Jan HeflerWhat I DoI report on the news and people in New Jersey with a focus on the roller-coaster cannabis story, profiles of unusual characters, court rulings that have an impact on people’s lives and vanishing open spaces in the Garden State.(856) 779-3224From the archives: A crime of passion, a young life in limboThis story was originally published on April 28, 2002, in The Inquirer’s Magazine.Jan Hefler Oct. 16, 2020Link copied to clipboardSouth Jersey man sentenced to 17 years after killing acquaintance with a bow and arrowTimothy Canfield received 17 years in prison after a Camden County jury convicted him of manslaughter in the bow-and-arrow death of Kereti Paulsen in Canfield's Berlin Borough, N.J. backyard.Jan Hefler June 10, 2019Link copied to clipboardIs Ocean City, N.J., really ‘America’s Happiest Seaside Town’? “Well, it’s pretty great here. It’s relaxing, a great place to go and just be you and not worry about the problems of the world.”Jan Hefler May 27, 2019Link copied to clipboardAs legal weed stalls in New Jersey, voters may get a say at the pollsA plan to legalize marijuana in New Jersey is in trouble and some lawmakers are calling for a referendum to let voters decide whether adult-use recreational marijuana should be legalized. But that likely wouldn't be held until 2020.Jan Hefler May 11, 2019Link copied to clipboardProgressives and Camden County Democratic machine wage all-out war in primary raceThe Camden County Democratic Committee is facing an unprecedented challenge from a slate of about 100 progressive candidates saying it’s time to “unplug the machine.” Both sides are waging an acrimonious campaign.Jan Hefler April 30, 2019Link copied to clipboardGov. Murphy signs N.J. death with dignity bill. It goes into effect Aug. 1.N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy signs an aid-in-dying bill that allows terminally ill patients to ask their doctors to prescribe life-ending medications. New Jersey will become the eighth state to allow this when the bill becomes effective August 1.Jan Hefler April 12, 2019Link copied to clipboardN.J. canceled a vote on legal weed. Now there’s a battle over how to fix the bill. As New Jersey legislative leaders try to get the last votes needed to legalize recreational marijuana, supporters are divided over strategy and changes that should be made.Jan Hefler April 5, 2019Link copied to clipboardProgressives shake things up a bit inside Norcross-led Democratic party in South JerseyThe progressives won 16 seats on the entrenched Camden County Democratic Committee and immediately challenged the current chairman, Jim Beach, with their own nominee, Susan Druckenbrod. It was a small step but launched a 10-year-or-longer plan to change the party from the inside.Jan Hefler June 12, 2019Link copied to clipboardCamden County Democratic machine trounces progressive challengers in state and local racesIn light voter turnout across Camden County, Democratic candidates for state and local offices easily defeated progressive challengers in Tuesday's primary. But in Collingswood, 16 progressive delegates won seats on the County Democratic Committee. The progressives backed about 100 candidates.Jan Hefler June 5, 2019Link copied to clipboardNew Jersey’s legal weed bill is dead. Lawmakers will put the question on the ballot.New Jersey's year-old legal weed bill was scrapped because legislative leaders said they were short a few votes. Instead, Sen. Steve Sweeney announced the question of whether to legalize recreational marijuana will go to voters. Bill sponsor Sen. Nick Scutari said that will likely be in 2020.Jan Hefler May 15, 2019Link copied to clipboardGoFundMe scam defendant Mark D’Amico indicted on conspiracy charges in Burlington County Mark D'Amico faces conspiracy charges in a $402,000 GoFundMe scam the prosecutors say defrauded donors with a fictitious story about how he and his ex-girlfriend wanted to repay the kindness of homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. who they said helped her when she ran out of gas in Philadelphia.Jan Hefler May 8, 2019Link copied to clipboardFor decades, this South Jersey county was such a GOP stronghold that the party rarely had cause to disagree. Then the blue wave hit.A contentious Republican primary race for two Assembly seats in New Jersey's 8th District pits incumbent Joe Howarth and Jason Huf, a lawyer with an office in Saudia Arabia, against incumbent Ryan Peters and Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield. The GOP withdrew its support for Howarth.Jan Hefler April 23, 2019Link copied to clipboardJohnny Bobbitt gets probation in $400K GoFundMe scam. Federal charges could still send him to prison.Johnny Bobbitt Jr., a former homeless veteran, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation treatment after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges for his role in fabricating a Good Samaritan story on a GoFundMe site and raising more than $400,000 from donors.Jan Hefler April 12, 2019Link copied to clipboardMassive N.J. Pinelands fire started in area where illegal bonfires occur, officials sayThe origin of a massive forest fire in the Penn State Forest in the federally-protected N.J. Pinelands was described by fire officials as a secluded sandy spot where people have illegal bonfires. More than 11,000 acres were consumed in the fire, which started Saturday and went into Sunday night.Jan Hefler April 1, 2019Link copied to clipboardHe led a lavish life. But this New Jersey GOP heavyweight and cranberry king died a pauper.DeMarco died penniless after squandering millions on an extravagant lifestyle and waging a legal battle with his brother over the family fortune. In recent years, he revealed he was gay and switched political parties.Jan Hefler June 12, 2019Link copied to clipboardAccused mastermind of $400K GoFundMe scam with Johnny Bobbitt pleads not guilty Mark D'Amico was arraigned on conspiracy and theft charges in the $400K GoFundMe scam involving a homeless veteran and a fake Good Samaritan story. His co-defendants, Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbitt Jr. have pleaded guilty in federal and state court and have agreed to testify against him at trial.Jan Hefler May 28, 2019Link copied to clipboardJ. Garfield DeMarco, former Burlington County GOP leader and cranberry magnate, dead at 80Garfield DeMarco, a longtime former GOP boss in Burlington County, N.J., who later sold 9,000 acres of his family cranberry farm in the Pinelands to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, died at age 80. He later switched his party affiliation to Independent and married his longtime boyfriend.Jan Hefler May 13, 2019Link copied to clipboardWho are the ‘phantom’ Democratic candidates in the Camden County primary?Progressive democrats who are trying to beat the endorsed candidates of the entrenched Camden County Democrat Committee in the June primary say they are also vying against "phantom candidates" who don't campaign and were recruited by the machine to clutter the ballot and confuse voters.Jan Hefler May 4, 2019Link copied to clipboardN.J. woman pleads guilty in $400K GoFundMe scam with homeless vet Johnny BobbittKate McClure admitted to playing a role in a $400K GoFundMe scam in state court, six weeks after pleading guilty to similar charges in federal court. Prosecutors say McClure, ex-boyfriend Mark D'Amico, and former homeless vet Johnny Bobbitt defrauded donors with a fake Good Samaritan story.Jan Hefler April 15, 2019Link copied to clipboardAs New Jersey plans to legalize weed, growing it at home is still off-limits New Jersey’s bill to legalize recreational marijuana is quite different from the 10 other states with legal weed. It would allow consumption lounges, home deliveries, and speedy expungements. But cannabis activists complain the bill also doesn’t allow home growing, unlike the other states.Jan Hefler April 10, 2019Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
From the archives: A crime of passion, a young life in limboThis story was originally published on April 28, 2002, in The Inquirer’s Magazine.Jan Hefler Oct. 16, 2020Link copied to clipboard
From the archives: A crime of passion, a young life in limboThis story was originally published on April 28, 2002, in The Inquirer’s Magazine.Jan Hefler Oct. 16, 2020Link copied to clipboard
South Jersey man sentenced to 17 years after killing acquaintance with a bow and arrowTimothy Canfield received 17 years in prison after a Camden County jury convicted him of manslaughter in the bow-and-arrow death of Kereti Paulsen in Canfield's Berlin Borough, N.J. backyard.Jan Hefler June 10, 2019Link copied to clipboard
South Jersey man sentenced to 17 years after killing acquaintance with a bow and arrowTimothy Canfield received 17 years in prison after a Camden County jury convicted him of manslaughter in the bow-and-arrow death of Kereti Paulsen in Canfield's Berlin Borough, N.J. backyard.Jan Hefler June 10, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Is Ocean City, N.J., really ‘America’s Happiest Seaside Town’? “Well, it’s pretty great here. It’s relaxing, a great place to go and just be you and not worry about the problems of the world.”Jan Hefler May 27, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Is Ocean City, N.J., really ‘America’s Happiest Seaside Town’? “Well, it’s pretty great here. It’s relaxing, a great place to go and just be you and not worry about the problems of the world.”Jan Hefler May 27, 2019Link copied to clipboard
As legal weed stalls in New Jersey, voters may get a say at the pollsA plan to legalize marijuana in New Jersey is in trouble and some lawmakers are calling for a referendum to let voters decide whether adult-use recreational marijuana should be legalized. But that likely wouldn't be held until 2020.Jan Hefler May 11, 2019Link copied to clipboard
As legal weed stalls in New Jersey, voters may get a say at the pollsA plan to legalize marijuana in New Jersey is in trouble and some lawmakers are calling for a referendum to let voters decide whether adult-use recreational marijuana should be legalized. But that likely wouldn't be held until 2020.Jan Hefler May 11, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Progressives and Camden County Democratic machine wage all-out war in primary raceThe Camden County Democratic Committee is facing an unprecedented challenge from a slate of about 100 progressive candidates saying it’s time to “unplug the machine.” Both sides are waging an acrimonious campaign.Jan Hefler April 30, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Progressives and Camden County Democratic machine wage all-out war in primary raceThe Camden County Democratic Committee is facing an unprecedented challenge from a slate of about 100 progressive candidates saying it’s time to “unplug the machine.” Both sides are waging an acrimonious campaign.Jan Hefler April 30, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Gov. Murphy signs N.J. death with dignity bill. It goes into effect Aug. 1.N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy signs an aid-in-dying bill that allows terminally ill patients to ask their doctors to prescribe life-ending medications. New Jersey will become the eighth state to allow this when the bill becomes effective August 1.Jan Hefler April 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Gov. Murphy signs N.J. death with dignity bill. It goes into effect Aug. 1.N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy signs an aid-in-dying bill that allows terminally ill patients to ask their doctors to prescribe life-ending medications. New Jersey will become the eighth state to allow this when the bill becomes effective August 1.Jan Hefler April 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
N.J. canceled a vote on legal weed. Now there’s a battle over how to fix the bill. As New Jersey legislative leaders try to get the last votes needed to legalize recreational marijuana, supporters are divided over strategy and changes that should be made.Jan Hefler April 5, 2019Link copied to clipboard
N.J. canceled a vote on legal weed. Now there’s a battle over how to fix the bill. As New Jersey legislative leaders try to get the last votes needed to legalize recreational marijuana, supporters are divided over strategy and changes that should be made.Jan Hefler April 5, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Progressives shake things up a bit inside Norcross-led Democratic party in South JerseyThe progressives won 16 seats on the entrenched Camden County Democratic Committee and immediately challenged the current chairman, Jim Beach, with their own nominee, Susan Druckenbrod. It was a small step but launched a 10-year-or-longer plan to change the party from the inside.Jan Hefler June 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Progressives shake things up a bit inside Norcross-led Democratic party in South JerseyThe progressives won 16 seats on the entrenched Camden County Democratic Committee and immediately challenged the current chairman, Jim Beach, with their own nominee, Susan Druckenbrod. It was a small step but launched a 10-year-or-longer plan to change the party from the inside.Jan Hefler June 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Camden County Democratic machine trounces progressive challengers in state and local racesIn light voter turnout across Camden County, Democratic candidates for state and local offices easily defeated progressive challengers in Tuesday's primary. But in Collingswood, 16 progressive delegates won seats on the County Democratic Committee. The progressives backed about 100 candidates.Jan Hefler June 5, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Camden County Democratic machine trounces progressive challengers in state and local racesIn light voter turnout across Camden County, Democratic candidates for state and local offices easily defeated progressive challengers in Tuesday's primary. But in Collingswood, 16 progressive delegates won seats on the County Democratic Committee. The progressives backed about 100 candidates.Jan Hefler June 5, 2019Link copied to clipboard
New Jersey’s legal weed bill is dead. Lawmakers will put the question on the ballot.New Jersey's year-old legal weed bill was scrapped because legislative leaders said they were short a few votes. Instead, Sen. Steve Sweeney announced the question of whether to legalize recreational marijuana will go to voters. Bill sponsor Sen. Nick Scutari said that will likely be in 2020.Jan Hefler May 15, 2019Link copied to clipboard
New Jersey’s legal weed bill is dead. Lawmakers will put the question on the ballot.New Jersey's year-old legal weed bill was scrapped because legislative leaders said they were short a few votes. Instead, Sen. Steve Sweeney announced the question of whether to legalize recreational marijuana will go to voters. Bill sponsor Sen. Nick Scutari said that will likely be in 2020.Jan Hefler May 15, 2019Link copied to clipboard
GoFundMe scam defendant Mark D’Amico indicted on conspiracy charges in Burlington County Mark D'Amico faces conspiracy charges in a $402,000 GoFundMe scam the prosecutors say defrauded donors with a fictitious story about how he and his ex-girlfriend wanted to repay the kindness of homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. who they said helped her when she ran out of gas in Philadelphia.Jan Hefler May 8, 2019Link copied to clipboard
GoFundMe scam defendant Mark D’Amico indicted on conspiracy charges in Burlington County Mark D'Amico faces conspiracy charges in a $402,000 GoFundMe scam the prosecutors say defrauded donors with a fictitious story about how he and his ex-girlfriend wanted to repay the kindness of homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. who they said helped her when she ran out of gas in Philadelphia.Jan Hefler May 8, 2019Link copied to clipboard
For decades, this South Jersey county was such a GOP stronghold that the party rarely had cause to disagree. Then the blue wave hit.A contentious Republican primary race for two Assembly seats in New Jersey's 8th District pits incumbent Joe Howarth and Jason Huf, a lawyer with an office in Saudia Arabia, against incumbent Ryan Peters and Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield. The GOP withdrew its support for Howarth.Jan Hefler April 23, 2019Link copied to clipboard
For decades, this South Jersey county was such a GOP stronghold that the party rarely had cause to disagree. Then the blue wave hit.A contentious Republican primary race for two Assembly seats in New Jersey's 8th District pits incumbent Joe Howarth and Jason Huf, a lawyer with an office in Saudia Arabia, against incumbent Ryan Peters and Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield. The GOP withdrew its support for Howarth.Jan Hefler April 23, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Johnny Bobbitt gets probation in $400K GoFundMe scam. Federal charges could still send him to prison.Johnny Bobbitt Jr., a former homeless veteran, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation treatment after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges for his role in fabricating a Good Samaritan story on a GoFundMe site and raising more than $400,000 from donors.Jan Hefler April 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Johnny Bobbitt gets probation in $400K GoFundMe scam. Federal charges could still send him to prison.Johnny Bobbitt Jr., a former homeless veteran, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation treatment after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges for his role in fabricating a Good Samaritan story on a GoFundMe site and raising more than $400,000 from donors.Jan Hefler April 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Massive N.J. Pinelands fire started in area where illegal bonfires occur, officials sayThe origin of a massive forest fire in the Penn State Forest in the federally-protected N.J. Pinelands was described by fire officials as a secluded sandy spot where people have illegal bonfires. More than 11,000 acres were consumed in the fire, which started Saturday and went into Sunday night.Jan Hefler April 1, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Massive N.J. Pinelands fire started in area where illegal bonfires occur, officials sayThe origin of a massive forest fire in the Penn State Forest in the federally-protected N.J. Pinelands was described by fire officials as a secluded sandy spot where people have illegal bonfires. More than 11,000 acres were consumed in the fire, which started Saturday and went into Sunday night.Jan Hefler April 1, 2019Link copied to clipboard
He led a lavish life. But this New Jersey GOP heavyweight and cranberry king died a pauper.DeMarco died penniless after squandering millions on an extravagant lifestyle and waging a legal battle with his brother over the family fortune. In recent years, he revealed he was gay and switched political parties.Jan Hefler June 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
He led a lavish life. But this New Jersey GOP heavyweight and cranberry king died a pauper.DeMarco died penniless after squandering millions on an extravagant lifestyle and waging a legal battle with his brother over the family fortune. In recent years, he revealed he was gay and switched political parties.Jan Hefler June 12, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Accused mastermind of $400K GoFundMe scam with Johnny Bobbitt pleads not guilty Mark D'Amico was arraigned on conspiracy and theft charges in the $400K GoFundMe scam involving a homeless veteran and a fake Good Samaritan story. His co-defendants, Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbitt Jr. have pleaded guilty in federal and state court and have agreed to testify against him at trial.Jan Hefler May 28, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Accused mastermind of $400K GoFundMe scam with Johnny Bobbitt pleads not guilty Mark D'Amico was arraigned on conspiracy and theft charges in the $400K GoFundMe scam involving a homeless veteran and a fake Good Samaritan story. His co-defendants, Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbitt Jr. have pleaded guilty in federal and state court and have agreed to testify against him at trial.Jan Hefler May 28, 2019Link copied to clipboard
J. Garfield DeMarco, former Burlington County GOP leader and cranberry magnate, dead at 80Garfield DeMarco, a longtime former GOP boss in Burlington County, N.J., who later sold 9,000 acres of his family cranberry farm in the Pinelands to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, died at age 80. He later switched his party affiliation to Independent and married his longtime boyfriend.Jan Hefler May 13, 2019Link copied to clipboard
J. Garfield DeMarco, former Burlington County GOP leader and cranberry magnate, dead at 80Garfield DeMarco, a longtime former GOP boss in Burlington County, N.J., who later sold 9,000 acres of his family cranberry farm in the Pinelands to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, died at age 80. He later switched his party affiliation to Independent and married his longtime boyfriend.Jan Hefler May 13, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Who are the ‘phantom’ Democratic candidates in the Camden County primary?Progressive democrats who are trying to beat the endorsed candidates of the entrenched Camden County Democrat Committee in the June primary say they are also vying against "phantom candidates" who don't campaign and were recruited by the machine to clutter the ballot and confuse voters.Jan Hefler May 4, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Who are the ‘phantom’ Democratic candidates in the Camden County primary?Progressive democrats who are trying to beat the endorsed candidates of the entrenched Camden County Democrat Committee in the June primary say they are also vying against "phantom candidates" who don't campaign and were recruited by the machine to clutter the ballot and confuse voters.Jan Hefler May 4, 2019Link copied to clipboard
N.J. woman pleads guilty in $400K GoFundMe scam with homeless vet Johnny BobbittKate McClure admitted to playing a role in a $400K GoFundMe scam in state court, six weeks after pleading guilty to similar charges in federal court. Prosecutors say McClure, ex-boyfriend Mark D'Amico, and former homeless vet Johnny Bobbitt defrauded donors with a fake Good Samaritan story.Jan Hefler April 15, 2019Link copied to clipboard
N.J. woman pleads guilty in $400K GoFundMe scam with homeless vet Johnny BobbittKate McClure admitted to playing a role in a $400K GoFundMe scam in state court, six weeks after pleading guilty to similar charges in federal court. Prosecutors say McClure, ex-boyfriend Mark D'Amico, and former homeless vet Johnny Bobbitt defrauded donors with a fake Good Samaritan story.Jan Hefler April 15, 2019Link copied to clipboard
As New Jersey plans to legalize weed, growing it at home is still off-limits New Jersey’s bill to legalize recreational marijuana is quite different from the 10 other states with legal weed. It would allow consumption lounges, home deliveries, and speedy expungements. But cannabis activists complain the bill also doesn’t allow home growing, unlike the other states.Jan Hefler April 10, 2019Link copied to clipboard
As New Jersey plans to legalize weed, growing it at home is still off-limits New Jersey’s bill to legalize recreational marijuana is quite different from the 10 other states with legal weed. It would allow consumption lounges, home deliveries, and speedy expungements. But cannabis activists complain the bill also doesn’t allow home growing, unlike the other states.Jan Hefler April 10, 2019Link copied to clipboard