Gov. Sherrill’s ‘first real test’ | Inquirer South Jersey
And a new book about a century-old Moorestown case.
Good morning, South Jersey.
👋🏽 I’m Taylor, your newsletter writer. As a Jersey girl, I can’t wait to spotlight my home state: the land of pork roll, intense attachments to highway exit signs, beautiful farmland, expansive woodlands, full-service gas stations, and of course, diners.
I hope this space will become your reliable news hub for Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties.
A little more about me:
You might know me already from writing The Inquirer’s main morning newsletter from 2022 to 2023. I’ve also been filling in over there during the past month.
I’ve lived in every region of this wonderful state: North, Central, and now South Jersey is my home. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Some hobbies include writing quick book reviews, hiking, latch-hooking, and hunting for new bookstores and coffee shops (double points if they are both!).
Now, onto the news.
South Jersey progressives and immigration rights activists aren’t happy with how Gov. Mikie Sherrill handled the protests outside of Delaney Hall.
And former 6abc reporter Annie McCormick recently released a book about a nearly 100-year-old case about the deaths of two South Jersey socialites in Moorestown.
Plus, most of the 2025 Jersey wildfires were caused by human activity, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
All eyes are on Gov. Sherrill, the first-term governor who campaigned to fight against President Donald Trump and ICE.
She’s pushing for the closure of the Delaney Hall immigration detention center while grappling with the backlash for how she’s has handled the unrest outside of it.
The South Jersey progressives and immigration rights activists who campaigned for her see Sherrill’s choice to put in place designated protest zones and deploy state troopers as a betrayal. Sherrill said the decision was her attempt to “lower the temperature.”
“It’s her first real test [of] how she manages the duties of being the highest public safety officer of the state leading New Jersey, and then still protecting the immigrant community who lives here,” a former campaign adviser to Sherrill said.
The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider has the story.
The 1929 deaths of two young socialites, Ruth Wilson and Horace Roberts Jr., in Moorestown rocked the township and inspired years worth of sensational headlines.
But nearly a century later, most people don’t recall the case that was officially ruled a murder-suicide.
Former 6abc reporter and Moorestown native Annie McCormick never heard of it until she stumbled on a 2021 news article and then quickly became hooked on the story. Her fascination led to the recent release of her book, Restless Ghosts: Murder, Suicide, and the Case that Wouldn’t Stay Buried which retells the case.
“The most frustrating part is that I can’t ask anyone,” she said. “I have questions, and I don’t have anyone I can follow up with. I wonder if this was a present-day case if there would be more finality.”
Read on to gain more insight into the case, and the questions that still linger around it.
P.S. Don’t miss the archived Inquirer coverage of the case included throughout the article.
What to know today
Nearly all of the 1,322 New Jersey wildfires that burned 27,229 acres in 2025 were caused by human activity. Two large fires from the past year included the Mines Spung Wildfire in Burlington County and the California Branch Wildfire in Camden County, which burned 6,610 and 2,336 acres respectively.
A South Jersey man shot and killed an acquaintance, and then himself in his car after driving half a mile away in Lumberton last week, according to authorities.
U.S. Sen Cory Booker toured the Camden County’s Police Department in Camden to see its new training tools for officers. Booker praised the new technology as “innovative and cutting edge” and said other departments should use them as an example.
The brother and father of Xavier Taylor, the 12-year-old boy from Maple Shade who was critically injured after getting hit with a baseball and remains on a ventilator, threw the first pitch at a Little League game in Camden County on Saturday, NBC10 reports. Support for Xavier and his family has grown nationwide.
Gov. Sherrill announced state farmers in all 21 counties are eligible for emergency federal loans for the crops damaged by cold temperatures back in April. Heights in Progress, a nonprofit, hosted a FIFA World Cup watch party in downtown Haddon Heights on Saturday to fundraise for farmers.
The $50 million Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University examines the musician’s influence and validates “New Jersey’s enormous contribution to the history of American music,“ architecture critic Inga Saffron writes.
According to South Jersey Food Scene, Ciconte’s Restaurant Group acquired Don & Bert’s Custard Stand in Paulsboro.
🧠 Trivia time
What was the most popular baby name in New Jersey in 2025?
A) Emma
B) Liam
C) Noah
D) Thiago
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🍴 Craving: Crab gravy.
🌲 Exploring: The area around Laurel Lake, now a nature preserve.
⚽ Watching: The World Cup at Zed’s Beer in Marlton.
📬 Your South Jersey view
This view minutes away from my home never gets old. It’s spring (now, basically summer), but it’s beautiful in every season.
What does your community look like? Submit a photo and a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading
Thank you for reading our first edition of the South Jersey newsletter. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow, bright and early. ☀️
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
