Jackson, NJ—A grant from Jackson’s Clean Communities program helped a local organization clear hundreds of trash bags of litter from the city’s roadways this weekend.
New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide program that promotes volunteer cleanup of public lands.
This week, dozens of local groups hit the highways with trash bags and began cleaning the streets.
Each year, the township hosts these public cleanups and reimburses organizations and community groups $500 per mile of road cleaned. That funding comes from the NJ DEP’s New Jersey Clean Communities grant.
This year, approximately 30 groups, directed by Jackson DPW under Shawn Bolinksy hit the roads and cleaned up over 200 bags of trash. That doesn’t include the tires or wood pallets discarded along the roadside, which were also collected.
Jackson Council President Jennifer Kuhn worked alongside the Jackson Thunder Travel Little League to clean up Grawtown Road.
“This is a great way for the community to pitch in and help keep our roadways clean,” Councilwoman Kuhn said. I want to thank all of the organizations that came out to pitch in today.”
The Clean Communities Program was organized under Mayor Michael Reina’s administration. It was previously managed by Patricia Wood, who grew the program over the years before her passing in 2021.
- Two Weeks Later: Douglas Cobb Wanted for Murder Continues to Elude Prosecutors, Police
Douglas Cobb remains wanted in the Sept. 18 killing of Bruce Gress as the investigation widens to four people accused of helping the fugitive avoid police.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — More than two weeks after Bruce Gress was shot in the head outside a Route 37 Wawa, the man prosecutors accuse of killing him has still not been captured. That investigation is now being handled by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office and investigators are no closer to finding Cobb today than they were two weeks ago.
A killer remains at large. Where? That’s not known. The prosecutor’s office has been silent on the investigation itself, only reporting it had arrested four people who aided Cobb’s escape. But they still can’t find him, even with those four accomplices in custody.
Prosecutors continue search for douglas cobb, wanted for murder in toms river. Douglas Cobb, 51, of Toms River, remains wanted on murder and weapons charges in the Sept. 18 shooting at the Wawa at Route 37 and Garfield Avenue. The latest official update from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office continues to identify Cobb as the fugitive at the center of the investigation.
Shore News Network has been following the search for Cobb since investigators first identified him as the accused gunman.
Gress Was Shot During the Morning Rush
Toms River police were called to the Wawa shortly after 7:20 a.m. Sept. 18 and found Gress, 42, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River police and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office identified Cobb as the alleged shooter.
Cobb was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and being a certain person not to possess a weapon.
Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said after Cobb was identified, “Our focus now is to locate Douglas Cobb and bring him into custody.”
That has not happened yet.
Four People Accused of Helping Cobb
The case expanded during the following week when prosecutors charged four people with hindering Cobb’s apprehension.
As Shore News Network reported, Ronald Hagan, 50, of Brick Township; Sylvester Green, 43, of Bayville; Cherice Nicholson, 46, of Howell; and Jennifer Rizalvo, 48, of Lakewood were charged with hindering the apprehension of another.
Prosecutors allege they helped Cobb avoid capture, gave investigators false information or both.
“These arrests send a powerful message that anyone who intentionally aids Douglas Cobb evade law enforcement, will be held accountable and face consequences for their unlawful actions,” Billhimer said.
“We are working round-the-clock to apprehend Cobb so that he may be brought to justice for the killing of Bruce Gress,” he said.
Hagan Turned Himself In
Green and Nicholson were taken to the Ocean County Jail after they were charged. Rizalvo was issued a summons and released pending court proceedings.
Hagan initially became a fugitive himself after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
He surrendered to Toms River police on Sept. 28 with his attorney present and was taken to the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Search Has Reached Beyond Toms River
The manhunt has involved the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Toms River police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, South Toms River police, Freehold Borough police and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Investigators also released a newer photograph of Cobb taken from police body-camera footage recorded in June.
Cobb is also known as Douglas Green and by the nickname “Bootknock.”
When authorities first announced the manhunt, they said Cobb had last been seen driving a black 2016 Acura MDX with New Jersey registration T93YJL.
What Led to the Shooting Remains Unclear
Authorities still have not publicly laid out a motive for the killing.
The official case remains straightforward: prosecutors allege Cobb shot and killed Gress and then fled. Now, he’s in the wind and nobody knows where he’s hiding. He could be hiding in plain sight or he could have fled the area. No details have been released.
Anyone with credible information about his whereabouts can contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 732-929-2027.
- Biggie the Bulldog Is Waiting in Ocean County for Someone to Take Him Home
The playful 3-year-old is looking for an experienced home that can handle his big personality and even bigger frame.
JACKSON, N.J. – Biggie is big, goofy, playful and ready to meet the family that will finally take him home.
The approximately 3-year-old American Bulldog is available for adoption at the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility in Jackson, where shelter advocates say he is friendly, energetic and still has plenty of oversized-puppy behavior.
Photo: volunteers pitch in to clean up jackson township roads Biggie has been neutered, microchipped and brought up to date on his vaccinations. He is now on the adoption floor and available to meet potential families.
Biggie Brings a Lot of Personality
Friends of the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility describe Biggie as a strong, playful dog who does not always seem to realize just how large he is.
Because of his size and strength, the shelter would prefer an adopter with dog experience, especially someone familiar with larger breeds.
Biggie would benefit from structure, consistency, crate training and continued work on leash skills.
Older children are recommended because of his size, and slow introductions with other dogs are encouraged.
“He’s a lot of dog, but he’s also a whole lot of FUN,” the group said in its adoption post.
Biggie Has Been Retested and Is Ready to Meet Families
Shelter advocates said Biggie previously showed some guarding behavior with a high-value chew.
He was recently retested and passed, opening the door for him to begin meeting potential adopters.
The shelter is looking for someone who can give Biggie the structure and attention he needs while also appreciating his playful personality.
How to Meet Biggie in Jackson
Biggie is staying at the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility at 615 Freemont Ave. in Jackson.
The facility is open daily from 1 to 4 p.m., and no appointment is needed to visit.
Anyone interested in adopting Biggie can visit the shelter and speak with staff about whether he may be the right fit for their home.
