The Hammonton Gazette 04/01/20 Digital Edition | Page 2

More pics of kids
learning at home
p. 28-30, 32-36
Only at
Graycewyngs
p. 9
Joe Canal’s - Hammonton Mirren discusses
now has curbside service
the royals
p. 18-21
Volume 24 • Issue 14
p. 37
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
www.hammontongazette.com
LOCAL DRUG, WEAPONS ARREST
Chief: Bondiskey facing drug and weapons charges
by Gabe Donio
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
ing drug and weapons charges following a
motor vehicle check of a suspicious vehicle
that occurred on Central Avenue near the
White Horse Pike (Route 30) at 6:45 a.m.
on March 30, Hammonton Police Chief
Kevin Friel said.
Sgt. Jason Rigby noted that on Central
Avenue near Route 30 there was a black
SUV stopped facing northbound in the
southbound lane of travel, Friel said.
Walking high off the ground in May
HAMMONTON—Joseph Bondiskey Jr.,
46, of Hammonton was arrested and is fac-
“The vehicle appeared to be running. It
had on headlamps and windshield wipers,”
Friel said.
As Rigby approached the vehicle, a sub-
ject popped up from beneath the dashboard
Social media’s role
in distancing era
by Joseph F. Berenato
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—As
local
government agencies, civic organ-
izations and businesses begin to
feel the effects of the closures and
social distancing mandates from
See POLICE, Page 2
Governor Phil Murphy’s Execu-
tive Order No. 107 in response to
the novel coronavirus (COVID-
19), more and more use is being
made of social media as a way to
stay in contact with the commu-
nity.
Town governance must con-
Town officials react
to ‘stay at home’
by Gabe Donio
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
Town mtgs. now
becoming virtual
Courtesy Photo
Highwire artist and Hammonton resident Justin Provoncha and his training partner Rylee Gallagher (pictured above
downtown Collingswood) are going to walk across the two pools on a highwire about 15 to 20 ft. in the air at the
Hammonton Swim Club on May 9 conditions permitting. Article in next week’s edition.
by Joseph F. Berenato
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—On March
16, in an address to the residents
of Hammonton regarding the
novel coronavirus (COVID-19),
Mayor Stephen DiDonato an-
nounced that the meeting of town
HAMMONTON—As the town
becomes accustomed to life in the
era of the novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) and the ramifications
of Governor Phil Murphy’s Exec-
utive Order No. 107 (2020), sev-
See SOCIAL MEDIA, Page 8
eral area officials spoke with The
Gazette regarding the roles that
emergency responders and depart-
ments will play in fighting the pan-
demic.
Hammonton Fire Chief Sean
Macri said that, for his department,
much has not changed.
“With a lot of it, it’s business as
See FRIEL, Page 3
council scheduled for March 23
was canceled.
“I personally made the decision
to postpone the meeting on March
23, in light of social distancing,”
DiDonato told The Gazette.
Such a cancellation is unprece-
dented.
“I’ve been here for 13 years,
Temporary triage
tent erected at ED
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—On March
24, AtlantiCare Regional Medical
Center (ARMC) set up a tempo-
rary triage tent outside its Satellite
Emergency Department in its
Health Park in Hammonton as a
precautionary measure.
“This is part of our standard
plan for how we prepare to care
for a possible increase in patients
as a result of flu or other illnesses
in an epidemic or pandemic situa-
tion. Should we have an increase
in patients with flu-like symptoms
or symptoms of COVID-19, we
See ATLANTICARE, Page 10
SUBSCRIBE TO The
Courtesy Photo
On March 24, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) set up a temporary triage tent outside its Satellite
Emergency Department in its Health Park in Hammonton as a precautionary measure.
Gazette • SUBSCRIBE NOW! • CALL 609-704-1939
by Gina L. Rullo
See TOWN, Page 12