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Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says
The US population is rapidly diversifying, with cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic at the forefront, according to a new study.
WalletHub released its 2025 ranking of the nation's Most Diverse Cities on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Three Maryland communities topped the list of 501 locations, which were evaluated based on socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.2 percent of Americans identified as multiracial in 2020, a sharp increase from just 2.9 percent in 2010.
"The most diverse cities demonstrate diversity in many …
Trio Including Ex-Track Star Charged In Toms River Drive-By Shooting Involving Kids: Prosecutor
Three men are facing attempted murder charges after authorities say they opened fire on a Toms River home with an adult and two children inside.
Lyjhahn Cromartie, 19, of Lakehurst, and Shazir Vallade, 20, of Lakewood, were arrested on Feb. 28, 2025, after investigators identified them as suspects in the Jan. 13, shooting, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced. The arrests follow the earlier capture of Javir Askew-Mayweather, 21, a former track star in Manchester, who was taken into custody in Atlantic City and later released under New Jersey Bail Reform policies, …
Jersey Shore Code Enforcement Officer Admits To Using Job For Own Benefit, Prosecutors Say
A 58-year-old former code enforcement officer for the Borough of Beachwood admitted on Tuesday, Feb. 18 to using his job to line his own pockets, authorities said.
Michael Ruvo, a Toms River resident, pleaded guilty to theft by deception and tampering with public records and is expected to be sentenced to 364 days in jail, Prosecutor Bradley Billhmer said.
In June 2022, Ruvo, while working for Beachwood, issued a code enforcement violation to a property owner on Tiller Avenue, Billhimer said. The property owner contacted Ruvo advising she had received an estimate to bring the property up to…
60 MPH Winds, Heavy Rain Will Batter NJ, PA: Outages, Flooding Possible
A powerful storm system is sweeping across New Jersey on Sunday, Feb. 16, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, and the potential for flooding and power outages, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The strongest winds are expected to peak in the afternoon into the evening, with gusts between 50 and 60 mph hitting many areas across the state.
The hardest-hit areas for wind gusts include Morristown, Flemington, and Trenton, where winds are forecasted to reach 50 to 60 mph through tonight. Similar gusts are expected in greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Vineland, and Atlantic …
MDMA, Cocaine, Guns, Ammo, Shrooms, Weed: Ocean County Drug Dealers Busted, Prosecutors Say
Three Ocean County men were arrested and charge this week following a three-month investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County, authorities said.
Investigators began surveilling the home of Elijah Metellus, a 20-year-old Beachwood resident, because it was being used to store and distribute cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, psilocybin, and marijuana, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, detectives observed Dominic McGriff, a 43-year-old Beachwood resident, enter the residence, Billhimer said. McGriff then went to an apartment complex in To…
Cops ID Man Struck, Killed On Route 37 In Toms River
A 56-year-old Ocean County Man was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Route 37 on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 4., authorities said.
At 9:02 p.m., a 2021 Honda Civic driven by a Barnegat man was traveling westbound on Route 37, when it hit Jason Matthews, an Island Heights resident, as he was crossing the roadway, Toms River police said.
As a result of the crash, Matthews was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Multiple lanes of Route 37 were shut down for several hours while the investigation …
2 Inches Of Snow Possible In Parts Of NJ As Mid-Week Winter Storm Approaches
New Jersey is bracing for a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain starting Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing slick roads and slippery conditions across the region.
According to the National Weather Service, snow totals will vary by location. Towns in northwestern New Jersey, such as Wantage and Morristown, could see 1 to 2 inches of snow and sleet accumulation.
Areas farther south and along the coast, including Toms River and Atlantic City, are expected to see less than an inch before the wintry mix transitions to rain.
Snow will begin late Wednesday evening, Feb. 5, and…
25 Years For Woman Who Killed, Dismembered Toms River Man: Prosecutor
A 29-year-old Seaside Heights woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 31 after pleading guilty to killing a Toms River man whose body was dismembered, authorities said.
Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, pleaded guilty in December to aggravated manslaughter, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. She was among four people charged in the killing of Kerry Rollason, 56.
Maxwell Johnston, a 35-year-old Manchester Township man, was originally suspected of killing Rollason in his Ravenwood Drive home on Wednesday, July 3. Johnston had been wanted in the separate killi…
Toms River Mom Of 5, Model Dies After 3-Year Cancer Battle: Remembering Tina Vasile
Tina Vasile, a mother of five from Toms River, passed away on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to her obituary on the Ocean County Cremation Service website. She was 45 years old.
Born in Lakewood, Tina was known for her love of life, glamorous style, and deep devotion to her children, her obituary reads. A former model and actress, Tina had a passion for fashion, makeup, and music, never turning down an opportunity for a concert or a night out.
Tina Vasile
Tina Vasile Facebook photo
Tina Vasile
Tina Vasile Faceb…
'Spirit Lives On': Kris VanBuskirk, NJ Computer Whiz Killed In Car Crash: Authorities
A 26-year-old Howell resident, died on Wednesday, Jan. 22 after sustaining injuries in a car crash on Monday, Jan. 20, authorities said.
At 11:01 a.m., a 2024 Black Kia Forte, driven by Kris VanBuskirk, collided with a 2012 Ford F-250 on Route 34 and Airport Blvd. in Wall Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.
The driver of the F-250 remained on scene while VanBuskirk was hospitalized, authorities said.
VanBuskirk is remembered for his love of life, the kind of man who could turn a trip to the grocery store into a memorable escapade, according to his obituary from Silv…
Arctic Blast Will Follow Snow Showers Across NJ With Temps We Haven't Seen In Years, NWS Says
Light snow showers are forecast to begin Thursday afternoon, Jan. 16 across parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, potentially creating slippery conditions during the evening commute, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for several northeast New Jersey counties, including Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex, and Union, with snowfall set to begin after 4 p.m.
Most areas are expected to see less than one inch of snow, though localized accumulations of up to two inches are possible in parts of eastern Pennsylvania near and north of …
