced by $26.8 million for the same period. This year’s budget calls for a cut in the county tax rate from 30.96¢ per $100 of equalized valuation to 30.91¢.“These multimillion dollar …

Burlington County’s emergency communications capabilities received a major boost this week with AT&T’s donation of 22 cell phones to be employed during harsh weather disasters and other emergencies. The company is also providing the county with four data packages that can be used to activate and quickly program variable message boards, which are usually placed along highways to warn motorists of dangerous conditions, or direct them to an AM radio station broadcasting important updates. “It goes without saying, during times of emergency, communications is key,” said Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien…

Several Earth Day activities geared for the whole family will be offered in Burlington County’s parks on Sunday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., county officials announced. Sponsored by the freeholders through the Division of Parks, Earth Day celebrations will be held in Pennington Park in Delanco, Boundary Creek Natural Resource Area in Moorestown, Long Bridge Park in Hainesport, Amico Island Park in Delran, and Smith’s Woods in Eastampton. The schedule for Earth Day includes: Amico Island Park, Norman Avenue in Delran—Help Ranger Adam clean up the park’s shoreline from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. …