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N.J. nuclear reactor shut down. Here's the reason why

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Salem 1 is one of three reactors operated by PSEG Nuclear in Lower Alloways Creek Township.

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. -- One of three nuclear reactors in Salem County has been shut down for refueling and maintenance work, an official said.

The Salem 1 unit was taken off-line at 8 p.m. Thursday, according to Joe Delmar, spokesman for the plant's operator, PSEG Nuclear.

"The work performed during this outage will help ensure the continued safe operation of the plant," Delmar said.

Salem 1 is one of three reactors operated by PSEG Nuclear at its Artificial Island generating complex.

The plant had been producing electricity for 389 consecutive days before the scheduled shutdown.

In-house and supplemental personnel will perform more than 20,000 different activities while the reactor is off-line, according to Delmar.

Some of the larger projects include replacing three main power transformers and digital feed system along with inspections of systems, pumps, motors, valves, actuators and seals. Additionally, one third of 193 fuel assemblies in the reactor's core will be replaced with new ones.

Grading the safety of the reactors

Delmar did not say how long Salem 1 would be shut down. Typically, a nuclear plant refueling outage lasts about a month.

Refuelings generally take place every 18 months. Salem 1 was last shut down for similar work in the fall of 2014, according to Delmar.

The other two reactors at the Artificial Island generating complex -- Salem 2 and Hope Creek -- remained operating at full power on Friday.

The three plants comprise the second-largest commercial nuclear generating complex in the U.S. The net electric generation from the three plants is topped only by the Palo Verde facility in Arizona.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes.Find NJ.com on Facebook.


Happy Birthday, Wawa. Don't stop changing

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In its 52 years as a well-known convenience chain in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Wawa has added many new features to keep customers coming back.

Students receive saplings in honor of Earth Day

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Hurffville Elementary also received two sugar maple trees for the school's campus

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - A little sapling can go a long way. That was the gist of a presentation given on April 14, by Washington Township Environmental Commission representative Jim McCann to the third-grade students at Hurffville Elementary School.

McCann and fellow Environmental Commission member Vicky Binetti came to the school for an Earth Day assembly. McCann, a longtime farmer in the area, stressed the importance of trees to our environment.

At the end of the presentation, McCann and Binetti handed out small pine tree saplings to each student, provided by the commission. Included were instructions about how and where to plant the saplings, how often to water them, and how much they will grow -- about one foot per year.

In the afternoon, the commission helped Hurffville plant two sugar maple trees on the school campus. McCann said he'll be stopping by often to make sure the staff and students are taking good care of the trees.

"The state feels like you all are the right age to start getting into this and planting and caring for trees," McCann told the group. "We're happy to provide (the saplings) to get you started."

The commission also will hold assemblies with Thomas Jefferson Elementary third-graders on April 18. The school will receive saplings and two larger trees, as well.

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

Keep public safety jobs within Salem County | Opinion

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Bob Gant of the FOP writes that freeholders are trying to scapegoat union workers for their own lack of budget planning.

By Bob Gant

On behalf of the Salem County Fraternal Order of Police, I ask residents to get involved in what's going on at the county level. 

The current county freeholder board is making moves to rid the county of valuable assets. These pending decisions need to be made more transparent to the public before it is too late. 

How many years in a row do we have to hear that Salem County is sinking, since we have no big ratables? Each year we have to look at more abandoned homes caused by a lack of businesses and job losses. What is this county doing to attract any new business? 

Once again, the freeholders have not yet introduced or approved an annual budget, and they look to take from hard-working county employees to balance a 2016 spending plan. 

The freeholders are talking about privatizing the county jail, as well as its medical staff, and possibly outsourcing our 911 service or the jobs at the dispatch center. The county workers do not believe this is the answer. Rather, it is using the county employees as scapegoats for the freeholders' lack of budget and financial planning. 

These proposals to bring in for-profit companies will do nothing but create more job loss for Salem County residents. The county has already put out bids for several outside services without publicizing this.

We believe privatizing drives up many hidden costs and doesn't save money. If the freeholders claim they will save money, then we'll challenge them to make any supporting studies public. We do not need outside contractors coming into our county, taking our jobs and giving them to people who do not pay taxes in Salem County. We can't give away and lose control of what we have.

The latest idea the freeholders have is to allow neighboring Gloucester County to take over our 911 dispatch center, even after Salem County officials pushed hard to make it an in-county regional center. With all the hard work of bringing  the towns together to share dispatch services, why would we want to let Gloucester County take them over? Gloucester County dispatchers are paid around $8,000-$10,000 more annually than Salem County dispatchers. 

Also, Salem County spent about $500,000 for its countywide Enforsys system. This system is specific to Salem County, and police, fire and EMS units all communicate through it and use it for reporting. Since Gloucester County does not use the same system, our equipment would not be compatible. Meanwhile, Gloucester County could end up charging Salem towns more money for dispatch services if they are billed individually.

If we allow the Salem freeholders to give away the farm to Gloucester County, this could affect public safety. The Salem County dispatchers are a very professional group who know the county and reside in it. They are familiar with our residents, roads and officers. Gloucester dispatchers who are not familiar with our many rural areas could waste valuable time trying to elicit location information from callers. 

Salem County is also home to Artificial Island, one of the largest nuclear power generating complexes in the country. Many policies and protocols that have been worked out with plant operator PSEG and our 911 center might have to be rewritten if our 911 service were outsourced. 

For obvious public safety reasons, we need our dispatchers to remain working in, and for, Salem County. The Salem County FOP is supporting Communications Workers Local 1085, all of our Salem County law enforcement officers and the residents of the county. 

We ask the residents to get involved and attend the next freeholder board meeting at 7 p.m. April 20 in the Lower Alloways Creek Township municipal building, next to the police department. 

We need your help to better serve you.

Bob Gant is president of the Salem County Fraternal Order of Police.

Author brings polka-dot passion to Birches Elementary

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Allison Gutknecht is the author of "Don't Wear Polka-Dot Underwear with White Pants..."

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -  Visiting children's book author Allison Gutknecht had plenty of encouragement and great advice for the budding writers at Birches Elementary School during her visit on April 15.  Gutknecht, a native of Voorhees, is the author of the Mandy Berr series, beginning with "Don't Wear Polka-Dot Underwear with White Pants (and Other Lessons I've Learned)."

Her visit was arranged by school librarian Ale Maciunas and included lunch with a dozen children whose letters explaining why they should dine with the author won them a coveted place at the table.

Birches Author Gutknecht2.jpgVisiting author Allison Gutknecht brought her main character, Mandy Berr, to life while reading an excerpt from her book, "Don't Wear Polka-Dot Underwear with White Pants (and Other Lessons I've Learned)," to a captive Birches Elementary School audience.  

Gutknecht, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania who has a master's degree in children's media and literature from New York University, explained her life-long love of reading and writing to the students, explaining the two do indeed go hand-in-hand.

"If you want to create fiction like me, I suggest that you write a little of what you know and a little bit of what you think you know," she said, "and you need to practice writing every single day. That's the only way you figure out your voice as a writer. Write and write a lot.  Read and read a lot.

If you get writer's block, try to plow through it. Step away from your story and come back to it with fresh eyes. Then revise and edit and make your story even better. I would encourage you to read your stories out loud to yourself, and then get feedback from someone else.

Gutknecht read an excerpt from her polka-dot underwear book to her young fans, before taking questions and distributing book marks.

This item submitted by Jan Giel, Washington Township School District.

Inspira plans outpatient facility in Deptford

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Inspira is planning to build an outpatient facility with Jefferson but those plans are slow-moving in light of Kennedy's merger with Jefferson.

DEPTFORD TWP. -- Inspira Health Network is in the beginning stages of plans to build an outpatient service facility on Clements Bridge Road -- a project that was initially going to be done in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, but plans are still uncertain, hospital officials said.

Inpsira closed on a 30-acre property, located close to the Deptford Mall and Pathmark Shopping Center, for $4 million in early February. The land, which is next to property owned by a company with plans to build a 2,000-seat movie theater, was sold to Inpsira by Clements Bridge Greenbriar LLC . 

It's the latest step in the health care network's plans for rapid expansion throughout South Jersey. In February, Inspira purchased a 100 acre parcel in Harrison Township from Rowan University for $9.5 million. There at the interchange of Route 55 and Route 322, Inspira intends to build a new 172-bed hospital. The health care network also has several large facilities throughout the area including what was once Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury.

Deptford Mayor Paul Medany was not surprised by the purchase, stating there has been a spike in interest of developing medical resources in the area.

"When DuPont moved into the area with the children's hospital on Almonesson Road, it generated a lot of interest for other healthcare facilities to come to the area," said Medany. "While we had no idea Inspira was interested in buying the property, it wasn't all that surprising.

According to Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Inspira Health Network Gregory Potter, plans haven't been set. 

"We're in the very beginning stages of planning what will be at this property," said Potter. "We targeted this site to provide some type of outpatient services but that's where we're at with that."

According to Potter, plans are at a standstill for the time being as Inspira and Jefferson work out the details. In late January, Kennedy Health -- which has facilities in Washington Township, Stratford and Cherry Hill --  and Jefferson announced the two hospitals were planning to join forces in a merger.

"The merger is still just a letter in intent," said Nicole Pensiero, corporate director of communications at Kennedy Health. "They're still working out a definitive agreement, so there is not official merger yet." 

Deptford plans for new movie theater and retail center

That potential merger was announced just weeks after Kennedy Health officials spoke in opposition to Inspira's plans to build a new hospital so close to Kennedy's flagship Washington Township location. 

"Originally, it was meant to be a partnered site with Jefferson, but we're still talking with Jefferson in light of their merger with Kennedy," Potter said. 

Officials from Jefferson did not immediately return a request for comment.

With both properties in the midst of big plans, Medany said he is looking forward to the impact on Deptford as a whole. 

"We're pushing for economic development, even though plans are being delayed and little is set, it's on it's way."

As for the movie theater property, Medany said the 23-acre property next to the land now owned by Inpsira is "still owned by the original buyers," he said. "Those owners haven't been in touch with the township for a while now, but they have all of the permits and approvals to get the movie theater started."

However, the 23-acre property reserved for the theaters is not a part of the Inspira purchase and is located immediately next to it.   

"It's a whole separate property," said Medany. "The movie theater site is next to the Inspira site and is still owned by the original buyers. Those owners haven't been in touch with the township for a while now, but they have all of the permits and approvals to get the movie theater started. 

N.J. man who robbed 9 Heritage's stores loses jail credit appeal

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A man who took a plea deal in nine robbery cases appealed saying his counsel inadequately described his jail credits for time served.

A man who admitted robbing a Heritage's convenience store did have adequate advice from his attorney when he agreed to a plea agreement that landed him a decade in state prison, an appeals court ruled Thursday.

Darryl M. Norman, 43 of Vauxhall, was charged with nine robberies at different Heritage's stores, including at least one in Gloucester County, throughout 2013. In a plea agreement he admitted to one of the first-degree robbery counts and agreed to pay restitution on all of the robberies. He was sentenced to a 10-year prison term, of which he would have to serve 85 percent of before being eligible for parole, in accordance with the agreement.

At the time, Norman was in prison for weapons offense. He appealed his robbery conviction saying he was misinformed about "time-served" credits he thought he could earn through his previous conviction.

He argued that he had inadequate information from his attorney when he accepted the plea deal.

An appellate court ruled Thursday, however that Norman's plea agreement was not eligible for jail credits and that his claim was not accurate.

"Whether he pled guilty or was convicted after trial, he was not entitled to jail credits..." the court ruled. "In addition, defendant does not assert his innocence or dispute he was eligible for an extended-term sentence....defendant suffered no prejudice by pleading guilty, as he received "an extremely beneficial" sentence that was well below the range for an extended-term sentence for a first-degree crime."

 Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Mexican national sentenced to 6 years in sexual assault of girl, 14

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Jose Gonzalez-Heredia will have to register as a sex offender upon release from his prison term.

WOODBURY -- A Mantua man was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Mantua, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Jose I. Gonzales-Heredia, 48, was convicted of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child after a three-day jury trial in January.

The victim, who was 15 when she testified in court, said she was visiting a teenage friend who was living in Gonzalez-Heredia's home in May 2014. She described waking up on a sofa and finding him kneeling in front of her. After she demanded he stop, he went upstairs and then left for work, she said.

Following his sentencing Gonzalez-Heredia requested bail pending appeal and his attorney requested a sentence between three and five years.

Superior Court Judge Robert P. Becker rejected both of those requests and sentenced him to six years in prison and said he must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law upon release from prison.

His conviction will also be reported to federal immigration authorities. He was ordered to surrender his Mexican passport after the verdict in January.

 Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Deptford school's student-run greenhouse will open for its 14th year

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The school's horticultural program continues to give students an opportunity to earn a green thumb.

DEPTFORD TWP - From trimming flowers to re-potting vegetables, students participating in Bankbridge Regional School's horticultural program are preparing for the upcoming annual opening of their greenhouse.

For the past 14 years, this Gloucester County special services district has run a very unique program that helps immerse students from grades 6 - 12 in learning hands-on skills in the areas of greenhouse production, maintenance and customer service.

Each February students in the horticultural program start from scratch by planting seeds and plugs. The care and upkeep of the flowers and vegetables for the next three months culminates in the opening of the greenhouse to the community to sell these well-cared-for plants. When sales begin on April 28 students are hoping they will exceed last year's sales of over 1,500 pants sold.

Peggy Grady, the horticulture teacher at Bankbridge Regional School, is proud of this program that has been an opportunity for students to learn a skill in a very practical and fun way. And some have even continued the experience once the they've finished the course.

"I get a lot of feedback from parents saying, 'oh my son was growing flowers in your program and we want to start a program this year. How do we do that?' And that happens quite often which is great," said Grady.

In addition to learning the how-to skills to grow and maintain a garden, students learn the various aspects of the culture of plants. This includes the different types, names and specific care of each plant to a level where they can assist customers in choosing the right flowers for their own personal gardens.

The school's Future Farmers of America Club (FFA), comprised of high school students, determines the pricing each year of the variety of flora and vegetables. They also advertise the upcoming sale for the greenhouse through the distribution of posters and flyers. And the club even offers other ways for students to use their skills in competitions.

While the teachers enjoy exposing their students to a new world of opportunity, for some the greenhouse is also a means of relaxation and therapy -- like Cole Burns, a 6th grader, who in addition to his pastimes of playing soccer and baseball has grown to love tending the greenhouse.

"At home my brothers and sister are like 'Cole! Can you do this? Cole, Cole Cole!' This is the place I get to be and just concentrate on things," said Cole as he worked on trimming plants in the greenhouse.

Laura Lang, a specialized teacher's assistant involved with the program, explained that students even have opportunities outside the greenhouse. Local flower shops, like Mullica Hill Floral Company, allow participants to come to their stores and job shadow as well.

"It's just neat experience and it has its challenges, but like when you see kids learning, girls go to work at flower shops, we've had kids go to work at a garden center last year and one girl went to work at Bloomer's," said Lang. "It's rewarding to see the ones who do pick it up  and have interest in it and do something with it."

The greenhouse will be open on Thursdays and Fridays with all the proceeds going to the school's student activity fund. 

Anthony Medina may be reached at amedina@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Unsung heroes on the other line and faulty coin counting | Cheers and Jeers

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Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

CHEERS: To the voice on the other end of the line. When you call 911 in an emergency they are the calm voice on the other end of the line, the public safety telecommunicators. We are just closing out National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. It was a chance to honor these unsung heroes and let the public know the valuable service they perform. Where an accident, a crime or a fire, they are the ones who answer your 911 call and send help. They are also the voice on the other end of the line that provides comfort to the caller as they await help and, in some instances, provide life-saving instructions while help is on the way. They are always there 24/7. In a world where nothing is certain, one thing remains so -- public safety telecommunicators are just a call away to help.

JEERS: To burglars who think no one is watching. When two men broke into an Upper Pittsgrove Township home this week, they apparently thought their only obstacle was the two dogs that seemed to greet them. Little did they know that the homeowner had set up a remote monitoring system and was watching the thieves. Not only were they captured on video (which the New Jersey State Police have widely distributed), but they got a real shock when the homeowner yelled - remotely -- for them to get out of the house. They fled, but unfortunately took a couple items with them. We hope to be posting their mug shots soon.

JEERS to getting nickel'd and dime'd. When we set out to test three coin-counting machines in South Jersey, by no means were we trying to do a "hit-piece" on the devices. Even with TD Bank pulling its Penny Arcade devices out of commission for the time being to test them, we just wanted to see if there were other viable options to cash in our $89.90. What did we learn after coming home $5.43 lighter? Machines aren't perfect. A penny here, a penny there, a damaged or dirty coin discounted... it adds up. It's not the usage fee that irks us; it's the fact that most users probably aren't counting their buckets of coins at home prior to dumping them into the counter and take that receipt read-out as an infallible grand total.

CHEERS to teaming up to draw attention. Equal Pay Day's goal is in the right place. So it's fitting that the Rutgers-Camden Women's Soccer team joined forces with U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross to draw attention to the fact that overall, women just aren't earning as much as their male counterparts. Well-documented figures show women earn 79 cents for every dollar a man makes. Norcross has also sponsored a bill that would legally protect women who file wage-discrimination claims from retaliation in the workplace and create more wage transparency among private employers. We're all on the same team here; one that's striving for a better quality of life through a 40-hour work week.

CHEERS: To honoring a beloved student's memory. Salesianum High School in Delaware announced this week that it will name a new summer camp for low-income students after one of its students who killed in an auto accident last month. Tyler Brown, 17, of Woolwich Township, was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a tractor trailer March 12 in Delaware. Tyler's Camp will provide a place for 250 low-income students to learn and grow, while honoring the memory of a student who clearly made lasting positive impression during his years at Salesianum.

JEERS: To alarming reports of intruders in Gloucester County homes. Franklin Police reported a recent incident in which a woman found two men in her home. One claimed they were from the gas company. They weren't, of course, and the woman found items missing once they fled the home. In a March incident, thieves claiming to work for a water utility scammed their way into a senior's home in West Deptford, police reported, and fled with cash. Thankfully, the homeowners weren't injured in either case. These were daylight crimes and they are further reminders that we must all remain vigilant. Keep your doors locked and call the police if something doesn't seem right.

If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, please send the information to sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Philly man gets 5 years for selling cocaine in N.J.

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A Philadelphia man was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Jermina LewisJermina Lewish, 32 of Philadelphia, was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.  

WOODBURY -- A Philadelphia man was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for selling cocaine in New Jersey, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Jermina Lewis, 32, was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute after a two-day trial in January. His arrest came after a 2013 traffic stop for speeding on Route 55 in Mantua Township. Police found about 3.4 ounces of cocaine in his backpack, as well as a scale and $4.933 in cash.

Judge Robert P. Becker handed down the five-year sentence and revoked Lewis's bail.

 Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Meet the N.J. man who's been farming tomatoes for 80-plus years

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Domenick Cucinotta, 89, said this could be his last year working on his farm in Gibbstown.

In January, when 89-year-old Domenick Cucinotta planted the seeds that will become Jersey tomatoes in just a few weeks, he announced that this could be his last time planting.

"This is my last year," the lifelong farmer repeated Sunday while sitting in his trusty golf cart just outside one of his many greenhouses in Gibbstown.

But then he chuckled.

"I've been saying that for the last 10 years," Cucinotta said.

The Cucinotta farm on Memorial Avenue been in operation since the early 1900s.

Nicola Cucinotta, Domenick's father, left Italy in 1918 around the age of 18, and settled in Gibbstown.

"He bought 25 acres and a house on Broad Street," Domenick said. "He was about to lose that house, so he sold it, but kept the farm and built a two-room shack to live in."

Later, Nicola built the house that Domenick still calls home on Memorial Avenue.

When his father was 55, he developed Parkinson's Disease, and could no longer work.

That's when Domenick became a full-time farmer.

"I quit high school when I was 16," he said. "I had one horse and a barn."

Cucinotta farmed more than 100 acres of produce at the high of his farming career.

"Now we're down to 20 acres, and three and a half greenhouses," he said.

Cucinotta spends at least six hours a day in the greenhouses planting seeds, transplanting sprouts, and hand-watering every plant.

"Nothing is automatic here," he said. "It's all antique stuff."

Cucinotta's grandson Mike Cucinotta, 27,  said that his grandpop inspects each plant and waters each one individually.

"Everything is automatic now in most greenhouses," Mike said. "But he said that's not the way to go because each plant needs a different amount of water. Half of his day is spent watering everything by hand with a hose."

Mike said his grandpop inspects the soil in each tray and sprays water for between five and seven seconds, depending on how dry it looks.

"He says every plant deserves it's own attention," he said.

CucinottaDomenick Cucinotta waters each plant in his greenhouses individually and by hand. (Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com) 

The greenhouse's heating system -- which Cucinotta uses in late fall and early spring -- isn't modern either.

"If it gets too cold, a bell rings and wakes him up, then he comes in here until it heats back up," Mike said.

Mike, along with his brother Domenick Cucinotta, 28 -- also Cucinotta's grandson -- have been helping out on the farm since they were just children.

While Domenick has a career in film production -- but does still help out on the farm -- Mike took what he learned on the farm and let it inspire his career choice.

"I went to college for landscape architecture," he said. "I do urban gardening in the city. I make green roofs and green walls. When my clients in Philly want plants, I come here for them."

Domenick said his brother has combined the old fashion ways of their grandpop's farm, with the modern look of urban farming.

"He comes here for the plants and creates modern green spaces," the younger Domenick said. "I think it's pretty cool how he mixes the old with the new."

Farmer 2Domenick Cucinotta waters each of his plants individually by hand. (Photo provided) 

When asked why he continues to farm with his 90th birthday approaching in October and after two hip replacements, he simply said it's good for him.

"I do it for my health," he said.

But he also does it for the company.

"I enjoy the customers who come down," Cucinotta said, explaining that he still sells tomatoes, flowers, and other produce to retail and wholesale outlets throughout the area.

Cucinotta said friends and family constantly visit the farm to lend a helping hand.

"Everyone just stops by, rolls up their sleeves, and helps out," Mike said.

Cucinotta agreed, but has seen a decrease in visitors over the years.

"A lot of friends used to come here and hang out, and they all died on me," Cucinotta said.

So, while this year's crop grows, Cucinotta is sticking with his plan to retire.

"I have to stop," he said. But when asked what he would do if he didn't farm anymore, he just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

The farm may be smaller than it was in its heyday, but with the dedication of Cucinotta and his family, the planting and harvesting will most likely continue for many years to come.

Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

'Howl' about those hounds: Bassets parade along N.J. boardwalk (PHOTOS)

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More than 500 basset hounds participated in the 2016 BoardWaddle in Ocean City.

OCEAN CITY -- Dressed in a sparkling yellow top hat, Floppy, a 14-year-old basset hound, was ready to participate in his twelfth and final BoardWaddle parade Saturday afternoon.

The parade is just one of many activities -- visiting the dog beach in Somers Point, chowing down on a filet mignon dinner and having his first beer at dog-friendly Maynard's in Margate -- in a bucket list that owner Alan Lipschutz of Linwood had planned out for his hound over the weekend. Due to medical issues, Floppy will be euthanized Monday. 

The 31st annual Doo Dah Parade kicked off under blue skies and a chill in the air as Floppy and more than 500 fellow bassets took to the streets and waddled their way to the boardwalk.

The BoardWaddle, now in its 18th year, is the main fundraiser for the Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue and is the largest brigade participating in the Doo Dah Parade, the city's shore season kick-off event.

Mark Soifer, Ocean City's public relations director, was honored as the grand marshal of the parade. Soifer, who created the Doo Dah Parade along with numerous other special events in the city, is retiring after 45 years of service. 

Best in show: Dogs contend for top honors at Jersey Shore event

Dawn Randik made the trip down from Washington Township with her 5-year-old basset hound, Daisy Duke, who was dressed in a yellow and white daisy necklace.

"We wanted her to see the other dogs," said Randik, as they were about to walk in the parade for the first time.

Thousands of spectators lined the boardwalk, entertained first by Pitman's Original Hobo Band and other musical acts, before the much anticipated long-eared hounds brought up the rear.

As the dogs passed by, many in the crowd reached out for chance to pet one of the bassets and with any luck, a kiss to follow. 

Not long after the parade had ended, Lipschutz sat in the grass as Floppy happily ate a vanilla ice cream cone. "He's having a great day," he said, adding that chips and a hamburger were also on the day's menu. 

"We are just going to love him as much as we can."

If you would like to make a donation, become a foster parent or adopt a dog, visit www.tristatebassets.org.

Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @photogthawk. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

A year's too long for justice in N.J. police-custody death | Opinion

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Phillip White's family agonizes about what happened to a son, brother or father. It's a slap in the face when law enforcement should be doing all it can to restore community trust.

After one year and 17 days -- an eternity from the perspective of Phillip White's family -- the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office has not released the results of the investigation into White's death.

White, 32, was taken into custody by members of the Vineland Police Department on March 31, 2015, because he reportedly was "acting strangely and yelling in the street." The encounter was captured on cell phone video by several witnesses. White is not seen armed with any type of weapon. His death was ruled as having been caused by respiratory distress.

One video shows White face down in the street with a police officer straddling his back while punching him repeatedly, then telling a police dog to "sic him." The officer allowed the dog to bite repeatedly while maintaining a superior position on top of White. Witnesses are heard in the background shouting that White is unconscious and to call off the dog. I found it strange that during the video, White does not move nor utter a word. 

Conscious human beings have an instinctive reaction to aggressive dogs. They will fight or flee, and most certainly yell or scream after getting bitten. Phillip White showed no visible reaction to anything happening to him, a strong indicator that he was, as the witnesses claim, unconscious. 

To punch and then sic a police dog on a helpless man who is offering no resistance is reminiscent of what South African police did to Kaffirs during the Apartheid era. White's family, as well as the community, should know why he was arrested and how he wound up on the ground seemingly unconscious. They deserve to why the officer was sitting on top of White, striking him with his fist, when there was no apparent resistance. Why was the dog sent in to bite? Was the force that was used justifiable?

The failure to release any of this information serves to fuel suspicion of a cover-up and further heightens tension between the community and law enforcement in Cumberland County. What in the world could anyone still be investigating? 

I state with conviction that if a law enforcement officer had unfortunately been injured by someone else, this case would not be dragging on. It would be given the attention it deserved, and rightfully so. Phillip White deserves the exact same professionalism and consideration. As William E. Gladstone said, "Justice delayed is justice denied." White's worth should not be undervalued nor have his life marginalized by investigators who may be stalling for time, and hoping that people will forget and move on. 

Meanwhile, White's family agonizes about what happened to a son, brother or father. This is a slap in the face to the community at a time when law enforcement should be doing all it can to restore public trust. 

Phillip White was African-American. There is reason to believe the criminal justice system in this nation is broken into two segments, one for whites and another for everyone else. If officials desire those in the black community to trust the police and partner with them, they truly must make justice blind. "White privilege" must be eliminated. Unfortunately, when race, ethnicity and culture intersect with law enforcement, different results are the norm. 

Officials have justified use the of lethal police force in the "choke-hold" case of Eric Garner, unarmed and selling loose cigarettes in New York City, and in the case of Tamir Rice, just a kid playing in a Cleveland park with a replica pellet gun. The jury is still out in the case of Freddie Gray, who died of injuries a year ago in the back of a Baltimore police van.  

And, Phillip White loses his life under very suspicious circumstances. 

Compare these cases to that of Dylann Roof, a white shooter who entered a predominantly black Charleston, S.C., church, and is charged with murdering nine worshippers. When police tracked him down, they brought him back alive and unharmed. News reports say they stopped at Burger King and bought the suspect a Whopper and fries -- because he was hungry.

Those officers apprehending Roof acted courteously, and no lethal force was used. What happens to this "Officer Friendly" mind set when the suspect is an unarmed black man?

Milton W. Hinton Jr. is director of equal opportunity for the Gloucester County government. He is past president of the Gloucester County Branch NAACP. His column states his personal views, not those of any organization or agency. Email: mwhjr678@gmail.com.

A need for more men volunteers; notes from the mailbag | Bob Shryock

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Susan Kagan, a Washington Township resident, writes about an "issue of need" in Gloucester County.

HEADSHOTS Bob Shryock.JPGBob Shryock 

From the mailbag:

Received a nice note from Salem resident John Keith Davis about Dr. Eugene Thamon Simpson, retired Rowan University music professor who has established a national spirituals competition.

Davis said the column "took me back" to 1977 when he was an undergraduate performance major in classical guitar at what was then Glassboro State College.

"After nearly flunking my junior recital my guitar professor sought to have me removed from the performance degree program. I was sort of sent to the principal's office. That's when I met Dr. Simpson, who was in charge at the time. I was 19 and quite worried about my future.

"A fellow music student had recently thrown a brick through one of the beautiful windows in the new music building after not getting her way on some issue with the music department. After shaking hands at our meeting the first thing Dr. Simpson said, in jest, was 'Are you going to break a window, also?'

"I'm so grateful for the calm counsel Dr. Simpson provided to one scared guitar major.

"I patched things up with my professor and with a lot of work and help actually passed my senior recital and received by B.S. in musical performance in 1978.

"Somewhat ironically, I eventually became a Christian and today play pretty much only gospel folk music including many spirituals.

"I was so glad to hear of Dr. Simpson's accomplishments, but when I thought i over, I wasn't surprised at all. From the start, he was a great musician and man. Thanks for the memories."

---

Susan Kagan, a Washington Township resident, writes about an "issue of need" in Gloucester County:

"There are many kids in foster care in this county who could use some positive male role modeling. I have just become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Gloucester County and I see a need for men in the community to help many of these boys who are hurting in foster care. They need some time with good, healthy, positive men.

"There is a little boy, M, who I am advocating for, who has only women in important roles in his life. His father is absent and there is only one pastor who is infrequently involved. 'M' is in second grade and dresses up in a shirt and tie every day to go to school. He does this because he wants to be a man and only can imagine that this is part of the way. Except for the principal at his elementary school and his pastor, he doesn't see many men in shirt and tie.

"He and I are calling out to men in Gloucester County to please step up and help."

Call CASA at 609-502-7592.

___

Nick Dalsey, Foundation Assistant Director at Inspira, is leaving his Woodbury post next month to take the position of Outreach Specialist with Cooper Bone & Joint at Inspira Medical Center Woodbury.

"Nick made quite a lasting impact during his three years with the Foundation," said Allison Kulak, Inspira Woodbury Foundation executive director. "During his time here, he has proven that his superb writing ability, Excel wizardry, and ability  to connect with people are second to none. He helped lead many events to success."

Bob Shryock may be reached at bshryock@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.



Change necessary for N.J. coin-counting machines | Editorial

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The stakes may be penny-ante, but customers who shake coins into these devices deserve a fair shake.

Even medium-size and small banks are big enough to fail.

What they've failed, along with some retail stores, are numerous recent media tests of their public coin-counting machines.

As in the bad, old Las Vegas, some machines are "skimming" -- returning less of the "win" than they're supposed to. 

Empty $89.90 in loose coins into the tray, and you're supposed to get $89.90 as a voucher, or $89 in bills plus 90 cents in change. (That's unless the machine owner charges a fee.) No one except Rain Man can calculate accurately on sight how much is in their coin jar, which is why people flock to these devices.

Our own, small nj.com South Jersey test involved three machines at a small bank, a large bank and a supermarket. One bank gave us an extra 17 cents. The other bank counted accurately, but also extracted a 5 percent non-depositor fee. A supermarket Coinstar kiosk gave back only $31.39 of the $32 turned in, while charging a hefty 10.9 percent counting fee -- though we found 48 cents that the machine had rejected in the tray.

Other reports showed wider variances, particularly at TD Bank, a mid-size regional bank with a big chunk of South Jersey's consumer deposits. A few years ago, TD took over Commerce Bank, the local institution that rewrote the customer-service bank book -- weekend hours, fee-free personal checking and, yes, "Penny Arcade" machines in the lobby that anyone could use for free. (The bank has since imposed counting fees on non-depositors.) 

Philadelphia's WPVI-TV found that only one of 17 of the coin devices it tested returned the correct amount of money. When the "Today Show" also found shortchanging at some TD locations, the bank took all of its coin counters out of service for re-testing -- even though a TD spokesperson told NBC that the machines were supposed to be cleaned and tested "twice daily."

We don't want the machines to go away permanently. They still beat having to tightly wrap pennies into tight rolls of 50 if you want your friendly neighborhood bank teller to accept them.

In New Jersey, there's at least some consumer protection. County weights and measures departments test the commercial machines, that is, the Coinstar and similar booths. But there's a loophole: No outside inspection is required for bank-owned machines on bank premises.

It makes us wonder whether commercial depositors with much more than a single coin jar are getting a fair shake. Accuracy is even more vital to small businesses with bags of change from convenience-item sales and vending machines. Who checks the banks' behind-the-counter devices that count this money? What about the "bill-breaker" machines in Atlantic City casinos?

TD/Commerce cleverly coined the "Penny Arcade" name, but consumers shouldn't need to play a boardwalk game of chance to use them. If any of these coin counters are untested and unregulated, empower county weights-and-measures or other appropriate agencies to add them to their inspection rounds.

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

Girl, 4, shot and killed by brother, 5, report says

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The gun used in the Philadelphia tragedy belonged to the the mother's boyfriend, a report says.

UPDATE: This story has taken another twist. A report new says that the 4-year-old girl's father has admitted to police that he accidentally shot his little daughter. The girl's 5-year-old brother was not involved as originally thought.

A young girl was shot by her little brother and killed in what appears to be a tragic accident at their Philadelphia home, a report says.

Police tapeA report says a girl was shot by her brother in Philadelphia. (File Photo)

The shooting took place in the city's Kensington neighborhoodA around 2:30p.m. Saturday.

According to 6ABC, the gun used belonged to the boyfriend of the mother of the children who fled the home after the incident.

The little girl was shot once in the chest, according to the report.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"She was a sweet, loving, little girl," family friend Crystal Dougherty told 6 ABC. "She was full of life. She was always willing to help. She was a great big sister to her little brother."

The report said the girl lived in the Mayfield Street home with her mother, father and six siblings.

Man, vehicle unintended shooting targets

Neighbors said the unidentified girl's mother was very protective of her daughter.

Police were said to be questioning a suspect Sunday morning, but it was not clear if it was the mother's boyfriend, 6 ABC said.

The weapon used has been recovered.

Philadelphia homicide investigators are still trying to piece together what happened.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes.A Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Woodbury Relays: Paulsboro, Kingsway girls track turn in strong performances; Penns Grove boys excel in jumps

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WOODBURY – The Paulsboro girls track and field team's 4x100 relay squad has been so fixated on trying to break the school’s record that it broke another one, almost by a...

WOODBURY – The Paulsboro girls track and field team's 4x100 relay squad has been so fixated on trying to break the school’s record that it broke another one, almost by a...

3 found dead in house after standoff with police ends, report says

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Two men and one woman were all found shot in the head in the Philadelphia home, a report says.

Three people were discovered dead in a Philadelphia home Sunday where a man had held police at bay for several hours, a report says.

SWATThree people were found shot to death in Philadelphia. (File Photo)

The incident took place on East Westmoreland Street in the city's Kensington neighborhood, according to CBS Philly.

Reports say it all began around 3:45 a.m. when police got a 911 call about a man shot in his arm.

Then more calls came in abut a shooting on Westmoreland Street inside a home about a block away from the first incident, the report said.

When officers arrived at that home a man inside refused to open the door for them, said he had shot someone inside and wasn't coming out, CBS Philly reported.

The man said he had a shotgun.

A barricade scene was declared and SWAT teams were called.

Man indicted for allegedly killing cousin

Suddenly, the man surrendered.

Reports said when officers entered the house they found two men and a woman who had all been shot in the head.

They were declared dead at the scene.

Police didn't immediately release the identities of the victims or say what the motive may have been.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimesFind NJ.com on Facebook.

Father now admits he fatally shot his 4-year-old daughter, report says

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Originally police thought the girl's brother, 5, had shot her, a report says. Her father later turned himself in to police.

In a bizarre twist in a sad case, a Philadelphia man had admitted to police that he accidentally shot and killed his 4-year-old daughter, a report says

Police tapeA father had admitted he shot his young daughter. (File Photo)

This all happened in the city's Kensington section around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, according to 6ABC.

Originally police had thought the girl's 5-year-old brother had shot his sister. Now they say that's not the case.

The weapon, which belonged to the girl's father, was recovered.

The girl was reportedly shot in her chest.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The unidentified father fled the house after the shooting, but turned himself in to Philadelphia police last night, 6ABC said.

Neighbors said the unidentified girl's mother was very protective of her daughter.

Unintended target in Bridgeton shooting

"She was a sweet, loving, little girl," family friend Crystal Dougherty told 6 ABC. "She was full of life. She was always willing to help. She was a great big sister to her little brother."

The girl lived in the Mayfield Street home with her mother, father and six siblings.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimesFind NJ.com on Facebook.

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