Good morning, South Jersey.

Lawnside is embracing its history as the first incorporated African American municipality in the Northeast as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

And for more than 80 years, Donkey’s Place continues to be a longtime favorite for foodies for its cheesesteaks served on a poppy-seed kaiser roll.

Plus, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced an investigation into detainee deaths at Delaney Hall, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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Lawnside’s 100th incorporation anniversary

Descendants from one of the oldest families of Lawnside, the Stills, met for their annual gathering on Sunday. And this one was particularly special.

Nearly 200 people attended the family reunion in a tradition that began in 1870.

And it happens that this year coincides with Lawnside celebrating 100 years of being the first Black self-governing municipality with roots dating back to the 18th century.

After Lawnside was established, it became a cultural hub. Its churches, jazz scene, nightclubs, shops, and other gathering spaces attracted visitors from across the region.

It’s also best known as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Lawnside is celebrating through various ways including a centennial celebration with various events, sermons at the second-oldest A.M.E. church in the state, and history lessons.

The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney has the story.

Donkey’s: The cheesesteak staple in Camden

Since 1943, Donkey’s Place in Camden has a been point of pride for South Jersey.

Donkey’s cheesesteak — donned with fried onions and American cheese on a poppy seed kaiser roll — is legendary. Chef Anthony Bourdain stopped by for his Parts Unknown show in 2015 and gushed with praise, such as calling it “sublime” and “unbelievably good.”

Founded by Olympic boxer Leon “Donkey” Lucas nearly 80 years ago, it’s still family-owned and is run by Rob Lucas Jr., the third-generation owner and grandson of Leon.

But why a seeded roll?

Read more to learn Lucas Jr.’s theory and hear from old and new customers about the success of the sandwich.

Plus: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill recently posted about Donkey’s and said it has better cheesesteaks than the “millions” she’s tried in Philadelphia.

What to know today

• AG Davenport announced on Friday that her office’s civil rights division is investigating the operation of the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark after multiple detainees died at the detention center.
• According to the New York Times, the person behind the botched renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington is the manager at President Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster.
• A man was fatally shot after an hours-long standoff with police in a home in Millville on Thursday, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. There is an ongoing investigation.
• Celebrated South Jersey teacher, singer, and poet of Cherry Hill Betty J. Wilson died of cancer at 92 at her home. The longtime educator was a two-time president of the Mount Laurel Teachers Association and taught elementary school students in Bordentown, Bridgeton, and Mount Laurel.
• Two South Jersey towns were targeted in a nationwide cyberattack on local water agencies. Officials of Cape May and Woodbine confirmed they were hacked on July 27. Officials say both systems were impacted for about 12 hours, but water never stopped running and remained safe to consume. Both also said no personal data or customer information were compromised.
• The $220 million project to restore the Commodore Barry Bridge which links Delaware and Gloucester Counties is underway. It’s also causing traffic jams this summer with one lane open in each direction from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., as well as residual morning delays.

🧠 Trivia time

Adam Weiner is the front man of the rock and soul band, Low Cut Connie.

Where in South Jersey did he grow up?

A) Pitman

B) Westville

C) Bordentown

D) Cherry Hill

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🎧 Listening to: Our Songs of Summer playlist.

🍫 Craving: Chocolates from Duffy’s in Gloucester City.

🧩 Playing: The latest version of our weekly word puzzle, Pillars.

📬 Your South Jersey view

I didn’t stay out too long because of the heat last week, but it was still worth it to get a chance to be outside and sit near the water.

What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading

• ICE arrests surge at Philly airport, including those of a babysitter and a senior citizen
• Trea Turner isn’t moving off shortstop (yet). The Phillies’ goal for now: Help him get better.
• Craig LaBan: Side Eye, an affordable bistro in Queen Village, has a great concept but so-so execution

I hope you have a fantastic start to your week. I’ll see you tomorrow. 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. The recent trend of heat, high humidity, and random showers is here for another few days.

A high school history teacher and a lawyer are spending their summer in Camden sprucing up the city where they have lived and worked — by providing free lawn care.

And a third-generation South Jersey business makes stainless-steel food carts that spin their wheels on Shore boardwalks, huge theme parks, and military bases across the world.

Plus, a man who pleaded guilty recently for stalking a TV news personality is the same person who was arrested for allegedly threatening Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

P.S. As we wrap up another week, we want to thank you for your continuing support. We’re still new, so please tell us how we’re doing by taking our survey.

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Sprucing up the community

Childhood friends Brian Turner and Keith Benson have cut nearly 100 lawns in Camden since June.

Turner is a Camden High teacher and Benson is a lawyer at a Cherry Hill firm.

The duo are providing the service for free and limit it to the city boundaries. They use their own equipment, and the only payment they’ll take is the occasional bottle of water.

It’s their way to give back to the city and spruce up the community.

“When you can help out, help,” Turner said.

The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney followed the two friends as they took on eight lawns on a recent summer day.

Meet the local business behind the food carts for Shore vendors and Disney World

A Camden-rooted business may have built your favorite food cart.

For 74 years, Custom Mobile Food Equipment has handmade stainless-steel food wagons and trucks.

The company’s products have found their way onto Shore boardwalks, U.S bases in Japan, and iconic theme parks such as Disney World and SeaWorld.

The Hammonton-based company has navigated food trends and consumer behavior changes. VP David Kyle is confident it’ll outlast recent inflation, global competition, and import tariffs.

Reporter Joseph N. DiStefano provides a window into the business of food carts.

What to know today

• A man who recently pleaded guilty to stalking a Philly TV news personality is the same person who was arrested in January for allegedly making threats to New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill when she was a U.S. representative.
• A sports coach at a Gloucester Township high school was charged with sexual assault of a student, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAuley said Thursday. He was taken into custody Wednesday.
• A conservative law firm is urging state officials to repeal guidance regarding transgender students and parental notification, New Jersey Monitor reports.
• Burlington County will host a breastfeeding celebration and resource fair in Mount Holly today. Local organizations, vendors, and health professionals will be available to provide information.
• JP Morgan Chase has four new Chase Bank locations under development in Berlin Township, Blackwood, Deptford, and Washington Township, and it continues its expansion into South Jersey, 42 Freeway reports.
• The home-based A Labor of Loaf Bread Company in Audubon is preparing to open a storefront bakery in Haddon Township.

🧠 Trivia time

Buddy Guy performed in South Jersey last week the day after his birthday. How old is the iconic blues singer and guitarist?

A) 70

B) 80

C) 90

D) 100

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

⚽ Watching: The new MLS commissioner and Cherry Hill native Larry Berg pays homage to his father and his South Jersey beginnings.

🛍️ Touring: The best antique and thrift stores down the Shore.

❤️ Planning: A date night at Revell Hall in Burlington.

🏖️ Down the Shore

This “Ask Down the Shore” feature appears as part of our weekly summertime series from Shore reporter Amy S. Rosenberg. Subscribe to her free Down the Shore newsletter here.

We asked readers about etiquette of playing ball on the beach via the Shore Line group chat.

Here are a few of the responses:

• Many years ago a bunch of guys were playing Frisbee. The Frisbee hit me in the face along with the guy diving for it. I lost a tooth from the force of the hit and also needed root canal. They should be far from the crowds.
• The beachgoer needs to relax. They are kids and we all did it as kids. It’s a public place and to expect kids not to be playing is ridiculous.
• Hello from Wildwood Crest! Our borough lifeguards maintain a very publicized posted rule about playing ball at the beach: only on the “Back Beach.”

Where do you land? Do you accept that potentially getting hit is part of the price of enjoying a day on a public beach? Or do you think it should be limited to a dedicated zone? Be part of conversation and email Rosenberg at downtheshore@inquirer.com.

📸 Photo of the week

🫑 One last fun thing to do: South Jersey is known for its produce for a reason, and not much is more peaceful than perusing farmers markets on a weekend morning.

Enjoy your weekend, and I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. 📧

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

Almost two years after Gillian’s Wonderland shuttered, there are still 20 unsold eclectic artifacts from the iconic boardwalk amusement park at Obnoxious Antiques in Burlington.

And in more serious news, a man who was detained at the Delaney Hall ICE facility has died.

Plus, Paulsboro lost a shipyard opportunity, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

P.S. Ask your questions about the region to Curious South Jersey. Our reporters might hunt down the answers for a future story.

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A piece of the Shore in Burlington County

Any chance you’re interested in the 12-by-6-foot skeleton head and hands that once gripped the Haunted Dark Ride at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier in Ocean City?

That item — priced at $8,500 — and 19 other spooky artifacts from the closed amusement park are for sale at Obnoxious Antiques in Burlington.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian made the decision in October 2024 to close the park his family owned.

The owner of the vintage store hopes this upcoming Halloween season will bring in more buyers.

So far, half of the sold items have gone to people out of state and the other half returned to Ocean City.

Reporter Amy Rosenberg has the story.

A death at Delaney Hall

According to the members of the New Jersey congressional delegation, a man who was detained at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark has died.

The detention center has attracted national attention during President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, with numerous complaints about its practices almost since it reopened in 2025.

It’s been the site of altercations between law enforcement officers and protestors, and of political fights between state Democrats and the federal government.

The office of U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a South Jersey Democrat, confirmed the Newark ICE field office notified the senator’s team of the death Monday. The immigrant rights group Cosecha New Jersey shared a video identifying the person who died as Edwin Jeovanny López Cornejo.

Reporters Aliya Schneider, Jeff Gammage, and Michelle Myers have more on the turmoil at Delaney Hall.

What to know today

• Hanwha Philly Shipyard wanted more space for better contracts, more hiring, and more profit-making potential. The yard’s leader eyed a facility in Paulsboro — but then the port operator, Holt Logistics, refused the approval. Months later, Hanwha is giving up on the New Jersey option and now is collecting offers from Southern states.
• State Republicans are hopeful that a voter identification law could pass after Gov. Mikie Sherrill last week said she would support it, New Jersey Monitor reports.
• The new commissioner of Major League Soccer is a Cherry Hill native and part-owner of the Los Angeles Football Club: Larry Berg.
• Monday’s thunderstorms delayed the start of the $2.5 million project to make repairs on Collings Avenue Bridge over Newton Creek on the border of Camden and Gloucester City. It is now set to begin today and the bridge will be closed for about three months.
• Speaking of roadway maintenance, residents in Camden, Oaklyn and Cherry Hill should plan to make detours since that is where the bulk of the roadway projects will occur this week.
• A teacher from West Deptford suffers from retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy, or RVCL, a disease affecting fewer than 50 families worldwide that damages small blood vessels and causes premature death after harm accumulates on organs. The University of Pennsylvania got a $10 million gift to try to find a treatment.
• The veteran actor Vincent Pastore, best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on Jersey-set The Sopranos, has died at 80, according to the Associated Press.

🗣️ Quote of the week

Nick and Sandy Matteo immediately fell in love with the split-level after driving by, they told The Inquirer in the latest How I Bought This House column. They called the listing agent from outside the house and got a tour the same day.

Did you recently buy a home in South Jersey? Share the story of how you did it. Email Inquirer real estate reporters at properties@inquirer.com.

🧠 Trivia time

Former Gov. Phil Murphy declared which date as Bruce Springsteen Day?

A) Sept. 23

B) Aug. 22

C) Jan. 24

D) Oct. 3

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🍿 Watching: The third and final season of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest.

🎧 Listening to: The unCovering the Birds podcast about first impressions based on the first few days of the Eagles training camp.

⚾ Reviewing: All of the latest Phillies trade updates now that the 2026 MLB trade deadline passed.

And that’s all I have for you today. I’ll have more news for you tomorrow. ☀️

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. Our stormy summer seems to continue. We’re under another flood watch until tonight. Be prepared for more downpours.

Approximately 3,000 people attended the grand opening of Spirit Halloween’s flagship location at Harbor Square Mall in Egg Harbor Township.

And every Democrat in the New Jersey congressional delegation collectively asked President Donald Trump to reverse his FEMA aid rejection for the deadly snowstorm earlier this year.

Plus, prosecutors filed a civil complaint to remove Willingboro council member Nathaniel Anderson, who has not resigned from his position despite being behind bars for mortgage fraud, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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🎃 Get in the spirit

There’s no such thing as too early for Halloween (in my opinion).

And I’m clearly not alone since about 3,000 people showed up to celebrate the annual grand opening of the flagship Spirit Halloween in Egg Harbor Township on Saturday.

Children and adults — some wearing shorts and T-shirts, others decked out in full costumes — were able to play outdoor games, enjoy food trucks, get their face painted, and of course, shop. Some life-size animatronics sold out within minutes.

The chain operates more than 1,500 stores in the U.S. and Canada from August through early November.

Other locations that are now open include Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, Deptford, and Sicklerville, with more to come.

Did you know? The seasonally ubiquitous Spirit Halloween is a South Jersey company and Spencer’s is the parent corporation.

The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has more on the festive celebration.

A request to reverse FEMA aid rejection

All of the Democrats in the New Jersey congressional delegation signed a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to reverse his rejection of disaster aid for February’s deadly snowstorm.

Their plea in the letter — first obtained by The Inquirer — is in support of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s appeal of the denial of the $84 million request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the blizzard from earlier this year.

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim led the effort. All of the members of New Jersey were invited to join but only three Republicans did, according to Booker’s office.

Notably, South Jersey Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew opted out despite initially supporting the FEMA request in April that sought money in every county in his district for costs related to the storm.

Reporter Aliya Schneider has the story.

What to know today

• A man was charged with first-degree murder in the July 17 death of another inmate at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Chesterfield, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said Friday.
• Prosecutors have a filed a civil complaint to remove the jailed Willingboro council member, Nathaniel Anderson, who has not resigned from his position.
• The new CEO of the Pennsauken-based Bayada Home Care spoke with The Inquirer to discuss the importance of providing additional care at home as the country’s healthcare providers navigate financial strain.
• Washington Township High School teacher Matthew Groark and fellow food influencer Maxwell McGibbon is competing on Food Network’s grilling competition show Pitmasters, Philly Voice reports.
• Starting today, Camden County will begin the $2.5 million project to make infrastructure improvements to Collings Avenue Bridge over Newton Creek on the border of Gloucester City and Camden. The bridge will be closed for three months.
• Back Alley Barbeque in Pennsauken is back after a deal for a seafood restaurant to take over the space fell through, according to South Jersey Food Scene.

🧠 Trivia time

South Jersey singer Mara Justine came in what place when she competed on season 24 of The Voice?

A) Second

B) Third

C) Fifth

D) Seventh

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🗳️ Considering: Columnist Daniel Pearson’s opinion piece, which reflects on his previous role when he investigated allegations of election fraud in light of New Jersey’s noncitizen voter disclosure.

⛳ Remembering: That time when Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour stopped in South Jersey.

❌ Preventing: Lanternfly damage on your property.

📬 Your South Jersey view

This submission was sent to us from Jess Fasano of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation who wrote:

New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Franklin Parker Preserve encompasses 16 square miles in the heart of the Pine Barrens. It’s open to the public year-round and contains some of the region’s most beautiful wetlands and provides critical habitat to more than 50 rare, threatened, or endangered species.

What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading

• Four Cheltenham High School football coaches, six players charged in assaults on teammate
• 6abc’s Cecily Tynan discusses her surprise retirement, sealed after a brief bout with vertigo
• Mike Sielski: We are not part of Jalen Carter’s family, we shouldn’t care where LeBron lives, and other thoughts …

I hope you have a great start to your week. Catch you tomorrow! 📧

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

The New Jersey e-bike law that went into full effect earlier this month has a new update.

And after President Donald Trump denied the state’s request for federal disaster aid, South Jersey Democrat Andy Kim has concerns about the possible politics behind the decision.

Plus, several Camden County towns could owe more than a half a million dollars as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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What you need to know about the e-bike law

New Jersey’s new e-bike law was passed in January and went into full enforcement on July 19.

The state’s Motor Vehicle Commission has already made a policy change that impacts non-Jersey residents.

Here’s what you need to know before you’re ready to ride:

🚲 Everyone — including people from outside of the state — needs to register their e-bike. Out-of-state riders will need to make an appointment at the MVC and fill out a registration form.

🚲 Properly registered e-bikes will get a sticker from the MVC to display.

🚲 The law requires all riders to wear helmets and prohibits riders under the age of 15.

The Inquirer’s Amy Rosenberg breaks down the additional rules.

A rejected $84 million FEMA request

Back in February, New Jersey was hit with a record-breaking blizzard that resulted in thousands of power outages, school closures, and transit disruptions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, via President Trump, earlier this month rejected the state’s request for $84 million in disaster aid after the agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration already determined that Jersey met the required levels to receive the help.

Sen. Kim said he’s worried the rejection may be partisan, but can’t say for certain. The White House has been consistent in saying Trump’s rejections for other disaster aid requests from states have not been politically motivated.

What does this mean for future requests?

New Jersey was recently hit by massive flooding, particularly in Camden and Camden County, which Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she thinks could be eligible for aid.

Reporter Aliya Schneider has the story.

What to know today

• Five Camden County municipalities agreed to a settlement in a class-action lawsuit over vacant property fees. If approved in court, Barrington, Bellmawr, Runnemede, Voorhees, and Gloucester Township would collectively owe more than $500,000.
• An Atlantic City lifeguard has been charged with trying to lure an underage girl who turned out to be an undercover detective, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said Thursday. The man from Egg Harbor Township was arrested in Cherry Hill.
• A woman was arrested and charged after fatally shooting her boyfriend in Winslow Township while in a parked vehicle, according to local authorities. The investigation is ongoing.
• Gloucester County officials are reminding residents to ensure their pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations and to avoid wildlife after a report of a rabid raccoon biting a Glassboro resident last weekend.
• Thieves recently targeted two trading card shops, one in Washington Township and another in Gloucester Township, and stole thousands of dollars worth of Pokémon cards, 6abc reports. Earlier this month, a man was charged for allegedly stealing a Pokémon card worth $24,000 using fake cryptocurrency in Marlton.
• Olympic figure skater Isabeau Levito, who grew up in Mount Holly and now lives in Mount Laurel, teased her upcoming programs for the 2026-27 season, including a Pirates of the Caribbean theme for her free skate.
• After Avalon shut down a live band at Gully’s, the tavern is now fighting the borough’s restrictions on its liquor license.

🧠 Trivia time

Which South Jersey township tried to shut down a Lil’ Kim concert in 1997?

A) Logan

B) Franklin

C) Winslow

D) Edgewater Park

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🫐 Shopping for: Fresh local fruit at the Bordentown Farmers Market.

🛒 Watching: Inquirer social host Ariane Datil explain Jersey’s new ban on surveillance pricing on groceries.

🦘 Remembering: That time when Rex, a three-year-old wallaby, went missing for about a day from Lots of Love farm in Williamstown and then was found safe at a Walmart.

🏖️ Down the Shore

This “Ask Down the Shore” feature appears as part of our weekly summertime series from Shore reporter Amy S. Rosenberg. Subscribe to her free Down the Shore newsletter here.

Two weeks ago, a reader asked Amy about the dress code and she responded that most people fall into the “throw stuff in a suitcase” camp. Well, we posed the question to the Shore Line text group. Below are a few recent submissions:

“‘Down the Shore everything’s alright.’ Sure it’s OK to wear beach attire (not sandy though, and do brush ur hair 😉)”

“I don’t care how much money you have. Make an effort, for the sake of the restaurant staff and other guests, to put on clean shorts and a polo for men and a cute cover up/sundress for women. If you can’t do that, then there’s always takeout.”

“Some people, when they come to the beach, lose or abandon their sense of propriety. Decent, casual attire respects the restaurant and other diners.”

There’s still time to weigh in. Is there a baseline for what’s acceptable? Or does anything go when you’re on vacation? Email Rosenberg your thoughts at downtheshore@inquirer.com.

📸 Photo of the week

TGIF. Enjoy your weekend and I’ll see you on Monday. ☀️

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. Despite those Tuesday storm warnings, not much ended up happening, weather-wise.

One day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill refused to turn over information about the thousands of noncitizens who were mistakenly registered to vote to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from President Donald Trump’s administration to obtain the state’s unredacted voter records.

And after trying to fend off speculations about a closure since May, Cherry Hill’s Brio Italian Grille officially shut its doors.

Plus, an employee at Camden’s EMR scrapyard was impaled by a blow torch while on the job, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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Sherrill vs. the DOJ

A U.S. District judge ruled Wednesday that the Department of Justice does not have the authority to force New Jersey to give up its unredacted records.

The DOJ tried to use as leverage New Jersey’s disclosure last week that thousands of noncitizens were mistakenly registered to vote because of a software glitch in the motor vehicle system. It didn’t work.

The federal case predates last week’s news, and the ruling came one day after Sherrill formally told the DOJ that she would not release personal information about the noncitizens who were improperly registered.

What’s next? The Trump administration will likely appeal the case.

The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider and Abraham Gutman have the story.

Closed (for real this time)

It’s pretty empty inside the building that was the Brio Italian Grille in Cherry Hill.

A sign on the restaurant entrance reads: “We have made the difficult decision to permanently close our Brio location in Cherry Hill. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served this community and are committed to supporting our team members during this transition.”

The abrupt closure comes after staff emphasized that it was still open as recently as last month. Rumors about the restaurant shutting its doors have been swirling since May.

Could a steakhouse take over the space?

Reporter Lacey Latch has the latest.

What to know today

• A worker at EMR Scrapyard in Camden was critically injured after being impaled by a blow torch while breaking down a crane for scrap metal. This incident took place less than a week after the company reopened after a series of fires.
• A guard at a federal prison in Fort Dix had a sexual relationship with a prisoner for about a year, according to federal authorities. She was charged this week with sexual abuse of a person in custody.
• A Camden man was arrested after a K-9 dog found a phone allegedly used to solicit explicit photos from a 7-year-old girl, according to Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAuley.
• An incarcerated man in Trenton is suing the state to block corrections officials from forcing prisoners to give up their purchased tablet electronics. The civil rights lawsuit comes after the state Department of Corrections switched communications tech providers. The new company does not allow prisoners to buy tablets outright and instead provides loaners for free, but requires a subscription model to use their content, New Jersey Monitor reports.
• Award-winning former Inquirer photojournalist Akira Suwa of Laurel Springs, 84, died at his home this month due to complications from dementia. In addition to his photography, he is known for his mentorship, as well as his lifelong love of gardening.
• Eighteen new restaurants opened in the region this summer, including three sports bars in Gloucester Township, Mount Emphraim, and Barrington.

🗓️ The best things to do this week

🎄 Oaklyn Final Fridays: This monthly street festival features food, live music, and a variety of vendors. This upcoming Friday, get in the festive spirit and celebrate a belated Christmas in July. ⏰ Friday, July 31, 4:30-9 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 West Clinton Avenue, Oaklyn

🎤 Friday Night Live Music at Wenonah Lake: Hear from musical acts Lost Art, Arthur Herrmann, and Nonsense Maneuver. ⏰ Friday, July 31, 5 p.m 💵 $8 (cash only), free with membership 📍 North Jefferson Avenue and West Maple Street, Wenonah

🕺 80s and 90s Party: Indulge in nostalgia with throwback hip hop and R&B music and dance the night away. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 1, 6-10 p.m. 💵 $24.71 📍 Vera, Cherry Hill

See more event listings here.

🧠 Trivia time

There’s an upcoming comedy in development at FX that will be set at the Shore. Which town?

A) Atlantic City

B) Wildwood

C) Point Pleasant

D) Asbury Park

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🎶 Listening to: WRTI’s Beethoven curated playlist for LeBron James.

📚 Reading: University of Pennsylvania professor Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey after her scathing review of Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation.

🎣 Fishing at: Mantua Creek.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day. ☀️

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. Don’t pack away your rain jacket yet. The region is still under a flood watch with more showers expected.

Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan visited Barclay Pies in Cherry Hill and found a new standard of gluten-free pizza in the region.

And speaking of Cherry Hill, the township banned large-scale data centers, becoming the latest South Jersey municipality to send a clear message to potential developers.

Plus, Gov. Mikie Sherrill shared Tuesday that about 2,000 registered voters who were identified last week as noncitizens may actually be citizens after all, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

P.S. If you like what we’re doing — or see room for improvement — take our survey. We want your thoughts so we can better serve you and remain your trusted source for South Jersey news.

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Craig LaBan’s gluten-free pizza standard

There’s a reason Barclay Pies in Cherry Hill generates a lot of buzz among the gluten-free community, according to our food critic, Craig LaBan.

The owners worked for nine months to create the crust for its gluten-free pies. LaBan explains that the pizza has a bit of cornmeal for the bottom crunch, a frico cheese band around the edges, and a pan-based format that helps to prevent cross-contamination.

Barclay Pies sells both standard and gluten-free pies, and the latter now accounts for a third of the pizzas they sell.

“There’s a market need for a pizzeria that was truly inclusive,” co-owner Thomas “TJ” Hunton said.

Read on for the full review.

Cherry Hill’s data center ban

It’s official: No large-scale data centers can come to Cherry Hill.

The township council voted unanimously this week to list data centers as a non-permitted land use within its borders, as debate around artificial intelligence technology continues nationwide.

“We don’t think that Cherry Hill should be a guinea pig,” Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher said. “So while the technology is evolving, we wanted to be proactive and make sure that we eliminated a problem before it became one.”

If a developer wanted to build one in the future, they would have to get a land-use variance from the zoning board. And according to a city planner who worked on the ordinance, it’s one of the hardest approvals to get.

So far, no data center developers have approached the township.

Reporter Lacey Latch has the story.

What to know today

• About 2,000 of the 6,600 New Jersey registered voters who were identified as noncitizens could be citizens after all, Gov. Sherrill said on Tuesday. The news comes a week after her disclosure that a software glitch registered thousands of noncitizens to vote ahead of the 2024 election.
• A state grand jury voted not to file criminal charges on Monday against a Haddon Township police officer in connection to the fatal shooting of a Pennsauken man while responding to a reported burglary in 2024.
• Due to this week’s predicted storms, the scheduled maintenance of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge that was supposed to close to vehicle traffic Tuesday night into Wednesday has now been postponed to begin Monday, Aug. 3, at 9 p.m. and conclude Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 5 a.m.
• The Burlington County Library System on Wednesday is launching a “StoryWalk,” an interactive attraction that features reading stations that display pages of an illustrated children’s book. The stations are built around the playground at Riverton Memorial Park.
• Four Green Cats Cafe in Mount Laurel announced an expansion coming later this year to a second location under construction in Haddonfield. Owner Nadia Vasa told New Jersey Voyager it will be called The Grand Salon, with a full commercial kitchen to serve authentic Czech dishes and room to host a cultural program.

🧠 Trivia time

The Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden has had several name changes since the venue opened in 1995. Which of the below was its shortest-lived name?

A) Tweeter Center

B) BB&T Pavilion

C) Susquehanna Bank Center

D) Waterfront Music Pavilion

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🥖 Craving: Fresh bread from Dulce Artisanal Pastry in Collingswood.

🎤 Playing: 76 Seconds with Boyz II Men.

🏀 Running: The numbers to see how likely it is for the Sixers to clinch a championship with their revamped roster (thank you, LeBron).

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 🎓 The Prof

INTRAVENOUS WIRY

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Dan Tureck, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Rancocas Creek. It’s Burlington County’s largest interior river.

🏡 On the market

A private Medford home with a large backyard deck

Sitting on almost five acres, this Medford home has hardwood floors, a modern kitchen with an exposed brick wall, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a family room.

Outside, there’s space for gardening, a deck for entertaining, and an above-ground pool. Catch an open house this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

See more photos of the property here.

Price: $539,999 | Size: 1,836 SF |Acreage: 4.89

Congrats on making it halfway through the week! 🎉 Let’s do this again tomorrow.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

Tucked inside the Vineland Public Library, there’s a nonprofit coffee shop that employs and supports the careers of adults with disabilities.

And Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law to prevent surveillance pricing for groceries, which she said is part of her overall agenda to prioritize affordability in the state.

Plus, Collingswood announced that the borough is reviewing its public pool policies after an anti-LGBTQ social media account posted about them, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

A coffee shop ‘with a purpose’

Inclusion Cafe opened in early May inside the Vineland Public Library.

It’s an offshoot of Inclusion Coffee Shop in Elmer which opened in 2022. Both cafes focus on career development for adults with disabilities. The coffee shops have hired 15 employees with disabilities and seven without. Staff members are paid $16 an hour, plus tips.

“I love it so far,” said Victor Perez, 19, who’s a barista with autism. “I go in and clock in, get my apron. … I like the caramel hot coffee.”

The founder of the coffee shops created the cafes after her son’s Down syndrome diagnosis.

The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has the story.

What to know about N.J.’s surveillance pricing ban on groceries

Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act which prohibits surveillance pricing of groceries.

New Jersey is the third state to ban the practice through law.

🛒 What is surveillance pricing?

It’s when grocery stores or apps uses shoppers’ personal data to create individualized prices on items.

The new law defines the practice as a strategy where an algorithm or automatic system uses personal data to adjust, optimize, or adjust food prices.

🛒 What exactly does the law do?

It bans strategies that determine grocery costs based on consumers’ data, prohibits new electronic shelf labels for one year, and requires the state to study the utility of these type of labels.

Aliya Schneider has more answers, including what lawmakers thought of the bill.

What to know today

• One teenager is charged with fatally shooting another Friday evening in Mullica Township, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s office.
• Collingswood officials are reviewing the borough’s public pool rules after an anti-LGBTQ social media account posted about its policies.
• Burlington County will begin repaving a 2.7-mile portion of Old York Road in Burlington Township, Springfield, and Florence on Monday. It’s expected to take about two weeks to finish.
• The family-owned bakery Too Sweet Boutique recently moved to Washington Township after nearly a decade in Deptford.
• Speaking of bakeries, the former McMillan’s Bakery in Haddon Township will reopen as Del Buono’s Pastry Shop in August. The shop will reserve 900 square feet of the new space to host DiBartolo’s Kakery led by Woolwich resident Al DiBartolo who was a winner of Food Network’s Halloween Wars and a contestant on TLC’s Next Great Baker.
• There’s already unauthorized merch of LeBron James as a Sixer outside of Philly stadiums and down the Shore.
• Wawa and Lands’ End launched a limited-edition mini hoagie tote bag and it immediately sold out online. They are available at select Wawa locations only in New Jersey.

🧠 Trivia time

LeBron James is set to finish his legendary NBA career as a Sixer.

He agreed to sign a two-year contract at what value?

A) $6 million

B) $7 million

C) $8 million

D) $12 million

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🎤 Reminiscing: On Shakira’s final U.S. show Saturday in Atlantic City, which closed out her World Cup Tour.

🥤Craving: A milkshake from the Maple Shade Custard Stand.

🏠 Admiring: The architecture of South Jersey’s patterned brick 18th-century farmhouses.

📬 Your South Jersey view

I’m always grateful that I live in walking distance to city parks.

What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading

• Cecily Tynan is retiring from 6abc after three decades on Action News
• Mike Sielski: LeBron chose the hard, dramatic path when he picked the Sixers. Get ready for a wild ride, Philly.
• Craig LaBan: Northern Liberties’ new steakhouse is solid, but in need of a soul

And that’s all I have for you this morning. Thanks for choosing to start your week with The Inquirer. Let’s do this again tomorrow. 😎

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.