MediaWize

Mayor Jay Gillian is hopeful the city can acquire an entire block of land next to the Ocean City Community Center and protect it from densely packed housing construction. City Council introduced an ordinance Thursday night to acquire the private property through negotiation or condemnation. This represents the second time in the past year the city has tried to buy the land, which is bordered by 16th and 17th streets along Simpson and Haven avenues. In his weekly message to the public Friday, the mayor said the site represents "a truly rare opportunity" to preserve such a large tract of land.

As the summer draws to a close, the women of the Ocean City Beach Patrol competed Thursday evening in the 25th annual Bill Howarth Women’s Lifeguard Invitational hosted by the Ventnor City Beach Patrol. Ocean City took fourth place overall in the team standings after scoring points in three of the four events.

When it is time to put down the mobile devices and head outside, be sure to stop by Harbor Outfitters for all outdoor activity needs. From board rentals to water sports supplies, this one-stop-shop has it all. With locations in Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor and Ocean View, the store is just around the corner for many for beach or water sport supplies. They also offer free delivery for all rentals, including the Downbeach area.

In two major personnel moves, the Ocean City Board of Education has approved Geoffrey Haines as the school district’s new athletic director, while Michael Mattina has been named as the new principal of the Intermediate School for the 2019-2020 school year. Haines served as Intermediate School principal before taking over as athletic director. Most recently, Mattina served as Ocean City High School’s assistant principal.

Singer, songwriter, author and Bible teacher Michael Card will speak at the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services and perform in concert at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle this Sunday, Aug. 11. In a career that took off with his debut album, First Light (1981), Michael Card has recorded more 37 albums, authored over 27 books, hosted a radio program, and written for a wide range of magazines.

Atlantic City Blackjacks wide receiver Antwane Grant was named Co-Rookie of the Year on Tuesday alongside Columbus Destroyers wideout and return man Fabian Guerra. It marked the first time in Arena Football League history that the award has been shared. The team leader in receiving yards, Grant made a strong case for the award late in the season, posting five 100-yard receiving games in his last six outings. Over that span, he caught 45 passes and hauled in 14 of his 15 total touchdowns.

Anticipation was Sky high. The excitement level was Sky high, too. And why not? Sky Brown, the 11-year-old international skateboarding, surfing and dancing sensation, was in town for a special show that thrilled her Ocean City admirers. Fans clamored for autographs and pictures as Sky and her 7-year-old brother, Ocean, appeared at the Ocean City Skate Park on Tuesday to put on a skating demonstration and hang out for a meet-and-greet.

More than 50 of the youngest and fastest new Ocean City residents and visitors raced in the Pamper Scamper on Tuesday. The annual event is a crawling race for children 15 months old and younger. The races start with the competitors in the center of a parachute. First one to crawl to the perimeter and the waiting arms of mom or dad is the winner. A list of the winners follows.

The Ocean City Baby Parade returns to the Boardwalk for the 110th time at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. The annual tradition offers a chance for parents to show off Ocean City’s newest generation. The parade features children (ages 10 and under) cruising the Ocean City Boardwalk in themed strollers, wagons and floats. It starts at Sixth Street with children finishing at the Music Pier (at Moorlyn Terrace) and all other entries continuing to 14th Street.

Nearby stores were evacuated as a precaution Tuesday during the cleanup of a chemical spill on the 700 block of West and Asbury avenues in downtown Ocean City. At about 11:45 a.m., a delivery driver reported that the chemicals sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite had spilled from the back of his truck, city spokesman Doug Bergen said. Those chemicals are caustic substances used as drain cleaners and water disinfectants. Because of risks associated with direct contact with the chemicals and with breathing fumes from them, nearby businesses were evacuated while cleanup was done by the Cape May County Hazmat Unit, Bergen said.