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Jackson, NJ

Raquel Perez, Known As 'Beacon Of Positivity,' Remembered By Family Raquel Perez, Known As 'Beacon Of Positivity,' Remembered By Family
Raquel Perez, Known As 'Beacon Of Positivity,' Remembered By Family The family of a woman known to them as a "beacon of positivity" is celebrating her life following a fatal crash in Heidelberg Township. "We celebrate the beautiful life of a beloved, daughter and sister, Raquel Muneca Monique Perez, who passed away on Oct. 2," her family said in an obituary they shared with Daily Voice. Perez, 26, of Wilson Borough, died in a tragic crash when her vehicle struck a tree in the 5000 block of Route 309 in Heidelberg Township on Wednesday, Oct. 2. She was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital at 4:34 p.m. on the same day. She was a charismatic, determined …
'General Hospital' Star Moonlights As New Jersey Realtor  — And He Loves It 'General Hospital' Star Moonlights As New Jersey Realtor  — And He Loves It
'General Hospital' Star Moonlights As New Jersey Realtor — And He Loves It When he's not breaking hearts on soap operas, Rick Hearst is selling homes in New Jersey. The "General Hospital" star revealed his second career in an Instagram video on Monday, Sept. 9, where he showed off his big backyard and extolled the virtues of living in the Garden State. "I just kind of wanted to show folks what it looks like," Hearst said. “There’s different parts of New Jersey. The part that I live in, South Central New Jersey, is a beautiful place. I also happen to be a real estate agent here. I love helping people find homes here, sell their homes here. It’s really a great …
Body Of Missing Boater, 29, Recovered Day After Vessel Capsizes On NJ Lake, Police Say Body Of Missing Boater, 29, Recovered Day After Vessel Capsizes On NJ Lake, Police Say
Body Of Missing Boater, 29, Recovered Day After Vessel Capsizes On NJ Lake, Police Say The body of a 29-year-old man was recovered from a New Jersey lake more than 24 hours after the boat he was on capsized, police said. The Old Bridge man, who was not identified by name, was recovered by search teams on Prospertown Lake in Jackson Township just before 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said. Jackson police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a capsized boat on the lake around 2:25 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, the chief said. Police boats and divers were deployed Saturday afternoon in an effort to find the missing boater, Kunz said. Officials from NJ Fi…
Motorcyclist Escapes Serious Injury After Crash In Jackson: Police Motorcyclist Escapes Serious Injury After Crash In Jackson: Police
Motorcyclist Escapes Serious Injury After Crash In Jackson: Police A motorcyclist escaped serious injury after she crashed in Jackson on Friday afternoon, July 26, authorities said. She crashed at about 2:15 p.m. at the corner of North New Prospect and Farmingdale roads, according to Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz. The unidentified rider complained of arm, shoulder and back pain and was taken to an area hospital, the chief said. No other details were immediately available.
Mother, Son Admit Selling Cheap Parts To Military Through Jersey Shore Family Business: Feds Mother, Son Admit Selling Cheap Parts To Military Through Jersey Shore Family Business: Feds
Mother, Son Admit Selling Cheap Parts To Military Through Jersey Shore Family Business: Feds A New Jersey mother and son admitted to a years-long scheme to scam the Department of Defense by selling cheap military equipment not approved by their business's contracts, authorities said. Linda Mika, 73, of Jackson, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday, July 23 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. Her son, 53-year-old Kenneth Mika of Ewing, also pleaded guilty to the same charge on Tuesday, June 25. According to court documents and testimony, Linda and Kenneth Mika defrauded the DoD and the Defe…
Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say
Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say The owner of a headstone company is accused of ripping off hundreds of grieving customers across greater Philadelphia, federal prosecutors allege in an indictment.  Gregory J. Stefan Jr., 54, of Upper Merion, is charged with seven counts of wire fraud, according to the US Attorney's Office.  Between January 2018 and September of last year, Stefan accepted more than $1.5 million from customers who ordered memorials for loved ones, then failed to deliver the headstones they bought, authorities said. Stefan accepted the orders from nearly 500 customers through his companies 1843 LLC…
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says A special education teacher in Monmouth County was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, of Jackson Township, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced her arrest in a news release on Saturday, June 29.  Prosecutors said Havemann-Niedrach is a teacher at Freehold Intermediate School and according to her LinkedIn profile, she teaches special education in the borough's district. He…
Lakewood Schools Paraprofessional, 57, Killed In Early-Morning Jackson Crash Lakewood Schools Paraprofessional, 57, Killed In Early-Morning Jackson Crash
Lakewood Schools Paraprofessional, 57, Killed In Early-Morning Jackson Crash A 57-year-old paraprofessional in the Lakewood School District was killed in a Jackson crash early Tuesday, April 9, police said. Carole Stevenson pulled away from a stop sign in a 2018 Kia at the intersection of Toms River Road (Route 571) and Lakehurst Avenue, when she was struck by a 2007 Jeep just before 7 a.m., Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said. Stevenson was attended to by Jackson EMS, and taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where she died just after 8 a.m., Kunz said. Stevenson's obituary remembered her as a talented and adventurous person who was a "master of craf…
'Game Changer' Road Expansion Project Moves Forward In Ocean County 'Game Changer' Road Expansion Project Moves Forward In Ocean County
'Game Changer' Road Expansion Project Moves Forward In Ocean County Ocean County is helping one town improve traffic on one of its busiest roads, officials said. South New Prospect Road in Jackson will get major upgrades to improve traffic flow and safety, township officials announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The county has agreed to move forward with a plan to add an extra southbound lane on the two-lane road. The township said South New Prospect Road has become one of Jackson's busiest roads in the past decade. The road connects Howell and Lakewood to County Line Road. The road is also important in the northeast part of Jackson around the Brookwood developm…
Sliding RV Kills Mechanic, 29, At New Jersey Garage: Police Sliding RV Kills Mechanic, 29, At New Jersey Garage: Police
Sliding RV Kills Mechanic, 29, At New Jersey Garage: Police A 29-year-old mechanic was killed over the weekend when an RV slid off jack stands and crushed him at a New Jersey garage, authorities said. The unidentified mechanic from Freehold was working at GasTime on West Commodore Boulevard in Jackson around 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, when the vehicle came off the jack stand and down on him,Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said. The mechanic was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he died. Kunz said the incident was accidental in nature. OSHA was notified of the incident, and presumably will conduct a rev…
14K Jersey Shore Customers Without Power (STORM UPDATE) 14K Jersey Shore Customers Without Power (STORM UPDATE)
14K Jersey Shore Customers Without Power (Storm Update) More than 14,000 customers across the Jersey Shore are without power on Monday, Jan. 10, after strong winds and rain raced across New Jersey overnight. Most of those who lost electricity are in Monmouth County, according to utility companies. Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) said 10,489 customers were without power as of 11 a.m. Those included 2,169 customers in Marlboro, 1,238 in Millstone, and 1,088 in Colts Neck. JCP&L's outage map also said 1,901 customers lost power in Ocean County. That included 725 customers in Jackson, 564 in Toms River, and 216 in Plumsted…
Multiple Police Agencies Respond To Large Fight In Toms River Multiple Police Agencies Respond To Large Fight In Toms River
Multiple Police Agencies Respond To Large Fight In Toms River Multiple police units were dispatched to the Days Hotel on Route 37 in Toms River for a large fight in a parking lot, authorities said. While responding on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 12:45 a.m., officers received further information regarding possible gunshots. Further investigation revealed evidence that shots were fired but no victims were struck.  One male suffered a seizure during the incident and was transported to Community Medical Center by Silverton First Aid.  The investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Toms River Po…
NJ Dad Raps Eminem Through Brain Tumor Removal (VIDEO, PHOTOS) NJ Dad Raps Eminem Through Brain Tumor Removal (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
NJ Dad Raps Eminem Through Brain Tumor Removal (Video, Photos) From rapping to Eminem to singing the soundtrack to "Frozen," a 33-year-old father from Jackson thrived through brain surgery. Kyle Graham began experiencing headaches last August, but he just thought he was exhausted. Then, the dad of two suffered a seizure.  A trip to the Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center emergency room found a brain tumor was causing his headaches and seizures.  The news floored him.  "It turned my world upside down," Graham said. "I couldn't believe it. It was a shock at first. Then, I think once we really took it in, that's wh…
Jackson Man Sentenced For Fleeing Police, Ramming Patrol Car Jackson Man Sentenced For Fleeing Police, Ramming Patrol Car
Jackson Man Sentenced For Fleeing Police, Ramming Patrol Car A 21-year-old man from Jackson has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for fleeing police and later ramming a patrol car, authorities said. Kevin Valverde-Cruz was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 8, as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to aggravated assault and eluding, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On Oct. 18, 2022, detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department observed a white Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling at a high rate of speed, and attempted a motor vehicle stop, Billhimer said. Valverde-Cruz failed to s…
Six Flags Great Adventure Adds New Rollercoaster In 2024 Six Flags Great Adventure Adds New Rollercoaster In 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure Adds New Rollercoaster In 2024 Six Flags Great Adventure plans to add a 15th rollercoaster for its 50th anniversary celebration next year. The new ride travels 60 mph — forward and backward, officials said. It will be the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, according to Park President Brian Bacica. THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, presented in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and DC, also will be the first super boomerang coaster to open in North America, officials said. It rushes forward and backward at nearly 60 mph through a 180-degree twisted drop and zero-G roll. In a flash,…
Suspect Arrested In Jersey Shore Bank Robberies: Police Suspect Arrested In Jersey Shore Bank Robberies: Police
Suspect Arrested In Jersey Shore Bank Robberies: Police A 68-year-old suspect has been arrested in a pair of bank robberies in Toms River, authorities said. The first was an attempted robbery and minutes later, the suspect allegedly robbed another bank and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. On Tuesday, Aug. 22, shortly after 2 p.m., Toms River police were dispatched to the First Financial Bank on Route 9 for a reported attempted bank robbery. The initial investigation revealed a middle-aged white male wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, dark pants, and a surgical mask produced a note demanding money but left on…
Jersey Shore Man Nearly Struck Detectives With Jeep: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Nearly Struck Detectives With Jeep: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man Nearly Struck Detectives With Jeep: Prosecutor A Jersey Shore man who tried to strike detectives with his Jeep has admitted to aggravated assault and eluding, authorities said. Kevin Valverde-Cruz, 21, of Jackson, pleaded guilty to the charges on Wednesday, July 12, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On Oct. 18, 2022, detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department observed a white Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling at a high rate of speed, and attempted a motor vehicle stop, Billhimer said. The operator of the vehicle failed to stop and the pursuit was ultimately terminated on the Garden …
Kingda Ka Rollercoaster Closes After Malfunction At Six Flags Great Adventure Kingda Ka Rollercoaster Closes After Malfunction At Six Flags Great Adventure
Kingda Ka Rollercoaster Closes After Malfunction At Six Flags Great Adventure Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure, is closed after a malfunction (scroll for video of the ride). It's the second coaster ride closed after El Toro closed in August, also due to a malfunction. El Torro is set to reopen on Saturday, June 17. Kingda Ka, which is 456 feet high, has been shut down since June 5 after suffering an apparent unintended rollback. Front Rider's Perspective on Kingda Ka (Intamin AG: Accelerator Coaster) at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, Sharp Productions The malfunction involved "a mechanical failure of a co…
Lakewood Man, 21, Indicted In Fatal DWI Crash: Prosecutor Lakewood Man, 21, Indicted In Fatal DWI Crash: Prosecutor
Lakewood Man, 21, Indicted In Fatal DWI Crash: Prosecutor A 21-year-old man from Lakewood has been indicted in connection with a fatal crash in which the driver was traveling 90 mph, authorities said. Mordechai Berkowitz was charged with aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The crash caused the death of Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, and caused serious bodily injury to Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, Billhimer said. On July 22, 2022, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Lakewood police  responded to the area of South Lake Drive and East Lak…
Prostitution Sting: Undercover Officers Bust Masseuses In Hudson Valley, Police Say Prostitution Sting: Undercover Officers Bust Masseuses In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Prostitution Sting: Undercover Officers Bust Masseuses In Hudson Valley, Police Say Three women were arrested on Thursday, June 8, following an undercover prostitution sting in New Windsor, and authorities say residents should expect more busts like this in the future.  Officials said the sting began after several residents and nearby businesses complained to police about suspicious activity. Officers said the women did not have their massage licenses, and each solicited sex from them.  They include:  A & A Spa – 357 Windsor Hwy, New Windsor: Jung Sook Kim, 62, of Jackson, NJ Sun & Moon Spa – 357 Old Forge Hill Road, New Windsor: Enshu Kim, 49, of…
Six Flags' El Toro Rollercoaster Nears Reopening 10 Months After Malfunction Six Flags' El Toro Rollercoaster Nears Reopening 10 Months After Malfunction
Six Flags' El Toro Rollercoaster Nears Reopening 10 Months After Malfunction Plans are in the works to reopen El Toro, the popular wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, nearly 10 months after a malfunction, officials confirmed. Fourteen riders were injured during a ride malfunction last August. A Six Flags spokeswoman could not provide an exact reopening date. “We are planning to reopen the ride soon following testing and a full safety inspection by both internal and external experts,” Staci Wheeler, the spokeswoman, said on Thursday, June 8. Six Flags, in Jackson, bills the ride as one of the fastest and tallest wooden runs on Earth. Meanw…
‘Our Hearts Are Broken:’ Support Pours In For Ocean County Boys After Mom's Death At 53 ‘Our Hearts Are Broken:’ Support Pours In For Ocean County Boys After Mom's Death At 53
‘Our Hearts Are Broken:’ Support Pours In For Ocean County Boys After Mom's Death At 53 Support is on the rise for three Ocean County boys after the death of their mom from a medical complication earlier this month left them in need of financial help. Sherri Frizziola, 53, died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital on Tuesday, May 16, her obituary says. Described as a “strong woman who made the best of everyday of her life,” Sherri, of Jackson, was known for her passion for her family and “dedicated her life” to raising her sons, Gregory, Matthew, and Daniel, reads her memorial. Meanwhile, the Frizziola boys continue to grieve the loss of their father, Steven, nearly …
NJ Pizzeria Named Among Best In America NJ Pizzeria Named Among Best In America
NJ Pizzeria Named Among Best In America Looking for the best pizza in New Jersey? According to a ranking by Reader's Digest, the Jersey Shore is the place to be for that — and it's got three locations to choose from. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Peter Grippo (@brooklynsquarepizza) Brooklyn Square Pizza, in Jackson, Manalapan and Toms River, was selected as the best pizza in the Garden State by RD. Here’s what Reader’s Digest says about the pizza joint, which opened in 2013: "Time to get a little saucy with this Jackson pizza joint's best-seller, the Upside Down S…
4 Charged With Drug-Dealing On Jersey Shore: Police 4 Charged With Drug-Dealing On Jersey Shore: Police
4 Charged With Drug-Dealing On Jersey Shore: Police Four suspects were charged with various drug offenses during a surveillance operation on the Jersey Shore, authorities said. On April 13, at approximately 7 p.m., Jackson police detectives conducted surveillance in the 60 Acre Reserve neighborhood. Detectives were then able to conduct a motor vehicle stop with a vehicle as it attempted to leave the area.  The three occupants of the vehicle were detained during the investigation, and subsequently placed under arrest.  A search of the vehicle yielded multiple bundles of heroin, crack cocaine, scales, ski masks and two loaded handg…
Jersey Shore's Jake Sugar Lived Life With An 'Unshakable Belief In The Goodness Of People,' 27 Jersey Shore's Jake Sugar Lived Life With An 'Unshakable Belief In The Goodness Of People,' 27
Jersey Shore's Jake Sugar Lived Life With An 'Unshakable Belief In The Goodness Of People,' 27 Tributes are pouring in after the unexpected death of 27-year-old Jersey Shore native Jake Alexander Sugar on Friday, March 25. Jake was raised in Shrewsbury Township and Jackson before graduating from Red Bank Regional High School in 2014, his obituary says. He then went into a career involving IT as a field technician. Jake was known as a skilled photographer with a keen eye for catching bits and pieces of the world’s natural beauty through his one-of-a-kind artwork. “His photographs reflected his unique perspective and his love for life,” reads his memorial. In addition to appreciating…
Bucks County Tornado: Weather Service Confirms Twister Hit PA Bucks County Tornado: Weather Service Confirms Twister Hit PA
Bucks County Tornado: Weather Service Confirms Twister Hit PA A tornado touched down in Bucks County on Saturday, April 1, one of six twisters confirmed by the National Weather Service to have made its way through the Delaware Valley over the weekend.  The cyclone traveled through Wrightstown and Newtown townships, covering about a 3.9-mile path that was 200 yards across at its widest, according to a chart published by the NWS station in Mount Holly, New Jersey.  As of 8 AM Monday, here is a summary of where we currently stand with storm damage assessment. 6 tornadoes have been confirmed so far and additional surveys are planned for today. More de…
Tornados Leave Thousands Of NJ Residents Without Power For Days Tornados Leave Thousands Of NJ Residents Without Power For Days
Tornados Leave Thousands Of NJ Residents Without Power For Days Thousands of New Jersey residents remained without power on Monday, April 3, more than a day after the tornados that barreled through the region. According to JCP&L, 2,401 Ocean County residents were in the dark as of 10:50 a.m., most of them being in Jackson — where a tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service. Howell and Sea Girt also saw twisters, although only 137 residents were without power in Howell, according to JCP&L. Restoration times were 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively. As of 8 AM Monday, here is a summary of where we currently stand with storm dama…
Popular Parachute Ride At Six Flags Great Adventure Is Closing And Park Goers Are Not Happy Popular Parachute Ride At Six Flags Great Adventure Is Closing And Park Goers Are Not Happy
Popular Parachute Ride At Six Flags Great Adventure Is Closing And Park Goers Are Not Happy One of the last remaining amusement parachute rides of its kind in the United States for years was enjoyed by park goers at Six Flags Great Adventure. But now, it's closing, and park goers are not happy about it. The Jackson amusement park took to the comment section on Instagram after its account became flooded with comments asking if the rumors about "The Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower." "Parachutes will be removed from the park," the comment reads. "As we plan for future growth, we sometimes identify rides that have reached the end of their useful life and r…
Beloved Jersey Shore Man Dies In ATV Accident Beloved Jersey Shore Man Dies In ATV Accident
Beloved Jersey Shore Man Dies In ATV Accident The word "love" is in his name, and according to those who knew him, that's exactly what he embodied. Mike D'Amore was being mourned by many after an ATV crash that killed him in Lacey. D'Amore, 58, of Jackson, was riding on a 2019 Polaris Razor side-by-side off road vehicle, in an open dirt area of Lacey Materials when he hit a dirt embankment and went airborne around 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, local police said. The Polaris Razor landed on the ground with its front end, causing the vehicle to overturn several times, police said. D'Amore was the only occupant of the vehicle and, as a re…
Lifelong Ocean County Resident Derrick Demers Dies, 32 Lifelong Ocean County Resident Derrick Demers Dies, 32
Lifelong Ocean County Resident Derrick Demers Dies, 32 Ocean County native and beloved friend Derrick Michael Demers died on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the age of 32. Born in Lakewood, Derrick spent his entire life living in Jackson, his obituary says. He attended Jackson Memorial High School and had held various warehouse positions in Manasquan, according to his social media page. Derrick will forever be remembered as a kind and compassionate son, uncle, nephew, and cousin. He is survived by his loving parents, Joseph and Grace Demers; his brother, Joseph and sister-in-law Jessica; brother, Troy, his nephew, Liam; niece, Claire; as well as many ex…
Suspect Backed Jeep Into Detective's Vehicle, Fled Police On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Suspect Backed Jeep Into Detective's Vehicle, Fled Police On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Suspect Backed Jeep Into Detective's Vehicle, Fled Police On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A 20-year-old man from Jackson was arrested after fleeing from police and backing his Jeep into a detective's vehicle, authorities said. Kevin Valverde-Cruz was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and eluding police, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On Oct. 18, 2022, detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department observed a white Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling at a high rate of speed. The operator of the vehicle failed to stop and the police pursuit was ultimately terminated on the Garden State Parkway due to public safety co…