COAST GUARD MAKES RESCUE IN ABSECON INLET

ABSECON INLET, N.J. - The Coast Guard rescued four people Friday near Absecon Inlet, N.J., after the 35-foot boat they were aboard ran aground.

The Coast Guard received a call at 2:43 a.m. from a crew member aboard the Tri-Sail reporting they had run aground.

A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene and hoisted two of the men and transported them to awaiting emergency medical personnel at Coast Guard Station Atlantic City while a Coast Guard rescue swimmer stayed aboard the boat. The rescue helicopter crew returned to the boat and hoisted the remaining two men and the rescue swimmer aboard. The two men were transported to Station Atlantic City.

"The running lights were working and all the guys had life jackets and safety gear," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tye Conklin, a rescue swimmer at Air Station Atlantic City. "There was a positive outcome because of all the safety gear they had aboard."

There are no injuries reported.

NEW JERSEY STATE BARBECUE CHAMPIONSHIP HITS NORTH WILDWOOD

Good food will be enjoyed in North Wildwood this weekend. The 11th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship will be taking place once again in the city. All of the proceeds from the event benefit the Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company. The event begins on Friday and runs through Sunday. People can experience live cooking demonstrations, antique cars and fire trucks, and much more.

Also, the Anglesea Blues Festival takes place at the same time with live entertainment taking place throughout the weekend.

FALCON RAID BRINGS IN MORE THAN 800 STATE ARRESTS

Law enforcement officials month-long campaign to bring in violent offenders netted 846 arrests. The initiative was apart of the national FALCON campaign, which resulted in more than 35,000 arrests across the country. The focus was on violent felons, gang members, and sexual offenders. FALCON stands for Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally.

NEW WARDEN IN CHARGE OF CAPE MAY COUNTY JAIL

A former Lower Township police officer is the new warden of the Cape May County Jail. Don Lombardo was sworn into the position last week. Lombardo worked in Lower Township for 25 years before retiring in 2005 and becoming apart of the Cape May County Sheriff's Department. Rich Harron had previously served as the sheriff for seven-years prior. This promotion is one of a few made by Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer. “We have had a restructuring of the chain of command in the Sheriff’s Office reducing the administration staff and replacing them with more correction officers. I am excited about these promotions and convinced that these new leaders have the knowledge and ability to assist me as we continue to make improvements not only to the physical plant but to management philosophy,” said Sheriff Schaffer.

COUNTY PREPARES FOR UPCOMING CENSUS

A committee is being formed by Cape May County in accordance with the upcoming census. Freeholder Leonard Desiderio announced that the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the U.S. Census Bureau is forming a Complete Count Committee to prepare for the upcoming 2010 Census. The initial meeting will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the County Administration Building. “The goal is to use the local knowledge, expertise, and influence of committee members to increase the response rate for residents mailing back their questionnaire through a focused, structured, neighbor-to-neighbor program," Freeholder Desiderio said.

OCEAN CITY: BEACH CURFEW IMPOSED ON JULY 29 AGAIN

Ocean City did pass on second reading an ordinance recreating a beach curfew. Starting July 29, beach-goers will have to be off by the beach in the resort by 10 PM. The new curfew will be in effect from 10 PM until 5 AM. Regular patrols will take place of the beach, even though the ordinance is on the books. Ocean City, like other shore towns, had to allow 24/7 access to beaches because of rules imposed by the Department of Environmental Protection; however, a recent lawsuit that was won by Avalon got the rules changed.

ALBANO: VA STANDS IN THE WAY OF VETERANS HOSPITAL

A bi-partisan effort to bring a veteran's hospital to the old Kessler Hospital has hit a roadblock, the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs. Assemblymen Nelson Albano spoke to Coastal Broadcasting and said that representatives from the first five legislative districts in the state, Congressmen Frank LoBiondo, and both United States Senators want this project to become a reality, but the VA is standing in the way. Albano said the VA told his office that there wasn't enough veterans in the South Jersey area to warrant a hospital. Albano said that the VA's numbers were faulty though, because they did not include Ocean County, where he says a large number of veteran's reside. The 1st District legislative team is committed to try and make Kessler a veteran's hospital in the future.

REVOKED: NORTH WILDWOOD DOCTOR'S LICENSE

The State Board of Medical Examiners announced on Wednesday that a North Wildwood doctor had his license revoked. A hearing was held on Dr. John G. Costino Jr., who according to the press release, "created false patient diagnoses to prescribe pain killers." Costino also must pay $10,000 in civil penalties and reimburse the state its investigative costs. He cannot apply for reinstatement of his license until five years have passed. The Board temporarily suspended Costino’s license in December 2007 and he has not seen patients since then.

TWO ARRESTED IN BIKE ROBBERIES

Atlantic City police set up surveillance to deal with a growing number of bicycles being stolen from workers who bike to work. The police caught two people in the act and The Press of Atlantic City reports that Obed Perez and Heather Moore, both of Atlantic City, were arrested and charged with theft and possession of a burglary tool. The two were placed in the Atlantic County Jail, and bail was set for $20,000 for Perez and $15,000 for Moore.

ARRESTED: MAN DRINKS ON OCEAN CITY BEACH

A Pennsville man was charged with illegally drinking on Ocean City beaches. Justin Nespoli, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with disorderly conduct and public consumption of alcohol. Police say they have received similar reports of drinking on the resort's beaches, and wants to remind to public that if caught, they will be arrested.

CHRISTIE VISITS VINELAND WITH RNC CHAIRMAN ON MONDAY

A meet and greet is planned in Vineland on Monday with GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. The public can come out to meet Christie at Larry's II restaurant. Other state and local Republicans are expected to be in attendance as well. The public event begins at 2:45 PM and will take place at 907 W. Main St. in Vineland.

VINELAND: CAR FLIPS ON ROUTE 55 MEDIAN

A Vineland man was taken to the hospital after suffering from head injuries during an accident on Route 55. Zachary Honachi was driving south on Route 55 on Thursday, when he lost control of his vehicle and his car flipped onto the grass median. The 21-year-old was taken to the Cooper University Hospital. There is no official word on his condition at this time.

MORE CUTS COMING TO GANNETT NEWSPAPERS

The Gannett Company on Thursday announced more layoffs are coming. The company is removing 106 full-time and 19 part-time positions from the six newspapers it operates in the state. Notification to employees began on Wednesday and is continuing through today. The newspaper giant cuts 200 positions from the state last December. The newspapers impacted include the Asbury Park Press, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, the Courier News in Somerville, the Daily Record in Parsippany and the Daily Journal in Vineland,

COHEN FACES MORE CHILD PORNO CHARGES

An additional indictment were handed down on Thursday against former Assemblymen Neil Cohen. Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that Cohen will face an additional child pornography charge. A fourth-degree charge has been added for images found of his computer at his Montclair law office. This charge is added to the four-count indictment Cohen is facing from December, including official misconduct, reproduction of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. If convicted on all five counts, Cohen faces the potential of 33 years in jail and around $450,000 in fines.

LARGE DEMAND MOVES VENUE FOR CORZINE, OBAMA RALLY

Since the announcement that President Barack Obama would join Gov. Jon Corzine for a campaign rally, ticket demand has swelled too much. An event that was supposed to take place at Rutgers University has now been moved to the PNC Bank Arts Center. Officials say 52,000 people have put in for the free event. Those people will hear in the coming days if they have won a spot at the July 16 rally. If someone is not accept for this rally, they will be placed at the front of the line for future events.

PHILLIES: VICTORINO ADDED TO ALL-STAR GAME

The Philadelphia fans voted in force, and outfielder Shane Victorino will be going to St. Louis, to represent the Phillies in the All-Star Game. Victorino was one of the men eligible for baseballs "Final Vote," where fans select the final member of both the American League and National League teams. “To all the fans across the country, Mahalo for your support,” said Victorino. “I am so honored and appreciative of the passion that everyone has shown to make this dream come true, especially with the number of votes cast. It’s just unbelievable.” Victorino, who is the fourth Hawaiian to play in the All-Star Game, will join fellow teammates Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley in St. Louis.