Avalon Man Indicted on Charges of Sexual Assault and Witness Tampering

November 27, 2019

Cape May Court House, New Jersey – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland along with Chief Jeffrey Christopher of the Avalon Police Department announce the Grand Jury indictment of 31-year old Jerry Shields on Sexual Assault and Witness Tampering charges.

On November 26, 2019, Jerry Shields was indicted by a Cape May County Grand Jury for one count Sexual Assault, a crime of the 2nd degree; two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a crime of the 3rd degree; one count Witness Tampering, a crime of the 1st degree; one count of Contempt, a crime of the 4th degree; and one count of Terroristic Threats, a crime of the 3rd degree.

This indictment was the result of a joint investigation conducted by detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Avalon Police Department which was initiated in October of 2018 due to a report of a Sexual Assault. As a result of the initial investigation, on December 5, 2018, Jerry Shields was arrested and charged with one count of Sexual Assault and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

In September of 2019, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office received additional information regarding allegations of Witness Tampering in connection with the initial investigation. These additional allegations were investigated and as a result, Shields was arrested a second time on September 17, 2019 in New York and additionally charged with Witness Tampering, a crime of the 1st degree and Contempt of Court, a crime of the 4th degree. Shields was later extradited back to New Jersey and is currently lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center pending court proceedings*.

Prosecutor Sutherland stated a person convicted of a first-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. A person convicted of a second-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of 5 to 10 years. A person convicted of a third-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of 3 to 5 years in State Prison and a fourth degree crime can carry a sentence of up to 18 months in jail.

Prosecutor Sutherland would like to thank the Suffolk County New York Police Department for their assistance in this investigation and urges anyone who has additional information relating to this investigation to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, or report it anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers, 609-465-2800.

*Any charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty.

How Long Do Resin Beads in a Water Softener Last?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 26, 2019)–Whether you have just purchased a water softener or still using the one you bought on your last shopping, one of your many worries include when to replace the resin bed. This leads to asking – how long do resin beads in

industrial water softeners

last?

Also, you inquire further about the kind of maintenance it requires, how they work, and which of these resin beads the best is for you. In this post, we\’ll provide answers to these questions and help you get the most out of your resin beads.

What is a Water Softener Resin

Water softener resin

is a media to remove the hardness of your water. This media uses an ion exchange process to eliminate the high amount of heavy metals and other minerals, causing hardness of water, leaving the water in your plumbing network soft.

While the water conditioner does not remove the hardness in water, the resin descales it. For salt-based models, the resin bed plays an integral part in making your water soft. In most commercial and residential houses, water treatment includes the water softening resin to get rid of minerals, causing hardness.

How the Resin Works

The resin bed of a water softener is a collection of thousands of resin beads located in the unit\’s tank. When you turn on the tap, water flows into the water softener and passes through the resin bed, where it comes in contact with the plethora of resin beads in the tank. During the process, the resin beads trap calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, allowing only soft water to flow out in your kitchen outlet.

Type of Resin

In the market today, there are two main types of water softeners, which includes:

Fine mesh resin

Standard ion exchange resin.

It\’s vital that you know more about each model before heading to your local store to purchase just any water softening resin that comes your way. However, you should choose the one that best suits your needs.

Fine Mesh Resin

This type of resin is excellent for removing high concentrations of iron. It comes with small-sized resin beads that are capable of removing as high as ten parts in a million dissolved iron.

That\’s not all: it helps make your drinking water taste better since this resin is sometimes blended with activated carbon. Besides, this type features small-sized resin beads; you must place a flow basket on the upper part to help avoid resin migration when it\’s regenerating.

Standard Ion Exchange Resin

This is the most popular water softener type on the market. Unlike fine mesh resin, the standard ion exchange resin is only capable of removing up to 5 parts per million of dissolved iron. When it comes to water purification, this model does it better.

Further, standard ion exchange resin uses sodium chloride or potassium chloride to regenerate the resin.

Crosslink Percentage

Crosslink is a crucial factor to consider when trying to pin down the best water softening resin. Crosslink is a measure of the amount of divinylbenzene (DVB), which a resin bed contains. Products featuring higher crosslink percentage, often come with a hefty price tag.

However, it doesn\’t mean resin with a higher crosslink percentage is the best choice for every homeowner.

To begin with, there are two variations of crosslink percentage – 8 and 10 percent. Let\’s take a look at each variation and why you should consider it.

8% Crosslink

The 8% crosslink is the most used

water softening resin percentage

. It\’s suitable for removing dissolved iron up to 3 – 5 parts per million while softening your water wholly. This resin should serve you for about 10 -15 years, which is based on your water quality. You can expect maximum effectiveness from this unit when used with non-chlorinated water.

10% Crosslink

When it comes to softening hard water, 10% crosslink packs a lot of strength. This type is recommended for people dealing with chlorinated iron-free water. Higher crosslink helps handle the high amount of chlorine in your water. Besides, it permits a huge capacity for water.

Sadly, owning a high crosslink resin can be way over your budget and often leads to a significant drop in water pressure.

Which is best

Still not sure which resin suits your needs? Let\’s help you make an informed decision.

For homeowners with water offering 5 P.P.M of chlorine, then you should lean more to resin with 8% crosslink. This option is also suitable for people looking to treat their city water.

But if you have got water featuring higher than 5 P.P.M of chlorine, which means you need a strong resin to handle oxidation. Fine mesh or 10% crosslink resin is an ideal choice. Also, for people with well water, you can make sure of any of the resins to remove hardness.

How long do they last

Needless to say, water softener resin requires replacement after a while. Most brands out there boast of a lifetime within 10 – 15 years. But, in the end, it boils down to the

quality of your water

and the number of times it regenerates.

In addition, keep in mind that the concentration of iron in your water and organic coating of your resin determines how long resin beads last. To simply say, a high amount of chlorine or iron can kill the resin bed faster.

What Degree Is a Sand Wedge?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 26, 2019)–A sand wedge is one of the clubs you need to get familiar with the game of golf, whether you are an amateur or an aspiring professional. Typically, a sand wedge is used to get golf balls out of sand bunkers; the sole wide design provides sufficient bounce and allows the club to move through the sand without getting stuck. In contemporary golf, it is the heaviest club in a player’s bag, but it comes with one of the shortest shafts.

As a beginner, you may be more familiar with the putters and drivers. Nonetheless, the club is responsible for up to 25% of shots made by professional golfers. There are many peculiar things about this club, from the shaft length to the heavy head and the loft angle, however, we will be very particular about the sand wedge degree and its importance in this post.

Sand Wedge Degree

This is what determines the kind of swing you take and the distance to which you can send a golf ball with this club. Although there are other factors that influence how far your shot will go, the

angle of the loft

on the sand wedge is one of the principal ones.

The higher the loft angle on a sand wedge, the lower the distance you can get the ball to travel, and the higher the elevation, the shot will produce. If you don’t understand what loft angle is, it is merely the angle between the face of the club and the shaft. If a wedge has a higher loft angle, the face of the club will be in a more horizontal position relative to the ground, and if it has a lower loft angle, the face will be in a more vertical position relative to the shaft.

What Degree Loft Is a Sand Wedge?

This is a very common question among beginner golfers, and to be factual, loft angles on sand wedges typically range from 54 degrees to 58 degrees. However, it is more important to understand the effect of these angles on the performance of a player during a game. You can collect

high handicappers wedges in golf

to get better performance.

The loft angle on any wedge affects the trajectory of the ball after it is hit; a sand wedge with a higher loft angle will make the ball travel more elevated in the air, through a steep trajectory, reducing the distance covered by the ball while a sand wedge with a lower angle will make the ball travel in a less steep path, covering more range than it would if the loft angle were higher.

Degree in Pitching Wedge

If you want to take a shot with a higher trajectory than what the 9-iron will give you and a lower trajectory than what the gap wedge will give you, the pitching wedge is the right club to use. Of all wedges, the pitching wedge is the commonest, and it has the least loft angle, ranging between 44 degrees to 48 degrees. It is more suitable for chip shots and for hitting long shots into the greens.

The degree in pitching wedges varies with different manufacturers, and in the past, you could easily find one with a loft angle as low as 43 degrees or as high as 50 degrees. However, these days, 44 – 48 degrees is the typical loft range. Just like with the sand wedge, the higher the loft of a pitching wedge, the higher the ball can be hit, and the less it will travel. On the other hand, the lower the loft angle, the less steep the trajectory and the farther the ball will travel.

Should You Be Concerned About Loft?

While loft angle can have a significant influence on your game, if you are a beginner or an amateur, you should probably not be too concerned with the loft angle on your wedge. Besides, wedges are not so common with these categories of players – there is enough fun to be had with drivers, putters, and irons – and the technicality of loft angles is usually not a problem.

However, if you plan to play golf professionally, you will have to pay more attention to the technical part of the game, and the loft is one of the technical parts. In some cases, you may have to adjust the loft angle on your club to get the kind of shot you want.

Conclusion

More than having the perfect angle on a wedge, it is vital to develop your skills through consistent training. You can have the best set of golf clubs in the world and still be very poor at the game. Golf is a technical game that requires a lot of

learning and practice

, so, apart from learning about the types of clubs and their individual features, take time out to always practice so that you can personalize your golf experience and improve your overall game.

SJTA Expands the Scope and Reach of Its Environmental Initiative

Partners with NJ Fish & Wildlife to present Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference in Atlantic City

An osprey builds up a nest on a platform installed by the SJTA in recent years as part of its READI program. (SJTA photo/Darleen Adamo)

HAMMONTON, NJ – Nov.25, 2019 – As it marks over two years since it started its Roadway Environmental Advancement Initiative (READI), the

South Jersey Transportation Authority

is proud to announce New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Services is joining with the Authority in co-hosting the

Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference

in September 2020.

With its theme of \”2020 Vision – Creating a Roadmap to Help Wildlife Navigate our Mobile World,\” the biannual conference is slated to meet in Atlantic City at the Sheraton Hotel, September 20 – 23, 2020, and is inviting a wide array of transportation and ecology professionals, researchers, academics, students and consultants.

The

conference

will explore how industry leaders, ecologists, transportation planners, as well as state and municipal officials can work together to ensure wildlife mobility across the Northeast\’s fragmented and changing landscape. More conference information is available at

https://www.netwc.org/

The SJTA launched READI several years ago when the Atlantic City Expressway Operations Department began reintroducing native, perennial wildflowers across 35 acres of the Expressway\’s right-of-way. The wildflowers attract and support important pollinators like bees and butterflies that are suffering from habitat loss and pesticide use. The goal is to reverse the population decline of these crucial pollinators

The initiative evolved when the Expressway installed a series of bat boxes or bat houses along the highway\’s right-of-way in 2017. While bats play a vital role in the ecology of local environments, they face numerous threats including a disease called White Nose Bat Syndrome and the loss of habitat. The bat houses provide shelter and safety from predators.

The efforts of READI go beyond only supporting bats; it has installed structures for a variety of species including the American Kestrel, blue birds, screech owls and nesting platforms for ospreys near Atlantic City. The program has created animal crossings that allow wildlife to travel underneath the Expressway as they naturally migrate between different areas.

READI also has an educational component that involves presenting programs at local schools to support their environmental curriculums. Every year around Arbor Day, the Operations Department is invited to local elementary and middle schools to plant a tree(s) and present assemblies that impress on students the importance of practicing good environmental stewardship. The SJTA has visited more than 26 schools since 2011 and planted as many as 35 trees in a variety of species during the past four years. These programs invite student participation in the planting of a native tree(s) at each school visited.

The Northeast Transportation and Wildlife Conference will enable READI to expand its educational focus and engage professionals from nine states interested in helping transportation and wildlife to coexist and share space in our region of the country.

\”The SJTA\’s co-hosting of this important conference is a natural outgrowth of our efforts to help the environment while operating the Expressway, the Atlantic City International Airport and other South Jersey infrastructure assets that play an important role in supporting commerce, tourism and economic growth across South Jersey and beyond,\” said SJTA\’s Executive Director Stephen F. Dougherty. \”We are proud to join the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Services in offering this conference.\”

Shark Fin Bill Goes to Gov’s Desk

The Assembly passed bill

A4845 (Mukherji) \\ S2905 (Singleton)

today (Nov. 25, 2019). The bill prohibits certain possession, sale, trade, distribution, or offering for sale of shark fins. The bill was passed with a vote of

53-18-1.

S2905 (Singleton)

will now go to the Governor’s desk to sign.

“The shark population has been decimated. Shark finning has led to the overfishing and overexploitation of shark species. Since shark fin soup is a delicacy, the fins are sold at high prices resulting in tens of millions of sharks being killed every year. This has led to a dramatic decrease in the shark population with some species like the smooth hammerhead dropping a staggering 99% since 1972. When sharks are removed from an ecosystem, it triggers a collapse in the entire food web and can lead to problems with our own marine food sources,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This bill will help end the practice of shark finning that endangers the species. Laws passed by Congress already have banned shark finning in federal waters, but this bill would end the practice in state waters, too.”

“The harvesting of shark fins is senseless slaughter. The fins are removed from the sharks while they are still alive, and then the sharks are left to die. This legislation is necessary because the practice of shark finning is brutal and unnecessary causing a rapid decline of shark species, which we may see go extinct unless we move to protect them. No one needs shark fins except the sharks. We need this bill to help preserve hundreds of ecologically important shark species and stop them from being slaughtered for soup,”

said Tittel.

—

Megan Steele

Administrative Assistant

NJ Sierra Club

Cape May Coast Guard Recruit Company B-198 Graduates; Seaman Wilson Meets His New Son

CAPE MAY, N.J. – Seaman Ryan Wilson graduated U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, with the newest group of Coast Guardsmen during a ceremony on base, Nov. 22, 2019.

Wilson, soon to be stationed in Atlantic City, took a bold step to help create a better life for his family. That step was deciding to join the smallest of the five military branches, the U.S. Coast Guard. While he was enduring the rigors of recruit basic training, his family got a little bit larger when his wife had their second child. After graduation was over and everyone was cheering for their loved ones, Wilson was reunited with his family and his newborn son.

Every member of the Coast Guard joins the service for different reasons. Some join to serve their country, education, medical benefits, affinity to the missions the service performs, to see the world, or for some, to create a life for their family.

Recruit Company Bravo-198 completed the 8-week training course while earning multiple awards such as high mid-term scores, donating blood, physical fitness, marksmanship, and seamanship. They also volunteered at Veterans Day Parades and helped overhaul a classroom inside Munro Hall.

Maryland Fishing Report Nov. 20: Winter Temps Forcing Fish/Blue Crabs to Deeper Waters

November 20, 2019

By Keith Lockwood

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Photo courtesy of Eric Packard

The chill of late November is beginning to lay its hand upon the Maryland landscape. Freshwater species such as trout, walleye, and chain pickerel seem to love the cold. Our blue crabs are seeking the perfect mix of deep water sand and mud to take a winter’s nap.

White perch and resident striped bass are moving into the deep waters of the Chesapeake to snooze out the cold winter months. The late fall offers plenty of good fishing as fish feed heavily to build up winter stores, so don’t miss it.

Forecast Summary: Nov. 20 – Nov. 26:

As we approach Turkey Day, Bay temperatures continue to drop. The cool weather has reduced the water temperature of upper Bay main stream and rivers to the upper 40s, and surface waters from Annapolis south to the Virginia state line down to near 50 degrees. This cooling will continue through the next week. Warmest waters continue to be found in the bottom quarter of the water column. Anglers should focus on

prime habitat areas

for larger concentrations of baitfish and hungry gamefish as they migrate to their winter holding areas. As always, make sure to focus on moving water periods for best results.

Expect normal flows from most of Maryland’s rivers and streams this week.There will be above average tidal currents Saturday through next Tuesday as a result of the upcoming new moon November 26.

Bay surface salinities are largely back to normal conditions.

There will be reduced water clarity from the bottom of the Susquehanna Flats down to Tolchester as a result of the recent spill gates being opened at Conowingo Dam.

To see the latest water clarity conditions, check

Eyes on the Bay Satellite Maps.

For the

full weekly fishing conditions summary

and more detailed and up-to-date fishing conditions in your area of the bay, be sure to check out

Click Before You Cast

. You can now get regular updates on Maryland’s waters and the creatures that call them home sent to your inbox with our new Eyes on the Bay newsletter.

Upper Chesapeake Bay

Photo courtesy of Herb Floyd

There continues to be some early morning striped bass action at the Conowingo Dam pool and the lower Susquehanna River this week, but the action is slowing down as water temperatures drop. Yellow perch are moving into the lower part of the Susquehanna and Northeast rivers and can provide some fun fishing for those using minnows or small jigs on bottom rigs or small beetle spin type lures in shallower waters.

Farther down the Bay, water temperatures are still high enough that the resident striped bass are feeding on small menhaden that are coming out of the tidal rivers. This exodus of baitfish will be coming to an end soon as colder water in the tidal rivers drive them down the Bay.

Those fishing in the upper Bay whether jigging or trolling are constantly watching for diving seagulls, mostly along channel edges. Light-tackle jigging is always a favored fall activity. The mouth of the Patapsco and Hart Miller Island are great places to look for striped bass suspended over channel edges or under birds. White, pearl or chartreuse 6-inch plastics on half-ounce jig heads are a popular way to imitate young of the year menhaden. The mouth of the Chester River and shipping channel edges are also holding striped bass.

Trolling is a very effective way to fish for striped bass along channel edges and anywhere bird action can be spotted. Using heavy inline weights in front of umbrella rigs is perhaps the best way to troll for these fish, which are holding close to the bottom. Swimshads and bucktails dressed with sassy shads in chartreuse or white are popular trailers.

White perch are providing good fishing over shell bottom in deeper areas at the mouths of tidal rivers and out in the Bay. The Bay Bridge rock piles and piers are always a great place to fish for larger white perch this time of the year. Most are using bottom rigs baited with pieces of bloodworm or dropper rigs with small plastic or metal jigs. Channel catfish are also being found in the lower sections of the tidal rivers and fishing on the bottom with cut bait or other favored baits is the way to catch them.

Middle Bay

Herb Floyd invited his friend Chuck from Pennsylvania to fish the Choptank River; they hold up a pair of nice striped bass. Photo courtesy of Herb Floyd

Watching diving seagulls has been the primary focus of most anglers on the Bay. That may start to become a scarcer scenario as the bulk of the young of the year menhaden successfully complete their migration out of Maryland waters. Some of this year’s juvenile hickory shad and river herring will soon be exiting several tidal rivers thanks to the efforts of the

department’s shad restoration program

Right now, birds mark the way to fishing fun with mostly 3-year old striped bass with some larger 4- and 5-year fish showing up at times. Generally speaking, the 2-year-old striped bass have stopped feeding due to cold water temperatures and are hunkering down in deeper waters to sit out the winter months. Light-tackle jigging is good this week in the lower sections of the tidal rivers and along the shipping channel edges out in the Bay. Soft plastic 6-inch jigs in white, pearl or chartreuse are a popular choice as are metal jigs in half-ounce to three quarter ounce size.

Trolling is an excellent option — and it can be especially nice inside a boat cabin protected from the elements. The most popular way to troll this week is deploying umbrella rigs behind heavy inline weights to get them down to the depths where striped bass are holding. The most common trailers being used are Storm type swimshads or bucktails dressed with sassy shads. The shipping channel edges and channels leading out of the major tidal rivers — along with areas near active birds or slicks — are good places to look for suspended fish.

As water temperatures drop, white perch have now moved out into the deeper areas at the mouths of the tidal rivers and in the Bay. Oyster shell bottom is often a preferred habitat for them and a good depth finder will reveal their presence. Bottom rigs baited with pieces of bloodworms or dropper rigs with small jigs is the best way to catch them.

Lower Bay

Photo courtesy of Greg Jenkins

Striped bass can be found scattered along the shipping channel edges and channel edges in the lower Patuxent and Potomac rivers and Tangier Sound. On most days it is easy to spot bird action as baitfish continue to move out of the tidal rivers and travel down the bay. The most common bait being seen are 4-inch to 5-inch juvenile menhaden.

Light tackle jigging is one of the most fun and productive ways to fish for striped bass in the fall and this year is no exception. Using half-ounce to 3/4-ounce jigs skirted with six inch soft plastic bodies in white, pearl, or chartreuse is the ticket to this fun. Metal jigs with single hooks are also a good choice, and braided line is a real asset in regard to sensitivity and line drag.

Trolling is a great option along channel edges and wherever bird action is spotted. Trolling with umbrella rigs and heavy inline weights is the most popular trolling option to get down deep to where the striped bass are holding.

White perch can be found deep — often 30 feet or deeper — in the lower parts of the major tidal rivers over good hard bottom with some amount of current flowing through the area. It’s best to use bottom rigs baited with pieces of bloodworm or dropper rigs holding small jigs or a metal jig with a dropper fly-rigged above. Anglers are reminded that rigs may not have more than two hooks per rig.

Speckled trout can still be found along the eastern and western sides of the Bay in deeper holes, but it’s hard to get them to bite due to cold water temperatures. This is a great time of the year to target blue catfish in the tidal Potomac River, the Sharptown area of the Nanticoke River, and the Patuxent River. Fresh cut bait or items such as clam snouts work well, and channel edges are a good place to look for them.

Freshwater Fishing

Photo by Brian Morgan

The fall turnover of surface and bottom waters at Deep Creek Lake has occurred and stabilized. There are wonderful fishing opportunities for several coldwater species. Walleyes can be caught from shore by casting jerkbaits and crankbaits along steep rocky shores in the evening hours. Smallmouth bass can be found near rocky points and deep sunken structure. Crayfish are making an exodus from shallow water for deeper cover to spend the winter. Crankbaits and jigs that resemble crayfish are a perfect choice to target both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Photo courtesy of John Mullican

Yellow perch fishing is very good for those using minnows under a slip bobber along steep shoreline edges. Crappie are holding near deep structure and bridge piers and can be caught with small minnows or jigs under a slip bobber. Chain pickerel are holding near shorelines, near fallen treetops and sunken wood. Northern pike are holding in the open waters of coves.

Trout fishermen visiting the catch-and-release and delayed harvest trout management waters are enjoying some peaceful fishing in this beautiful setting of late fall. Nymphs, streamers, and other various flies can offer productive fishing for trout.

Fishing for smallmouth bass and walleyes in the upper Potomac River is good this week. The largest smallmouth bass tend to be the most active, and of course, walleye love cold water. Tubes, jigs, and small crankbaits are good choices. This time of the year is also a great time to do a float trip down the section from Cumberland to Paw-Paw and enjoy good fishing and beautiful scenery.

Largemouth bass are steadily moving to deeper waters seeking warmer water temperatures. They can be found in transition areas near drop-offs or over the edge in deeper water along channel edges or structure. Casting spinnerbaits along transition zones and shallow waters can be a good bet, especially during sunny late afternoon hours when the sun’s rays warm the waters. Working small crankbaits and jigs that resemble crayfish, which are moving across open bottom headed for deeper winter haunts is a good option. Blade lures can also be a good choice when fishing the deepest waters.

Chain pickerel are holding near shoreline sunken wood or fallen treetops, waiting to ambush baitfish or anything else that swims by. The largest chain pickerel can often be found holding near deep structure. Crappie are also holding near deep structure in ponds reservoirs and tidal rivers. They can be caught with minnows or small jigs under a slip bobber.

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

The southbound migration of striped bass is underway and has advanced as far as New Jersey. There are reports of a 67-pound fish being caught off the Jersey coast this past weekend. The bottom line is that they are on their way and surf fishermen and those that will be trolling along the nearshore shoals are anxiously awaiting their arrival. Those that have to give it a try are soaking cut menhaden baits in the surf.

The last of the flounder are moving through the inlet, headed to their offshore wintering sites. The focus at the Inlet and Route 50 Bridge area has been jigging for striped bass and fishing for tautog. Most of the striped bass fail to meet the 28-inch minimum but are plenty of fun. There is also some striped bass action at the Route 90 Bridge. Tautog are being caught on sand fleas and pieces of green crab along the jetty rocks, bridge piers, and bulkheads.

The sea bass action at the wreck and reef sites seems to have taken a few knocks from last weekend’s winds and tend to be moving to deeper areas. Catches have been good but limit catches are not as common as they were. Triggerfish along with a few bluefish and flounder are also mixing in with catches. Some are starting to target tautog and are doing well.

Deep dropping for swordfish and tilefish tend to round out the offshore fishing scene at the canyons. Now and then, longfin albacore and bigeye tuna are being caught.

“Fishing is a condition of the mind wherein you cannot possibly have a bad time.”

— Zane Grey

Maryland Fishing Report

is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood,

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

fisheries biologist.

Click Before You Cast is written by Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment Director Tom Parham.

This report is now available on your Amazon Echo device — just ask Alexa to “open Maryland Fishing Report.”

Atlantic City Electric Alert: Be Aware of Scams During the Holiday Season

MAYS LANDING, N.J.

(Nov. 20, 2019) – With the holiday season quickly approaching, Atlantic City Electric is reminding customers to always be on alert for potential payment scams targeting customers. Scams occur throughout the year, but the company generally sees an increase in scam reports during the holiday season. With holiday shopping and family gatherings planned, scammers are using the holiday season to trick customers into providing their personal or financial information and making false payments under the pretense of keeping their service active.

Atlantic City Electric is joining more than 100 utility companies across the United States and Canada in an effort to protect customers from scams targeting customers of electric, natural gas, water, and other utilities. Collaborating companies have joined together for a fourth year and designated Nov. 20 as “Utilities United Against Scams Day.” Utility Scam Awareness Day is part of the week-long National Scam Awareness Week, an advocacy and awareness campaign focused on educating customers and exposing the tactics used by scammers. Atlantic City Electric and its sister Exelon companies, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco are committed to educating customers and putting a stop to scamming.

“The safety and well-being of our customers and the communities we serve is our top priority,” said Morlon Bell-Izzard, vice president of Customer Operations for Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. “Coordinated initiatives, such as this, are important in our efforts and our partners’ efforts to educate and protect our customers. By understanding the many tips and tactics associated with these scam attempts, customers will have the power to protect themselves and those in their community.”

When scams occur, a customer typically receives an unsolicited phone call from an individual, who falsely claims to be a company representative. The scammer warns that the customer’s service will be terminated if they fail to make a payment – usually within a short timeframe through a prepaid debit card or other direct payment method.

Scammers have even duplicated the telephone systems of some companies, so when customers call the number provided by the scammer, it sounds like a legitimate business. Some scammers also use caller ID “spoofing” to replicate a company’s phone number.

Red flags for scam activity

The scammer often becomes angry and tells a customer his or her account is past due and service will be shut off if a large payment isn’t made – usually within less than an hour.

The scammer instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card – widely available at most retail stores – then call him or her back to make a payment.

The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the funds loaded to the card.

How to protect yourself

Atlantic City Electric representatives will never ask or require a customer with a past due balance to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.

Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank withdrawal, mail, or in person.

Customers with a past due balance will receive multiple shut off notifications – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.

If a customer ever questions the legitimacy of the call, hang up and call Atlantic City Electric at 800-642-3780.

Don’t Get Scammed: Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few precautions:

Never provide your social security number or personal information

to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a company representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than Atlantic City Electric.

Always ask to see a company photo ID

before allowing any Atlantic City Electric worker into your home or business.

Never make a payment for services to anyone coming to your door.

Any customer who believes he or she has been a target of a scam is urged to contact their local police and call Atlantic City Electric immediately at 800-642-3780 to report the situation.

Readers are encouraged to visit

The Source

Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit

atlanticcityelectric.com

. Follow the company on Facebook at

facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric

and on Twitter at

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Atlantic City Electric is a unit of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation’s leading energy provider, with approximately 10 million customers. Atlantic City Electric provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 556,000 customers in southern New Jersey.

SJTA TO TRANSFORM CONCESSIONS EXPERIENCE AT ATLANTIC CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

SJTA announces new and expanded concessions at the airport

Egg Harbor Township, NJ – November 20, 2019 – Passengers at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) will soon be able to experience new shopping, dining and drinking options offered by its concession partners Hudson Group and OHM Concession Group. These new concepts are part of the Airport\’s strategy to provide a better overall experience for both loyal and first-time passengers utilizing ACY. The new offerings will include national brands as well as provide a local feel through a combination of new construction and remodeling of existing facilities.

The SJTA\’s Board of Commissioners voted today to award a new 10-year contract to the Hudson Group Retail, LLC for travel convenience and specialty retail & food concessions at ACY. The Hudson Group will have a Hudson and Brookstone location before the security checkpoint. There will also be three options for passengers post-security, highlighted by a Hudson and Dunkin\’. Yes, ACY will now run on Dunkin\’.

\”Hudson is extremely proud to be a part of the retail expansion at Atlantic City International Airport. This opportunity allows us to bring nationally recognized store brands, designed and inspired with the look and feel of iconic ACY themes,\” said Roger Fordyce, Hudson CEO. \”We thank the SJTA Board of Commissioners for their ongoing partnership, and we are honored to be part of the Airport\’s concession refresh efforts.\”

In addition, construction has begun on the new Beach House Restaurant & Bar, which will bring the best of the Jersey shore to ACY. This is a result of an agreement with OHM Concession Group that the SJTA\’s Board of Commissioners awarded in 2018 for food and beverage concessions. Another concept from OHM will be The Great American Bagel & Bakery with locations both before security and post-security.

\”We are extremely pleased that our recently announced partner, the Hudson Group, will be working to deliver an exciting new retail program at ACY, while we move toward the opening of OHM\’s permanent locations, the Beach House and Great American Bagel at pre- and post-security locations. This comprehensive overhaul of the concessions program at ACY is sure to provide the passengers, visitors and staff of the Airport with a world-class experience. We look forward to collaborating with the Hudson team and our Airport partners,\” said Milan Patel, President & CEO of OHM Concession Group.

\”The SJTA is thrilled to have entered into agreements with both the Hudson Group and OHM Concession Group to bring these new concepts to ACY,\” said Airport Director Tim Kroll. \”We continuously strive to bring our passengers the best experience possible through a variety of brands while maintaining a local, welcoming feel. This partnership reaffirms that commitment.\”

Miguel Angel Villegas Wanted for Shooting at Tuckerton Cop Arrested in NY

TUCKERTON NJ (Nov. 22, 2019)—Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Miguel Angel Villegas, 29, (photo) of New Haven, Connecticut was taken in to custody at Penn Station in New York, NY shortly after 8pm this evening by the United States Marshals Service and the New York City Police Department. “A

massive manhunt began earlier today after Villegas exchanged gunfire with a Tuckerton Borough Police Officer earlier this mo

rning in Tuckerton,” Prosecutor Billhimer said. Villegas was taken into custody this evening without incident.

At approximately 10:22 a.m. this morning, a Tuckerton Borough Police Officer exchanged gunfire with Villegas after the vehicle he was a passenger in fled a lawful motor vehicle stop near the intersection of Route 9 and North Green Street and caused a subsequent collision with another vehicle. The Officer was not injured in the exchange of gunfire. Villegas fled on foot and a massive manhunt ensued ending in New York City this evening.

“Villegas will be charged with Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “It is my understanding that Villegas is wanted out of Connecticut. We will be seeking extradition from New York to bring him back here to Ocean County to face these charges,” Prosecutor Billhimer added.

“I’d like to thank the collaborative efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, United States Marshals Service, New York City Police Department, Tuckerton Borough Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Police Department, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center, New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, New Jersey Transit Police, Ocean County Regional SWAT, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9, New Haven Police (Connecticut), Port Authority Police, Tuckerton Fire Department and Tuckerton Public Works Department. This was truly a team effort. The public can rest easy tonight knowing the men & women of law enforcement worked through the day into tonight to bring Villegas into custody peacefully,” Prosecutor Billhimer added.

“Even though Villegas is in custody, this remain an ongoing investigation. More details will be released as they become available,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.