Two armed men reportedly forced their way into the residence around 3:45 a.m. and stabbed the victim, according to 6abc.

CAMDEN -- A South Jersey man was stabbed during an early morning home invasion Thursday in Camden, 6abc reports.

Two armed men reportedly forced their way into the residence around 3:45 a.m. and stabbed the victim, according to 6abc.

The incident occurred at the 1200 block of Landsdowne Avenue.

The victim was transported to Cooper University Hospital where he is listed in serious condition, according to reports.

While a woman was also home at the time of the incident, she was not seriously injured, reports said.

Further information was not available and the incident remains under investigation.

Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find her on Facebook.

 

 

A spot at Francis Fields Campground, located north of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in East Fairmount Park, can be yours for around $100 to $200.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP — Ridesharing service Uber is aiming to swell the ranks of its driver partners throughout the state, as executives announced a brand new goal of recruiting 13,000 new drivers by the end of the year.

General Manager of Uber New Jersey Ana Mahony discussed the new goal at the kick off of Uber's N.J. Job Tour at Camden County College on Wednesday.

She said they're raising the bar for their previous goal of 10,000 new N.J. drivers, who work as independent contractors, by the end of the year after getting an overwhelming response. In this year alone, Mahony said they've signed up 9,000 people throughout the state to driver for the smartphone-based service.

"We're seeing phenomenal growth on both the rider side and driver side," said Mahoney after speaking to a group of about two dozen current and prospective drivers at the job fair.

RELATED: Uber car services facing stricter rules from N.J. lawmakers

She said they were drawn to Gloucester Township for the launch of their job fair tour both because of its business-friendly administration and its position in a region with a large growth potential.

"This is an area we're very excited about," said Mahony.

The Uber job tour in the state comes five months after the company kicked off another statewide tour to oppose legislation that would regulate the service and, Uber executives say, drive them out of the state. The taxi industry is in vehement support of the regulations, arguing Uber drivers aren't held to the same high standards of safety and insurance standards that taxi drivers are required to meet.

While the proposed bill is still working its way through the legislature, however, the company has aggressively pursued its expansion in the state.

In August alone, Uber drivers have given 1 million rides to people throughout the state. About 1,000 of those rides were in Gloucester Township, said Mahoney.

"I use it all the time, especially when I travel," said Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer, who spoke at the event as well. "It's all about convenience."

Residents in the area are increasingly using the service to commute to local train stations in the morning, to go out drinking at night or to get into Philadelphia, Mahoney said. On the other side of the equation, she said drivers are drawn to partner up with the service since they can log into the app whenever it's convenient, work however many hours they want to and earn extra cash.

That's what Haddon Heights resident Donald Hallowell started doing about a year ago, when he signed up to drive for Uber and worked three nights a week to supplement his full-time income working for a cable provider. He said he soon realized, however, that he loved driving and meeting new people more than his full-time gig and quit to spend more time on the road.

"It's not just giving people a ride, we provide a service," said Hallowell, adding he enjoys being able to get people home safe whether they've been drinking, are stranded or are a student getting home from college.

"It's great to provide that, you don't get that anywhere else," he said.

Hallowell's remarks during the fair were enough to draw brand new driver George Holland up to talk to Hallowell afterward. He had a number of questions, he said, from how much Hallowell was able to earn to how often he drove into Philadelphia for fares.

"I wanted to talk to real people and hear how it really is," said Holland. "I think it seems like a great opportunity."

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

CAMDEN -- After what seems like ages of waiting, Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia is only about two weeks away.

Anyone lucky enough to nab one of the sought-after tickets to one of the pope's appearances or people who just want to be around the action in Center City now just have to think about how they are getting there.

The PATCO High Speed Line figures to be a key path for pilgrims to get into the city.

The route's Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway stations will be open to people who bought special papal passes (which are still available, but only sold online through Friday) or already have a regular Freedom Card loaded with credit.

If you're taking PATCO, here's a few things to expect along your journey.

Getting to the station

The Lindenwold, Woodcrest and Ferry Avenue stations were chosen because they have the most parking spots available for commuters. Lindenwold has about 3,300, Woodcrest has about 2,700 and Ferry Avenue has about 1,900 spots. Broadway doesn't have any parking, but will serve as a transfer point for those taking the RiverLine from points north. 

Trains will begin running at 6 a.m. both days and will continue to head west throughout the day until 4 p.m. PATCO General Manager Rink said when people arrive at the station, they will be directed by police in the parking lots, or if the lots are full, to parking off site.

"We'll have special areas where friends or family can drop people off," Rink said. "From there they'll proceed to the station."

The waiting game

With the huge amount of people expected to be going into the city for the papal visit, officials expect lines to develop quickly.

PATCO assistant General Manager Ben Cornelius said people will go through additional security measures before they enter the station. However, they are still exploring options and haven't decided on what those measures might be. There will be restrictions on what items are allowed and that list is almost identical to what's prohibited past security for the events in the city. Strollers will be allowed on the trains but they must be closed during transit. 

Crowd control

Rink said they are going to use the stations' fare gates as staging areas to control how many people can get up to the platforms.

"We learned our lesson from the World Series parade in regards to people on platforms," he said. "We will control the amount of people and how they get to the platform in order to avoid a crowding free-for-all."

Empty trains will arrive at each station every 15 minutes. Once they are loaded, they will head directly to the single stop in Philadelphia at 9th and Locust streets.

About 720 people can fit sitting and standing in each train. Once each group of 720 pass through the fare gates, PATCO employees will pause the line so that the departing group can get to the platform and get organized to board the train.

Cornelius said employees and police officers will be stationed to guide people once they reach the platforms.

"We'll have them stationed where the train doors will be away from the platform edge," he said. Express trains will pass through other stations on their way to the city, so officials want to make sure people don't get too close to the edge.

Getting home

Both officials said it was important for people to remember that they're expressing people into the city all day, so getting home might not be a snap. 

"It's kind of like going to an Eagles game," Cornelius said. "People make their way to the stadium to tailgate over the course of couple hours, but when the game is over, everyone wants to leave at once and there's a traffic jam."

Since they're spending several hours bringing people into the city, the trains will take just as long to get all those people home. Officials estimated they could send about 10,000 per hour back over the bridge, but the process could take a while. Eastbound service will begin at 5:30 p.m. and won't stop until everyone's home.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

GLOUCESTER TWP. -- They'll never know, but the dogs and cats suffering silently in "atrocious" conditions as they are bred on mills only to be sold for profit at pet stores have a forever friend in Camden County.

On Thursday, county and municipal officials gathered with animal activists to announce "Norman's Law," which will prohibit pet stores in Camden County from selling animals that can be traced back to mass breeders.

"Seventy five percent of homes in Camden County have a cat or dog," said Freeholder Jeffrey Nash, who appeared at the podium with "Norman," who he adopted from the county shelter in Blackwood five years ago after the dog was found wandering the streets of Camden.

The ordinance, to be voted on the next county freeholder meeting on Sept. 17, would then need to be adopted by individual municipalities. Stores located in those towns would then be visited by county health department employees to verify the source of the pets for sale.

And that's the rub: Activists claim pet stores frequently purchase animals at a lower price from breeders who then go through "brokers" to conceal the true source of the animals that often develop serious heath issues at a young age.

"To make this initiative work, municipalities need to step up," Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer said of the effort that only three county-level governing bodies in the country have under taken.

Between two and four million puppies sold every year come from mills, presenters said Thursday. Kathleen Schatzmann, director of the Humane Society of the United States' New Jersey chapter, said investigations at mills have revealed neglected, ill and injured dogs living in "filthy conditions."

Although county officials stopped short of naming specific pet stores that will be affected by the ordinance, animal activists had no reservations about taking one operation to task.

Jamie Landsman, who purchased her dog "Alice" from Pat's Pups, in Ocean County, is facing mounting medical bills and untold emotional havoc as a result of taking in a dog that was seemingly healthy at first.

Pat's Pups recently opened a second location in Cherry Hill and has been the scene of recent repeated protests, as activists claim the store was dealing with a puppy mill.

During a July interview with NJ Advance Media, owner Pat Youman said the animals were coming from an Amish breeder his father has dealt with 2007. Further, Youman said the breeders had an aversion to technology and didn't want any pictures taken with smart phones.

County officials and others gathered Thursday said that the Amish are notorious for operating unchecked puppy mills. The veterinarian initially contacted by Pat's Pups to provide a check-up of the dogs for sale in Cherry Hill recently backed out when he learned of the possible link to a breeder.

However, the undisputed man of the hour was Alan Braslow, a Cherry Hill resident who promised protests at the store along Route 70 until something changed. Braslow, who received repeated rounds of lengthy applause, contacted Nash roughly one month ago and Thursday's gathering was the result of 30 days of work.

Per the ordinance, stores would have 90 days to comply with the new law. To repopulate their stores, animals would need to be sourced from shelters or other rescue organizations.

Although county health inspectors would be paying visits to verify information regarding the animals for sale, "The burden of proof is on the owner of the store," Nash said when asked about researching the possibility of middle men to obscure the animal's true source.

According to county officials, taxpayers stand to benefit, as the county animal shelter network that contracts with 15 municipalities is filled to capacity. Roughly 1,500 shelter animals in the county are euthanized annually.

"This ordinance would not only crack down on cruelty in puppy mills, but would also give homeless cats and dogs in Camden County a greater chance of finding a home," said Schatzmann.

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

WILLINGBORO TWP. -- A Burlington woman was arrested after she allegedly pulled out a knife when a man asked her to be quiet at the library, according to police.

Officers were called to the Willingboro Public Library at about 10:40 a.m. Thursday by reports of a woman threatening a man with a knife.

Police said the woman picked up a chair after the man asked her to be quiet.

He was able to get control of the chair and put it back on the ground, but the woman left and returned allegedly holding a knife, according to police.

Officers recovered the weapon, and the woman -- identified as Najma London, 30, of Salem Road -- was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. She was held in the Burlington County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

EVESHAM TWP. -- Two people were arrested after they allegedly burgled a local bar Thursday, according to police.

Officers were called to the Marlton Tavern Thursday morning by report of an overnight burglary. Police said someone had forced their way in and stole the cash register.

Police tracked down two suspects to a house in Hammonton, where they were arrested and taken back to Evesham for processing.

Morgan Musses, 22, of Hammonton, and Tyler Brydges, 28, of Burlington, were charged with burglary and theft. Musses was held in the Burlington County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, and Brydges was released on a summons.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

LAKE WORTH, Fla. -- A 25-year-old New Jersey man was identified by Florida police Friday as the dead body found in a trash can in Lake Worth Wednesday, according to WPBF.com.

Tyler Etue, of Medford Lakes, had been missing since July 31 and was in Florida trying to get clean after struggling with drug addiction in New Jersey, according to reports.

An autopsy was conducted by the medical examiner's office Thursday and authorities have determined the cause of death to be homicide, reports said.

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ALSO: Resources for South Jersey families battling addiction

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Etue was last seen at the 500 block of Second Avenue near an alleyway where the remains of his body were later discovered in a trashcan.

The 25-year-old was dropped off at Lake Worth Square -- a normal hangout spot for Etue -- and then went missing, WPBF reports.

Posted by Tyler Etue on Thursday, April 23, 2015

Etue was attending a detox program in early July after a drug relapse, according to reports, and had reportedly planned on returning briefly to New Jersey before starting over in Florida.

The 25-year-old did an interview in Palm Beach County with WPTV this past May discussing the dangers of Flakka -- an drug similar to bath salts. 

In May, Etue reported that he had been clean for 40 days and talked about how Flakka almost killed him, causing strokes and hallucinations, according to WPTV reports.

WPBF reports that Etue and his girlfriend, Anna Anderson, were expecting a baby girl, and had hopes of straightening out his life.

The homicide remains under investigation.

Anyone with information on the Etue's death is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.

Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find her on Facebook.

 

 

The Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders unveiled their 2016 swimsuit calendar at XFINITY Live! in Philadelphia Thursday night.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders released their 2016 swimsuit calendar during the annual "Countdown to Kickoff" at XFINITY Live! Thursday night.

The women modeled their eco-friendly swimsuits onstage as photos featured in the calendar appeared on the screen above them.

Casey Baldwin, of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, was selected as the cover for this year's calendar.

Eagles cheerleader Casey waves as she walks off stage after being named the cover for the 2016 swimsuit calendar, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. (Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com)Lori M. Nichols 

"I'm so excited to be on the cover," said the 6-year squad veteran, adding that there are also 38 "beautiful and talented women" featured inside.

Casey traveled to Kuwait in December 2011 as part of the Eagles Cheerleaders Goodwill Military Tour, which was designed to entertain and boost the morale of U.S. military servicemen and women. She and five other members of the squad performed dance routines as well as meet-and-greet autograph sessions for the soldiers.

"It was absolutely incredible, I still think about it all the time."

RELATED: Eagles cheerleaders perform during game against the Ravens

Casey, a West Chester University graduate, models for fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer. In 2013, she represented the Eagles cheerleaders at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

At the conclusion of the fashion show, fans lined up to meet their favorite cheerleader and have their calendars signed.

The 2016 calendar photoshoot took place in Riviera Maya, Mexico. 

The calendar may be purchased at Philadelphia Eagles Pro Shops, online at store.philadelphiaeagles.com and bookstores.

A portion of the calendar's proceeds will be donated to the Elmwood Park Zoo, which is home to Noah, a live bald eagle that makes special appearances throughout the year at various Eagles events, including home games.

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

"Norman's Law" would prohibit pet stores in Camden County from selling animals that could be traced to mass breeding facilities, typically called "mills."

Camden County officials and animal activists came together Thursday to announce "Norman's Law," which looks to ban pet stores in the county from selling animals that can be traced back to "mills."

The resolution that will be brought up at the next county freeholder meeting later this month would need to be adopted by individual municipalities. At that point, county health inspectors would be able to visit the stores and verify the source of dogs and cats for sale there.

Here's what some NJ.com readers had to say about the effort:

drinktea1
"I wish more people would go the route of adopting.There are so many great cat and dogs, of all breeds, that can be found in shelters. There really is no reason to buy from a pet store. Adopt don't shop."

so_much_cooler_online
"This is part of the reason that I don't support the Amish or any Amish run businesses.  They are notorious for running puppy mills and the associated abuse.  Look it up, it is a fact.  They don't treat animals with any respect or humanity."

owfex
"I wish this would become a state wide law. I know several people who bought dogs from puppy mills, and the dogs ended up being very sick in a short amount of time.  Not to mention, they are kept in small cages all day, and never get to interact with humans or other dogs.  These dogs need a lot of stimulation and time with other dogs in order to develop socially and psychologically.  Dogs are pack animals and without a pack they have no sense of identity."

daveyn1
"It's always interesting to watch "good intentions" go astray. Both commercial pet stores and rescues get animals from puppy mills. Commercial stores charge lots of money, and generally have some kind of insurance if the animal gets very sick. On the other hand, rescues take in any animal, see that they are spayed or neutered, and then charge you a fee for adopting to make their money. This law will open the door for rescues, which are run with much less transparency than commercial stores, to now dominate the puppy mill channel, while claiming to have rescued these animals. Remember all those dogs for Katrina that we looking for homes? Most were from Tennessee puppy mills and had never even seen Louisiana. Sounds like a special interest got involved in making this law, and found a whole bunch of sympathetic ears to manipulate to get this passed. Nobody want animals to suffer, but this will do more harm than good. Instead, educate people. Explain to them how this system works, and overwhelmingly, people will vote (whether with their feet or their dollars) for humanely bred and raised animals"

The Blue Skirts
"Most dogs coming from responsible breeders are not sold in pet stores, they are sold directly through the breeder. Most responsible breeders aren't in it for money, it's a love and hobby for them."

Officials are confirming that one person has died after a small plane crashed into a backyard in Waterford Township.

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP -- Officials are confirming one person died after a small plane crashed into a backyard in Waterford Township Saturday morning.

Camden County spokesman Dan Keashen said the single-engine Cessna 150 aircraft crashed into the yard of the residential property on the 600 block of Jackson Road in Waterford Township.

Keashen additionally said the pilot was alone in the plane, and was dead on arrival to a local hospital. Camden County Prosector's Office spokesman Andy McNeil said the fatality is an adult male. The FAA is on scene investigating as the lead agency. No individuals or property on the ground are believed to be affected by the crash, McNeil said.

A staging area has also been established at the Louden fire house, and an update from officials is expected this afternoon.

This is the third fatal plane crash in New Jersey this week. A single-engine plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Atlantic City on Thursday, the same day another plane that had been missing since Tuesday was found in the northern part of the state.

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

Domenic Tedesco, 22, allegedly led police on a chase after hitting an officer who was directing traffic in Gloucester City.

GLOUCESTER CITY -- A 22-year-old Erial man is facing numerous charges including aggravated assault on a police officer after he struck an officer with his vehicle, dragged him 20 feet and then led police on a chase down 295. 

Domenic Tedesco, 22, is charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault on a police officer (Photo provided). 

According to a media release from Gloucester City police, Domenic F. Tedesco was driving toward the intersection of N. Broadway and King Street when he pulled into the right shoulder to pass stopped vehicles at about 4:47 p.m. on Friday. His vehicle then struck an officer who was directing traffic.

The officer, who was later treated at an area hospital for minor injuries and released, was able to approach Tedesco, who refused to comply with the officer's command to exit his vehicle. The officer then reached into the vehicle's open window to turn off the engine, but Tedesco accelerated and dragged the officer about 20 feet down the roadway. 

Police said officers attempted to stop Tedesco, but said he then fled and led police on a chase through the city, where he also rammed two Gloucester City and Brooklawn police cars, causing extensive damage. Tedesco continued south on 295, and police were able to arrest him after his car became disabled at Exit 11 in Logan Township. 

Tedesco is facing several counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, assault by auto, eluding, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic syringe. He was medically cleared for incarceration and remains in Camden County Jail in lieu of bail. 

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

 

 

Janet Narciso was the first to arrive at the scene of a small plane crash in Waterford Township Saturday and found the Cessna 150 mangled in a tree.

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP — Janet Narciso was finishing up a late-morning cup of coffee when she heard it. A deep, loud noise outside resonated throughout her neighborhood along Louden Lane in Waterford Township.

"I said 'That's not thunder,'" Narciso recalled. She ran outside barefoot in her pajamas to find out what happened, and as soon as her landscaper told her a plane had crashed into the trees behind her neighbor's home, she didn't think twice.

"I just took off," said Narciso.

She and a fellow neighbor were the first to reach the single-engine Cessna 150 that crashed into a wooded area behind the backyards of homes along Louden Lane just before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, and found the small plane wrapped around a tree. The pilot, later identified as David Sees, 65, of Marlton, was the only person on board and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

"We saw a hand, and we were yelling 'Can you hear us us? Help is coming,' but there was no response," Narciso said while standing on her front porch Saturday afternoon. The high-pitched sound of metal clanging could be heard in the background as crews worked to remove the wreckage.

"Everything was crushed," she said.

A pickup truck pulling a trailer containing the mangled plane piece was seen leaving the crash area at around 3:15 p.m. Saturday.

Waterford Township Police Chief Daniel Cormany said that the pilot, Sees, had departed from Camden County Airport about 4 miles away from the crash site, but his destination was unknown.

The Federal Aviation Administration is the lead agency at the site investigating. There's no word yet on what caused the crash, which is the third fatal plane crash in New Jersey this week. A single-engine plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Atlantic City on Thursday, the same day another plane that had been missing since Tuesday was found in the northern part of the state.

Jackson Road resident John Koenig said he was working out in his garden when he noticed the small plane flying unusually low just above his home and the surrounding area. Koenig said he saw it circle twice before it went out of view. He could still hear the motor, which didn't sound like it was struggling, but the sound of the engine was soon interrupted by a deep crashing noise.

"I didn't associate it with [the plane] at first, it was so deep and loud," said Koenig, who said he put two and two together when he saw first responders rushing to the area behind home across the street from his house.

It's not unusual for residents to spot low-flying planes in the area. Koenig said medical helicopters often land in a three-acre field just behind a church next door to his home, and there are open fields just to the north and west of where the plane crashed. He wondered why the pilot, if he was having issues, didn't attempt to land in those locations.

"That's the part that doesn't add up," said Koenig.

The plane went down in an area just beyond the backyard of Jean McCullen's home. McCullen, standing outside her home after just arriving from work Saturday afternoon, said nobody was home at the time of the crash, but her son arrived there soon after and told her what had happened.

"I'm heartbroken for this poor man and his family," said McCullen, who is is about to settle on the sale of her house next week. The pending owners, Siobhan and Robert Gills, rushed to the house soon after they heard the news.

"It's tragic," said Siobhan Gills as she stood with her husband, two children and McCullen at the corner of Louden Lane and Partridge Way Saturday. "A man is dead."

Despite the weather, the traditional Miss America parade carried on in Atlantic City Watch video

As Zoey Grenier, Miss Alaska, rode atop a convertible car in a blue dress, she stretched out her right leg to show off her shoes, platform pumps with icicles on them.

"I love your crown!!" she said to the man on the boardwalk wearing a silver tiara.

"Great job!" he shouted -- to nearly each and every one of the 52 Miss America contestants as they passed in front of him, their legs stiffly extended for the occasion.

The traditional Miss America Show Us Your Shoes parade may be an affair for pageant queens, but the man with the crown, Gregg McLaughlin, has been coming to the procession every year since 1970 -- and yes, he always wears the pageant accessory. From 2005 to 2012, there was no parade because the pageant had moved to Las Vegas. When Miss America returned in 2013, the tradition started up again. 

Gregg McLaughlin of Haddon Township has been coming to the Show Us Your Shoes parade for decades. (Amy Kuperinsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
 

"The Miss America parade is probably the biggest weekend of the year in Atlantic City," said McLaughlin, who lives in Haddon Township and would only (jokingly) call himself 38. "It belongs here, it should stay here and I'm here every year."

Despite rainy and windy conditions -- it was much the same scene at last year's parade -- spectators gathered all along the boardwalk, from New Jersey to Albany avenue, to see the pageant contestants model their ornate footwear and accompanying headdresses, themed outfits and classic cars. 

The story behind the shoe theme has it that in the 1970s, spectators to what was then the Miss America parade began shouting "Show us your shoes!" In the decades since, the pageant has obliged, asking contestants to design shoes representing their state in some way. The shoes, unveiled during a press conference on Tuesday, included Miss California's nugget-laden tribute to the California Gold Rush, Miss Idaho's spud-burdened red heels and Miss Indiana's Chuck Taylors.

Miss New Jersey, Lindsey Giannini, sported a very Atlantic City-themed ensemble, wearing white stiletto ankle boots that had playing cards, game pieces and dice on them, with a Monopoly board and black top hat completing the Parker Brothers look. 

Atlantic County locals, those in town for the pageant and parents of contestants wore ponchos and held umbrellas, cheering for their states as marching bands played and dancers and baton twirlers sashayed down the boardwalk.

"We're here for Daja," said Allison Johnson, 55, of Greenville, S.C., referring to Daja Dial, Miss South Carolina, who won a swimsuit award in preliminary competition. "We've got Miss America here," Johnson asserted. "She has the determination and the drive." 

Audrey Thames, Miss Maine 2014, who memorably delivered a comedic monologue written by Thomas Meehan at last year's pageant, came to support the current state titleholder. She recalled last year's parade when she came dressed in a fisherman's raincoat and galoshes, and found herself extremely prepared for the rainy conditions. 

This year's Miss Maine, Kelsey Earley, used seashells from beaches across the state for her parade attire. 

Lindsey Giannini, Miss New Jersey, in her Monopoly-themed ensemble. (Tim Hawk | For NJ.com)
 

"She's definitely making Maine proud," said Thames, 20, excited to try out her first light-up state signs during Sunday's pageant final at Boardwalk Hall. 

Ginger Davis of Lexington, Ky. rooted on her daughter, Clark Janell Davis, Miss Kentucky, as well as her son, a basketball player at Indiana's Butler University who rode with his sister in a convertible during the parade. Clark wore a basketball jersey dress to represent Kentucky University, where she's a vocal performance major. 

"We've had a blast," her mother said. "Everyone we've met here has been super friendly. She called me one night and said she's made friendships to last a lifetime."

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup. Find NJ.com Entertainment on Facebook.

WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP – When Jade Freeberg went down early in the first half, grabbing her right knee, the entire West Deptford High field hockey team’s bench went quiet. “I get a little scared and nervous too,” the senior forward said of her surgically repaired right knee which caused her to miss all of last season. “It’s just kind of scary to ...

WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP – When Jade Freeberg went down early in the first half, grabbing her right knee, the entire West Deptford High field hockey team’s bench went quiet.
“I get a little scared and nervous too,” the senior forward said of her surgically repaired right knee which caused her to miss all of last season. “It’s just kind of scary to ...

Jersey Unique Minds Paranormal Society recently teamed up with Toxic Radio's Michael Francolino and D.J. Ruban to investigate Harper's Pub in Clementon.

Harper's Pub in Clementon has been a part of the historic town for nearly 200 years.

During those many years, there have been several ownership changes, name and function transformations, and the structure was destroyed by fire and rebuilt.

Through its history, the building seems to have held on to a few of the souls that passed through its doors.

The Claims

Shortly after Mark Shernoff purchased Harper's Pub in 2009, he realized there was more to this historic Clementon pub than meets the eye.

"When I first bought the place, I was cleaning stuff out from the previous owners," Shernoff said. "I left a box in front of the desk in the office and left the room."

The new owner closed the door behind him and went about his business.

"I came back but...I tried to open the door and I couldn't," Shernoff recalled. "The box was behind the door."

When he left the room, the box had been in the middle of the floor. No one had entered the room after him, and there's no way he could have left the box behind the door himself and also pulled the door closed.

"The box had been moved to block the door," he said.

After the box incident, Shernoff began asking patrons if anything strange ever happened at the establishment.

That was when Shernoff found out his new investment had more of a history than simply existing for 200 years.

The History

Clementon, now famous for its amusement park, dates back to 1735 when Andrew Newman purchased 200 acres of land and erected two mills which, in turn, brought the little town to life.

Samuel Clement -- the town's namesake -- purchased both the land and mills in 1806.

From that moment, the town began to grow and thrive with railroads, inns, and a growing population.

One of the original buildings -- built in the mid to late 1800s -- is shrouded in ghostly legends that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Located on Gibbsboro Road near the railroad tracks, Harper's was originally called the Clementon Hotel and was a popular stop for railway travelers.

The hotel burned to the ground around 1911 and was rebuilt on the same foundation a couple years later where it has stood three stories tall ever since.

In the later 1900s, the Gruber family bought the hotel and renamed it Gruber's. The pub was located on the first floor, and hotel rooms filled the second and third floors.

"The wife of the owner passed away," Shernoff said. "She used to watch over the place, so a lot of people think maybe she's still here."

After the box incident, Shernoff said he and the staff would hear footsteps and chairs moving on the floors above them when no one was up there, doors closing on their own, and items would show up in strange places.

Shernoff knows Mike Francolino -- owner of Toxic Radio -- and found out his internet radio station broadcasts a paranormal show every Thursday night called Paradelphia.

He asked Francolino if it would be possible to have someone come investigate the pub.

Francolino -- who is known to Paradelphia fans as "Skeptic Mike" -- asked Doug Hogate Jr., founder and CEO of Jersey Unique Minds Paranormal Society and co-host of Paradelphia, about checking out the claims at Harper's.

Hogate agreed.

The Investigation

On Sept. 9, five JUMPS investigators joined Francolino and Toxic's D.J. Ruban at Harper's to explore the second and third floors with infrared cameras, audio recorders, and equipment used to detect spiritual energy.

First-timer Francolino, and Ruban, who has worked as sound man with the "Ghost Adventures" crew,  joined Hogate on the first sweep of the upper floors.

"It's creepy," Francolino said. "Every noise you hear, you think something is coming at you. But at the same time, you want something to happen. It's a weird feeling to be scared and want something to happen at the same time."

Hogate set up the Kinect system -- a skeletal mapping program that utilizes a Kinect video game sensor and laptop -- in the office in the hopes of catching some movement in the room where the box was manipulated.

Ruban walked into the room and was picked up by the sensor which showed his figure on the laptop screen as a green stick figure.

"I showed up on the Kinect and then another figure appeared," Ruban said. "I lifted my arm up and the little thing was moving around above it."

Seeing what was happening, two JUMPS investigators entered the room and the small figure disappeared.

Later, I joined investigators Mellie DeVault, Catrena Clair, and Susan Sacavage on the third floor where we visited the "airplane room."

If you watch paranormal investigation television shows, you know investigators sometimes name rooms or locations.

When we visited Harper's a few weeks ago for an initial walk-through, we immediately named one third-floor room for the tattered wallpaper covering the walls.

Shernoff said one of the rumors associated with the pub is that a young boy lived and died there. Even though the building has always been known as a hotel, it's apparent that someone lived there at one time.

As we conducted an EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) session, the K2 meter began to react to something near Clair.

A K2 measures electromagnetic energy which is thought to indicate the presence of a spirit.

Clair said she felt a cool spot on her leg and later her hand.

Keep in mind, it was literally 95 degrees on the third floor according to a piece of equipment that records air temperature.

When DeVault would move the K2 meter to where she felt the cool spot, it would react.

When the cool feeling disappeared, the K2 ceased.

This went on for approximately 10 minutes until the K2 stopped reacting.

Later, during the last sweep of the evening, Hogate was walking on the third floor alone when he heard something tap a metal chair that was leaning against a wall.

He went back and walked by the chair again, trying to recreate the noise, but it didn't happen anymore..

JUMPS investigators will review all the audio and video evidence, then post the results and complete report on their website at jumps.2fear.com.

Kelly Roncace is senior investigator and team leader with Jersey Unique Minds Paranormal Society, a professional paranormal investigation team based in Salem County. Do you know of a haunted location that JUMPS could research and investigate? Contact Kelly at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com and follow her on Twitter @KellyRoncace with your suggestions.

The Philly Veterans Career Fair aboard the Battleship New Jersey will offer more than 2,000 job openings.

CAMDEN -- A career fair offering a wide array of positions for veterans will be held Wednesday aboard the Battleship New Jersey.

The Battleship New Jersey, which is docked in Camden, marked the 72nd anniversary of its commissioning, May 23, 2015. (Greg Adomaitis | For NJ.com)Greg Adomaitis | For NJ.com 

The Philly Veterans Career Fair is being supported by Penn Mutual, PhillyVeterans.com and the Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network (GPVN). It will offer more than 2,000 job openings.

Among the 40 companies slated to attend include the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PSEG, 7-Eleven, PECO, SEPTA, the Philadelphia Fire Department and many more.

Wednesday's event is in support of the Philly Veterans Jobs Initiative that aims to help at least 2,000 greater Philadelphia veterans "find rewarding careers by 2018," according to organizers. A U.S Air Force jump team is scheduled to land on the deck of the 72-year-old battleship docked in Delaware River along the Camden waterfront.

Veterans who plan on attending are asked to per-register for the free event. Space is limited to 300 job-seekers. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.phillyveterans.com.

Camden County police officers were dispatched just after 10:20 p.m. to the All American Gardens apartment along Phillips Street for the report of a gunshot victim.

CAMDEN -- A city man was shot to death late Sunday and authorities are asking for the public's help with tracking down the shooter.

Camden County police officers were dispatched just after 10:20 p.m. to the All American Gardens apartment along Phillips Street for the report of a gunshot victim. There, they found 35-year-old Jose Alvarez lying on the ground in the rear of an apartment building, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

Alvarez was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he died shortly after as a result of his injuries. The prosecutor's office says the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and no arrests had been made as of Monday.

Readers with information are asked to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Mike Sutley at (856) 614-8003 or Camden County Police Department Detective Mark Lee at (856) 757-7420. Information may also be emailed to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org.

 

Expect to pay a little bit more when crossing two bridges over the Delaware River.

PALMYRA -- Starting at 10 p.m. tonight, tolls on the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol bridges that link New Jersey to Pennsylvania will go up.

According to reports, the cost will climb to $4 for those using cash and $3 for motorists with E-Z Pass. Tolls on the two bridges overseen by the Burlington County Bridge Commission have not been raised since 2000 and are required to help pay for improvements.

Other increases currently listed on the bridge commission's website include two-axle trucks going from $9 to $13, three-axle trucks going from $13.50 to $18 and four-axle trucks from $18 to $24.

The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge spans the Delaware River from Palmyra Borough into Northeast Philadelphia. The Burlington-Bristol Bridge, located farther north up the Delaware River, is located just south of Burlington Island.

Farther south, the Delaware River Port Authority recently approved a frequent commuter discount for motorists using the Betsy Ross, Commodore Barry, Walt Whitman and Ben Franklin bridges. A credit would be applied to the E-Z Pass accounts of drivers who cross the spans at least 18 times per month.

A Camden County police officer made the 300th Narcan save about 16 months after they made the first.

CAMDEN -- On Friday, a Camden County Police officer saved a person suffering from an opiate overdose using Narcan. It marked the 300th Narcan save in Camden County, according to county officials.

The 300th save came about 16 months after the first life was saved by Narcan administered by a law enforcement officer in the county.

Camden County Police Chief Scott Thompson said the anti-overdose drug has been a valuable tool for police.

"The highest priority for law enforcement at every level is protection and preservation of human life," he said in a written release. "The actions of these men and women deserve to be recognized for the hundreds of lives that have been saved, returning loved ones to their families, creating opportunities for substance abuse rehabilitation and recovery."

The county has created the Camden County Heroin Addiction Awareness Task Force to to help provide more resources for education, treatment, prevention and training for families and people struggling with addiction.

"We are creating a congruent and cohesive unit to work on this epidemic aligning law enforcement, treatment providers, healthcare providers and advocates to fight the crisis," Camden County Freeholder Lou Cappelli said. "Furthermore, our job is to tear down the stigma of addiction and work with the community to help residents treat this disease."

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.