HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Howell Township Police Department expressed gratitude to the residents of Pine View Estates at Howell for their participation and warm welcome at a recent fraud presentation.
The presentation alerted seniors to the different types of fraud schemes occurring recently and how to prevent being the next victim of fraud.
The event, which took place earlier today, featured presentations by Detective Ortenzi and Detective Robertiello. Additionally, Traffic Officers Bush and Silvani were on hand to address all traffic-related inquiries. The police department used their Facebook page to extend thanks to all attendees and officers involved in the event.
- Power company gives Asbury Park group $50,000 grant
Holmdel, NJ – A major boost is coming to Asbury Park’s revitalization efforts as the FirstEnergy Foundation awards a $50,000 grant to Interfaith Neighbors, a nonprofit serving Monmouth and Ocean counties with programs aimed at tackling poverty and expanding opportunities.
The funding, among the largest given by FirstEnergy Foundation in New Jersey this year, will support a variety of initiatives, including job training, early childhood education, food delivery, and urban farming. The grant is part of more than $2 million in community contributions distributed by the foundation during the first half of the year.
Interfaith Neighbors’ programs include the Launch Center, which offers job readiness training and career coaching; the Early Childhood Learning Center, which provides safe childcare to allow parents to work or study; Meals on Wheels, which delivers more than 800 meals daily to seniors and residents with disabilities; and Kula Urban Farm, a hydroponic greenhouse that produces fresh food while providing job training.
With nearly 20% of Asbury Park residents living below the poverty line, leaders from both organizations emphasized the urgency of sustaining and expanding these programs. “From job readiness to food access, their programs are helping residents build brighter futures,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s New Jersey president.
Interfaith Neighbors Co-Executive Director Walter “Chip” Craig noted the grant will help the group continue focusing on essential needs like housing, food, and jobs while strengthening trust within the community.
Key Points
- FirstEnergy Foundation awarded $50,000 to Asbury Park nonprofit Interfaith Neighbors
- Funding supports job training, childcare, food delivery, and urban farming programs
- Nearly one in five Asbury Park residents live below the poverty line
A single grant is set to power thousands of meals, job opportunities, and brighter futures in Asbury Park.
- Nude beachgoers in New Jersey raise funds for body positivity causes
SANDY HOOK, NJ – Under clear skies and summer heat, visitors to Gunnison Beach shed more than just their clothes on July 12, joining International Skinny Dip Day to raise money for body positivity and women’s health causes.
Participants at the clothing-optional beach, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, helped contribute to a total of $15,130 collected across 22 locations worldwide — the largest fundraising year yet for the event. Organizers said the money will support programs aimed at combating severe forms of body shame and promoting inclusive, body-positive experiences.
For some at Sandy Hook, it was their first time participating in a skinny dip, while others were seasoned regulars at Gunnison, the only legal nude beach in New Jersey. The day included swimming, sunbathing, and conversations about body image and self-acceptance, all set against the backdrop of the Atlantic.
About Gunnison Beach:
Located within the Sandy Hook unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Gunnison Beach is a federally managed, clothing-optional shoreline drawing thousands of visitors each summer. It became officially recognized for nude recreation after the U.S. Army decommissioned nearby Fort Hancock in the 1970s, and has remained a popular destination for naturists. The beach stretches for about a half-mile, offering views of the New York City skyline, lifeguards on duty during the season, and a mix of regulars and first-time visitors seeking a relaxed, judgment-free atmosphere.──────────────────
Key Points- Gunnison Beach visitors joined International Skinny Dip Day to raise funds for body positivity causes.
- The global event raised $15,130 across 22 locations, its best year to date.
- Gunnison is New Jersey’s only legal nude beach, located in Sandy Hook’s Gateway National Recreation Area.
- Asbury Ale House to Open New Restaurant in Howell Township, Here’s Where
Howell, NJ – It happened quietly in April when Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar closed its doors on Route 9 after four years in business — now, Asbury Ale House is stepping in to take over the vacant space.
The new location, set to open in late fall at 5169 Route 9, will be the second outpost for the Asbury Ale House brand, which first launched in 2015 inside the historic Steinbach building in Asbury Park. The announcement was made this week through social media, where the bar and restaurant said it looks forward to serving Monmouth County with what it calls a local spot “to become family in.”
The Howell space had previously been Arooga’s only location in Monmouth County. Its closure was not publicly announced, but the restaurant was removed from Arooga’s official website earlier this year. Arooga’s continues to operate in East Brunswick, about 30 miles north on Route 18.
Howell Township Police Department Receives Warm Reception at Fraud Presentation Asbury Ale House has built a following for its expansive menu, energetic sports bar vibe, and central location in Asbury Park’s downtown. The Howell expansion aims to bring that same experience further inland with the same branding, menu, and event offerings.
Construction and renovation are underway at the Route 9 site, and the opening is projected for late fall, though no specific date has been confirmed.
—
Key Points
- Asbury Ale House is opening a second location in Howell at the former Arooga’s site on Route 9
- Arooga’s closed in April and was removed from the company’s website
- The new bar and restaurant is expected to open in late fall
- Matawan gas station sells $322K winning lottery ticket
TRENTON – A lucky ticket buyer in Monmouth County struck big Thursday night, winning a $322,396 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot.
The winning ticket, sold at BP Gas Station at 1103 Route 34 and Cambridge Drive in Matawan, matched all five numbers: 02, 03, 33, 36, and 37. The XTRA number was 02, and the Bullseye number was 37. This marks the 41st Jersey Cash 5 jackpot of the year.
The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. In addition to the jackpot, seven players matched four numbers plus the Bullseye and XTRA to win $500 each, while 17 others matched four numbers and the Bullseye for $250 each.
The Jersey Cash 5 jackpot now resets to $150,000.
- New Jersey man arrested after Facebook Marketplace Rolex theft and LSD seizure
A 21-year-old Spring Lake Heights man was arrested Monday following an investigation into a June theft of a Rolex watch during a Facebook Marketplace meetup in Wall Township, police said.
Matthew Nolfi was taken into custody on Monday morning after detectives linked him to a June 3 incident outside a Starbucks on Route 35. Around 8:34 p.m. that evening, police responded to a reported dispute and found a 35-year-old Farmingdale man who told officers that during a planned watch sale, the buyer grabbed the Rolex in a bag and fled on foot.
A witness told officers they saw two males involved in a brief foot chase, leading to the opening of a police investigation.
Wall Township detectives identified Nolfi as the suspect, and a search warrant was executed at his residence on July 28. Officers recovered the stolen Rolex and discovered a large quantity of LSD during the search.
Nolfi has been charged with theft and drug-related offenses. He is currently in custody as the investigation continues.
Key Points
- Matthew Nolfi, 21, was arrested for stealing a Rolex during a Facebook Marketplace meetup in June
- The theft occurred at a Starbucks on Route 35 in Wall Township
- Police recovered the watch and LSD during a search of Nolfi’s home on Monday
