A complaint alleges that Thomas A. Gorman, 37, tried to disarm an on-duty officer during an altercation.

HADDON TWP. -- An Audubon police officer was charged with trying to disarm another officer in an incident reported in the township last week.

A criminal complaint issued Thursday charged Thomas A. Gorman, 37, of Haddon Township, with one count of knowingly taking or attempting to exercise unlawful control over a firearm or other weapon in the possession of a law enforcement officer, a second-degree crime.

The unnamed Audubon officer responded to the home for another unspecified incident. The complaint alleges that Gorman tried to disarm the officer, and the gun fired during an altercation between the two.

The document did not say why an Audubon police officer responded to the home in Haddon Township, which is owned by Gorman and his wife, according to tax records.

Gorman's bail was listed as 10 percent of $50,000, according to the complaint.

The prosecutor's office declined to provide additional details of the incident and could not provide Gorman's custody status Tuesday.

The complaint notes that "there is articulable reason to believe the subject is a danger to himself or others." Gorman is also banned from having contact with an unnamed victim.

A call made to Audubon Police Chief Thomas J. Tassi was not returned Tuesday.

Gorman's first appearance in court is scheduled for Oct. 1, at 8:45 a.m.

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

 

 

The assailant was arrested in Pennsauken Monday with assistance from Pennsauken Police Department.

BRIDGETON -- A fight over an ex-girlfriend sent one man to the hospital and another in jail on attempted homicide charges, according to city police.

(File photo).File Photo 

The assailant was arrested in Pennsauken Monday with assistance from Pennsauken Police Department.

Bridgeton Police Department officers were called to Inspira Health Center Bridgeton Monday around 4 a.m. for reports of a man with multiple fractures to his face and head injuries.

PLUS: Millville man arrested for fatal shooting

Richy Velasquez, 22, of Pedricktown, allegedly assaulted the man over an ex-girlfriend, according to police.

Velasquez saw the injured man and his ex-girlfriend in a Vineland bar and then, later on, in a Bridgeton bar.

He then allegedly followed the man and the ex-girlfriend to a Fayette Street home, where a fight occurred.

Police tracked Velasquez to a Pennsauken address and Pennsauken Police Department officers located and detained him until Bridgeton detectives arrived to arrest Velasquez.

Velasquez was charged with criminal attempt homicide and held in the Cumberland County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Authorities also arrested Tania Morquecho-Lema, 24, of Pennsauken for a failure to appear warrant from Camden City Municipal Court and released her on her own recognizance.

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Thomas McNulty, who appealed his initial removal, saw the attempt at overturning his dismissal denied at a mid-August New Jersey Civil Service Commission.

CAMDEN -- A Camden County Department of Corrections officer who took a personal cellphone into the county jail and exchanged "highly inflammatory" racist text messages with a number of other officers has been fired, state records show.

Thomas McNulty, who appealed his initial removal, saw the attempt at overturning his dismissal denied at an Aug. 19 New Jersey Civil Service Commission meeting. The charges were first heard by Administrative Law Judge Sarah G. Crowley, who ruled the officer's dismissal was "essential."

"Merry Christmas all my Knee-Grows. Have a blessed one," read one of the text messages sent by McNulty cited in the commissions' decision.

A statement provided Wednesday by a Camden County spokesperson noted that the freeholder board "immediately suspended the individuals without pay" as a result of their "appalling conduct."

Mount Laurel-based attorney Charles Schlager, who represented McNulty, declined comment on the ruling when reached by phone Wednesday.

According to state records, a "shakedown" was conducted at the county jail last November and turned up a number of cellphones inside the facility, which are prohibited. During an investigation that followed, one of the officers was found to have had a cellphone on him at the time.

Investigators later discovered that 5,782 text messages, photos and videos had been exchanged between nine workers -- none of whom were black -- between Sept. 30, 2014, and Dec. 28, 2014. While not all contained content deemed racist, some referred to the jail's warden as the "HNIC," which stood for "head n-- in charge," per the state ruling.

Photos taken using the prohibited cellphones included ones of inside the facility as well as others of inmates -- both of which are also forbidden.

McNulty later admitted to having a cellphone inside the facility and being involved in the group of those sending messages. He admitted to the texts being derogatory, but used the racial slur to describe someone who was arrogant and "refused to admit (the text messages) were racist."

Further, McNulty argued that he only responded to 142 of the more than 5,000 text messages retrieved by prosecutors.

A state fact-finder upheld that McNulty violated a number of polices prohibiting certain workplace conduct. His removal on charges of insubordination, inability to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and discrimination that affects equal employment was made effective as of Jan. 22, 2015.

"The freeholder board applauds the state's Civil Service Commission decision upholding termination and anticipates the same ruling affirming the county's firing of the additional eight employees. Furthermore, the board commends the warden and internal affairs for eliminating this deplorable behavior from the workplace," according to the statement provided by Camden County.

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

 

 

Severe weather on Wednesday morning lead to a loss of power in Camden City and the closure of county offices.

CAMDEN CITY -- City Hall and other Camden County offices are closed Wednesday after severe weather led to power outages in the city.

Camden City HallFile photo 

According to a media release, the outages affected the Camden County Courthouse building and Board of Social Services Administration.

MORE: Hurricane Joaquin strengthens, major impact on N.J. now more likely

A Senior Health Fair scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jack Curtis Stadium in Cooper River Park will be held as planned regardless of weather, with more than a thousand seniors set to receive flu shots.  

 

The former paint plant is now the location of dozens of residential properties.

GIBBSBORO -- A plan has been finalized to cleanup contaminated soil at residential properties in Gibbsboro and Voorhees that are currently a Superfund site and was previously a paint manufacturing plant, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday.

The soil and groundwater below the former Sherwin-Williams paint factory and Hillards Creek -- which flows into Kirkwood Lake --is contaminated with lead, arsenic and volatile organic compounds, all of which can cause serious health effects.

Sampling has been completed at 55 properties in the area and shared with the property owners, the EPA said, and soil below 33 of those properties will be excavated and backfilled with clean soil, replanted with vegetation and restored. Additional properties may be added to this list in the future.

"The EPA will determine the precise number of residential properties that would need soil remediation after additional sampling during the design phase of the project," an EPA release said. "The EPA will coordinate with the property owners or occupants to ensure that the work is done with minimal disruption."

Contaminated soil will be disposed of at facilities licensed to handle it.

MORE: American Cyanamid Superfund site to undergo remediation

Soil cleanup in the area is expected to cost approximately $14 million and as a Superfund site, the EPA will work to hold the parties responsible for the contamination responsible for the costs.

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

 

Halestorm announced Wednesday their Oct. 2 concert scheduled for Philadelphia's Festival Pier has been moved to Camden's Susquehanna Bank Center.

Hurricane Joaquin may think he's coming to the Halestorm show in Philadelphia on Friday, but he won't be soaking this crowd unless he blows the roof off of Camden's Susquehanna Bank Center before the band does.

Like lead singer Lzzy Hale said in a telephone interview Wednesday, "Better safe than sorry."

The concert was originally scheduled to take place at Philly's Festival Pier, but with the impending, potentially-dangerous weather, the band announced Wednesday the event would be moved indoors to the Susquehanna Bank Center.

Hale said the show is going to be filmed for a live video release and wanted to ensure the best possible scenario for the band, fans, and filming.

But hurricane or no hurricane, Halestorm is looking forward to coming back to the area and performing for their fans -- both old and new.

"The crowd's always different," said Hale, a native of Red Lion, Pennsylvania. "For a hometown crowd, 85 to 95 percent have probably seen you before or know you or was your English teacher, so you're kind of beyond the 'How ya doin? We're Halestorm.' You can take it a bit further."

Halestorm guitarist Joe Hottinger said the best crowds take the energy the band is throwing out to them and gives it right back.

"We call it knowing how to rock," Hottinger said in the telephone interview. "Philly crowds are always amazing. They're loud and sing along. It's a good time."

Halestorm is currently on the road supporting their latest release, "Into the Wild Life," which is their third studio album.

"The guys in my band have given me, probably, too much free rein for what I can talk about in these songs," Hale laughed. "For whatever reason, they trust me and I don't know why."

Hale, who began writing songs as a teenager and continues to write all of Halestorm's lyrics, said this album is "very much about ownership."

"My own life and what I believe in," she said. "Maybe because I'm entering my 30s here. You have to figure yourself out a little bit more and really just be happy with who you are and what you bring to the table. It's kind of like finding yourself for the first time in your life. So I really wanted to reflect that on this record and just make it a really positive and empowering record."

As the only female in an all male band and crew, Hale has learned to be that strong woman.

"I've been in this band, living with a bunch of boys, longer than I haven't been in this band," she said. "I started when I was 13...18 years later, you guys do the math. So, I'm used to it. It's a part of my life now. There's no negativity  about being a girl. Half the time I forget that I'm the only one on the bus."

Hale said she believes being a part of Halestorm has made her who she is today.

"I hold onto every shred of femininity that I can," she said. "I have a really good time with these guys. I don't think I would be the same person if I was in a band full of girls."

Hottinger said, even with the band's success, he is always trying to polish his playing skills.

"I'm always trying to improve and learn new tricks," he said. "It's always a learning process. I'm never satisfied with my playing. You can always do so much better. I love playing guitar so I'm in the right profession i guess. It's fun to grow. It's a nice challenge."

And in 2013, all the hard work paid off when the Halestorm won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for the song "Love Bites (So Do I)."

"We weren't necessarily expecting any of the things we've achieved," Hale said. "We never really had a bucket list. The goal was just to continue."

She said, back at the beginning of their journey into rock stardom, they would get super excited about "playing a gig at a real bar," or booking two shows in one month.

"You're overjoyed about these fleeting moments," she said. "And then, all the sudden, you win a Grammy and you're like, 'What the hell is happening here?'"

Hale said, as a whole, the band tries not to expect anything -- to just continue to play their best and have fun while doing it.

"And maybe that's the beauty of it," she said, "to not really have a goal other than to just want to play music."

Hottinger said Halestorm's goal is to just keep doing what they have always done.

"If all the stars burn out tomorrow and nobody comes to the shows anymore, we'll just go home and play at the bar around the corner," he said. "When we go up (on stage), we talk to each other through music -- in kind of a different language we've developed over the last 18 years and it's fun. You're with your best friends and get to play music."

Halestorm is playing the Susquehanna Bank Center on Oct. 2 at 8:30 p.m.

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

Here's what some NJ.com readers had to say about a Camden County corrections officer being fired over racist text messages with fellow officers.

CAMDEN -- A Camden County Department of Corrections officer was fired after allegedly engaging in racist group text messages with fellow officers while inside the county jail.

Personal cell phones, which apparently were used to take photos of the facility and of inmates, were also forbidden. The fired officer contested his dismissal, which was recently upheld by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.

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

sharmayne
"Over and over and over again, people lose their jobs because of social media.  Facebook isn't private, texting isn't private. Nothing is private on social media outlets. If you wouldn't say it in front of your boss, your wife, your child, your mother, the Pope, or the police ... don't say it in social media. There's still a long way to go with this. Dead brains, to this day, post videos of themselves breaking the law. They also wind up jobless, arrested and in jail."

clancy
"Outside of the time these nine officers wasted by texting over 5,000 times in a three month period, were there any infractions regarding ill treatment of inmates due to racial animus or failure to perform their assigned duties?  McNulty may be a a racist but appears more likely to be just a boob, and as long as being one or the other  didn't interfere with his  job performance  his firing seems extreme."

enjoythride
"I am sure the firing was done just for bringing the phone inside the jail, the rules are the rules, the stufff about the content of the text/e-mails is to bait the race hustlers up and into a frenzy! I could care less about the content or what people say, get thicker skin or ear plugs folks, every race has its bigots. I was raised on the sticks and stones principle!"

Orangeian
"Although the decision was based on the rule-breaking, just consider that the disrespect the officer showed to his boss with the other officers manifest in maltreatment to the incarcerated.  Prejudicial, disrespectful and unfair behavior is internalized and normalized, and the volume of messages between officers show that they were quite comfortable with each other despite the fact that they were breaking the rules.  Why do you think they weren't texting the same to any Black officers?  They knew that what they were writing was not only controversial but indicative of their prejudice and supremacist beliefs.  They got away with it for a long time, and when caught, they tried to rationalize the appropriateness and downplay the affect of such negativity.  As commenters here, supremacists try to tell the offended what is offensive, as if only their POV is credible. Mr. McNulty will be OK, especially if he sees the reality of his inappropriate behavior.  Someone who identifies with him, or empathizes with him, or sympathizes with him, will hook him up -- that's they way things work, right?"

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

 

 

Once a vehicle ban went into effect in Center City, Philadelphia during the papal visit, everything from baby strollers to bicycles took over.

PHILADELPHIA -- For two whole days last weekend, Center City streets offered the surreal experience of a world without motor vehicles. Everything else on wheels, from bicyclists to baby strollers, was fair game and a group seeking to recreate the experience is gaining ground -- and fast.

Open Streets Philly, which was launched not long after Pope Francis left the city, surpassed 4,500 online followers on Facebook as of late Wednesday. The group is in search of a temporary closure of certain downtown roadways for recreational events.

According to the group, their initiative is to "temporarily close streets to automobile traffic (but keep them open for vital services) so that people may use them for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing ... basically any activity but driving."

Organizers are aiming for a weekend ban on vehicular traffic next summer. Not only is the group seeking the attention of Philadelphia mayoral candidate Jim Kenney, but outgoing Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter's staff are already looking into the possibility of a car-free downtown before the end of 2015, according to phillyvoice.com.

Open Streets Philly emphasized that the temporary closure to cars would not affect trash pick-up or emergency vehicles, as the former was pushed back one week for many city residents and the latter saw roadways dedicate to their travels.

What Open Streets Philly hopes for is "building community by allowing access to a space that's generally denied to pedestrians."

The same sense of camaraderie could be found on the Ben Franklin Bridge during the weekend of the papal visit, as the span over the Delaware River was shut down from Friday to Monday. Those crossing the bridge on foot or by bicycle called it "calming," "surreal," "strange" and "beautiful."

As of late Thursday morning, a change.org petition seeking Kenney's attention gathered 3,482 supporters out of a sought 5,000.

"Open Streets PHL will be focused on fun for residents rather than moving a million people from around the world through a high-security zone," the petition reads.

Moreover, organizers made sure to add local businesses into the mix, as many took a significant hit when the millions of pilgrims who were expected to spend millions more never materialized.

"Lots of Center City businesses saw their sales dip over the Papal Festival weekend; we need to include those businesses in planning this from the jump. We're confident Open Streets can be an opportunity for neighborhood businesses to meet new customers and generate new business."

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

 

The Camden City School District on Wednesday announced the second phase of their "Camden Commitment," which includes safety, satisfaction and structural goals.

CAMDEN -- The Camden City School District on Wednesday released the second phase of their "Camden Commitment," which includes safety, satisfaction and structural goals.

Overall, the "All Schools Rise" five-part plan follows in the path of guidelines laid out in January 2014 and was refined through numerous meetings around the city parents and guardians, educators, students themselves and school Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard.

"Eighteen months ago, the district made a series of promises to the community -- promises that reflect our commitment to improving school safety, facilities, student and teacher support, parent engagement, and central office effectiveness," Rouhanifard said.

Wednesday's announcement was delivered at Octavius V. Catto Community Family School, with Catto Principal Byron Dixon, educators, parents, students, alumnae, and community leaders in attendance.

Goals outlined in the superintendents "strategic road map" include increasing the percentage of students who feel safe in and around school by at least 10 percent; doubling the number of students who attend school in a building constructed or significantly renovated since 2000; boosting the percentage of parents who say they have what's needed to help their children succeed by at least 10 percent and raising the community's satisfaction rate with the Central Office to 90 percent.

According to the School Information Card results from 2014-2015, only 14 percent of Camden students went to school in one of the top two categories.

Each goal also notes specific actions to be taken. For example, bolstering safety will be accomplished by creating positive classroom environments as early as possible; partnering with community groups, the city and county police force and reducing out-of-school suspensions.

The latter mission was noted by Rouhanifard during an August interview. The "restorative justice" focus on good behavior and places the pressure on a disruptive student to get in line.

Last week, a group of protesters gathered outside a meeting about privately-run schools in the city to call for Rouhanifard's resignation and return the city school district to local control. Rouhanifard, who was appointed by the state to take charge of the school district, has been in his current role for more than two years.

The superintendent took the attention in stride, saying after the meeting that he was keynote speaker at: "It's a reminder of how important this work is and where the community stands and to continue to press forward, collaborating with our community."

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

Paul J. Trush, 41, of Sicklerville, is already in the Camden County Jail, but will face additional charges in Evesham Township when he gets out.

EVESHAM TWP. -- A South Jersey man already in Camden County Jail on burglary charges is facing further punishment in Evesham as a result of an alleged copper pipe burglary spree at vacant homes.

The Evesham charges against Paul J. Trush, 41, of Sicklerville, were announced by township police on Thursday. Lt. Joseph Friel said two township homes were burglarized within the past two months and Trush was charged as the suspect.

The Camden County resident was caught as a result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation between law enforcement agencies from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties probing the theft of copper piping from more than 50 vacant homes throughout the tri-county area.

Evesham police said Trush targered abandoned homes or others under bank foreclosures. After that, he would allegedly remove copper piping and sell it to "various scrap yards in the tri-state area," police said.

Friel said Thursday that Trush apparently visited numerous scrap yards as he sought to sell the stolen piping and that the scrap yards cooperated in the joint investigation. Trush was charged with two counts of third degree burglary, third degree theft and criminal mischief.

Evesham police encouraged residents who suspect or have observed suspicious activity to contact the department at 856-9983-1116, the confidential tip line at 856-983-4699 or via email at facebook@eveshampd.org.

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

 

Criticism following Atlantic City Electric's handling of the June macroburst storm has made the company reevaluate its communication efforts.

Hurricane Joaquin is still making its way across the Atlantic but New Jersey officials and utility companies have already begun preparing for its potential onslaught on the Garden State.

In this handout from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Joaquin is seen chruning in the Caribbean September 30, 2015. Joaquin was upgraded to a category 1 hurricane early on September 30. The exact track has yet to be determined, but there is a possibity of landfall in the U.S. anywhere from North Carolina to the Northeast. (NOAA via Getty Images)Brendan Kuty | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to New Jersey, potentially cutting off electric service to millions of customers.

Atlantic City Electric, which serves a majority of the southern portion of the state, is preparing for this possibility by putting restoration crews on standby, including both their regular employees and line contractors and tree crews.

The company received sharp criticism over how it reacted to the last major storm to hit the South Jersey area.

A June macroburst storm downed trees and power lines across the region, leaving some without power for more than a week.

Local elected officials criticized Atlantic City Electric's response to that incident, saying the company failed to get service restored in a timely manner and failed to keep them informed of what was happening.

In response, ACE has sent a letter to all of its customers, signed by Vincent Maione, its regional president, as Joaquin approaches, detailing how they will handle this storm differently.

"We regret that after the last storm our communications efforts did not meet your expectations and, quite candidly, they did not meet ours," the letter reads.

ACE has created several new enhancements of its company's processes, emphasizing its communications and field operations, including providing public officials with an early assessment of storm damage and initial estimates for power restoration, continued, frequent communication updates, earlier media briefings and upgrading its mobile app for customers to more easily receive messages or alerts.

RELATED: Day 3 in the dark: Power company moves up restoration timeline

Greenwich Township Mayor George Shivery was one of the most outspoken critics of ACE after the June storm. His town was ravaged by the winds that day, trees were felled and power was out for a majority of the township, but his biggest problem was that ACE had failed to keep him and his residents informed about their procedures following the storm or a timeline on when their power may be restored.

He spoke to a representative from the company Wednesday, however, and is hopeful that the June event and its consequences have changed ACE's way of handling things.

"It sounds like they've learned from their mistakes," Shivery said. "All the mayors are sitting here with their fingers crossed."

In addition to changing its communication strategies, ACE is also stressing that its customers be prepared for potential outages. While they will continue to work to restore any that do occur, they have to take the safety of their linemen into consideration first.

"High winds can bring tree limbs into contact with power lines causing power outages. We will work around the clock to restore any outages that may occur, however for the safety of the overhead line personnel, if sustained winds reach 35 mph, work that requires raising a bucket/arm boom will be interrupted until it is safe for the crew to continue," Frank Tedesco, spokesman for ACE, wrote in a release Wednesday evening.

Individuals are urged to stay away from downed power lines and report any they may see by calling 1-800-833-7476 or online at www.AtlanticCityElectric.com.

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

 

The Compassionate Sciences Alternative Treatment Center will open Monday, introducing a medical marijuana competitor to the south Jersey market as participation in the state's slow-going program continues to climb.

BELLMAWR -- The Compassionate Sciences Alternative Treatment Center will open Monday, introducing a medical marijuana competitor to the south Jersey market as participation in the state's slow-going program continues to climb. 

Dispensary employees were weighing and stuffing four strains of cannabis in air-tight bags Thursday in anticipation of the 40 patients scheduled to make the first purchases on opening day, dispensary manager Gretchen McCarthy said. Appointments are required for the first week of operation, she said.

So far, 100 patients have selected Compassionate Sciences in Camden County to be their dispensary, many switching their affiliation from either Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair, Compassionate Care Foundation in Egg Harbor, or Garden State Dispensary in Woodbridge.

RELATED: 4th N.J. medical marijuana dispensary will open in October

Compassionate Sciences is prepared to serve 1,800 patients purchasing an ounce, and as many as 4,000 when all 12 strains they intend to offer are available, Michael Nelson, the general manager said. 

The wide reception area painted dark blue and off-white and lined with leather chairs, faces a counter with roped-off aisles, so patients can form multiple lines waiting their turn. 

Operating since December 2012, the state program has 5,500 participants, most of whom are patients and a smaller number of caregivers licensed to buy cannabis on a patient's behalf when they are too sick to make the trip.

During a media tour of the indoor growing facility and retail site, Nelson and McCarthy say they'll compete by offering overall lower prices, as well as a 20 percent discount for patients who receive Medicaid, Social Security disability benefits and other public assistance programs. Veterans will get a 10 percent discount, McCarthy added.

Compassionate Sciences will charge $120 for a quarter-ounce of cannabis and $480 for an ounce, including sales tax, Nelson said. Prices elsewhere are as much as $500 to $560 an ounce with tax, making New Jersey the most expensive program in the nation, according to a Star-Ledger analysis.

McCarthy said for patients, "the biggest question is are you going to be lower than the other dispensaries? We are getting mostly transfers right now from other dispensaries."

State rules allow patients to buy a maximum of 2 ounces a month, but dosages are dictated by their doctors. 

Nelson said they have an application pending with the state to produce two topical marijuana products and a cannabis lozenge. If approved, they would be the first non-smokable products available in the state.

The managers also touted their professional experience running medical marijuana operations in other states - McCarthy in Maine, and Nelson in Illinois, Montana, Washington and Colorado. The strains they sell are "proven from a patient point of view," Nelson said. 

Two strains that have helped children with epilepsy in other states will be available in the weeks to come, he added.

It's been a slow march to opening day. The state Health Department selected Compassionate Sciences and five other newly-formed nonprofit groups to produce marijuana for the program 4-1/2 years ago. 

First, they could not find a community willing to host a medical marijuana operation, Nelson said. "We got turned down in Maple Shade. That was six months worth of work to show up at the planning and zoning (boards), only to find out they were not truly supportive."

"It's the most challenging part of the business wherever you go," he said. "You have landlords who don't like it or if you find one willing, they don't own the building free and clear so then you have a problem with the bank, because they don't want to underwrite a building that's involved in it."

At the state level, "the background investigations were very thorough and that probably accounted for the longest length of time," said Nelson, a senior vice president for the parent company, Palliatech, which was also subject to financial review.  

Peter Rosenfeld, a 60-year-old registered patient from Collingswood, is among the first people scheduled to visit the dispensary on opening day. He said he was pleased with the discounts and that he no longer has to make the trek to Garden State Dispensary. 

"i work with patients, driving them up to the other dispensaries. It's a three-hour round trip and many of these people are not in good shape," Rosenfeld said. They started using the Egg Harbor dispensary when it opened, he said, but "in the early days they had trouble with quality and they never got used to using it, even though i think it has improved quite a bit."

"I'm also very excited about the discounts," Rosenfeld said. "The vast majority are living on disability and simply cannot afford the prices here."

Rosenfeld, who toured the facility, added: "They looked very professional in my walk-through. I just hope they are able to maintain quality and supply."

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Daikwon Alford appeared in court Thursday on a first-degree murder charge and two counts of attempted murder.

CAMDEN -- An 18-year-old city man who was 17 at the time of a fatal shooting he is accused of playing a role in was waived to adult court during a hearing on Thursday.

Daikwon Alford appeared in court on a first-degree murder charge and two counts of attempted murder.

According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, Alford and a co-defendant are accused of allegedly killing 18-year-old Tyimer Q. Bright, of Camden, and wounding two juvenile females on April 5 during a shooting outside a party on the 2800 block of Crescent Boulevard in Haddon Township.

The female victims, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, both Camden residents, later recovered from their injuries. Alford was detained on April 22 following an interview at the prosecutor's office. He was charged the next day, authorities said.

Alford's codefendant, a 15-year-old male from Camden, had a warrant for his arrest issued on April 23. He later surrendered to detectives at the prosecutor's office on April 28 and is awaiting a waiver hearing that will determine whether he too will be tried as an adult.

Alford was arraigned Friday afternoon before Superior Court Judge Edward J. McBride Jr., with bail being set at $1 million cash or bond.

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

With plenty of rain, including the potential of Hurricane Joaquin reaching landfill, use this week's list of suggestions that include two Oktoberfest celebrations, an enjoyable distractions.

Yes, Mother Nature is about to dump a whole lot of rain on New Jersey residents over the next several days. But that's not necessarily any reason to stay inside all weekend. Here are three ideas that are sure to raise your spirits. As of posting time, all are still taking place. (Better yet, two of them take place indoors.)

OKTOBERFEST AT ZEPPELIN HALL

The beer-fueled German celebration, better known as Oktoberfest -- the world's largest beer festival that has been held annually in Germany since 1810 -- is taking place all over the Garden State. The best part of this trend is that restaurants tends to extend the celebration into late October, including at Zeppelin Hall Biergarten, 88 Liberty View Dr. in Jersey City, where the party continues until Oct. 24. This marks the seventh year that the restaurant is joining in on the celebration. Besides musical entertainment and the dancing on the tables, the staff will get into the spirit by getting decked out in colorful Bavarian costumes. Executive chef Franco Robazatti is whipping up some traditional German dishes, and German party bands will be joining the celebration at 10 p.m. on the weekends. 

OKTOBERFEST IN CAPE MAY 

OK, so sitting on the beach may not be the best idea for this weekend, but near the beach may be doable. The Cape May Chamber of Commerce is still schedule to host its annual Oktoberfest celebration on Historic Jackson Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. This one may be rained out -- so keep an eye on the web site. If it does go on, Jackson Street will transformed into a Bavarian promenade with authentic German music and food. Crafts, antiques and collectibles will also be available for purchase.   

ENJOY A 4-COURSE DINNER 

There's no better response to lousy weather than a warm dinner in a cozy restaurant. And Friday just happens to be the final night of SJ Hot Chefs Food and Wine Week, where you can enjoy four courses for $35 at various restaurants. Among the options on the list are American, Asian, Italian, and Greek restaurants -- a little something for everyone.  So pick a spot and reserve a table at your location of choice, or use this promotion as the perfect opportunity to try some place new. 

Contact Bill Gelman at bkgelman@hotmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.

From pumpkin shows to book festivals, discover some delightful fall events across the Garden State.

Here are some of Jersey's best bets for fun during October and November.

• Be thrilled by day and frightened at night during Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson. The high jinks happen every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 1, plus Oct. 12 (Columbus Day). Family-friendly fun, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., includes the Spooktacular Street Party dance party and the Trick-or-Treat Trail. As darkness descends, zombies fill the midways while visitors navigate terror trails and scare zones. Admission and Fright Fest ticket prices vary. Visit sixflags.com/greatadventure.

Alicia Bessette 

• Best-selling authors George Anastasia and Matthew Quick, pictured, will be among writers taking part in the 13th annual Collingswood Book Festival on Oct. 3. The event, held along six blocks of Haddon Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will include author presentations, poetry readings and workshops. Visit collingswoodbookfestival.com.

• A wide range of cuisine will be available at the 12th annual Gloucester County Italian Heritage Festival on Oct. 4 at the RiverWinds Community Center in West Deptford. There also will be music, dancing and a street fair. Visit facebook.com/GCItalian.

• The 12th annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show will be held Oct. 9 to 11 at the Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway, Woodstown. Cash prizes will be awarded for the biggest pumpkin and there also will be a pumpkin dessert contest. Visit sjpumpkinshow.com.

• Ocean City's Indian Summer Weekend features a fall block party Oct. 10 along Asbury Avenue, from 5th to 14th streets. There will be boardwalk and downtown table sales, starting at 6th Street, and seafood vendors on the boardwalk at the Music Pier Oct. 10 to 12. Call (800) BEACH-NJ.

Patti Sapone 

• Find more than 400 exotic orchids Oct. 11 at the annual Orchid Auction, sponsored by the Deep Cut Orchid Society. The auction begins at noon, with previews at 11 a.m., at Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. Admission and parking are free. Food and drinks will be available. Call (732) 787-4460 or visit deepcutorchids.com/events.

• Take the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey. On Oct. 17 and 18, tour several local lighthouses, select museums and two life-saving stations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help raise funds to preserve these beacons of light; some lighthouses also will have night climbs. Participants can purchase a tri-fold souvenir pamphlet ($1) that can be stamped at each lighthouse as proof of visit. Entrance fees and hours of operation for lighthouses can be found at lighthousechallengenj.org.

• "Strangers in the Night: Poets on Music, Musicians on Poetry" brings poets and musicians together Oct. 18 for an afternoon of song and verse at the Hoboken Historical Museum. The free event, from 3 to 5 p.m., is being hosted by Danny Shot, the museum's poet in residence, and coincides with its Sinatra Centennial exhibit. The museum is located at 1301 Hudson St. Call (201) 656-2240 or visit hobokenmuseum.org.

 

• Attend Madame Parmentier's Psychic Tea in Cape May on Oct. 24 and you may encounter fortune tellers, palm readers or a phrenologist. Participants could discover what the future holds for them (all in good fun, of course) at the 2:30 p.m. event, being held at the Carriage House Cafe & Tearoom, 1048 Washington St. Cost is $25 per person and reservations are required. Call (800) 275-4278 or visit capemaymac.org.

• Oh, the horror! "Something Wicked This Way Comes: Dracula" is being staged by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The chilling story of Count Dracula's quest for blood comes to life in a staged reading Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. at Lancaster Road, Madison (on the campus of Drew University). Tickets are $38. Call (973) 408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.

• Hungry for some fine art photography? Visit Off the Plate -- an exhibition of "painterly" photographs of food and flowers by photographer Jim Smith -- at the Hat Tavern, in the Grand Summit Hotel, through Nov. 8. The exhibit is sponsored by Reeves-Reed Arboretum (to which Smith will donate 30 percent of art sales) and the hotel, located at 570 Springfield Ave., Summit. Visit reeves-reedarboretum.org.

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Two Camden men were sentenced this week in connection with their roles as workers in a large-scale drug ring that distributed cocaine base, cocaine and heroin, authorities said.

Two Camden men were sentenced this week in connection with their roles as workers in a large-scale drug ring, authorities said.File Photo 

CAMDEN -- Two Camden men were sentenced this week in connection with their roles as workers in a large-scale drug ring that distributed cocaine base, cocaine and heroin, authorities said.

Marqueis Thomas Randall, 23, who is also known as "Marty," was sentenced to 100 months in prison -- which is a bit less than eight-an-a-half years -- while Elquinzie Lewis, 23, was sentenced to four years in prison, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a news release on Friday.

Randall and Lewis were arrested along with five others in April 2013 in connection with the Camden-based drug trafficking organization.

The drug ring was headed by Carl Wiles, also known as "Call Call," and operated in Camden in the area of Eighth and Tulip Streets -- a retail shopping plaza in the 700 block of Morgan Boulevard -- and areas within the Crestbury Apartments public housing project, authorities said.

Federal, state and local law enforcement worked to together as part of the Camden Collaborative Crime Commission, known as C4, to share intelligence and crack the drug ring. Authorities said the investigation into the organization involved physical surveillance, confidential informants, telephone wiretaps, controlled drug purchases and record checks.

After they serve their prison terms, Randall and Lewis will each be required to submit to supervised release. Randall has been sentenced to five years of supervised release and Lewis will have one year of supervised release.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

A Camden man who admitted that he punched a woman in the face several times in order to force her to touch his genitals was sentenced to five years in prison Friday.

WOODBURY -- A Camden man who admitted that he punched a woman in the face several times in order to force her to touch his genitals was sentenced to five years in prison Friday, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Johnnie Gaines, 39, pleaded guilty in June to a charge of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact in the January 2014 crime.

Gaines encountered the victim at a bus stop in Gloucester City and offered her a ride, authorities said. They ended up at a residence in Westville, where the assault occurred. 

Superior Court Judge Robert P. Becker noted that Gaines was evaluated at the state's diagnostic and treatment center for sex offenders and it was determined that he is not a repetitive and compulsive offender.

As a result, he is not eligible for confinement and treatment at that center, located in Avenel.

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

 

 

Zion Hill, 16 of Clayton, was reported missing in Camden Friday, Oct. 9, 2015.

CAMDEN -- Camden County Police are searching for a 16-year-old Clayton resident who was reported missing Friday night.

Zion Hill (Camden County Police Department)Rebecca Forand | For NJ.com 

Zion Hill is described as a black male, 5-feet, 8-inches tall with black hair and brown eyes, according to police.

He was last seen near Park Boulevard in Camden wearing blue jeans and a black shirt and is known to frequent the areas of Wildwood Avenue and Morton Street.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the CCPD tip line at 856-757-7042.

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

 

The Second Annual Camden County Overdose Awareness Vigil honors the memory of loved ones who struggled with addiction.

GLOUCESTER TWP-- At Timber Creek Park, Camden County freeholders and the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force hosted a candlelit vigil on Saturday night to remember area loved ones whose lives were taken by drug addiction.

Camden County freeholder Carmen Rodriguez welcomed the audience of mostly Camden County residents and said of the mood at the event, "This is not a somber event, but a celebration of lives. We're here to celebrate life."

According to Sandi Kelly, a member of the task force, 274 names were on the list to be read aloud during the event. She added that a few of the names were from neighboring counties but no one had been turned away.

Officers from the Gloucester County and Pine Hill police departments were present not only for the ceremony and presentation of colors, but also held candles for the names of people they had known from the list.

Patrolman Jennifer Rauscher of the Gloucester County PD held a candle during the reading and also brought her teenage daughter with her for a glimpse of the effect that drug addiction has on the families.

The vigil's keynote speaker was the U.S. Army's Frank Greenagel, a clinical social worker who aids in addiction recovery and treatment.

His speech praised the work of families for their tireless efforts to save the lives of loved ones addiction to opiates. And he thanked police departments nationwide for their contributions to the awareness and recovery of drug addiction, not just arrests and jail time.

Police were also thanked for their efforts in saving 300 overdose victims with Naloxone.

While Frank Greenagel praised the work of the police in aiding in addiction awareness and recovery, he added that it was not their job.

Frank Greenagel's words were met with applause when he called for reforms in the medical field, legislation, and the --holy grail-- insurance policies that push to "expand diagnosis to increase profits".

At the conclusion of the vigil, orange candles, dotted the audience, while the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey played soft music to the reading of the victims for which drug addiction was too strong to overcome.

Photos of the victims in their prime replayed on a projection screen in the background reminding us that addiction isn't selective and touches people of all neighborhoods, cultures, and classes.

Jesse U. Bair may be reached at jbair@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bair_jesse. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Marcus "Fresh" Rutling of Camden was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Marcus "Fresh" Rutling of Camden has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. (NJDOC) 

CAMDEN -- A New Jersey man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally sell 22 firearms, federal prosecutors said.

Marcus "Fresh" Rutling, 33, of Camden, and Saluda, S.C., pleaded guilty in March to conspiring to deal firearms without a license and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Rutling was sentenced on Thursday in federal court in Camden, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

Rutling also faces three years of supervised release after finishing his 14-year-term.

MORE: Camden brothers admit role in S.C.-to-N.J. gun trafficking ring 

Rutling, and his brother, Joseph Rutling, 24, of Camden, obtained firearms from pawn shops, gun stores and other sources in South Carolina and transported them to New Jersey between April 2013 and July 2014, authorities said. The brother at times used Amtrak to bring the weapons back to New Jersey.

Marcus Rutling sold or helped sell at least seven firearms, including handguns and shotguns, officials said, while his younger brother sold or help sell at least 15 firearms, including handguns, shotguns and an assault rifle.  Those sales were made to a witness cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, officials said.

Joseph Rutling, who also pleaded guilty in March, is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 30. 

Erin O'Neill may be reached at eoneill@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LedgerErin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.