John W. Dobleman, One of the Founders of the Gloucester City Cyclone Girls Softball Team

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNewsnet

(Gloucester City, NJ)(October 11, 2025)(CNBNews)--John W. Dobleman (photo) died suddenly on October 8, 2015, at the age of 48. A lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ, “Square Head”, as he was known, was one of the founders of the Gloucester Cyclones, a traveling softball team for young girls. Asked how he got his nickname, his older brother Ziggy said, “When I first saw him, after he was born, all I could see was his head sticking out of the blanket. I said he had a ‘Square Head’. The nickname stayed with him for the rest of his life.”

A graduate of Gloucester City High School, Class of ’85, John was an outstanding softball player and played for several men’s teams in the area when he was younger.

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Members and Associates of Philadelphia Omerta Indicted

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (July 30, 2024)(CNBNews)–United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that an indictment charging eight members and associates of a local Philadelphia gang known as Omerta was unsealed today. The indictment charges various crimes including racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit counterfeiting, and mail and wire fraud.

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Alleged Members and Associates of Philadelphia Mafia Indicted

PHILADELPHIA (November 12, 2020)(CNBNews)– United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that a Superseding Indictment was unsealed today against 15 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the South Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey-based criminal organization La Cosa Nostra (LCN), known as the “mafia” or the “mob.” The Superseding Indictment charges various crimes including racketeering conspiracy, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and drug trafficking.

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Another Shooting in Gloucester City

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ(CNBNEW)(MAY 17, 2025)—There was another shooting in Gloucester City, according to the Gloucester City Police Department. This incident occurred in the 200 block of Essex Street on Saturday, May 17, around 3:27 AM.

The police said they responded to the 200 block of Essex Street to a report of a gunshot. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that a gun had been fired on the street at that location. Police said there was no indication that a bullet struck anyone.

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WE ARE STILL OPEN!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Cleary’s Notebook News is still in operation. Unfortunately, Typepad, our website host, shut down unexpectedly with very little notice. We had over 70,000 articles on our site. Due to the short notice, we were unable to save the 25,000 comments along with the thousands of photos published over the 20 years we used Typepad. I am very grateful to my daughters, Kelly Ann Tussey and Connie Lynn Woods, and my grandson, Geoffrey Gettings, for their assistance. We continue to work on updating our newest page with the back articles. At the same time we continue to report the current news.

All NJMVC Facilities to Close for the State Holiday on Thursday, November 27th

TRENTON — All New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) facilities, including agencies, road test sites, and inspection stations, will be closed Thursday, November 27, 2025, in observance of the state holiday.

NJMVC facilities will be open for regular business the rest of the week, including Friday, November 28, and Saturday, November 29.

The Commission’s website at NJMVC.gov remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

New Jerseyans seeking motor vehicle services should always visit the website first to access over 25 online services, book required appointments for in-person services and driver testing, and find answers to common NJMVC customer questions.

Legendary Comedy Institution The Second City Announces Debut Of ‘This Might Get Awkward’

Legendary comedy institution The Second City has announced the launch of their limited podcast series, featuring comedian Allison Reese and social scientist and host of “The Psychology Podcast”, Scott Barry Kaufman called This Might Get Awkward. In six episodes, the hosts will attempt to have productive conversations with polarizing public figures, along with social scientists who study our society’s divide. Our hosts will use the affirmative powers of the improvisational concept “Yes, And…” to communicate through differences across the political spectrum — a skill set that seems to be sorely lacking these days. The first episode debut on November 17 and will feature a conversation with criminal justice reform activist and author Amanda Knox. Legendary comedy institution The Second City has announced the launch of their limited podcast series, featuring comedian Allison Reese and social scientist and host of “The Psychology Podcast”, Scott Barry Kaufma,n called This Might Get Awkward. In six episodes, the hosts will attempt to have productive conversations with polarizing public figures, along with social scientists who study our society’s divide. Our hosts will use the affirmative powers of the improvisational concept “Yes, And…” to communicate through differences across the political spectrum — a skill set that seems to be sorely lacking these days. The first episode will debut on November 17 and will feature a conversation with criminal justice reform activist and author Amanda Knox.

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Gloucester Township Police Department Participates in Statewide “Goal: Zero” Traffic Safety Initiative on Thanksgiving Eve

The Gloucester Township Police Department (GTPD) will participate in “Goal: Zero,” a statewide high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative focused on reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries across New Jersey. The coordinated Goal: Zero operation will take place on November 26, 2025, between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Thanksgiving Eve, commonly known as “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving,” marks the beginning of a seasonal increase in impaired driving. To address this trend, law enforcement agencies throughout the state will join together for synchronized Goal: Zero enforcement efforts, according to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). Goal: Zero represents a growing statewide commitment to achieving Zero Deaths, Zero Injuries, and Zero Crashes on New Jersey’s roadways. The initiative targets dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving through a combination of education, high-visibility patrols, and data-driven enforcement.

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Coughlin Launches Food Resources Across NJ

New website will connect residents with food resources across New Jersey
(TRENTON) — As families across New Jersey prepare for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin today announced the launch of EndingHungerNJ.com, a new online resource that helps residents find, and contribute to, food resources in their communities.

The launch comes during Food Pantry Donation Month in New Jersey, amid rising grocery costs, work furloughs, and recent federal disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that have made it harder for families to put food on the table.

“As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded that while many of us are preparing to share meals with the people we love, far too many families are still unsure of how they will put food on the table. That is not acceptable to me, it is not acceptable in New Jersey, and it is the reason why we’ve taken the position that hunger is not inevitable. It’s a problem we can solve when government, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors all pull in the same direction,” said Coughlin. “Simply put, New Jersey refuses to let families fall through the cracks and EndingHungerNJ.com is another step in making that a reality. Whether it’s through impactful legislation, creating partnerships with food banks, or simply lending a helping hand, we’re committed to doing everything we can to make sure every resident has the dignity and the peace of mind that comes with a full plate.”

A One-Stop Resource for New Jersey FamiliesEndingHungerNJ.com provides a comprehensive, user-friendly directory of food assistance across the state, including:County-by-county listings of food pantries and community food resources directory of statewide advocates working to end hungerInformation on legislation and State initiatives strengthening food security
hunger, information
Ending hunger isn’t the work of one office or one organization. It takes a coordinated effort, from local pantries and farmers to statewide advocates, lawmakers, and volunteers. EndingHungerNJ.com builds on that shared commitment and strengthens the network that keeps families supported.

HOME COUNTRY: You folks get them flu shots ever’ fall?

You folks get them flu shots ever’ fall? I try not to, but Doc has this y’r nurse that’s not only stouter’n a streetsweeper, but fleet of foot as well. This y’r’s Windy, a-course. So, yeah, I prit-nearly allus get one a-them shots each fall.

But I been workin’ on a way to either speed me up or slow her down. Ever seen on them summer Olympicals the relay race? You know, when one guy’s runnin’ and he sticks out a stick and the next guy takes it for a while? Thass what that there nurse looks like in hot pursuit ‘cept it’s a hypothermic needle and not a stick in her hand. Now you know ol’ Doc makes fun a-me ever’ dang time she catches up. A-course, she could stand to run off a few calories here and there, mostly there. Truth be told, wouldn’t hurt me none, neither.

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