Woodbury, NJ – A jury found Christian Smith, 27, of Woolwich, guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose Tuesday following a two-week trial before the Honorable William Ziegler, J.S.C. According to documents filed in this case and the evidence presented at trial: On Oct. 9, 2021, Smith and his stepfather Dennis McKenzie, Jr., were arguing in their home over offensive comments Smith made about the sexuality of McKenzie’s daughter and her friend.
Multiple clipper systems will bring cold temperatures and enhance lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes. An arctic blast will bring frigid temperatures accompanied with gusty winds that may lead to dangerous wind chills beginning in the Northern Plains Thursday before expanding to the South and East. An expansive winter storm will start Friday in the Southern Rockies/Plains and Mid-South. Read More >
Current conditions at
Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL)
Standing by her side are her children Maggie, Lincoln, Ike, and Marit. and her husband, Jason.
We enter 2026 commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary. New Jersey has been at the heart of our American story. The crossroads of the revolution. The site of our first major victory at the Battle of Trenton. The first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
I am honored that, as we gather here today, we do so with New Jersey’s original parchment copy of the Constitution on stage with us — one of only 13 known to still be in existence. A document, by the way, New Jersey unanimously ratified.
The Constitution, born out of challenges of the early republic, clearly lays out our values: to form a more perfect union; to promote the general welfare, to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
You see, inherent in our Constitution is a framework for opportunity. A commitment, a covenant, that ties generations together.
This commitment to opportunity for the people of our country is also known the world over as the American Dream.
Like so many families, my American story did not begin that auspiciously. From what relatives have told me, it includes people fleeing a famine and others fleeing religious persecution. Even once they arrived here, the road to success was uneven. Poverty, economic devastation. Sometimes building something for your family only to lose it because of forces beyond your control.
But over and over, this country has offered my family opportunity found nowhere else in the world. From my grandfather landing a good union job after the war, to my opportunities in the first class of women eligible for combat roles in the Navy, the American Dream starts with opening a door. With an understanding that, no matter who your parents are, where you are from, what religion you practice, or ethnicity you claim, the doors to opportunities in this country should be open to everyone.
That is the story of New Jersey. And yes, we are far from perfect. But generations of families have found their American Dream here. Immigrants sailing here from overseas, Black families leaving the South to find work in New Jersey, people from all over the country and all over the world again and again, finding opportunity here in this state.
And that’s because New Jersey is an incredibly special place. The course of American history has been determined here. It was just across the street in Military Park, where the cannons were just fired, that Thomas Paine began to pen his pamphlet, the American Crisis, and galvanized a nation. Or during the Industrial Revolution, when Trenton built this great nation. Picatinny Arsenal, constantly defending our hard-won freedoms at the Arsenal of Democracy. Here in New Jersey, we have invented everything from the lightbulb to the moving picture to the laser; produced and inspired artists from Sinatra to Springsteen to SZA.
The following information is preliminary and subject to change. Updates will be provided as they become available.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a fatal accident occurred involving a SEPTA train and a pedestrian at 4200 North Broad Street on the Broad Street Line (Orange Line) at the Hunting Park Station. Preliminary investigation indicates that the pedestrian exited the train as it arrived at the station. As the train began moving southbound to continue along the tracks, the individual stepped backward, fell into the space between the train and the platform, and was subsequently struck and run over by the train. Philadelphia Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the male pedestrian deceased at approximately 2:03 a.m.
The decedent was later identified as 41-year-old Terrell Burton of the 1600 block of West Allegheny Avenue.
The investigation is ongoing with the Crash Investigation Division.
In a separate incident, on January 20, 2026, at approximately 9:15 p.m., officers from the 12th District responded to a radio call reporting a shooting at the 5500 block of Chester Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a crime scene both inside and in front of the Chester Convenience Store. Shortly thereafter, a 17-year-old male victim arrived at Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center via private vehicle, suffering from two gunshot wounds to his right arm. He was listed in stable condition.
At this time, no motive has been determined, and no arrests have been made.
The Shooting Investigation Group is continuing to investigate this incident.
The “Help I’ve Fallen” commercials have been airing for years, if not decades. Way back when, they appeared humorous, maybe funny even. Then what seemed only a year or so later, fifty years had actually passed and the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) have now aged. Many Boomers are in need of some help. There are many devices available if only people knew what they need and how to obtain it.
Yes, Virginia, there is an Amazon but sometimes mature people would rather have a human to speak with for advice. Fortunately, Camden County government has issued lists of resources for those who need help and/or their care givers. First, here is information about several personal safety devices. The information is current as of January, 2025 but should be verified if the devices are ordered.
One of the problems Marvin Pincus discovered about running the Fly Tying Love Center here in the valley is that there appeared to be more fly tying than love counseling going on.
This particular morning he was whipping up a nice fluffy Adams dry on a number 12 and wishing everyone’s love problems were as easy to solve as tying one of these. He realized he’s a pioneer in the field of combining fly tying and romance solutions, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t quietly hope for his neighbors to have more love problems. His advice had worked well with Dewey (a lead-wire-wrapped wooly bugger leading to the suggestion he showers before he asks a girl out on a date), and with Randy Jones (a pheasant-tail nymph and a Parmachene Belle sending him on his way to girlfriend happiness with Katie Burchell). But there were others out there. There had to be others.
Other advice counselors, the ones who just sat there taking notes, managed to find any number of unhappy potential love victims, but the Fly Tying Love Center was noticeably short of them at the moment.
As the new year begins, Haddon Township is welcoming 2026 with fresh business openings, local recognition, and exciting changes. From gourmet food shops to leadership accolades, here’s what’s new and noteworthy this winter in Haddon Township.
New in Haddon Township:
The Uncommon Pantry
Now open, located at 162 Haddon Avenue, The Uncommon Pantry is a gourmet specialty shop from married couple Pat and Jesse Smith, formerly of Patricia Ann’s Gourmet Delights in Woodstown. After more than a decade in the specialty food space, the Smiths bring their concept of “attainable gourmet” to Haddon Township, offering thoughtfully curated culinary essentials perfect for entertaining, date nights, gift-giving, and more.
Michelle Nails and Spa
Adjacent to their original location on Cuthbert Blvd, Michelle Nails and Spa has opened an additional location in Haddon Township. The new space continues to offer trusted nail and spa services in a refreshed setting for longtime and new clients alike.
Crawford Leadership Strategies Recognition
Joyel Crawford, CEO of Haddon Township–based Crawford Leadership Strategies, was named to RealLeaders® 2026 Top Impact Speakers, recognizing leaders making a global impact. This honor spotlights Crawford Leadership Strategies as a go-to resource for organizations seeking expert guidance in leadership development, executive coaching, and talent engagement.
Kebap Ora
Replacing the recently moved Jersey Kebab, Kebap Ora is now open at 150 N Haddon Ave, serving authentic East Turkish & Mediterranean cuisine made by professional chefs from New York. Enjoy dine-in, takeout, delivery, and cateringservices.
Of Gloucester City, NJ. Passed away on January 16, 2026. Age 78. Born in Camden, NJ, he was the son of the late William and Catherine (Valentine) Barrett. Jack was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Rose (Crusco)Barrett on October 4th, 2020. He survived by his son, Michael Barrett (Andrea Pallies); grandson, Edward Barrett: sister, Patricia Barrett. John was also predeceased by his son, John J. Barrett, Jr. on October 6th, 2018.
Jack proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Carpenter during the Vietnam War. He went on to work as a bricklayer for the Bricklayers Union #12 in Linden, NJ. He later worked as security guard at Jefferson Hospital in Cherry Hill and also worked as a nozzleman for the Swim – Mor Pools & American Gunite for 20 years.
CAIR Action New Jersey strongly condemned outgoing Governor Phil Murphy for pocket vetoing two critical bills in the Immigrant Protections Package while welcoming the opportunity for newly inaugurated Governor Mikie Sherrill to restore and advance the full set of protections immigrant communities fought to pass.
While Governor Murphy signed the Safe Communities Act (A6308/S5036), he simultaneously pocket vetoed the Immigrant Trust Directive (A6310/S5038) and the Privacy Protection Act (A6309/S5037)—undermining the very trust framework the Legislature overwhelmingly approved.
“Trust cannot be selective,” said Ali Aljarrah, Senior Advisor at CAIR Action New Jersey. “Governor Murphy’s decision to pocket veto the Immigrant Trust Directive and Privacy Protection Act strips immigrant communities of the most meaningful safeguards in this package. Signing one bill while blocking the others is not leadership – it is a deliberate choice to leave families exposed.”
