Inquirer.com – Zurich DR

Author: Lacey Latch

A WWII veteran who ‘deserves everything’ gets a surprise 100th birthday party and a letter from Gov. Mikie Sherrill

With a century of life under his belt, it’s not easy to get much past World War II veteran Stephen Anderson.

But last Tuesday, Anderson was surprised to return home to find a large 100th birthday celebration in his honor with gifts, commendations, and even a letter from Gov. Mikie Sherrill waiting for him.

Wearing both a T-shirt and belt buckle emblazoned with the United States Marine Corps emblem, Anderson entered the dining room at the Wynwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Cinnaminson with a big smile as his friends, fellow veterans, neighbors, and more sang “Happy Birthday.” Each of Anderson’s arms are adorned with prominent dark tattoos that have now mostly faded to outlines, the finer details lost to time.

As cupcakes and ice cream were passed around, Anderson was quick to laugh as he joked with the staff and reunited with longtime friends from the American Legion, where he has been a member for 82 years.

“It’s amazing,” he said in between bouts of banter with old friends.

“It’s great because I can’t get out like I used to,” he said. Now, everyone’s come to him.

WWII U.S. Marine Corps (and U.S. Air Force) veteran Stephen Anderson is surprised by fellow vets who attended his 100th birthday party Tuesday at the Wynwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Cinnaminson.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

The party was put together by the staff at Wynwood, where he has lived since 2023 and has since become a beloved resident.

Stephanie Ward, Wynwood’s director of social work, was the driving force behind the celebration, organizing the party and contacting the Legion, the Tun Legacy Foundation, and the governor’s office to recognize Anderson for his lifetime of service.

“He’s so amazing, he’s got a kind heart,” Ward said. “All the veterans always have a special place in my heart and this big milestone, you’ve got to celebrate it.”

Cupcakes, including one with topping of iconic flag raising at Iwo Jima, at the 100th birthday party for WWII U.S. Marine Corps (and U.S. Air Force) veteran Stephen Anderson at the Wynwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Cinnaminson. He was presented with a letter from Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and letters from both the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps, and more.
Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

Not one to draw attention to himself, she joked that Anderson would probably give her a hard time for setting up the elaborate surprise party for him.

“I’m going to get yelled at later,” she said with a laugh. “But he deserves everything.”

Separated by oceans and decades, it is clear that Anderson’s military service is still close to his heart.

Originally from Massachusetts, he enlisted in the Marines at just 17 years old and was quickly sent to fight in some of the most harrowing battles of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A rare two-branch veteran, Anderson also served in the Air Force from 1961 to 1963.

“Where he fought is legendary. Saipan, Okinawa — some of the largest battles of the war,” said Patrick Dailey, a Marine and founder of the Tun Legacy Foundation, which is working to rebuild Philadelphia’s historic Tun Tavern, where the Marine Corps was born in the 17th century.

WWII U.S. Marine Corps (and U.S. Air Force) veteran Stephen Anderson arrives for his 100th birthday party with Stephanie Ward (left), director of social services at the Wynwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Cinnaminson.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

To honor his years of service and sacrifice, Anderson was presented with official letters from Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the New Jersey legislature, and various levels of American Legion leadership.

Anderson seemed particularly moved by messages from his fellow Marines — personal letters from the Marine Corps commandant, the highest-ranking officer, and the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, the most senior enlisted member of the service.

He was also gifted an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial by troops in Washington, D.C., on July 4 for him.

WWII U.S. Marine Corps (and U.S. Air Force) veteran Stephen Anderson (left) is greeted by his roommate Michael Evans (right) at his 100th birthday party Tuesday at the Wynwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Cinnaminson.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

While Anderson said he expected some of the Wynwood staff might be up to something for his birthday, he said he was not anticipating the celebration that had formed around him.

Brought to New Jersey in the 60s “by Uncle Sam,” as he put it, Anderson spent many years living in Burlington and has long been a dedicated member of American Legion Local Post 39 based in Roebling, at one point serving as commander.

Looking back, he said one of the best parts of the job was simply getting to drive all over rural South Jersey.

“I kind of miss that, I used to travel all the back roads,” he said with a smile.

WWII U.S. Marine Corps (and U.S. Air Force) veteran Stephen Anderson is photographed with letters and proclamations following his 100th birthday party Tuesday at the Wynwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Cinnaminson.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

Anderson has lived “a lifetime of service to the military, to the country, to the American Legion,” said longtime friend Chuck Robbins, a former national vice commander of the American Legion who worked with Anderson.

“You couldn’t ask for a more outstanding vice commander. Somebody who did their job to the fullest and always had my back — I will never forget the service you gave to me,” he said as he presented Anderson with a letter from the national commander of the Legion.

Looking at the flag in its shadow box, numerous framed commendations, piles of birthday cards and more laid out on the table before him, Anderson joked with Ward that they’d need to work out a plan to accommodate all of his gifts.

“You better get me a bigger room!” he said, laughing.

July 19, 2026
More than 500 acres of Burlington County farmland could be protected from development
Even more farmland in Burlington County could be preserved for years to come after the Burlington County Board of Commissioners took the first steps to protect more than 500 acres from future development late last month.

The board voted on June 24 to grant preliminary approval for seven Burlington County farms totaling 529 acres to enter the county’s Farmland Preservation Program.

Farms can voluntarily join the program where the state and county pay farmers for the development rights to their land and enact a permanent deed restriction, ensuring the land is forever protected for agricultural uses even if the farm is sold. The farmers would retain ownership of the land.

The seven farms will now be appraised before the county can make offers to purchase the development rights.

Burlington County leads the state in farmland preservation with more than 67,000 acres of farmland protected, Commissioner Randy Brolo said, which accounts for nearly 72% of all active farmland within the county.

“Farming and agriculture have always been a major part of life in Burlington County, and our board has made it our mission to do everything possible to keep the industry strong and viable for the present and the future,” Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson said in a statement. “The Burlington County Farmland Preservation Program is essential to that goal, and we’re pleased to take this step to protect more acres of farmland.”

The farms that could be preserved are:
- Bruch Farm in Chesterfield, 59 acres
- Kirby Farm in Pemberton, 50 acres
- Lounsberry Farm in Springfield, 169 acres
- Russo Farm in Tabernacle, 37 acres
- Seward Farm in Southampton, 22 acres
- Specca Farm in Springfield, 82 acres
- Varano Farm in Tabernacle, 110 acres
State funding could cover up to 80% of the preservation costs while the remainder is paid for out of the county’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

The county is also poised to preserve another seven farms totaling 1,070 acres.

“Every acre of farmland Burlington County preserves guards against overdevelopment that can impact our environment and quality of life, so we continue to target more farms and open space for protection,” Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said in a statement. “It’s good policy for Burlington County farmers and a win for residents who value living in a county with a green landscape and freshly grown food.”
July 16, 2026
Clean up underway after thousands of gallons of wastewater spilled at Burlington County landfill

Burlington County officials are working to clean up a major wastewater spill at a Florence Township landfill that could have entered a local waterway.

Workers with a wastewater hauling company discovered a crack on the cap of a leachate cleanout pipe around 4 a.m. Tuesday, the county said. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.

Officials estimate that as a result of the break, between 5,000 and 25,000 gallons of wastewater from the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex had spilled onto the ground and then spread into a detention basin with an outfall to the Assiscunk Creek.

“It’s possible some wastewater may have entered the water before the spill was contained; however, there are not anticipated impacts,” David Levinsky, a public information officer with the county, said Wednesday.

No nearby residences or businesses were impacted by the spill.

The Burlington County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to clean up the spill and remediate the area.

The immediate area where the spill occurred has been treated and the county anticipated completing all remaining remediation actions on Thursday, the county said.

The Assiscunk Creek is a 17-mile tributary of the Delaware River that is a popular fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching spot for South Jersey locals. Assiscunk Creek Park is a series of three preserves along the creek that are connected by walking and bike trails with sports fields, playgrounds, gazebos, and benches overlooking the creek.

July 15, 2026
Burlington County just got $500,000 to improve its trails. Here’s what the money is going toward.

Trail improvements are headed to Burlington County, though it will be years before they can be enjoyed by the public.

The county will be using nearly $500,000 in grant funding for feasibility studies and engineering designs for multiple trail projects.

Awarded at the end of June and funded by the nonprofit William Penn Foundation, the grants are just a fraction of the more than $4.5 million awarded for trail projects in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as part of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Regional Trail Program.

“Burlington County’s parks and outdoor spaces are among our most important assets, and we are excited by the opportunities to expand the County’s network of trails into additional areas,” Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said in a statement announcing the funding. “These new trails will enhance our parks and open spaces and improve mobility throughout our county.”

What’s planned for Burlington County trails?

The majority of the grant funding, about $400,000, will go toward the engineering design costs for a four-mile trail segment through Mount Laurel from the Rowan College at Burlington County campus across Route 38 to the Melvin and Florence Levin Nature Conservancy off Centerton Road.

The grant covers about 40% of the total expected design costs for the project, the county said.

Burlington County intends to cover the remaining design costs in its 2027 capital projects budget and will likely contract with a design consultant for the project in early 2027, according to county officials. During the 12 to 18 months in which permitting work is being done, the county will pursue additional grant funding to cover construction costs, with the goal of breaking ground in 2029.

The remaining $85,000 in grant funding will pay for a feasibility study for an approximately nine-mile route on the Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail from Rowan College at Burlington County in Mount Laurel to Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton. The county will also study a Mount Holly-to-Medford trail spur to connect both communities’ downtown business districts.

The county expects to have a consultant team on board by the end of the year for both studies. The work is expected to take about six months to complete, the county said, with results likely to be published next spring or summer.

Both trails are expected to become part of the Circuit Trails network — a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multiuse trails planned throughout South Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The county has other trail projects in the works, including a new four-mile trail linking Willingboro Lakes Park with Mill Creek Park, a 13-mile extension of the Delaware River Heritage Trail, and a connecting 3.25-mile extension of the Kinkora Trail.

Earlier this year, the county also completed an initial study to potentially create an additional 50 miles of trails through Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Evesham, Maple Shade, Medford, Tabernacle, Southampton, and Shamong.

July 15, 2026
A $130 million renovation breathes life back into former Northgate, a long-troubled Camden high-rise

An apartment building with living conditions that Camden’s mayor described as “deplorable” just two years ago has undergone a transformation thanks to a $130 million overhaul.

For years, the 21-story affordable-housing tower previously known as Northgate 1 has been plagued by poor living conditions, safety concerns, and mismanagement.

Now under the ownership of Hudson Valley Property Group, the 321-unit building is nearly unrecognizable following top-to-bottom renovations that were completed in August 2025. Each unit was equipped with new kitchens, bathrooms, HVAC, and more as residents remained in the building throughout the construction process via on-site relocation.

Formerly known as Northgate 1, the long-troubled North Camden apartment building has been transformed by a $130 million renovation.Linda Pedroso

The building’s future as affordable housing has also been secured for the next 20 years after the company extended the property’s Section 8 contract, ensuring residents for 96.5% of the units pay no more than 30% of their income on rent. The Encore is also restricted to households earning no more than 60% of the median income.

“They did everything they said they were going to do as far as fixing up the units and giving us a lot of amenities and other things like that,” said Karen Merricks, a nearly 30-year resident of the building and president of the tenant’s association.

Built in 1962 and now called The Encore, the apartment tower overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was viewed at the time as a sign that Camden’s future was bright.

Billed as a luxury residence, the building featured amenities like a swimming pool, a shopping “colonnade,” an underground garage, and a two-story penthouse with private roof deck access.

But the vision for the tower never materialized, and soon saw high vacancy rates and an ownership change decades later.

The Encore includes a playground, gym, business center, and community room for residents in North Camden.Linda Pedroso

The building continued to deteriorate over time as maintenance requests went unanswered, units were illegally sublet, and it became a site for drug activity, Merricks said.

A 2022 inspection resulted in 1,000 violation notices, The Inquirer previously reported.

“Just a lot of chaos and confusion,” Merricks said of that time.

For the first time in her nearly three decades as a resident, she began to feel unsafe in the building she called home.

Merricks was not alone, which is why safety was one of the first things Hudson Valley worked to address when they took ownership of the building in 2024, said Andy Cavaluzzi, cofounder and partner of Hudson Valley Property Group.

“A tremendous amount went in there because we wanted to be able to change not just the physical side of [the building]. … We were changing the whole perception and the culture, and that starts then with the operations and security,” Cavaluzzi said.

They worked on developing a security plan for the building that included a small number of armed personnel as well as major upgrades like cameras, access control, perimeter fencing, and vehicular gates.

“Now I’m back to feeling safe,” Merricks said. “They have armed guards here, security to make sure that no one’s coming in, roaming the hallways, smoking drugs in the exits, and stuff like that. That’s all been eliminated.”

‘Every part of the building was touched’

Hudson Valley Property Group spent about $150,000 on each unit’s renovations at The Encore.Linda Pedroso

New York-based Hudson Valley Property Group specializes in projects like The Encore — buying rental properties with troubled histories and preserving affordable apartments and undertaking extensive renovations.

They spent about $150,000 renovating each unit, in addition to building-wide infrastructure improvements like all new plumbing and electrical, and exterior repairs, Cavaluzzihe said.

“Every unit was touched, every part of the building was touched,” he said.

Residents can also take advantage of a fitness center, a computer lounge, a community room, and a children’s room with an indoor playground. Through a partnership with Citizens Bank, Encore residents also have free internet service for the next 15 years.

Shared by hundreds of residents, the building also now has a working laundry room for the first time in years, he said.

The site of the former pool is now an urban farm in partnership with Highlands Alliance where residents can learn how to grow their own food and have first dibs on any produce that is harvested before it is sold at local farmer’s markets. The revenue generated from sales will go back into running the farm, Cavaluzzi said.

The Encore has an urban farm on site where residents can learn to grow their own food.Linda Pedroso

“Affordable housing doesn’t mean it’s a place that it’s less expensive rent but you’re going to have a lesser living experience,” he said. “That’s not what it means and it doesn’t have to mean that.”

Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen said he was “impressed” by the enhancements, and called the transformation “simply remarkable” in a statement.

Driving across the bridge from Philadelphia, the building is hard to miss. Before renovations, it was clear to anyone driving by that it was in disrepair.

Now, the building stands out for a different reason.

Repairs to the facade and roof along with new windows, glass doors, and balcony fencing have transformed the tower “from this amazingly big eyesore that was there” into a beacon of positivity for the city, Cavaluzzi said.

“This is like Camden showing anyone else who wants to come in like, ‘Look, they were able to do it. This is what we want, this is what we expect,’” he said. “We want to be able to to elevate the city and we’re not OK with the status quo.”

July 14, 2026
Mount Laurel schools name longtime Cherry Hill educator Neil Burti as new superintendent

Mount Laurel public schools will start the next academic year with a new leader at the helm.

Neil Burti will take over as superintendent of schools starting Aug. 1, succeeding George Rafferty, who is retiring after leading the district for a decade.

After an extensive search, “Dr. Burti distinguished himself as the candidate whose experience, leadership style, and vision best aligned with the needs of the Mount Laurel School District,” Danielle Stuffo, president of the Mount Laurel Board of Education, said in an email.

Burti has more than 25 years of experience as an educator and administrator and is a longtime employee of the Cherry Hill Public Schools. While there, he served at all levels of leadership and was most recently the director of secondary education for the district.

Earlier this year, Burti also stepped in to handle the principal responsibilities during the second half of the school year at Cherry Hill High School East following a period of administrative upheaval in the school district.

The shake-up came after a lawsuit filed last September alleged that East’s former principal, alongside the Cherry Hill Board of Education and two other top administrators, subjected a former assistant principal to discrimination and retaliation.

A new principal at East, John Cafagna, took over this month.

“We are confident [Burti] will build upon the district’s many strengths, work collaboratively with our staff and community, and continue our focus on providing an exceptional educational experience for every student,” Stuffo said.

Stuffo said the district’s goals will largely remain the same under new leadership.

She acknowledged that the district will need to address increasing financial pressures, as Mount Laurel has not been spared from the budgetary challenges affecting school districts across New Jersey.

Like other districts, Stuffo said, Mount Laurel will work to continuously improve student experience and outcomes while adapting to evolving educational needs — and doing so within an increasingly limited budget.

“Fortunately, Mount Laurel is well positioned, with excellent staff and strong systems already in place. As Dr. Burti becomes familiar with the district, he will have the opportunity to evaluate our organizational structure and administrative leadership and, if appropriate, make recommendations to the Board for consideration,” she said in the email.

Burti was named the 2024 New Jersey Secondary School Principal of the Year during his time leading Cherry Hill’s John A. Carusi Middle School.

Burti holds a bachelor’s degree in movement studies and exercise science from East Stroudsburg University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Temple University, and a doctorate in innovation and leadership from Wilmington University.

July 9, 2026
Medford approves four housing projects with more than 200 affordable units to meet state mandate

Tackling what local officials called “one of the most significant matters” facing the Medford community, township council approved four redevelopment projects Tuesday night that will bring hundreds of affordable units to the township.

All of the projects are part of Medford’s effort to meet their state-mandated affordable housing requirements. The housing obligations stem from a 1975 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling requiring that all municipalities develop a certain amount of affordable housing.

Every 10 years, each municipality in the state is given a specific quota of affordable units to plan for over the next decade based on considerations that include population, income, and land capacity.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development generally follows the 30% rule to determine affordability — any dwelling that costs 30% or less of a household’s gross income is deemed affordable.

In New Jersey, affordable housing is restricted to households with earnings that must be at or below 80% of the area median income for the area. In Medford, the median household income is $157,969, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That would mean any household earning less than roughly $126,375 per year would be eligible for the new affordable units.

The state most recently determined Medford must build a total of 240 affordable units by 2035.

The four development proposals that were approved would collectively add 226 affordable housing units as part of approximately 1,067 total new residential units within the township. All of the projects also plan for some type of on-site recreational amenity like playgrounds, pavilions, or picnic areas.

As part of the agreements, builder D.R. Horton will pay the township a $3 million redeveloper’s fee and a $1.7 million recreational and community benefit contribution that will be split between local nonprofits and the Medford Youth Athletic Association.

While the township has enough water infrastructure capacity for the new developments, D.R. Horton has also agreed to construct a water tower through the use of a $5 million special assessment bond with no cost to the township if it’s determined that water pressure is insufficient, Township Solicitor Patrick Varga said.

Large housing developments are often contentious in South Jersey, especially in places like Medford where residents value open space and are concerned more families will overburden an already cash-strapped school district.

In response to resident concerns about overbuilding, Medford Mayor Mike Czyzyk said Tuesday that the only residential communities that the township has approved in recent memory were related to the township’s affordable housing requirements.

“Medford has had a history of not building residential unless it’s required by the state,” Czyzyk told attendees during the meeting. “So as it stands today, there are no large or small-scale residential tracts being developed. There may be parcels being developed for residential use, like on Mill Street and in different areas, but there’s no communities coming to Medford outside of the ones required to be built to satisfy our affordable housing need.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, one resident questioned the township’s need to move forward with all of the projects at once, especially given that it is still so early in the 10-year window. But officials said that the timeline was out of their hands and they had a state deadline to meet.

“Every town in the state of New Jersey was required to adopt and finalize how it was going to comply with its Housing Element and Fair Share Plan for the Fourth Round by March 15,” Varga said. “The Township of Medford was one of a handful of towns that received an extension.”

Now that council has approved the redevelopment agreements, the township will be taking the plans before a judge who will determine if Medford is in compliance with their housing requirements.

Here’s what’s included in each of the redevelopment plans:

The Reserve at Ironbridge

Located on a 64-acre parcel at the intersection of Church and Eayrestown Roads, the Reserve at Ironbridge will include up to 287 total units, 48 of which will be designated as affordable.

Landing at Kirby’s Mill

Not far away, a 61-acre lot at Church and Fostertown Roads will become the 198-unit Landing at Kirby’s Mill. Forty of these units will be affordable.

Trollinger-Stonebridge

The largest of the four projects, the Trollinger-Stonebridge project will total more than 164 acres northeast of Church Road and County Route 541. The project includes up to 48 affordable units out of a total of 300 new residences. This project also includes plans for a bike trail to be constructed and paid for by the builder, pending state approval.

Flying W

Planned for a 114-acre lot on Fostertown Road, Flying W includes the greatest affordable housing contribution among the four projects. With 90 affordable units, 31% of the 282 total units will be set aside for low-income residents. All market-rate units in the development will be age-restricted.

July 9, 2026
Pokémon card worth $24,000 stolen using fake cryptocurrency in Marlton

A Philadelphia man has been charged after authorities said he conducted a fraudulent cryptocurrency purchase for a valuable Pokémon card in Marlton.

After arranging the sale through Facebook Marketplace, Christian Elam, 26, allegedly met the seller at the Evesham Township Police Department Safe Exchange Zone, located in the lobby of police headquarters, Evesham police said in a statement posted to social media Monday.

Elam allegedly paid the seller for a Pokémon card worth $24,200 using cryptocurrency, which was later determined to be fraudulent, the department said.

Elam was charged with third-degree theft by deception and second-degree computer-related theft. He was being held at the Burlington County Jail awaiting a pre-indictment hearing scheduled for Aug. 26, according to the court docket.

The police department is encouraging residents to continue taking advantage of the 24-hour safe transaction zone but to remain diligent about potential scams.

“While the zone provides a well-lit, video-monitored location for in-person exchanges, residents are reminded to independently verify payment before transferring property, especially when cryptocurrency, electronic payments, or high-value items are involved,” the department said.

Cyber-enabled crimes are on the rise across the United States. The Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 1 million complaints in 2025, a 17% increase from the previous year, with total reported losses of nearly $21 billion, according to an April report from the FBI.

Cryptocurrency crimes are often the costliest, with more than 181,565 complaints totaling more than $11 billion in losses in 2025 alone.

July 7, 2026
Medford church planning repairs after possible lightning-caused fire Friday

On Sunday morning, the doors of Fellowship Alliance Chapel were open for prayer on schedule despite a fire in the Medford church’s worship center less than 48 hours earlier.

“Just the heartfelt praise, the worship, the prayer time that we had together — it was just wonderful praising God for all his goodness. So many things could have really been much worse than they were,” Fellowship Alliance vice chairman Dave Gutekunst said.

No one was in the building when church officials say lighting struck the building’s roof around 9 p.m. Friday and no one was injured.

The fire was contained between the roof and the ceiling of the worship center, limiting the scope of damage inside the church to smoke and water, Gutekunst said.

“We just felt really blessed and I think people have had a renewed sense of hope that this is just one in a long list of many chapters of the history of our church,” he said. “God sustained us through trials and tribulations before and he’ll continue to sustain us and carry us through this one.”

The roof of Fellowship Alliance Chapel was damaged by a fire on Friday, July 3, 2026.Courtesy Robert Dovi

Gutekunst also expressed his gratitude for the dozens of firefighters who responded to the scene during the peak of the weekend heat wave.

It’s still too early for a clear timeline for repairs, he said, but the church is forming a team of experts to spearhead recovery. In the meantime, services will continue to be held in the temporary worship space that was set up in another building on the church’s campus after the fire.

While church leaders believe the fire was sparked by a lightning strike, the Medford fire marshal has not determined an official cause of the fire and it is still under investigation, according to Medford manager Robert Dovi.

Per protocol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has also been notified because the fire occurred at a house of worship, Dovi said.

But lightning-caused fires aren’t uncommon in this area, Dovi said.

“This is a common occurrence for our area due to the large trees and open space,” Dovi said. “This weekend due to the severe nature of the storms there were a number of fires potentially related to lightning strikes.”

July 6, 2026
Extreme heat leads to canceled and postponed July 4 plans across South Jersey

Countless parades, fireworks, drone shows, and more are scheduled for this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July and the nation’s 250th birthday across South Jersey, but extreme heat is beginning to complicate plans.

With temperatures forecast to exceed 100 degrees through Independence Day, some South Jersey towns are taking steps to keep residents out of the heat — even if it means canceling their annual holiday events.

Others that haven’t taken any major steps yet are advising residents to stay hydrated and out of the direct sunlight as much as possible over the weekend.

Here are some South Jersey towns that have announced changes to their Fourth of July celebrations:

Bordentown Township

Bordentown Township postponed fireworks planned for Friday with plans to reschedule the show for Aug. 4.

“This wasn’t an easy call to make, but the heat forecast is dangerous, and that’s not something we’re willing to gamble with, not with your families, our volunteers, and our first responders out there for hours,” the township posted on social media Thursday.

Delanco Township

Delanco’s summer concert featuring the Nathan Renson Quartet scheduled for Thursday evening was canceled due to the heat. It will be rescheduled for a later date, the township said on social media.

Haddon Township

Due to the heat and humidity forecast for Saturday, Haddon Township has canceled its July Fourth parade.

“This was a difficult choice, but ensuring the health and safety of our participants and spectators alike is our highest priority,” the township wrote on social media.

The township’s “Happy Birthday America Celebration” fireworks will still take place on Friday night at the Haddon Township High School stadium.

Amid the heat wave, the township’s Crystal Lake Pool will be open and free to all township residents, their extended family, friends, and guests.

Haddonfield Borough

Haddonfield’s Independence Day Parade is taking place as scheduled on Friday morning, but due to the extreme heat forecast for later in the day, the block party and drone show scheduled to start at 5 p.m. have been postponed. A new date for the rescheduled events will be announced soon, according to the borough.

Magnolia Borough

Magnolia’s Fourth of July Fair is starting a bit earlier now because of the heat, the borough announced on social media. The fair, which includes food trucks, a beer garden, live music and more, will now take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday immediately after the parade.

Oaklyn Borough

Oaklyn is hoping to get ahead of the heat by moving up the start time for the borough’s annual July Fourth parade. The parade will now start at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than originally planned.

Paulsboro

In light of the heat, Paulsboro has also decided to cancel the borough’s annual Fourth of July parade.

“We understand how much this annual tradition means to our community. For generations, the Fourth of July Parade has been a source of hometown pride and a celebration that brings families, friends, and neighbors together. We share the disappointment of having to cancel this cherished event, but the safety and well-being of our community must always come first,” the borough wrote on social media.

Despite the parade cancellation, the borough’s 250th Anniversary Celebration at Fort Billingsport Park will continue as scheduled on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stratford Borough

While Stratford will still be holding its annual Fourth of July parade, the borough has decided to cancel its plans for games, inflatables, and other activities scheduled for Mancini Field throughout the day.

Washington Township

Washington Township has canceled its annual parade on July 4 after recommendations from public safety and local meteorologists. The township’s fireworks will still proceed as planned at 9 p.m., launched from the Washington Township High School Complex.

Staff writer Sarah Nicell contributed reporting.

July 2, 2026