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Police & Fire
Teacher From Neptune Confesses To Molesting Female Performing Arts HS Student, Prosecutors Say Teacher From Neptune Confesses To Molesting Female Performing Arts HS Student, Prosecutors Say
Teacher From Neptune Confesses To Molesting Female Performing Arts HS Student, Prosecutors Say A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts academy admitted to molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger of Neptune City, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 18, to endangering the welfare of a child, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Investigators said Bollinger, 57, engaged in "inappropriate sexual contact" with a student. The incidents happened in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park between February and August 2019. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, part of Ocean County Vocational Tech…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say A Lacey Township woman admitted to using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 18, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She pleaded guilty to possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges came from an investigation when Lacey Township police received a tip from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Investigators said Wh…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Manasquan-Based Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Aiming For 'Greater Heights' Manasquan-Based Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Aiming For 'Greater Heights'
Manasquan-Based Jersey Mike’s Sells Majority Stake To Blackstone, Aiming For 'Greater Heights' Jersey Mike’s Subs, a Garden State icon that grew into a national sandwich powerhouse, is set to sell a majority stake to private equity giant Blackstone, officials said. The Manasquan-based restaurant chain has agreed to sell the stake in the company, Blackstone said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will keep a significant equity share and continue leading the business. When he was 14 years old, Cancro began working at the original location in Point Pleasant that opened as Mike's Subs in 1958. At 17, he bought the restaurant in 1975 and…

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by Chris Spiker
News
'Historic Low': Manasquan Reservoir Drops Below Half Capacity As Wildfires Burn Across NJ 'Historic Low': Manasquan Reservoir Drops Below Half Capacity As Wildfires Burn Across NJ
'Historic Low': Manasquan Reservoir Drops Below Half Capacity As Wildfires Burn Across NJ The Manasquan Reservoir, a crucial water source in Monmouth County, has dropped to historically low levels as New Jersey experiences wildfires and drastic drought conditions. The reservoir's water elevation was recorded at 91.27 feet above sea level on the morning of Monday, Nov. 18, according to Marc Brooks, executive director of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA). That measurement at the Howell Township reservoir was 11.73 feet below its full pool level. The reservoir was holding 2.3 billion gallons of water, which is just 49.35 percent of its 4.67-bill…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Who Dropped Gun, Pretended To Be Cop Arrested At Jersey Shore Church: Police Man Who Dropped Gun, Pretended To Be Cop Arrested At Jersey Shore Church: Police
Man Who Dropped Gun, Pretended To Be Cop Arrested At Jersey Shore Church: Police A Sunday morning service at a Point Pleasant Beach church was disrupted when a man dropped a gun and falsely claimed to be a police officer, authorities said. Randolph Tashman of Toms River was arrested on Sunday, Nov. 17, the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department said in a news release.  Officers responded to a report of a man who dropped a gun from his pocket at an unnamed church at around 9:53 a.m. Church security escorted Tashman of Toms River outside to wait for police to arrive. Investigators said Tashman wasn't the gun's registered owner of the firearm and didn'…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Atlantic City Man Who Tossed Scarred Dog Over Humane Society Fence Indicted: Prosecutors Atlantic City Man Who Tossed Scarred Dog Over Humane Society Fence Indicted: Prosecutors
Atlantic City Man Who Tossed Scarred Dog Over Humane Society Fence Indicted: Prosecutors An Atlantic City man was accused of abandoning four dogs by throwing them over a Humane Society fence, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 23-year-old Jahlil McNeal on several counts of animal cruelty, witness tampering, and theft of services, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's Office said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The indictment was handed down on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Investigators said McNeal hoisted three pit bull mixes over the fence of the Humane Society of Atlantic County, located off Route 30. Security cameras caught the incident while the ch…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
UPDATE: Wildfire Near NJ Golf Course Half-Contained After Scorching 35 Acres UPDATE: Wildfire Near NJ Golf Course Half-Contained After Scorching 35 Acres
Update: Wildfire Near NJ Golf Course Half-Contained After Scorching 35 Acres Firefighters have contained about half of a wildfire in Lakewood, where flames have scorched dozens of acres, officials said. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the 35-acre wildfire was about 50 percent contained as of around 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The fire was burning near Pine Park and the Lakewood Country Club. Clearstream Road remained closed between Brewers Bridge and Hope Chapel Road as crews continued their work. To combat the flames, crews have deployed fire engines, bulldozers, a helicopter, and ground teams to the site. Six buildings on Seminole Drive were …

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by Chris Spiker
News
'Pretty Stupid:' NJ Influencer Who Hit 100 MPH In Lamborghini Video Apologizes, Cuts Clip 'Pretty Stupid:' NJ Influencer Who Hit 100 MPH In Lamborghini Video Apologizes, Cuts Clip
'Pretty Stupid:' NJ Influencer Who Hit 100 MPH In Lamborghini Video Apologizes, Cuts Clip A New Jersey YouTuber is facing backlash after uploading a video where he was seen driving a Lamborghini at 100 mph in a 35 mph zone — a move he now admits was dangerous and inexcusable. Marques Brownlee, a 30-year-old Maplewood native with 19.6 million YouTube followers, posted the video titled "How My Video Gear is Changing!" on Nov. 11. The clip sparked criticism from viewers who called out his reckless behavior behind the wheel. Brownlee addressed the controversy in an apology on X, saying: "Last video I did something pretty stupid. You might've already seen it, but maybe not, so I'll …

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Monday, Nov. 18 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $144M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Monday, Nov. 18 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $144M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Monday, Nov. 18 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $144M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Monday, Nov. 18 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $144 million with a $66.2 million cash option after a player in Georgia recently won the jackpot and reset the prize pool.  If no winner claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 with a $155 million jackpot.. The winning numbers for Monday's drawing were 27--31-41-52-69 with a Powerball of 26 and the Power Play was 3X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Photos Show Firefighters Battling 40-Acre Burlington County Forest Fire (UPDATE) Photos Show Firefighters Battling 40-Acre Burlington County Forest Fire (UPDATE)
Photos Show Firefighters Battling 40-Acre Burlington County Forest Fire (Update) A 40-acre wildfire that threatened 20 homes in Burlington County has been fully contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. WILDFIRE UPDATE: Big Rusty Wildfire - Hainesport, Burlington County At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the New Jersey... Posted by New Jersey Forest Fire Service on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Crews achieved 100% containment of the Big Rusty Wildfire near Bancroft Lane and Cove Court at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, two days after flames erupted.  While no evacuations were required, residents are advised that smoke may linger in the…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Trash Build-Up, No Hot Water: NJ Nursing Home Faces License Suspension, State Says Trash Build-Up, No Hot Water: NJ Nursing Home Faces License Suspension, State Says
Trash Build-Up, No Hot Water: NJ Nursing Home Faces License Suspension, State Says The New Jersey Department of Health has issued a Notice of Intent to Summarily Suspend the license of Medford Care Center, citing severe violations that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of residents, according to officials. The action comes after multiple investigations revealed deficiencies at the long-term care facility, including financial instability, staffing shortages, unsafe equipment, and failure to meet basic standards of care. Key Violations Identified No Full-Time Administrator: The licensed administrator has not been on-site in over six months, leaving day-to-…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Jackpot Joy: Oakhurst Lotto Ticket Snags $685K Prize Jackpot Joy: Oakhurst Lotto Ticket Snags $685K Prize
Jackpot Joy: Oakhurst Lotto Ticket Snags $685K Prize A stroke of luck has made one Monmouth County ticket holder a big winner in a Jersey Cash 5 drawing, lottery officials said. The ticket purchased matched all five numbers to claim the $685,092 jackpot in the drawing on Saturday, Nov. 16, the New Jersey Lottery said in a news release. The winner was bought at Minimart Plus, located in the Towne Center shopping plaza on Route 35 North in Oakhurst. The winning numbers were 21, 35, 36, 44, and 45. The XTRA number was 03 and the Bullseye number was 45. As a reward for selling the winning ticket, the convenience store will receive a $2…

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by Chris Spiker