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The strength of a community could be judged by the outpouring of support residents and business owners give to those who have fallen on tough times or suffered some form of tragedy. Heavy snow on Monday, when a major winter storm dumped 14 inches on Ocean City, caused part of a roof to collapse at GG’s Diamond Cleaners at 609 Asbury Ave. The community is now coming to the aid of GG's owners with a fundraising drive to help them recover.

School Board President Joseph Clark and Vice President Patrick Kane switched roles during an Ocean City Board of Education reorganization meeting Wednesday night. Clark was appointed vice president and Dr. Patrick Kane became president for 2022. Dr. Kane, a medical doctor, was named vice president last year. Now he assumes the top post. He was the chairman of the COVID-19 committee that enacted safety protocols to protect students and school employees during the height of the pandemic. He continues to serve in that capacity, along with some of his medical colleagues...

For the second consecutive year, The Colony Club of Ocean City honored the service of area veterans by placing wreaths on graves at the Gerald M. Thornton Veterans Cemetery of Cape May County. Each December, the Wreaths Across America organization asks local groups to remember and honor veterans by conducting wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 states. “The Colony Club was pleased to again have the opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying ‘thank you’ to our veterans,” said Cathy Solarski, chair of her club’s Wreaths Across America committee. She added, “Our members, along with members from The Exchange Club of Ocean City and American Legion Post 524 Auxiliary, donated thousands of dollars and sponsored 195 wreaths, which were combined with additional wreaths from other local organizations.”...

Two local animal welfare nonprofit organizations, S.O.S. (Sea Isle Cats) and Cape Atlantic Cats out of Ocean City are working together to save, foster, adopt out, spay and neuter more than 35 cats that came out of a home in Atlantic County. Kathy Goodwin, a volunteer for Sea Isle Cats, said in an interview Wednesday, that there are more than 20 kittens who have been fostered or in the hospital for care from the home. The owner surrendered the animals last month and since then the volunteers have worked to help and care for the cats. Teaming up with Ocean City’s nonprofit Cape Atlantic Cats in Ocean City, was the way to go, Goodwin stressed. “We have formed a relationship with Cape Atlantic Cats.  They do wonderful work," Goodwin said. "Because of our relationship with them, we help foster, adopt and help take care of an animal population that really needs taking care of.” And S.O.S. has rescued more than 400 cats or trapped them to be released with vaccinations to lessen the spread of diseases...

The first winter storm of the season brought wind gusts of 35 mph, flooding and a steady, heavy wet snow that was expected to top out at a foot or more in Ocean City Monday. Many people opted to remain off the streets and play it safe. Public Works crews cleared the roads throughout the day

A major project to elevate Ocean Aire Condominiums, a complex in Ocean City’s south end plagued by flooding for years, is underway and on track for completion by the spring. The units at 43rd Street and West Avenue will be done by April, weather permitting.

Families took to Ocean City to ring in the new year and enjoy an array of entertainment for First Night 2022, an annual celebration that boasted 70 shows and events over 20 venues. There were 10,000 admission buttons to First Night, and they sold out by Friday.

Ocean City’s New Year’s Eve celebration, First Night 2022, features an array of family-friendly entertainment in an alcohol-free environment to ring in the new year. From ice skating to listening to bands to watching a magic show to going on amusement rides, there is more than enough to keep a family occupied and happy. “First Night has become one of our biggest family traditions, and we're thankful that it has returned,” Mayor Jay Gillian said Thursday. “A non-alcoholic arts and entertainment event is what Ocean City is all about.”

From a fire at an iconic Boardwalk amusement park to a banner plane landing on the Route 52 Causeway bridge, to the construction of a new affordable housing complex for seniors to a city ban on marijuana sales, Ocean City had its share of news in 2021. The top 10 local stories of 2021 follow.

From holiday parties to festive concerts to toy and clothing drives, the Ocean City school district students and staff have made the best of the return to school full time.