Bald Eagles
Starting off with a feel-good story – 15 new bald eagle pairs were spotted this nesting season in New Jersey, 12 of them in South Jersey. More than half the state’s nests were in Cumberland, Salem and Cape May counties, according to an observers project run by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. You can read their report here and the NJ Advance Media story on the findings here.
CRDA
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority held its first meeting yesterday with new executive director, fresh-faced 32-year-old Chris Howard. The Press of Atlantic City covered the meeting and the challenges ahead of the Authority, which has seen almost a third of its budget redirected to the city itself. Howard will have the unenviable task of appeasing the vying political factions on the CRDA board, as well as trying to figure out how to make the Authority a useful entity with a more limited budget.
Sports Gambling
New Jersey’s challenge to a federal law that restricts sports gambling to Nevada and three other states met another delay on Tuesday, after the U.S. Supreme Court delayed a decision on whether to hear the challenge. The Associated Press has the details of the ins and outs of the case, along with the lengthy legal history of the sports gambling effort in New Jersey.
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The rest of the headlines from the last 24 hours cover the weather outlook, a sock-themed social event, a Pastor’s plan for Atlantic City and more – see below:
Man Arrested After Fleeing Atlantic City Accident on Stolen Motorcycle–A Sewell man was arrested after he fled an accident on a stolen motorcycle. Michael Benko, 23, was riding the motorcycle when he struck a vehicle in the Caesar’s Atlantic City parking garage, Sgt Kevin Fair said. BreakingAC
AC Pastor Creates Citywide Plan to Help Resort–Reverend Collins A Days, Senior, the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City, doesn’t believe one group or entity alone will be able to turn things around in Atlantic City. He thinks it is time for a new approach that would have churches, the city and community groups working together to improve the lives of Atlantic City residents. Press of Atlantic City
Senator Menendez Helps Woman Finally Get Kidney–An Atlantic County woman's journey for a kidney transplant became a dramatic tale spanning from Craigslist to the Republic of Georgia and even trouble with immigration before she was able to get help from a U.S. Senator. In 2014, Nina Saria of Egg Harbor City discovered her kidney was failing and was put on emergency dialysis. www.snjtoday.com
Mild Weather Continues For A While, But Are Cold, Snow in Sight?–I think most of you would probably agree it has been a relatively easy winter so far. But late January through mid-February is traditionally the coldest and snowiest stretch of any winter, and a pattern shift toward colder and stormier still looks to be in the forecast cards starting later next week. Press of Atlantic City
A Less Smelly, More Climate-Friendly Landfill–Atlantic County Utilities Authority is working to cut odors and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its landfill site, since decomposing garbage creates a stew that includes methane and carbon dioxide, as well as the stink we all recognize. The ACUA just installed a $440,000 enclosed flare to burn off excess methane the gas-to-electric plant next to the landfill doesn’t use. Press of Atlantic City
Local Pub Helps Area Homeless with Sock Social–The Pitney Pub is holding its first ever "Sock Social" this weekend to help the homeless. This Friday, customers of the Galloway bar and restaurant are being asked to bring new or unused socks that are adult-sized and dark-colored. www.snjtoday.com