Ocean City officials will consider penalties for motorists who recklessly drive through floodwaters after Mayor Jay Gillian said many people lost vehicles during unnecessary travel during this weekend's powerful nor’easter. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports in a post-storm update Monday, Gillian said police stopped numerous vehicles during the height of the flooding and directed motorists who weren't responding to emergencies to turn around and go home.

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson is opening the door to possible county involvement in an effort to save the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel — including potentially putting county financial resources on the table. According to SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com, Levinson says no one has contacted him from state, CRDA or the convention authority. Levinson says the county would get involved with a project but only if there is cooperation from the state.

A Galloway Township man faces five years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges spanning three separate incidents. Thirty-six-year-old George Poteat admitted to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, resisting arrest, and distributing drugs across Atlantic City and Galloway between 2024 and 2026. Police officers seized illegal ammunition, heroin, prescription pills, and crack cocaine during the series of arrests. Poteat’s five-year prison sentence was finalized through a plea agreement following investigations by local police departments.

Firefighters rescued nine people and a dog from flooded motel rooms in West Atlantic City on Saturday morning after a powerful nor'easter drove tidal water two to three feet deep into first-floor rooms. According to SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com, after getting the motel guests to safety, firefighters returned to check the flooded rooms — and discovered a fire.The dramatic response unfolded shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday at the Travel Inn and New Sea Breeze motels in the West Atlantic City section of Egg Harbor Township, according to a release from township officials.

A former Atlantic County Public Works supervisor has admitted to stealing thousands of dollars in county-owned fuel to run his private trucking business. Forty-eight-year-old Joseph Ridley-Jenkins of Mays Landing pleaded guilty on Wednesday to third-degree theft after investigators caught him directing employees to fill his private fleet at public pumps almost daily for over two years. Authorities launched an investigation in May 2025 after public works staff noticed glaring irregularities in the county’s diesel fuel logs. Under the plea deal, Ridley-Jenkins faces four years in state prison, $20,000 in restitution, and a permanent ban from public employment.

Thousands of Atlantic County residents rely on public assistance programs, but some face the possibility of losing food benefits if they fail to meet federal work requirements or qualify for an exemption. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports Fran Kuhn, executive director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, said the county is working to connect residents receiving public assistance with employment, training and other qualifying activities, but getting people to participate in available programs remains a challenge.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. has suspended city employee Kashawn McKinley without pay following federal corruption charges alleging that McKinley solicited cash, marijuana and an act of violence in exchange for assisting a cannabis business owner. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports Small and his attorney, Edwin J. Jacobs Jr. announced the suspension and pledging to review the circumstances surrounding the case.McKinley, 42, the city's director of constituent services and a member of the Atlantic City Board of Education, was charged Thursday with honest-services fraud and two counts of soliciting bribes.

A potential rescue plan is taking shape for the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, where a threatened closure before the end of the year has raised concerns about the future of the resort's convention business. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports Frank Formica, a member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) board, says agency leadership has been working for months on a plan that could bring together state agencies, private investors and local government to keep the hotel operating.

The proposed multibillion-dollar redevelopment of Bader Field remains alive, but former Egg Harbor Township Mayor Sonny McCullough says state-level delays continue to frustrate efforts to move the ambitious Atlantic City project forward. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports McCullough, a former state senator, discussed the project during a Tuesday, Sept. 22, appearance on The AC Mike Lopez Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND, revealing that some members of the original development team are no longer involved and that new participants have joined the effort.

Six of Atlantic County's 10 most wanted fugitives have been apprehended in recent weeks, and Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue says cooperation between law enforcement agencies and tips from the public have played an important role in the arrests. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports O'Donoghue discussed the initiative on WOND, providing additional details about the Sheriff's Office's efforts to locate individuals wanted on outstanding warrants.The sheriff said five fugitives were arrested during the first week after the county released its most wanted list. A sixth was subsequently apprehended in Philadelphia with assistance from federal authorities.

On Wednesday, 25 year old Malachi Valentine of Pleasantville was arrested on charges of second-degree Official Misconduct, Pattern of Official Misconduct, Computer Criminal Activity, and petty disorderly persons Harassment. An investigation found that while employed by the Northfield Police Department, Valentine allegedly utilized the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database outside the scope of his employment since his appointment in 2023. Valentine was taken into custody and released on a complaint-summons. This criminal investigation was conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Standards Unit

Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including artificial intelligence to imitate the voices of loved ones, as they attempt to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting residents. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports that was among the warnings shared during a fraud prevention event in Lower Township on Tuesday, Sept. 22, where more than 150 people gathered to learn how to recognize scams and protect themselves from financial fraud.The event was hosted by Lower Township Mayor and Council in partnership with the Lower Township Police Department.

A Mays Landing woman faces up to life in prison after being convicted Tuesday in the murder of her elderly partner. A jury found 77-year-old Eileen Bright guilty of first-degree murder and weapons charges in the March 2024 death of 81-year-old Gary Johnson. Investigators revealed Bright used a kitchen knife and a household statue to attack Johnson in their home, and the jury ultimately rejected her defense of legal insanity. Bright remains in custody ahead of her formal sentencing scheduled for late October.

A passenger ferry connecting New York City and Atlantic City could begin operating as early as Memorial Day weekend 2027 under a proposal discussed Monday by Mayor Marty Small, casino executives, developers and representatives of ferry operator Seastreak. According to SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com, the proposed service would carry as many as 600 passengers between Manhattan and Atlantic City's Farley State Marina at Golden Nugget, with an estimated travel time of approximately 2½ hours and a round-trip fare of about $150.

A proposal to establish new regional airline service at Atlantic City International Airport, potentially connecting the resort with Boston and other underserved destinations, was a major topic of discussion during Monday's meeting of Mayor Marty Small, casino executives and developers. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports former state senator and longtime EHT mayor Sonny McCullough, who attended the Sept. 21 meeting, revealed details of the airline discussions Tuesday morning during an interview on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND.

A 7-year-old Pleasantville boy has died from injuries suffered when the gas-powered minibike he was riding collided with a car in Atlantic City on Sunday afternoon. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports the crash occurred around 5 p.m. Sept. 20 near the intersection of Massachusetts and Melrose avenues. Police said the child was riding a gas-powered minibike when he was involved in a collision with a blue 2012 Nissan Altima. The boy was initially transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center before being airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he died from his injuries.

One of Ocean City's most recognizable landmarks is facing demolition as the future of the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier property continues to take shape.The amusement park's iconic Ferris wheel, which has towered over the Boardwalk for decades, will have to be taken down because of deteriorating structural conditions. The development during a tour of the former amusement park Friday, Sept. 18, according to a report published Monday by the Sentinel.

Four Atlantic City council members are exploring potential opportunities to address the city's housing needs following discussions with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C., about newly enacted federal housing legislation. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, speaking on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND, said he and three fellow council members attended an affordable housing seminar during the Congressional Black Caucus gathering.The group included Shabazz, Councilman Aaron "Sporty" Randolph and Councilwomen Stephanie Marshall and Patricia Bailey.

Atlantic City's long-awaited paving projects are about more than smoother roads.As construction begins Monday on Atlantic and Pacific avenues, Mayor Marty Small says the improvements will also include synchronized traffic signals, new sidewalks and upgraded street lighting. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports during a Friday interview on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND, Small discussed the additional improvements planned for two of the city's busiest roadways.

An Atlantic City man is facing six years in prison after pleading guilty to a late-night shooting outside a local market. Prosecutors say 24-year-old Kasean Griffin admitted to second-degree aggravated assault and weapon charges following the February incident on North Pennsylvania Avenue. Police recovered two different types of shell casings at the scene, with video footage capturing Griffin firing several rounds at another vehicle. Although no injuries were reported, investigators later arrested Griffin at a nearby apartment and seized two loaded handguns hidden inside a toilet tank.