Violence in a high school foyer | Inquirer South Jersey
And Goodbeet’s storefront closure.
Good morning, South Jersey.
A mother is sharing her side of the story through a federal lawsuit about the day she was allegedly assaulted by a Monroe Township police officer while trying to drop off menstrual products for her daughter at Williamstown High School.
And Goodbeet’s storefront in Haddon Township is closing amid challenges impacting the plant-based restaurant scene.
Plus, PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” have been found in almost all waterways tested in New Jersey, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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On Oct. 11, 2024, Nadia Baxter arrived to Williamstown High School, where her daughter was a senior.
She left with charges of assaulting a Monroe Township police officer.
Two years later, she’s sharing her side of the story through a federal lawsuit.
According to Baxter, she came to drop off menstrual products for her daughter. While in the school’s lobby, the school resource officer, Michael Marsh, grabbed her by the neck, pushed her to the ground, and placed her in a chokehold, per the complaint. And despite surveillance video of the incident, the suit claims he didn’t receive any consequences, while Baxter faced charges and her daughter ended up suspended for seven weeks and removed from school activities.
The lawsuit filed last week names Marsh, the school board, the school principal, and Monroe Township and its police department as defendants.
The Inquirer’s Abraham Gutman and Sarah Nicell break down what we know about the case.
After more than a decade, Goodbeet is closing its brick-and-mortar store.
The Haddon Township health-conscious storefront will shut down completely by the end of the month, but owner Ashley Coyne said it’s set to live on as a wholesale and online business.
Although staffing issues ultimately led to the kitchen closure, it didn’t help that the plant-based restaurant business as a whole has been facing more competition. Vegan food becoming less niche appears to have negatively impacted restaurants like hers.
“We used to be a destination,” Coyne said. “People would travel serious distances to come here. Now, they don’t have to.”
Reporter Michael Klein has the story.
What to know today
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been found in almost all of the waterways tested in South Jersey, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This includes Cooper River in Cherry Hill, Big Timber Creek in Glendora, Rancocas Creek in Mount Holly, and Mullica River close to Atsion Lake in the Pinelands.
Willingboro Township officials approved plans Tuesday to build 129 townhomes on the former site of the Burlington County Times.
Cherry Hill school board member Kurt Braddock has resigned from his seat. The board is expected to appoint his replacement by late November.
Deptford’s school board approved a new five-year contract for Superintendent Kevin Kanauss, extending his tenure through 2031.
Doane Academy in Burlington will expand its campus with a new athletic facility and auditorium.
With only weeks left ahead of the midterms, two major GOP groups pulled funding from Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean’s race against his challenger, Rebecca Bennett. The 7th District seat could tilt U.S. House control to Democrats.
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🗓️ The best things to do this week
🎥 World’s Best Short Films: The Garden State Film Festival presents a showing of “The Best of the Fest” featuring films from across the world. It’ll include local showings of Terroir, which was filmed at Amalthea Cellars in Atco, and Outside the Lines, the documentary about the Winslow Township girls track team. ⏰ Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. 💵 18.88 📍 Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood
🚜 Family Fun Night: Come out for an evening hayride, s’mores (supplies included), a corn maze, music, a photo booth, and carnival games. Bring your own flashlight. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 $17.58, children 1 year and under free 📍 Duffield’s Farm & Market, Sewell
📚 A Con to Die For: Burlington County Library System’s latest book festival is for mystery fans. The free event includes opportunities to meet the authors, shop, and listen to panel discussions. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Free, but registration required 📍 Burlington County Library, Westampton
🧠 Trivia time
Which actress starred in photographer Jona Frank’s photo memoir about her childhood in Cherry Hill?
A) Julianne Moore
B) Nicole Kidman
C) Laura Dern
D) Laura Linney
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🏒 Watching: 76 seconds with the Flyers.
🍕 Grabbing: A drink and a pie at Treno Pizza Bar in Cherry Hill.
🌲 Exploring: The Pinelands’ Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve.
I’ll be back with more news in your inbox tomorrow. See you then. 📧
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