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Talk about a jam-packed Saturday of family-friendly fun. Families had some hands-on experiences during the annual Nature and Environmental Fun Day and first-ever Winter Warrior Festival. Families filled the Ocean City High School cafeteria, where it was all about nature. Kids got to see marine life up close, a snake and even a tarantula. Next door to the Environmental Family Fun Day was the Winter Warrior Festival at the Sports and Civic Center.

Former City Councilman Mike DeVlieger formally filed nominating petitions Thursday to run in Ocean City’s municipal election on May 14. DeVlieger is seeking to fill a vacancy created when At-Large Councilwoman Karen Bergman resigned in January to take a job as supervisor of Ocean City’s senior citizens center. The unexpired term is through 2026. DeVlieger, who is running on the campaign platform of “Proven Leadership for Ocean City,” said he wants to return to Council to finish some of the work he started when in office.

Ocean City is gearing up for a busy Presidents Day holiday weekend that will feature one new family-friendly event as well as an annual show focusing on nature and the environment. Dining and shopping at local restaurants and stores are expected to be other highlights during the extended weekend.

Residents in the Merion Park neighborhood of Ocean City have had their share of flooding problems over the years. In 2014, the first phase of an ambitious flood-mitigation project by the city continues to offer some relief. But more needs to be done, officials and residents agree. A second phase of the project will cost upwards of $10 million and will include three new stormwater pumping stations to protect Merion Park, a south end neighborhood, from flooding. On Tuesday, construction bids for the project were opened.

When Loretta Thompson Harris researched the history of black residents in Ocean City for her book, “The Westside: Ocean City in True Color,” she came upon the name of a man who had a distinguished musical career outside of the resort, but is not known by many people from his hometown. Dr. Roland Wiggins, who died at age 87 in 2019, was an accomplished and acclaimed musical genius, yet he is not a household name in Ocean City, but should be.

The sight of shirtless beachgoers playing Frisbee isn’t unusual in Ocean City in the summer -- but in February? Yes, unseasonably mild temps in the low 50s brought visitors to the resort Saturday.

A motorist who struck a school bus carrying Ocean City High School students at the intersection of 18th Street and Asbury Avenue on Tuesday was ticketed for running a stop light, authorities confirmed Friday. Two of the 18 students on the bus suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by the fire department, according to a police report.

A wayward seal pup is recovering at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, two days after he was discovered wandering down West Avenue in Ocean City between 42nd and 43rd Streets. At between four to six weeks old, the grey seal had already survived a journey possibly from Maine or farther north, only to emerge from the bay heading in the direction of the ocean on Wednesday near 5 p.m. in Ocean City.

Ocean City firefighters put their lives on the line when duty calls. And when they are out there battling a blaze or responding to an accident, their equipment has to be in full working order. City Council is expected to approve a contract at Thursday night’s meeting to help firefighters in their duties. The department is seeking new firefighter protective clothing and equipment to ensure that the emergency responders have the best apparatus possible to help keep them safe.

The Atlantis Inn at the corner of Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue has been a landmark in Ocean City since 1905. It was first owned by one of the founders of the island, Rev. James E. Lake. Now, it is under new ownership by South Jersey sisters Alyse and Lexi Scaffidi. They have big plans for the historic hotel, including a name change.