Walter W. McCleary, 72, of Brooklawn

Walter W. McCleary, affectionately known as “Walt,” passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, at the age of 72. He was a longtime resident of Brooklawn.

Born on August 15, 1954, in Philadelphia to the late Walter McCleary and Joann McDonald McCleary, Walt grew up in National Park and graduated from Gateway Regional High School, Class of 1973.

Walt is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Julie A. McCleary (née Robinson); his beloved son, Walter “Mick” McCleary and his wife, Lisa (nee Parry); his sister, Margarete Sampson (John); his nephews, David Robinson and Stephen Robinson (Lyndsey); and his nieces, Summer West and Lindsey Kyprianou.

Walt was funny, quick-witted, and never short on sarcasm. He liked to give the impression that he was gruff, but those who knew him knew how deeply he loved and how loyal he was to the people he cared about.

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HOME COUNTRY: Squash…

Squash. Just listen to that word one more time. Squash … one of the English language’s most painful words, along with maim and trauma and rend and okra and Liberace. Why would anyone want to eat something that sounds as though someone sat on it?
The bottom-line truth is, cooks all over the place love a challenge, and they have tried valiantly to turn squash into an edible dish. To do this, they take one tenth of a portion of squash, boil as much of the squashiness as they can out of it, then immerse it in nine-tenths something that tastes good and hope no one will notice. You know, stuff like chile, mutton, edible vegetables, nuclear waste, cottonwood bark and even chocolate. Then, when you can’t taste the squash in it, and most of the slime has settled to the bottom, they smile and say,
“How do you like my ‘Squash Canneloni ala Hershey con Brio?”

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Human Remains Located

Cape May Court House, New Jersey — Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Tracey Super of the Middle Township Police Department announce that on October 20, 2026, two county residents were walking in a wooded area in the Edgewood section of Middle Township and discovered human remains. The discovery was immediately reported to the Middle Township Police Department. Following the report, investigators from the Middle Township Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation. At this time, a positive identification has not been made.

Prosecutor Sutherland stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and that additional information will be released as it becomes available. He further advised that there is no threat to the public at this time.

Prosecutor Sutherland urges anyone with information regarding this investigation, or any illegal activity within the community, to submit an anonymous tip through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips or directly to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.

Stephanie Marie Jack, 38, formerly of Collingswood

Suddenly, on October 12, 2026, Stephanie Marie Jack, age 38, of Philadelphia, PA, formerly of Collingswood and Blackwood, NJ.

Stephanie was the beloved daughter of Steven (Michele) Jack and Kathleen (Glenn) Gaugler (née Kennedy).

She was the dear mother of Aiden Boehly and Savannah Scartoli; adored sister of Nicholas (Anna), Lisa Jack, affectionately known as “LaLa”, and Shawn (Brianna) Gaugler; and beloved granddaughter of Margaret Jack, the late John Jack, Susan Maiatico Kennedy and Richard Kennedy.

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Suspect Charged in Fatal Drive-By Shooting in Lawnside

Lawnside, NJ – A Camden man has been arrested and charged in connection with an August drive-by shooting in Lawnside that killed a man, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Lawnside Police Captain William Plenty.

Nicholas Stiegler, 21, is charged with 1st-degree Murder in the death of 25-year-old George Rivera of Lawnside. He is also charged with 2nd-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

On August 21, 2026, at approximately 5:50 p.m., officers from the Lawnside Police Department responded to the unit block of West Hodges Avenue in reference to a shooting. Officers learned that the victim – identified as Rivera – had been transported in a private vehicle to Cooper University Hospital. The victim was ultimately pronounced deceased at the hospital at approximately 11:27 p.m.

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Homicide Investigation

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, at approximately 9:46 p.m., 22nd District officers responded to a radio call for a person with a gun at 19th and Dauphin streets. Upon arrival, officers were directed to the 2200 block of North Gratz Street, where they located an adult male on the highway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body.

The victim was transported by police to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:02 p.m.

The scene was secured, and investigators responded to conduct an investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous.

As with all homicides in the city of Philadelphia, there is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Commissioners, NJDOT Partner on Route 70 Beautification

(Lindenwold, NJ) – Route 70 is a main artery that cuts through Camden County from east to west and carries more than 40,000 cars a day from Burlington County to Pennsauken Township and vice versa. This nine miles of state highway has been going through a $155.1 million facelift since 2022, which is now coming to an end. Based on the size and scope of this project, the Camden County Commissioners wanted to work with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to create a new sense of place for motorists and pedestrians. This new initiative will be implemented by making a significant capital investment into a beautification campaign that will form the foundation for a cleaner and greener community.

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Boo Bar Brings Pirate Halloween to Harry’s Bar

* Head to South Jersey and Cape May for a hauntingly good time now through November 1 *

Cape May, NJ – Ahoy mates! This October, Harry’s Bar and Grille in Cape May is unleashing the spirits with the return of Harry’s BOO BAR, Cape May’s very first and original Halloween-themed pop-up experience! From now through November 1, 2026, Harry’s at Montreal Beach Resort is transforming into a haunted pirate’s den for its third annual Halloween pop-up experience. Step into a thrilling world of pirate decor, eerie lighting and haunted surprises wherever you turn. The dining room will transport you to a place you’ve only seen in your Halloween dreams (or maybe your nightmares). Sip on spooky signature drinks that are as fun to admire as they are to consume.

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DEP Launches Resilience Effort For Liberty State Park

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has launched a multiyear effort to identify climate vulnerabilities and develop strategies to protect Liberty State Park from climate impacts, including more severe storm surge, stormwater-driven flooding, and extreme heat.

Liberty State Park
“Through the Liberty State Park Resilience Project, we will be developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure the long-term protection of the crown jewel of New Jersey’s state park system from the worsening impacts of storms and flooding,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “We will work closely with the community and all of our stakeholders to put forth a strong resilience plan that will serve residents and visitors for many years to come.”

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Michele Kathryn Donaway, 74, of Haddon Twp.

Michele Kathryn Donaway (née Yatches), 74, of Haddon Township, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Michele was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend who lived life in her own way. She valued family, friendship, love, laughter, and the connections she made throughout her life. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories, experiences, and moments that will continue to live on through those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her two sons, Patrick and Kevin Ehret, her beloved grandchildren, and extended family and friends.