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Ventnor man, 22, struck and killed on Longport Boulevard

source NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – A 22-year-old Ventnor man who was walking on Longport Boulevard around 4:25 a.m. Friday, May 16 in the Anchorage Poynte section of the township was killed when he was hit by a pickup truck.

Robert Angotti Jr., 22, of Ventnor was walking west on Longport Boulevard in the westbound lane when he was struck from behind by a 2007 Ford F150 pickup truck driven by Frank A. Pettisani, 73, of Longport, who was also traveling west.

Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/05/16/ventnor-man-22-struck-and-killed-on-longport-boulevard.aspx

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Down The Shore:It was One Mother of A Storm

Source http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Published: May 13, 2008

 Southern New Jersey got slammed with a "winter" storm Monday - two weeks before Memorial Day.

But since the heavy weather started moving into the area Sunday, Jim Eberwine of the National Weather Service predicted that it will be remembered as the Mother's Day Storm of 2008.

And it earned that place in local weather history, the meteorologist added. More


 

Down The Shore: Cape May County declared limited state of emergency

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The county Monday declared a limited state of emergency in response to high winds and severe flooding.

The Cape May County Bridge Commission also lifted tolls on Ocean Drive bridges effective 2 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The county and its municipalities are activating their alert, warning and communications annexes with the National Weather Service and will disseminate information to residents through local media.

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Down The Shore: Coastal flood warning in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday

Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

A strong onshore flow is expected to cause widespread minor tidal flooding on the ocean front and the adjacent back bays around the time of high tide today (Monday, May 12) and again tonight, according to the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management. Moderate tidal flooding could occur.

The following are times of high tide and water level forecasts (measured against Mean Lower Low Water, which is the lowest daily tide level averaged over a 19-year period):

At Atlantic City, Steel Pier, the next high tide will occur at 2:43 p.m. today with a forecast near 7.5 feet above mllw. High tide is again at 2:56 a.m. Tuesday with a forecast around 7.5 feet above mllw and 3:44 p.m. Tuesday with a height of 7.0 feet above mllw. This tide is predicted to be higher than this morning's high tide.

Read more: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/05/12/coastal-flood-warning-in-effect-until-8-am-tuesday.aspx

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Down The Shore: Coast Guard, Cape May Invites Community to Sunset Parades

Posted: 07 May 2008 12:27 PM CDT

CAPE MAY, N.J. - Coast Guard Training Center Cape May will hold four sunset parade ceremonies here this summer to introduce the community to the Coast Guard’s newest Guardians. The first parade will be held on May 25th in celebration of the Coast Guard Training Center’s 60th anniversary.

Sunset Parades are colorful, inspiring military ceremonies featuring the recruit band, drill team, marching troops, cannon fire, and a low level fly over by a Coast Guard helicopter. They take place at sunset on the training center’s parade grounds and are open to the general public. There is no admission charge and children are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by an adult.

No pets are allowed.

For more information community members may contact CWO Veronica Bandrowsky at (609) 898-6969.

Below is the schedule for the 2008 parades:

1. May 25, 2008 at 7:44 p.m.

2. July 6, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.

3. Aug. 3, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.

4. Sept. 7, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Community members may also visit the Coast Guard Training Center’s Web site at www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay, click on the visitor information tab for the schedule.

If inclement weather is predicted, the command will cancel the parade for that day.

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The Fishing Line 5.14: Let's fish!

http://www.capemaycountyherald.com

Have your gear ready? It’s time to fish!

The Starlight fleet, Wildwood Crest, reports some nice fish – sea bass up to 4 pounds as well as some released blackfish up to 10 pounds. Kathy Steinmetz, Havertown, Pa., won the pool with a 4-pound sea bass. On another trip, Jack Brown, Camden, had the pool fish with a 3 1/2 –pound sea bass and Michael Budd, Court House, won the pool the day he went out with a 3 pounder.High hook honors went to Bill Morgan, Philadelphia, who boated 14 sea bass and Tony Wilde, Edison, who caught 13.

Captain Jim is running six and four hour trips every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and has some 18 hour tile fishing trips on the schedule. Call 729-7776.

Bucktail Willie fishing out of Whale Creek Marina in Strathmere has found fluke in all their normal summer locations from south Ocean City to Patty's Hole Avalon.

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Ocean City:Good Samaritan & Coast Guard Rescue Boater

Posted: 10 May 2008 12:46 PM CDT

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - A Good Samaritan and the Coast Guard rescued a sailor today after the sailboat he was on capsized Friday about eight miles southeast of Corson’s Inlet, N.J.

Rescued was Brian Mann, 57, of Edgartown, Mass.

Mann was discovered in a survival suit, sitting atop his overturned sailboat by the pilot of the Pulp Fishing, a recreational fishing boat. The Good Samaritan contacted the Coast Guard at about 9 a.m. today, who launched rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Great Egg and Townsend Inlet, N.J.

The rescue crew from Station Great Egg arrived on scene, and took Mann back to their station in Ocean City, N.J., to awaiting EMS personnel.

Mann was examined and released by medical personnel at the station.

Mann was aboard his 31-foot sailboat transiting from Cape May, N.J., to Massachusetts when his boat capsized off the New Jersey Coast at about 6 p.m. Friday.

“Mann was wearing a survival suit and stayed with his boat, which greatly contributed to his survival,” said David Umberger, search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia.

Mann is currently working with salvage crews from Sea Tow to develop a salvage plan for his boat.

Pinnacle's casino project looks dicey

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

ATLANTIC CITY - The sprawling dirt site where Pinnacle Entertainment's $1.5 billion megaresort is supposed to rise will remain vacant for at least two more years.

Construction will start no earlier than 2010 - if ever - on the now-cleared land where the old Sands Casino Hotel once stood, Pinnacle Chairman Dan Lee said Wednesday while giving a cautious update on the project.

Lee put the odds of Pinnacle ever building the new casino at 50 percent, conceding that the property may be sold and his company could pull out of Atlantic City if the credit crisis continues.

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Atlantic City: Coast Guard Locates Missing Fishing Crew

Posted: 07 May 2008 02:39 PM CDT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Coast Guard has located a fishing boat crew today and the boat they abandoned after it became disabled and started flooding about 34 miles off the coast of Sea Isle City, N.J.

Located were Thanh Van Nguyen, 54, of Camden, N.J., and Cu V. Tran, 22, of Pennsauken, N.J.

A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May, N.J., located the Master Les in Cape May harbor and took the two crew members who abandoned the fishing boat Alexander to the Coast Guard station.

Both men are reportedly in good health and in no need of medical attention.

A helicopter rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., located the abandoned fishing boat Alexander off the coast of Sea Isle City.

Coast Guard medevacs fisherman suffering from flu-like symptoms

Media Release Posted: 06 May 2008 07:38 PM CDT ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Coast Guard medevaced a fisherman today who was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms about 33 miles south-southeast of Cape May, N.J. Medevaced was Matthew Villinger, 30, of Manahawkin, N.J. The Coast Guard received the call at 12:55 p.m. today from a member aboard the 62-foot fishing boat F. Nelson Blount stating Villinger was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May responded and transferred Villinger back to the Coast Guard station to awaiting EMS personnel. The F. Nelson Blount is homeported in Barnegat Light, N.J.

Down The Shore: Tropicana casino group files for bankruptcy

http://afp.google.com

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — The owner of Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino filed for bankruptcy but promised to keep the roulette wheels cranking and the showgirls vamping while courts decide the company's fate.

Tropicana Entertainment LLC, owner of 13 casinos with 11,000 employees in five states including the resort in Las Vegas, blamed its inability to cover its debts on its license problems in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

A significant downturn in tourism, a drop in real estate values and a tightening of the credit market that made acquiring more debt impossible were also cited for the filing Monday.

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Down The Shore: Coast Guard Rescues 7 People off the Coast of Wildwood

Posted: 04 May 2008 08:00 PM CDT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A Coast Guard crew rescued seven people who were disoriented in the fog aboard a 22-foot boat Saturday two miles off the coast of Wildwood, N.J.

The Coast Guard received a call at 5 p.m. from a passenger aboard the sport fishing boat Addiction reporting their GPS was disabled and they were disoriented in the fog.

The position of the boat was attained by the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 system.

Rescue 21 is a newly-established search and rescue and command and control system, leveraging 21st century technology to boost search and rescue capability and better protect the nation’s coastal waterways and ports.

A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May, N.J., arrived on scene and escorted the crew of the Addiction to Canyon Club Marina in Cape May.

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Down The Shore: Coast Guard Rescues Three Fishermen

Posted: 28 Apr 2008 11:28 PM CDT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A Coast Guard small-boat crew rescued three fishermen today who were aboard a disabled fishing boat two miles from the shore of Kitts Hummock, Del.

A Coast Guard watchstander at Sector Field Office Atlantic City received a call at 9:45 a.m. from a crewman aboard Crab 95, a 29-foot commercial fishing boat, reporting they were disabled and anchored.

A crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May, N.J., aboard a 25-foot boat arrived on scene and towed the fishermen to Bowers Beach, Del.

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Down The Shore: Wayland Run set for May 25

Source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

VENTNOR – It’s time to get the running or walking shoes ready for the Ventnor Fire Department’s annual Kenny Wayland Memorial Run on the Boardwalk. This year the run and fun walk will take place Sunday, May 25, rain or shine.

The run, held in honor of firefighter Kenny Wayland, is in its ninth year, and the Fire Department promises that it will be bigger and better than ever.

Wayland, a Ventnor firefighter, was killed in the line of duty Dec. 20, 1972 while helping to evacuate tenants duing an apartment fire at 5000 Boardwalk. He was 34 years old. Trying to escape the flames and intense heat, he fell from a window and suffered multiple skull fractures, internal injuries and severe burns.
Capt. Edward Arentz, who retired from the Fire Department in 1999, recalled that when the call came through that fatal day the firefighters had no idea they would be fighting a general alarm fire until they arrived at the scene. He said Wayland was looking for the owner of the building when he was killed.

The Ventnor firefighters FMBA Local 38 established the run in his honor and it takes place every Memorial Day weekend on the Boardwalk in Ventnor. The money raised benefits the Wayland Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to four students from Ventnor annually based on academic achievement, community service and need

Read more: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/23/wayland-run-set-for-may-25.aspx

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New Construction Down the Shore: Final approval granted for 657-unit housing project

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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Final major subdivision approval was granted Monday night for what would be the largest subdivision in the township, despite concerns expressed by members of the public and the mayor.

Pulte Homes first brought its proposal for the Villages at Farmington to the Planning Board in January 2007. Now called the Ocean Club, the subdivision calls for 667 units, including 258 age-restricted houses, 259 single-family detached units and 140 single-family attached townhouses.

The subdivision was approved for final major subdivision approval by five members of the board; it received one no vote from Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough.

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You’re invited to become a part of township history

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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – It might be hard to imagine now, but three buildings on one West Jersey Avenue lot will soon be transformed into the focal point for township history.

Two small homes and a workshop once owned by the late Edward Ireland are being prepared for transformation into a museum and library by the Greate Egg Harbour Historical Society.

With multiple projects in the works and the township’s 300th anniversary looming in 2010, the Historical Society is hoping to get more people involved. There will be a meeting Wednesday, April 30 in the Municipal Building for anyone who’s interested in  learning more.
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Down The Shore: Hoping for a catch before the ban

 

April 23, 2008

Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

LONGPORT – The water is just starting to warm up, and according to Don Yeskey of Somers Point and Willie Prugger of Margate, it is just about time for the stripers to start running up the inlet.
The two anglers were on the Longport Bridge Tuesday night with their lines in, ready to nab any should they start to run.
But time is of the essence, as the fishermen have only until midnight Wednesday, April 30 to catch what they can from their favorite fishing spot.
That’s when the ban on fishing from the bridge goes back into full effect. The Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders halted fishing from the bridge in September of last year, citing safety as the main reason for ending the 45-year fishing tradition. After an outcry from the fishing community, the freeholders decided to allow nighttime fishing during the off-season.

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Down The Shore: Fire briefly evacuates Burlington Coat Factory (Photo slideshow)

NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – A fire that appeared to start in the ceiling at the Burlington Coat Factory in the Shore Mall caused the evacuation of the store’s employees and customers around 1:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

“They just told me to get out,” customer Leonora Fayer of Atlantic City said.  “I was not in their five minutes, and didn’t see or smell anything.”

Fayer stood just outside the main doors of the store with several others customers and about two dozen employees.

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Down The Shore: Mayor defends school board appointment

April 23, 2008

Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

MARGATE – Mayor Michael Becker has exercised his power to appoint members of the Margate Board of Education twice in the last few months.
In a Type I school district, it is the mayor’s job to appoint members to the board of education. Becker’s first appointment was to put Detective Sgt. Christopher Koch in the seat left vacant when Steve Marchel resigned, to serve the balance of the term.
However, his latest appointment raised some hackles here and brought the appoinment process under scrutiny from the public.
Kelley Blanchet was appointed to a three-year term on the school board by Mayor Vaughn Reale in 2005 and has been serving as vice president since Marchel’s resignation.
When her term was up in April, Becker failed to reappoint her, giving the seat to Donna Foerrster, 50, a 20-year resident of Margate.

Read more: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/23/mayor-defends-school-board-appointment.aspx

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Pleasantville man, 22, pleads guilty in shooting death

Source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

MAYS LANDING – A 22-year-old Pleasantville man pleaded guilty Friday, April 18 to the 2005 shooting death of an Atlantic Cape Community College student at an Egg Harbor Township party, Atlantic County Prosecutor Theodore Housel said.

Gregory Martinez pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and is expected to be sentenced to 15 years in prison May 30. Martinez must serve 85 percent of the prison term before parole eligibility. Upon release, he will be subject to five years of parole supervision, Housel said.

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H.S. crew: Mainland, Holy Spirit girls win heats at season's final Flick race

Published: Monday, April 21, 2008

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

The Mainland Regional High School girls varsity-eight crew held off rivals Mount St. Joseph (Pa.) and Bishop Eustace to win the fastest heat of its division Sunday at the fifth and final Manny Flick Series regatta on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The Mustangs’ win and time put them at No. 1 in The Press’ Elite 11.

The Mainland team of stroke Paige O’Sullivan, Leigh Cunius, Amy Feinberg, Tina Bechtold, Joanna Sutor, Kate Maier, Megan Hanlin, bow Jessie Wilson and coxswain Katie Quinn won the 1,500-meter race in 4 minutes, 50.23 seconds, while Mount’s A boat was second in 4:51.13 and Bishop Eustace was third in 4:51.75.

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Long Beach Township disrobing ordinance does not suit area surfers

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP - A new ordinance to ban public disrobing has some local surfers and business owners hot under the collar - or the wetsuit, or bathing suit.

The ordinance states that the public may dress and undress only within a permanent, enclosed structure.

"That's just dumb; what about girls in bikinis? So a girl can't pull up her shorts when she comes off the beach? Where is the line going to be drawn?" said Marko Grasso, owner of Wave Hog Surf Shop in Ship Bottom.

Grasso said the ban will be difficult for the township to enforce.

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Joseph Granese, of Ocean City, Journalist for Catamaran Media, Died Suddenly, age 55

Joseph A. Granese of Ocean City passed away suddenly on Friday, April 11, 2008 at the age of 55.

The son of Albert and Theresa Granese of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., he was the beloved colleague of Reilly, Matthews, Bononcini, Morowitz CPA and general manager of Accountant’s Computer Technology.

He was also a journalist for Catamaran Media, published in such papers as The Sandpaper, The Current and The Gazette for two decades.

He was an avid birder and baseball fan and loved all of nature’s beings. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and his pet parrot, Andre.

His is survived by his parents Albert and Theresa Granese and his nephew, Alexander (A.J.). He was predeceased by his sister Judy.

There will be a memorial service 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 16 at Epiphany Of Our Lord Church, 3050 Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. A memorial service will also be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 23 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point where friends and family may call.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Somers Point, New Jersey.

source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/15/obituary.aspx

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Down The Shore: Brigantine councilman arrested on child pornography charges

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

BRIGANTINE - Investigators raided the home of City Councilman Richard Casamento before sunrise Friday and arrested him on charges of distributing and possessing child pornography, State Police said.

Casamento then resigned from the seat he has held since 1996. A news release said he stepped down "to focus on my family and our future," but did not mention the arrest. Casamento did not return phone messages left at his home Friday afternoon and was not home when a reporter knocked on the door at his home Friday evening.

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Down the Shore: Three arrested in Absecon home invasion

Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

ABSECON – Police responding to a call of a woman screaming arrested two men and a youth here Thursday, April 10 and charged them in connection with a home invasion shortly after 11 p.m. at the Oyster Bay Condominium on California Avenue.
Brandon Degree, 20, of Absecon; Mark Louis, 18, of Pleasantville; and a 17-year-old from Pleasantville were charged with burglary, conspiracy and criminal mischief, according to police.
“They kicked open the front door,” said Police Chief Charles Smith. “She heard that and came out of her bedroom upstairs and turned on the light. One of them was coming up the stairs. When she turned on the light and screamed, he turned and ran; they all ran out the front door.”

Read more : NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/11/three-arrested-in-absecon-home-invasion.aspx

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Down The Shore: The Rumble

http://www.capemaycountyherald.com

VILLAS –– At approximately 9 p.m. on April 9, Lower Township Police broke up a melee involving dozens of people near Vermont and Congress Avenues, Villas.

Police received a report of a fight involving a large crowd of juveniles allegedly armed with knives and bats.

When police arrived at the scene, they determined the crowd numbered approximately 40 juveniles, which required additional units to respond to quell the disturbance.

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Down the Shore: 24 Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Sports Gambling Ring

Media Release, April 11, 2008

TRENTON – Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced the indictment today of the two top leaders and 22 others involved in a sports bookmaking ring that operated inside the Borgata Hotel Casino poker room and took in more than $60 million in bets in 20 months.

The ring was shut down in November when a multi-agency investigation dubbed Operation High Roller culminated in arrests and charges against more than 20 individuals. The investigation was led by the New Jersey State Police and Division of Criminal Justice with assistance from 11 other law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

According to Director Paw, the Division of Criminal Justice today obtained a state grand jury indictment charging the alleged boss of the ring, Jack Buscemi Jr., 50, of Mullica Hill, and the man who allegedly controlled day-to-day operations of the ring, Andrew Micali, 32, of Ventnor, with racketeering, conspiracy and money laundering, all in the second degree, as well as third-degree promoting gambling.

Fourteen other alleged operators and agents of the ring were indicted on those same four charges, including Vincent Procopio, 42, of Philadelphia, who allegedly acted as Micali's right-hand man; Anthony Nicodemo, 36, of Philadelphia, who allegedly exercised leadership authority over the ring; and two casino poker room supervisors alleged to have been agents who brought in gamblers and bets for the ring: Joseph Wishnick, 43, of Brigantine, a former Borgata poker room supervisor, and Jeffrey Ebert, 45, of Ventnor, a former Tropicana poker room supervisor. Eight additional defendants are named in certain counts of the indictment.

A full list of defendants and charges is included below.

"This ring took in more than $60 million in illegal wagers on sporting events in 20 months using password-protected Web sites and a Philadelphia wire room where bets were taken by phone," said Attorney General Milgram. "Mr. Micali sought to attract high rollers by setting up shop in the Borgata poker room. He also attracted the attention of the New Jersey State Police. With cooperation from the Borgata, our detectives worked skillfully to uncover the massive scope of this criminal enterprise and build the case we presented to the state grand jury."

Buscemi, Micali, Procopio, Nicodemo, Wishnick, Ebert and many of the other indicted defendants were initially arrested or charged by summons on Nov. 14 in the investigation.

The investigation, which began in March 2006, revealed that Micali relied on a network of agents to take in millions of dollars in bets on college and professional football and basketball. Micali, and Buscemi allegedly received a percentage of the gambling proceeds collected by the agents.

"Today's indictment is an important step in bringing those responsible for this multi-million dollar criminal enterprise to justice," said Director Paw. "I commend everyone responsible for this complex investigation and the grand jury presentation."

"This investigation revealed everything that's wrong with unregulated, illegal gambling. There were many individual victims, but every citizen of New Jersey is the most important victim of this highly organized criminal venture," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

Deputy Attorney General Kerry DiJoseph presented the case to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Major Crimes Bureau - Casino Prosecutions Unit. The investigation was led by State Police Detective David Feldstein and his unit, the State Police Casino Unit. The lead investigator for the Division of Criminal Justice was Sgt. Ronald Rozwadowski. The Division of Gaming Enforcement also assisted.

In addition to Wishnick and Ebert, five other men were indicted today for allegedly being bookmakers or agents who brought gamblers into the ring and collected losses from them or paid out winnings. They are Ian Blackman, 28, of Mays Landing; Matthew Zambanini, 28, of Hekessin, Delaware; Robert Mackie, 39, of Staten Island, N.Y.; Frank Baldino, 21, of Philadelphia; and Nicholas Caltibiano, 25, of Brigantine.

Three men were indicted for allegedly running the ring's operations center or "wire room" in a house on South Alder Street in Philadelphia, where bets were taken by phone and processed. They are Joseph Baldino Jr., 23, John Findaly, 31, and Bernard Malseed, 64, all of Philadelphia. The owner of the house, Vincent Borgesi, 40, of Philadelphia, is also charged in the indictment.

Russell Brown, 44, of Egg Harbor, was charged for allegedly managing the ring's illegal gambling accounts at the Web site EaglesDP.com, and Douglas Rubino, 30, of Philadelphia, was charged for allegedly managing its illegal accounts at Justwagers.com.

Four other alleged bookmakers were charged, not as members of Micali's ring but for allegedly accepting "layoff bets" from Micali, meaning bets that Micali's ring initially accepted but that were ultimately viewed as exposing the ring to unacceptably big losses if certain sporting events didn't go their way. Those four men allegedly agreed to take over the layoff bets, allowing Micali's ring to better balance its wagers. Those four men are Michael Connelly, 59, of Parkville, Maryland; Stephen Cassansanto, 37, of Philadelphia; William DePena, 40, of Philadelphia; and Dominic Grande, 28 (DOB: 4/14/79), of Philadelphia.

Micali's mother, Marianne Micali, 63, of Philadelphia, and his girlfriend, Annie Grajales Ospina, 25, of Egg Harbor, are charged in the indictment for allegedly assisting Micali by receiving money from his agents and, in the case of Ospina, assisting with bookkeeping for the ring.

Another man, Mark Galasso, 24, of Philadelphia, was charged with a single count of third-degree money laundering for allegedly assisting Micali to convert $10,000 in cash to casino chips on Nov. 9, 2006, in order to conceal that the money was the proceeds of criminal activity.

It is alleged that Wishnick and other casino employees ignored exchanges of cash and casino chips made by the ring to avoid filing financial reports that are required whenever a transaction exceeds $10,000 or is suspicious in any way. The reports are intended to prevent money laundering at the casinos.

Investigators conducted extensive surveillance and observed the defendants conducting business in the Borgata poker room. They observed defendants accepting bets and settling up with bettors, either by accepting payment on losses or paying out to winners. It is alleged that some losers were forced to accept loans to cover their losses at an annual interest rate exceeding 50 percent, in violation of New Jersey's criminal usury statute.

Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in state prison, while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of the indictment is available with this release at www.njpublicsafety.com.

The following defendants were charged in today's indictment with the listed crimes:  

1. Jack Buscemi Jr., 50, of Mullica Hill. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).  
2. Andrew Micali, 32, of Ventnor. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), Promoting Gambling (3rd degree), Criminal Usury (2nd degree), and Money Laundering (3rd degree).
    
3. Vincent Procopio, 42, of Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), Promoting Gambling (3rd degree), and Criminal Usury (2nd degree).
    
4. Anthony Nicodemo, 36, of Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
    
5. Joseph Wishnick, 43, of Brigantine. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
    
6. Jeffrey Ebert, 45, of Ventnor. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), Promoting Gambling (3rd degree), and Criminal Usury (2nd degree).
    
7. Ian Blackman, 28, of Mays Landing. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), Promoting Gambling (3rd degree), and Criminal Usury (2nd degree).
    
8. Matthew Zambanini, 28, of Hekessin, Del. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
    
9. Robert Mackie, 39, of Staten Island, N.Y. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
    
10. Frank Baldino, 21, Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
11. Nicholas Caltibiano, 25, of Brigantine. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
12. Joseph Baldino Jr., 23, of Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
13. John Findaly, 31, of Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
14. Bernard Malseed, 64, of Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
15. Vincent Borgesi, 40, of Philadelphia. Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
16. Russell Brown, 44, of Egg Harbor. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
17. Douglas Rubino, 30, of Philadelphia. Racketeering (2nd degree), Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
18. Michael Connelly, 59, of Parkville, Md. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
19. Stephen Cassansanto, 37, of Philadelphia. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
20. William DePena, 40, of Philadelphia. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
21. Dominic Grande, 28, of Philadelphia. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
22. Marianne Micali, 63, of Philadelphia. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
23. Annie Grajales Ospina, 25, of Egg Harbor. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree), and Promoting Gambling (3rd degree).
     
24. Mark Galasso, 24, of Philadelphia. Money Laundering (3rd degree).
     

# # #

Down the Shore:Linwood tax rate could rise more than 7 cents

NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

LINWOOD – The city plans to introduce the proposed budget Wednesday, April 9, and officials are blaming a drop in state aid for the projected increase of nearly 8 cents on the municipal tax rate.

As of Friday, the proposed budget was $12,113,743, an increase of $403,219 from last year’s $11,710,524 budget.
The municipal tax rate this year is expected to be 90 cents, up 7.7 cents from 82.3 cents in 2007.

“I don’t disagree with Governor Corzine attempting to reduce the state budget,” Linwood Councilman and chair of the Revenue and Finance Committee Alex Marino said.  “But the governor needs to get his head out of the sand.”
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Bayfest promises 14 blocks of fun by the bay

source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

 

SOMERS POINT – Saturday, April 26 marks the 20th year for the annual Bayfest, an annual event that began as an Earth Day celebration.

From its humble beginnings, the festival now covers 14 blocks along the historic Bay Avenue of Somers Point and offers scores of activities for people of all ages. There is something for everyone, including five musical bands to keep visitors’ steping lively.

This year 120 crafters are set to participate, along with 38 food vendors, 15 children’s activities, a bicycle giveaway and the Euro Bungie, according to the Bayfest website.

Some of the music will come from the rock bands Stage 3 and Shore Thing that will be staged at the beach area. Back by popular demand will be the high-energy Celtic group Birnam Wood.

source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/08/bayfest-promises-14-blocks-of-fun-by-the-bay.aspx

Down the Shore: Clerk says ‘deed certification’ is a scam

 

source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

County officials are warning that a direct mail appeal offering residents a certified copy of their deed is a scam.

Letters have been circulating from National Deed Service, Inc. of Northbrook, Ill. offering people an official certified copy of their deed from the Atlantic County clerk. The letter looks like a government document and makes it sound imperative that the person comply with the service.

“We get 50 to 60 of these letters at a time requesting copies of a deed that this company pays $2 a piece for plus the certification fee,” said Art Lucchesi, management information systems coordinator for the county clerk.  “What it comes down to is they are playing middle man for the cost of a stamp.” 

Lucchesi said people can go online to the county clerk website at http://www.atlanticcountyclerk.org/ and see the first page of their deed as a matter of public record.

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Driver who hit pole charged with DWI

source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – An Egg Harbor City driver who hit a telephone pole Wednesday, April 2 was issued summonses for drug and driving charges and turned over to Ocean County authorities charging him with failure to pay child support.

David Paul Jr., 38, was traveling eastbound on Aloe Street when he veered off the road and hit a telephone pole near Chicago Avenue around 8:45 p.m., splitting it.

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Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/08/driver-who-hit-pole-charged-with-dwi.aspx

CAFRA OKs Shore Memorial expansion

source NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

SOMERS POINT -- Shore Memorial Hospital and Scarborough Properties received the go-ahead this week from the state for the proposed 250,000-square-foot hospital expansion.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a CAFRA permit for the project, which includes a 1,000-car parking garage and 85,000 square feet of medical office buildings divided among four buildings.

The state Coastal Area Facility Review Act permit encompasses land use approval for 190 residential condominiums to be located on the site formally occupied by Ocean Point Nursing Home.

The CAFRA approval marks the end of the environmental review process by the state as related to land use. The project was required to comply with environmental requirements, including those for water quality and storm water management and migrating birds.

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Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/08/cafra-oks-shore-memorial-expansion.aspx

Driver who hit pole charged with DWI

source: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

 

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – An Egg Harbor City driver who hit a telephone pole Wednesday, April 2 was issued summonses for drug and driving charges and turned over to Ocean County authorities charging him with failure to pay child support.
David Paul Jr., 38, was traveling eastbound on Aloe Street when he veered off the road and hit a telephone pole near Chicago Avenue around 8:45 p.m., splitting it.

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Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/04/driver-who-hit-pole-charged-with-dwi.aspx

Down the Shore: Six teens sought in holdup attempt

NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Police are seeking six black males in their late teens who reportedly demanded money from two men walking on Club Place around 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.
The six were wearing dark clothing, police said, and one of them assaulted one of the victims.

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Permalink: NEWS.SHORENEWSNOW.COM/2008/04/04/six-teens-sought-in-holdup-attempt.aspx

St. Peter's Catholic Church to Close, one of 38

source news.shorenewsnow.com

PLEASANTVILLE – The end has come for St. Peter Catholic Church.

Diocese of