MOFA-AUKMIN Emphasizes Importance Of Cross-Strait Peace And StabilityMSP law, clean water, govt jobs: Protests keep Pb on tenterhooksConsumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
EXCLUSIVE Paddy McGuinness taking legal action over claim he stopped off at Michelin starred restaurant during £9million Children in Need cycle ride By KATIE HIND Published: 22:02, 22 November 2024 | Updated: 22:08, 22 November 2024 e-mail 17 shares View comments Paddy McGuinness is taking legal action against the gossip website Popbitch after it claimed he stopped at a Michelin-starred restaurant during his 300-mile bike ride in aid of Children In Need . Sources close to the BBC star told the Mail he began proceedings on Thursday night after the weekly newsletter accused him of taking a helicopter to L'Enclume in the village of Cartmel in Cumbria after breaking his ride at Preston in Lancashire. The website claims he was 'spotted staying overnight' in Cartmel before he resumed his ride, which raised £9million for the charity, the next morning. However, McGuinness, 51, denies the claims and instructed his lawyer to take on Popbitch, which is known for breaking gossipy stories about celebrities. 'The story is completely and utterly false, at no point did Paddy leave the challenge or the team,' said one member of the former Top Gear host's team. 'They were together every second. Paddy most nights was getting physio to prep him for the next day, followed by an early night due to the 6am wake-up.' A spokeswoman for McGuinness confirmed the legal action. He is understood to be using a lawyer at London-based Carter-Ruck, which also represents former Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington . L'Enclume is regarded as the most lavish restaurant in the country, and offers a 15-course tasting menu for £250. For another £290 guests can enjoy a select wine pairing. Paddy McGuinness (pictured) is taking legal action against Popbitch over claims he dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant during a bike ride for Children In Need McGuinness (right) on his charity ride with Chris Hoy near Crawford in Abington, Scotland McGuinness was claimed by the website to have taken a helicopter to three-starred L'Enclume (pictured) in Cartmel, Cumbria during his 300-mile ride It is owned by award-winning British chef and restaurateur Simon Rogan, who is known as one of the pioneers of the farm-to-fork movement in the UK. The venue says much of its food comes from its own farm nearby. It also has bedrooms and suites for guests to stay the night. McGuinness, who recently divorced his wife Christine, began his epic charity ride, which was named Radio 2's Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge , from Wrexham AFC on November 11. Four days later he arrived in Glasgow on his Raleigh Chopper. Speaking on Radio 2, the former Question of Sport host told his listeners: 'What a week it's been – it feels like I've been off for a month. 'What we have achieved – by 'we' I mean you lot – over the last five days is nothing short of staggering. I still cannot comprehend what has happened and what is still happening now. 'That is the power of Radio 2 and you gorgeous listeners and the wonderful great British public. The streets were lined for me from Wrexham to Glasgow, it was non-stop people supporting me, willing me on and wishing me the best.' Referring to the physical effects of the challenge, he added: 'The bum blisters are settling.' Popbitch, which started in 2000 and is run by founders Neil Stevenson and Camilla Wright, declined to comment last night. Paddy McGuinness Top Gear BBC Share or comment on this article: Paddy McGuinness taking legal action over claim he stopped off at Michelin starred restaurant during £9million Children in Need cycle ride e-mail 17 shares Add commentBlockmate Ventures Announces Closing of Strategic Investment and Incentive Grant
Last call for 27 BIG US Cyber Monday deals on Amazon from Dyson, Apple, Beats, UGG, and more By TANYA SHARMA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 18:15 EST, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 18:30 EST, 2 December 2024 e-mail View comments Advertisement SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information. Cyber Monday deals on Amazon are sizzling... but there are only a few hours left to snap up what you want. If there's something lingering in your cart or tempting you from your wish list, you don't want to wait a moment more. To make that last-minute Cyber Monday Amazon shopping extravaganza a little easier, we've rounded up the 27 best items you can pick up now. Whether it's something from Apple, like some new AirPods or an iPad , or you've had your eye on a Dyson vacuum , an iconic KitchenAid stand mixer , or UGG boots , you can pick it up now for a steep discount. Hurry — these deals will only be good for a few more hours. Here's what to pick up before the Amazon Cyber Monday sale wraps up! BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster $40 (was $60) Clean up quick! A Dustbuster is a must in any household for convenient tidying up purposes. With elevated suction power, this handles even more stubborn messes surprisingly well. Includes a crevice tool and flip-up brush. Shop Crest 3D Whitestrips $27 (was $50) Just two weeks to whiter teeth? If that's your goal, you need to keep a box of these handy. They'll gently remove up to fifteen YEARS of stains in days, leaving your grin bright and even more beautiful. Shop Apple AirPods Pro 2 $154 (was $249) New AirPods are always the answer if you're in the market for high-quality headphones that deliver top-tier sound. These offer active noise cancellation and are powered by the brilliant H2 chip. Shop Beats Solo 4 Headphones $100 (was $200) Epic sound quality is a given with these Beats Solo 4 headphones. With up to 50 hours of battery life, they're there for you whether you're rocking great tunes or listening to a podcast. And you can't beat this discount! Shop Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine $150 (was $250) You aren't likely to find too many high-quality espresso machines for this price. Mr. Coffee is a tried-and-true reliable brand, so you can bet this combo espresso, cappuccino, and latte maker will never let you down. Shop Dyson Airwrap $490 (was $600) Go ahead and move this over from wish list to cart. At a rarely seen discount, it's well worth picking up today. The Airwrap is championed for delivering salon-quality style and includes six attachments for versatile styling options. Shop KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer $330 (was $460) No excuses not to add this iconic KitchenAid mixer to your cart. Available in dozens of gorgeous colors, it has a five-quart stainless steel bowl and is ideal for mixing dough for up to nine dozen cookies. Shop Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop $350 (was $750) A savings of 53% on a Shark robot vacuum and mop combo is almost unheard of, making this one of the best deals in the sale. If you're hoping to ease up on the stress a little next year, make this a part of your household stat. Shop Koolaburra by UGG Victoria Short Boots £0.00 Life's easier when you've got some cozy boots on your side. Even better if they happen to be super cute! These from the Koolaburra by UGG collection are accented by sweet bows for a fun flourish. Shop Le Creuset Sautese Oven $200 (was $350) It's not every day you spot Le Creuset cookware on sale, so when you do take it as a sign. The enameled interior prevents sticking. This is ideal for handling all of your holiday cooking needs with ease (and style). Shop Coach Willow Tote $245 (was $350) A chic tote is always an easy choice, especially when it's as timeless as the Coach Willow. Made with gorgeous pebbled leather in a lush dark stone hue, it's the kind of bag you can take anywhere from brunch to the office. Shop Oura Ring Gen3 Heritage $249 (was $300) Make 2025 the year of you! The Oura ring is a fab little accessory that helps you keep track of your fitness in so many ways. Monitor your sleep, heart rate, exercise, and so much more. Offers five to seven days of battery life, too. Shop Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set $70 (was $100) Prepare to delight the littles in your life! The Toniebox will keep them occupied for hours with the gift of music and storytelling. Plus, they'll have a blast choosing different Tonies — the entire thing is both fun and educational. Shop Apple iPad 10th Generation $259 (was $349) A reduced iPad is a no brainer. This model boasts a gorgeous 10.9" Liquid Retina display and is powered by the A14 Bionic chip. It's ideal for working, streaming, gaming, reading, and so much more. Shop Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum $329 (was $470) This is the MVP of vacuums, so naturally a sale makes the buy that much sweeter if it's been hanging around in your cart. With 40 minutes of run time, it's a powerhouse that makes quick work of any mess. Shop Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser $50 (was $100) Elevate your oral health with the ultimate addition to your routine. This popular water flosser is over 50% off right now. It includes seven tips and offers 10 settings so you can customize your treatment to your needs. Shop Belkin 3-in-1 Charging Station $96 (was $130) Save time and space with this best-selling multifunctional charging station. It's designed to wirelessly charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at the same time. It looks great while doing it, too! Shop Apple Watch SE $149 (was $249) With a savings of $100 off, the Apple Watch SE is ideal for helping you stay on top of your fitness and wellness goals. Use it to stay in touch with your people and to keep track of your health at the same time. Shop Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven $264 (was $400) Make like a chef and whip up the pizzas of your dreams right at home. It can whip up a 12" Neapolitan pizza in just five minutes. It's also great for making deep dish, New York-style, Detroit-style... the options are endless. Shop Braun IPL Silk Expert Hair Removal Kit $350 (was $430) No more waxing appointments! If you're done investing in hair removal, take back your time and money with this at-home IPL device that shoppers love for painless, permanent results. Shop Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses $239 (was $299) Step into the future with a pair of Ray-Ban smart glasses that take your life to the next level. They can take photos and videos, connect you to family and friends, and basically do what a phone does. They're stylish, too! Shop Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker $80 (was $150) If it's quick coffee you're after, the K-Classic is your best (and most affordable) bet. Offering 6-, 8-, and 10-ounce brewing sizes, it has a 48-ounce reservoir so you can brew at least 6 cups before you need to refill. Shop Cuisinart 15-Piece Knife Set $68 (was $100) As gorgeous as it is useful, this 15-piece knife set will be the last you ever buy. It has everything needed to complete your kitchen, including a handsome wooden block that adds a little fanciful touch to your countertop. Shop Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker $180 (was $230) The CREAMi undeniably changed the world of at-home ice cream prep for good. So if you have dreams of a certain flavor, make it yourself with this amazing device that also whips up sorbet, milkshakes, gelato, and more. Shop Sol de Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum Cream $37 (was $48) Everyone's favorite body cream is 24% off, and if you haven't yet tried it that's a good excuse to pick up a tub or two. The scent is tropical decadence, the caffeine smooths away cellulite, and the formula leaves skin ultra-soft. Shop LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask $19 (was $24) Saturate your lips in constant moisture. This is the VIP of treatments, resolving even the driest of pouts with its cocktail of murumuru and shea butters. Antioxidants are added to prevent free radical damage. Essential! Shop Braun MultiQuick 3-in-1 Hand Blender $75 (was $100) The Braun immersion blender is one of the oldest and most reliable models on the market. Once you use it you'll understand why, as it's a master of speed-blending, chopping, and whisking. A must for any busy kitchen. Shop Cyber Monday US 2024: Everything you need to know What is Cyber Monday? While Black Friday is THE day to save, Cyber Monday, this year on December 2, is your last chance to enjoy enormous discounts on the best gifts for everyone on your list. Want only the BEST deals? Our team of trusted shopping experts have listed their top-recommended offers in the DailyMail.com Live Blog on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Amazon's Cyber Monday Sale: If you missed out on Amazon's Prime Day sale, then the retailer's Cyber Monday sale is even better! Experience a shopping extravaganza like no other and sign up for a FREE 30-day trial of Amazon Prime today to unlock access to every Black Friday and Cyber Monday deal and enjoy other perks, such as complimentary two-day shipping. 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How to buy Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears ticketsFacebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save UPPER TOWNSHIP — A few weeks after her dramatic birth, Amelia Charlotte Marsden joined a celebration of the first responders who were there to help. The call came in a little after 9 p.m. Nov. 21 of a mother in labor, pulled over to the side of the Garden State Parkway. Firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, State Police and an Ocean City police officer were on their way. This week, Amelia was in her mother Joanna Elswick’s arms, with her 2-year-old sister Daisy Mae and her dad, James Marsden, surrounded by a team of people who responded to the call. They were there for a celebration of the township’s emergency services. Members packed the meeting room Monday at Township Hall for the event, which celebrated rescues on highways, in the water and at homes over the past year. Body matching description of missing 84-year-old found in Galloway Township 1 injured in Egg Harbor Township crash Absecon police detain suspect in dollar store robbery Pentagon refutes Van Drew Iran claims as New Jersey officials meet to discuss mystery drones Work on Mike Trout's Vineland golf course completed, but play still more than a year away Could American Airlines bus program lead to more flights at Atlantic City airport? Atlantic City now has more weed shops than casinos with dozens more on the way These South Jersey bars and restaurants have transformed into holiday wonderlands Latest on New Jersey mystery drones: White House officials say there is no threat LGBTQ+ restaurant the ByrdCage to open in Atlantic City in January Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita Egg Harbor Township installing 4-way stop signs at troubled intersections Large drones spotted in Philadelphia area as FBI investigates mysterious drone sightings in NJ Egg Harbor City church celebrates its inspiration with 1,700-year-old artifact Bridgeton nursing home barred from Medicaid after NJ comptroller finds fraud and abuse Those honored included police, firefighters, lifeguards and EMS responders, as well as civilians who helped out their neighbors. Among them were Linda Giuffrida, a school bus driver who got children safely out of a burning school bus on the parkway and kept them safe as firefighters arrived. Volunteer firefighters from the Seaville and Marmora fire companies responded. “The bus driver escorted all of the students over 100 yards down the road, away from the hazardous flames. These actions were lifesaving,” a citation read at the event states. Chief Perry Coker recounted a harrowing incident in April, in which a child was struck by a riding lawn mower. The injuries were described as severe and traumatic. The child, who was not identified, was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, then transferred to Children’s Hosptial in Philadelphia for extensive treatment. “Weeks later, the patient was released and able to return to his home where he was greeted by family, including his new family of first responders,” the citation reads. It includes 24 names. Officials at the event said the child has made a remarkable recovery and loves to visit the fire company and see the fire trucks. Mayor Jay Newman, who has long served as chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, said it was important for the community to recognize the efforts that help keep them safe, and to understand that the services they rely on in an emergency require extensive planning and training. A baby girl was delivered Thursday night on the side of the Garden State Parkway in Upper Township, the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company said. Come January, Newman will no longer be on the Township Committee. He asked the elected officials who will remain to continue honoring first responders each year. As New Jersey watches the night skies for drones with increasing trepidation, the event this week celebrated the use of a drone in a rescue. On June 20, a father reported his son was missing for about 15 hours and may have jumped off the bridge at Tyler Road into the water. EMS, the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company and State Police began a search, and were joined by the marine units of the State Police and the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company. They asked for help from Ocean City police, who have a drone with a mounted camera, which streams video that can be shared to the phones of several responders. Three Ocean City officers launched the drone, and the missing person was found within minutes in the knee-deep water about 1,300 feet from the bridge. He was evaluated by an ambulance crew and then transported to a hospital. In another incident, Ocean City police used a drone to locate a fire deep in the woods near Corsons Tavern Road, which could have taken firefighters far longer to locate. Over the past year, emergency responders turned out for a collapsed stairway, someone choking in a restaurant, extractions from a vehicle after a serious collision, and swimmers in distress, including one in Corsons Inlet on Sept. 15, when six-foot swells were breaking on the sandbars. As members of the Upper Township Beach Patrol turned out, a passing boater took the swimmer to a nearby boat ramp. Also among those honored were Chief Coker of the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company and Chief Andy Ferrier with the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company. By 9:18 p.m. Nov. 21, Amelia Charlotte was born. Mother and child were transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus in Galloway Township. The first responders who helped that night were each presented with a stork pin, a tradition for those who assist in a birth. Those honored for their work that night included EMT Jessica Wriggins, EMT William Handley from Upper Township Emergency Medical Services, Deputy Chief Brian Allegretto, Capt. Charles Wiel, Capt. Robert E. Lane, Firefighter Robert L. Lane and Firefighter Justin Laielli of the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company, State Police Troopers Christopher Vargas and Christopher Lavance, and James Haggar, who is a dispatcher with Ocean City police. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Greens, far-right among big losers in Irish vote