EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ—The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, along with New Jersey State Police and Egg Harbor City PD, hosted a community outreach event recently, aimed at assisting vulnerable community members. The event featured hot meals prepared and served by NJSP troopers and volunteers from Pic a Lilli Inn, located on Route 206 in Shamong.
These efforts bring together our community and law enforcement to help those who need the help the most. Hot meals were prepared and distributed by the NJSP troopers and the great volunteers at the Pic a Lilli inn on 206 in Shamong Clothes hung on hangers placed on racks were distributed. Shoes, blankets and toiletries were given away as well. New Jersey Courts were on hand for immediate expungements and information on how to get records expunged distributed.
During the event, attendees received not only food but also clothing on hangers, shoes, blankets, and toiletries.
Additionally, representatives from the New Jersey Courts were available to provide information on record expungement, with immediate expungements being processed onsite. The State of New Jersey Office of the Attorney General’s initiatives, Operation Rise and Operation Helping Hands, were also present, distributing doses of Naloxone to combat heroin and fentanyl overdoses.
- Gunfire at Atlantic City bar leads to guilty plea for gunman
MAYS LANDING, NJ — Hakim A. Clark, 34, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple charges stemming from a 2024 shooting outside a bar, illegal gun possession, obstruction, and prior drug-related offenses, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Clark appeared before Judge Donna M. Taylor in Atlantic County Superior Court and admitted guilt to second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, fourth-degree obstruction, third-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Under the plea agreement, Clark will serve a six-year sentence subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, concurrent with an eight-year term, requiring a minimum five-year parole ineligibility.
Key Points
- Hakim A. Clark pleaded guilty to multiple charges including assault and weapons offenses.
- He is expected to serve at least six years under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.
- The handgun used in the shooting was confirmed stolen and linked by ballistic testing.
On February 25, 2024, Atlantic City Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert and a 911 call near Proud Mary’s bar at Sovereign and Fairmount Avenues. Surveillance footage showed Clark at the bar before running outside and firing a weapon, as visible muzzle flashes appeared while nearby individuals ducked for cover.
On March 8, 2024, Clark was spotted by officers near 100 S. North Carolina Avenue. He initially gave a false name and resisted arrest. During the arrest, officers recovered a stolen handgun loaded with hollow point rounds and ten suspected ecstasy pills. Ballistic testing confirmed the weapon was used in the February shooting. Clark was legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior conviction.
Drug and weapons convictions from 2021 search
Clark also pleaded guilty to third-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, stemming from a January 2021 search by Atlantic City Police at a South Ocean Avenue residence. Officers recovered suspected cocaine, a digital scale, ammunition, and nearly $2,000 in cash from the room where Clark was found.
Additionally, Clark admitted to fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon while detained at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. The weapon was identified as a homemade shank.
The Atlantic City Violent Crimes Unit led the investigation, assisted by patrol officers and prosecuted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit. Assistant Prosecutor Deirdre Laws is handling the case for the State.
Clark remains in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9.
- Weather Alert: Hot, windy, and dry week ahead for New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey residents can expect sunny skies and warm temperatures today, but strong winds and dry conditions are raising alarms about an elevated wildfire risk across the state.
According to the National Weather Service, today’s forecast calls for clear, sunny weather with a high near 81 degrees. Southwest winds will be breezy at 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching up to 30 mph — contributing to a significant threat of rapid fire spread through dry vegetation across New Jersey and Delaware.
Key Points
- High near 81 degrees today with breezy southwest winds up to 30 mph gusts
- Elevated wildfire risk persists this afternoon due to low humidity and dry fuels
- Cooler, calmer conditions expected starting Wednesday with slight rain chances by Thursday night
Fire danger remains high across New Jersey today
The minimum relative humidity will drop between 25% and 35% this afternoon, creating ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread quickly. The National Weather Service strongly discourages any outdoor burning today and urges proper disposal of all potential ignition sources, such as cigarette butts.
These warnings come as New Jersey fire officials continue to monitor fuel and land conditions, coordinating closely with weather experts to issue updates as needed.
Cooler temperatures and rain chances later this week
Tonight, cloud cover will increase with a slight chance of showers after 2 a.m. The low will be around 65 degrees, and south winds will ease slightly to 10 to 15 mph. By Wednesday, expect mostly sunny skies with a cooler high of 76 degrees and lighter northwest winds around 10 mph.
Wednesday night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low near 49, followed by mostly sunny conditions Thursday with highs near 69 degrees. A chance of showers returns late Thursday night into Friday, but rainfall amounts are expected to be minimal.
Rain may bring temporary relief from fire risk by weekend
Friday’s forecast includes a chance of scattered showers during the morning and again in the afternoon, with partly sunny skies and a high near 82 degrees. Showers are likely Friday night, offering potential, though limited, relief from the dry conditions that have heightened wildfire risks across the region.
Sunny skies and gusty winds bring fire fears today, but New Jersey’s weather will cool and dampen later this week.
- $500,000 Federal Funding for Lucy the Elephant Revoked by DOGE
MARGATE, NJ The iconic Lucy the Elephant, a 143-year-old National Historic Landmark, has found itself at the center of controversy after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) abruptly rescinded $500,000 in discretionary U.S. Senate funds originally allocated for its restoration.
The decision has sparked debate over the project’s necessity and whether the half-million-dollar price tag was justified.
In a letter dated April 11, Rich Helfant, Executive Director of Lucy the Elephant, expressed dismay over the sudden withdrawal of funds, which Senator Cory Booker gifted in August 2024.
Lucy the Elephant is an example of both zoomorphic and novelty architecture. The six-story elephant was built by James V. Lafferty in 1882 in an effort to sell real estate and attract tourism. Lucy, an Asian elephant, is the oldest example of zoomorphic architecture. Lucy the Elephant is on the U. S. National Register of Historic Places (1971) , U. National Historic Landmark (1976) and New Jersey Register of Historic Places (1971). The money was intended to cover most of the costs for a long-planned interior restoration, including the installation of a state-of-the-art fire suppression system inside the six-story wooden structure.
Helfant emphasized Lucy’s cultural significance, noting that the elephant-shaped building has “always endured” thanks to community support, but warned that the loss of funding could jeopardize critical maintenance efforts.
Lucy the Elephant, built in 1881, is one of America’s oldest roadside attractions and a beloved symbol of Margate, New Jersey.
The structure, made primarily of wood and tin, has weathered decades of coastal storms, humidity, and wear, requiring ongoing preservation to maintain its structural integrity and historical value.
The proposed restoration project aimed to address long-standing concerns, particularly the lack of a modern fire suppression system—a critical safety upgrade for a wooden landmark that draws thousands of visitors annually.
Preservation experts argue that such upgrades are essential for protecting cultural landmarks like Lucy.
Wooden structures of this age are highly vulnerable to fire, and without proper safeguards, a single incident could destroy the monument entirely. Additionally, the interior restoration would have ensured accessibility and safety for future generations of tourists, preserving a piece of American history. Given these factors, many local advocates, including Helfant, insist that the project was not only necessary but overdue.
However, critics of the funding allocation, including DOGE, have questioned whether federal dollars should be used for such projects. DOGE’s decision reflects a broader push to reduce discretionary spending, with the agency likely viewing Lucy’s restoration as a lower priority compared to other national needs.
Some taxpayers may agree, arguing that local attractions should rely on private donations or state-level funding rather than federal support.
The $500,000 price tag has also come under scrutiny.
Restoring historic structures can be costly, especially when they require specialized materials and labor to meet preservation standards. The installation of a fire suppression system alone can range from $50,000 to $200,000 for a structure of Lucy’s size, depending on the complexity of the system and the need to integrate it without compromising the building’s historical integrity.
The remaining funds would have likely gone toward interior repairs, such as reinforcing wooden beams, updating electrical systems, and improving visitor accessibility—none of which are cheap for a 65-foot-tall elephant-shaped building.
The revocation of funding has left Lucy’s future uncertain, but Helfant remains optimistic, assuring supporters in his letter that the organization is “committed as ever to moving forward with Lucy’s continued upkeep and maintenance.”
Lucy’s team has a history of resilience, having raised funds through donations, grants, and events in the past to keep the landmark operational. Still, the loss of $500,000 is a significant blow, and it remains unclear how the organization will secure the necessary resources to complete the planned restoration.
