When the Taj Closed, Who Gained?
It might not surprise you to learn that Tropicana was the biggest beneficiary from the Taj’s strike and closure last year (Tropicana and the Trump Taj Mahal have the same owner – Icahn Enterprises). Perhaps more interesting from our exclusive analysis of the winners and losers since the Taj strike is that the Caesars properties lost casino market share. You can read the full story here on Route 40, with data.
Safer Oxy Led To More Deaths
We have been following the opioid epidemic in Atlantic County closely and anyone else who is interested should take a look at this piece by Zachary Siegel in the Daily Beast. A ‘safer’ version of Oxy that was harder to crush up and snort or inject to get high probably led more people to switch to heroin and many thousands died as a result, according to a new study by the Wharton School and RAND Corporation. “Our results imply that a substantial share of the dramatic increase in heroin deaths since 2010 can be attributed to the reformulation of OxyContin,” the study’s authors wrote. Bill Sprouse took a look at the piece and added some other relevant links here.
Juvenile Sentencing
A New Jersey Supreme Court ruling means that courts now must take into account a whole range of factors including age, family environment and peer pressure, when sentencing juveniles. You can read more here.
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The rest of today’s headlines include details from the ongoing search for a missing Tuckerton clammer, reviews from yesterday’s local MLK Day speeches, and a look at major NJ college building projects.
Fatal Stoning Not First Murder Charge for Atlantic City Man–An Atlantic City man accused of fatally stoning a man previously served time for murder, BreakingAC has learned. Thomas Green — known as “Partner” to many — was charged with murder December 31, after the body of Ricky Ward was found stuffed in a trash can on the 1200 block of Adriatic Avenue. BreakingAC
New Maryland Casino Could Drive Business Away From AC–With Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort closing, it would seem that Atlantic City’s casinos have one less competitor. However, 200 miles away in Oxon Hill, Maryland — across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital — a new $1.4 billion casino resort has opened that potentially could draw some of that business. Atlantic City Weekly
Search continues for missing clammer from Tuckerton–Rescue crews continue to search for Tuckerton clammer Christopher Hugg missing for three days from Little Egg Harbor. Asbury Park Press
New Life for Forgotten MLK Site in Camden–More than 66 years later, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Camden residence has been saved from demolition. njmonthly.com
Atlantic City mayor rips Christie as an ‘enemy of civil rights’–TRENTON -- Last year, Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian suggested Gov. Chris Christie was seeking to set up a "fascist dictatorship" in his city.
On Monday, the Republican mayor denounced the Republican governor as something else: an "enemy of civil rights." NJ.com
Holtzman Gallery to hold meet and greet with artist Steve Kuzma Thursday night–MARGATE – The Holtzman Gallery at the Milton and Betty Katz JCC will present the "Art World of Steve Kuzma" though Jan. 30. A meet and greet with the artist will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 with wine and light fare. Admission is free and all are welcome. Shore News Today
Major Building Projects at NJ Colleges to Benefit from $34M Allocation – NJ Spotlight–It’s been more than four years since voters authorized a major bond issue to help pay for new buildings and renovations at New Jersey colleges and universities. www.njspotlight.com
NJ Democrats — and a Few GOP Colleagues — Gear Up to Deal with ACA Repeal – NJ Spotlight–Spurred by President-elect Donald Trump and Republican leadership, Congress has approved a legislative mechanism that will enable them to quickly “repeal and replace” the federal Affordable Care Act. But opposition is building quickly. www.njspotlight.com
German company Lidl to open three supermarkets in Cumberland County–A German no-frills supermarket chain will open three stores in Cumberland County this year and could likely compete with similar discount grocers in South Jersey. Press of Atlantic City
Trump presidency theme of Atlantic City MLK ceremony–ATLANTIC CITY — A ceremony to commemorate the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday focused less on the past and more on a future with a Donald Trump presidency and state control of Atlantic City. Press of Atlantic City
Cory Terry steps down after 3 state titles as O.C. coach–Ocean City High School field hockey coach Cory Terry, who coached the Red Raiders to three state championships, including one last fall, has stepped down after seven seasons. www.pressofatlanticcity.com