Donald Wittkowski

1 month ago | seaislenews.com | Donald Wittkowski

Sea Isle City residents will find something unusual when they cast their votes in Tuesday’s municipal election – a full slate of candidates to choose from. For the first time since 2011, there will be a contested City Council election. Normally, Sea Isle’s elections are devoid of any drama because the incumbents routinely run without opposition. But that’s not the case this year.

1 month ago | seaislenews.com | Donald Wittkowski

An American black bear that savored peanut butter treats and was known for affectionately giving the animal keepers high-fives has died at the Cape May County Park and Zoo. Cody, a resident at the zoo since 2005, was euthanized by the veterinarian staff following a decline in health due to his advanced age. “At 20 years old, Cody lived a long and full life at the zoo, and he will be missed,” according to a news release Monday announcing the bear’s death.

1 month ago | seaislenews.com | Donald Wittkowski

Don’t bother with cash and coins to pay the bridge tolls. Your money will be no good starting this weekend on the five Cape May County toll bridges connecting the beach towns along the scenic Ocean Drive. The Cape May County Bridge Commission, the public agency that operates the spans, is ending cash transactions beginning Saturday and will allow only the E-ZPass automated toll system for payment of the $2.50 fare.

1 month ago | seaislenews.com | Donald Wittkowski

Ocean City will implement an across-the-board hiring freeze on municipal employees following negotiations between Mayor Jay Gillian's administration and City Council on the newly adopted $112.5 million operating budget for 2025. The hiring freeze resulted after Council pushed for ways to rein in city spending following Gillian's proposal to raise local property taxes to help fund the budget.

1 month ago | seaislenews.com | Donald Wittkowski

He is part prognosticator, part prestidigitator. Ocean City's famous weather-forecasting hermit crab, Martin Z. Mollusk, had been perfect for 51 straight years in predicting summer’s early arrival in the resort town by “seeing” his shadow. So, a lot was on the line when the loveable crustacean strode, er, crawled, onto the beach at 9th Street on Friday morning to try to stretch his flawless weather-predicting streak to 52 years. Amid great fanfare, he did just that – he saw his shadow.