New car previews
in Driven
p. 15-18
8-page section with tips on
buying and selling a home
p. 25-32
Bauers taking
amazing sailing trip
p. 19
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
HPD SEEKING MISSING GUN, DRUGS
Volume 19 • Issue 22
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Police are
asking for help in finding a missing handgun and medications
after receiving a report about their
theft from a vehicle at 2 a.m. on
May 30, Hammonton Police Captain Nick Salvatore said.
A resident of the 500 block of
www.hammontongazette.com
Fairview Avenue reported a theft
from a vehicle to police, Salvatore
said.
“The subject reported that he
found missing from his vehicle,
one Taurus .357 Magnum and prescription medicine,” Salvatore
said.
Anyone with any information
regarding the theft can contact the
Hammonton Police Department at
561-4000, Salvatore said.
Officer William Kurz was the
investigating officer, Salvatore
said.
In other police news, two men
are facing charges and one is in
jail following a car stop on Bellevue Avenue (Route 54) near Egg
Harbor Road (Route 561) at 7:22
p.m. on May 31, Salvatore said.
Calixto Negron, 53, of Ham-
monton was stopped and charged
with obstructing traffic, uninsured
motorist and possession of controlled dangerous substance marijuana under 50 grams in a motor
vehicle, Salvatore said.
His passenger, Seth Lawrenson,
20, of Hammonton was charged
with possession of controlled dangerous substance marijuana under
50 grams, resisting arrest and ter-
roristic threats, Salvatore said.
Lawrenson was placed in the
Atlantic County Jail in lieu of
$2,500 bail set by Hammonton
Municipal Judge Frank Raso, Salvatore said.
Sgt. Sam Mavilla was the arresting officer, Salvatore said.
Also, police arrested a man who
was discovered to be a missing
Baez joins Gribbin, Sadfest draws hundreds to town
Wuillermin on ticket
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—On May 31,
Hammonton First announced its
three candidates for three open
seats on Hammonton Town Council in November. Councilmen
Thomas Gribbin and Edward
See POLICE, Page 4
Wuillermin will be seeking reelection, while new candidate
Elsie Baez is aiming for her first
term on council. The event to introduce the candidates was held at
the Alley Bar and Grille at DiDonato Family Fun Center, as families, friends and supporters of
140 years for
Mt. Carmel Feast
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—This year
marks the 140th Feast of Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival in
Hammonton from Monday, July
13 to Saturday, July 18, sponsored
by Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society, founded in 1875. It is a cele-
See TOWN, Page 3
bration for individuals throughout
the area, and it is more than just
the carnival rides, entertainment
and food that is offered. For the
Mt. Carmel Society and the community, it is about religious devotion and keeping the tradition
alive. Their ancestors started it
more than a century ago, and it has
THG/Jim Tretick. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The three-day musical event SADfest brought hundreds to the former St. Martin de Porres church grounds. The purpose
of the festival was to raise awareness for suicide, addiction and depression and encourage attendees to be a bigger
part of their communities, according to a press release from organizers. For more photos, see Page 14.
Father Tom Donio celebrating 20 years as priest
See MT. CARMEL, Page 4
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—St. Mary of
Mt. Carmel Pastor the Rev.
Thomas Donio had a long and
unique path to ultimately being ordained as a priest 20 years ago at
the age of 41. Growing up in
Hammonton, Donio was interested in music and the arts but
after initial intrigue in the teachings from the Religious Teachers
Filippini at St. Joseph Regional
School, he pursued the seminary
and leads the local Catholic parish
today.
Donio said he wanted to become a priest early on in his childhood, but eventually had other
interests, including pursuing
teaching. He left St. Joseph Regional School after fifth grade and
went to Hammonton Public
Schools the remainder of his time
before graduating from Hammon-
At the school district,
plans for the summer
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Paul J. Macrie IV. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The Rev. Thomas Donio is celebrating 20 years as a priest.
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HAMMONTON—Another academic year for the Hammonton
School District is about to conclude. The end of the year hustle
and bustle continues, but the beginning of the summer doesn’t
See DONIO, Page 12
mean that the projects and goals
from a school maintenance and academic standpoint will cease.
There are several notable projects
that the district will be performing
during the months of June, July
and August, plus there are summer
courses being offered for various
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See SCHOOL, Page 14