Nighttime Economies
Atlantic City isn’t the only city in the United States that has to manage noise and antisocial behavior issues related to its nighttime businesses. Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida have recently appointed officials – ‘nighttime economy czars’ – charged with figuring out how best to manage relations and the issues that crop up between tourists, locals and the nighttime businesses. Route Fifty has an interview with the expert in Orlando – it’s worth reading for those of you involved in the bar/restaurant/casino industries, or just interested in city planning issues.
Rabbits
There are bunnies everywhere, as our two-year-old keeps pointing out. Maybe it was the warm-ish winter. Maybe it’s all that beautiful landscaping in Margate and Longport (I have yet to spot one in Atlantic City). No one seems to know how many there are, but everyone seems to agree there’s been an increase. The Philly Voice tried to get some answers on why the bunnies are taking over Downbeach.
Hospitals
A group of 17 New Jersey hospitals, including many in rural South Jersey, will benefit from $36.5 million in federal funding to help pay for doctors and others who provide services for seniors and low-income patients, NJSpotlight reports. The funding came about as a result of a special request by some members of the state’s bipartisan congressional delegation. Other states routinely receive this funding to protect health-care workers’ wages in rural areas, but New Jersey has had to request the funding since it has no rural areas under Medicare and Medicaid designations.
In the rest of the headlines from the weekend and this morning, the $1 million teachers v. Sweeney battle, real estate prices in Philly suburbs are rising but the picture is less pretty in South Jersey with average home prices in Burlington and Camden counties still below 2007 levels, read this feature on local amateur radio operators, flooding from the new dunes was bad for Margate businesses, there were no injuries after the EHT ShopRite caught on fire on Sunday, there’s a flash-flood watch in effect this afternoon. All that and more below:
Drug and Prostitution Investigation Leads to 15 Arrests in Atlantic City–Atlantic City police arrested 15 people as part of an investigation into drugs and prostitution. They also seized heroin, cocaine and marijuana, including six pounds of pot from Morris Joyce. BreakingAC
Hamilton Planning Board Delays Vote on Church Project–Hamilton Township residents voiced opposition Thursday to a proposed Coptic church at Wrangleboro and Pearce roads, saying it would lead to more traffic problems in their neighborhood. Press of Atlantic City
Hammonton Fruit Farm Workers Charged in Cocaine, Meth Bust–Authorities arrested three employees of a Hammonton farm and recovered drugs, cash and a handgun Thursday, the Atlantic County prosecutor announced Friday. Press of Atlantic City
In Chesterfield, A Nice Home, A New Baby – And a Worrisome New Neighbor–Chesterfield Township residents Mike and Katie Marlin have a new baby and a new neighbor. Their 7-week-old son, Ryder, is a joy, but the start of site-preparation work for a natural gas compressor station — visible from the window of Ryder’s nursery — is not. Philly.com
Rainy Days Mean Big Boost to Indoor Boardwalk Businesses–It was a Thursday afternoon, and a cloud had completely blocked the sun from shining on any part of Atlantic City. People who would’ve been enjoying the ocean or beach were feeding quarters into crane machines or checking out a roulette table of more than 14,000 jelly beans. Press of Atlantic City
Recovery Coaches Bring Addiction Help into the ER–Every Monday morning, Scott Gras stops by the nurses’ station inside AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and asks if anyone came into the emergency room over the weekend from an opioid overdose. He’s not a nurse, a doctor, psychologist or a licensed medical professional, but as an opioid overdose program recovery specialist, Gras draws from his personal experience with addiction to help others who come into hospital emergency rooms after coming close to death. Press of Atlantic City
Margate Wins Third Straight Memorials Title–A choppy ocean couldn’t stop Margate from winning its third straight team title at its own Margate Beach Patrol World War II Memorial Lifeguard Races on Friday. At the Decatur Avenue beach, Margate started the evening with a victory by Chuck Gowdy and Chris Graves in the doubles row, and the home patrol scored well in the other two races to win. Press of Atlantic City
7 South Jersey Museums to Explore–While the mid-summer sun is still shining brightly, and the days start to get shorter, there are a lot of options for fun family outings before the school season starts. Along with outdoor activities and events, there are several museums unique the southern New Jersey area, which can help visitors and residents alike learn about the history of the area — from WWII fighter jets in Millville, to the once-bustling jazz and R&B music scene on Kentucky Avenue in Atlantic City, to climbing in a real air-traffic control tower in Wildwood. www.snjtoday.com
Fastest Mom In South Jersey Gears Up For Weekend Drag Racing Series–“I’ve been 270 mph hour in this car,” says Karen Stalba who has been racing alcohol dragsters for more than 20 years. The Mullica, NJ resident has won a lot of races and turned a lot of heads. philadelphia.cbslocal.com
Bridgeton Gateway CAP Receives $180K Grant–An organization working to revitalize the South Jersey community has received some new funding to help continue its work. South Jersey legislators from the 3rd Legislative District announced on Friday, August, 4th, that the Gateway Community Action Partnership (Gateway CAP), based in Bridgeton, was approved to receive a grant of a little more than $180,000 through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. www.snjtoday.com
Coast Guard Helps Crew of Sinking Boat Near Brigantine–The United States Coast Guard rescued four people from a boat that was sinking near Brigantine Sunday afternoon. The Coast Guard received a radio call of the boat taking on water near Brigantine beach. A 29-foot response boat from Station Atlantic City made the rescue. 987thecoast.com
Gaming Leader Sees Future for Atlantic City, Sports Betting–From the Hard Rock announcement to the expansion of entertainment options, the city is in a good position to grow its share of the gambling market. And that includes getting a piece of sports betting, a prospect Freeman sees as likely given the country's growing acceptance of gambling. Press of Atlantic City
Pier AC Outdoor Bar on Atlantic City Boardwalk Opens–Another outdoor Boardwalk bar has made its way to the resort. Pier AC, sitting at the old Garden Pier between the Showboat Atlantic City hotel and the former Revel Casino Hotel, opened last week and celebrated in a grand opening Friday night. Press of Atlantic City