NEWS, SPORTS, COMMENTARY, POLITICS for Gloucester City and the Surrounding Areas of South Jersey and Philadelphia

ICE Philadelphia removes El Salvadorian wanted for aggravated homicide and terrorist organization

PHILADELPHIA – Immigration and Customs Enforcement Philadelphia removed Jonathan Stanley Garcia Vasquez, a citizen of El Salvador with a final order of removal, to El Salvador, Feb. 14. Garcia is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in El Salvador for aggravated homicide and terrorist organization. “Today’s successful removal of Jonathan Stanley Garcia Vasquez highlights our unyielding commitment to the safety and security of the American people. By apprehending and deporting alien foreign fugitives, ICE excels in fulfilling its public safety and national security missions,” said ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. “ERO staff stationed in El Salvador, and their Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement taskforce, played a crucial role in this operation, demonstrating the strength of our international cooperation and reach. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our citizens from those who seek to harm them.” The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Garcia near Hidalgo,... Read more →


Air Quality After Wildfires: How to Safeguard Kids Long Term

Newswise — Schools and families are seeking reliable advice on how to protect kids from the poor air quality resulting from the wildfires that devastated swathes of Los Angeles. Jonathan M. Tan, MD, MPH, MBI, Pediatric Anesthesiologist and Vice Chair of Analytics and Clinical Effectiveness, Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, studies air quality and children’s health. In this Q&A, he shares guidance on practical steps to protect children. How does an urban fire differ from a forest fire? Typically, in forest fires, trees and vegetation burn, but urban fires are significantly more complex. During the January 2025 fires, entire neighborhoods with thousands of buildings were destroyed, alongside trees and vegetation. Urban fires also involve burning materials such as plastics, vehicles, electric vehicle batteries, and hazardous substances like asbestos, which are released into the air as harmful ash. In addition, communities, families, and children were displaced. What... Read more →


New Jersey Stopping Off Shore Wind Projects

​ By Chris Wade | The Center Square contributor Feb 5, 2025 ​(The Center Square) — New Jersey is backing away from several major offshore wind projects as the Trump administration seeks to pull federal leases for the clean energy initiatives. Gov. Phil Murphy announced this week that New Jersey won't be providing financial support for a pair of offshore wind projects, including the Atlantic Shores South project, which was given a green light by the U.S. Department of the Interior last year. The project had called for installing 200 wind turbines less than nine miles off the New Jersey coast — providing enough electricity to power more than 1 million homes. In a statement, Murphy described offshore wind as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to create tens of thousands of jobs, drive an entirely new manufacturing supply chain, and secure energy independence" but said the industry is "currently facing significant challenges."... Read more →


NJ Supreme Court: Jurisdiction saves Philly Archdiocese from Culpability

...for priest’s alleged sex abuse in New Jersey by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor February 5, 2025 In a blow for clergy sex abuse victims, the New Jersey State Supreme Court has ruled that a Catholic archdiocese’s accountability for an alleged predatory priest does not cross state lines. The decision arose from the case of an Illinois man who accused Michael J. McCarthy, a priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1965 until he was defrocked in 2006, of molesting him during an overnight stay in Margate in 1971, when he was 14 and a member of McCarthy’s parish. The man, identified only as D.T. in court paperwork, sued the archdiocese in May 2020 in New Jersey, one year after state legislators here enacted the New Jersey Child Victims Act. That law created a two-year window, from 2019 to 2021, to allow people to revive previously time-barred civil claims arising... Read more →


Khan Lawson's Breakthroughs in Strategy 

Khan Lawson's huge success at blackjack is due to a number of smart moves, the most important of which are always coming up with new ideas, doing lots of study, and being brave enough to question what everyone else thinks. Khan has spent his entire illustrious career constantly seeking new ways to challenge the way the game is usually played. Through hard work and determination, he has come up with strategies that not only help him win more often but also help him understand the game's complex dynamics better, giving him a unique view of how to play it. Laying the Theoretical Foundations Khan started his work by studying probability theory and game theory in great depth. He did this because he was very interested in finding the hidden and complicated patterns that govern the game of blackjack. Khan went on a truly new path of discovery, which was very... Read more →


The Historic Traveler Blog is Online

Online Community Welcomes Lovers of History, Travel and Reading LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17, 2025 — For decades, passionate photographer, history buff and frequent traveler Jackie Lapin followed her heart to historic localities in more than 50 countries and amassed a database of 40,000 stunning images. And when she wasn’t traveling, she was reading books that further informed her explorations and indulged her sense of escape. Now, Lapin combines her love of history, travel and books of historical relevance into an online community where others who share her wanderlust can immerse themselves in the storied histories of cities, regions and landmarks all over the world at www.TheHistoricTraveler.com. There, visitors will discover Lapin’s unique blog, where she blends her storytelling skills and her stunning photographer to bring historic places to life. “There is no other blog that combines travel, history and historic novels,” Lapin said. “I think visitors will find the blog... Read more →


NJ Democrat Bob Menendez Seeks Federal Appeals Court to Overturn Conviction

Bob Menendez — again — appeals conviction in bribery scheme by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor February 14, 2025 Former Sen. Bob Menendez wants a federal appeals court to overturn his conviction and sentence in a global bribery scheme. Menendez attorneys filed a notice of appeal Thursday, four months before the disgraced longtime Democrat is expected to report to federal prison to begin serving 11 years behind bars. The appeal is no surprise. Menendez has denied wrongdoing and appealed every step of the way. Federal Judge Sidney H. Stein shot down two prior appeals — one his attorneys filed a month after his July conviction and another filed in November after prosecutors revealed they mistakenly uploaded insufficiently redacted documents to a laptop jurors used during deliberations. He also vowed he would appeal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court after his sentencing last month, when he blasted the Southern... Read more →


Former Atlantic City Council President Craig Callaway Guilty of Voter Fraud

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor February 14, 2025 Former Atlantic City council president Craig Callaway pleaded guilty to voter fraud charges over his role in a 2022 mail ballot fraud scheme that saw voters’ mail ballots collected and cast without their knowledge. Callaway, a Democratic operative first charged a year ago, admitted in federal court in Camden Thursday that he and others paid individuals $30 to $50 to act as messengers for would-be voters. Callaway and his subordinates would fill those ballots before having them returned, the operative admitted. “The defendant admitted to depriving New Jersey residents of a fair election by participating in a scheme to cast ballots for voters who did not vote in the election,” said acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to prosecuting those who criminally seek to undermine impartially conducted elections.” Numerous residents, in whose names... Read more →


Congressman Van Drew Calls on NJBPU Board Members to Resign

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew is calling for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) board members to resign after their approval of yet another outrageous 17% electric rate increase. "The NJBPU has failed the people of New Jersey," said Congressman Van Drew. "For years, they knew these rate hikes were coming, yet instead of working to protect consumers, they wasted time pushing their Green New Deal agenda. While the state's energy crisis worsened, they were more focused on advocating for wind turbines, even flaunting their political pro-wind pins on their suits during hearings when they should have been neutral and focused on creating an energy policy that actually helps New Jersey residents. Now here we are, left with billions of dollars thrown away into their costly, failed offshore wind projects along with sky-high utility bills, just as we and the New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate warned would... Read more →


NJ STATE PARKS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO FILL MORE THAN 800 POSITIONS

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for more than 800 seasonal positions at state parks, forests and historic sites throughout the Garden State, and has increased salary rates this year at some locations, Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today. These positions are critical for the safety and maintenance of some of the State’s busiest tourist attractions. Available seasonal job opportunities include lifeguards, general maintenance personnel, visitor service assistants, office assistants, naturalists and history educators. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Peak season generally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with select state parks extending positions from April to October based on operational needs. Salaries for most positions start at $16 per hour. Positions at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Hudson County, and The Greenway in Essex and Hudson counties start at $20 per hour. “These positions are more than the typical summer season job,”... Read more →


Marie A. Palmer, 60, of Gloucester City

On February 1, 2025, Age 60. Of Gloucester City. Loving wife of the late James M. Palmer. Beloved daughter of Rosemarie (nee Carrubba) Fischer and the late Elmer Fischer. Cherished mother of Bradley (Christina Lombardi) Palmer, Keenan (Celena) Palmer, Kari Palmer and Christopher Palmer. Loving grandmother of Kylie, Kaylee, Brooklyn, Blake and Noah. Marie was also predeceased by her son Vincent Palmer and her brother Elmer Sonny Fischer. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Marie’s Memorial Service on Thursday, February 20th, 2025 from 2 to 5 PM at Four Star Event Catering, 595 Princeton Blvd., Wenonah, NJ 08090. Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Marie A. Palmer. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City. Ph: 856 – 456 - 1142. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Marie A. Palmer, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Read more →


Lines on the Pines 2025 - 20 Year Celebration 

Galloway, NJ – Lines on the Pines, an INDOOR event, celebrating the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns once again to the Stockton University CAMPUS CENTER, located at 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ, The Annual Event will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. This popular book-signing, history, arts, humanities, crafts, music and everything NJ Pine Barrens event is FREE and open to the public. It is presented by It’s a Sign of the Pines, a 501(c) (3) NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our NJ Pine Barrens. The event has garnered sponsorship support from: Stockton University, South Jersey Culture & History Center at Stockton, AtlantiCare, CRA Financial, ACUA, Plexus Publishing, NJM Insurance Group, EDIFI CU and others. Thinking it would be a one-time event, and after months of planning, Linda Stanton, founder and creator of It’s a Sign of... Read more →


Igloo Recalls More Than One Million 90 Quart Rolling Coolers

Name of Product: Igloo 90 Qt. Flip & Tow Rolling Coolers Hazard: The tow handle can pinch consumers’ fingertips against the cooler, posing fingertip amputation and crushing hazards. Remedy: Replace Recall Date: February 13, 2025 Units: About 1,060,000 (In addition, about 47,000 in Canada and 23,000 in Mexico) Description: This recall involves Igloo 90 Qt. Flip & Tow Rolling Coolers manufactured prior to January 2024. The date of manufacture is imprinted on the bottom of the cooler in a circular pattern with an arrow pointing to the month of manufacture and the last two digits of the year of manufacture inside the circle. The recalled coolers have a tow handle. “IGLOO” is printed on the side of the coolers. The coolers were sold in multiple body and lid color combinations, one of which are pictured above. The following cooler models with tow handles are included in the recall. The model... Read more →


All NJMVC Facilities Will Be Closed for the State Holiday Today

All New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) facilities, including agencies, road test sites, and inspection stations, will be closed today, February 17, 2025, in observance of the state holiday. All facilities will be open for regular business the rest of the week. The Commission’s website at NJMVC.gov remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. New Jerseyans in need of motor vehicle services should always visit the website first to access more than 25 online services, book appointments for in-person services, and find answers to common NJMVC customer questions. Read more →


Wind Advisory issued February 17

At 2:41AM EST until February 17 at 6:00PM EST by NWS Mount Holly NJ Description * WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Delaware, northeast Maryland, northwest, central and southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...Until 6 PM EST this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Instruction Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Read more →


Roadwork to Close the Following Roads

New Jersey American Water will be working on North Haddon Avenue in Haddonfield and Haddon Township from Monday, Feb. 17 to Friday, Feb. 21 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a full road closure between Kings Highway East and West Crystal Lake Avenue. PSE&G will be working on Copley Road in Barrington on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a partial road closure eastbound between Warwick Road and Mercer Drive. PSE&G will be working on Mt. Ephraim and Ferry avenues in Camden from Tuesday, Feb. 18 to Friday, Feb. 21 between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a full road closure of Ferry Avenue between Salem and Mulford streets. “Motorists should plan ahead to take alternate routes and give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations,” said Commissioner Al Dyer, liaison to the Department of Public Works.... Read more →


CNBNews Files OPRA Request to Obtain Consultant's Evaluation of the GCFD

UPDATED WITH SALARY ORDINANCE FOR FIREFIGHTERS William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 14, 2025) (CNBNews) — To enhance public safety, Gloucester City Mayor Dayl Baile and the City Council enlisted the Smith Consulting Group from Ocean City, NJ, in 2024 to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Gloucester City paid fire department. James P. Smith Jr., a Fire Chief with three decades of firefighting experience, currently oversees 67 firefighters in Ocean City. The study culminated in a 14-page evaluation obtained from interviews with all 22 department members. The discussions uncovered a wealth of information, highlighting the firefighters’ concerns, aspirations, and ideas for future growth. The evaluator’s observations reveal a need for consistent enforcement of discipline within the ranks. It became evident that department officers require robust training to effectively address infractions and foster a culture of accountability. The report highlighted that nine members—an unsettling 40 percent—have... Read more →


Rowan Women's Basketball Rolls Over Rutgers-Newark on Senior Day, 90-58

GLASSBORO, NJ - Senior Kate Herlihy scored 20 points and classmates Sabrina Araujo and Kristina Johnson had 16 and 10, respectively, as Rowan rolled to a 90-58 win over Rutgers-Newark on "Senior Day" in NJAC women's basketball action. Rowan (16-8; 12-5) honored those three players as well as Shayla Johnson, Kelli Kuenzel and Reagan Russo, prior to their final home regular-season game. Herlihy tallied 20 in 28 minutes and handed out five assists while Araujo made five three-pointers in the win. Johnson shot 4-of-8 from the field and added six rebounds and five assists. Rowan had a comfortable lead in the third quarter, 51-38, but scored 15 consecutive points to break it open even more. Herlihy and Mandy Selmer scored six points each in the spurt that gave the Profs a commanding 66-38 lead. Kuenzel's three-pointer at the start of the fourth quarter pushed Rowan's margin to 30, 71-41, while... Read more →


Weather Service Warning! Severe Winds Gusts of 50 o 60 MPH Expected

WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern Delaware, central and southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 6 PM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wet soils combined with the high winds could result in extensive tree damage. The strong winds will usher in much colder air, with temperatures in the 20s and 30s and wind chills in the teens. Potential for power outages combined with the cold could exacerbate the impacts of this high wind event. Instructions Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive. source: Neighborhood Alerts Read more →


Paul E. Filon, of Audubon, formerly of Bellmawr; Maître d' at the Cherry Hill Inn

On February 5, 2025, at the age of 83. Of Audubon. Formerly of Bellmawr. Survived by his daughter, Traci Filon; his son, James Filon; his brother, James Filon. Predeceased by his parents, Paul and Mary Filon and his brother, George Filon. Paul worked many years in the hospitality industry, including as a maître d' at the Cherry Hill Inn. At Paul’s request, services will be private. Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Paul E. Filon. Funeral arrangements and inquiries are through McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142. Read more →


Meares Scores 29 but Rutgers-Newark Holds Off Rowan, 70-67

GLASSBORO, NJ - Khalif Meares scored a game-high 29 points but Rutgers-Newark held off Rowan to score a 70-67 win and ruin the Profs' "Senior Day" at Esby Gym. Despite the loss, Rowan (12-12; 10-8) has qualified for six-team NJAC Basketball Championship, with the bracket to be announced after the final regular-season games on February 19. Prior to the game, Rowan's seniors - Drew Amos, Danny Fleming, Khalif Meares and Jamir Spivey - were honored in their final home game. Meares hit 10-of-16 from the field and grabbed eight steals, with Tyrese Myrick netting 12 points. Ife Okebiorun added nine points as just six Profs reached the scoring column With Rowan trailing, 65-63, at 1:06 after a basket by Okebiorun, Rutgers-Newark upped the lead to 66-63 before Danny Fleming got the Profs back within 69-67 at :15. A missed front end of a one-and-one gave the ball back to the... Read more →


High Wind Warning issued February 16

At 1:56AM EST until February 17 at 6:00PM EST by NWS Mount Holly NJ Description * WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern Delaware, central and southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 6 PM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wet soils combined with the high winds could result in extensive tree damage. The strong winds will usher in much colder air, with temperatures in the 20s and 30s and wind chills in the teens. Potential for power outages combined with the cold could exacerbate the impacts of this high wind event. Instruction Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling... Read more →


New bill could speed up approvals for cannabis dispensaries

By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz A new bill would allow medical cannabis dispensaries to begin selling recreational weed without municipal approval, a sign that state lawmakers are seeking to push back on some towns’ resistance to hosting dispensaries. The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, includes a number of other provisions aimed at the state’s cannabis industry, including one that would allow medical cannabis dispensaries to redesignate their product for recreational sales. But its aim to allow medical dispensaries to shift to the recreational market without municipal approval is the one that could raise the hackles of some local officials opposed to cannabis sales. New Jersey’s recreational cannabis law allowed towns to opt in or out of sales by August 2021, and most of them opted out. Only about a third of New Jersey’s 564 municipalities allow cannabis businesses, and some of those towns limit sales to medical cannabis only. Five... Read more →


Electricity prices set to rise by roughly $25 per month this summer

By: Nikita Biryukov The price of electricity is set to soar this June after successive electricity auctions yielded results that could boost bills by more than $25 a month. The Board of Public Utilities on Wednesday approved the results of a Monday electricity auction, green-lighting prices driven higher by growing demand for electricity. “No one likes to see bill increases,” said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, the board’s president. “We understand that, and we are committed to doing everything we can at this department to ensure we’re keeping prices as low as possible.” Guhl-Sadovy said increases in demand and lower supply contributed to the higher auction prices. In New Jersey, utilities annually buy electricity supply through auctions. Utility providers can’t profit from the sale of electricity supply and must provide it to ratepayers at cost. Rate Counsel Brian Lipman, whose office advocates for ratepayers on utility matters, said the increases would add between... Read more →


Oregon Man Arrested for Veterinarian’s Murder in Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill, NJ – Detectives have made an arrest in the murder of a veterinarian in Cherry Hill, announced Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Cherry Hill Police Chief John Ostermueller. Cristian Custodio-Aquino, 27, of Portland, Oregon is charged with first-degree Murder in reference to the death of Dr. Michael Anthony, 45, of Cherry Hill. On December 10, 2024, at approximately 7:09 a.m., officers from the Cherry Hill Police Department responded to the 100 block of Sharrowvalle Road in Cherry Hill where they located an unconscious man identified as Dr. Anthony. The victim had sustained multiple stab wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. In the weeks that followed, detectives from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and Cherry Hill Police Department conducted an exhaustive investigation and identified Custodio-Aquino as the person responsible for the homicide. Custodio-Aquino was charged on February 7, 2025. He was taken into... Read more →