Weird and Strange News - Shore News Network

When New Jersey is Craving Fast Food, This Restaurant is Where Most End Up

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 31, 20250

TRENTON, N.J. — McDonald’s is the most searched fast-food chain in New Jersey, according to new research analyzing Google search data over the past year, despite a nationwide dip in performance this February. The study, conducted by commercial furniture manufacturer Restaurant Furniture, ranked the country’s top fast-food chains by monthly Google searches, revealing McDonald’s leads in 22 states, including New Jersey, Arizona, and Maryland. McDonald’s, with 14,879,233 average monthly searches nationwide, remains at the top of the list. This comes even as the company reported a 1.4% drop in U.S. performance in February, its steepest monthly decline since 2020. Domino’s

Florida woman arrested for filming sex acts with dog, selling videos online for $500

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 30, 20250

OCALA, FL — A Florida woman has been arrested after authorities say she filmed herself engaging in sexual activity with a dog and sold the footage online for hundreds of dollars. Logan Guminski, 27, was taken into custody last Friday by Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives on charges of sexual activity involving an animal and filming sexual activity involving an animal. The investigation began on January 28, when MCSO Detective Jordyn Batts received an anonymous tip that Guminski had posted a video to Instagram showing the act. The detective later recovered multiple videos and photos of the

Twisted Tea terror: Saw-swinging Stafford man jailed after boozy brawl with roommate

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 29, 20250

STAFFORD, VA — A Stafford man was arrested Thursday evening after allegedly attacking his roommate with a handsaw during a drunken altercation, authorities said. Michael Jones, 37, was taken into custody following a disturbance on Cabell Road around 7:15 p.m., according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded after receiving reports of an intoxicated individual threatening others with a saw. Key Points When Deputy K.W. Suter arrived at the scene, Jones was no longer armed with the saw but was allegedly holding a can of Twisted Tea and behaving belligerently. He was quickly detained. The victim told deputies the

Drunk-driving teen crashes in McDonald’s drive-thru with marijuana and BB gun

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 29, 20250

STAFFORD, VA — A juvenile allegedly under the influence crashed into another vehicle while attempting to order food at a McDonald’s drive-thru late Tuesday night, authorities said, and was later found with marijuana products and a realistic BB gun. According to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on March 26 around 11:02 p.m., after a concerned caller reported a suspected drunk driver on Richmond Highway near Garrisonville Road. The driver, described as appearing half-asleep, had reportedly reversed at an intersection before continuing down the road. Key Points: Deputy D.A. Robertson located the suspect vehicle in the drive-thru line

Unholy heist: New Jersey church bookkeeper charged with stealing nearly $300K

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 28, 20250

Key Points: MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A former church bookkeeper has been charged with stealing nearly $300,000 from two Roman Catholic parishes in Morris County over a six-year period, authorities announced Wednesday. Melissa Rivera, 60, of Haskell, is accused of embezzling $292,728 while employed at Our Lady of the Mountain in Washington Township and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pompton Plains. Investigators say Rivera wrote numerous unauthorized checks from parish accounts and deposited them into her personal bank accounts. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit began investigating after receiving a referral alleging theft from Our Lady of the

Sheep on the lam: Baby sheep duo escapes in Monroe County, one still at large

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 28, 20250

Highlights: COLUMBIA, Ill. — Two baby sheep broke free from a fenced area near Triple Lakes Road earlier this week, prompting an unusual countryside chase that ended with one lamb in custody and the other still hoofing it through Monroe County. The animals slipped the fence and spent two days making surprise appearances in backyards and roaming wooded areas before Deputy Reinhardt of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department captured one of the fugitives and returned it safely to its owners. The second sheep remains at large as authorities continue their search. “This was a catch and release—straight back to its

Driver plows into Bank of America in Stafford, no injuries reported

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 28, 20250

STAFFORD, VA — A driver attempting to make a bank deposit created an unexpected “drive-thru” Thursday morning after crashing into a Bank of America branch in Stafford County, authorities said. The incident occurred at the Bank of America located at 1525 Stafford Market Place, where deputies responded to reports of a vehicle striking the building. According to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, no injuries were reported in the crash. Authorities have not released details about the driver or the cause of the crash. The vehicle appeared to strike the front of the bank, causing visible damage to the structure, but

New Jersey is Last State to Outlaw Pumping Your Own Gas, But John Bramnick Wants to Change That

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 28, 20250

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Sen. John Bramnick has reintroduced legislation aimed at ending the state’s long-standing ban on self-serve gasoline, reviving a decades-long debate over whether Garden State drivers should be allowed to pump their own fuel. Bramnick, a Republican, is also running for governor. The bill, introduced this week, would give consumers the option to pump their own gas while requiring stations with more than four pumps to continue offering full-service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It also mandates accessibility accommodations for motorists with disabilities, such as pump call buttons or posted contact numbers, and prohibits fuel

Toms River Sues New Jersey After State Demands Affordable Housing Built on Cemeteries and School Fields

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 27, 20250

TOMS RIVER, NJ – On Wednesday, Toms River Township Mayor Dan Rodrick and the township council announced they will continue to fight New Jersey’s affordable housing mandates by filing a lawsuit against the state. That lawsuit challenges the Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) imposition of 670 new affordable housing units by 2035, plus addressing a “present need” of 526 substandard units. The legal action, lodged with the state’s Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program, follows a unanimous Township Council vote on January 29, rejecting the DCA’s figures as inflated and unrealistic. Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick said the Fair Share housing

Baltimore Minor League Team Unveils New Logo That Has People Taking a Second Look

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 26, 20250

The Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, introduced their new alternate identity for the 2025 season: the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers. Intended as a tribute to the Chesapeake Bay’s rich heritage and the American oystercatcher bird, the unveiling came with a pair of logos—one of which quickly stirred up a storm of controversy. The primary logo features an oystercatche However, it was the secondary logo—a catcher’s mitt with an oyster shell and a baseball as the “pearl”—that caught everyone’s attention. Social media erupted with reactions, as many pointed out its unintended resemblance to the female reproductive system. The

Feds Cancel New York’s Food Justice for Queer and Trans Farmer Funding

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 25, 20250

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, has terminated a controversial contract in New York aimed at educating transgender and queer farmers on “food justice and food equality.” The decision, announced by Rollins on X earlier this month, reflects a broader push to eliminate what the administration deems wasteful spending, raising questions about the intersection of identity, agriculture, and taxpayer funds. Details about the New York contract remain sparse, as neither the USDA nor Rollins provided specifics on its scope, cost, or original intent. However, Rollins’ statement on X—“I’m not even

Police Use DNA to Charge Allentown Employee Who Left Noose on Her Own Desk, Faked Hate Crime

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 24, 20250

ALLENTOWN, PA — A City of Allentown employee who claimed to find a noose on her desk in January is now facing charges for allegedly fabricating the incident after DNA evidence linked her to the object, police said. On January 10, at approximately 7:11 a.m., LaTarsha Brown reported to work at City Hall and alerted the Allentown Police Department minutes later that a noose had been placed on her desk. Key Points Officers from multiple divisions launched a criminal investigation, seeking to identify who placed the item. City surveillance footage, access records, and interviews were used to identify who had

New Jersey Bird Feeder Ban Looms in Trenton as Spring Hatches

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 24, 20250

Trenton, NJ – As spring blossoms across New Jersey, bringing the cheerful chirps of returning migratory birds, a contentious proposal in Trenton threatens to silence a backyard tradition: bird feeding. Lawmakers are considering a statewide ban on bird feeders, driven by concerns over avian disease and ecological disruption, just as the state’s feathered residents kick off their nesting season. That ban is not only bad news for bird lovers; it could mean bad news for ‘big bird,’ the industry that manufactures everything from feeders to packaged bird seed products. The idea stems from growing evidence of health risks tied to

Yankees Announcer Michael Kay Fires Back at Social Media Critics Over Forehead Jabs

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 23, 20250

New York, NY – March 23, 2025 – Michael Kay, the longtime voice of the New York Yankees and host of ESPN New York’s “The Michael Kay Show,” took to social media late Saturday night to address a recurring theme in his mentions: unsolicited comments about his physical appearance. Specifically, the broadcaster clapped back at users who have repeatedly targeted his self-described “gargantuan forehead” and “long face,” expressing both amusement and exasperation at the lack of originality in the digs. In a post on X at 10:14 PM EDT on March 22, Kay wrote, “It truly never ceases to amaze

Is There Really a “Woke Mind Virus”? Decoding Elon Musk’s Crusade Against the Logic of the Left

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 23, 20250

Elon Musk, the billionaire innovator behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has a knack for stirring the pot. Whether it’s launching cars into space or weighing in on cultural debates, his voice carries weight—and controversy. One phrase he’s wielded with increasing frequency is “woke mind virus,” a term he claims threatens civilization itself. Musk has vowed to “destroy” it, citing it as a corrosive force infiltrating media, education, corporations, and even his personal life. But is there really a “woke mind virus”? Or is this just another hyperbolic soundbite from a man known for his outsized rhetoric? Let’s dig into the

Radical Left Planning “Tesla Takedown” at Jersey Shore Dealership

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 21, 20250

EATONTOWN, N.J. — A group of protesters is planning to gather outside a Tesla dealership on Sunday for what organizers are calling a “Tesla takedown” event aimed at Elon Musk and his influence on American politics. Have your fire extinguishers and pepper spray ready, because things could get out of hand! Key Points The demonstration is scheduled for 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Tesla showroom on Route 35 in Eatontown. The rally is being coordinated by local members of Indivisible, a national grassroots movement known for organizing progressive political action. The movement has been responsible for burning charging

Gambino Family Mob Enforcer Who Shot 40 People and Killed 6 Appointed to Town Council in New Jersey

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 20, 20250

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – A newly appointed councilman in New Jersey will introduce an ordinance you can’t refuse. In Englishtown, New Jersey, a half-square-mile speck of suburban boredom, Mayor Daniel Francisco decided to shake things up this week, nominating John Alite—yes, that John Alite, the ex-Gambino crime family enforcer with a body count—to a vacant council seat. Francisco, a Republican, swore in the confessed Gambino family hitman on March 12, after Alite’s 14-year prison stint for racketeering, murders (at least six by his own tally), and enough shootings and beatdowns to make a Sopranos script blush. The mayor touted Alite’s “vast

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Emerges as New Leader of the Democratic Party

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 17, 20250

NEW YORK – Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), widely known as AOC, is stepping into the spotlight as the emerging leader of the Democratic Party, signaling a potential shift in the party’s direction as it navigates a challenging political landscape. At 35 years old, the progressive firebrand from New York’s 14th Congressional District has captured the attention of Democrats nationwide, with her bold vision and unapologetic advocacy resonating with a growing faction of the party’s base. Ocasio-Cortez’s rise comes at a pivotal moment for Democrats, who are grappling with internal divisions and the need to redefine their identity following recent electoral

Democrats’ Profanity-Laced Playbook Isn’t Digging Them Out of Their Historic Rut

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 17, 20250

OP-ED – The Democratic Party is in freefall, and their latest tactic—cursing up a storm—isn’t just failing to reverse the slide; it’s making them look desperate. With approval ratings plumbing depths not seen since the party’s post-Civil War nadir, Democrats have hit rock bottom at 32 percent, according to Gallup’s latest tracker—the lowest in their 197-year history. Yet, instead of soul-searching or policy pivots, some of their loudest voices are doubling down on a strategy straight out of a dive bar: swearing their way to relevance. Spoiler alert—it’s not working. Take Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who last week told a

Is Your Newborn Baby Trans or Gay? New Jersey Would Like to Know Before You Leave the Hospital

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 17, 20250

Trenton, NJ – A controversial state mandate in New Jersey has thrust hospitals into the spotlight, as new parents are now being asked to identify the gender identity and sexual orientation of their newborn babies. The requirement, tied to a 2022 law signed by Governor Phil Murphy, has sparked outrage among parents, lawmakers, and residents who call it an absurd overreach, while state officials defend it as a necessary step to track health disparities. The law, known as A-4385 or P.L.2021, c.142, mandates that healthcare providers, including hospitals, collect detailed demographic data from patients—specifically race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender

Former Mayrland Fire Captain Punches Airline Worker Over Cancelled Flight at Washington Dulles

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 17, 20250

DULLES, Va. — A Maryland man was arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport after allegedly assaulting a United Airlines gate agent when his travel plans were disrupted. Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, of Frederick, attempted to walk onto the jet bridge at Gate D12 on Thursday while arriving passengers were deboarding, authorities said. When an airline employee blocked his access, Crittenden allegedly punched the agent. United Airlines passenger punches a gate attendant at Washington Dulles International Airport when his flight was allegedly canceled and another fully booked. Maryland resident Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, attempted to walk onto the jet bridge at

Dirty New Jersey Cop Stole Drug Evidence, Laundered $600,000 to Personal Bank Accounts

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 16, 20250

TRENTON, NJ – A state grand jury has indicted a suspended Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) lieutenant for allegedly removing and tampering with drug evidence on multiple occasions and engaging in financial crimes involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash deposits, officials announced. Kevin T. Matthew, 48, of Cedar Grove, is accused of withdrawing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl from BCPO’s evidence vault between January 2019 and November 2023. Prosecutors allege he accessed drug cases despite having no investigative role and returned altered evidence, impairing the chain of custody in ongoing criminal cases. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin called the

Texas Embalmer Removed Genitals From Corpse After Learning Deceased Was Sex Offender

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 16, 20250

Houston, TX – March 16, 2025 – A licensed embalmer in Texas has been charged with abuse of a corpse following a disturbing incident at a Harris County funeral home. Amber Paige Laudermilk, 34, allegedly severed the penis of a deceased man and placed it in his mouth, according to authorities. The investigation began after the Texas Funeral Service Commission received a complaint from the funeral director of Claire Brothers Funeral Home, which operates Memorial Mortuary and Crematory. The director reported that employees had raised concerns about Laudermilk’s actions involving the body of 58-year-old Charles Roy Rodriguez, who was being

Dropkick Murphys Call Republicans ‘Cult Members’, Tell Trump Fans to ‘Shut the f-ck up’

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 16, 20250

Boston, MA – – The Dropkick Murphys, Boston’s beloved Celtic punk band, ignited a firestorm of cheers and controversy at a recent performance in their hometown, unleashing a blistering tirade against Donald Trump supporters and Republicans. Known for their working-class anthems and unapologetic Irish-American pride, the band didn’t hold back, reportedly telling Trump supporters to “shut the f—k up” while branding Republicans as “cult members,” according to posts circulating on X. The incident, which appears to have occurred during a St. Patrick’s Day weekend show, aligns with the band’s long-standing reputation for political outspokenness. While no official recording of the

Fort Washington man charged with murdering father before stabbing himself

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 16, 20250

FORT WASHINGTON, MD – A 22-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his father after authorities say he fatally assaulted him before attempting to take his own life. Prince George’s County Police responded to a home on Den Meade Avenue around 5:00 a.m. on March 14 for a report of an attempted suicide. Officers found 59-year-old Patrick Cooper dead at the scene with signs of blunt force trauma. His son, Christopher Wiley Cooper, was also inside the home with self-inflicted stab wounds to the abdomen. Investigators determined that Christopher Cooper attacked his father before stabbing himself. His injuries