Life long Gloucester City resident, born in 1944. Graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School Class of 1963. Attended Camden County College. Army National Guard 1964 to 1970. Activated in 1967 during the Newark Riots. Worked full-time at the Gloucester City Post Office from 1967 to 1978. Worked part-time at the Gloucester City News from 1965 to 1977. In 1978 I was named editor of the Gloucester City News and Camden County Record. Purchased the City News in 1985. In 2005 the paper was sold. In 2006 I established Cleary's Notebook. At the age of 81 I remain editor of Cleary's Notebook News writing commentary and reporting the news for South Jersey and Philadelphia regions.
TRENTON — A state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges against a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) detective at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding a death on July 29, 2025 that occurred during an encounter with NJSP detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. The decedent was previously identified as Shawn Phillips, 37, of West Berlin, New Jersey.
TRENTON (July 15, 2026)– Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced today that the leader of a violent Trenton street gang was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, racketeering, conspiracy, being a leader of organized crime and of a narcotics trafficking network, and other crimes.
Charles M. Willis, 33, aka “Charly Wingate,” aka “Gate,” of Willingboro, New Jersey, was found guilty on April 24, 2026, on 18 of 22 counts, including his role as the leader of the “Get Money Boys” or “GMB,” a violent gang linked to multiple shootings in Trenton. GMB, under the leadership of Willis, controlled heroin distribution in the area around the Oakland Street Apartments in Trenton. Willis gave orders to lower-ranking GMB members to carry out acts of violence against rivals on behalf of the gang. Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw imposed the sentence on July 14, 2026, in Mercer County.
The 20 alleged members and associates of the “Get Money Boys” or “GMB” were indicted in July 2021. Charles M. Willis, 33, aka “Charly Wingate,” aka “Gate,” of Willingboro, was found guilty on April 14, 2026 on 18 of 22 counts. On July 15, 2026 he was sentenced to life in prison
The violent gang allegedly linked to multiple shootings in Trenton, including a December 2019 murder of a 32-year-old man, the attempted murder of a police officer in February 2020, and a June 2020 shooting that wounded several bystanders on Wood Street, including a 12-year-old girl who was critically injured.
Storms have moved into parts of New Jersey and are expected to last into this evening, bringing heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and frequent lightning. More storms are also expected tomorrow afternoon and evening, with the possibility of strong activity. These conditions may cause power outages across PSE&G’s electric service territory.
PSE&G is prepared We are closely monitoring the weather forecast and are prepared to respond safely and efficiently, should the severe weather cause power outages. We will have crews available around the clock and our call center will be fully staffed and ready to support increased customer call volume.
Stay safe and informed We encourage you to prepare ahead of the expected storms and use our Outage Center to stay safe and connected.Stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines. Always assume downed wires are energized. Report them immediately by calling PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734), using the PSE&G mobile app or visiting pseg.com, and call 911 if there is an immediate danger.If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up, and choose another path. Downed wires can be hidden and electric current passes easily through water.Never operate a generator inside a home, garage or other enclosed space to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.If you smell a gas odor, immediately exit the building, move at least 350 feet away and call PSE&G at 1-800-880-PSEG (7734) OR call 911. If you (or a member of your household) rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment, please notify PSE&G. To learn more, visit pseg.com/Life or call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734). Know how to report and track an outage:
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Two hundred fifty years. Thirteen colonies to fifty states. Revolution, Civil War, world wars, hard times, heartbreak, sacrifice, and triumph. “We’re Still Here” is Uncle Sam’s Blues’ America 250 anthem, a fast-moving patriotic tribute to the long, stormy, stubborn story of the United States. From Boston Harbor and the midnight ride to the Declaration, the railroad, the Dust Bowl, D-Day, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, 9/11, and the battles still shaping America today, this song is a reminder that through every trial, the old flame kept burning. We ain’t perfect. We’ve got scars. But after 250 years… We’re still here. Drop a comment and tell us what America 250 means to you. What moment in American history should Uncle Sam’s Blues sing about next? Subscribe for more patriotic blues, military tributes, history songs, and American stories told with grit, soul, and fire.
Camden Carrier Annex, 2700 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Camden City, NJ (photo U.S. Postal service)
CAMDEN, N.J. (July 19, 2026)(CNBNews)– U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced that: (i) a former U.S. Postal Service employee admitted to stealing checks from the U.S. mail and selling them to others; (ii) a Philadelphia man admitted to advertising and reselling the stolen checks; (iii) another Philadelphia man admitted to working with others to fraudulently negotiate one of the stolen checks; and (iv) a Mount Laurel man and woman were each sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment for their roles in negotiating checks stolen as part of the same conspiracy.
Dick Wood died on Friday, July 10. He began his career at Wawa in 1970 as the company’s first General Counsel, the company said in a statement, at the encouragement of Grahame Wood, his father’s cousin and the founder of the first Wawa Food Market.Â
He went on to lead Wawa for more than five decades as president, CEO and chairman.
BROOKLAWN, NJ (July 19, 2026)(CNBNews)— James “Jim” DiAmore, age 77, longtime pharmacist and friend to generations of residents, passed away on July 15, 2026, following a long illness. Jim was a unique personality — blunt, direct, and sometimes misunderstood by those who didn’t know him well. But beneath that gruff exterior was a man defined by generosity, loyalty, and quiet compassion.
A Life of Service to His Community
Jim devoted decades of service to the Brooklawn Fire Department, often driving the ambulance and responding to emergency calls late at night. He supported local police, youth sports teams, and was frequently the first to offer financial help to Brooklawn and Gloucester City residents who had fallen on hard times. He didn’t talk about the good he did; he simply did it.
On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced that they are voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. Taylor Farms also informed FDA that they would initiate a recall. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Consumers should avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, and fever may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness can lead to dehydration and severe complications that may require higher levels of care. These complications may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse). Immunocompromised persons may experience more severe illness of longer duration along with complications requiring close medical attention.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (July 18, 2026)(CNBNews)—Because Rodger Pierce, owner of 637 Division Street is not maintaining his property, there is a possibility that it will be up for foreclosure at the end of this year, on December 31. Pierce is a disabled veteran, and he pays no property taxes according to Gloucester City Tax Collector James V. Davis.
In June 2025, Pierce was charged $480 by the City for fees, fines, and services performed on the property. Since the debt is still outstanding, he is being charged 18 percent per annum by Gloucester City. Open and due balances are subject to Tax Sale. According to the tax office, properties placed in Tax Sale may lead to possible foreclosure.
After an officer saw a dog bleeding inside, two other officers tried unsuccessfully to kick open the door to the house. The woman came outside and shouted to the police that she wanted everyone gone.
IMAGES and VOICE RECORDINGS RELEASED BY NJ Attorney General’s Office
TRENTON NJ (JULY 14, 2026)— The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today released radio recordings and video footage from four police body-worn cameras related to a March 16, 2026 fatal police-involved shooting in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township, New Jersey. The civilian who died during the encounter had previously been identified as Susanne Clarke, 55, of Lacey.
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