Good morning, South Jersey. We’re finally out of a drought after the governor’s office lifted the statewide warning.
After former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned following an investigation into his conduct, he’s now defending himself against his church.
And the federal government will spend $2.5 million to clean up underground contamination in Camden.
Plus, Bancroft NeuroHealth seeks to build a school on its Mount Laurel campus, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Caldwell faces another investigation
Former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is being investigated by his own church.
A bishop of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Episcopal Area sent an email about the probe to colleagues on the same day of Caldwell’s resignation last week, which followed the release of the initial report finding evidence of sexual harassment.
Caldwell, who is a senior pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, told the Inquirer that the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Episcopal Area was “investigating the investigation, based on the same information” and referred to the examination as a “piling on.”
He is suspended from his church duties until the investigation is complete.
The Inquirer’s Susan K. Livio has the story.
A $2.5 million environmental cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $2.5 million grant to dig up layers of a 1.6-acre site to get rid of contamination.
It’s from a 45-foot-high pile of illegally dumped construction waste that was removed years ago in Camden’s Bergen Square neighborhood that left behind lead, arsenic, and PFAS, aka “forever chemicals.”
The EPA, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and other officials announced the grant on Thursday. The money will come after the city finds a developer and submits plans for new use at the site, the EPA said.
Reporter Frank Kummer explains the next steps of the project.
What to know today
- An investigation from Floodlight and The Guardian revealed that the DataOne data center in Vineland emitted large amounts of air pollution for almost a year before regulators stepped in. The center was recently hit with a $1 million fine for violating clean-air laws by operating dozens of natural-gas power generators without the required state permits.
- Bancroft NeuroHealth seeks to build a two-level school for 160 students on its Mount Laurel campus. The proposal will go before the township’s planning board next week, according to 70and73.
- A new Rutgers University poll shows South Jersey residents are less supportive of Gov. Mikie Sherrill than the rest of the state.
- A recently introduced bill would allocate $60 million in state grants for farmers who lost crops from the surprise April freeze. Under the proposed legislation, farmers would need to apply and the most impacted would have priority, according to New Jersey Monitor.
- Fresh off its recent rebrand, Cooper Norcross Health released the first renderings of its planned $650 million Camden patient tower, which is set to open in 2028, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.
- A small shark was captured on video swimming in Surf City’s flooded streets during last weekend’s nor’easter.
🧠 Trivia time
Which celebrity popped into Haddonfield’s Inkwood Books after seeing their memoir in the shop window?
A) Jennette McCurdy
B) Patti Smith
C) Michelle Zauner
D) Cher
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🏒 Reliving: The day Gritty visited the Inquirer office.
🦅 Listening to: The performance of the one-woman band who does the Eagles fight song on game days.
🎃 Preparing: Halloween decorations — but probably not to this impressive level.
📸 Photo of the week
Enjoy your weekend! See you on Monday. 😎
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