It appears that the Democratic National Committee is ready to finally move on from their crushing defeat in November, with newly elected chairman Tom Perez asking the entire DNC staff to resign by April 15th. Faced with an ongoing battle between the establishment wing and the more progressive members of the party, the DNC needed to…
By Perry Hicks Donald J. Trump arrived in Washington with so many long knives arrayed against him, one would think he would have been more cautious about just who he would retain. Astonishingly, he was not. Consider two of Obama’s holdovers: FBI Director James Comey and U.S. Attorney Dana Boente. Together, these men could well form…
With the newest makeover planned for old St. Nick, 2017 may be the year to tell the kids there’s no such person as Santa Claus. He’s no longer “jolly.” He’s “gay.” And he’s in an interracial marriage. Santa is the black one. In what began as a simple tweet last December, Daniel Kibblesmith, a staff writer…
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg America’s wealthiest community foundation, with more than $8 billion in assets, has donated a total of more than $330,000 to two U.S.-based Islamic groups determined by the United Arab Emirates to be terrorist organizations. The donations by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Islamic Relief are…
This week, amidst a sea of other shocking and life-altering bills, political moves, executive orders, and scandals, both the House and Senate voted on and passed a law which granted Internet Service Providers the ability to buy and sell internet users’ browsing data to the highest bidder. Now, your internet service provider (like Comcast and AT&T)…
WASHINGTON – A former Obama official appears to have inadvertently confirmed the former president’s administration spied on then President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team for political purposes. Speaking on MSNBC March 2, Evelyn Farkas, deputy assistant secretary of defense under Obama, confirmed that not only was the previous administration collecting intelligence on the Trump team, it was…
Tests on several water sources on and off Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst show contamination from two chemicals contained in firefighting foam used on the base for decades, the base said. On base, some of the tests show levels thousands of times higher than the federal government’s health advisory level for drinking water. Off base, three private well…
The rape of a 14-year-old teenager in Maryland by at least one illegal immigrant has caused outrage throughout the nation, but generated surprising little outcry from feminist activists. Guatemalan Henry E. Sanchez-Milian, 18, and a 17-year-old male were charged with raping their classmate in Rockville High School. Authorities confirmed that Sanchez-Milian was an illegal immigrant who…
OLD BRIDGE — State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is making the race for the Republican nonination for New Jersey governor more competitive than expected. On Saturday, Ciattarelli (R-Somerset) beat Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, considered the early favorite in the GOP primary, for the endorsement of the local party in Middlesex County, the second-most populous county in the…
The White House confirmed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States for talks with President Donald Trump on April 6. President Trump will host Xi for two days at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. A White House statement said the agenda will include “global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual concern,” without…
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jeurys Familia’s fate was finally revealed on Wednesday. The Mets closer has been suspended 15 games by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred under the league’s domestic violence policy. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal was the first to confirm the amount of games. It’s the fewest amount of games awarded under the league’s young…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Representatives Tom MacArthur, Frank LoBiondo and Chris Smith all voted yes this week on a controversial plan to allow internet providers to sell the web browsing histories of internet subscribers in a landmark rollback of FCC privacy protections Ocean County’s congressional delegation. The bill, which would allow internet service providers like Comcast…
Like a lot of other people, I am ready to cut the cable. It’s not merely that my monthly cable bill equals a car payment. It also exceeds the entire price of some cars I’ve bought. Fortunately there are dozens of channels carrying high-def TV available over the air to residents of New Jersey. Unfortunately, if…
BRIDGETON — A member of the state Pinelands Commission has filed a defamation suit against 14 people who she says have attacked her on social media because of her backing of a plan to build a controversial natural gas pipeline through a section of the environmentally sensitive area. Jane Jannarone of Vineland, Cumberland County’s representative on…
TOMS RIVER — Emergency work to repair a gaping hole in the bulkhead of the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach is planned to start next week when crews can have better access to the damaged wall during prime hours. Mayor Stephen Reid said construction crews and divers plan to work on the bulkhead, damaged two…
The Ale House is coming to Hooper Avenue in the Silverton section of Toms River, maybe in April, replacing the short-lived pub 1850, and Mulligans before that.
The business is owned by the Gullace family, proprietors of the Asbury Park and Brielle Ale Houses.
The restaurant is boasting 60 beers on tap, an arcade and 40 big screen televisions. Last week, the restaurant’s sign finally went up at the 1850 Hooper Avenue location.
They are currently in the process of hiring servers and food runners. You can visit their Facebook page here.
There’s a new slice at the Jersey Shore, but it’s not like the usual local and New York based Italian pizzerias we’re all used to and the name doesn’t end in a vowel.
It’s the Mellow Mushroom which is getting mixed, but mostly positive reviews at their new Toms river location.
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, originating in Atlanta, Ga., but individually owned and operated, is now open in New Jersey for the first time thanks to owners Tito Shah and Mihir Kothari. The duo was asked what they wanted to showcase in the eclectic atmosphere of Mellow Mushroom: “Our design goal at Mellow Mushroom Toms River brings together a mix of local attractions, the culture of the Jersey Shore and its Boardwalk games, along with the infamous tales of the Pine Barrens and, of course, the Jersey Devil.”
When guests walk through the door, their eyes are drawn to the mural above Mellow Mushroom’s open concept kitchen that embraces the fun of classic Boardwalk games. The full-service bar is loaded with local craft beers and handcrafted cocktails. Guarding over the refreshing libations is none other than the Jersey Devil himself. The smoke breathing Pine Barrens native can be seen hovering just above the beer cooler. Don’t worry, he’s not there to steal your pizza. He just wants to watch the games on Mellow Mushrooms widescreen televisions, which are arranged through out the restaurant.
Within an atmosphere of family fun, patrons can celebrate all sorts of occasions, especially in the private dining room, which fits up to 12 guests. It is embellished with a colorful mosaic created by artist Maude “Modsaica” Lemaire.
Mellow Mushroom is widely known for their stone baked pizzas but that’s not the only item on their lively menu. They are home to loaded Calzones, Hoagies, Burgers and scrumptious Salads. There are vegetarian and gluten free specialty menus. The gluten free crust is made from nutritious ancient grains. The kids menu has interactive games and kid sized options that come with healthy side choices.
On Facebook, reviews have been mostly positive as the restaurant begins to pick up the pace and draw in new customers.
“Great service from the two young ladies who greeted my party of four and helped with the menu and each had suggestions to order to Katie Lordi at the bar who was fun, kind and a whole lot of laughs too. Extremely satisfied with our pizza and appetizers BUT the employs is what sets this place apart from the rest. Great Job Everyone,” wrote Charles Nicastro.
“First time there. Service was excellent….great bang for you buck..you can go anywhere and get a pizza with any toppings anywhere you want for $12 but the recipes that they have are extremely creative and different and it’s worth it. I would definitely go back again and bring the whole crew,” opined Marc McKennan.
The Mellow Mushroom is located at 1111 Route 37 West.
The Toms River School Board on Tuesday night decided not to award a contract to an auditor who made political campaign donations to several board members despite that auditor having the lowest qualified bid.
According to a report in the Asbury Park Press today, the politically connected firm of Holman, Frenia, Allison out of Toms River submitted a bid $20,000 less than the firm chosen, but the majority of board members chose to award the contract to Livingston based Wiss & Company.
Board Republicans Daniel Leonard, Joe Nardini and Christopher Raimann voted against the contract award to Wiss & Co.
It turns out, the main dissenter, newly elected board member Leonard received a $1,000 campaign donation from a political action committee, NJ Citizens for Conservatism, which Holman donated $2,200 to.
The board voted 6-3 in favor of retaining Wiss & Co., despite Leonard’s objection in favor of his indirect campaign donor. Leonard raise approximately $5,800 during the campaign, with the bulk of his contributions coming from politically connected benefactors.
NEWARK — Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority who became caught up in the bizarre scheme of political retribution that became known as Bridgegate, was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in prison. “I regret, more than anything, that I allowed myself to get caught up in this,” Baroni said in court…
TRENTON — A New Jersey rabbi who runs a school for children with developmental disabilities was indicted Wednesday for allegedly stealing public money intended to educate special needs students, authorities said. Osher Eisemann, 60, the founder and director of the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence in Lakewood, is accused of using a private fundraising nonprofit…
A Democratic political appointee in Brick Township is under fire this week after accepting a position on the township’s Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Hooking up for Bernie?
Robyn Gedrich, 24, made headlines during the Democratic primary election when she was kicked off a popular singles dating app, Tinder for promoting the political campaign of Bernie Sanders.
Now she will be part of the seven member board which manages subsidized housing for seniors.
On the popular Brick Township online news website, Brick Shorebeat, Gedrich was criticized by readers.
“Great…whats her qualifications…her business background…why did they choose her,” asked “Frank Rizzo”.
“Friends and family degree,” replied “smokin”.
A user by the name of Surfrider made the following statement:
C’mon “internet firestorm”? For doing something not on the up and up campaigning for the “money tree” candidate on a dating app, lying to 600 potential dates to campaign for a socialist? Doesn’t sound to me like a honest person, so lets reward her for her dishonesty. Well I for one feel this is the wrong type of character for this position. I pity the poor old people, she will be sending them to the glue factory. So this young lady, with all her experience, is tied somehow to this administration for sure? Commissioner? You gotta be kidding me. What is this salary for some one who has no experience, only 24 years old, and already appointed a commissioner? Politics, unbelievable….One thing for sure, she will never convince those who she will serve, she is working for them.BAD CHOICE BRICK!!.
Six Flags Great Adventure celebrates 2017’s opening weekend April 1 and 2. Guests can enjoy their favorite attractions such as Kingda Ka, El Toro, Nitro and Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom. On the Safari Off Road Adventure, guests can see the park’s three adorable baby giraffes for the first time. Xena, Charly and Eddie roam the Afrikka section with their mothers, weather permitting.
Casino Pier announced the start of construction on their new ferris wheel to be built on the new portion of the amusement pier this week.
A new 40 meter Ferris Wheel will stand 131 ft tall & bright on our newly expanded pier in 2017. Manufactured by Technical Park, 34 gondolas seating 6 passengers will offer breathtaking views of the Jersey Shore. One gondola will offer wheelchair accessibility.
“Some shiny and new pieces arrived for the Ferris Wheel! The west support is being put into place,” the company said on Facebook. Photo Casino Pier, FB.
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato is asking media outlets in a number of towns and states listed below to post the attached picture of Jamie Lynn Lawson, age 42, a Super Storm Sandy contractor wanted for fraudulent activity by the Ocean County Prosecutor. Lawson has been a fugitive since December 14, 2016. He is currently under indictment for theft and money laundering related to 14 victims of contractor fraud totaling $480,000. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will be superseding that indictment to include 34 victims totaling approximately $1.5 million. Its alleged Lawson took money from the thirty-four homeowners in Ocean & Monmouth Counties and then did either no work or less than contracted services on their homes. He allegedly used the money for vehicles and personal expenses.
Jamie Lynn Lawson is believed to have been in the following areas since December of 2016:
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Addison, TX
Denton, TX
Irving, TX
Houston, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Rowland, NC
Fairmount, NC
Lumberton, NC
Bishopville, SC
Greenville, TN
Siloam, GA
Livingston, AL
Sedalia, MO
St. Louis. MO
Tulsa, OK
Quapaw, OK
Mendenhall, MS
Brandon, MS
Florence, MS
Jackson, MS
Magee, MS
Lawson moved to New Jersey shortly after Superstorm Sandy and made application to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor. The State registered Lawson based upon his material misrepresentations on the application including his failure to disclose his prior criminal convictions. Shortly thereafter, he began taking contracts to perform Sandy related renovations and new home construction.
The specific counts of the original Indictment include Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) – Second Degree (more than $75,000), six counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Second Degree (more than $75,000), nine counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Third Degree (more than $500 and less than $75,000), Tampering with Public Records for submitting a fictitious Home Improvement Contractor Application Third Degree and one count of Unregistered Home Improvement Contracting – Fourth Degree. Superior Court Judge Patricia B. Roe, J.S.C. set bail on the Indictment Warrant at $150,000, restricted him from engaging in home improvement & building contracts and required him to surrender his passport.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted in cooperation with the Brick Police Department, Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Anyone with information regarding Lawson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Economic Crime Unit
Originally built in the 1950s, the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge has served the residents of the island well providing access from their homes to Route 35. It even weathered Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
But age has taken its toll on the timber span and Ocean County will now oversee a study to determine the best course of action for rehabilitating or replacing bridge located on the northern barrier island in Toms River Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees approved $325,000 in federal funds for the study at its March meeting.
Funding for the study is provided through the Local Concept Development Phase of the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2018 Local Capital Project Delivery Program. The Local Capital Project Delivery Program awards grants to NJTPA member counties and cities to investigate all aspects of a project, including environmental, right of way access, design and feasibility issues. The NJTPA Board approved a combined $2.76 million for studies in FY 2018 and FY 2019 at its March 13 meeting in Newark.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari extended his appreciation to the NJTPA for providing the funds for the study.
He noted the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge is used by many bicyclists and pedestrians especially in the summer months.
The two-lane bridge on Strickland Boulevard crosses the Barnegat Bay, connecting Chadwick Beach Island and its 300 homes to Route 35.
In 1985, new deck boards, pile caps and railings were installed. The timber bulkheads and load-bearing piles are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The bridge’s width and sidewalk do not meet current standards.
According to the NJTPA, Local Concept Development is the first phase of the Local Capital Project Delivery Program, which guides projects from initial concepts all the way to construction.
During the initial phase, the County will identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies and select a preferred alternative. Projects that complete this initial investigative work may be eligible for eventual construction with federal funds. More information on the program can be found at www.njtpa.org.