mvitale

Remnants of Hurricane Ida tore through the western and northern parts of the state Wednesday, leaving more than 20 dead, hundreds homeless and widespread devastation in its wake. Ocean City was spared the brunt of the storm. So Ocean City firefighters responded to the call of duty to help others in the state. Firefighter Ryan Clark and Capt. Chris Vliet, who are members of the Cape May County Regional Urban Search Team (RUST), went to Gloucester County near 7 p.m. But other emergency responders were already there assisting. Then they headed north to aid in swift water search and rescue.

Anger is building among neighbors in Ocean City's Historic District over one property owner's apparent failure to maintain a 119-year-old home. The city has cited the homeowner for property code violations and is promising to stay on top of things until the site is cleaned up.

Arianna and Antonella DiAntonio share a lot of things. They both live in Sea Isle. They both attend the Ocean City Intermediate School. They both won the last two Little Miss Ocean City pageants. And they made history. “It was exciting because we actually had a sister crown a sister as her successor,” Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, said. “That was fun for everyone to watch Arianna’s older sister Antonella crown her.” On Aug. 20, 13 contestants vied for the title of Little Miss Ocean City. The contestants, ages 8 to 11, were judged on poise, talent, interview and scholastics. The pageant is open to Ocean City residents, property owners, and students from the school sending districts, which include Sea Isle City. Arianna won the talent portion of the pageant securing her win for her dance performance, which she also won in 2019 when her big sister was crowned Little Miss. A week after the history-making crowning at the Ocean City Music Pier, the family spoke to OCNJDaily.com about what it was like to secure a memorable place in the city’s pageant history, and what it was like for them the night of the monumental crowning. “I am so beyond excited to have received this title,” Arianna, 11, who will be entering the sixth grade on Sept. 7 said. She described her experience. “Everything about the night that I was crowned was so over-the-top. It was magical,” she said...

Al and Lisa Robertson, members of the Duck Commander family who had the reality TV show Duck Dynasty, offered a refreshing, enlightening and emotional message to couples at the Ocean City Tabernacle on Saturday. Yet their marriage once was anything but perfect. They overcame the obstacles of infidelity, drug abuse, abortion, distrust and shame.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.