Maps of Hammonton
landmarks: LITTLE ITALY
Ultimate Fantasy
Football Guide
p. 21-32
p. 19
Theater group putting
on Guys and Dolls
p. 33
KNIGHTS HONOR RODIO
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Volume 19 • Issue 33
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Knights
of Columbus Hall of the Knights
of Columbus Pallotti Council
3741 was renamed “James N.
Rodio Hall” in honor of longtime
member and volunteer James N.
www.hammontongazette.com
K of C names Pratt Street hall for James N. Rodio
Rodio in front of a crowd of approximately 150 Rodio family
members, fellow Knights of
Columbus members, clergy,
Mayor Stephen DiDonato and his
wife Debbie and friends on the
evening of August 11.
School board OKs
Hawks, HYSA fields
by Brittany Mauro
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Board of Education met
for their monthly meeting August
13 to update the town on the
Hammonton Youth Soccer Asso-
The hall, located at 226 Pratt
Street in the heart of Hammonton’s Little Italy section, was filled
with well-wishers. The naming of
the hall was a surprise to Rodio.
Knights of Columbus Pallotti
Council Grand Knight Steve Cap-
puccio spoke about Rodio’s dedication to the organization.
“He has been a member since
1952. Through his faith and monetary help, he has been personally
instrumental in keeping the Pallotti Council together,” Cappuccio
said.
Rodio, who grew up in the
Rosedale section of Winslow
Twp., adjacent to Hammonton,
was the longtime owner of Egg
Harbor City-based radio station
See RODIO, Page 16
ciation.
“The HYSA [Hammonton
Youth Soccer Association] provides a tremendous service to the
town of Hammonton and the
school,” board member Eric
Weiss said.
He added that he wanted to see
Penza’s Hardware
closing after 57 yrs.
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
H A M M O N TO N — P e n z a ’s
Hardware, located at the corner of
Central Avenue and Vine Street, is
closing after 57 years in business,
owner Paul Pancari told The
Gazette. Pancari cited “the economic situation” as the main reason for closing his business, a
See SCHOOL, Page 3
one-man hardware store that was
relied upon by residents and business owners, particularly in the
agricultural industry, for decades.
Pancari said he will seek employment elsewhere. He gave an
interview to The Gazette behind
the counter of his store, which retained its throwback atmosphere
as the decades passed. Shelves
Hammonton Center holds carnival Local man arrested
See PENZA, Page 12
THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
On August 11, the Knights of Columbus Pallotti Council honored James N. Rodio by naming their Pratt Street hall
after him. Rodio is pictured with Pallotti Council Grand Knight Steve Cappuccio (left).
for sexual assault
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Louis
Figueroa, 35, of the 300 block of
Railroad Avenue was arrested at
11:50 p.m. on August 14 for aggravated sexual assault and child
endangerment, Hammonton Police Chief Robert Jones said.
The victim’s name was not released due to the victim’s status as
a juvenile.
Bail was set at $250,000 by
Judge Robert Switzer, Jones said.
Figueroa was transferred to the
Commission hears
about storm cleanup
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Kevin Troilo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Miss New Jersey Lindsey Giannini attended the August 16 carnival at the Hammonton Center. There were games,
bounce houses, music, food and more. For more pictures from the event, see Page 10.
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HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Environmental Commission met on August 12 to discuss
various happenings and continue
planning for upcoming town
events. Vice chairperson Terri
Caruso-Cafiso acted as chairperson during the meeting in the ab-
See CRIME, Page 4
sence of Robert Reitmeyer.
Councilman Steven Furgione
told the committee that they could
expect a presentation about tree
risk assessment during the September or October meeting. Furgione also provided a final update
on the condition of the town after
the June 23 storm that struck the
area.
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See COMMISSION, Page 4