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Driver slams into parked cars in Absecon, escapes car fire

ABSECON – A driver escaped serious injury after a three-car crash cause his car to go up in flames early Saturday morning.

Absecon Police say the accident happened just before 5:00 a.m. in the area of Ohio Avenue.

According to authorities, the driver struck two parked cars during the accident, which resulted in a fully engulfed vehicle fire. Police say the driver was not injured in the crash.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at (609) 641-0667.

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Cape May art gallery unveils one of last known Thomas Kinkade paintings

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CAPE MAY — History was made this weekend when one of the last ever Thomas Kinkade paintings was unveiled.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and for the dozens of paintings that hang on the walls of the Victorian Walk Gallery; a thousand is just the start.

The pieces are all part of the Thomas Kinkade Limited Edition Series.

On Saturday the first in a series of paintings was unveiled in historic Cape May.

The works were discovered in Kinkade’s studio following his death.

“Its going to go down in history that we were the first ones to unveil one of those paintings,� said Dawn Demayo of the Victorian Walk Gallery.

Kinkade was a frequent visitor to the tourist town, and has painted five different works that spot light Cape May attractions, and the iconic Victorian style homes.

“If you look at our beautiful architecture, Tom was so inspired to paint it. Each building is like a work of art so of course it was only natural that he was inspired to paint it,� said Demayo.

The exhibit gave visitors a chance to see one of his last known works of art in person, as well as a chance to purchase one of the many stylized pieces available.

Kinkade was an icon in the modern day art community, and his impact was felt here in Cape May.

“I think he raised the cultural awareness in terms of art for the community its self. He painted five different paintings of Cape May. He truly enjoyed himself down here,� said Joe Demayo of the Victorian Walk Gallery.

The exhibit is available all summer long and is free to the public.

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Beach goers react to possible state smoking ban

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OCEAN CITY – In Ocean City, a new ordinance banning smoking from the boardwalk will soon take effect. At the same time, state lawmakers await a decision from Governor Christie which would create a near-total smoking ban on all New Jersey beaches.

For some beachgoers in Ocean City, a puff on a cigarette completes a relaxing afternoon. But for others like Nicole Licastri of Toms River, the day when cigarette trash disappears from the beaches can’t come quick enough. nbc40 top technology news source

“Second-hand smoke is awful for the children for the kids on the beaches, it’s just not healthy,” said Licastri.

Several North Jersey coastal towns have banned smoking altogether. The mayor of Belmar tells NBC 40 he’s seen a 15% spike in tourism revenue since the ban went into effect earlier this summer. New Jersey lawmakers recently passed a bill banning smoking from all coastal beaches and boardwalks, except in small designated areas.

Some smokers like Heather Stefan say a complete ban would infringe on her rights.

“I think it’s silly. You have designated areas and you smoke in those areas, they are well signed. You don’t want to be around smoking? Walk on the other side of the boardwalk,” said Stefan.

Ocean City officials say a complete smoking ban will go into effect for the entire length of the boardwalk, but not on the actual beach.

Even if Governor Christie signs the bill, it wouldn’t take effect on the entire state for at least 180 days.

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Workers repair and fill sinkhole in Ocean City

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OCEAN CITY – Workers in Ocean City continued to fill an eight-foot deep sinkhole after the road collapsed Wednesday evening.

“It’s about as scary as you can get.”

Will Parsels is referring to the eight-foot deep sinkhole located only a matter of steps from his front door. He says he is grateful that no one was hurt when it collapsed Wednesday evening.

But Ocean City residents say that the location is a little too close to home.

“You read and see these people who have lost their lives sleeping in bed and all the sudden boom they are in a hole,” said Parsels.

“We were hearing these booms, as the trucks and trailers were going over it and stuff was flying out of them and when we went outside to look it was a big pot hole,” said Ocean City resident, Eric Schepps.

On Thursday workers repaired the sinkhole that opened in the intersection of Bay Avenue and 20th Street and filled it with what is refereed to as “clean-fill”.

“In order for us to do our work we’ve got to make that hole larger because the main is so deep, its 8 or 9 feet deep,” said New Jersey American Water site manager, Dave Gelona. “We’ve got to put sheeting down to protect the sides of the main. Protect the sides of the hole so its doesn’t collapse.”

Officials say the hole may have been partially caused by Hurricane Sandy. During the storm the streets were flooded with water.

That combined with Wednesdays 80 degree weather, they say could have caused the road to buckle, and a gravity sewer main to collapse.

“Could be a break in a storm drain line or a break in the sewage main. We’re not really sure. Or it could be Hurricane Sandy related. We’re not really sure at this point,” said Gelona.

Recently sinkholes of this magnitude have become more common here in South Jersey. Some have been reported in Atlantic City and one even opening up in Brigantine on March 27th.

“It could happen to anyone, anyplace, anytime.”

New Jersey American Water confirmed that a sewer main did collapse but it did not affect any customers. The closed roads due to the sinkhole are expected to re-open early Thursday evening.

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Vandals leave offensive remark on digital highway sign

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UPPER TWP. – On Sunday evening, residents in Upper Township say an electronic sign that is supposed to caution them about a changed traffic pattern in the area instead displayed an inappropriate, inaccurate, and offensive message along Route 49.

Ginny Chiappini lives along Route 49 and said, “It’s inappropriate for any kind of derogatory comments. Whether it be the road, or a sign, indicating to someone’s property…it’s just not appropriate.”

“Assville Next Left” is what the sign read Sunday night when one our NBC40 viewers drove by and took a picture. “I’m speechless really. I don’t know who would want to stop and do that. Somebody who’s not all there if you know what I mean,” explained Upper Township resident, Al Lund.

Officials with the New Jersey Department of Transportation say the “Portable Variable Message Sign” in the photo is a contractor board owned by South State Incorporated.

While it is unknown how or when the profane message was posted, officials with NJDOT released a statement saying: “The contractor removed the message last night as soon as it was notified of the vandalism. The department has reiterated to the contractor that the control boxes of all the PVMS must be secured with a lock to prevent vandalism.”

However, when an NBC40 reporter went to check out the message board Monday morning, the control box appeared to be unlocked and easily accessible.

Upper Township Mayor, Richard Palombo, explained, “It appears that it’s an isolated incident. Someone was trying to be funny, but I think the operators of the sign need to be more aware of the fact that the security and the access to that information needs to be more secure.”

The Mayor of Upper Township told NBC40 he thinks this whole situation could’ve been a lot worse. “I think what we are more concerned about is that someone was able to access it over the weekend. They could have put more explicit information on that sign. They could have put even some kind of racial slur, which is not tolerable in this township.”

Officials have not indicated whether the box was broken into, or left unsecured.

We reached out to South State Incorporated for a comment about the inappropriate message, but because of their contract with NJDOT, officials told us they declined to comment.

Employees protest the privatization of state group homes

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VINELAND – “It would devastate our community.”

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are hoping to raise awareness for what they say are the damaging affects of privatizing state group home.

“What would happen is they would be out of work, some of them would be able to draw employment or bump other employees that would put them out of work,” said AFSCME Local 2215 president, Mattie Harrell.

The state argues the switch is needed to establish parity and align resources. Along with job loss, employees worry what this may do to the quality of care.

“The quality of care is excellent and they have never had any closed for any neglect or anything else, unlike private homes,” said Harrell.

The state disputes that claim, a Human Services Representative issued a statement saying:

“Under a fee–for–service payment system, individuals with developmental disabilities will be able to move into and receive supports from providers of their choice. This flexibility is required in our Medicaid waiver programs and not possible if state workers staff the home because there are fixed costs that are not portable to new providers if residents decided to move.”

Senator Jeff Van Drew had previously fought to keep developmental centers open, but he says this is a different situation.

“The state is saying because of the federal rules and regulations, its necessary, we’re trying to really dig into that and see if that’s accurate,” said Van Drew. “We can’t stop it, we can’t stop privatization, and we’re going to see if there’s a way we can help, and any way we can keep the people working.”

Officials with the Department of Human Services say the transfer of operations will begin in December.