Donald Wittkowski
Eight Dolphins Die in Mass Stranding on Sea Isle Beach
Police officers and other first responders used buckets and fire hoses to pour seawater on a group of dolphins in a frantic effort to save the creatures after they became stranded on the beach Tuesday morning in Sea Isle City.
Ultimately, the rescue attempt proved futile. The heartbreaking scene took a tragic turn when a veterinarian from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center decided to euthanize the dolphins after their condition deteriorated.
Four Congressmen Strongly Criticize Plans for Offshore Wind Projects
Four congressmen and a panel of expert witnesses denounced plans for a series of offshore wind energy projects as a mass “industrialization” of the ocean that will cause environmental harm and could seriously damage the Jersey Shore’s tourism industry.
The congressional hearing Thursday at the Wildwoods Convention Center was packed with an overflow crowd of about 450 people, while dozens of others were not allowed to enter the auditorium because of crowd restrictions.
Tolls Increase on Cape May County Bridges
Motorists will see tolls going up 50 cents on the five Ocean Drive bridges connecting the Cape May County beach communities from Ocean City to Cape May.
The toll increase officially goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, raising the bridge fare to $2.50.
New Agents at Ocean City’s Berger Realty Are a Family Affair
Gray Haenn, Tom Melchionni and Donna Brown are family members who are in the real estate business.
Now, they are part of a real estate firm that they consider to be their extended family.
They have joined Berger Realty, a household name in Ocean City that they say treats their employees and clients like, you guessed it, family.
Small Tax Increase Coming in Ocean City’s 2023 Budget, Mayor Says
Ocean City added $262 million in new tax ratables this year and remains in strong financial shape overall, but rising costs will provide a challenge in the 2023 municipal budget, Mayor Jay Gillian said Thursday while delivering his annual State of the City address.
Giving a sneak preview of the proposed $98.9 million budget, Gillian said the tax rate will go up slightly less than two cents and he also intends to ask City Council’s approval for a small increase in the parking rates to generate more revenue.
City Council President Loses Bet, Wears Chiefs Jersey
City Council President Pete Madden joked in mock disgust that he needed a shower after wearing a certain article of clothing.
Not just any clothing, mind you.
A big Eagles fan, Madden had to swallow his pride -- and wear a Kansas City Chiefs jersey -- after losing a bet with fellow Councilman Bob Barr on the outcome of the Super Bowl.
Worker Killed in Balcony Collapse at Sea Isle Condominium
Authorities confirmed Saturday that a construction worker was killed when a concrete balcony collapsed on top of him at an oceanfront condominium in Sea Isle City.
The worker was identified as Jose Pereira, 43, of Philadelphia. He was employed by a private company that had been working on the exterior of the south tower of the Spinnaker condominium complex at 3700 Boardwalk.
$150 Million Luxury Hotel Proposed for Ocean City Boardwalk
The owner of a luxury resort brand at the Jersey Shore unveiled plans Thursday night to develop a high-end hotel that would represent an epic transformation of the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Eustace Mita, chairman and chief executive officer of Icona Resorts, said his proposed hotel project would feature 325 rooms and cost upwards of $150 million to develop.
Flood-Prone Ocean City Neighborhood Getting Some Help
West 17th Street is an enclave of mostly upscale bayfront homes accessible by crossing a tiny bridge off Bay Avenue. The neighborhood, essentially a narrow island jutting out into the back bay, is vulnerable to tidal flooding because of its location and the low-lying topography.
Hoping to reduce the chronic flooding, Ocean City is preparing to start construction on a nearly $1.5 million project that will include a stormwater pumping station, new drainage and outfall pipes, elevating the road where possible, repaving and landscaping improvements.
Ocean City Housing Project Moving Toward Next Stage
The Ocean City Housing Authority is entering a critical phase in the next several months in its plan to develop a 60-unit project that will replace the aging Pecks Beach Village housing complex.
Jacqueline Jones, the housing authority’s executive director, described a series of key preliminary steps that are needed for the design, financing and construction of the estimated $22 million to $23 million project.
