WOND News

Rowan University announced Thursday it will require students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus in the fall, joining colleges across the state with similar mandates, and will offer up to $1,000 for students to do so. Rowan said it wants to help New Jersey reach its goal of vaccinating 70% of eligible residents and will provide an incentive to students to get their shot: a $500 credit for fall 2021 classes. Residential students will receive an additional $500 credit toward their housing bill.

An Atlantic City woman has been charged with sexually assaulting her 6-year-old daughter using a liquid cooking spice. The Press of Atlantic City reports 41 year old Aminata Toure was arrested April 21 by an Egg Harbor Township police officer. The child reported that her mother poured a liquid spice that is used in cooking on her genitals. The child was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, for treatment by a DCP&P case worker.

If you are an Atlantic County resident, 16-24 years old, and looking for a paid summer internship where you can earn up to $2,400 and gain valuable knowledge and experience.

The Atlantic County WDB is matching youth with area employers for 8-week paid internships between June and August. There are approximately 35 participating employers with a wide variety of job placement opportunities.

According to Executive Director Francis Kuhn, the WDB hopes to place 80 youth in positions for 25 hours per week at a salary of $12 per hour. Funding for this program is provided through the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce.

Coming off a record 2019 with tourism expenditures at $6.9 billion in Cape May County and more than 60% of countywide jobs related to tourism, the picture was bleak for 2020. The uncertainty of the pandemic and the mandated shutdowns impacted tourism worldwide, with many business sectors experiencing drastic losses and an estimated 30% of tourism-related businesses closing their doors forever.
The 2020 economic impact data, prepared by Tourism Economics and released by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism today shows the impact on the State and a breakdown by County. Cape May County experienced a decline in direct tourism expenditures of 21.1%. The smallest decline statewide.

Stockton University has joined the ever-growing list of schools requiring students to be vaccinated before returning to campus. Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman said “One of the most important steps we all can take to keep ourselves and each other safe is to get vaccinated,” It is the responsible thing to do. The COVID-19 vaccine is now plentiful and available to everyone over the age of 16.” All Stockton students must submit complete vaccination documentation to Student Health Services at least two weeks prior to arrival on campus.

You can help the Absecon Police Department by making your private security camera a crime fighting tool. The Community Camera Registration Program is designed for residents and businesses to register their address as a location operating a security camera system. The Community Camera Registration Program is strictly voluntary. If a criminal incident occurs in the vicinity of your camera the Absecon Police Department may contact you at the phone number or address included on your registration form. The Absecon Police Department will not be able to access video footage directly. Information provided to the Absecon Police Department will be for official use only.

The Atlantic City Board of Education Tuesday approved a $224.4 million budget for 2021-22 school year, with a slightly lower tax rate and more per pupil spending.
The anticipated tax rate is $1.59 per $100 of assessed valuing, meaning a home worth $150,000 will pay $2,385 a year in school taxes. This tax rate is down from $1.69 for the 2020-21 school year. The 21-22 budget includes $202.8 million for the general operations, $16 million in federal aid and grants, and $5.6 million to pay for debt.

Another New Jersey resident has been charged for their role in the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to court documents. Mays Landing resident Robert Lee Petrosh was charged by federal authorities with entering or remaining in any restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct and a host of other charges. Petrosh was arrested Tuesday, had an initial appearance in New Jersey federal court and was released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. His case will be transferred to the District of Columbia, where all cases involving the riot at the Capitol are being prosecuted.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner announced the arrest of Daniel DeSimone (45) of Rio Grande, for filing a false police report, a crime of the fourth degree. On December 09, 2020, Daniel DeSimone, an official with the Rio Grande Fire Prevention and Inspection Bureau, reported a hit and run motor vehicle crash involving a 2019 Chevy Tahoe, owned by the Rio Grande Fire Commission. As a result of the investigation, it was determined the motor vehicle crash was falsely reported and the crash actually occurred on December 08, 2020, during a meeting at the Rio Grande Fire Department. It is alleged the crash was not initially reported to police, but DeSimone parked the vehicle in the parking lot and reported a hit and run accident, the following day.

On Saturday, May 2, 2021, detectives of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and detectives of the Atlantic City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section arrested additional juveniles in connection to a robbery on the Atlantic City Boardwalk on April 1, 2021, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced. This investigation is continuing in order to identify and charge any additional individuals involved in the robbery, Prosecutor Tyner said.

At 7:41 p.m., on April 1, 2021, Atlantic City Police Officers responded to a business in the 1500 block of the Boardwalk in reference to a male with a knife. Personnel at the Atlantic City Police Surveillance Center further advised officers that multiple juveniles were damaging the store and assaulting individuals. While attempting to steal items, a 12-year-old male brandished a knife and threatened the store owner.

Responding officers arrested a 12-year-old male and a 14-year-old female. Shortly after the arrival of the officers, the store owner Mahmood Ansari, of Atlantic City, collapsed and was not breathing. A bystander initiated CPR, which was taken over by Officer Joseph Kelly and then medical personnel. Ansari was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus, where he was pronounced deceased.