They'll start showing up next month on farms across New Jersey. Thousands of seasonal workers will plant fields and trim trees, then tend and harvest crops during the spring and summer. Up to 180 work at Joe Marino's Sun Valley Orchards in Swedesboro, Gloucester County, and many - including migrant farm hands from Mexico - earn $7.25 an hour, the state and federal minimum wage. They would see their paychecks increase under a proposal by Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D., Essex) to boost the state minimum rate to $8.50 and to tie it to the consumer price index, which measures the cost of living. Oliver says the move would provide "livable wages for the lowest-income earners," while helping the economy by increasing consumer spending. About 40,000 New Jersey residents currently earn the $7.25 rate. http://bit.ly/yhxQOR

Nearly $17 million in federal funds will be allocated by the Army Corps of Engineers to continue deepening of the Delaware River shipping channel by five feet. U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews said Tuesday he has been advised by the Army Corps the money will be released as part of this year’s allocation to the agency. While the funds are not designated for any specific purpose, Andrews, D-Haddon Heights, said the “Army Corps’ plan is to spend it on the Delaware.” The money, if allocated, would go toward deepening the river channel from 40 to 45 feet in an area between Penns Grove and the Beckett Street Marine Terminal in Camden, said Ed Voight, chief of public and legislative affairs for the Corps’ Philadelphia regional office. http://bit.ly/x0Qggd

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday - The Last Supper, Good Friday - The Crucifixion, and Easter Sunday. Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions

Read more: Happy Easter 2026!

Women's History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Celebrated from the 1st to 31st March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8th, it is observed during October in Canada, corresponding with the celebration of Persons Day on October 18th. A weeklong observation in Sonoma County, California in 1978 was subsequently championed by Gerda Lerner

Read more: 2025 Women's History Month

This month, the Borough of Merchantville and the Merchantville Diversity Committee honor the strength, resilience, and achievements of women, past and present during International Women's History Month 2026 - “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”. From leaders and educators to small business owners and community advocates, the women of Merchantville help shape a vibrant and inclusive town.

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There are two days left to join the world in connecting to birds and sharing your birds with the world. From February 13-16 you can be a part of this global bird count event. Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds. If you are NEW to birdwatching and bird identification and have a smartphone, we recommend you use the Merlin Bird ID app to enter your first bird. It is free and easy to use. Merlin covers bird species from 7 continents

Read more: Great Backyard Bird Count

Americans will once again be able to request free COVID tests from the U.S. government, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Beginning September 25, U.S. households will again be able to order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov. The Biden-Harris Administration re-opened the website on Monday and each household can get four free COVID tests sent to them via the United States Postal Service.

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