Bill Barlow

New Jersey

News Reporter at The Press of Atlantic City

Reporter with The Press of Atlantic City, covering communities in Atlantic and Cape May counties and beyond. Tell me your story.

Articles

Damning report on West Wildwood police from NJ chiefs

3 days ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

WEST WILDWOOD — The tiny borough should disband its police department and contract with neighboring Wildwood for police services, according to a recent report from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The 134-page report outlined multiple problems with the department, from the chain of command to how evidence is handled to recruiting and retaining officers.
Noted athleisure wear company coming to Ocean City

3 days ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

OCEAN CITY — Goodbye surfing, hello yoga for Asbury Avenue. International retailer lululemon is coming to the site of the former Ron Jon Surf Shop at 761 Asbury Ave., local sources confirmed. The Canada-based company specializes in athletic apparel, including women's yoga pants, and has a dedicated following. The Facebook page for Ocean City NJ Real Estate Group reported that a national chain was coming to the site last week.
Weed money is flowing to some South Jersey communities

4 days ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

Middle Township expects some additional revenue from its first cannabis dispensary this year. But officials don’t yet know what that number will be. “It’s still too early to tell,” said Neil Young, the township’s chief financial officer. A check for the taxes on the first full month of sales should arrive June 20. “That should shed some light on what the township ‘could’ expect,” Young said.
Ocean City groups organize opposition to Wonderland Boardwalk hotel plan

4 days ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

OCEAN CITY — A coalition of organizations is pushing back against a plan for a multimillion-dollar hotel at the site of the former Gillian's Wonderland amusement park. Developer Eustace Mita plans to ask City Council to declare the site an area in need of redevelopment to allow the project in an area not zoned for hotels. With a proposal for 250 rooms, parking underneath and an estimated cost of $150 million, the hotel would be the biggest private project the city has seen in decades.
'I think we really need to get something done': Van Drew talks the Big, Beautiful Bill

1 week ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew typically does not like sprawling legislation, but he recently made an exception. “I think we really need to get something done,” Van Drew, R-2nd, said Thursday. “In this case, I think it’s appropriate.”Van Drew joined most other Republicans in the House in a 215-214 vote last week on an expansive budget bill backed by President Donald Trump, which took place a little before 7 a.m. after an all-night session.
What's 16 hands tall and can see all the way down the Wildwood Boardwalk? A police officer on horseback.

1 week ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

WILDWOOD — Mounted police officers patrolling the Boardwalk over Memorial Day weekend helped keep things under control, city officials said, along with other steps taken to avoid out-of-control behavior seen in previous years. Mayor Ernie Troiano said the officers and their horses will be back for the next two weekends, when the city sees considerable crowds of teens as their school years wind down.
Ocean City district remains a battleground on trans rights

1 week ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

OCEAN CITY — Board of Education member Liz Nicoletti voted against the city's policy relating to transgender students, the latest in a continuing argument in the district. The vote came as part of the school board’s consent agenda at its most recent meeting, a process for routine actions of the board. Ocean City initially adopted the policy years ago. The recent vote adopted a number of policies for the 2025-26 school year.
Temporary Upper Township administrator lauded at final meeting

1 week ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

UPPER TOWNSHIP — Joe Verruni attended his final meeting of the Township Committee as business administrator this week as he winds up his brief time as the township’s top executive. James W. Van Zlike is set to start in the job Monday morning. Officials and township employees praised Verruni’s efforts since he stepped in to replace former Administrator Gary DeMarzo this year.
Century-old Red Man Hall in Ocean City could come down after summer

1 week ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | Bill Barlow

OCEAN CITY — A towering, century-old building on Eighth Street could soon be demolished, years after plans for a new commercial and residential structure received approvals. A portion of the building at Eighth Street and Haven Avenue was most recently home to a drycleaning business. A mechanic and tire shop had another section of the building, although that shut down years ago.
Ocean City sees flurry of new businesses, renovated shops and ownership changes

1 week ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Bill Barlow

Share OCEAN CITY — The Chamber of Commerce’s ceremonial scissors have gotten a workout recently, with a flurry of ribbon cuttings for grand openings of businesses in recent weeks. “It’s a lot,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. They’ve included business expansions, new locations for longtime stores, restaurants and yoga studios on Asbury Avenue, on the Boardwalk and in other locations.