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The latest stories from The Press of Atlantic City, in case you missed them.
1
Atlantic City mayor, superintendent charged with abusing their teenage daughter
ATLANTIC CITY — Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, schools Superintendent La’Quetta Small, were charged Monday with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly abusing their teenage daughter, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Mayor Small, 50, was charged with terroristic threats, aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault. La’Quetta Small, 47, was charged with three counts of disorderly persons simple assault, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Authorities allege the Smalls physically and emotionally abused their teenage daughter during the months of December and January.
During one incident, Mayor Small allegedly hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness. In another incident, Mayor Small allegedly threatened to hurt her by “earth slamming” her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and “smacking the weave out of her head,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release. In yet another incident, Mayor Small allegedly punched his daughter repeatedly in her legs, bruising them.
In a statement in response to the charges, Mayor Small’s attorney, Ed Jacobs, repeated statements made during a Small news conference two weeks ago, saying the charges aren’t alleging official misconduct but “on the contrary, they are a focus on private and personal family matters … (regarding) Mayor Small as a dad and La’Quetta Small as a mom raising teenage children.”
“The charges filed today by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office make no allegations of public corruption or misconduct in office, or of failure by Mayor Small to properly discharge his duties,” Jacobs said.
The attorney would not address the substance of the charges regarding the couple’s interactions with their daughter but said she has not been removed from their home.
“This is an intact family,” Jacobs said. “She’s right where she belongs.”
According to a court document, Small’s daughter went to the hospital three days after the alleged broom incident for treatment of a head injury. She told the nurse she hit her head on a window and lost consciousness, and Mayor Small, who was present at the time, agreed with that version of her story.
Authorities further allege La’Quetta Small punched her daughter multiple times on her chest, leaving bruising; dragged her daughter by her hair then struck her with a belt on her shoulders, leaving marks; and punched her daughter in the mouth during an argument.
An investigation into the Smalls was launched in January after their daughter revealed during a mental health exercise at Atlantic City High School that she was being abused both physically and emotionally and wanted to speak to a counselor, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The affidavit indicates that after meeting with Small’s daughter, a therapist met with La’Quetta Small, who said she and Mayor Small were dealing with issues with their daughter at home after she started dating someone of whom they didn’t approve.
According to the affidavit, the majority of the incidents were recorded on cellphones and an iPad, and Small’s daughter would send pictures of her injuries to her boyfriend, who showed detectives the images during the investigation.
During an alleged incident Jan. 3 before school, Mayor Small told his daughter he would “smack that weave out ya head” and later remarked that “I don’t care where I push you at ... I’m going to earth slam her down the steps! Come past this line and I’m gonna grab you by the head and throw you on the ground! Nothing is gonna happen to me!” according to court documents.
Social media and text messages also showed Small’s daughter told her friends about the abuse, according to the affidavit.
The couple are due in court at 10 a.m. May 15.
The state Department of Community Affairs, which oversees the city under a 2016 takeover law, said it had no comment on the matter.
School district officials also did not return calls seeking comment.
City Council President Aaron “Sporty” Randolph said he had no comment yet on the charges against the mayor.
“You will be informed,” he said when asked what council plans to do in the wake of the charges.
Council is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.
On March 28, officers for the Prosecutor’s Office searched the couple’s home on Presbyterian Avenue.
Four days later, the couple questioned the prosecutor’s search and denied they had abused their children. Mayor Small criticized law enforcement’s using 20 officers to serve the search warrants, which he said targeted cellphones and laptops, and said it could have been done quietly with fewer officers and without closing off his street.
“Let me confirm an undisputed fact. My daughter is not pregnant, my daughter has never been pregnant,” the mayor said. “And we happen to have information on individuals who have spread those horrific rumors on my child. You will be getting a visit from Mr. Jacobs soon.”
He listed the other rumors that have been spreading, including that his son had recorded a video of his wife beating their daughter.
“False,” the mayor said during a news conference.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
2
Trump to return to Wildwood in May
- Bill Barlow
WILDWOOD — Former President Donald J. Trump may be coming back to Wildwood for a beachfront rally next month.
The Board of Commissioners on Monday approved an agreement with the Trump campaign for a May 11 campaign rally.
Rumors have swirled around Wildwood that the former president would be back this year. At a special board meeting, Mayor Ernie Troiano declined to say whether Trump would be in town in person, or even say what organization planned the event, but the unanimously approved resolution cites Donald J. Trump for President 2024 Inc.
The vote came after a closed-door meeting of close to an hour, without public discussion. Troiano said he was “handcuffed” as to what he could say publicly Monday.
City officials said more information would be released Wednesday and directed further inquiries to the Trump campaign. There was no immediate response to an emailed request for comment.
The meeting came the same day Trump made history as the first American president in a criminal trial, as jury selection began in Manhattan in a felony case related to hush money payments to a p*rn actress.
In January 2020, before COVID-19 changed the world, Trump’s visit to the Wildwoods Convention Center on the Boardwalk drew thousands to the beach resort in the winter. This time, plans call for a warmer visit in May.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who changed parties in 2019 from Democrat to Republican while his former party sought to impeach Trump, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
Van Drew is up for reelection this year and has been named as chairman of Trump’s New Jersey campaign.
For Trump’s previous visit to Wildwood, supporters lined up in droves for hours in a chilly wind off the ocean while waiting for the doors to open at the Convention Center. Inside, Trump embraced Van Drew and brought Kellyanne Conway, a Camden County native, to the stage. She served as a senior counselor in the Trump administration.
“Mr. President, I think South Jersey is Trump Country,” she said.
When Trump last visited Wildwood, a rare visit to southern New Jersey by a sitting president, most businesses were closed for the winter and the seaside community would have been about as empty as it gets.
A May weekend is a far different story, with several events already planned in the community, including the Wildwoods Spring Fling festival, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, a cheer competition and a hot rod and muscle car show.
This year’s presidential campaign is set to be different from any other in American history as Trump seeks to unseat Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden, whose 2020 win Trump did not accept. Trump has alleged problems with that vote, although courts rejected multiple challenges.
Manhattan prosecutors brought 34 felony counts against the president related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance charges in 2018 in connection to the payments during the 2016 campaign.
At issue in New York is not whether the payments took place, but rather whether they involved criminally falsifying business records.
Trump also faces criminal indictments related to allegations of election interference in Georgia, four federal charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified documents.
There also are multiple civil cases, including a $454 million civil penalty related to allegations he wrongly inflated his net worth. That judgment is under appeal.
3
Dems call for release of Polistina bill to restructure Atlantic City government
- Michelle Brunetti Post
ATLANTIC CITY — State Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, said Monday he needs to discuss his proposed legislation to overhaul Atlantic City’s government with local officials before releasing the full text of the bill to the public.
Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman called on Polistina to share the bill publicly after hearing Polistina discuss it on the Don Williams radio show on WOND Thursday.
“For nearly a year, rumors have circulated about a clandestine bill poised to dismantle key aspects of Atlantic City’s governance,” Suleiman said. “Last week, Senator Polistina stated that his proposed legislation would remove four city council members and replace them with nonresident appointees, all without the input of Atlantic City’s residents.”
The bill would keep an elected mayor and reduce the number of elected council people from the current nine to five, Polistina said.
Four more council members would be appointed. They would be the presidents of AtlantiCare, Stockton University and the Casino Association of New Jersey, as well as the head of the largest non-gaming business in the city, Polistina said.
“The state takeover has been since 2016 and will end at the end of 2025, so it’s important for all of us ... to talk about what we do with expiration of the takeover,” Polistina said on Williams’ show.
Suleiman said Polistina “owes it to the community to release this elusive bill promptly, allowing for a thorough, public discussion about the future of Atlantic City.”
On the Williams show, Polistina said the council under his bill would be a combined governing body using the talents of professional people with a large stake in the city’s future.
“I believe that is a way we can get out of the state takeover and go back to local governance, which is important,” Polistina said.
It would also reduce the number of wards in the city from six to five, he said Monday, and council members would all be ward representatives, with no at-large members anymore.
The constitutionality of such a bill might be tested in court, Polistina said via text Monday.
“We talked with the Office of Legislative Services at length for months about whether it could be done,” Polistina said. “They believe it can be because of the special situation (with Atlantic City remaining the only municipality where casino gaming is allowed in New Jersey), but they acknowledged no one would know for sure unless there was a legal challenge.”
Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, who is also the president of the NAACP’s Atlantic City chapter, said Monday the civil rights group will sue if the bill passes.
“It appears to be unconstitutional, depriving citizenship rights and suppressing voting,” Shabazz said.
He would prefer Polistina and city officials work together to bring planning and zoning responsibility back to the city alone, away from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
“We need legislation to that effect, and we are all in agreement,” Shabazz said of city officials and Polistina.
He said he has been trying since Jan. 11 to get an appointment with Mayor Marty Small Sr. to discuss it and provided an email chain to show his office’s outreach to the mayor’s office.
Democrats, especially Camden County political boss George Norcross, have misrepresented the bill, which was never introduced, Polistina said.
Norcross, whom Polistina acknowledged he had talked to about the proposed legislation to request help getting it through the Democrat-controlled Legislature, has said the bill would eliminate the elected mayor and council members and replace them with appointees.
“It is nuts, crazy for anyone to think I would go to take out elected reps of any community. That is never going to happen,” Polistina said. “That’s not what I was proposing and not what I would ever propose.”
He said his bill was intended to start a conversation. If passed, its changes would be enacted in 180 days.
Suleiman said he agrees there needs to be a conversation about the city’s future after the state takeover ends, but it needs to be public and transparent.
“At a time when the public is fighting against an effort to gut the Open Public Records Act, the withholding of crucial legislative details only fuels skepticism in government,” said Suleiman. “Influential political figures are privy to the contents of this bill while Atlantic City residents remain in the dark. Senator Polistina must address this issue promptly by releasing the bill without further delay.”
4
Borgata to host Summer Social food event
- Matthew Cavallo
ATLANTIC CITY — Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will host Savor Borgata's Summer Social: A Taste of Paradise from 8 to 10 p.m. June 28.
Taking place at the hotel’s outdoor pool, the event will feature specialty culinary items from Borgata’s 11 eateries, crafted co*cktails and entertainment. Tickets are $125 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity, and are available at theborgata.com.
VIP tickets will be $175 per person, which will give guests access to early entry beginning at 7 p.m., private cabana seating, an exclusive happy hour with food and drink offerings, and butler service.
Menu items will includea pig roast, coconut seafood stew, musubi and huli huli chicken with grilled pineapple salsa, Borgata said in a news release.
Emceeing the event will be James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Symon of Angeline.
“Summer Social is not just a culinary event; it’s a celebration of flavors that define Borgata,” said Anthony Caratozzolo, vice president of hospitality for the casino."We’re proud to showcase our exceptional culinary teams outside their restaurants, bringing our guests together through their shared love of food."
Guests will enjoy live entertainment, including dancers and water performers, as well as lawn games by the beer garden at the newly expanded outdoor pool.
For more information, call 609-317-1000 or visit theborgata.com.
5
Atlantic City library receives $1.3M for upgrades
- Holly Morrell
ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Free Public Library has received $1.3million from the New Jersey State Library to redesign the Tennessee Avenue building's second-floor meeting room, including updated technology for streaming services and virtual programs, the library said Monday in a news release.
The renovations also include the addition of two private office pods equipped with computers on the first floor for telehealth, education and work activities. The library's elevator will be modernized, and high-speed broadband access will be expanded throughout the library.
Additionally, the library will partner with AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center to offer wellness programs, health screenings and support sessions.
The project will kick off this spring with the health programs, followed by construction later in the year.
“This project will amplify the library’s impact in the community," library Assistant Director Melissa McGeary said."By modernizing the library’s technology infrastructure and providing comprehensive support for education, wellness, and workforce development initiatives, we will be better situated to empower library patrons in all aspects of their lives.”
The money is part of a $180 million state infrastructure package intended to support public health and safety, digital connectivity and equitable access to services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state library received more than $34 million of that package to distribute to libraries across the state.
“This critical funding will help alleviate the disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and empower our communities through connectivity to ultimately improve literacy and education, boost employment, and protect public health across our state,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
6
Detention hearing delayed, mental health evaluation ordered for alleged Galloway cop stabber
- John O'Connor
A detention hearing for a Galloway Township man who allegedly stabbed a police officer in the face last week was delayed Monday after a mental health evaluation was ordered by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Waldman.
Keith E. Kiminsky, 31, is scheduled to appear in Atlantic County Superior Court at 9 a.m. April 26. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest.
"The affidavit of probable cause indicates at the time of the incident it was communicated to law enforcement by his mother that he had mental health issues," Waldman told the court. "I think he was in crisis during that time, so I believe a competency evaluation is necessary. I'm going to postpone this matter to allow that to happen."
Police arrived at a home in the 300 block of Cresson Avenue at 8:30 p.m. April 7 in reference to several 911 hang-up calls.
Officers Erik Tarnow and Hunter Thomas spoke with Kiminsky's mother, who said her son was armed with a knife, according to a police body camera video.
Kiminsky then ran out of the home and stabbed Tarnow in the face with a folding pocket knife, police said at the time.
Tarnow and Thomas fought with Kiminsky for several minutes until backup officers arrived and took him into custody, police said.
Both officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Tarnow suffered a significant cut on the right side of his face, while Thomas was treated for a minor head injury, police said.
Kiminsky is being held in the Atlantic County jail.
7
3 Wildwood residents arrested after police find cocaine, pills
- John O'Connor
WILDWOOD— Three city residents were arrested Friday after police said they found cocaine and pills during a search.
Karl Abbatiello, 49, Jill Caissie, 45, and Robert Peterson, 34, were each charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in a public place, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, financial facilitation of criminal activity, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a prescription legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police searched a home in the 300 block of Garfield Avenue and found cocaine and several pills believed to contain acetaminophen and codeine in the home, police said. They also said they found a digital scale, plastic baggies used to package drugs and $797.
All three people were sent to the Cape May County jail. Police said they also found a juvenile in the home but released them to a guardian.
8
Chelsea Handler and Matteo Lane to perform at Hard Rock Atlantic City
- Holly Morrell
ATLANTIC CITY — Comedians Chelsea Handler and Matteo Lane will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 10 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Handler is a TV host and six-time New York Times bestselling author. After seven years as the host of E!’s "Chelsea Lately," she launched the documentary series "Chelsea Does" followed by another talk show, "Chelsea," on Netflix in 2016. In 2021, she launched her iHeart Radio advice podcast, "Dear Chelsea," and won Comedy Act of 2021 at the People’s Choice Awards. Handler made her return to Netflix with the 2022 comedy special "Revolution."
Lane, a New York-based comedian, has showcased his stand-up talent in specials on Netflix's "The Comedy Lineup" and YouTube. He's performed on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "Late Night with Seth Meyers," Comedy Central's "Adam Devine's House Party," "This Week at the Comedy Cellar," "The Comedy Jam" and HBO's "Crashing."
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com, ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
9
Egg Harbor Township park stabbing suspect ordered held
- John O'Connor
An Egg Harbor Township man who allegedly stabbed another man at a township park last month was ordered held in jail until trial Monday.
Mikal Williams-Bunch, 18, is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, conspiracy, endangering an injured victim and employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime.
Williams-Bunch was visibly upset as Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Waldman ruled that he remain in the Atlantic County jail.
Officers responded to Childs-Kirk Memorial Park off Idlewood Avenue just after 6 p.m. March 29 and found the 18-year-old victim suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a laceration to the liver.
Williams-Bunch and a 15-year-old township resident allegedly lured the victim to the park with the intent to assault him, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Williams-Bunch has no prior adult criminal convictions on his record. However, he has two pending charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault from October 2023 and failed to appear in court on those charges, Atlantic County Assistant Prosecutor Brooke Hoffner said.
Due to scoring high for new criminal activity and failure to appear on the public safety assessment, the state pushed for Williams-Bunch to remain in jail.
“The defendant is only 18 years old, and his criminal activity is serious, violent, ongoing and escalating,” Hoffner said. “The defendant’s dangerousness is evident by his present offenses. He used a juvenile to lure the victim under false pretenses, and the victim was attacked. This attack appears to be premeditated, and the defendant was acting together with others to bring upon such a brutal attack.”
Williams-Bunch’s attorney, Robert Boney, argued his client, who has two job offers and is looking to go back to high school for his senior year, acted in self defense as the victim pulled out a weapon and used it on Williams-Bunch first.
“The victim cut my client’s hand,” Boney said. “There is a valid self-defense argument that needs to be investigated. He’s got family support and wants to do the right thing, so he’s not a threat to the public and not a threat for failing to appear. I met with him at the jail, and he has a legitimate argument about what happened. My client has denied doing the stabbing at all, so we ask the court to release him on conditions pending the outcome of these charges.”
Waldman ordered Williams-Bunch held, citing the nature of the current charges and the pending assault charges he failed to appear on.
Williams-Bunch is due back in court for a hearing May 29.
10
Sea Isle City beach replenishment underway
- Bill Barlow
SEA ISLE CITY — The final piece of a $33.7 million beach replenishment project is expected to be completed before Memorial Day, with fresh sand being added to the south end of the city.
The same contract approved through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers added sand to the south end of Ocean City and to the badly eroded north end of the Strathmere section of Upper Township over the winter, with the Sea Ise portion of the work beginning this month.
More than 100,000 cubic yards of sand have been added to the beach already, city Administrator George Savastano told City Council in a report last week.
“The project is heading south at about 88th Street towards the southernmost point for the beachfill at 94th Street. After that, the beaches will be filled northward to about 74th Street,” Savastano said. “Following completion of the south end, the project will move immediately to the center of town, where beaches will be replenished between about 29th and 52nd streets.”
Severe weather could delay the project, he warned council.
“So let’s all hope for calm weather over the next six weeks,” he said.
That appeared to be the case Friday morning, when strong winds whipped up a heavy surf and work appeared paused. The morning also saw bands of pelting rain, although rain alone does not typically delay beach work.
As contracted, the Sea Isle portion of the work will add 252,000 cubic yards of sand to the beach from about 29th Street to 53rd Street, then another 388,000 cubic yards from 73rd Street to the Townsends Inlet area in the south end of the island.
Funding for beach projects comes from federal and state sources, along with a local contribution.
In previous comments, Mayor Leonard Desiderio has said that section of the community has seen significant erosion.
Savastano also discussed other projects underway around town, including South Jersey Gas work to improve the gas line infrastructure. Repaving of John F. Kennedy Boulevard from that work is also expected to be completed by Memorial Day, he said.
“There may be some finishing of roadwork after Memorial Day up until mid-June, after which all roadwork will be put on hold until after the summer season,” Savastano said. “The only construction project the city intends to advance this summer is our new Community Center, on the site of the former public school in the 4500 block between Central Avenue and Park Road.”
11
Ranked choice voting panel discussion Tuesday at Stockton
- Michelle Brunetti Post
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP —The American Democracy Project, the League of Women Voters and Voter Choice New Jersey at Stockton University will present information on ranked choice voting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Stockton's main campus.
Ranked choice voting is an election method in which voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than just selecting one candidate, according to the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center.
The event, which is free and open to the public, includes a panel discussion with state Sens. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, and Andrew Zwicker, D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset.
Also participating are New Jersey Independent Voters Chairperson Sue Davies, American PromiseNJ Volunteer Coordinator Marie Henselder-Kimmel and Voter Choice New Jersey co-founder Herb Tarbous.
It will be held at Stockton's Campus Theater, and a reception will follow the discussion.
In ranked choice voting, if a candidate receives more than half of the first choices, that candidate wins. However, if there is no majority winner after counting the first choices, the race is decided by an "instant runoff," according to the RCV Resource Center.
The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who ranked that candidate as their first choice will have their votes count for their next choice. This process continues until one candidate gets a majority of votes.
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Atlantic City mayor, superintendent charged with abusing their teenage daughter
ATLANTIC CITY — Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, schools Superintendent La’Quetta Small, were charged Monday with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly abusing their teenage daughter, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Mayor Small, 50, was charged with terroristic threats, aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault. La’Quetta Small, 47, was charged with three counts of disorderly persons simple assault, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Authorities allege the Smalls physically and emotionally abused their teenage daughter during the months of December and January.
During one incident, Mayor Small allegedly hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness. In another incident, Mayor Small allegedly threatened to hurt her by “earth slamming” her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and “smacking the weave out of her head,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release. In yet another incident, Mayor Small allegedly punched his daughter repeatedly in her legs, bruising them.
In a statement in response to the charges, Mayor Small’s attorney, Ed Jacobs, repeated statements made during a Small news conference two weeks ago, saying the charges aren’t alleging official misconduct but “on the contrary, they are a focus on private and personal family matters … (regarding) Mayor Small as a dad and La’Quetta Small as a mom raising teenage children.”
“The charges filed today by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office make no allegations of public corruption or misconduct in office, or of failure by Mayor Small to properly discharge his duties,” Jacobs said.
The attorney would not address the substance of the charges regarding the couple’s interactions with their daughter but said she has not been removed from their home.
“This is an intact family,” Jacobs said. “She’s right where she belongs.”
According to a court document, Small’s daughter went to the hospital three days after the alleged broom incident for treatment of a head injury. She told the nurse she hit her head on a window and lost consciousness, and Mayor Small, who was present at the time, agreed with that version of her story.
Authorities further allege La’Quetta Small punched her daughter multiple times on her chest, leaving bruising; dragged her daughter by her hair then struck her with a belt on her shoulders, leaving marks; and punched her daughter in the mouth during an argument.
An investigation into the Smalls was launched in January after their daughter revealed during a mental health exercise at Atlantic City High School that she was being abused both physically and emotionally and wanted to speak to a counselor, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The affidavit indicates that after meeting with Small’s daughter, a therapist met with La’Quetta Small, who said she and Mayor Small were dealing with issues with their daughter at home after she started dating someone of whom they didn’t approve.
According to the affidavit, the majority of the incidents were recorded on cellphones and an iPad, and Small’s daughter would send pictures of her injuries to her boyfriend, who showed detectives the images during the investigation.
During an alleged incident Jan. 3 before school, Mayor Small told his daughter he would “smack that weave out ya head” and later remarked that “I don’t care where I push you at ... I’m going to earth slam her down the steps! Come past this line and I’m gonna grab you by the head and throw you on the ground! Nothing is gonna happen to me!” according to court documents.
Social media and text messages also showed Small’s daughter told her friends about the abuse, according to the affidavit.
The couple are due in court at 10 a.m. May 15.
The state Department of Community Affairs, which oversees the city under a 2016 takeover law, said it had no comment on the matter.
School district officials also did not return calls seeking comment.
City Council President Aaron “Sporty” Randolph said he had no comment yet on the charges against the mayor.
“You will be informed,” he said when asked what council plans to do in the wake of the charges.
Council is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.
On March 28, officers for the Prosecutor’s Office searched the couple’s home on Presbyterian Avenue.
Four days later, the couple questioned the prosecutor’s search and denied they had abused their children. Mayor Small criticized law enforcement’s using 20 officers to serve the search warrants, which he said targeted cellphones and laptops, and said it could have been done quietly with fewer officers and without closing off his street.
“Let me confirm an undisputed fact. My daughter is not pregnant, my daughter has never been pregnant,” the mayor said. “And we happen to have information on individuals who have spread those horrific rumors on my child. You will be getting a visit from Mr. Jacobs soon.”
He listed the other rumors that have been spreading, including that his son had recorded a video of his wife beating their daughter.
“False,” the mayor said during a news conference.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump to return to Wildwood in May
- Bill Barlow
WILDWOOD — Former President Donald J. Trump may be coming back to Wildwood for a beachfront rally next month.
The Board of Commissioners on Monday approved an agreement with the Trump campaign for a May 11 campaign rally.
Rumors have swirled around Wildwood that the former president would be back this year. At a special board meeting, Mayor Ernie Troiano declined to say whether Trump would be in town in person, or even say what organization planned the event, but the unanimously approved resolution cites Donald J. Trump for President 2024 Inc.
The vote came after a closed-door meeting of close to an hour, without public discussion. Troiano said he was “handcuffed” as to what he could say publicly Monday.
City officials said more information would be released Wednesday and directed further inquiries to the Trump campaign. There was no immediate response to an emailed request for comment.
The meeting came the same day Trump made history as the first American president in a criminal trial, as jury selection began in Manhattan in a felony case related to hush money payments to a p*rn actress.
In January 2020, before COVID-19 changed the world, Trump’s visit to the Wildwoods Convention Center on the Boardwalk drew thousands to the beach resort in the winter. This time, plans call for a warmer visit in May.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who changed parties in 2019 from Democrat to Republican while his former party sought to impeach Trump, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
Van Drew is up for reelection this year and has been named as chairman of Trump’s New Jersey campaign.
For Trump’s previous visit to Wildwood, supporters lined up in droves for hours in a chilly wind off the ocean while waiting for the doors to open at the Convention Center. Inside, Trump embraced Van Drew and brought Kellyanne Conway, a Camden County native, to the stage. She served as a senior counselor in the Trump administration.
“Mr. President, I think South Jersey is Trump Country,” she said.
When Trump last visited Wildwood, a rare visit to southern New Jersey by a sitting president, most businesses were closed for the winter and the seaside community would have been about as empty as it gets.
A May weekend is a far different story, with several events already planned in the community, including the Wildwoods Spring Fling festival, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, a cheer competition and a hot rod and muscle car show.
This year’s presidential campaign is set to be different from any other in American history as Trump seeks to unseat Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden, whose 2020 win Trump did not accept. Trump has alleged problems with that vote, although courts rejected multiple challenges.
Manhattan prosecutors brought 34 felony counts against the president related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance charges in 2018 in connection to the payments during the 2016 campaign.
At issue in New York is not whether the payments took place, but rather whether they involved criminally falsifying business records.
Trump also faces criminal indictments related to allegations of election interference in Georgia, four federal charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified documents.
There also are multiple civil cases, including a $454 million civil penalty related to allegations he wrongly inflated his net worth. That judgment is under appeal.
Dems call for release of Polistina bill to restructure Atlantic City government
- Michelle Brunetti Post
ATLANTIC CITY — State Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, said Monday he needs to discuss his proposed legislation to overhaul Atlantic City’s government with local officials before releasing the full text of the bill to the public.
Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman called on Polistina to share the bill publicly after hearing Polistina discuss it on the Don Williams radio show on WOND Thursday.
“For nearly a year, rumors have circulated about a clandestine bill poised to dismantle key aspects of Atlantic City’s governance,” Suleiman said. “Last week, Senator Polistina stated that his proposed legislation would remove four city council members and replace them with nonresident appointees, all without the input of Atlantic City’s residents.”
The bill would keep an elected mayor and reduce the number of elected council people from the current nine to five, Polistina said.
Four more council members would be appointed. They would be the presidents of AtlantiCare, Stockton University and the Casino Association of New Jersey, as well as the head of the largest non-gaming business in the city, Polistina said.
“The state takeover has been since 2016 and will end at the end of 2025, so it’s important for all of us ... to talk about what we do with expiration of the takeover,” Polistina said on Williams’ show.
Suleiman said Polistina “owes it to the community to release this elusive bill promptly, allowing for a thorough, public discussion about the future of Atlantic City.”
On the Williams show, Polistina said the council under his bill would be a combined governing body using the talents of professional people with a large stake in the city’s future.
“I believe that is a way we can get out of the state takeover and go back to local governance, which is important,” Polistina said.
It would also reduce the number of wards in the city from six to five, he said Monday, and council members would all be ward representatives, with no at-large members anymore.
The constitutionality of such a bill might be tested in court, Polistina said via text Monday.
“We talked with the Office of Legislative Services at length for months about whether it could be done,” Polistina said. “They believe it can be because of the special situation (with Atlantic City remaining the only municipality where casino gaming is allowed in New Jersey), but they acknowledged no one would know for sure unless there was a legal challenge.”
Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, who is also the president of the NAACP’s Atlantic City chapter, said Monday the civil rights group will sue if the bill passes.
“It appears to be unconstitutional, depriving citizenship rights and suppressing voting,” Shabazz said.
He would prefer Polistina and city officials work together to bring planning and zoning responsibility back to the city alone, away from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
“We need legislation to that effect, and we are all in agreement,” Shabazz said of city officials and Polistina.
He said he has been trying since Jan. 11 to get an appointment with Mayor Marty Small Sr. to discuss it and provided an email chain to show his office’s outreach to the mayor’s office.
Democrats, especially Camden County political boss George Norcross, have misrepresented the bill, which was never introduced, Polistina said.
Norcross, whom Polistina acknowledged he had talked to about the proposed legislation to request help getting it through the Democrat-controlled Legislature, has said the bill would eliminate the elected mayor and council members and replace them with appointees.
“It is nuts, crazy for anyone to think I would go to take out elected reps of any community. That is never going to happen,” Polistina said. “That’s not what I was proposing and not what I would ever propose.”
He said his bill was intended to start a conversation. If passed, its changes would be enacted in 180 days.
Suleiman said he agrees there needs to be a conversation about the city’s future after the state takeover ends, but it needs to be public and transparent.
“At a time when the public is fighting against an effort to gut the Open Public Records Act, the withholding of crucial legislative details only fuels skepticism in government,” said Suleiman. “Influential political figures are privy to the contents of this bill while Atlantic City residents remain in the dark. Senator Polistina must address this issue promptly by releasing the bill without further delay.”
Borgata to host Summer Social food event
- Matthew Cavallo
ATLANTIC CITY — Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will host Savor Borgata's Summer Social: A Taste of Paradise from 8 to 10 p.m. June 28.
Taking place at the hotel’s outdoor pool, the event will feature specialty culinary items from Borgata’s 11 eateries, crafted co*cktails and entertainment. Tickets are $125 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity, and are available at theborgata.com.
VIP tickets will be $175 per person, which will give guests access to early entry beginning at 7 p.m., private cabana seating, an exclusive happy hour with food and drink offerings, and butler service.
Menu items will includea pig roast, coconut seafood stew, musubi and huli huli chicken with grilled pineapple salsa, Borgata said in a news release.
Emceeing the event will be James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Symon of Angeline.
“Summer Social is not just a culinary event; it’s a celebration of flavors that define Borgata,” said Anthony Caratozzolo, vice president of hospitality for the casino."We’re proud to showcase our exceptional culinary teams outside their restaurants, bringing our guests together through their shared love of food."
Guests will enjoy live entertainment, including dancers and water performers, as well as lawn games by the beer garden at the newly expanded outdoor pool.
For more information, call 609-317-1000 or visit theborgata.com.
Atlantic City library receives $1.3M for upgrades
- Holly Morrell
ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Free Public Library has received $1.3million from the New Jersey State Library to redesign the Tennessee Avenue building's second-floor meeting room, including updated technology for streaming services and virtual programs, the library said Monday in a news release.
The renovations also include the addition of two private office pods equipped with computers on the first floor for telehealth, education and work activities. The library's elevator will be modernized, and high-speed broadband access will be expanded throughout the library.
Additionally, the library will partner with AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center to offer wellness programs, health screenings and support sessions.
The project will kick off this spring with the health programs, followed by construction later in the year.
“This project will amplify the library’s impact in the community," library Assistant Director Melissa McGeary said."By modernizing the library’s technology infrastructure and providing comprehensive support for education, wellness, and workforce development initiatives, we will be better situated to empower library patrons in all aspects of their lives.”
The money is part of a $180 million state infrastructure package intended to support public health and safety, digital connectivity and equitable access to services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state library received more than $34 million of that package to distribute to libraries across the state.
“This critical funding will help alleviate the disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and empower our communities through connectivity to ultimately improve literacy and education, boost employment, and protect public health across our state,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
Detention hearing delayed, mental health evaluation ordered for alleged Galloway cop stabber
- John O'Connor
A detention hearing for a Galloway Township man who allegedly stabbed a police officer in the face last week was delayed Monday after a mental health evaluation was ordered by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Waldman.
Keith E. Kiminsky, 31, is scheduled to appear in Atlantic County Superior Court at 9 a.m. April 26. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest.
"The affidavit of probable cause indicates at the time of the incident it was communicated to law enforcement by his mother that he had mental health issues," Waldman told the court. "I think he was in crisis during that time, so I believe a competency evaluation is necessary. I'm going to postpone this matter to allow that to happen."
Police arrived at a home in the 300 block of Cresson Avenue at 8:30 p.m. April 7 in reference to several 911 hang-up calls.
Officers Erik Tarnow and Hunter Thomas spoke with Kiminsky's mother, who said her son was armed with a knife, according to a police body camera video.
Kiminsky then ran out of the home and stabbed Tarnow in the face with a folding pocket knife, police said at the time.
Tarnow and Thomas fought with Kiminsky for several minutes until backup officers arrived and took him into custody, police said.
Both officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Tarnow suffered a significant cut on the right side of his face, while Thomas was treated for a minor head injury, police said.
Kiminsky is being held in the Atlantic County jail.
3 Wildwood residents arrested after police find cocaine, pills
- John O'Connor
WILDWOOD— Three city residents were arrested Friday after police said they found cocaine and pills during a search.
Karl Abbatiello, 49, Jill Caissie, 45, and Robert Peterson, 34, were each charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in a public place, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, financial facilitation of criminal activity, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a prescription legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police searched a home in the 300 block of Garfield Avenue and found cocaine and several pills believed to contain acetaminophen and codeine in the home, police said. They also said they found a digital scale, plastic baggies used to package drugs and $797.
All three people were sent to the Cape May County jail. Police said they also found a juvenile in the home but released them to a guardian.
Chelsea Handler and Matteo Lane to perform at Hard Rock Atlantic City
- Holly Morrell
ATLANTIC CITY — Comedians Chelsea Handler and Matteo Lane will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 10 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Handler is a TV host and six-time New York Times bestselling author. After seven years as the host of E!’s "Chelsea Lately," she launched the documentary series "Chelsea Does" followed by another talk show, "Chelsea," on Netflix in 2016. In 2021, she launched her iHeart Radio advice podcast, "Dear Chelsea," and won Comedy Act of 2021 at the People’s Choice Awards. Handler made her return to Netflix with the 2022 comedy special "Revolution."
Lane, a New York-based comedian, has showcased his stand-up talent in specials on Netflix's "The Comedy Lineup" and YouTube. He's performed on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "Late Night with Seth Meyers," Comedy Central's "Adam Devine's House Party," "This Week at the Comedy Cellar," "The Comedy Jam" and HBO's "Crashing."
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com, ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Egg Harbor Township park stabbing suspect ordered held
- John O'Connor
An Egg Harbor Township man who allegedly stabbed another man at a township park last month was ordered held in jail until trial Monday.
Mikal Williams-Bunch, 18, is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, conspiracy, endangering an injured victim and employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime.
Williams-Bunch was visibly upset as Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Waldman ruled that he remain in the Atlantic County jail.
Officers responded to Childs-Kirk Memorial Park off Idlewood Avenue just after 6 p.m. March 29 and found the 18-year-old victim suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a laceration to the liver.
Williams-Bunch and a 15-year-old township resident allegedly lured the victim to the park with the intent to assault him, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Williams-Bunch has no prior adult criminal convictions on his record. However, he has two pending charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault from October 2023 and failed to appear in court on those charges, Atlantic County Assistant Prosecutor Brooke Hoffner said.
Due to scoring high for new criminal activity and failure to appear on the public safety assessment, the state pushed for Williams-Bunch to remain in jail.
“The defendant is only 18 years old, and his criminal activity is serious, violent, ongoing and escalating,” Hoffner said. “The defendant’s dangerousness is evident by his present offenses. He used a juvenile to lure the victim under false pretenses, and the victim was attacked. This attack appears to be premeditated, and the defendant was acting together with others to bring upon such a brutal attack.”
Williams-Bunch’s attorney, Robert Boney, argued his client, who has two job offers and is looking to go back to high school for his senior year, acted in self defense as the victim pulled out a weapon and used it on Williams-Bunch first.
“The victim cut my client’s hand,” Boney said. “There is a valid self-defense argument that needs to be investigated. He’s got family support and wants to do the right thing, so he’s not a threat to the public and not a threat for failing to appear. I met with him at the jail, and he has a legitimate argument about what happened. My client has denied doing the stabbing at all, so we ask the court to release him on conditions pending the outcome of these charges.”
Waldman ordered Williams-Bunch held, citing the nature of the current charges and the pending assault charges he failed to appear on.
Williams-Bunch is due back in court for a hearing May 29.
Sea Isle City beach replenishment underway
- Bill Barlow
SEA ISLE CITY — The final piece of a $33.7 million beach replenishment project is expected to be completed before Memorial Day, with fresh sand being added to the south end of the city.
The same contract approved through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers added sand to the south end of Ocean City and to the badly eroded north end of the Strathmere section of Upper Township over the winter, with the Sea Ise portion of the work beginning this month.
More than 100,000 cubic yards of sand have been added to the beach already, city Administrator George Savastano told City Council in a report last week.
“The project is heading south at about 88th Street towards the southernmost point for the beachfill at 94th Street. After that, the beaches will be filled northward to about 74th Street,” Savastano said. “Following completion of the south end, the project will move immediately to the center of town, where beaches will be replenished between about 29th and 52nd streets.”
Severe weather could delay the project, he warned council.
“So let’s all hope for calm weather over the next six weeks,” he said.
That appeared to be the case Friday morning, when strong winds whipped up a heavy surf and work appeared paused. The morning also saw bands of pelting rain, although rain alone does not typically delay beach work.
As contracted, the Sea Isle portion of the work will add 252,000 cubic yards of sand to the beach from about 29th Street to 53rd Street, then another 388,000 cubic yards from 73rd Street to the Townsends Inlet area in the south end of the island.
Funding for beach projects comes from federal and state sources, along with a local contribution.
In previous comments, Mayor Leonard Desiderio has said that section of the community has seen significant erosion.
Savastano also discussed other projects underway around town, including South Jersey Gas work to improve the gas line infrastructure. Repaving of John F. Kennedy Boulevard from that work is also expected to be completed by Memorial Day, he said.
“There may be some finishing of roadwork after Memorial Day up until mid-June, after which all roadwork will be put on hold until after the summer season,” Savastano said. “The only construction project the city intends to advance this summer is our new Community Center, on the site of the former public school in the 4500 block between Central Avenue and Park Road.”
Ranked choice voting panel discussion Tuesday at Stockton
- Michelle Brunetti Post
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP —The American Democracy Project, the League of Women Voters and Voter Choice New Jersey at Stockton University will present information on ranked choice voting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Stockton's main campus.
Ranked choice voting is an election method in which voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than just selecting one candidate, according to the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center.
The event, which is free and open to the public, includes a panel discussion with state Sens. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, and Andrew Zwicker, D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset.
Also participating are New Jersey Independent Voters Chairperson Sue Davies, American PromiseNJ Volunteer Coordinator Marie Henselder-Kimmel and Voter Choice New Jersey co-founder Herb Tarbous.
It will be held at Stockton's Campus Theater, and a reception will follow the discussion.
In ranked choice voting, if a candidate receives more than half of the first choices, that candidate wins. However, if there is no majority winner after counting the first choices, the race is decided by an "instant runoff," according to the RCV Resource Center.
The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who ranked that candidate as their first choice will have their votes count for their next choice. This process continues until one candidate gets a majority of votes.
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'; oEngagementContainer_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.append(sHTML_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6); } }); } // Build engagement set $.each(oResponse.assets, function(index) { if (index == 1 && sOriginID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == null) { sOriginID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = oResponse.assets[0].id; } // Display assets once origin is found // Find origin then begin displaying assets if (bFoundOrigin_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == true) { if (this.id == sOriginID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6) { // Found orgin a second time. Stop gathering assets and kill next_url bStop_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = true; sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = null; oEngagementMore_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.remove(); } else if (bStop_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == false && this.id != '45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6') { // Display asset var sHTML_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = ''; if (this.content.includes('engagement-asset') && iDisplayCount_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 < iMaxDisplay_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6) { iDisplayCount_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 ++; sHTML_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 += '
' + this.content + '
'; } } } else { if (this.id == sOriginID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6) { // Origin found. Begin displaying assets bFoundOrigin_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = true; } else { // Origin found is false. Skip asset // Fail-safe in case origin is not present in set. This can be removed when origin is fixed. if (bFirstRun_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == true) { // Stored first id sFirstID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = this.id; bFirstRun_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = false; } else if (this.id == sFirstID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6) { // We've started again. Force origin sOriginID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = sFirstID_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6; bFoundOrigin_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = true; } // end Fail-safe } } // Append engagement assets to container oEngagementContainer_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.append(sHTML_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6); // Stop traversing asset array if (iDisplayCount_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 >= iMaxDisplay_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6) { bStop_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = true; return false; } }); // Include block_id on newly added list items oEngagementContainer_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.find('.engagement-item.original').each(function() { var sHref_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = scrubURL($(this).find("a.centered-content-link").attr("href")); if(sHref_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6!="javascript:void(0)"){ // Add content discovery tracking sHref_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 += '#tncms-source=endcard-gallery'; // Add to image and headlines links $(this).removeClass('original').find("a.centered-content-link").attr("href", sHref_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6); } }); // Check next URL if (sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 && bStop_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == false) { // if origin hasn't been found yet and we hit next_url. Trigger the set to pull in again. if (bFoundOrigin_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == false) { // No origin yet. Call the populate function __tnt.engagement.assets["45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6"].populate(sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6); } else { // Append sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 to engagement set oEngagementContainer_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.append('
'); if (iDisplayCount_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 < iMaxDisplay_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6) { // Get next url and request more assets __tnt.engagement.assets["45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6"].populate(oEngagementMore_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.data('next-url')); } } } // Add total count to container if (bStop_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 == true) { // Add total count to container oEngagementContainer_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.attr("data-engagement-total", iDisplayCount_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6); // Remove engagement loading spinner oEngagementSpinner_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6.remove(); return false; } } else { // Empty asset set returned. Go back in for a real set if(__tnt.engagement.assets["45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6"].attempts<2){ if(sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6==null||sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6==""){ sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6 = "/news/local/south-jersey-digest-april16/collection_45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6.html"; } __tnt.engagement.assets["45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6"].populate(sNextUrl_45cf2160_fb78_11ee_8434_f3ca97abe0d6); __tnt.engagement.assets["45cf2160-fb78-11ee-8434-f3ca97abe0d6"].attempts++; } } }); } } // Rewrite URL for preview // TODO move to one location function scrubURL(sURL) { if (typeof sURL != 'undefined'){ return sURL; } }
