Pike Developments
If your commute or general life in the area has been disrupted by work on the Black Horse Pike (our very own Route 40) near the mall lately, then The Current has some news for you on the progress of all that development. The bottom line is that the area is going to be a mess for a little while longer – but construction is finally set to begin on the retail park that the roadworks are in aid of. It’s called Gravelly Run Square and it will house 300,000 square feet of retail space. Hamilton Township’s director of community development, Phil Sartorio, told The Current that the road redesign in the area (which will also change access to the developments around the Mays Landing Country Club) should be completed shortly, while construction on the shopping center will begin this quarter.
South Jersey > Middle Jersey
South Jersey is the coolest part of New Jersey and it’s true because Patti Smith said so. She actually went one step further and said it’s more cool in the south than in Middle Jersey, where Bruce Springsteen is from. If you want to know what she was talking about (the comments related to her lack of interest – initially – in working with The Boss on Because The Night) you should listen to the latest Alec Baldwin podcast here.
Keep On Running
If your new year’s resolution is to get some exercise, there are a few events coming up that might be of interest.
There’s a Saint Patrick’s Day 10 miler or 5k along the boardwalk, starting in Margate (where there is no boardwalk), it’s a bargain-priced $25 plus a long-sleeved t shirt (while supplies last) AND raises money for charity – the information is here. Funds raised from the race go to The Donny Fund which has a fantastic mission: to aid area families affected by catastrophic illness and to promote universal positivity and optimism.
There is also an April 1 5k beer run that will be part of the Atlantic City Beer & Wine Festival. It seems a little on the pricey side to us at $75 (and it will go up to $80 tomorrow) BUT it includes a lot of beer stops along the course (which starts and ends at the Convention Center) and a “victory beer” in a cup or mug. Details here.
There is also an Atlantic City April Fools half marathon and 7k or 11k but the prices are bananas (our view. There’s probably a story in here about AC race prices). You can see all the details here, the races are on Saturday April 22 (shorter courses) and Sunday April 23 for the half marathon. Prices range from an almost reasonable $15 for the kids’ mile, to $135 for the half marathon, or $53 for the 7k and 11k.
You can find more events in our listings here.
The rest of today’s headlines below include news on the body that was dumped in an AC trash can, a local football star who picked Maryland over Ohio State and details on a Galloway Township development. Happy New Year! Don’t forget you can sign up to receive our Route 40 Roundup direct to your inbox by clicking here.
Man Identified, Facing Charges In Statewide Credit Card Theft, Fraud–Police are searching for a Philadelphia man suspected of randomly entering South Jersey doctors' offices and stealing wallets and credit cards. Tyrone M. Thomas, 24, was identified as the person behind a series of credit card thefts and fraudulent purchases in October, according to Egg Harbor Township Police. NJ.com
Bridgeton Football Star Markquese Bell Picks Maryland Over Ohio State–Bridgeton High School senior Markquese Bell, a two-time second-team all-state selection and the 2015 South Jersey Times Offensive Player of the Year, committed to Maryland Sunday. Bell made the announcement on ESPN during the fourth quarter of the Under Armour All-American Game, which the Bulldog standout was playing in. NJ.com
Thousands of New Year’s Revelers Take The (Polar Bear) Plunge For Charity–Thousands of revelers in New Jersey welcomed the New Year by taking a plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean on Sunday morning not only for the thrill but also for charity. NJ.com
ACIT Students Take Flight In New Aviation Academy at Atlantic Cape–Their freshman year of high school is barely half over, but students in the new Academy of Aviation Studies at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology are already poised to earn six college credits from Atlantic Cape Community College. The 15 students are the pioneers in a new dual enrollment program at ACIT that will allow them to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree from Atlantic Cape in four years. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City Man Charged With Murder After Body Found in Trash Can–An Atlantic City man has been charged with murder after a man was found dead inside a trash can Saturday morning. Investigators spent most of Saturday morning at a scene where the body of Ricky Ward, 52, was found in a trash can in the 1200 block of Adriatic Avenue, between North and South Carolina avenues at about 8:45 a.m. BreakingAC
Ocean City Home Bank To Become OceanFirst In May–Ocean City Home Bank, recently acquired by OceanFirst, is set for a name change by late spring. Christopher Maher, OceanFirst’s president and chief executive officer, said Wednesday that his company will likely rebrand Ocean City Home Bank as OceanFirst in May. Shore News Today
Harvey Rosenblatt Talks Galloway Development Plans–Harvey Rosenblatt and his real estate firm P3RE are winning praise for buying and upgrading a Galloway Township shopping center. He plans to host concerts there in the summer - check out the video interview by Martin DeAngelis. Press of Atlantic City