MediaWize

The conference room of the newly renovated third floor of the Cape May County Courthouse was officially dedicated to former Surrogate Robert Hentges, who served as county surrogate for 42 years. Hentges was the longest-serving surrogate in New Jersey. During his tenure, he worked at the state and local levels to make changes to better serve New Jersey residents, a county press release said. County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton surprised Hentges when he announced the conference room was being dedicated in his honor during a ceremony Friday.

Winners of the ninth annual Esther Weil Student Music Competition were announced Friday. Thirty students from 10 Atlantic and Cape May County high schools performed this year. A list of the winners follows.

The pumping stations for the north end neighborhood drainage project are now fully operational and will provide flooding relief for residents in the area between Second Street and Eighth Street to the bay side of West Avenue, Mayor Jay Gillian announced Friday. The mayor also gave a rundown of other projects around town as Ocean City makes a final push to get ready for the summer season.

Ocean City has activated the parking meters, a sure sign that the summer season is just around the corner. Fees range from 25 cents per hour in the area of downtown Asbury Avenue to $1.50 per hour (25 cents for 10 minutes) in the beach and Boardwalk zone, according to the city website. Time limits range from one to eight hours.

A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated third floor of the Cape May County Courthouse is scheduled for Friday, May 3 at noon. There will be a tour of the third floor after the ribbon-cutting. The public is invited to attend the event at the courthouse at 9 N. Main Street in the town of Cape May Court House. The event coincides with National Law Day and marks positive changes for judiciary services in the county, according to a county press release Tuesday.

Registration for Ocean City’s summer recreation programs for people of all ages opens on Wednesday, May 1. Programs are offered in the arts, academics and athletics. Details follow on how to register.

The Ocean City High School girls’ lacrosse team shut out conference foe Cedar Creek 15-0 on Monday evening. The win brings Ocean City’s record to 11-2 on the season, while Cedar Creek drops to 0-11. Ashley Devlin led all scorers with three goals and two assists on the evening. Eleven different Red Raiders contributed on the offensive end of the field, where nine of the team’s 15 goals were assisted.

The Friends of the Ocean City Pops will sponsor the annual Esther Weil music competition for local high school students at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Ocean City Music Pier on the Boardwalk. This event is free and open to the public. The contest will feature three categories this year: vocal, instrumental and piano. Cash prizes will be given to the top three winners in each category of $1,000, $500 and $250.

Ocean City’s premier early-season event, the Spring Block Party, returns on Saturday, May 4. The street festival features more than 350 crafters, food vendors, musicians and kids’ activities stretched out over a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street. The roadway is closed to all vehicle traffic for the event. The block party runs rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. More than 100 downtown stores will be open for business and have table sales out front. Pony rides for children will be available 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue). Entertainment along the Avenue will include the Tidal Wave Band, the Pennsport String Band and a variety of other acts. This will be the 37th year for an event that now regularly attracts tens of thousands of visitors and sells out every vendor slot. All street parking in Ocean City and at municipal lots off the boardwalk will be free. Merchant table sales will continue on Sunday between Sixth and 14th streets on the boardwalk and downtown Asbury Avenue...

An Ocean City man was killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday in Upper Township, State Police spokesman Sgt. Jeff Flynn confirmed Friday night. Dennis Noble, 56, was traveling south on Route 9 at about 7:26 p.m. near milepost 22.5 when his bike veered off the road and struck a utility pole, Flynn said.