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Toms River, NJ

Bodycam Footage Released In Toms River Man’s Death During Arrest, AG Identifies Officers Bodycam Footage Released In Toms River Man’s Death During Arrest, AG Identifies Officers
Bodycam Footage Released In Toms River Man’s Death During Arrest, AG Identifies Officers Authorities have released body camera video of the incident when a Toms River man died while police tried to detain him. The state Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability made the footage public on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The video showed the Friday, Apr. 19 encounter that ended with the death of 47-year-old John Cassidy. The incident began at a gas station on Route 37 near West End Avenue at around 1 p.m. Island Heights police officers Peter Muscarella, Dominique D’Amico-Violante, and Lt. Paul Rutledge attempted to arrest Cassidy on active warrants. The f…
Pharmacy's Prize: $150K Powerball Winner Sold In Toms River Pharmacy's Prize: $150K Powerball Winner Sold In Toms River
Pharmacy's Prize: $150K Powerball Winner Sold In Toms River A lucky Powerball ticket sold at a Toms River pharmacy turned into a six-figure win, lottery officials said. The winner matched four of the five white balls, the Powerball, and the Power Play multiplier, the New Jersey Lottery said in a news release on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The ticket earned a $150,000 prize in the drawing on Monday, Nov. 18. The winning numbers were 27, 31, 41, 52, and 69. The Powerball number was 26 and the Power Play multiplier was three. The ticket was purchased at HC Good Neighbor Pharmacy on Route 37. No one won the estimated $144 million jackpot. …
Ocean County Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Performing Arts HS Student, Prosecutors Say Ocean County Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Performing Arts HS Student, Prosecutors Say
Ocean County Teacher 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…
Man Who Dropped Gun, Pretended To Be Cop Arrested At Point Pleasant Beach Church: Police Man Who Dropped Gun, Pretended To Be Cop Arrested At Point Pleasant Beach Church: Police
Man Who Dropped Gun, Pretended To Be Cop Arrested At Point Pleasant Beach 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'…
Massive White Shark Hangs Out Off Ocean County Coast, Days After Another Pinged Nearby Massive White Shark Hangs Out Off Ocean County Coast, Days After Another Pinged Nearby
Massive White Shark Hangs Out Off Ocean County Coast, Days After Another Pinged Nearby Two enormous sharks have been swimming off New Jersey's coast in recent days. Anne Bonney, a 9-foot-3-inch, 425-pound white shark tagged by the nonprofit OCEARCH, was detected off the coast of Brick and Toms River early Thursday, Nov. 14, at approximately 12:10 a.m. She resurfaced the following morning, pinging again around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Another massive shark, Scot, was tracked in the Hudson Canyon on Nov. 6 and 7. At over 12 feet long and weighing approximately 1,600 pounds, Scot is one of the largest white sharks monitored by OCEARCH. The Hudson Canyon, located off New Je…
Toms River Mom Looking For 'Fresh New Start' Loses Home In Fire, Fundraiser Says Toms River Mom Looking For 'Fresh New Start' Loses Home In Fire, Fundraiser Says
Toms River Mom Looking For 'Fresh New Start' Loses Home In Fire, Fundraiser Says A family was rallying for support after the home of a Toms River mother of two was severely damaged in a fire, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page said a woman named Kristin, her daughter, and her son "lost everything" in the fire on Coolidge Avenue on Sunday, Nov. 10. The American Red Cross posted on social media that it was helping a family of five with immediate needs like food, clothing, and housing. Kristin's sister and the fundraiser's organizer Kelly Celentano said the family had just moved into the home in May. "They were looking forward to a fresh new start a…
NJ Ranks Among Top States For Hospital Safety In Fall 2024, Leapfrog Report Finds NJ Ranks Among Top States For Hospital Safety In Fall 2024, Leapfrog Report Finds
NJ Ranks Among Top States For Hospital Safety In Fall 2024, Leapfrog Report Finds New Jersey hospitals are among the safest in the nation, according to the fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report from The Leapfrog Group.  The Garden State ranks in the top 10 states for the highest percentage of "A" hospitals, joining states like Utah, Virginia, and Connecticut. The grades, which are updated twice a year, assess nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country on their effectiveness at preventing medical errors, accidents, and infections. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 30 performance measures to assign grades ranging from "A" to "F," offering patients and fami…
Weapon-Dealing Duo Found With Illegal Guns At Toms River Motel, Police Say Weapon-Dealing Duo Found With Illegal Guns At Toms River Motel, Police Say
Weapon-Dealing Duo Found With Illegal Guns At Toms River Motel, Police Say A man and woman from Ocean County were accused of illegally selling guns, authorities said. George Garulle of Beachwood and Dana Restiano of Whiting were arrested on Monday, Nov. 4, the Stafford Township Police Department said in a news release. Investigators executed two search warrants at the Howard Johnson motel in Toms River and a home on Neptune Avenue in Beachwood. Garulle and Restaino were found with several illegal guns, including defaced guns, ghost guns, rifles, and shotguns. Police also discovered the two had high-capacity magazines, an undisclosed amount of …
Seaside Park Marine Vet, Restaurant Owner Dies, Suspected DUI Driver's Charges Increased Seaside Park Marine Vet, Restaurant Owner Dies, Suspected DUI Driver's Charges Increased
Seaside Park Marine Vet, Restaurant Owner Dies, Suspected DUI Driver's Charges Increased A Seaside Park woman's charges were upgraded when a restaurant owner and well-known fly fisherman died more than a month after a hit-and-run crash. Genell Mcinaw, 50, surrendered to Seaside Heights police on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Ocean County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Nolan Jr. said in a news release. She was previously charged in the crash that killed Robert Popovics of Seaside Park. Seaside Heights police responded to a report of a man lying in the road near the intersection of Dupont Avenue and the Boulevard at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23. Officers found Popovics u…
Six NJ Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says Six NJ Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says
Six NJ Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says Six corrections officers were indicted after an inmate was pepper-sprayed and forcefully removed from his cell at a Burlington County detention center, authorities said. A grand jury indicted a sergeant and five senior corrections officers for the attack and subsequent coverup, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The incident happened at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, a center for adults 18-30 years old in Chesterfield Township. These were the officers charged in the case: Sgt. Michael Emmert, 40, Toms River Ch…
Wall Township Man Admits To Selling Borrowed Vehicle To Someone In Georgia, Prosecutors Say Wall Township Man Admits To Selling Borrowed Vehicle To Someone In Georgia, Prosecutors Say
Wall Township Man Admits To Selling Borrowed Vehicle To Someone In Georgia, Prosecutors Say A Wall Township man admitted to stealing a vehicle he borrowed and selling it in Georgia, authorities said. Jaquel Accoo, 29, pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 28 to motor vehicle theft and witness tampering, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. A man reported to Toms River police on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, that his vehicle had been stolen. Investigators said Accoo borrowed the vehicle from the owner but instead of returning it, he sold it to someone in Georgia. Accoo was charged on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2023, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and his na…
Woman Killed Toms River Man, Three Others Dismembered Him, Gruesome Indictment Says Woman Killed Toms River Man, Three Others Dismembered Him, Gruesome Indictment Says
Woman Killed Toms River Man, Three Others Dismembered Him, Gruesome Indictment Says Four people from Ocean County were indicted for dismembering the body of a Toms River killed in his home, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 29-year-old Elizabeth Mascarelli of Seaside Heights on Thursday, Oct. 24 for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hindering apprehension, desecration of human remains, and eight weapons charges, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat; Jared Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township; and Jarred Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, were also indicted for hindering apprehension an…
Jackson Twp. Man Admits To Driving High On Meth, Injuring Four In Toms River Crash: Prosecutors Jackson Twp. Man Admits To Driving High On Meth, Injuring Four In Toms River Crash: Prosecutors
Jackson Twp. Man Admits To Driving High On Meth, Injuring Four In Toms River Crash: Prosecutors A Jackson Township man admitted to driving a stolen pickup while high on methamphetamine in a crash that injured another man and three children, authorities said. Charles Sharkey Jr., 35, pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 21 to aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated, and certain person not to possess a firearm, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release.  Sharkey was charged in a crash on Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023. Toms River police responded to the wreck near the intersection of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue at around 4 p.m. Invest…
Man Who Tried To Abduct Lakewood Girl, Groped Woman In Toms River Pleads Guilty: Prosecutors Man Who Tried To Abduct Lakewood Girl, Groped Woman In Toms River Pleads Guilty: Prosecutors
Man Who Tried To Abduct Lakewood Girl, Groped Woman In Toms River Pleads Guilty: Prosecutors A Farmingdale man admitted to trying to kidnap a teen girl and groping a woman in a Target parking lot during a two-county crime spree, authorities said. Quamel Benton, 36, pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 21 to attempted kidnapping, two counts of eluding, and criminal sexual contact, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Lakewood police responded to a report of an attempted kidnapping near Forest Park Circle at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 21. Officers learned that a man tried to force the girl into a "smaller model" white SUV. The …
Toms River Man Convicted For Shooting Two Men In Head, Killing Them: Prosecutors Toms River Man Convicted For Shooting Two Men In Head, Killing Them: Prosecutors
Toms River Man Convicted For Shooting Two Men In Head, Killing Them: Prosecutors A Toms River man was found guilty of killing two men in a Lakewood apartment nearly three years ago, authorities said. After a nearly month-long trial, a jury convicted 42-year-old Tyshaun Drummond on Tuesday, Oct. 22 of two murder counts, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged in the deaths of 36-year-old Nicholas Hardy of Toms River and 32-year-old Sergio Chavez-Perez of Lakewood. Lakewood police responded to shots fired at an apartment complex on River Avenue at around 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. Officers found Drummond matching…
CNAs Attack Patient At Jersey Shore Rehab Center: Prosecutor CNAs Attack Patient At Jersey Shore Rehab Center: Prosecutor
CNAs Attack Patient At Jersey Shore Rehab Center: Prosecutor A pair of certified nursing assistants are accused of beating a patient now listed in critical condition at the rehabilitation center they worked at, authorities in Ocean County said. Dhenmark Francisco, 28, of Toms River, and Jovi Esperanza, 31, of Beachwood, were each charged with aggravated assault in connection with the Sunday, Oct. 14 attack at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Facility in Berkeley Township, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The Berkeley PD was contacted by officials at the Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Facility regarding a patient that had been assa…
'A Significant Milestone': State-Of-The-Art Veterans Medical Clinic Opening In Toms River 'A Significant Milestone': State-Of-The-Art Veterans Medical Clinic Opening In Toms River
'A Significant Milestone': State-Of-The-Art Veterans Medical Clinic Opening In Toms River A new medical clinic is about to open for Ocean County veterans, officials said. The new Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River will open on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the VA said in a news release on Thursday, Oct. 9. The center is located at 1051 Hooper Avenue. The state-of-the-art facility will replace the James J. Howard Veterans' Outpatient Clinic in Brick Township, which will close on Monday, Oct. 21. All appointments after that day will be transferred to the Toms River clinic and vets will get new appointment cards with updated information. Ocean …
College Track Star, Special Toms River Police Officer Dies After Tonsil Surgery College Track Star, Special Toms River Police Officer Dies After Tonsil Surgery
College Track Star, Special Toms River Police Officer Dies After Tonsil Surgery A Toms River police officer who was part of the department since she was a girl died after tonsil surgery, according to a fundraising campaign. Ingrid Rivera-Zuniga, 21, died on Saturday, Oct. 5, her obituary from Horizon Funeral and Cremation Services said. She was a Class I special law enforcement officer with the Toms River Police Department. According to a GoFundMe page, Rivera-Zuniga had a difficult recovery from tonsil surgery. She was hospitalized with meningitis and suffered two strokes. The GoFundMe had raised more than $29,700 from at least 453 donations as of Wednesday, Oct. 9. …
Toms River Arsonist Started Blaze That Injured Three Firefighters, Prosecutors Say Toms River Arsonist Started Blaze That Injured Three Firefighters, Prosecutors Say
Toms River Arsonist Started Blaze That Injured Three Firefighters, Prosecutors Say A Toms River man was accused of intentionally starting a fire in Brick Township, injuring three firefighters, authorities said. Charles Maulbeck, 51, was charged with aggravated arson, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Brick Township police saw smoke and heavy fire at a home on Falkenberg Road on Friday, Sept. 13. Two firefighters were treated and released from a nearby hospital, while a third declined medical attention. Investigators said the fire started in the north side of the home's split basement by someone who used "a…
Toms River Sex Offender Who Assaulted Lost Girl In His SUV To Stay In Jail: Prosecutors Toms River Sex Offender Who Assaulted Lost Girl In His SUV To Stay In Jail: Prosecutors
Toms River Sex Offender Who Assaulted Lost Girl In His SUV To Stay In Jail: Prosecutors A Toms River man accused of sexually assaulting a lost teen will remain in jail, authorities said. A judge ordered 46-year-old Keith Hahn to stay in Ocean County Jail through his trial, county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 8. He was arrested in the case on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Investigators said the 14-year-old girl got lost while she walked along Route 70 in Manchester Township on Sunday, Sept. 29. A man driving a white Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped and talked to her. The girl asked the man to drive her to the animal shelter i…
'Worst Pain Known To Humanity' Once Plaguing Ocean County Woman Now Controlled With Cellphone 'Worst Pain Known To Humanity' Once Plaguing Ocean County Woman Now Controlled With Cellphone
'Worst Pain Known To Humanity' Once Plaguing Ocean County Woman Now Controlled With Cellphone A New Jersey resident who one day woke up and began experiencing the most excruciating pain of her life is now able to manage it through a cell phone, thanks to physicians at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Mary Rice, 42, of Toms River, began experiencing the extreme facial pain one day in January 2018. She described it as electric shocks over her left eye, and almost anything set it off. "Healthcare professionals talk about a 10-point scale of pain with their patients," she said. "My pain was mostly a 10+, off the scale, leaving me unable to do the most simple of tasks and prevent…
Toms River Sex Offender Assaulted Girl Who Needed Ride To Animal Shelter, Prosecutors Say Toms River Sex Offender Assaulted Girl Who Needed Ride To Animal Shelter, Prosecutors Say
Toms River Sex Offender Assaulted Girl Who Needed Ride To Animal Shelter, Prosecutors Say A Toms River man was accused of sexually assaulting a teen who asked him for a ride, authorities said. Keith Hahn, 46, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 1, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, kidnapping, luring, and endangering the welfare of a child. Investigators said the 14-year-old girl got lost while she walked along Route 70 in Manchester Township on Sunday, Sept. 29. A man driving a white Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped and talked to her. The girl a…
Arrest Made In Hit-Run Crash That Left Pedestrian, 25, Critical In Toms River: Police Arrest Made In Hit-Run Crash That Left Pedestrian, 25, Critical In Toms River: Police
Arrest Made In Hit-Run Crash That Left Pedestrian, 25, Critical In Toms River: Police A 60-year-old Toms River man has been charged in connection with a crash that left a 25-year-old man critical earlier this week. Stacy Jordan was heading north on Massachusetts Avenue when it struck the Toms River pedestrian around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and fled the scene, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Police Department Officer in Charge Peter Sundack said. The pedestrian was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was listed in critical condition. Jordan was identified as a suspect and taken into custody on Friday, S…
Driver Wanted, Pedestrian Critically Injured In Toms River Hit-And-Run: Prosecutors Driver Wanted, Pedestrian Critically Injured In Toms River Hit-And-Run: Prosecutors
Driver Wanted, Pedestrian Critically Injured In Toms River Hit-And-Run: Prosecutors Police were searching for whoever critically injured a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash in Toms River, authorities said. The crash happened near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Mobile Lane at around 9:38 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Investigators said a car was heading north on Massachusetts when it struck a man and left the scene. The pedestrian was rushed to Community Medical Center and was listed in critical but stable condition. The car involved in the hit-and-run is belie…
Louisiana Man Who Traveled To NJ To Sexually Assault Toms River Teen Sentenced: Prosecutors Louisiana Man Who Traveled To NJ To Sexually Assault Toms River Teen Sentenced: Prosecutors
Louisiana Man Who Traveled To NJ To Sexually Assault Toms River Teen Sentenced: Prosecutors A Louisiana man will spend several years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting a Toms River teen girl, authorities said. Spencer Caudle of Prairieville, LA, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 20 to seven years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Monday, Sept. 23. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to a sexual assault charge on Tuesday, Apr. 2. Investigators said Caudle drove about 2,700 miles roundtrip from Louisiana to the Toms River area to have "sexual contact" with the 14-year-old girl on Saturday, May 27, 2023…
Grease Fire On Unattended Stove Displaces 12 From Toms River Apartment: Firefighters Grease Fire On Unattended Stove Displaces 12 From Toms River Apartment: Firefighters
Grease Fire On Unattended Stove Displaces 12 From Toms River Apartment: Firefighters A dozen people were without homes after an apartment caught fire in Toms River, officials said. The fire was in a building at The Willows at Toms River apartment complex on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the township's fire prevention bureau said in a news release. Firefighters responded to 1000 Axl Drive at around 2:23 p.m. The first crews found a small grease fire started on a stove in one unit. The flames spread to the microwave, causing the sprinklers to activate and extinguish most of the fire. The water damage from the sprinklers spread into two other units. The Toms River Building Depart…
OceanFirst Bank Agrees To $15M Settlement For Redlining In Ocean County, Feds Say OceanFirst Bank Agrees To $15M Settlement For Redlining In Ocean County, Feds Say
OceanFirst Bank Agrees To $15M Settlement For Redlining In Ocean County, Feds Say A Jersey Shore bank will pay more than $15 million in a settlement for racially discriminatory lending practices known as redlining, authorities said. OceanFirst Bank agreed to the settlement to resolve the accusations that date back to 2018, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. The Toms River-based bank was accused of redlining in predominantly non-white neighborhoods in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. The $15 million settlement came after the Department of Justice launched its Combating Redlining Initiative in October 2021, aiming to s…
Toms River Woman Sentenced In Roommate's Shower Rod, Tape Dispenser Killing: Prosecutors Toms River Woman Sentenced In Roommate's Shower Rod, Tape Dispenser Killing: Prosecutors
Toms River Woman Sentenced In Roommate's Shower Rod, Tape Dispenser Killing: Prosecutors A Toms River woman will spend at least eight years in prison after admitting to her role in the death of her roommate, a former Manchester High School janitor, authorities said. Mary Carbone, 60, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 13 to ten years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She must serve eight-and-a-half years before she's eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. Carbone pleaded guilty on Monday, July 8 to aggravated manslaughter. She had been indicted for murder in the death of 55-year-old Frank St…
Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors
Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors A Toms River music teacher was accused of sharing child pornography online, authorities said. Christopher DeCesare, 31, of Matawan, was charged with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced his arrest in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. Investigators said DeCesare was distributing child porn to other users through social media and received it on a personal email account. The investigation started in July after a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. DeCesare is …
'Gas Station Heroin' Killed Toms River Man, Family Says In Lawsuit 'Gas Station Heroin' Killed Toms River Man, Family Says In Lawsuit
'Gas Station Heroin' Killed Toms River Man, Family Says In Lawsuit The family of a Toms River man has filed a lawsuit claiming he was killed by a supplement known by many as "gas station heroin." The suit, filed on Thursday, Sept. 5 by the family of 32-year-old Matthew Cornier, names Neptune Resources, LLC; Super Chill CBD Products; and Hometown Market. Philadelphia-based law firm Feldman Shepherd announced the legal action in a news release on Thursday, Sept. 12. Cornier died on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, after consuming Neptune's Fix Elixir purchased from a store in Point Pleasant, the suit claimed. The product is marketed as a dietary supplement…
'General Hospital' Star Moonlights As Ocean County Realtor  — And He Loves It 'General Hospital' Star Moonlights As Ocean County Realtor  — And He Loves It
'General Hospital' Star Moonlights As Ocean County 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 …