As we come to the end of 2025 and look forward to the new year, here’s a look back at Medford top stories.
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection cut the ribbon on restoration of the Dr. James Still historic office this year.
An accessible Still house
Dr. James Still was referred to as the Black doctor of the Pines.
He was a self-taught physician who diagnosed and treated patients at his office in Medford, where he developed and dispensed herbal and holistic remedies. The completion of a nearly $1.75 million, multi-year stabilization and restoration project will let visitors experience Still’s office much as it appeared in 1855.
“The restoration of the Dr. James Still Office Historic Site reflects our commitment to preserving New Jersey’s diverse history while making it accessible to all,” said John Cecil, assistant commissioner for State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites.
Work began in 2019 to stabilize the structure and restore the historic office to reflect its original design.
The New Jersey Department of State and Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restoration and also unveiled a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker at the office site on Sept. 29.
“Dr. James Still’s life story of perseverance, and his unwavering determination to help others, serves as an inspiration for us all,” New Jersey DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said.
The area is the state park service’s first African American historic site.
“Members of the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association are delighted to achieve this milestone accomplishment in our overall mission of honoring Dr. James Still’s life and legacy,” noted Carol Marshall-Douglas, president of the site association and Still’s third great-grandniece.
“In the words of Dr. James Still, ‘… In all our dealings, let truth be our guiding star,’” she continued. “Dr. James Still’s legacy continues to be our guiding star as we strive to ensure that (his) enduring story continues to uplift and empower future generations.”
DEP purchased the Still site in 2006 with Green Acres funds. Since then, additional adjacent parcels of land have been acquired by the DEP State Park Service, bringing the site’s total size to 22 acres.
Township council presented retired Police Chief Arthur Waterman with a proclamation at a meeting in October.
‘Thank you, chief’
After 27 years of service to the Medford police department, Chief Arthur Waterman retired in the summer.
“Thank you, chief,” stated an Aug. 8 post on the police department’s Facebook page.
In July, Waterman oversaw his final swearing-in ceremony that saw the promotions of Lt. Joseph Canuso, Sgt. Gregory Blash and Sgt. Kendall Kiernan and the hiring of Emma and Grace Jensen as Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO) I.
“I want to thank the men and women of the Medford Township Police Department for the work that they do day in and day out to provide a safe environment for our residents,” Waterman said, “and also provide support for our various community policing initiatives that engage our residents and helping us gain partnerships we have throughout the town.
He added that his officers “exemplify integrity, respect and care.”
Waterman joined the department in 1998 and was promoted to chief in 2021. Council recognized Waterman in April with a proclamation, along with announcing the promotions of new department leadership. William Dunleavy was promoted to chief and Jeff Samalonis was promoted to captain.
The Lenape Regional High School District named Assistant Superintendent Matt Webb (in red tie) its superintendent at a July 23 meeting.
New superintendent
A familiar face now leads the Lenape Regional High School District.
The district unanimously approved the appointment of Assistant Superintendent Matt Webb to the top job during a special meeting on July 23. He succeeded Carol Birnbohm, who retired in September after 13 years of leading the district.
Birnbohm announced her retirement in May and the search for a new superintendent began. A Cherokee High School alumna, Birnbohm became superintendent in 2012 after an education career in mathematics at Cherokee High that began in 1992.
Webb’s contract began on Sept. 1 and is extended through June 30, 2029. His annual salary is $242,000, according to Elaine Kurtz, coordinator of administrative services for the district.
Webb is a longtime employee who joined the district in 2003 as assistant principal of Seneca High. He built a reputation for leading with both his heart and mind and garnered letters of recommendation supporting his promotion from colleagues and families.
They described Webb as a connected and highly compassionate leader, according to a district press release.
As superintendent, Webb said he will continue a leadership style grounded in “collaboration, transparent communication and data-informed decision making, all in service to supporting student success.
“I’ve had the privilege of learning from exceptional leaders,” he remarked, “including Dr. Birnbohm. And I consider it the highest professional honor to build upon her legacy.”
‘Dream come true’
In late summer of 2023, Grace Martin came down with an awful headache.
“It wasn’t your typical headache,” she recalled, “which I thought was weird.”
The Medford resident entered her junior year at Camden Catholic High School in September, but the headaches persisted and she started getting double vision. Martin and her parents knew something wasn’t right, so she went for an MRI.
Two days before her 17th birthday, Martin and her family were told she had a cancerous brain tumor in her frontal lobe. After undergoing surgery to remove it, she went through 33 rounds of proton radiation with an “incredible team” at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
“It was difficult and rough,” acknowledged Martin, who has scheduled checkups and is thankful the cancer is gone. Yet while she found out it wasn’t genetic, the cancer’s cause remains unknown.
After a pause from school, Martin showed grit and determination by returning to classes and her extracurriculars, successfully finishing her junior year with honors. One of those extracurriculars is performing, which she has done since she was 6 years old.
With a nudge from her mom, Martin auditioned for the Garden of Dreams Talent Show with a rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from the musical “Funny Girl.” She was one of 150 young people from the tri-state area selected to perform in the talent show at Radio City Music Hall on April 8.
The young performers – all facing unimaginable obstacles – were selected from 28 of the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s 30 partner organizations, including Make-A-Wish, Children’s Aid, Children’s Village, SCAN-Harbor and the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club.
The performances included group and solo acts, dance numbers, instrumental performances, a drum line, and vocal performances of original and classic songs. Having previously been to Radio City for shows like the Rockettes, Martin said the experience has been a “dream come true.”
“It’s once in a lifetime,” she enthused. “It’s been so lively, fun and happy. It’s such a positive experience.”
