$175,000 in Steel Stolen from Morey’s Piers Giant Wheel Renovation

Issue #603

February 19, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎡$175,000 in Steel Stolen from Morey’s Piers Giant Wheel Renovation

🏖️Quick Pins Propel Lower Cape May to South Jersey Group 2 Crown

📞Scam Alert: Fraudsters Targeting Tri-State Area with Fake Bank, Delivery Messages

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

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

 February 19

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$175,000 in Steel Stolen from Morey’s Piers Giant Wheel Renovation

A Cape May County man has been arrested in connection with the theft of more than $175,000 worth of steel components from Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. The materials were part of a major refurbishment project for the iconic Giant Wheel, a landmark attraction that dominates the Wildwood Boardwalk skyline. Police say the theft occurred over several days from a temporary beach work zone near Adventure Pier, where construction materials had been staged for the ongoing renovation. Investigators used surveillance footage to identify 67-year-old William Morelli of Wildwood Crest as the suspect. Authorities allege that he removed a significant amount of metal from the site and later sold it to a scrap yard. He has been charged with theft of movable property and was released on a summons under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines. Despite the financial impact and disruption to the project, Morey’s Piers officials say the setback will not delay the return of the Giant Wheel. Company leadership remains confident that the refurbished attraction will reopen as planned for the 2026 season, continuing its longstanding role as one of the Jersey Shore’s most recognizable and cherished rides. Authorities emphasized that the charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

  Quick Pins Propel Lower Cape May to South Jersey Group 2 Crown

Lower Cape May captured the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 wrestling championship with a commanding 46-27 victory over Collingswood, powered by a series of lightning-fast pins and bonus-point wins that quickly swung the match in its favor. The defining moment came at 120 pounds, where junior Bryce Paley secured a stunning nine-second pin, one of the fastest falls of the season. Senior Chase Hansen followed with a 13-second pin at 138 pounds, igniting a dominant stretch in which the Caper Tigers recorded eight bonus-point victories over a 10-bout span. In addition to the rapid falls from Paley and Hansen, Lower Cape May received pins from Tristan Rosemeyer, Jake Hearon, David Douglas, and Eli Glover, along with major decisions from Shane Morrell and Ryan Morgan. Although Collingswood won all three bouts that went the distance and added three pins of its own, the Panthers could not overcome the Tigers’ relentless momentum and depth. The sectional title marks the third in program history and the second in three years for Lower Cape May. The victory also serves as redemption after last season’s narrow loss in the sectional final. Ranked as the top Group 2 team in the state by power points, the Caper Tigers now advance to the state semifinals, where they are two wins away from pursuing the program’s first overall state championship.

 

Scam Alert: Fraudsters Targeting Tri-State Area with Fake Bank, Delivery Messages

  Officials are urging residents across New Jersey and Pennsylvania to remain vigilant amid a sharp rise in scam calls and text messages tied to specific phone numbers frequently used by fraudsters. As technology evolves, scammers are moving beyond traditional robocalls and increasingly targeting victims through convincing text messages that appear to come from legitimate banks, delivery services, government agencies or well-known companies. Many of the scams are designed to create panic or urgency. Messages may claim that a debit or credit card has been frozen, a large withdrawal has been detected, a package cannot be delivered due to an address problem, or that the recipient has won a prize or qualified for student loan forgiveness. Some schemes even include the recipient’s phone number or partial personal details to appear more credible. In reality, the goal is to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as banking credentials, Social Security numbers or payment details — often through gift cards or wire transfers. Important to note, consumer protection officials stress that legitimate financial institutions and government agencies do not request personal information through unsolicited texts or demand immediate payment to resolve an issue. Residents are advised to avoid responding to unfamiliar numbers, refrain from clicking suspicious links and independently verify any claims by contacting companies directly through official websites or customer service numbers. Authorities note that older adults are frequently targeted, making awareness and family conversations about scam tactics especially important. The overarching advice remains consistent: if a message seems urgent, unexpected or too good to be true, pause before taking action and verify the source to avoid becoming a victim.

Which of the following historic buildings in Cape May was designed by the architect who also contributed to the design of the United States Capitol?

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 Answer to the February 18th Trivia Question

What historic designation does Cape May hold that makes it unique among cities in the United States?

A) It is the oldest city in New Jersey.
B) It is the only city in the U.S. designated entirely as a National Historic Landmark.
C) It was the first city to have electric streetlights.
D) It is the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Answer: B) It is the only city in the U.S. designated entirely as a National Historic Landmark.

Cape May is the only city in the United States that has been designated in its entirety as a National Historic Landmark, largely due to its extensive collection of Victorian buildings and the preservation efforts following several destructive fires in the 19th century

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