Liscio's Bakery has expanded yet again, opening a new facility in Glassboro.

GLASSBORO -- Liscio's Bakery held a grand opening for its newest facility on Tuesday. 

Guests to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Glassboro operation were greeted by a tent, music, and of course, a tower of bread at the center of it all. 

Upon their arrival, attendees were invited to take a tour of the new 109,000-square-foot facility to see behind the scenes of the bread making process. 

"This was absolutely a necessity for us," said Liscio's co-owner Chad Vilotti. "Thankfully, business has grown in leaps and bounds prompting this new facility and we're really excited that it's happening." 

Liscio's Bakery was founded in 1994 by James Liscio, who opened the bakery after 14 years working in the baking business. Liscio's has been making baking breads, rolls, pastries and cakes ever since. The original bakery is still open, located on the Black Horse Pike in Sicklerville, and is now Liscio's Italian Bakery and Deli. The retail and wholesale business continued to grow and in 2001 Vilotti partnered with Liscio to help Liscio's Bakery become what it is today.

Liscio's is still a family owned and operated business with three retail stores, their original 40,000-square-foot production facility in Glassboro and now the brand-new production facility and corporate headquarters in Glassboro.

Liscio's Italian Bakery given $13.5 million award to keep, grow jobs in N.J.

"We couldn't have grown so much without the support of the community," said Vilotti. "So this is really a big thank you to everyone who helped us get here." 

The new site was previously home to ADM Cocoa Plant, which closed in 2009 at the cost of 53 local jobs. Liscio's expects to create more than 70 new, full-time jobs at the new facility.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and other dignitaries joined bakery staff for the grand opening. 

"We are happy to grow here in New Jersey," Vilotti said. "We now have one of the premier bakeries in the entire region right here in South Jersey. We'll stay close to our families and employees."

The relocation to a new facility was made possible thanks to a $13.5 million Grow NJ award that Liscio's Italian Bakery received in February 2014. This project is expected to provide the state with a net benefit of more than $24 million over a period of 20 years.

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

President Obama signed a bill approving the renaming of a post office in honor of fallen soldier Salvatore Corma III.

DEPTFORD TWP -- The effort to rename the post office in Deptford for a U.S. Army soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 has been signed by President Barack Obama. 

The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1st Dist.) was created to change the name of the post office to the "First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office Building."

Corma, of Wenonah, was a 2008 West Point graduate. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on April 29, 2010, by an improvised explosive device (IED). Corma warned his fellow soldiers to retreat after discovering the IED, an action that is credited with saving the lives of as many as 19 fellow service members.

On Monday, Norcross announced that the legislation he authored and introduced in Congress to rename the Deptford Post Office in honor of Corma had been signed into law.

Army soldier from Wenonah is killed in Afghanistan

"By signing his name to this legislation, President Obama helps us forever honor a South Jersey patriot who died protecting America and his fellow soldiers," Norcross said in a release. "This is a proud moment, but a solemn reminder of a young life taken too soon." 

The legislation had the full support of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.

"I'm touched and honored by this gesture which will serve both as a tribute to Salvatore's memory and as a lesson to future generations about the sacrifices Salvatore and others have made for our freedom," said Corma's mother, Trudy. "I'm proud of my son's service and that he will be memorialized by having the Deptford Post Office renamed in his honor."

In addition to the Deptford site, Obama also signed legislation renaming 11 other post offices around the country. 

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook

Through county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins June 15. 

 

"Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice. Their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs," said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. "I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers across the spectrum of American agriculture, to get involved in this year's elections. We have seen an increase in the number of qualified nominees, especially among women and minorities, and I hope that trend continues." 

To be eligible to serve on a FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an FSA administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where they are nominated.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for 2016 must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1. 

FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 7. Ballots must be returned to the local county office via mail or in person by Dec. 5. Newly-elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2017. 

Nationwide, there are approximately 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. These individuals make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, and other agricultural issues. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers, and members serve three-year terms. 

To learn more about county committees, contact Salem and Gloucester Counties County Executive Director Al DiBella, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 51 Cheney Road, Woodstown, N.J. 08098, 856-769-1126; or visit http://offices.usda.gov to find a county office near you.

This item submitted by the Farm Service Agency, Woodstown.

7th and 8th graders at Delsea Middle School read total of 92,199,463 words

Once again, Anne Papiano organized the Palooza for students attaining their goals for the final Accelerated Reader Goal Period. This time, the students were rewarded with an outdoor picnic where they got to eat ice cream and play games.

AR Goal Period 3 Statistics

Number of books read by all of students was 2,205, which is 378 more than last goal period.

Number of of words read by all of our students during the second goal period also increased by 17,367,180 to 92,199,463 words as compared to 74,832,283 words read during second goal period.

Here is some interesting data: Quiz average shows how well we do on AR quizzes. Our school's quiz average increased from last goal period: from 84.5 to 86 percent. It's fantastic that we exceeded the 85 percent mark for our school wide AR quiz average. That is the first time we did this all year

The 7th graders remarkably increased their quiz average by 4 percent, coming in at 87 percent, and beat the 8th graders' AR quiz average (which was 85.1 percent) by 2 percentage points. This last goal period was the first goal period that the 7th graders reached or exceeded 85 percent for their quiz average.

The 8th graders decreased their average by less than 1 percent. However, they were able to maintain over an 85 percent average throughout all third goal periods this year.

The TOP 10 8th graders with the highest word counts are:

1. Charles Dalisay, with the MOST words during our last goal period....is reading 1,846,242 words!
2. Tyler Berger
3. Cole McKishen
4. Joshua Lewbart
5. Madisen Mattle
6. Antonio Catania
7. Shane Delowery
8. Seth Foresman
9. Amaris Hernandez
10. Allison Franklin

Top 10 seventh students are:

1. Skylar Darby with the most words read in 7th grade and in the whole school during the entire third goal period -- reading a total of 1,960,978 words 
2. Candice Rauchfuss
3. Kylie Butterworth
4. Celina Williams
5. Katelyn Bartle
6. Daniel Asher
7. Matthew Kratzer
8. Za'Yonte Green
9. Abbie Finnimore
10. Amanda Castillo

Glassboro's Mayor Leo McCabe talked to students about their hometown

GLASSBORO -- Dorothy L. Bullock School students recently heard a firsthand account of future plans for their hometown from Glassboro's Mayor Leo McCabe. McCabe enthusiastically told students that Glassboro's expansion will include a town square with community activities, new restaurants and further development of the High Street Arts District. 

McCabe also spoke to students about the historic, June 1967 Glassboro Summit between President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin. He went on to talk about the Glassboro train station restoration and his hopes that students will take field trips to the building. The location once served as a train stop on the West Jersey and Seashore Line. It has now been refurbished to serve as a meeting space and welcome center.

The mayor spoke to third graders in teacher Patti Paulsen's class and to second-graders from co-teachers Melanie Sweeney/Nicole Pidgeon-Werner's class. Students asked the mayor question after question. When one asked, "What is your favorite thing about being the mayor?" McCabe replied, "Seeing the people enjoy themselves in Glassboro."

The mayor then invited students to think about what they'd like to see in Glassboro. Several years ago, Dorothy L. Bullock School third-graders shared their interest in having a dog park. Community interest grew, and the mayor and council followed up by creating a dog park on New Street in Glassboro.

This item submitted by the Glassboro School District.

Washington Twp. teachers to make presentation on 'Close Reads and Social Studies'

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Hurffville Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Laura DiPietro and Bells Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Mary Byatt are taking their continuing education presentation on close reads on the road. The Washington Township colleagues will present "Close Read and Social Studies: A Perfect Combination" at the New Jersey Education Association Convention on Nov. 10-11. After two successful events at Rutgers University, DiPietro and Byatt were invited to bring their presentation to Atlantic City. 

The presentation shares Close Read strategies using primary source documents in social studies. Students start early in the year with the Pledge of Allegiance and move through more complex text as the year progresses, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble of the Constitution.

"There are many other opportunities to practice close read strategies, therefore, the emphasis is on using the strategies frequently so that students feel empowered to grapple complex text," DiPietro said. "Our presentation stresses the use of close read strategies in various grade levels. We also rely on audience participation to generate ideas and opportunities that will work for teachers in various grade levels."

This item submitted by Matthew Pesyna, Washington Township School District.

Gerald Keer writes that an alleged "tea party" Democrat running in Washington Township does not reflect the activist groups' views.

To the Editor:

"By their words shall ye know them" is a variation of a New Testament quote, but it could easily apply to Washington Township politics.

A South Jersey Times pre-primary-election article, "Democratic mayoral candidate accused of being a right-wing Republican," cited tea party and Right Wing News Facebook posts that were shared by Joann Gattinelli. (Gattinelli won a contested June 7 primary, and is now the Democrats' fall mayoral candidate.)

This situation recalls the famous line that Democrat Lloyd Bentsen used against Republican Dan Quayle in a 1988 vice presidential debate: "... Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy."  

I am a tea-party associate, and Joann Gattinelli is definitely not a tea-party advocate.

Tea partiers advocate for lower taxes, and expanding economy, defense of the Constitution and protection of all personal freedoms. 

Gattinelli shared a Facebook post that criticized Michelle Obama for allegedly not putting her right hand on her heart during the national anthem, but this indicates only that Gattinelli appreciates proper etiquette. 

Left-wing people fail to recognize that tea-party groups support all things that are good for our country, including its left-wingers.

Counter to left-wing shouts, tea partiers are not racist. Such claims were based upon a never-verified 2010 accusation that it was protesters from organized tea-party groups who shouted slurs and spat at black and gay U.S. House members.

Regardless, we tea-party advocates continue to press for respect and protection of all law-abiding U.S. citizens. Anti-tea-party statements from the left are less-than-knowledgeable and poorly chosen words.  

Gerald Keer

Turnersville

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Glassboro High School students named to the Principal's List and Honor Roll for the third marking period for 2015-16. Principal's List Nicholas Angelucci, Kathryn Appleby Wineberg, Dalton Beato, Matthew Beltran, Olivia Rose Beltran, Givonna Boggans,  Ryan C. Brown,  Marceline Byrer, Tugce Cakir, Kaylee Olivia Campbell, Sharita Carr, Jasskaran Si Channa,  Sha'Lynn N. Clarke,  Cheyenne Colna, Michael Cosentino, Rabia Salisu...

Glassboro High School students named to the Principal's List and Honor Roll for the third marking period for 2015-16.

Principal's List

Nicholas Angelucci, Kathryn Appleby Wineberg, Dalton Beato, Matthew Beltran, Olivia Rose Beltran, Givonna Boggans,  Ryan C. Brown,  Marceline Byrer, Tugce Cakir, Kaylee Olivia Campbell, Sharita Carr, Jasskaran Si Channa,  Sha'Lynn N. Clarke,  Cheyenne Colna, Michael Cosentino, Rabia Salisu Danyaro, Antonio DeAngelis, Taj DeFrance, Lenessa DeFrank, Cecilia DiAmbrosio, Alisha Donnell, Katrina Lynn Dowdy, Wayne A. Duffey, Robert Elentrio Snoke, Juliana Elwood, Holly Felker, Cassandra Ferrara, Julia Fisher, Molly Hannah Fitzpatrick, Kyra Franklin, Busra Gocmez, Ibrahim Emircan Gocmez, Jeda Gregg, Colleen Grehlinger, Margaret Grehlinger, Mathew Hanson and Logan Healy.

Also, Brielle Hewes, Brenna Nate Higgs, Angelina Hodson, Ayonte Hull, Alizsa Rhiana Johnson, Noah Thomas Johnston, Jonathan Kenish, John Thomas Kenney, Acosta Kittles III, Megan Long, Megan Lord,  Gregory Edward Maccarone, Maciana Mazzeo, Sarah McWilliams, Alex Melchor, Veronica Menna, William Mintz, Kyree Myers, Robert Norton, Osazee Nosa, Meredith Jane Owen, Ava Elizabeth Powell, Brent Pritchett Jr., Dominick Profico, Emily Provine, Ashley Rey, Shelby Richardson, Ally McBeal Rivera, Kali Rogers, Gabriela Ruiz Perez, Matthew Joseph Schillaci, Neil Schoenfeldt, Dulce Soriano, Keri Marie Straub, Pariti Ujjwal Sutaria, Claire Torowus, Rebekah P. Toy, Kendyl Tranchina, Katie Lynn Tritto, Danielle Marie Valles, Erin Van Dexter, Brianna Nicole Vanartsdalen, Giovani Antonio-David Velez, Lyndsey Coryn Vito, Jayonna Wallace, Conor William Warwick, and Maxwell Wickel.

Honor Roll

Dylan Acri, Rachel Adams, Samuel Adams, Hiba Ahmad, Katherine Amrhein, Imani Jasmeen Anderson, Luke Archibald, Eric Arena, Noah Barger, Anaya Cheyanne Belcher, Tori Andrea Boone, NyAsia Siani Avion Brackett, Hunter Briggs, Elizabeth Marie Briles, Crystal Christina Brown, Brianna Bryant, Jayson Buff, Harleigh Mae Burke, Jessica Burke, Brianna Cabezas, Salea Cameron, Anthony Carite, Ian Andrew Carter, Robert Bruce Carter, Martin Castro, Tiffany Ann Chandler, Roy Cook Jr., Brandon Corson, Frederick Costa Jr., Leah Grace Crispin, Ryan Crispin, Adrianna D'Amico, Sophia D'Anna, Dylan DiPatri, Sarah DiPietro, Casey Donovan, Jacob Dorfman, Noah Dorfman, Ryan Dougherty, Shaun Eric Dowdy, Briani Downes, Noah D. Dungee, Evan Bennett Ellison and Hatice Seyda Emanet.

Also, Brenden Finley, Erin Finley, Brianna Fiorentino, Arielle Lixue Fithian, Alayna Kara Fleming, Lateesha Fooks, Gabrielle Galeone, Nicholas Gambino, Gina Genovese, Eric Gilbert, Tyler Alexander Goldschmidt, Wilberto Gomez, Jared Andreas Gonzalez, Amanda Graf, Mariah Graves, Amaya Gregg, Daniel Stanley Guerin, Anna Haltiwanger, Jordan W. Hammond, Mya Hamwright, Jacob Harrison, Kristopher Hartung, Joseph Heaton, JaZahn G. Hicks, Mara Holt, Dezmen Horne, Ronald Hubbs, Alicia Ilescas, Ahlon Hadzrat Jefferson, Darrell Johnson Jr., Kody Louis Johnson,  Connor Patrick Johnston, Kenyonn M. Jones, Ta'Naya Lenise Jones, Bianca Jurek, Marc Jurek, Matthew Karnuk and Justin Nathan Keel.

Also,John Thomas Kelly Keifer, Thomas Kerr, Dominique Khieu, Tiahjzah King, Kai'Yah Atifia Knight, Alyssa R. Kurke, Athena T. Le, Alex Zaki Ledford, Mikaela Lovell, Christopher Maldonado, John Maldonado, Santino Mancini, Vito Mazzeo, Trinity McAllister, Coty McArthur, Ryan McArthur, Treron McBride, Kyle Warren McKeever, Jonathon Meddick, Taylor Elizabeth Moore, Keisy Morales Alor, Simone Murphy, William James Myers, Destiny Nesmith, Caleb Nicholson, Only Noel Otero, John Oberkehr, Hannah Obrien, Chance O'Connor, Collin Scott Oncay, Almina Ortak, Dursun Ortak, Amanda Ortiz, Henry Ottenthal,Gulden Ozdemir, Devin Thomas Patterson, Dyone Payne, Justin Ross Perry, Algerita Catlyn Phillips, Feyance Prewitt, Devon Pritchett and Luke Provine.

Also, Bhoumin Puwar, Joshua Anthony Pyronneau, Solana Reyes, Marlena Irene Richeal, Madison Ridge, Noah Rogers, Tiara Rogers, Sophia Romalino, Vanessa Ruiz Perez, Vincent Edward Russo, Nathan Samuels, Noah Gregory Schmidt, Daniel Schmittinger, Nicole Schmittinger, Asher James Schools, Steven Selfridge, Ryan Sgro, Joanna Short, Michael Anthony Silvanio, Nicholas Silvestro, Dylan Skidmore, Jacob Smith, Jakob Michael Snyder, Quinlan Anders Somdahl-Sands, Kim Justice Speller, Nyyanda Patrish Stevens, David Still, Angel Marie Stroman, Dylan Taylor, Tanner Tohanczyn, Ryan Toppi, Salvatore Tranchina, Michael Turner, Zachary Tuzi, Anthony James Ungrue, Devin Ungrue, Jacob Uscilowski, Elizabeth Uzhca, Anthony Valerio, Natalie E. Vazquez, Jared Velez, Zachary Vito, Hayley Marie Walsh, Paige Elaine Walsh, Olivia Warlow, Bryce A. Washington, Michael Adrain Washington, James Wilcott III, Keshon Ziaire Williams, Alexis Willoughby, Micaela Woerner, Payton Wolf, Natoria Wright, SaNiyah C. Wright, and Robert Zoroiwchak.

 This item submitted by Glassboro School District.

Mylar Balloon power line contact can cause major outages or fires

MAYS LANDING -- Warm weather brings outdoor parties for graduations, birthdays and weddings. However, when foil balloons, also known as Mylar balloons, from those festivities come into contact with power lines, outages can occur. 

 

When a foil balloon contacts a power line or a part of substation equipment, its metallic properties can cause a surge of electricity that can, in turn, cause the equipment to short-circuit. And the spark could lead to a power outage or fire.

Foil balloons were the cause of nearly 30 service interruptions between January, 2015 and May, 2016 that affected approximately 1,100 customers, for an average of about two Mylar balloon related incidents per month.

Atlantic City Electric encourages customers to help reduce foil balloon-related power outages and ensure safety by keeping the following tips in mind:

• Keep balloons tethered at all times and attached to weights.
• Properly dispose of foil balloons by puncturing the balloon to release helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
• NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, toy or kite that is entangled in an overhead power line. For assistance, call Atlantic City Electric at 1-800-833-7476.
• Always assume power lines are live and keep yourself, your belongings and anything you are carrying at least 10 feet away from power lines.

For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com.

This item submitted by Atlantic City Electric. 

He was last seen riding his bike this morning.

PINE HILL -- Police are asking the public for help in locating a 15-year-old reported missing and "at risk."

Kasir Williams, 15, of Pine Hill. (Pine Hill Police Department) 

Kasir Williams was seen Monday night leaving Glenn Eyre Apartments, where he lives with a parent, police said.

He was riding his bicycle when he left around 9:30 p.m., the parent told police.

He was spotted in the area of Turnersville Road in Pine Hill around 9 a.m. this morning.

Kasir is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds with brown eyes and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray cut-off shorts. He was riding a red and black mountain bike.

His possible destinations include Glenn Eyre Apartment Complex, Village of Little Mill/Bromley Estates in the area of Hickstown Road or Overbook High School on Turnersville Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call their local police department or the Pine Hill Police Department at 856-783-4900. Tips may also be emailed to confidential@pinehillpd.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Chris Reynolds writes that the state should be able to fix its roads without increasing the motor fuel tax by 23 cents a gallon.

To the Editor:

With the nation's highest property taxes along with high income and sales taxes, New Jersey residents already have a tax burden about 16 percent higher than the national average. The one sliver of relief in this overtaxed state has been our lower-than-average cost of gasoline.

Now, legislative leaders in Trenton seek to take away that sliver, too. While assuring us they'll phase in other, partially offsetting tax breaks, they seek to impose a 23-cent per-gallon increase in state gasoline taxes. This would raise the our tax from the second-lowest to the seventh-highest in the country. Though the increase would be paid partly by out-of-state motorists, the burden would fall largely on New Jersey drivers.

With billions of our hard-earned dollars already flowing to Trenton, lawmakers need to look harder for savings to fill the Transportation Trust Fund. There are already too many fat entitlement programs financed by New Jersey workers. Can't some of them be trimmed? Sate agencies and departments need to be shuttered or cut back. How many featherbedding jobs could be done away with if our leaders really cared about the constituents they claim to serve? 

Here is one more interesting statistic: A 2014 Reason Foundation study found that it costs $2 million a mile to build and maintain New Jersey roads, more than eight times the $162,000 national average, and more than twice Massachusetts' cost, next in line at $675,000 a mile. Our Trenton leaders must figure out how every other state builds roads at a fraction of New Jersey's cost. They could then build and fix infrastructure without sticking it, yet again, to the average worker.

Contact your state senator and Assembly members. Tell them you understand that the roads do need fixing, but this tax proposal cannot stand. Tell them, before taxes are raised, that it's time to cut costs, drain the entitlement swamp and find cheaper ways to build and fix roads. 

Chris Reynolds

Pitman

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

The Gibbstown school held a special celebration to commemorate the occasion

GIBBSTOWN -- Broad Street Elementary School in Gibbstown held a 100th anniversary celebration on June 2, with a full day of activities planned with 1916 in mind.

Bracelets from the Greenwich Historical Society and custom-designed T-shirts and an outdoor classroom from the Paulsboro Refining Company were provided to students and staff.

Broad Street School in GibbstownJane Humes | For NJ.com 

Students rotated through learning centers with various activities such as playing Uncle Wiggly, marbles, yo-yos, and Lincoln Logs. Students learned to dance the Charleston. The Gloucester County Historical Society and the Greenwich Historical Society sent volunteers who shared artifacts for the children to see and touch.

The evening festivities began at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Former alumnus Freeholder Deputy Director Joe Chila and Mayor George Shivery, along with Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro presented the school with proclamations.

Many items like a cell phone, coins, a grocery circular, and students' work were placed into a time capsule. Students sang a song from 1915, "Pack Up Your Troubles," and the "Gibbstown Alma Mater" under the direction of Laura Enuco.

Broad Street Elementary School in Gibbstown celebrated 100 years. Pictured, students playing with jumbo "Lincoln Logs." Jane Humes | For NJ.com 

The Nehaunsey National Junior Honor Society provided tours of the school. The evening concluded with "Happy Birthday" and refreshments provided by a grant from the Greenwich Township Education Association.

Leading up to the event, several local senior citizens were interviewed. A "Top 10 List of Reasons to Attend Broad Street School" as well as hundreds of scanned pictures (including report cards from 1904) were used to create a video that will be presented at a later date.

This item submitted by Broad Street Elementary School.

The Mophead hydrangea, with its beautiful blooms, often overshadows the oakleaf

By Lorraine Kiefer

If you see large conical blooms on a shrub or small tree now it just may be a Hydrangea quercifolia or oakleaf hydrangea plant. I sometimes forget about these beautiful plants because there is so much attention and demand for the round ball type or macrophylla hydrangea now blooming in pink or blue. The larger and very showy oakleaf hydrangea is an easy to grow plant that holds on to its blooms well into fall, thus making it very desirable in gardens.

We have grown the oak leaf hydrangea in some sunny spots as well as some shady spots throughout our property. An advantage of the oakleaf is that it will thrive in much dryer locations than its cousin hydrangea. The round colorful Mopheads (macrophyllas) struggle in our sandy soil, often wilting on hot days, but the oakleaf hydrangeas thrive with very little attention. 

Hydrangea quercifolia is called oakleaf hydrangea because it is said that the  leaves look like some oak foliage. They sure are pretty in the fall when they turn very dramatic shades of orange and red to burgundy. This easy to grow plant is an upright very full, deciduous shrub that can grow to 4-6-feet tall. It is good for a woodland garden that gets part sun or even for a sunnier border or as a very showy specimen plant.

It is native to the United States, usually found in nearby coastal states and to the far south. It is one of the only two native hydrangea. It blooms best in areas where summers are somewhat hot, and is quite hardy here in southern New Jersey.  

The round colorful Mopheads (macrophyllas) struggle in our sandy soil, often wilting on hot days, but the oakleaf hydrangeas thrive with very little attention. Jane Humes | For NJ.com 

Like most plants they do best if planted in a decent soil with some compost and a mulch and watered when dry. Although they love moisture, the soil needs to be well drained as this plant will not tolerate a stagnate muddy situation. It thrives when planted in full sun to part shade. Although it is said to thrive in moist soils the ones we have on our property are in our sandy loam, in part shade where they are blanketed by the nature leaf mulch from large trees each fall. They do  appreciate a summer mulch which helps retain soil moisture. Feed once a  year in spring. 

Since they bloom on old wood if you must cut one back do so now so there is time for new growth to grow and produce buds for next year. Oakleaf hydrangeas are mostly problem free from disease and pests.

Right now this plant is in bloom and loved fo the large pyramidal bunches of white flowers. I really like to pick the large blooms and enjoy a few in a large vase where they last a long time. Later in the season they become almost dry on the plant and can be picked and dried to be enjoyed in a vase or on a wreath all winter. On mature oakleaf hydrangeas, the bark may peel showing a dark brown layer, which is attractive in winter.

These  deciduous shrubs are hardy from zone 5 to 9  and are  really colorful for about 9 months of the year. They begin green and have colorful foliage in autumn. The blooms begin white in mid June and slowly change to shades of pink and pale mauve before drying in autumn.

They are natives to the Eastern seaboard and can be found all the way to Louisiana. This showy plant blooms best in areas where summers are somewhat hot, yet it is winter hardy farther north than the macrophylla (mop head). 

Other hydrangea are also very nice and can be planted for long summer bloom time. Some different companion plants for mid to late summer blooms would include knock out roses, butterfly bushes, wigellia, clethra, kerria, bottlebrush buckeye and abelia just to name a few. If having a few blooming plants in a continuous manner throughout the season sounds good to you look these up. Planting for continuous bloom is a challenge that is well worth the effort. An oakleaf hydrangea can be a good start since it has months of bloom from now well into fall.

Learn how to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden at a class at Triple Oaks Nursery on July 10 at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $20 plus tax. Visit www.tripleoaks.com or call 856-694-4272 for registration information.

Lorraine Kiefer is the owner and operator of Triple Oaks Nursery in Franklinville. She can also be reached by e-mail at Lorraine@tripleoaks.

The estate of Pasquale, who was killed in 2012, claimed cops didn't follow procedure.

CLAYTON -- A lawsuit filed by the estate of Autumn Pasquale claiming local police did not follow procedure correctly after the 12-year-old went missing in 2012 has been dismissed, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Autumn Pasquale, a 12-year-old Clayton resident, was murdered in 2012.Lori M. Nichols 

The suit claimed that police departments in Elk Township, Clayton, Glassboro and Monroe, as well as the New Jersey State Police, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, the county itself and several individual police officers failed to utilize "adequate law enforcement techniques" in searching for the missing child who was later found dead. 

It purported that law enforcement should have used a child abduction response team (CART) approach to finding Autumn as soon as she had been reported missing, rather than the next day.

Filed on behalf of her estate -- which is made up of her father Anthony Pasquale, and her two siblings -- in Gloucester County Superior Court, the suit has now been voluntarily dismissed without costs or attorney's fees.

Autumn Pasquale was reported missing on Oct. 20, 2012. Her body was found two days later in a recycling bin on an abandoned property next to the home of Justin Robinson -- who was 15 at the time. She had been strangled the day she disappeared, according to autopsy reports.

Robinson later pleaded guilty to her murder and is currently serving a 14 to 17-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison. He is now 19 years old.

 Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand.Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Third marking period, 2015-16

Seventh and Eighth grade Clearview Regional Middle School students named to the Superintendent's List and Honor Roll for the third marking period, 2015-2016.

Grade 8 - Superintendent's List -- Rosaria Amato, Paige Bathurst, Leah Bocchicchio, Kyra Borodin, Julia Bridges, Elizabeth Brooks, Emma Capriotti, Katherine Cowen, Alexander Daly, Emily Edwards, Jyllian Engelhardt, Madeeha Fatima, Marissa Fazio, Vincent Fedoryka, Olivia Frew, Samantha Gallagher, Mary Gambill, Carlin Gawronski, Sophia Gill, Abigail Gilman, Alexander Gioia, Michael Glaze, Ava Graham, Tyger Haines, Joseph Hart, Gabrielle Hertlein, Zachary Hoy, Jonathan Hubbard, Mia Kehnast and Amanda Koneful.

Brooke Lenggenhager, Brandon Lottes, Nicolette Manzella, Christopher Matarazzo, Julia McCarthy, Michael McCarty, Sarah McGrath, Raymond Milavsky, Alexandria Miller, Ashley Miller, Spencer Mokris, Marc Molinari, Alana Morales, Gianna Pelosi, Emma Redmond, Sage Riso, Andrew Ruehlicke, Hunter Schwartz, James Snyder, Shannon Sori, Abraham Soto, Julia Soukup, Zoe Stetser, Hailey Tabar, Nicholas Talvacchia, Maryann Vazhapilly, Hailey Verrelle, Anna Voltaggio, Peyton Walsh, Emily Wampler, Evan Wax, Claire Wells, Ryan Wienckoski, Ian Wilkinson, Colin Wingate, Megan Yearicks, and Morgan Yearicks.

Grade 8 - Honor Roll - John Accorsi, Aderonke Adejare, Robert Albertson, Sean Allen, Karly Amato, Michael Ancona, Theo Bachman, Morgan Baker, Jonathan Bell, Thomas Bell, William Bell, Corey Benowitz, Jason Bilderback, Jared Boerner, Zackary Braun, Alexis Bruno, Amaijah Bryant, Tyson Burbank, Vito Canuso, Anthony Careless, Jack Cassidy, Jake Cheesman, Jason Cheng, Amy Chowning, Michael Chudy, Genevieve Conlon, James Conway, Emily Cooney, Carly Coppolino, Jenna Coppolino, Rachel Corbin, Ava Cortese, Jacob Cubbler, Zachary Dahms, McKenna Dalfonso, Brooke DeMarco, Joshua Diggons, Madison DiPrima, Tara Dole, Kevin Donahue, Patrick Drozd, Emily Duffey, Lindsey Elsworth, Caroline Ferguson, Rachel Fernandes, Ashlee Ferri and Christian Fiordaliso.

Also, Thomas Flear, Rachel Flynn, Hayden Fowler, Johnni Frankowski, Fiona Fredericksdorf, Isabella Fredericksdorf, Hannah Freeman, Lily Fuchs, Ryan Gadomski, Josephine Galante, Brooke Gallagher, Steven Gallagher, Miranda Gardina, Kayla Geulen, Connor Glavin, Zackary Gonserkevis, Allie Grabowski, Gerardo Gramaglia, Lauren Gruman, Lindsay Gruman, Aryana Hall, Jackson Heilig, Ryan Heisler, Kendall Hendricks, Roman Henry, Caitlin Humble, John Iannelli, Hanna Iqbal, Annabelle James, Daniel Kats, Mankaran Kaur, Hannah Keane, Olivia Kedziora, Anthony Keller, Avery Kimber, Justin Klein, Abbey Knight, Erik Koch, Anthony Libero, Christopher LoCastro, Hunter Logan, Cade Longo, Victoria Loughran, Pierce Love, Shane Luczak, Emily Luu, Marley Magee, Hayley Malaby, Brielle Manzo, Olivia Marchei and Kayleigh Mariner.

Also, John Marion, Toni Mauck, Sean McAllister, Angelica McAlpin, Abigail McCrane, Aidan McIlhenney, Madison McKnight, Emily McMullen, Robert McNair, Brenna McQuillan, Brenden McSorley, Samuel Millard, Ethan Miller, Hope Miller, Gracie Mills, Mason Mosley, Justin Murphy, Dawson Nailor, Mark Newman, Samantha Niedbalski, Caelah Palumbo, Drew Pecorilli, Nicholas Piccioni, Alexius Quinn, Matthew Reddy, Joseph Reiling, Aaron Reynolds, Helena Reynolds, Carmen Rizzo, James Roberto, Ashley Rohm, Peter Sanders, Charles Seas, James Sharkey, Bella Steidle, Madison Talley, Arianna Taormina, Benjamin Taylor, Jonathan Teiper, Garrett Thorn, Hunter Thurston, Kaitlyn Tran, William Voll,  Matthew Wakeley, Jacqueline Wardrop, Hunter Weiss, Sebastian Wentz, Jordyn White, Katherine Wilkinson, and Julia Wright.

Grade 7 - Supt. List - Aiden Aiello, Gabriella Amadei, Caleb Amadoro, Julie Anderson, Eric Baldwin, David Bauer, Jordan Beckman, Michael Beske-Somers, Amelia Biermann, Derek Boerner, Jenna Brodnyan, Katherine Byrne, Rebecca Casper, Connor Cassidy, John Chinchillo, Jason Cho, Faith Crossan, Katelyn Danner, Samantha Deeney,  Annalyse Dickinson, Jasmine Dickson, Deana Dilchand, Devon DiVerniero, Ashley Dorwart, Madeline Dunsmore, Kiara Eliasen, Devon Ellixson, Michael Field, Avery Fohring, Wade Froio, Alexandria Fuhrmeister, Blaine Galella, Sophia Gambill, Julia Gehring, Hunter Geitz, Dolores Gramenzi, Juliana Harris, Victoria Hawks, Teagan Hazen, Alyssa Hyndman, Kylee Hynes, Jennifer Jacko, Kayla Jenzano and Lindsey Johanson.

Also, Shannon Jordan, Hannah Kaestner, George Kniaz, Karlie Kraus, Hannah Kuleba, Martin Lacsamana, Jennifer Lee, Ariella Libero, Krystal Liu, Bailey Livezey, Shaili Lotia, Liam Lynch, Caden MacHenry, Evelyn Milavsky, Juliana Minniti, Jacqueline Monzo, Jared Morgan, Sarah Mullen, Zayd Narvel, Allison Nguyen, Daniel Paolello, Melissa Pratt, Craig Radomicki, Bailey Robson, Keanan Sagarino, Emma Sawyer, Ariana Sharkey, Hannah Sheffield, Mia Shute, Danielle Smith, Ishareet Sohal, Sydney Strauss, Daniel Sweeney, Jaiden Tillis, Angelina Trazzera, Grace Trovato, Casey Urbaczewski, David Venuti, Elizabeth Vu, Zachary Weng, Ty Williams, and Maria Wills, Michelle Wood.

Grade 7 - Honor Roll - Nada Abdelkarim, Amelia Alacqua, Sean Annin, Amiri Atkins, Sonali Bahal, Priscilla Blazer, Rachel Bliem, Timothy Bonaventure, Brandi Briggs, Gabrielle Bright, Giavonna Bright, Justin Brown, David Bui, Reese Burbank, Malachi Carter, Paulina Casper, Caragh Cassidy, Chloe Cassidy, Vivian Cheng, Victor Chiang, Mackenzie Clement, Emileigh Cloak, James Conley, Jarrett Craig, Kyle Deacon, Justin DeCant, Meghan Decker, Nevaeh Deichert, Porchia DelPiano, Olivia Denson, Ella DeVoe, Justin DiCriscio, Dominic DiGenni, Frances DiPietro, Paul Donahue, Olivia Dunfee, Aseef Durrani, Elizabeth Eastlack, Wyatt Eells, Rory Filinuk, Brayden Foster, Cole Fowler and Serafina Fox.

Also, William Fox, Kevin Frazier, Laura Freshcoln, Haley Gallagher, John Giovinco, Celea Goodrich, Alyssa Grant, Molly Green, Ava Grelli, Abigail Grimes, Kirsten Gurlin, Benjamin Harrison, Kora Hickman, Lauren Hoolahan, Jocelyn Howard, Michael Insana, Shaun Keeley, Anna Kilpatrick, Isabella Kobylinski, John Kolesar, John Koza, Rachel Kreh, Allison LaSala, Aidan Lenz, Matthew Leonard, Nicholas Liloia, Rylan Listman, Olivia Logan, Ellie LoPresti, Katie Maccarella, Luca Marinucci, Joseph Martinelli, Hailey Maurer, Nicholas Mazzagatti, Madison McCormick, Adam McEvoy, Ryan McNally, Garrett Mease, James Memis, Brandon Mendoza, Lauren Middleton, Anthony Mignano, Aniyah Miller, Amani Millonde, Kayla Mills, Mackenzie Moyer, Jonathan Nam, Jake Nole and Ryan Norris.

Also, Alexandria Palumbo, Brooke Pecorilli, Dominic Pellecchia, Colby Pennington, Carly Poley, Maeve Porter, Amy Powers, Jianna Quinones, Elaina Ramos, Sophia Reihing, McKayla Reilly, Joseph Resto, Jack Rhoades, Devin Roberts, Thomas Rockey, Alexander Roshko, Hailey Russo, Hailey Salerno, Savanna Schaekel, Cody Scully, Victoria Shur, Emerson Sinnett,  Jessica Slotter, Lyndon Sowney, Alexa Stronski, Nicholas Surrette, Gabrielle Tapp, Evan Taylor, Michael Taylor, Emma Teiper, Ayana Thomas, Dominick Thomas, Ryan Toppin, John Truitt, Julliana Tyler, Zachary Valentine, Brenna Verrichia, Luke Walters, Mason Weiss, Francis Welsh, Bradley West, Olivia Wilkinson, Abigail Williams, Sarah Willis,  Joseph Wood, Sofia Woodruff, Gabrielle Wright, and Cecilia Young.

This item submitted by Clearview Regional Middle School. 

The investigation began after a drug-induced death in Gloucester County.

VOORHEES TWP. -- A neurologist and office receptionist are facing drug distribution charges following a year-long investigation into the alleged overprescription of oxycodone and other drugs, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO).

Dr. William R. Wolfe, who operated a neurological practice in Voorhees, was arrested alongside receptionist Lisa McIlhenny following the execution of a search warrant at the Cooper Road office on Tuesday.

Authorities say the investigation began with charges stemming from a drug-induced death in Gloucester County.

Wolfe, 52, of Marlton, was charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and was released on his own recognizance, according to the prosecutor's office. He surrendered both his medical license and his controlled dangerous substance and Drug Enforcement Administration registrations.

Drug-induced death charge for alleged dealer

McIlhenny, 47, of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, was charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, theft of prescription documents, and practicing medicine without a medical license. She was released on her own recognizance, according to the prosecutor's office.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration-Diversion Unit, the CCPO's Narcotics Unit, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' Enforcement Bureau, Gloucester Township Police Department and the Voorhees Township Police Department.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Third marking period, 2015-2016

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Birches Elementary School Principal Jessica Rose announced the school's Honor Roll and Principal's List students for the third marking period.

The Honor Roll students include:

Grade 5 - Abigail Agular, Matthew Buonocore, Sheharyar Ahmed, Brynn Danley, Alexis Beatty, Xamir DoOro Nader, Joshua Bonano, Santino DiRenzo, Aidan Borchmann, Gianna Doto, James Bradley, Adelyna Hernandez, Jason DiBlasio, John Karapcik, Emily DiRidolfo, Morgan Seagreaves, Emily Dwewry, Steven Nguyen, Reice Kraemer, Jennifer Ventura, Grace Leonard, Daniel Pecheux, Raven Lewis, Mahir Patel, Om Patel, Jacqueline Reeves, Anthony Robbins, Alyana Rodrigues, Darius Santos, Zachary Thompson, Ciara Torres, Michael Tussy, Lucas Wielhouwer, Samantha Axilbund, Francesca Bourquin, Kaitlyn Alquist, Ava Cianciotti, Sophia Binder, Chris Clune, Tori Capone, Nick Lauletta, Chase DiLugi, Sydney Mason, Gianna Lucidonio, Cole Owens, Taylor Ma, Joey Ruffino, Lucca Masciangelo, Kathryn Sabella, Scott Mercer, Michael Sapanara, Kevin Nguyen, and Victoria Valentine.

Grade 4 - Braden Achuff, Zachary Benson, Sebastian Amwake, Liam Brennan, Jack Canning, Emma Pikus, Annabella Capriotti, Lindsay Price, Kylie Marcum, Shannon Root, Jiana McCullough, Madison Springer, Alana Orsi, Alyssa Weiserth, Elaina Owens, Nathaniel Shi, Brett Shick, Vicoria Turk, Carlie Webster, Peyton Bachich, Thomas Fields, Sophie Brown, Ava Fisher, Aidan Kenderdine, Abigal Haines, Carly Keyser, Nico Masciangelo, Kyree Liles, Cooper Regan, Raiyan Mahmud, Evelyn Wiseley, Noah McAteer, Samantha Murphy, Nashaly Recalde, Nicolena Rivera, Micaela Scott, Dominic Tussy, and Mia Valesquez.

Grade 3 - Chloe Belfus, Quinn Belvin, Andrew Hice, Nicolo Coppola, Kirsten Randolf, Angelina Fioretti, Connor Robinson, Tyler Fitzpatrick, Kaylee Russen, Madison Flores, Ella Wagner, Tyler Halpin, Brianna Howard, Ella Karp, Isabella Lanoza, Giana Ricci, Anthony Ricciardi, Brooklyn Stoelker, Kere Amduka, Brandon Delacruz, Miranda Flores, Jadin Figueroa, Hailey George, Rachel Frett, Tyler Giaconia, Allison Hargrave, Santiago Hernandez, Jordan Kennedy, Evelyn Kennedy, Nyssa Lindsey, Christian Leonard, Asion Livingston, Anna Loomis, Vincent Noce, Aidan Rhoades, and Zachary Torbik.

The Principal's List students include:

Grade 5 - Ava Alessandrine, Mia Bridda, James Brigandi, Michael Coppola, Elizabeth Cox, Michael Dostillio, Gabriella Estrada, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richie Giaconia, Raina Grimes, Jackson Heil, Jacob Jardel,  Anna Lee, Lauren Marmon, Charlotte Moule, Selin Ozdemir, Hailey Sacco, Alexis Thompson, Giana Torrie,  Brian Valay, Emily Wechter, Jessica Wei, and Olivia Wisor.

Grade 4 - Grant Barbarino, Kyle Basu, Keira Blaney, Annabella DiBuonaventura, Lily Engelien, Ava Gulli, Alyssa Hengy, Ava Iwano, Gina Klemowitz, Patrick Lant, Edward Luckiewicz, Nicholas McKenty, Gavin Olt, Janie Olzewski, Chelsea Petro, Erica Reid, Emily Sacco, and Jason Zambino. 

Grade 3 - Jayden Bolger, Cara Borchmann, Christina Bourquin, Annastasia Bucci,  Francesca Coppola,    Eric Cotter, Giovanni Cristinzio, Nicholas DeCosta, Jaiden Delacruz, Ryan Diamond, Mackenzie Gramble, Isabella Haigh, Morgan Jardel,  Lara Keyser, Tristan Kulis, Ashley Levin, Jacob Lukasiewicz, Averie Lynch, Jaren Mastrodimas, Logan Mauz, James McKeever, Gabriella Meehan, Gavin Mroz, Addison Moule, Ava Nuzzo, Samantha Olsen, Ethan Parks, Emma-Rose Phillips, Rocco Ricciardi, Siena Sheridan, Alexandria Tartaglia, and Ryli Zee.

This item submitted by the Washington Township School District. 

Daniel Coughlin writes that transportation-related authorities spend lots of dollars that they don't use for their own infrastrcture needs.

To the Editor:

Currently, New Jersey legislators are discussing implementing an increased gasoline tax as the solution to reviving our state Transportation Trust Fund and rebuilding our roadways. This is seen as an unpleasant fact, but a necessary on to keep our state's roads and bridges from falling into dangerous disrepair. 

The real problem is that this tax is being sold to the public as the ONLY funding solution for crumbling transportation infrastructure.

Don't believe it!    

We in the greater New York City and Philadelphia regions have been hoodwinked so long that we don't even recognize it anymore. So-called independent transportation "authorities" are the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on a gullible public.

You pay tolls to use highways bridges and operated by these authorities. These tolls are not only exorbitant, they are frequently increasing. We pay the tolls under the guise that almost all the money collected is sunk back into the upkeep of these structures. That is not true. These authorities collect millions and millions of dollars annually that are not used for this purpose. For example, the Delaware River Port Authority diverted $500 million in toll revenue to outside projects, such as the Kimmel Center and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

If this money were instead used to maintain our infrastructure statewide, we probably would have streets and bridges made of gold.

Don't fall into the delusion that you don't pay enough for our infrastructure and roadways. You pay way more than enough.

Daniel Coughlin

Turnersville

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Ten more people looking to buy heroin were arrested at the scene.

GLOUCESTER TWP. -- A two-month-long "intense investigation" into suspected drug sales from a Blackwood apartment culminated late Tuesday afternoon with a raid on the unit and the arrest of 10 people looking to buy heroin, township police say.

Eric M. Bowman Jr., a 21-year-old Lindenwold man, Brittany Mealey, 26, of Blackwood, and Francis Baptiste, 23, of Blackwood, were all busted on a handful of drug distribution and possession charges as a result of the raid at Fairways Apartments.

According to police, more than 250 bags of heroin, an undisclosed amount of marijuana, a quantity of fentanyl patches and 118 prescription pills were discovered during the search of the apartment. Further, police say $12,000 in cash "was seized from the suspected drug dealers."

Bowman and Baptiste were both sent to the Camden County Correctional Facility on $200,000 full-cash bail each. Mealey was charged and released pending a future court date.

WATCH: Getting clean in Camden? You have to 'really want it'

"The arrest of these individuals is another example of the enforcement campaigns targeting those who illegally distribute narcotics in Gloucester Township," police said in a news release, adding that the department "will continue to attack the abuse and sale of these highly addictive narcotics in our community."

A 16-year-old male was also arrested at the scene and released to his parents pending charges. The township police department's community relations bureau went door to door in the apartment complex to inform residents of the incident and offer crime prevention strategies.

Police say that 10 more people were arrested at the scene as they allegedly arrived to buy heroin. However, authorities provided them with resources regarding the township's SAVE advocate program that targets drug addiction.

According to information provided by police, nine were Camden County residents with the remaining person hailing from Deptford, in Gloucester County.

Readers seeking more information on drug addiction prevention are encouraged to call the Gloucester Township SAVE Advocate at 856-302-7051.

The deadline is Friday, June 17, at 5 p.m.

TRENTON -- In what affordable housing advocates are calling a "huge opportunity" for lower-income New Jerseyans, the state is accepting applications for about 10,000 federally funded rental vouchers this week.

The applications must be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. Friday, according to the Department of Community Affairs website. A lottery will be held after applicants are screened to determine income eligibility. 

People may submit multiple applications if they meet income guidelines for specific counties, the state website says. For example, a family of four earning no more than $51,900 would qualify to live in Middlesex, Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

People who live in the county for which they've applied will get preference, the website said.

"This is a huge opportunity for people," said Laura Ramos, co-founder of the nonprofit housing advocacy group, Everyone For Accessible Community Housing Rolls. "They often open the waiting list for a brief period of time and then it's closed for years."

Ramos said she learned of the voucher lottery because she received a notice as a resident of a special needs housing complex. She called the community affairs office to learn how people may get assistance if they can't apply online or need help doing so.

N.J.'s rents among most expensive in U.S.

"it's a mess. It's exceedingly difficult to get through," Ramos said. "There's been a  huge response -- 100,000 have applied." Because people may apply in more than one county, the actual number of individuals seeking applications is probably much lower, she added.

Rental vouchers, which typically pay two-thirds of a recipient's rent, are hard to come by in an expensive state like New Jersey. People can wait for years before a new round of "section 8" or other rental assistance programs become available.

Last year, the Christie administration declined to renew two housing assistance programs, affecting 3,000 people. After a public outcry, the assistance was extended temporarily while county social service and nonprofit agencies were told to find them housing alternatives.

Gov. Chris Christie's proposed budget includes $5 million to fund 500 additional vouchers for the state's Rental Assistance Program. The vouchers would go to chronically homeless or people that rely on public assistance, although not to the 3,000 people whose assistance program expired last year. 

Submitting an application "is the first step in the process to apply for the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program," according to the website. "The pre-application you submit will be entered into the Lottery. If you are selected through the lottery, you will be notified via email of your selection then you will be placed on the waiting list and continue through the application process." 

Applicants can check www.waitlistcheck.com on June 24 to learn if they were selected through the computer-generated lottery, department spokeswoman Tammori Petty said.

"It is our expectation that many applicants will not have to wait long to get a voucher, and that we expect to turn over the entire list in no longer than three years," Petty said,

Details are available at the Department of Community Affairs website, at www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/hc_vouchers.html

People with disabilities who need assistance with submitting applications may call at 609-292-4080 and select Option 1 or 8 from the menu, according to the website. if Seniors seeking assistance may contact one of the organizations listed on the Division of Aging County List. 

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.