Latest news with #CapeMay
CBS News
7 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Middle Thorofare Bridge in Cape May County, New Jersey, is set to be replaced with $400 million project
Last summer, CBS Philadelphia highlighted problems with the Middle Thorofare Bridge, which links Cape May and Wildwood Crest in New Jersey. The bridge, which has carried hundreds of thousands of cars between the Wildwoods and Cape May, is in rough shape. In fact, its condition keeps some local officials awake at night. But now, there is a plan to completely replace the crossing. Joe Rotondi was casting off, trying his luck in a new spot, just beneath the bridge. The North Jersey native has traveled the bridge countless times, but underneath, he said, the angle was an eye-opener. "It's a little shaky," Rotondi said. "I'm assuming it's been here forever and things were built to last." On the other side of the inlet, things are busy off Wayne Reichle's docks. "We are harvesting between 75 to 100 million pounds of seafood annually," Reichle, the president of Lund's Fisheries, said. Reichle's relationship with the Middle Thorofare Bridge is a finicky arrangement, as his boats sometimes get stuck in a slowed-down choreography due to timing and tides. "Our business depends on that bridge going up and down," Reichle said. "Many of the fishermen that are going in and out of the bridge are often scared going in and out of there because there is such a narrow passage." Reichle said a high tide helps for smoother navigation, but the bridge bottlenecks traffic. "For us, it really hinders our production operation, so our business operates around high tide," Reichle said. Problems go beyond commercial fishing. Last year, the motor that opens and closes the two-lane toll bridge blew. The span was closed for a couple of days, cutting off cars coming and going to Cape May and the Wildwoods. A CBS News Philadelphia investigation last August revealed the 1939 crossing had a "critical structural rating" and is considered obsolete. Talk of a new Middle Thorofare Bridge around the Jersey Shore goes back 25 years. "Engineering feat that was great in the day, but now needs to be modernized to accommodate the amount of traffic," Rotondi said. Earlier this month, Cape May County leaders provided CBS News Philadelphia with plans that show construction of a fixed-span bridge. The 80 feet of clearance between the bridge deck and bay will mean no more waiting for tides and bridge openings. "Boats could actually pass during any tide, at any moment of the day or night, and basically our operations would not be restricted by the tide," Reichle said. The new crossing will curve around the existing toll bridge, and it will remain open while the new bridge is built. The cost for the project, according to Cape May County, is approaching $400 million. It also includes roadways elevated to exceed FEMA flood regulations. The price tag makes it the county's most expensive project in its history. "There is some light at the end of the tunnel, and we have a positive push behind us right now," Reichle said. Permits and funding sources are still being worked out, and environmental impact studies are underway. Cape May County expects the bridge won't be built for another five years. This isn't the only crossing that is in need of replacement — there are at least three other similar bridges along Ocean Drive. Cape May County last year estimated a total cost nearing $1 billion.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 20. Here are 6 Jersey Shore spots to try.
Our annual ice cream poll gave readers plenty of places to consider for your sweet treat. But with National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 20, we wanted to tell you about some places at the Jersey Shore that sell unique ice cream flavors. Going 'Down the Shore' is a Jersey thing this time of year, so if you're planning a trip, we'll give you some places to check out for some creative and delicious-sounding flavors, okay? Cool Scoops, North Wildwood This 1950s-themed ice cream parlor offers more than 35 flavors of ice cream. The menu offers a myriad of sundaes, including the 'Wild Woody," a waffle bowl filled with espresso chip and coffee ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and topped with a cherry. There's also the 'Scoupe DeVille' — six scoops of your choice of ice cream, five toppings, whipped cream and topped with cherries. They also have a Kryptonite sundae, which includes one scoop each of mint chocolate chip and pistachio, hot fudge topping, green jimmies and whipped cream, topped with a green cherry. Go: 1111 New Jersey Ave.; 609-729-2665; Fleck's Ice Cream, Villas, Cape May Fleck's Ice Cream was founded in 1993 by Joe and Donna Fleck and their seven children, according to the Fleck's Ice Cream Facebook page. They give true meaning to the concept of "cake and ice cream." Some of their flavors include banana bread sundae, peaches and cream sundae, warm butter cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel, and more. Go: 1600 Bayshore Road, Villas; 609-889-2393; Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlour, Ocean City This iconic spot offers unique flavors such as Monster Cookie, Coconut Castaway, salted caramel pretzel crunch, Moose Tracks, Death by Chocolate, peanut butter pie, sticky bun and more. The family-run shop had to overcome a fire in May 2020. More than 42 flavors of ice cream are featured in the bright parlor, which has a carousel horse outside and features carousel decorations throughout. Go: 800 Ocean Ave.; 609-399-1214; Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard (multiple locations at the Shore) Kohr Brothers, which has multiple shore locations — Wildwood, Cape May, Stone Harbor, Ocean City and other communities — has been around since 1919. Some interesting ice cream flavors include blueberry ripple, butterscotch ripple, peanut butter ripple, banana and chocolate peanut butter. Coffee and dulce de leche (caramel) is listed as a seasonal flavor, according to a Facebook post. Go: Peace Pie, Cape May, Ventnor City Peace Pie offers gourmet ice cream cookie sandwiches. This unique dessert is offered in all sorts of combinations and flavors, including saltated caramel brownie, strawberry shortcake, banana crème, key lime pie, peanut butter cup, caramel apple, molten chocolate, pecan pie and more. The flagship store in Cape May was established in 2015. Since then stores have been added in Ventnor City and all the way down to St. Augustine, Florida. Go: 7307 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor City; 609-457-0655; 326 Carpenters Lane, 609-435-5321; Springer's Homemade Ice Cream, Stone Harbor Superstar singer Taylor Swift has said Springer's was always among her favorite places when she stayed in Stone Harbor with her family in the summers as a child. Springer's, which was founded more than 80 years ago, has approximately 60 rotating flavors of freshly made ice cream. Flavors include: banana fudge, banana peanut butter, blueberry cheesecake, chocolate chip bourbon pecan pie, Cease & Desist (coffee ice cream with Heath bar pieces), Dark Night (deep purple black raspberry ice cream with chocolate flakes) and The Blue One (bright blue cookie dough ice cream with Oreo pieces.) Go: 9420 3rd Ave.; 609-602-2471; Please consider a digital subscription to help support our journalism. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: National Ice Cream Day is July 20. Shore spots offer unique flavors. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NJ Supreme Court says Daniel's Law is constitutional, journalists must abide
Daniel's Law, enacted by the state Legislature to protect the home addresses and phone numbers of judicial and law enforcement officials, is "narrowly tailored" to protect those officials and their families from harm and threats, yet also complies with the freedom of speech and press guarantees in the Constitution, the state Supreme Court has ruled. Daniel's Law was enacted after Daniel Anderl, son of federal Judge Esther Salas, was fatally shot at their North Brunswick home in July 2020 by a disgruntled attorney, posing as a deliveryman, who was stalking Salas. The gunman had complied a dossier of information about Salas, including her home address. Daniel's Law allows the individuals covered under the law to prevent the disclosure of their home address and unpublished phone number by filing a request for non-disclosure with the person or business who has the information. The Supreme Court ruling on June 17 was on a case brought by Charles Kratovil, editor of New Brunswick Today, who was working on a story in 2023 that Anthony Caputo, then New Brunswick's police director and board member of the city's Parking Authority, had a voting address in Cape May, suggesting that Caputo lived hours away from New Brunswick. Caputo retired as police director in 2024. "I am pleased that this case may very well have accelerated Anthony Caputo's departure from New Brunswick, because his poor leadership was negatively impacting our police department and parking authority, where he held onto public positions for much longer than he should have," said Kratovil, who was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Foundation and the law firm of Lowenstein Sandler. More: Phil Murphy, Matt Platkin vow increased security for NJ officials after Minnesota shooting After Kratovil discovered through an Open Public Records Act request that Caputo was registered to vote in Cape May, Kratovil shared the voter registration information, including Caputo's address, with members of the Parking Authority's board on March 22, 2023. At a May 5, 2023 City Council meeting, Kratovil spoke during the public portion, identifying the street but not the house number on Caputo's voter profile. Ten days later, Kratovil received a letter from Caputo saying that under the provisions of Daniel's Law, he was a "covered person" whose home address and phone number are not subject to disclosure. Caputo requested that Kratovil cease disclosing the information and remove it from the internet. Daniel's Law allows a "covered person" to make that request in writing. The law also allows possible civil or criminal penalties if the request is not honored. According to court papers, Kratovil said the notice gave him "reasonable grounds to fear that he would be a target for an enforcement action that would seek to criminalize his investigative journalism." However, no civil action has been filed against Kratovil, nor has any criminal proceeding been instituted, court papers say. Kratovil then filed a show cause order in Middlesex County Superior Court, arguing that provisions of Daniel's Law are unconstitutional because they infringe on the freedom of speech and press. He also asked for an injunction barring any civil or criminal penalties against him. Judge Joseph Rea on Sept. 21, 2023 denied the show cause order, ruling that while Kratovil had lawfully obtained Caputo's home address, the exact street address was "logically immaterial" to the public question whether Caputo resided in Cape May. Rea ruled that protection of public officials was "a state interest of the highest order" and said Daniel's Law was "as narrowly tailored as possible to achieve its purpose by way of the least restrictive means." Kratovil then appealed Rea's decision to the state Appellate Division which ruled that Caputo's residence in Cape May was a matter of public interest, but his street address was not. The appellate court also ruled that Rea's decision did not have a "chilling effect" on Kratovil's journalism because the court had not told him "what he could or could not publish." More: NJ federal judge whose son was murdered: Attacks on judges worrisome for democracy The state Supreme Court then accepted Kratovil's appeal of the Appellate Division ruling. In its 40-page decision, the justices agreed with the lower court's rulings that Daniel's Law was "narrowly tailored" by "the least restrictive means" and does not apply to all public employees and officials. The law only applies to judges, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and child protective investigators in the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. The justices found that Daniel's Law was constitutional and did not accept Kratovil's suggestions that the law be changed. "While I am disappointed by the ruling, I will continue to advocate for transparency and work hard to serve the public interest here in the community that I call home," Kratovil said. The justices also found that there is no liability for publishing addresses or phone numbers until that person invokes the protection of Daniel's Law by providing notice. Kratovil said he was "disappointed" in the ruling. "While the New Jersey Supreme Court agreed with us that this was a matter of public concern, they also said that the law was narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government purpose of the highest order, even though it was the government that released the address in question," he said in a statement. "When the government provides information to the media, the U.S. Supreme Court instructs courts to assume that the government should use other tools to guard against the dissemination of that information and not take the extreme step of punishing truthful speech. We are disappointed that the New Jersey Supreme Court did not follow this precedent." The ruling comes days after a man disguised as a police officer shot and killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former speaker of the state House, and her husband Mark, and wounded a state senator and his wife early Saturday. The accused gunman, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, was captured late Sunday night. Email: mdeak@ This article originally appeared on NJ Supreme Court says Daniel's Law is constitutional, press must abide Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
04-07-2025
- CBS News
Families enjoy picture-perfect Fourth of July in Cape May, New Jersey
Sunshine, sand, saltwater and more – families flock to Cape May for Fourth of July fun Sunshine, sand, saltwater and more – families flock to Cape May for Fourth of July fun Sunshine, sand, saltwater and more – families flock to Cape May for Fourth of July fun From festivals to fireworks, many families celebrated the Fourth of July down the Shore, and the weather was near picture-perfect. Almost everywhere you looked, Old Glory was hung proudly outside many businesses, and red, white, and blue banners were displayed prominently around Cape May. Even some lifeguards are showing off their patriotism. "This is just amazing. I mean, when you drive around, it's hard to find parking, so you know there's a lot of people here," said Hugh Murray, who works at Ocean Putt Golf. Many people spent part of the holiday testing their putting skills and getting an early round in at Ocean Putt Golf. They enjoyed some friendly competition and said there's no better place to be to celebrate the Fourth of July. "You got the beach, the sand, the sun, and gets better than that?" said Judy Tizzica, who lives in Cape May full-time. "We're playing some mini golf and soaking up the said Megan Wells, who is visiting from Levittown, Pennsylvania. CBS Philadelphia From carousel rides to a quick lap on the train around Congress Hall, memories were being made, and Judith Boorsma enjoyed her first time in Cape May. "I like it. The weather is nice and there's a lot of people here, so I like it," Boorsma said. For many families, celebrating down the Shore is a tradition, and Mother Nature served up a holiday treat. There were crowds of people enjoying the brilliant sunshine, the warm ocean water, and an all-around beautiful beach day. "We love being down here for all the Summer holidays, we usually start Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, but yeah, it's all great getting the family together, spending time on the beach, we love it down here," said Michael Lapoma. "Just brings you back to traditional American sunshine, and good old-fashioned fun," said Chris Cipolli. Cape May will launch fireworks around 9:30 p.m. Friday on the beach in front of Congress Hall. Then, the city will host its Independence Day Parade on Beach Avenue beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
War of words erupts on East Coast as locals propose renaming Delaware Bay... inspired by Trump's Gulf of America
An all-out war of words has erupted on the East Coast after a New Jersey state lawmaker announced he plans to rename the Delaware Bay to 'The Bay of New Jersey' - echoing Donald Trump 's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Republican state Sen. Michael Testa introduced a new bill Thursday that would direct state agencies to officially change the Delaware Bay so he could 'Make New Jersey GREAT AGAIN!' The Trump supporter, who represents Cape May County, took to X on Friday to defend his bizarre idea, suggesting that New Jersians should be able to fish in a bay with its name attached to it. 'I look at the robust fishing industry - commercial fishing industry and recreational industry of the State of New Jersey,' Testa told NJ Advance Media. The body of water has held the Delaware title since 1610 when it was named after Thomas West, the third baron de la Warr and Englishman who governed the Virginia colony, per the Delaware government's website. While Testa seems excited about his pitch, many people, especially Delaware residents, are not as thrilled. One raged on Facebook: 'Fight us for it Jersey!' 'It will always be the Delaware Bay,' said another. Someone else commented: 'Jersey stay away from our bay!' Another person even took a jab at Testa himself, and said: 'Maybe the Senator needs to change his name!' 'The GOP Always Trying To Rename Bodies Of Water ... How Pathetic...,' a user wrote. Meanwhile, some New Jersey residents were on board with the plan. 'You know what hell yeah,' one wrote. 'If ya really wanna do this, I suggest a more fluid phrase... How about 'Bay of Cape May,' said someone else. 'That's ridiculous.... it should be New Jersey Bay,' a user wrote alongside a laughing emoji. Although some New Jersians stood by the proposed legislation, others were just as unhappy with Testa for his 'dumb' idea. 'Lower my homeowners taxes in New Jersey. I could care less about the bay,' one wrote. Another sarcastically said: 'Ah yes that's definitely going to solve all of our problems of barely 'We need to vote idiots out of government,' another user said. The Delaware River - a 282 mile body of water that borders New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania - empties into the bay. It is commonly used for tourism, travel and commerce. Under Testa's proposed legislation, the possible new name of the bay would be included in 'publications, signage, websites, and materials to reflect the new designation and notify relevant federal entities.' This was not the only bill Testa proposed last week, as he also suggested the Garden State should reclaim land along New Jersey's Salem County shore that is claimed by Delaware as part of a decades-old border agreement. Testa's move follows suit with Trump's executive order to have the U.S. Department of the Interior to recognize the 'Gulf of America' in government-issued materials, including maps. In May, the House of Representatives passed a bill to officially change the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America.' The name change is only recognized by the US, not by other countries, including Mexico.
