The following is an unedited release from the Cape May Couty Public Information Office:

The Cape May County Bridge Commission has lifted tolls on Ocean Drive Bridges effective 2 p.m. Monday, May 12 until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

TO ALL RESIDENTS AND PERSONS WITHIN THE

COUNTY OF CAPE MAY

NEW JERSEY

AND TO ALL DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE

COUNTY OF CAPE MAY

MAY 12 -13, 2008 NORTHEAST STORM
COASTAL FLOOD WARNINGS (8’ TIDES)
GALE FORCE WINDS (40-45 MPH SUSTAINED)

Scene in Washington, D.C. at 2007 Police Unity Tour. Local officers will be remembered May 10 as part of National Police Week, May 11-17.

CREST HAVEN — A horde of bicyclists will be on New Jersey highways this weekend headed for Washington, D.C. as part of the Police Unity Tour, Inc.

According to Detective Ed Musick of county Prosecutor’s Office, president of Chapter 2 of the group, based in Sea Isle City, over 165 bicyclists are expected “from the South,” while 500 are expected to rider “from the North,” such as Essex and Bergen counties.

Riding in his eighth year, Musick recalled when the tour started locally, there were 35 to 40 riders, so to have 165 is a heart-warming number.

32nd Class of Special Law Enforcement Officers Class 2 Officers will graduate May 9 at Middle Township Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m.

COURT HOUSE – May 9 was memorable for 26 officers who were members of the 32nd Basic Course for Special Law Enforcement Officers.

At 4 p.m. in the Middle Township Performing Arts Center, they will become Class 2 police officers, which enables them to carry a weapon. They have trained for the day since Dec. 8, 2007 at the Cape May County Police Academy, Crest Haven.

Class president was Robert Saunders from the Lower Township Police Department. He was elected by members of the class.

Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten, left, should be glad when Judge Susan Maven, right, starts hearing criminal cases May 12 in Court House.

COURT HOUSE –– A local judge is about to get some much-needed caseload help.

Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten, who sits on the bench in the Criminal Division, has been flying solo since Judge Carmen Alvarez was reassigned to the Appellate Division in August 2007.

Batten has been busy.

County's coastal water monitoring program tests weekly for levels of harmful contaminants in ocean water.

COURT HOUSE – This year’s Coastal Water Monitoring Program is scheduled to begin in Cape May County on May 12.

The Health Department, in cooperation with the state Department of Environmental Protection is continuing its Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program.

“The monitoring program reaffirms our commitment to the surveillance and protection of the public’s health, coastal environment and natural resources, ” stated Freeholder Gerald Thornton in a release.

Front, device worn by patients in Project Lifesaver. Left, Mosquito Department helicopter that tracks patients.

WEST CAPE MAY –– A helicopter circled Les Rea’s Farm seeking the location of K-9 Officer James Peterson of the County Sheriff’s Office among the trees and brush April 29.

K-9 Officer Russ Norcross waved a mobile antenna to trace a signal emitting from Peterson’s wrist. The receiver chirps more rapidly as Pilot Lynn Hayward of the county Mosquito Department curves the helicopter in the direction of the signal to find Peterson’s location.

The recovery took only about 15 minutes, but 15 minutes can seem like an eternity when a loved-one is missing.

COURT HOUSE — A dozen more voters said “no” than ‘yes,” to Middle Township’s proposed $20.8-million tax levy for the K-12 school district on April 15. Because of that slim margin, 358-346, Middle Township Committee took action May 5.

On the Middle Township Committee agenda for the first meeting in May at 6 p.m. was a resolution to cut $300,000 from the defeated Middle Township Board of Education $20.8 million budget, a 1.5 percent reduction.

Front, First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir under direction of Nancy Robinson performs May 4. Left, $1-million Family Worship Center on Church Street, Court House dedicated May 4. Photos by Al Campbell

COURT HOUSE -- A dream for more Sunday school space and larger Fellowship Hall that started in Summer 2001 became reality May 4 at First United Methodist Church.

The Family Worship Center was consecrated by three clergy of the church, Pastor Ted Osler, Pastor Jesse McLain and Pastor H. Raymond Hughes and Cape Atlantic District Superintendent Rev. Paul Maliel.

The church’s handbell, Praise Team and Sanctuary choirs participated, as the congregation joined in sang and prayer at the 1 p.m. service.

Front, Assignment Judge Valerie Armstrong speaks May 1 in new Law Library in county courthouse. Left, Robert St. John, Vicinage 1 law librarian gives instruction on Lexis-Nexis computer terminal. Photos by Al Campbell

COURT HOUSE — A Law Day celebration at Cape May County Courthouse was held May 1 in the newly renovated and relocated Law Library.

That library, off the rear lobby of the building, is an incorporation of old and new: old law books and new computers that link the public and attorneys to all statutes and court records.

Law Day is a national day set aside to marks the theme of this year's celebration "Rule of Law," which was defined as a "wonderful relationship between the Bar Association, government and the public," by Howard Berchtold, trial court administrator.