An abbreviated Roundup today as we try and get some more reporting work done for feature stories next week. Stay tuned… Meanwhile:
Legal cannabis is the new goldrush, Atlantic City’s major said – read the Press of AC on last night’s public discussion. Lynda Cohen has more intel on the prescription-fraud scheme that’s been the talk of the town(s) for almost a year now – it involved a shell company called Boardwalk Medical and you can read details here. You’re going to have to pay more for a state portrait of Chris Christie than for any other governor, The Record reports. Most New Jerseyans (59 percent) favor legalizing marijuana, according to a Monmouth University poll. You haven’t read about this tax plan to raise funds for 911 services and you should, NJ.com says. Who’s going to get a cut of the sports betting action, if it’s legalized? Probably not some sports leagues, NJ.com reports.
For everything else, see below:
Mazzeo Chief Of Staff To Join CRDA As Deputy Executive Director–Marshall Spevak, chief of staff for Atlantic County Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato, announced on Thursday that he has accepted a job as the Deputy Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Spevak, of Cherry Hill, told The Press of Atlantic City that he was ready to take on a new challenge after working with the state legislature for over four years. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Shot Fired Inside Absecon Hotel–Absecon police are investigating a shot fired at a hotel early Thursday morning. A call of a shot fired on the fourth floor of the Red Roof Inn came in just before 2 am, police said. breakingac.com
Bridgeton Man Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography–A Bridgeton man is charged with possession of child pornography. David Randles, 40, was arrested after the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit searched his home Tuesday, Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said. breakingac.com
Surveillance Center Officers Help Catch Couple Stealing From Boardwalk Business, Police Say–Officers inside Atlantic City’s surveillance center helped catch a couple stealing tools from a closed Boardwalk business, police said. Tory Falciani and Thomas Fagan were seen entering the closed AC Beer Garden at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Kevin Fair said. breakingac.com
NC Man Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting And Robbing AC GameStop Clerk–A North Carolina man was arrested in Atlantic City after he allegedly robbed the GameStop and assaulted a worker. Mecca Aduzambique, 43, allegedly gave the clerk a handwritten note to give him all the $100 bills, Sgt. Kevin Fair said. breakingac.com
‘It’s Not Over,’ Owners Of Threatened Cabins Say After DEP Chief Visits Them By Boat–It was far from an ideal day to be out on the water, but that's exactly where Catherine McCabe was early Thursday afternoon. The acting New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection commissioner, accompanied by a handful of top state and local officials by boat, got a first-hand look at some of the tiny marsh cabins the state has threatened with demolition. www.nj.com
Camden Cop Who Hit A Man 12 Times In The Head During Arrest Won’t Be Charged–A Camden police officer who struck an unarmed man 12 times in the head during an arrest in February won’t be charged, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday. That decision, though, doesn’t end the inquiry into the arrest of Edward Minguela, 32, on Feb. 22 in the Fairview section of the city. www.philly.com
‘Mini-Golf Monstrosity’ Brings Outrage, Lawsuit To Margate, NJ–For the past month, Ed Blumenthal has been toggling between his day job as a business owner and studying tedious, land-use case law at night. His foray into the legal world began after he received a letter from Margate officials last December that left him stunned. www.philly.com
Atlantic City Takeover Legal Bills Topped $4.8 Million Before Gov Murphy Pulled The Plug–By the time former U.S. Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa’s role overseeing Atlantic City under a state takeover was terminated by the new governor, his North Jersey law firm had submitted more than $4.86 million in billing invoices to the state, according to records released Thursday by the New Jersey Department of Law. Chiesa, a longtime ally of former Gov Chris Christie, was named the “designee” in charge of the legislated state takeover of the financially troubled city, and he negotiated a contract that allowed his law firm to bill at rates ranging from his $400 an hour to $90 an hour for paralegals. www.philly.com