THE 12:30 REPORT: Your News Update
A very historic (and very bizarre) holiday wedding: The actors you see portraying historical figures near the Liberty Bell need love too. Ralph Archbold and Linda Wilde, who met through a mutual love of history, are hitching-up on the steps of Independence Hall tonight as their historical alter egos, Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross, in full colonial garb. Surely they know Franklin and Ross most likely never even met, but why get all realistic now? [CBS 3]
Jersey shore will now cost you more: Ten of the 48 towns along the New Jersey shoreline are hiking their beach fees today, just as everyone heads down for Independence Day. Unfortunately for shore residents, the New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate also said in its third annual Beach Guide that towns are no longer offering residency discounts. The guide tells beachgoers which beaches are the best bets, what the beach tag costs are, and where to park. [Inquirer]
Give trees a chance: The nonprofit organization Food For All is hoping to save a 42-acre space in Cheltenham Township from developers. The group has two weeks to scrounge up funds to secure a cool $5 million first mortgage. The director of the nonprofit group says its goal is to modernize the facility, long home to an order of Dominican nuns, by offering more yoga, preventative medicine and preventative health activities. [KYW]
Your critical dolphin update: The group of 15 bottlenose dolphins swimming around the Shrewsbury River for nearly three weeks are — you guessed it — still swimming around the New Jersey river. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said that the pack of dolphins is fully capable of avoiding Fourth of July boat traffic. Bystanders in the area are more concerned, suggesting in unsolicited letters everything from giant nets to giant underwater speakers for removal efforts. [NBC 10]
