Toms River High School East’s competition cheerleading team competed in the Battle of the Boardwalk, a national cheer and dance competition on February 4, 2017. The girls took first place in their division as well as the title of Grand Champion which means they earned the highest score out of all the high schools, middle schools and grade school in their category.
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Toms River North Basketball Players Reach Career Milestones
Toms River High School North basketball players Jaden Rhoden (1,000 points), Darrion
Carrington (500 assists) and Mike Nyisztor (1,000 points) reached impressive career milestones.
Lucas Takes First in 50m, 100m Freestyle at OC Swim Championships
Toms River High School South swimmer Ethan Lucas won 1st place in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle races at the Ocean County Swim Championships.
Carrington Signs Letter of Intent to Continue Football Career at Yale
Congratulations to HSN seniors Darrion Carrington (Yale University), Bryce Watts (Virginia Tech) and Mike Husni (Marist University) on signing their National Letters of Intent to play football.
Toms River North, Jackson Memorial Girls Basketball for Cancer Awarness
The Lady Mariners of Toms River North and the Jackson Memorial Jaguars basketball teams joined forces at the Pine Belt Arena and played a game to raise awareness about breast cancer. This year, all proceeds from the gate, concessions and merchandise were donated to the American Cancer Society. It was a fun night playing “Hoops for Hope” with true team spirit in play.
Berkeley Mayor Amato Announces Evening Office Hours
BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen F. Amato, Jr., is pleased to announce the next installment of his evening office hours. Mayor Amato’s evening office hours are in addition to his
“Meet the Mayor” and “Town Hall” programs, which will also continue in 2017.
“My next scheduled public evening office hours will be held Monday, February 13th at Berkeley Town Hall from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Elected officials have an obligation to be as accessible as possible to our constituents. During my time in office, I have held countless “Meet the Mayor” and “Town Hall” meetings, regularly meet with constituents outside of regular business hours, and have created additional avenues for residents to contact local government.” Mayor Amato said.
“Our Hot Line gives residents one-stop access to Township government, enabling the township to more effectively and efficiently respond to resident’s suggestions, concerns or complaints. The Hot Line number is 732-244-7400 Extension 203, and is available 24 hours a day.” Mayor Amato said.
Residents can also email the Mayor directly at: mayor@twp.berkeley.nj.us .
“In addition to the “Hot Line” and my email, residents are encouraged to visit www.berkeleytownship.org and click next to the Mayor’s message to provide suggestions or feedback online, with most residents receiving follow-up the next business day.” Mayor Amato said.
Our Township of Berkeley Facebook Page is new, and is constantly updated with information, and news on the Township.
If you haven’t signed up for our Nixle system, please visit our web site to register to receive important emails and text messages.
“I look forward to continuing my dialog and outreach to residents in 2017.” Mayor Amato said.
N.J. lawmakers will vote on legalizing marijuana despite Trump's new Attorney General
TRENTON — With an avowed enemy of marijuana legalization sworn-in as the nation’s Attorney General Thursday, the state lawmaker working to make pot available for recreational use in New Jersey said he is “concerned” but not deterred from his goal. Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) said he’s putting the finishing touches on a bill he will introduce…
Secaucus DPW truck plowing snow bursts into flames
JERSEY CITY — A Secaucus Department of Public Works truck plowing snow on Seaview Drive burst into flames this morning. At about 8:45 a.m. the driver noticed fire coming from the truck’s engine compartment and the flames quickly grew, stretching several feet above the truck’s roof, Secaucus Police Capt. Dennis Miller said. The town fire department…
Jackson Council Attacks Local News Magazine, Union Labor over "Exorbitant Fees"
PRESS RELEASE
JACKSON,NJ-The Jackson Township Council has criticized JTOWN Magazine over the local news magazine’s support of American union labor in a recent outburst at a town hall meeting. The township council lashed out at JTOWN Magazine’s open print rate of $800 for a single insertion in the magazine, despite that rate being lower than rates advertised in the Jackson Times which was referenced as a “cheaper alternative”.
“The council’s claim is without factual basis, uniformed and nothing but an attack on our publication because our news coverage wasn’t to their favor during the last election,” said Editor Phil Stilton. “It’s also an assault against hard working union labor in America. Nothing but more political hyperbole of politicians protecting their own campaign gravy train.”
Stilton said JTOWN Magazine proudly utilizes union labor in their production and delivery process.
“We offer a better quality product and reach more homes than our competitors, at a lower rate and with full utilization of union labor from production to delivery,” Stilton added. “We can of course lower our rates significantly if we had our magazine delivered by non-union drivers who speed through neighborhoods in unmarked white utility vans, throwing it in driveways, but I have respect for our unions, our product and our residents, so I choose to use the United States Postal Service. We’re one of their biggest clients in Jackson Township and proud to do our part to support the United States Postal Service and to help keep members of the American Postal Workers Union employed despite a massive downturn in their industry. I am a believer in the post office and their union employees. I am a supporter of union labor. No media in Ocean County supports union labor like we do, including our police unions.”
“I would have expected then Council President Robert Nixon to have interjected this assault on unions by his council partners,” Stilton added. “After all, Mr. Nixon is a lobbyist for the New Jersey State PBA and understands more than anyone else the importance of labor unions and workers rights in America and the cost associated with treating America’s workers better.”
Stilton said the added benefits to the town are also beneficial to the community. Nearly 10,000 Jackson residents follow JTOWN Magazine on social media where the company regularly posts township news, council meeting minutes, agenda postings and meeting dates and reports to the community. Micromedia, the competitor reference by the township reaches just 2,400. JTOWN Magazine regularly promotes and supports community charities, providing free advertising to schools and other community causes and dedicated pages of its magazine each month to efforts such as increasing drug awareness, safe driving for students, non-profits, sports leagues and whoever asks for the free services it provides the community.
“The added bonus of the publication being put in mailboxes comes with an unfortunate cost,” Stilton added. “However that cost is negated by the fact that it doesn’t sit on driveways in rain and snow or blow away to litter our community and block storm drains, which is a complaint I have heard from township workers who clear storm drains.”
Stilton also said the township knew the numbers before the statement was made, but made the remarks regardless in an effort to discredit the publication in public. In January of 2016, Stilton contacted township business administrator Helene Schlegel to inform her of the township not taking advantage of pre-scheduling and bulk insertions.
“I reached out to the town last January as I did every year prior to work on lowering the rates. Even though one department paid $800 for a single insertion, the Recreation Department who did negotiate a rate and a package campaign saved the township hundreds of dollars,” Stilton said. “Business is about negotiating. Even though our published rates are lower than the others, we do allow for bulk discounts and some level of negotiating contracts. I cannot be blamed if a department chose to just run a single insertion. They had no other ads to run all year. I asked the township to bundle all of the spending into one contract to lower the rates, but the township was not interested in bundling all departments together for lower rates.”
“The fabricated story by the township was also covered recently in a political attack blog that further shows the intent of their predatory and harmful intent,” Stilton said. “Contrary to what the council, who reads bills and claims only minutes before arriving in town hall claim, JTOWN Magazine has a wonderful working relationship with the Township of Jackson and values that relationship. It seems that a couple of councilmembers for whatever their reason is, don’t want to maintain that relationship.”
“I also found out that the same council members who balked at our rates had no problem paying that same rate for their political campaign ads just weeks before in another publication,” Stilton said. “Councilmen Nixon, Calogero and Bressi had no problem paying that rate when the money came from high powered politically aligned professionals in return for six figure contract awards to those professionals.”
While the council claims a competitor can run the same ad for $595, they failed to mention that same publication also charges $225 for color. JTOWN magazine includes color in their rates.
“The township should immediately issue a retraction or correction on those false statements and maybe make a statement based in the world of reality,” Stilton added. “I have asked the township to do an apples to apples audit of print advertising many times over the years and they refuse to hold publishers accountable to their numbers and their claims. JTOWN Magazine mails out 21,500 magazines each month and our numbers are certified by the hard working postal employees. I have been told by mayors in other towns that the competitor’s circulation is only 10,000 copies, which would make our rates 1/2 the price of theirs per home. When you factor in mailbox delivery and all of the things we do for the township for free outside of advertising rates, they can’t find a better deal, but if they want to use the alternative, that’s their choice. They have a history of making bad decisions, so this is par for the course. What is truly in exorbitant in Jackson is the rampant nepotism and political patronage.”
“Due to the misinformation presented by this council, we had several advertisers leave us this week,” Stilton added. “In the end, making some cuts this month, I have to cut our charity sponsorships in order to print this month, but we’ll make up for it next month or the month after.”
“I will not let this local governing body impede on our first amendment right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” Stilton concluded. “This is Jackson Township, not Nazi Germany. We are free to speak our voices and opinions without political persecution.”
Car Fire in Beachwood Extinguished by Fire Department
Originally published by the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department.
BEACHWOOD-At approximately 3:45 PM the Beachwood and Pine Beach Fire Departments responded to a vehicle fire at the intersection of Mermaid Avenue and Maple Street. Units found a well involved engine compartment fire that progressed into the passenger area of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished quickly and there were no reported injuries. The fire is being investigated by the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Beachwood Police Department.
Report: Developer Seeks to Build 1,800 Homes on Eagle Ridge Golf Course
LAKEWOOD-A report in today’s Asbury Park Press says Lakewood’s Eagle Ridge Golf Club on Faraday Avenue is being eyed by a developer who seeks to build 1,800 homes on the site.
The report also states the course was in the process of being sold. The report also said the buyer told nearby residents it would continue operating the golf course and restaurant.
Democrat Activism Seminar Coming to Ocean County in February
TOMS RIVER-The first of three seminars aimed at teaching local democrats about activism and running for office takes place tonight at the Ocean County Library in Toms River. Anyone interested in Democratic activism in Ocean County is invited to attend. Although Ocean County is a dominant Republican stronghold, Ocean County Democrats seek to expand their growing wave of local power in the county from the Brick Township and the Toms River schools boards across the county.
Brick Township remains the only “blue” town in Ocean County and Democrats also are in firm control of the Toms River Regional School Board where teachers are approaching the one year mark without a contract. Teachers have been working without a contract since July 1st of 2016.
In stark contrast in Brick, under the Democrats the the teacher’s union was awarded in 2015 for having one of the top contract settlements in the county.
What does the future hold for Ocean County’s Democrats eager to seize
Today’s event is entitled “Making a Difference – How, why and when in the Trump era”.
FEB 8
Today 18:00 · Ocean County Library · Toms River
Sheila and 3 friends are interested
FEB 23
Thurs 18:00 · Barnegat Branch-Ocean County Library · Barnegat
You like Ocean County Democrats
FEB 18
Sat 12:30 · County Building Cafeteria, 129 Hooper Ave, Toms River
You like Ocean County Democrats
County to Launch Study on Northern Ocean County Road Infrastructure
TOMS RIVER – With the completion of the Route 9 corridor study and an increase in population growth, Ocean County is undertaking a study to review potential county road network improvements in the northern area of the County.
“We have had some initial meetings with representatives from Lakewood and Jackson townships,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “Today we are ready to bring on a consultant to perform the study that will provide us with both short term and long term recommendations.”
The recommendations will be used to upgrade Ocean County’s countywide transportation model which was last updated in 2013.
“This is an important tool to help us with future planning when it comes to the county road network,” said Kelly, who is also liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department.
After reviewing several proposals, Ocean County is expected to choose Stantec Consulting Services with offices in Wall Township to oversee the study.
“Picking a consultant is key to getting this work under way,” Kelly said.
The study will focus on the traffic network in the northern area of the County.
“It’s been determined that an update to the transportation model for the northern municipalities is warranted to reflect new growth patterns,” Kelly said. “This update will be used by the County to update our long term capital improvement program.”
In addition to reviewing all traffic county data currently available from the County, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and the state Department of Transportation, the consultant also will look at socioeconomic data, zoning information, planned developments, approved developments, and certificates of occupancy.
“This will be a comprehensive study that addresses growth in the northern section of the County and how it impacts the county road network,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “We need to make certain we do whatever we can to provide the best road network possible for motorists and pedestrians.”
A timeline for the study is expected to be established during the county’s first meeting with the consultant.
However, the consultant is expected to begin traffic counts by April.
“Once all this is completed we will have a comprehensive look of not just current conditions but current and future growth patterns,” Kelly said. “This will allow us to determine our best course of future action.”
The consultant will develop forecasts for years 2025 and 2040 based on the traffic counts, the Route 9 corridor study and the updated data collected.
“The study will result in a comprehensive report including a list of action items outlining transportation hot spots,” Kelly said. “The list will be divided into short-term and long-term transportation improvements that will improve the operation of Ocean County’s transportation network within the project townships.”
Kelly noted that while the study is going on the County will continue to implement improvements in the county’s road network.
“This study will help in long range planning,” Kelly said. “In the meantime, the County continues to do infrastructure projects that improve our roads.”
For example, Kelly noted that the County recently went out to bid for two new traffic signals in Lakewood.
The new signals will be constructed at two intersections that currently do not have traffic signals. The intersections are at New Hampshire Avenue and America Avenue and Cedarbridge Avenue and Avenue of the States.
Besides providing for vehicular coordination at these intersections, the intersections will also have full pedestrian accommodations. Construction on the new signals is expected to take place this summer.
“The new signals will help improve traffic flow and safety,” Kelly said.
Jackson Police Report Busy Weekend of Drug Arrests and Mental Health Calls
Thursday February 2:
– CDS ARREST: At 1810 hours, Police Officers Cilento and Conti responded to South Lakeview Drive to check on a suspicious vehicle report called in by an area resident. The vehicle was located and during the investigation, an 18 year old male was placed under arrest when suspected marijuana and paraphernalia were recovered. The male was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance while operating a motor vehicle. He was processed and released pending a court appearance.
Friday February 3:
– CDS ARREST: At 2243 hours, Police Officer French was on patrol and conducting a check of the Prospect Point Apartments located on South New Prospect Road. During this time a 2001 Mazda was observed parked in a fire zone, running but without it’s headlights on. As the officer drove his vehicle near the Mazda, it left the parking lot and began to travel on South New Prospect Road without turning on the headlights. After observing this and other violations, the officer conducted a motor vehicle stop with the car. During the stop the officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and a search resulted in the seizure of suspected marijuana and a glass pipe. The 26 year old male driver was placed under arrest and charged with: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS while operating a motor vehicle and failure to use headlights. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.
– CRISIS INTERVENTION: At 2328 hours, multiple officers responded to a residence in the township on a report of parents attempting to restrain their 21 and 23 year old sons who were reported to be out of control. Arriving officers were advised that it was believed that the two males had smoked marijuana that was laced with an unknown substance and then began hallucinating and acting bizarrely. One of the subjects became combative with the officers and had to be restrained to be escorted from the residence. The other, clothed only in his underwear, fled from the officers who had to pursue him and then restrain him after a brief struggle once he was caught. Both were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Saturday February 4:
– CDS ARREST: At 0157 hours, Police Officer French was on patrol on South New Prospect Road when he conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2012 Nissan Altima. During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and a search resulted in the seizure of suspected marijuana, suspected Oxycodone pills, and over 170 wax folds packaged to appear to be heroin along with other items. The 23 year old female driver was placed under arrest and later charged with: possession with intent to distribute imitation CDS, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of Oxycodone, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS while operating a motor vehicle, obstructed view, driving while revoked, unclear plates and failure to maintain lane. She was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance and later transported to an area hospital for treatment after making threats to harm herself.
– CDS/WARRANT ARREST: At 0738 hours, multiple officers responded to the report of a dispute on Willow Point Drive. After getting information that suspects in the incident had fled the area in a vehicle, the 1998 Honda they were operating was located and stopped. During the course of the stop, an 18 year old male was discovered to have an outstanding warrant out of Jackson for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and later released after posting bail. Also during the stop, the officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and observed an occupant attempting to hide a glass pipe. The pipe along with suspected marijuana was recovered and a 22 year old male was placed under arrest. He was processed and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and later released on summons pending a court appearance.
– CDS ARREST: While on patrol on South New Prospect Road at 1317 hours, Police Officer Falzarano conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 1998 Subaru for motor vehicle violations. During the course of the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and during a further search, suspected marijuana and paraphernalia was recovered. An 18 year old female occupant of the vehicle was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The vehicle driver was issued summonses and released at the scene.
– CRISIS INTERVENTION: At 2000 hours, officers responded to a residence in the township on the report of a 59 year old male who may want to harm himself. Responding officers located the heavily intoxicated male at his residence and observed he had numerous fresh cuts on his body along with blood smeared over several locations inside the residence. He was later transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Sunday February 5:
– CRISIS INTERVENTION: At 1110 hours, officers responded to a residence in the township on the report of an out of control teenager who had fled the residence after claiming he wanted to harm himself. The juvenile was located a short distance away from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
– CDS ARREST: At 2127 hours while on patrol, Police Officer French conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2005 Toyota on Garden Street. During the course of the investigation, multiple wax folds containing suspected heroin, hypodermic syringes and other items consistent with narcotics use was recovered. A 21 year old female and 31 year old male were arrested and charged with: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of hypodermic syringes and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.
Man shot himself in parking lot of police headquarters, police say
READINGTON TWP. – A man driving a semi tractor-trailer pulled into the parking lot of police headquarters on Route 523 and shot himself on Tuesday night, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office announced. The incident happened at 9 p.m. Whitehouse Fire Company and Whitehouse Rescue Squad responded, transporting the man to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New…
Get ready N.J., winter storm warning issued in latest snowfall update
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Wednesday morning ahead of a snowstorm that could dump between 3 and 10 inches across the state Thursday. The most significant snowfall of winter for New Jersey will come after possible record high temperatures on Wednesday before the mercury plummets overnight. Eighteen of New Jersey’s 21 counties…
Police chief reportedly under fire for skit playing on Asian stereotypes
KEYPORT– A roast by the chief of police to honor the outgoing chief of the fire department has drawn criticism from civil-rights organizations for playing on Asian stereotypes, according to app.com. But fire Chief Eugene Eng, the target of the roast and who is of Chinese descent, said he was not offended by the routine and…
Judge refuses to release Preston Taylor as new details emerge in Sarah Stern's death
FREEHOLD — A former classmate charged in connection with the death of Sarah Stern hid her body in the bushes of her home and returned to the crime scene at least twice before helping toss her body off a bridge in Belmar, prosecutors disclosed in court on Tuesday. After a lengthy detention hearing in which prosecutors…