Neighbors and visitors alike enjoy this festive gathering that kicks off the fall season with music, food, games, and the unmistakable spirit of Gloucester City. Gloucester Day turns Proprietors Park into a warm, welcoming celebration where families, friends, and newcomers can spend an easy afternoon together and savor the start of autumn along the waterfront. Want to vend for this event? Register here
In the loving care of her family, Eileen passed peacefully on July 1, 2026, at home in Gloucester City, at the age of 66.
Born in Camden, NJ to the late Edward P. Ryan, Sr. and Lorraine A. Ryan (nee Costello). Eileen was raised in Fairview and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School, class of 1978.
Loving wife of 31 years to James M. Koontz. Loving mother of Kelly Loebell (Ted). Beloved grandmother of Ayden, Emma and Evan. Loving sister of Edward Ryan (Susan), Robert Ryan (Kathleen) and Susan DeMaria (John). Beloved sister-in-law of Robert Koontz (Barbara). Also survived by many loving nieces, nephew sand cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Wednesday morning, July 8 th from 10 AM to 12 PM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Funeral service at 12 PM in the funeral home. Interment will be private.
We are happy to announce that after much deliberation, and considering all factors, the Gloucester City Food Trucks and Fireworks event WILL go off as scheduled. With the forecast of oppressive heat and humidity predicted for tomorrow and throughout the weekend, the GC Celebrations Committee together with our Office of Emergency Management and Mayor and Council have had long discussions about whether or not to hold tomorrow’s event. Please be assured that we took all factors into consideration.
This year, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show will launch from barges on the Hudson River.
Alamy
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (July 1, 2026)–The Gloucester City Celebrations Committee announced today, Wednesday, July 1, that after much deliberation, the City Food Trucks and Fireworks event WILL be held Thursday, July 2, as scheduled.
With the forecast of oppressive heat and humidity predicted for tomorrow and throughout the weekend, the GC Celebrations Committee together with our Office of Emergency Management and Mayor and Council have had long discussions about whether or not to hold tomorrow’s event. Please be assured that we took all factors into consideration.
On June 24, 2026, Kathleen Ann Brandt (née Dickson), age 70, passed away suddenly at her home in Gloucester City, NJ.
Born in Woodbury, NJ to the late John D. Dickson, Sr. and Anna T. Dickson (née Ashe), Kathleen was a lifelong resident of Gloucester City. She graduated from Gloucester High School with the Class of 1973 and went on to earn her Associate’s degree. Kathleen dedicated over 29 years of service as a secretary for the Gloucester City School District, where her familiar face and warm presence welcomed generations of students and staff.
To know Kathleen was to know her vibrant spirit and love for life’s simple pleasures. She took great pride in watching her grandchildren excel with their sports and extracurricular activities. Kathy thoroughly enjoyed hunting for treasures at yard sales, and loved arts and crafts. Above all else, she cherished her grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life. Kathleen will also be fondly remembered for her uniquely endearing trait—always being lovingly, fashionably “late for everything.”
She is survived by her loving children, Michael Burkhardt, Steven Burkhardt (Trish), Andrew Brandt (Eileen), and Jenna Brandt (Jenn); her cherished grandchildren, Domenica Chapman (Zack), Steven Burkhardt, Jr., Michael Burkhardt, III, Trevin Burkhardt, Ni’Asia Connelly, and Bria Brandt; her devoted companion, Kenny Settar; her brother, John Dickson, Jr. (Alice); and her sisters, Peggy Chiodi (Randy) and Denise Robinson. In addition to her parents, Kathleen was predeceased by her brother, David Dickson; and her sister, Barbara Ann Pollander (surviving Bruce). Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
On June 22nd, 2026, at the age of 66, John “Jack” Sweeten, beloved husband, son, brother, and friend, passed away at home. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jack later made his home in Brooklawn and eventually Gloucester City, where he built a life defined by creativity, dedication, and deep devotion to those he loved.
A graduate of Gloucester City High School, Class of 1978, Jack continued his education at an art college in Philadelphia, nurturing the artistic talent that would remain a lifelong passion. Jack loved music—especially drumming—and his artistic spirit showed in everything he touched. Whether behind a drum kit, sketching, or simply appreciating the beauty in everyday moments, Jack brought color and rhythm into the world around him.
Jack worked as a pressman for over 40 years, a career marked by skill, reliability, and pride in his craft. He spent many years with AFL Printing and Bartash Printing before retiring from Inserts East after a long and dedicated tenure. His colleagues knew him as steady, hardworking, and always willing to lend a hand.
Above all, Jack loved his family. He was married to his devoted spouse, Janine Sweeten (née Paullin), for 30 years, a partnership grounded in love, loyalty, and shared joy. His warmth, humor, and kindness made him a steady presence and a source of comfort to those closest to him.
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)
Patricia “Patti” Kropp passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026 in the loving and devoted care of her husband, Rick and cherished family leaving behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and service to her community.
Born and raised in Gloucester City, New Jersey, Patti was the cherished daughter of Virginia Yuhas (nee Wrigley) and the late Charles Leo Gillespie III. She grew up surrounded by family, faith, and community spirit. Patti was an alumna of St. Mary’s School, Class of 1988, and Gloucester Catholic High School, Class of 1992—schools that helped shape the compassionate and determined woman she became. Patti was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Parish and devoted to the Catholic Faith.
After high school, Patti began her lifelong career in the Health Information Management Profession. For more than 30 years, she worked as a dedicated and respected medical coder. Patti was long-tenured in her last position with Encompass Health.
Most recently, Patti was engaged in civic activities. She was elected to the Gloucester City Republican Committee and the Camden County Republican Committee in 2024. In both the 2024 and 2025 municipal elections, she ran for Gloucester City Council. Though she did not win seats, she helped ignite renewed energy and interest in local politics.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(June 4, 2026)–The Gloucester High School softball team continued its tradition of competitiveness in 2026, delivering a season marked by strong pitching, timely hitting, and the kind of team chemistry that has long defined the Lady Lions program.
Senior pitcher Mackenzie “Mac” Turner was the heart and soul of the team. A four‑year varsity starter, Turner finished her career with one of her strongest seasons yet, posting a sub‑3.00 ERA and striking out more than 120 batters. Her leadership in the circle kept Gloucester in nearly every game, and her presence will be missed next spring.
Offensively, the Lions were powered by junior catcher Riley Thompson, who led the team in batting average, RBIs, and extra‑base hits. Thompson’s ability to control the running game behind the plate made her one of the most valuable two‑way players in the conference.
Sophomore infielder Emma Russo emerged as one of the team’s breakout stars, hitting over .350 and playing stellar defense at second base. Freshman outfielder Kayla Jennings also made an immediate impact with her speed and fearless approach at the plate.
The highlight of the season came in a dramatic walk‑off win against a top‑ranked opponent, when Thompson ripped a double into the left‑center gap to score Russo from first. It was the kind of moment that showed the Lions’ resilience and competitive spirit.
With Thompson, Russo, Jennings, and several key underclassmen returning, Gloucester High softball enters 2027 with momentum — and the expectation that they’ll be right back in the hunt for a conference title.
According to Max Sports, Gloucester High couldn’t carry there season success into the playoff game against the Barnegat Bengals. They fell just short of the Bengals , 2-1. The Lions’ defeat on June 4 signaled the end of their 13-game winning streak.
Their overall record for the season was 21-3; 10-0 in Colonial-Liberty