12-Year-Old Seriously Injured Playing Baseball, Hit in the Face

MAPLE SHADE, NJ (CNBNews)(May 29, 2026)–Xavier Taylor, a 12-year-old Maple Shade boy (photo above), was injured on Tuesday, May 26, while playing baseball in town. According to ESPN, he was hit by an errant throw in the face and collapsed. His injury was so serious that he had to be airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden City. He remains in the hospital.

On Thursday night, a prayer vigil was held for Xavier. There is a link to help the family that has been set up by the Maple Shade community. They are asking the public to come together and support them. As of today, Friday, $81,337 has been raised of the $2,500 goal from 1108 people.

Members of the family published Xavier’s photo along with the following message on their Facebook page,

“We are calling on a worldwide prayer and rally for our brother Xavier Taylor who is 12. He was in a freak accident was airlifted to Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. Help us and our family speak life over Xavier and pray for a miracle of full brain function. Stand with us as we believe for Xavier’s life!! Xavier is an avid Phillies fan and Yankees fan. Please like, share and repost. Make this go viral, we need all the prayers we can get. If you’d like to support our family and us as we believe for Xavier, you can go to this link: https://mealtrain.com/2rrnvq. #miracle #healing #makethisgoviral

At this time, the Maple Shade Cal Ripken League is getting great support from Cal Ripken League offices, the local authorities, the mayor’s office, the Township managers, and the Maple Shade Police Department chaplain.

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Read More: Maple Shade Baseball Player Injured: How To Help | https://973espn.com/maple-shade-baseball-player-injured/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Wildwood Teenager Reported Missing Was Found

On May 26, 2026, the Wildwood Police Department received a report of a missing juvenile female from Wildwood, New Jersey. An immediate investigation was initiated by the Wildwood Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Child Abduction Response Team (CART), with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Monroe Township Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police.

Read more: Wildwood Teenager Reported Missing Was Found

During the course of the investigation, authorities developed information indicating the juvenile had traveled from Cape May County to Gloucester County, New Jersey. Through coordinated investigative efforts by local, county, state, and federal agencies, authorities were able to continue tracking the juvenile’s whereabouts, ultimately leading investigators to Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

On May 27, 2026, the juvenile was safely located in Bedford County and placed into protective custody, and arrangements were made for her safe return to New Jersey. Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office coordinated the reunification with the juvenile’s family. An adult male, identified as Demar Rojas-Hernandez, of Santa Ana, California, was taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police and charged with Interference with Custody of Children. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

Sutherland praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in the investigation.

“This case highlights the critical importance of rapid interagency cooperation and the advanced investigative resources available to protect vulnerable juveniles. Due to the swift actions of law enforcement personnel across multiple jurisdictions, this young victim was safely recovered before further harm could occur. We remain committed to aggressively investigating crimes involving the exploitation and endangerment of children.”

Make the Most of Your Weekend in South Jersey

Get Away, Close to Home!

This weekend is also a great time to support New Jersey’s agricultural community. Following Governor Mikie Sherrill’s declaration of a State of Emergency for farmers due to ongoing challenges facing the industry, residents are encouraged to shop local and support the farms, wineries, and small agricultural businesses that help drive our regional economy. Stop by a farmers market, visit a roadside farm stand, pick up fresh produce from a local grower, or spend an afternoon at one of South Jersey’s wineries, every purchase helps sustain local agriculture and preserve New Jersey’s farming heritage. To learn more, Click Here.

Davis Named ABCA Region Player of the Year

Rowan’s Brayden Davis has been named the Rawlings/ABCA Division III Region IV Player of the Year as voted on by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Davis was named to the All-Region IV First Team with fellow Profs Austin Kreyenhagen (Second Team) and Damon Suriani (Third Team) also receiving All-Region honors. 

It marks the second year in a row that a Rowan player has captured the award with Phil Sedalis earning it in 2025. 

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Bluefin Tuna Commercial General Category Fishery Reminders

NOAA Fisheries reminds Atlantic Tunas General category permit holders and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit holders fishing commercially for bluefin tuna that the General category fishery will re-open June 1, 2026.

General Category Retention Limits

Unless modified, the following default retention limits apply:

June 1-June 30: 3 large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip

July 1-December 31: 1 large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip

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NJDOT Traffic Advisory

Overnight lane and ramp closures are scheduled on Route 42 northbound, I-295 northbound and I-76 eastbound next week for structural steel installation as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County.

Route 42 northbound to I-76 westbound Lane Closures

Beginning at 10 p.m. Monday, June 1 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 2 and continuing each night through Thursday, June 4 at the same time and on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next day, three left lanes on Route 42 northbound will be closed between Leaf Avenue (mile post 13.8) and where Route 42 northbound splits to I-76 westbound and
I-295 northbound (mile post 14.2). Motorists will be directed to take Exit 1B to I-295 northbound/Trenton. Stay left to take Exit 27B to I-76 to I-676 and Route 130/Camden/Philadelphia.

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TED Democracy Philadelphia

Book your stay

Held in Philadelphia during the United States’ 250th birthday, TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures represents a global homecoming to the birthplace of modern democracy.

For more than four decades, the TED stage has spotlighted ideas with the potential to change the world. This summer, Visit Philadelphia and TED Democracy return to the place where the Great Experiment began to explore a vital question: What will we build together over the next 250 years?

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Camden Leaders Joint Statement On Fire at the EMR Scrap Facility

“This morning, we were all awakened by a call that has come way too often for the residents of our community- another fire at the EMR scrap facility. This underscores the need for us to put residents first and ask the state Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and every other regulatory agency to shut down the operations inside this foreign conglomerate. We will not stand idly by while residents are exposed to fires on a regular basis and have to bear the burdens of an operation that clearly cannot function in a safe manner. We will no longer allow shelter in place alerts to go out because of another mishap in this scrap metal operation.

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Fatal Pedestrian Crash

The Philadelphia Police Department’s Crash Investigation Division is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early this morning in the city’s 35th District.

At approximately 6:55 AM, a female pedestrian was struck by a white Sprinter van near the intersection of North 5th Street and Chelten Avenue. The victim was transported by medical personnel to Einstein Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased at 7:45 AM.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing. The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. Updates will be released as they become available.

Virtua Named Among Most Compassionate, Trusted & ‘Human’ U.S. Health Care Brands

In Latest Consumer Survey, the South Jersey Health System
has Soared to #22 Nationwide – the Highest Ranked N.J. Brand – and the 8th most Compassionate Health Care Brand in the Country.

Virtua Health, one of the country’s leading health care brands, has reached new heights this year. The New Jersey not-for-profit health system is now ranked the 22nd top health care brand in the country, according to an annual report based on consumer feedback.

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