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mvitale

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Questions About Mask Wearing Dominate School District Forum

With just two weeks until school, Ocean City Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Baruffi told the community that the goal is to keep students in school, to follow all mandates set forth by the governor and to have an open communication with families about the pandemic The two-hour forum, which had about 100 attendees, was designed to give the community a place to openly discuss concerns nearing the start of the new school year. The first day of school is Sept. 7.

Jilly’s Offers Ocean City Twist on Favorite Board Game

Monopoly, anyone? How about OCNJ-OPOLY? Yep. That’s right. We said it. Jilly’s Boardwalk and downtown stores co-owner Jody Levchuk wanted to bring something to the table – literally – that vacationers and residents alike could enjoy and try their luck at a game that is all about Ocean City. The new game, which is played just like the original Monopoly with "money" and game pieces, sells for $29.99.

Zoom Meeting to Focus on “Getting Back to Normal”

Dealing with a pandemic, getting vaccinated or not and fearing loss, illness and isolation are concerns and feelings that often are topics of discussion at home, work and school. But what about the fears, thoughts and concerns about getting back into the routine of life, or as it is better known these days as “the new normal?” The city's Social Services department will focus on that topic during a Zoom forum at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 30, called "Getting Back to 'Normal:' Coping With Re-Entry Anxiety."

Owner Agrees to Clean Up Historic Home

For over a year, a group made up of neighbors, historians and others interested in preserving history have fought for the owner of a home in the Historic District to clean up and maintain the property. They held a meeting to discuss their concerns in the last month. The city heard their concerns and cited the owner, RJGVB LLC of Shippensburg, Pa., with a litany of violations. And this week the owner responded, saying that the property will be cleaned up, according to an email exchange between city official Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, and Historic District resident Jay Hogan.

Storm Doesn’t Stop Ocean City Beach Day

Hurricane Henri didn’t stop beachgoers, Boardwalk strollers or surfers from enjoying a day in Ocean City on Saturday, despite low-lying clouds, a sprinkling of rain and less than balmy temperatures. Lifeguards allowed bathers to go in for a dip, albeit only up to the waist, because of swells and churned-up surf as the storm approached the coast.

Schools Returning to 5-Day, In-Class Instruction

A new school year is just three weeks away. Ocean City school district students will return to five days of in-person instruction, while still social distancing, wearing face coverings and following all health and safety protocols. A letter from Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Baruffi posted on the district’s website oceancityschools.org detailed the reopening plan. The first official day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Ocean City Becomes “Gritty City”

Gritty is not exactly the word that comes to mind when describing the family-friendly resort town known as Ocean City. But when Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty rolled into town Tuesday evening on his bicycle -- followed by a Flyers bus, a DJ and emergency vehicles courtesy of Ocean City -- hockey fans lined the downtown streets and the Boardwalk to cheer him on. The day belonged to the orange, googly eyed, furry and friendly beast.

City Officials Swing Into Action to Improve Golf Course

Ocean City has a lot to offer when it comes to attractions -- the beaches, the Boardwalk and the bay, and also golfing at the city’s Municipal Golf Course on Bay Avenue. While the course, located at 26th Street and Bay Avenue in the same complex as the Municipal Airport, offers an enjoyable experience for new golfers and pros, it has one problem. Errant balls are flying up and over the protective netting at the first hole and onto the sidewalk, nearby neighbors’ yards, and even the road. That is where Mayor Jay Gillian comes in. He, along with other city officials, heard the concerns of the neighbors. They are working to fix the problem.

Ocean City Issues Violation Notices to Historic District Homeowner

Homeowners in the Ocean City Historic District are concerned. They are worried about what a home in disrepair could do to their home values. They are saddened that not all property owners seem to care to preserve history in the same way that they do. They are fighting back. And city officials are listening. In response to complaints, the city has slapped the property owner with violation notices for a litany of problems at the crumbling house at 615 Wesley Ave.

Playland’s Castaway Cove Gets Hollywood Treatment

When a four-alarm fire broke out at the iconic Ocean City amusement park, Playland’s Castaway Cove, people talked. Could the Jan. 30 fire that charred buildings and destroyed the arcade have been intentionally set or was it an accident? On Feb. 8, the fire report came out. The investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined the fire at the park at 10th Street and the Boardwalk was accidental. An episode about the fire and aftermath are featured on "The Web Masters," an Amazon Prime TV series. In it, Playland's vice president speaks about setting the record straight and some of the obstacles that they have endured.