Consumers are often at the mercy of specialists: contractors, electricians, plumbers and the like. Unless you’re super handy, you rely on them to diagnose and fix problems in your home. Even if you get multiple estimates, how do you know they’re not misrepresenting a situation to make a small job into a bigger, more expensive one?…
All News
News from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Beyond.
What's happening at vacant storefronts in Brick Plaza
https://www.facebook.com/BrickTwpNJGovernment/videos/10158009369670046/
Shortly after filing for bankruptcy in the spring of 2016, Sports Authority closed its Brick Township location which has remained vacant since. Months before, in 2015, the plaza also lost A&P supermarket after the chain was sold to Acme.
While no new tenants have signed on as of yet for the Sports Authority site, the A&P store DSW shoes and an Ulta makeup store occupy portions of the old supermarket site. Brick Mayor John Ducey said the owners of the plaza were not interested in replacing A&P with a new supermarket, instead intend to break up the space into smaller retail outlets.
As for Sports Authority, Ducey said no new tenants have been announced, but the owners intend to split the Sports Authority space into as many as three separate rentable units. Ducey said the decline of large box stores was an influence in that decision.
Mayor Ducey announced these items during his last Facebook live event. He will be hosting another live town meeting on Wednesday at 6pm on the Brick Township Facebook page.
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 Police Blotter: December 28-January 3, 2017
The following is a sample of incidents that Patrol Officers recently responded to or were involved with. This does not represent all of the calls for service that were responded to during this time period. Any persons arrested or charged with offenses are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additionally, except in specific circumstances, arrest and complaint information filed with the court is public information and names of those charged may be released.
Wednesday December 28, 2016
ASSIST OTHER AGENCY: At 12:21pm Officer Thomason and Officer Grochowski responded to a residence in the Winding Ways Adult Community regarding assisting Manalapan Police Department locate a vehicle. The vehicle was apparently taken without the consent of the owner the day before. After locating the vehicle, the vehicle keys were retrieved and the vehicle was secured for the owner to retrieve.
CRISIS INTERVENTION: At 2:42pm Officer Cilento and Officer Reiff responded to a residence to speak with a female who indicated she wished to commit suicide. After making contact, screeners from Monmouth Medical Southern Campus arrived to speak with the female. After doing so it was determined she needed further evaluation and was transported to the hospital.
Thursday December 29, 2016
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT: Jackson Police Detectives Rodriguez and Manion, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) are currently investigating an aggravated sexual assault involving a child under the age of 13.
SHOPLIFTING: At 4pm Officer French and Officer Thomason responded to the Meridian health Pharmacy regarding a female who was wandering around the store and acting confused. While speaking with the female, various items were seen protruding from her jacket. As a result of the investigation, the female was arrested. 25 year old Kaylee Pierce of Jacksonville Florida was charged with shoplifting. Ms. Pierce also had an outstand warrant for her arrest out of Howell Township.
CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: At 10:25pm Officer Riso conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of the Wawa Convenience Store on Bennetts Mills Road. During the stop, Officer Riso detected the odor of marijuana. As a result of his investigation, the driver was arrested. 32 year old Michael Jordan of Jackson was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and making an improper turn.
Friday December 30, 2016
FORGERY: At 9am Jackson Municipal Court Clerk Eluzzi was processing the bail money received from the previous day. While doing so, a fraudulent $50 bill was located after being tested with a special pen. The originator of the money is known and the investigation is ongoing.
The Jackson Police Department responded to 9 motor vehicle crashes on this date.
Saturday December 31, 2016
CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: At 3am Officer French was dispatched to the area of East Pleasant Grove Road after the department received calls regarding suspicious banging noises being heard and someone walking around with a flashlight. In the area Officer French stopped a vehicle travelling slowly, with a flat tire. The driver indicated he attempted, unsuccessfully, to change the flat tire. While speaking with the driver, the odor of marijuana was detected. As a result, 21 year old Davis Haines of Jackson was arrested. Mr. Haines was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of CDS paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle in an unsafe condition.
ANIMAL COMPLAINT: At 11am Officer C. Kelly responded to a residence on Maxim Court to speak with the owner of a dog who was attacked. The caller indicated she heard barking and yelping coming from her backyard area and viewed two pit bull dogs attacking her dog. After going outside, the two pit bulls ran off. Unfortunately the dog that was attacked did not survive. The owner of the two bull dogs was later identified and was issued numerous summonses regarding the incident. Officer Grochowski and Officer J. Roth assisted.
Tuesday January 3, 2017
ARREST: At 8:30am Officer Grochowski, Officer Chesney and Sgt Parise attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Harmony Road. At the residence, 45 year old John Horaneck was found hiding in the basement. Horaneck was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Wall Township. While there, 44 year old Steven Dubois was also arrested. Dubois was charged with hindering his apprehension by giving a fictitious name, possession of CDS paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle.
SHOPLIFTING: At 9:30am Officer Candido responded to Stop and Shop regarding a male who was being detained on the ground outside the store. Investigation revealed the male attempted to shoplift $274 worth of batteries. After being confronted by management, the male attempted to flee. While doing so the male destroyed additional merchandise on his way out the door however was detained shortly thereafter. Officer Candido charged 30 year old Brian Worthington of Southampton Pennsylvania with shoplifting and criminal mischief.
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: At 11am a resident on Forrest Drive called indicating a hispanic male with long black hair came to her door. After answering the door, the male indicated he was there to fix a leaking pipe. The caller states she closed the door and contacted the police. The male left in a bright blue Ford pickup truck, however was not located by responding officers.
– The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Jackson Police Investigating Sexual Assault of 13 Year Old
No charges have been filed yet, but the Jackson Police are investigating a possible weekend sexual assault of 13 year old. Police did not give any further details other than Jackson Police Detectives Rodriguez and Manion, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) are currently investigating an aggravated sexual assault involving a child under the age of 13.
The incident happened on Thursday, December 29th.
No further details have been released since.
Stray Pit Bulls Kill Dog in Owner's Backyard
by Jackson PD
On Saturday at 11am, Jackson Police Officer Chris Kelly responded to a residence on Maxim Court to speak with the owner of a dog who was attacked. The caller indicated she heard barking and yelping coming from her backyard area and viewed two pit bull dogs attacking her dog. After going outside, the two pit bulls ran off. Unfortunately the dog that was attacked did not survive. The owner of the two dogs was later identified and was issued numerous summonses regarding the incident. Officer Grochowski and Officer J. Roth assisted.
The incident happened on Thursday, December 29th.
LBI Home Destroyed in Early Morning Fire
Early this morning, Surf City Police units were dispatched to a structure fire at 232 Division Avenue. The home was was fully engulfed upon arrival. Surf City Volunteer Fire Company responded, along with fire companies from Long Beach Island and Stafford Twp. The fire was extinguished and the cause of the blaze is currently under investigation. Neighboring homes at 228 Division and 236 Division suffered external damage from the heat. No one was home at the time and no one was injured.

New program offers drug addicts help and rehabilitation before life choices lead to arrest; death
by Al DellaFave, OCPO
TOMS RIVER-Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Brick Police Chief James Riccio and Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker today announced the first of its kind law enforcement addiction help program in New Jersey. The “Heroin Addiction Response Program” (HARP) will allow substance abusers to turn themselves and their product in at either of the above participating police headquarters, to go to addiction services providers for treatment evaluation without any threat of charges or jail.
This week, Brick and Manchester PDs will begin this 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 program is the latest initiative on the heels of Narcan and the Recovery Coach Program to offer substantial diversion help in order to reduce the impact of heroin and opiate abuse in our community, while encouraging those who suffer from addiction to seek help and experience recovery. Prosecutor Coronato stated, “It is my mandate that Ocean County Law Enforcement treat all those suffering from addiction with compassion, care, and concern while providing resources to assist in their recovery. This is another valuable partnership with Health Providers that is a substantial addition to support our three prong approach in combatting the opiate epidemic thru – Education/prevention, Enforcement and Treatment.
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.
Prosecutor Coronato concluded by saying, “It’s the generous commitment of Behavioral Health and Integrity House, along with Brick and Manchester PD’s pro-active community outreach that makes this all possible. It is the hope of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to ellicit other local law enforcement/health provider partnerships in the next several months to expand the program across Ocean 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.
Powdery Snow Forces Change to Emergency Medevac Site
On Sunday, at approximately 7:45pm, the Beachwood Fire Department was dispatched to Birch and Surf Park to set up a landing zone for a severely injured subject.
Upon arrival, Command Units and MONOC’s medical airship found the location was unable to be used due to the powdery snow conditions.
The landing zone was then relocated to the parking lot of the Beachwood Elementary School. Fire Department personnel assisted the Beachwood First Aid, South Toms River First Aid and MONOC medics with the patient.
Photo, info provided by Beachwood VFD
Rodgers, Packers end Giants season in 38-13 playoff win
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Call it “Revenge of the Hail Mary” by Capt. Hail Mary. Aaron Rodgers, who shocked the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals with end-of-game Hail Mary touchdowns last season, stunned the New York Giants with a 42-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Randall Cobb on the final play of the first half of Sunday’s…
Attacks on Eric Trump Charity Only Hurting Sick Children
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2016 – President Elect Donald Trump and his guilty-by-association family have been under intense scrutiny by the left and the mainstream media. Trump’s charitable foundation was under the magnifying glass when GuideStar, a nonprofit information center, recently released a 2015 tax filing from the foundation showing that the New York-based nonprofit checked “yes”…
McDonald Win Helps Jackson Memorial Beat Brick Memorial
SHORE CONFERENCE HEROES (Jan. 3-7) Chris McDonald, Jackson Memorial, 113: The sophomore scored a 2-0 win over Mike Richardson that snapped a 21-21 tie and led the Jaguars to a Shore Conference Class A South victory over rival Brick Memorial last week. McDonald is 7-6. Benjamin Sammarco, Colts Neck, 120: The senior scored a 9-1 major…
Bowling: Brick Memorial girls win at Brick Tournament
The Woodbridge boys bowling team and the Brick Memorial girls took first at the Brick Tournament held at Ocean Lanes in Lakewood Saturday morning. On the boys side, Woodbridge took first with a score of 3,267, with games of 1,118, 1,048 and 1,101. Brick Memorial finished in second with a score of 3,212 (1,205, 1,070, 937),…
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…
Short Wave Radio Poles at Good Luck Point Coming Down After 80 Years
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP — It’s a curious spectacle well known to fishermen, boaters and sightseers along Barnegat Bay for more than 80 years but soon it will be just a memory. A field of hundreds of wooden poles that stood jutting out of more than 200 acres of marshland know as Good Luck Point off Berkeley Township…
Bell, Brown, Roethlisberger power Steelers past Dolphins
PITTSBURGH — Le’Veon Bell ran for two touchdowns and a team playoff record 167 yards, Antonio Brown caught two first-quarter touchdown passes of at least 50 yards and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ blitzing defense forced three turnovers on a chilly winter day during a 30-12 rout of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in an AFC wild-card game.…
Seaside Heights, Feds Investigating Laser Pointer that Struck Joint Base Plane
FORT DIX – The flight crew of a military transport aircraft had more to contend with than clouds and a dark night Friday – the light from a laser pointer hit the plane, causing a serious safety risk, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. No one was injured, but officials said that the light caused a…
An Amazing Shot of the Hindenburg Flying over Downtown Toms River?
We’re not sure of the origin of the photo, but it’s too great not to share. Published to the Facebook group, “You know you’re from Toms River if…“, the “purportedly” photo shows the Hindenburg flying over Downtown Toms River. On May 6, 1937, just minutes before it arrived in Lakehurst it met its demise as we all know.
But, is this even an picture of the Hindenburg? Chances are…no. It appears to be a Macon class airship operated by the U.S. Navy which operated from the base.
First, it doesn’t look like the Hindenburg and there the German airship’s trademark swastikas are missing, instead, the tail fins have the United States vertical red white and blue stripes. Second, there were two airships in service at the time, the Macon and the Akron. I cannot be 100% verified which one this was. Both looked nearly identical and both
The Akron (ZRS-4) launched on August 8, 1931 and crashed off the coast of New Jersey on April 4, 1933. The Macon (ZRS-5) launched on March 11, 1933 and crashed on February 12, 1935.
While the photo is an amazing shot of downtown Toms River, it’s definitely not the Hindenburg, but we wanted to share it anyway.
The photo gives a clear show of Main Street, possibly from the First National Bank building, facing north towards Washington Street.
BREAKING: 5 People Killed in Shooting at Ft. Lauderdale Airport, Suspect in Custody
(Image via Twitter) UPDATE 2:11 P.M. EST: The Broward County Sheriff Department has provided more details regarding the shooting at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The department’s communications received a call at around 12:55 P.M. EST about shots fired at 100 Terminal Drive. Five people have been confirmed dead, eight transported to a local hospital. Update: Eight…