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Photo caption: Nw parking spaces being striped at the former Lakewood Town Square, replacing much of the historic public gathering space near Clifton Avenue and 3rd Street.

Once Picturesque Lakewood Townsquare Becomes A Municipal Parking Lot

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — One of downtown Lakewood’s most recognizable public spaces is disappearing beneath fresh parking stripes this week, marking the latest chapter in the dramatic transformation of Lakewood Town Square. The transactional decision has thrown away the town’s history…

Opinion: It’s Time to Dissolve the Jackson MUA Before It Destroys What’s Left of Our Town

Jackson MUA - Manhattan St. Jackson Township.…

Photo caption: Screenshots of text messages exchanged between Toms River officials show Council President David Ciccozzi declining a township-issued cellphone after stating he no longer wished to conduct township business on his personal phone.

Exclusive: Toms River Stops Paying Council Amid Communication Dispute, Violating Its Own Ordinance

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A series of text messages obtained by Shore News Network raises new questions about ongoing claims by Toms River Council President David Ciccozzi that Mayor Daniel Rodrick has…

Photo caption: Pankaj Gupta, owner of Perfume Spot in Jackson Township, is challenging a construction violation after a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs official indicated the described cosmetic renovations appear to qualify as ordinary maintenance.

Exclusive: Jackson Outlets Business Owner Challenges $2,000 Construction Fine, Says State Sides With Him

A Jackson Township business owner is challenging a $2,000 construction violation after state code guidance indicated his cosmetic renovations appear to qualify as ordinary maintenance. Township officials, however, maintain permits and architect-prepared…

Photo caption: Gary McDonald was appointed superintendent of Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools following the retirement of his mother-in-law, former Superintendent Karen Homiek, as the district continues to face civil litigation over its handling of abuse allegations at the Performing Arts Academy.

OCVTS Appoints Accused Former Superintendent’s Son-in-Law to Take Over District Plagued by Criminal Student Sexual Abuse

OCVTS has appointed Gary McDonald, the son-in-law of former Superintendent Karen Homiek, to lead the district as it faces multiple civil lawsuits alleging institutional failures surrounding student sexual abuse at the Performing Arts Academy. The lawsuits remain pending while two former teachers have already…

Photo caption: Surveillance images released by the Newark Police Division show the suspect wanted in connection with an aggravated assault involving a flower pot inside an apartment building on Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard.

Newark Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Suspect Accused of Flower Pot Assault

Newark police have released surveillance images and video of a suspect accused of striking a man in the face with a flower pot inside an apartment building lobby, leaving the victim with a broken tooth and facial injuries.…