Community News

Now YOU can be the captain of your own pirate ship on the Barnegat Bay

TOMS RIVER-Have you ever dreamed of sailing the Barnegat Bay in pirate ship? Now you have that chance.   The pirate ship “Pirate Time” is up for sale and costs just $195,000.

Pirate Time provided family adventure cruises, equipped with working water cannons.

According to the company’s website:

A young sophomore in high school, Yanni Pataikis, had a dream of sailing around on a pirate ship. Well one day, a few years later, that dream became a reality. With the help of his father, Captain John Pataikis, and aome friends, they decided to build a pirate ship that they found along the Deleware River. It was an old head boat that needed some work, but they got the single-propeller, deisel system running and brought the vessel to dry dock where the restoration process began.

Yanni and his father, and family friends John Binick and John Thormann proceeded to cut off the entire deck. The entire top of the boat was rebuilt. A new structure in the back, new bathroom, masts, rigging and electrical were added, modernizing the vessel while creating an authentic looking pirate ship. After investing more than $30,000, blood and sweat equity, and a dream, the PirateTimeNJ became a reality.

Now the 49 foot custom build ship is on the market. It features 16 water cannons, a new bathroom, 1,200 watt sound system and can hold up to 49 fellow pirates, according to an advertisement on Craigslist this week.

Long-awaited $128M beach replenishment to start in Ortley Beach next month

TOMS RIVER — Beach replenishment for the northern Ocean County peninsula is set to start the middle of next month, with Ortley Beach as the first spot to get the sand. State environmental protection officials said Weeks Marine Inc., the Cranford-based contractor selected to perform the $128 million project, will spend two weeks beginning mid-April pumping…

Deer stuck in frozen N.J. pond rescued but struggling to walk

ROXBURY – Officials rescued Sunday morning a deer stuck in a frozen pond for nearly 24 hours in Roxbury. The deer is out of the water but is struggling to walk on its own. The deer had been stuck in the pond located in a residential neighborhood overnight. An attempt to rescue the deer Saturday was…

Ordinance to ban dormitories in Jackson to be heard Thursday evening

JACKSON-The Jackson Township clerk has announced the rescheduling of Tuesday night’s cancelled council meeting where the council was expected to vote on a controversial ordinance to ban dormitories within the township.  The meeting will now be held Thursday night at 7:30pm at town hall.  The meeting is open to the public.  The ordinance is scheduled for a second and final reading and a public comment session will be afforded to the public.

RELATED NEWS: Is it too late for Jackson Township? Has the town already been sold to the highest bidder?
According to a statement released by the clerk:

Pursuant to the “Open Public Meetings Act”, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., the Jackson Township Council hereby gives notice of a change in date of a previously scheduled Township Council  meeting.  The Jackson Township Council previously noticed a regular public meeting for Tuesday, March 14, 2017 commencing at 7:30 p.m.  Due to inclement weather, the meeting is hereby canceled and is rescheduled for Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Jackson Township Municipal Building, 95 West Veterans Highway, Jackson, New Jersey.  Formal action will be taken.  No change in items listed on the 3/14/17 agenda.   There will be no executive session.

Jackson Township Put on Notice by Lawyer for "Religious Gerrymandering" Over Dorm Ban

JACKSON-The Township of Jackson, in New Jersey has been put on notice by a lawyer representing the growing community of Orthodox Jewish families within its borders.

Robert L. Greene, a lawyer from D.C. based Storzer & Associates wrote a letter to the editor, originally published in the Asbury Park Press, but received today by the Shore News Network.

Greene described Jackson Township’s recent proposal to ban dorms township-wide as “religious gerrymandering” and eluded that a lawsuit is imminent against the township.

The Jackson Township council is expected to pass an ordinance that restricts building school dormitories, commonly identified with housing for Orthodox Yeshivas in neighboring Lakewood Township.

The township council has been silent on the matter in public, with only councilman Barry Calogero stating he was looking forward voting yes to the ban.

His letter reads:

Jackson should take little comfort from the opinions expressed in the Feb. 24 article “Jackson looks to ban dorms” regarding its proposed ordinances targeting schools and dormitories.

Contrary to the claims made in the article, the facial neutrality of a law is only the starting point for a court’s analysis of whether it discriminates against a protected class.

More relevant to Jackson’s ordinances is the question of whether, as the Supreme Court put it, “the design of these laws accomplishes instead a ‘religious gerrymander,’ … an impermissible attempt to target” a particular religious group “and their religious practices.”

Jackson should consider itself placed on notice that its heavy-handed attempt to target a particular population could very well be challenged in an appropriate venue. In this day and age of building walls against other people and cultures, fear and panic should not supplant our important constitutional values.

Robert L. Greene

Storzer & Associates

Washington

High Winds Increase Risk for Wildfires at the Shore

High winds and dry conditions have elevated the risk of forest fires today. Residents are warned against discarding smoking materials from their vehicles or in areas where conditions favor easily combustible material. A fire spread rapidly this afternoon on Cedarbridge Avenue in Lakewood. The high winds today can accelerate the spread of fire.

The National Weather Service issued the following statement today:

There is an elevated threat for the spread of wildfires today across eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and eastern Maryland. The fire weather threat is due to a combination of gusty winds and dry conditions.

Westerly winds between 15 to 20 MPH today will gust frequently between 25 to 30 mph today. Relative humidity values are already at or below 30 percent early this morning. The relative humidity may fall into the lower 20s or even teens later this morning and afternoon. These conditions combined with dry fine fuels, such as dead leaves and grasses, will increase the risk for rapid fire spread. Outdoor burning is highly discouraged today.

For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state forestry or environmental protection website.

Brick Recognizes IHOP's CMNH Charitable Work

BRICK-For the past 12 years, International House of Pancakes (IHOP) has celebrated National Pancake Day by donating millions of dollars to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

This week, Brick Mayor John Ducey and the township council thanked IHOP for their contributions to the community.

On Tuesday, Mayor Ducey, along with Council President Halloran and Councilman Mummolo, presented a proclamation that recognized owners Lou & Toni Maschi for their exemplary service to the community and the long-standing support that Brick IHOP has given to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

As part of its celebration, IHOP has partnered with three inspiring charities – Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Shriners Hospitals for Children – with the goal of raising $3.5 million for finding cures and eradicating life-threatening diseases affecting children and families everywhere.

“IHOP and our franchisees are honored to partner with leading non-profit organizations like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Shriners Hospitals for Children for our National Pancake Day event and help fight serious childhood illnesses” said Darren Rebelez, President, IHOP Restaurants. “Year after year, we look forward to celebrating with our guests and fans, and are amazed by their generosity. Every pancake served on IHOP National Pancake Day has a purpose, and every penny raised goes a long way in making a meaningful, and lasting, impact on so many kids and families in our communities.”

Since launching in 2006, IHOP National Pancake Day has become a pop-culture phenomenon with millions of guests and communities helping IHOP and its franchisees raise $24 million to-date for youth health and wellness organizations. All of the money raised on IHOP National Pancake Day stays local and directly helps children in need.

Police Department Donates $2,000 to House of Hope

The Toms River Police Foundation presents the Hope Center of Toms River with a $2,500 donation. It was a portion of the proceeds from their 18th Annual Jingle Bells Run 5K Race held in December, 2016. The Hope Center was chosen as a Spotlight organization to receive monies to help them assist those in need within our Community. Attending the presentation of the check was Toms River Police Foundation President and Race Director, Jim Everett, Toms River Police Foundation Vice-President, Ted Bessler, Jingle Bells Run Race Committee Member, Joe Michelini and Toms River Police Officer Ted Malony. Accepting the donation were House of Hope board members, including Executive Board members Amy VanBezooijen and Kim Santora.