Tag:

Jackson Township, NJ

Kingda Ka Retired At Six Flags Great Adventure, 'Record-Breaking' Replacement Coming In 2026 Kingda Ka Retired At Six Flags Great Adventure, 'Record-Breaking' Replacement Coming In 2026
Kingda Ka Retired At Six Flags Great Adventure, 'Record-Breaking' Replacement Coming In 2026 Six Flags Great Adventure is closing down the world's tallest roller coaster after two decades of thrills, officials said. The Jackson Township amusement park's Kingda Ka roller coaster will be retired, Six Flags said in a news release on Thursday, Nov. 14. The ride's closing is one of many changes for the 2025 season at the resort. Kingda Ka opened in 2005 and gave more than 12 million rides to parkgoers. "We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests' passion," park president Brian Bacica said. "These changes are an important part of ou…
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials A massive wildfire that scorched 350 acres in Jackson Township was ignited by an illegal shotgun round that authorities said was fired by a 37-year-old Brick Township man. Authorities charged Richard Shashaty, 37, with arson after an investigation revealed that magnesium shards from a prohibited Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the blaze on Nov. 6, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The fire, known as the Shotgun Wildfire, erupted shortly after noon on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. Investigators determined that the incendi…
Five Wildfires Rage Across NJ: Here's The Latest Update On Each One Five Wildfires Rage Across NJ: Here's The Latest Update On Each One
Five Wildfires Rage Across NJ: Here's The Latest Update On Each One New Jersey is actively managing five wildfires across multiple counties, sending smoke into surrounding towns and worsening the air quality. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) continues efforts to contain the flames under a Red Flag Warning issued through Saturday, Nov. 9, by the U.S. National Weather Service.  HIGH Fire Danger Today! A Red Flag Warning is in effect today into this evening as very dry conditions and gusty winds... Posted by US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly on Friday, November 8, 2024 Here's the updated status for each of the five wi…
Gruesome Indictment Details Killing, Dismemberment Of NJ Victim Gruesome Indictment Details Killing, Dismemberment Of NJ Victim
Gruesome Indictment Details Killing, Dismemberment Of NJ Victim 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…
NJ Man, 39, Drowns In Delaware Water Gap NJ Man, 39, Drowns In Delaware Water Gap
NJ Man, 39, Drowns In Delaware Water Gap A New Jersey man's body was discovered in the Delaware River, authorities said. The 39-year-old Lakewood man was found dead in Bushkill, Pennsylvania, on Monday, Aug. 26, a National Park Service spokesperson said in a news release. His body was spotted about 20 to 30 feet from the shore at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Rangers and divers responded to the drowning call at Bushkill Access at around 1:45 p.m. The man's body was recovered in about seven feet of water at around 3:07 p.m. This is the second person of the summer to drown at th…
Kayaker Who Drowned In NJ Lake Wasn't Wearing Life Preserver, Investigators Say Kayaker Who Drowned In NJ Lake Wasn't Wearing Life Preserver, Investigators Say
Kayaker Who Drowned In NJ Lake Wasn't Wearing Life Preserver, Investigators Say Authorities have identified the Old Bridge man who drowned when his kayak capsized in Jackson Township. Search and rescue divers found the body of 29-year-old John Pereira in Prospertown Lake on Sunday, Aug. 4, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was first reported missing at around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3. Witnesses told Jackson Township police that Pereira was not wearing a life preserver and they believed he drowned. The search was suspended in the evening due to severe weather and Pereira's body was recovered at around 3:55 p.…
Infant Left In Hot Car By Dad Dies In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says Infant Left In Hot Car By Dad Dies In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says
Infant Left In Hot Car By Dad Dies In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says A Jackson Township man was accused of leaving his two-month-old daughter in a hot vehicle, causing the baby to die, authorities said. Avraham Chaitovsky, 28, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, July 16. Lakewood police responded to a report of a child in cardiac arrest on New Egypt Road at around 1:45 p.m. on Monday, July 15. Officers found Hatzolah Medical Services giving lifesaving aid to the eight-week-old girl but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators sai…
NJ Man Killed, Dismembered By 5 People Including Murder Suspect Before SWAT Standoff: Cops NJ Man Killed, Dismembered By 5 People Including Murder Suspect Before SWAT Standoff: Cops
NJ Man Killed, Dismembered By 5 People Including Murder Suspect Before SWAT Standoff: Cops Four people from Ocean County were accused of helping a murder suspect dismember the body of a Toms River man who was killed in his home, authorities said. Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, of Seaside Heights; Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat; Jared Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township; and Jarred Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, were facing charges in the case, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Monday, July 15. Their charges were related to the killing of 56-year-old Kerry Rollason. Investigators said Rollason was killed by 35-ye…
Another Female NJ Teacher Charged With Having Sexual Relationship With Student Another Female NJ Teacher Charged With Having Sexual Relationship With Student
Another Female NJ Teacher Charged With Having Sexual Relationship With Student Yet another New Jersey teacher has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. Julie Rizzitello, 36, submitted her resignation letter as a Wall Township High School teacher earlier this week amid being criminal charges stemming from the sexual assault of a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. The Brick Township resident has been charged with two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Witness Tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact, Santiago said Thursday, July 4 alongside Wall Township Police Chie…
Body Of Missing Swimmer, 24, Recovered From Delaware River Body Of Missing Swimmer, 24, Recovered From Delaware River
Body Of Missing Swimmer, 24, Recovered From Delaware River A 24-year-old missing Delaware River swimmer from New Jersey has been found dead, officials said. Jeysson Ariel Osorio-Reyes went missing while swimming about 75 yards from the shoreline of Milford Beach, an unguarded beach, on Saturday, June 29 around 3:15 p.m. the National Park Service said. The Jackson Township man disappeared mid-channel, bringing multiple fire departments and dive teams to the scene. His body was found at approximately 7 p.m., just when the search planned on ceasing for the night. Responders included National Park Service rangers, dive team members from Dela…
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
Jersey Shore Man Admits Anti-Semitic Rampage: Running Down Victims, Stabbing, Carjacking Jersey Shore Man Admits Anti-Semitic Rampage: Running Down Victims, Stabbing, Carjacking
Jersey Shore Man Admits Anti-Semitic Rampage: Running Down Victims, Stabbing, Carjacking A Jersey Shore man admitted in federal court on Thursday that he committed a series of violent assaults on members of the Jewish Orthodox community in and around Lakewood. What became a rampage over roughly seven hours began when Dion Marsh, 29, of Manchester, dragged a "visibly identifiable" Orthodox Jew out of his car, beat him and sped off in the victim's vehicle on April 8, 2022, authorities said. Marsh was driving a different car in the heavily Orthodox community hours later when he ran down victims in three separate incidents, attempting to kill each of them, U.S. Attorney for New Jer…
Antisemitic Carjacker Pleads Guilty To 2022 Jersey Shore Rampage: Prosecutors Antisemitic Carjacker Pleads Guilty To 2022 Jersey Shore Rampage: Prosecutors
Antisemitic Carjacker Pleads Guilty To 2022 Jersey Shore Rampage: Prosecutors A Manchester Township man admitted to a series of antisemitic attacks in Ocean County that hospitalized three people, including an Orthodox Jewish man who was stabbed, authorities said. Dion Marsh, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of terrorism on Wednesday, Jan. 24, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billheimer announced. Prosecutors will seek a 30-year state prison sentence without parole for Marsh. Billhimer praised police for potentially saving lives and reiterated that hate does not belong in Ocean County. "The evidence marshaled through the course of this investigation led us to the unmis…
Teacher Had Sexual Contact With Student On Jersey Shore High School Property: Prosecutor Teacher Had Sexual Contact With Student On Jersey Shore High School Property: Prosecutor
Teacher Had Sexual Contact With Student On Jersey Shore High School Property: Prosecutor A middle school teacher and high school advisor has been charged with having sexual contact with a student, authorities said. Andrew Fantasia, 27, of Beachwood, was charged on Wednesday, Oct. 25 with aggravated criminal sexual contact, child endangerment and official misconduct, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Jackson Township Police Department determined that between February and June of this year, Fantasia — while employed in…
22,000+ NJ Residents Without Power, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains In Effect 22,000+ NJ Residents Without Power, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains In Effect
22,000+ NJ Residents Without Power, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains In Effect Thousands of New Jersey residents were without power after a round of powerful afternoon storms swept through the region. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for much of the region through 11 p.m., and that comes after a round of quarter-sized hail and gusty winds. As of 5:25 p.m., the following areas were without power: JCP&L Essex County: 7,005 customers (most in Millburn [3.2K], Livingston [2.3K]) Monmouth County: 2,563 (most in Howell [1.9K]) Morris County: 11,300 (most in Boonton [1.6K], East Hanover [2.2K], Florham Park [1.2K], Montville [3…
Dogs From Jersey Shore Hoarding Case Will Soon Be Up For Adoption: Officials Dogs From Jersey Shore Hoarding Case Will Soon Be Up For Adoption: Officials
Dogs From Jersey Shore Hoarding Case Will Soon Be Up For Adoption: Officials Some of the nearly 200 pets rescued from nightmarish conditions at a Jersey Shore home will soon be up for adoption, officials are announcing.  About 135 dogs and 45 cats were saved from the "Crazy Rescue Ladies" shelter in Brick Township after police found the animals living in stacked crates filled with their own waste early this month, as Daily Voice reported.  Now, the Ocean County Health Department says some of those dogs will be available for adoption at the shelters in Jackson Township and Manahawkin.  NEW CATS AND DOGS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION AT THE JACKSON & MANAHAWKIN…
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report $1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report Four suspended police officers from Edison were paid $1.4 million during the two years they awaited trial for billing the town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, NJ Advance Media reports. The officers have been on paid suspension ever since, but were put on unpaid leave earlier this month when new indictments were announced against Sgt. Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory Makras, 38, of Cranford and Sgt. Brian Rossmeyer, 45, of Bridgewater, according to the outlet and Middlesex County Pr…
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor 4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
NJ Orders Six Flags El Toro Rollercoaster Shuttered After 19 Injured NJ Orders Six Flags El Toro Rollercoaster Shuttered After 19 Injured
NJ Orders Six Flags El Toro Rollercoaster Shuttered After 19 Injured The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has ordered the shutdown of the El Toro rollercoaster at Six Flags Great Adventure after at least 19 people were hurt. A total of 14 people were treated at the scene and another five were hospitalized for evaluation, officials said. The 19-story tall wooden coaster reportedly "lurched forward," injuring passengers who were getting off the ride at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. The ride had been "red-tagged" by the state last summer after a partial derailment. Tammori C. Petty-Dixon, a spokesperson with the state Department of Community Af…
Verizon Door-Knocker Says He Killed Jersey Shore Homeowner In Self-Defense: Report Verizon Door-Knocker Says He Killed Jersey Shore Homeowner In Self-Defense: Report
Verizon Door-Knocker Says He Killed Jersey Shore Homeowner In Self-Defense: Report A Verizon door knocker who claims he was acting in self-defense when he killed a Jersey Shore resident during a fight, according to a new report from NJ Advance Media. Michael Tsamas, 32, of Laurence Harbor, was charged with murder in connection with the death of Joseph Delgardio, 44,  in Jackson Township on Thursday, May 26, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz said. The deadly stabbing happened after Delgardio declined Tsamas' services and later confronted him on the street, Daily Voice previously reported. The two got…
Feds Charge NJ Man With Hate Crimes For Series Of 'Blood Bath' Assaults On Orthodox Jews Feds Charge NJ Man With Hate Crimes For Series Of 'Blood Bath' Assaults On Orthodox Jews
Feds Charge NJ Man With Hate Crimes For Series Of 'Blood Bath' Assaults On Orthodox Jews UPDATE: An antisemitic Jersey Shore man who authorities said warned of a “blood bath” before an hours-long spree of violent attacks on members of the Orthodox Jewish community in and around Lakewood has been charged with federal hate crimes. Dion Marsh, 27, of Manchester, originally was charged locally with three counts of attempted murder and bias intimidation after police said he ran down two men and stabbed another in the chest last weekend. U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger announced on Wednesday, April 20 that his office and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division…
Drunken Man Who Stalked, Sliced Jersey Shore Woman With Knife Gets Prison Time Drunken Man Who Stalked, Sliced Jersey Shore Woman With Knife Gets Prison Time
Drunken Man Who Stalked, Sliced Jersey Shore Woman With Knife Gets Prison Time A 38-year-old man was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to stalking a woman, threatening to kill her, slicing her face, then crashing into two cars while leading police on a chase across the Jersey Shore in May 2021. Michael Mahan, of Ewing Township, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins to eight years in prison on Friday, Feb. 4, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The sentencing comes after Mahan entered a guilty plea to eluding, terroristic threats, and aggravated assault, from the May 8, 2021 incident in Jackson Township. Collins also su…
Family of Worker, 19, Killed In Great Adventure Accident Receives $1.7M Settlement Family of Worker, 19, Killed In Great Adventure Accident Receives $1.7M Settlement
Family of Worker, 19, Killed In Great Adventure Accident Receives $1.7M Settlement The family of a 19-year-old worker who died in an accident while stringing holiday lights at Six Flags Great Adventure received a $1.7 million settlement in a wrongful death suit, according to a published report. Justin Dill, who’d recently graduated Middletown North High School and from the electrical program at Monmouth County Vocational School, worked at Six Flags as an apprentice with the electrician's union. He was working as a spotter for fellow employees hanging the lights on trees and poles when he was struck by the front tire of their lift truck, which then rolled on top of him, as…
NJ Woman Accused Of Killing Husband Is Warden At Jail Housing Ghislaine Maxwell NJ Woman Accused Of Killing Husband Is Warden At Jail Housing Ghislaine Maxwell
NJ Woman Accused Of Killing Husband Is Warden At Jail Housing Ghislaine Maxwell A New Jersey resident and associate warden at the troubled jail housing Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell has been accused of killing her husband, authorities and news reports say. Antonia Ashford, 44, discharged the weapon that killed Roderick Ashford, 47, in their Jackson Township home on Aug. 2, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Roderick suffered a gunshot wound to the face around 2:15 a.m., Billhimer said. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene, Billhimer said alongside Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz. A…
Jackson Township Officials 'Weaponized' Zoning Laws To Suppress Orthodox Jews, State Charges Jackson Township Officials 'Weaponized' Zoning Laws To Suppress Orthodox Jews, State Charges
Jackson Township Officials 'Weaponized' Zoning Laws To Suppress Orthodox Jews, State Charges Jackson Township officials “weaponized” zoning laws against Orthodox Jews, making it difficult for them to practice their religion while discouraging others from moving in, state authorities charged Tuesday. Mayor Michael Reina and members of the township council, planning board and zoning board of adjustment devised the anti-Semitic scheme to stop what a former official called “the tsunami of orthodoxy that is mounting at the border," alleges a lawsuit filed by the state. The group was trying to appease a number of intolerant residents who complained to them at public meetings and in hatef…
GOTCHA! Out-Of-State Clifton Auto Shop Burglary Suspect's Alibi Doesn't Fly With NJSP Trooper GOTCHA! Out-Of-State Clifton Auto Shop Burglary Suspect's Alibi Doesn't Fly With NJSP Trooper
Gotcha! Out-Of-State Clifton Auto Shop Burglary Suspect's Alibi Doesn't Fly With Njsp Trooper An Arizona man stopped in the freezing rain by a New Jersey State Police trooper who was helping his Clifton colleagues search for an auto repair shop burglar claimed that he’d just gone out for a walk, authorities said. A computer check found an outstanding warrant, while a search of his pockets turned up some of the stolen items. Clifton police thanked State Police for the assistance after arresting James Newcomb, 26, of Prescott, AZ in connection with the Broad Street burglary. Officers responding to a late-night burglar alarm just off the Garden State Parkway found a broken window at t…
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash ID'd As Off-Duty Lakewood Police Officer, 23 Motorcyclist Killed In Crash ID'd As Off-Duty Lakewood Police Officer, 23
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash ID'd As Off-Duty Lakewood Police Officer, 23 A motorcyclist killed in a Jackson Township crash Saturday was an off-duty Lakewood police officer, authorities confirmed. Nicklas Shimonovich, 23 -- whose parents are both longtime members of the Lakewood Police Department -- died in a crash on Thompson Bridge Road sometime before 5 p.m., his department announced late Saturday night. Initial and unconfirmed reports say Shimonovich's motorcycle slammed into a tree around 4:45 p.m.  The off-duty officer was transported to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus, where he died a short time later. Shimonovich's father is Lt. Rob Shimonovich an…
Police Sink 300-Person South Jersey Pool Party Police Sink 300-Person South Jersey Pool Party
Police Sink 300-Person South Jersey Pool Party South Jersey police sank a huge "for-profit" pool party that snubbed the state's COVID-19 restrictions Sunday. The rowdy, backyard Sicklerville party featuring an in-ground pool attracted about 300 people. But it also came with a price -- a cover charge of $100 to $150 apiece -- and a risk of contracting coronavirus, according to Gloucester Township police. Homeowner Lionel Mincey, 56, of Jarvis Road was charged with maintaining a nuisance, a disorderly persons offense and issued summonses for noise, littering and zoning violations, police said. Twenty-five parking tickets were issued and …
Police Shut Down 700-Person Airbnb Blowout That Rattled Quiet Jersey Shore Neighborhood Police Shut Down 700-Person Airbnb Blowout That Rattled Quiet Jersey Shore Neighborhood
Police Shut Down 700-Person Airbnb Blowout That Rattled Quiet Jersey Shore Neighborhood Three people were ticketed for violating state COVID-19 limits after hosting a party that attracted more than 700 people to a Jersey Shore Airbnb rental, authorities said.  The party was billed on Instagram as a “mansion party” in the Whispering Hills section of Jackson Township. The Sunday night party was held as a celebration of Liberian Independence Day and included free food, alcohol and a twerking contest. It took about five hours for state troopers and police from Jackson and six other townships to break up the massive throng early Monday. Yaakov Weiss, 40, who rented the Airbnb…
Rides Evacuated After Power Lost At Six Flags Great Adventure Rides Evacuated After Power Lost At Six Flags Great Adventure
Rides Evacuated After Power Lost At Six Flags Great Adventure A brief power outage prompted the evacuation of rides at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township on Monday, authorities said. The loss of electricity left some park-goers stuck on rides for up to 25 minutes, but no one was hurt, said Kristen Fitzgerald, a park spokeswoman. Dr. Spencer Schwartz posted this video of a halted ride on Twitter.  The power went out for about two minutes at 12:30 p.m. All park-goers were off the rides by about 12:55 p.m., Fitzgerald said in an email. "Most guests were safely escorted from the affected rides by 12:47 p.m.," Fitzgerald said. It’s…
US Government Sues Jersey Shore Town For Discriminating Against Orthodox Schools US Government Sues Jersey Shore Town For Discriminating Against Orthodox Schools
US Government Sues Jersey Shore Town For Discriminating Against Orthodox Schools Jackson Township is discriminating against Orthodox Jews through zoning ordinances that “intentionally restrict the operation of religious schools and housing associated with such schools,” including yeshivas, the U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday. The ordinances were enacted and used “against a backdrop of extreme [animosity] by Jackson residents and township decision makers toward the Orthodox Jewish community and a movement by residents to keep Orthodox Jewish community members from settling in Jackson,” the government contends in a lawsuit. Jackson’s planning board applied a pair o…