COVID, BLM Movement: Mercer County's Top Stories in 2020

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Many would not want to relive 2020. Like the rest of the country, Mercer County's year was shaped by the pandemic and the effects of the shutdown. The towns saw death, tragedy and job losses. Patch is looking back at a year one will never forget.

Here’s are some of the top stories from Mercer County in 2020.

Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home'

In March, Gov. Phil Murphy announced stay-at-home orders, after state COVID cases rose to 1,327. He did not provide any date for reopening. The order provided for certain exceptions, such as obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work or engaging in outdoor activities.

Mercer County Offers Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

In October, Mercer County began offering free at-home COVID-19 testing for residents. Residents 14-years or older, and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker can sign up to receive a free saliva test. These tests are performed under the supervision of a Vault healthcare provider through a video telehealth visit. The kits are shipped overnight with instructions on how to schedule a Zoom telehealth meeting with a healthcare worker who gives virtual instructions on properly collecting the sample. The sample is then shipped to the Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory for testing. Test results are usually returned within 72 hours.

COVID Vaccines Administered To Frontline Workers At RWJ, Hamilton

The first COVID-19 vaccine was administered at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton on Dec. 12. Victoria Bradeis, a respiratory therapist, received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Bradeis said she hoped people would show more confidence in taking the vaccine. As a respiratory therapists, Bradeis said she saw closely the devastation of COVID-19. She said the vaccine will help protect her patients and immunocompromised family members.

Biden Nominates Princeton Professor To Economic Team

Princeton Professor Cecilia Rouse was nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to chair the Council of Economic Advisers. If confirmed by the Senate, Rouse would be the first woman of color to chair the council. Rouse is the dean of the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA).

Mercer County Prosecutor Names Second Female Chief Of Detectives

Jessica Plumeri, of the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office's investigative staff, was sworn in as chief of county detectives on July 31. Born in Trenton and raised in both Trenton and Hamilton, Plumeri graduated from Hamilton High North (Nottingham) in 1990 and attended Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, graduating in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice. She was hired as a detective with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office after college. From 2001 to 2010 she worked as a teacher at Hopewell Township School District. But her true passion was law enforcement and she soon returned to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. Plumeri has a list of achievements under her belt and her promotion came as no surprise to colleagues and friends.

Lawrence Residents Rally After Black Lives Matter Signs Stolen

As the Black Lives Matter movement swept the country, four Lawrence Township families said they had their signs stolen or defaced. In response, the township came together in solidarity. Eight groups of family and friends, holding Black Lives Matter flags, stood along the roughly eight miles of Route 206 between Ewing and Princeton, from 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on a Sunday in July. The participants who have lived in Mercer County most of their lives, said they were disturbed by the vandalism. But having the community come together showed unity and respect among county residents.