The mother of a teenage girl with epilepsy cannot come to school to feed her daughter cannabis oil that has helped control her seizures, according to a state judge who ruled Tuesday that state and federal drug possession laws trump their right to use medical marijuana on school grounds. Watch video

TRENTON -- The mother of a teenage New Jersey girl with epilepsy cannot come to school to feed her daughter cannabis oil that has helped control her seizures, a state judge ruled Tuesday, saying state and federal drug possession laws trump their right to use medical marijuana on school grounds.

This is the third legal defeat for the Barbour Family of Maple Shade, which has vowed to keep appealing the case legal experts believe is the first court challenge of its kind in the country.

In addition to the conflicts in state and federal law, state Administrative Law Judge John S. Kennedy said the family failed to show their daughter Genny would suffer "irreparable harm" if denied medical marijuana in school, according to his 11-page decision.

"There are no doctor's reports from (Genny Barbour's) treating physician that would establish that her lunchtime dose of marijuana is medically necessary," Kennedy wrote.

Roger and Lora Barbour have sued to require the nurse at their 16-year-old daughter's special education school in Bellmawr administer cannabis oil, just like the nurse dispenses prescribed medication to other students. Since April, Genny has attended only half-days of school so she can be home for her lunchtime dose of homemade oil, diluted in a small glass of cola.

RELATED: N.J. judge rules teen cannot have medical marijuana at school

Kennedy noted that Genny had missed 2-1/2 hours of school a day since April, siding with the parents on one point: that they has been a "break in (educational) services."

But that finding was not enough to overcome the other problems in the case, Kennedy wrote. One of the hurdles the Barbours needed to clear was to prove that they would someday win the case and get a court order allowing medical cannabis is school.

"In fact, there has been no case reported in any state that specifically addresses the use and possession of medical marijuana in schools," according to Kennedy's decision. Roger Barbour "has not established a likelihood of success," the judge said.

Kennedy ruled in January and again on appeal in August, that the Larc School and the Maple Shade school district are in a legal bind. Allowing the nurse to administer the drug would violate state law banning drug use in school zones and federal law that deems pot possession a crime despite New Jersey's medical marijuana law. 

On Tuesday, Kennedy denied an emergency motion by Roger Barbour, an attorney who is representing his family, that sought to allow his wife to come to school every day at lunch time to administer the oil.

Roger Barbour said he thought he had a good shot winning this time because Kennedy's decision in August stated Genny's mother should be allowed to deliver the medicine herself.

As Genny's registered caregiver under the state medicinal marijuana program, Lora Barbour "has the ability to assert an affirmative defense against charges of possession or distribution of medical marijuana. . .even on school grounds," according to Kennedy's Aug. 10 decision.

Barbour quickly notified school officials in writing his wife would be there at lunchtime on Aug. 17 with the marijuana oil. The attorneys replied they would allow no such thing.

"The Larc School remains bound by the existing laws of this state, including but not limited to the Drug Free School Zone Act and the current version of the N.J. Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act," Larc School attorney Aileen Droughton wrote. "As such, please be advised that no medical marijuana will be administered on The LArc School grounds by any individual. . ."

Both sides appeared in Kennedy's chambers Monday to argue the Barbours' emergency request to bring the oil to school.

Roger Barbour on Tuesday said he would appeal. Since she began consuming edible marijuana 13 months ago, Genny's seizures occur once every five days. Prescription medication and even brain surgery provided no relief from daily seizures, he said.

"This ruling is devastating in the sense that it is harder for Genny to get her medicine," Roger Barbour said after reading the decision. "This is all because Genny cannot have her medicine at school just like any other pupil."

"I am very confident that we will prevail," he added.

The family's plight and the publicity surrounding it prompted the state Legislature to pass a bill earlier this summer that would require schools to establish rules allowing students with developmental disabilities to consume edible cannabis on campus. Genny is diagnosed with autism.

The bill awaits action by Gov. Chris Christie.

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

Authorities report that Imani Lewis, of Parkside, was last seen at her home on Magnolia Avenue.

CAMDEN -- A 15-year-old girl was reported missing Tuesday afternoon by the Camden County Police Department.

Imani Lewis, 15

Authorities report that Imani Lewis, of Parkside, was last seen at her home on Magnolia Avenue.

The teenager is described by police as having brown eyes, black hair, weighing 100 pounds and standing 5 foot 4 inches tall.

Police said the 15-year-old was last seen wearing a purple Camden High School shirt and khaki pants.

Lewis has been reported missing seven times in the past, according to authorities.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts are asked to call the Camden County Police Department tip line at 856-757-7042.

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

 

Loanna Sample, 18, of Cooper Plaza, was last seen from her Benson Street home, according to authorities.

CAMDEN -- The Camden County Police Department is looking for an 18-year-old woman who was reported missing Tuesday afternoon.

Leonna Sample, 18
 

Loanna Sample, of Cooper Plaza, was last seen from her Benson Street home, according to authorities.

Sample is described by police with brown eyes and black hair, standing 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds.

The 18-year-old has been reported missing five times in the past, according to police.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts are asked to call the Camden County Police Department tip line at 856-757-7042.

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

 

Tyler Etue, originally of Medford Lakes, was only 25 when he was killed while in Florida working on sobriety and trying to beat his drug addiction.

Jimmy Etue reminisced about the joy his son brought into his life and the compassion he had for others struggling in the world as he spoke about his recent death.

"He was probably the greatest kid you ever wanted to have to raise because he was so good-natured and kind. He was a treat to have as a kid," the father said Tuesday afternoon.

Tyler Etue, a 25-year-old originally of Medford Lakes, was reported missing in Florida in July while working on sobriety and trying to beat his drug addiction.

Authorities in the Lake Worth area of found Etue's body last week in a trash can near an alleyway.

Both his father and friend, Tasha Leahnne, reported him missing.

Detectives ruled the death a homicide and the case remains under investigation.

But for friends and family, Etue's heart has left a legacy.

"He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. He was tenderhearted and just a very giving person," Leahnne said, adding that she had gotten close to him over the past year.

Jimmy Etue, currently living in Mississippi, talked about the obstacles his son faced in life, and how he was determined to pick up the pieces over and over again.

When the 25-year-old reached high school, bipolar disorder began to rear its head and eventually Etue turned to drugs.

"Overall he was still a good person. He had more than a drug issue," his father said about his son's mental health struggles.

Tyler Etue, 25, is pictured with his friend, Tasha Leahnne. (Submitted Photo)

Jimmy Etue recalled a story Tuesday afternoon of his son reaching out to another in pain.

"If someone was struggling, he was there with you even if he was suffering himself. One time he was at a pizza shop and had a homeless guy with him, bought him a slice of pizza and just talked to him because he knew that guy was suffering too. In a nutshell, that was his personality."

He struggled with drug addiction and within a 10-month span had been in and out of at least six rehab facilities, according to his father.

"When he was no longer under the influence, his bipolar demons were what he was facing -- the anxiety and depression, all of that," Jimmy Etue said.

"He wasn't getting the proper care. Too many times, I kept bringing up the mental issues and we would end up in the same scenario," the father added.

Tyler Etue grew up in Medford Lakes and spent the majority of his life living with his grandmother.

The family is still in the process of recovering his body, but as soon as they are able to bring him home, memorial services will be held in different locations -- both New Jersey and Florida.

Support for Etue and his family have been flooding social media websites, such as Facebook, where friends of Etue have posted their love for him and spoke highly of him, despite his tragic battle.

Kendal Worroll, a friend of Etue's from Florida, knew him as he tried to get his life together and get sober.

"Many people come down here for recovery -- Lake Worth had a strong group of support," Worroll said, adding that she saw him really making an effort, sharing and reaching out to build a network in the community.

"We try to build a community on continuously trying to support one another because it's a much more difficult struggle than many can imagine," she said.

"He showed up daily, and the strongest decision he could have made was going back into treatment after his relapse. But it goes to show, someone can have everything going for them and still fall short because addiction is so powerful," Worroll continued.

The journey to recovery is a lot more than just not picking up, according to Worroll, who said many have very little and have to work to rebuilt family and life.

Anna Anderson, Etue's girlfriend, is spearheading a memorial and candlelight vigil to be held on Saturday in Florida.

For those in New Jersey, it will be recorded and shared on the Tyler Etue Memorial Facebook page.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide 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.

Fred Marigliano works with Road to Recovery, Survivors Nextwork for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and MaleSurvivor.

Abused by a priest at 11 years old and quiet about it for most of his life, 68-year-old Fred Marigliano is making up for his silence.

For each step of a 270-mile walk he's making across New Jersey, he is stopping people on the street and educating them about what it's like to be a survivor of abuse and how much further the justice system needs to go to make it right.

"If Jesus was here, he'd be walking with us," said Marigliano, of Green Brook, while sitting on a bench in Millville.

He works with Road to Recovery, Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and MaleSurvivor.

When he stops each person on the street, he asks for their support of legislation that would remove the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse.

With the current laws, abuse survivors have two years to file a lawsuit against their abuser. Proposed legislation (A3664/S868) intends to remove that statute of limitations and Marigliano wants to help make that happen. The legislation will apply to all cases of sexual abuse and not just instances related to priests.

For him, it took 40 years to speak up about being abused by a family priest -- well beyond the statute of limitations.

PLUS: Pope Francis takes responsibility for 'evil' of priests who molest children 

"When you're a child, you are terrified that someone might find out that you were raped or molested," he said. "Once you become an adult you're terrified that somebody might look at you as less than a man or less than a woman. At this point in my life, I don't care anymore."

He started his journey on Sept. 11 in Cape May and is walking the entire 270-mile distance to Mahwah. On Monday, he made it to Millville. He walks 10 miles a day and every hour he tries to take a break to hydrate himself and massage his feet.

His wife, 64-year-old Maggie Marigliano, walks with him when she can but also follows him in their car.

The outside of the car is plastered with magnetic blue ribbons they've been giving out to people. The ribbons direct people to their website about the statute of limitations.

He is also joined by Annette Kissell Nestler, 51, of Upper Deerfield, of SNAP.

"It's about educating others and about getting the word out there for those people who are still hiding out, living in shame, living in guilt to say, here is my hand," Nestler said. "It's OK. You don't have to feel like that."

According to Nestler, abuse destroyed her family. Her father was abused by a priest as a child and, when she was 7 years old, he killed himself in front of her. Fourteen months later, her mother died and she became an orphan. Years later when she was seeing a psychologist, she was raped. She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder to this day.

On the journey, Nestler is also carrying letters, legal documents, newspaper clippings, photographs and even jewelry from her family to help tell her story.

"I want them to answer for this," Nestler said while taking out photographs, one at a time, of her mother's funeral. "No more," she pauses, fighting back tears. "I want them to answer for all of this."

As Nestler and Marigliano each get emotional talking about their experiences, Maggie Marigliano is there to comfort them both.

"When I was raped I couldn't speak out and because I couldn't," Marigliano said, pausing to regain himself, "because I couldn't speak out there were so many other people that were raped."

Maggie Marigliano moved next to her husband and began to hold his hand.

"They don't stop they just move on to someone else," she said, finishing his thought.

Despite his ordeal, Marigliano is still a practicing Catholic. He goes to Mass and prays the rosary. According to him, it's not the church or the people in the church who cause the harm but certain priests and bishops who enable the behavior.

He also wrote a letter to Pope Francis hoping that he would join him on his walk. The pope will be in Philadelphia later this month for the World Meeting of Families.

"This war is not against the Catholic Church like some bishops will say," Marigliano said. "It's against the pedophiles and against these people who have protected the pedophiles and move them around."

The legislation they are supporting was previously up for a vote in 2012 but was not voted on by the New Jersey Senate in time. The bills were then reintroduced in 2014 and remain in committee.

During their walk, the victim advocates hope to stop by legislative offices and homes of lawmakers -- especially Senate President Stephen Sweeney's home.

Along the way, they invite anyone who wants to walk with them to join them -- whether it's for a mile or a block.

"It's redemption for all of the people who could not speak out," Marigliano said. "It's redemption for me. This walk is medicine for my soul and I will never stop fighting for justice. I just pray that the politicians in this state will wake up and do the right thing and protect our kids, not protecting the pedophiles. I pray that they have the courage to pass this bill and to bring justice to so many people."

For more information about their walk and about the statute of limitations, visit www.walktoendsolnj.weebly.com, www.sol-reform.com or www.Facebook.com/walktoendsolnj.

For more information about recovering from abuse, visit www.road-to-recovery.com.

Alejandro Rojas-Garcia, 34, was gunned down outside of an afterhours night club. His accused killer, a 24-year-old Camden man, was arrested earlier this year.

PHILADELPHIA -- Wil Rojas and Aledia Garcia never lost hope.

Tickets to the papal Mass that will be led by Pope Francis on Sept. 27, 2015. Aledia Garcia and Wilfredo "Wil" Rojas were specially selected to receive the tickets. (Photo provided)photo provided 

When their son was shot to death in North Philadelphia, they vowed justice. When Alejandro "Alex" Rojas-Garcia's accused killer was tracked down, they felt relief. When the two asked to attend a meeting Pope Francis was scheduled to attend, they were awarded one better.

Rojas and Garcia now hold the greatest source of hope -- tickets to the Sept. 27 papal Mass led by the Holy Father.

"God heard our prayers and touched the hearts of Archbishop (Charles) Chaput and organizers of The World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia were the first thought that entered my mind," said Garcia.

Rojas and Garica picked up the tickets Monday morning; they broke down in tears  immediately after hearing the news that they would be among those invited to see Pope Francis.

"This gesture shows compassion for us and other families of homicide victims and those who are victims of violence or caring for a victim of violence. Our lives are forever altered due to violence," Garcia added.

The eight-month road to the Parkway and the pope began on Jan. 24, when Rojas-Garcia, 34, was gunned down outside of an afterhours night club. His accused killer, a 24-year-old Camden man, was arrested earlier this year and currently awaits trial.

Court testimony revealed a possible dispute of some sort at the club, located in the city's Feltonville section. Rojas-Garcia was behind the wheel of a recently-purchased SUV when he was shot multiple times. At the time of his death, Rojas-Garcia was enrolled at Temple University and was majoring in advertising within the school's media and communications program.

The parents of Rojas-Garcia joined forced with families of other victims of violence to draw attention of their struggles in hopes of getting the attention of The World Meeting of Families.

The most recent call for an invitation to Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility -- where Rojas retired from and where Pope Francis is scheduled to visit -- was made late last month.

"I must say that I am extremely excited and grateful to receive this letter (of invitation) which shines light on the suffering of families like ours," Rojas, a vice president with the Gloucester County NAACP branch, said.

Last week, 10,000 free tickets to the papal Mass disappeared in minutes. Rojas said that the blessings he and Garcia will accept from Pope Francis will be on behalf of thousands of murder victims and their families from all over the world. Rojas and Garcia invited Antonia Flores and Roz Pichardo, family members of two other murder victims, to join them at the mass.

"We prayed for an audience with a representative group of families of homicide victims. And we are grateful to all who made it possible for us to be so close to His Holiness, and for receiving our special intentions," Rojas said.

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

 

The recently released digital renderings reveal what the venues the pope appear at are going to look like.

PHILADELPHIA --Digital renderings recently released by The World Meeting of Families show exactly what the venues Pope Francis will appear at are going to look like.

The digital images show the stage that will be erected at Independence Hall, where the pope will speak on Sept. 26 at 4:45 p.m., and the massive platform that will in rise in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the papal Mass will be conducted roughly 24 hours later.

On Monday, The World Meeting of Families announced that Mark Wahlberg will be the host for Saturday's festivities along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Aretha Franklin and Grammy Award-nominated band The Fray will also perform for the pope. Andrea Bocelli, Juanes and The Philadelphia Orchestra are also scheduled to perform.

Brutus retired from the force earlier this year to live out his life as a family pet for Sgt. James Kaelin

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP -- Police in the township are mourning the death of a K9 who worked for the department for more than eight years before retiring in July.

Cpl. James Kaelin poses with his partner, Brutus, retired from Gloucester Township's Police Department after serving for eight years. (Photo provided)
 

A Gloucester Township police Nixle community alert sent Wednesday afternoon said K9 Brutus, a 9-year-old German Shepherd, died as he was living out his years as a family pet for Sgt. James Kaelin. 

RELATED: N.J Police pay last respects as K9 officer put down

Brutus worked alongside Kaelin since 2007, tracking down narcotics, criminals, clearing buildings and performing other duties. 

"Our condolences are extended to the Sgt. Kaelin and his family, as well as our gratitude for the service of K-9 Brutus as a member of the Gloucester Township Police Family," a post on the police's Facebook page stated. 

Brutus was Kaelin's second partner, as the officer has worked with a K9 since the department's K9 unit began in 1999, with his first partner being K9 Atos. 

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

 

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey called it one of the largest hacking and data breaches ever prosecuted in the United States.

CAMDEN--Two Russian men have pleaded guilty in an international hacking scheme that stole at least 160 million credit and debit card numbers that were later sold and resold on internet black markets, costing banks and retailers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey called it one of the largest hacking and data breaches ever prosecuted in the United States.

Dmitriy Smilianets, 32, of Moscow, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Jerome Simandle in Camden to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was arrested while vacationing in the Netherlands in June 2012 and extradited without fanfare to New Jersey that September.

On Tuesday, Vladimir Drinkman, 34, of Syktyvkar, Russia, and Moscow, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit unauthorized access of protected computers and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was also arrested in the Netherlands in June and extradited to New Jersey this past February. Both men face up to 30 years in prison when they are sentenced in January.

The two were among a hacking ring that included four Russians and one individual from Ukraine who was charged with penetrating the computer networks of some of the world's largest corporations, along with America's largest electronic stock market, over a seven-year period.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, the five were charged with uploading malware into corporate computer systems, and then using those programs to gradually obtain the information they sold in "dumps" to resellers around the world. The resellers sold the data to others who used the information to encoded the magnetic strip of a blank credit cards, cashing out its value by withdrawing money from ATMs or buying goods, indictments charged.

Prosecutors said instant message chats obtained during the investigation revealed the defendants often targeted the victim companies for months, implanting malware in multiple companies' servers for more than a year.

Three of the 17 victims suffered losses exceeding $300 million, said U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

The three others charged, Aleksandr Kalinin, 26, and Roman Kotov, 32, both of Russia, and Mikhail Rytikov, 26, of Ukraine, remain at large, authorities said. Kalinin is also charged in separate federal indictments in the Southern District of New York, including charges of hacking computer servers used by the NASDAQ.

The case grew out of a Secret Service investigation into hacker Albert Gonzalez, 34, a college dropout who became a federal informant after he was caught in a separate cybercrime case.

Gonzalez, who was named as a co-conspirator in the indictments charging Drinkman and Smilianets, initially helped law enforcement in a year-long sting operation to track and record transactions through the encrypted computer boards of a worldwide ring known as the "Shadowcrew," while he was secretly working his own scheme to penetrate some of the nation's largest retail operations.

Drinkman and Kalinin had been charged as unidentified hackers in the 2009 indictment charging Gonzalez in connection with five corporate data breaches - including the breach of Heartland Payment Systems Inc., which at the time was the largest ever reported.

Gonzalez, who was caught in 2008, is now serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Pilgrims wishing to park in Camden will have to purchase passes online prior to the event.

CAMDEN -- The City of Camden announced plans Wednesday that it hopes will facilitate the many pilgrims expected to journey to Philadelphia for Pope Francis' visit next weekend.

Parking spots at the Camden Waterfront that were originally set aside for a fleet of buses, will now be open to private vehicles through online preregistration. The approximately 8,500 parking spots will offer pilgrims a starting point from where they can reach Philadelphia through a number of different methods.

"This will be a joyous and historic occasion and will cast a spotlight on the region both nationally and internationally," Camden Mayor Dana Redd said at a press conference Wednesday. "It's our goal to make this pilgrimage as easy possible for everyone."

Parking passes can be purchased online prior to the days of Pope Francis' visit on Sept. 26 and 27. The passes will cost $43.78 per day, which includes all taxes and fees. Redd said there will be no overnight parking, and sleeping in cars, parking lots, parks or camping outdoors will be strictly prohibited.

Pilgrims will be able to take their pre-determined route into Philadelphia -- whether it's by walking over the Ben Franklin Bridge, taking the PATCO High Speed Line from Camden's Broadway Station or taking the RiverLink Ferry -- once they park their cars.

Tickets for the ferry must be purchased in advance, but tickets for the PATCO will be available at the stations, according to DRPA CEO John Hanson. PATCO riders will also be able to use their regular FREEDOM Cards for the trip.

For those walking the route over the bridge into Philadelphia, there will be a walking route through the city that will include hydration and rest stops where they can take breaks along the way.

Due to the massive number of people expect to be traveling on the days of the pope's visit, officials urged pilgrims to plan ahead.

There will be a number of roads closed in the city, including Admiral Wilson Boulevard West starting at Route 130; I-676 North at Exit 3 - Morgan Boulevard; Cooper Street; Broadway from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Penn Street; 7th Street from Elm to Market and Delaware Avenue.

Officials recommended that people take mass transit to Philadelphia if possible. In addition to departing from Broadway station, PATCO trains will be traveling express routes into the city from the Lindenwold, Woodcrest and Ferry Avenue stations.

Hanson said the trains will be able to transport approximately 10,000 people into the city per hour.

"We expect to have traffic disruptions and delays," Redd said. "We asked all residents to be prepared in advance of the visit. We also ask you to be patient and expect delays."

Redd said while portions of downtown and the waterfront will be restricted, Camden residents will still have access to other parts of the city.

Redd urged people that must leave home on the days of the visit, however, to bring their identification with them. If a roadway is blocked when they are returning, having their I.D. will ensure they have no trouble getting home, she said.

Camden City Council President Frank Moran said because of expected traffic delays and increased security, it might be better for residents not attending the events to stay home.

"If you don't have to travel outside of your common area, you shouldn't," he said.

Captain Al Handy of the Camden County Police Department said the papal visit would be an "all hands on deck" situation for the department. Officers will be stationed in the restricted areas to direct traffic and ensure safe travels for those walking over the bridge.

Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli said all the agencies involved are working together to make sure the massive event goes off smoothly, and it is his hope that everyone who wants to see the pope gets a chance to.

"If you want to see the pope, a great place to start is here in Camden," he said. "This is a great event for the region, and we want as many people as possible to participate."

The city has launched a website, www.gatewaytothepope.com, which is where pilgrims can purchase passes for parking at the Camden Riverfront and find maps detailing the routes for travel on the days of the papal visit.

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

 

The former Lobster Trap in Cooper River Park will reopen in 2016 as Cooper House Restaurant.

The former Lobster Trap Restaurant in Cooper River Park in Pennsauken has a new name, thanks to Cherry Hill's Amber Staffa.

KTMK Group led by restaurateur Kevin Meeker held a contest to name the new eatery and Staffa's simple suggestion, Cooper House Restaurant, was chosen by a committee of county officials, restaurant operators and the project's architect, as the new moniker.

Not only does she have the honor of seeing her idea as the name of this new establishment, but she will receive dinner for two at Cooper House Restaurant once a month for an entire year.

Chef Tony Clark, a graduate of Culinary Institute of America and featured chef on Comcast's "Rock Star Kitchen," is at at helm of the new eatery.

Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash said establishing this signature restaurant as a destination is part of a bigger project.

"We are currently transforming Cooper River Park to create an even better version of this signature green space where Camden County comes to meet," said Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. "To complete this vision we knew we needed a signature restaurant that would be a destination itself within the park."

The current 6,572-square-foot space is being redesigned to enhance the view of Cooper River from the dining room.

Meeker said the new venture will provide a new, cutting edge restaurant in one of the most desirable locations in South Jersey.

"The concept and forthcoming construction will create an ideal space for patrons to enjoy the natural beauty of the Cooper River and the 374-acre park that surrounds it," he said.

Nash agreed.

"This will be the perfect place to enjoy a meal along the river, or to have a relaxing dinner with an incredible sunset as a backdrop," Nash said. "We are excited to have Kevin Meeker and Tony Clark associated with this project. Their work is worthy of this great location."

The Cooper House Restaurant is located at 5300 North Park Drive in Pennsauken Township and is expected to open in winter of 2016.

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

 

The LEAP Academy Charter School cut the ribbon on their fifth downtown Camden building Wednesday and it's one that's on the cutting edge of education and technology.

CAMDEN -- If Cooper Street is Camden's "avenue of education," as boosters touted it Wednesday, then the most recent addition ensures that road is going to run for a very long time.

The LEAP Academy Charter School cut the ribbon on their fifth downtown Camden building and it's one that's on the cutting edge of education and technology.

"This is not about me. This is about rebuilding this town," said Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, who founded LEAP in 1997 and saw the school that now inhabits Camden's first skyscraper named after her.

From city and state officials to future program graduates, LEAP's grand opening showed off what can be done inside the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) Campus.

1) The academy's past: Following the state's approval of charter schools nearly 20 years ago, LEAP started out with a little more than 300 students learning in trailers at 7th and Linden streets.

"You have no idea what the building looked like a month ago or a year ago," Bonilla-Santiago said of the Wilson Building, which was built in 1926, housed companies such as Coca-Cola and Miller Brewing and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Now, the academy boasts more than 1,400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. LEAP can tout a 100 percent graduation rate and 100 percent college placement rate for 11 years in a row.

2) The city's future: Exhibit A of what LEAP can do is Omar Samaniego, a 2012 graduate and Rutgers-Camden student who entered the program in 2004 and now plans to attend law school in the coming months. He is among 70 LEAP graduates enrolled at Rutgers-Camden, which is expanding across the city, but has a main campus across the street from the academy's newest building.

Holtec International, which is building a footprint on the Port of Camden, is "going to need the best and brightest minds" among city resident when they begin a vocational program inside Camden schools, Congressman Donald Norcross said.

Additional school resources include a college access center, conference and events center on the building's top floor, a family support training center, health and wellness center that is partnered with Rutgers and a fitness center that's open to families of students.

"We're building a true resource that can be used by the people of Camden," Bonilla-Santiago said.

3) The avenue of education: Across 12 floors, education and planning for the future was being carried out Wednesday.

"Cooper Street is not what is was in the 1980s and 1990s," Bonilla-Santiago said.

"It is the education corridor that I believe is helping to stimulate transformation in Camden," said Camden Mayor Dana Redd, adding that a recent meeting with Holtec officials touched on STEAM education.

Also in attendance Wednesday were Camden City School District Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard, Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Phoebe Haddon and Evo Popoff, state charter schools assistant commissioner. With Rutgers-Camden, Camden County College and Rowan College outposts all along Cooper Street, it was hard to argue against the the educational corridor moniker.

4) The cutting edge: Showing off iPhone cases they designed in the STEAM building's fabrication laboratory, biomedical track students Jamira Greene and Jayla Mann said the school is setting up students to be future leaders in their chosen field.

"What school do you get to go to where you can make your own phone case?" Mann, 17, of Mount Laurel, said.

The numerous 3-D printers set up around the laboratory used pre-rendered designs that can then be customized by the students. The length of the printing process can range, but the two said that a new phone case could be completely printed and ready to for use within a few hours.

Asked about Camden's reputation as a dangerous plade, Mann said, "I was a little afraid but when I came here -- it's not like that."

"These people here are going to be a generation that changes Camden," added Greene, 17, of Cherry Hill.

Camden man Jacob Llera, 19, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in West Philadelphia.

CAMDEN -- Eight days after allegedly gunning down a 19-year-old city resident, Camden man Jacob Llera was arrested Wednesday afternoon in West Philadelphia.

According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, Llera, 20, was taken into custody at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday near 52nd and Market streets in Philadelphia. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Task Force and the Camden Division of the USMS New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force assisted in the arrest.

Llera is accused of shooting Saadiq Coleman multiple times near Broadway and Benson Street, in Camden, shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. He has since been charged with first-degree murder.

On the night of the shooting, two Camden County Police Department officers were in a marked patrol vehicle parked on the 300 block of Broadway when they heard the gunfire.

"The officers exited their vehicle and saw Coleman running toward them. He collapsed just before reaching the officers' vehicle," the prosecutor's office said in a release.

Coleman was taken to Cooper University Hospital immediately after the shooting. He was pronounced dead at 11:07 p.m.

Llera is currently being held in Philadelphia and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

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

 

Camden County police said three men got a ride from from a taxi driver, but robbed him of cash and a tablet device at gunpoint after he dropped them off.

CAMDEN CITY -- The Camden County Police Department is seeking information about three men who robbed a taxi driver at gunpoint Tuesday night. 

In a media release posted on the department's Facebook page, police said a cab driver dropped three men off at the corner of Eva Street and Hillside Avenue. 

After he stopped, however, one of the three men pulled out  a gun and took the driver's cash as well as a tablet device. 

They reportedly fled on foot toward Garden Avenue. 

Police said the suspect with the black handgun gun is described as a thin, light-skinned black male standing about 5 feet, 9 or 10 inches tall with a crewcut. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans. 

Both of the other suspects are described as black males, one with a medium build, also wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The other's clothing was unknown. 

Police ask anyone with information about the robbery or suspects to call 856-757-7042.

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

 

The Camden County Police Department announced Thursday another string of overdose victims since the start of September who survived after officers administered Narcan.

CAMDEN -- The Camden County Police Department announced Thursday another string of overdose victims since the start of September who survived after officers administered Narcan.

Since the Camden County Police Department began using the anti-opioid medication in May 2014, authorities reported 130 lives have been saved.

More than 400 drug overdoses in the city have been reported by the Camden County Police Department this year, including 32 fatalities.

The following incidents from the past two weeks were reported by police:

* Authorities responded Tuesday, Sep. 15 at 4:30 p.m. to 3rd and Spruce streets where a man was found unconscious inside a parked car.

Officers administered Narcan and the victim regained consciousness, according to police. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital for further treatment.

* Police responded to 6th and Spruce streets on Sept. 14 just after 6:30 p.m. where a woman was found unconscious and struggling to breathe behind an abandoned home in an alleyway.

The woman overdosed on heroin, according to authorities, and officers administered Narcan.

The woman began to regain conciseness and was transported to Cooper.

* Officers responded on Sept. 12 to the 600 block of Kaighn Avenue where a man was found unresponsive.

Police report that the man had overdosed heroin and was struggling to breathe. After administering Narcan, the man began to regain consciousness and was taken to Cooper.

* Authorities responded at 1 p.m. on Sept. 11 to the 100 block of Boyd Street where a man was found on the ground after suffering a drug overdose. 

Police administered Narcan and he was transported to Cooper and regained consciousness.

* Officers assisted a man who was found unconscious in an alleyway in the area of 3rd and Ramona Gonzalez streets on Sept. 10 at 3:10 p.m.

Police administered Narcan and the man began to breathe normally again. He was taken to Cooper for further treatment.

* Authorities found a man struggling to breathe with his eyes rolled back on 5th and Line streets after experiencing an overdose on Sept. 9.

After using Narcan, the man regained consciousness and was taken to Cooper.

* Police responded Sept. 9 to the area of 8th Street and Carl Miller Boulevard where a man was not breathing after using heroin, according to authorities.

Officers administered Narcan and the man began to breathe again. He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for treatment.

* A woman was found unconscious on 6th and Spruce streets on Sept. 7 just after 6:30 a.m.

Police administered Narcan and after paramedics arrived, she began to regain consciousness. The woman was taken to Cooper for treatment.

* Police responded just after 8 a.m. on Sept. 4 and saved two lives during two separate incidents.

The first incident occurred on St. John and Ramona Gonzalez streets where a woman was found face down on the ground, bleeding from the nose and unresponsive from heroin.

The woman was given Narcan, regained consciousness and was taken to Cooper for treatment.

By 11 a.m. another overdose was reported on the 800 block of Newton Street where a woman was found behind an abandoned home.

The woman was unconscious after using heroin and was not breathing, according to police.

The woman was also taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Police have issued public safety alerts regarding the dangers of narcotics in Camden.

Anyone with information on the distribution, sale or use of drugs is encouraged to contact the department's anonymous tip line at 856-757-7042.

For information on addiction prevention, recovery treatment and other resources for drug users, families, including crisis hotline numbers, visit the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force here.

If you need addiction help, call the hotline at 877-266-8222 or 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

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

 

 

Several New Jersey wineries are celebrating N.J. Wine Week with events and festivities.

Just one year ago, winemakers from across the East Coast gathered at Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery in Pilesgrove to launch the Vintage Atlantic Wine Region.

With a climate similar to that of Napa Valley, California, and Bordeaux, France, the South Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland area is becoming known as one of the great wine regions of the world.

In celebration of the increased tourism and delicious wines produced in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie recently signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 18 to 27 New Jersey Wine Week.

Wine Week kicks off Sept. 18 at Cedarvale Winery in Logan Township where representatives from the state Department of Agriculture and the Garden State Wine Growers Association will observe grape harvesting and the wine-making process.    

The festivities will continue throughout the nine-day celebration at many of the area's wineries.  

Winefest 2015

Sept. 19 and 20

Valenzano Family Winery - 1320 Old Indian Mills Road in Shamong

This is the 14th year the Valenzano family has opened their winery for their annual party -- WineFest 2015.

In addition to more than 100 New Jersey wines available for sampling, WineFest will feature five stage of live music, crafters and vendors, food options from local restaurants, and kids activities such as pony rides, pumpkin picking and a corn maze.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children 14 and younger are free.

For more information and to order tickets, call 609-268-6731 or visit valenzanowine.com.

Heritage Wine Festival

Sept. 19 and 20

Heritage Vineyards - 480 Mullica Hill Road in Mullica Hill

Along with Heritage's award-winning wines, guests will be able to sample wines from seven additional wineries including Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery, Bellview Winery, and Cape May Winery and Vineyard.

Carolina Blue, The Pizza Wagon, and Weckerly's Ice Cream are just a few of the food vendors that will be on hand for the festival.

Guests will be able to listen to live music from artists such as Brian LaPann Trio, Laura Cheadle, and The Sermon! all weekend long.

Tickets range from $5 to $75 including Wine Club VIP perks such as early admission, catering, and entrance to the exclusive 250-person VIP tent in the vineyards.

For tickets and more information, visit heritagewinefestival.com.

Jersey Fresh Wine Festival

Sept. 26 and 27

Burlington County Fairgrounds - 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Road in Columbus

Rebranded as New Jersey's biggest and only wine-themed farmers' market, the Jersey Fresh Wine Festival will pair fresh, local produce with some of the state's best wines.

Vendors offering cheeses, honeys, nuts, spices, and food trucks from Brother Bear BBQ, the Empanada Guy, and Bonjour Creperie will add to the festivities.

More than 200 wines from throughout the state will be available for tasting, and live music from bands such as Mesquite Honey and CrabDaddy will provide entertainment.

Tickets are $25 for anyone 21 years old and older. Guests younger than 21 are admitted free.

For more information and tickets, call 609-588-0085 and visit www.newjerseywines.com.

South Jersey Wine and Food Festival

Sept. 26 and 27

Lake Lenape Park East - 753 Park Road in Mays Landing

The 5th annual South Jersey Wine and Food Festival presented by the Mays Landing Merchants Association is expected to draw more than 10,000 people during the two-day event.

There will wine samples from eight South Jersey wineries, food from local restaurants and the students from the Academy of Culinary Arts, vendors, and live music from Dan Burke Acoustic Band, Billy Walton Band, Beth Tinnon Trio, and Danny Eyer.

Judging for the third annual Amateur Winemakers Competition will take place at 3 p.m. both days with white wine being judged on Saturday and red wine on Sunday.

For more information and tickets, visit sjwinefestival.com.

Appel Farm Music and Wine Festival

Oct. 3

Appel Farm Arts and Music Center - 457 Shirley Road in Elmer

The wine festivities continue even after Wine Week concludes at Appel Farm.

There will be wines from 15 wineries spanning New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland including Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery, Coda Rossa Winery, and Wagonhouse Winery.

Bands playing the main stage include No Good Sister, Swing That Cat, and Steppin' Razor.

The event is from noon to 6 p.m. and VIP tickets are available that give purchasers early access to the festival and other perks.

For more information and tickets, visit www.appelfarm.org or call 856-358-2472.

DEPTFORD TWP. — Volunteer Center of South Jersey, has announced plans to host a volunteer reading event supporting Read Across the Globe, an initiative that brings the power of volunteers together to impact literacy in our communities. Read Across the Globe is a one-day reading event that will be held on Monday, Oct. 19 to raise awareness of the worldwide literacy crisis. Working...

DEPTFORD TWP. -- Volunteer Center of South Jersey, has announced plans to host a volunteer reading event supporting Read Across the Globe, an initiative that brings the power of volunteers together to impact literacy in our communities.

Read Across the Globe is a one-day reading event that will be held on Monday, Oct. 19 to raise awareness of the worldwide literacy crisis. Working with volunteers, educators, and partners in every time zone, we'll read to children around the globe to shine a light on literacy.

The Volunteer Center will distribute books to all of the participating schools and libraries. The book chosen by the Points of Light and the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation in Houston, "Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table," written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Eric-Shabazz Larkin, surprisingly enough, is perfectly suited for the K-12 audience. "Our district is thrilled with the selection of the book," says Violeta Katsikis, district supervisor of curriculum and instruction for Cherry Hill Public Schools.  Katsikis continues, "The story highlights a sense of community, the power that one person can make a change, themes of hope, diversity, creativity and the list goes on."

VCSJ will work with site "champions" to coordinate the event, which will include reading room for students and volunteers to fill the positions of readers, witnesses and timekeepers and other Guinness World Book guidelines. Schools and library branches across New Jersey including Cherry Hill Township Elementary, Middle and High Schools, Monongahela Middle School (Deptford) and the Gloucester County Library System (Mullica Hill and Logan Branches), have signed up for the event.

"We are so excited to be able to coordinate this event in South Jersey, it gives us the opportunity to promote literacy and volunteerism, in one event," says VCSJ Executive Director Michele Epifani. She continues, "The uniqueness of this event is that it connects the community directly to the literacy issue and proves that reading to children, teens and adults will encourages them to read."

Volunteer Opportunities for this event will be posted, in the upcoming weeks, at VCSJ's online volunteer match site sjvolunteers.fundlyconnect.com/. VCSJ invites other interested schools and libraries across New Jersey to join this exciting global event. For more information contact Michele Epifani by email at mepifani@sjvolunteers.org.

 

"Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia the weekend of Sept. 26 is expected to create massive congestion in the City of Camden the days leading to, during and immediately after his visit," read an email blast from university administrators.

CAMDEN -- In a move unlikely to surprise any students or faculty, Rowan University announced Friday that the upcoming papal visit to Philadelphia would force the closure of the college's Camden facility, as well as Cooper Medical School, from Sept. 24 through Sept. 28.

"Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia the weekend of Sept. 26 is expected to create massive congestion in the City of Camden the days leading to, during and immediately after his visit," read an email blast from university administrators.

RELATED: Pilgrims can walk, ride or sail to Papal events from Camden

"Rowan is working closely with relevant public safety departments to obtain up to date information relating to the visit and anticipated closures. Local, county and state authorities have recommended that vehicles and non-essential persons avoid entering Camden during the times of this visit based on currently available information."

The Camden Academic Building and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University will close at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 and reopen on the morning of Sept. 28. All classes and activities in that period are canceled, and all facilities will be closed.

"All non-essential employees at both locations will NOT be required to report to these work sites during the closure and are encouraged to consider carefully whether travel into Camden is advisable during this period," the email continued.

The main campus in Glassboro as well as the Stratford campus will stay open as usual. The official website for the city of Philadelphia offers detailed information on how the visit will alter traffic and day-to-day life.

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

   

 

Michael Hagarty, 56, of Pine Hill, was indicted Thursday following an April 29 car accident.

PINE HILL -- A borough man, who is also a project manager with the Camden County Improvement Authority (CCIA), was indicted Thursday on DUI charges, according to news reports.

Michael Hagarty, 56, is facing charges of assault by automobile, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, careless driving and refusal to take a breathalyzer test as a result of the April crash that occurred outside of work hours.

Hagarty was driving a vehicle registered with the improvement authority when he struck another vehicle in Lindenwold on April 29 at around 8:30 p.m., according to the report.

Philly.com reported that Hagarty, a CCIA employee of 10 years, has been suspended without pay following the accident. Five other people were in the vehicle at the time and at least one other occupant was injured during the accident.

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

 

Antwan Bethune, 35, and Dimear Caraballo, 19, allegedly robbed a 34-year-old Lindenwold man at the Woodland Village apartment complex.

LINDENWOLD -- A borough man and his stepson are facing attempted murder charges and more following an alleged robbery-turned-shooting earlier this month -- not to mention a handful of other borough incidents, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

Antwan Bethune, 35, and Dimear Caraballo, 19, allegedly robbed a 34-year-old Lindenwold man at the Woodland Village apartment complex on Sept. 5 shortly after 1 a.m. According to the prosecutor's office, Caraballo shot the man after he refused being robbed.

Both Bethune and Caraballo are both charged with attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

Further, Bethune is facing charges of robbery, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm and weapons offenses for allegedly robbing Pizza Boli's, also in Lindenwold, at gunpoint shortly after 10 p.m. on Sept. 8. He is also accused of robbing a 48-year-old Lindenwold man outside of the restaurant as part of the Pizza Boli's job, authorities said.

According to the prosecutor's office, Bethune and Caraballo have been deemed "persons of interest" in a Sept. 6 armed home invasion robbery that occurred at the 1000 building of the Arborwood apartment complex, also in Lindenwold. A 64-year-old borough man and several adult females were victims of that incident.

Caraballo was arrested by detectives late Thursday afternoon at the Arborwood apartment complex and was sent to the Camden County Jail. Bethune was already being held at the Camden County Jail on unrelated charges, authorities said.

Readers with information about the Sept. 6 robbery or any incident involving Bethune or Caraballo are asked to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Paul Audino at (856) 225-8449 or Lindenwold police Detective Ron Burrows at (856) 784-4800.  Tips may also be emailed to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org.

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