Lemoncello maker
opens in town
p. 9
Let’s raise a glass, or a
stein to the new year
p. 15-18
Swarthmore players
stage new show
p. 29
HPD: TOWN AMONG SAFEST
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Volume 22 • Issue 1
by Stephen Pistone
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—the town of
Hammonton has evolved a lot dur-
ing the past few decades and so has
the landscape of crime that occurs
and the way it is patrolled by the
www.hammontongazette.com
Lt. friel cites revitalization, community efforts
town’s police.
Hammonton Police Lt. Kevin
friel has served on the Hammon-
ton Police force since february of
1993 and said due to the revitaliza-
tion of many parts of the town over
the years, the residents and busi-
ness owners of Hammonton pos-
sess a heightened sense of
ownership in the town and aware-
ness to potential crimes that may
be happening, which has resulted
in a more proactive approach from
the police department.
“Before, it really was the police
department’s job to just police and
provide safety for the community.
i think now that there’s more of a
team effort, now that the commu-
nity has a vested interest in it—
now that the businesses downtown
have a vested interest in it—in-
stead of people turning a blind eye
Arrests made during Building town’s giant blueberry
holiday weeks
by Gabe Donio
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—Police made
several arrests last week, includ-
ing the following, Hammonton
Police Det. Sgt. edward Slimm
wrote in a report.
• On December 23 at approxi-
See CRIME, Page 14
mately 8:50 p.m., Victorino Diaz-
Sanchez, 59, of Hammonton, was
stopped for a motor vehicle viola-
tion in the area of West end av-
enue, Slimm wrote. He was found
to be operating the motor vehicle
while under the influence of in-
toxicating beverage(s), Slimm
wrote. He was charged with 39:4-
Choice a success,
school officials say
by Stephen Pistone
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—for the past
seven years, the Hammonton
School District has opened its
doors to students from the
surrounding communities via the
interdistrict Public School Choice
See POLICE, Page 12
Helps students,
creates revenue
Program,
a
New
Jersey
Department
of
education-
sponsored program that gives
students the ability to attend public
schools in districts they don’t
LoBiondo honors Gazette in D.C. Locals anticipate
See CHOICE, Page 10
THG/Gina Rullo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Kevin Rodio, owner of Spellcaster Productions and Kathedral Event Center, built the giant blueberry for the town’s
New Year’s Eve celebration. Rodio told The Gazette he was donating his time and materials for the party.
Photo courtesy of
Congressman Frank LoBiondo
Congressman Frank A. Lo-
Biondo (R-2nd) wore the T-
shirt commemorating The
Hammonton Gazette ’s 20th
anniversary in front of the
United States Capitol Build-
ing in this photograph from
2017. LoBiondo has repre-
sented New Jersey’s Second
Congressional District, which
includes Hammonton, since
1995.
The Gazette published its first
edition on July 2, 1997, just
two days before Independ-
ence Day.
The inscription on the photo-
graph, which was received in
the mail from Washington,
D.C., last week as The
Gazette ’s yearlong 20th an-
niversary celebration con-
cluded, reads as follows:
“Gabe + Gina Congratula-
tions + Best Wishes Frank”
SUBSCRIBE TO The
a happier 2018
by Stephen Pistone
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—Now that
the holiday season in Hammonton
has officially come to a conclu-
sion, the focus of many local resi-
dents shifts to a cognizant state of
self-reflection and determination.
Many use New Year’s eve as an
opportunity to proclaim several
resolutions, which they aim to
achieve over the course of the
coming year in order to live a
healthier and happier 2018.
Hammonton resident Benjamin
Ott had an eventful 2017, a year
during which he started a new fi-
nancial planning job in town and
Pros provide tips
for a healthy year
by Stephen Pistone
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—the cheerful
indulgence of the holiday season
and the cold weather that comes
with it can often lead to some peo-
ple losing focus regarding their
health and physical fitness. How-
See 2018, Page 2
ever, as the new year approaches,
many will pledge to enter 2018
with a focus on fitness and finding
a balance in their diets and lives.
Shedding a few extra holiday
pounds is an attainable goal, but it
takes a determined and organized
game plan to make the jump from
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See FITNESS, Page 3