Five things that happened in New Jersey this week

Beware, summer hazards in the Garden State: a shark sighting, a lightning strike, and more. It all happened this week in New Jersey.

Are we missing any stories? What happened in yourcommunity this week? Tell us in the comments below.

Serious storm at the shore

A lightning strike on the beach in Wildwood sent a family of four to the hospital Wednesday. The family had sought shelter under an umbrella. Wildwood Fire Department Chief Christopher D’Amico says there wasn’t a direct hit but that the family members had some tingling in their hands and arms, according to the Associated Press. All four are expected to survive.

Trenton mayor now in the dark

The man in power must now live without power in the state capital, according to The Trentonian. Trenton Mayor Tony Mack is now without gas or electricity because he hasn’t paid his bills. This is the latest development in what began as a July 18 FBI search of his home.

Possible shark sighting causes brief panic

Lifeguards in Seaside Park temporarily closed the beach Saturday when they saw a fin popping in and out of the water. About 10 to 15 minutes later, swimmers were allowed back into the ocean. While the sighting couldn’t be confirmed, lifeguards say they’d rather be safe than sorry.

Stop and go for red-light camera program

Red-light cameras are once again ticketing motorists in New Jersey, and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon is not happy about it. He says independent engineers determined that four of the six lights they examined do not have long enough yellow lights. O’Scanlon expects bipartisan support for a bill he’ll introduce that will increase those yellow light times. Until then, he urges towns to voluntarily suspend use of the cameras.

Pipe dream or environmental hazard?

A proposed natural gas pipeline project is now one step closer to being a reality. The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission found that the proposed North Jersey pipeline would have no significant environmental impact if constructed. Supporters of the project, including the Christie administration, see it as a key to lowering energy costs. Opponents are concerned because the pipe would traverse 35 wetlands and 17 waterways, homes to some of the state’s endangered and threatened species.