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mvitale

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Ocean City’s Own is Reigning Jeopardy Champ

Cris Pannullo confidently flashed a thumbs-up, which wasn’t all bluster because Tuesday night, the Ocean City resident breezed through his third straight Jeopardy win. Pannullo, a customer success operations manager in Ocean City, easily outdistanced his two opponents, bringing his total winnings to $83,458.

Gardens Civic Association Seeks to Expand to Help Causes

The Gardens Civic Association (GCA) in Ocean City gives scholarship money to students, hosts the Fourth of July Bike Parade, does an annual beach cleanup and sponsors many other events to benefit the community. Despite having 215 members and being in existence for over 50 years, not that much is known about the GCA, members said. Debbie Sniger wants to change all of that. She has been a member for about four years. A few days ago, she became president, when Duane Sonneborn, the GCA treasurer who handled both roles for several years, turned over the torch.

Ian’s Remnants Churn Up Ocean City Surf

Ocean City may not have seen the full effects of Hurricane Ian as it continued up the coast after battering Southern Florida and leaving victims in its wake. But visitors to the barrier island Saturday watched in amazement at some of the roughest-looking seas the area has seen in a while. For visitors to Ocean City, where it was 60 degrees and sprinkling some light rain around high tide at 1 p.m., it meant a stroll on the Boardwalk and beaches to check out the big waves.

Ocean City Police Honor Mikenzie Helphenstine in Breast Cancer Awareness Tribute

Mikenzie Helphenstine made such an impact on her family, the students she taught and those she coached in Ocean City. The married mother of two who passed away on May 4 at just 43, after a long battle against breast cancer, influenced so many in a community. Those who loved her, respected her and were touched by her, are making sure she will never be forgotten. Her legacy will endure the test of time and her strength will help others fighting cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. To pay tribute to Helphenstine, affectionately known as “Coach H,” who coached field hockey and lacrosse for the Ocean City school district and was a Primary School teacher, the Ocean City Police Department will wear pink badges, hats with pink writing and Helphenstine’s motto on their vests, “Till You Can’t.”

Public Angered Over BPU Approval of Transmission Line For Wind Farm

A day after the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approvals for the Danish energy company, Orsted, to run a transmission line through Ocean City to connect an offshore wind energy farm to a land-based power grid, the public had their say. In two separate Zoom meetings, one in the morning, Thursday, and the other in the evening, the BPU heard from the parties that would be affected, Ocean City, Cape May County, and other stakeholders. They voiced concerns that the line could disrupt an environmentally sensitive portion of Ocean City at the beach lots of 35th Street. Both Ocean City and Cape May County officials said there could be alternative routes, and it would appear that Orsted is just trying to push through the most convenient, “expedient route” for the company, without concerns for those being affected, the residents of Ocean City and the county. On Wednesday, the BPU granted easements and other permits related to what is called the Ocean Wind 1 project. Orsted filed its petition to bypass the city and county for approvals back in June, after the parties could not reach an agreement...

Watch the Cooling Tower Come Down at B.L. England

On Thursday morning, the B.L. England Cooling Tower was imploded in Marmora. The power plant cooling tower was put in service in 1974. The power plant was...

BPU Approves Transmission Line Through Ocean City For Wind Farm

Over the objections of Ocean City, state regulators approved plans Wednesday for a transmission line that would run through environmentally sensitive areas of the beach to connect an offshore wind energy farm to a land-based power grid. Orsted, a Danish energy company, proposed running the line under Ocean City’s streets and bring the electricity onshore in Ocean City through a cable at the beach lots of 35th Street to connect the offshore wind turbines to the power grid at the former B.L. England Generating Station in Marmora. But it needed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to approve easements and other permits related to what is called the Ocean Wind 1 project. During Wednesday’s meeting, BPU members went into executive session to discuss the matter, among other unrelated projects. Upon returning, the state agency granted Orsted the approvals needed. “The board finds that the property rights and consents are reasonable and necessary for the construction or operation of the project,” a representative said addressing the board...

Ocean City Beach Patrol Rescues Hundreds in Busy Season

This was definitely an extremely busy summer for the Ocean City Beach Patrol, with rough surf, rip currents, rescues and medical calls. And despite being down about 15 to 20 lifeguards at the height of the season, instead of the typical 180, the team did an outstanding job to keep bathers safe, OCBP Director Allan Karas said in an interview Tuesday.

StoryWalk Reading Program Celebrated in Ocean City

What began as a way to safely spend time outdoors during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a popular activity for Ocean City families -- reading while strolling in Lake Memorial Park in a program called StoryWalk. Hosted by the Ocean City Free Public Library (OCFPL), StoryWalk has given hundreds of children and their parents or guardians an exciting, entertaining way to read a children’s book since 2020.

Vote for Pet of the Year to Help Humane Society of...

Dogs, a cat, a bunny and even a horse are all up for the Humane Society of Ocean City’s Pet of the Year contest. HSOC Director of Operations Phil Bellucci said the staff and volunteers at the shelter are looking forward to another fantastic fundraiser.