• Extension cords blamed in fire
WOODBURY When friends, neighbors and patients heard about a pre-dawn fire Wednesday in a Delaware Street home, they thought it couldn't possibly have happened to this wonderful couple again.

• Family of hunter won't stop search
PAULSBORO The family of a missing duck hunter said Wednesday they will not stop searching until the 23-year-old Gibbstown man is found.

• Fugitives given chance for safe surrender
CAMDEN Rodney Campbell could be the poster child for the allure of the fugitive safe surrender program.

• Pension credits under scrutiny
The conviction of former Sen. Wayne Bryant rang the alarm on public-sector attorneys who sent subordinates to perform their work, a practice the defense argued was common throughout New Jersey.

• Teachers back student's story in intimidation case
WOODBURY A series of Kingsway High School teachers testified Wednesday to corroborate the story of a student who claims she was intimidated by her coach to recant on claims of a sexual relationship with another teacher.

• Another round, but no bids for WT liquor licenses
WASHINGTON TWP. Ott's has one. PJ Whelihan's has one. Salina Wine & Liquor has one. The Liquor Hut was the last to get one.

• Bryant guilty of corruption with ex-UMDNJ dean
TRENTON Former Sen. Wayne Bryant, who over a quarter-century rose to become one of the most influential legislators in New Jersey, was found guilty Tuesday of using his power for personal gain.

• Coach's misconduct trial opens
WOODBURY Just eight days after a fellow coach was charged with having a sexual tryst with a Kingsway High School student-athlete, a colleague allegedly went on a mission to get the girl to change her story.

• House to be handicapped-accessible
DEPTFORD TWP. For the past decade, students at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology have worked with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for those in need.

• Jury deliberates in Bryant case
TRENTON Jurors deliberated for the first full day Monday in the corruption trial of former state Sen. Wayne Bryant, without reaching a verdict.

• SEC discusses binge drinking, underage consumption
TRENTON The state Senate Education Committee held a special hearing Monday morning on underage drinking on college campuses, prompted by a recent petition signed by more than 140 college presidents.

• State's U.S. attorney to resign Dec. 1
By John P. Martin and Josh Margolin

• '08 elections to alter Capitol landscape
By Jessica Coomes

• Eatery unfazed by liquor approval
HARRISON TWP. ÊIf there's anyone in Mullica Hill who knows how well a nice glass of Merlot can accentuate a plate of fine pasta, it's Mimmo Atie.

• Fight looms on auto bailout
By Stephen Ohlemacher

• Gibbstown man fell into Mantua Creek
PAULSBORO The search for a duck hunter who fell into Mantua Creek after his boat overturned has turned into a "recovery operation," a spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday.

• N.J. to fugitives: Surrender safely
By Angela Delli Santi

• As more residents lose homes, local animal shelter sees the four-footed victims
Sasha is an affectionate, 8-year-old beagle who lived happily with her owners until they recently lost their home to foreclosure.

• County says it foresaw trouble
A $4 million revenue shortfall is what Gloucester County faces this year because of the struggling economy and stagnant housing market, officials conceded this past week.

• Hunter missing as boat flips
PAULSBORO A duck hunter was missing late Saturday night after the boat he and three others were in capsized in the Mantua Creek about the time a fast-moving rainstorm passed through the region.

• Fatal DWI sentence: Six years
WOODBURY When a young Persian Gulf veteran died last year in a car crash, her family went on a mission in search of justice.

• Jury gets Bryant corruption case
TRENTON Ð Jurors began deliberations Friday in the federal corruption trial of former Sen. Wayne Bryant, once one of New Jersey's most powerful legislators, accused of using his influence to get a "low-work" job at the state's medical school to pad his taxpayer-funded pension.

• Woman admits rest home killing
WOODBURY Sharon Maslanka, a woman accused of strangling a man to death in a National Park rest home, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter Friday evening.

• Attorney: No crime in Bryant case
TRENTON Federal prosecutors put former Sen. Wayne Bryant's personal and professional life under a microscope for a year but failed to find a crime, his attorney said Thursday in closing arguments.

• Bond planned to bail out township
EAST GREENWICH TWP. The township committee plans to bond $650,000 to bail the municipality out of a financial quagmire the mayor contends is left over from the last administration.

• Obamas enjoy fine food, wine, but hold the beets
By Deanna BellandiI

• WT council OKs library purchase
WASHINGTON TWP. After years of waiting, the township is finally getting what it's been asking for Ð a new, bigger library.

• Academy School project reduced
The Gloucester County Institute of Technology will be expanded to provide admission for more students under a plan that calls for a scaled-back Academy High School construction project first discussed last year.

• County flu shot program in full swing
Gloucester County has provided 14,636 flu shots to residents since the free vaccination program began on Oct.22 and offers 19 more clinics before the program ends on Dec. 29.

• Prosecution: Bryant offered post 'for hire'
TRENTON Former Sen. Wayne Bryant "sold" his public office to the School of Osteopathic Medicine in exchange for a stream of corrupt payments, a federal prosecutor told jurors Wednesday during closing arguments in Bryant's corruption trial.

• Show of respect: County honors vets while it expands services
DEPTFORD TWP. To many, Veterans Day is seen as a day off from work or a day of sales at the stores, but those at Gloucester County College on Tuesday for the county's annual ceremony were reminded of its true significance.

• State has Obama to-do list
From those advocating for health care reform to others pushing alternative energy production, organizations in New Jersey are waiting, rather impatiently, for President-elect Barack Obama to begin work in the Oval Office.

• Trio sought in Rowan assaults
GLASSBORO Four Rowan University students were robbed Ð two of them beaten in the process ÐÊby a group of armed men early Tuesday morning, police said.

• County searching for target range site
After local opposition removed South Harrison Township from the list of potential sites for a police shooting range, law enforcement officials are continuing their search for a suitable location for the much-needed practice range.

• Higher landlord fee would pay for new officer in Woodbury
WOODBURY The city has plans to hire a new police officer by next year, a move that will be funded by raising the landlord licensing and inspection fees here.

• Students honor local veterans
WASHINGTON TWP. A sea of red-, white- and blue-clad children greeted dozens of local veterans Monday morning with patriotic songs and thank-you notes to honor those who have served the country.

• Eagles tailgating just fun at games
PHILADELPHIA They show up in roaring droves while the hours of the day are still counting off the remainder of the morning.

• Schools to extend veteran services
The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities wants its nine member schools Ð among them, Rowan University Ð to do more to serve students who are veterans.

• County GOP still hopeful
Republican leaders in Gloucester County were certain that at least one freeholder candidate would end the decade-long Democratic stronghold here.

• Phillies poised to become champs in another area Ð merchandising.
You've seen them on billboards hawking hometown sweets.

• Rowan Blvd. rises without a ruckus
GLASSBORO Diane Rennles is happy with the borough's financial offer for her Whitney Avenue home and grateful for their offers to ease her transition to a new residence, but she and her husband are still having difficulty finding a place that can compare to their home in Glassboro.

• Economic woes push gas prices below $2
While people are still concerned about the slumping economy, motorists across the region have benefited from the market contraction and are paying far less at the pump than earlier this year.

• Family sues in fatal crash
WASHINGTON TWP. The family of a local soldier who lost his life in a motorcycle accident just a few months after he returned home from Iraq is suing the township for wrongful death, because the sharp curve in the road where the accident occurred was poorly lit and marked.

• Voters wrote in big names
Barack Obama and John McCain may have been the two major-party candidates on the ballot for president, but that doesn't mean some other high-profile names didn't get some attention.

• Corzine at center of Obama cabinet talk
By Josh Margolin and Claire Heininger

• County gang sweep nets 59
WOODBURY Nearly 60 people, all of them with alleged ties to various violent street gangs, have been arrested following a five-month investigation into gang activity in suburban Gloucester County.

• Bryant defense: Another senator had high pension
TRENTON Attorneys for former Sen. Wayne Bryant and his co-defendant, R. Michael Gallagher, on Wednesday presented the jury with what could be the last pieces of evidence in defense of federal corruption charges, making way for closing arguments next week.

• Officer hurt, 1 held in holdup, collision
DEPTFORD TWP. One of the men allegedly responsible for a botched bank robbery that injured a police officer was still missing Wednesday evening as police wrapped up a day-long manhunt.

• Teachers see historic lesson in Obama win
It may be awhile before Barack Obama's win as president appears in new editions of school textbooks, but educators agree the moment the country elected its first black president will definitely fall on the timeline of this nation's historic events.

• Democrats sweep in WT
WASHINGTON TWP. Local Democrats maintained their stronghold over the township Tuesday as voters, concerned with steadily increasing property taxes, elected Democrat Matthew Lyons as the next mayor, and his running mates Ray MacDowell and Scott Newman as new councilmen.

• Harrison OKs serving alcohol
HARRISON TWP. Posited with the question of whether the sale of alcohol by the glass should be permitted in this historically dry town, voters here approved a measure Tuesday that will allow beer to flow and wine to be poured in restaurants located in the township's new town center.

• N.J. goes convincingly to Obama
Democrat Barack Obama won New Jersey easily over Republican John McCain Tuesday, in a state that has long leaned Democratic.

• Defense witness: Funds not from Bryant
TRENTON Wayne Bryant was not behind the School of Osteopathic Medicine's getting $2.3 million in state funding while he worked on the campus, a defense witness testified Monday in the former senator's corruption trial.

• Valero offers wash after oil release
PAULSBORO An undetermined amount of slurry oil used in Valero Refining Co.'s gasoline production process was released from the Valero Refinery here Thursday evening, affecting a number of neighboring properties.

• Voters may see election freebies
Hitting the polls today may earn voters more than a voice in the nation's most important political contest. Freebies include coffee, ice cream and even vaccinations.

• Westville students cast mock election votes
WESTVILLE Barack Obama swept the election here Monday, garnering 215 electoral votes to John McCain's 34.

• Clothing bin proliferation prompts WT measure
WASHINGTON TWP. Donation drop boxes have appeared at some of Mark Grecco's retail properties almost overnight.

• Students staying closer to home
Statewide, full-time student enrollment at the state's 19 community colleges increased by a record 6.4 percent from Fall 2007 to Fall 2008 a jump experienced by some community colleges but not others, according to a recent report.

• Coattail effect likely on Election Day, but not a given
The Obama family graced the cover of People magazine, and Cindy McCain got a spread in Vogue.

• Congressional veterans not seeking a shift
By Jessica Coomes

• Races closer to home have own drama
With a record number of registered voters in what is expected to be a record-breaking presidential election, those going to the polls on Tuesday should remember to look at the rest of the ballot.

• Area Phillies fans join one crazy scene on Broad Street
PHILADELPHIA ÊMadness. Total madness.

• Parade is a late luxury for Phils fans
PHILADELPHIA A City of Philadelphia press release dictating the itinerary for Friday's Phillies championship parade noted that the team's caravan would arrive at Citizens Bank Park at 1:45 p.m.

• Schools hit with the Phlu
It's not the flu, or the chicken pox. It's Phillies Phever.

• Region at last gets its parade
PHILADELPHIA ÊIf it's sometime around lunchtime and you're just reading this, chances are you're either stuck at work or somehow forgot there's a little bit of a celebration going on in this baseball-crazed town.

• Schools across county, country host mock elections
By Siobhan A. Counihan and Jessica Driscoll

• Witness: Bryant's work Ônot a concern'
TRENTON Ð It made no difference whether attorneys hired by the Gloucester County Board of Social Services completed their work themselves or passed it on to employees of their law firms, a witness said Thursday in the corruption trial of former Sen. Wayne Bryant.

• 1st hopefuls in final duel
VOORHEES TWP. It was the last chance for the two major-party candidates in the 1st Congressional District to meet head-to-head during what has been a highly publicized campaign.

• Corzine: Need 2nd stimulus
Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Wednesday pressed Congress for a new economic stimulus package, with an emphasis on funding for public infrastructure projects nationwide, to help rebuild the crumbling economy.

• Phillies end region's quarter-century title drought
PHILADELPHIA Ð Phillies manager Charlie Manuel's message to his team all year was. "We're going to try to win tonight and we've got another game to play tomorrow."

• Election Day more an off day
Logan Township students and teachers will spend Election Day at home this year after several teachers requested the legal holiday in the midst of contract negotiations.

• Officials say A.C. will fare slump well
The chips may be down at Atlantic City casinos, but a South Jersey assemblyman said Tuesday it should not keep visitors away.

• Through the storm, Phillies and Rays rest and plan
PHILADELPHIA It was 2 a.m. Tuesday when the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays arrived at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Del. Nearly three hours had passed since the official suspension of Game 5 of the World Series, and everybody was dizzy and confused.

• Assembly approves bills to help economy
TRENTON The New Jersey Assembly on Monday approved a sweeping package of bills intended to help struggling families during the economic downturn and to allow residents and small businesses to emerge stronger from the worldwide financial crisis.

• Boat purchased to help patrol waterways
WOODBURY The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office has a new tool for fighting crime.

• First building opens at Rowan's Tech Park
MANTUA TWP. The first building of the South Jersey Technology Park officially opened on Monday an event which Rowan University president Dr. Donald Farish called an opportunity for the university to interface with established and up-and-coming businesses that require the research and development skills of its students.

• Parents oppose uniform policy
DEPTFORD TWP. Parents, students and other concerned residents packed the Blackwood Terrace administration building for the board of education meeting Monday night to voice their opinions on a proposed mandatory uniform policy for the district.

• County seeks sewer use OK
County officials are looking to team up with Salem County and the DuPont Chambers Works facility in Carneys Point to provide sewer services to municipalities in both counties currently relying on septic services.

• House scares up aid for needy
PITMAN A borough resident has found a way to combine tricks for brave visitors with treats for people in need just in time for Halloween.

• Debate over a need to Ôno'
This year's Republican candidates have accused Gloucester County's all-Democrat freeholder board of voting in "lockstep" during their decade-long reign.

• Debate over a need to Ôno'
This year's Republican candidates have accused Gloucester County's all-Democrat freeholder board of voting in "lockstep" during their decade-long reign.

• Energy issue has less fuel, but lingers
WASHINGTON This summer, when gas cost $3.99 a gallon in South Jersey, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd Dist., received more phone calls about the energy crisis than any other issue.

• Splash and dash - Phils win thriller after rain delay
PHILADELPHIA Jamie Moyer waited 22 big-league seasons before pitching in his first World Series.

• County GOP still short of $100G target
The Republican Party in Gloucester County has not yet met its lofty goal of raising $100,000 for the 2008 freeholder campaign.

• It's extra game days for them
WASHINGTON TWP. The Philadelphia Phillies are well-known for having rowdy fans, and Marge Carter and Marian Wright are no different.

• Smithsonian food exhibit opens at city library
WOODBURY Ever wonder why pork roll and salt water taffy are so popular in New Jersey? And did you know that grape juice, the tomato pie and M&Ms were all invented in the Garden State?

• 1st District rivals focus on money, promises
GLOUCESTER CITY The two major-party candidates in the 1st Congressional District used their time during a debate Thursday night to concentrate on specific points.

• Ballpark cooks up special welcome for Series
PHILADELPHIA Citizens Bank Park won't be filled with World Series spectators until Saturday, when the Tampa Bay Rays come to Philadelphia to face off with the Phillies, but the stadium is already abuzz with excitement as crews work to prepare for the days ahead.

• School VP: Bonus wasn't tied to Bryant
TRENTON Nearly $100,000 in bonuses awarded to the dean who hired Wayne Bryant at the School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM) were not linked to money the former senator allegedly funneled the school, according to testimony Thursday in Bryant's corruption trial.