Apartment Maintenance Worker Who Stole $4,500, Smartwatch In South Jersey Sentenced: Prosecutor Apartment Maintenance Worker Who Stole $4,500, Smartwatch In South Jersey Sentenced: Prosecutor
Apartment Maintenance Worker Who Stole $4,500, Smartwatch In South Jersey Sentenced: Prosecutor A maintenance worker will spend nearly a year in jail after he was convicted of stealing $4,500 and a smartwatch at an Ocean County apartment complex, authorities said. Troy Jones, 58, of Jackson Township, was sentenced on Friday, May 31 to 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of a three-year probation term, county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, June 4. A jury found him guilty on Wednesday, Mar. 20 after a nearly two-week trial. Jackson Township police responded to a reported theft at an apartment in The Ga…
10-Year Prison Minimum Awaits NJ Catholic School Teacher Who Took Upskirts Of Girls In Class 10-Year Prison Minimum Awaits NJ Catholic School Teacher Who Took Upskirts Of Girls In Class
10-Year Prison Minimum Awaits NJ Catholic School Teacher Who Took Upskirts Of Girls In Class UPDATE: A North Jersey school teacher who took upskirt photos and videos of female students faces at least 10 years in state prison when he’s sentenced next month. Michael F. Wagner, 41, of Hopatcong took a deal from prosecutors rather than risk the potential outcome of a trial, admitting that he recorded female 8th graders of his at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta during class and collected child porn. In order to secure the agreement – and whatever leniency may come at his July 26 sentencing in Newton -- Wagner had to plead guilty earlier this month to first-degree child en…
Teen Drove Drunk, High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash That Killed Passenger: Prosecutors Teen Drove Drunk, High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash That Killed Passenger: Prosecutors
Teen Drove Drunk, High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash That Killed Passenger: Prosecutors A Toms River teen was accused of driving while drunk and high on marijuana in a crash that killed one of her passengers, authorities said. Kailyn Gorga, 18, was charged on Friday, May 31 with vehicular homicide and assault by auto, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, June 4. Her charges were from an early morning crash in Manchester Township on Sunday, Apr. 14 that killed 18-year-old Catalina Reinoso of Brick Township. Manchester police responded to the one-car crash on Lacey Road in the Whiting section of the township at around 2:50 a.m. G…
Long Branch Woman Charged With DWI After NJ Transit Train Hits Empty Vehicle Long Branch Woman Charged With DWI After NJ Transit Train Hits Empty Vehicle
Long Branch Woman Charged With DWI After NJ Transit Train Hits Empty Vehicle A Long Branch woman was accused of driving while intoxicated after an empty vehicle was struck by a New Jersey Transit train, authorities said. North Jersey Coast Line train No. 4384 hit an unoccupied vehicle in Long Branch at around 8:59 p.m. on Monday, June 3, an NJ Transit spokesperson said. The vehicle was struck at the Cedar Avenue crossing between the Long Branch and Elberon stations. The train left the Bay Head station at 8:28 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Long Branch at 9:06 p.m. None of the 25 passengers or crew members were injured.  Investigators said Lisa Doren…
Aberdeen Cocktail Bar Named Among Best In America Aberdeen Cocktail Bar Named Among Best In America
Aberdeen Cocktail Bar Named Among Best In America A Monmouth County cocktail bar picked up another national recognition after just one year of serving specialty drinks. Esquire named La Otra in Aberdeen Township on its list of 42 Best Bars in America for 2024. The bar is next to its sister restaurant Lita on Route 34, and both businesses are run by chef David Viana and his girlfriend Neilly Robinson. Bar manager Ricardo Rodriguez has a more "free-wheeling" approach to mixology at La Otra, compared to the Iberian classics at Lita. "Like the best bars attached to restaurants, the drinks are on the culinary side, such as the Tzatziki, which …
Affordable Housing Complex With Fitness Center, Support Services Opening In South Jersey Affordable Housing Complex With Fitness Center, Support Services Opening In South Jersey
Affordable Housing Complex With Fitness Center, Support Services Opening In South Jersey A premium apartment complex promising affordable housing and resources in Manahawkin is close to welcoming its first residents, officials said. The first building of the Cornerstone at Grassy Hollow II is expected to open its first building in mid-September, the developer Walters said in a news release on Monday, June 3. Construction was on track to be completed for the community at 200 Back Road in November. The income-restricted development will have 34 one-to-three-bedroom apartments in two buildings. "Creating high-quality affordable housing that meets the needs of residents is a real …
IT Consultant, NJ Dad Suffers Stroke, Dies While Hiking, Campaign Says IT Consultant, NJ Dad Suffers Stroke, Dies While Hiking, Campaign Says
IT Consultant, NJ Dad Suffers Stroke, Dies While Hiking, Campaign Says Support is on the rise for the family of a 50-year-old New Jersey man who suffered a stroke and died on Friday, May 31. Umashankar Bandi was seemingly the epitome of health, having participated in Olympic qualifiers in rowing, run countless marathons, and conquered numerous sections along the Appalachian Trail, according to a GoFundMe campaign. "It was during one of these hikes that he experienced the heart attack," reads the campaign, launched by a group of friends of the Monmouth Junction dad, "a testament to his adventurous spirit and love for the great outdoors." Left to mourn his…
Tractor-Trailer Smashes Into Several Vehicles Parked Outside Jersey Shore Supermarket Tractor-Trailer Smashes Into Several Vehicles Parked Outside Jersey Shore Supermarket
Tractor-Trailer Smashes Into Several Vehicles Parked Outside Jersey Shore Supermarket A tractor-trailer crashed into several vehicles parked in front of an Ocean County supermarket, officials said. The crash happened on Route 35 South near the intersection of Laurel Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach on Monday, June 3, the Ocean Fire Company said in a Facebook post. Firefighters found the tractor-trailer hit several parked vehicles in front of Stop & Shop. One vehicle overturned and landed on the truck's trailer, firefighters said. Pictures from the scene appeared to show a Jeep Wrangler's roof leaning on the tractor-trailer's flatbed. Facebook - Ocean Fire Comp…
WINNER! Ticket Sold Online In NJ Wins $10K WINNER! Ticket Sold Online In NJ Wins $10K
Winner! Ticket Sold Online In NJ Wins $10K Someone in New Jersey had a nice end to the month of May. A ticket sold online in the Garden State matched four numbers plus the gold Megaball in the Mega Millions drawing held on Friday, May 31, winning $10,000.  The ticket was sold online via the Jackpocket app, listed in Hewitt in Passaic County. The winning numbers were 4, 11, 23, 33, 49 and the gold Megaball was 23.
Boater, 53, Dies After Circling Vessel Runs Aground On Raritan Bay, Police Say Boater, 53, Dies After Circling Vessel Runs Aground On Raritan Bay, Police Say
Boater, 53, Dies After Circling Vessel Runs Aground On Raritan Bay, Police Say A 53-year-old man died after his boat ran aground on the Raritan Bay Monday, June 3, authorities said. Kenneth Halvorsen Jr., of Toms River, was found on the vessel that had been moving in a circular pattern in the bay in Sayreville around 1:55 p.m., New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. The boat ran aground prior to troopers' arrival, Lebron said. Halvorsen was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Halvorsen worked at Pells Bait and Tackle, a fishing shop in Brick, according to social media and those who knew him. Rest easy my friend. Your loss is huge in the f…
Former Sprinter Killed In Crash 'Left A Lasting Footprint' On South Jersey HS Track Team Former Sprinter Killed In Crash 'Left A Lasting Footprint' On South Jersey HS Track Team
Former Sprinter Killed In Crash 'Left A Lasting Footprint' On South Jersey HS Track Team Friends and former teammates were remembering a Mays Landing teen who died after crashing his motorcycle, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page was created for 19-year-old Jeremiah St. Surin after he was killed in the crash at around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Egg Harbor Township police said St. Surin's motorcycle struck a Ford Explorer at the intersection of West Jersey Avenue and Cates Road. The 38-year-old woman driving the SUV suffered minor injuries when her airbags deployed in the crash. No other injuries were reported. The GoFundMe pa…
Man Stabbed Mother To Death While She Slept In Howell Township Home, Prosecutors Say Man Stabbed Mother To Death While She Slept In Howell Township Home, Prosecutors Say
Man Stabbed Mother To Death While She Slept In Howell Township Home, Prosecutors Say A Howell Township man was accused of stabbing his mother to death in their home, authorities said. Robert Parody, 25, was charged with first-degree murder and a weapons offense, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. He was accused of killing his 61-year-old mother Loretta Parody on Monday, June 3. Howell police responded to a stabbing report at a home on Porter Road just before 1:30 a.m. Officers quickly found Robert Parody and arrested him. Loretta Parody was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Investigators said Robert Parody entered his…