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  • 🎠 Ocean City nears decision time | Down the Shore

    🎠 Ocean City nears decision time | Down the Shore

    It may finally be decision time in Ocean City for the site of the former Wonderland Pier at 600 Boardwalk. It’s been nearly two years since the beloved amusement park owned by Mayor Jay Gillian shut down.

    Eustace Mita, the developer who proposed a luxury hotel with a seashore theme anchored by Gillian’s old carousel and Ferris wheel and maybe a kiddie ride or two, told me he’s in the dark about what will happen. The Icona developer has turned his attention to other things lately, he says, like building a Soul Sanctuary Catholic retreat on the grounds of a once-notorious abbey in County Cavan, Ireland.

    Closer to home, Ocean City’s City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday evening on whether to designate the Wonderland site is in need of rehabilitation, a designation Mita has been seeking that would then allow a negotiation with Council over zoning and other matters (the Boardwalk is not zoned for a hotel).

    The council hired a planner to come up with a report, which pretty much said what an earlier report said: that there is justification for such a designation “to prevent further underutilization and deterioration of the Property and to encourage redevelopment of the Property.”

    The city’s planning board in January deadlocked on a recommendation and punted the topic back to Council.

    There are a lot of strong feelings about this in town, though the Save Wonderland movement seems to have resigned itself to the idea that an amusement park is probably no longer in the site’s future.

    Council is expecting a big crowd and has moved the 6 p.m. meeting to the City’s Music Pier. Stay tuned.

    📮 Is it time for Ocean City to move ahead with the hotel plan at 600 Boardwalk? Is it time for another idea? Let me know what you think by replying to this email.

    Have ideas or news tips about the Shore or this newsletter? Send them to me here.

    🌤️ It’s quite lovely out there. Hope it lasts. The recent spate of land breeze days that left the beach a bit suffocating and ocean water temps plunging was not that great.

    — Amy S. Rosenberg (Find me at @amysrosenberg. 📷 Follow me on Insta at @amysrosenberg. 📧 Email me here.)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Shore talk

    🚲 New Jersey says it is now taking appointments for people to get their e-bikes registered, as a new law requires (though not of Pennsylvanians). Read more about the confusing law here.

    🚨 An Atlantic City police officer who was shot in the femoral artery, then saved during surgery at the city’s emergency room, was released from the hospital as hundreds gathered.

    👰‍♀️ Taylor Swift may have other ideas than Sea Isle City for Jason and Kylie Kelce over July 4 weekend.

    🐢 Diamondback terrapins are trying to find suitable nesting spots and are crossing busy Shore roads, especially causeways and blocks near the bay. Please watch out for them!

    🤍 A plane took off from Ocean City’s airport and crashed on its way back to Maryland, killing its three occupants.

    👑 Egg Harbor Township wrestling alum and Preps Pizza employee Kylie Wright was crowned Miss New Jersey.

    🏀 Margate’s favorite basketball superstar, Jalen Brunson, celebrated Father’s Day with brunch at Steve & Cookie’s. His wife, Ali Marks Brunson, is teaching (sold-out) workout classes in Ocean City.

    What to eat/What to do

    🎡 Go to a pretend Shore Boardwalk at Six Flags.

    🏁 Watch Atlantic City’s offshore powerboat high-speed Grand Prix.

    📖 Read Brother Epistles, by Shore resident Shanda McManus, a memoir of her brother’s Christmas Eve 1992 shooting death in Philly. McManus talks here about holding joy and grief on the same page.

    🫐 Savor South Jersey’s amazing blueberries here.

    ✈️ Fly direct from Atlantic City to Vero Beach on newly announced flights from Breeze Airways.

    🍗 Check out the new New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker commemorating Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, and the city’s new Black Cultural Heritage Tour.

    🏖️ Spend a perfect weekend on 7 Mile Island.

    🇺🇸 Indulge in a Mino’s Bakery strawberry shortcake (red, white) and the iconic blueberry pie (blue) at Ventnor’s 7311 and get ready for fireworks.

    Shore snapshot

    From left: Lifeguards Kyle Satt, Gavin Mogck, and Paul Connor patrol the beach in rainy and foggy conditions on Memorial Day 2026 in Cape May.

    🧠 Trivia time

    The pizza magnate whose family owns half of Ocean Casino is now buying the entire pie, and will be sole owner of one of Atlantic City’s most successful casinos.

    Which pizza company is it?

    A. Lorenzo’s

    B. Domino’s

    C. Tony’s Baltimore Grill

    D. Little Caesars

    If you think you know the answer, click on this story to find out.

    Ask Down the Shore: Avoiding traffic

    A reader wrote: “Friday used to be the heavy traffic day from Philadelphia to the shore on the Expressway. Now the congestion seems to start as early as noon on Thursday and continues straight through Friday night.”

    We turned to our Shore Line group chat (join us here!) and asked: Which is the best window to drive to the Shore?

    Here are some replies:

    • I go down, believe best time is at 5:30-6 am or after 7 on Friday, still light out at both times, don’t like to drive when dark.
    • Here’s my solution to avoiding heavy traffic to and from the shore. Go down on Wednesday before MDW and come back on Wednesday after LDW (it helps to be retired!).
    • I work in Center City so I leave after work on Friday’s typically. Hit the road around 5:30, use Ben Franklin. Then on the way to the AC, 42 is a parking lot! Anymore, I’m thinking early morning Thursday or Friday before 8 a.m.? Just a guess.
    • No window is better than another — I gave up and moved to the shore.

    Have another Shore dilemma? Or an opinion on traffic? Let us know what you think by replying to this email.

    Your Shore memory

    I’ve been talking to a lot of people about changes in Sea Isle City for an upcoming story, and Diana Dougherty shared these reminiscences of the old days:

    My husband was an altar boy at St. Joe’s. When we got married, we started renting for a couple weeks every year with in-laws, wonderful times, low key restaurants, crowds not as bad, felt safe, no issue with teenagers. Now it’s all changed in maybe last 20-25 years. We finally build our own house in 1985. It looks like a tiny house to what is now. Miss my beloved place, but will never sell and just redid inside.

    Send us your Shore memory in 200 words! Tell us how the Shore taps into something deep for you, and we will publish them in this space during the summer.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • ‘Don’t cut these funds, Gov. Sherrill’ | Inquirer South Jersey

    ‘Don’t cut these funds, Gov. Sherrill’ | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey. The bulk of the rain seems to be over this week, but there’s a chance of some more showers.

    Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers face steep cuts under Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget.

    And Medford passed an ordinance to prohibit data centers within its limits.

    Plus, Pennsauken’s Yaxel Lendeborg was chosen in the first round of the NBA draft, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Pleading for state funding

    Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers were established in 1991 to address the wage gap for Latinas in New Jersey, one of the states with the biggest gap for Latina workers.

    Under Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget, the statewide initiative could see its funding decrease by 80%.

    These centers help women like Consensa Francisca Silva Silva who was able to obtain a work permit, make a down payment for an apartment, and start working thanks to the assistance she was able to receive for one of these centers in Camden.

    “It was very hard to come here without knowing anyone, and it was really hard because at first I couldn’t find any work,” Silva said about her experience when she first arrived from Costa Rica.

    Silva and other supporters worry immigrant women like her won’t get the support they need if the cuts go through.

    The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider has the latest information on the budget process.

    Medford bans data centers

    Medford sent a clear message this week: No data centers here. Its council adopted the ordinance to prohibit them, despite not receiving any formal applications for a center.

    “These are extra precautions to ensure that we don’t move forward in a direction that we can’t come back from until we know full well what the impacts of data centers will be,” Medford Mayor Michael Czyzyk said.

    Council reserves the right to amend the ordinance to permit data centers in the future.

    Medford is the latest South Jersey community to resist data centers, including Cherry Hill.

    Reporter Lacey Latch has the story.

    What to know today

    • The New Jersey Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered prosecutors to fully disclose how police used facial recognition technology in a murder case, New Jersey Monitor reports.
    • A body of a swimmer who went missing last month in Ocean County has been recovered, according to the police.
    • The federal government ordered Chemours Co. to pay $450 million over illegal discharges of synthetic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. According to the Associate Press, the company will pay penalties and provide mitigation efforts to prevent these types of discharges in North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey.
    • Camden might get a new rooftop nightclub along the waterfront. The Club 9 SkyLounge is proposed for the rooftop deck of the Hinson Parking Garage on Delaware Avenue.
    • Yaxel Lendeborg, a 23-year-old forward who played for Pennsauken High School, was chosen by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA draft.
    • Moorestown Township established new rules for e-bikes, electric scooters, dirt bikes, and other motor-assisted devices. One of those rules is that they’re generally banned from sidewalks. The new ordinances takes effect on July 19.

    🗓️ The best things to do this week

    ⚽ SoccerFest26 at the Waterfront: Residents and tourists will be able to celebrate the World Cup with match screenings, international food, soccer-based youth programming, live music, and various craft vendors. ⏰ Thursday, June 25-Saturday, June 27, various times 💵 Pay-as-you-go/RSVP required 📍 Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Dr., Camden

    🏳️‍🌈 Gloucester Township’s LGBTQ+ Pride Festival: The three-day Pride celebration will feature local vendors, film screenings, art, wellness sessions, and drag shows. ⏰ Friday, June 26-Sunday, June 28, various times throughout the weekend 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Harmony Hall, 3 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood

    🇺🇸 Freedom Fest: A Star Spangled Spectacular: The festival will include live performances, fireworks, food trucks, and more. ⏰ Saturday, June 27, 3 p.m. 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Delran Community Park, 12 Hardford Rd., Delran

    See more event listings here.

    🧠 Trivia time

    The Phillies drafted Logan Dawson last year. He grew up locally in Voorhees and is a lifelong fan of the team. Who was his favorite player growing up?

    A) Ryan Howard

    B) Chase Utley

    C) Jimmy Rollins

    D) Cole Hamels

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re…

    🚲 Double-checking: The rules and restrictions about e-bikes in New Jersey.

    ⚽ Exploring: The different games at the PATCO Soccer Stop for the World Cup.

    🌻 Wishing: It were sunflower picking season at Dalton Farms in Swedesboro.

    🏡 On the market

    A Mount Laurel Colonial with modern updates and an expansive backyard

    The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home has Colonial charm with the original deed dating back to 1842. It has a classic farmhouse exterior with modern amenities inside such as an updated kitchen. The home showcases exposed wood beams and hardwood flooring. There’s also an abundance of space including two large great rooms, and an expansive backyard with mature trees and patio areas.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: 589,999 | Size: 2,703 SF | Acreage: 1.10

    And that is all I have for you today. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning. 👋🏽

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Medford bans data centers within town limits amid public debate about AI

    Medford bans data centers within town limits amid public debate about AI

    Large-scale data centers will not be moving into Medford any time soon thanks to a new ordinance adopted unanimously by the Medford Township Council this week.

    While the township has not yet received any formal applications for data centers, officials are taking steps like the ordinance passed Tuesday that specifically prohibits the land use within town limits as a chance to be proactive.

    “These are extra precautions to ensure that we don’t move forward in a direction that we can’t come back from until we know full well what the impacts of data centers will be,” Medford Mayor Michael Czyzyk said at Tuesday’s public hearing.

    The ordinance received support from Medford-area residents at the hearing but some questioned whether the township might be making its bed too early considering how quickly technology evolves, especially if there’s a chance to reap the rewards of a data center project without negatively impacting the surrounding community.

    “If there’s no impacts to the residents and there’s only a financial benefit, I believe I would consider looking at that at that time, but we’re not there yet,” Czyzyk said.

    While the ordinance constraints may seem all-limiting as it exists today, Czyzyk said, council maintains the authority to at any point amend the ordinance to permit data centers in the township’s redevelopment district.

    “I definitely understand that things will evolve and there may be a time in the future that the term data center is something that is more amenable to the residents and the body that governs them,” Czyzyk said.

    “I will feel comfortable with the vote I cast on this ordinance tonight knowing full well that today I feel that way and that there’s mechanisms in the future if things do change, a process will be undertaken to remedy that,” he said.

    Nearby in Cherry Hill, Mayor David Fleisher has explicitly vowed to block the construction of any large AI or commercial data facilities in the township citing concerns of high energy usage, water consumption, and proximity to residents.

    There are dozens of data centers currently operating throughout the state with major hubs located primarily in North Jersey urban centers like Secaucus and Newark. But more recently, developers have been eyeing spots in rural South Jersey as the industry expands to meet growing demands for generative AI.

    For months, South Jersey residents have been protesting a major AI data center that is currently under construction in Vineland.

    Developers and other data-center proponents say the facilities bring in tax revenue, create jobs, make use of old industrial sites, and put towns on the cutting edge of a hot industry, all without straining school districts or emergency services.

    Opponents, meanwhile, cite concerns about pollution, noise, power and water use, and the impact on their electric bills. Some also say they worry the AI boom is a bubble that could soon burst.

    As concerns continue to grow among towns across the Garden State, representatives from more than 60 environmental, labor, and community groups sent a letter to New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill last month calling for a statewide moratorium on the approval and construction of new facilities that use 20 megawatts or more of power.

    So far in response to the public pressure, Sherrill has proposed a plan that would require new data centers to cover grid upgrades, utilize their own power generators, and publicly report resource usage.

    While some municipalities like Medford have issued moratoriums on new data centers, no state governments have successfully done so, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

  • Top court orders disclosures in N.J. cops’ use of facial recognition technology

    Top court orders disclosures in N.J. cops’ use of facial recognition technology

    As police increasingly rely on a controversial investigative tool called facial recognition technology to identify crime suspects, New Jersey’s top court gave defense attorneys a win Wednesday, ordering prosecutors to more fully explain how they used the technology in a Jersey City murder case.

    New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Douglas Fasciale, in a unanimous ruling, wrote that prosecutors were wrong to deny Tybear Miles’ discovery demand for details on which facial recognition software investigators relied on to arrest him in the June 2021 shooting death of Ahmad McPherson and how exactly they used it.

    The technology is controversial because misidentifications have resulted in at least eight wrongful arrests nationally, with research showing it most often fails at identifying people of color, women, children, and elderly people. It also has gone largely unregulated both in New Jersey and nationally, alarming civil rights advocates.

    Wednesday’s ruling builds upon a 2023 state appellate decision that required prosecutors to hand over 13 items related to the facial recognition software police used to charge Francisco Arteaga in a West New York armed robbery case.

    Fasciale rejected any “mechanical application” of the Arteaga decision to other cases involving facial recognition technology, saying judges must decide such challenges based on case specifics.

    Still, he said, fairness demands that defendants be able to scrutinize which tools police used to criminally charge them, both to challenge the tools’ reliability and to determine how police identified them as a suspect, examine whether the investigation was thorough, and demonstrate the possibility of another culprit.

    “Although we reject a rigid checklist for [facial recognition technology] discovery, we note that such basic information will, in most cases, constitute the minimum necessary to safeguard a defendant’s right to a fair trial,” Fasciale wrote.

    Attorney Dillon Reisman, who had argued before the court on behalf of the ACLU of New Jersey, called the decision “a really big win against the use of secret, opaque technology by law enforcement.”

    “It’s a really positive sign that our court takes really seriously that new technologies are subject to constitutional safeguards,” Reisman said.

    Tamar Lerer, deputy of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender’s forensic science unit, had argued the case in court, too, and also applauded the ruling.

    “Facial recognition technology may be novel, but the ability of people accused of crimes to find out how and why they were investigated is not,” Lerer said.

    In Miles’ case, none of the crime’s eyewitnesses identified him as the shooter or even placed him at the scene, according to the ruling.

    Instead, police identified him as a suspect after showing a confidential informant footage from surveillance cameras of six Black men seen nearby. That informant, who was not at the scene and did not see the slaying, identified Miles on the footage by his nickname (“Fat Daddy”) and Instagram handle, according to the ruling. Miles’ sister and ex-girlfriend also identified him as one of the men caught on camera.

    Police then ran two facial recognition technology searches using Miles’ Instagram profile picture, according to the ruling. One search returned 10 possible matches and listed Miles as the eighth-likeliest match, while another search also produced 10 possible matches, the first five of which pictured Miles, the decision says.

    After defense attorneys demanded more details about the facial recognition technology investigators used, a trial judge ordered prosecutors to turn over the same 13 items the appellate panel in Arteaga’s case specified. Prosecutors appealed, a state appellate court denied their motion, and the Supreme Court agreed to consider the case.

    Fasciale upheld most of the lower court’s rulings, ordering prosecutors to hand over “basic information,” including the name and manufacturer of the software police used to search for suspects and its performance metrics, including error rates. He also directed prosecutors to provide “straightforward items” related to how investigators used the technology, including the original photograph police used as the “probe photograph,” edited copies of that probe photograph, and the photographs the technology identified as matches.

    He reversed one particular part of the lower court’s rulings, though, rejecting the defense’s request for proprietary information, including the software’s source code. Miles’ attorneys had not proved a need for that information, Fasciale said. But if they do as the case progresses, the court can reconsider that request then, he added.

    Lerer cheered that part of the ruling, too, saying it recognizes that “commercial concerns must yield to constitutional rights.”

    Reisman noted that New Jersey still has not regulated facial recognition technology more than four years since the attorney general’s office solicited public input as a first step toward shaping statewide policy on its use by law enforcement.

    Former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal in 2020 barred agencies from using one specific facial recognition technology app, Clearview AI, but little is known about how many of the state’s 500-some law enforcement agencies use the technology and how.

    Dan Prochilo, a spokesperson for Attorney General Jen Davenport, called facial recognition technology “a valuable tool for investigating and solving crimes.”

    “We welcome today’s Supreme Court ruling, which thoughtfully accounts for constitutional rights while confirming that defendants are not automatically entitled to unnecessarily burdensome, proprietary information that would short-circuit vital, well-conducted investigations and prosecutions that make New Jerseyans safer every day,” Prochilo said.

    In Miles’ case, officers used a facial recognition system that is part of a multiagency initiative to crack down on illegal drugs in New Jersey and New York. That effort, known as a high intensity drug trafficking area task force, involves officers from federal, state, county, and local agencies in New Jersey and New York.

    Those multiple jurisdictions and diffused investigations have made it tough for people arrested through the task force’s efforts to understand how they became criminal defendants, Reisman said.

    “We still don’t even really know what government agency is ultimately responsible for the facial recognition system,” he said. “We don’t know anything about it, and because of that, we can’t even hold it accountable.”

  • A new rooftop nightclub proposed for the Camden waterfront aims to be part of the city’s ‘evolution’

    A new rooftop nightclub proposed for the Camden waterfront aims to be part of the city’s ‘evolution’

    Clubgoers might soon have the chance to take in nighttime views of the Philadelphia skyline at a new rooftop nightclub along the Camden waterfront.

    The Cloud 9 SkyLounge is proposed for the rooftop deck of the fourth-floor Hinson Parking Garage next to the Delaware River Port Authority office tower on Delaware Avenue.

    The club would include a stage and dance floor, private cabanas, a pool deck, bar areas, a food truck zone, VIP parking, and more, according to the developer’s application to the city, which is still awaiting final consideration from Camden’s planning board.

    So far, city officials have approved the new use for the property, said Joe Console, attorney for the Cloud 9 developers.

    Now, the applicant will work on developing more detailed engineering reports, showing that the project complies with local regulations as it relates to traffic, noise, building capacity, and more, Console said. Once complete, the project will eventually be brought back before the planning board for review and final approval.

    “Our vision is to create a world-class entertainment and hospitality destination that showcases the beauty of the Camden waterfront, the Philadelphia skyline, and the energy of the entire region,” Cloud 9 founder and CEO Kenneth Walden said. “We want visitors to experience something they would normally expect to find in cities like Miami, Las Vegas, New York, or Los Angeles — right here in Camden.”

    As an adaptive reuse project instead of new development, the club would require no changes to the parking garage’s existing footprint, and the rooftop venue would be limited to temporary installations, according to the application.

    Parking for the rooftop venue would also be self-contained within the existing parking structure. The developers said they do not anticipate any parking issues extending into the surrounding area.

    A rendering shows the entry view of the proposed Cloud 9 SkyLounge rooftop deck of the Hinson Parking Garage on Delaware Avenue in Camden.

    The parking garage is currently owned by the city’s parking authority and the rooftop would be rented to Cloud 9 starting at $5,000 per month, per the application documents. The venue would be open Thursday 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

    “Cloud 9 was born from a simple belief: that Camden deserves extraordinary destinations just as much as any major city in the country,” Walden said. “For years, people have viewed Camden primarily through the lens of its challenges. I believe it is equally important to recognize its potential, its resilience, and the remarkable transformation taking place along the waterfront. Cloud 9 is intended to be part of that continued evolution.”

    The property is located within the city’s mixed waterfront zoning district which is designed to help revitalize former industrial or vacant properties into pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use areas along the waterfront.

    The venue’s developers included in their application that the project is “consistent with the overall vision of the [mixed waterfront zone] as it promotes: activation of underutilized urban space, enhancement of the waterfront entertainment environment, increased tourism and economic activity and adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure.”

    The new nightlife destination would be within walking distance to some of the city’s other waterfront destinations such as Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Wiggins Waterfront Riverstage, and Adventure Aquarium.

    A rendering shows the beach view of the proposed Cloud 9 SkyLounge rooftop deck of the Hinson Parking Garage on Delaware Avenue in Camden.

    The office for Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said that while they are aware of the proposed rooftop bar and lounge, they declined to comment specifically on the project or its details as it continues to make its way through the land development process.

    “Camden is undergoing an unprecedented transformation as investment is taking place citywide. As a result, there is great interest from developers, and a wide variety of projects are being proposed in every part of the city,” said Vincent Basara, director of communications for the mayor’s office. “Camden is always open to new ideas and proposals. The success of this project will ultimately be based on the merit of the application. We are confident in the public process and the various reviews which are required.”

    About a mile north on the other side of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is accepting mixed-use redevelopment proposals for a 16-acre waterfront parcel that was previously home to the former Riverfront Prison and Weeks Marine site in North Camden.

    “Beyond the venue itself, I believe Cloud 9 can contribute to the city in several meaningful ways,” Walden said. “The project has the potential to create jobs, attract visitors from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and beyond, generate additional economic activity for nearby businesses, and further strengthen Camden’s reputation as a destination worth visiting and investing in.”

    The Cloud 9 SkyLounge was presented to the city’s zoning hearing board for final site plan approval on June 1 and will need to continue through the development process before finally being voted on by the city’s planning board. The exact timeline for this process varies by project, but a final vote on Cloud 9 is likely still weeks or even months away, as the application must go before the city’s planning board, though they will not officially discuss the project until at least the board’s July meeting.

  • Philly-area rain totals varied dramatically, and drought conditions survived the storms

    Philly-area rain totals varied dramatically, and drought conditions survived the storms

    The storms took down trees and wires, flooded roads, spoiled a World Cup party, and set off a deluge of smartphone panic alerts. But they evidently didn’t come close to erasing the rain deficits throughout the Philly region.

    Even with the additional light rains on Tuesday, bringing the two-day total to about 1.45 inches, officially Philadelphia’s rainfall for June still is slightly below normal, and this is after an extraordinary streak of 10 consecutive months of below-normal precipitation.

    And Monday’s storms exhibited a classic summer caprice. Areas of New Jersey and Chester County, both under state-declared drought emergencies, were all but stiffed, according to an analysis by the National Weather Service’s Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Northwestern Philadelphia and southeastern Montgomery County got as much as 2 inches.

    The weather service’s Mount Holly office reported that totals within counties varied radically. In Bucks County, for example, 1.8 inches was measured in Bristol and just over a half inch in Doylestown. Across the river, 2.4 inches fell upon Sewell, and about 0.75 in Monroe Township.

    “Some areas got it, some didn’t,” said Ben Casella, executive director of the New Jersey Farm Bureau. It can “rain here, but it may not rain on the other side of town,” he said.

    Not all of that Monday rain was beneficial, said Andrew Frankenfield, educator with the Penn State Agriculture extension in Montgomery County. Some of the water in those downpours on Monday rushed to the gutters and didn’t stop to soak into the soil.

    And those cloudbursts certainly weren’t beneficial to people routed from the World Cup fan fest in Fairmount Park, or to some motorists. Numerous water rescues were reported in the Wyncote section of Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, And the weather service noted several reports of flooded streets and rushing water up to a foot deep floating cars in Germantown.

    Tuesday’s gentle rains, Frankenfield said, were more beneficial to the plant life, which is only going to get thirstier as the summer progresses.

    Is more rain coming to the Philly region?

    Showers are possible Thursday, said Alex Staarmann, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, with a better shot Friday night and Saturday.

    However, these may again be lottery-ball situations, something with which farmers are well acquainted.

    Generally throughout the region through Monday, precipitation was running about 75% of normal, on average about 5 inches below normal, according to the river center, which bases its surveys on several measuring stations in each county.

    The latest interagency U.S. Drought Monitor map had most of the region in “moderate drought,” but Cape May County and areas of New Jersey near Delaware Bay are in “extreme drought.” Those regions were all but shut out from the Monday downpours.

    They evidently fared a bit better on Tuesday, with the Millville airport reporting about a third of an inch, and a half inch measured in Sea Isle City.

    While the rains were welcome, the drought anxieties persist, Casella said.

    “As we turn the calendar into July, the crops are going to need more moisture,” Frankenfield said.

    “We certainly need more” rain, he said. “We can’t make it up in a week, we can’t make it up in a month. We’re concerned, but not alarmed.”

  • Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Philly, the suburbs, South Jersey, and the Shore

    Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Philly, the suburbs, South Jersey, and the Shore

    This Fourth of July will be unlike any in recent memory. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Philadelphia and the surrounding region are packed with celebrations — and fireworks displays. From the city and suburbs to South Jersey and the Shore, there are dozens of opportunities to catch a show.

    Whether you’re staying in Philadelphia, heading to the suburbs, or spending the holiday down the Shore, here’s where to find Fourth of July fireworks across the region.

    Fireworks in Philadelphia

    Fireworks after the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park on July 2, 2025.

    Fireworks in Bucks County

    Fireworks in Chester County

    Fireworks in Delaware County

    Fireworks in Montgomery County

    Fireworks in Allentown

    Fireworks in South Jersey

    A view of Atlantic City’s fireworks from the Marina. (Courtesy of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority)

    Fireworks at the Jersey Shore

  • Body recovered of swimmer who disappeared in water along Ocean City

    Body recovered of swimmer who disappeared in water along Ocean City

    The body of a swimmer who went missing last month in the water along Ocean City has been recovered near Sea Isle City, police said Tuesday.

    The man, described as a 20-year-old from Exton who was a student at Hofstra University, according to 6ABC, disappeared late in the afternoon on May 18 near the 10th Street Beach.

    On Friday, a body was recovered about 10 miles away and later identified as the missing swimmer, police said.

    The man was not publicly identified and the Ocean City Police Department said the family has asked for privacy.

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  • At Jersey Kebab, a new immigration fight | Inquirer South Jersey

    At Jersey Kebab, a new immigration fight | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey.

    The son of the owners of the popular Collingswood business Jersey Kebab now has his own immigration battle to stay in the country.

    And a new research initiative out of Rutgers University wants to study how the effects of hormonal changes such as pregnancy impact the brain.

    Plus, a man from Maple Shade was taken into custody for allegedly stealing and damaging LGBTQ flags, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    A new fight to stay in the U.S.

    More than a year after the small restaurant Jersey Kebab made national headlines and inspired widespread criticism of ICE when agents arrested the owners, their son is now fighting a similar battle.

    The federal government informed Muhammed Emanet, who left Turkey when he was 12, of its intention to deny his request for a green card, with a 30-day window to present new or additional information to try to persuade the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services to allow him to stay.

    No one knows for sure what happens when the deadline comes up next week.

    If he is deported, he’ll be separated from his wife and two young sons. Hundreds of letters have been signed and gathered on his behalf, attesting to his good character.

    Reporter Jeff Gammage has the latest on his case.

    💡 Filling gaps in knowledge

    The recently launched Women’s Brain Health Initiative at the Rutgers Brain Health Institute seeks to better understand what researchers say has been historically under-studied — how hormonal changes affect the brain.

    The focus is on hormonal shifts that occur throughout life such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.

    The research and the public education will center information on women’s mental health, disease vulnerability, and brain function and development.

    Read on for Sarah Gantz’s full interview with the lead researcher.

    What to know today

    🧠 Trivia time

    Which former Eagle does a celebrity bartending fundraiser every year in South Jersey?

    A) Zach Ertz

    B) Lane Johnson

    C) Jason Kelce

    D) Nick Foles

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re…

    🍿 Rewatching: Chase Street, the old political crime drama set in Camden.

    🍕 Wondering: What pickles on a pizza would taste like from Knot Like the Rest in Pine Hill.

    🥤 Drinking: A Boost slushy.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: 🧊 Chilly cakes

    ACE FEROCITY WART

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Rebecca Welch Pugh, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Burlington. The major retailer made this year’s Fortune 500 list.

    Congrats on making it through halfway through the week. I’ll catch you tomorrow. 👋🏽

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Cherry Hill is home to these iconic dishes | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Cherry Hill is home to these iconic dishes | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    The township is home to some of the most iconic dishes in the region, according to our food reporters. Here’s what makes the cut. Also this week, meet the Knicks exec who got his start at East, learn about free legal services for military members and veterans, and find soft-shell crabs at a local eatery.

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    Get hungry

    Find the panzarotti at Tarantini Panzarotti.

    Earlier this month, The Inquirer dropped our list of the 76 most iconic dishes in the region, a handful of which can be found right here in the township.

    Ranking at No. 61 is Santucci’s upside-down pizza, a pie so distinctive reporter Michael Klein said it helps give the region its own pizza identity. You can snag your own square pie with the sauce on the top at the outpost on Springdale Road.

    Head a few miles down Springdale and you can order a panzarotti at Tarantini Panzarotti. The calzone-adjacent food ranks No. 29 on our list.

    Also making the cut at No. 51 is gelati, the decidedly Philly spin on water ice (on its own, it ranks No. 2) and custard. Reporter Beatrice Forman reups the tastiness of a Dubai chocolate dupe at Cherry’s Ice Cream & Water Ice.

    Check out the full list here. But be warned: You’ll be hungry after you finish reading it.

    The Knicks exec with local roots

    Leon Rose (front row, far left) played for Cherry Hill East’s junior varsity as a freshman.

    Meeting Leon Rose today means knowing him as president of the New York Knicks, the team that has catapulted to the top of the headlines after clinching its first NBA title since 1973. But when many longtime South Jersey residents think of Rose, memories of a force-to-be-reckoned-with “gym rat” playing and coaching at Cherry Hill East are what come to mind.

    Rose played under head coach John Valore from 1975 to 1979 before joining Valore’s staff in the early ‘80s while studying at Temple University’s law school. Even after attracting clients as famous as 76ers legend Allen Iverson and LeBron James, Rose could be found volunteer coaching at Katz JCC, where his 88-year-old father is still a regular.

    From pickup hoops in Cherry Hill to the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, take a deep dive into Rose’s basketball legacy with Inquirer reporter Alex Coffey.

    💡 Community News

    • The zoning board is holding a special meeting tomorrow night, which will include discussion about BAPS Cherry Hill’s application to expand its building. The Hindu temple at 1 Carnegie Plaza is looking to add a 15,350-square-foot second story for a gym and classrooms, in addition to a 2,930-square-foot lobby. It’s also looking to add 23 new parking spaces and make some changes to its existing interior and exterior. BAPS’ space now spans over 65,000 square feet.
    • Camden County military members, veterans, and their spouses can access free legal services at the township’s One-Stop Career Center starting this month. The first Veterans Will Clinic, offering last will and testament, power of attorney, and an advance directive, is today. The second will be on July 29, The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell reports.
    • The community is mourning Robin Cogan, a West alum who became a Camden City School District school nurse and national health and safety advocate. She died of cancer at Cooper University Hospital earlier this month.
    • Camden County residents have reported a spate of roving peacocks in recent weeks. Reporter Sarah Nicell reminds that in March, Cherry Hill had its own rogue peacock sighting.
    • Heads up for drivers: Work continues on Kresson Road, which will have a partial closure westbound between Springdale Road and Ravenswood Way from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday.
    • Ready for spooky season? Summer just began, but Spirit Halloween is already preparing its return to the Plaza at Cherry Hill. (42 Freeway)

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • More than 500 East students graduated in a ceremony at Temple University’s Liacouras Center last week. South Jersey Media has photos from the event.
    • East has a relatively high summative rating, according to data from the state Department of Education’s annual School Performance Reports, which gave it an 83.98. The score factors in graduation rates, standardized test scores, student academic growth, and chronic absenteeism, among other things. West’s rating falls considerably lower at 32. (NJ.com)

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Soft-shell crab season is officially here. Looking for a spot to snag the sweet, briny dish? The Inquirer’s Michael Klein suggests trying the dish at Caffe Aldo Lamberti, where the presentation regularly changes.
    • The “lucky six” soup dumplings at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao are the best dumplings in the state, according to a ranking from NJ.com. The outlet noted that they come in a rainbow of colors and are filled with ingredient combinations like truffle and pork, scallops and pork, and shrimp and pork.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🛼 Summer Kickoff Skate Party: Celebrate the end of the school year and the state of summer with face painting, a glam station, relay races, and hidden beach balls. ⏰ Thursday, June 25, noon-8 p.m. 💵 $5 admission 📍 Hot Wheelz

    🗓️ In My Bag: Summer Social: This women’s-only event includes line dancing, singalongs, and networking. ⏰ Saturday, June 27, 2-5 p.m. 💵 $24.71 📍 Vera

    🦖 Jurassic Park: Teenagers can catch a screening of the popular 1993 film. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, June 30, 6-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library

    🏡 On the Market

    An updated Barclay home with curb appeal

    The front of the home features landscaping and hardscaping.

    Located in the Barclay section of Cherry Hill, this four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home has undergone a number of updates recently, including a full renovation to the kitchen. The space features stainless steel appliances and a subway tile backsplash. Also on the first floor is a living room, dining room, a den with a fireplace, and a bonus room. Upstairs there’s an office as well as all four bedrooms, including the primary suite with a walk-in closet. Out back, there’s a stone water feature and landscaping.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $625,000 | Size: 2,366 SF | Acreage: 0.27

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

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    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.