Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that a 55-year-old Camden County man has been convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls over a period of several years.
James Murray, of Cypress Point Circle in Berlin, was found guilty on December 17 of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault (First Degree), three counts of Sexual Assault (Second Degree), two counts of Endangering the Welfare of Child (Second Degree) and one count of Obscenity to Minors (Third Degree).
WASHINGTON— House Republicans voted last week to protect America’s children and safeguard taxpayer dollars by advancing legislation that prohibits harmful gender-transition procedures on minors and blocks Medicaid funds from being used to pay for them.
“Gender-transition procedures are putting our kids at risk, and those who normalize them are enabling this harm,” said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.). “Radicals are pushing dangerous, life-altering medical procedures on children who are still developing and cannot fully understand the long-term consequences. Republicans are stepping in to protect kids and ensure taxpayer dollars support real medical care, not radical social experiments.”
H.R. 498, the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to fund gender-transition procedures for children under the age of 18.
H.R. 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, establishes strict federal prohibitions and penalties for medical professionals who perform genital mutilation or administer chemical castration procedures on minors.
(Lindenwold, NJ) – As a winter storm approaches our region this evening, the Camden County Department of Public Works is working diligently to ensure the county’s 1,200 lane miles of road are safe and passable for motorists.
“Our crews have been called in to ensure that our roads are prepared for this winter weather event,” said Commissioner Al Dyer, liaison to the Department of Public Works. “As our crews head out to treat the roads, remember to always leave at least six car lengths behind our vehicles while they work and move any cars off the street and into a driveway.”
A brief snow shower is expected in the early afternoon, with conditions transitioning to sleet and freezing rain after sunset and continuing through the night. The winter weather is expected to taper off around midday on Saturday. However, long-term freezing temperatures throughout the weekend will ensure snow and ice remain on untreated surfaces for several days.
Tis the season for joy, family, and generous gifts – from new laptops and tablets to gaming consoles, electric scooters, and other electronics under the Christmas tree. But did you know that burglaries often spike during the holidays, with thieves targeting homes full of shiny new valuables.
Take one simple step today to safeguard your presents: Photograph the serial numbers on all expensive gifts, especially electronics! Why? If stolen, serial numbers help police identify and return your items!
It’s quick: Just flip the device over, find the serial number (often on the back, bottom, or in settings), and snap a clear photo. Store them securely in the cloud or email them to yourself!
Suddenly, On December 16, 2025, Age 35. Of Bridgeton, NJ, Cherished son of Julie Mortimer and Shawn Powell. Loving brother of Pierce Mortimer and Aaron Hanback, II. Adored and beloved by all of his caregivers, friends and house mates at Devereux Bridgeton. Survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and his step-dad, Aaron Hanback.
Justin was born in Buffalo, NY. He loved riding with his step-dad on his motorcycle when he was younger. Justin liked music and his favorite movie growing up was Disney’s “Alladin.” He enjoyed swimming, taking walks and going to flea markets with his family. Justin always enjoyed car rides, no matter how short the distance. He loved the beach and he was always the first one in the ocean, swimming out as far as he could and did not want to come out of the water. Justin’s favorite food was Reese Peanut Butter cups and pizza and almost every year for his birthday he would have brownies instead of a birthday cake.
Jim Nicholson, a Gloucester City resident, was asked by Marilyn Johnson, author of *THE DEAD BEAT, to describe himself. Nicholson replied, \”I don’t do much self-analysis. I’m not a complicated guy. There are not many moving parts here. I’m a pretty simple man.\”
If people only knew the real Jim Nicholson.
A graduate of Gloucester City High School, Class of 1960, Nicholson has lived three lives over a span of 66 years. \”Modest, quiet, and low-keyed you would never know from looking at him that this man has ice water running through his veins,\” said his good friend Bill Tourtual.
Tourtual said Nicholson has been responsible for taking down bad guys for over 35 years and yet rarely if ever talks about his adventures with his friends or family.
Besides raising a family, serving in the Marines and then joining the Army reserves, he has worked a full-time job as an investigative reporter and journalist until his retirement in 2001. And in each life he has excelled without much fanfare.
Tourtual said earlier this summer the 66-year-old, Lt. Colonel James Nicholson (Ret), was asked by the Army to come back to active duty to serve his country one more time.
Nicholson, whose specialty is counterintelligence, accepted the offer and shipped out to the theater of war in the Middle –East last month.
This is nothing new for Col. Jim Nicholson.
Over the course of his Army career he was assigned to a number of covert operations in his 20 plus years in the military. In the 1980’s he spent time running the surveillance on Noriega and preparing for the invasion of Panama. Other counterintelligence adventures included trips to such hot spots of the world as South America, Tajikistan and on the Mexican border.
\”This Simple Man\” also had a remarkable career as an investigative reporter for newspapers in the Philadelphia area. Some of his featured work included stories on murder, the Philly Mob, the riots, and outlaw motorcycle gangs to mention a few. Five of his series led three different Philly-area papers to recommend him for Pulitzers. He also was a radio announcer for a time.
Sean Patrick Griffin, author of *Black Brothers Inc, writes …..Investigative reporter Jim Nicholson was the first journalist to lift the lid on the ‘Black Mafia’. The gang operated a multi-million illegal drug business in North Philadelphia and up and down the east coast. His cover stories for the Philadelphia Magazine and Today revealed a vicious, insidious syndicate that was unknown to the wider population.
He went right to the top, and called Mayor Frank Rizzo. Back in 1970, Nicholson had spent hours at then-Police Commissioner Rizzo’s home and interviewed Rizzo while he watched himself on a national television special called Super Chief. The two hit it off, so much so that Rizzo offered Nicholson a position as public relations officer with thedepartment. Nicholson politely declined, despite the substantial increase in pay the job would have provided. Rizzo was apparently not offended by the rejections, because whenNicholson called him requesting assistance on the proposed Black Mafia project in 1973, Rizzo called Police Commissioner Joseph F. O’Neill and told him to provide Nicholson access to the pertinent information.
In 1982 Jim was tired of investigative reporting and jumped at the chance to take over the obit page for the Philadelphia Daily News. In May 2008, seven years after he retired, Jim won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
*The Dead Beat-Author Marilyn Johnson …In that position Nicholson received national attention when ASNE, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, gave him a Distinguished Writing Award for his richly detailed, colorful obituaries of ordinary Philadelphians. The Daily News let him work an eight-or nine month year on the obits desk, and the rest of the time he threw himself into counterintelligence adventures.
After he retired from the Philadelphia Daily News in 2001 he moved to Washington DC to continue his work in counter-intelligence. At the same time he was taking care of his wife Betty who had Alzheimer. When his wife’s sickness required full-time care they moved back to Gloucester City to be closer to his immediate family and devote more time to her. He became Betty’s primary caregiver working 24/7 at home to make her comfortable. In his spare time he continued to do some part-time consultant work via computer in counterintelligence for a friend whose business was located in the Washington DC/Virginia area.
Asked about his devotion to Betty he told author Johnson, \”I was separated for eight years from this woman, not a good marriage, doesn’t matter whose fault it was, and then she got ill, and I came back to take care of her,\” Jim said. \”I wasn’t doing anything else. I’m not as good as the people I’ve written about in the obits.\”
When the Army called and stressed that his help was needed for this special mission Jim made arrangements to have another family member take care of Betty for the time he will be away.
Most people in their 60’s are looking forward to retirement. Col. Nicholson, who describes himself as just \”A Simple Man\” has no reservations about placing himself in Harm’s Way one more time for his country.
‘Patriotism’, Thomas Paine observed, is not best measured in times of national comfort and quiet. It is in times of crisis, when the summer soldiers and sunshine patriots have retreated to the safety of official talking points and unquestioning loyalty that those who truly understand the meaning and merit of the American experiment come to its defense.
Thomas Paine no doubt had men like Jim Nicholson in mind when he spoke those words so many years ago. Tonight offer up an extra prayer for Jim and for all soldiers who go beyond the call of duty to protect our country in these terrible and dangerous times.
*THE DEAD BEAT, Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries. The so-called egalitarian obituary was pioneered, Ms. Johnson argues, by a reporter named Jim Nicholson, who worked at The Philadelphia Daily News. During the early 1980’s, Mr. Nicholson started writing obits in which \”people whose lives had been considered dull as linoleum to the general public were offered up as heroes of their neighborhood and characters of consequence.\”Author Marilynn Johnson, HarperCollins Publishers
* BLACK BROTHERS Inc., a true story about The Black Mafia one of the bloodiest crime syndicates in modern US history. From its roots in Philadelphia’s ghettos in the 1960’s, it grew from a rabble of street toughs to a disciplined, ruthless organization based on fear and intimidation. Known in its \”legitimate\” guise as Black Brothers, Inc., it held regular, minute meetings, appointed investigators, treasurers and enforcers, and controlled drug dealing, loan sharking, numbers rackets, armed robbery and extortion. Author Sean Patrick Griffin, Milo Books Publishers
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As we celebrate the holiday season, we reflect on the importance of community and historical appreciation, values that the Peter Mott House and Lawnside Historical Society embody.
Our board members, officers and dedicated volunteers wish you a Joyous Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year filled with love, peace, equality, justice and connection to the rich cultural heritage of Lawnside, New Jersey.
We extend heartfelt thanks to our generous donors, supporters and funders who made our many accomplishments possible in 2025.
Join us in preserving, protecting and promoting this singular community’s history as the Borough’s 100th anniversary of incorporation is observed throughout 2026.
The following information is preliminary and subject to change; updates will be provided as they become available.
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 5:03 p.m., a shooting occurred in the 25th District on the 2800 block of North Franklin Street. A 23-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was transported by medics to Temple University Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:41 p.m.
At this time, no motive or arrests have been identified. The investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the Homicide Unit, Philadelphia Police department.
Surrounded by and in the loving care of her family, Roe passed peacefully at home in Bellmawr on December 21, 2025, at the age of 83. Loving mother of Michelle Carney (Bill), Michael R. Dick (Crystal) and Raymond J. Dick (Natasha). Cherished GG of Ashley Morelli (Kyle), Kristina Brady (James), Ryan Carney (Kayley), Zachary Carney (Nicole), Dakotah Spisak, Jace Dick and Gracie Wilson and great-grandchildren Jaxon, Eva, Nora, Landon and Brinley. Longtime loving partner of Harold J. Minnett. Loving Aunt of many nieces and nephews and second daughter, Danielle Susini. Predeceased by her husband Raymond E. Dick.
The General Assembly today approved legislation that would criminalize unscrupulous behavior in reproductive care by establishing the crime of fertility fraud. Bill A3735, sponsored by Assemblywomen Carol Murphy, Ellen Park and Lisa Swain, seeks to address a significant gap in reproductive healthcare law.
“Many families across the state have discovered, years after the fact, that their reproductive healthcare was tainted by unconscionable deceit,” said Assemblywoman Murphy (D-Burlington). “New Jersey must have strong legal protections in place to hold those responsible accountable.”
A3735 would make it illegal for healthcare practitioners to knowingly use their own reproductive material or other unauthorized reproductive material to impregnate an individual without that person’s informed, written consent during assisted reproduction procedures.
“The violation of a patient’s trust is reprehensible, especially during such an intimate and life-changing procedure,” said Assemblywoman Park (D-Bergen). “This bill is a matter of common sense. A3735 ensures patients undergoing assisted reproduction can trust their healthcare providers and that their consent is respected throughout the process.”
The bill would classify fertility fraud as a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, offenders would face having their healthcare license permanently revoked.
“The actions outlined in this bill are serious and absolutely rise to the level of criminal behavior,” said Assemblywoman Swain (D-Bergen). “By establishing fertility fraud as a crime, this legislation closes a dangerous gap in the law and affirms that consent and accountability are fundamental to reproductive healthcare.”
