MediaWize

Student-athletes at Ocean City High School turned out Tuesday morning to give teachers at all three public schools a VIP greeting on their first day of the 2020-2021 school year. The welcome back ceremony included goodies that were given to the teachers by OCNJ CARE, a nonprofit organization that is helping the community to recover from the emotional and financial hardships of the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers Jen Bowman, Kathy Sykes, Terry Camoratto, Julie Bickings, Katie Grimm and Ray and Sarah Clark helped to organize the event. Members of the girls lacrosse team greeted teachers at the primary school. At the intermediate school, the teachers were cheered on by members of the girls cross country team. Football players welcomed back the teachers at the high school.

Just in time for Halloween, the Ocean City Free Public Library will feature an expert on ghosts, ghouls and goblins.  Jeff Belanger, who has been exploring the unexplained for more than 20 years, will delve into the legends during a free Zoom library presentation on Monday, Oct. 5, from 7 to 8 p.m.  Details follow on how to register for Belanger's presentation.

Mayor Jay Gillian announced Friday that the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center weight and exercise rooms will open on Tuesday, Sept. 1. This follows Gov. Phil Murphy's decision allowing New Jersey gyms to reopen at 25 percent capacity starting Sept. 1. Members at the Aquatic and Fitness Center can reserve a time slot one day in advance by calling 609-398-6900, starting on Monday. More details follow on the safety guidelines.

The Cape May County Zoo is excited to announce two new arrivals, Budette, a 5-year-old female capybara who arrived from Cleveland Metropark Zoo in July, and Mikey, a 6-year-old male who came last week from Sedwick County Zoo in Kansas. The pair were recommended by the Species Survival Plan and they seem to be getting along very well, according to a county news release.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook calling for the possibility of severe thunderstorms and damaging winds for this afternoon, evening and tonight. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 4 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with gusty winds, according to a weather alert issued by the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management.

The Ocean City Fire Department and the Beach Patrol have announced the latest list of guarded beaches. Beaches are guarded from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends and holidays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Beaches at Brighton Place, Eighth Street, Ninth Street, 12th Street and 34th Street will be guarded for extended hours until 7 p.m. daily. The full list of guarded beaches follows.

Are you a Jeopardy fan? Random fact enthusiast? Come test your skills with six rounds of virtual Trivia hosted by the Ocean City Free Public Library via Zoom. The remote games will be held Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Details follow on how to register to play.

An Ocean City firm is helping to fill the void left by recent decisions to cancel the fall interscholastic sports programs at area middle schools. “When I heard this news it was disappointing,” said Jill Adamson, co-founder and owner of RA Development Academy along with Tyrone Rolls. “But then came the realization we had an opportunity to provide alternative activities.” Ever since Rolls and Adamson launched the RA Development Academy last year, a youth training and coaching enterprise, the owners always made certain to give back to community.

Mayor Jay Gillian is urging the public to make donations to help pay for a new roof at Ocean City's VFW Post 6650. Gillian said in his weekly message Friday that the VFW's fundraising activities have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Their home at 1501 Bay Avenue is in disrepair and needs a new roof immediately," the mayor said. His entire message follows.

The Ocean City School District has been working vigorously for months to create a proactive plan for reopening their schools come September as well as their Virtual Learning Academy program, according to a school press release Thursday. After being carefully examined by officials, the reopening plan has been verified that it checks all boxes of the New Jersey Department of Education reopening guidelines, despite ever-changing restraints involving COVID-19.