New Jersey

Camden, New Jersey, buys new trash truck for first time in decade in effort to keep city clean

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2024

Camden, New Jersey, buys new trash truck for first time in decade in effort to keep city clean

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — Camden is doubling down on its effort to clean up the city as it unveils new tools to help keep the streets clean.

On Thursday, truckloads of trash were unloaded and the unwanted items were hauled away into a dumpster.

Alex Rodriguez was one of the many people living in Camden who waited in line to throw away an old TV, plywood and chairs.

“I’m glad the city is doing this kind of cleaning for the community,” said Rodriguez, who has lived in Camden for 30 years.

Rodriguez says large trash items remained at his home because there was never a place to legally dump them.

“Now we got the opportunity to bring it here, I’m glad,” he said.

The city held its monthly bulk trash event in the Cramer Hill neighborhood, which is an initiative that was launched to help fight against illegal dumping.

“Illegal dumping isn’t just an eyesore, it’s a threat to our health, safety, and quality of life,” Councilwoman Jannette Ramos said.

City leaders say 30,000 to 35,000 tons of material are dumped illegally each year, which costs Camden about $4 million to clean up.

In June, city council announced an illegal dumping reward program, which will provide up to $1,000 to anyone who gives information that leads to a conviction.

Now, a new garbage truck is being unveiled as another tool to help clean up the city. According to the city, the truck cost $280,000 and was purchased through a combination of grant dollars and budgeted funds. It is the first garbage vehicle procured by the city in almost a decade.

Mayor Vic Carstarphen says a clean community is a happy community.

“It builds trust, it builds confidence in our residents to know that we care, and we are committed,” Carstarphen said.

The mayor says he’s committed to tackling quality-of-life issues, and two additional new garbage trucks will hit the streets in the fall.

Rodriguez is happy to see progress and says it takes a team effort to restore pride across Camden.

“The community has to work together with the city to keep the city clean,” he said.

The bulk waste event takes place every third Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ryan Hughes

Ryan Hughes joined CBS News Philadelphia in June 2022. He previously worked at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he’s covered stories ranging from weeks on the Surfside condo collapse, to the impact of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, and the Super Bowl in Miami.

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New Jersey

World Cup match to impact NJ Transit service during rush hour

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Press Room

World Cup match to impact NJ Transit service during rush hour

NEW YORK (WABC) — Commuters are being warned to plan ahead Monday as the FIFA World Cup match between Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium is expected to create significant travel disruptions during the evening rush hour.

City officials have issued a Gridlock Alert Day for Monday, citing the 8 p.m. kickoff, expected heavy traffic and the potential for severe weather, including strong thunderstorms and heavy rain.

The biggest impact will be felt at Penn Station, where NJ Transit service to New Jersey will be restricted beginning at 3:20 p.m.

From 3:20 p.m. until 7:01 p.m., New Jersey-bound trains departing Penn Station and Secaucus Junction will be reserved exclusively for World Cup ticket holders traveling to MetLife Stadium. Fans must have both a match ticket and an NJ Transit ticket to board.

That means regular commuters heading home to New Jersey during that time will need to find alternate transportation, including PATH trains, ferries or buses.

Officials are encouraging commuters who normally rely on NJ Transit to leave earlier in the day if possible.

Round-trip NJ Transit tickets to MetLife Stadium are still available for $98. However, all 12,000 seats on shuttle buses departing from Grand Central Terminal, the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Columbus Circle have sold out for Monday’s match.

Street closures around Penn Station will also begin no later than 2 p.m. to accommodate security screening and fan queues. Officials say 33rd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues and 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues will remain closed until after 8 p.m., while 33rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues is expected to reopen after 1 a.m.

The restrictions mirror what travelers experienced during last week’s World Cup match, when thousands of fans packed transit hubs across the region.

NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri thanked city officials for helping manage crowds around Penn Station.

“I’m so grateful to the City of New York and Mayor Mamdani for setting up a great system outside Penn Station to process the fans from a security standpoint,” Kolluri said.

He also urged commuters to remain patient as the region hosts the international tournament.

“My one ask is that this is a very amazing opportunity for the region and for the state of New Jersey. I know commuters have busy lives and they are trying to earn a living. We’re asking for a little patience,” Kolluri said.

Officials say NJ Transit transported more than 26,000 fans during the June 16 World Cup match, with additional crowds expected for Monday night’s game.

Drivers are also being warned to expect significant delays near MetLife Stadium, particularly along Route 3.

City officials continue to encourage residents and visitors to walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible.

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New Jersey

3 killed after plane taking off from NJ crashes near Maryland homes

Published

14 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

3 killed after plane taking off from NJ crashes near Maryland homes

Three people were killed when a small plane taking off from New Jersey crashed into a neighborhood in Maryland, according to authorities.

A Piper PA-28 carrying a pilot and two passengers plummeted into a residential area in Bowie around midnight on Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and Maryland State Police.

A Piper PA-28 carrying a pilot and two passengers plummeted into a residential area in Bowie around midnight on Sunday. Channel4

The possible training flight was en route from Ocean City, New Jersey, to Montgomery County Airport in Gaithersburg when the plane suddenly crashed in a wooded area close to homes, Elena Russo, spokesperson for the Maryland State Police, said at a press conference on Sunday.

The pilot and two passengers, who were all adults, were pronounced dead on the scene.

Emergency responders rushed to search for the plane after receiving an alert of a possible crash nearby, but were unable to reach the wreckage until roughly 3:45 a.m., cops said.