New Jersey News

Port Authority wants to go after your license, registration if you cheat tolls

Port Authority officials will ask New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission to suspend the registration privilege of chronic toll violators, similar to what is now done in New York State, as the agency moves to cashless toll collection. Officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reached an agreement with New York State’s Department…

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The Greatest Show on Earth Comes to an End in 2017

Since the 1800’s the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus has wowed audiences across America.  The two joined forces in 1919 as one and for nearly 100 more years continued their traveling circus.

In 1967, the circus was bought by what is now Feld Entertainment.

On Saturday, the company, which also manages Monster Jam and Disney on Ice announce the end of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus this spring.

“After much evaluation and deliberation, my family and I have made the difficult business decision that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will hold its final performances in May of this year,” Ken Feld said.  “Ringling Bros. ticket sales have been declining, but following the transition of the elephants off the road, we saw an even more dramatic drop. This, coupled with high operating costs, made the circus an unsustainable business for the company.”

“Nearly 50 years ago, my father founded our company with the acquisition of Ringling Bros. The circus and its people have continually been a source of inspiration and joy to my family and me, which is why this was such a tough business decision to make,” he added. “The decision was even more difficult because of the amazing fans that have become part of our extended circus family over the years, and we are extremely grateful to the millions of families who have made Ringling Bros. part of their lives for generations. We know Ringling Bros. isn’t only our family business, but also your family tradition.”

 

Foster Rescue Saves Pregnant Dog From Kill Shelter; Broadcasts Birth Live on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/itsaruffliferescue/videos/633732776813051/

When It’s a Ruff Life Rescue, a dog fostering network in New Jersey which has many canine foster homes in Ocean County found out about Little Miss Sunshine waiting on death row at a North Carolina kill shelter, the group sprung into action.

Little did they know just last week, that the dog they rescued was pregnant.  They also didn’t know until she was taken in for x-rays that she had been used as target practice in North Carolina. Doctors found several bb’s lodged under her skin.

After asking for donations, the community responded and food, toys, training pads and other items started pouring in.  There were also supplies for the babies.

Within a few days, a foster home was found for Little Miss Sunshine.   Then, she gave birth to her puppies which was broadcast live on Facebook.  Over 50,000 people watched the birth live.

Now named Abigail, she birthed 8 puppies, one did not make it.  She gave birth to 6 boys and 2 girls.

If you would like to get involved and help, visit It’s A Ruff Life’s Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

Roadway fatalities in Ocean County increased in 2016

In 2015, 38 died in roadway fatalities in Ocean County.  In 2016, that number rose by four to 42.  Below is a list of roadway fatalities reports by the New Jersey State Police.

Municipality Date Time Location Fatalities
Toms River 12/25/2016 1038 State Highway 166 (Alternate) 1
Plumsted Twsp 12/17/2016 0546 County 528 1
Toms River 12/12/2016 1757 State Highway 9 1
Lakewood Twsp 12/09/2016 1325 River Ave 1
Lacey Twsp 11/29/2016 1439 County 614 at Newark Ave 1
Toms River 11/22/2016 2310 State Highway 70 1
Manchester Twsp 11/09/2016 0839 County 571 at Bacon St 1
Plumsted Twsp 11/07/2016 1810 County 640 W MP 5.2 1
Beachwood Boro 11/06/2016 1816 State/Interstate Authority 444 N MP 78.9 1
Lakewood Twsp 11/03/2016 1217 State/Interstate Authority 444 N MP 88.3 1
Brick Twsp 10/06/2016 0246 State/Interstate Authority 444 N MP 93.7 1
Stafford Twsp 10/05/2016 1316 State/Interstate Authority 444 N MP 63.8 1
Lakewood Twsp 10/01/2016 2104 Williams St 1
Berkeley Twsp 09/28/2016 0744 State Highway 9 S MP 89 1
Little Egg Harbor T 09/17/2016 2053 County 539 N MP 5.4 3
Ocean Twsp 09/07/2016 2008 State Highway 9 S MP 77.9 1
Little Egg Harbor T 08/21/2016 0125 County 601 S MP 2.4 1
Barnegat Twsp 08/08/2016 0752 Ridgeway St N MP 0 1
Toms River 08/04/2016 2214 Wave Way E MP 0 at Harbor View Lane 1
Brick Twsp 08/03/2016 0010 State/Interstate Authority 444 N MP 93.3 1
Berkeley Twsp 08/01/2016 1543 County 618 E MP 6.3 1
Toms River 07/14/2016 0656 County 527 1
Jackson Twsp 07/03/2016 1852 County 526 E MP 22.9 at County Route 26 1
Manchester Twsp 06/24/2016 1035 State Highway 70 1
Lakewood Twsp 06/19/2016 2207 County 526 W MP 32.5 1
Toms River 05/28/2016 2033 State/Interstate Authority 444 S MP 82.2 1
Jackson Twsp 05/11/2016 0511 County 571 N MP 20.2 1
Little Egg Harbor T 04/16/2016 1428 Hamble Road E MP 0 1
Lakehurst Boro 04/16/2016 1313 State Highway 70 E MP 43.5 at County Route 12 1
Manchester Twsp 04/15/2016 0709 State Highway 70 E MP 37.6 1
Brick Twsp 04/13/2016 0505 State/Interstate Authority 444 S MP 92 1
Long Beach Twsp 03/22/2016 0838 County 607 S MP 15.8 1
Lakewood Twsp 03/19/2016 2140 County 526 E MP 32.2 1
Manchester Twsp 03/17/2016 1631 County 530 1
Toms River 03/09/2016 1116 County 623 S MP 5.1 1
Ship Bottom Boro 02/10/2016 1540 State Highway 72 W MP 26.4 at Barnegat Ave 1
Plumsted Twsp 02/06/2016 1846 County 640 E MP 1.7 1
Toms River 02/02/2016 1125 County 622 W MP 1.65 at County Route 86 1
Barnegat Twsp 02/01/2016 1201 State Highway 72 E MP 16.3 1
Manchester Twsp 01/22/2016 0918 County 530 E MP 22.9 1
Accident Count: 40 County Totals: 42

Ocean County Beach Replenishment Project Awarded to Weeks Marine

by Debra Hoover, NJDEP

TRENTON-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, has awarded a contract to construct long-awaited engineered beaches and dunes for the northern Ocean County peninsula, one of the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The Army Corps awarded a base contract of $92 million to Cranford-based Weeks Marine to conduct the first phase of construction. The total contract amount is expected to reach about $128 million as work progresses to additional areas of the peninsula where the state is continuing to work to secure access easements from property owners.

The overall project will cover some 14 miles of coastline along the Barnegat Peninsula and will protect the communities of Bay Head, Berkeley, Brick, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and Toms River.

This is the last major stretch of beaches in New Jersey to be awarded a contract for construction of engineered systems of beaches and dunes. These systems are proven to protect lives, property and infrastructure, a major goal of the Christie Administration in the aftermath of Sandy.

“We are very pleased that this crucial project is moving forward,” Commissioner Martin said. “When completed, all of New Jersey’s coastal communities will be afforded the level of protection that comes with beach and dune systems that meet Army Corps’ engineering standards. The Christie Administration has remained steadfast – even in the face of challenges from some property owners over providing easements – in its commitment to building a full coastal system of engineered beaches that, in addition to providing protection, are vital to the state’s economy and identity.”

Work will begin in the spring and will progress in 1,000-foot sections to minimize impacts to residents and visitors.

“This represents one of the largest beach-fill contracts in the history of the United States Army Corps of Engineers,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Michael Bliss. “The engineered dune and berm system will serve the vital purposes of reducing risk and helping to protect people and property.”

The Barnegat Peninsula was hit especially hard when Sandy slammed the state in October 2012. The ocean breached the peninsula in Mantoloking. Record storm surge caused significant damage to Brick, Lavallette. Mantoloking, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and the Ortley Beach section of Toms River. Homes, businesses, piers, boardwalks and infrastructure – including State Route 35 – were destroyed or severely damaged.

These areas did not have properly engineered beached and dunes when Sandy hit. Engineered beaches and dunes block and absorb the impact of storm surge, mitigating property damage.

A key component of the project is the construction of dunes and beaches along a four-mile stretch of sea wall in Mantoloking and Brick that the DEP teamed up with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to build as added protection for Route 35. This is the main artery and coastal evacuation route through a particularly vulnerable stretch of the peninsula that was severely damaged during Sandy.

This highway, since reconstructed to modern design standards with extensive flood controls, was the scene of a major breach at the Mantoloking Bridge during Sandy. The four-mile-long protective wall is comprised of steel sheet pilings driven deep into the sand that will serve as emergency backup protection, with the beach and dune system providing primary protection to the roadway.

Work will begin with beach and dune construction in southern Mantoloking, as well as all of Lavallette, Toms River, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. Work in Bay Head, Berkeley, northern Mantoloking and Point Pleasant Beach will begin after all necessary easements have been obtained.

A total of 545 easements are needed for the project. An easement is a legal right of access to private or municipally owned property the Army Corps and DEP need to perform construction. Nearly 350 easements – or 64 percent – had been provided voluntarily. The state also obtained 54 additional easements through condemnation proceedings under the Eminent Domain Act and is pursuing additional condemnation proceedings.

“The Governor and I are grateful to the majority of property owners who voluntarily provided their easements because they recognize that this is the right thing to do for their neighbors and their communities,” Commissioner Martin said.

Over the course of the project, some 11 million cubic yards of sand will be pumped from offshore to build dunes and beaches. For most of the project area, dunes will be built 22 feet above sea level. Beaches will be constructed from 100 feet to 300 feet wide and 8.5 feet above sea level. The project area will receive periodic replenishment projects over the course of 50 years to replace sand lost through normal erosion.

The federal government will be paying for 65 percent of the project using money approved under the 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, which funds projects that Congress had previously authorized but had not been completed by the time Sandy hit in October 2012. New Jersey will pay for 35 percent of the project from the state’s Shore Protection Fund.

Chief Welcomes New K-9 Unit

by Andrew Kudrick, Chief, Howell PD

HOWELL-Congratulations to Patrolman Jesse Moore #617 and his partner Opus on becoming a certified Police K-9 Patrol Team.

For the past 16 weeks, he and his partner were trained by Long Branch Police Sgt. Bobby Shamrock in obedience, tracking, building searches, agility, articles, building/area searches and criminal apprehension and handler protection. This is a tough, extensive training and certification obtained by very few officers.

A sincere thank you to Sgt Shamrock and Long Branch Police Director Jason Roebuck. You did an outstanding job!

Congratulations to Long Branch K9 Officer Omar Akel and his partner Hades who also graduated. Stay safe!!!

Monmouth County is now safer for both residents and the officers. It’s also more dangerous for the criminals!

Next up, 12 weeks of scent training to become certified in narcotics detection.

I’m very proud of Officer Moore. As a former K9 handler, I realize the inherent dedication and commitment and responsibility required to be a handler. I wish you a very safe tour. It will be the most rewarding years of your career. No doubt, you will proudly and honorably represent the Howell Police as well as the small police K9 community.

DEA, Local Police Discover Heroin Lab at Ocean County Apartment Complex

During the closing months of 2016 the Toms River Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Operations Group, and Lavallette Police Department, concluded a month long investigation into the distribution of heroin.  On December 22, 2016, Kevin Porter, 27, of Newark NJ was arrested and charged by the investigative team.  The arrest of Porter led to the seizure of 250 wax folds of heroin, 50 grams of powder heroin, and $750.00 in U.S. currency.

Further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant in Winteringham Village as well as a search of a residence on the 100 block of Philadelphia Avenue in Lavallette.  Detectives uncovered a full manufacturing facility where heroin was being mixed, packaged and stamped by Porter for resale.  Items included empty wax folds ready to be packaged, stamps, sifters, and several other items used to package and distribute heroin.

Porter was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin over one half ounce with the intent to distribute (2nd degree) and maintaining a heroin manufacturing facility (1st degree).  Bail was set at $75,000.00 no ten percent.

Watch out NJ! Phil Murphy is coming for you guns…

…and he’s armed with misleading data.

Phil Murphy, a Democratic candidate for Governor of New Jersey is coming after guns in the Garden State.    Murphy, leaning heavily on the national media narrative that guns kill people is pushing an anti-gun platform in his campaign for Governor.

“The gun violence epidemic continues to plague our state and our nation. Tragically, guns remain a leading cause of death in our country,” Murphy’s campaign website says.

Gun violence is a public health crisis and Governor Chris Christie is part of the epidemic for vetoing over-the-top gun legislation.

“The gun violence epidemic is nothing short of a public health crisis. And yet, Governor Christie continues to stand in the way of sensible reforms. He has vetoed bills that had universal support from New Jerseyans,” Murphy said.  “These bipartisan measures would have kept guns out of the hands of gang members and individuals convicted of making terroristic threats, restricted the size of gun magazines, and prohibited the sale of a powerful .50-caliber rifle — a ban Governor Christie himself proposed in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy.”

Avoiding the whole Chicago thing, Murphy cites 5 liberal strongholds with strict gun laws.

“The evidence is clear: the five states with the lowest rates of gun violence — Hawaii, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut — all have among the strictest gun safety regulations in the nation,” his campaign site reads. “Conversely, the states with the highest rates of gun violence all have weak gun safety regulations.”

In reality, New Jersey has a lower per capita murder rate and a lower gun ownership rate than New York.    People in New York kill each other more than New Jersey, perhaps after all, it’s not the guns.

Murphy represents everything America rejected in November of 2016 and should also be rejected by New Jersey residents in 2017.

When he points to Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut having lower gun violence, it’s nothing more than another liberal slight of hand.

New Jersey had 2.7 gun murder per 100,000 residents.  Massachusetts had 1.8, Rhode Island 1.5, but Connecticut had the same 2.7 rate as New Jersey.  That is 1 person per 100,000 residents.  Not exactly the epidemic this liberal gun control pusher claimed.

Photo: Phil Murphy with his friend, President Barack Obama where he was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Germany by the outgoing commander-in-chief.  Photo by Phil Murphy for Governor.

Security guard stole $200k in cash after being fired from Casino sentenced

Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that a former security guard at the Caesars Casino in Atlantic City was sentenced to prison today for committing an armed robbery at the casino in 2014 after he was fired from his job.

Izyiah Plummer, 22, of Atlantic City, was sentenced to 11 years in state prison, including nine years and four months of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury Jr. in Atlantic County. Plummer pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2016, to all of the charges filed against him in an Aug. 20, 2015 indictment, including first-degree armed robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

Deputy Attorney General Kerry DiJoseph prosecuted Plummer and handled the sentencing for the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau-Casino Prosecutions Unit.

Three other defendants who were indicted with Plummer have pleaded guilty and face prison sentences in connection with the robbery. Aaron Evans, 26, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12 to second-degree theft and faces a recommended sentence of eight years in state prison. Nathaniel Greenlee, 23, of Bear, Delaware, and Donavon Jackson, 22, of Wilmington, Delaware, each pleaded guilty in June 2016 to second-degree theft. The state will recommend that each of those two men be sentenced to seven years in state prison. Evans, Greenlee and Jackson are scheduled to be sentenced on March 17.

The men were charged in an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau and the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau-Casino Prosecutions Unit. They were charged in connection with an armed robbery of a security guard and a second casino employee who were removing cash from a kiosk inside Caesars Casino on July 21, 2014.

“Plummer planned and executed a violent armed robbery that put lives at risk,” said Attorney General Porrino. “With this sentence, we’re protecting the public by keeping a dangerous criminal behind bars for many years.”

“Plummer thought he could evade capture by wearing a mask and using his inside knowledge of casino security to commit this heist, but the State Police quickly identified Plummer and his accomplices,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Together we built a strong case that now has resulted in lengthy prison sentences.”

“Many people have dreams of getting lucky and walking away from a casino with the big jackpot, but unfortunately Izyiah Plummer chose to rely on robbery and violence to make his dream come true,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Thanks to some great work by the lead State Police detectives and our partners, Plummer won’t be planning heists in the near future.”

The investigation revealed that at about 6:18 a.m. on July 21, 2014, Plummer and Evans arrived at Caesars Casino in a car driven by Greenlee, with Jackson in the passenger seat. Plummer and Evans entered the casino wearing masks and gloves and approached a security guard and another casino employee who were loading full cash boxes onto a trolley from a self-redemption terminal at a kiosk. Plummer pointed a handgun at the two employees. Plummer pointed the gun at the security guard’s head while Evans removed three cash boxes from the trolley. As the two robbers were fleeing the casino, one of them dropped one of the cash boxes and left it behind. Plummer and Evans escaped from the casino with two cash boxes containing approximately $181,200 and entered Greenlee’s vehicle.

Greenlee drove to Plummer’s apartment in the Venice Park section of Atlantic City. There proceeds of the robbery were divided among Plummer, Evans, Greenlee and Jackson. A search warrant was executed at Plummer’s apartment, where a black ski mask, bullets for a .38 special handgun and $43,900 in cash were found. A search warrant also was executed at Evans’ home, where $4,300 in cash was seized. Detectives found a handle from one of the cash boxes in the street in front of Evans’ home.

The lead detectives on the case for the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau were Detective Michael Nelson and Detective Sgt. Charles Vicente. The Atlantic City Police Department, Pleasantville Police Department, Delaware State Police and Pennsylvania State Police provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

Defense Attorney: Andrew Butchko, Esq., Of Counsel at Helmer, Paul, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., Wildwood, N.J.

State Morgue Technician Charged for Stealing Money from Man Killed in Crash

technician at the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Newark has been charged with stealing cash from the body of a man who was killed in a car crash in December in Newark.

Darryl L. Green, 48, of Piscataway, N.J., who was employed as a forensic morgue technician by the Office of the State Medical Examiner, was charged yesterday by complaint-summons with third-degree theft by unlawful taking. Green is being terminated from his state position in connection with the charge. As an autopsy photographer for the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, Green produced photographic records for death investigations.

Green allegedly stole U.S. currency totaling approximately $1,120 from the body of a 28-year-old man who was killed in a single-car crash that occurred before 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, in the 300 block of Sherman Avenue in Newark.

Members of law enforcement and personnel from the Medical Examiner’s Office observed and documented that there was cash in the victim’s pocket at the scene of the accident, where he was pronounced dead and placed in a body bag. However, the cash was missing when the man’s body was removed from the body bag the following day, Dec. 19, for an autopsy. Green allegedly opened the body bag at the morgue at some point in time prior to the autopsy and took the cash from the victim’s clothing.

The case is being investigated and prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau.

Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Because the charge is an indictable offense, it will be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment.

The Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free Corruption Tipline 1-866-TIPS-4CJ for the public to confidentially report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities. The public also can log on to the Division’s web page at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing confidentially.

Ocean County Drug Deaths Soared by 43% in 2016

Despite best efforts to combat the drug epidemic that plagues Ocean County, drug overdoses soared in 2016 to 205 possible cases by the end of the year.   According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, there were 195 confirmed deaths caused by drug overdoses with 10 additional cases pending autopsy reports.

In 2015, there were 118 deaths linked to drug overdoses, representing a 43% spike in deaths.

Those numbers could have been much higher.   In 2016, the Prosecutor’s Office said the opiate reversing drug Narcan was used in 502 cases countywide by local law enforcement agencies and first responders.

In neighboring Monmouth County, 154 died from drug overdoses in 2016, a spike of 32 over the 2015’s total of 122, a jump of nearly 21%.  There were 415 deployments of Narcan in the county.

 

Jackson, Howell Firefighters Fight the Elements, Truck Fire on 195

On Saturday morning, firefighters from Jackson’s Station 54 and Howell’s Freewood Acres and Southard Fire Department No. 1 braved the elements to put out a truck fire on Interstate 195 near the Howell-Jackson border.  Photo by Freewood Acres Fire Departmetn.

 

How much snow did we get? New Jersey Snowfall Totals

The winter coastal storm that swept across New Jersey on Saturday has turned a large swath of the region into a winter wonderland, while leaving only a trace of snow in the normally snowy northwestern region. As of 6:30 p.m., almost 9 inches of snow has fallen in Estell Manor in Atlantic County, almost 8 inches…

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Christian Brothers gets back to winning wins in victory over Hackettstown

RANDOLPH–After losing a tight game to Toms River North on Saturday, Christian Brothers wanted to jump on Hackettstown early when the two faced off in the Hoops to Help Showcase at the County College of Morris on Sunday. That is exactly what CBA did. It took a nine point first quarter lead and never trailed on…

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Monmouth man charged with attempted murder of Eatontown cops in court today

by Charles Webster, MCPO

FREEHOLD-An Eatontown man charged with the attempted murder of Eatontown police officers, during an armed robbery last month will have a first appearance in court today, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Aaron Riley, 31 of Wedgewood Circle in Eatontown, is charged with two counts of first degree Attempted Murder, and one count each of first degree Armed Robbery, second degree Certain Persons not to have a Weapon and second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose after Riley fired at Eatontown police officers, one of whom returned fired during an armed robbery in progress on December 20, 2016.

Eatontown police responded to a pair of 911 calls around 6:43 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016, reporting an armed robbery in progress at the AllTown Pharmacy on Wyckoff Road.  While the officers were responding, Riley was inside the pharmacy demanding prescription narcotics from an employee.  Eatontown police arrived on scene with the suspect inside the pharmacy, but he soon after fled the scene out a rear door without any narcotics.

While Riley was fleeing the scene on foot, he fired at Eatontown police officers, one of whom returned fired.  Riley then ran to a vehicle in the Michael’s Plaza parking lot and was seen fleeing the scene on Route 36 West.  During the investigation, police located the vehicle, a gray four-door 2007 Nissan Altima in the rear parking lot of Stony Hill Apartments with damage consistent with projectile strikes from a gun.

Monmouth County detectives subsequently received information from the New York Police Department that Riley was in their jurisdiction with a gunshot injury to his leg. The investigation continued in New York City, where Riley was eventually taken into custody by New York City police officers and where he currently remains in custody.   Bail was set at $1.45 million with no 10 percent and Riley was also ordered to have no victim contact and not to return to the scene by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman, P.J.Cr.

Riley’s first appearance is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., January 6, 2017, before Judge Bauman.

Vicari named Freeholder Director; Kelly, Haines sworn in

TOMS RIVER-On Wednesday, Joe Vicari became the 2017 Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Director while Jack Kelly and Virginia Haines were sworn in again after winning their November election.

“I have said it many times, Ocean County is the premiere County,” said Haines who was sworn into her first three-year term on the Board. “We have the best county park system, library system, educational opportunities at Ocean County College and the list goes on and on.

Vicari noted there is a number of priorities for 2017 that will be addressed include providing the best programs possible for the county’s growing senior population, lobbying for important transportation projects and improvements and promoting more business development and tourism for Ocean County.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to provide quality services and programs to our residents, in keeping the County affordable and to make certain Ocean County continues to be the great place it is to live, work, visit, raise a family and retire,” Vicari said.

Gerry Little was named Deputy Director of the 5 member board.

Vicari named freeholder director; kelly, haines sworn in - photo licensed by shore news network.

 

NJ Transit bus catches fire on Route 23

PEQUANNOCK — Officials say no one was injured when a New Jersey Transit bus blew out a rear tire and then caught fire while traveling along state Route 23. New Jersey Department of Transportation officials say friction from the flat tire caused the bus to catch fire along a stretch of the roadway in Pequannock Township…

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Rare Whale Beached at Island Beach State Park

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP — A rare whale washed up dead along a section of the northern Ocean County barrier island, marine mammal rescue officials said Wednesday. Staff from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine were called out last week to retrieve the Blainesville’s beaked whale that washed up on Island Beach State Park, said Bob Schoelkopf,…

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Kmart shutting down 4 New Jersey locations

Four Kmart stores in New Jersey will close as part of larger downsizing across the country, the big box retailer’s parent company announced Wednesday. Kmart stores in Clementon, East Brunswick, Pleasantville and Rio Grande are set to shut down, according to Sears Holdings. Liquidation sales were planned as early as Friday. The locations are among 150…

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Macy's to shut down three New Jersey stores; Cut jobs

Macy’s said Wednesday it would close more than 60 stores and slash thousands of jobs this spring — including at three locations in New Jersey — as the chain faces slowing sales. Stores in Moorestown, at the Voorhees Town Center and Preakness Shopping Center in Wayne are set to close, the company announced. The three locations…

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Jersey Wife Killer Found Hiding in Woods Near Black Horse Pike

Folsom Borough, Atlantic County – Troopers from the Buena Vista Barracks arrested Jeremiah Monell earlier today after a two-week manhunt. Monell had previously been charged with Murder and other related offenses in the December 18, 2016 homicide of his estranged wife, Tara O’Shea-Watson.

At approximately 2:45 p.m., a witness contacted the New Jersey State Police Buena Vista Barracks after recognizing Monell in Folsom Borough.

Troopers arrived on scene shortly thereafter and discovered Monell hiding in a wooded area off US Highway 322. He was placed under arrest and taken into custody without incident.

Monell was transported to an area hospital for a medical evaluation. He will be lodged in jail thereafter.

A $1,000 reward was offered for Monell, but it was not said whether or not the witness will receive the reward.

Video: Man Stoned to Death; Dumped in Trash Can at Jersey Shore

An Atlantic City man has been charged with the murder of a man whose body was discovered this morning in Atlantic City, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton announced.

Atlantic City Police responded on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 8:43 a.m., to the 1200 block of Adriatic Avenue, Atlantic City, for a report that a dead man’s body had been discovered in a trashcan. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene.

The victim, identified as Ricky L. Ward, 52, of the 400 block of Delta Avenue, Atlantic City, was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene. Investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department led to the location and detention at approximately 5:15 p.m. of Thomas Green, 64, of the 1300 block of Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, who was subsequently charged with Murder, for purposely and knowingly causing the death of the victim “by hitting him in the head multiple times with stones,” and with Possession of a Weapon For an Unlawful Purpose (stones), and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (stones). Green was processed for the arrest and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on 1,000,000 full cash bail set by Superior Court Judge John C. Porto.

A conviction for murder carries a potential sentence of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison for a period of 30 years to life.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department continue the investigation.

Breaking/AC was on scene and posted the above video to YouTube. For more on Breaking/AC, visit their website.

Family of Missing New Jersey Teen: We're at a loss

NEPTUNE — It’s been four weeks since the disappearance of a Neptune City teen after her car was found unoccupied on a Belmar bridge on Dec. 2. Sarah Stern, 19, left her family’s home in Neptune City at 11:45 p.m. driving her grandmother’s 1994 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royal, according to her father Michael Stern. The car was…

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Jackson K-9 Valor Charity Helps Fire Department After Thief Stole Christmas Tree Funds

by Phil Stilton

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS-This weekend, a thief walked off with $1,000 of Christmas Tree sales raised through a tree sale fundraiser by the Independent Fire Company.  Today, there has been an outpouring of support all along the Jersey Shore for the firefighters.

“We have been the victim of a real life grinch,” the fire company said Saturday morning when they found out their cash register had been stolen.

This morning, Sue DesMarais and Jennifer Gallagher visited the Independent Fire Company and donated $500 to them from money the charity raised last month at a Jackson Township fundraiser held at Cornerstone Kitchen and Tap.

DesMarais is a former police officer and has been the victim of two home fires said she read the story and felt compelled to make the donation.

” I read that the someone stole $1000.00 dollars from the Independent Fire Company in Spring Lakes Christmas Tree Fundraiser. So Jennifer Gallagher and I went down there with a $500.00 donation from K-9 Valor Task Force.”

She said she was interviewed by Channel 7 News, New York and spoke about her own ordeal where firefighters rescued her pets from her burning home in Jackson.

“I’m sorry this happened, I like to pay things forward,” she said.

“Any donations can be either mailed to Independent Fire Co #1 at 700 6th Ave, spring lake heights NJ 07762. Or can be directly dropped off at our station,” the department said to those who have offered support on their Facebook page.

N.J. cop was subject of internal investigation before fatal crash, police say

DEAL — In light of a toxicology report that shows one of their captains was impaired by drugs and alcohol when he fatally crashed his car in January, Deal police said Friday they are investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of the off-duty officer, who was the subject of an internal affairs investigation. The…

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Middletown Porch Poacher Caught and Released

The Middletown Police department announced that they have arrested the women who was caught on video stealing a package from the porch of a Statesir Place home last week. Lauren Miller, 51, of West Front Street in the Township was arrested this morning by Detectives Daniel Sullivan and Keith Hirschbein. Miller was charged with three counts…

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Cape May Company Cited by DEP for Illegal Dumping on Deal Beach

DEAL — A federal sub-contractor violated New Jersey’s anti-dumping laws when it disposed of excavated material on the beach in Deal, state officials said on Tuesday. Agate Construction Co. of Ocean View dumped an undetermined amount of fill onto the Roosevelt Avenue beach in Deal last week when the loads actually were supposed to be taken…

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Peace Poster Winners

The Goetz National Jr. Art Honor Society (NJAHS) recently participated in the Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest. Mr. Ed Townsend, from the Toms River …

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Valentines Day Surprise

VALENTINES DAY SURPRISE Throughout the Valentines Day weekend some 408 nurses and nurses aides, in 34 nearby assisted living facilities, got the biggest Valentines Day …

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Carbon Monoxide Safety

In the past decade, people have become more aware of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the home. often called the silent killer, …

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New storm-protecting berm lasts just one storm

HOLGATE — It took only a couple days of storms to wash away week’s worth of work to build a protective berm on Long Beach Island where successive storms have taken their toll on many beaches this winter, officials said on Wednesday. In what literally has been a situation of shoveling sand against the tide, Long…

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Barbershop Group Sings for Nurses

OCEAN COUNTY BARBERSHOP CHORUS TO DELIVER “SINGING TELEGRAMS” The men of the Oceanaires are planning to salute healthcare workers with a surprise visit on Valentines …

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