By Bob Holt - NJ NEWSROOM - August 9, 2010

The Camden libraries saga took another turn Monday. Officials in New Jersey have apparently found a way to save Camden's public library system in whole or at least part. Mayor Dana Redd said Monday that city officials will look to join the county library system.

Mayor Redd has announced her plan to save the city's libraries from closing for good Monday at a news conference in Camden.

"In the coming days my administration, working along with city council and the county, will take the appropriate steps needed to begin this process," said Redd.

The city's library board says it must close all three of its libraries by the end of the year because funding has been slashed so drastically that it can't afford to keep operating.

By Max Pizarro - POLITICKERNJ - August 9th, 2010

The biggest warchest in the Assembly right now belongs to Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, followed by Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange), Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Franklin), and Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Paterson).

Greenwald's state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) report shows him with $269,618 cash on hand, or more than double the combined campaign accounts of his 6th Legislative District mates: state Sen. Jim Beach ($80,438 cash on hand), and Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt ($48,680 coh).

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI • Associated Press • August 9, 2010

TRENTON — Drivers involved in accidents that result in death or serious injury would have to submit to sobriety testing under a bill advancing in the Legislature.

The legislation stems from a fatal one-car crash in Southampton in July 2007 that killed a 17-year-old from Evesham.

Anthony J. Farrace, a passenger in the car, was killed when it hit a tree.

His body was tested for the presence of alcohol or drugs, as permitted by law, but the 17-year-old driver was not required to submit to testing. She eventually was cited for careless driving, for which she paid a $200 fine and had her license suspended for six months.

The accident spurred Farrace's father to push for legislation.

Currently, drivers can only be tested for drugs or alcohol when there is evidence or a clear-cut suspicion that a driver is under the influence.

By JIM WALSH • Courier-Post Staff • August 8, 2010

CAMDEN — A rescue plan is in the works for this city's endangered libraries.

Mayor Dana Redd and Camden County Freeholder-Director Louis Cappelli Jr. on Monday are expected to announce a plan to save the libraries, now facing shutdowns due to the city's financial crunch.

Details of the plan were not provided in an announcement from Redd's office on Saturday. But Redd previously has said she was talking to the county about taking over the libraries in this impoverished city of 80,000 people.

In a statement issued Saturday night, Cappelli said the county and the city are working "to put together a plan, pursuant to state statute, where if the city wants to become a part of the county (library) system, it would be possible for them to do so."