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Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15
London Sophia DeShields, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 15, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.
Born in Voorhees, New Jersey to David A. and Lauren A. (nee Chatzidakis), London was about to begin her sophomore year of Lenape High School. She was an excellent student who was a favorite with all of her teachers. An accomplished athlete in her own right, London started as a gymnast and finished second in the country during her last season competing. She shifted her athletic talents to the track, where she won “Newcomer of the Year” as a member of the Lenape winter and spring track t…
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87
Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who served in Congress for almost 30 years and was a former Mayor of Paterson, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 87, his family announced.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," his family wrote on social media.
"As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He i…
Cheetah Dies At Jersey Shore Zoo, Remembered For 'Sass' And Boldness
A cheetah has died after living at the Cape May County Park and Zoo for more than a decade, officials said.
Buju, a 12-year-old cheetah, died from kidney disease, the zoo said in a Facebook post on Monday, July 29. He and his brother Beenie arrived at the Cape May Court House park in November 2013.
The zoo said staff members will miss Buju's "sass."
"Buju’s favorite activity was lying in the shade in the middle of the yard with his brother, Beenie," the zoo posted. "They often mirrored each other, looking like bookends. As the bolder cheetah brother, he would often be first to investigate …
Dump Truck Driver Cited For Disregarding A Stop Sign In Fatal South Jersey Crash: Prosecutor
The dump truck driver accused of passing through a stop sign in a fatal crash in Cumberland County has been formally cited, authorities said on Tuesday, July 2.
Lamaas Arthur, 55, of Port Norris, received citations for disregarding a stop sign and careless driving, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.
The crash was on Thursday, June 20 in Commercial Township.
No criminal charges had been filed as of Tuesday.
New Jersey State Police said that Arthur had "numerous motor vehicle violations."
Brandy Woolson, 43, of Port Elizabeth, a mother of four, was killed in the …
Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At This New Jersey Fire Department
Helping others runs in the Rice family’s blood.
Matthew Rice, 23, grew up surrounded by it.
His grandmother was an ICU nurse, his grandfather a police officer, and his dad, Dave, 47, is an EMT and firefighter. Matthew himself just graduated with his master’s degree in fire science: Explosion & investigation.
One of the best ways for father and son, Dave and Matthew, to spend time together is volunteering with Toms River Fire Co. No. 2 in the Toms River Fire Department.
“It can be a challenge at times volunteering together,” Dave laughed, “but it’s a lot of fun, a lot of ca…
Why Miss Teen USA, North Jersey 17-Year-Old Is Giving Up Her Crown
Miss Teen USA, a Morris Plains native, is giving up her crown.
UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday, May 8, saying her personal values no longer fully align with the "direction of the organization."
"I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title," said Srivastava, who was crowned last September in Reno, NV.
"I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-I…
Seaside Heights Voters Reject Merger With Toms River School District: Unofficial Results
Seaside Heights voters rejected a plan to merge the island borough's school district with the Toms River Regional School District.
According to unofficial results, 232 voters in Seaside Heights voted "no" on the merger, while 167 voters said "yes" in the referendum on Tuesday, Apr. 16. The plan would have eventually closed the Seaside district's only school Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School.
Mainland voters overwhelmingly approved the merger plan, which would have gone into effect in the 2024-25 school year. In Beachwood, Pine Beach, South Toms River, and Toms River, 7,186 voters sai…
