In the club's first 47 years, Herb never missed a dinner meeting. Not one. That's somewhere between 500 and 600 dinners. Or a whole lot of chicken.

Bob ShryockTimes file photo 

Dr. Warren J. McClain was superintendent of Woodbury Schools in 1967 when he popped in the Woodbury Daily Times office one winter day, looking for me.

A big-time sports fan in addition to being a skilled educator and consummate leader, Dr. McClain had an idea he thought I could assist him with in my role as the newspaper's sports editor.

While applauding the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club's efforts to recognize the on-field performance and academic prowess of players from throughout South Jersey, he felt there was room for a second club with the same mindset. He thought the Brooks club was so large it logistically wasn't able to spread out the wealth.

And that fall the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey was incorporated, doing just that.

Tonight at Adelphia's Restaurant across from the Deptford Mall, the TD Club holds its 48th final dinner honoring athletes from four counties. Several thousand young people have taken home the bounty.

McClain organized a group of coaches and lay people who met at area restaurants to form the groundwork and establish by-laws. Men like Pete Retzlaff, the great Eagles' tight end, Jack Herbert, Herb Neilio, Dutch Mauk, Bill Cundey, Lindy Ingram, and others.

Their skills and heartfelt interest resulted in the first dinner and awards meeting at the old Tall Pines.

Taking a cue from McClain, the organizers included athletes from Gloucester and Salem counties over  the decades. The club now includes players from those two counties plus Cumberland and Camden. And cheerleaders as awardees have been added to the mix.

A low-key man, McClain was nonetheless proud of his idea and its smooth intervention on the high school and college football scene.

He was the club's charter president, but insisted his role would last for only one year. Then, he told me, he'd prefer riding off quietly into the sunset. He did just that, and deferred to me as president for the next eight years. Although the brainstorm was his alone, McClain was reluctant to take credit. When he came to a regular or final dinner after retiring as president, he shunned attention and deflected accolades.

The current club, with Rich Sharpnack in the role as president, is doing just fine despite a necessary cutback on numbers of dinner meetings. Rich personifies Dr. McClain's push to involve lay people.

And Sharpnack took an idea that made sense to me and ran with it three years ago. At his recommendation to directors, the TD Club became the Warren J. McClain Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey.

There's one sad note to observe tonight, however. Founding director Herb Neilio passed away this year. The long-time Westville volunteer coach set a record  that likely will never be broken.

In the club's first 47 years, Herb never missed a dinner meeting. Not one. That's somewhere between 500 and 600 dinners. Or a whole lot of chicken.

There's a new award tonight in Herb's memory for service. Who better to be honored in this manner than the club's only vice president in history.

Warren McClain already has his award. The several thousand kids the club has honored and hundreds who used their awards as a springboard to college scholarships.

 

Ursinus College senior Brendan Phillips, a Clearview Regional High School graduate, is one of four students nationally recognized with a travel award from the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute. Chemistry major Phillips, class of 2016, is the recipient of the Ciba Travel Award in Green Chemistry. His research could be helpful to pharmaceutical companies.  Phillips is one of only...

Ursinus College senior Brendan Phillips, a Clearview Regional High School graduate, is one of four students nationally recognized with a travel award from the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute. Chemistry major Phillips, class of 2016, is the recipient of the Ciba Travel Award in Green Chemistry. His research could be helpful to pharmaceutical companies.

 Phillips is one of only four recipients and is the first Ursinus student to win this award, which will allow him to attend the 20th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference in Portland, Oregon, in June. The American Chemical Society (ACS) Green Chemistry Institute has given these awards to sponsor student participation in an ACS technical meeting, conference, or training program to enhance the students' education in green chemistry, since 2010. Two of the other recipients have Ph.Ds, the other is working on a second bachelor's degree.

The ACS Green Chemistry blog states that Phillip's research "demonstrates simple and industrially-relevant examples of transfer hydrogenation applied toward pharmaceutical synthesis, an area that employs hazardous hydride donors in organic transformations."

Phillips' said the goal for his Ursinus research is "to develop safer and more sustainable methods for making pharmaceuticals. The commonly used methods of today are fairly dangerous, require high energy inputs, and inevitably create waste," he explained. "My method that I've been developing seeks to reduce energy consumption, operate more safely, and produce minimal waste."

He hopes that this work will be industrially-relevant in the future. "Pharmaceutical companies could use the results of this research to reduce the environmental impact of their business while simultaneously cutting costs."

Ursinus College is a highly selective, independent coeducational liberal arts college located in suburban Philadelphia.

The latest prices from Cedar Lane Feeds Auction for Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015,

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. -- Prices at Cedar Lane Feeds Auction Tuesday were as follows:

Hay, per square bale: High, $8.50; low, $3.75.

Hay, per round bale: High, $77; low, $25.

Straw, per square bale: High, $4; low, $3.75.

Calf: High, $140; low, $ --- .

Goats: High, $140; low, $70.

Sheep: High, $100; low, $70.

Pigs: High, $50; low, $12.50.

Chickens: High, $17; low, $3.50.

Ducks: High, $16; low, $1.

Rabbits: High, $3.50 low, $1.

Pigeons: High, $2; low, $1.20.

Turkeys: High, $36; low, $25.

Chicken Eggs - Brown: High, $4.20; low, $3.20.

Chicken Eggs - Green: High, $3; low, $ --- .

Duck Eggs: High, $3.50; low, --- .

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

We've collected hundreds of stories from readers about their experiences with heroin. We want to hear yours.

If one thing is clear in the hours since we published our special report on the New Jersey heroin crisis, it's that it is resonating broadly with state residents.  

We've received scores of touching notes from friends, family members or former users in response to "Herointown," which concluded New Jersey has an active heroin user population of at least 128,000.  

The response hits on one of the key goals of the project -- to help people understand, whatever their connection to the drug may be -- that they are not alone.  

So we want to hear from you.  

If you'd like to share your story with us, please take our short survey below.

Each day, we'll be updating our living wall of stories (we added two dozen more this morning) to include more and more people who have been impacted by the state's growing heroin crisis.  

If you'd like to participate, fill out the survey below. We only ask for a first name, and will only publish what you submit, potentially with light edits for formatting purposes.  

Herointown, N.J.: In their own words

Stephen Stirling | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

Click or tap on the icons to show each person's full story, as told to us.  You can filter by the storyteller's county by clicking the buttons at the top.  

They are presented as they were received, and may include typos or strong language. Each provides a window into the life of someone who has gone through, or is going through a battle, in some form, with heroin or opioids in New Jersey 

WOODBURY — For the second year in a row, BASF Corporation has bestowed on Woodbury Junior-Senior High School a $5,000 science education grant. Last year the grant money was used to purchase new physics equipment, which allowed the school to equip six lab stations with digital resources. At that time, the new labs were used by students to study...

WOODBURY -- For the second year in a row, BASF Corporation has bestowed on Woodbury Junior-Senior High School a $5,000 science education grant.

Last year the grant money was used to purchase new physics equipment, which allowed the school to equip six lab stations with digital resources. At that time, the new labs were used by students to study the physics of athletic gear for safety.

This year the grant money is being used to purchase new devices for the chemistry lab. Students will be using the new lab equipment and accompanying software to analyze sports drinks, tap water, and bottled water to determine what is in each drink and the concentrations of components. Using data they collect, students will make recommendations about the value and safety of each sideline drink to determine the healthiest sports thirst quencher.

 

Four people were arrested and a fifth is sought after a pistol-whipping and robbery at a local motel on Tuesday night.

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Four people were arrested and a fifth is sought after a pistol-whipping and robbery at a local motel on Tuesday night, authorities said.

Township police were called to a room at the Mayfair Motel on Route 42 around 10:30 p.m. for a report of a man shot in the head. What they found was a man suffering with a "severe" head wound from being struck with a firearm.

The victim was transported to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.

Two women and three men fled the scene in a Honda Accord, heading north on State Highway 42.

Two other women in the room when the assault occurred were determined to be witnesses and released, police said.

State police located the fleeing vehicle a short time later on Route 130 in Gloucester City. Four of the occupants were detained and one fled on foot and remains at large.

A search of the Accord turned up a loaded .357 Magnum handgun, as well as cash and jewelry allegedly taken from the victim.

Arrested on charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery were Tyeish Brittingham, 24, of Delanco, Caroline Sandy, 19, of Sewell, and Corene Thornton-Bey, 19, of Mullica Hill. All were placed in Salem County Correctional Facility on $75,000 cash each.

The fourth person arrested is a juvenile who was placed in Camden County Juvenile Correctional Facility.

Additional charges were issued by the state police as a result of narcotics being found in the car, township police said.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Detective Michael Franchi at 856-589-0330 or via email at mjfranchi@pd.twp.washington.nj.us.

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

 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Bunker Hill Middle School Principal Joe Vandenberg recently announced the school's Principal's List and Honor Roll students for the first marking period.  The honorees included: Principal's List Grade 6: Natalie Ambroselli, Nicholas Andrianto, Megan Bailey, Kaitlyn Berger, Grace Blaney, Ian Breen, Madison Caione, Jaralynn Candelaria, Kayla Cavanaugh, Sydney Cella, Emma Chu, Katelyn Conn, Gabriella Coppola, Olivia...

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Bunker Hill Middle School Principal Joe Vandenberg recently announced the school's Principal's List and Honor Roll students for the first marking period.  The honorees included:

Principal's List

Grade 6: Natalie Ambroselli, Nicholas Andrianto, Megan Bailey, Kaitlyn Berger, Grace Blaney, Ian Breen, Madison Caione, Jaralynn Candelaria, Kayla Cavanaugh, Sydney Cella, Emma Chu, Katelyn Conn, Gabriella Coppola, Olivia Crabtree, Anthony Davenport, Isabella DeLuca, Taylor Dlug, Jade Figueroa, Maeve Fitzgerald, Jared Garofalo, Alyssa Gentile, Robert Ilagan, Olivia Indriso, Samantha Klemowitz, Anthony Kulis, Charles Lant, Katrina Lucero, Nicolas Lunt, Nicholas Marques, Tyler Mason, Isabelle Nutt, Jacqueline Pallozzi, Joseph Parisse, Isabella Pescatore, Julianna Petrelli, Alex Ricciardi, Jasmine Rodgers, Saul Ronsayro, Anthony Sciotto, Nicholas Sima, Maura Smith, Nicco Tartaglia, Edward Tobler, Casey Torbik and Ethan Wilson.

Grade 7: Zain Albarqawi, Nicholas Angeli, Savannah Bahr, Nicholas Barton, Kathryn Braker, Mia Broughton, Bartholome Buonocore, Guanyi Cao, Rebecca Capone, Emily Cozzone, Emma Cueva, Kathryn Cullen, Ariana DelRossi, Sierra DiLolle, Christina DiMaggio, Francesca Dostillio, Lauren Dye, Justin Eckel, Katherine Fields, Meghan Guarente, Annabel Guo, Jennifer Harter, Nicole Iatarola, Clare Johnson, Erin Leonard, Jarett LeVan, Dylan Long, Kaylee Luckiewicz, Adam McAteer, Shannon McConaghy, Imani Olusola, Briana Orbach, Anthony Palombi, Shrinath Patel, Marissa Pestritto, Soraya Reamon, Jessica Rettew, Grace Rhoades, Sophie Rollins, Ryan Rumsey, Emma Schemelia, Elizabeth Schmidheiser, Luca Scotto, Chloe Sheridan, Mackenzi Sozio, Kyle Stone, Jillian To, Melanie Wilson and  Ashton Wiseley.

Grade 8: Sarah Ahlquist, Justin Bautista, Deanna Boccaleri, Vincent Diaco, David Forcinito, Emily Karapcik, Madison Kelly, Jason Leonard, Jordyn Milou, Michael Morris, Kaitlyn Mountford, Armand Palestini, Olivia Phillips, Isabelle Pingol, Jocelyn Proferes, Harrison Rauh, Gabrielle Sozio, Christian Storm, Helena Ta, McKenna Watson, Matthew Weinstein, Ashley Wilsman, Julianna Zane and Brian Zhang,

Honor Roll

Grade 6: Justin Ardito, Nicholas Bachich, Michael Bahr, Julainna Bartus, Tyler Belvin, Sydney Brown, Alexandria Bruner, Brooke Burns, Daniel Cabanban, Jacob Capriotti, Rachel Carapella, Mary Danovich, Jennfer Depka, Megan Diamond, Thomas DiGiulio, Antonia DiSalvatore, Meghan Dodds, Isabella Donia, Aidan Drouin, Robert Duca, Jaxson Dunn, Christian Espinola, Cole Fitzgerald, John Franklin, Brendan Fulginiti, Emma Haley, Sean Hice, Lucas Hilbert, Cayden Hughes, Annalisa Jamison, Veronica Kelly, Kelly Kerrigan, Nathaniel Kidwell, Madeline Kinney, Abby Kulikowski, Kayla Kulikowski, Alyssa Lee, Meng Lin, Fiona Lockhart, James Lombardo and Connor Martelli.

Also, Astanti Mayner-Andrews, Ava McDermott, Aiden McGuigan, James McKeever, Julia McMahon, Chassylee Medina, Grace Melfi, Peter Micciche, Gabriella Micolucci, Claudia Milano, Ashton Myers, Dao Nguyen, Jesse O'Dell, Chase Oberparleiter, Genna Plegaria, Brooke Pollack, Noah Pollack, Ken Pradillada, Jacob Radano, Jacen Ranson, Kenneth Reese, Vincent Roberts, Jacob Rosales, Julianna Scalia, Leah Schemelia, Sydney Schiavo, Anthony Sheeran, Noelle Simmons, James Stapleton, Julianna Stone, Colin Storm, John Striano, Briana Sudler, Ethan Tamase, Aidan Tomlinson, Felisha Trani, Mackenzie Tout, Madison Trout, Sebastian Vergani, Crostoan Vivero De La Rosa, Samantha Welsh, William Willman, Christian Wilsman, Abigail Wilson, Nakia Wilson, Sydney Wilson, Damon Wiseburn and Matthew Yula.

Grade 7: William Abrams, Jadin Adams, Jennifer Adams, Elizabeth Andrews, Juliana Andrews, Jessica Argerakis, Nicholas Ayling, Rachel Beatty, Megan Bradley, Mason Brewster, Allison Cangelosi, Anthony Charlton, Alexis Coppola, Jasmine D'Orazio, Julia DeCosta, Anthony Dellomo, Gabriella DeLuca, William Dennery, Gregory Dibsie, Christopher Dindino II, Olivia Drewery, Molly Dzaman, Matthew Emond, Julio Falcon, Nicholas Ficchi, Kyle Fillman, Alexis Fitzpatrick, Kayla Flaherty, Bella Fortino, Mari Katriana Gamduton, Justine Griggs, Evan Grimes, James Hallman, Joshua Hancock, Olivia Holmes, Richard Hughes, Zaira Kazmi, Marine Kebalo, Colin Kelly and Evan Kenderdine.

Also, Mason Kennedy, Ava Keyer, Alexandra King, Bryce Kraemer, Jessica Lacava, Roman Maleno, Destiny Marchione, Gabriella Mattia, Frank Mazzuca, Adria McMeekin, Ryan Meldrum, William Monaghan, Alyssa Monti, Aidan Mykulowycz, Ryan O'Dell, Anthony Pancrazio, Chloe Pecheux, Gabriel Petro, Robert Piontkowski, Thomas Provenzano, Patrick Rauch, Frederick Renzulli, Izabela Repousis, Leilanie Sanchez, Angelina Saverase, William Scarborough, Tyler Schweikert, Sophia Smith, Victoria Smith, Joon Song, Paige Speece, Dylan Storey, Christian Stracciolini, Jason Sturniolo, Cooper Stuzynski, John Sullivan, Ryan Tarsatana, Ananda Taylor, Jared Thistle, Anthony Trivers, Ava Troxel, Burak Tural,  Annabella Turk, Isabella Vona, Shaye Voran, Cayla Wade, Jillian Watkins, Kelly Wei, Taylor Wise, Samantha Wood, Caroline Woodward and Connor Woodward.

Grade 8: Bianca Agnes, Madison Alvarez, Joseph Bachich, Devon Badiali, Madeline Bakely, Nicholas Bourquin, Bradley Cahill, Anthony Campo, Penelope Carrasquillo-Hicks, Lauren Coppola, Maria Costanzo, Katelyn Craig, Christina Curreri, Lorrie Dariano, Shivam Darji, Joseph Destra, Jessamy Diaz, Anthony Duca, Lynzie Eggers, Emily Flockton, Clara Fok, Christopher Francks, Tara Francks, Madison Frapaul, Stephanie Fuller, Gianna Gabrieli, Caitlin Ginchereau, Kami Hickson, Justin Hunt, Emily Johns, Jonathan Kassal, Zuleyha Kumas, Dominic Lamonica, Vincent Lamonica, Abrianna Leva and GianLuca Lockhart.

Ethan Lucas, Matthew Marmon, Chloe Martinez, Stephanie Masapollo, Andrew McGinley, Sean Meares, Anjolie Milaro, Jake Nachsin, Bailey O'Connell, Nicole Oborne, Jacob Onimus, Kaila Parkin, Vidhi Patel, Germaine Plegaria, Samantha Rainey, Talia Resalsingh, Rachel Roda, Audrey Ross, Julianna Ruffino, Valerie Saggiomo, Melaine Samaroo, Sophia Schiavo, Hannah Schrader, Madison Seagreaves, Angelyn Serici, Kristen Sevick, Antwon Shippy, Nicole Sisto, Gavin Smith, Mackenzie Smith, Paige Tatus, Ronald Taylor, Allison Tobler, Avery Tomlinson, Nathan Tran, Gabrielle Turco, Luke Watson, Steven Weinstein, Zachary Weiserth, Audrey Wendt, Bailey Wielhouwer, Andrew Wilson, Paige Wodarczyk, Morgan Wolk, Alaina Yula and Hope Zaborowski.

 

Students named to the Superintendent's List and Honor Roll for the first marking period at Clearview Middle School: Superintendent's List Grade 8 – William Bell, Leah Bocchicchio, Kyra Borodin, Julia Bridges, Elizabeth Brooks, Vito Canuso, Ava Cortese, Jyllian Engelhardt, Vincent Fedoryka, Johnni Frankowski, Olivia Frew, Ryan Gadomski, Mary Gambill, Sophia Gill, Alexander Gioia, Michael Glaze, Tyger Haines, Gabrielle Hertlein,...

Students named to the Superintendent's List and Honor Roll for the first marking period at Clearview Middle School:

Superintendent's List

Grade 8 - William Bell, Leah Bocchicchio, Kyra Borodin, Julia Bridges, Elizabeth Brooks, Vito Canuso, Ava Cortese, Jyllian Engelhardt, Vincent Fedoryka, Johnni Frankowski, Olivia Frew, Ryan Gadomski, Mary Gambill, Sophia Gill, Alexander Gioia, Michael Glaze, Tyger Haines, Gabrielle Hertlein, Jonathan Hubbard, John Iannelli, Renee Keegan, Mia Kehnast, Brooke Lenggenhager, Brandon Lottes, Pierce Love, Emily Luu, Nicolette, Manzella, John Marion, Christopher Matarazzo, Michael McCarty, Raymond Milavsky, Ashley Miller, Hope Miller, Alana Morales, Justin Murphy, Gianna Pelosi, Alexius Quinn, Sage Riso, Andrew Ruehlicke, Hunter Schwartz, James Snyder, Shannon Sori, Julia Soukup, Zoe Stetser, Hailey Tabar, Nicholas Talvacchia, Benjamin Taylor, Maryann Vazhapilly, Emily Wampler, Evan Wax, Claire Wells, Ryan Wienckoski and Morgan Yearicks.

Honor Roll

Grade 8 - John Accorsi, Aderonke Adejare, Robert Albertson, Sean Allen, Rosaria Amato, Michael Ancona, Theo Bachman, Morgan Baker, Paige Bathurst, Anthony Battle, Jonathan Bell, Thomas Bell, Adrianna Benn, Angel Biernacki, Jason Bilderback, Jared Boerner, Zackary Braun, Alexis Bruno, Amaijah Bryant, Jessica Bukenas, Tyson Burbank, Emma Capriotti, Brady Carlson, Jack Cassidy, Jake Cheesman, Jason Cheng, Amy Chowning, Michael Chudy, Lyana Cocchi, Jordan Collier, James Conway, William Conway, Nicolas Coppola, Carly Coppolino, Jenna Coppolino, Rachel Corbin, Pearse Costello, Katherine Cowen, Jacob Cubbler, Zachary Dahms, Alexander Daly, Brooke DeMarco, Nathan Diehl, Joshua Diggons, Madison DiPrima, Tara Dole, Kevin Donahue, Patrick Drozd, Emily Duffey, Bryce Eimer, Lindsey Elsworth, Madeeha Fatima, Marissa Fazio,  Caroline Ferguson, Ashlee Ferri, Christian Fiodaliso and Thomas Flear.

Also, Rachel Flynn, Fiona Fredericksdorf, Hannah Freeman, Lily Fuchs, Josephine Galante, Brooke Gallagher, Samantha Gallagher, Steven Gallagher, Miranda Gardina, Connor Glavin, Zackary Gonserkevis, Ava Graham, Gerardo Gramaglia, Lindsay Gruman, Aryana Hall, Nicolas Harris, Joseph Hart, Jackson Heilig, Katarina Henry, Ethan Hickson, Zachary Hoy, Caitlin Humble, Hanna Iqbal, Noah Ireland, Annabelle James, Darla James, Trevor Jones, Daniel Kats, Mankaran Kaur, Hannah Keane, Olivia Kedziora, Justin Klein,  Abbey Knight, Amanda Koneful, Douglas Kritikson, Anthony Libero, Hunter Logan, Cade Longo, Victoria Loughran, Shane Luczak, Marley Magee, Hayley Malaby, Brielle Manzo, Olivia Marchei, Kayleigh Mariner, Zane Martin, Angelica McAlpin, Julia McCarthy, Sarah McGrath, Cara McGuire, Aidan McIlhenney and Madison McKnight.

Also, Emily McMullen, Justin McNichols, Brenna McQuillan, Brenden McSorley, Patrick Mealey, Brianna Merklein, Samuel Millard, Alexandria Miller, Ethan Miller, Gracie Mills, Spencer Mokris, Marc Molinari, Ashley Muscarella, Dawson Nailor, Mark Newman, Samuel Novick, Drew Pecorilli, Nicholas Piccioni, Vicent Popejoy, Michael Powell, Madelyn Randon, Matthew Reddy, Emma Redmond, Joseph Reiling, Aaron Reynolds, Helena Reynolds, James Roberto, Tatum Salvitti, Peter Sanders, Gianna Scola, Evan Selzer, Julia Sennett, James Sharkey, Abraham Soto, Sierra String, Emma Swartz, Madison Talley, Arianna Taormina, Jonathan Teiper, Hunter Thurston, Kaitlyn Tran, Hailey Verrelle, Courtney Vigliarolo, William Voll, Anna Voltaggio, Loryn Walker, Peyton Walsh, Jacqueline Wardrop, Hunter Weiss, Eric Wesnofske, Ian Wilkinson, Katherine Wilkinson, Colin Wingate, Julia Wright, Megan Yearicks and Nicholas Zane.

Superintendent's List

Grade 7 - Supt. List - Aiden Aiello, Sonali Bahal, Michael Beske-Somers, Amelia Biermann, Derek Boerner, Giavonna Bright, Jenna Brodnyan, Justin Brown, Philip Burgo, Katherine Byrne, Rebecca Casper, Connor Cassidy, Vivian Cheng, John Chinchillo, Jason Cho, Mackenzie Clement, Faith Crossan, Meghan Decker, Samantha Deeney, Porchia DelPiano, Ella DeVoe, Annalyse Dickinson, Jasmine Dickson, Deana Dilchand, Devon DiVerniero, Madeline Dunsmore, Aseef Durrani, Kiara Eliasen, Michael Field, Rory Filinuk, Avery Fohring, Brayden Foster, Serafina Fox, Laura Freshcoln, Wade Froio, Blaine Galella, Haley Gallagher, Sophia Gambill, Hunter Geitz, John Giovinco, Dolores Gramenzi, Molly Green, Ava Grelli, Kirsten Gurlin, Victoria Hawks, Teagan Hazen, Alyssa Hyndman, Lindsey Johanson, Shannon Jordan, Hannah Kaestner and Shaun Keeley.

Also, George Kniaz, Isabella Kobylinski, Hannah Kuleba, Martin Lacsamana, Matthew Leonard, Ariella Libero, Krystal Liu, Bailey Livezey, Caden MacHenry, Hailey Maurer, Brody McKenzie, James Memis, Evelyn Milavsky, Aniyah Miller, Amani Millonde, Juliana Minniti, Jacqueline Monzo, Jared Morgan, Mackenzie Moyer, Sarah Mullen, Zayd Narvel, Jake Nole, Daniel Paolello, Maeve Porter, Melissa Pratt, Craig Radomicki, Keanan Sagarino, Emma Sawyer, Cody Scully, Ariana Sharkey, Hannah Sheffield, Mia Shute, Emerson Sinnett, Sydney Strauss, Alexa Stronski, Daniel Sweeney, Jaiden Tillis, Grace Trovato, John Truitt, Julliana Tyler, David Venuti, Elizabeth Vu, Luke Walters, Marissa Weaver, Francis Welsh, Zachary Weng, Ty Williams, Maria Wills, Michelle Wood, Sabrina Yeung, Tiffany Yeung and Cecilia Young.

Honor Roll

Grade 7 - Amelia Alacqua, Gabriella Amadei, Alexis Arroyo, Amiri Atkins, Sage Bajewicz, Eric Baldwin, David Bauer, Jordan Beckman, Jamie Bickel, Priscilla Blazer, Rachel Bliem, Timothy Bonaventure, Brandi Briggs, Gabrielle Bright, Kendall Brister, David Bui, Reese Burbank, Sophia Cannon, Malachi Carter, Paulina Casper, Chloe Cassidy, Christopher Cipparone, Emileigh Cloak, James Conley, Jarrett Craig, Alexa Crew, Katelyn Danner, Gianni Danze, Rose Davis, Justin DeCant, Anthony DeFulvio, Nevaeh Deichert, Matthew Delaney, Reese DelRosso, Olivia Denson, Justin DiCriscio and Dominic DiGenni.

Also, Frances DiPietro, Tanner Dodge, Paul Donahue, Ashley Dorwart, Olivia Dunfee, Jonah Dykas, Elizabeth Eastlack, Wyatt Eells, Jason Eisen, Devon Ellixson, Nathan Ercolani, Michael Falcone, Richard Ficchi, Cole Fowler, William Fox, Kevin Frazier, Alexandria Fuhrmeister, Christopher Geary, Julia Gehring, Cal Gheysens, Celea Goodrich, Abigail Grimes, Juliana Harris, Benjamin Harrison, Jacob Heise, Cody Heiser, Kora Hickman, Bailey Horner, Kylee Hynes, Michael Insana, Jennifer Jacko, Kayla Jenzano, Brynn Karolyi and Philip Kawalec.

Also, Luke Keegan, Johnathan Killeen, Anna Kilpatrick, Noah Kizer, John Koza, Karlie Kraus, Rachel Kreh, Matthew Krokenberger, Allison LaSala, Jennifer Lee, Aidan Lenz, Nicholas Liloia, Rylan Listman,  Ellie LoPresti, Shaili Lotia,  Liam Lynch, Matthew Lynch, Katie Maccarella, Samantha Mallett, Noah Manochio, Antonio Manzella, Luca Marinucci, Joseph Martinelli, Christopher Mason, Nicholas Mazzagatti, Madison McCormick, Adam McEvoy, Delanie Meenan, Anthony Mignano, Zachary Milligan, Kayla Mills, Grace Montanaro, Laila Moore, Jonathan Nam, Allison Nguyen, Ryan Norris and Joshua Oladipo.

Also, Alexandria Palumbo, Olivia Partridge, Yana Patel, Corinne Pawlowski, Dominic Pellecchia, Colby Pennington, Carly Poley, Jianna Quinones, Kevin Raively, Elaina Ramos, Sophia Reihing, Joseph Resto, Jack Rhoades, Devin Roberts, Bailey Robson, Thomas Rockey, Jeremy Rome, Hailey Russo, Hailey Salerno, Savanna Schaekel, Sierra Schneider, Bhuvi Sethi, Victoria Shur, Jessica Slotter, Danielle Smith, Ishareet Sohal, Nathan Stackhouse, Nicholas Surrette, Gabrielle Tapp, Evan Taylor, Michael Taylor, Emma Teiper, Dominick Thomas, Angelina Trazzera, Casey Urbaczewski, Madison Vallone, Brenna Verrichia, Aniyah Ward, Mason Weiss, Bradley West, Sarah Willis, Joseph Wood, Sofia Woodruff, Gabrielle Wright and Shane Yurgin.

 

Police say Kyna C. Garnett left the SUV running and unlocked when she went into a liquor store on the White Horse Pike. Just 30 seconds later, it was stolen by a Paulsboro man.

MAGNOLIA -- A 32-year-old woman who left her children in a running SUV outside of a liquor store has been charged with abuse and neglect after the vehicle was stolen and later crashed with the children inside. 

According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, Kyna C. Garnett, of Lawnside, was in the parking lot of Columbo Liquors on the White Horse Pike in Magnolia on Saturday at about 11:30 p.m. when she went inside the store and left her 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son in her SUV, which was left running. 

Just 30 seconds after Garnett walked into the store, a 38-year-old Paulsboro man, Christopher R. Dumas, stole the unlocked vehicle with the children still inside and later crashed into another SUV at Merchant Street and Hampshire Avenue in Audubon. 

Surveillance cameras show Garnett, who is facing one fourth-degree count of abuse and neglect, remained in the store for several minutes.

Dumas is charged with three counts of aggravated assault by auto, two counts of assault by auto, two counts of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child, one count of theft, one count of receiving stolen property and one count of eluding. 

The driver of the second SUV, a 48-year-old woman from Mount Ephraim, was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden along with Dumas and the two children. All were treated for minor injuries.  

Dumas remains in Camden County jail in lieu of $617,500, and Garnett was process on and released on her own recognizance. 

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

 

 

A man arrested for receiving child porn earlier this month has now been hit with additional charges.

MONROE TWP. -- A Williamstown man who was charged earlier this month with possession of a large amount of child pornography has been arrested again for a similar crime, authorities said.

Eric Zeigler, 37, was found with dozens of discs of child pornography on Dec. 3. Agents from the FBI had been watching him since February, and he was charged with receiving child pornography after a lengthy investigation. On Wednesday, after a thorough search of Zeigler's computer, authorities announced that he had been charged again -- this time, for allegedly producing child porn in his own house.

http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2015/12/4_arrested_1_at_large_after_nj_man_pistol-whipped.html

An announcement from the Department of Justice said police found footage of prepubescent girls undressing and using the bathroom in videos that appear to have been recorded in locker rooms, public bathrooms and changing rooms. It was not immediately clear if Zeigler had recorded the videos himself or obtained them by some other means; however, several more videos were recorded in a bathroom on the first floor of his home.

Four of the victims have been identified so far, and authorities were working to identify the rest. If convicted, Zeigler would face a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, on top of the previous charges.

The Philadelphia office of the FBI led the investigation with assistance from the Monroe Township Police Department.

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

  

 

Coldilocks, the oldest polar bear in the U.S., celebrated her 35th birthday at the Philadelphia Zoo. Watch video

PHILADELPHIA -- The oldest polar bear in the United States celebrated her 35th birthday today.

Coldilocks, who has resided at the Zoo for more than three decades, first took a leisurely swim in her pool before pawing at her birthday treats -- two decorated pumpkins filled with peanuts and an ice cake filled with granola and dried fruits, topped with peanut butter "icing."

The typical lifespan for polar bears in zoos is approximately 23 years of age. Kevin Murphy, general curator for the Zoo, attributes Coldilocks' longevity partly to genetics, but "care is absolutely part of it."

"We make sure the individual well-being (of the animals) is at the top of our list," Murphy said.

PLUS: Must-see animals at the Cape May County Zoo

Polar bears in the wild are classified as a vulnerable species due to the shrinking of sea ice as a result of climate change, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Polar bears rely on the polar ice to hunt, travel and breed. 

The Philadelphia Zoo collaborates with Polar Bears International to help increase awareness of polar bear conservation, as well as present ways for guests to help through changes in daily life -- such as using less energy, using less water, and recycling more -- that affect climate change.

Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @photoglori. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

It's difficult to think of an out-of-state or international mega-act that hasn't performed in New Jersey.

New Jersey is a great place for music. Frankly, I'd say there's hardly room for debate.

Certainly, the list of chart-topping musicians who hail from the Garden State is a long one. And, I'd venture to say there's nary an out-of-state or international mega-act that hasn't performed here. Bands and solo acts have packed venues ranging from high school auditoriums to football stadiums.

We from the Garden State are steeped in the traditions of Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. We've been told about girl groups from the '60s like the Angels and the Shirelles and solo acts like Lesley Gore and Connie Francis. And we've reveled in the innovations of performers and producers like George Clinton and Les Paul. Here are a handful of lesser-known facts about pop music in New Jersey:

Mark Stein, founding member of Vanilla Fudge, was a Bayonne native.courtesy of Bayonne Retro 

* The first live performance of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and his Comets took place at the HofBrau Hotel in Wildwood in 1954.

* Donald Fagan of Steely Dan was born in Passaic in 1948 and later attended South Brunswick High School.

* Paul Simon was born in Newark, as was Ice T (Tracy Marrow)

* Joe Walsh attended Montclair High School, where he played oboe in the school band.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

* Country superstar Clint Black was born in Long Branch; Wyclef Jean was born in South Orange.

* Kate Pierson, one of the founding members of the B-52s, was born in Weehawken.

This gallery offers a humble sampling of some of the pop, rock and soul talent to take the stage in the Garden State. Be sure to click on the captions button to read more about these vintage photos.

Can't get enough? Here's a link to last year's gallery.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

BRIDGETON — 120 South Ave., LNV Corp. to RCT Realty LLC for $18,000. — 367 N. Pearl St., Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to RCT Realty LLC for $35,000. — 93 N. Elm St., Christie Lynne Helbach to Joseph Radcliffe for $35,000. COMMERCIAL TWP. — 211 Mulberry Road, John W. Hargrave to Own This Home LLC for $24,998. DEPTFORD...

South Jersey Times 

BRIDGETON

-- 120 South Ave., LNV Corp. to RCT Realty LLC for $18,000.

-- 367 N. Pearl St., Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to RCT Realty LLC for $35,000.

-- 93 N. Elm St., Christie Lynne Helbach to Joseph Radcliffe for $35,000.

COMMERCIAL TWP.

-- 211 Mulberry Road, John W. Hargrave to Own This Home LLC for $24,998.

DEPTFORD TWP.

-- 831 Hunters Dr., Florence C. Lang to Penelope and Jason P. Sloan for $235,000.

-- 765 Steeplechase Court, Frances Sapienza to Alexis Dumont for $132,200.

-- 1105 Lexington Dr., Frank J. and Dolores H. Flanigan to Matthew Smith for $160,000.

FAIRFIELD TWP.

-- 113 Lummis Mill Road, 113 Lummis Mill Road LLC to New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection for $87,000.

GREENWICH TWP. (CUMBERLAND COUNTY)

-- 51 Pier Road, Matthew G. Morre Jr. by attorney to William V. Smith for $160,000.

GREENWICH TWP. (GLOUCESTER COUNTY)

-- 783 E. Broad St., Wayne A. and Angie Nastase to Hope Dembrosk, Lauren M. Saliba and Frances M. Forte for $173,000.

HARRISON TWP.

-- 23 Maple Leaf Dr., Lee and Tracie Bowers to Eric R. and Andrea L. Evans for $370,000.

-- 127 to 143 Bridgeton Pike, SCT Mullica Hill LLC to Mulla Realty LLC for $25,400,000.

-- 19 Hunter's Creek Circle, Gary L. and Jessica Dennis Jr. to Andres Rolon and Ramona Rosario for $400,000.

HOPEWELL TWP.

-- River Road, Bonham & Wood LLC to William G. Martin for $550,000.

-- Cohansey River, Bonham & Wood LLC to Barrett Green LLC for $50,000.

-- 676 Roadstown Road, Robert W. Waddington to Gaej Holdings LLC for $330,000.

LAWRENCE TWP.

-- W. Bay Point Road, Raymond Matos to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for $11,450.

LOGAN TWP.

-- Flood Road, Joan Stewart and Janet Martz and Raymond H. Martz to Weeks Marine Inc. for $18,000.

MANTUA TWP.

-- 119 Hampton Ave., Donna L. Moraca to William W. Donovan III for $230,000.

-- 1305 Tristram Circle, Bayview Loan Servicing LLC to Elizabeth G. Knowles for $104,250.

MILLVILLE

-- 508 E. Vine St., Veterans Affairs to Jennifer DeMaio for $11,500.

-- 102 Oregon St., Jeanie E. Riggio to Richard C. DuBois for $209,000.

-- Nationstar Mortgage LLC to Anecia Henry for $6,400.

MONROE TWP.

-- 1766 Glassboro Road, Lance Q. and Kristine Finger to Philip and Clorinda Scarfo for $49,000.

-- 641 Greenbriar Dr., Jessica L. Horvath and Jonna L. Gerigitan to Kelly Canonica for $185,000.

-- 1750 Orchard Dr., Capital Finance Co. of Delaware Valley to Gail E. Graisbery for $165,000.

-- 131 N. Main St., U.S. Bank Trust to Rickey Lee Jones for $80,000.

PENNS GROVE

-- 12 Beach Ave., Richard Quick Jr. to Melissa Thompson for $15,000.

-- 311 Gillette Ave., Emma Jean Shockley, executrix, to Jane Ann Altar for $30,000.

-- 36 Church St., Carol Bolton to Danne Lynne Banker-Oliveira for $65,000.

PENNSVILLE TWP.

-- 128 Nottingham Road, Housing and Urban Development to Raymond W. Knappenberger for $80,000.

-- 15 Ferry Ave., Residential Mortgage Loan Trust to Wilson K. Seibert for $70,000.

-- 163 Highland Ave., EXR LLC to Joseph H. and Cheryll Zimkouski Jr. for $50,000.

-- 31 Harvard Road, James R. Collier to Marjorie and James Craven Jr. for $47,500.

-- 140 Highland Ave., Michael S. and Shirlee M. Manahan to Brookfield Relocation Inc. for $168,000.

-- 140 Highland Ave., Brookfield Relocation Inc. to Kevin Madara for $168,000.

PILESGROVE TWP.

-- 52 Main St., Franklin Bank FSB to Richard J. and Diana L. Hellick Jr. for $107,000.

PITTSGROVE TWP.

-- 16 Middle Dr., Grace L. Helms by attorney to Lance and Alysia Thomson for $58,500.

-- Alvine Road, Barry W. Fox and Deborah L. Turner-Fox to Timothy A. Gonzalez for $60,000.

QUINTON TWP.

-- 372 Jericho Road, Anthony and Lydia Rocco to Abram and Megan Norman for $369,000.

SALEM

-- 158 Seventh St., Doris Hogate to William Fuse for $10,000.

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP.

-- 283 Three Bridge Road, Rosemarie Belan to Betty Ann and David J. Rodia for $136,999.

-- 261 Garrison Road, Michael N. Brooks and Emily A. McDonough to Kirby Mitchell for $175,000.

VINELAND

-- 2680 Dante Ave., Wells Fargo Bank to Blaise Menzoni for $145,500.

-- 2254 S. Main Road, Fannie Mae to Evan Forosisky for $80,000.

-- 2717 London Lane, Hogback Group LLC to Sherwood Forest Homes LLC for $61,000.

-- 2631 London Lane, Hogback Group LLC to Sherwood Forest Homes LLC for $61,000.

-- 635 E. Almond St., Julian E. Vasquez to Christopher W. Meredith for $106,000.

WASHINGTON TWP.

-- 110 Haven Court, John A. Fiocco to Kenneth M. and Mary A. Lathrope for $128,000.

-- 34 Venus Way, Charles A. Hearn to Anthony M. Ferreira and Kelly Bricketto for $160,000.

-- 208 Pine St., Fannie Mae to RE Property Management for $89,000.

-- 6 Lanark St., Nicole Brunetti to Brittany Liquori and Evan Garner for $210,000.

-- 25 Auriga Lane, Kevin M. and Regina C. Ridge to Anthony Burzachiello for $224,000.

WEST DEPTFORD TWP.

-- 21 Lauderdale Road, Philip E. and Sheryl A. Ratcliffe to Gerald Collier and Lisa Fischetti for $207,000.

WOODBURY HEIGHTS

-- 334 Central Ave., William R. and Patricia J. Green to Thomas and Elisabeth Panter for $232,000.

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

 

The bakery at Gloucester County Institute of Technology was buzzing with activity on a recent weekday afternoon as students prepared oodles of goodies to fill orders placed for the holidays. Watch video

DEPTFORD TWP. -- The bakery at Gloucester County Institute of Technology was buzzing with activity on a recent weekday afternoon as students prepared oodles of goodies to fill orders placed for the holidays.

The program's Fresh Start Bakery holds holiday sales for Thanksgiving and Christmas and the rush was on to make cookies, cakes, pies and many other delicious treats.

As Christmas music jangled in the background, the students remained focused on the mission. Some prepared batter in industrial-sized mixers, while others arranged trays and boxes of cookies. Still others applied icing to cookies while another duo made pepperoni bread.

Instructor Deneen Clark, who teaches baking and culinary arts at GCIT, didn't stand still for a minute as she moved from one group of students to the next, keeping the well-oiled operation humming.

This is the commercial baking portion of the school's culinary arts program.

"They learn everything you would do in a commercial bakery," Clark said. "You name it, they do it."

Savanah Hassan, a former student now employed as a teacher assistant, darted from one task to the next. Like Clark, she was everywhere.

Hassan is impressed with how engaged the students are in learning the culinary arts.

"The kids are so interested in doing this," she said, as she took a break from icing a trays of cookies. "I'm happy to see them enjoy it."

The GCIT baking program began more than 25 years ago and it's clear from watching the activity in the school bakery/classroom why the program is flooded with orders for the holidays.

Between the sights and smells, this bakery is the real deal. Maneuvering expertly around her busy students, huge mixers, industrial-sized ovens and tables of sweets in various stages of production, Clark keeps a close eye on everyone's progress.

She offers encouraging words as she goes and it's obvious how she feels about her job. Clark said she gets to work early each day in order to be ready for her young bakers.

"I look forward every day to working with the kids," Clark smiled.

When students arrive for their two hours in the bakery, they get their assignments and start their day. They all wear chef's attire, including those big white hats. 

They have 200 orders to fill for the bakery's Christmas sale and each order includes many individual items. The bakery is no longer accepting orders for this year's Christmas sale. They made nearly 500 pies for the Thanksgiving sale.

In addition to filling holiday orders, the bakery maintains a store in the school, complete with glass cases displaying a variety of treats. The store hours -- for students, staff and the community -- are Monday through Thursday from 3-7:30 p.m. The Fresh Start Bakery phone number is 856-468-1445, ext. 2211.

Students are involved in every stage of the process.

"I was really interested in cooking before, but I was actually really bad at it," said sophomore Rebecca Martin. "But being here made me get better." Her goal is to go on to a culinary college.

Sophomore Chris Blue was busy preparing many of the 175 pepperoni breads ordered for the holidays.

"I like this program because, when I was younger, I used to cook all the time with my mom," he said. Chris has taken that experience into the classroom. "I like making food and having fun in class with my friends."

He's not sure yet if his future lies in the culinary arts, however.

"Depending on how my life goes, I want to go for culinary, but at the same time I'm not sure what I want to do with my life yet."

Students leave this program with the skills they need to get a job at a bakery.

Several graduates of the program have gone on pursue higher education in culinary schools and some have landed jobs with places including Country Sweets Bakery Shoppe in Woodbury and Carlo's Bake Shoppe in Marlton, which is owned by "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro. In fact, some businesses come to GCIT seeking future employees, Clark noted.

"They are ready to go out into the world and have a career," Clark said. "They are job-ready to go into a bakery."

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

A Pennsylvania man has been charged with assault by auto and other offenses in connection with a Monday night accident at Ellis Street and Higgins Drive, police reported.

GLASSBORO -- A Pennsylvania man has been charged with assault by auto and other offenses in connection with a Monday night accident at Ellis Street and Higgins Drive, police reported.

Police responded to the two-vehicle wreck shortly after 7 p.m. to find both motorists entrapped in their vehicles. They were extricated by emergency responders and transported to Cooper University Hospital.

In addition to the assault by auto charge, James Chambers, 60, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of certain legend drugs.

Additional charges are pending toxicology results, police said.

Both drivers were listed in critical but stable condition on Tuesday. Information on their current status has not been released.

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

 

 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – The Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey will presented its Herb Neilio Distinguished Service Award to Washington Township's Charlie Doud at its banquet Dec. 16. The award is being given for the first time in honor of Neilio, a Touchdown Club founder and member since its inception 40 years ago, who passed away in May. Doud's...

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - The Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey will presented its Herb Neilio Distinguished Service Award to Washington Township's Charlie Doud at its banquet Dec. 16. The award is being given for the first time in honor of Neilio, a Touchdown Club founder and member since its inception 40 years ago, who passed away in May.

Doud's selection is one of great honor, according to Washington Township High School football coach Mark Wechter. Qualified candidates had to have a very high level of community involvement across many areas, much like Neilio had in his community of Westville.

Charlie Doud (back row, far right) has coached the Washington Township Youth Football 75-pound team for 23 years.COURTESY PHOTO 

"The Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey recognizes many schools in the South Jersey area. All of the schools have strong communities," Wechter said. "The only way these communities become as strong as they do is because of the tireless work of men like Charlie Doud. He's a man that never says no. He makes township a better place to live."

The personable, outgoing Doud, who serves as the Washington Township Schools' Student Data Coordinator, volunteers his time in many ways. A former commissioner of the Washington Township Youth Football organization, he still coaches the program's youngest team, the 75-pound Minutemen, a post he has held for 23 years. In addition, Doud is the president of the Washington Township Education Foundation, serves as a regional coordinator for the Delaware Valley Children's Charities, and is a trustee for PrimoCares, a charitable organization founded by executives at PrimoHoagies Franchising Inc. with a fundamental goal to help children in need within franchise neighborhoods.

"As a member of this community, I can attest to the commitment and dedication that Charlie Doud has given to our town. He is a remarkable human being and exceptional role model, for our children as well as our adults," Washington Township Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf said. "Watching him work with our young people is a thing of beauty. He has that uncanny ability to get folks to care about themselves, about their team, about each other, and about this town. Most importantly, he succeeds in doing this, not by what he says, but how he has led his life. No one cares more deeply about our kids in our town than Charlie Doud."

 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP — Dan Giannetto, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that sales associate Michele Church of the Washington Township office was recognized for her exceptional performance in November. A top producer, Church led the region, which is comprised of locations throughout Burlington, Camden, Atlantic and Gloucester counties, for resales, resale revenue units and resale dollar volume. Weichert's Washington Township...

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Dan Giannetto, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that sales associate Michele Church of the Washington Township office was recognized for her exceptional performance in November.

A top producer, Church led the region, which is comprised of locations throughout Burlington, Camden, Atlantic and Gloucester counties, for resales, resale revenue units and resale dollar volume.

Weichert's Washington Township office is at 5070 Route 42 in Turnersville.

For more information, Weichert's customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD.

 

Five individuals were arrested after a search warrant execution in Paulsboro Wednesday Dec. 16, 2015.

PAULSBORO -- A search warrant execution in the borough led to the arrest of five individuals and seizure of multiple drugs and weapons Wednesday.

Louis "Bucky" Green, 65, was arrested on multiple narcotics and weapons charges in Paulsboro on Wednesday Dec. 16, 2015. Salem County Corrections 

The Pine Street house, which has been the subject of three previous narcotics search warrants, has been under investigation for years, Paulsboro police said.

With help from the Gloucester County SWAT team and the Greenwich Township Police K-9 Unit, Paulsboro Police raided the home at around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Loudenslager Elementary School, which is located across the street, was put on lockdown for part of the afternoon as police secured the area.

Officers found suspected crack cocaine, suspected heroin, suspected marijuana and packaging supplies, as well as two illegal handguns -- a .45 caliber semi-automatic, which was loaded, and a .22 caliber handgun.

Louis "Butchy" Green, 65, was charged with possession of CDS, possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute in a school zone, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to surrender CDS to law enforcement, possession within 500 feet of a public park, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense.

He was held in Salem County Jail in lieu of $25,000 full cash bail.

Eric Diaz, 33, was charged with possession of CDS, possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to surrender CDS to law enforcement, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and loitering to commit a CDS offense.

Diaz posted a $25,000 cash bond and was released pending court.

Three Paulsboro women, Theresa Ramsey, 34, Latasha Williams, 24, and Mary Santiago, 24, were all charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and were released on summonses.

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

 

It was a brief and benign moment that never posed any threat, but the terrified gasp from the audience had nonetheless illustrated the increasing fear that has taken hold of the country today — that violent attacks are imminent and just around the corner.

GLASSBORO -- It was a brief, innocuous moment that never posed any threat, but the terrified gasp from the audience had nonetheless illustrated the increasing fear taking hold of the country today -- that violent attacks are imminent and just around the corner.

A small group of about 30 people gathered at Rowan University on Wednesday night to hear a debate on whether college campuses should be gun free.

Six panelists gathered at Rowan University on Wednesday night, Dec. 16, 2015 to debate the issue of whether college campuses should be gun free. Pictured left, Kevin Dixon, member of the National Rifle Association, Cynthia Liccardo, a former assistant district prosecutor in Mercer County, and Ayana Lyons, public relations director of students for concealed carry -- all of whom were against banning guns on college campuses.Spencer Kent | For NJ.com 

Hosted by student organization R U Safe? in an auditorium at Bozorth Hall, the debate featured six panelists -- three to each side of the issue -- made up of law enforcement and public safety officials, a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and student organization leaders.

When it came time to take questions from the audience, a man in the back row stood and announced that he was a gun owner who held a concealed-carry permit. Then the man, while slightly lifting up his shirt, lightheartedly said, "Obviously, I don't have it on me."

More than a dozen members of the audience gasped in a brief moment of panic.

"Oh my God," said a young woman, who took a petrified breath along with others in the crowd. It took her a few minutes to regain composure. Her friend sitting next to her was also startled.

Within a second, however, it became obvious the man was of no threat and the gasps quickly shifted to chuckles of relief and bewilderment.

The young woman, Morgan Litzas, a 21-year-old senior at Rowan, didn't know why she reacted with that level of fear, but for a split second, she thought the man might pull a gun from under his shirt.

The reaction from the audience was indicative of a potential issue facing the country today -- society being driven to a constant state of fear from the perception that mass violence is becoming a regular occurrence that cannot be thwarted.

The three panelists for allowing guns on college campuses argued that it is strict gun laws causing the perception that attacks are irrepressible.

"I think it would deter (assailants) knowing that there were ... armed faculty members, and if students have permits to carry, I think it would absolutely deter (incidents)," said pro-gun rights panelist Cynthia Liccardo, a former assistant district prosecutor in Mercer County who now works as an attorney in Trenton.

Sitting next to Liccardo was Kevin Dixon, a member of the NRA and owner of an engineering firm in Galloway Township, who also said fewer guns are not the answer and that strict laws are causing more harm than good. Dixon said he also supports legalizing more high-powered weapons currently banned, and when asked by the moderator if that included weapons like rocket launchers, Dixon did not rule it out.

Citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Dixon added: "I used to say we don't need rocket launchers, but this effort in the Middle East ... they are coming to our shores right now. And I don't think it is a stretch when we see the day when rocket launchers are (on) our streets."

Michael Kantner, head of Rowan University's Department of Public Safety and a former chief of investigations for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, was not for arming students, teachers, or staff other than trained law enforcement personnel.

"I don't feel anyone should be able to carry a gun on campus here," Kantner said. "Students, you're young adults, you're mature, but that is a profound responsibility, and ... I don't know if you would really want to take that on. But that could change in the future."

Dr. Mary Louise E. Kerwin, department chair of psychology at Rowan University, spoke on the mental health side of the issue, stating that she believes students at that age still lack the maturity to carry or possess a gun on campus.

Kerwin and Kantner said the fear is understandable from the mass shooting attacks continuing to take place -- most recently in San Bernardino, California earlier this month where a couple killed 14 people using firearms. In 2007, 33 people were shot and killed at Virginia Tech, and just a couple of months ago, 10 were fatally gunned down at Oregon's Umpqua Community College.

But though it might seem counterintuitive, each also said it was important to maintain perspective and avoid becoming so hyper-cautious that fear turns into a constant state of paranoia that could ultimately lead to health implications.

Keeping young minds calm, or at least as calm as possible in the wake of such attacks, is a lesson Kantner also believes professors and teachers should discuss in the classroom, in addition to public safety awareness.

"It just like what I tell my kids," Kantner said after the debate, "you have to be aware (of) what's going on in today's world. But don't be paranoid."

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

 

MONROE TWP. — Kathleen Ungvarsky's third grade TAG students at Radix and Whitehall Elementary Schools in Monroe Township are deep into a STEM unit on water. What better way to learn about the drainage patterns of a watershed and the effects of point source/non-point source pollution than to build a model of a watershed, pollute it and create a rainstorm to see...

MONROE TWP. -- Kathleen Ungvarsky's third grade TAG students at Radix and Whitehall Elementary Schools in Monroe Township are deep into a STEM unit on water.

What better way to learn about the drainage patterns of a watershed and the effects of point source/non-point source pollution than to build a model of a watershed, pollute it and create a rainstorm to see what happens.

They created mountains and valleys out of sheets of aluminum foil and covered it with a plastic bag.  Then they "polluted" it using top soil as fertilizer, paper as trash, glitter for car pollutants, oil from parking lots, detergent for carwash runoff and red colored water for factory waste while differentiating between the two types of pollution.

Creating a rainstorm with a water bottle, they could watch the runoff make its way down to a low-lying wetland represented by a sponge. Best yet -- that dirty polluted water is being used when the students learn the steps of the water treatment process and build their own water filters.

All of this is part of their STEM unit on "providing access to clean water to everyone." Maybe one day these students will become innovators to help solve this problem by developing ideas similar to those of the creators of the Life Saver Bottle and Life Straw. Problem solving at its best!