Atlantic City’s oldest casino now has a new entertainment attraction, and Governor Chris Christie believes it is a symbol that the shore is back. Hundreds of people, including the Governor came out for the grand opening today of the Margaritaville restaurant, entertainment and gambling complex inside (and outside on the beach) of Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Officials on hand this afternoon said the entire complex was all about “having fun and celebrating the beach.”

The $35 million Jimmy Buffett-themed attraction is part of a $70 million makeover of Resorts, which opened 35 years ago this weekend.

The complex is expected to breathe new life into Resorts, which has struggled to compete against newer, larger casinos in Atlantic City and those in neighboring states. However, Governor Christie believes the the attractions mean far more than just that:

In addition to a restaurant, two bars, a coffee shop and a retail store, Margaritaville also spills onto the casino floor, with themed slot machine areas.

At the end of the ceremony, the folks from Margaritiville even gave Governor Christie the license to chill.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story. All Rights Reserved/Copyright 2013)

Source: Governor Chris Christie Sees New Margaritaville as Symbol for Recovery at the Shore [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

Bacon Week runs through May 18th, so there’s still plenty of time to indulge.

Georgia hosted our “Bacon Olympics” with Bacon Bites, where listeners competed in bacon games to win an overnight stay and dinner for two at Fin!

After that, they all enjoyed a delicious family style lunch with Georgia at Carmine’s!

Thank you to everyone at Tropicana for having us and keeping our bellys full of bacon!

Enjoy some of the pictures:

Another amazing Hottest Mom Contest is in the books. Cat Country 107.3 wants to congratulate contestant #4, Jamie, on her big win.

Jamie won several pairs of tickets to see Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and the Taste of Country Festival, PLUS a $500 gift certificate to Sage Jewelers for some new bling!

Check out the pictures:

We had SO much fun last night at Pigtails Hair Salon in Somers Point for the Pigtails Pajama Jam!  I want to say a huge thank you to Renee and her staff for having me out last night for the party!  We drank wine, we played Twister and Jenga and had a great time.  Thank you to everyone that came out and participated, it was a great night!  Check out the pictures here – be sure to look at my before and after photos of my hair!

The search continues in and around Boston for whoever planted two bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon that killed three and left 144 injured.

WBZ TV reports that  Massachusetts State Police converged on an apartment in nearby Revere but would not say why or what they were looking for other than to say it is in connection with the bombings.  Investigators were seen leaving with brown paper bags, plastic trash bags and a duffel bag.

Police also questioned a 20-year-old man Brigham and Women’s Hospital but he is not considered a suspect.

Federal investigators said no one had claimed responsibility for the devastating attack on one of the city’s most famous civic holidays, Patriots Day.  Two explosive devices went off within 15 seconds of each other in the finish line area in Copley Square at 2:45 p.m. following the running of the Boston Marathon.

U.S. Rep. William Keating, a member of the congressional Homeland Security Committee, says the twin bombs appear to be a coordinated attack according to WCVB TV.

Those who work in Boston are encouraged to report as usual but should expect heightened security and checkpoints. The MBTA subway will not be stopping in Copley Square. Flights are coming in-and-out of Boston’s Logan Airport as usual but tonight’s Celtics game at Boston Garden against the Indiana Pacers has been cancelled.

New Englanders who already had a tax-filing deadline of today because of the Patriot’s Day holiday will not have to file by today. Further details will be announced by today.

The American Red Cross in Boston is not calling for blood donations to help victims. “There is currently enough blood on the shelves to meet demand,” tweeted @RedCross.

Heightened Security In New Jersey

New Jersey’s bridges and tunnels are on heightened alert but the FBI says there has been no specific threats made. “The New Jersey State Police has recalled and pre-deployed our bomb unit, aviation crews, tactical teams, and search and rescue assets,” Lt. Stephen Jones, a department spokesman, said in a statement.

“NJ Transit police have deployed both uniformed and plain clothed officers to further patrol our system and keep our customers safe,” the organization said in a statement, asking riders to be aware of suspicious activity.

Increase In Security

A surge of security from coast-to-coast and across the Atlantic has followed the Boston Marathon bombings. Security intensified at the White House, New York’s Times Square, and in London ahead of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s funeral in London. The London Marathon is also scheduled this weekend. Police in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Detroit, San Diego and Las Vegas monitored landmarks, government buildings, transit hubs and sporting events.

The London Marathon will go on as scheduled. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson tells the BBC he is “absolutely confident” the race will be run on Sunday. “This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue,” he added.

The FBI is aware of the significance of April on the calendar. Yesterday was Patriots Day in Massachusetts and also the day federal income tax forms needed to be filed. 100 were killed in April, 1993 in the FBI’s siege of a compound in Waco, Texas while in April, 1995 nearly 200 were killed in the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story

Source: Boston Marathon Bombing Investigation Contiunues [VIDEO]

Two explosions went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon injuring at least 130 people, and killing at least 3 people according to Boston Police including an 8-year-old.   Of those 124 people, 15 of them are in critical condition. 

The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation into the bombing as victims continue to be treated at heavily guarded hospitals in and around Boston.

CNN reports that a law enforcement advisory is telling officers to be on the lookout for a “darker-skinned or black male” with a possible foreign accent in connection with bombing

The man was seen with a black backpack and sweatshirt and was trying to get into a restricted area about five minutes before the first explosion, the lookout notice states.

At an evening press conference investigators would not elaborate on a Saudi national’s connection with the bombing. He has a leg wound and was under guard at a Boston hospital. They would not call him a suspect.

Police are going through trash cans and items left behind by runners & spectators for evidence and other possible explosive items.

Investigators will hold another briefing on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.

President Obama promised “we will get to the bottom of this” and “those responsible for explosions `will feel the full weight of justice’

Massachusetts Congressman  Bill Keating (D), a member of the House Homeland Security committee, said an unexploded device was found at a hotel on Boylston Street, and another unexploded device was found at an undisclosed location. Keating described the incidents as a “sophisticated, coordinated, planned attack.”

CBS reports one of the devices was found under the grandstand.

At a later press conference, Boston Police backed off making a connection between a fire at the ice the John F. Kennedy Library in the Dorchester section of Boston, which is not near the Marathon route, and the Marathon explosions. WBZ TV in Boston says that a meeting at the library was cancelled due to electrical problems.

Police are still investigating a connection between the incidents. They ask the for the public’s help in reporting anything suspicious they may have seen this afternoon.

[button href="http://www.ibtimes.com/boston-police-scanner-online-stream-live-audio-marathon-explosions-site-1193493#" title="AUDIO: Listen To Boston Police & Fire Scanners" align="center"]

[button href="http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/15/explosions-rock-boston-marathon-finish-line-dozens-injured/yLhfDT1XC3HXSa8wPiVijL/igraphic.html" title="MAPS: See Where The Explosions Took Place" align="center"]

CBS also reports surveillance photos show a man carrying a backpack in the area where the explosions went off. Boston Police, however, say no suspect is in custody.

No Cell Phone Shut Down

Several cell phone providers deny that they shut down cell phone service in Boston immediately after the explosions. “Verizon Wireless has not been asked by any government agency to turn down its wireless service,” a spokesman told CNN. Cell service around the Boston area was overloaded and caused gaps and delays of service

Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick (D) urged people to get out of the area and not to congregate in groups.

Boston Police and Homeland Security say there were no credible threats made to the race leading to speculation that the attack may be “home grown” according to WBZ TV.

A no-fly zone over the site of two explosions at the annual Boston marathon has been lifted.

Some Business As Usual

Boston Mayor Tom Menino is urging people who work in Boston to report as usual. However, Governor Patrick warns there will be heightened security with backpack and bag checks. The MBTA’s Copley Square station will be closed on Tuesday.  The Green Line, however, will operate through the Back Bay, making stops at Hynes and Arlington Stawtions.

The Boston Bruins game against the Ottawa Senators at Boston Garden tonight has been cancelled. The Celtics game with the Indiana Pacers tomorrow night has also been cancelled and will not be made up.

Flights are getting in and out of Boston’s Logan Airport but all trains out of Boston’s North Station headed for the northern suburbs are being stopped and riders are being searched.

2 Explosions 15 Seconds Apart

The first explosion happened across from the Lenox Hotel; the second explosion rang out about 15 seconds later. WCVB TV which reports some of the injuries involved lost limbs.

The Boston Marathon’s Facebook page said the explosions were caused by bombs.

“I was turning the corner. I was near the Hynes (Convention) Center. I saw two explosions. I just turned around and ran. It was a fireball — a huge fireball,” one runner told WCVB TV.

Much of the Back Bay section of Boston has been put on lockdown including Emerson College. Service on the MBTA subway through the area has been suspended.

New Jersey’s EMS Task Force has issued a heightened state of readiness due to the explosion for the next 12 hours.

Due to the events in Boston – the NJ EMS Task Force has issued a HEIGHTENED STATE OF READINESS order to all major… fb.me/GtN0Yszw

— NJ EMS Task Force (@NJEMSTF) April 15, 2013

Neither race officials nor public officials could immediately estimate the number or degree of injuries.

A Patriots Day Tradition

Thousands were gathered at the finish line across from the Boston Public Library and the Prudential Center as the twin explosions went off. “There are a lot of people down,” said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding. Many of the injured appeared to be spectators who gathered for the 117th running of the race in Boston’s Copley Square.  Runners were still coming down Boylston Street as the explosion went off and were diverted onto another street towards a tent where many runners meet up with friends and family at the end of the race.  

The Associated Press contributed to this story

Source: Explosions Rock Boston Marathon Finish Line [VIDEO]

Townsquare Media partnered with Wedding Set Go to bring you the “Ultimate Wedding Experience”.  It was held at the Hamilton Mall this past Sunday from 11-4.

Source: Ultimate Wedding Experience [PHOTOS]

Townsquare Media welcomed the world’s number one food and entertaining magazine, Taste of Home, back to South Jersey at Resorts Casino Hotel for the “Taste of Home Cooking Show.”

Culinary specialist Cheryl Cohen wowed the audience with ten new recipes and cooking tips during the show!  See how fun cooking can be in our pictures below!

Source: Taste of Home Cooking Show [PHOTOS]

*The Fastest Female Runner – Alissa from Northfield

*The Fastest “Girl” Runner — Charlie from Mays Landing

*The runner who comes closest to the race time of our Cat Country Cat – Beth of EHC

*Best dressed – man who looks like a girl – Greg from Egg Harbor

*Random Drawing – Christine from Rio Grande

Check out the pictures!

Newtown, Connecticut tries to return to familiar routines as school resumes for most in a town shattered by the murder of 27 people inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School and two more young victims are laid to rest.

[button href="http://nj1015.com/tags/ct-school-shooting/" title="FULL COVERAGE: Connecticut School Shooting" align="center"]

A 6-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were laid to rest Tuesday, the latest in a long, almost unbearable procession of funerals.

Buses ferrying students to schools were festooned with large green-and-white ribbons on the front grills, the colors of Sandy Hook, as classes resumed for all Newtown schools except the stricken elementary school.

At Newtown High School, students in sweat shirts and jackets, many wearing headphones, betrayed mixed emotions. Some waved at or snapped photos of the assembled media horde, and others appeared visibly shaken.

“There’s going to be no joy in school,” said 17-year-old senior P.J. Hickey. “It really doesn’t feel like Christmas anymore.”

At St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown, back-to-back funerals were held for first-graders James Mattioli and Jessica Rekos, the first of eight to be held in the coming days at the church.

As mourners gathered outside, a motorcade led by police motorcycles arrived for the funeral of little James, who especially loved recess and math, and whose family described as a “numbers guy” who couldn’t wait until he was old enough to order a foot-long Subway sandwich.

The service had not yet concluded when mourners began arriving for the funeral of Jessica, who loved horses and was counting the years until she turned 10, when her family had promised her a horse of her own. For Christmas, she had asked Santa for new cowgirl boots and hat.

“We are devastated, and our hearts are with the other families who are grieving as we are,” her parents, Rich and Krista Rekos, said in a statement.

With the exception of the school that was the shooting site, students in the Newtown district are returning to classes on Tuesday.

BACK IN CLASS

At Newtown High School, students in sweatshirts and jackets, many wearing headphones, waved at or snapped photos of the assembled media horde on their way into the building. Reuniting with friends and getting back to school were welcome tasks, said one sophomore.

“It’s definitely better than just sitting at home watching the news,” said Tate Schwab, 15.

At home, his family, who moved to Newtown just last year, was distraught over the news. His mother cried over his 3-year-old sister, who would have eventually attended Sandy Hook, he said.

Dan Capodicci, whose 10-year-old daughter attends the school at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, said he thinks it’s time for her to get back to classes.

“It’s the right thing to do. You have to send your kids back. But at the same time I’m worried,” he said. “We need to get back to normal.”

Gina Wolfman said her daughters are going back to their seventh- and ninth-grade classrooms tomorrow. She thinks they are ready to be back with their friends.

“I think they want to be back with everyone and share,” she said.

The district is readying a former middle school for students who attended Sandy Hook Elementary and survived the shooting there.

Local police and school officials have been discussing how and where to increase security, and state police said they would be on alert for threats and hoaxes.

Six-year-old Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto were laid to rest Monday. More funerals are planned Tuesday and this week.

NBC’s The Voice paid tribute to the victims of gunman Adam Lanza with a performance of Hallellujah by host Carson Daly, hostess Christina Milan,  judges Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera plus several singers voted off Season 3. The group  held cards with the names of the fallen according to USA Today.

The Jets remembered the fallen in Newtown by wearing a “SHES” decal on their helmets in Nashville for a game against the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. Both teams observed a moment of silence before the game. Titans running back Chris Johnson wrote the names of all 26 victims on his sneakers worn during the game.

NRA Goes Silent

As grief turns to discussion about guns, the National Rifle Association, the nation’s largest gun-rights group, has gone eerily silent.

Its Facebook page has disappeared. It has not sent a message on Twitter since the extent of the carnage became clear. And no leaders of the 4.3 million-member organization appeared on the talk shows this past Sunday, two days after the shooting.

During past crises, the politically powerful group has defended gun owners’ constitutional right to bear arms.

One Republican strategist says the NRA’s approach is probably wise given the emotions involved. The organization has gone quiet after past tragedies.

Source: 2 More Victims Buried In Newtown, Connecticut [VIDEO]