FIREWORKS
Sunday, June 28, 2026
[estimated start time – 9:15 PM]
Maple Shade High School parking and roadway restrictions…
The Maple Shade Police Department is advising all residents and guests that will be attending our Fireworks display of specific restrictions that will be in place for vehicular traffic and parking.
It is recommended that spectators park vehicles
off-site and/or walk to the high school, if able.
Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement after a new report from the Office of New Jersey’s Corrections Ombudsperson detailed overcrowding, extreme heat, and unsanitary conditions at Bayside State Prison in Cumberland County.
“For weeks, officials across New Jersey have been outraged over conditions at Delaney Hall,” said Congressman Van Drew. “They have held press conferences, staged protests, and demanded investigations. But now a state watchdog has documented overcrowding, extreme heat, and unsanitary conditions inside a prison by the State of New Jersey itself. Where is the outrage now? According to the report, inmates are living in overcrowded cells, eating meals on their beds because the dining hall is closed, and enduring temperatures that reached into the 90s. Meanwhile, the American correctional officers who show up to work every day are expected to do their jobs in these same conditions.
Continue reading “Congressman Van Drew: New Jersey Should Focus on Conditions in Its Own Prisons”New Jersey Blood Services is encouraging eligible donors to make plans to give blood ahead of the July 4th holiday, a time when blood donations often decline while patient needs remain constant.
The summer months are traditionally accompanied by a drop in blood donations due to vacations, school breaks and changing schedules. This year, additional factors including increased travel, remote work arrangements, traffic congestion and road closures associated with major regional events have begun to impact blood collections and blood drive operations across parts of the New York and New Jersey area.
Continue reading “NEW JERSEY BLOOD SERVICES ENCOURAGES BLOOD DONATIONS AHEAD OF JULY 4 HOLIDAY”
Join us this Friday, June 26 at the Camden Waterfront for SoccerFest26, a free three-day World Cup celebration at Wiggins Waterfront Park.
Kick off the day with Governor Mikie Sherrill, local and state officials, and community partners at a pregame party ahead of the 3:00 PM matches.
Starting June 26, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) will begin appointments for customers to obtain licenses and registrations to operate e-bikes, in accordance with a law (P.L.2025, c.285) enacted in January 2026.
“We’ve worked hard to update our processes and resources to begin issuing licenses and registrations for e-bike riders in New Jersey,” said Acting NJMVC Chief Administrator Rosalie Johnson. “We strongly encourage e-bike riders to utilize the guidance on the NJMVC’s website to familiarize themselves with new requirements for safe and legal e-bike operation, and to book appointments, as needed, to get their registration and license.”
Continue reading “NJMVC to Begin Appointments for E-bike Licensing and Registration”
Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-Essex, Passaic) issued the following statement on today’s advancement of Bill A3735, better known as the “Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act” in the Assembly Appropriations Committee:
“Today’s passage of the Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act through the Assembly Appropriations Committee is an important step toward ensuring that the corporations responsible for environmental damage help cover the costs of climate resilience and recovery, not New Jersey taxpayers.
“I am proud to serve as the prime sponsor of this legislation and grateful to my colleagues for advancing this critical bill. As climate-related costs continue to rise, this legislation will help protect our communities while easing the financial burden on hardworking families across our state.”
Rowan’s Mike Dickson has been named the 2026 ABCA/ATEC NCAA Division III Region IV Coach of the Year after guiding the Profs to their second consecutive trip to the NCAA College World Series. It marks the second time that Dickson has earned the region’s top honor, having also achieved the feat in 2021.
In his 12th season at his alma mater, Dickson guided the Profs to a 38-7 record, which ties the most victories in his tenure. Rowan captured the 2026 NJAC Championship, its third title under Dickson, and captured the NCAA Gorham (Maine) Regional title. The Profs then won their second consecutive NCAA Regional NCAA Super Regional Championship by sweeping Randolph-Macon at home, in the first time that Rowan hosted that round of post-season play.
Continue reading “Rowan’s Mike Dickson Named Region Coach of the Year”
Believe it or not, Governor Sherrill’s policies are adding another $12 million of taxpayer dollars to New Jersey’s deportation defense program, bringing the total to more than $20 million.At the same time in New Jersey, school budgets are being cut, property taxes are going up, and utility bills have never been higher. And the state found another $12 million for this? All to protect illegal immigrants, many facing criminal charges, who should not be in our country in the first place.It is truly unbelievable. New Jersey citizens should always come first.Click here to read my full statement on this announcement.
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:
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.”