Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Moorestown Township Public Safety Director Patrick J. Reilly Jr. revealed that a 73-year-old Moorestown man faced charges on Thursday for murdering his wife in their East Camden Avenue residence. Gerard Slavin was charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault – Strangulation.
He was held at the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly awaiting a detention hearing in Superior Court.
The investigation commenced just before 3 p.m. on Thursday after authorities received a call regarding the Slavin’s home in the Moorestowne Woods Apartment Homes. Responding officers from the Moorestown Township Police Department discovered the lifeless body of Linda Slavin, 73, in the couple’s bedroom.
Following the incident, Gerard Slavin was taken into custody without any complications. The Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood performed an autopsy on Friday, confirming that Linda Slavin’s cause of death was strangulation. Authorities from the Moorestown Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are leading the ongoing investigation with MTPD Det. Ryan Carr and Prosecutor’s Office detectives Shawn McDonough and Katie White at the helm.
- New Jersey Poll Workers Can Earn $300 for June 2 Primary Election Shifts
Trenton, N.J. — New Jersey officials are urging residents to sign up as poll workers for the June 2 Primary Election, offering paid opportunities for adults and students to help staff voting locations across the state.
The New Jersey Division of Elections announced a statewide recruitment push Tuesday in partnership with county election offices, encouraging residents ages 16 and older to apply through Pollworker.NJ.Gov. Workers selected for Election Day service can earn $300, while Early Voting shifts pay $21.43 per hour.
State officials said thousands of poll workers are needed to operate voting sites during both the primary and upcoming general election cycle.
State Targets Students and First-Time Civic Volunteers
Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, who serves as New Jersey’s Secretary of State and chief election official, said the program gives residents a direct role in supporting elections and voter access.
“Becoming a poll worker is one of the best ways to get engaged with our democracy,” Caldwell said in a statement announcing the initiative.
He added that New Jersey residents “16 and older have a meaningful opportunity to engage civically and help neighbors vote in free and fair elections as poll workers this year and beyond.”
Election officials are especially encouraging high school and college students to apply, part of a broader effort to recruit younger workers as longtime poll staff members retire.
Key Points
• New Jersey poll workers can earn $300 for the June 2 Primary Election
• Early Voting workers are eligible for $21.43 per hour
• Residents as young as 16 years old may apply through Pollworker.NJ.Gov
Counties Across New Jersey Need More Poll Workers
Donna Barber, director of the New Jersey Division of Elections, said counties statewide are actively seeking additional workers before the primary election.
“Elections across New Jersey rely on thousands of dedicated residents who staff polling locations,” Barber said. “It’s a great way to earn money while supporting your community.”
Poll workers typically assist voters at check-in stations, help manage voting equipment, answer procedural questions, and ensure polling locations operate smoothly throughout Election Day.
Officials said the recruitment effort comes as counties continue preparing for both in-person voting and expanded early voting operations.
Who Qualifies to Serve
According to the Division of Elections, applicants must meet several requirements to serve as poll workers in New Jersey.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be U.S. citizens and New Jersey residents
- Be registered to vote in the county where they live, unless under 18
- Be at least 16 years old
- Not be running as a candidate in the election
Residents under age 18 do not need to be registered voters to participate.
State officials said serving as a poll worker can also provide students with civic engagement experience and community service opportunities.
Recruitment Continues Ahead of Primary Election
Applications remain open through the state’s poll worker portal as counties continue staffing polling sites for the June 2 primary.
Officials are encouraging residents interested in election work to apply as soon as possible due to training and scheduling requirements before voting begins.
As of Tuesday, the Division of Elections had not released updated statewide staffing totals for the primary election.
- NJ Drivers Pay 6.625% Sales Tax on Cars, While Millionaire Private Aircraft Sales Escape Tax Entirely
NJ Taxes Your Used Honda but Lets Many Private Jet Buyers Skip Sales Tax
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey residents buying a used car from a neighbor can face thousands of dollars in sales tax, but wealthy buyers purchasing private aircraft often pay nothing under a decades-old “casual sale” exemption buried in state tax law.
Under New Jersey tax rules, most motor vehicle purchases — including private-party transactions, trades, and vehicle swaps — are subject to the state’s 6.625% sales tax rate.
But aircraft purchases receive dramatically different treatment.
According to New Jersey Division of Taxation guidance, the sale of an airplane is exempt from sales tax if the aircraft was previously owned for personal use and sold in what the state defines as a “casual sale.” That means many privately owned jets and planes can legally change hands tax-free, even when worth millions of dollars.
The exemption does not apply if the aircraft was used commercially for charter operations, rentals, flight instruction, or dealer resale inventory. But personal-use aircraft sales generally qualify for the carveout for millionaires who can afford them.
Now, we’re not calling for a tax on planes, but making cars follow the same tax rules as planes would be nice.
The disparity has fueled criticism from taxpayers and advocates who argue ordinary residents shoulder heavier tax burdens on necessities like cars while high-end aviation purchases receive favorable treatment.
Car Buyers Face Strict Tax Enforcement
New Jersey aggressively enforces sales tax collection on automobiles, including used vehicle transactions between private individuals.
The state warns buyers that failure to report accurate purchase prices can trigger additional assessments based on National Automobile Dealers Association valuations.
Even non-cash vehicle trades are taxable.
State guidance specifically notes that swapping vehicles, trading property, or exchanging services for a car still creates a taxable event based on fair market value.
Examples provided by the Division of Taxation include:
- A person trading a $25,000 boat for an SUV still owes sales tax on the vehicle value
- Two friends swapping vehicles owe tax on the fair market value of both vehicles involved
- A gifted car with a transferred loan balance may trigger tax liability on the debt assumed
The rules apply regardless of whether the transaction occurs through a dealership or privately between individuals.
By contrast, an individual purchasing a privately owned aircraft for personal use may avoid paying any sales tax at all if the sale qualifies under the casual sale exemption.
Aircraft Exemption Benefits High-End Purchases
The aircraft exemption stems from language in New Jersey’s Sales and Use Tax Act defining qualifying casual sales as isolated transactions involving personal property originally obtained for the owner’s own use.
Critics say the law effectively creates a tax shield for affluent buyers purchasing luxury aircraft while middle-class residents face unavoidable taxes on daily transportation.
The contrast becomes especially stark given the price difference between ordinary cars and private aircraft.
A used sedan purchased for $25,000 generates roughly $1,656 in New Jersey sales tax. A privately owned jet sold for several million dollars may generate zero tax liability if classified as a casual sale under state rules.
New Jersey also exempts certain out-of-state aircraft owners storing planes in the state if they are not considered New Jersey residents for tax purposes.
Key Points
• New Jersey charges 6.625% sales tax on most vehicle purchases, including private sales
• Many private aircraft sales qualify for a “casual sale” exemption and avoid sales tax entirely
• Critics argue the system favors wealthy aircraft buyers over ordinary car owners
Critics Question Fairness of Tax Structure
Tax policy experts and government watchdog groups have long criticized carveouts benefiting luxury asset purchases while broader consumption taxes affect ordinary residents more consistently.
New Jersey already ranks among the nation’s highest-tax states when property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes are combined.
The aircraft exemption remains legal because it falls under statutory definitions within the state tax code rather than a special discretionary loophole created administratively.
Supporters of casual sale exemptions argue they prevent double taxation on previously taxed personal property and simplify enforcement on occasional private transactions.
But critics note the practical effect disproportionately benefits owners of high-value assets like planes and business aircraft.
The state has not indicated any plans to revisit the exemption despite ongoing affordability debates affecting transportation, housing, and taxation across New Jersey.
Meanwhile, ordinary residents purchasing used vehicles continue facing mandatory sales tax collection, affidavit requirements, valuation scrutiny, and potential audits from the Division of Taxation.
The contrast highlights how New Jersey’s tax code treats everyday transportation and luxury aviation purchases under sharply different standards.
Alternative Headlines:
- Massive New Jersey human trafficking ring busted as 13 suspects charged
handcuffsCops uncover alleged sex trafficking network tied to drugs hotels and online ads
TRENTON, N.J. — A sweeping human trafficking investigation spanning multiple New Jersey counties has led to the arrests of 13 people accused of operating a criminal enterprise that allegedly forced women into commercial sex acts while distributing drugs from hotels across the state.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police announced the arrests Friday following a months-long investigation into a trafficking ring allegedly operating throughout Central and South Jersey.
Authorities identified the accused ringleaders as Shalaby Hicks of Pennsauken and Nathaniel Clay of Mount Laurel, who investigators allege operated a trafficking program in which women were forced to engage in commercial sex acts and surrender all earnings to the organization.
Investigators said the operation stretched across Middlesex, Ocean, Camden and Burlington counties and relied on online advertisements posted to websites including SkipTheGames and MegaPersonals. Victims were allegedly forced to create and post ads promoting commercial sex acts.
Authorities said the enterprise also distributed controlled dangerous substances, including crack cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine. According to investigators, victims were expected to provide drugs to clients seeking narcotics during encounters.
Officials said Hicks allegedly operated part of the organization out of a Pennsauken hotel while Clay allegedly controlled operations from a hotel in Maple Shade. Investigators accused several co-defendants of serving as managers responsible for handling money, drugs and enforcing rules within the operation.
During a May 7 search warrant execution tied to Hicks, investigators recovered approximately 7.79 ounces of suspected crack cocaine, five ounces of fentanyl, 3.77 ounces of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and roughly $5,000 in cash, according to officials.
Search warrants executed at multiple residences and hotels also led to the recovery of 15 victims connected to the trafficking investigation.
Authorities said one suspect, Bernard Dandridge of Sicklerville, allegedly used his residence to manufacture cocaine and was found in possession of 14 ounces of cocaine, two handguns and an assault-style ghost gun rifle at the time of his arrest.
The defendants face a range of charges including racketeering, conspiracy, human trafficking and narcotics offenses. Prosecutors said first-degree human trafficking charges carry penalties ranging from 20 years to life in prison.
Officials credited multiple law enforcement agencies and victim service organizations for assisting in the investigation and helping support survivors.
Key Points
• Authorities charged 13 people in connection with a large New Jersey human trafficking operation
• Investigators said victims were forced into commercial sex acts and drug distribution
• Police recovered drugs, weapons, cash and identified 15 victims during the investigation - Blockbuster Tops List of Defunct Brands New Jersey Residents Want Back Most
Newark, NJ – Blockbuster still holds a powerful grip on nostalgia for New Jersey residents over 45, beating out bookstores, video rental rivals, and classic department stores as the brand people most want to see return. A new MarketBeat survey of 3,014 respondents found the once-dominant movie rental chain ranked first among discontinued retailers that people miss most, reflecting a broader craving for experiences that felt slower, more social, and less transactional.
The survey highlights how older consumers increasingly associate vanished chains with routines and personal connection rather than just shopping. From movie nights to bookstore browsing, respondents pointed to brands that turned ordinary errands into rituals many feel modern retail no longer offers.
Nostalgia Centers on Experience, Not Convenience
Blockbuster claimed the top spot largely because of the experience surrounding it. Friday-night trips to rent movies became a weekly tradition for many families, where choosing a film often took longer than watching it.
Photo: 73-year-old south jersey husband charged with killing wife The chain’s blue-and-yellow storefronts, walls lined with VHS tapes and DVDs, and the race to grab the last available new release created a kind of anticipation streaming services rarely replicate. For many respondents, the appeal wasn’t just access to entertainment — it was the shared experience of discovering something together.
Waldenbooks ranked second, remembered less as a retail giant and more as a dependable stop during mall trips across New Jersey. Respondents described the chain as approachable and familiar, offering enough variety to make casual browsing rewarding without feeling overwhelming.
Borders followed in third place, with many participants recalling the bookstore as a destination where people could spend hours reading, wandering, or simply sitting quietly. Unlike today’s faster online shopping habits, Borders represented unstructured time and discovery.
Hollywood Video landed fourth, earning praise for its unpredictability and underdog appeal. Customers often visited when competitors ran out of titles, leading to unexpected movie picks and spontaneous discoveries that became part of the experience.
Woolworth rounded out the top five. The longtime department store chain stood out for blending shopping, dining, and everyday errands into one trip. Respondents remembered the lunch counters and slower pace as symbols of a more personal style of retail.
Key Points
• Blockbuster ranked as the most-missed discontinued brand among surveyed New Jersey residents over 45
• Waldenbooks, Borders, Hollywood Video, and Woolworth completed the top five
• Survey respondents said they miss the experience and routine attached to the stores, not just the products
Why These Brands Still Matter
The survey points to a broader shift in how consumers view retail and entertainment. Many of the chains that ranked highest offered spaces where people lingered rather than rushed through transactions.
“What this data shows is that the connection people have to these brands goes beyond what they sold,” said Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat. “Many of these stores turned everyday errands into actual experiences, whether that was picking out a movie, browsing without time pressure, or shopping with family.”
Paulson said the findings suggest many consumers now recognize how much modern retail has prioritized speed and efficiency over atmosphere and interaction.
“As retail has become faster and more transactional, that sense of occasion has started to disappear, and people are realizing they miss it,” he added.
The timing also reflects a growing nostalgia economy across the United States, where older brands, retro products, and revival campaigns continue gaining attention. Streaming services dominate entertainment, but the emotional attachment to physical browsing and shared decision-making remains strong among older consumers.
A Different Kind of Shopping Memory
Part of the appeal behind these chains may come from how they fit into daily routines before smartphones and online shopping transformed consumer habits.
Blockbuster trips often involved entire families debating movie choices together. Borders encouraged customers to spend hours exploring books and music without pressure to leave. Woolworth blended retail with dining in ways that made errands feel social instead of rushed.
Even Hollywood Video’s smaller footprint created a sense of unpredictability that respondents still remember fondly.
The survey did not indicate whether respondents believed any of the brands could realistically return in large-scale form. Instead, the results focused on emotional attachment and cultural memory.
Several once-defunct brands have attempted revivals in recent years through online relaunches, pop-up experiences, or nostalgia-themed marketing campaigns. While few regain their former dominance, many continue attracting loyal audiences tied to memories of how those stores once fit into everyday life.
MarketBeat’s survey specifically targeted adults aged 45 and older, a demographic old enough to have firsthand memories of these chains during their peak years in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s.
The survey results suggest that for many New Jersey residents, the stores they miss most were never just about renting movies or buying books. They represented routines, shared time, and experiences that felt harder to replace as shopping moved online.
The infographic accompanying the survey visually ranked the top five brands and summarized the emotional connection respondents expressed toward each chain.
- New Jersey Wants to Boost Booze Made From Jersey Fresh, Home Grown Agricultural Ingredients
Cranberry farmers in a cranberry bog.TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey lawmakers are advancing legislation that would officially expand the state’s well-known “Jersey Fresh” marketing program to include beer, wine, cider, and liquor produced from New Jersey-grown agricultural products.
Assembly Bill 2762, approved by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee with amendments earlier this month, would direct the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote alcoholic beverages crafted in the state using locally cultivated ingredients.
Supporters say the measure would build on the growing popularity of New Jersey wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries while giving producers broader access to one of the state’s most recognizable agricultural marketing brands.
The proposal would also require the department to establish a quality grading and rating system for qualifying alcoholic products similar to standards already used under the Jersey Fresh program for produce and other agricultural commodities.
Jersey Fresh Program Would Expand Beyond Produce
The Jersey Fresh program, launched in 1984, has long served as New Jersey’s flagship agricultural branding campaign, promoting fruits and vegetables grown throughout the state.
While the program already highlights some locally produced alcoholic beverages online, the bill would formally expand the initiative to include:
- beer,
- wine,
- cider,
- and liquor products
made using agricultural commodities cultivated in New Jersey.
Lawmakers backing the legislation said the move would help strengthen connections between agriculture and the state’s expanding craft beverage industry.
New Jersey’s winery and brewery sectors have seen significant growth over the past decade, with local producers increasingly marketing products tied to state-grown fruits, grains, hops, and other farm commodities.
Bill Taps Existing Marketing Infrastructure
Rather than creating a separate promotional campaign, the legislation would use the existing Jersey Fresh framework and branding infrastructure already operated by the Department of Agriculture.
Supporters argue that approach could give smaller producers broader visibility without requiring the state to build an entirely new marketing system.
The committee statement said the bill seeks to “promote alcohols produced in the State that are made from agricultural commodities cultivated in the State.”
Under the proposal, the department would also develop standards to measure product quality and consistency for participating alcoholic beverage producers.
The grading requirement mirrors existing Jersey Fresh quality standards used for produce and other agricultural products marketed through the state program.
—
Key Points
• New Jersey bill would expand Jersey Fresh branding to beer, wine, cider, and liquor
• Products would need to use agricultural commodities grown in New Jersey
• Committee amendments removed a proposed $100,000 appropriation from the bill—
Funding Provision Removed by Committee
The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee amended the legislation before advancing it, removing language that would have appropriated $100,000 for the program along with a recurring annual appropriation.
The amended bill no longer includes dedicated funding, though it still directs the Department of Agriculture to implement the expanded promotional efforts.
The legislation was pre-filed for the 2026-2027 legislative session and updated following technical review, according to the committee statement.
Craft Beverage Industry Continues Growing in New Jersey
New Jersey’s craft beverage sector has expanded steadily in recent years as wineries, breweries, and distilleries increasingly market products tied to local agriculture and agritourism.
Many producers already promote the use of New Jersey-grown:
- grapes,
- apples,
- grains,
- blueberries,
- peaches,
- and hops
as part of their branding and tourism efforts.
The proposed expansion of Jersey Fresh could give qualifying products access to one of the state’s most established agricultural marketing labels, potentially increasing exposure for both producers and farmers supplying ingredients.
Assembly Bill 2762 remains under consideration in the New Jersey Legislature following committee approval.