Good morning, South Jersey.
It’s Wednesday, which means we’re halfway through our launch week. 🎉 Being brand new, we want to be sure we’re serving your interests. If you have a question rattling in the back your head about our region, ask it through Curious South Jersey. Our reporters might just pick it up for a story.
Now, onto your news of the day:
The second-oldest public school in Collingswood is set to close because of budget cuts.
And a scrap-metal facility that keeps catching on fire in Camden is suing the city.
Plus, Brio Italian Grille in Cherry Hill remains open — but there is another chain restaurant eyeing the space, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Tight school budgets, hard decisions
James Garfield Elementary School in Collingswood will close its doors at the end of the school year after more than a century in the borough. Students and staff will be transferred to other schools.
“It’s been the best 13 years of my career,” principal Mark Wiltsey said. “Is it sad? Of course. I was all about it. It’s who I am.”
Superintendent Fred McDowell made the call to close the K-5 school after grappling with a $3.3 million budget deficit for the school year. The lack of funds led to programs and staff cuts, too.
School districts across the state are stressed under tight budgets. Haddonfield, Washington Township, and Cherry Hill are also reducing staff positions.
The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney explains the impact on educators and parents.
EMR is suing to reopen in Camden
The city of Camden halted the operations of EMR Metal Recycling earlier this month after its 13th fire since 2020. Now, the scrapyard is suing.
Their argument is that the city overstepped and didn’t provide due process. The company is also claiming that the facility is out $10 million in revenue and operational costs.
This isn’t the first time the company has been in a legal fight over the fires. The New Jersey attorney general’s office and local residents have sued the facility in the past.
Last Thursday, Camden City Council voted on a resolution calling on local and national agencies that have jurisdiction over the facility to shut it down.
Reporter Aliya Schneider has the story.
What to know today
- A child was killed Tuesday morning while riding an e-bike after a collision with a delivery truck in Southampton Township, according to police.
- Three Philly-area athletes, including one who attended Glassboro High School and another who played for Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, were recently arrested related to an April assault that left the victim severely injured in Philadelphia.
- Robin Cogan, the beloved and award-winning longtime Camden school nurse and healthcare advocate, died at 65.
- Brio Italian Grille in Cherry Hill is still open, but Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse has filed project plans for the property.
- Camden County released information on ongoing roadwork projects throughout the week. Drivers in Camden, Cherry Hill, Haddon Heights, and Winslow Township in particular should be aware and plan to take alternative routes when necessary.
- Mykal-Michelle Harris, a teenage actress from Delran, stars in Toy Story 5, voicing the character of Blaze, 6abc reports.
🧠 Trivia time
Deptford recently got a brand new Goodwill. How much did the average customer spend during the first 12 days?
A) $10
B) $27
C) $31
D) $120
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🚌 Riding: The new free bus shuttle with routes in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties.
🍅 Browsing: Local farmers markets, particularly the one in Collingswood.
🥾 Hiking: Crows Woods Nature Preserve in Haddonfield.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: A major retailer in South Jersey
NO BLURTING
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Thanks for scrolling. I’m off to have my morning coffee. See you tomorrow. 👋🏽
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