Locals Escaping Boston Bombing, Hoax Device Top Regional News

These stories topped the news this week on our South Jersey Patch sites—Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Collingswood, Gloucester Township, Haddonfield-Haddon Township, Moorestown and West Deptford.

The horrific bombings at the Boston Marathon affected many South Jerseyans—some who narrowly escaped the explosions, others who ran a silent memorial mile in solidarity with the victims and one man with a local connection whose picture of grisly injuries quickly went viral.

Our local coverage of the bombings included:

• Boston Bombing Victim with Gruesome Injuries Has Local Ties 
• Memorial Mile Draws Hundreds to Haddon Township High School
• Cinnaminson Alum Narrowly Missed Bombs in Boston Marathon
• Moorestown Alum in Boston Marathon 'Just Flat-Out Angry' About Bombing
• 2 Cherry Hill Runners Finished Marathon Before Explosions
• Moorestown Runners Show Support for Boston Victims
• Moorestown Man Who Pulled Out of Boston Marathon 'Saddened' by Bombing
• 'Suspicious Activity' at Mantua Fire Dept. Sparks Terrorism Probe

Patch created an interactive nationwide map to show how readers in our towns experienced the attack: Marathon Bombing Sends Shockwaves Across Country

In other news this week:

Don’t expect to see any new red-light cameras in New Jersey any time soon—and maybe ever.

Alleged Hit-and-Run Driver Arrested; 11-Year-Old Hurt in Crash

Haddonfield police say Barbara Messerschmidt hit a preteen pedestrian and fled without helping the injured girl.

Bomb Squad Investigates Suspicious Package at Newton Diner Lot

A suspicious package discovered in the parking lot of the former Newtown Diner shut down the White Horse Pike Monday. Officers later determined the package was a hoax.

Former Triton Teacher Martinelli Learns His Fate in Court

As his alleged victim sat silently in the back of the courtroom, former teacher Nicholas Martinelli was sentenced Wednesday for trying to cover up a sexual relationship he reportedly had with her.  

What Does Moorestown Mall Have in Common with the Space Needle?

Think you know your mall history? It's the Moorestown Mall's 50th anniversary. Catch up on the last half-century here—and learn a little more about its future.

A fundraiser to help a 4-year-old Somerdale boy, who suffers from a rare disease, will be held this weekend in Cinnaminson. Read on to find out how you can help.

As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. So maybe when life—or rather, the banks that run it—gives you a mostly finished building project that's also a credit-ruining political albatross, you make The Collings at The Lumberyard.

Your Ad Here: West Deptford Seeks Corporate 'Partners'

What would West Deptford look like with a Wawa logo on its water tower? Or an upbeat message about recycling—brought to you by Lowe’s—on the side of its garbage trucks? 

Stargazers Have Shot at Seeing 2013's 2nd Major Meteor Shower

The Lyrids may be seen during predawn hours on April 21 and 22.

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Cherry Hill

Haddonfield-Haddon Township

Cinnaminson

Moorestown

Collingswood

West Deptford

Gloucester Township