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Wildwoods Construction Heats Up with Pier Expansion, Motel Upgrade, and Iconic Sign Restoration

Issue #576

January 14, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎠 Wildwoods Construction Heats Up with Pier Expansion, Motel Upgrade, and Iconic Sign Restoration

⚖️ Sworn In and Paid Up: New Jersey Lawmakers Receive 67% Boost

 👮Cape May County Officials Release Updates on Active Death Probe and Internet Crimes Case

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

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

 January 14

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Wildwoods Construction Heats Up with Pier Expansion, Motel Upgrade, and Iconic Sign Restoration

Construction efforts are ramping up in the Wildwoods as winter progresses, with significant upgrades planned and underway. Wildwood Crest will soon be home to a new fishing pier that extends 1,250 feet into the Atlantic and includes accessibility improvements and beach stair access. The VIP Motel is receiving a fresh lobby makeover that blends old and new. Meanwhile, one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks is receiving some much-needed care. The iconic Wildwoods sign, a popular photo backdrop for visitors, has undergone a full restoration of its signature beach balls. As construction momentum builds, these projects offer a glimpse of what’s to come in the Wildwoods, combining modern upgrades with community-focused enhancements that will help shape the summer of 2026 and beyond.

Sworn In and Paid Up: New Jersey Lawmakers Receive 67% Salary Boost

New Jersey lawmakers received a 67% pay raise this week as the new legislative session began, increasing salaries from $49,000 to $82,000. Leadership roles bring additional pay, and executive officials, including the incoming governor and lieutenant governor, also saw raises to $210,000. Supporters argue the raises are long overdue due to inflation and job demands, while critics point to ongoing budget issues and the part-time nature of the Legislature. Incoming Governor Mikie Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell will also receive the boosted salary of $210,000 annually—up from the $175,000 earned by their predecessors. Sherrill now ranks as the ninth-highest-paid governor in the country. Though the pay hikes are now law, they continue to stir debate over fiscal priorities in a state still wrestling with budget shortfalls and strained public services. As lawmakers settle into their new session—and their new pay grade—they face growing pressure to justify the investment with action. The changes add $4 million in annual taxpayer costs.

 

Cape May County Officials Release Updates on Active Death Probe and Internet Crimes Case

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, along with Wildwood Crest Police Chief Robert Lloyd, has released an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the deaths of two residents from Wildwood Crest. The victims have been positively identified as Donald Miller, 79, and Marion Miller, 79, both longtime residents of Wildwood Crest. Following the initial response, detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, working alongside the Wildwood Crest Police Department, conducted an extensive investigation. In a separate announcement, Prosecutor Sutherland also detailed a significant arrest made in Middle Township involving charges related to child abuse material. The investigation, conducted in cooperation with Middle Township Police Chief Tracey Super, began after a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified suspicious online activity involving illegal images. The individual was later identified as Thomas L. Stitt II, a 62-year-old resident of the Green Creek section of Middle Township. On January 8, 2026, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at Stitt’s residence. The operation involved members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Middle Township Police Department Detective Division, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.  Under state sentencing guidelines, a conviction on a second-degree charge carries a potential prison sentence of five to ten years. Both cases highlight ongoing law enforcement efforts across Cape May County, with officials emphasizing their continued commitment to thorough investigations and public safety.

Lucy the elephant in Margate had a sister in Cape May. What was her name?

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 Answer to the January 13th Trivia Question

Which event caused the borough of South Cape May to officially cease its existence in 1945?

A. A devastating hurricane and storm surge
B. A major fire in downtown Cape May
C. Economic collapse during the Great Depression
D. Merger with the city of Cape May

Answer: A devastating hurricane and storm surge

South Cape May was severely damaged by a series of storms, particularly the hurricane of 1944. The destruction was so extensive that the borough was officially dissolved in 1945. The land is now part of the South Cape May Meadows nature preserve.

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