Walter P. Houser, II, 60, of Gloucester City

Surrounded by his loving family and friends, Walt passed away peacefully on March 7th, 2026, at the age of 60, at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. Lifelong resident of Gloucester City.

Walt is survived by his loving wife, Diana (Handy) Houser; sons, Robert Revero and his wife, Amanda and Kevin Revero and his wife, Jessica; 11 grandchildren; brothers, Robert Houser, Jr. and Neal “Shorty” Houser. Predeceased by his parents Robert and Rita Houser and his sisters, Rita Gerber (late John) and Jackie Stinsman. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and beloved friends who were family to Walt.

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First Full Day of the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Image courtesy of https://www.adn.com/newsletter/

Hi, ADN Iditarod fans,

It’s the first full day of the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, as mushers and their sled dog teams ascend into the Alaska Range after departing Willow in the race restart on Sunday afternoon.

As of Monday afternoon, top competitors had reached the checkpoint of Rainy Pass, led by defending champion Jessie Holmes who arrived there shortly after noon. He was followed over the next few hours by several top teams, including Matt Hall, who finished second last year, Paige Drobny, who finished third in 2025, and Travis Beals of Seward.

The stretch of trail teams are currently navigating is among the most technically challenging of the entire route. There are several ice bridges that cross open creeks, plus a 200-foot downhill section into the notorious Dalzell Gorge.
No teams had scratched from the race as of Monday.
This year’s field has no shortage of tough competition. There are four previous winners, including Holmes, and a host of perennial contenders who have regularly finished in the top 10.
[54th Iditarod officially begins, with stiff competition at the top]
“Everybody who’s been in the top 10 before, been in the top five, everybody has a shot at winning. Everyone shows up here very hungry to do well,” 2019 winner Pete Kaiser of Bethel said ahead of the race.
Mille Porsild of Denmark, Wade Marrs of Willow, Drobny and Hall, among others, are angling for strong finishes this year.

Defending Iditarod champion Jessie Holmes drives his dog during the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow on Sunday. (Bill Roth / ADN)
This year’s smaller field of 37 mushers reflects a trend of declining participation in the race over the last several years. Costs to run the Iditarod— both as a musher and from an organizational standpoint — have ballooned, making the race more challenging than ever.
Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach said costs have doubled in the past three years. The organization continues to pursue new income sources (with this year’s inaugural Expedition Class being an example) and is working to stay solvent while making the race viable for a new generation of mushers.
But it’s not easy. For mushers, training, transportation, gear, drop bags and more add up quickly, putting the total cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. Some, like veteran musher Gabe Dunham, have ongoing concerns about how long they can sustain a race career.

On the organization side, the situation is much the same. Line items like fuel, insurance, aviation costs and the hundreds of bales of straw for dogs to rest on at trail checkpoints have gone up in price, according to Urbach.
The Iditarod’s new Expedition Class program, which allows mushers to run the race noncompetitively and under a different set of rules, is one of the organization’s efforts to seek new streams of revenue. As the first musher in this category, billionaire businessman Kjell Inge Røkke contributed more than $300,000 to this year’s race. That helped lower the entry costs for mushers and also increased the race purse.

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FROM OUR MORGUE: Gloucester Catholic Baseball Wins 1st Game

Bruce Darrow | Cleary’s Notebook Sports

First published April 2016

BROOKLAWN N.J. April 1, 2016 (Cleary’s Notebook News)--Gloucester Catholic Head Coach Adam Tussey (photo labove) notched his 1st win as the new coach by beating Kingsway High School 7 – 1 in the Rams home opener. Tussey who took over for Mike Rucci who departed for Rowan University was left a team needing to fill seven spots. The 2015 team loaded with future college players took not only seven fielding positions but Tussey needed to replace four pitchers.

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Pudge’s Pub Grand Opening

Gloucester City Mayor and Council were proud to join residents, business owners, and community partners in celebrating the official grand opening of Pudge’s Pub in January. The ribbon‑cutting marked an exciting new chapter for a beloved local location—one that honors the building’s classic pub feel while introducing a fresh, modern energy to the neighborhood.

Pudge’s Pub blends the best of both worlds: the familiar warmth of a traditional Gloucester City gathering spot and a revitalized menu featuring new flavors, weekly specials, and creative takes on pub favorites. Early standouts include their popular Buck‑A‑Shuck nights, a welcoming atmosphere, and a team committed to friendly, attentive service. The space feels both new and nostalgic, offering a comfortable place to meet friends, enjoy a meal, or unwind after a long day.

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Honoring Community Contributor Jim Waters

Gloucester City Mayor and Council recently acknowledged Jim Waters for his steady dedication and the countless hours he puts into organizing the Summer Concert Series each year. Jim is one of those behind‑the‑scenes community members whose reliability, hard work, and modest nature make a real difference. He has long been a trusted voice in Gloucester City, contributing through volunteer service and participation on key community committees.

Jim’s commitment to the Summer Concert Series has helped shape it into one of Gloucester City’s most beloved seasonal traditions. His organization, attention to detail, and willingness to pitch in wherever needed ensure that residents enjoy smooth, lively, and well‑run concerts along the waterfront…events that bring families together and showcase local and national talent.

Mayor and Council were pleased to highlight Jim’s ongoing contributions and his dedication to making Gloucester City a welcoming, vibrant place to live, gather, and celebrate with the Volunteer of the Year award.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES & REMINDERS

Spring Battery Check — March 8

As daylight saving time approaches, residents are encouraged to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors and test each unit. A quick seasonal check helps keep every home safe and prepared.

Property Maintenance Season

With warmer weather on the way, residents are encouraged to check gutters, trim overgrown vegetation, and keep sidewalks clear. Small seasonal upkeep helps keep neighborhoods safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.

Pet Leash Safety

A friendly reminder that all dogs must be leashed when outdoors. Keeping pets secured helps protect neighbors, children, and other animals while ensuring a safe and enjoyable community for all.

Gloucester City Police Swearing‑In Ceremony

The Gloucester City Police Department proudly welcomed four new full‑time officers: Collin Morrell, Brandon Keenan, Aydan Hagan, and Nick Iepson. Surrounded by family, friends, and community members, each officer took the oath of office, administered by Mayor Dayl Baile, and officially joined the ranks of those who serve and protect our city.

These individuals bring strong training, dedication, and a commitment to public service. We congratulate them on this milestone and wish them a safe and successful career serving Gloucester City.

William H. Ward, Jr., 97, of Gloucester City

William Henry Ward, Jr., Age 97, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 20, 2026 at home in the loving care of his children. Born on July 8, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bill was the son of the late William H. Ward, Sr. and Amanda (Bivians) Ward.

Raised in South Philadelphia, he answered the call to serve his country. Bill proudly served in the United States Navy. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. Bill and his late wife, Margie raised their children in Westville where he was a longtime resident. Following his military service, Bill worked for many years for Fox Transport in Philadelphia.

Bill loved his Philly sports team and also going to Rams and American Legion baseball games with his son, Bill. He was also a longtime member of the Cherokee Club of South Philadelphia with his best friend, Sonny. Family was everything to Bill and he enjoyed spending family vacations in Wildwood.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Margaret “Margie” (née Hatty) Ward, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his son, Joe Ward; sisters, Elizabeth, Cass and Franny.

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Gloucester City Municipal Offices Closed 2-23-26

Please note that City offices will be closed today, Monday February 23rd due to the weather.
Police, Fire and Public Works will be working and our Water Department will be on call for emergencies.

Council meeting will be on Zoom at 7pm, please check our website for updated information.

Stay warm and stay safe Gloucester City!

Gloucester City Council Meeting will be on Zoom Monday

Gloucester City Mayor and Council Monthly Meeting on Zoom on Monday at 7 p.m. Due to Impending Winter Storm.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3508513428?pwd=amZ5RzIrUTVOMWJWT01NS1grTWFrZz0…

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