A judge on Friday denied to cut the bail for a Paulsboro man charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child after his 7-week-old daughter was hospitalized with bruising to her face.

Sebastian Trump, 21, was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.Salem County Corrections 

PAULSBORO -- A judge on Friday denied to cut the bail of a Paulsboro man charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child after his 7-week-old daughter was hospitalized with bruising to her face, according to a statement from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Earlier this month, Trump was watching his daughter alone at his residence while her mother -- Trump's fiance -- stayed at a friend's place overnight, the statement said. The mother later returned to find the infant had bruises to her face. The child was taken to a hospital where doctors suspected abuse, the prosecutor's office said.

The child was taken to a hospital where doctors suspected abuse, the prosecutor's office said.

At the hearing, Gloucester County Superior Court Judge Robert P. Becker said during said he was concerned with the child not being taken to the hospital the same night of her injury, but instead taken the following morning when the mother returned, the statement said.

Trump's lawyer had cited Trump's clean record and history of mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder (ADD).

As a condition of bail, Trump was ordered to have no contact with his daughter and no unsupervised contact with any child.

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

 

Shannon Schonewolf is facing second-degree child endangerment charges, but missed a court date in early December, the prosecutor's office says.

WOODBURY -- A woman indicted on child endangerment charges for the death of her baby is wanted for missing a court date earlier this month, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office has announced.

Shannon Schonewolf, 33, wanted by the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office (photo provided by GCPO). 

The incident occurred last summer at the Inverness apartment complex in Deptford. Shannon Schonewolf, 33, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child after she fell asleep in a bathtub with her six-week-old son lying on top of her. She awoke to find the baby unconscious, and he was pronounced dead at Inspira Medical Center a short time later.

An autopsy revealed that the infant drowned, and Schonewolf, along with the baby's father, 27-year-old Maurice Brown, were both charged in the incident. The GCPO has not released any more details about what led up to the boy's death. Brown, who was with Schonewolf in the apartment when the baby died, was also indicted and is currently out on bail.

Schonewolf had been scheduled for a pre-arraignment hearing on Dec. 2, but never showed up, according to GCPO Spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld. She is described as standing five feet, seven inches tall and weighing about 250 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information on Schonewolf's whereabouts should not attempt to apprehend her. Instead, contact the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office at (856) 384-5643 or GCPO Sgt. Ron Koller at (609) 929-6348.

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

 

The The Heart of Gloucester County Resource Directory is a unique online searchable guide to 1,700 specific local resources for residents of seven counties in South Jersey seeking immediate help with such pressing issues as housing, transportation, utility and rental assistance, emotional and psychological crises, and food supplementation. It was launched in 2012. A significant updating and expansion of its data has...

The The Heart of Gloucester County Resource Directory is a unique online searchable guide to 1,700 specific local resources for residents of seven counties in South Jersey seeking immediate help with such pressing issues as housing, transportation, utility and rental assistance, emotional and psychological crises, and food supplementation. It was launched in 2012. A significant updating and expansion of its data has just been completed, it was announced on Nov. 23 by The People for People Foundation of Gloucester County, the nonprofit responsible for the directory's creation and maintenance.

The Heart Directory is the most comprehensive database of its kind, providing thorough, timely information on the services provided by local charities and municipal agencies throughout much of South Jersey. Such information was previously difficult and time-consuming to find, both for help providers and the public. The directory simplifies and greatly speeds up the process of locating appropriate assistance.

The Resource Directory is available free of charge online at heartofgloucestercounty.org.

It was created by The People for People Foundation in partnership with five other local nonprofits and service organizations operating under the name The Heart of Gloucester County. The Heart partnership offers a variety of educational, counseling and referral services for those seeking assistance.  

The recent revision of the Heart Directory has added hundreds of additional resources in seven counties in the South Jersey region and updated information on charities and agencies already in the directory. Paul Blackstock, the chairman of the board of The People for People Foundation, explained that while the directory was originally focused on services and resources for those seeking guidance and assistance only in Gloucester County, "organizations and agencies throughout South Jersey saw the directory, were impressed with its value and usability, and asked us to include listings of resources in their counties as well. As a result, we now list local resources for residents of Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, as well as Gloucester."

The directory, Blackstock explained, was created "when those of us working to help individuals and families deal with emergencies and unanticipated needs realized that there was no single port of entry where those looking for help could quickly and easily locate resources for the assistance they required. Now, people needing help can access detailed information on those offering it by completing a simple, quick search." The Resource Directory, he noted, "continues not just to grow but to evolve. We have added additional categories of assistance in response to queries we have received and we have also identified and included more resources for groups having more specialized needs, such as veterans and seniors. There is also a new addition on the directory listed as VOAD, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, which will serve as a communication and resource hub during disasters in Gloucester County."

The Resource Directory is accessible via a search engine. Those requiring help can type in the name of an organization they are seeking or they can check off boxes for one or more of the 27 categories (such as abuse, counseling, clothing, day care, employment assistance, food banks etc.) and 61 subcategories by which information is organized. A search will return a detailed annotated list of available resources, including the names and contact information (including telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and hours of operation) of each organization offering help in a given field as well as an explanation of the specific services available. Directory users can further refine a search by specifying a geographical range within South Jersey. A Mobile App is available for downloading so that the directory can be accessed via a variety of devices. Resource specialists are available live at 856-579-8252 for those needing guidance in running a search or in using the information returned by a search.  Individuals can also ask a question about the search engine or the resources listed by texting askheart at 66746 or by submitting a query on the Heart of Gloucester County website at heartofgloucestercounty.org.   

"While we are pleased with the expansion of the Resource Directory," Mr. Blackstock said, "there is a sense in which it will never be finished. We are committed to maintaining the Directory, and it's not likely that we will ever stop adding to and refining the lists. ."

For additional information, please contact Paul Blackstock at The People for People Foundation, 856-579-7561, or paul@pfpfoundation.org.

The five roofs covering the 20,000 square feet of office space and classrooms need to be replaced in order to stop water intrusion that has caused interior damage to walls, ceilings and carpets.

WOODBURY -- The Woodbury Child Development Center staff worries whenever they get a heavy rainfall.

The non-profit center, which serves children 4 months to 12 years of age, operates out of an old school building on Carpenter Street that dates back to the days of segregation.

The five roofs covering the 20,000 square feet of office space and classrooms need to be replaced in order to stop water intrusion that has caused interior damage to walls, ceilings and carpets.

They have already raised $9,000 to replace the roof over the kitchen area, but that leaves four roofs still to fund.

The price tag is $50,000.

As soon as they have dry weather again, work will begin on the roof over the kitchen area, where water intrusion has shorted out a refrigerator and caused other damage.

Standing in the lobby, Joan Clark, treasurer of the center's board of directors, described the problems they face every time bad weather arrives.

"When this one leaks, water just pours in," she said as she stood near the main entrance.

"It literally comes pouring down the wall," she added, pointing to another spot.

After roofs are replaced, fundraising to replace interior elements damaged by water can begin.

The building began life as Carpenter Street School, later served as offices for the county health department and was then sold by the county to the child development center board for $1. Thanks to funds from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the building was renovated in the 1990s.

Twenty years later, the roof work can no longer be delayed. Without new roofs, the services this facility provides could be endangered

"There are a lot of great programs here," said Pat Davis, who handles accounts payable at the center. "The kids are really great."

Davis stressed the center's value in providing a place for low-income families to bring their children.

More than 120 students attend the center, which operates all year long, providing daycare, pre-school, before- and after-school care and summer programs.

"Our mission is to provide safe childcare to low-income families so parents can go to work and better their lives," Clark said.

Clark and Davis pointed out damage in various parts of the building, including a stairwell that is closed off because of ceiling deterioration.

State officials have warned center operators that the roofs must be replaced.

"The state is really on our case, because it creates a safety issue ... the ceiling could collapse," Clark said.

At another stop, they showed off the recently created book nook, which suffered drywall and book damage after a new leak occurred.

Trouble is evident from the outside, too, where a section of facade above a row of windows bulges out from the wall because of water intrusion.

To address some of these issues, the center is in the midst of a basket fundraiser, with prizes including a PlayStation 4, $100 gift card and gift baskets. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the center. You don't have much time, though. The drawing is 6 p.m. on Monday

The center's board of trustees is planning monthly fundraisers, including coupon books, pizza and donut sales, a fall festival and wine and cheese event.

Those interested in donating for the roof replacement project can send a check or money order to the Woodbury Child Development Center, 36 Carpenter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information, call the center at 856-845-2243.

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

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

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

JEERS to the silent treatment. It's been more than two months since 3-year-old Brendan Creato was found dead in Haddon Township and the details officially released by investigators have been scant. We understand that this is an active investigation, but a town has spent 60 days without knowing whether or not someone took Brendan or if he somehow got out on his own. At this point, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office must have an inkling as to how Brendan died -- if not where and when. If so, let the residents of Haddon Township know there's been progress since Oct. 13.

CHEERS: To the strength exhibited by a woman who has turned trauma into action. Katlyn Pagaduan was molested by a track coach while she was a student at Deptford High School. Now 31, she has played a lead role in promoting recently signed federal legislation that aims to keep sexual and violent predators from teaching our kids. The bill, dubbed the Passing-the-Trash Ban, is intended to prevent schools from helping teachers find new jobs "if the school knows or has probable cause to believe that the school worker engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor or student." While we all know that the great majority of teachers are responsible adults, we see far too many stories of teachers convicted of molesting those they are supposed to be protecting and guiding. Pagaduan's traumatic experiences, which included the stabbing death of her boyfriend at the hands of the very same track coach's son, still haunt her today. Those experiences have led to her to work with legislators and other victims to help protect future students. We thank Pagaduan for her advocacy.

JEERS: To a terrible idea that should be squashed before it gets started. An item inserted in recent federal legislation now allows federal agencies, such as the IRS, to robocall delinquent taxpayers to demand payment. This new authority comes as South Jersey residents are reporting a wave of phone scam calls from creeps claiming to represent the IRS. The callers demand payment of bogus debts and threaten legal action if victims don't comply. Given this is going on, it's a little hard to imagine why anyone would think it's a good idea for the IRS to start making legit calls. Police and the IRS itself have been assuring taxpayers for years that the IRS won't call to demand immediate payment. That's how you tell the difference between the real IRS and the fraudsters. This new power will simply confuse customers and lead to increased scamming. Let's not make a terrible situation worse.

CHEERS to sensible legislation. Congressman Donald Norcross brought together local law enforcement on Monday to bolster his fight to close a loophole in federal background checks that allows individuals on the FBI's no-fly list to obtain weapons or firearms. Norcross, who is wrapping up an accomplished freshman year in office, sent a letter to House leaders urging them not to adjourn for the year before it took up the issue. Despite your stance on whether those on the no-fly list should be able to obtain weapons -- the NRA argues innocent citizens could end up on the list without access to a due process to get off to it -- we agree with Norcross that such a common-sense issue should at least be hashed out on the House floor.

CHEERS: To remembering our late veterans at the holiday season. On Dec. 12 wreath-laying ceremonies were held at the Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery in Hopewell Township and Finn's Point National Cemetery in Pennsville Township. More than 1,000 wreaths were placed by volunteers on the graves at the cemeteries. The Cumberland project was part of the Wreaths of Remembrance project at the Finn's Point event linked to Wreaths Across America.

JEERS: To frightening the faithful. For many, there seems there couldn't be any place where they would feel safer than in a church. But that wasn't the case on Dec. 12 when an evening Mass at a Vineland church was interrupted by two men who told the parishioners they were "going to die." Frightened, those at the service left their pews and fled outdoors. The men were later arrested and jailed.

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

Attorneys are required to have undivided loyalty to their clients.

Victoria Dalton 

In a powerful scene from the movie Godfather, Michael Corleone tells his brother Fredo, "Don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again-ever."   Loyalty to ones' family is a central theme in the Godfather and part of what makes this movie so popular even today.

No man can serve two masters.  While loyalty is a quality we look for in friends as well as family, it is just as important in hiring a lawyer.  Does your attorney have relationships that impact his or her ability to provide their undivided loyalty to your case?  It is important to know the rules before deciding whether this is the right person to advocate on your behalf.

Rules of Professional Conduct

All lawyers are governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct.  Under these rules, attorneys are required to have undivided loyalty to their clients.  Even if not requested by the client, an attorney has an affirmative duty to identify all conflicts of interest. This responsibility continues throughout the attorney-client relationship.

What is a conflict?

A conflict is where the interests of one party or entity interfere with the ability of a lawyer to offer objective representation to his or her client.  It could be not only the interests of a current client but also a former client or a personal interest of the attorney.  In each situation, the attorney is deemed to have a concurrent conflict of interest.

When such a conflict exists, the attorney is required to disclose this information to his or her client.  The attorney should not just disclose whether a conflict exists but also the facts and circumstances surrounding the conflict as well. For example, if the attorney has represented the opposing side in another matter or is related to the judge hearing your case, either or both may be considered a conflict.  If a lawyer fails to disclose the existence of a conflict, it could be considered malpractice and subject the lawyer to a legal claim.

What is Informed Consent?

Does the existence of a conflict of interest mean that attorney cannot represent you?  No.  As the client, you decide whether you want the attorney to represent you anyway.  The agreement in which a client decides to waive a conflict is called informed consent.  

The Rules of Professional Conduct define informed consent as an agreement by a client to a proposed course of representation after full disclosure and consultation with the attorney. If a potential conflict exists with current clients as in creating a will for a husband and wife, both must give informed consent to representation.  This agreement must detail the advantages and risks of common representation by the same attorney.

Importantly, in order for the attorney to represent both parties he must reasonably believe he will be able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client.  The representation cannot be prohibited by law and cannot involve the assertion of a claim by one client against another client.

Ultimately, the decision lies with the client to determine whether to continue being represented by an attorney with a conflict or to seek a new attorney.   

Victoria M. Dalton is an attorney with the law offices of Hoffman DiMuzio. Send questions, or comments to vdalton@hoffmandimuzio.com. Or call 856-845-8243.  Please note that Your Legal Corner was created to provide educational articles about the law and is not legal advice. 

Eli McCarson died after he hit a utility pole in Quinton Township on Thursday.

GLASSBORO -- Funeral services for Eli McCarson, the New Jersey State Police Trooper killed in an accident in Quinton Township on Thursday, will be held at Rowan University Wednesday, an NJSP spokesman said Saturday.

McCarson, 30, was responding to a report of a domestic dispute when he struck a utility pole on Quinton-Alloway Road at about 10:45 a.m.

He was taken to the Memorial Hospital of Salem county, in Mannington, where he was pronounced dead at about noon. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

McCarson was part of the NJSP's 155th class, which graduated in February 2015. he worked out of the Woodstown barracks.

Condolences have come in from law enforcement agencies from across the country. The Officer Down Memorial Page for McCarson has gotten messages from people Washington state, Wisconsin and Texas, just to name a few.

The Go Fund Me campaign started on the day of McCarson's death has already gotten more than $11,000 in donations.

Gov. Chris Christie issued an executive order that all state buildings will fly flags at half-staff on Wednesday, Dec. 23, in McCarson's honor.

"Trooper McCarson was a loving and devoted husband, son, and brother, whose memory will live in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow members of the New Jersey State Police," Christie said in a statement. "Trooper McCarson served his State with courage, professionalism, and commitment to the finest ideals and traditions of the New Jersey State Police.

"It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Trooper McCarson, and we extend our sincere sympathy to his family, friends, and fellow members of the New Jersey State Police."

The viewing will be held at Pfleeger Concert hall from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the funeral at noon.

A Bridgeton man was charged with assault by auto and driving while intoxicated after a two-car collision at Aura Road and Williamson Lane in Harrison Township.

HARRISON TWP. -- A Bridgeton man was charged with assault by auto and driving while intoxicated after a two-car collision at Aura Road and Williamson Lane.

Leobardo Rivera-Martinez, 37, was leaving the parking lot of Green Lane Construction on the 200 block of Aura Road around 4:30 p.m. and attempted to cross Aura and turn west onto Williamson Lane, according to Harrison Township Police.

Rivera-Martinez pulled his 2008 Saturn into the path of a 2011 Toyota RAV-4 driven by a 68-year-old Pitman woman, police said.

The collision sent the Saturn into a fence on Eagle Drive. The Pitman woman was transported by Gloucester County EMS to Inspira Medical Center Woodbury with a hand injury.

After speaking with witnesses and investigating on scene, Rivera-Martinez was charged with assault by auto, DWI, driving without a license, reckless driving and failure to yield right of way to oncoming traffic. Testing revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .25, police said. Drivers with readings of .08 percent and above are considered intoxicated in New Jersey.

Rivera-Martinez was released after his employer posted 10 percent of his $2,500 bail, police said.

Ptl. Kurt Pflugfelder investigated the crash, assisted by Ptl. Michaell Flannery and Special Officer Michael Matkowsky. Harrison Police were assisted by the Mantua Township Police Department, Ewan Fire Department, Harmony Fire Department and Gloucester County EMS.

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

 

 

From Camden County, another case of abusive behavior by staff members. Banish instructors and staff who can't control their interactions with difficult students.

It's happened again. A video shows students in a South Jersey classroom being beaten, bullied or mistreated, allegedly by members of the school staff.

This time, it's at the Bancroft School in Haddonfield, operated by a wide-ranging non-profit service provider for children and adults with special needs.

The Camden County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday that Bancroft staff members Natassia Hines and Mondja Djamba had been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping and weapons violations after surveillance cameras allegedly showed them beating a 14-year-old boy with a belt, and restraining that student and a 19-year-old student under desks.

Unfortunately, it's the third time in four years locally that a video camera has shown a special-needs student being physically or verbally abused by a teacher or staff member.

In 2011, the world viewed a teacher at the Bankbridge Regional School in Deptford Township repeatedly belittle and threaten a 15-year-old student in a class for students with various disabilities. The teacher was fired, in a case where an appellate court upheld the Gloucester County Special Services District's  termination.

The outcome was different in a 2012 incident. A 10-year-old autistic student at Horace Mann Elementary School in Cherry Hill was bullied and verbally harassed by a teacher and aides, as seen on a video posted by a fed-up parent. The teacher -- who had been suspended -- was ordered reinstated last year when a judge ruled that the video violated state surveillance and wiretapping laws.

Admittedly, privacy issues surround recordings of minors in classrooms, especially minors with disabilities or emotional/behavioral issues. It would be chilling to require that every moment of student-educator interaction be recorded.

Yet, if it's not legal to make unannounced recordings, the courts and the state Department of Education must find another way to monitor these classes effectively. Perhaps recording can be random, with cameras in the open, but not active all of the time. More frequent in-person monitoring of special-needs classes by administrators could also reveal some long-standing mistreatment.

Children on the autism spectrum may be less likely than other students to speak up in school about physical or mental cruelty. Other special-needs students have limited ability to communicate, too. It's a complication that might dictate more liberal use of hidden cameras than in general classrooms. Let's see clearer guidelines about what type of surveillance is permissible and what type is not. Meanwhile, don't judge too harshly any parent who takes matters into his or her own hands to get proof of his child's complaints. 

At none of these three schools is there evidence that abusive behavior is, or was, routine. But frustrating situations will arise. Staff members who cannot respond appropriately don't belong in front of special-needs classrooms. If it takes video evidence to get them removed, so be it.

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

Theresa Gattuso was a healthy, athletic, vibrant 14-year-old when her life was turned upside-down during Easter weekend in 1986

"A Whisper from Within: My Life, My Terms,"was written by Theresa Gattuso of Swedesboro. (Jessica Beym | For NJ.com)
 

Theresa Gattuso was a healthy, athletic, vibrant 14-year-old when her life was turned upside-down during Easter weekend in 1986. One moment she was able to live life to the fullest. The next moment she had forfeited all ability to live independently.

But 29 years later, Theresa, who grew up on a farm in Swedesboro, is married, has a daughter, and has written a book - "A Whisper From Within" - which definitively chronicles her long journey back from near-death.

She writes, "Whatever tomorrow brings, I am never letting go and won't be shaken from my strength (perseverance, motivation, and determination) that was imbedded inside me. I will always keep pushing forward with God's help and hold on tight within my heart's power of my learning lessons, the healing of my soul, my life experiences, God's incredible love, and His amazing words that are 'A Whisper from Within.'"

Theresa and her identical twin sister Joann were spending the Easter holiday with their sister Linda in Salisbury, Md. One morning Theresa decided to accompany Linda to her YMCA workplace.

The next thing she clearly recalls is waking up in a Salisbury hospital after being in a coma for two months.

Before that, she remembers something "weird" engulfing her body. The pain quickly left but an uneasy feeling remained. She knew something was terribly wrong.

"Everything around me became blurry and fuzzy. I felt lost, as though my head had separated from the rest of me.  I felt like I wasn't in my body, that I wasn't myself anymore. Then I had a splitting headache; the pain was excruciating."'

Nonetheless, she shot some hoops and swam a bit. Theresa recalls running in for a layup but couldn't recall if the ball went in. Instead, she found herself in her sister's office throwing up blood and complaining of the headache.

Linda took her to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where doctors at first thought she had a bleeding ulcer or may be on drugs because several other patients had similar symptoms.

A conversation with her sister left Theresa confused. She wanted Joann - they were inseparable - and couldn't understand why she wasn't in the hospital with her.

"Linda and the doctors kept asking me what was wrong, but I was slipping in and out of consciousness. Linda had called mother to meet us at the hospital, but when she got there i was unconscious. My mom tried to wake me, and when I could not, she ran to see the doctors.

"That's when they realized I had fallen into a deep coma. It wasn't  until hours later that they finally realized I had an aneurysm....and the aneurysm had burst."

The next thing Theresa recalls is awakening from her deep sleep and slowly becoming aware of her surroundings.

"I was in a dark room with harsh bright lights in the hallway that were streaming into my room through the open door. I did not know where I was.

"I thought to myself, 'Am I dead? I must be dead. Where's mommy? Where is everybody? How did I get here?'"

Theresa's book is a riveting account of her return from her deep sleep, her difficult struggles to overcome her illness, her love for her family, her marriage to the amazing Joe O'Connor, and the birth of her precious Samantha.

There are poignant chapters on learning to drive, returning to the workplace, learning to eat again, dealing with the  deaths of her parents. A chapter is devoted to the frightening perils of being handicapped; another is not wanting to be treated "differently."

She laughs and she cries. She is determined to live her life the way she wishes, even if it's from a wheelchair. Her emotions run the full gamut, and she doesn't hold back in her book.

With the help of her editor, she writes beautifully although she had no prior experience.

An example:

"I remember my brother Jimmy singing to me. One of the songs was 'The Impossible Dream.' I remembered the lyrics and sang them to myself over and over again. At the time, Jimmy did not know that his singing re-ignited the life force in my spirit and reawakened my mind. It gave me the courage and strength to come out of my coma and feel alive again."

On the final page of her book, Theresa brings us up to date. The news is not altogether great.

"As I was ending this book about my life, a new chapter is starting. I found out that I have breast cancer, (so) the next battle and hurdle in my life is beginning. As I push through my next obstacle, I will use all my strength and courage to overcome (cancer). Holding onto God Almighty in my heart,  and knowing that I'm not alone, I will defeat this."

Theresa Gattuso O'Connor is one tough fighter. Bet on her in any conflict.

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

 

 

Police are investigating after landscaping rocks were thrown through windows in two incidents in the Greenfields development.

LOGAN TWP. -- Police are investigating after landscaping rocks were hurled through windows in two incidents in the Greenfields development earlier this month.

Police say large rocks smashed a glass storm door and a bay window, causing extensive damage.

Authorities did not indicate if they had any suspects in the incidents.

Other Logan Township police news:

• A 45-year-old Swedesboro man was charged with theft and receiving stolen property after he was found in possession of an iPhone 5 that was reported stolen from a Blackwood resident while working on Sharptown Road. The accused was processed and released pending court.
• A Dell tablet was reported stolen from a business on Sharptown Road. The item was valued at $1,100.
• Officers charged a 44-year-old Logan Township man with driving while intoxicated and other motor vehicle offenses following a vehicle stop on Nortonville Road on Dec. 2. He was processed and released pending court.
• A Camden woman reported that someone entered her vehicle and stole her wallet and a Garmin Nuvi GPS device while the vehicle was parked on Arlington Boulevard on Dec. 2.
• On Dec. 7, AT&T representatives reported the theft of 72 feet of copper wire from a cell tower off Center Square Road. Replacement and damage costs were estimated at more than $1,000. Police are reviewing surveillance camera footage of the area.
• Police charged brothers Abdul and Bilaal Ross, of Philadelphia, with theft of gift cards while working at the Amazon facility on Center Square Road. The stolen gift cards were valued at $2,950. Both were processed and released pending court.
• A woman stole six cans of baby formula from Acme on Dec. 10 and fled in a beige Ford pickup truck with Pennsylvania tags. The stolen items were valued at $191.
• A Logan Township woman reported that her 2002 Oldsmobile was burglarized while it was parked at her place of employment on Birch Creek Road on Dec. 11. The victim reported that a Coach handbag containing her wallet, a debit card and various pieces of personal identification were stolen.
• Police charged a 24-year-old Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, man with theft after he was found opening packages and stealing the contents while working for UPS on Birch Creek Road on Dec. 11. He was processed and released pending court.
• A Logan Township man reported that someone stole a check from his checkbook and cashed it in the amount of $1,500. A second check, from a separate account, was also reported stolen and cashed for $2,000 a few days later. Detectives have identified a suspect and complaints are pending.
• Someone stole copper valued at $1,500 from a facility on Route 322.
• A Millville man reported that someone damaged his 2002 Ford while it was parked on Veterans Drive on Dec. 15.
• A Glassboro resident reported that someone removed $450 from within the console of his RV while it was being serviced at Camping World on Heron Drive.

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

 

 

A Christmas Mass planned at Kingsway Regional Middle School will mark the first time the three parishes that make up the St. Clare of Assisi parish have worshipped together.

SWEDESBORO -- A Christmas Mass planned at Kingsway Regional Middle School will mark the first time the three parishes that make up the St. Clare of Assisi parish have worshipped together.

St. Clare of Assisi formed in 2010 through the merger of St. John's in Paulsboro, St. Joseph's in Swedesboro and St. Michael's in Gibbstown.

Since then, the combined parish has continued worshipping at the separate sites in the three former parish communities it serves.

"We are still on our way to becoming one parish, in one church, on one campus," said Father Dave Grover, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi parish. "This is a major challenge in need of a long-range plan but it will be so wonderful to have the entire congregation from all three heritage parishes together this Christmas."

Because of space restrictions, the combined parish had not been able to gather in one place to worship together until now.

They will worship together in the middle school gymnasium for five services over the Christmas holiday.

Christmas Mass at Kingsway will include Christmas Eve services at 4 p.m, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

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

 

A state corrections officer has been indicted on charges that he set his own vehicle on fire in Deptford earlier this year, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

WOODBURY -- A state corrections officer has been indicted on charges that he set his own vehicle on fire in Deptford earlier this year, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Devin E. Cooper, 27, of Lakehurst, was indicted by a Gloucester County grand jury last week on charges of second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree arson/insurance and third-degree insurance fraud in connection with the April 17 incident.

Authorities say Cooper set fire to a 2014 Jeep Compass in a wooded area off Caulfield Avenue.

Cooper turned himself in to Deptford Police headquarters in late April and was released after posting $25,000 bail.

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

 

 

Police reported several car burglaries, a home burglary and two attempted home break-ins during the last few weeks.

WEST DEPTFORD TWP. -- Police reported several car burglaries, a home burglary and two attempted home break-ins during the last few weeks.

An Audubon Avenue resident called police around 3 p.m. Dec. 1 to report an attempted burglary.

The resident told police that a man was standing at a rear window trying to enter the home.

The resident yelled and the man fled. Police found no suspects in a search of the area.

The would-be intruder was described as about 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall with blond hair and wearing an older Eagles hoodie and jeans.

Other reports include:

• On Dec. 3 at about 5:30 a.m., a Tattersall Drive resident called police to report hearing loud noises from the lower level of the home. Upon inspection, it appeared someone had tried to enter the home by prying open locks and kicking in a door. Police are investigating the attempted burglary.
• Someone entered an unlocked car on Carter Avenue between Dec. 2 and 3 and stole a purse containing cash, a checkbook and various credit cards.
• A Buxton Court resident reported that between Dec. 2 and 3 someone entered an unlocked car parked in the driveway and stole a pair of Nike magnifying goggles valued at $1,000.

• A Tattersall Drive resident reported the theft of about $20 in loose change from an unlocked car sometime between Dec. 2 and 3.
• Police responded to a report of a burglary Dec. 3 at a Royal Lane residence. Police found someone had entered by cutting a screen and breaking a rear basement window. The burglar then kicked open the basement door and headed to an upstairs bedroom. Numerous pieces of jewelry were reported missing.
• A Lawnton Avenue resident reported two incidents involving vehicles parked in the driveway. Between 10 p.m. Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. Dec. 5, someone entered an unlocked vehicle and stole $15 in loose change. Sometime between 10 p.m. Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. Dec. 6, someone scratched the passenger side doors of the other vehicle.
• Police responded to an alarm at the Citgo station on Red Bank Avenue on Dec. 3 and found someone had broken into the office by prying open the door. The burglar made off with eight cartons of Newport cigarettes valued at $640.
• A Hillside Road resident reported the theft of a metal wind chime from their backyard on Dec. 3. The chime is about 5 feet long and valued at $180.
• Two Forest Creek residents reported Dec. 4 that their vehicles were spray painted overnight. The victims said they believed juveniles were responsible but could not name a suspect.

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

 

A woman was transported to Cooper University Hospital on Saturday evening after breaking her leg while using a zipline in the backyard of a High Street property, police reported.

HARRISON TWP. -- A woman was transported to Cooper University Hospital on Saturday evening after breaking her leg while using a zipline in the backyard of a High Street property, township police reported.

The 34-year-old woman apparently put her foot out to slow herself down and her leg struck a tree, authorities said.

Scanner reports indicted the patient was located down an incline and additional resources were needed to rescue her.

She was transported to the hospital by Gloucester County EMS.

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

 

 

Eight people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday night, township police said.

HARRISON TWP. -- Eight people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday night, township police said.

A 53-year-old Thorofare woman was traveling west on High Street around 10:30 p.m. when police say she disregarded a stop sign.

Her 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander struck a 2007 Honda Odyssey that had the right of way and was traveling south on Tomlin Station Road.

Five occupants in the Honda and three in the Mitsubishi were transported to hospitals, but none of the injuries were believed to be serious, police said Sunday.

Some of the occupants of both vehicles were trapped and had to be removed by emergency responders.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, police said, and no charges had been filed as of Sunday night.

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

 

Eagles fans braved the cold while tailgating before the game against the Arizona Cardinals in Philadelphia Sunday night.

PHILADELPHIA --  Eagles fans, hoping Chip Kelly is on Santa's "Nice" list, would like nothing more than a victory over the Arizona Cardinals for Christmas. 

With a Carolina Panthers win over the Giants earlier in the day and Christmas only five days away, fans had plenty to get excited about as temperatures dropped into the 30s.

ALSO: Cardinals-Eagles LIVE updates

The game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. and will be aired on NBC. 

According to weather.com, the temperature will be 36 degrees by game's end, with it feeling closer to 33 degrees.

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

The 2015 Eagles cheerleading squad performed during the game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday night.

PHILADELPHIA -- The 2015 Eagles cheerleaders performed as the Eagles took on the Arizona Cardinals Sunday night.

The women were bundled up as temperatures dipped into the 30s, a drastic change from last week when the temperature reached a record 71 degrees. 

The Eagles lost to the Cardinals, 40-17.

PLUS: Eagles fans tailgate before game vs. Cardinals

The next time the squad takes the field will be Saturday at 8:25 p.m. as the Eagles host the Washington Redskins. 

Look for photo galleries of the squad and game action throughout the season on nj.com.

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

The club now boasts more than 150 members from all over South Jersey.

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Fifty years ago, it started as a simple ladies club in a suburban development of two-story homes.

In the '60s, it was a way for women to socialize with their neighbors. 

But a half-century later, the WedgWood Women's Club has evolved into something different, something more reflective of the times. 

"It started out in the development of Wedgewood in Washington Township. That's how it got its name," said Annamarie Lucca, Vice President and 20-year member.

"It was a little ladies club," said the club's President, Sue Zeller. "Wedgewood wanted to unify their community. They would plant flowers and beautify the community, and they would hold dances and all little things to raise money to be able to do it."

The club kept its name but eventually absorbed members from the multiple women's clubs that started in the '60s. Today -- as they celebrate their 50th year -- the club boasts 158 members.

"We now have members that come from as far as Philadelphia and Wildwood," Lucca stated.

And the special bond between the women has continued to grow. 

They meet at the Wedgwood Country Club from September to June, on the second Tuesday of each month. Each meeting is an opportunity to enjoy each other's company, and features a special guest that provides an insightful experience. Previous meetings have hosted guests ranging from psychics, to health experts, to wine connoisseurs.  

Aside from attending monthly meetings, members have the ability to partake in several trips a year. The WedgWood Women's Club has taken approximately 300 day-trips and a large quantity of over-night trips. The club has also cruised to Bermuda, Europe and the Caribbean.  

While the ladies celebrate positive experiences together, they also assist one another in times of need. 

"I have worked very hard for the club and never asked for anything in return," Zeller said. "I had a back operation and they came and they gave dinners to my family for three months... We have had so much fun with this stuff. It's very hard to pick one thing that sticks out, but I would have to say it's the friendships that really touches me."

While this remains a social club, as it was originally intended to be, the women have taken their dedication to community service to a higher level over the years.

"Each club wanted to do a little more than beautify the area. They wanted to give a scholarship. We started with awarding a $500 scholarship to nursing to Gloucester County Community College. That was the first scholarship we gave," Zeller said.

Ever since, the members of the WedgWood Women's Club has made it their mission to provide funding for higher education. As of now, the club has provided $100,000 in scholarships to Washington Township High School students, $78,000 to women returning to school at Rowan College at Gloucester County and $21,000 in textbooks. 

The educational funding is made possible by several fundraisers hosted by the WedgWood Women's Club, which include their annual Designer Bingo, Christmas House Tour and more.

Those who are interested in applying for a WedgWood Women's Club scholarship are encouraged to visit the scholarship foundation office and fill out an application. Applicants must be women from Gloucester County who are returning to school after a hiatus.

In regards to interested, future members, Zeller stated, "There's somebody in the club that can relate to whatever you're going through. You're not alone. Members come and they forgot their problems for the day. We all understand each other, we've all been through life and we understand. There's been 50 years of friendships."

For more information about the WedgWood Women's Club, visit wedgwoodwomensclub.com.

On something as basic as water, we need to insist on a neutral space where the current report can be released.

Al Kelly 

By Albert B. Kelly

Sometimes I long for the good old days, whatever they are.  You remember -- those days when we didn't wrestle with stuff like global warming, climate change, rising sea levels, melting ice caps, killer droughts and super storms. Maybe we should have done some wrestling back then because we might be in a better place now.

It's also hard these days because you've got politicians and some scientists all over the place on this stuff, with some denying that there's even a possibility of global warming and others setting their hair on fire at the prospect of rising sea levels.

But somewhere between the flat earth crowd and setting your hair on fire lay the issues that matter, or at least should matter, to anyone who wants a decent quality of life now and for the future. One of those issues is water -- for drinking, bathing, flushing, farming, industry, and everything else that's impacted by water.

Maybe we just take its presence for granted because we can turn a faucet and it's there in all its glory. So we don't spend much time thinking about where it comes from or how it gets extracted and treated. Fortunately, the issue of our water is getting attention, but more of us at street level need to pay attention.

The issue of water -- quantity and quality -- has a history. In 1981, legislators enacted the "New Jersey Water Supply Management Act" which set out a few things, like the fact that water is a resource that belongs to all N.J. residents and the state has a responsibility to manage it responsibly, which includes planning for future needs.

It's a water master plan and like all master plans, it needs to be read from time to time and updated based on whatever happens to be the new normal. The last time anyone bothered to get into the tall grass with this water master plan was 1996.

Back then, the plan projected that by 2010, eight of the states 23 watersheds would be at a deficit and according to those in the know, these included the Maurice River and Cape May Coastal watersheds.

Closer to home, Bridgeton draws its water from the Kirkwood-Cohansey and Piney Point aquifers, providing water to over 7,000 meters for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

A lot can happen to aquifers including contamination through man-made things, decay or, as in the case of the Cape May watershed, an invasion of salt water which means desalination, probably at great cost to taxpayers. Just as importantly, we can overuse these aquifers and suck them dry.

The bottom line is that we have to know where things stand today but we're basically working off of 1996 numbers. Back then, they estimated that N.J. would have 8.9 million people by 2040. Current estimates say we hit 8.8 million in 2010 on our way to 10.4 million around 2030. Go figure.

Fortunately, an updated and more current water supply master plan has been drafted. According to "Save H2O NJ", a group that includes the American Littoral Society, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, New Jersey Highlands Coalition, and Association of New Jersey Environmental Commission, the draft plan looked at 150 smaller watersheds using analytics to get a handle on current and future demand.

Unfortunately, the state hasn't released the draft for public review and comment in spite of a growing chorus demanding that it be released. Who knows what the holdup is -- it shouldn't be politics. I'm guessing Iowa and New Hampshire have their own water issues to deal with.

On the other hand, maybe the delay is about what comes next, the natural slide into debates about the environment and sustainability. From there, it could easily turn into a food fight about global warming, climate change, sea levels, melting ice, and droughts.

But here's the thing. Politics notwithstanding, do we really want to roll the dice with something as basic and foundational as our water supply? And it's not just our water supply, but the water resource that our kids and grandkids will need.

Still, you know more than a few will turn this into a partisan mess. This should not be. On something as basic as water, we need to insist on a neutral space where the current report can be released and some thoughtful planning can happen because if we get this wrong, the tipping point may be closer than we know.

Albert B. Kelly is mayor of Bridgeton. Contact him by phone at 856-455-3230 Ext. 200.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at letters@southjerseymedia.com