Welcome to Woodbury Wrap Weekly!

This week brought both heartbreak and hope to our region—from a tragic shore incident reminding us of precious fragility, to major investments in healthcare and recognition of employers who are building South Jersey’s future.

What’s in this issue:

• 🌊 Breaking: Community mourns missing teen as beach safety concerns emerge
• 🏥 Cooper bringing world-class cancer care and 400 jobs to Gloucester Township
• 💼 Five South Jersey employers earn national recognition for supporting new grads
• 🏛️ Cherry Hill leads regional fight for fair school funding
• 🐕 Salem County mourns K9 officers, transparency questions persist

💡 Quote of the Day

“Cherry Hill’s size enables us to advocate not only for ourselves but also for smaller South Jersey districts facing similar financial crises. This system is unsustainable.”

— Gina Winters, Cherry Hill Board of Education President

📰 Latest News

🔗 Davoris Carter Missing After Wildwood School Trip (9 minute read)

A tragic incident unfolded at Wildwood Beach when 14-year-old Davoris Carter from Northeast Philadelphia was swept into the ocean during a school trip on Monday afternoon. The Delta School student disappeared in strong currents near Schellenger Avenue just two days before his graduation. While three classmates were rescued—one hospitalized in stable condition—Davoris remains missing despite extensive search efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, and local fire departments using helicopters, boats, drones, and ATVs.

Key Points:

• Four students entered the water near Schellenger Avenue; three were rescued but Davoris Carter remains missing
• Multi-agency search efforts continue involving Coast Guard, State Police, and local emergency responders
• The incident occurred during off-season when lifeguard staffing is not at full summer levels

Why it matters: This heartbreaking incident raises critical questions about supervision protocols for special needs students on school trips and beach safety during off-season periods. As many South Jersey schools plan similar shore excursions, parents and educators need to understand what safety measures should be in place. The community’s response—with extensive search efforts and support for the family—demonstrates our region’s commitment to every child’s safety.

🔗 Cooper University Health Care plans new medical campus in Gloucester County (8 minute read)

Cooper University Health Care is making a transformative $300 million investment to build a new medical campus in Gloucester Township, set to open in 2029. The 184,000-square-foot facility will bring world-class specialty care closer to home, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, an MD Anderson Cancer Center, and an ambulatory surgery center. Located on 39 acres near Route 42 and Gloucester Premium Outlets, this project represents a major commitment to South Jersey’s healthcare infrastructure.

Key Points:

• $300 million investment creating approximately 400 healthcare jobs in Gloucester Township
• Facility will include MD Anderson Cancer Center and advanced specialty services in cardiology, oncology, neurology, and orthopedics
• Opening in 2029, complementing Cooper’s ongoing $3 billion Camden campus renovation

Why it matters: This is exactly the kind of economic development South Jersey needs—high-quality jobs combined with expanded access to critical healthcare services. Residents won’t need to travel to Philadelphia for advanced cancer treatment or specialty care. The 400 new healthcare jobs represent career opportunities for local professionals and new graduates, while the facility addresses the growing healthcare needs of our expanding population.

🔗 New Grads: These SJ Employers Stand Out in 2026 (15 minute read)

Forbes has recognized five South Jersey employers on its prestigious 2026 list of America’s Best Employers for New Grads, surveying over 100,000 young professionals nationwide. BAYADA Home Healthcare led local employers at #116 nationally, followed by TD Bank (#224), Egg Harbor Township School District (#297), The Michaels Organization (#357), and Spencer Gifts (#498). These companies excel in mentorship programs, competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, advancement opportunities, and inclusive workplace cultures.

Key Points:

• Five South Jersey employers made Forbes’ national list of best employers for new graduates
• BAYADA Home Healthcare ranked #116 nationally, the highest South Jersey employer on the list
• Recognition based on mentorship quality, compensation, benefits, advancement opportunities, and workplace culture

Why it matters: This recognition proves South Jersey offers exceptional career opportunities for young professionals and new graduates—you don’t need to move to New York or Philadelphia to build a successful career. For families considering where to settle, knowing that local employers like Egg Harbor Township School District and BAYADA are nationally recognized for supporting early-career professionals makes our region more attractive. These companies are investing in the next generation of South Jersey’s workforce.

🔥 Trending

• Cherry Hill Takes Stand Against AI Data Centers: Mayor pledges complete ban as communities across South Jersey push back on massive facilities citing electricity costs, water consumption, and noise concerns

• Cherry Hill Leads School Funding Reform Effort: Education Commissioner visits to discuss chronic underfunding as district prepares for July negotiations on new funding formula

• Salem County K9 Deaths Raise Transparency Questions: Community mourns Rip and Boomer as circumstances remain undisclosed, echoing unresolved 2022 Gloucester County K9 case

⚡ Quick Hits

🎯 Cherry Hill Fights Back Against Data Centers

As AI demand surges, South Jersey communities are mobilizing against massive data centers. Cherry Hill’s mayor pledged a complete ban, while Millville unanimously killed a proposed 2.6-million-square-foot facility. Governor Sherrill unveiled a balanced plan emphasizing clean energy requirements, transparency, community benefit agreements, and prevailing wages rather than outright bans. (Read more)

🎯 Education Commissioner Visits Cherry Hill

New Jersey Education Commissioner Lily Laux met with Cherry Hill school leaders to discuss chronic underfunding challenges. The district plans to begin negotiations on a new funding formula in July, with Board President Gina Winters emphasizing how Cherry Hill’s advocacy benefits smaller South Jersey districts facing similar financial crises. (Read more)

🎯 Salem County Mourns K9 Officers

Salem County Sheriff’s K9s Rip and Boomer died together while on duty Friday, with circumstances remaining undisclosed as officials investigate. Their handler has been placed on administrative leave. The case echoes an unresolved 2022 Gloucester County K9 incident, raising concerns about transparency in similar investigations. (Read more)

🎯 Woodbury Volleyball Season Kicks Off

Mark your calendars! Woodbury Jr/Sr High’s JV volleyball team hosts Camden Academy Charter on Tuesday, September 8 at 5:15 PM. Both teams enter the season with clean slates in this non-conference matchup—a great opportunity for our Thundering Herd to start strong. (Read more)

🎓 Industry Insight

Understanding School Funding Reform in New Jersey

New Jersey’s school funding system has long been criticized as inequitable and unsustainable, particularly for districts like Cherry Hill that serve large student populations without proportional state support. The current formula leaves many South Jersey districts chronically underfunded, forcing communities to repeatedly approve bond referendums just to maintain basic educational standards.

When Education Commissioner Lily Laux visited Cherry Hill, she witnessed firsthand how funding shortfalls impact everything from classroom sizes to special education services. The district’s upcoming July negotiations represent a critical opportunity to restructure how state aid is distributed—potentially benefiting not just Cherry Hill but dozens of smaller South Jersey districts that lack the advocacy resources of larger systems.

For local families, these funding battles directly affect property taxes and educational quality. A fairer funding formula could mean better teacher-to-student ratios, updated facilities, expanded programs, and potentially stabilized or even reduced local tax burdens. As Cherry Hill Board President Gina Winters noted, the current system simply isn’t sustainable—making this reform effort one of the most important education stories South Jersey residents should follow closely.

❓ Question of the Day

Which South Jersey development story matters most to you?

• A) Cooper’s $300M healthcare campus and 400 new jobs
• B) Cherry Hill’s fight for fair school funding
• C) Data center bans and environmental concerns

👋 Wrap Up

This week’s newsletter captures the full spectrum of South Jersey life—from the heartbreak of a missing teen at our beloved shore, to the promise of world-class healthcare coming to Gloucester Township, to communities standing up for local control over development decisions.

The common thread? South Jersey residents who refuse to accept the status quo. Whether it’s Cherry Hill fighting for fair school funding, mayors pushing back on data centers, or hundreds of first responders searching for a missing child, our region shows up when it matters. That’s the South Jersey spirit we’re proud to cover every week.

Stay informed, stay engaged,

Woodbury Wrap Weekly Editor

📊 How did you like today’s email?

• 😍 Loved it!
• 😐 It was OK
• 😕 Could be better