HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – A house fire at 13 Woodstown Drive prompted a rapid response from the Howell Township Police Department at approximately 3:35 PM today.
Upon arrival, officers reported the residence was fully engulfed in flames. Thankfully, all occupants evacuated safely without injuries.
Firefighting units from Adelphia Fire, Squankum Fire, Southard Fire, Jackson Station 55, and Freehold Township Independent Fire worked together to extinguish the fire. Support was also provided by Howell Township Police EMS and Howell Township First Aid.
Currently, the Howell Township Fire Bureau and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported among the responding emergency personnel.
- New Jersey Lottery Winner Still Has Not Claimed $1.3 Million Ticket Sold in Freehold
TRENTON, NJ – A Jersey Cash 5 jackpot worth $1.3 million is about to slip away, as the winning ticket purchased in Monmouth County last November remains unclaimed and is set to expire in just weeks.
The ticket, valued at $1,300,245, was sold at the Wawa located at 3303 Route 9 in Freehold. It matched the winning numbers for the November 25, 2024, drawing. Under New Jersey Lottery rules, winning tickets must be redeemed within one year.
“Players really should check their tickets,” New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey urged. “We have several ways our players can verify if they are winners. More than once, I’ve seen players come to us after a period of time saying they won a prize after finding a misplaced ticket.”
The reminder comes as several other large prizes approach their expiration dates. A $150,000 Jersey Cash 5 ticket purchased at White Oak Liquors in Belleville will expire November 1, while a $50,000 Powerball ticket sold at Stew Leonard’s in Paramus must be claimed by November 23.
In May, a Mercer County player discovered a four-month-old Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million, proving forgotten jackpots do get redeemed — but only if players check.
A millionaire may be out there holding nothing more than a slip of paper.
- Spirit Christmas expands New Jersey holiday pop-ups with new 2025 locations including Toms River
TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Spirit Christmas, known for its seasonal pop-up shops filled with holiday decor, apparel, and gifts, is returning to New Jersey with an expanded lineup of stores for the 2025 holiday season.
In addition to established locations in Mays Landing, Marlton, Brick, and Woodbridge last year, new storefronts will open this year in Cherry Hill, Lawrenceville, Paramus, Rockaway, and Toms River.
Confirmed 2025 store locations include:
- 190 Hamilton Commons, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
- 2234 W Marlton Pike Rd, Plot E3, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
- 1379 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
- 3371 Brunswick Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
- 34 East Ridgewood Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652
- 357 Mount Hope Ave, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Shoppers can expect a wide selection of Christmas decorations, from artificial trees and lights to outdoor inflatables. The stores also feature gifts, stocking stuffers, and home goods for all ages.
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Beyond merchandise, Spirit Christmas offers immersive experiences, including themed displays like “Peppermint Village,” a “Letters to Santa” station, and in some stores, “Creepmas” décor for those seeking a spooky twist on the holidays. Select locations may also host photo opportunities with Santa.
The pop-up chain, an offshoot of Spirit Halloween, is designed to bring a festive shopping experience while operating for just a few months each year.
- Hero sukkah mobiles to roll through Monmouth and Ocean for Sukkot celebration
Monmouth & Ocean Counties, NJ – A fleet of 30 mobile sukkahs will travel through local communities next week as part of the Midstate Chabad Regional Office’s new Hero Sukkah Mobiles project, honoring October 7 heroes while sharing the traditions of Sukkot.
From October 9 through October 12, the sukkah mobiles will make scheduled stops at schools, city halls, transit hubs, shopping centers and residential neighborhoods. Each mobile sukkah will be staffed by Chabad rabbinical students and community ambassadors, inviting visitors to step inside, make a blessing, and hear the story of the hero their sukkah is dedicated to.
“This project is about transforming every individual into a lamplighter, bringing light, warmth, and inspiration to others,” said Rabbi Mendel Chazanow, Director of Organizational Development at the Midstate Chabad Regional Office. “These sukkahs will spread the joy of Sukkot across Monmouth and Ocean Counties and reach places where it may never have been experienced before.”
Organizers are also calling for volunteers to serve as “Hero Sukkah Ambassadors.” Participants will commit to a two-hour shift, greeting guests and sharing their sukkah’s hero story. Families are encouraged to join together to help create a welcoming environment.
The sukkah mobiles will operate on October 9, 10 and 12 across multiple towns in both counties.
The traveling sukkahs aim to turn local streets into spaces of tradition, memory and celebration.
- Prisoner lawsuit tossed after vague claims against Monmouth County corrections
Newark, NJ – A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights complaint brought by a New Jersey inmate who alleged that corrections officers prevented him from pursuing his “legal litigation” in state court.
The lawsuit, filed by Michael Upshar under 42 U.S.C. §1983, targeted the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office corrections division. Upshar, representing himself and granted in forma pauperis status, claimed an officer blocked him from bringing legal matters before a judge. He stated that although he initially refused to appear in court, a state judge ordered that he be transported.
U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel reviewed the complaint under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which requires courts to screen filings from prisoners for merit before proceeding. Kiel ruled the case failed to state a plausible claim, noting that Upshar did not provide enough detail to establish how his constitutional rights were violated.
The court explained that while prisoner filings are held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings, they must still allege facts showing a legal violation. Upshar’s repeated references to being prevented from bringing his “legal litigation” were found too vague, leaving the court unable to determine whether he was denied access to an attorney or blocked from pursuing a legitimate case.
The dismissal was issued without prejudice, giving Upshar the opportunity to amend and refile if he can provide sufficient factual support for his claims.
- Middletown cops probe suspected child luring in Cobalt Ridge
Police investigate reported child luring attempt in Middletown’s Cobalt Ridge neighborhood
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA – A report of a suspicious vehicle and possible attempted child luring in the Cobalt Ridge neighborhood prompted a police response Monday morning, authorities said.
Middletown Township Police confirmed they interviewed both the child and parent involved, located the vehicle in question, and identified and spoke with the driver. Investigators determined the individual was a food delivery driver who frequently works in the area.
The department said it is continuing to conduct interviews, review video, and investigate the circumstances. Out of caution, officers will maintain an increased presence in the neighborhood during bus stop hours to reassure families.
Police emphasized that all reports of suspicious activity involving children are taken seriously. They urged parents to remind children never to get into vehicles with strangers, to walk away and find a trusted adult if approached, and to call 911 to report suspicious behavior.
Officials also cautioned against spreading unverified information online, reminding residents to report incidents directly to police so officers can respond quickly.
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Key Points
- Report of suspicious vehicle and possible attempted child luring investigated in Cobalt Ridge
- Driver identified as local food delivery worker after police interviews
- Middletown Police increasing presence at bus stops while probe continues