Good morning, South Jersey.
Hundreds of people die on state highways every year. Based on fatal-crash data, an Inquirer analysis shows the most dangerous areas in South Jersey.
And the Washington Township school board decided not to renew its contract with its superintendent — and denied his $27,000 merit pay for the fourth time.
Plus, Clementon voters rejected a $13.5 million bond referendum, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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A string of four crashes that killed five people on Route 55 this summer has inspired calls for safer highways.
After analyzing seven years of NJDOT data about 330 fatal crashes that led to more than 360 deaths across the region’s highways, the Inquirer found seven stretches that are particularly precarious.
The area where I-76 meets Route 42 and I-295 in Camden County tops the list. Commuters, Shore-goers, and truck drivers traverse the intersection. Within a 1.3-mile stretch, it has the more deaths than any other corridor.
Washington Township decided it will not renew its contract with schools Superintendent Eric Hibbs, after a 5-4 board vote this week.
That means Hibbs, who has led the district since 2023, will be out after his current contract expires in June.
The board also denied a motion to award him $27,000 in merit pay, the fourth time Hibbs requested the performance-based bonus.
These decisions come after months of legal fights between the board and its superintendent.
Meanwhile, he still has a pending whistleblower lawsuit against several members of the board.
What to know today
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Investigators in the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office are calling a Wednesday incident in which a brother and sister died in Pennsauken a murder-suicide.
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Clementon voters rejected a $13.5 million bond referendum that would have raised property taxes to fund an early childhood center for preschoolers. Another vote in Cinnaminson for a referendum of $76 million is still too close to call.
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The Pennsauken Township school district has agreed to pay $93,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging a school staffer uttered racial slurs to a Black middle school student, NJ.com reports.
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The candidates running for Cherry Hill’s board of education in November agreed during a forum this week that funding for the school budget is among its biggest challenges, according to 70and73.
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The students of a Lindenwold elementary school will pivot to remote learning at least through Monday after a fire damaged the building Tuesday night.
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Warehouse construction on the site of a shuttered golf course in Chesterfield Township hasn’t started despite getting the necessary approval nearly two years ago.
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The Athletes for Vets Foundation and UrbanPromise Camden will host an event in Camden on Friday to provide sneakers, backpacks, and school supplies to children. Derek Faulkner, former Eagle and founder of Athletes for Vets, leads the initiative.
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🗓️ The best things to do this week
🏍️ Cruise Night: Start your weekend plans early with the season’s last Cruise Night featuring food trucks, a car show, and live music. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 17, 5-8 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Burlington City Waterfront Promenade, Burlington
🎶 XPoNential Music Festival: The annual WXPN festival returns with headliners Dawes, Portugal. The Man, and Little Feat. South Jersey melodic rock quartet Te Vista will play on Friday. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20, various times 💵 Various prices 📍 Wiggins Park, Camden
🪲 South Jersey GreenFest: Throughout the weekend, families will get the opportunity to listen to educational discussions, try treats made of edible insects, see prehistoric fossils, and explore bug walks. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20, various times 💵 Free/included with museum admission 📍 Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Mantua
🧠 Trivia time
Matt Cord, the longtime voice of the Sixers, is coming back for one final season. He retired in May after how many years as the public address announcer?
A) 30
B) 28
C) 25
D) 20
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🦅 Anticipating: Eagles-themed $1 mini art prints that will soon be available through vending machines at Lincoln Financial Field.
🏀 Eyeing: The design of Jaylen Brown’s new 3D-printed shoes.
💭 Wondering: What will the plot be for a third National Treasure movie?
That should get you started for the day. I’ll catch you tomorrow. 👋🏽
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