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Brick Municipal Alliance Committee Hosts Golf Tournament
LAKEWOOD-The Brick Municipal Alliance Committee hosted its annual BMAC Golf Tournament on Saturday at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. Sponsored by Pine Belt, CME Associates and other local businesses, the event helps to raise money for substance abuse programs in the town.
“Thanks to all the golfers who came out to Eagle Ridge Golf Course today for our Brick Municipal Alliance Committee golf outing! What a great turnout,” Mayor Ducey’s office said in a Facebook post. “Beautiful weather, lots of fun, and all for a good cause!”
About the BMAC (From the Brick Township Official Website):
The Brick Municipal Alliance Committee (BMAC) is a municipally supported, grant funded organization whose mission is to provide substance abuse prevention programs and services for the community. It is a grass-roots effort led by a group of volunteers representing organizations and key stakeholders empowered to initiate community level change.
With funding provided by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse along with sponsorships and donations, BMAC’s efforts will be focused on reducing prescription medication misuse, particularly opiates, which is fueling the heroin crisis in our area.
Chief Bergquist of the Brick Township Police Department summarized it best at the first BMAC meeting when he said “The Police Department is really good at arresting these people. What we’re not so good at is turning off the flow of new users coming in and I think that should be our focus.”
BMAC meetings are held monthly on Mondays at 7 pm in Town Hall. All are welcome. Please check the calendar on this website for meeting dates.
Jackson Liberty Marching Band Marches in Miss America Pageant Parade
ATLANTIC CITY-The Jackson Liberty Lions marching band marched down the Atlantic City Boardwalk on Saturday.
Toms River Lightning 12U Wins USSSA School's In Session Tournament
LINDEN, NJ-The Toms River Lightning 12U girls fastpitch softball team, led by manager Denise Hoban won the 2015 USSSA School’s In Session tournament. In pool play The Lightning lost a close game to the Ramapo Rage 7-5, followed by a 16-0 victory over the Edison Angels.
In the final, the Lightning defeated the undefeated New Jersey Bandits 6-1. Alexa Colon was named game MVP. Adia DeCasse, Haley Budenas Naya Darnowski and Charlotte Dwyer each won game MVP medals in the tournament.
“Everyone contributed and everyone played hard,” Hoban said.
Correction: NJ Bandits reported as Barnegat Bandits.
HS FOOTBALL: Barnegat Defeats Manchester 24-15
MANCHESTER-Barnegat took an early first quarter 14-0 lead with running touchdowns by Paul Wickwire and Josh Bowen.
In the third quarter, Manchester quarterback Jerry Blackburn connected with Israel Almestica for a 30 yard touchdown, but Barnegat replied with a 13 yard pass from Joe Monaco to Hunter Naraozniak.
Manchester tried valiantly in the fourth to come back, but were limited to just a 45 yard touchdown run by Jereme Blackburn.
Photo by John Devlin / Manchester HS Facebook.
HS FOOTBALL: Southern Regional Beats Toms River East in Overtime
MANAHAWKIN-In a scoreless game after halftime, Southern Regional and Toms River East each scored touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to break the silence.
Tommy Ferrante had a 9 yard rush into the endzone for East while Brandon barnetti took a 31 yard pass from Jackson Donahower into the endzone.
In overtime, Pat Walker scored on a 23 yard pass from Donahower.
On Defense Walker had 10 tackles on the night.
Southern’s Anthony Gagliardi had one interception and Barnetti recovered a fumble.
East’s Dylan Savulich had a rough night passing, completing only 1 of 9 passes for just 4 yards.
Donahower was 6 for 12 with 2 touchdowns, but lost opportunities during regulation play with 2 interceptions.
Ferrante rushed for 41 yards on the night.
Photos by John Portelli. See more here.
PHOTOS: Berkeley Pride Day 2015
One of the highlights from today was Mayor Carmen Amato and Police Chief Karin DiMichele taking the ice bucket challenge in front of the crowd gathered at Veterans Park for Berkeley Pride Day.
“Berkeley Community Pride day is our annual founders day a day were our community comes together to celebrate community pride,” said Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato. “All of our community groups will be there selling food as a fundraiser for their organization.”
Photos from Berkeley Pride Day 2015 by Maria Amato-Rosen.
Rain? No Problem at Seaside Heights Wine Festival's First Full Day
SEASIDE HEIGHTS-Over 2,500 braved the rain on Saturday to enjoy the Seaside Heights Wine Festival. “Glass in your hand…toes in the sand,” is how Michael Graichen, Director of Special Events for the borough described the event which continues on Sunday.
A Lucy impersonator, from the “I Love Lucy Show” put smiles on the faces of hundreds of people as they posed for pictures and stomped grapes together on the boardwalk.
On Sunday, the event will run from 12-5pm with a much better predicted forecast than Saturday.
HS FOOTBALL: Brick High School Defeats Brick Memorial
BRICK-Brick Township High School dominated Brick Memorial through the first half of the annual matchup between these two crosstown rivals. Ja’sir Taylor scored two touchdowns including a 56 yard fumble return.
Jay Obenauer added 6 when he took a ball into the end zone from the Mustangs’ 5 yard line.
The Green Dragons went into halftime up 14-0.
In the fourth quarter, Rashon McCall added more damage for Brick Township with 9 and 7 yard touchdown runs.
Justin Bates scored Memorial’s only touchdown, sans extra-point.
Javeon Harris was 4-4 on the night with extra points for the Green Dragons.
Taylor has 107 yards on 6 carries, Obenauer with 145 yards on 16 carries.
The night was dominated by the running game on both sides.
At the end of the game, Brick fans donned in pink rushed the field to congratulate the team.
Check out this video showing Bate’s run into the endzone.
HS FOOTBALL: Lakewood Defeats Central Regional
BERKELEY-Central Regional lost a tough home opener on Friday night, 40-34 against the visiting Lakewood Piners. Amir Tyler scored four touchdowns for Lakewood including an interception he ran back for a touchdown. Tyler rushed for 119 yards on 19 carries.
In the fourth quarter Zayare Jones threw to brother Jyare Jones to put Lakewood in the lead for the win. Jyare Jones also ran the ball into the end zone once.
Central Regional made a late game effort to get back in the game when QB Michael Miserendino ran the ball from the 4 with under a minute left.
Photo by Mayor Carmen Amato!
HS FOOTBALL: Toms River South Christens New Stadium with Come From Behind Win Against Donovan Catholic
TOMS RIVER-The Toms River High School South Indians christened the new Detwiler Stadium on Friday night with a season opening win against Donovan Catholic.
The Indians got an early 7-0 lead when Jaden Kosh took the ball in from the 3 yard line in the first quarter.
Donovan Catholic chipped away in the second with a 30 yard field goal by kicker Giancarlo Stigliano.
The Griffins went up 10-7 in the third when David Calderone rushed from the 10 yard line into the endzone.
In the 4th quarter, South’s Jaden Kosh too a goal line stand into the endzone to give the Indians the 14-10 win.
Game Photos by Heather Laing. See more photos of HS South by Laing here.
Stadium Photo by Toms River South Hitting Indians Facebook Page.
HS FOOTBALL: Gawlik, Lee & Johnson Dominate Liberty, Jags Keep Connor Cup
JACKSON-The Don Connor Cup will remain as it has since its inception in the halls of Jackson Memorial High School as the Jaguars once again manhandled their crosstown rivals at Jackson Liberty.
In the first quarter, Vincent Lee needed just 2 yards to score two touchdowns to put Memorial out with an early lead. A one yard goal line pass from Dan Barker and a 1 yard goal line rush by Lee got things going for Memorial.
In the second quarter, Mikey Gawlik ran 23 yards for a touchdown, but Jared Calhoun, who was 5 for 6 with extra point kicks missed the uprights this time around.
Kyle Johnson stunned Jackson Liberty and their fans with a second quarter 58 yard punt return for a touchdown to make the score 34-0 at half time with the addition of a 57 yard pass from Dan Barker that Johnson took to the end zone.
In the third quarter, Liberty was on the Memorial 5 yard line, poised to break the shutout, but a fumbled ball was recovered by Gawlik who ran it back 95 yards to seal the Lions’ fate.
Photos by Phil Stilton, See More Here.
HS FOOTBALL: Toms River North Defeats Lacey 29-7
LANOKA HARBOR-Toms River North’s Mike Husni led the Mariners to a 29-7 win over Lacey Township. Husni completed 6 of 12 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 105 yards and had a touchdown of his own. Bryce Watts scored on a 23 yard run in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Husni connected with Bryce Watts for 37 yard pass to the end zone. Assante Moore scored on a short run in the 4th quarter.
Chase Stephensen was the sole scorer for Lacey on a 6 yard second quarter run.
Photos by John Portelli. See more here.
Dolphin Arena at Great Adventure Demolished
JACKSON-Six Flags Great Adventure began demolishing the Fort Independence arena, the former home of the theme park’s Dolphin Discovery program, last week to make way for a new attraction at the park.
Built in 1974, it was one of the largest original structures at the theme park. It was originally named “Aqua Spectacle” and seated nearly 2,000 guests. It featured a 16 foot deep pool for dolphins, seals and sea lions. It was once the centerpiece attraction for the park.
Once the home of dare-devil aquatic high divers, it was the centerpiece attraction for decades. During its heydey there were six dolphin shows and six high-diving shows each day.
“The original shows at the Aqua Spectacle were really unique. While most parks that had dolphin shows at the time had two or three performing animals, Great Adventure featured ten performing at one time,” according to GreatAdventureHistory.Com, “The diving shows featured an array of dives from platforms of varying heights, with multiple divers performing stunt dives. The show was capped with the dive from the 100 foot high platform high above the pool.”
The diving shows ended back 2001. In 2002, the more recent Dolphin Discovery programs were established. The dolphin shows came to an end after the 2011 season when Cody, one of dolphins starring in the shows died.
Avalon, the last living performing dolphin at the time was sent back to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California according to Kristin Siebeneicher, spokeswoman for the park.
The arena will make way for a new rollercoaster named Total Mayhem.
“We are thrilled to unveil one of the newest concepts in roller coaster engineering with Total Mayhem,” said Park President John Fitzgerald. “Six Flags Great Adventure’s world-renowned coaster collection will expand into the realm of insanity – or spinsanity – with this new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers next generation, cutting-edge thrills.”
Total Mayhem features a twisting and floating experience onboard 4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 passengers per car. Face-off seats will allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels. A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift is accompanied by two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops giving the sensation of free-falling.
Total Mayhem is expected to open in the spring of 2016.
“We are thrilled to unveil one of the newest concepts in roller coaster engineering with Total Mayhem,” said Park President John Fitzgerald. “Six Flags Great Adventure’s world-renowned coaster collection will expand into the realm of insanity – or spinsanity – with this new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers next generation, cutting-edge thrills.”
For more information on the history of the arena and Six Flags Great Adventure, GreatAdventureHistory.Com.
Photos by http://www.greatadventurehistory.com/.
SEPT 26: Charity Softball FF vs PD Game for Jason Marles Memorial Statue
BERKELEY-A benefit softball game will be held at Veterans Park on September 26th at 4pm between the Ocean Gate Police Department and Ocean Gate Fire Department. A $7 gate price ($5 in advance) will go towards a fund to build a memorial Statue for the Jason Marles Memorial Park.
Ocean Gate Police Officer Jason Marles was killed by a drunk driver on Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2010 after working the night shift on a special DUI detail.
This summer, the Where Angels Play Foundation dedicated a playground in his memory.
Advanced tickets are available at the Ocean Gate Police Department.
Beachwood Police, Firefighters Rescue Cat from Roof of Two-Story Home
BEACHWOOD-A Beachwood cat owner was reunited with his feline after it was rescued from the roof of their two-story home in this Toms River area community. Beachwood Police and firefighters from Station 16, Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call on Labor Day.
“All lives matter, in this case it’s a cat that was stuck on the roof of a two-story home,” the Beachwood Police Department said. “With the help of the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company the cat was safely returned to its owner. Great work by our Fire Chief Roger Hull who brought the cat to its owner.”
Fire Burns Hundreds of Acres In Pine Barrens
Firefighters are battling a forest fire that has consumed hundreds of acres in southern New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. The fire broke out on Monday. Officials say no homes are in danger, according to an AP report.
The fire can be smelled in the as far north as northern Ocean County due to atmospheric conditions. The fire is located near the Brendan T. Byrne Forest.
Photo provided by Beachwood Police Department.
Beachwood Firefighter Laid to Rest in Arlington National Cemetery
ARLINGTON,VA-On September 1, 2015 members of the Beachwood Fire Department escorted the Miserendino family to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, for the interment of Chief Thomas Miserendino.
“Chief Miserendino was a member of the Fire Department for over 40 years and has the distinction of being our longest serving Chief. Chief Miserendino had a long record of public service to the community of Beachwood,” the department said in a statement.
He served with the United States Navy and is a decorated Vietnam Veteran. Chief Miserendino can now rest in peace in the place he earned on our nation’s most hallowed ground.
Photos by Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Beachwood Fire Department Trains for Natural Gas Emergencies
TOMS RIVER-It happened during and after Hurricane Sandy throughout the county, but how prepared are Ocean County’s fire fighters for the next natural gas fire or emergency? Beachwood’s Volunteer Fire Department is more prepared after training last week at the Ocean County Fire Academy for just such scenarios.
On the evening of August 28, 2015, members of the Beachwood Fire Department attended advanced training on natural gas emergencies hosted by New Jersey Natural Gas at the Ocean County Fire Academy.
“We would like to thank Roger Grey and his staff from the gas company for allowing us to train with them, as well as Ocean County Fire Academy Director Ray Van Marter for facilitating this outstanding training,” the fire department said in a statement.
Photos by Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department.
