Previous Headlines

Rise in antibacterials worries researchers

Published: 02/06/10

Shelly Mills squirted hand sanitizer into children’s tiny, cupped palms from an economy-sized bottle before serving celery and cream cheese at Country Playhouse Day Care in Middle Township.

Report details ambush that killed local soldier

Published: 02/05/10

KABUL — Most of the soldiers were still asleep when gunfire rang out and insurgents stormed their isolated base from all sides. Eight Americans, including former Lower Township resident Michael Scusa, and three Afghan soldiers died.

Vineland resident selected for U.S. women's soccer team

Published: 02/05/10

Jillian Loyden was 10 when her mother noticed she had changed. The Vineland resident went to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and saw the national women’s soccer team win the gold medal.

Pinnacle kills Atlantic City casino project

Published: 02/05/10

ATLANTIC CITY — The company that spectacularly imploded the Sands Casino Hotel is pulling out of Atlantic City after its plans for a $1.5 billion gaming resort proved to be a dud.

Margate honors dog, others involved in boy's ice rescue

Published: 02/05/10

MARGATE - The days since Tristan Lavin held onto his older brother Sage until he could be rescued from the icy water have been a whirlwind: praise from teachers and friends at school, local and national media attention - even a trip around New York City in a limousine for a television interview.

Craig Callaway ends federal prison term only to enter state prison

Published: 02/04/10

ATLANTIC CITY — Former resort political boss Craig Callaway has served his final day in federal prison, but he is far from returning to the site of his epic rise to and fall from political power.

Woman charged with stealing from local mayor is same woman who sued him alleging sexual harassment

Published: 02/04/10
With photos of both

Stafford Township police said Thursday they arrested a woman last month and charged her with theft from real estate broker Joseph Mancini, months after the same woman filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit against her former boss.

Atlantic City supervisor charged with selling drugs while working on city property

Published: 02/04/10

ATLANTIC CITY — A city supervisor allegedly sold drugs from the All Wars Memorial building while on city time and from his city-issued vehicle, leading to his arrest Wednesday morning.

Heat back on at Borgata after water main break

Published: 02/04/10

ATLANTIC CITY - Heat was fully restored Thursday at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa after a broken pipe left parts of Atlantic City's most luxurious gaming resort chilly and without hot water, utility company officials said.

Foot or more of snow may fall in southern New Jersey

Published: 02/04/10

If your pantry and refrigerator aren’t well-stocked, it’s time to make a trip to the supermarket — today.

New incident - and new arrests - at YALE School in Northfield

Published: 02/03/10

Two days after four YALE school students were arrested by Northfield police, two more students were arrested Wednesday — one for striking a teacher, one for making threats, police said.

Transportation secretary causes confusion as more Toyota worries surface

Published: 02/03/10

WASHINGTON — Americans should park their recalled Toyotas unless driving to dealers for accelerator repairs, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned Wednesday — then quickly took it back — as skepticism of company fixes grew and the government’s probe expanded to other models in the U.S. and Japan. Questions now are being raised about the brakes on Toyota’s marquee Prius hybrid.

Southern New Jersey cleans up after overnight snowfall - and prepares for approaching storm

Published: 02/03/10
With photo gallery

An overnight snow storm should lead to some slow, sloppy drives to school or work Wednesday.

For lots of pets, tough times mean a one-way ticket to the animal shelter

Published: 02/03/10

The laundry machine at the Ocean City Humane Society tumbles nearly constantly now, cleaning up what Laverne, Shirley, Lenny and more than 150 other cats and dogs leave behind each day.

Senate president questions role of casino commission, calls for easing restrictions on casinos

Published: 02/02/10

TRENTON - Senate President Steve Sweeney piled pressure on incoming Gov. Chris Christie to get a handle on Atlantic City's problems Tuesday - and laid two major problems at the door of the Casino Control Commission.

Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors

Published: 02/02/10

Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders are as rarely seen as their subjects.

With species in decline, group wants Cape May shark tournaments banned

Published: 02/02/10

Sharks are the top predators of the oceans. To some fishermen, catching them is the ultimate test of skill. Food connoisseurs prize their meat and fins. But some environmentalists and other groups are concerned these creatures may be fished into extinction.

It's called 'skating on thin ice' for good reason

Published: 02/02/10

The story could have turned out a lot differently.

Stimulus creates 500 jobs in southern New Jersey, but promised millions of dollars are slow to arrive

Published: 02/01/10
With database showing who gets what

Click here to see the entire report

Miss'd America crowns first winner in five years in Atlantic City

Published: 02/01/10
With photo gallery and video

ATLANTIC CITY - The revived Miss'd America Pageant made up for lost time Sunday night, delivering heavy doses of flair and raunch from Boardwalk Hall and needling its more famous counterpart, "that pageant in Vegas."

Boy, 7, saves brother after fall through ice in Margate

Published: 02/01/10

When 10-year-old Sage Lavin fell through ice on a Margate lagoon Sunday afternoon, his younger brother grabbed onto his hand tightly.

Skateboarders see their parks closing - and officials say skaters can blame themselves

Published: 01/31/10

A group of teenagers makes its way to the municipal skate park on a weekday afternoon as the sun sets on Ocean City.

Area digs out from winter storm

Published: 01/31/10
With a photo gallery and video of the snowstorm

A winter storm blasted through southern New Jersey on Saturday, dropping more than a half-foot of snow and creating challenging driving conditions that caused cars to slip, slide and stall.

Everyone Has a Story: Stockton student's dream job - making videos for Miss Universe, Miss USA

Published: 01/30/10
Watch Stockton student Thomas Lew's Miss Universe video

Thomas Lew has just about the coolest part-time job any college student could ask for.

Margate's Lucy the Elephant needs $50,000 repair, keeper says

Published: 01/30/10

MARGATE — It’s a tough environment for an elephant. Even a wooden one. Well, especially a wooden one that’s 127-years-old. Just ask Rich Helfant, the executive director, CEO and all-around keeper of Lucy.

Five-doctor medical practice in Egg Harbor Township files for Chapter 11

Published: 01/30/10

Atlantic Gastroenterology Associates, an Egg Harbor Township practice with five doctors that calls itself the largest such treatment center in the region, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this month after being ordered to pay $8.7 million to a former doctor there.

Toms River woman has real-life 'Lassie Come Home' story

Published: 01/29/10

Ten weeks and $5,000 later, a lost and very elusive corgi mix named Violet was reunited with her owner Friday.

Somers Point man gets 15 years for beating toddler son to death

Published: 01/29/10

MAYS LANDING — “He was the one who should have been protecting him,” Alvina Eason said between stifled sobs.

Delaware legalizes table games at its casinos

Published: 01/29/10

New Jersey’s tiny neighbor to the south now poses a bigger threat to Atlantic City’s $3.9 billion casino market.

Wildwood Catholic community develops plan to save school

Published: 01/29/10

NORTH WILDWOOD - On a crusade to save the Crusaders, Wildwood Catholic High School parents and alumni appealed to a higher power.

Meter reader (and former track star) chases down burglary suspect in Linwood

Published: 01/29/10

A meter reader — and former high school track athlete — chased down a burglary suspect in Linwood while calling police on his cell phone.

Atlantic City may be stuck with its City Council aides

Published: 01/28/10

ATLANTIC CITY — You can get rid of the title, but you can’t get rid of the employee.

Local Toyota dealerships, customers worry over recall

Published: 01/28/10

JoAnn Peek, of Brigantine, has been a faithful Toyota owner, upgrading from a 1976 Corolla to an ’80 Celica to an ’01 Camry and a 2010 Camry. But Toyota Motor Corp.’s announcement earlier this week that it is halting sales of eight models — including the 2010 Camry — because of problems with their gas pedals has her questioning whether to find a new car altogether.

State audit of Atlantic City finds $23 million of waste, mismanagement and inefficiency

Published: 01/27/10
Read the report and hear the auditor's comments

ATLANTIC CITY - More than $23 million worth of waste, mismanagement and inefficiency in city government and millions more in uncalculated losses based on archaic and improper city policies were identified in a state audit released Wednesday.

Area residents offer a State of Obama analysis

Published: 01/27/10
_ With an overview of Obama's address _ Justice Alito's response to Supreme Court criticism _ Checking the president's facts

A little more than 15 months ago, Dan Dopko was part of the enthusiasm surrounding then-Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy.

Long Beach Island towns scramble to have usable beaches by summer

Published: 01/27/10

Since the Veterans Day northeaster in November, Long Beach Township has lost 2.4 million cubic yards of sand, 26 beaches have been closed due to severe erosion, and officials say they’re in a race to replenish the sand before the start of the tourist season.

Langford to council: These are my picks for Atlantic City public safety director

Published: 01/27/10

ATLANTIC CITY — A position that could shift the power over the city’s public safety departments now has a front-runner, according to a memo Mayor Lorenzo Langford sent to City Council members.

Fishing council reverses decision to reduce scallop harvest

Published: 01/27/10

A fishing council in New Hampshire that regulates scallop harvests from Maine to North Carolina on Wednesday reversed a decision it made in November to reduce scallop harvests by nearly 25 percent, a call that pleased New Jersey’s commercial scallopers.

Lawmakers want to know why area mayors were not invited to state economic summit

Published: 01/26/10

Local legislators spent Tuesday asking the question: Who didn’t invite the mayors?

Everyone Has a Story: A local Nets’ dancer, video of EHT man's world karate title

Published: 01/26/10
See video of Mike Spizzuco Jr. winning the breaking competition.

Jen Raftery may have the coolest part-time job ever.

Fire kills Middle Township man; son crashes ambulance minutes later

Published: 01/26/10

Police are investigating whether a Middle Township ambulance driver was racing home Tuesday after learning that his father’s home in the Erma section of Lower Township was on fire. The driver, Joseph Sims Jr., crashed his ambulance, seriously injuring another driver. His father, Joseph Sims, died in the house fire.

For Shore Memorial ER doctor, a week of death, horror and healing in Haiti - and memories of kids' smiles

Published: 01/26/10
With related story

Dr. Keith Lafferty held the baby pulled from the rubble of Port-au-Prince in his arms. An hour later, the baby, name unknown, was dead.

Police say Egg Harbor Township High School lockdown incident just a "misunderstanding''

Published: 01/26/10

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The investigation into the incident that led to an emergency lockdown at Egg Harbor Township High School last week is closed, according to township police.

CRDA’s chief finance officer resigns

Published: 01/26/10

ATLANTIC CITY — A senior executive at the state Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is resigning from her $131,000-per-year job, opening up a key position for Gov. Chris Christie to fill as he moves ahead with plans to shake up the agency.

Foxwoods dealers reach tentative contract

Published: 01/26/10

Dealers at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut achieved a milestone Tuesday that so far has eluded their counterparts in Atlantic City: A tentative union contract.

Job loss drives jump in bankruptcies; credit counselors seeing more casino employees with cut hours

Published: 01/25/10

Households seeking advice from the Consumer Credit and Budget Counseling service in Upper Township usually were overwhelmed by one or two financial hardships, whether it was mounting credit card debt, a mortgage foreclosure or a bankruptcy filing.

Accused Loyle Lanes arsonist pleads not guilty at arraignment

Published: 01/25/10

Steven Smink pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he orchestrated the Jan. 11 fire that destroyed Loyle Lanes Bowling Center in Vineland.

Atlantic City firefighter helps out in Haiti

Published: 01/25/10

In his day job, Sven Peltonen spends his time rescuing people as an Atlantic City firefighter and as a Brigantine lifeguard and emergency medical technician.

Do your local officials show up for meetings?

Published: 01/24/10
With a database of elected officials' attendance rates

Click here to access the database.

Atlantic City casinos walk away from simulcasting as interest in horse racing declines

Published: 01/24/10

ATLANTIC CITY — Casinos thought they had a winning combination when simulcast betting was introduced in 1993.