WOND News

More than 15,000 hotel property jobs in New Jersey were lost in the last year due to the pandemic, according to a new study from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. From 2019 to 2020, the number of hotel-based jobs in the state dropped from 54,498 to 38,647. . The study said that urban areas have been hit particularly hard, including Atlantic City. Employment at the resort’s nine casinos dropped rapidly due to statewide shut downs to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals and families in a variety of ways. Families who are experiencing serious difficulties in managing the behavior of children 10-17 years old for whom they are responsible can seek assistance through the Atlantic County Juvenile/Family Crisis Intervention Unit (FCIU).
FCIU is a legally mandated program that is available 24-hours to intercede in family conflicts and help strengthen the family unit. Its services include short-term crisis stabilization, family assessment, case management, treatment planning and referrals to appropriate community-based services

An Atlantic City man has been indicted and is currently wanted by law enforcement on charges of the Strict Liability Drug Induced Death of Felipe Popocati Garcia Lopez, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

On April 28, 2021, Ramon Rivera, 50, was indicted for the drug induced death of Lopez on September 23, 2020.

On Sept. 23, 2020, Atlantic City Police patrol officers responded to Haps Laundromat in Atlantic City for a report of two unresponsive men. Inside Haps Laundromat, police met with the defendant Rivera, who was working as an employee at the laundromat. The officers then located Felipe Popocati Garcia Lopez, 42, and Isidro Arenas, 39, both of Atlantic City who were unresponsive and suffering from apparent drug overdoses. Both men were transported to the Atlanticare Regional Medical Center City Campus. Garcia-Lopez was pronounced deceased and Arenas survived. An investigation determined that Rivera sold Garcia-Lopez and Arenas a fatal combination of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

Efforts to locate Rivera have been unsuccessful and the defendant is currently wanted by law enforcement.

Governor Murphy today announced an additional easing of restrictions, including a removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, a lifting of the prohibition on indoor bar seating, and an end to the outdoor gathering limit. As detailed below, some changes will take effect on Friday, May 7, with others taking effect on Wednesday, May 19, in coordination with both New York and Connecticut. The following changes happen starting Friday: Outdoor gatherings limit – The limit will increase to 500 persons, up from 200. Large venue outdoor capacity – The maximum capacity allowed will increase to 50% for venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more, as long as six feet of distance is maintained. Currently, indoor catered events are limited to 35% of the capacity of the room in which they are held, up to 150 persons. The capacity limit for those events, including proms, will be raised to 50%, up to a maximum of 250 individuals. The capacity limit for indoor political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and performances will also increase accordingly.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced today following a similar announcement from New York state that Restrictions in New Jersey related to COVID-19 will be significantly lifted later this month. As of May 19, restaurants, retail businesses, casinos, gyms, indoor and outdoor pools, and theaters will be able to operate at 100% capacity so long as social distancing and masking requirements remain in place,according to Gov. Murphy at his regular COVID-19 response briefing. Declining positive cases and hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, combined with a climbing, although slowed, number of vaccinated residents have led to easing capacity restrictions.

More rennovations planned in Atlantic City as the latest to open the corporate checkbook is Hard Rock, which said today it will spend $20 million to renovate hotel suites, open a Starbucks outlet, purchase new slot machines and tables games, add a new restaurant and upgrade its beachfront amenities. Hard Rock is opening its wallet less than three years after spending a half-billion dollars to gut the former Trump Taj Mahal casino and turn it into a Hard Rock casino resort.

County officials feel the trade show and convention industry have been unfairly left out of the state’s reopening so far. This morning, officials gathered at Kennedy Plaza to voice their displeasure . Trade shows and conventions have been on hold since March 2020. The conference was hosted by Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato. Greater Atlantic City Chamber President Michael Chait and County Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick also spoke. According to Fitzpatrick, the industry generates nearly $2 billion for the city annually. Like the casinos, she added, it’s something the Atlantic City can’t move forward without.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has been notified that the ACPO’s office phone number is being used in a spoof scam with a called requesting money, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Multiple members of the public have called the ACPO and reported that they have received a call from the ACPO’s phone number—609-909-7800– and the caller requested money and stated that a family member is in jail and needs bail money.

The public is advised that the ACPO’s phone number is not being used by this agency in connection to solicitations for money to pay for a family member’s bail.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has been notified that its phone number is being used in a scam with a call requesting money, according to Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner on Thursday. Multiple members of the public have called the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and reported they have received a call from the prosecutor’s phone number, 609-909-7800, and the caller requested money and stated that a family member is in jail and needs bail money.

The 96th Street Bridge along Stone Harbor Boulevard leading into the Borough of Stone Harbor has been undergoing emergency repairs to the bascule span (movable span) throughout the spring and early winter of 2020. However, due to unfavorable winter temperatures, the entire work scope could not be completed during the winter, leaving about a two-week duration of work uncompleted.

The remaining work is scheduled to resume on the bridge to complete the project before Memorial Day. Work will occur beginning on Monday, May 3rd through Friday, May 13th. The work will proceed Monday through Thursday for the next two weeks between the hours of 6:00 am and 4:00 pm.