\”Our port visit to Umm Qasr demonstrates the great confidence we have in our Iraqi partners and reflects the marked improvements in security that they have achieved within the past several months,\” Navy Lt. Cmdr. Trent Thompson, Firebolt’s commanding officer, said. \”This visit gave us a chance to interact with senior Iraqi navy leadership and further enhance coalition cooperation with the Iraqi navy and marines.\”

While in port, the ship’s crew members were able to participate in friendship-building activities with several senior Iraqi officers.

\”Making a port visit to Iraq and interacting with Iraqi officers is very important, because it builds relationships and promotes positive interaction between our navies,\” Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class David Moore, an electronics technician, said. \”Today was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am proud to help make a positive difference in Iraq’s future.\”

GLOUCESTER CITY, N.J. — A seasonal rock-lobster-type eatery with outdoor seating has been proposed as the first new restaurant to be opened at the Freedom Pier as part of the city’s plan to transform its waterfront into an Irish village-themed destination.

The venue, to be called Paddy O’D’s, was proposed by Pat O’Donnell, whose family owned O’Donnell’s Restaurant on Broadway for 65 years before he sold it. The restaurant is scheduled to open April 1.

Without state funding, the Gloucester City school district would likely have delayed making playground, lighting and roofing repairs at its facilities, said school Superintendent Paul Spaventa.

\”The projects would have gotten done, just not as expeditiously,\” said Spaventa.

About half the projects will be overseen by the SDA. The rest will be managed by the individual school districts based on the projects\’ scope and complexity.

GLOUCESTER CITY — About 15 city residents attended an information session Tuesday night at the local library to learn about an $11 million paint job that will occur over their heads.

The Delaware River Port Authority is gearing up to remove layers of paint on a section of the 51-year old Walt Whitman Bridge, most of it lead-based, and to repaint it in its trademark shade of green.

Eller\’s teammate, Army Spc. Jeff Holguin, finished fourth. Both soldiers are members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, based at Fort Benning, Ga.

Eller went into the final round leading by four shots and hit 45 out of 50 targets to win the first shooting gold for Team USA in Beijing.

Eller is a three-time Olympian. He finished 15th in 2000 and 17th in the last summer Olympic Games. He claimed the gold medal at the 2007 Korea World Cup as well as the 2007 World Cup Final. He also took the Silver Medal at the 2008 \”Good Luck Beijing\” International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup. Holguin claimed the silver medal in men\’s double trap at the 2007 Pan-American Games and won the bronze medal at the World Cup USA in May.