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One person is dead and another was being treated in a case that began Wednesday morning with a boat that washed ashore without any passengers in the north end waters of Ocean City. The call came in at 11:58 a.m. and State Police Atlantic City Marine Station Troopers were first on the scene, along with the U.S. Coast Guard. “We originally responded to a call that came out as an unoccupied vessel. The details on what happened are under investigation,” said Trooper Charles Marchan. “But we have one confirmed fatality.”

The Ocean City Community Development Corp., a nonprofit entity created by the city’s housing authority, held its first meeting Tuesday with a major project to discuss on the agenda -- the construction of 10 affordable rental homes. The authority and city will work together to build rentals in areas around town, selected by the city. Rick Ginnetti, owner of the Brooke Group, the authority’s development consultant, will seek $2 million through a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to help finance the homes.

It was a moment that might cause a person to question humanity. But that moment was quickly followed by another that would restore one’s faith in humanity. Sean Beebe is an Ocean City resident well-known to locals and visitors alike. He’s an accomplished photographer, a presence on the beach, Boardwalk -- and prior to the COVID-19 outbreak -- at area restaurants and night spots. “Sean is a great guy,” friend Shane Rauner related. “That’s why so many people wanted to help him out.” Last week Beebe was grabbing a bite to eat and briefly walked away from his seat to dispose of his trash. Upon his return, a timeframe of less than a minute, his Nikon D5500digital SLR camera was gone. The trusty camera had rarely left Beebe’s side for four years. Just that brief moment of separation was all the thief needed...

Ocean City is backing Somers Point in efforts to keep Exit 30 – a gateway to both towns – open amid plans by the Garden State Parkway’s operating agency to close it and turn Exit 29 into a full interchange. Ocean City Council passed a resolution at its Aug. 13 meeting in response to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s proposal. There has been no announcement about the construction schedule and the project is pending final approval by the authority. Elected officials who represent the neighboring shore communities said the authority's plan could hurt businesses.

The original raptors that scared away pesky seagulls from Ocean City’s Boardwalk and beaches are back. Look out, gulls. East Coast Falcons, a Lodi, N.J.-based bird abatement company owned by falconer Erik Swanson, resumed the work July 19, replacing Wildlife Control Specialists LLC of Lebanon, N.J.

What began as a friendship since the sixth grade and when they were Little Leaguers together, evolved into joint ownership of a successful, iconic Boardwalk business venture in Ocean City for Jeff Sherman and Sam Koperwas. And they must be doing something right -- a lot right, actually -- because they have been in operation since 1972 with their Henry's jewelry store. Everything from baubles to engagement rings and clothing are exquisitely displayed in the store, offering customers a friendly and comfortable shopping experience.

The Ocean City Free Public Library continues to be busy with virtual programming and materials. And as the library navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, customers continue to utilize curbside pickup, as well as coming in, albeit with time limits imposed for safety protocols. Following the city’s decision to cancel events during the fall, the library board announced that through December in-house programing and events will be canceled, the Library Board of Trustees members explained during a remote meeting Monday.

For little Michael Herbert, there isn’t anything better than warm breezes, the ocean, the beach and, of course, a toy truck. On Sunday afternoon, the 4-year-old boy from Mullica Hill maneuvered his prized truck around beachgoers who lounged on the 12th Street beach and even propelled it into the water. His brother, Julian, 2, was a bit more reserved about it all. He carefully scooped sand into a bucket while sitting at the water’s edge and wearing some pretty large, but cool shades. Their father, Michael Herbert, shook his head and smiled. “They always have a really great time in Ocean City,” he said.

As more and more people want to escape the big cities amid COVID-19, and many are working remotely, that dream home in Ocean City has become a tangible reality. At least that is what the statistics -- and the sellers and buyers -- are saying. Pete Madden, Goldcoast Sotheby’s International Realty broker-owner of the 34th Street office, put it this way: “At Goldcoast, we have been on fire since the pandemic."

The Ocean City Board of Education voted Wednesday night to approve the school district’s Return to School Plan, which offers a blend of remote learning and in-person instruction, with a choice for all-virtual instruction as well. The first day of school will be Tuesday, Sept. 8. Students’ schedules will be mailed out on Aug. 17. During the remote meeting Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor and School Board President Joseph Clark, emphasized during the virtual meeting that, while they are navigating unchartered territory, they feel confident that students will be offered a quality education “I want to thank you for your support as we embark on an exciting new school year of learning and success,” Dr. Taylor said. “Our goal from the onset has been to protect the health and well-being of our school community as we work to resume in-person learning and continue delivering an exceptional educational experience for our Ocean City students.” Since the mid-March shutdown of schools across the state by Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order amid COVID-19, Ocean City school officials worked with stakeholders from various areas, students, faculty, and community members, to create the hybrid model for learning. “This plan is the result of efforts to work as a community to put our students and family’s needs first,” Clark said. What emerged from months of collaboration, was the hybrid model of learning. Students will be split into two groups to allow for social distancing. Each group would have two days of in-person instruction and three days of remote instruction. For those who will not attend in school they will have the Virtual Academy, which will offer the same educational tools and learning as in-person instruction, school officials said. “The combination of in-person and virtual learning in the hybrid schedule also ensures that we have plans in place to support both styles of instruction,” Dr. Taylor emphasized. “We have spent the summer planning how to return to in-person learning as safely as possible during a pandemic, and we also have worked to reflect on lessons learned during our spring transition to virtual learning so that we can make improvements.” Last month, Dr. Taylor detailed the reopening plan in a letter to families that can be viewed on oceancityschools.org. In it, she stressed that it was a challenge to strike a balance between the CDC’s Health Guidelines and Considerations for Schools and maximizing in-person instruction. During the meeting Wednesday, several Return to School Plan committee members spoke about their specific roles in creating the plan...