Welcome to Woodbury Wrap Weekly!

New Shuttle Service + Senator's Big Plans for SJ

This week, we’re tracking justice in South Jersey courtrooms, new transportation options connecting our region, and Senator Kim’s vision for innovation right here in Gloucester County—plus your guide to June’s best community events.

What’s in this issue:

  • ⚖️ Delaware County man sentenced to life for double murder in Willingboro
  • 🚐 Free SJ Connects shuttle service launching across seven South Jersey counties
  • 🎓 Senator Kim tours Gloucester County promoting Einstein Corridor initiative
  • 🎉 Your complete guide to June community events and family activities
  • 🏛️ Protests escalate at South Jersey ICE detention facility

💡 Quote of the Day

“This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that every South Jersey family has access to the opportunities they deserve—whether that’s getting to work, accessing healthcare, or connecting to broader transit networks.”

— Governor Mikie Sherrill, on the launch of SJ Connects regional shuttle service

📰 Latest News

🔗 Delco man gets two life sentences in killing of his son’s mother, her mother in South Jersey break-in (3 minute read)

Delco man gets two life sentences in killing of his son’s mother, her mother in South Jersey break-in

A Burlington County jury has brought closure to one of South Jersey’s most tragic crimes from 2024. Junior Edwards, 39, of Delaware County, received two consecutive life sentences for the October murders of Catherine Nunez, 33, and her mother Marisol, 54, in their Willingboro home. Edwards forced entry by smashing a window and fatally shot both women while his 8-year-old son was nearby in the residence.

Key Points:

  • Edwards was convicted in March on multiple charges including two counts of murder, burglary, and child endangerment
  • The 8-year-old child present during the attack was physically unharmed but witnessed the tragedy
  • Prosecutors stated the motive remained unclear, though Edwards and Nunez had ended their relationship prior to the murders
  • Additional sentences were imposed for burglary and child endangerment charges

Why it matters: This sentencing demonstrates the South Jersey justice system’s commitment to accountability in violent crimes that shatter families and communities. While the tragedy occurred in neighboring Burlington County, it resonates across our region as a reminder of the importance of domestic violence resources and the lasting impact of violence on children and families.

🔗 New Regional Shuttle Service Is Coming To Southern New Jersey (15 minute read)

New Regional Shuttle Service Is Coming To Southern New Jersey

Gloucester County residents will soon have free access to a game-changing transportation option. The South Jersey Transportation Authority and Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey have announced SJ Connects, a regional shuttle service spanning seven counties including our own Gloucester County, along with Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem.

Key Points:

  • Free shuttle service will connect residents to employment centers, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and NJ TRANSIT hubs
  • Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized the program addresses longstanding transportation gaps limiting South Jersey families’ access to opportunities
  • The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to regional investment and workforce connectivity
  • Service will span all seven South Jersey counties, creating an interconnected regional network

Why it matters: For Woodbury and Gloucester County residents, this isn’t just about transportation—it’s about access to opportunity. Whether you’re commuting to work, attending classes at Rowan University, getting to medical appointments, or connecting to broader transit networks, SJ Connects addresses a critical gap that has long limited South Jersey’s economic mobility. This is the kind of regional investment that can transform lives and strengthen our local workforce.

🔗 Senator Kim’s South Jersey Visits Focus on Innovation and Investment with a Logan Township Town Hall to End Trip (4 minute read)

Senator Kim’s South Jersey Visits Focus on Innovation and Investment with a Logan Township Town Hall to End Trip

Senator Andy Kim spent a full day right here in Gloucester County last week, promoting his Einstein Corridor initiative—a bold vision for making New Jersey a national leader in innovation-driven growth. The day included tours of Logan Township Industrial Park, conversations with workers facing transit challenges, visits to Rowan University’s West Campus, and a stop at Hanwha Shipyard, which employs 35% of its workforce from South Jersey.

Key Points:

  • Kim’s Einstein Corridor initiative aims to position New Jersey as an innovation hub with direct benefits for South Jersey workers
  • At Rowan University, Kim discussed student concerns about loan costs and AI’s impact on future careers
  • Hanwha Shipyard visit highlighted the company’s significant South Jersey workforce contribution
  • Town hall with hundreds of residents addressed affordability crises, public transit expansion, disability support, and detention issues
  • This marked Kim’s 12th Senate town hall since taking office

Why it matters: This wasn’t just a political tour—it was a direct engagement with the challenges and opportunities facing our community. From Logan Township’s industrial workforce to Rowan students planning their futures, Senator Kim’s focus on the Einstein Corridor represents a major bet on South Jersey’s economic potential. The town hall’s emphasis on transit expansion connects directly to the SJ Connects shuttle announcement, showing how regional transportation investment can unlock job opportunities and economic growth right here in Gloucester County.

🔥 Trending

⚡ Quick Hits

🎯 Food with Friends: Woodbury Church Opens Its Doors for Free June Community Dinner

King of Kings Lutheran Church in Woodbury hosts its monthly “Food with Friends” Community Dinner on June 4 from 5:00-6:30 p.m., offering free Parmesan Chicken, Pepperoni Pasta, Garden Salad, and family-friendly activities to all residents. No registration required—just show up for a meal and connection. (Read more)

🎯 News Wrap: More people arrested for breaking curfew at New Jersey ICE detention facility

Protests escalated outside New Jersey’s Delaney Hall ICE detention facility over reported poor conditions, including rotten food and expired milk, resulting in multiple arrests for curfew violations. The facility serves the South Jersey region, making these accountability concerns relevant to local communities. (Read more)

🎯 Michael R. Valianti Sr., 87, Of Williamstown And Formerly Collingswood

The South Jersey community mourns Michael R. Valianti Sr., 87, a longtime auto industry salesman from Williamstown and Collingswood who passed away May 26 surrounded by family. Viewing is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, at Foster-Warne Funeral Home in Collingswood. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (Read more)

🎯 Ridgewood police: Raccoon attacks 7-year-old boy in New Jersey

While this occurred in North Jersey (Ridgewood, Bergen County), the wildlife safety reminder is universal: two raccoon attacks over one weekend have officials urging all New Jersey families to avoid wild animals, supervise children outdoors, keep pets leashed, and report unusually behaving wildlife to police immediately. (Read more)

🎓 Industry Insight

Understanding Regional Transportation Equity

The launch of SJ Connects represents more than just free shuttle service—it’s a recognition that transportation access is fundamentally an equity issue. For years, South Jersey residents have faced what urban planners call “transportation deserts,” where the lack of reliable public transit options limits access to employment, education, and healthcare.

This creates a cycle of disadvantage: without transportation, residents can’t access jobs; without jobs, they can’t afford cars; without cars, they remain isolated from opportunities. The impact falls disproportionately on low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and young adults trying to enter the workforce.

SJ Connects breaks this cycle by creating what transportation experts call “first-mile/last-mile” connections—bridging the gaps between where people live and where they need to go, including connections to NJ TRANSIT hubs that open up even broader regional access. When paired with Senator Kim’s Einstein Corridor initiative focusing on innovation and workforce development, we’re seeing the building blocks of a more connected, economically vibrant South Jersey. For Gloucester County residents, this means real opportunities to access jobs at Logan Township Industrial Park, education at Rowan University, and healthcare facilities that were previously out of reach.

❓ Question of the Day

Which new South Jersey development are you most excited about?

👋 Wrap Up

This week’s newsletter reflects a pivotal moment for South Jersey—from justice served in our courtrooms to transformative transportation and economic initiatives that will shape our region’s future. The common thread? Accountability, access, and investment in the communities that call South Jersey home.

Whether you’re planning to attend the free community dinner at King of Kings Lutheran Church on June 4, exploring June’s family activities, or simply keeping up with the changes coming to our region, we hope this newsletter helps you stay connected to what matters most in our community.

Stay informed, stay engaged, and we’ll see you next week,

Woodbury Wrap Weekly Editor

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