Northeast
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, beach ordered to open on Sunday mornings for first time in 155 years
A Christian shore town will open its beach on Sunday mornings for the first time in 155 years.
Since 1869, Ocean Grove, New Jersey, has kept its mile-long strip of Jersey Shore beach closed for religious observation until noon on Sundays.
Now, following ongoing pushback from the state of New Jersey, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) has been ordered to open the beach.
NEW JERSEY SHORE TOWN OFFERS BOARDWALK IN SHAPE OF THE CROSS DESPITE CRITICISM: ‘CAN’T HIDE OUR FAITH’
“For 155 years, we have closed our beach on Sunday mornings to honor God — a core pillar of this community since the founding of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association,” the group wrote in a statement posted on its website.
“Now, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is ordering us to open our privately owned beach on Sunday mornings.”
The sun rises on Easter morning in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
The OGCMA announced that it will challenge the order “to preserve our property rights and religious freedom.”
The association wrote, “Our application for an emergent stay is pending, but we have no indication when an Order will be entered. We are currently compelled to comply with the NJDEP order to open the beach, but have not ceased nor abandoned our quest to protect our religious and property rights.”
NEW JERSEY CHRISTIAN BEACH TOWN FACES PRESSURE TO STOP ITS FAITH-BASED CLOSURES ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
Ocean Grove will provide lifeguards on Sunday mornings for the safety of beachgoers, in the meantime, it said.
“We continue to do ministry by providing opportunities for spiritual birth, growth and renewal through worship, education and cultural programs,” the OGCMA concluded in its statement. “As always, we welcome all to join us in ‘God’s Square Mile.’”
A sign displays Ocean Grove, New Jersey’s Sunday morning beach closure message. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
After finding the OGCMA to be in violation of the Coastal Area Facility Review Act, the NJDEP served the group with an administrative order in Oct. 2023 to remove the padlocks and chains from their beach site from May through September.
The agency threatened fines of $25,000 per day if Ocean Grove does not comply.
On May 21, NJDEP commissioner Shawn LaTourette denied the OGCMA’s subsequent request to stay, or halt, the order pending appeal.
NEW JERSEY SERVES VIOLATION NOTICE TO OCEAN GROVE FOR ITS SUNDAY BEACH CLOSURES: IT’S ‘ANTI-CHRISTIAN’
“I find that OGCMA has not demonstrated that a stay of departmental enforcement of applicable public access requirements is warranted in this matter,” the commissioner concluded in the legal document, which was shared with Fox News Digital.
“Accordingly, OGCMA’s request for a stay is denied.”
The NJDEP declined further comment to Fox News Digital this week, as the “matter is in litigation.”
An assortment of Ocean Grove’s community beach badges are shown in the Jersey Shore sand. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
In Aug. 2023, Ocean Grove received a letter from the NJDEP warning of this outcome.
Several protests also occurred last summer, as opposition groups trespassed onto Ocean Grove’s private beach property while it was closed for Sunday worship.
In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, former OGCMA President Michael Badger said the Sunday morning beach closure is important for furthering Ocean Grove’s tradition and respecting religious observation.
“It creates a quieter, less stressful environment,” he said. “It’s in keeping with the historic charm that is characteristic of Ocean Grove and differentiates us from our neighboring communities.”
He also said, “There’s less traffic in the streets. It’s slightly easier to get parking. You don’t have the Italian ice and ice cream trucks going up and down the street.”
Counter-protesters are pictured in front of an Ocean Grove beach entrance in 2023. OGCMA is a private, religiously affiliated nonprofit that owns the land in Ocean Grove — including the near-half-mile beach, boardwalk and pier. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
It also grants Ocean Grove’s lifeguards half a day off, he said — and allows people to attend church.
“Overall, it’s improving the quality of life that benefits both secular and religious intentions,” he said.
Ocean Grove has had its beach closed on Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon between Memorial Day and Labor Day for a couple of decades, Badger shared.
Before that, the city closed its beach all day on Sundays.
OGCMA is a private, religiously affiliated nonprofit that owns the land in Ocean Grove — including the near-half-mile beach, boardwalk and pier — and is home to the longest-serving lifeguard corps in New Jersey, according to Badger.
Fox News Digital reached out to the OGCMA for further comment.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off June 11, is expected to draw large crowds to Massachusetts, with matches scheduled at Boston Stadium (aka Gillette Stadium) across six different dates.
But it’s not the only major event happening across the Greater Boston area this summer, as the World Cup also overlaps with plenty of exciting local celebrations.
Whether you live in Massachusetts or are visiting for the World Cup, take a look at these events that promise an unforgettable experience:
GroundBeat Concert Series
The Esplanade along the Charles River will host a series of free waterfront concerts celebrating Boston’s vibrant music scene. All performances take place at the iconic DCR Hatch Memorial Shell at 47 David G. Mugar Way, and each event features live music, vendors, outdoor games and activities for the whole family—plus beautiful views of the Charles River. The concerts announced so far will be held Sunday, May 31; Wednesday, June 3; Wednesday, June 10; and Wednesday, June 17. For the full schedule and to register to attend, click here.
Boston FIFA Fan Fest
From June 12-27, the city will host the fan festival at City Hall. The daily event is free for all ages, with games, music, live entertainment, local vendors, and broadcasts of multiple World Cup matches. Attendees must register in advance, since only 5,000 fans will be allowed in due to security screening.
Guinness Record for the World’s Biggest Soccer Ball
On June 13, Massport will attempt to break the Guinness record for the biggest soccer ball in the world in East Boston. The free community event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Piers Park II. The day will include family activities, games, and live entertainment, though World Cup matches will not be shown. The installation will be open to the public from June 12-18.
Boston Dragon Boat Festival
The 2026 Boston Dragon Boat Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14. This event welcomes more than 70 teams and over 60,000 attendees and athletes. The festival day includes arts and crafts activities, performances, food vendors, and racing competitions.
Bunker Hill Parade
The Bunker Hill Parade commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, the armed forces, and the spirit of American heritage, while celebrating Boston’s historic Charlestown neighborhood. The event will take place on June 14 at 12:30 p.m., and the march runs from Vine Street to Bunker Hill Street, then to Main Street, to Monument Avenue, to Monument Square, to Winthrop Street and ending at Common Street. Considered one of the longest-running parades in the United States, it’s a wonderful chance—if you’re visiting during the World Cup—to experience authentic Boston.
Boston Asian Food Festival
This food festival is scheduled for June 20-21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on Atlantic Ave. The festival features delicious food, fun games, live performances, live music, and a DJ keeping the energy up all day long. More information here.
Boston Harborfest
From July 2-4, this festival will offer hundreds of activities during Independence Day week at the city’s most iconic historic landmarks. This family-friendly event is Boston’s Official Fourth of July Celebration. Boston Harborfest activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, live music, fireworks, and much more!
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular returns to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade for its 52nd edition on Saturday, July 4, from 7-9:30 p.m. The Pops concert will feature three very special guest artists: Grammy-winning country superstar Lainey Wilson, three-time Grammy winner Chance the Rapper, and Grammy-winning NOLA icon Trombone Shorty. The event will conclude with a stunning fireworks show that will light up the Charles River, synchronized to music performed by the Boston Pops starting at 9:15 p.m.
Sail Boston
Boston is an official port of Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships and military vessels celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Tall Ships return to Boston Harbor from July 11-16. This spectacular event offers crews, cadets, and visitors from around the world an unforgettable experience and a first-class maritime celebration. Come see why Tall Ships America named Boston its Port of the Year in 2009 and 2017.
New baby lion grooms itself in video shared by Pittsburgh Zoo
The Pittsburgh Zoo welcomed a new lion cub and shared a behind-the-scenes video of it learning to groom itself.
This summer, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will have a new “mane” attraction after a cub’s birth in April.
The female cub, born to nine-year-old parents Scarlett and Hondo, came into the world on April 5.
Scarlett and her cub were residing in a private maternity den as of May 20, the zoo said in a release. Here’s when you’ll be able to see them.
When can I see Pittsburgh Zoo’s new lion cub?
The lion cub, who doesn’t have a name yet, will likely make her public debut in late summer. The zoo is waiting until the cub shows strong mobility skills before placing her in the public lion habitat. In the meantime, adult lions are still out and about and can be seen by zoo visitors.
Where is Pittsburgh Zoo’s lion cub?
As of May 20, the cub and Scarlett were in a quiet area away from the public to let them bond, with veterinarians routinely performing health checkups.
This, according to the zoo, is to mimic how lions and their cubs would behave in the wild: Lionesses seek out isolated shelters where they can hunker down with their young until the cubs are strong enough to join their pride.
How big is Pittsburgh Zoo’s lion cub?
The zoo didn’t say exactly how big the lion cub was, but it said cubs typically weigh about two or three pounds when they’re born. Much like domestic cats, lion cubs are born blind, with their eyes opening within a week or two.
“The cub is doing great and exceeding milestones,” Assistant Curator of Mammals Karen Vacco said. “Scarlett is an excellent mother and has been caring for the cub well. Animal care staff are carefully monitoring healthy nursing patterns and normal maternal behavior.”
When did Pittsburgh Zoo last have lion cubs?
It’s been nearly six years since a lion cub was born at Pittsburgh Zoo. The last birth was in July 2020, when lioness Abana mothered three cubs.
Pittsburgh cub’s birth marks ‘major victory’ for species survival
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium noted that the birth of the cub marks a “major victory” for the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Lion Species Survival Plan. The plan is a national effort to ensure genetic diversity in animals in human care.
In the wild, African lions are vulnerable, as they face threats from habitat loss, conflict with humans and declining prey. Successfully rearing lion cubs is part of conservation efforts to help the future of the species, the zoo said.
How much do Pittsburgh Zoo tickets cost?
Tickets to visit the zoo between May 22 and September 7 cost between $31 and $36, depending on the specific ticket you opt for. On May 21, there are single-day tickets that range in price from $20 to $24.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Eversource customers in Connecticut may see a double-digit rate hike next summer.
The electric company filed a letter of intent on Wednesday seeking a rate hike of about 11% across all customer classes and about 13% for residential customers. If the distribution rate is approved as proposed, it would begin on July 1, 2027.
A spokesperson for Eversource said the letter of intent details an annual operating revenue deficiency of about $503 million, not including storm costs between 2018 and 2023.
The economy, inflation, supply chain challenges and other factors increased equipment costs and materials across the utility industry, according to Eversource.
To maintain the level of “affordable reliability and resiliency” customers expect, an increased investment is needed, an Eversource spokesperson said.
Read the full letter of intent below:
The letter of intent is the first step in requesting that regulators review and adjust distribution rates to reflect the modern cost of maintaining electric systems and services.
Eversource Spokesperson Sarah Paduano’s full statement on Wednesday read:
“Today we submitted a letter of intent (LOI) to file a distribution rate review for our electric operations – the first in nearly a decade. Over the last 10 years, customers have experienced increased reliability as a direct result of our strategic investments in the electric system, and increased investment is needed to maintain the level of affordable reliability and resiliency that customers have come to expect.
The LOI is standard procedure and submitted prior to filing the actual rate review application. This is the first step in the process to request regulators review and adjust current distribution rates to better reflect the cost of maintaining the electric system and safely delivering power to customers across Connecticut. Our LOI details an operating revenue deficiency of approximately $503 million annually, which excludes 2018-2023 storm costs. If approved as proposed, the average increase would be approximately 11% across all customer classes and approximately 13% for residential customers starting July 1, 2027.
Our storm costs are currently being evaluated by PURA in a separate docket, and we are hopeful regulators will authorize securitization for those costs, which is a specialized financing method that will allow those costs to be recovered over a much longer timeframe of 20 years and at a lower interest rate compared to the traditional six year recovery. If securitization is approved, this will substantially lower bill impacts for customers and allow us to keep the full amount of storm costs from our rate review application.“
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong released the following statement Wednesday in response to the proposed rate increase:
“Connecticut families are getting crushed by unaffordable energy costs while Eversource executives crow to Wall Street over surging profits and rake in multimillion dollar bonuses. But they choose now to demand hundreds of millions of dollars more. Why? Because after years of litigation and lobbying, they finally ran their chief regulator out of town. They want a rate hike now not because they need one, but because they think they can get away with it. We’re going to scrutinize every profit, every bonus, every perk and every padded expense in their application and we’re going to be fighting for Connecticut families and small businesses at every step of this process.”
Paduano said there are no CEO, CFO, or company president salaries or variable pay included in the proposed rate request.
Consumer Counsel Claire E. Coleman also released the following statement on Wednesday on the rate filing:
“A letter of intent is the first step in the rate case process, where a company notifies regulators that it intends to seek a rate increase. Eversource will now have up to 60 days to file a full application, formally triggering what is expected to be one of the most consequential utility review proceedings in years. Once filed, OCC will aggressively scrutinize the company’s request, conduct discovery, cross examine Eversource witnesses, and present recommendations to PURA to ensure customers are not asked to pay for anything beyond the most necessary and cost-effective investments. My office will prioritize keeping costs as low as possible for consumers already struggling with affordability challenges, while promoting critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, consumer protections, and overall system reliability. Because Eversource has not undergone a rate review since 2018, this case will provide the first real opportunity in years to thoroughly examine the company’s operations, spending decisions, and priorities under a microscope. This process will also provide multiple opportunities for members of the public, community organizations, and elected officials to participate through public hearings and written comments submitted into the record. OCC strongly encourages consumers to stay engaged throughout the proceeding and to visit our website or contact our office directly for information on how to participate.”
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