Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 31, 2026, Jaden Thompson, 19, of Freehold, pled guilty before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to Attempted Murder, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Eluding, all in connection with events that occurred in Jackson Township on November 27, 2025, and in Edison Township (Middlesex County) on November 28, 2026. At the time of his sentencing on October 23, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Attempted Murder charge, which will be subject to the terms of No Early Release Act (NERA). Additionally, the State will be seeking a term of five years NJSP as to the Endangering charge and five years NJSP as to the Eluding charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On November 27, 2025, Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the Paragon Apartments on Larsen Road for a report of an individual who had been stabbed. Responding Officers found a female with a stab wound to the abdomen. Officers also found a 19-month-old infant lying in the area where the stabbing occurred; the infant was uninjured. The female was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where she was treated and ultimately released. A subsequent investigation revealed that Thompson was the individual responsible for stabbing the victim. Further investigation revealed that Thompson had fled the area in a black Hyundai Sonata; on November 27, 2025, Thompson was charged accordingly and his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
On November 28, 2025, Officers from the Edison Township Police Department identified the motor vehicle being utilized by Thompson. As Officers attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on Thompson’s vehicle, Thompson recklessly sped away and ultimately crashed the vehicle. Thompson then attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody in the near vicinity. On November 29, 2025, Thompson was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has been detained since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Edison Township Police Department, Borough of Carteret Police Department, and United States Marshal’s Service, for their combined efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Thompson’s guilty pleas
JACKSON TOWNSHIP NJ(August 28, 2026)(CNBNews)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 28, 2026, Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, was charged with Manslaughter, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Having Possessed or Been Issued a Valid Driver’s License While Involved in a Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash, and two counts of Assault by Auto, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Jackson Township on August 28, 2026. Additionally, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, was charged with Knowingly Engaging in Conduct Creating a Substantial Risk of Death to Another, in connection with the same incident.
On August 28, 2026, at approximately 11:55 a.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of the Jackson NPGS grocery store on West County Line Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving pedestrians.
Responding Officers discovered that a mother and her two minor children – a five-year-old female and a nine-month-old male – had been struck by a motor vehicle in the store’s parking lot. All three victims were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of their injuries. The mother and her five-year-old daughter remain hospitalized in stable condition; her nine-month-old son was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that CobonGuzman was operating a Ford Fusion in the parking lot of the NPGS grocery store when she struck the mother and her baby carriage carrying both children. Further investigation revealed that CobonGuzman did not possess, nor had she ever possessed, a valid driver’s license in this or any other state. Continuing investigation further revealed that Lazaro-Flores was aware of that fact, but nevertheless permitted CobonGuzman to operate the motor vehicle.
CobonGuzman and Lazaro-Flores were taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they are presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gloucester City, NJ (August 26, 2026)–More and more I am finding it so difficult to deal with businesses, utility companies and those in the medical field online. The wait time to talk with someone can be an
hour or more. In some cases you can’t talk to anyone. Instead you are switched to a chat-line that seems to lead nowhere. The frustration of navigating these systems is overwhelming. Most recently, we wanted to change our cellphone provider. What an ordeal this has become. After countless hours, we still haven’t been able to get that dilemma solved.
We had been with Verizon forever, and although the service was reliable, the cost for our mobile phone plan had become exorbitant. Tired of paying such high bills, we decided to switch to Consumer Cellular based on some recommendations. Unfortunately, the phone reception was abysmal, making it difficult to use the service effectively. Our next choice, based on further research and consumer feedback, was T-Mobile.
BAD MOVE
On June 7, 2026, I spent over an hour applying for a T-Mobile senior citizen 55 and over mobile account for my wife and me. The following day, I printed out the seven-page contract that I signed electronically. As I reviewed it, I was shocked to discover that I was billed $639 for an iPhone 17e that T-Mobile had advertised as being free as part of their promotion for new customers. Katherine the T-Mobile rep that I chatted with the day before emphasize several time that phone was free; “On us,” she wrote.
While summer means fun in the sun, it can also raise the threat for dangerous storms. Severe storms can produce significant wind, hail, rain and lightning, which may lead to property damage, power outages and flooding. “We think it’s important to be proactive by offering our customers tips on how to plan for summer storms,” said Craig Stewart, vice president, safety and shared services, SJI Utilities. “As a trusted community partner, our customers need to be aware of how to deal with severe weather threats so they can protect themselves and their families this summer season.” South Jersey Gas offers the following tips to help customers prepare for the possibility of severe summer storms and hurricanes.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 20, 2026)–During a Senate hearing held on August 20, 2026, Senator John Kennedy asks Nancy Pelosi how she was able to gain $250 million during her 37 years as a Congresswoman.
Kennedy said, “I counted money for the state of Louisiana. Every bond issue, every disbursement, every dollar that moved through that office had to add up at the end of the day. And when a number did not add up, it was my job to find out why. He looked at her. Ma’am, this number does not add up.”
” Let us be generous,” Kennedy said.
“Using the average salary for a congressmember, $174,000 a year times 37 years. That is about $6.4 million before taxes. Ma’am, you are worth more than $200 million,” he said.
“If a person saved every dollar of salary, ma’am, never ate, never paid rent, never put gas in the car, never turned on a light, that person would need to work for over 1,400 years to reach your net worth.”
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Time and time again, we see corruption in our federal, state, and local governments, but nobody ever goes to jail. According to Spotlight PA, out of 100 Senators, 77 members are millionaires. Out of the 435 members of the House of Represenatives 60 percent are millionaires.
This financial disparity raises serious concerns about how connected elected officials are to average citizens, and it sheds light on why there is so little legislative support for term limits. We need greater transparency and reform to address these systemic issues in our government.
1980s Federal UDAGProgram: Did It Help Gloucester City?
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews
The Urban Development Action Grant program was introduced to Gloucester City residents in 1984. People living near the marine terminal at the time were against the idea from the very start. Several public meetings hosted by the mayor and council were held beginning in 1984. At those meetings, residents spoke about why they were against the expansion of that facility. At the time the Holt Family was just beginning to build their monstrous facility.
Gloucester City News article written by William E. Cleary Sr., published October 10, 1985
That program was promoted in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. The purpose was to help distressed cities attract private investment, create jobs, and redevelop blighted industrial or commercial areas. UDAGs were awarded competitively and required substantial private‑sector participation. HUD’s regulations describe the program’s core mission as assisting cities facing severe economic distress by stimulating economic activity needed for recovery.
Herbert (Herb) George Boulden, 86, of Brigantine, formerly of Brooklawn, passed away on Saturday August 8, 2026. Herbert was born in Camden NJ to the late Herbert and Mary (Duranovitch) Boulden. Herb was a Gloucester High Class of 1958 graduate, where he played football and track & field.
Herbert was an avid fan of the Phillies and Eagles. He was formerly a season ticket holder of the Phillies. He enjoyed all sports.
Herb served for six years(1962-1968) with the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Herbert Boulden received an Honorable Discharge from the Army National Guard of New Jersey and from the Reserves of the United States Army.
He was an passionate Gloucester City High School Sports fan, and he enjoyed watching high school football games. For many years he participated in the Independence Blue Cross 10 Mile Broad Street Run.
Herbert was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 19 for 33 years before retiring.
He loved reading newspapers and he enjoyed karaoke. He loved Brooklawn, Gloucester City and his retirement home in Brigantine. Herbert and his wife Rosemarie were snowbirds who traveled to South Florida each winter.
He was a lifelong member of the Gloucester City Mustangs Club and he enjoyed years of traveling with his family.
Hebert is survived by his beloved wife Rosemarie (Rickie) (nee Spadora), his son Scott Herbert Boulden and his wife Deanne (nee Mills) and his daughter Natalie Alessio and her husband Randy Alessio. He is also survived by his brother Joseph Boulden, his grandchildren Francesco and Gianni Alessio and Scott and Samantha Boulden and her fiancé Michael Buonanno, his niece Jennifer Boulden and great nieces Sophia and Cecilia Morquecho.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Life Celebration for Herbert on Thursday August 27, 2026 at the Brigantine Elks Lodge, 400 West Shore Drive, Brigantine. Welcome visitation starts at 11 AM. Service and Words of remembrance will be at 12 Noon followed by military honors, then food and refreshments.
To honor Herb, you are welcome to wear your favorite sports team apparel or Hawaiian shirt.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at give2.chop.edu.
Family services by Keates-Plum Funeral Home, Brigantine.
Since 1993, Holt has been leasing this land under the Walt Whitman Bridge for a $1 a year. The marine terminal was fined $30,000 for illegally dumping the fill into the Newton Creek, which flows into the Delaware River.
(Gloucester City News archives; photographer Tom Casey, February 5, 1981)
The Gloucester City News 1981 archive photos revealed the fill dirt and concrete used by Tom Holt Sr.,to fill in the Newton Creek swampland under the Walt Whitman Bridge near Collings Road. He was asked by this reporter why he didn’t wait for approval. “Paying the fines was cheaper than waiting for permits that may take months to obtain legally.
Holt was fined $30,000 by federal and state agencies for violating the law. Besides the fines, the court stipulated that he would have to build a park at his marine terminal for the public to view the Delaware River. Within the last couple of months, that park across from Freedom Pier was demolished and replaced with a stack of containers. It is not known if the Holt Family was permitted to remove that park.
The 1981 Case: Holt Fills Protected Wetlands Without a Permit
GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (AUGUST 6, 2026)–In early 1981, federal regulators charged Holt Hauling and Warehousing Systems with illegally filling in federally protected wetlands along Newton Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River. The company had expanded its storage yard by dumping dirt and construction material into tidal wetlands without obtaining the required permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The federal complaint made clear that Holt’s actions violated both the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act. A consent order filed in U.S. District Court required Holt to pay a civil penalty and restore portions of the damaged wetlands. The case was one of the earliest examples of federal environmental enforcement on Gloucester City’s industrial waterfront.
The reporting by the Gloucester City News editor and publisher at the time captured the scale of Holt’s ambitions. At the same time portions of Newton Creek were being filled in two massive container cranes—purchased in Germany—were floated across the Atlantic on barges and escorted up the Delaware River by the U.S. Coast Guard. As those barges passed under the Delaware Memorial Bridge, we were aboard a Coast Guard vessel documenting the arrival. It was a dramatic moment that symbolized Holt’s rapid expansion, much of it built on land created by backfilling marsh and riverbank.
The Same Land, Four Decades Later: A New Legal Fight
(Gloucester City News archives; photographer Tom Casey, December 17, 1981)
The wetlands Holt filled in 1981 are not just a historical footnote. They are the same tract of land at the center of a major dispute today between Holt Logistics and the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA).
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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PUBLIC PARK THAT HOLT WAS MANDATED TO BUILD?
CNBNews photo–The arrow points to the location of a small public park that Thomas Holt was ordered to build as part of a court order levy against the shipping tycoon in 1982 for illegally filling in the Newton Creek swampland under the Walt Whitman Bridge near Collings Road. It is not known if the Holt family violated that1982 court order by removing it to make room to store more containers. byoder Holt.The cothe
Since 1993, Holt has leased the land beneath the Walt Whitman Bridge for $1 per year—a symbolic arrangement created during a different era of port operations. But the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) recently forced a settlement with DRPA after determining that the lease was not in the public’s financial interest.
OSC’s involvement triggered a renegotiation of the lease, and Holt is now fighting efforts to raise the rent to market value.
Holt argues that:
The land was created by their own backfilling, not by the DRPA.
The property is inaccessible without crossing Holt’s surrounding private land.
Therefore, the DRPA should not charge market‑rate rent for land Holt claims it effectively built and maintained.
The DRPA and OSC counter that:
The land is public property.
The $1 lease has deprived taxpayers of fair revenue for decades.
Any future agreement must reflect the true value of the waterfront acreage.
This dispute has become one of the most consequential port‑related negotiations in South Jersey in years.
(Gloucester City News archives; photographer Tom Casey, November 4, 1982) —
Why the 1981 Case Matters Today
The connection between the 1981 wetlands violation and the current lease battle is direct and undeniable:
The land Holt filled illegally in 1981 is the same land they now claim to have “created” and therefore deserve to lease cheaply.
Holt’s long history of aggressive expansion—sometimes pushing past regulatory boundaries—helps explain why state oversight agencies are now scrutinizing the $1 lease.
The OSC’s intervention signals a shift: public agencies are no longer willing to accept decades‑old arrangements that favor private operators over taxpayers.
This recent photo taken at the foot of Monmouth Street shows cranes that are standing on land that was once covered by the Delaware River. Holt filled in the river in 1981.
The reporting by the Gloucester City News in the 1980s provides essential historical context. It shows that Holt’s relationship with the Gloucester City waterfront has always been complicated—marked by ambition, conflict, and a willingness to reshape the landscape to suit its operations. It also revealed that Holt wasn’t afraid of violating environmental rules if, in the end, he would benefit financially by doing so. When he ordered his employees to start filling in the swampland under the Walt Whitman Bridge before receiving the necessary permits, he said it was cheaper for him to pay the fines than sit around waiting for the approval of the permits needed to proceed with filling in the Delaware River.
On June 20, 1983 Thomas J. Holt, the president of the Holt Hauling and Warehousing System, promised Gloucester City Councilman Thomas Carter that his company would not expand its marine terminal any further than the foot of Monmouth Street. According to a AI search Holt Logistics began leasing the former U.S. Coast Guard station at Freedom Pier in 1988 following the base’s closure. The building was was located a block from Monmouth Street. Subsequently, the building was restored and renovated to serve as their corporate headquarters in the early 2000s.
THE POWER OF THE HOLT FAMILY
AUGUST 2026-The Holt family’s influence over regional port operations surfaced again this week. According to reporting in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Holt Logistics successfully blocked Hanwha — the Korean shipbuilder currently operating on a 110‑acre site in South Philadelphia — from expanding into the Paulsboro Marine Terminal. Hanwha officials said the Paulsboro site would have solved their space constraints and positioned the company to compete for major U.S. Navy contracts. With the deal halted, Hanwha is now shifting its search to southern states along the Atlantic Coast.
HANWHA PLANNED A $5 BILLION SOUTH JERSEY INVESTMENT
Hanwha has pledged to invest $5 billion in U.S. shipbuilding once it secures a suitable location. The Paulsboro facility, previously used for offshore wind‑mill construction, became available after President Trump canceled the federal wind program, prompting the tenant to vacate last December. Hanwha agreed to assume the lease — until Holt Logistics intervened.
Holt refused to approve the arrangement and filed suit to block it. After months of lobbying and legal maneuvering, Hanwha abandoned its Paulsboro plans and is now entertaining offers from southern states eager to attract a portion of the company’s multibillion‑dollar investment.
Paulsboro Mayor John Giovannitti estimates that fewer than 50 workers are present at the port on a typical day. The borough sublets the terminal to Holt, which paid $1.6 million last year to operate the facility. Leo Holt, whose century‑old company manages terminals in Gloucester City and South Philadelphia, said he is not entirely opposed to manufacturing at Paulsboro — but only under conditions acceptable to Holt Logistics.
New Jersey taxpayers have already invested heavily in the Paulsboro port, borrowing and spending more than $500 million to build the wharf, highway ramps, and supporting infrastructure intended to attract large employers. Hanwha’s departure underscores how much control Holt continues to wield over the future of that publicly financed facility.
Some parts of this article were writted with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies.
TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that two people were charged with racketeering, kidnapping, human trafficking, and other crimes in connection with their alleged roles in a prostitution scheme.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (July 14, 2026)-The former doctor office of Edward Lundy has been placed on the market. Lundy pleaded guilty in April to illegal distribution of opioids. After the court proceedings, law enforcement announced that he would be sentenced in May.
Clearys’ Notebook has contacted the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), trying to find out why Lundy’s sentence has been postponed. Our most recent contact with those departments was last week. Neither the AG’s office nor the FBI has returned our phone calls or answered our emails.
