Community News - Shore News Network

Jackson Police Officers Take the Polar Bear Plunge

February 28, 2017

Originally published by JPD Sgt. Christopher Parise,

JACKSON-On Saturday February 25, 9 members of the Jackson Police Department took part in the annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights. Our Officers were part of the approximate 7,000 people who braved the 42 degree water temperatures to help raise money for the Special Olympics of New Jersey. In the picture below is Sgt Larry Logan, P.O. Robert Reiff, Sgt Christopher Parise, P.O. Kyle Stybe, P.O. Wes Thomason, Sgt Fred Meabe, P.O. Keith French, P.O. Derek Thomason and P.O. Andy Falzarano. Approximately 40,000 people were present at the event which raised 1.8 million dollars for the Special Olympics of New Jersey.

The Orthodox stylist who makes stars glimmer at the Oscars

February 27, 2017

From Mayim Bialik’s modest grace to Us the Duo’s elegant grunge, celebrity stylist Adena Rohatiner’s work lights up the red carpet By Lisa Klug LOS ANGELES — When the annual awards season hits Hollywood, celebrity stylist Adena Rohatiner can spends days considering as many as 75 looks for a single client’s outfit. But not her own.…

Jackson DECA Provides New Eyes for the Needy

February 25, 2017

by Molly Staffordsmith

On January 25th, 2017 Jackson Liberty High School DECA hosted their community service chapter project to benefit New Eyes For the Needy. Molly Staffordsmith and Alex Lanier, Sophmores, ran the club’s Cornhole Tournament in the main gym on Wednesday night.

The event lasted for two hours and was filled with music, fun, competition, and prizes. The winners of the event won prizes provided by local businesses in Jackson.
The turnout was more than anyone ever expected, and the support shown was tremendous. The two students worked long and hard to raise money for New Eyes For The Needy, an organization that raises money for those who are unable to purchase their own glasses. The goal that the students had to reach was to raise $900 for the cause, at the end of the day they raised well over $1,000. Congratulations and thank you to all that came out to support this great event.
Photos and story submitted by Molly Staffordsmith.

Jackson 5th Grader Makes the Cut with Justin Bieber

February 25, 2017

Lorenzo Azzollini is 9 years old and has been dancing since he was 3 years old and was one out of thousands who auditioned to perform with Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour in Bologna,Italy this winter.

He won that chance and headed to Europe.

Lorenzo dances for Icon Dance complex in Englishtown. He’s a 5th grader at Switlik Elementary School when he’s not dancing for Justin Bieber.
Winners were chosen from their audition videos. Lorenzo even made headlines in the local Italian newspaper after his performance.

Justin Bieber, after meeting Lorenzo said he liked his name and if he has a boy one day, he’d name him Lorenzo!

Jackson Female Student Athletes Recognized for Academic and Athletic Performance

February 25, 2017

Jackson Liberty student Danielle Notarfrancesco and Jackson Memorial student Jacie Van de Zilver were recognized by the NJSIAA and Women’s Sports Foundation for their excellence in sports and academics in January.

The award is given to girls who demonstrate their ability to excel in athletics and to be role models for other girls. The NJSIAA said in 1982, just 57,789 female student athletes participated in High School Sports. Through their hard work and the hard work of many administrators, parents and faculty in the state, the number is now 117,840. New Jersey is host to 17 sports for girls and 24 state championship events, the most of any state in the United States.

Drug Deaths on the Rise in Ocean County

February 25, 2017

Drug deaths in Ocean County have double over two years despite law enforcement’s best effort to curb the rapidly growing addiction epidemic. Even with Narcan, the opiate reversing nasal spray, deaths continue to increase.
Last month, in conjunction with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office the Brick and Manchester police departments will begin an innovative initiative by partnering with Preferred Behavioral Health in Lakewood and Integrity House in Toms River to pilot the HARP program.

Initially, the two departments and their health providers will make the life changing option available two days a week. Those fighting addiction, regardless of their residency, can go to Manchester Police Department on Wednesday or Brick Police Department on Thursday to seek immediate critical help in fighting drug addiction.
The premise of the program is simple – any person who voluntarily enters the two participating agencies and requests help with addiction to heroin or opiates or any substance shall be immediately screened for potential participation in HARP.

Although HARP is primarily designed to apply to persons who present themselves at the station, an officer who encounters a person outside the police station believing they would benefit from HARP has the discretion, based upon their training and experience, to the bring an individual to the police station if the person consents to the voluntary screening process. The officer/shift supervisor, upon completion of the HARP screening process shall provide transportation for the participant to the designated provider as soon as reasonably possible.

White Butterfly Delivers Valentines Day Cards to Jackson Police Officers

February 25, 2017

Kathy Water of the White Butterfly gift shop, owned by former township Mayor Michael Kafton delivered Valentines Day cards made by local residents and students to the Jackson Police Department. Kafton arranged a table at his gift shop and let his customers write their own cards to the Jackson police officers.

Jackson Orthodontics Providing Free Services for One Resident in Need

February 25, 2017

Do you know someone in need with severely crooked, crowded or spaced teeth? Somebody with a badly aligned bite who has not been able to receive orthodontic treatment?
Dr. Miriam T Furlong of Jackson Orthodontics is offering treatment at no cost to a deserving person in need.
In order to qualify, the person’s teeth or smile are causing embarrassment or difficulty in speaking, chewing or other functions.
The individual must show proof of hardship. One form of proof could be a qualification for reduced or free school lunches.
The person must agree to see a dentist for exams, cleanings, and other necessary dental work before, during and after orthodontic treatment and agrees to provide the necessary registration forms, come in for orthodontic appointments at times offered and have good compliance with treatment.
Dental insurance information must be provided, however you can qualify with or without insurance.
HOW TO APPLY: Submit the following via email to info@jacksonorthodontics.com (subject Need Treatment) or mail to Jackson Orthodontics 186 West Veterans Highway Jackson, NJ 08527 by the deadline March 17, 2017. Only a legal guardian may submit the application for a child.
-Your full name, the candidate’s name, and your relationship to the candidate.
– Your address, email address, and at least one phone number. If we are unable to contact you another candidate will be chosen.
-A letter explaining how treatment will improve the quality of life, and any difficulty you have experienced trying to get treatment.
-At least 2 photos including a close up smile (natural smile) just showing the mouth and a smiling full face (natural smile). You may include additional photos of the teeth and face.
-Candidate’s dentist name, office address and/or phone number (provide the most recent one if are looking for a new dentist)
-The name and phone number(s) of someone (friend, teacher, coach) who is not related to you that we can contact.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AND ONE PERSON WILL BE SELECTED AND NOTIFIED BY FRIDAY APRIL 7, 2017.

Heavy traffic expected for Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights

February 25, 2017

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – The Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge has brought thousands of off-season visitors to the Jersey Shore every year for nearly a half century. As a result, the crowds and area residents alike have grown accustomed to a little extra traffic when this popular fundraiser is in town. This year, however, the…

Jackson Township Mayor Reina Supports League Of Municipalities Opposition of Bail Reform

February 24, 2017

JACKSON-Jackson Township is a rural suburb nestled at the edge of the New Jersey Pinelands. It’s New Jersey’s third largest town by size in area, with over one hundred square miles. It’s a bedroom community of 54,000 and crime is very low here, but the mayor of the town tonight said even his low crime community will not be able to keep up with New Jersey’s Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act and he fully supports a resolution being presented to the township council next week.

Jackson Township Michael Reina (R) might be the first mayor in the State of New Jersey to openly express criticism of the state’s new Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act since it has been enacted when he said tonight that he fully supports a resolution that will be voted on by the township council Tuesday night.

He’s not alone though. Last week, Ocean County Freeholders Joe Vicari and Gerry Little officially launched opposition to the reform law, along with the Ocean County Association of Police Chiefs. A week earlier, the New Jersey Association of Counties opposed legislation sponsored by Lakewood Senator Robert Singer that would have allowed governing bodies to break the 2% tax cap for costs associated with the new law.

Bail reform came into the local spotlight after Little Egg Harbor Police Chief Richard Buzby and Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato were powerless against a local judge’s decision to release a multiple offense child sexual offender back into the community after a pretrial hearing.

The Jackson Township council is expected to vote on the resolution against the new law which has essentially created a revolving door for criminals. It has made New Jersey’s streets less safe for residents and police officers alike. The Toms River PBA last week called bail reform a very serious problem for their town. The resolution to be voted on was circulated by the New Jersey League of Municipalities this week.

“The Criminal Justice Reform Act imposes upon municipal governments an undue financial hardship to implement as each municipality in some capacity must hire new personnel, invest in new equipment and information technology, and make capital and other necessary improvements to jail, court and ancillary court facilities,” the resolution reads. “Under this terribly flawed law, judges now assign a score to determine whether a defendant should be detained or freed. Serious offenders are being let go over prosecutor and law enforcement objection only to go and commit more crimes as soon as they hit the street.”

It states the new reform, which is unfunded by the state, is not only dangerous, and the town will not be able to afford to properly maintain the necessary staffing to comply with the requirements dictated by the state to enforce it locally.

“It is also a massive financial burden to our police department, municipal courts, municipal public defenders and the County Prosecutor’s Office. Detention hearings are expedited and our officers are forced to spend hours on even simple offenses due to demands for our officers to file paperwork and complete cases, some demanding complex analysis, are simply unrealistic and the costs are only going to expand without any financial relief from the state,” it continued “The Criminal Justice Reform Act law has put our residents at risk and threatens the fiscal health of the town and county. ”

The council is expected to vote on the resolution Tuesday evening and certified copies will be sent to the Governor of the State of New Jersey, Chris Christie, the President of the New Jersey State Senate, Steve Sweeney, the Speaker of the General Assembly, Vincent Prieto, the New Jersey Association of Counties, the Office of County Counsel and all Ocean County municipalities.

“Yes, I support this resolution,” Reina said when asked his position. “You’re asking me if I support a resolution opposing a state law that helps put criminals back out on our streets, of course I do.”