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Donald Waiters, 37, of Upper Darby, Pa., died Saturday after he fell off his jet ski in Ocean City Saturday. At 4:58 p.m. police responded to the bay in the area of 312 Bay Avenue for a report of a vessel accident. “Preliminary information indicated that a man fell off a jet ski and suffered a medical episode while in the water,” State police Sgt. Alejandro Goez said...

It was more like watching the Academy Awards than a red carpet event, a prelude to dancing, dining and socializing at the high school prom Saturday evening. There was glitter. There was glitz. Bow ties and sequins, too. There were solos, couples and three prom-goers walking arm and arm down the runway into the Ocean City High School, down the hallway and under tents at Carey Stadium.

Banner planes were flying. The beach, Boardwalk and shopping districts were jammed with residents and visitors. The waves were good. You could say this weekday in May was a preview for the expected Memorial Day crush next weekend, except it actually felt very much like a rousing holiday weekend. Skies were sunny, a light breeze and low humidity kept things refreshing, and temperatures were in the mid-60s and topped out at 70, according to a local weather forecast. And as anyone who lives in Ocean City or comes here to visit will tell you, those types of conditions bring out people in droves. On Park Place beach, longtime friends Chris Townsley, Brett Herron, Brooke Holden, all of Williamstown, and Cade Longo, of Mullica Hill, were engaged in a lively game of spike ball...

Dear Friends, I want to encourage you all to attend the mayor’s town hall meeting at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning (Saturday, May 22) at the Ocean City Tabernacle. I have invited Police Chief Jay Prettyman to make a presentation about the new recreational marijuana laws and the strict guidelines on how they can be enforced. Video of the meeting and a copy of the presentation will be posted at www.ocnj.us after the event. With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, a number of capital projects are finishing up. We’re getting ready for another busy summer. We have completed installation of a new flagpole in front of the Music Pier, and the city is working in partnership with our local veterans groups and the water park to continue the daily boardwalk flag-raising ceremony there...

Ocean City Police Chief Jay Prettyman is preparing for a busy summer. An increase in visitors, now that more people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, is one thing. But new laws, specifically the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Jersey and directives eliminating sanctions for underage possession and use of marijuana and alcohol, will make enforcement and community policing efforts much tougher than in previous years, Prettyman predicted in an interview Thursday at the police department. Prettyman is looking to the community for input at a Town Hall meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, at the Ocean City Tabernacle.

Young bicyclists showcased their talents in front of local police, parents, other kids and city officials in an event that brought the Ocean City community together for a good night Wednesday. The bicycle skills and safety event was held in the parking lot of the Sports & Civic Center at Fifth Street and the Boardwalk. It was organized by parent Sarah Gaddy, of Ocean City, in partnership with the police department and the city and highlighted the positive relationships between local law enforcement and young people. It also highlighted the fact that the majority of kids on bikes are out there to get exercise, relieve tension from a COVID-19 pandemic year and be law-abiding.

Soon, patrons of the Ocean City Free Public Library may take in a good book and enjoy the shade and sunlight when a large outdoor tent is installed just in time for summer. The temporary structure will be installed on the north end of the library at the 17th Street entrance, OCPL Director Karen Mahar said in an interview Tuesday.

Sarah Gaddy describes herself as just an Ocean City mom who works at a local convenience store, nobody special. But to her husband, five children and the young people who enjoy riding their bikes throughout their hometown, Gaddy has become somewhat of a champion. In response to recent incidents in which rowdy bicyclists rode through town and on the Boardwalk, prompting police to issue warnings that the actions would not be tolerated, Gaddy and other parents took a stand and organized a community event. Gaddy, along with a few other volunteers, organized a bike safety event that will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the parking lot of the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center at Fifth Street and the Boardwalk.

In a year when many homes became makeshift offices and virtual became reality, some people continued to go into work for their jobs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Such was and is the case for many Ocean City school district teachers, faculty and staff. Throughout the pandemic the district has offered both remote and in-person learning to its students. So, OCNJ CARE, a charitable organization headed by Ocean City resident Andrew Fasy and a team of dedicated volunteers, got together with some local businesses to give the members of the district some treats.

Call him a crusty crustacean. Call him, well, a mollusk. But if you like sunny days, summer and the favorite season a bit early, you may want to call Martin Z. Mollusk a friend. For the 48th consecutive year, Ocean City's hermit crab mascot saw his shadow Saturday on none other than Martin Z. Mollusk Day. So, Ocean City visitors and residents, that means summer is coming a week early. The news came during a zany event that showcases the goofy and fun side of the resort, when crowds gathered in a socially distanced way to watch as a diminutive creature made his way along a beach towel.