17-Year-Old Charged After Firing Shots on Crowded Wildwood Boardwalk

Issue #393

July 14, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather 

👮‍ 17-Year-Old Charged After Firing Shots on Crowded Wildwood Boardwalk

🌉 Step Back in Time: Cape May’s Congress Hall Has Welcomed Guests Since 1816

⚡PJM Kicks Off Auction That Will Shape Next Year's Power Prices

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 July 14

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17-Year-Old Charged After Firing Shots on Crowded Wildwood Boardwalk

 A 17-year-old from Pennsauken was arrested after gunfire erupted on the Wildwood boardwalk early on July 5, 2025. Police recovered a loaded handgun and 16 shell casings. The teen faces multiple weapons-related charges and was taken to a juvenile detention center. No injuries were reported in the incident. The boardwalk had already seen heightened tension earlier in the evening due to reports of fireworks being mistaken for gunfire, which contributed to public alarm. Local law enforcement acknowledged the quick collaboration between the Wildwood Police Department, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, and Cape May County Sheriff’s Department in resolving the incident.

Step Back in Time: Cape May’s Congress Hall Has Welcomed Guests Since 1816

 For over 200 years, Congress Hall has stood as a symbol of hospitality and resilience in Cape May, New Jersey. First opened in 1816 as a humble boarding house, the hotel has grown into a celebrated resort with a storied past that mirrors the evolution of one of America’s oldest seaside towns.

Originally named “The Big House” by its founder, Thomas H. Hughes, the boarding house quickly drew local skepticism. Locals dubbed it “Tommy’s Folly,” convinced the oversized structure would never fill its rooms. Yet, summer after summer, guests arrived in droves, unfazed by the bare walls and modest furnishings.

In 1828, after Hughes was elected to Congress, the boarding house was renamed Congress Hall in honor of his new role. The name stuck, and so did the growing popularity of both the hotel and Cape May. By the mid-19th century, the seaside destination was rivaling Saratoga and Newport, drawing crowds from across the region.

Despite its fame, Congress Hall fell into disrepair in the early 1900s amid a dispute between its owner, Annie Knight, and the city. It remained closed for over a decade until a resolution was reached in the early 1920s. Following a renovation, the hotel reopened and continued to thrive—introducing Cape May’s first post-Prohibition cocktail bar in 1934.

From 1968 to 1995, Congress Hall served as the home of the Cape May Bible Conference, preserving the building through decades when many of Cape May’s historic structures were being replaced by modern motels.

A major restoration effort began after the hotel was purchased in 1995. Today, Congress Hall enters its third century blending classic charm with modern comfort, a living testament to Cape May’s enduring appeal and the timeless tradition of seaside hospitality

PJM Kicks Off Auction That Will Shape Next Year's Power Prices

 PJM Interconnection has begun its electricity capacity auction for the 2026–2027 delivery year, which will significantly impact future electricity prices. After last year's dramatic price surge led to steep rate increases, a federally negotiated price cap is now in place. With a temporary price cap now in effect, energy analysts and policymakers are closely watching to see how it will influence auction outcomes and consumer rates. The results will offer early insight into whether the measures taken have succeeded in curbing rate volatility or if further intervention may be needed.

What is the historic significance of the Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May?

What is the historic significance of the Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May?

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Answer to the July 13th Trivia Question

What notable historical figure is honored by a museum in Cape May, New Jersey?

A) Harriet Tubman
B) Frederick Douglass
C) Sojourner Truth
D) Martin Luther King Jr.

Answer: A) Harriet Tubman

The Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, New Jersey, celebrates the life and work of the famed abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman. The museum is located in the Howell House, which was formerly the Macedonia Baptist Church Parsonage, and is part of the Cape May Historic District.

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