“Watch the Ford Maverick hybrid please,” because it seems as though the old school Wildwood tram cars are going the way of the Dodo Bird and Passenger Pigeon: A post shared by Wildwood Boardwalk (@wildwoodboardwalk) The video above was shared to the “Wildwood Boardwalk” Facebook and IG pages and is from Joey Contino a digital guy who reports on a lot of Jersey shore stuff.  Otherwise, there isn’t much information out there from what I can glean. It seems as though people are seeing these trucks on the boardwalk during test runs and are posting on social and Reddit and reacting. The only story from a media outlet comes from Townsquare’s 107.3 Cat County down the shore which says these trucks are going into service starting this Saturday The assorted chatter makes it seem like the classic tram cars are just old as hell and difficult to service and maintenance Hard to find parts 70 years later and all of that but we’ll see if we can confirm that’s the main reason for the change.  My first thought is that hopefully nobody gets run over by one of these things on the boardwalk They are compact pickups and slightly smaller than Ford Rangers Second thought is that this won’t be well received because we are parochial creatures of habit and we don’t like change We want Wildwood and Sea Isle and Avalon to look and feel the same way they did 30 especially when something happens to something held near and dear to their hearts and memories A change taking place in Wildwood has people reacting The long-time Wildwood Boardwalk Tram Car is getting an upgrade The Wildwood Tram Cars have been running up and down the Wildwoods Boardwalk for over 70 years If you've been on the boardwalk during "the season" you've no doubt seen and heard the yellow tram cars the cars transport hundreds of thousands of passengers each year providing a one-of-a-kind Wildwood experience Cute little engines have always pulled the Sightseer Tram Cars have always required a lot of maintenance to keep running and it's changing the whole look of the tram cars Thanks to the Facebook page, Wildwood Boardwalk we have the above preview of the new tram car look We also have some early reactions from their Facebook reveal: It'll still be the same WIldwood that we all love You can check out the new Tram Car Truck beginning this Saturday Gallery Credit: Jahna Michal | Sam Wood Gallery Credit: Jahna Michal The long-time Wildwood Boardwalk Tram Car is getting an upgrade.\nRead More Thanks to the Facebook page, Wildwood Boardwalk Link IconCopy linkFacebook LogoShare on FacebookXShare on XEmailShare via EmailLink copied to clipboardSelling the Shore: Wildwood and other beach towns spend millions on ads to attract summer visitorsThe communities spend anywhere from $80,000 to $4 million to market themselves while others reemphasize the attributes that their loyal visitors know and love You may have been noticing more commercials and digital ads for your favorite Jersey Shore towns Maybe your eyes were drawn to the Ocean City billboard on the Walt Whitman Bridge or to the Atlantic City bus-enclosure ads during the Eagles Super Bowl parade Tourism folks in the Wildwoods and Atlantic City have rolled out multimillion-dollar ad campaigns in recent months. These renewed efforts are combined with longer-standing campaigns like Cape May County’ “Escape to the Jersey Cape” commercials “The Jersey Cape is a place to create new memories,” a voice says in one 30-second promo. “For generations we have welcomed visitors to enjoy our great beaches as they try to stand out from neighboring towns without direct comparison the aim is to rebrand and leave behind undesirable misconceptions “this effort is all to change perception,” said Gary Musich While some may think the city is floundering Local tourism departments’ spending on these efforts runs the gamut with Sea Isle City spending about $80,000 a year; Ocean City spending $650,000; and the Wildwoods spending $1.2 million Officials from multiple towns said they try to target multiple demographic groups who they’ve found through research are often the family decision-makers “If they’re not getting on a plane to travel they’re going to be looking for vacation destinations closer to home,” said Ben Rose director of marketing and public relations for the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority And while some Shore-goers have been priced out of their family’s favorite towns, a beach trip can still be less expensive than an international vacation Here’s a look at how three different Shore towns are selling themselves this summer Atlantic City recently did away with its DO AC brand It was a slogan that Musich said resonated with some people in the Northeast but could confuse consumers from farther-away places While many of their advertising dollars are spent in Philadelphia including for prime spots along the Eagles Super Bowl parade route their marketing efforts go as far as Boston He said Atlantic City has 18,000 hotel rooms, more than Center City Philadelphia, and those hotels have made $1 billion in upgrades recently the Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival any messaging is good messaging right now,” Musich said The ultimate goal of the celebration campaign is to get people to extend their stays in Atlantic City where visitors now spend just over a day on average Since the new website was unveiled early this year more than 20,000 rooms have been booked through it which Musich said “shows that people were starving to hear good things about Atlantic City.” The Wildwoods’ 2025 campaign advertises the five-mile island with an array of adjectives: Safe It’s centered around the greeting “Welcome to the Wildwoods.” we have to look at what our main assets are and how we differentiate our destination over other destinations,” said Rose of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority “Overwhelmingly the research shows people feel welcomed in the Wildwoods.” every dollar that a family can save really goes a long way to help their budget,” said Rose noting the community also offers free events throughout the year The campaign will run for at least three years with a focus on digital ads targeting women between the ages of 25 and 54 The marketing extends to Southern New England, upstate New York, eastern Ohio, Virginia, and into Canada, though Rose said they are anticipating a drop in Canadian visitors due to the political climate the Wildwoods anticipates another year of record-breaking tourism tax revenue The towns have 8,000 hotel rooms and 3,000 vacation rentals “you’re seeing shorter stays and multiple stays,” with more people opting for a couple long weekends over the course of a summer But “there are still people staying for a week or month.” And he said the retention rate for visitors is about 85% Sea Isle City is sticking to its “tried and true” marketing strategies spending about $80,000 a year on billboards the director of the Department of Community Services “We don’t think we can rest on our laurels,” Custer said “There are many opportunities for families to vacation in many locations.” Their Philadelphia-area billboards in December say the messaging is more focused on planning a family vacation Custer believes the strategy is working based on the feedback she hears from the business community — and the city’s consistent $1 million beach-tag revenue each season Toledo Opera will present the inaugural spring performances of Opera ‘Round Town – formerly known as Opera Outdoors – with weekly performances at Wildwood Preserve Metropark The first performance will take place on the front lawn at the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve Metropark on Wednesday the performance will be moved indoors to the Manor House Lawn chairs and/or picnic blankets are recommended The series will continue Wednesdays May 14 and 21 both at 6 p.m The May 7 performance marks the first performance under the Opera ‘Round Town name following the rebranding of the series earlier this year Developed in partnership with presenting sponsor iHeart Media Opera ‘Round Town expands Toledo Opera’s community engagement efforts offering live performances at a range of community hubs across the region The upcoming spring series will feature the Opera’s 2024-2025 cohort of resident artists selected from an international pool of more than 150 applicants for a one-year residency in Toledo Resident Artists Sarah Rachel Bacani (soprano) and Alessandro “Alex” Rotundo (pianist) will perform iconic vocal selections from the classical repertoire along with musical theatre and other American standards Opera ‘Round Town represents an important step in making opera more accessible to the public: “With Opera ‘Round Town we’re bringing the power and beauty of live opera directly into the heart of our community – at the Metroparks and beyond Thanks to the generous support of iHeart Media this rebranded series makes opera more accessible and more connected to the region we serve.” “iHeart Media is thrilled to sponsor the newly rebranded Opera ‘Round Town and partner with Toledo Opera in yet another exciting music venture,” shared iHeart Media “We are passionate about supporting the arts and fostering musical talent and this collaboration is a wonderful opportunity to bring beautiful opera performances to our community we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences and celebrating the magic of music.” Click typewriter to read opinions from readers or to learn how to submit one of your own Interested in advertising here on the sidebar of BG Independent News, or in becoming an annual sponsor? Contact Elizabeth Roberts-Zibbel at elizabeth.lrz@gmail.com or click image below for the Advertise page also accessible from the Main Menu heading above Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 9:32:26 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); 6 May 2025 9:32:29 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Local veterans advocate Joe Griffies was among the few who unveiled the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday Thomas Corcoran and sister Suzanne Meissler talk about their brother It affects many generations,” Thomas Corcoran said ‘What if?’ We all wonder what kind of person (Charles) would have been had he come back healthy.” New Jersey Gold Star Mothers president Patricia Bye wipes away tears while listening to stories Saturday Mayor Patrick Rosenello speaks before the unveiling of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday New Jersey VFW Auxiliary State President Denise Beckler circles the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday Past VFW Post 5941 Commander Joseph Orlando leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the unveiling of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday VFW Post 5941 Commander Bill Davenport speaks during the unveiling of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday Wildwood Catholic High School alumna Macey Bischoff sings the national anthem at the unveiling of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday shares her story at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in North Wildwood on Saturday NORTH WILDWOOD — Thomas Corcoran still remembers the early morning hour of June 3 At the door was a telegram,” Corcoran recalled through tears and after reading the telegram the expression on his face told it all and it’s been branded in my brain for the last 50 years.” Navy Seaman Patrick Corcoran was a member of the Lost 74 a group of sailors who died while serving on the USS Frank E The Corcorans are just one family among countless who are bonded forever through tragedy the city unveiled the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and reopened Veterans Memorial Park in front of several hundred people The granite memorial is a tribute to all Gold Star families and relatives in the U.S A Gold Star Family is one that has lost a loved one who died serving in the military designed through the Woody Williams Foundation represent the sacrifices of the men and women who served in the military The design was popularized by Hershel “Woody” Williams a Marine who served during the battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific during World War II Williams created a foundation to raise money to place a memorial in West Virginia multiple memorials have been put in place around the country The North Wildwood monument is the second in New Jersey honoring Gold Star families The memorial stands about 7½ feet high and 15 feet long with four upright sections and a silhouette of a saluting soldier cut out from between the two largest pieces titled “Homeland,” depicts a North Wildwood lifeguard boat and stand next to a house on the beach There are pillars for “Family,” “Patriot” and “Sacrifice,” which depict a family by the water the soldiers raising the American flag at Iwo Jima “Becoming a Gold Star Family is the most painful task anyone can image,” Mayor Patrick Rosenello said The plaza where the monument stands includes two granite benches and a granite marker describing the monument Funds to create the monument and renovate the park came through grants The Corcoran family was among the three who spoke and shared their stories and New Jersey VFW Auxiliary State President Denise Beckler “I don’t believe my mother ever got over losing my father,” said Beckler Eventually their mother remarried and their family grew my mother would take just my brother and I out to find the nearest VFW Buddy Poppy drive and she would ask that VFW veteran to explain what that poppy was for and we had to hang it up in our bedroom and keep it there for the year until the next May I believe that was her way of making sure our father stayed in our memory.” Over two dozen other Gold Star Family members shared the names of loved ones who died while deployed closer in age to the ROTC cadets you see here than the VFW members,” Rosenello said five young members of beach patrols on this island perished in the Vietnam War These young men and women and the families we honor sacrificed not only their present but the promise of their future.” who grew up in Philadelphia and now lives in North Wildwood talked about how much their lives would have been different had his brother still been alive It’s about the 73 other sailors and the hundreds of thousands of other families that have experienced the same situation,” Corcoran said originally from Vineland and who is on the board of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Museum in Holmdel traded to serve his country in Vietnam — a football helmet for a combat helmet a Sunday dinner after church for a can of rations a car ride to the Jersey Shore for a helicopter ride to a mission “We all wonder what kind of person (Charles) would have been had he come back healthy Think about all of your sons and daughters who got the call and didn’t come back Could they have been the governor of New Jersey Some solid citizen that could have made a contribution to our state and to our country what they could have brought to our society.” North Wildwood unveiled the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and the reopening of Veterans Memorial Park in front of several hundred people Saturday jrusso@pressofac.com Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter Email notifications are only sent once a day Marine Corps veteran Marco Polo Smigliani talks about being honored with the dedication of Marco Polo Smigliani Purple Heart Way in Egg Harbor… Sign up for a digital subscription to The Press of Atlantic City now and take advantage of a great offer Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account E-edition PLUS unlimited articles & videos Personalized news alerts with our mobile app *Refers to the latest 2 years of stltoday.com stories Please subscribe to continue reading… The Christian Brothers of the Midwest have placed the Wildwood property up for sale WILDWOOD — The Christian Brothers of the Midwest have placed La Salle Retreat Center on the market after decades of welcoming Catholic parish and school groups to the wooded campus The 170-acre property includes 74 guest rooms a chapel and gymnasium totaling 69,000 square feet Neighbors said that they enjoy the community garden art classes and hiking trails on the secluded grounds The property off Highway 109 is listed for sale with Colliers real estate for an undisclosed amount Christian Brothers of the Midwest did not respond Thursday to an interview request The group also operates Christian Brothers College High School in Town and Country and other retreat centers in Illinois and Minnesota “Our instructions from the Brothers are to continue with business as usual,” said Michelle Cook “I know La Salle holds a special place in the hearts of many I am thankful for everyone who contributes to our mission The center opened in 1886 on the site of a former orphanage It originally served as a school through 1977 for young men studying to become Christian Brothers a lay religious organization focused on education La Salle Institute reached its peak of 200 students in 1962 The campus was reopened as a retreat center in 1978 La Salle Retreat Center regularly hosts ACTS (adoration service) weekend retreats for Catholic parishes Francis Borgia high schools have recently hosted student retreats The Wildwood Family YMCA hosts summer camp at La Salle and grows plants from the greenhouse for fundraising The grounds are also open to weddings and other social events Ellen Amato of Wildwood said her 7-year-old son joined a gardening club for kids at La Salle and said a sale of the property would be a "big community loss." "I'm super impressed with the events they put on," Amato said "I have been struck over the years by the staff and the organization that has evolved to stay relevant and be sustainable I'm sure that land is so valuable and I get that Another Catholic retreat center opened last year after the Augustine Institute bought a 286-acre property near Florissant for $19 million The former Boeing Leadership Center is now a Catholic graduate school and national center for evangelization The Augustine Institute works closely with the Archdiocese of St Louis on events and outreach to local Catholics Post-Dispatch photographers capture hundreds of images each week; here's a glimpse at the week of April 20 Louis Zoo lost nearly $1 million amid the Trump administration's funding cuts The person visited the aquarium on April 30 between 1 and 6 p.m Completion of the Old Courthouse renovations caps over a decade of work to revamp and reimagine the Gateway Arch National Park and Kiener Plaz… The shelter is closing to prevent a potential outbreak of parvovirus North Wildwood unveiled the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and the reopening of Veterans Memorial Park in front of several hundred people North Wildwood unveiled the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and reopened Veterans Memorial Park in front of several hundred people The new couple makes a grand entrance down the staircase inside the reception hall A wedding on the steps of the restored church at Wildwood Plantation Brooklyn Cox Yarborough and her husband Jordan pose for pictures in front of the covered bridge that her father built What started as a mission to save a dilapidated church has blossomed into one of the most charming wedding venues in the area it was a labor of love and a tribute to his family Cox frequently attended Bethesda United Methodist Church but the cost and effort to move and restore it deterred most potential takers Someone finally committed to move it but never followed through “One day I rode by and noticed the vines growing over it and the ceilings sagging,” Cox recalled “The next day I called and told them I would take it he didn’t envision it as a business venture Cox was going to move the church about three miles to his farm and use it for family gatherings He and his wife Wendy have built a busy life own multiple businesses and had no intensions of adding another one to their plate “We always had Christmas at my grandmother’s house,” Cox said so I decided I would move the old church and use it for our family gatherings.” suggested turning the church into a wedding venue that Wildwood Plantation began to take shape Boyd had dreamed of opening a wedding venue of her own after retirement “Church in the Wildwood,” she named the property Boyd said she and Elaine Floyd also chose many of the plants and trees that can be seen throughout the venue “We picked mostly Southern favorites like hydrangea The vision started to come together when Cox and Boyd chose two majestic oaks on the property that the church doors would face shared her own vision of what she wanted her future wedding to look like She envisioned walking up a long path through the crowd and to the front of the church The church was reoriented to accommodate this new vision and a few years later Brooklyn’s wedding became the venue’s first official celebration "Daddy told me it probably wouldn't be ready before my wedding It was special to me that he did that because it was my great-grandparents' church." with its original fellowship hall featuring warm wood paneling and beautiful hardwood floors The original pews were missing so Cox enlisted the help of his friend to build 16 rustic pews for the inside of the church complete with chandeliers and a staircase for couples to make a grand entrance The walls inside the reception hall were covered with wood cut from trees that once stood on the property guests are treated to scenic walking trails and even a wagon fitted with church pews to shuttle wedding attendees from the parking area to the ceremony Another of the most prominent features is the picture-worthy covered bridge built from salvaged wood I never intended to use the church as a wedding venue,” Cox said “I just hated to see the old church torn down I’m just glad to see people using it for something.” new life has been given to a place that once was abandoned and forgotten Today this church is part of a venue that combines rustic elegance with natural beauty making it an ideal location for couples seeking something unique for their special day For more information or to book a tour of Wildwood Plantation Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: When it comes to the Phillies' starting pitching the working theory is that the club has the depth to go to a six-man rotation It takes two to tango, as they say. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued some sharp rhetoric against the Canadian government the Canadian government has called upon its citizens to cancel their U.S many are taking their government’s advice Tourism officials in Wildwood, New Jersey are reporting a noticeable decline in Canadian vacation bookings ahead of the summer season with politics and travel uncertainty driving hesitation among international visitors who have long made up a significant share of the resort town’s tourism base “We are seeing a major drop in Canadians booking,” said Ben Rose director of marketing and public relations at the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority we’ve had Canadians ask us if there is some type of problem between the countries and the borders close ‘Will you refund us if we can’t travel to the vacation destination?’” Rose noted that this year’s anticipated decline in Canadian visitors may exceed original estimates “We were projecting a 3–5% loss of Canadian visitors this year Citing figures from Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics Rose said current models point to a potential 23–24% drop in Canadian visitation Concerns stem partly from political rhetoric following President Donald Trump’s re-election and statements by Canadian officials urging citizens to avoid vacationing in the United States “We’re getting calls from Canadians saying they feel unwelcomed they do not like the politics and most of them are saying they will see us in four years.” Cataldo attributed much of the slowdown to economic pressures both he and Rose acknowledged that recent headlines and diplomatic strains are adding to the uncertainty for Canadian travelers Wildwood and surrounding shore towns have historically relied heavily on Canadian tourists who often book extended summer stays and contribute significantly to the local hospitality economy A sustained drop in that segment would have ripple effects across rental agencies and retail businesses throughout Cape May County officials and property managers are watching closely to see whether Canadian bookings rebound or continue to lag raising concerns about broader implications for the Jersey Shore’s seasonal economy © 2008-2025 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd The Books in the Woods Fair will be held on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Wildwood Cultural Center Experience a variety of engaging activities including a meet-and-greet with local authors panel discussions that explore writing techniques the evolving landscape of storytelling and more Attendees will also be able to browse a selection of books and related items available for purchase from local vendors Guided tours will also be conducted of the historic manor revealing the rich history embedded within its walls and the cultural significance of the structure Free admission and parking. The Wildwood Cultural Center is located at 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor, OH, 44060. For more information, contact  Wildwood at (440) 974-5735 or [email protected] 6 May 2025 9:33:52 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Wildwood officials are repeating their “behave or else” message to juveniles and their parents ahead of 2025 high school prom season and senior week celebrations officials have reset the juvenile curfew clock from 1 a.m. such as when a teen is accompanied by a parent or guardian fellow elected officials and police laid out the rules in an announcement April 2 More: Off-duty police officer needed surgery after late-night attack on Wildwood boardwalk Curfew violators are to first receive a few warnings to leave public areas But officials and police said there won't be much hesitation to arrest youths and parents this isn’t a suggestion — it’s the law,” Troiano said in an announcement Wednesday “We’re not playing games when it comes to the safety of our boardwalk and the families who come here to enjoy themselves said Wildwood starts paying attention to visitor behavior as early as Easter The holiday itself is typically uneventful but the winding down of the school year is another matter She said it can start a chain reaction of possible problems well ahead of the summer vacation influx “During the end of the school year time: Prom we see huge crowds of young people,” Fagan said in an email “The large gatherings of teens can lead to trouble so we are asking parents to help us crack down on this behavior.” Deputy Mayor Steve Mikulski said the city has taken other steps: Bollards are installed on the boardwalk video surveillance has been increased and a police presence expanded More: It's real. The beach shrunk, and you have to adjust curfew violators can be sentenced to community service and fines of up to $1,000 Wildwood also instituted a ban on large backpacks on the boardwalk after 8 p.m. “We want everyone to have a great time in Wildwood but safety comes first,” police Chief Joseph Murphy said in the press release with Troiano “Our boardwalk is a family-friendly destination and we are committed to maintaining that environment.” Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland Support local journalism with a subscription Villages-News.com A woman was arrested for battery after allegedly scratching her husband’s face and ripping his collar An officer responded to a physical disturbance at 5223 NE 71st Ave. according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department he was met by 45-year-old Leslie Kelly Maestri who was standing outside the residence had been having a difficult night and arguing on and off for the past couple of days Her husband told police that she grabbed at the left side of his face scratching it in the process and ripping the collar of his shirt The officer observed the left side of his neck to have red and swollen marks indicative of scratch marks along with his shirt to have a slightly ripped and stretched-out collar She agreed to talk and was asked if she put her hands on the victim Maestri was subsequently arrested for battery and transported to the Sumter County Detention Center 6 May 2025 9:34:21 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Get in the holiday spirit by attending the Wildwood Holiday Boutique on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Wildwood Cultural Center Patrons can shop from over fifty vendors offering a variety of handmade items including stained glass The Wildwood Garden Club will offer floral arrangements Kids of all ages will enjoy the O-gauge holiday train display operated by local collectors and hobbyists in the lower-level craft room you can enjoy chestnuts roasted on an open fire and other great treats from area food trucks no strollers are permitted indoors at this event The Wildwood Holiday Boutique is presented by the City of Mentor and the Mentor Community Arts Commission Wildwood Cultural Center is located at 7645 Little Mountain Road in Mentor Wildwood bars now may stay open until 2 a.m after commissioners Monday night approved a wide-ranging amendment to ordinances related to alcohol and advertising The amendment also exempts The Villages portion of Wildwood from most of the city’s restrictions All of The Villages south of State Road 44 and areas northwest to County Road 466A are within the Wildwood city limits The amendment extended bar closing times to 2 a.m from midnight and eliminated extra hours permitted for New Year’s Eve and restaurants The Villages area is exempted from restrictions on posting advertising materials or placing banners across city streets A prohibition on having an unsealed container of alcohol in a public park or on a city street or sidewalk does not apply to non-residential and recreational areas of The Villages sidewalks and parks in The Villages if they are maintained by Wildwood Alcohol sales or coin-operated skill machines are not permitted within 300 feet of a church or school Villagers also are not required to obtain Wildwood permits for special events Jefferson City — After almost two decades the Cole County Commission and Public Works will move forward with plans to extend Wildwood Drive in Jefferson City The commission originally greenlit the process in 2007 but with delays and other capital projects including St there were a few things economically going on and the county commission at that time was a little concerned that maybe the economy wasn’t the right time to build this project," said Public Works Director A joint project between Jefferson City and Cole County bids for the development were posted in December 2024 All four bids came in higher than the engineers' projected cost of $5.85 million which is a good contractor that we work with in town a lot the bid and we’re ready to move forward with the project,” said Landwehr He says they look for the best and lowest-priced bid With each of the bids coming in within $60,000 of each other Public Works was confident in any selection was awarded the contract for $6.04 million “It’s not going to impact long term our budget Maybe one or two have to go next year," added Landwehr "It’s not really going to cause an issue for us and we managed to come up with the extra money because it is a priority to get this project done.” plans for residential and economic expansion are already forming “We are working with a residential developer right now that is planning a pretty large-scale development project inside the city limits Kind of at the very beginning of the project coming off of West Edgewood," said Landwehr The extension project is set to begin in February of this year Landwehr says the road should be complete by December with the potential for tires to hit the pavement in November This beguiling Harley-Davidson beach racer looks exactly like the type of motorcycle you’ll find at T.R.O.G. until you spot the beefy powerplant sitting at its center. It’s actually a modern Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight Softail—masterfully redesigned by Gasoline Motor Co. to resemble a vintage machine and nicknamed the ‘Wildwood Beach Racer,’ as a nod to the iconic beach race The bike now rolls on matching 16” laced wheels equipped with chunky five-inch-wide beach racing tires from Allstate It sits on the sprocket side with an inboard caliper so it looks like a traditional drum brake hub from a distance Gasoline and Beringer went through several CAD designs and 3D-printed prototypes to get the design just right the original speedo console floats above the bike’s new twin fuel tanks and include accommodations for the OEM fuel ignition system Gasoline dressed the Harley’s contemporary V-twin motor with a set of finned engine covers to help it blend with the retro-styled parts surrounding it It also wears an art deco-like teardrop air filter plus a pair of chunky ceramic-coated exhausts Custom motorcycles with faux patina can so easily fall into pastiche territory The Wildwood Beach Racer is a glorious homage to the golden days of beach racing—but we’d just as quickly pick it as our daily runner GET THE WORLD'S BEST CUSTOMS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COPYRIGHT © 2008-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) | COLE PUBLISHING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WILDWOOD — The mellow town of Wildwood has grown exponentially over the years in large part because of The Villages' neighborhoods popping up throughout its vicinity Wildwood's population alone has increased 100 percent just since the COVID-19 pandemic Also coming to the area: Walmart's new 'Store of the Future' coming to The Villages with 'improved associate support' That doesn't mean entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners can't get a leg up to set up shop in Wildwood and other Sumter communities (Incentives are available if you call Sumter County Economic Development at 352-689-4400.) For now, the chains are dominating the northern Sumter scene. Among them, Outback Steakhouse is saying g'day to the north Sumter community this week when the nationwide chain lays down its steaks in the community The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Outback on Wednesday More business news: Target to open 6 new stores in Florida, 32 in US. Which Sumter County city is getting one? Outback will hand out merchandise including free appetizer cards and joey meals The freshly prepared-right-in-front-of-you fast-casual Tex Mex chain Chipotle Mexican Grill is also opening its doors in the northern Sumter community opening its first location in Wildwood on Wednesday The Wildwood Outback location will replace the Outback Steakhouse previously situated in The Villages (710 U.S Sumter County's new Outback can be found at 5558 Seven Mile Drive, Wildwood Chipotle will be located at 6010 Signature Road, Wildwood the Australia-inspired Outback chain is famous for its steaks and grilled meats Low-carb options include the Steakhouse Salad “We are ready to open our doors in the Wildwood community and extend Aussie hospitality to our new neighbors,” said Colleen Robertson “Having worked with Outback for 15 years — many of which are in this area — I’m excited to oversee this location and continue serving this vibrant community.” If you're a picky eater, Dailymeal.com offers advice on what not to eat at Outback's you can expect to find the chain's handmade burritos Quesadilla and lifestyle bowls will be available by ordering online only The restaurant provides catering at catering.chipotle.com In February 2024, Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, closed 41 locations The closures were part of a business decision to close older restaurants with leases from the 1990s and early 2000s Bloomin' Brands is the parent company of four national restaurant chains: Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar It remains to be seen how well the Wildwood Outback will be received and how locals will feel about paying up to $35.99 for a surf and turf meal when they feel pinched by current inflation how will they feel about paying prices comparable to independently owned fine dining establishments for meals that are not locally sourced with items that come vacuum-packed and pre-frozen According to a USA Today report, "Chipotle's revenue rose 18.2% in the second quarter of last year helped by the return of its popular burrito bowl Chicken Al Pastor as well as from consumers dining at its stores in the warmer months," adding that tariffs proposed by Trump administration might affect the company's outlook for the coming year According to a company press release, the Wildwood Outback will bring 70 jobs to the community and benefit Kids Central Inc. The location plans to donate $5,000 of its grand opening proceeds to the organization focused on protecting children and supporting families There are around 30 jobs available at the new Chipotle in Wildwood with benefits such as a debt-free college degree program (including students who speak English as a second language), and access to mental healthcare. March to May is the chain's "burrito season," when they project to do the most hirings. Find more at chipotle.com/careers What to expect at each location?The new Chipotle will feature the brand’s signature Chipotlane a drive-thru pickup lane that allows guests to pick up digital orders without leaving their cars Outback will feature a "modern and spacious" 4,694-square-foot interior that seats 187 patrons and includes a large bar area paying homage to the Great Barrier Reef with a coastal design the space will also feature a unique piece of art that displays an Aussie Roo taking a selfie with a cow in Wildwood nodding to the area’s rich cattle history in a fun and creative way," the Outback release said Outback info and menu: Visit locations.outback.com/florida/wildwood/5558-seven-mile-drive for more details Chipotle: chipotle.com/#menu A 76-year-old woman is accused of leaving the scene of a fatal accident in Wildwood at the intersection of West Hand and Hudson avenues Dec according to the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Surveillance video showed a yellow Chevrolet Trax striking the victim in a crosswalk "and propelled her through the air." A probable cause statement said the vehicle braked Fatal accidents: Crashes kill motorcyclist from Stratford and driver from Glassboro Glenn contacted law enforcement a short time later saying she might have been involved in a traffic accident the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said where a yellow Chevrolet Trax with front-end damage was in the driveway Investigators also found physical evidence on the vehicle's hood and bumper Glenn was arrested at the conclusion of the investigation Jan She was initially held at Cape May County Jail Charges against her include leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident and Glenn has not been convicted in the case Anyone with information is asked to call Wildwood police at 609-522-0222 or the prosecutor's office at 609-465-1135 Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal 6 May 2025 9:35:07 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Haley Coomes SUMTER COUNTY – An investigation is underway after a person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting officers responded to reports of gunfire near High Street and County Road 242 The incident involved a victim with a gunshot wound to the leg officers learned that two vehicles had fled the scene One was described as a white passenger vehicle The grey Nissan was later seen speeding southbound on I-75 The victim found at the scene was initially in the grey SUV Deputies from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office later located the grey SUV in Webster One victim was critically injured and transported to a hospital Officers suspect there were two additional occupants who fled the vehicle Wildwood police identified the deceased victim as 21-year-old Jermaine Jordan and the incident appears to be isolated The incident is believed to be an attempted robbery during a drug deal It is unclear as to how many individuals are involved and no suspects have been identified Residents are asked to check any cameras for footage related to the incident Any inquiries should be referred to Wildwood police If you or someone you know has any information regarding this homicide Crimeline has a reward up to $5,000 for tips that may lead to an arrest Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021 Haley is a digital content producer for ClickOrlando.com and first started as a News 6 producer in October 2014 She's a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in journalism She specializes in theme parks and lifestyle writing TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group 6 May 2025 9:35:26 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email Photos taken by family members show the conditions inside of a Wildwood home where officers checking on the welfare of people inside found at least 130 cats Animal caregiver Erica Clemons watches over a cat with her six kittens at the St The family is among about 150 cats removed from a Wildwood home by investigators on Tuesday and Wednesday workers at the shelter named them for all the states and additional cities A home in the 18000 block of Country Trail Court in Wildwood is photographed on Wednesday Louis County police responded for a welfare check and discovered scores of cats within the residence along with two adults LOUIS — The woman accused of hoarding more than 100 cats in a Wildwood home has been arrested by federal authorities on charges she stole thousands of dollars from her ailing parents who lived in the Wildwood house until it was condemned federal prosecutors said in court on Tuesday Her family said she has been living in a motorhome and prosecutors said she was driving a car with Oklahoma license plates that was registered to a Montana company said she still has cats — she has taken some to a vet in Franklin County Homeland Security officers finally arrested her Monday say she stole more than $23,000 from her mother while the 79-year-old woman was in hospice “She is still using her mother’s social security number and credit card,” assistant federal prosecutor Tracy Berry said in court Tuesday afternoon The case began in late August when a SWAT team raided the Fischers’ 10-bedroom A judge had signed a search warrant just hours after Carolyn and Thomas Fischer’s other adult children gave photos to police showing what was inside the home which sits on a large piece of land in the 18000 block of Country Trails Court officers found more than 60 cats living in squalor — and in the days that followed authorities reported rescuing more than 130 cats from the house and its property The cats were taken to a soon-overwhelmed animal shelter Fischer and her 83-year-old father were moved into a hotel was the climax of a yearslong power struggle among four of the couple’s six children the family appeared virtually in probate court to determine who would take care of Thomas Fischer and his affairs Elizabeth Fischer sat with her father in a hotel room Her siblings accused her of isolating their parents for years so she could take advantage of them financially — all while collecting cats in their Wildwood home Elizabeth Fischer’s sisters said Elizabeth had been working as a lawyer in Virginia until she was disbarred in 2015 in multiple states The federal charges say that right after that heated family court hearing in September Elizabeth Fischer took her father to a jewelry store and sold his wedding ring class ring and a 14 karat gold watch for $7,800 Fischer sat at a table with her feet shackled on the ninth floor of the federal court building pink workout shorts and black tennis shoes as she answered the judge’s procedural questions She confirmed she had looked at her federal indictment “briefly.” told Judge Patricia Cohen that after the Wildwood house was condemned Elizabeth Fischer “received a large sum of money” to take care of her father Berry accused Elizabeth Fischer of withdrawing all the funds and using them for herself asked the judge to release her on bond because of her deep roots in the St She also asked for additional time to review the case’s evidence — described as hundreds of bank records “It does seem that this is rather voluminous,” McIntosh said Cohen gave her a 45-day extension and said she would take up the issue of Elizabeth Fischer’s bond after a pre-trial services report was filed Thursday brother Bryan Fischer said he had mixed emotions “Last night when we were made aware of this because who wants to see a family member go through this,” he said Elizabeth Fischer is charged with two counts of identity theft and three counts of fraud in the theft of more $23,000 from her mother’s bank accounts Around 150 cats were rescued from a property in Wildwood on Sept. 4 and 5, and while they await being put up for adoption the Animal Protection Agency in Olivette is asking people to consider adopting and fostering cats as their resources and available space are tight. Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com Katarina O'Reilly filed the suit Wednesday on behalf of her minor son who she said suffered second-degree burns when the coffee spilled onto … was driving the school bus as a substitute driver when he became angry with several students who were the back of the bus Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.