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Ocean Township, NJ

Police & Fire
Girls Basketball Coach Had Sexual Relationship With Student: Monmouth County Prosecutor Girls Basketball Coach Had Sexual Relationship With Student: Monmouth County Prosecutor
Girls Basketball Coach Had Sexual Relationship With Student: Monmouth County Prosecutor A 35-year-old teacher and Middletown High School North basketball coach was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a student on Tuesday, Jan. 28, authorities said. Justin McGhee, of Ocean Township — who is the head coach of the girls' basketball team— started the relationship with the student late last year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. The student is under the age of 18, Santiago said. McGhee has been placed on administrative leave by Middletown High School North, Santiago said. He was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending proc…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Man Identified In Deadly Train Strike Near Jersey Shore Bridge On New Year’s Eve Man Identified In Deadly Train Strike Near Jersey Shore Bridge On New Year’s Eve
Man Identified In Deadly Train Strike Near Jersey Shore Bridge On New Year’s Eve Officials have released the identity of the Ocean Township man who was hit by a New Jersey Transit train and killed on New Year's Eve in Middletown. Dilip Shah, 77, was identified as the victim who died on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, according to a NJ Transit spokesperson.  Shah was struck by North Jersey Coast Line train No. 3361 near the Navesink River bridge at around 5:54 p.m. None of the 220 passengers and crew members aboard the train were injured. The train left New York Penn Station at 4:30 p.m. It was scheduled to reach Bay Head at 6:39 p.m. NJ Transit p…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Spray Painted Antisemitic Messages On Wall Outside Jersey Shore Home, Police Say Man Spray Painted Antisemitic Messages On Wall Outside Jersey Shore Home, Police Say
Man Spray Painted Antisemitic Messages On Wall Outside Jersey Shore Home, Police Say A man was accused of spray painting antisemitic graffiti on a wall in front of a Monmouth County home, authorities said. Joseph Antebi, 25, was arrested on Saturday, Nov. 16, the Township of Ocean Police Department said in a news release. A hometown wasn't immediately available for Antebi. Ocean Township police responded to a vandalism report at a home on West Park Avenue. The caller reported someone sprayed antisemitic messages on the paver wall before running away from the home. An arriving officer looked at the graffiti and spoke with the caller, who gave the officer a video of the inci…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire A Monmouth County school community was rallying to support a family whose child was severely injured in an apartment fire, officials said. A Wayside Elementary School student was in stable condition at a hospital, Township of Ocean School District superintendent Kelly Weldon said in a letter to families on Monday, Oct. 28. The child was injured in a two-alarm fire at the Middlebrook at Monmouth apartment complex. Weldon said the district has counselors in its schools to support students. "Please join me in keeping this family and all Ocean families impacted by this fire clos…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Child Hospitalized After Being Saved By Firefighter In Monmouth County Apartment Blaze Child Hospitalized After Being Saved By Firefighter In Monmouth County Apartment Blaze
Child Hospitalized After Being Saved By Firefighter In Monmouth County Apartment Blaze A child was hospitalized with injuries suffered in a two-alarm fire that ripped through a Monmouth County apartment complex Saturday, Oct. 26, authorities said. Firefighters were called to the 1400 block of Rustic Drive in Middlebrook, for a report of a fire inside one of the building’s apartments around 2:15 p.m., a spokesperson for the county prosecutor's office said. Responders discovered a fully engulfed apartment, and the child trapped inside. The child was rescued by a member of the Wanamassa Fire Department and rushed to a hospital. The cause of the fire is currently under investig…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Big Lots To Shut These New Jersey Stores: Closing Sales Under Way Big Lots To Shut These New Jersey Stores: Closing Sales Under Way
Big Lots To Shut These New Jersey Stores: Closing Sales Under Way Big Lots! has announced the closures of even more locations since filing for bankruptcy in September. The company announced on Monday, Sept. 9 that it will sell its assets to an affiliate of private equity firm Nexus Capital Management. Additional closures were approved this month in bankruptcy court.  New Jersey has 27 stores, and 13 of them are set to close with closing sales underway. They are: Cherry Hill, 949 Church Road Dover, 550 Mount Pleasant Avenue East Brunswick, 275 Route 18 Freehold, 220 Trotters Way Glassboro, 811 N Delsea Drive Jersey Ci…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
$50K Richer: Jersey Shore Supermarket Sells Winning Powerball Ticket $50K Richer: Jersey Shore Supermarket Sells Winning Powerball Ticket
$50K Richer: Jersey Shore Supermarket Sells Winning Powerball Ticket A Powerball ticket worth $50,000 was purchased at a Monmouth County supermarket, officials said. The winner was sold at the Wegmans on Route 35 in Ocean Township, the New Jersey Lottery said in a news release on Monday, Sept. 23. The ticket matched four numbers and the Powerball in the drawing on Saturday, Sept. 21. The winning numbers were 17, 19, 21, 37, and 45. The Powerball was 14. No one captured the estimated $197 million jackpot. One ticket sold in Florida won $2 million and another in North Carolina was worth $1 million. The next Powerball drawing will be …

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Forked River Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Road Sentenced: Prosecutors Forked River Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Road Sentenced: Prosecutors
Forked River Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Road Sentenced: Prosecutors A Forked River man will spend more than four decades in prison after he was convicted of strangling his wife to death and leaving her body on the side of a Monmouth County road, authorities said. Jeremy Cruz, 53, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, Apr. 24. Investigators said a driver saw 51-year-old Dawn Cruz with severe injuries on Colonial Avenue near the intersection with Asbury Avenue in Ocean Township …

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by Chris Spiker
Weather
Storm Update: Flooding, Crashes Close NJ Roads Storm Update: Flooding, Crashes Close NJ Roads
Storm Update: Flooding, Crashes Close NJ Roads Following fierce storms swept through the region Tuesday evening, Aug. 6, many roadways were still flooded and wet, making for treacherous commutes Wednesday, Aug. 7. As of 8 a.m., Route 17 north was closed in Hasbrouck Heights at Route 46 due to flooding. The borough's fire department shared scenes from local streets. Last night, members stood by at the firehouse in anticipation of the storm. For several hours, the department responded... Posted by Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Last night, members stood by at the firehouse in anticipation of the st…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
17 Arrested, Six Wanted In Massive NJ Fentanyl Mill, Drug-Dealing Operation: Prosecutors 17 Arrested, Six Wanted In Massive NJ Fentanyl Mill, Drug-Dealing Operation: Prosecutors
17 Arrested, Six Wanted In Massive NJ Fentanyl Mill, Drug-Dealing Operation: Prosecutors Seventeen people were arrested and six more were wanted in a large drug-dealing operation throughout Monmouth County, authorities said. An eight-month investigation seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs that were funneled from Passaic and Somerset counties, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, June 24. "The arrests and seizures being announced today mark the end result of a herculean investigative effort involving innumerable moving parts, all seamlessly coordinated with the help of more than two dozen other law enforcement agencies,…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Driver Saved From Overdose At DWI Checkpoint In Central Jersey: Prosecutors Driver Saved From Overdose At DWI Checkpoint In Central Jersey: Prosecutors
Driver Saved From Overdose At DWI Checkpoint In Central Jersey: Prosecutors A female driver was saved from overdosing at a DWI checkpoint in Monmouth County, authorities said. The unidentified woman pulled into the checkpoint off Asbury Park Circle in Ocean Township at night on Friday, May 31, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, June 7. She was talking with a county sheriff's officer when became disoriented and passed out behind the wheel. More officers came over to the car, put it in park, and got her out of it. She was given three doses of Narcan and regained consciousness. Wanamassa paramedics brought the woman to&…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Victory Pints: Four NJ Breweries Win Gold At 'The Olympics Of Beer' Victory Pints: Four NJ Breweries Win Gold At 'The Olympics Of Beer'
Victory Pints: Four NJ Breweries Win Gold At 'The Olympics Of Beer' Four breweries from South Jersey are toasting to victory after bringing home top prizes at what's known as "the Olympics of beer." The brewers won four gold medals and a bronze medal at the 2024 World Beer Cup. The competition hosted by the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America held its award ceremony in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Apr. 24. Kane Brewing Company in Ocean Township was the only Jersey brewery to take home two medals. The Monmouth County company won gold in the wood- and barrel-aged strong stout category for its beer called "Dripping Maple". Kane Brewing also earned b…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Scooter Driver Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer Identified: State AG Scooter Driver Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer Identified: State AG
Scooter Driver Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer Identified: State AG New Jersey's Attorney General has identified the scooter driver killed in a Monmouth County crash and the police officer involved in the wreck. Guyvenson Innocent, 35, of Beachwood, died in the crash on Monday, Apr. 15, the state Attorney General's office said in a news release on Wednesday, May 1. The crash happened on Route 35 South near Sunset Avenue in Ocean Township at around 9:08 p.m. Investigators said Ocean Township police officer Ryan Deceglie was on duty when his marked vehicle and "multiple civilian vehicles" crashed. Officer Deceglie and the other drivers in the c…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Convicted Of Strangling Wife, Dumping Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road: Prosecutors Man Convicted Of Strangling Wife, Dumping Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road: Prosecutors
Man Convicted Of Strangling Wife, Dumping Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road: Prosecutors A Forked River man was convicted of strangling his wife to death and leaving her body on the side of a Monmouth County road, authorities said. A jury found 53-year-old Jeremy Cruz guilty of first-degree murder. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the conviction in a news release on Friday, Apr. 26. A driver saw 51-year-old Dawn Cruz with severe injuries on Colonial Avenue near the intersection with Asbury Avenue in Ocean Township just after 1 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Ocean Township police found her and she was pronounced dead at the scen…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Convicted Felon Burglarized Several Businesses On Jersey Shore: Police Convicted Felon Burglarized Several Businesses On Jersey Shore: Police
Convicted Felon Burglarized Several Businesses On Jersey Shore: Police A convicted felon was accused of stealing from several businesses in Monmouth County, authorities said. Leamon Washington, 51, was arrested on Tuesday, Apr. 16, the Township of Ocean Police Department said in a Facebook post. Officers responded at around 2:30 a.m. to a report of broken glass at the Blue Swan Diner on Route 35 in Oakhurst. Police entered the restaurant and Washington was found in the crawl space. He was brought to the Ocean Township police headquarters, and investigators learned he was involved in other business burglaries in the township and surrounding communities.  …

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says A man riding a motorized scooter was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 35 in Monmouth County that involved a local police officer, state authorities said. The crash occurred on the highway's southbound side near Sunset Avenue in Ocean Township shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, April 15, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Tuesday. The identity of the scooter rider, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was temporarily being withheld, as was the name of the on-duty Ocean Township officer, Platkin said. Neither the officer nor anyone else involved in the crash was injured, …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Traffic
Vehicle Flips, Runs Off Garden State Parkway (DEVELOPING) Vehicle Flips, Runs Off Garden State Parkway (DEVELOPING)
Vehicle Flips, Runs Off Garden State Parkway (Developing) A vehicle overturned and ran off the Garden State Parkway, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 northbound south of Exit 69 (Waretown Road) in Ocean Township, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The vehicle was off the left side of the roadway and all lanes were open, 511nj.org reported. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
38-Year-Old Man Struck, Killed By Jeep Wrangler On Route 35 38-Year-Old Man Struck, Killed By Jeep Wrangler On Route 35
38-Year-Old Man Struck, Killed By Jeep Wrangler On Route 35 A 38-year-old man was struck and killed on Route 35 in Monmouth County Thursday, Feb. 22, officials said. The unnamed man was walking on the southbound side of the roadway when he was struck by a 66-year-old woman in a 2015 Jeep Wrangler in the left lane near Valley Road in Ocean Township, just before 8:20 p.m., Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. The pedestrian was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m. The driver operating the Wrangler remained on scene. An investigation involving members of the Monmouth…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Dementia Hasn't Taken Spunk From NJ's Wendy Williams, Team Says Dementia Hasn't Taken Spunk From NJ's Wendy Williams, Team Says
Dementia Hasn't Taken Spunk From NJ's Wendy Williams, Team Says Monmouth County native and popular talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, according to a news release. The Ocean Township native's team issued a statement on Thursday, Feb. 22 to "correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health." The release confirmed Williams was diagnosed in 2023 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Williams' reps said there had been speculation about the former New York City radio DJ's mental condition when she started to forget words, act erratically sometimes, and had trouble understanding financ…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Dealer Charged After Fentanyl, Heroin Mix Killed Ocean County Man: Prosecutors Dealer Charged After Fentanyl, Heroin Mix Killed Ocean County Man: Prosecutors
Dealer Charged After Fentanyl, Heroin Mix Killed Ocean County Man: Prosecutors A Monmouth County man is accused of giving a mix of heroin and fentanyl that killed a man in Ocean County on the day after Christmas, authorities said. James Liu, 30, of Ocean Township, was charged with strict liability drug-induced death, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The charges come after a 33-year-old Berkeley Township man died of an overdose on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Berkeley Township police responded to a report of an unresponsive man. When officers arrived, they found he was already dead and investigators said Liu sold him the…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Traffic Nightmare Could Improve In Monmouth County — But Only With Your Help Traffic Nightmare Could Improve In Monmouth County — But Only With Your Help
Traffic Nightmare Could Improve In Monmouth County — But Only With Your Help Monmouth County leaders are looking for your help in making upgrades to a busy road in several communities. County commissioners will hold a public information meeting about improvements needed on Asbury Avenue between Route 35 and Ocean Avenue at the Asbury Park beachfront. Asbury Avenue also goes through parts of Ocean and Neptune townships. The county said some potential upgrades could include upgrading traffic lights, signs, striping, and street lighting. Bike lanes could also be added, along with sidewalks and ramps compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. A map highlight…

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by Chris Spiker
Weather
Winter Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Of Jersey Shore Residents Winter Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Of Jersey Shore Residents
Winter Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Of Jersey Shore Residents A pre-Valentine's Day winter storm knocked out power for thousands of Jersey Shore customers. According to the outage map for Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), 4,019 customers in Monmouth County lost electricity as of 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The vast majority of those were in Ocean Township with 3,371 customers without power, which is nearly 25 percent of the township. At least 100 customers were without service in Middletown, Tinton Falls, Colts Neck, and Manalapan. JCP&L also said 24 customers lost power in Ocean County. Sixteen of those were in Toms River. …

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Identified In Deadly Pedestrian Crash On Jersey Shore Road Man Identified In Deadly Pedestrian Crash On Jersey Shore Road
Man Identified In Deadly Pedestrian Crash On Jersey Shore Road Authorities have identified the pedestrian who was killed by a minivan in Ocean Township earlier this week. Yefim Rotsenmar, 68, of Ocean Township died in the crash on West Park Avenue on Tuesday, Jan. 30, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. Ocean Township police responded to the crash at around 5:49 p.m. The avenue was closed for several hours between Poplar Road and Cindy Lane. Investigators said Rotsenmar was crossing the avenue when he was hit by a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan heading west. A 53-year-old man was driving the min…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Struck, Killed By Minivan While Crossing Jersey Shore Road Man Struck, Killed By Minivan While Crossing Jersey Shore Road
Man Struck, Killed By Minivan While Crossing Jersey Shore Road Police are investigating after a man was killed by a minivan in Monmouth County, authorities said. Ocean Township police were called to a pedestrian crash on West Park Avenue at around 5:49 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Wednesday, Jan. 31. The crash closed the avenue between Poplar Road and Cindy Lane. Investigators said a 68-year-old man was crossing the avenue "in an undetermined direction" when he was hit by a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan heading west. A 53-year-old man was driving the minivan and was entering the center lane of traff…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Fugitive In Jersey Shore Shooting Arrested In Georgia: Prosecutor Fugitive In Jersey Shore Shooting Arrested In Georgia: Prosecutor
Fugitive In Jersey Shore Shooting Arrested In Georgia: Prosecutor A fugitive allegedly responsible for a shooting in Neptune City has been arrested in Georgia, authorities said. Andre Paul, 27, of Ocean Township is charged with first-degree attempted murder, hindering apprehension and weapons offenses, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. Shortly before 11 p.m. on May 22, members of the Neptune City Police Department responded to the Brighton Arms apartment complex on West Sylvania Avenue for a report of shots fired.  Police found no injuries, but found that multiple vehicles and an apartment unit in …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Store Manager Charged With Stealing $269K From Employer On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Store Manager Charged With Stealing $269K From Employer On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Store Manager Charged With Stealing $269K From Employer On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor An Asbury Park store manager has been charged with stealing nearly $270,000 from an employer, authorities said. Mark A. Cocciardi, Jr., 46, of Ocean Township is charged with second-degree theft by deception, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. The charge marks the result of an investigation by members of the MCPO Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau.  Leveraging review of a variety of business and financial records, the investigation revealed that at various times from August 2021 into October 2022, while employed as a sales manage…

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by Jon Craig
Business
Another Chick-fil-A Opens On Jersey Shore Another Chick-fil-A Opens On Jersey Shore
Another Chick-fil-A Opens On Jersey Shore A new Chick-fil-A restaurant will open in Ocean Township on Thursday, July 13. Located at 1613 State Highway 35 within the new Ocean Commons development, Chick-fil-A will be open for dine-in, mobile ordering, drive-thru and carry-out from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  The Ocean Township restaurant joins eight other Chick-fil-A restaurants serving the wider Monmouth County area. There are more than 50 Chick-fil-A's in New Jersey. Chick-fil-AWalker Kinsler Wikimedia Commons Ramon Varona is owner/operator of the new independent franchise. Varona will be responsible for al…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Organs Of NJ Army Sergeant Killed In Motorcycle Crash Will Help Four Others Live Organs Of NJ Army Sergeant Killed In Motorcycle Crash Will Help Four Others Live
Organs Of NJ Army Sergeant Killed In Motorcycle Crash Will Help Four Others Live The organs of a U.S. Army sergeant from the Jersey Shore who was killed in a motorcycle crash will help four other people live. Dennis Andrew Vaccaro, 27, crashed on Tuesday, June 14, in Ocean Township, and was kept alive so he could donate his organs. Further details on the crash were not immediately known. An airborne combat medic in the U.S. Army, Dennis achieved the rank of sergeant, and spent five years in the military, including a tour of duty overseas in Afghanistan, his obituary says. He was apparently a student at Monmouth University, according to a statement published by school o…

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by Jon Craig
News
Atlantic County Woman Stole $175K From Jersey Shore Nursing Home: Prosecutor Atlantic County Woman Stole $175K From Jersey Shore Nursing Home: Prosecutor
Atlantic County Woman Stole $175K From Jersey Shore Nursing Home: Prosecutor A 35-year-old woman from Atlantic County is accused of stealing more than $175,000 from a senior living community she planned events for in Ocean County, authorities said. Alicia K. Campbell, of Mays Landing, was charged last week with theft, forgery, falsifying records and credit card fraud, all in connection with her former position as Lifestyle Director of the Greenbriar Oceanaire Community & Golf Course, a senior living community in Ocean Township (Waretown), they said. Additionally, Evan Garaizar, 25, of Barnegat, a former co-worker of Campbell's, was charged wi…

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by Jon Craig
Lifestyle
Celebs You Probably Didn't Know Were From Central, South Jersey Celebs You Probably Didn't Know Were From Central, South Jersey
Celebs You Probably Didn't Know Were From Central, South Jersey When it comes to celebrities, New Jersey boasts a roster of A-List talent to rival any state. Some of the most iconic athletes, musicians, and TV personalities live in the Garden State, or once called it home. Here are the famous people you probably didn't realize were from South Jersey: Melissa Bacelar was born in Piscataway and is known for "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Pink Eye." Danny DeVito was born in Neptune and raised in Asbury Park. The actor and director is known for "Taxi," "Matilda," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and more. Emma Bell was born in Woodstown but attended Hunte…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Ocean Township Man Gets Life In Prison For Murder, Arson Ocean Township Man Gets Life In Prison For Murder, Arson
Ocean Township Man Gets Life In Prison For Murder, Arson A Monmouth County man who murdered a family friend in 2019 and then set her home on fire has been sentenced to life in prison, authorities said. Ronald J. Teschner, 53, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 7 in connection with the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline C. Terrulli. Shortly after 7:30 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 12, 2019, firefighters and other first responders rushed to a home on Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Township that was engulfed in flames.  Once the fire was put out, a joint investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Foren…

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by Jon Craig