🎃 An early welcome to spooky season | Inquirer South Jersey

Good morning, South Jersey. Our stormy summer seems to continue. We’re under another flood watch until tonight. Be prepared for more downpours.

Approximately 3,000 people attended the grand opening of Spirit Halloween’s flagship location at Harbor Square Mall in Egg Harbor Township.

And every Democrat in the New Jersey congressional delegation collectively asked President Donald Trump to reverse his FEMA aid rejection for the deadly snowstorm earlier this year.

Plus, prosecutors filed a civil complaint to remove Willingboro council member Nathaniel Anderson, who has not resigned from his position despite being behind bars for mortgage fraud, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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There’s no such thing as too early for Halloween (in my opinion).

And I’m clearly not alone since about 3,000 people showed up to celebrate the annual grand opening of the flagship Spirit Halloween in Egg Harbor Township on Saturday.

Children and adults — some wearing shorts and T-shirts, others decked out in full costumes — were able to play outdoor games, enjoy food trucks, get their face painted, and of course, shop. Some life-size animatronics sold out within minutes.

The chain operates more than 1,500 stores in the U.S. and Canada from August through early November.

Other locations that are now open include Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, Deptford, and Sicklerville, with more to come.

Did you know? The seasonally ubiquitous Spirit Halloween is a South Jersey company and Spencer’s is the parent corporation.

The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has more on the festive celebration.

All of the Democrats in the New Jersey congressional delegation signed a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to reverse his rejection of disaster aid for February’s deadly snowstorm.

Their plea in the letter — first obtained by The Inquirer — is in support of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s appeal of the denial of the $84 million request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the blizzard from earlier this year.

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim led the effort. All of the members of New Jersey were invited to join but only three Republicans did, according to Booker’s office.

Notably, South Jersey Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew opted out despite initially supporting the FEMA request in April that sought money in every county in his district for costs related to the storm.

Reporter Aliya Schneider has the story.

South Jersey singer Mara Justine came in what place when she competed on season 24 of The Voice?

A) Second

B) Third

C) Fifth

D) Seventh

Think you know? Check your answer.

🗳️ Considering: Columnist Daniel Pearson’s opinion piece, which reflects on his previous role when he investigated allegations of election fraud in light of New Jersey’s noncitizen voter disclosure.

⛳ Remembering: That time when Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour stopped in South Jersey.

❌ Preventing: Lanternfly damage on your property.

This submission was sent to us from Jess Fasano of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation who wrote:

New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Franklin Parker Preserve encompasses 16 square miles in the heart of the Pine Barrens. It’s open to the public year-round and contains some of the region’s most beautiful wetlands and provides critical habitat to more than 50 rare, threatened, or endangered species.

What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

I hope you have a great start to your week. Catch you tomorrow! 📧

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