MediaWize

The Ocean City Humane Society will host its annual benefit skate contest on Saturday, May 15, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Skate Park. The contest brings out local skaters of all ages to help raise money for the city’s no-kill animal shelter.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has officially announced the winners of its Shade Structure Program grant, one being right in Ocean City. The Ocean City Primary School will be receiving up to $8,000 to construct a permanent shaded area on school grounds. Local dermatologist, Dr. Kelly Kane, submitted a grant application on behalf of the Primary School to provide shading for the playground area.

A federal agency is in the process of reviewing the environmental impact and operations plans for a major wind energy project proposed to be constructed 15 miles off the shores of Ocean City and southern New Jersey. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is in the middle a 30-day public comment period that will extend through April 29 and will determine the scope of what will be reviewed during a lengthy application process. The BOEM will hold three virtual meetings in the next week: April 13, April 15 and April 20. Registration information for the hearings follows.

The early forecast for the weekend looks sunny, and Ocean City is gearing up for another great season. Boardwalk and downtown shops, amusements and restaurants are open. Discounted beach tags are on sale at locations throughout town, and the streets are coming back to life. A rundown of upcoming special events follows.

Mayor Jay Gillian is welcoming everyone to town for Ocean City's annual Girls Weekend event. "This event showcases our downtown and all of its unique stores, services and eateries. It has become a great tradition to start the season," Gillian said Friday in his weekly message to the public. His entire message follows.

Diabetes Training Camp Foundation is offering an exciting virtual programming event created for people living with type 2 diabetes or at risk for type 2 diabetes. A virtual, one day Diabetes Training Camp, called DTC2 Mini V Camp, will be held on Saturday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The camp via Zoom will feature educational and fitness sessions by Dr. Matthew Corcoran and his team of diabetes experts. Community building and nutrition will also be topics for discussion. Registration information for the event follows.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Paul Skill of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of 50-year-old Tyrone Rolls, a resident of Marmora, for sexual assault charges. Rolls is currently employed by the Ocean City Police Department as a sergeant. On Wednesday, Rolls turned himself in to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault, a crime of the first degree, and one count of sexual assault, a crime of the second degree.

The Ocean City Free Public Library is hosting several Zoom presentations by Chris Zellers, family and community health science educator of Cape May County for Rutgers Cooperative Extensions. Details follow.

Ocean City American Legion Post 524 is seeking a one-week donation of two island condominiums to honor visiting military families. The Legion’s Rest & Relation Program, now in its eighth year, welcomes service men and women annually to America’s Greatest Family Resort as a way to say “Thank you” for their service and sacrifices.

With up to $7 million now available to Ocean City as part of the coronavirus relief package and with the federal government now considering a $2 trillion infrastructure plan, the city is exploring "every opportunity to improve our facilities and to provide relief to our taxpayers," Mayor Jay Gillian said in his weekly message Friday. "A big part of the city team’s success has been in being ready to take advantage of announcements like these, gathering information, and advocating strongly on behalf of the city. This is the due diligence that keeps the city fiscally responsible," he said. His entire message follows.