Officials Identify Soldier Charged in Camp Victory Slayings

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009 – Military officials in Baghdad today identified a soldier who has been charged with shooting and killing five of his comrades yesterday at a combat stress center at Camp Liberty, Iraq.

Army Sgt. John M. Russell, 44, of Sherman, Texas, is being held in military police custody at Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, and has been charged with five specifications of murder and one of aggravated assault, Army Maj. Hunter Holliday, a military spokesman in Baghdad, said.

Russell is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, based in Bamberg, Germany.

Holliday said the Army\’s Criminal Investigation Command is investigating the incident, and that a separate investigation is looking at the overall behavioral health services being offered in Iraq.

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A Nice Crowd Attends Opening Day of City Farmers Market

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A crowd of several hundred people attended the opening day of The Gloucester City Farmers Market on Sunday, May 10.

Kelly Erlink a spokesperson for the Market said,\”We had almost 600 people come thru. Not bad for being the first week and being Mother\’s Day. We had 5 vendors, 10 crafters, music, and fund raiser table. It was a nice day – a little windy but everyone had a great time. The vendors did very well.

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The Buck Report: If one was good, two is better

$\"IMG_0108\"$ POCONO MOUNTAINS PA-If one was good, two is better. Shot this gobbler on 5/6/09 at 8:15 am 30 degrees colder and very wet conditions. Turkey gobbled twice and came in on my right side which made shooting very difficult. I shot the turkey at 30 yards. I used 2 different box calls,a slate and a mouth call to harvest both birds.I shot this Spring . In Pa you can purchase a second tag before the season. Second Turkey weighed 18lbs,it had a 9 1/2 inch beard and 1 inch spurs. Probably a two year old bird. Good Spring.

Bill Graves, aka \”The Buck\”

formerly of Brooklawn NJ

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St. Mary School Graduates in the News

$\"A1AF91FD22BB4A3DAEF7BE2CE3756E8F_CONGRATULATIONS\"$ GLOUCESTER CITY-St. Mary School would like to say Congratulations to the following graduates who were recently honored at the Gloucester Catholic 20^th Annual Honors Banquet.

SMS Class of 2005-GCHS Class of 2009-Amy Gifford, Keirstin Kain, Dana Murphy, Kelsey Berglund, Alex Flynn

SMS Class of 2006 GCHS Class of 2010-Patrick McHenry, Bridget Williams, Lindsey Sobolewski

SMS Class of 2007 GCHS Class of 2011-Jennifer Feinberg, Joseph Delengowski

SMS Class of 2008 GCHS Class of 2012–Christopher Sacchetti, Kiersten Fowler

Special congratulations to Ms. Kaitlyn Delengowski. Kaitlyn graduated from Saint Mary School in the year 2000, GCHS, 2004, and Seton Hall University, 2008 BA, magna cum laude, and has been accepted to the Master’s programs at Seton Hall University and NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Kaitlyn was the guest speaker at the honors banquet.

Saint Mary School is proud to lay the foundation of academic excellence in all of our students!

Gail Corey, Principal

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Taliban Forced Civilians to Remain in Targeted Buildings

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2009 – Taliban operatives shaking down villages for money appear to have forced civilians to remain in buildings that were bombed in the course of a long May 4 firefight, the commander of U.S. Central Command said today.

Gen. David H. Petraeus said on \”Fox News Sunday\” that a joint U.S.-Afghan investigation team looking into the incident addressed the events leading up to the aerial attack targeting Taliban fighters in which an undetermined number of Afghan civilians were killed.

\”The Taliban moved into these villages seeking to extort money from them,\” Petraeus said. The Taliban killed and be-headed three villagers and then attacked the Afghan police. This, the general said, led to the police asking the provincial governor for help from the Afghan National Army and coalition forces.

\”It was in that response that this very significant firefight broke out that ultimately resulted in the dropping of bombs that clearly killed Taliban and some civilians,\” he said. \”It appears the Taliban forced the civilians to stay in the houses from which they were engaging our forces.\”

Preliminary findings by the joint investigation team cite evidence that Taliban fighters may have caused civilian casualties in the villages. According to a statement issued jointly by the Afghan government and U.S. Forces Afghanistan yesterday, investigators interviewed the surgeon and staff of the Farah Hospital and the three doctors on duty the day after the incident. They treated 16 patients — five police and 11 civilians — for flash burns and small lacerations. Afghan doctors said the injuries could have resulted from hand grenades or exploding propane tanks.

\”The local doctors also confirmed that the Taliban were fighting from the roof tops while forcing the locals to remain in their compounds,\” the statement said. \”Locals receiving medical treatment repeated this information to the doctors several times. The doctors also received a call, while the investigators where present, indicating that the Taliban extremists had executed another civilian in the same village.\”

Petraeus said Centcom will conduct a thorough investigation of the May 4 incident, looking for lessons in how to prevent similar events in the future and ensuring the tactical battle doesn\’t impede the strategy.

The Afghan-U.S. statement issued yesterday contained a harsh rebuke of the Taliban\’s tactics.

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Stolen Laptops; New Supervisors; $11 Million Budgeted for City Employees Salaries,Wages, Benefits; $2 Million Lawsuit; Anti-Graffiti Ordinance

TIPS and SNIPPETS

By Bill Cleary

SNIPPET -In January two laptop computers and a computer monitor went missing from the Gloucester City Water Department office on Johnson Blvd… Recently I asked Police Lt. George Berglund if anyone was charged with the crime. His answer was no, \”the trail went cold\”. I also asked if there were any important files on those computers since a Water Plant would come under United States Home Land Security. His answer to that question was also no.

TIP-Gloucester City Mayor and Council appointed Steve Ciachetti to the vacant position of Supervisor for the Gloucester City Highway Department. Prior to his promotion \”Spags\” was a heavy equipment operator in the City Water Works Department. Ciachetti replaces John Gorman who retired some time ago.

Incidentally the other supervisor position, formerly held by retiree Don Souder is now being held by Alex Tedesco. He was elevated to that provisional title last year. The head of the department is Superintendent John \”Bowie\” Johnson.

How many employees in the public works department do the two supervisors and department head oversee; eleven.

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Gloucester City News Headlines for May 14th

$\"072307_2212_GloucesterC1\"$ The Bells Of St. Mary School Will Continue To Ring 150 More Years

St. Mary School And Church Plans May Procession For Sunday, May 17, At 12:30 P.M.

Westville Named As Town ‘With Best Town Spirit’

Bellmawr Board Of Education Installs New Members

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A Brief History of St. Mary Grammar School

By Dawn Burkhardt

Saint Mary School was established in 1858 by the pastor of Saint Mary Church, Rev. James Daly, in the parish rectory where a group of 26 pupils gathered around long tables and sat on wooden benches to receive their Catholic education.

Later that year, Father Daly constructed a two-story brick building on Cumberland Street, west of the present edifice, containing a large lower room and an upper room.

On August 26, 1873, four sisters of Saint Dominic under the charge of Sister M. Josepha, Superioress, from Newburgh, New York, opened a convent in Gloucester and started teaching in the school.

In 1893, the current edifice was constructed by the Dominican Sister of Hope.

Saint Mary School continues today as a Catholic elementary school where all are welcomed as family.

\”It is our endeavor to create an atmosphere where students from pre-school through eighth grade, strive to know God through prayer, scripture, and celebration; and they are encouraged to manifest their love of God by service to others.

\”The mission of Saint Mary School is to teach as Jesus did and to live the Good News of Jesus Christ.

\”We are called to build a Christian community, and to share Gospel values. While we are dedicated to academic excellence, we also believe that education embraces all life experiences and includes all aspects of development.

\”This results in an integrated person who strives for peace and justice, while living the Good News and assuming responsible citizenship of our country and the world.\”

CATEGORY: ST. MARYGRAMMAR/PARISH

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In Your Own Words: Council Election will be on June 2nd

Let’s face it…GloucesterCity is a democratic town and this year for the $\"17248\"$ first time that I can remember we have a primary race between two factions of the local democratic party.

One faction consists of the \”James Team\” of progressive candidates. – This slate consists of Dan Spencer-1^st Ward, Nick Marchese-2^nd ward incumbent and Jay Brophy-3^rd ward incumbent. This group believes in \”open government\” and has developed several citizens’ advisory groups to suggest ways to improve our community. They are \”people/people\”. They ask not what the city can do for them, but what they can do for the city.

Now on the other hand, there is the \”Gorman-Kain\” Team that hasn’t recovered from their defeat in November of 2007 (after 15 years of control). This group believes in closed government and feels that the public has no business being involved with the decision making process of local government. They are people who ask not what they can do for the city, but ask what the city can do for them and their families.

Walt Clark

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*Gloucester City Cultural Arts & Heritage Society News

All meetings for The Gloucester City Cultural Arts and Heritage Society will be on the third Tuesday of the month, not on Wednesday. Time 7:30 PM, Gloucester City Library, 50 Railroad Avenue. Stop by and enjoy the fun. On May 10, group member Rachel Dickerman will be performing at The Gloucester City Park by The Delaware. Stop by enjoy the fresh produce at the Farmers Market, and hear Rachel sing her originals. On May 16, the group called \”Nebula,\” will perform at Troxie\’s Chicken and Pizza on 142 Nth. Broadway, 7:30 PM. Listen to Michelle Biehl and

Camping Patty sing originals and covers with guitar. The Student Artwork is up around Gloucester welcoming the Spring weather. You will see it in the Comcast window on Monmouth Street, Labbree Realty, Troxie\’s Chicken and Pizza, Gorman Manor, The Gloucester City News, Espresso Coffee Bar. We had a great response from Mary Ethel Costello School, and Saint Mary\’s Art Club this year.

Store owner Kelly Troxel at Troxie\’s Chicken and Pizza, 142 North Broadway took the time to frame pictures from students of St. Mary\’s and Mary Ethel Costello Schools. The following students are at that store. The Exhibit was presented by The Gloucester City Cultural Arts & Heritage Society.

Troxie\’s Chicken and Pizza

Mary Ethel Costello School Saint Mary\’s School

Charlene Oehlert, MEC, Gd. 4 Patrick Rafferty, Gd. 7

Gabby Duffield, MEC, Gd. 5 Michelle McCarthy, Gd. 7

Yeimi Medina, MEC, Gd. 6 Andreas Logothetis, Gd. 7

Rebecca Smith, MEC, Gd. 4 Angela Saunders, Gd. 7

Nick Arey, MEC, Gd. 6 James Burkhardt, Gd. 7

Taylor Nestor, MEC, Gd. 6 Allison Brewster, Gd. 7

Holly Porter, MEC, Gd. 5 Kathryn Suttle, Gd. 7

Siena Gruff, MEC, Gd. 6 Kelly Ann Turner, Gd. 7

Melanie Funch, MEC, Gd. 6 Francesca Pollander, Gd. 7

Rachel Barton, MEC, Gd. 6

The Following Students Art is At Labree Realty

Saint Mary\’s School Mary Ethel Costello School

Annie Pegues, Gd. 7 Haylie Courant, Gd. 5

Jennifer Testa, Gd. 7 Brianna Ruggiero, Gd. 5

Kennedy Fenton, Gd. 7 Chelsea Amy, Gd. 6

Patrick Rafferty< Gd. 7 Jenn Neal, Gd. 6

Maggie Heinsman, Gd. 7 Marianna Skordos, Gd. 6

The Art At Espresso Coffee Bar

Saint Mary\’s School Mary Ethel Costello School

Angela Saunders, Gd. 7 Mike Reese, Gd. 5

Francesca Pollander, Gd. 7 Nicole Myers, Gd. 6

Danielle Racherbinski Gaetano Sims, Gd. 6

Annie Pegues Triston Angelucci, Gd. 4

Danielle Raunubinski, Gd. 7 Libby Teschko, Gd. 4

Jennifer Testa, Gd. 7

Michelle McCarthy, Gd. 7

Art At The Gloucester City News

Saint Mary\’s School Mary Ethel Costello School

Chinwelke Akwarandu, Gd. 7 Casandra Kaighn, Gd. 5

Michelle McCarthy, Gd. 7 Crystal Dorilag, Gd. 4

Nathan Theckson, Gd. 7 J. Bonilla, Gd. 4

William Smila, Gd. 7 James Bonilla, Gd. 5

Kelly Ann Turner, Gd. 7 Davin Bowan, Gd. 5

Allison Brewster Brandon Hurley, Gd. 4

Chris Lamb, Gd. 2 Kayla Elwell, Gd. 4

Ethan Carpenter, Gd. 2

Courtney Bohrer, Gd. 9

Michelle McCarthy, Gd. 7

The Gloucester City Cultural Arts and Heritage Society thanks all who participated. If your name is not on the list, look for your art at the Library, Comcast, or Gorman Manor.