Helen B. Johnston of Collingswood; Teacher at Collingswood and Cherry Hill Schools; GHS Alum

Helen B. Johnston

COLLINGSWOOD NJ –Helen B. Johnston (nee Hughes) Born August 1, 1920, passed into the loving arms of the Lord at age 99 on December 24, 2019 at her home in Collingswood, NJ. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Helen grew up in Gloucester City, NJ and was the class Salutatorian as she graduated from Gloucester City High School in 1938.

Following graduation, Helen was a bookkeeper for several companies including Photo Developing Co. in Camden, NJ and Amburgo Co. and Ridgewood Paper Co., both of Philadelphia. During World War II, she volunteered as a Nurse\’s Aide at Cooper Hospital, Camden and Fort Dix Army Hospital.

After graduation from Glassboro State College in 1958, Helen taught 2nd grade in Collingswood for 10 years and Cherry Hill for 15 years. During this time she taught every student in her class with love and dedication and was the recipient of the \”Miss Peach\” award presented by the Courier Post newspaper in 1958. To further her professional skills during this time, she continued her education with courses at the University of Pennsylvania.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where she was active with the Altar Guild and several other church ministries. She was a life member of the NJEA and NEA teacher organizations. She enjoyed traveling in this country and overseas, reading, doing arts and crafts, bird watching and classical music.

Helen was predeceased by her parents Charles C. and Helen M. (Turnier) Hughes, her brothers Charles, Robert and Wesley Hughes and her husband, William J. Johnston, Jr. She is survived by their daughters Barbara L. Nichols of Hamilton and East Windsor, NJ, Donna L. Johnston, Esq. of Seattle, WA and Wendy Lu Brown of Lancaster, PA, her beloved grandchildren Jamie Leigh and Scott Jay Nichols, as well as sisters-in-law Agnes Lake and Dot Johnston. In addition, many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews will miss her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Saturday, January 4, 2020, 11 AM to 1 PM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 820 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ. Memorial Service will follow at 1 PM. Inurnment will take place in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, Haddon & Fern Ave., Collingswood, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate memorial donations be sent in her name to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Rd. #100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (

www.diabetes.org

) or Grace-St. Paul Episcopal Church 3715 East State St. Extension, Mercerville, NJ 08619.

Dawn DiGiacomo Loved Life; Died Too Soon

by William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNewsnet

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 29, 2019)–—Funeral services for Dawn DiGiacomo will be held this afternoon starting 4 PM to 6 PM at McCann-Healey Funeral Home 851 Monmouth

Dawn DiGiacomo

Street., Gloucester City.

Dawn was a lifelong resident of Gloucester educated in the local Catholic School system, She graduated from Gloucester Catholic in 1987.

Her husband Vince DiGiacomo said he and Dawn were together for 32 years.

He said that Dawn wasn\’t sick for very long. \”She was having trouble walking, her knee kept giving out. It got so bad she couldn\’t walk. She was admitted

to Cooper Hospital and underwent a battery of tests. At the end of two weeks the doctors said she either had Stage 4 lung cancer or it was a parasite that was causing her problems. We looked at each other and said if we have a choice we will take the parasite. But, as you know it didn\’t work out that way\”

Vince said she was released from the hospital and for the next month as an outpatient she underwent two weeks of chemo and another two weeks of radiation.

\”After the treatments she was at home when she got a terrible pain in her ribs.

We thought she pulled a muscle and went back to the hospital.

Why doctors were examining her she told me not to stress out, go get a coffee. When I came back later she was in a different room and hooked up to all these machines. She had a breathing tube inserted in her trachea. We never had a verbal conversation again after that day. That was the last time I talked with her. \”

At one point she died but doctors were able to revive her after 8 minutes. \”She was never the same after that,\” Vince said.

\”The cancer

spread into her back and into her brain. The doctors said she had 50 lesions on her brain.\”

Dawn loved spending time down the shore. She was into crafts and would gather seashells from the beach her husband said. \”She would make wreaths out of the shells and give them to friends as a gift. She also liked crabbing and fishing. One of the places she like was Champagne Island which was near the North Wildwood Marina. We would head out there in our pontoon boat and spend the day. She loved to garden. She always had to have some kind of water feature like a pond around the garden. Dawn died too soon, she loved life,\” he said.

Besides her husband Dawn is survived by her children Derick and Ashley Fowler, Amber DiGiacomo, Vincent DiGiacomo, Jr. and Dominick DiGiacomo. Cherished grandmother of Brianna, C.J., Maximus and Derick, Jr. Cherished daughter of Earl T. Fowler, Sr. and the late Louise A. Fowler. Beloved sister of Michelle and Thomas Quinn, Stephanie and John Bryszewski, Kimberly and Michael Morrell and Earl Jr. and Kelliann Fowler. Beloved daughter in law of Amelia Fountain and sister in law of Aldy and Tina DiGiacomo, Georgeanne and John Fagan and Nicole and Doug Rathbone. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and her beloved dog, Opie.

Tomorrow, Monday, December 30

a viewing will be held from 9:45 to 10:45 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM in the church. Entombment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum, Hurffville.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to Animal Welfare Assoc., 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043. Please memo, Dawn M. DiGiacomo.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mcannhealey.com

under the obituary of Dawn Marie DiGiacomo. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ. Ph: 856-456-1142.

Dawn DiGiacomo, 51, of Gloucester City; GCHS Alumnus

Linda J. Bauman (nee Southward) of Bellmawr; Employed by Botte Insurance

Linda J. Bauman (nee Southward), on December 29, 2019, of Bellmawr. Age 66. Beloved wife of Bob, Devoted mother of Danielle Borbon (Froilan) and Renee. Loving grandmother of Nicholas and Gavin. Dear sister of Brian and Kevin. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law and her best friend Terri Sherlock.

Linda loved to bowl and crochet. She worked for Botte Insurance Company. Linda loved helping people and spending time with her family and grandkids.

There will be a visitation from 8:15am to 9:45am on Friday at St. Joachim Parish, Annunciation BVM Church, 601 Browning Road Bellmawr. Funeral Mass at 10am at the Church. Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made in Linda’s memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center. 2 Cooper Plaza, Camden NJ 08103.

Blenheim Suspect Arrested after Fleeing Police

BLENHEIM, NJ– Saturday, 12/28/2019 at approximately 10:45 pm, a Gloucester Township Police Officer patrolling the Blenheim section of the Township, initiated a motor vehicle stop on a 2018 Honda Accord for a motor vehicle violation. The driver failed to stop and continued driving onto the Old Black Horse Pike and eventually onto Boxwood Drive.

The driver, identified as Karron Martin, pulled into a driveway and fled into a residence which was later determined to be his own. As officers attempted to take him into custody, he resisted arrest and fled out the back of the residence and onto the Valleybrook golf course.

Assisting officers and a Gloucester Township Police K9 team established a perimeter and later located and took Martin into custody as he attempted to return back to his residence. One officer received a minor injury during the arrest. Martin was found to have an active warrant for his arrest as well as driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Karron Martin was charged on a criminal summons with Eluding (3rd degree), Resisting Arrest (3rd degree) and Obstruction (4th degree) as well as numerous motor vehicle violations. Martin was processed and released pending court in accordance with bail reform.

Jasmin Wallace was charged with Obstruction, a disorderly person’s offense, for interfering with Martins arrest at the residence. She was released at the scene with a pending court date.

Accused: Karron M. Martin – 36 Years Old – 1400 Block of Boxwood Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012

Accused: Jasmin S. Wallace – 31 Years Old – 1400 Block of Boxwood Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

Illegal Immigrants Can Get Drivers Licenses in NJ

TRENTON, NJ–A new law signed by NJ Gov. Phil Murphy will allow drivers licenses to be issued to illegal immigrants. According to a New Jersey101.5 report, supporters of the measure claim roads will be safer as a result. However, opponents argue the state is just rewarding the lawbreakers.

The legislation creates two classes of license. One is compliant with federal REAL ID standards, and will be the only sort of license that can be used to fly on a plane or enter a federal facility starting in October of 2020. Applicants for those licenses will have to prove they have a legal right to live in the U.S. and New Jersey.

The other is a standard license — similar to the ones most NJ residents have now — and will be available to all Garden State residents, regardless of immigration status.

Sue Fulton, the Motor Vehicle Commission\’s chief administrator, told the state Senate Transportation Committee on Dec. 12 many immigrants are already driving without a license because they can’t get one.

\”In my view, our roads are safer when our drivers are trained, tested, licensed and insured,\” she said.

An AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report found over a two-year period, nearly 20% of fatal crashes involved unlicensed or invalidly licensed drivers.

Fulton also argued an unlicensed driver is more likely to flee the scene of a crash, complicating police efforts.

FAQ: New Jersey driver\’s licenses for immigrants here illegally

Harry W. Hofflinger, Sr. of Westville

Harry W. Hofflinger, Sr.

On December 24, 2019.

Age 72, of Westville. Born in Woodbury, he was the son of the late Harry M. and Mary T. (Bowe) Hofflinger. Harry is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia R. (Butler) Hofflinger, his loving children, Sharon Hofflinger (Gill), Harry W. Hofflinger, Jr., Joe Brown, Dawn Colofranson (Tony), Janet Goetz (Pete); 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brothers, Bob Hills (Diane), Barry Hills (Vicki), Brian Hills (Sean) and his sisters, Karen Jones, Barbara Robbins, Regina Morrison and Karen Hills. Harry was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Colleen Brown; brothers, Roger and George Hills and his sister, Ruth Nail.

Harry worked for many years as a Pipe Insulator for the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, liked hunting, fishing and was an avid Eagles and Phillies fan. He was a family man who loved spending time with his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 31st, at 11 AM in St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, where family and friends may visit from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hurffville, NJ

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Harry to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN

38105. Please write: Harry W. Hofflinger in the memo.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Harry W. Hofflinger, Sr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City

Ph: 856-456-1142

Pick-6 Rolls to $5.2 Million for Dec. 30 Drawing

TRENTON (Dec. 27, 2019)

– The Pick-6 drawing on December 26 produced

four

winners of

$6,041

for matching five out of six white balls drawn. The $5.2 million drawing will be held Monday, December 30, 2019.

The

winning numbers

for the

Thursday, December 26

, drawing were:

13, 16, 26, 30, 35 and 37

. The XTRA

Multiplier

was:

. By adding XTRA for an additional $1.00 per play, winners are able to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by the XTRA number drawn.

Acting Executive Director James Carey announced that there were 483,331 tickets purchased for the drawing and of those sold, thousands were prizewinners! For correctly matching four numbers, 323 ticketholders won $72 each and 45 others won $216 each with the addition of XTRA. Moreover, for correctly matching three numbers 6,773 ticketholders won $3.00 each and 997 others won $9 each with the addition of XTRA. Lastly 7,941 ticketholders each won $2.00 for correctly matching two numbers with the addition of XTRA on their purchase.

Malcom Wilfong, age 28, of Allentown, Pa Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on December 19, 2019, Malcom Wilfong, age 28, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 55 months’ imprisonment for participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy that operated in Schuylkill and Berks Counties.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Wilfong previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine between July 2016 and May 2017.

Wilfong is the fourth defendant connected to the methamphetamine ring to be sentenced in federal court. Anibal Rodriguez, the leader of the drug conspiracy, was previously sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. Ernest Schaeffer received a 15-year prison sentence. David Castro was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Shenandoah Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

This case is part of

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)

, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

YOUNG CATHOLICS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH MIDNIGHT MASS

PHILADELPHIA PA–Faithful throughout the Archdiocese are invited to gather at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for a prayerful, holy, and unique way to ring in the New Year. It will be hosted by members of the Cathedral’s Young Adult Group and the Catholic Center for Young Adults.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 – Wednesday, January 1, 2020

11:00 p.m. Holy Hour

12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass

1:00 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. Celebration

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Reverend G. Dennis Gill,

Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship,

will be the principal celebrant and Father Shaun Mahoney will be the homilist at the Midnight Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Following the Mass, there will be a celebration in Drexel Hall. The theme is Art Deco and 1920s period attire is welcomed. Refreshments and music will be provided at no cost and all are welcome to attend.

You can find information about the event through the Facebook event page

https://www.facebook.com/events/453854045322662/

or CCYA’s Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCenterForYoungAdults

Veterinarians Offer Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe in Winter

As parts of the U.S. gear up for a powerful post-Christmas

winter

storm–packed with strong winds, heavy snow, and freezing rain—veterinarians at

BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital

are offering a few tips to help keep pets safe.

\”Many people think that dogs and cats’ fur make them more resistant to cold weather, but that is not necessarily true. Cold tolerance can vary based on a pets’ size, coat, body fat percentage, activity level, age and overall health,” remarked Harry Weatherson, BVetMed, MRCVS, ER Service Head and emergency veterinarian at

BluePearl in New York City

. “While huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates are more tolerant of cold weather, all dogs and cats are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. As a general rule, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet.”

While prolonged exposure to cold air, rain, sleet and snow can cause paws to become chapped and irritate your pet’s skin, there are other common winter-related issues pet owners should look out for.

Protect your pet from weather-related health dangers by remembering these eight winter safety tips.

Be mindful of your pet’s tolerance to cold.

Consider shortening walks, especially if your dog is sick, small, short-haired, very young or old. Pets who fall into these categories tend to feel cold faster, and seniors, who may be arthritic, are more prone to falls. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances are also more susceptible to developing issues from cold weather due to the inability to regulate body temperature as effectively. If you are unsure of pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian.

Check the paws.

During a winter walk, salt, ice, antifreeze, and coolants can irritate pets’ footpads and/or accumulate between toes. If chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off paws, this can cause GI upset or a potentially more

harmful effect

. After walks, check your dog’s paws for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked or bleeding paw pads. When possible, avoid salt and ice and immediately wash paws with warm water when you are back inside.

Keep an eye out for frostbite.

Sensitive tissues like ears, nose, and paw pads are susceptible to frostbite, so regularly check these areas for signs of cold weather related injuries or damage.

ID, leash, and chip.

It is easy for pets to become lost in winter because snow masks familiar scents that can help them return home. Leash your pet during winter walks—especially during a snow storm—and make sure their ID tags are up-to-date. Consider microchipping to ensure a safe return home if your pet becomes lost.

Honk for sleeping animals.

In cold conditions, animals (especially cats) like to seek shelter and warmth under cars. Honk, open the car hood or loudly slap it to wake up any animal sleeping there. Lastly, visually check beneath the car to ensure that it is clear of all animals.

Never leave your pet in an unattended car.

Car temperatures can drop quickly in colder months. Animals kept in cold cars can develop hypothermia or even freeze to death. Be sure to never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle and always keep the car at a comfortable temperature—both extreme cold and extreme heat can negatively impact your pet’s health.

Consider adjusting diets.

With walks cut short and less time spent outdoors in general, indoor pets can experience unhealthy weight gain. Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding recommendations and supplement the lost time outdoors with indoor playtime. Hide-and-seek with treats is one good way to keep your dog active indoors.

Be prepared.

Like humans, your pet will need food and water if power goes out during a cold front or winter storm. Be sure to keep an ample supply of water, food, and medication (plan for five days), and store emergency numbers and addresses in a safe, easily accessible place. Keep copies of these emergency numbers in both your home and car for good measure.

The best way to monitor your pets’ comfort level in the cold is to watch their behavior. If you notice that your pet is shivering/shaking/trembling, whining, acting lethargic or anxious, searching out warmth or shelter, or holding up one or more paws, that is a sign that it is time to head inside.