News from the
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Local professionals offer
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Dinosaurs come
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SHRIMP THIEF NETTED
p. 16-17
p. 19-24
p. 33
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Volume 20 • Issue 32
by Gabe Donio
GAzette StAFF Writer
www.hammontongazette.com
Chief: Ortega caught in Pleasantville
Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department on August 3 on charges related to the alleged theft of shrimp
on three separate days in April and
May from the Hammonton
Shoprite, including 47 bags of
shrimp worth $1,355 on May 20,
Hammonton Police Chief robert
Jones said.
Ortega’s bail was set at $50,000
by Hammonton Municipal Court
Judge Frank raso, Jones said. He
was placed in the Atlantic County
Jail in lieu of payment of bail, according to Jones.
On July 25, Hammonton Police
charged Ortega with fourth-degree
shoplifting and fourth-degree con-
Ruberton is acting Police honored at Night Out
county prosecutor
PLeASANtViLLe—israel Ortega, 44, of Pleasantville, was arrested in Pleasantville by the
by Gina Rullo
GAzette StAFF Writer
MAYS LANDiNG—On August 2, Atlantic County’s First Assistant Prosecutor Diane ruberton
was sworn in as Acting Atlantic
County Prosecutor, replacing
Prosecutor Jim McClain, who—at
See POLICE, Page 15
First female
acting prosecutor
for Atlantic Co.
the same time—took the oath of
office of Atlantic County Superior
Court Judge. ruberton is a Hammonton resident.
National Night Out:
public, police together
by Kevin Troilo
GAzette StAFF Writer
HAMMONtON—Hammonton
High School hosted the fourth annual National Night Out on Friday, July 5. What began as a
See RUBERTON, Page 10
community outreach program in
the early 1980s has ballooned into
a nationwide phenomenon and is
now held in more than 16,000
communities in all 50 states. the
event is held as an outlet for local
police to interact and form rela-
Fun ‘Jersey Fringe’ Festival Municipality 1 of 3
See NIGHT, Page 12
THG/Kevin Troilo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The Hammonton Home and School Association presented a plaque to the Hammonton Police Department at Friday
night’s National Night Out. Pictured above are: Officer Chris Clements, Lieutenant Mark Fiorentino, Hammonton
Home and School Association President Aimee Barts and Vice President Angela DiMatteo.
‘green’ pilot towns
‘Piazza’ project
discussed
by Franki Rudnesky
GAzette CONtributiNG Writer
HAMMONtON—On August 1,
2016, a kick-off meeting for Mainstreaming Green infrastructure was
held at 2:30 p.m. at town hall and
lasted approximately two hours.
Mainstreaming Green infrastructure is a program launched by New
Jersey Future that intends to make
green infrastructure the primary
option for stormwater management
in New Jersey. Green infrastructure
is a method of managing rain,
stormwater and snowmelt using
ShopRite, Merlino
Bros. help ALS effort
by Anne Sparaco
GAzette CONtributiNG Writer
THG/Kevin Troilo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Live music and theater were provided throughout the weekend at the first annual New Jersey Fringe Festival.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONtON—At first, it
seemed like just a social media
trend between friends. eventually,
the ALS ice bucket Challenge
made a significant impact by raising millions of dollars for research.
it all wasn’t enough for Pennsylva-
See GREEN, Page 2
nia native, Larry Kaplan, who has
decided to put a twist on the movement to continue to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
inspired by people’s stories and
the ice bucket videos on social
media, Kaplan has begun his own
“50 in 30 Challenge,” in which he
is having a specific food that represents each state in the country
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See ALS, Page 4