The I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured tonight and tomorrow night as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County. In addition, overnight lane and ramp closures are scheduled on Route 42 northbound, I-295 northbound and I-76 eastbound tonight and tomorrow night. The lane and ramp closures, as well as traffic slowdowns, are necessary to install structural steel and construct a retaining wall.
Maryland hunters harvested a total of 5,094 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring season. This year’s harvest was 5% higher than last year but remained below the record harvest of 5,356 set in 2023.
“Favorable weather helped contribute to another productive spring season for Maryland turkey hunters,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “While populations can fluctuate across regions and from year to year, turkey hunters continue to enjoy quality hunting opportunities across Maryland.”
Garrett County reported the highest harvest with 542 turkeys, followed by Charles County with 452 and Worcester County with 430 turkeys. Allegany and Washington counties also reported over 300 birds each.
Youth hunters started the spring turkey season with the Junior Turkey Hunt, April 11-12. A total of 441 wild turkeys were taken during that weekend, representing 8% of the total. Sunday hunting accounted for 14% of the statewide harvest.
Hunting licenses for the 2026-27 season will be available starting July 1 on the Maryland DNR website. The major fall hunting seasons begin Sept. 1 with mourning dove season, and deer hunting begins with archery season on Sept. 11.
Harvests by county for the past five seasons are below:
John R. Atkinson, Sr., age 95, of the Glen Oaks section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on May 24, 2026. He was born on April 3, 1931, in Bellmawr, New Jersey, and lived a wonderful life marked by devotion to family, service to his country, and many years of hard work and fellowship.
He was the beloved son of the late Ethel (nee Morgan) and John Atkinson. He was also predeceased by his siblings, the late Cyril and Margaret (Joe), and he is remembered with love by his extended family and all who knew him.
John was a dedicated husband to Shirley (nee Haug) and together they built a life centered on family, love, and lasting memories. He was the proud father of John, Jr. (Betty), Alan (Patty), Brian, Kevin (Sue), Kathleen (the late Elmer), Donna Jean (Jim), Cindy, Chip (Pam) and Shirley. He was also the cherished grandfather of 34 grandchildren and the proud great-grandfather of 30 great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who will remember his warm presence and thoughtful nature.
Bellmawr Receives $25,000 Grant for New Baseball Field Lights
Earlier today, Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. and Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleischer joined Bellmawr Mayor Chuck Sauter, Councilmembers, and local students to present Bellmawr Borough with a $25,000 Camden County Recreation Grant. The presentation fell on Bellmawr’s Student Government Day, which gives eighth graders the opportunity to see how local government works. The recreation grant benefits the Bellmawr Recreation Center. To see photos, Click Here.
Camden County continues to invest in municipalities through a wide range of 2026 grant opportunities supporting recreation, infrastructure, public safety, community development, and neighborhood enhancements throughout the region. To see the list of recreation and historic grants awarded for 2025, Click Here.
Surrounded by her family, on May 4, 2026, Connie passed suddenly, at the age of 83. (nee Marena). Of Bellmawr. Formerly of Mt. Ephraim.
Loving wife of 40 years to the late Howard W. Benham, Jr. Loving mother of Derek Benham (Janice) and Lisa Peters. Cherished grandmother of Bryce Benham, Hailey Peters, Shaun and Luke Maloney. Predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Dorothy Marena.
Connie was a graduate of Audubon High School, class of 1960. She worked many years as a secretary at RCA in Camden, where she would meet her husband, Howard.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewings on Monday evening, May 11th from 6 to 8 PM and again on Tuesday morning, May 12th from 9 to 10 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday morning, May 12th at 10:30 AM at St. Joachim Parish: Annunciation Church, 601 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr. Interment will follow in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
TRENTON (APRIL 14, 2026)(Cleary’s Notebook News) – Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, along with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, that the State Board of Medical Examiners has permanently revoked the medical license of a Camden County physician following his federal conviction for conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled dangerous substances (CDS).
Edward Lundy, who operated a family medicine practice in Gloucester City, at 1017 Market Street, for over 40 years, admitted to conspiring with others to distribute more than 1,600 oxycodone pills outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice. He entered a guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in January 2026 and is scheduled for sentencing in May. His office was raided by the FBI in July 2025.
On April 4, 2026, at the age of 63. Of Bellmawr. Formerly of Blackwood. Predeceased by his parents, Joseph A. and Ethel May McDonnell (nee Chamberlin). Survived by his girlfriend, Marie Dunn; sisters, Kathleen MacDaniels and Colleen McDonnell; brothers, Joseph McDonnell, Daniel McDonnell and Patrick McDonnell; step-children, Bobby, Ashley and Adam; nephews, Richard, Steven, William, Russell, Eric, Jason, Frankie and Joseph; nieces, Valerie and Jamie; grandchildren, Codie, Peyton, Brianna, Christopher, Maximus and Derick. Predeceased by his nephews, Kerry and Tommy.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Friday afternoon, April 10th from 2 to 3:30 PM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Family and friends will share stories of Russell beginning at 3:30 PM in the funeral home. Interment will be private.
Electric scooters and electric bikes have flooded into Gloucester City and surrounding towns, and the results are becoming harder to ignore. What began as a convenient way to get around has quickly turned into a safety problem for anyone who uses our sidewalks, jogging paths, or neighborhood streets responsibly.
The danger isn’t theoretical. On my daily walks with Sweetie, I’ve had kids on these motorized bikes come up behind us without a sound. These machines make no noise, so you can’t hear them approaching until they’re already on top of you. More than once, a rider has blown past us at high speed, leaving no time to react. In one instance, a teenager on an e‑bike came straight at the dog and me, expecting us to move aside. I was forced to step off the path or be hit. That’s not “sharing the road”—that’s intimidation.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (March 25, 2026)(CNBNews)–Doing research we found a treasurer trove of Gloucester Catholic yearbooks posted on the Gloucester City Historical Society’s website. The first known yearbook begins with 1936. The Historical Society has every yearbook except 1937, 1938 & 1943. The Gloucester City Library may have those which the Historical Society does not have.
(photo property of George F. Cleary Jr., 1959 GCHS graduate)
The very first person in the front row is my brother George F. Cleary Jr., next to him is Vernon “Buddy” Myers. The photo is of members of the typing class that graduated in 1959, which was copied from George’s personal yearbook. Our mother, Mazie, insisted that George and I learn how to type. Those lessons paid off throughout my life, as it was a necessary skill for a reporter. George became a Morse code expert in the Army. He was stationed in Frankfort, Germany, during the time the Berlin Wall was being built by the Communists in East Germany. He and the pilot of a small airplane would fly over the Wall; George’s job was to decipher the Morse code messages being transmitted between the enemy. He would type those conversations and submit the information to his superior officer.
The Historical Society released the following remarks about the use of the data: “Below are links to yearbooks that have been digitized to date. The copyright status of these books is unknown. Access is provided for personal use only. These yearbooks may contain personal messages. Should you find anything that may be too personal or hurtful, please let us know, and we will attempt to edit out or omit those pages.
On January 27, 2026, at the age of 81, William H. “Bill” Trimmer, Sr. passed peacefully at Samaritan Hospice in Mount Holly, New Jersey. A longtime resident of Camden and Bellmawr, Bill leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and creativity.
Bill is survived by his beloved sons, William H. Trimmer, Jr. and Jason Trimmer; his siblings, Marie, Robert, and Elizabeth; and his cherished grandson, Jason Trimmer, Jr. He was predeceased by his parents, Freeman and Emma Trimmer; his brother, John; his sister, Evelyn; and his partner, Irene.
Bill was a gifted and artistic soul who enjoyed working with ceramics and leather, but his greatest passion was helping others. Known as a true jokester, he had a remarkable ability to make people laugh and feel at ease. His warmth and generosity touched many, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the devoted care team at Silver Care of Cherry Hill.
