Massive Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Declared Over

By Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Iceberg lettuce was tied to a outbreak of cyclospora cases. By Ildar Imashev, Getty Images

The outbreak at the center of the nation’s largest known surge of the explosive diarrhea illness cyclosporiasis is over, officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak, linked directly to lettuce, as ended on Sept. 11, with a tally of 12,883 lab-confirmed cases across 21 states since May 1.

The CDC is still investigating several case clusters of the parasitic illness nationwide, but has only identified the source of one – iceberg lettuce grown by produce giant Taylor Farms in Mexico. At least five other outbreaks are still under investigation, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s foodborne illness investigations page.

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Nominate Excellence in Historic Preservation – 2026 Preservation Awards

Help us recognize the people and projects preserving New Jersey’s history!

Preservation New Jersey is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards, and we want to hear from you.

Each year, the Preservation Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals, organizations, projects, and initiatives making a meaningful impact on historic preservation throughout the Garden State. From exceptional rehabilitation and restoration projects to preservation leadership, advocacy, education, and scholarship, these awards recognize the people and work helping ensure New Jersey’s historic places have a future.

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Philly’s Biggest Eagles Tailgate Party Flies Again

Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s largest and longest running tailgate celebration is back to celebrate the return of the Eagles, sports fans and our city. DJ Smooth (Austin Sotoloff) and Smooth Event Group announce the 10th Anniversary Season for the Eagles Smooth Tailgate Party at Stateside Live! starting with the Eagles Home Opener on Sunday, September 13th – with events every single home game for 2026-2027. Hundreds of fans from around Philadelphia, Main Line, suburbs, South Jersey and the Shore will flock to South Philly for the most over-the-top and top quality go birds celebration.

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Lakewood Man Charged With Aggravated Arson

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 3, 2026, Yaakov Stern, 48, of Lakewood, was charged with Aggravated Arson in connection with an incident that occurred in Lakewood Township on August 25, 2026.

On August 25, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Lakewood Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a structure fire on Delaware Trail. Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed an active structure fire; the fire was subsequently extinguished.

An investigation by the Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau led to the identification of Stern as the individual responsible for starting the fire. On September 3, 2026, Stern was taken into custody by Detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

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Pennsylvania Sunday Hunting Regulations

2026-27 marks the first Pennsylvania hunting season with Sunday hunting expanded to include all Sundays that fall within season start and end dates, except migratory game bird seasons.

While Sunday hunting is open for all state game lands and state forests, it’s limited in some state parks and state preserves.

REVIEW SUNDAY HUNTING REGULATIONS

Brauhaus Schmitz Brings Munich to Philly

Philadelphia, PA – Brauhaus Schmitz, located at 718 South Street, will bring the sights, sounds and tastes of Munich to the Philadelphia region at two of Pennsylvania’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations. First up, get ready to raise a liter and dance in the street as South Street Oktoberfest returns for its 18th year on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, on the 700 block of South Street. The all-day, all-ages celebration attracts around 10,000 people and features a biergarten for over 1,000 people, live oom-pah music all day, German dancers, the liter lift competition, a dozen German beers, signature Bavarian dishes, face painting, outdoor games, family fun and much more.

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Bridgeton Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Identity Theft

Woodbury, NJ – Akeem Johnson, 43, of Bridgeton, was sentenced to 5 years in state prison today by the Honorable Russell A. DePersia for identity theft, pursuant to a plea agreement.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in open court: Johnson, who worked for a third-party contractor responsible for delivering Amazon packages to USPS facilities, failed to deliver multiple pallets of packages and used a co-worker’s identification to access an Amazon facility in Logan Township to take possession of the packages. The stolen merchandise was valued at more than $75,000.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, he was sentenced to 5 years in state prison. Johnson was also sentenced to concurrent sentences for two cases out of Cumberland County.

The State was represented by Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Rex Utuk.

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JerseyCan Opens Enrollment For It’s 2026-2027 Fellowships

JerseyCAN, the only statewide advocacy organization in New Jersey committed to ensuring access to high-quality public schools for every child, regardless of zip code, cultural background, and socioeconomic status, announced today that it has formally opened enrollment for the 7th year of its statewide Fellowship programs – JerseyCAN’s Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship and Parent Champions for Strong Schools Fellowship.

JerseyCAN developed each competitive fellowship to foster statewide dialogue and change in education policy, strengthen the voices of the three key constituencies within the state’s education decision-making landscape, and cultivate a strong, connected network of education advocates across New Jersey. Since its inception, the JerseyCAN fellowship program has helped develop over 100 leaders across the state actively involved in education policy decisions and activism. After multiple successful years with its Teacher and Parent Fellowships, JerseyCAN expanded last year to reach students with its newly created JerseyCAN Student Civic Leaders Fellowship. The addition was led in partnership with Samantha Shane, a 2022–23 JerseyCAN Teacher Fellow, who advocated for the third student-focused program to empower public school students by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become effective advocates for issues that directly impact them and their peers.

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New Jersey Has Free Beginner Fishing Workshops This Fall

New Jersey is offering free hands-on fishing workshops for beginners and families at four locations this fall. All equipment, bait, and tackle are provided—you just show up ready to learn.

Workshops cover fish biology, equipment setup, casting, safety, and fishing regulations. You’ll practice your new skills with a guided fishing experience at each location.

Three workshops are scheduled in September and October across North, Central, and South Jersey. This includes a Grandparents’ Day workshop on September 13 in Hackettstown. Programs are open to ages 8 and up (some workshops 10+).

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Philadelphia Police Investigating Double Shooting

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at approximately 2:49 p.m., Philadelphia Police responded to a double shooting on the highway in the 2900 block of North Broad Street. A 36-year-old female sustained two gunshot wounds and was transported by police to Temple University Hospital, where she was placed in critical condition. A 41-year-old male sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and was transported by SEPTA Police to Temple University Hospital, where he was also placed in critical condition.

The scene is being held, and the investigation remains ongoing with the Shooting Investigation Group (SIG).