New Jersey American Water Awards $950,000 for Community Development

New Jersey American Water and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced that two nonprofits in Camden — Heart of Camden and Parkside Business & Community in Partnership (PBCIP) — received a combined $950,000 through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program.

$800,000 to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership (PBCIP): Founded 30 years ago and led by Parkside residents, PBCIP is a community development corporation working to further develop the Parkside neighborhood through commercial revitalization, affordable housing, and quality-of-life programs.

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PPD to Host First-Ever “Cops and Kids” Back-to-School Gaming Event

The Philadelphia Police Department will host its first-ever Cops and Kids Back-to-School Gaming Event, bringing approximately 400 school-aged children together for an afternoon of gaming, entertainment and positive interactions with Philadelphia police officers.

Who: The Philadelphia Police Department

What: Approximately 400 children will enjoy gaming, activities, school supplies and positive interactions with police officers

When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Localhost – 401 N. Broad Street

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Ice Cream Festival on Filbert

— Photo courtesy Reading Terminal Market

Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for the Ice Cream Festival on Filbert at Reading Terminal Market. The annual free-to-attend outdoor celebration of the frozen treat brings together nearly a dozen shops from the Philly artisanal ice cream community.

Among participating ice creameries typically scooping at the event are Bassetts Ice Cream, Cloud Cups, Milk Jawn, The Franklin Fountain, Scoop DeVille, Siddiq’s Water Ice and more, offering their creations out on Filbert Street in front of the venue.

Don’t miss: Ice cream demos, games, live music and pay-as-you-go treats

Where: North 12th & Filbert streets, Philadelphia, PA

The Camden County Board of Commissioners will join representatives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, New Jersey Battleship, and local and state elected officials to celebrate the Battleship’s $24.25 million redevelopment project funded by NJEDA’s Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program. The project represents the largest capital investment in the Battleship since it opened as a museum and memorial in 2001.

“The Battleship New Jersey is one of our most beloved landmarks here in Camden County, and this funding will help ensure that the museum and memorial will continue to be available as a living piece of history for our community for years to come,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Nash. “This project will preserve and strengthen this historic ship, and I’m eager to see the improvements take shape.”

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Lawsuit Could Decide Fate of Middletown’s Evil Clown Calico

Calico the clown, Middletown’s famous roadside advertisement along Route 35, has certainly earned his infamous grin. In the last decade, the 1956 Food Circus store sign has been embroiled in a preservation battle that might be the cause of his grimace of late. Now, the town government finds itself in the throes of a builder’s remedy lawsuit with a developer that could finally decide the clown’s fate.

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Camden Officials Honored Local Faith Leaders with Street Renaming

On Friday, August 7, the Camden County Board of Commissioners joined Mayor Victor Carstarphen, members of Camden City Council, and residents for a street‑sign renaming ceremony to honor Bishop Sherman Diggs Sr. and Mother Dorothy Diggs for nearly six decades of spiritual leadership, community service, and dedication to the residents of Camden.

The Diggs founded Emmanuel United Pentecostal Church in 1968, and for decades their ministry has provided compassion, food, clothing, and essential support to thousands of people in Camden and beyond.

“Individuals like Bishop and Mother Diggs represent the best of the City of Camden,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Nash. “Camden is stronger because of Bishop and Mother Diggs, and we are proud to recognize their legacy.”

Virtua First in Region to Offer Robotic Whipple Surgery

Leading-Edge Procedure Eliminates Medford Woman’s Pancreas Tumor,
Allowing Earlier Treatment for a Second, Unrelated Cancer

Virtua Health recently became the first organization in New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region to provide a robotic-assisted version of the Whipple procedure. This complex surgery is used to treat cancers of the pancreas and nearby structures, and can be life-saving.

The robotic Whipple procedure is a minimally invasive option that enables smaller incisions, faster recovery, and enhanced precision, compared to traditional Whipple surgery.

“Robotic Whipple is a very important advancement for people who need this complicated surgery,” said Virtua pancreatic and hepatobiliary surgeon Ely Sebastian, MD, the first in the region to provide robotic Whipple surgery.

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Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

The lanterns leave Franklin Square on August 16

Less than three weeks remain to experience the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square. See this year’s all-new larger-than-life lantern displays, live stage performances, Fountain Shows, interactive experiences, demonstrations, food, and drinks before the Festival ends.

LUCKY AUGUST WEEKNIGHT SPECIALS:

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Federal Court Approves Historic PFAS Settlements

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak today announced judicial approval of two groundbreaking settlements to remedy long-standing statewide contamination from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” as well as PFAS and other pollutants originating from four significant industrial sites. The settlements resolve the State’s claims in years-long litigation against E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. (now known as EIDP, Inc.) and other DuPont-related entities, and separate litigation against 3M.

The settlement with the DuPont entities, valued at over $2 billion, is on its own the largest environmental settlement ever achieved by a single state. Together, the settlements resolving the claims against the DuPont entities and 3M are valued at approximately $2.5 billion

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Parents Charged in Assault of 7-Week-Old Infant

On August 8, 2026, at approximately 6:34 a.m., an officer assigned to the 18th District responded to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for a report of a prior assault involving a 7-week-old female infant.

The infant had initially been taken to Jefferson Hospital by her parents and was later transferred to CHOP, where medical examinations revealed multiple serious injuries. The parents left the hospital with the infant prior to receiving the results of the medical evaluation.

The parents were later identified as Secret McCleve-Sar, 21, and Tyrone Jones, 22, both of the 2500 block of North Front Street. On August 9, 2026, both were apprehended and charged with Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, Criminal Conspiracy, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Obstructing Justice.

The infant was taken to CHOP, where she is receiving treatment for her injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing with the Special Victims Unit.