In Pennsylvania, just over 2% of Gen Z students believe elected officials act in their best interests. Three-quarters say they don’t.
These findings come from more than 2,800 conversations across 16 colleges and universities in the state. Project 26 Pennsylvania collected them without a script, giving students space to speak freely.
Young Pennsylvanians believe the commonwealth’s institutions are slow to respond and are detached from daily realities. They pointed to artificial intelligence and its workforce implications, social polarization, and global issues that feel increasingly vital to confront on a local and regional level.
In my role withthe United Nations Association of the USA, I meet regularly with young Americans across the country. They’re not apathetic — far from it. They know what it looks like when institutions function — and when they drift.
A few weeks ago, I visited a campus in Bethlehem and heard from students who were deeply engaged and informed. They focused on conservation, economic growth, healthcare access, and local governance. But when the conversation turned to institutional performance, their confidence plummeted.
They described government bodies that move slowly, communicate inconsistently, and prioritize politics over problem-solving.
There is a clear contrast between what they see at home and what I see globally.
The U.N. has expanded youth engagement at a historic pace. It created a dedicated Youth Office and invited young people into negotiations. Leaders expect a direct report on the concerns and ideas of young Americans.
Pennsylvania’s institutions should view this as a model if they want to start restoring trust.
That’s because the risk of inaction is more than disengagement; it’s dislocation. Young adults are moving to places that do pay attention to and meet their needs.
A Pennsylvania State Data Center analysis found that almost half of Pennsylvanians moving out of state were between the ages of 18-34. Many of them are opting for faster-growing places like Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.
If a global system of 193 member states that agree on little else can coalesce around the need to build structured pathways for youth involvement, then Pennsylvania’s agencies and local governments can do the same.
This shift does not require a redesign of government — just consistency and intention. There are steps the Keystone State can take now.
Several Pennsylvania cities already show what youth engagement can look like.
Allentown created a Council of Youth by resolution, though all 16 seats appear vacant. Pittsburgh has a youth coordinator who runs its Youth Commission, and Philadelphia operates a Youth Commission of its own. These are promising starts, and all townships and boroughs should follow. But they are often tucked deep into municipal websites rather than positioned as visible civic priorities.
Gov. Josh Shapiro should create a statewide youth advisory cabinet with a direct line to major agencies. States like Iowa, North Carolina, and Massachusetts already run strong statewide youth councils.
In fact, Pennsylvania does have a strong model already in the NextGen Advisory Council, which brings young leaders into decision-making on conservation and public lands. That same approach should be extended across agencies.
These steps are practical. They also reflect respect for young people, who are not the “next” generation, but are active contributors shaping our commonwealth.
They organize events, testify at meetings, vote in local elections, and devote time to issues that affect their communities. They have shaped mental health advocacy, launched small businesses, and pushed for housing initiatives in cities across the state.
If institutions want to restore trust, they need to match that level of seriousness.
Trust does not return through campaign outreach or social media posts. It grows when young people see their work is taken seriously and leads to outcomes — and when institutions welcome their involvement with regularity and purpose.
Pennsylvania has a window to rebuild confidence. The Project 26 findings should not be dismissed as youth discontent, but read as a statement of expectations — and an opportunity.
Half of the students surveyed said they would be motivated to take political action “if they felt it would make a difference.” They are engaged, ready, and eager to help build a stronger Pennsylvania.
The question is whether the commonwealth’s leaders will invite them into the process.
Jarrett James Lash serves as the 14th UNA-USA youth observer to the United Nations and is a municipal planner in Montgomery County.
A protest at an event honoring Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his antigay policies. The right has targeted trans people, in particular.
Meanwhile, the abundance of research demonstrating that transgender people suffer disproportionate violent victimization, homelessness, and suicide has remained largely unaddressed.
Moderate politicians’ concern with appealing to wider audiences in thesedivisive times exacts a cost: to trans kids’ health, safety, and dignity in their schools and communities.
Ambivalent Democrats
Rather than forging alliances to protect the safety and constitutional rights of transgender citizens, some of the most influential members of the Democratic Party — from Kamala Harris to Pete Buttigieg to Rahm Emanuel to Gavin Newsom — have at least partially capitulated before the political tidal wave of anti-transgender disinformation, complete with all of the red herrings it washes ashore.
More importantly, by keeping to the intentionally distorted discourse about transgender people — rather than countering sensationalized falsehoods and vitriolic rhetoric with integrity and conviction — politicians end up appealing to and emboldening constituencies who lean into disinformation out of fear. This isn’t only cynical, it’s dangerous. FBI hate crime statistics tell a bleak story of the rise in vigilante violence against transgender Americans, coinciding with a steep rise in political antagonism and targeted scapegoating.
A recent effort led by U.S. Reps. Sarah McBride (D., Del.), Mark Takano (D., Calif.), and members of the Congressional Equality Caucus calls upon House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) to enforce the rules of decorum in Congress by holding those who defame and denigrate the trans community to account. As of this writing, no response has been issued.
A path forward
The only ethical and effective path forward demands that we fundamentally reframe the political conversation about transgender people in factual terms that are grounded in foundational democratic principles, credible science, and a commitment to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans.
There is some hope to be found in the lawsuit filed this week by 19 Democratic states to block the federal government’s efforts to ban gender-affirming care nationally.
Ideally, we would see more leadership on both sides of the aisle to protect the safety, freedom, and human dignity of all LGBTQ+ people, as demonstrated in the introduction of the bipartisan Global Respect Act by McBride and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) to protect LGBTQ+ people around the world from identity-based violence, torture, and persecution.
Regressive political forces have always sought to isolate and villainize minoritized groups, to paint them as threats to the majority by virtue of whatever marks them as somehow “different” from those in power — and therefore less deserving of the same rights and protections.
Consider that during the civil rights movement in the 1960s, boycotts of segregated lunch counters and department stores were underway in Southern communities when New York U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell famously corrected a reporter who queried if he was advocating for “Negroes” to stay out of segregated national chain stores in solidarity with the boycotts.
A genuine commitment to our democracy demands that we shift our discursive paradigm from one that impugns the existence of transgender people to one that impugns the de jure and de facto denial of transgender people’s humanity, dignity, civil rights, and personal safety.
It is long past time to reset the terms and reclaim the narrative on the equal protections and constitutional rights of transgender Americans. The political leadership we need in this moment requires the clarity, intentionality, and fortitude to do just that.
Ashley C. Rondini is an associate professor of sociology at Franklin and Marshall College.
It is now time for our representatives in Congress to discuss when, by whom, and how they will proceed with a motion to remove the president from his position. The 25th Amendment explains exactly how to do this. The vice president is supposed to initiate this process, but we know in this case that won’t be happening.
Donald Trump’s reckless and delusional words and actions are not only endangering the safety of millions of U.S. troops stationed around the globe, but they also threaten the sense of peace and security that the entire world has enjoyed since the end of World War II.
Let’s look at what Trump has done in the past seven days alone:
He took over Venezuela without any congressional approval — then said the U.S. will come in and send our companies to take over the oil drilling, which is worth billions in annual revenue.
He threatened Iran, Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba with similar actions in their countries when they criticized his invasion of Venezuela.
He stated that the U.S. needs to own Greenland for reasons of “national security.” What kind of “national security” threat does he think exists in Greenland? Polar bears?
When the emperor not only has no clothes but also seems unhinged, it’s time for our representatives to do what our Constitution has given them the power to do.
Write to your members of Congress today and ask them to insist on rational leadership for our wonderful country by starting this process.
Francine Mulligan, Philadelphia
Anything but Epstein
I will do anything to stop the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. I have subverted the work of the FBI and compelled officials in the U.S. Department of Justice to perjure themselves on my behalf. But don’t worry — if Congress ever indicts them, I will pardon them.
I will blow up boats and kill civilians in international waters and claim they are smuggling drugs, but I won’t provide any proof. My word is enough.
I will seize oil tankers in international waters and claim they are running illegal oil.
I will start a war with a sovereign country, depose its leader, destabilize the government, and claim its oil riches for the United States.
I’ll do just about anything to prevent, slow down, or redact any information that may reference me in those Epstein files.
Where is Congress? Donald Trump has defied the deadline to release the Epstein files, committed war crimes in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific against unknown suspects, seized ships at sea, and is now starting a war. All because of the Epstein files? What could be in those files?
Susan Thompson, Media
On this day
An interesting coincidence, perhaps. It’s curious that Manuel Noriega was taken into custody in Panama by U.S. forces in 1990 on the same date as Nicolás Maduro: Jan. 3. Any political symmetry intended?
Richard Wertime, Merion Station
Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Like attracts like. When you walk into a room, you’ll gravitate toward people whose energy matches yours — and they’ll gravitate toward you. Expect quick connections, inside jokes with strangers and an easy sense of belonging.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a paradox in creative energy. Self-expression doesn’t drain you; it feeds you — because the energy isn’t coming from you but through you. Even though it looks like you’re “giving out” energy, the act of self-expression actually replenishes you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It feels unnatural to you to prioritize yourself, but do it anyway. Otherwise, you won’t have anything to give. There’s a lot of need around you, and you can help, but only if you put your own needs first so you’re full and strong.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). When life feels too ordinary, but you don’t have the means to upgrade your circumstances, you can still upgrade your attention. Ordinary things get interesting when you look at them from different angles. Curiosity is the cheapest form of reinvention.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Self-discovery is the theme. There’s no sense worrying about saying, doing or dressing “wrong.” Wrong compared to what? You’re creating yourself as you go. And as actors and writers know, there are no mistakes in character creation, only choices.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A future that looks exactly like today is the easiest to imagine, but also the least likely to occur. Life is always moving. So use today to tilt things in the direction you want. Even a 1-degree shift now can land you somewhere entirely new.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Go where you’re attracted and something interesting occurs. You’ll discover new abilities in yourself. When there’s nothing attractive around, leave. Seek more interesting environments to avoid letting these unrealized talents remain dormant inside you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your filters are thinner today. You might share what you didn’t intend to, but don’t worry too much. This is the truth that could set you free, or at least teach you who is safe to tell the truth to.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). We need different mirrors to know ourselves. A mirror can show you your face and a diary can show you your mind, but what can show you how others experience you? A truthful insight from an outside observer will help.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve leveled up your skills, and it’s evident in the way you make quick work of a task that once intimidated you. And your confidence is so understated that you’ll disarm people and bring them to your team.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s the way everyone does it, and the way that actually makes life easier. The second one takes a little figuring out, but once you’re past the learning curve, it’s smooth sailing: harder at first, easier ever-after.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Today you’ll witness an inconspicuous kind of morality hiding inside ordinary choices. Evil can be understood simply as any decision that pulls you away from your values, while good is whatever moves you closer.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 8). You’re stepping into your Year of Gracious Acceptance when you’ll be crowned for something you’ve mastered. Your consistency turns into skill, and your skill draws respect. All the private practice will pay off in public ways. More highlights: financial progress makes a dream doable. Love and a supportive creative partner are in the mix, as are a change of style and routine. Scorpio and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 27, 3, 23 and 16.
ST. LOUIS — Two-time defending champion Amber Glenn set the record for a women’s short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Wednesday night, giving her a narrow lead over world champion Alysa Liu heading into the free skate.
South Jersey native Isabeau Levito was third with 75.72 points on the opening night of the national championships, which are the last opportunity for skaters to impress the U.S. Figure Skating officials who will decide the team for the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday.
Liu had broken the record mere minutes before Glenn’s skate with a score of 81.11 points, earning a standing ovation from a crowd packed into the home of the St. Louis Blues. But then Glenn took the ice and was flawless from an opening triple axel to a finishing combination spin, earning 83.05 points, a hug from coach Damon Allen and a standing ovation of her own.
“I knew that I came here to do my job,” Glenn said, “and I was happy to see that scores were up, scores were good, and I was able to keep them going up. I felt a responsibility to keep it going better and better and better.”
Glenn wound up being the best.
The dance competition gets started Thursday night alongside the men’s short program.
Levito, the 2023 champion and a former world silver medalist, had to withdraw from nationals last year because of injury. But she looked as if she had never missed a day, performing with style and grace to a medley of music honoring Sophia Loren.
“I felt really happy with myself that I did my job,” said the 18-year-old Levito, who lives and trains in Mount Laurel. “I feel like I’m in a really good place right now.”
Isabeau Levito, here competing at Skate Canada, performed a short program honoring Sophia Loren on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Glenn, who four years ago missed nationals and a shot at the Beijing Games because of COVID-19, channeled her trademark power and emotion into a program set to “Like A Prayer” by Madonna. Glenn followed her axel with a triple flip-triple toe loop, and her triple loop merely catapulted her into a rollicking finish to an energetic program.
Allen was waiting for her rinkside, dressed in a maroon suit to match Glenn’s dazzling maroon dress.
“Of course I feel ecstatic. The score was huge,” Glenn said. “My grandma passed last year, and she was with me from Day 1, and I just felt it today, and I’m not usually one of those people that says it, but I felt like I had something help me today.”
Glenn’s showcase came on the heels of a similarly splendid performance from the 20-year-old Liu, who finished sixth at the Beijing Games, then stepped away from the sport entirely because of burnout, but is in the midst of a remarkable comeback.
Last year, she became the first American world champion since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.
Now, Liu is among a few U.S. hopefuls trying to deliver women’s Olympic gold for the first time since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Liu performed the same short program from last year’s world championships, opening with a whirling triple flip, landing a solid double axel and finishing with what coach Phillip DiGuglielmo called her best triple lutz-triple loop of the season.
“I’m really happy with the lutz,” Liu said. “That was good. That was real good.”
Earlier in the night, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov began defense of their U.S. pairs title with a near-perfect short program, leaving them nearly eight points clear of the field as they hold out hope of making the American team for the Winter Games.
While the 28-year-old Mitrofanov was born in the U.S., his 26-year-old partner was born in Finland. And despite the couple having wed in early 2024 and Efimova getting a green card approved that summer, she still is waiting for the U.S. to decide whether to waive a three-year waiting period to become a citizen — one of the requirements to represent a nation in the Olympics.
But time is running out before U.S. Figure Skating must announce its Olympic team on Sunday.
“We’re hoping maybe a last-minute miracle might happen,” Mitrofanov said.
Efimova and Mitrofanov seemed to glide inside Enterprise Center on Wednesday night. They opened their short program with a beautiful triple twist, landed their side-by-side triple toe loop in sync, their throw triple loop covered a long expanse of ice, and they finished by pumping their firsts as their music came to a close.
They wound up with a season-best 75.31 points, while Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy were second with 67.67, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea right behind with 67.13, and Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez were in fourth with 67.03.
“We’re definitely very proud with how we skated tonight. The crowd was amazing,” Mitrofanov said. “We really trusted each other. We trusted our training. I was a little more nervous than normal, to be honest, and I was proud of Alisa holding my hand throughout.”
DEAR ABBY: My husband is battling cancer. He has good days and bad days. He is not at the end, but he can no longer do a lot of things for himself. At this point, we are very busy with doctors and treatments. We have 14 medical treatments this month alone.
His children want to visit from out of town frequently. Of course they want to see their dad, and I understand. However, how can I moderate the visits graciously without discouraging them so the additional responsibilities don’t wear me out?
I have tried setting some limits, and some of them pay attention to what I say. However, one “child” (age 50) doesn’t listen. They come to town and want to spend all day with Dad. I have to provide meals, snacks, beverages and attempt to monitor my husband’s rest time as well as my own.
I have tried limiting the number of days, but I am ignored. The last time, my husband and I suggested four days instead of seven, but we were ignored. Now, this child wants to come for a month. Help, please.
— CARETAKER IN UTAH
DEAR CARETAKER: That this “child” would ignore not only your wishes but also their father’s is terrible. I’m sorry you didn’t mention where this person stays when they visit, but it should not be in your home. They should stay at a hotel or motel and they, not you, should be responsible for their meals.
Your husband can help with this to some degree. When he’s tired and needs to rest, he should be willing to tell his child it’s time to go. This child should also be willing to lend a hand wherever it’s needed, including shopping for groceries, doing laundry and taking Dad to medical appointments so you can rest.
Drawing the line isn’t easy, but once it’s done, you will both be glad you did.
** ** **
DEAR ABBY: My mother loves exchanging gifts and spends a lot of time and energy choosing and elaborately wrapping items for all the members of our family. She’s also retired and living on a limited, fixed income. She showers me and my kids with expensive things at holidays, but then almost immediately hits me up for cash because she’s broke.
I’ve gotten into the habit of returning as many of her gifts as I can and banking the money for when she needs it back. She found me out and gets really angry when I do this. At the same time, she’s unwilling to scale back her spending. She sees these as completely separate issues. I can’t refuse her the money because she wouldn’t be able to pay for rent or groceries.
How do I get her to understand that the most precious gift she could give would be to stay within her means, and I’d rather not have to pay her back for things she buys us?
— NO MORE GIFTS
DEAR NO MORE: If telling your mother to stop giving you gifts has been unsuccessful, you are not going to change her. This is who she IS. Accept that. My recommendation would be to continue dealing with this issue as you have, regardless of the inconvenience, and suggest to your mother that, if she is able, she should look for a part-time job so she will have more disposable income.
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Once again, the football was yanked away from would-be Ocean City boardwalk hotel developer Eustace Mita just as he was about to kick it.
Ocean City’s planning board unexpectedly deadlocked Wednesday night on a request to declare the old Wonderland Pier site “in need of rehabilitation,” dealing a significant setback to Mita’s plan to build a luxury hotel on the boardwalk property.
The vote is the second time Ocean City has thwarted Mita’s attempts to move his project forward (though, in loop-the-loop fashion, an earlier no vote by City Council was later reversed.)
Mita, who has proposed turning the property into Icona in Wonderland, called Wednesday’s vote an “incredibly serious roadblock.” He said he indeed felt a bit like Charlie Brown to the city government’s Lucy, and revived thoughts of selling the property.
A rendering of the proposed new Icona in Wonderland Resort, to be built on the site of the old Wonderland Pier. The proposal for a 252-room resort includes saving the iconic Ferris wheel and carousel.
The board was split 4-4 with half the members agreeing that the property was significantly deteriorated and underutilized, two legal criteria needed for the designation.
But half the board, including chair John Loeper, said they did not believe the criteria had been met, and noted some businesses were open last summer at the front of the property.
The matter still will go back to City Council for a final vote on the designation, but Mita said if Council waits too long, he will unload the property.
The “in need of rehabilitation” designation has been long sought by Mita, who wants to build a $150 million luxury hotel at 600 Boardwalk.
The designation would allow site-specific zoning changes and possible tax breaks. The site is currently zoned for amusements.
After the meeting, Mita said he was shocked by the failure of the board to recommend the designation. “It’s been deteriorated for decades before I bought it,” he said. “I’m very very disappointed. This is the poster child for rehabilitation. ”
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier closed in October 2024, ending nearly a century of amusement ride ownership by the Gillian family in Ocean City. Mayor Jay Gillian had sold the property to Mita and leased it back from him, but said he could not make the enterprise profitable.
Gillian recently declared Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy, listing nearly $6 million in debt.
Wednesday’s vote brought about 150 people out to another iconic boardwalk structure, the Music Pier, on a pleasantly warm January evening.
About three dozen members of the public spoke, including Mita himself, who said the city would benefit “tenfold” from his development plans. The speakers were evenly divided in their views.
A visit from Will Morey
Will Morey came up from Wildwood to lay bare what many in Ocean City did not want to hear — reviving Wonderland Pier as an amusement park would be next to impossible.
“Starting from the ground up, it is not financially feasible,” Morey, the CEO of Morey’s Piers, told the city’s planning board. “It’s a very challenging lift.”
The board could not agree that the property met the legal criteria for the designation: that it was significantly deteriorated and showed a pattern of vacancy and underutilization.
“It’s an enormous piece of property that’s literally falling apart on the oceanfront,” said board member Dean Adams.
But Loeper, the chair, called the abandonment “self-inflicted” and said he would need more proof of the deterioration.
Engineering and other studies put the cost of repairing the carousel, Ferris wheel, and log flume at $6.5 million, and the cost of fixing the site’s concrete foundation and pilings at $3.9 million.
The matter will still go back to Ocean City’s City Council, which is also awaiting a report from a boardwalk subcommittee.
Eustace Mita arriving at the Ocean City Music Pier for a city planning board meeting on Wednesday. He was seeking a recommendation that the old Wonderland Pier site he owns be declared “in need of rehabilitation,” which he described as “Step 2” in his plan to build a luxury hotel.
‘The boardwalk is not thriving.’
Opponents asked board members to deny the “in need of rehabilitation” designation. They scoffed when Jody Arena, a construction expert who testified about the property’s deteriorated state, acknowledged that Mita was a partner in his firm, Caritas Construction.
They surmised that similar photos of deterioration could be taken of the Music Pier, where the meeting was held. One resident, Jim Tweed, said the designation would threaten “decades of restraint.”
Business owners, including the owners of Manco’s, George’s Candies, Cousin’s Restaurant, Barefoot Trading, and Ocean City Bikes, asked the board to approve the designation to avoid further closures of businesses. They described a devastating impact from the closure of Wonderland Pier.
Boardwalk property owner Mark Raab said three of his tenants had decided to close their shops. “People don’t know what’s been going on,” he told the board. “The boardwalk is not thriving. It’s going down piece by piece.”
“We are a city based on tourism,” said Cousin’s Restaurant owner Bill McGinnity. “We’d appreciate a vote of ‘yes’ tonight so that we can move forward quickly,”
Others resisted any fast-tracking of development. Donna Saber, owner of Here Comes the Bride shop, brought along a copy of the original 1881 deed that she said sought to preserve its original intent as a place for child amusements.
“It was deeded as an amusement park,” she said.
Donna Saber, owner of Here Comes the Bride bridal shop in Ocean City, holds a copy of the original 1881 deed to the property that was the Wonderland Pier. She’s opposed to a plan to build a luxury hotel.
Marie Hayes, a full-time resident for 22 years, worried the designation would set a “dangerous precedent,” that would result in the town resembling Ocean City, Md., with high-rises along its oceanfront.
The planning board was given reports submitted by Mita back in August, when council stunned some, especially Mita, by voting not to ask the board to study the site’s future. Mita immediately said he would sell the property.
John Loeper, chair of Ocean City’s planning board, on stage at the Ocean City Music Pier. The planning board was set to vote on whether to recommend that the old Wonderland Pier site be declared in need of rehabilitation, a designation that could lead to a luxury hotel on the site.
Sean Barnes, the city councilman liaison to the planning board, questioned Wednesday whether the rides should even be considered part of the property.
“Amusement rides are not structures,” said Helen Struckmann, a resident who has opposed the hotel idea and vowed to save Wonderland Pier. She said the historic carousel was in better shape than the reports stated. “They don’t justify the need for rehabilitation designation for the property. Different amusement rides have been swapped out.”
She and others questioned why Mita had not addressed deterioration of the property since purchasing it in 2021. Mita is “now requesting a benefit from his purposeful underutilization of the property,” said resident Bob Duffy.
But Mita said he’d waived rent on the property so that Jay Gillian could try to make a go of the amusement pier. He said he’d put in $500,000 last summer to open the front portion of the property as an arcade, coffee and pizza shop, and bike shop.
Engineer Matt Mowrer told the planning board the property was “heavily deteriorated,” with “concrete spalling” — chunks of concrete breaking off from the foundation. He said corrosion from salt air would get only worse.
Board planner Randall Scheule told the board Wednesday he believed the structural deterioration of the property itself and the underutilization of the property met the standards. There was some debate as to whether the rides themselves should be included in any analysis.
The board looked at whether the site met the legal criteria needed for the designation, which will allow City Council to rezone the site for a hotel and grant tax abatements.
Will Morey, president and CEO of Wildwood’s Morey’s Piers, testifies in Ocean City at a planning board meeting to determine the future of the old Wonderland Pier.
The board did not discuss Mita’s specific hotel plans, which have included the carousel and Ferris wheel and some kiddie rides.
The old Wonderland Pier site on the boardwalk in Ocean City, N.J., as seen from Wayne Avenue on Jan. 6. The beloved amusement pier shut down in October 2024. A developer wants to build a luxury hotel. A report put the cost of repairing the Ferris wheel, carousel, and log flume at as much as $6.5 million.Five minutes before the 6 p.m. scheduled closing all but one of the gates are shut on the Boardwalk, on the final day for the beloved Wonderland Pier in Ocean City Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Last summer, four businesses operated on the site: Ocean City Pizza Company, Dead End Bakehouse, Wonderland Pier Arcade, and OC Bikes and Rentals. Mita entertained several offers to sell, including one from the Norcross brothers, who envisioned residential development.
Planner Tiffany Morrissey told the planning board that showed the property was underutilized.
The property is assessed at $15.8 million, which translates to an estimated market value of about $29 million.
Saving the site as an amusement park has been the focus of much despair among community members and others with generations of memories at Wonderland Pier.
But the reports lay out the deterioration of the pier’s marquee attractions.
The report states that the carousel, which dates to the 1920s, would require as much as $1.5 million in repairs, including a new electrical system and repair or replacement of the telescopes, the poles that support the horses.
The Ferris wheel is also in need of substantial repair, costing as much as $2.5 million, including replacing or repairing the lights, and rebuilding the spokes and “spreader bars,” which connect the spokes and form the arc.
The Log Flume Ride, built in 1992, would need substantial repairs estimated at between $2.5 and $4 million, including rebuilding the upper troughs.
No company has stepped forward with a plan to keep the site solely an amusement park.
Those things stood out in a 131-110 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Embiid stringing together games
This contest marked the fifth consecutive game that Embiid has played this season. There was one day’s rest between each game. Earlier this season, the 7-foot-2, 280-pound center didn’t play with less than two days of rest between games.
The limited amount of rest hasn’t appeared to impact Embiid’s performance, who has already missed 17 games due to right and left knee injuries and a sprained ankle.
He averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 rebounds. 5.3 assists, and one block in his previous four games. On Wednesday, Embiid tallied 28 points on 10-for-14 shooting along with seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 25 minutes, 24 seconds.
Embiid felt “pretty good” after playing a season-high 40:03 in Monday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets.
“I just got to keep it going,” he said. “I think tonight, I was OK tonight, so that was a good sign. But like I said, I got to keep going.
“We are still building myself back up. And you just have to be smart.”
He scored the game’s first basket on an 11-foot jumper 17 seconds into the contest. Then Embiid delivered a thunderous two-handed dunk to put the Sixers up 7-0, 1:20 later.
And Embiid displayed solid defense while blocking Justin Champagnie’s layup with 5:02 left in the quarter.
He ended the quarter with eight points on 3-for-4 shooting, along with three rebounds and one assist. Embiid was up to 16 points at the half.
“The nicest thing to see is he’s stringing some games here, one after another,” coach Nick Nurse said. “And the same is applying to the daily work, and all that kind of stuff, too. I just think that’s important for him to continue to keep playing.”
Sixers’ Joel Embiid (right) scored 16 of his 28 points in the first half.
The good thing for the Sixers (20-15) is that his availability means he’s feeling better. It also means the 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star is regaining his rhythm. And as Nurse pointed out, you see him continue to sharpen his skills.
“But yeah, it’s great to see him, obviously,” Nurse said. “The guys that we got playing around him now are playing extremely hard for the most part, and he’s obviously, I always say this, it’s our best version if he’s out there and he’s good. Hopefully, we can continue along with that. Hopefully, he’ll keep stringing some games up here.”
The Sixers were cautious with Embiid earlier in the season by giving him two days of rest between games and hard practices.
“I’m going to be honest, he’s moving way better than I’ve seen him when I first got here,” VJ Edgecombe said. “He’s definitely moving way better. He’s just being Joel, man. We are all seeing that. Like I said, he’s a 30-point scorer every night. He can get 30 points on any given night. So he’s super skilled.
“It’s just been good to see him moving better.”
Edgecombe did note that he’s “a little scared” every time Embiid falls on the court. But he said Embiid tells him why he does that.
So the rookie isn’t mad at the 31-year-old for purposely falling. And when he stays upright, Edgecombe is starting to see Embiid move faster than he expected.
“So I’m happy to see him healthy,” Edgecombe said. “Health is a big thing.”
The crew’s intact
This matchup marked the first time since December 2023 that the Sixers had all their key players available.
Oubre returned after missing the previous 22 games with a sprained left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Watford was available after being sidelined 17 games with a strained left thigh muscle against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
“It’s good to have Kelly back,” Edgecombe said. “It’s good to have TY back. And you know we’ve been having a consistent [lineup] with the starters the past few games, which also helps. But overall, it’s been great, man. I’m just happy to see everyone on the floor.”
Oubre checked into the game at the 4:27 mark of the first quarter to a loud ovation. He immediately made an impact, impeding the Wizards (10-26) from getting an offensive rebound on a missed three-pointer. And in true Oubre fashion, the 6-8 small forward signaled that it was the Sixers’ possession before sprinting down the floor.
He grabbed his first rebound at 1:51 left in the quarter, while playing power forward in a small-ball lineup with Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona. Oubre grabbed his second rebound — also defensive — 17 seconds into the second quarter. This time, he dribbled the ball up the court before misfiring on a 28-foot three-pointer. Oubre went to the bench 1:48 into the quarter. He had two rebounds and missed both of his shots during his initial stint.
In his second stint, Oubre was on the floor with Maxey, Embiid, George, and Dominick Barlow for the final 1:56 of the half.
Oubre scored his only basket with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished with two points on 1-for-4 shooting to go with three rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20:16.
“It was a stretch in the game where I was picking up anybody that was bringing the ball up, which is normally what I do,” Oubre said. “But I just wanted to test that, and make sure everything was good. I felt good. So I think I’m kind of back to myself. I’m a two-way player, of course. But in-game flow. You know how it flows.”
Watford didn’t come into the game until 4:45 remained. He had three assists in closing out the blowout victory.
Nurse hinted before the game that Watford probably would not play, or would play very little. That’s because he didn’t want to disrupt the team’s rhythm. The Sixers have been successful recently with Barlow and reserve Jabari Walker getting the bulk of the minutes at power forward.
Jabari Walker played four minutes for the Sixers on Wednesday.
But the coach is elated to finally have his full complement of key players at his disposal.
“It is great. It is great, it is,” Nurse said. “You know, getting them all there … is the first kind of accomplishment, or first step, I should say. And then, getting them all to a level of conditioning and rhythm and like their peak performance is going to be a ways away yet, but this is the first step in that. That’s when we can see all the things that we can really do eventually.”
With their full complement of players, we can finally get an idea of how competitive the Sixers are this season. Nurse can also figure out which lineups work best.
“It’s up to the coaches, now,” said Andre Drummond, who started his second stint with the Sixers last season. “We have a full roster. I mean, it’s exciting. It’s the first time I’m playing with a full roster since I’ve been here, at least. So I’m looking forward to what we do, and guys stay healthy, and really getting that rhythm now. It’s almost that time of the year [close to when] the All-Star break comes. And, you know, I’m ready for whatever.”
Paul George scored 23 points on Wednesday.
George’s showcase
George had an efficient game. The small forward finished with 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting — including making 4 of 8 three-pointers — along with 5 of 6 foul shots. He also had five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Most of his damage occurred in the second quarter, when he scored 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting, making 3 of 4 three-pointers. He also had a block and a steal while logging 10:12 of the quarter.
Critics will point out that George’s domination came against the Eastern Conference’s next-to-last-place Wizards squad, who were missing five players due to injuries.
But he has been playing well all season. And he usually steps up when his number is called. So his second-quarter dominance is why the Sixers signed him to a four-year, $211.5 million contract last season. It’s also the type of domination that quiets the critics who say that the 35-year-old is washed up.
The selfless player is comfortable deferring to Embiid and Maxey so they can all shine.
“Obviously, Joel and Tyrese are our two engines,” George said. “Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention, demand the ball in moments to score and put points up for us. I got to fit in, find my shots, my opportunities, and moments to be aggressive. That’s what I’m trying to do.
“But more than anything, defensively, I know I can still be elite. I can still make plays. I can still get us extra possessions, limit the [opposing team’s] best player, or just make things tough with the opposing player. And, then just, you know, try to be a calming voice, keep us level, keep us pretty much even keeled, but still apply pressure when we’re not playing defensively.”
In addition to playing quality defense, he sees his role as helping run the offense and stepping up when needed. And George came through in the second quarter, which is always a good sign for the Sixers.
“That’s Paul George, man,” Edgecombe said. “He’s elite. He’s an elite scorer, an elite defender. That’s something he’s always been known for. The things he does don’t show up on a stat sheet.
“But we all know that he can score the rock any given time.”
Joel Embiid scored 28 points, Paul George added 23 and all of Philadelphia’s starters scored in double-figures as the 76ers beat the Washington Wizards 131-110 on Wednesday night.
Tyrese Maxey contributed 22 points and eight assists for the Sixers, who have won four of five.
Tre Johnson had a team-high 20 points for Washington, which played without several key players on the second night of a back-to-back. CJ McCollum (right quad soreness) and Khris Middleton (right knee injury) were among the Washington players sidelined.
Embiid played in his fifth consecutive game contest since being slowed by early season injuries. The 2023 MVP shot 10-for-14 from the field and 7 of 8 from the line, and added seven rebounds.
Philadelphia took control early behind Embiid’s 16 points in the first quarter. The Sixers were up 92-80 entering the fourth before opening the final period with an 11-0 run, capped by a Quentin Grimes dunk to take a 23-point lead. Grimes finished with 16 points.
Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe attempts a dunk during the first half against the Wizards.
Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the Philadelphia lineup and scored two points in his first game since Nov. 14. Trendon Watford (strained left thigh muscle) also returned for the Sixers, who had their full complement of players for the first time this season. Watford last played on Nov. 25.
The Sixers bounced back from Monday’s 125-124 overtime home loss to Denver in which the Nuggets had just nine available players and were missing their entire regular starting lineup.
Washington had won five of seven games entering Wednesday after starting the season 3-20. But, they were short-handed against the 76ers, missing Corey Kispert (hamstring) and Keyshawn George (left hip) in addition to Middleton and McCollum. Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly each scored 18 for the Wizards.
Coach Brian Keefe said before the game that there is no timetable for Cam Whitmore’s return. He has been out since last month due to upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
The Sixers travel to the Orlando to face the Magic on Friday (7 p.m., NBCSP).
Another lawsuit has been filed on behalf of victims of the explosion at a Bucks County nursing home just before Christmas that left three dead and about 20 people injured.
The plaintiffs, Joseph Juhas Sr. and MaryAnn Schnepp, were residents of Bristol Health and Rehab Center when an explosion just after 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 23 ripped through the main building and caused an intense fire. The spouses of the victims also are named as plaintiffs.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, names as the defendants PECO Energy Company and its parent company, Exelon Energy, and Bristol Health and Rehab Center LLC, and its parent company, Saber Healthcare Group. The former operators of the nursing home also are named as defendants.
“Joe and Maryann suffered serious life-changing injuries because of the negligence of the defendants,” said Brian Fritz, the lead attorney representing the plaintiffs. “We plan on holding all of them responsible for their lack of action in dealing with the well-documented gas leak and conditions that led to this tragic event.”
On Monday, a lawsuit was filed alleging negligence in the nursing home explosion.
Exterior of Bristol Health & Rehab Center after the Dec. 23 fatal explosion. The photograph taken Christmas morning, Thursday, December 25, 2025.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation — including by the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates pipeline accidents.
The lawsuit alleges that the nursing home defendants “proceeded as business as usual in the face of a natural gas leak, which presented a clear and obvious threat to the safety and well-being” of the residents.
The nursing home defendants “recklessly and with callous disregard continued to supply cigarettes and lighters to the residents during the scheduled smoking sessions throughout the day while they knew or should have known that such activity could cause any gas manifestation from the gas leak to explode,” the lawsuit alleges.
In an interview with the Inquirer, Susie Gubitosi, 71, a resident who is blind and uses a wheelchair, said that just after 2 p.m. that day, she returned inside the building after joining several other residents on the patio for a cigarette break. Gubitosi said she was waiting inside for a staffer to help her with a task when the explosion occurred.
According to the lawsuit, MaryAnn Schnepp suffered traumatic brain injury, intracranial bleeding, laceration to her scalp requiring staples, a collapsed lung, and broken bones, including broken ribs.
Joseph Juhas Sr. also suffered traumatic brain injury, intracranial bleeding, and bone fractures, according to the lawsuit.
The scene at Bristol Health and Rehab Center on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Bristol Township, Pa.
Zach Shamberg, chief of government affairs for Saber Healthcare Group, said in an email: “We continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, and we cannot comment on pending litigation.”
A spokesperson for Peco said in an email: “We are a party to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. We are fully cooperating with the NTSB and according to the NTSB rules, we are not permitted to comment on this matter.”
The age and condition of the gas line running to the nursing home remain unclear, but Peco has said that it has about 742 miles of substandard gas lines across the state that need to be replaced — accounting for roughly 5% of its gas service, but 82% of leaks, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
