Maecy Bischoff is the new Miss North Wildwood 2017. Bischoff won the honor during the annual pageant held at the Lou Booth Amphitheater. She is a student at Wildwood Catholic High School. ## Photo courtesy of North Wildwood Recreation Facebook page
The number of deaths in New Jersey attributed to drug overdoses spiked by about 20 percent in 2016 over the prior year. A study by NJ Advance Media shows that there were likely 2,100 deaths attributed to heroin, opioids and other drugs in the Garden State last year. ##
Another very hot day at the shore today and state officials have issued another Air Quality Alert. The Code Orange Alert means air pollution levels may be unhealthy due to the hot, sticky air in place. There is a chance for some storms over the weekend. ##
A large fire is raging in the Wharton State Forest. About 1,000 acres were burning in the forest last night, but there was no risk to any individuals or properties. The fire is centered in Washington Township, Burlington County. No word yet on when the fire may be out. ##
It’s Night in Venice boat parade weekend in Ocean City. City officials say the public boat ramp at Tennessee Avenue will close Saturday at 5pm as a result of the parade and will reopen on a normal schedule on Sunday morning. ##
Authorities say the two men who were found dead in a Vineland lake this week were brothers. They have been identified as 30 year old Otoniel Bautista-Vargas, and his 27 year old brother Saul. Both men were pulled from Crystal Lake on Wednesday night. ##
O.J. Simpson will be a free man, as early as October. ABC News reports that a parole board in Nevada has granted the former NFL star an early release from his prison sentence, and Simpson will be free to walk out of prison this fall. His prior acquittal of a double murder was not a…
Patients of Dr. James Kauffman in Atlantic County have until the close of business on Friday to pick up their medical records. Kauffman is the doctor who lost his license and was taken to jail after he pointed a gun at authorities who entered his home and medical practice searching for records connected to a…
Mister Softee is having an issue with two Mister Softee ice cream shops on the Wildwood boardwalk. NJ.com reports that the parent company of Mister Softee cannot guarantee what two stores are selling on the boardwalk because those stores had their licenses terminated for lack of payment about a week ago. Mister Softee says it…
Vineland Police are investigating the discovery of the bodies of two men who were removed from Crystal Lake in the city. Police believe the bodies may be a result of a tragic accident of one victim getting in trouble in the water, and the second attempting a rescue. No identities have been released. ##