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.
Philadelphia – Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a man inside Hunting Park on Saturday night.
On Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 10:04 p.m., Philadelphia police officers responded to the area of 900 W. Hunting Park Avenue for a report of a person shot inside the park near the baseball field.
Upon arrival, officers located 45-year-old Martin Higgins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. The victim was unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medics at 10:41 p.m.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. No arrests have been made, and no weapon has been recovered.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477). All tips will be kept confidential.
Homicide—1200 W. Hunting Park Avenue
On Friday, June 26, 2026, officers responded to the 1200 block of West Hunting Park Avenue for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the back.
Police transported the victim to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:29 p.m.
No arrests have been made, and no weapon has been recovered at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477).
According to Fox 29, a park ranger saw the suspect, pictured above, and a woman arguing at Sixth and Market. That incident led to a home on Chu Avenue. Federal officials are now searching a property connected to the suspect, 44-year-old Eugene Horsch, after authorities say a variety of chemicals were found in the basement of that home.
SUMMARY-The article describes the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants. The article also highlights the Trump Administration’s efforts to end the catch-and-release policy, expedite deportations, and crack down on sanctuary cities.
The Supreme Court has delivered a major victory for American sovereignty, ruling that the Trump Administration has full authority to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants. The Biden Administration weaponized TPS as a backdoor amnesty to flood the country with millions of unvetted migrants — and that loophole is finally closed.
This is the latest decisive win in President Donald J. Trump’s relentless effort to end the border invasion and put American citizens first.
The Trump Administration has made 60 changes in border rules since being elected :
TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) announced that eight people today admitted their roles in a racketeering, gambling, and money laundering operation. Between October 2025 and June 2026, 27 other people have previously pleaded guilty with respect to their conduct in the gambling enterprise.
The defendants were among 42 people who have been indicted since the initial arrests in April 2025 following a two-year investigation into illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and money laundering tied to the Lucchese crime family.
“The guilty pleas we accepted today represent another important step in dismantling this criminal enterprise and holding the individuals involved accountable,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Organized crime has no place in New Jersey. For decades, the Attorney General’s Office has been a leader in rooting out organized crime in New Jersey, and we continue to play that important role to keep New Jersey safe.”
“We remain dedicated to pursuing justice and protecting the public by disrupting criminal enterprises wherever they operate,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “The pleas in this case mark significant progress, but our work will continue as the remaining cases move through the judicial process.”
“By pleading guilty, the defendants have formally accepted responsibility for participating in a criminal enterprise that caused significant harm to individuals and communities,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Illegal gambling operations exploit vulnerable people, money laundering fuels further criminal activity, and racketeering networks undermine the safety and stability of our neighborhoods. This outcome is a direct result of the exceptional work of State Police detectives, whose ability to trace the financial trails, uncover the enterprise’s structure, and follow the evidence wherever it led built a comprehensive and compelling case. Their work not only brought those responsible to justice but also reinforces our ongoing commitment to protecting the public and safeguarding the integrity of our communities.”
The defendants pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Ralph E. Amirata in Morris County to their respective roles in operating illegal poker games and an online sportsbook in association with the Lucchese crime family.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, the gambling operations include social clubs that housed live poker games and gambling machines, as well as an extensive online sportsbook operated through several websites based outside of the United States. Each poker club was operated by high-level managers who delegated day-to-day operations to managers who were present during poker games. Managers collected monetary dues called “rent” from poker hosts for permitting the games to occur and oversaw employees who worked in the clubs. Poker hosts were responsible for recruiting their own players, supplying food and drink for the games, and financially staking the game. The host, also known as the “house,” made a profit off the games because the dealer took a percentage of the monies bet by the players as a profit for the house for each hand played (also known as a “rake”). The dealers were paid by the hosts or were working off a prior gambling debt owed to the hosts of the game. The clubs also housed gambling machines that players could use while waiting for a seat at a live poker game.
The online sportsbook was operated by “agents” — who, before the advent of computerized betting, would have been known as “bookies” – who created accounts on sports gambling websites based in foreign countries. These agents managed “packages” – groups of individual bettors. Sub-agents and agents were responsible for the gambling winnings and losses of bettors in their packages and kicked up a portion of the criminal proceeds to the high-level management of the enterprise. The high-level management made operational decisions, settled disputes, and used threats to collect overdue debts. The enterprise also used websites to facilitate illegal online sports betting. The websites, through the individuals that own, operate, and control them, are one part of this criminal enterprise controlling illegal gambling activities in northern New Jersey and other areas. The websites allow traditional organized crime members and associates to use the internet and current technology to engage in the same criminal acts that traditional organized crime has engaged in since the 19th century.
The leadership of the New Jersey-based faction of the Lucchese family allegedly oversaw the gambling activities and received a portion of the criminal proceeds. The investigation resulted in the identification of $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds. Members of the criminal enterprise used multiple shell corporations and legitimate businesses to conceal their illegal gambling proceeds.
George Zappola, Joseph R. Perna, and John G. Perna are high-level managers of the criminal enterprise and allegedly members of the Lucchese Crime Family. All three pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering in exchange for recommended sentences of seven years in state prison.
The guilty pleas today included the following:
Wayne D. Cross, a Lucchese associate, pleaded guilty to third-degree promoting gambling in exchange for a recommended sentence of five years in state prison.
Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey was a sportsbook agent and pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering (seven years recommended), third-degree failure to pay income tax (three years recommended), and third-degree corporate misconduct (five years recommended), for an aggregate recommendation of 15 years.
Frank Imparato, 46, of Saddle Brook, New Jersey was a poker club manager and pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy (four years recommended).
Joseph Gossweiler, 41, of Florham Park, New Jersey was a sportsbook sub-agent/poker club manager and pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to promote gambling in the third degree (364 days probation recommended)
Peter Norcia, 50, of Toms River, New Jersey, was an agent on the sportsbook and pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to promote gambling (four years recommended).
Café Gio was a corporation used by Frank Imparato to facilitate illegal gambling and pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy (penalty of $250,000).
Frasso Trucking was a corporation used by Michael and Gerard Frasso to conceal gambling proceeds and pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy for anti-money laundering profiteering (penalty of $250,000).
CJW Development and Consulting was a corporation used by Wayne Cross to conceal gambling proceeds and pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy for anti-money laundering profiteering (penalty of $250,000).
Charges are still pending against seven remaining defendants, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Deputy Attorney General Heather Hausleben is prosecuting the case for DCJ. The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Michael Gallant of the New Jersey State Police. Attorney General Davenport thanked the FBI New Jersey – Newark and Red Bank, FBI New York City, U.S. Marshals, Federal Probation, and the Department of Corrections Special Operations Group for their valuable contributions to the investigation.
TRENTON(CNBNews)(June 24, 2026) — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that two men were arrested for various crimes including terroristic threats, extortion, usury, and conspiracy.
John Alite, 63, of Englishtown, New Jersey, was arrested on June 19, 2026, and charged with multiple counts of theft by extortion (second degree), corporate misconduct (second degree), usury (second degree), and terroristic threats. It is alleged that Alite made loans in excess of the maximum rate permitted by law and subsequently obtained the property and monies of victims by threatening to commit violent acts. He is also alleged to have misused his corporation, Straightened-Out Entertainment, Inc., to promote his criminal scheme. Alite is a councilman in Englishtown.
JOHN ALITE/FACEBOOK
Stephen Locrotondo, 67, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, was also arrested today and charged with usury and conspiracy, for allegedly agreeing to receive interest on loans in excess of the maximum rate permitted by law in coordination with Alite.
“These arrests are the result of rigorous investigative work and the strong cooperation between the Division of Criminal Justice and New Jersey State Police, who work tirelessly every day in the pursuit of justice,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Our office is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses conduct themselves fairly and lawfully. The conduct alleged in this case was anything but, and we will work to hold those who cheat and steal accountable.”
“Our commitment to holding offenders accountable and delivering justice for victims does not end with an arrest,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We remain steadfast in our mission to secure justice for every victim to ensure their voices are heard.”
“The charges in this case, which include theft by extortion, terroristic threats, usury, conspiracy, and corporate misconduct, represent serious allegations involving the use of intimidation, coercion, and unlawful financial practices for personal gain. These offenses strike at the fundamental principles of fairness, accountability, and public trust,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.
“Today’s arrests reflect the diligent work of detectives committed to uncovering complex criminal activity and pursuing justice on behalf of those impacted. Individuals who seek to enrich themselves through intimidation, exploitation, or abuse of power should expect to be held accountable for their actions.”
Deputy Attorney General Heather Hausleben of the Division of Criminal Justice is prosecuting the case. The case is being investigated by the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption North Unit.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Alite was previously known as a member of the Gambino crime family and John Gotti Jr.’s best friend, according to a report from NJ.com.
He was appointed to the Borough Council in the spring of 2025 after four members suddenly resigned, NJ.com reported.
In an email sent to Patch, Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco said that, based on the currently available information, the recent allegations against Alite are not related to the operations within the borough.
“Every American is entitled to due process, including John,” Francisco said. “I will not rush to judgment before the facts are known, and he is entitled to a presumption of innocence while the judicial process unfolds.”
“There are often opportunists ready to pounce on calamity; I implore those following along to remain human — there are always innocent bystanders on all sides, like family, impacted by the urge for commotion,” he continued.
“Based on currently available information, these allegations are not related to the operations within our borough, and indeed will be resolved outside of it.”
In the meantime, Francisco said the borough remains focused on “serving our residents, advancing downtown development, and delivering two great community events this summer.”
When asked if Alite currently retains his position on the Borough Council, Francisco said the decision to continue in his position mainly rests on Alite.
“John is an elected official chosen by the voters last year. The decision to continue in the position rests solely on him,” he said. “The borough and the council have no legal authority over his seat.”
CAMDEN CITY, N.J. – Eight current or former Burlington County, New Jersey residents have been sentenced to prison in recent months after pleading guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. The defendants were charged as a result of a federal wiretap investigation.
On May 28, 2026, U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn sentenced the final defendant, Mansfield Johnson, a/k/a “Money Mike,” 40, of Florence, New Jersey, to 225 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. Johnson previously pleaded guilty on September 22, 2025 before Judge O’Hearn to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, conspiring to traffic a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Johnson also admitted to dealing powder and crack cocaine.
UPDATE: The power outage was not the reason why electricity was lost in the Riverview Heights section of the city, according to a spokesperson for Public Service Electric and Gas.
Kathy Hennessy Riley, PSE&G Corporate Communications, said the cause was weather-related. “I wanted to clarify that the traffic light pole that was struck at Broadway and Market Street was not the cause of the local power outage that affected the Riverview Heights section of the City on Monday night.
The outage, which affected approximately 2500 customers, was weather-related. Crews worked to safely identify and address the issue and restore service to affected customers as quickly as possible.”
A thunderstorm was happening in Gloucester City and the surrounding area when the power outage occurred.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(October 1, 2020)—The City of Gloucester City is selling four properties on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 10AM in the office of the City Administration, Gloucester City Municipal Building, 512 Monmouth Street. Gloucester City taxpayers own over 100 properties, many of which are homes that are being rented. Others sit empty.
According to the legal notice that appeared in the Courier Post the properties include:
337 Bergen Street, minimum bid $10,000
218 North King St $5,000
215 Monmouth Street $5,000
346 Ridgeway Street $5,000.
The Mayor and Council approved a change in the City’s Master Plan at its September 24 council meeting. The change allows advertising signs, subject to certain conditions, along with piers for the mooring of ships and waterborne cargo vessels for the purpose of loading and unloading of cargo, warehouses for the storage of cargo in transit.
According to the Legal Notice the advertising signs they shall be permitted as an additional principal use of a property; no advertising sign shall be located more than two-hundred (200) feet from the Right-of-Way of the Walt Whitman Bridge (Interstate 76), unless it can be demonstrated that locating an advertising sign within 200 feet of the Right-of-Way of the Walt Whitman Bridge is infeasible due to conditions of the soil, the placement of utilities, or other such conditions which present a practical hardship.
The ordinance outlines rules for the placement of billboards in the north end of the City near the Walt Whitman Bridge. The idea was squashed in the past because of outcry from members of the public who were against the proposal as the billboards would block the view of Gloucester City from the bridge.
Furthermore, in such event an advertising sign may be located no more than 250 feet from the Right-of-Way of the Walt Whitman Bridge; no advertising sign shall be located closer than one thousand (1,000) feet from any other advertising sign on the same side of the Right-of-Way; no advertising sign shall be located so as to interfere with the safe sight distances or visibility at any intersection of public or private streets; no more than two (2) advertising sign structures shall be permitted on any parcel; advertising sign faces shall be permitted to have a maximum sign area of 672 square feet; advertising sign faces shall have a maximum sign face height of 14 feet, and a maximum sign face width of 48 feet; each advertising sign structure shall have no more than two (2) advertising sign faces; advertising signs may have digital and static sign faces; and advertising signs shall comply with all applicable State and Federal laws. 5. Included prohibited uses in the PCH district are residential uses, retail uses, salvage yards of any type, junk yards and marine repair yards. 6. Establishes certain area and bulk requirements for minimum parcel size, minimum property frontage, minimum setbacks, maximum building height and maximum impermeable coverage. 7. Establishes certain performance standards for any port of cargo handling use in the City of Gloucester City. 8. Amends the Gloucester City Development Ordinance, Article VI, Note 20, to permit advertising signs within the Port Cargo Handling (PCH) zoning district of the City, subject to various restrictions including advertising signs shall be freestanding signs only. No advertising sign shall be permitted to be a roof-mounted sign, banner sign, awning, canopy, or wall sign; the maximum sign area of any advertising sign face shall be six-hundred seventy-two (672) square feet; no advertising sign structure shall have more than two (2) sign faces; the maximum height of any advertising sign shall be 75 feet above the grade of the roadway on the Walt Whitman Bridge. the height measurement shall be from the roadway’s centerline at grade directly perpendicular to the sign; electronic or digital advertising signs with changeable messages may be permitted, however no animation, flashing, or flickering of lighting shall be permitted; electronic or digital advertising signs with changeable messages shall have a minimum message duration of eight (8) seconds per message; non-electronic or non-digital advertising sign faces may be externally illuminated provided that all lighting is designed to be directed towards the advertising sign and minimize any potential light spillover onto adjoining properties; 9. Creates general regulations to all permitted and pre-existing non¬conforming signs including only those signs identifying the name, business, occupant, service, address or product offered or sold on the premises shall be permitted to be erected.
Coming events, community bulletin boards and time and temperature signs shall also be permitted; signs within the interior of a structure, designed to be seen and read from the exterior, shall be considered as part of any maximum signs area; signs attached to a principal structure shall not extend above the roof line of the parapet; electronic or digital advertising signs with changeable messages may be permitted, however no animation, flashing, or flickering of lighting shall be permitted; electronic or digital advertising signs with changeable messages shall have a minimum message duration of eight (8) seconds per message; unless otherwise stipulated in this ordinance, the top of free-standing signs shall not exceed the height limit of principal structures in the zone where located or 25 feet; whichever is less; with the exception of awning or canopy signs in the CRO and RC&S districts, no sign, whether permanent or temporary, other than municipal, county or state signs, shall be erected within the right-of-way of any street or approved sight easements nor shall any sign be located to constitute a traffic hazard; no sign, be it of a political, educational, charitable, civic, professional, religious or like nature, or of personal nature, shall be erected upon any utility pole, tree, light standard, or monument located within the right-of-way of any street or on any public property; all temporary signs, excluding banner signs for business or commercial establishments, announcing or advertising any political, educational, charitable, civic, professional, religious or like campaign or event, shall be removed by the advertiser within five days after the event shall have taken place; 10. Prohibits advertising signs in any zoning district in the City, except for the Port Cargo Holding (PCH) District.
A minimum of three (3) copies of the entire Ordinance is on file for public examination and/or purchase at the office of the City of Gloucester City Clerk. The proposed Ordinance is scheduled for further consideration at a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on September 24, 2020 at the City Court Room, 313 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030. The Ordinance shall take effect upon passage, filing and publication according to law. You may attend the public hearing and be heard in person or by lawful representative. Vanessa Parent, R.M.C., City Clerk ($134.20)
UPDATE: The power outage was not the reason why electricity was loss in the Riverview Heights section of the city, according to a spokesperson for Public Service Electric and Gas.
Kathy Hennessy Riley, PSE&G Corporate Communications, said the cause was weather-related. “I wanted to clarify that the traffic light pole that was struck at Broadway and Market Street was not the cause of the local power outage that affected the Riverview Heights section of the City on Monday night.
The outage, which affected approximately 2500 customers, was weather-related. Crews worked to safely identify and address the issue and restore service to affected customers as quickly as possible.”
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews) (June 22, 2026)--The traffic light at Broadway and Market Street is apparently the cause of the local power outage that affected the Riverview Heights section of the City. The local police did not report how the light was knocked over. Neither did they release any information on whether there were any injuries. Businesses and residents lost electricity around 2 PM. It was restored at 6 PM.
Traffic lights along Broadway from Kohler Street to Market Street were offline. Many of the businesses along that stretch of highway closed their doors due to not having air conditioning. Residents living in the Carpenter Square Apartments were also affected.
Public Service Electric and Gas first notified customers that the electricity would be restored by 7 PM. Service was restored at 6:10 PM.
Photo by CNBNews reporter Kathy Cleary Underwood
The traffic light at Broadway and Market Street was struck by either a car or a tractor-trailer. Work crews from Public Service Electric and Gas were at this location for several hours. Residents and businesses lost electricity around 2 PM today. Electric was restored around 6 PM. Local police released no information to the media about the incident.
CHEER — To Gloucester Catholic Baseball for Winning Its Fourth Straight Title
The Gloucester Catholic High School baseball team, captured its fourth straight championship, adding yet another trophy to one of the most storied programs in New Jersey. Year after year, the Rams reload, refocus, and rise to the top — a testament to their coaching staff, their work ethic, and the school’s deep baseball tradition.
In a time when many programs struggle to stay competitive, Gloucester Catholic continues to set the standard. Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, and fans who make this run possible.
