GREENWICH -- Meet over 85 artisans at the 44th Annual Artisans' Faire and Marketplace. This rain or shine event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27, on the grounds of the historic 1730 Gibbon House, 960 Ye Greate Street in Greenwich (Cumberland County). Admission is $5 for adults with free admission for children 12 and under with free parking for all. Craft hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Take a step back in time when you stroll around and meet the many artisans and craftspeople. Visit with the demonstrators that help bring yesteryear alive. From blacksmithing to chair caning, from unsettling stories of 18th century surgery and to interaction with the Revolutionary War reenactors, you are sure to find something to pique your interest.  

A wet plate photographer will demonstrate Civil War era photography. There will be demonstrations and explanations of water gilding, French polishing and finishing techniques. Bring a small, wooden item and diagnose its finish problem(s). Free verbal valuations on your antique clocks, watches, and all periods of furniture, silver and decorative arts will be available, too.

Interest in and respect for historic cemeteries will be a topic for a presentation. Children will be able to participate in the reenactment of the tea burning party, join the Continental Army and crank on an antique corn mill and grinder to turn corn into cornmeal.

The WheatonArts Traveling Glassblowers will demonstrate traditional glassmaking and answer questions. Free 45-minute walking tours along Ye Greate Street will be available and the various museums of the historical society will all be open this weekend. The Schooner A.J.Meerwald  (New Jersey's official Tall Ship) will be docked nearby at Hancock's Harbor. For prices and sailing times, call 856-785-2060.

For more information about the Faire, call 856-455-8580 or visit, cchistsoc.org.

DEPTFORD TWP. -- Representatives of all branches of the Armed Forces, along with police and firefighters, will compete to see who can stand at attention for the longest time on Saturday at Deptford Mall.

The Stand at Attention Competition is a fundraiser for Active Heroes, a national group that raises awareness of the high veteran suicide rate among U.S. soldiers.

Sara Kucharski, leader of the Deptford competition, said this is the first time the event is being held in the Northeast. Stand at Attention began in 2010 in North Carolina and went national last year.

Kucharski, a first lieutenant in the New Jersey Air National Guard, works as a community health educator nurse for the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services.

She already participates in Active Heroes programs and saw Stand at Attention as another way to help.

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RELATED: N.J. man leads challenge to highlight issue of veteran suicides

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"I'm always looking for ways to do charity work, especially for veterans," she said. "I saw that no one had done it in the Northeast and I wanted to jump at the opportunity."

The program will begin at 10 a.m., with representatives of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and police and fire departments taking up positions in front of Macy's. Spectators can donate with cash or credit card to the participant of their choice. That participant will salute each donor.

The last person standing at 8 p.m. will be declared the winner. If more than one is still standing, the one who raised the most money is declared the winner.

Highlights of the day will include patriotic music, giveaways for kids and an 11 a.m. ceremony that will feature live performances of God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner by 5-year-old vocalist Isabella Legatie from Audubon. A closing ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Competitors will get five-minute breaks each hour, along with opportunities to eat lunch and use the restroom, Kucharski said.

While many cannot imagine standing for 10 hours, military training is key in this sort of challenge.

"It's all mental," Kucharski explained. "That's the kind of training we get."

Active Heroes provides services to active military members, veterans and families to help cope with issues related to PTSD. All of the group's fundraisers and outreach efforts are intended to bring awareness to the grim statistic that an average of 22 military veterans commit suicide each day.

Funds raised through Stand at Attention will support construction of a military family retreat to help veterans struggling with PTSD.

Those interested in learning more about the program and contributing to the Saturday effort can contact Kucharski at 609-352-7848, email her at sara.kucharski@activeheroes.org or visit Active Heroes online.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Salem Fraternal Order of Eagles will host its 5th annual golf outing on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Wild Oaks Golf Course, 75 Wild Oaks Drive in Quinton.

Registration at the course from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Format -- Better Ball. Extras -- Longest Drive Hole, regular and senior, and closest to the pin.

Cost is $80 per golfer, $320 per foursome. Make all checks payable to F.O.E. 1966.

Includes 18 Holes, golf cart, beverages, lunch, golf and door prizes.

Lunch and prizes following golf at Salem Eagles, 232 East Broadway in Salem.

Rain date to be determined. For sign-ups call, Tink Boon at 856-935-2854, Nat Wygor at 856-935-6413 or call the Salem Eagles 856-935-2357 after 3 p.m.

 

File Photo 

WEST DEPTFORD -- A 3-year-old boy was hospitalized Wednesday evening after almost drowning in a swimming pool, according to police.

The boy was swimming at a house on Middlesex Avenue, authorities said.

He was pulled from the pool and taken to Cooper Medical Center in Camden.

MORE: Retired cop and sheriff's deputy rescue girl from near drowning

His condition is not known.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

WOODBURY -- Attorneys interviewed potential jurors from a pool of more than 100 people on Wednesday as jury selection began for the trial of James Stuart, a Deptford Township police officer charged with the murder of his friend, David Compton. By the end of the day, however, a final lineup had yet to be established.

John Eastlack, defense attorney, predicted last week that jury selection could take weeks, and on Wednesday, Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton concurred that it could be a lengthy process.

"I don't know when we'll have a jury," she said during a short recess, declining to discuss the matter further.

RELATED: Police officer accused of shooting, killing friend rejects plea deal

Wednesday marked the beginning of court proceedings that have been more than two years in the making. James Stuart was 29 years old in January of 2013 when he called a dispatch phone line to report the shooting that occurred in his home. According to recordings of his call, Stuart said at the time that it was an accident, and that Compton was playing with his service weapon. Eastlack said later that Stuart's blood alcohol content was .19 at the time. Compton died from his injuries less than a week later and Stuart was charged with murder, aggravated manslaughter and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Stuart listened in to juror interviews on a pair of headphones Wednesday while administrative staff played white noise over the courtroom's PA system -- a move intended to protect the privacy of those being interviewed.

"In short, the idea is to select a fair jury," said Judge Robert Becker, further explaining that jurors were to act as "judges of the facts."

The interview process included several questions about any relatives or loved ones jurors may have working in law enforcement, as well as questions about their feelings on gun ownership. One question focused on whether prospective jurors had ever been to Lazy Lanigan's, the Washington Township bar where Stuart and Compton had spent part of their evening the night Compton died. Those with previous knowledge of the case based on media reports were excused from duty.

Among the roughly 40 people excused from serving on the jury Wednesday were a woman related to a retired police chief, a University of Pennsylvania chemist and a member of the media. By 4:30 p.m., nearly half of the pool had been sent home.

Becker said that law enforcement officials and public employees from Deptford -- most notably Sgt. Ed Kiermeier and police dispatcher Patricia Warlow -- could possibly testify, along with several medical professionals and Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office detectives who investigated the case.

Becker also estimated that once the trial begins, the entire proceedings would take between 10 and 13 days. The court's trial days are limited to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, however, meaning proceedings are expected to stretch into October.

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

MONROE TWP. -- A township woman is charged with attempted murder after she allegedly shot her husband in a dispute at their home on Tuesday night, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Pamela G. Maddox, 53, of Monroe Township, is charged with attempted murder in the shooting of her husband. (Salem County Correctional Facility) 

Teddy Maddox, 44, was shot twice in the shoulder, suffering non-life-threatening injuries. His wife, Pamela G. Maddox, 53, is jailed on $150,000 bail.

An argument at the couple's Ironwood Drive home apparently stemmed from a workplace incident, authorities said. The Maddoxes both work at a laboratory in Pennsylvania.

After the shooting, Teddy Maddox took the gun from his wife and went to a neighbor's house to get help, authorities said. The neighbor called police around 10:45 p.m.

Teddy Maddox was transported to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, where he is listed in stable condition.

Pamela Maddox was arrested without incident at the couple's home. Police retrieved a handgun from bushes outside the home.

The Maddoxes were alone in the home at the time of the shooting, according to the prosecutor's office.

Pamela Maddox is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, threat to kill, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. The weapon was described as a .38-caliber handgun.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

South Jersey Times 

ALLOWAY TWP.

-- 37 Lakeview Dr., Robert A. and Karen L. Hennessy to Daniel C. and Susan A. Bestwick for $325,000.

BRIDGETON

-- 131 Bridgeton Ave., Brenda Lee Hoover to Peterson Ad Enterprises Inc. for $55,000.

CARNEYS POINT TWP.

-- 289 C. St., Housing and Urban Development to Robert and Theresa Cannizzaro for $36,250.

DEPTFORD TWP.

-- 48 Moore Ave., Stephen D. and Kelsi A. Carle to Jennifer Olli for $161,000.

-- 120 Redtail Hawk Circle, NVR Inc. to DeRosa Decor LLC for $286,301.

EAST GREENWICH TWP.

-- 143 Sunset Dr., Carl P. and Catherine Vicere to Frederick J. Volpe for $271,000.

ELSINBORO TWP.

-- 24 Slape Ave., Antonette and Paul Bagliani to Kristin Ausland for $292,000.

GLASSBORO

-- 301 Cornell Road, Royhead LLC to Fabrizio and Laura Flaiano for $144,000.

GREENWICH TWP. (CUMBERLAND CO.)

-- 290 Tindall Island, Nationstar Mortgage LLC to John T. Serabian for $47,000.

HARRISON TWP.

-- 81 High St., Joseph C. and Marcia R. Rosenberg to John C. Krowicki for $267,500.

-- 300 Ewan Road, Four Parcels Inc. to Michael D. Boone and Kelly Burgess for $65,000.

HOPEWELL TWP.

-- 91 Beebe Run Road, Barrett Griner Jr. to Richard Ferrell Jr. for $3,500.

LAWRENCE TWP.

-- 82 Paris Road, Jeannie Stefanski to New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection for $85,214.

MANTUA TWP.

-- 142 Crescent Hollow Dr., Kevin S. and Christina A. Boody to Colby M. Bryszewski and Whitney R. Clemmer for $233,000.

MILLVILLE

-- 13 DuMont Dr., Sherwood Forest Homes LLC to Nelson Flores Jr. for $189,900.

MONROE TWP.

-- 627 Schoolhouse Road, Charlene Bosco to Michael A. and Charity Semeraro for $258,000.

PENNSVILLE TWP.

-- 55 Sparks Ave., Lewis Ficcadenti to Matthew J. McCafferty for $115,900.

-- 11 Jones Ave., Anne J. Buechler by power of attorney to Jeffrey A. and Debra L. Harder for $110,000.

-- 80 Fort Mott Road, Delores D. Nelson to Wayne C. and Maureen Lewis for $167,500.

-- 112 Dartmouth Road, Patti R. Gibbons to Debbie A. Myers for $145,000.

PILESGROVE TWP.

-- 19 Two Penny Run, Daniel C. and Susan A. Bestwick to David Colubriale for $360,000.

PITTSGROVE TWP.

-- 37 Central Ave., Vincent and Naomi Hahn to Robert and Alyssa Winnberg for $186,600.

QUINTON TWP.

-- 643 Haines Neck Road, Ernest F. Tark Jr. and Maxine Rauch to Gregory and Jessica E. Peck for $275,000.

-- 21 Lake Ave., Trevor J. and Kristin Nixon to Sean R. and Kimberly Dennis for $132,000.

SALEM

-- 184 Griffith St., Crestar Real Estate Investments LLC to Christian Ford for $9,000.

-- 205 Pine Ave., Carol L. Myers, executrix, to XS Properties LLC for $5,000.

SWEDESBORO

-- 415 Guest Ave., Jillian Rivera and Robert J. Pacilli to John B. Rivera and Jillian Rivera for $200,000.

UPPER DEERFIELD TWP.

-- 84 Centerton Road, William Tomlinson to Jamie L. Denero for $156,500.

-- 28 Partidge Court, Barbara Travis to A. Paul Kienzle Jr. for $225,000.

-- 35 Johns Way, Gerald C. Ward Jr. to Christian Diaz for $225,000.

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP.

-- 15 Woodstown-Daretown Road, Wayne C. and Mauren Lewis to Christopher R. Heritage for $245,000.

VINELAND

-- 500 E. Landis Ave., Vineland Construction Co. to 500 East Landis Vineland LLC for $503,144.

-- 2513 Barry Dr., Maryam Nassiri to Karita Golestaneh for $120,000.

-- 1784 Pats Lane, Craig David Conserva to Miriam J. Jamil for $239,900.

-- 706 Tulip St., Darlene Inferrea to Jacob Leifer for $42,500.

-- 2799 Medina St., Sherwood Forest Homes LLC to Eric J. Cassidy for $248,900.

-- 1072 E. Park Ave., Bank of New York Mellon to Evelyn Carrion for $83,847.50.

-- 231 W. Oak Road, Barbara A. Milburn to Edwin Soto for $46,000.

-- 544 E. Plum St., Luis Antonio Rodriguez to Marilee Negron for $147,000.

-- 1535 Shadow Lane, Dolores Horrigan to Leroy Beers for $230,000.

-- 4183 E. Chestnut Ave., Silvio Gullo to Mark Vassalotti for $273,500.

-- 1735 Garwood Lane, Thomas Biggs to Chad Muessig for $236,000.

WASHINGTON TWP.

-- 78 Meeting House Lane, Joanne Branco to Anthony Musitano for $146,000.

-- 14 Neville Court, Joseph P. Schiavo, Vincent C. Schiavo and Robert A. Schiavo to Joseph P. Schiavo for $120,000.

WEST DEPTFORD TWP.

-- 16 Beech Place, Cal and Kathy B. Zenner to John Lewandowski for $185,000.

-- 622 Worchester Dr., Brian J. Haring and Ellen M. Hartnett to Matthew and Stephanie Martucci for $310,000.

-- 1125 Lawnton Ave., Nicholas M. Gabriele III to Michael Reid for $128,000.

WOODBURY

-- 224 S. Warner St., Tabelko LLC to Kenya Galloway for $138,000.

WOODBURY HEIGHTS

-- 117 Vanderbilt Ave., Gregory Poda to Douglas R. Sharp and Michele Riordan for $196,000.

WOOLWICH TWP.

-- 37 Embassy Dr., David E. and Lorraine F. Mullen to Edward A. and Terri M. Lemon for $370,000.

South Jersey Times may be reached at sjnews@njadvancemedia.com. Follow us on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

WEST DEPTFORD TWP. -- After receiving a call for a suspicious vehicle in a Wawa parking lot, officers arrested two people on various drug charges on Aug. 30, police said.

Lance Moore, 27, of Paulsboro, and Gina Lotierzo, 27, of Sewell, were charged with distribution of narcotics, distributuon of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of heroin.

They were both placed in Salem County Correctional Facility.

Other police news reported in West Deptford:

• William Wirbick, 25, of Westville, was arrested on Crown Point Road for driving while intoxicated on Aug. 29. He was issued summonses and released pending a court appearance.
• Linda Lemar, 54, of Sicklerville, was arrested on Delaware Street Aug. 29 for hindering and contempt. She posted bail and was released pending court.
• Sophap R. Poul, 24, of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, was arrested for DWI after failing to maintain his lane of travel on Kings Highway on Aug. 30. He was released pending court.
• Amanda Macrolong, 30, of National Park, was charged with hindering the apprehension of another by confirming information provided to police for Trevor Hunt, 31, of Woodbury Heights, which she knew was false. Hunt was also charged with hindering apprehension. Both were issued summonses and released pending court.
• Cierra Shakespeare, 25, of Vineland, was charged with hindering apprehension on Crown Point Road on Sept. 2. She was issued a summons and released pending court.
• John Dobleman, 48, of Gloucester City, was arrested for hindering apprehension and outstanding warrants on Sept. 2. He was placed in Camden County Jail.
• Deon Higgins, 41, of Delaware, was arrested as a fugitive from justice on Sept. 3 after his vehicle was pulled over on Interstate 295 for a motor vehicle violation. He was turned over to the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office.
• Stacy Zubec, 36, of Gibbstown, was arrested for DWI on Crown Point Road on Sept. 3. She was issued a summons and released pending further court action.
• Yashira Sanchez, 30, of Camden, was arrested on Crown Point Road for outstanding warrants, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic needles. She was turned over to Cherry Hill Police Department.

• Timothy R. Ranger, 35, of West Deptford, was arrested for shoplifting and on outstanding warrants on Sept. 5. Police responded to Wawa on Crown Point Road for a reported shoplifting. Ranger was accused of taking two sandwiches and leaving the store without paying. He posted bail and was released pending court.
• James A. Jones, 34, of Gibbstown, was arrested on Ogden Road for driving while intoxicated on Sept. 5. He was issued summonses and released pending court.
• Kimberly Moody-McElwee, 40, of Camden, was arrested on Interstate 295 for outstanding warrants and possession of marijuana on Sept. 5. She posted bail and was released pending court.
• Darrian J. Brooks, 19, of Penns Grove, was arrested on Interstate 295 for possession of drug paraphernalia on Sept. 5. He was issued a summons and released pending court.
• On Aug. 30, a Holly Drive resident reported a silver Mongoose mountain bike stolen from under a carport.
• On Aug. 31, someone entered a vehicle parked at the N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission and stole a silver HP laptop and a black Samsung tablet. The items were valued at $500 each.
• On Aug. 31, a red Craftsman push mower valued at $120 and a pink plastic toy box valued at $40 were reported stolen from an unlocked trailer.
• On Sept. 4, a homeowner reported that someone entered a vacant residence on Virginia Avenue and removed 12-to-15 feet of copper pipe.

 

 

In a series called Scenes from South Jersey, the South Jersey Times photographers are showcasing images that they see throughout their travels around the area.

These images might be a moment at a news assignment or just something that catches the eye of the photographer going from assignment to assignment. Here is what caught our eye the weeks of Aug. 23-Sept. 5.

Atlantic City was busy last week as the 2016 Miss America Competition began with the Arrival Ceremony at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk. The next day a huge crowd packed the beach to watch the 2015 Atlantic City Airshow, "Thunder over the Boardwalk."

Related: Scenes from South Jersey: Aug. 9-Aug. 22 (PHOTOS)

As Jesse Bair was photographing the Washington Township High School football team practice, the silhouette of one of the players against the setting sun caught his eye.

While photographing the repainting of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, 44 stories above the Delaware River, Lori M. Nichols noticed the shadow of a worker as he carried a piece of scaffolding away from the base of one of the bridge towers after the repainting of this tower was completed. 

Do you know of an area worthy of a great photo? Do you have photos of your own you'd like to share? Post them in the comments portion below.

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

PHILADELPHIA -- If you planned on walking to see Pope Francis during his upcoming visit to Philadelphia, camping out about two miles away from the site of Sunday's Mass sounds like a pretty good deal.

A spot at Francis Fields Campground, located north of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in East Fairmount Park, can be yours for around $100 to $200 if you don't plan on arriving in an RV camping vehicle.

"Francis Fields Campground will offer an enjoyable, secure, outdoor alternative housing option for those who've made the pilgrimage to Philadelphia in celebration of Pope Francis's visit to the World Meeting of Families," according to the group's website.

Up to 16,000 people will be able to stay at the site, which is a roughly 1.8-mile walk along the Schuylkill River and north of the Philadelphia Zoo. For reference, the walk from downtown Camden to the Philadelphia Museum of Art is approximately 4.5 miles away and takes more than an hour and a half to complete.

Amenities at the monitored campground include bathrooms, showers, food vendors, grills, charging stations and a general store.

Tickets are also being offered through the official World Meeting of Families website. According to the website for the camp grounds, a general access wristband is $199, a pass that allows you to bring your vehicle into the site in $109, a tent-only parking pass is $99 and an RV mobile home pass is $999.

City residents hoping to rent out their rooms during the papal visit via online services like Airbnb have seen a lack of demand. The average price for a room was around $400 as of late last month. Airbnb officials suggested slashing that asking price in half if they expected to rent their properties out.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

WEST DEPTFORD TWP. -- A 3-year-old who nearly drowned in a swimming pool Wednesday evening is listed in critical but stable condition, according to township police.

The boy was swimming at a Middlesex Avenue home around 5 p.m. He was pulled from the pool and taken to Cooper Medical Center in Camden.

RELATED: 3-year-old boy hospitalized after near drowning in West Deptford

As of Thursday morning the boy was stable, Police Chief Sam DiSimone said. 

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

 

 

To the Editor:

After reading many comments against the way Verizon provides land-line telephone services in South Jersey, add my complaint - and include Atlantic Electric, too.

(Associated Press) 

Last fall, Atlantic Electric began utility pole replacement in Washington Township's Whitman Square development. At the start, they installed 11 new utility polls on Whitman Drive north of Johnson Road. Then they stopped. 

Both the new and old utility poles stood in place, and nothing was done with the unsightly mess at the base of the new poles. When I complained to Atlantic Electric, I was told that removal of the old poles is the responsibility of Verizon, which must coordinate the transfer of its land lines to the new poles, then removes the old ones. I learned that Verizon would not begin its work until this past spring, at which time Atlantic Electric would resume replacing old poles with new ones.

Finally, work started. But, then we had the "macroburst" storm this June, which disturbed some of the schedule. The new electricity poles have now been installed, but between the Black Horse Pike and Whitman Drive, 20 of the old poles have been cut to half-size, waiting for Verizon.

The scene makes a resident wonder what kind of a make-work project this is.

Even more interesting was that in a separate project, gas mains were replaced all over Whitman Square, with new connections extended to every house. This was accomplished in a non-disruptive manor with proper housekeeping in a matter of months - not even close to a year. 

Adherence to above-ground utility service for telephone and electricity is certainly out of date. If we have another macroburst or derecho, I wonder how many poles will be replaced and how much wire will be wasted. Business as usual?

Gerald Keer

Turnersville

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

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -  No one has been roaming the halls of Whitman Elementary School longer than fourth-grade teacher Kimberly Haines. Haines was a kindergartener in 1965, when the building was opened, and has worked as a teacher at the school since 1997.

Superintendent of Washington Township Public Schools Joe Bollendorf congratulated the Whitman Elementary School staff on the school's 50th anniversary.COURTESY PHOTO 

Because of her unique connection, she was given the privilege of cutting a ribbon in a ceremony that opened Whitman's 50th anniversary year. The ceremony took place in front of the school prior to the students' arrival for the first day of school.

"I would like to thank the entire faculty and staff, both current and retired," said Principal Ray Anderson, who also attended the school as a child. "Your hard work, dedication, and the kindness that you show our students each day, is indeed recognized and appreciated.

At Whitman, we take our mission to educate our students very seriously and will stop at nothing to provide excellence in our classrooms each and every day. Thank you from all students -- past, present and future -- for 50 years of outstanding education."

Following the ribbon-cutting, the Whitman School staff donned commemorative T-shirts that read "50th Anniversary - Paving the Way to Success - 1965-2015" and posed for a group photo.

 

DEPTFORD TWP. -- Officials from all of South Jersey gathered at Rowan College at Gloucester County on Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new $2 million expansion of the college's Law and Criminal Justice Center.

The new 5,604-square foot addition features forensic laboratories, two classrooms and a faculty/adjunct office. The county contributed nearly $500,000 toward the project with the rest funded through the state higher education construction bond.

"This expansion we are witnessing today was needed to provide a modern space for the students who seek degrees in training and certificate program in the criminal justice field," said Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert Damminger.

A memorial hall was also displayed Thursday to honor those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks as well as military and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. It features artifacts from 9/11, including a steel I-beam from the twin towers, rubble from the Pentagon and dirt from the ground where Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

MORE: Rowan College at Gloucester County, Deptford High School creates Spartan School of Business

Nicholas Cozzi and Sean Dempsey, both sophomores criminal justice majors at RCGC, attended the event and said they were looking forward to the expansion.

"It's got newer technology," Dempsey said. "There's a smartboard; it's more up-to-date technology."

Cozzi said the updates make everything a lot easier for students and teachers.

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney also attended the event and said the expansion was "a great day for Gloucester County."

Officials then cut the ribbon in the memorial hall to celebrate the opening of the facility.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

A lineup of 13 women and three men were selected from hundreds of potential jurors for the trial of James Stuart, charged with murder in the death of David Compton.

WOODBURY -- After two days of interviews and questionnaires, jury selection wrapped up Thursday for the trial of a Deptford police officer accused of murdering his friend.

A final group of 13 women and three men were selected from hundreds of potential jurors for the trial of James Stuart, who is charged with murder in the death of David Compton. Although the jury itself will consist of only 12 people, Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton explained that attorneys added four alternate jurors instead of the usual two because of the length of the trial.

Judge Robert Becker said the proceedings would take anywhere from nine to 13 days, meaning that with court meeting three days a week, the trial would likely end in early October. Neither the prosecution nor the defense would comment Thursday.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 5, 2013, a then-29-year-old Stuart called a dispatch phone line to report that there had been a shooting in his home. Stuart can be heard saying on a recording of the call that the shot was an accident, and that Compton had been playing with his service weapon at the time. Stuart's defense attorney, John Eastlack, later said that the defendant had a blood alcohol level of .19 that night. Compton died of his injuries several days after the shooting.

More than two years later, the case is coming to trial.

RELATED: Trial for N.J. cop charged with murder to start this week

"I understand and appreicate the sacrifice you're making for a trial this long," Becker told the new jurors. He then issued the standard warnings against speaking to media or any other unauthorized person about the case. A possibly damaging conversation could "start with a single sentence, even an innocent one," said Becker.

Jurors are even forbidden from looking up the crime scene on a map.

"You're not going to do any research. You're not investigators," the judge continued.

Those selected represented a wide range of lifestyles and backgrounds. They range from recent college graduates to retirees, from blue collar workers to graduate degree holders. The interview process had included questions about the jurors' feelings on guns, relationships with law enforcement officials and even whether they had ever been to Lazy Lanigan's, the bar where Compton and Stuart were said to be drinking the night of the shooting.

Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday.

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

As part of its commitment in creating a campus free of sexual assault, Rowan University recently announced new initiatives to address the issue of sexual assault, gender harassment, assault and abuse.

GLASSBORO -- Roughly one in five college women and one in 16 college men will experience some form of unwanted sexual contact, according to the National Institute of Justice.

As college students embark on a new year, universities throughout the country continue to examine sexual assault on campus and ways in which it can be best addressed.

Rowan University recently announced new initiatives to address sexual assault, gender harassment, assault and abuse.

The university believes it is staying ahead of other colleges throughout the country in both preventing sexual assault on campus and treating victims and trauma.

There was an increase in on-campus sexual assault incidents at Rowan University in 2013, according to the college's annual crime report.

"While we may never be able to completely eliminate sexual violence on campuses, we are committed to creating a culture where everyone knows it is completely unwelcome here. None of us can be complacent on this issue," said Dr. Ali A. Houshmand, president of Rowan University, in a news release.

Here are some of the college's initiatives it says are proactive measures in its commitment to creating a campus free of sexual assault.

1. Confidential reporting

All communication with medical staff at the university is confidential.

In addition, the university offers a confidential "integrity hotline" that allows students to anonymously report abuse and harassment on campus. To reach the 24-hour hotline call 855-431-9967 or visit www.rowan.edu/integrityline.

The university Counseling and Psychological Services also offers a 24-hour confidential crisis call line at 856-256-4922.

The Rowan Wellness Center is also held to a strict standard of ensuring victims' anonymity and keeping reports confidential if that is what a victim requests.

2. Education

In October, the university said it will offer a week of events that focus on domestic and dating violence, as part of its commitment to education and sexual assault prevention.

Dr. Amy Hoch, a psychologist at Rowan University's Counseling and Psychological Services, believes Rowan is a step ahead of many colleges throughout the country in its commitment to prevention instead of only trauma treatment.

Hoch, whose background is in sexual assault and trauma and who sat on the Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force as part of the American College Health Association, believes colleges throughout the country have been falling short in properly addressing sexual assault on campus.

MORE: 5 ways Rowan University is making Glassboro's economy thrive

She said: "I think we are a step ahead of other colleges ... which have been struggling to put into place investigative processes, intervention for sexual assault victims; Rowan has already had a strong commitment in treating those individuals who are victims, either by the university counseling center itself or through our partnership with our community resource, the Center for Family Services."

3. Free counseling to victims of sexual assault

Another 24-hour hotline, the Services Empowering the Rights of Victims (SERV), offers "free counseling to victims of sexual assault and access to advocacy and support," according to the university.

4. Good Samaritan rule

A rule that incentivizes students to report something without fear of getting in trouble for violating the university's drug or alcohol policy

5. "Red Dot"

The Red Dot is a resource on All Student Life websites that offer "immediate access of information" during a crisis situation.

To view all of the university's policies and procedures as to how it responds to sexual assaults visit at www.rowan.edu/equity/titleix

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

The Washington Township council sued members of the township administration in July over the mayor's appointment of a township attorney.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- The legal battle between Washington Township's council and its administration appears to be over, with taxpayers set to cover the bills, after the council approved an agreement Wednesday night that settles the outstanding lawsuit over its solicitor position.

Council members voted 3-2 at its meeting -- the third one in as many weeks due to the township's legal dispute -- to approve an agreement that will settle the lawsuit council members filed against the township's administration and to confirm Joseph Alacqua as township solicitor.

The agreement also states that all legal fees incurred by both parties after the council voted to sue the mayor for appointing Alacqua in June without the council's consent will be paid for by the township.

RELATED: 4 key players weigh in on legal drama surrounding Washington Township's attorney

While all legal bills related to the complaint have not yet been submitted or processed, Business Administrator Bob Smith estimated that the cost for both parties' private attorneys could total about $25,000 once all legal filings are complete.

The cost is a big reason why Democratic Councilman Scott Newman, who has conflicted with his fellow Democrats on council who voted in favor of the lawsuit, and lone Republican Nick Fazzio voted against the agreement.

"I can't vote for something I think was a waste of taxpayers' time and money," said Newman before voting no.

"That was on [the council members,] they should pay for it," said Fazzio after the meeting.

Democrats Council President Michelle Martin, Council Vice President Angela Donato and Councilman Sean Longfellow voted in favor of the agreement.

While the infighting within the township government stems back to the beginning of the year when the council voted to fire former solicitor John Armano Jr. -- who has since filed a federal lawsuit against some council members alleging the termination was politically motivated -- the most recent lawsuit dates back to June when the mayor appointed Alacqua as the township solicitor.

He replaced the firm Wade, Long and Wood, which normally serves as the township's conflict attorney but stepped in as solicitor temporarily following Armano Jr.'s termination. The administration said they needed to appoint Alacqua to handle pressing legal issues in the wake of the June 23 macroburst storm that caused severe damage throughout the township.

The council took issue with the appointment of Alacqua, since township code requires the mayor's solicitor appointment to get the consent and advice of counsel, and filed suit in Gloucester County Superior Court in July. Both parties showed up to a court hearing on the issue in August, but instead spent hours there negotiating a tentative settlement behind closed doors. No hearing was held so the agreement could be presented to council on Wednesday and prevent a need for further court appearances.

The agreement, made public for the first time on Wednesday, states that both parties would agree to file a stipulation of dismissal for the lawsuit if Alacqua ceased providing legal services to the township from Aug. 28 to Wednesday when the settlement was approved. The agreement also set out that Wade, Long, and Wood would serve as township attorney until Wednesday, when Alacqua was confirmed in a 5-0 vote.

Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Have you gone to school on New Jersey news, or will you get schooled?

Kids across New Jersey headed back to class this week as lazy summer days were replaced by the rigors of academia. Similarly, it's time for you to tighten up your game in NJ.com's weekly news quiz. The seven questions below will snap you out of your idyllic summer haze with a cold dose of reality. Once you're done, share your score in comments to establish your class rank among NJ.commers. And remember, you're not being graded on a curve.

South Jersey will remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with ceremonies and memorial services today.

South Jersey will remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with ceremonies and memorial services today.

The following is a rundown of events planned in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Cumberland County

Bridgeton Fire Department will host its annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb starting at 8 a.m. The climb honors the memory of the firefighters who raced into the Twin Towers to save victims attempting to flee the structures after the planes struck. The event takes place at the Bridgeton Housing Authority high-rise on Commerce Street.

The climb is open to the general public. For more information, email bragoa@cityofbridgeton.com.

Millville will host a candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. on the riverfront at Buck and Main streets to remember the victims and honor our "everyday heroes," including firefighters, police and rescue personnel. Call 856-825-7000, ext. 7394 for more information.

Vineland will hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of city hall at 7th and Wood streets. Vineland resident Don Adams died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The ceremony will be followed by a short march to the Wood Street Fire Station for a fire department service. For more information, contact the mayor's office at 856-794-4011. 

Gloucester County

The annual Gloucester County Patriot Day Ceremony will take place at the 9/11 Memorial at Chestnut Branch Park on Main Street in Mantua at 8:30 a.m.

The memorial is a tribute to all who died in the terror attacks of 9/11, including Gloucester County residents John Rodak, Nicholas W. Brandemarti and Perry Thompson.

An addition to the memorial this year with be a tribute to the victims of the Pentagon attack.

The program will include a bell ringing, wreath laying and participation from the Rodak and Brandemarti families, first responders, the Clearview Vocal Ensemble, area clergy and the Emerald Society.

Harrison Township will hold a 6:30 p.m. memorial service in the parking lot at Mullica Hill Baptist Church, 18 S. Main St. The township recently acquired a piece of World Trade Center steel, which will be on display during the service.

Woolwich Township's annual remembrance ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. at the municipal building at 120 Village Green Drive. The township will also unveil its new 9/11 memorial built around a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. 

Salem County

While the county's 9/11 remembrance ceremony has been held at the Park of Remembrance in Mannington Township for the last two years, the program will return to Salem County Fairgrounds this year.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the area of the bandstand. The move back to the fairgrounds, on Route 40 in Pilesgrove Township, was made in an effort to provide more space and easier access for attendees.

The event will feature two American flags hoisted high above the fairgrounds on ladder trucks, patriotic music, emergency responders and guest speakers. The program will remember those lost on 9/11 and also recognize the work of Salem County's emergency response community.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

A cost-free shuttle to bring drunk patrons home safely is a worthy program – if the places that serve the alcohol were to pay for it.

One recent news item surely raised the blood pressure of everyone who says New Jersey is the "nanniest" among "nanny" states: Evesham Township now has  a program for free rides home to township residents who may have imbibed a little too much at the township's watering holes and restaurants. 

Agreed that the so-called "sober shuttle," which operates on weekends, is a potentially lifesaving idea. But the nattering nabobs of nannying opponents just might have a valid point about government over-reach.

Funded by several sources, the month-long pilot is actually called "Evesham Saving Lives." There is a $2,500 grant from the state Department of Transportation, plus voluntary support from the Marlton Business Association and the Evesham Celebration Foundation. No local taxation is involved for now. But the test lasts just 30 days. 

After that, should tipsy, buzzed or questionable drivers who live in Evesham expect to be delivered to their front doorsteps - and, in some cases, have their cars driven home - by a free, government-sponsored service? The answer is "no," if taxpayers have to fund the thing.

Ironically, service is being provided partly by a private designated-driver company called "Sober Sam," which charges a fee if the ride is not an Evesham-to-Evesham transaction. Live in Mount Laurel, but had too much wine in Evesham? Then you need to pay Sam, call a cab, or Uber or Lyft, or wait 'til you're sober enough to drive home yourself.

Mayor Randy Brown (a Republican!) touted the results for the shuttle's first runs over Labor Day weekend, noting that 65 people used the service. That's good, since it undoubtedly kept some impaired drivers off the road. But one might ask when it stopped being the responsibility of bar/restaurant owners to cut patrons off before they've had too much, and when it stopped being the obligation of people who buy drinks in expensive restaurants to pay for a safe ride home.

Again, having a sober shuttle is smart. We'd like to see it continue, as well as  expand to other areas. But we can also see why local taxpayers who never go out to drink, or businesses that never serve anything more intoxicating than an ice cream soda, might resent providing financial backing. 

How about if the licensed beverage establishments that Brown says embraced the service "and put up signs, and pushed their customers to use it" were the shuttle's sole operators and funders? That would be a REALLY smart idea, and a model for setting up shuttles in other towns.

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