By T.S. EVANS Staff Writer SOMERS POINT – Residents here may feel that they can rest a little easier now when it comes to hurricanes and natural disasters. Atlantic County has signed a contract with Global Connect to install what is called “reverse 911” as part of the countywide emergency management system. Just as residents are able to contact emergency personnel when they need help by calling 911, now emergency personnel can contact residents to let them know when there is an impending disaster and to get out of harm’s way. It is 911 in reverse. ...<< MORE >>

To the editor: Club Play is special. This became clear to me as soon as I entered the doors on opening weekend. With the potential to become an extraordinary establishment, it instantaneously gained a five-star reputation among local teenagers. The security is friendly and dedicated to providing a protected, upbeat, healthy environment for all patrons. Established rules are emphasized as teens enter the club each night and are enforced once inside of the building. Continuously monitoring the club’s activity, the security has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct. The management is informative and open regarding all of ...<< MORE >>

Linwood reorganization meeting Jan. 4 The Linwood reorganization meeting will be 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 at Linwood City Hall. Mayor Richard DePamphilis, Councilwoman Donna Taylor and Councilwoman Elect Stacy DeDomenicis will be sworn into office. Flower arranging workshop Jan. 10 The Friends of the Linwood Library will hold a hands-on flower arranging workshop 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 at the library presented by Ann Ciquina, a master gardener and member of the Northfield Garden Club. Participants may bring a container to fill; all arrangements can be taken home. Cost is $5 per person ...<< MORE >>

By JACKIE HANUSEY Staff Writer LINWOOD – City Council’s plan to add a blinking yellow light to the crosswalk at Shore Road near All Wars Memorial Field is not an ideal solution for slowing motorists on Shore Road, according to a resident who lives on the busy roadway. Council has been working on a plan to make the heavily traveled section of the road safer for pedestrians. The most recent proposal calls for adding flashing yellow lights in both directions that would be triggered by pedestrians who want to cross. Doortje Fenwick, an architect, project designer ...<< MORE >>

By JACKIE HANUSEY Staff Writer LINWOOD – There’s someone new walking the hallways of Mainland Regional High School, but the newest assistant principal hopes to soon become a familiar face. Mark Marrone, 31, of Absecon started Monday, Dec. 3 after working as director at the Atlantic County Alternative High School. “I’m going from a school with 100 students to one with 1,700 students,” Marrone said last week, and he said he is up to the challenge. It was earlier in the school year when the administration and the Board of Education decided to add a second ...<< MORE >>

By SUZANNE MARINO Staff Writer MARGATE – In the three weeks since word came from the Diocese of Camden that it would be closing Blessed Sacrament Regional School at the end of the school year and merging it with St. James School in Ventnor, parents’ emotions have run the gamut from anger to acceptance. A Dec. 6 meeting in the Blessed Sacrament Church Hall was packed with parents affected by the move who came to discuss their options demonstrated how emotionally invested families are in their school. But a week later, on Dec. 13, St. ...<< MORE >>

Due to the holiday rush, the kickoff meeting of the healthy schools committee and the families participating in the Healthy Family Makeover contest and Healthy Family Scrapbook contest has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Mainland Fitness Gym in Northfield. The deadline for the contest has been extended to Jan. 11. The contest is open to all Northfield families with school-age children regardless of the school they attend. For information on the contest go to http://hsc.northfield.groupfusion.net. ...<< MORE >>

By SUZANNE MARINO Staff Writer NORTHFIELD – There is a new set of rules governing whatever type of wheels students choose for the journey to and from the Northfield Community School, and according to district officials, the rules will be enforced. Whether it is a bicycle, a skateboard, or even a unicycle, the rules adopted Monday, Dec. 17 at the Board of Education meeting apply. The school board found it had to revisit the district policy for students riding bicycles to school, even though it was updated several years ago to include skateboards. At that ...<< MORE >>

By T.S. EVANS Staff Writer HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – In his first appearance in court Thursday, Dec. 13 to answer charges in the beating death of his 4-year-old son, Joseph Deneal II, 23, barely raised his head as he quietly addressed Superior Court Judge Albert Gandolfo. Deneal, arrested Wednesday, Dec. 12, was led into the courtroom wearing orange prison garb with wrist and ankle chains by sheriff’s deputies. Assistant prosecutor Murray Talasnik appeared for the state and read the charges. Deneal, of New Road in Somers Point, is charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of ...<< MORE >>

SOMERS POINT – Students at St. Joseph Regional School collected more than 750 gifts to be distributed to those less fortunate this holiday season. The presents were placed under a Christmas tree at a Mass held in St. Joseph’s Church Wednesday morning, Dec.12. The presents were festively wrapped and trimmed with ribbons, bows and bells. Each child brought their donations to the altar and placed them under the tree. The gifts will be picked up by the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, an organization dedicated to helping those in need. Mickie Strack, the organizer from St. ...<< MORE >>