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39°
Saturday, nov 23
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Eatontown, NJ
Police & Fire
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…
News
Mysterious Loud Boom Rocks Central Jersey: Did You Feel It?
Multiple Central Jersey residents were baffled by a loud boom that shook their houses on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Ring app users reported hearing and feeling the massive explosion around noon. One person speculated some commotion at Naval Weapons Station Earle, in Colts Neck, and another said this is not the first time that the boom has occurred. "This has been going on for a few months and nobody knows what it is," they wrote, noting it's "very strange" and seems to be getting "more widespread and louder." The boom was reported from West Long Branch to Trenton. One resident i…
Business
Amazon Fresh Opening Second NJ Grocery Store In Former Toys 'R' Us Building
A new Amazon supermarket is about to open in Monmouth County, officials said. The Amazon Fresh in Eatontown will officially open on Thursday, June 20, the company said in a news release. It will be the second Amazon Fresh location in New Jersey after one opened in Paramus in July 2022. The Eatontown store is located at 137 Route 35 in a 35,500-square-foot space once occupied by Toys“R”Us. "This new, affordable grocery store in the community will offer wide selection of quality groceries and a convenient shopping experience," Amazon said in its release. "We’re also proud to support the…
Police & Fire
Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA Sentenced
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A member of a burglary ring that specifically targeted Asian-American small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware was sentenced to a plea-bargained 33 months in federal prison. James Hurt, 48, of New York, and other members of the second-story crew worked from what the FBI called a hit list of dozens of homes in the four states based on “stereotype and opportunity" from Dec. 2, 2016, to March 20, 2019. The burglars often got into homes through unsecured upper-floor windows before seeking out cash, jewelry and guns, the FBI said In one instance, th…
Business
$500 Million Open-Air Redevelopment Of Monmouth Mall Begins
A more than $500 million project to transform a Monmouth County mall into an open-air town center has officially begun, officials said. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, May 9 at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, developer Kushner said in a news release on Monday, May 13. The mall will be redeveloped into a modern center with luxury apartments, new retail options, and medical office space called Monmouth Square. Kushner said the project to "de-mall" the property off Route 35 will bring a new purpose to the historic Monmouth Mall, which has been open for 64 years. …
Police & Fire
Witnesses Stop Machete-Wielding Man At Flea Market In Monmouth County
A Berkeley Township man was accused of using a machete to threaten someone at a Monmouth County flea market, authorities said. The 39-year-old Bayville man went into the Collingwood Auction and Flea Market with the large blade at around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb, 24, Howell Township police said in a news release. Investigators said the man was confronting a 40-year-old Neptune man over money owed for car repairs. Several witnesses stopped the argument from turning into a physical fight and the machete was never used. The man drove away without getting any money. The man was arrested at aroun…
Business
NJ Mall Is Getting Major Overhaul Complete With Luxury Apartments, Outdoor Entertainment Space
A major redevelopment of Monmouth Mall is about to begin, transforming the shopping center into luxury apartments, new retail options, and a town center. The developer, Kushner — with headquarters in Florham Park and New York City — is planning to convert the 64-year-old mall on Route 35 in Eatontown into a large attraction called Monmouth Square. Kushner's chief development officer Michael Sommer said the redevelopment will turn the mall inside out by tearing down indoor halls to create an open-air concept, with demolition set to begin in March. The intent is to …
News
$1B Netflix Studio Plows Ahead With NJ Plans
New Jersey is one step closer to becoming home to a nearly $1 billion Netflix production facility. Gov. Phil Murphy this week approved Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority meeting minutes, meaning that he major project can move forward at the former site of the Fort Monmouth campus in Monmouth County. We are excited to watch the historic Fort Monmouth transform into a state-of-the-art Netflix film and television... Posted by Governor Phil Murphy on Friday, November 3, 2023 Joined by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, state officials, and labor representatives, Murphy said the camp…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Business Owner From NY Admits $127M Health Care Kickback Scheme: Feds
A New Jersey marketing company owner from Rockland County admitted in federal court that he was a major figure in scamming Medicare, TRICARE and other benefit programs out of $127 million. Eric Karlewicz, 44, of Chestnut Ridge, NY, participated in a “circular scheme of kickbacks and bribes” with doctors, durable medical equipment businesses and telemedicine companies to pull off the massive con, U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said. Karlewicz – also known as Anthony Mazza -- used his considerable cut from $63.8 million in payoffs to buy himself a fleet of luxury vehicles that included a Ferrari,…
Police & Fire
Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Cops Plea
UPDATE: A burglar from a crew that targeted Asian and Asian-American small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware took a deal from the government rather than risk the outcome of a trial, federal authorities said. James Hurt, 47, of New York, was part of a second-story outfit that the FBI said worked from a hit list of dozens of homes in four states based on “stereotype and opportunity." One of Hurt's associates told detectives that Asians were targeted “because it was believed that the victims kept large sums of currency and jewelry in their residences,” an FBI c…
Lifestyle
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89)
Couldn't get tickets to see Taylor Swift's The Era Tour in person? You're very much not alone. But don't worry, Swifties, there's a way to experience the pop culture juggernaut. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" will be premiering at AMC Theatres throughout the Garden State starting on Friday, Oct. 13 (obviously) with tickets going on sale Thursday, Aug. 31. Showtimes will run Thursdays to Sundays. Standard showings are priced at $19.89 (cute!) for adults and $13.13 for seniors and children (of course). The concert film, which will run 2 hours and 45 minutes long (or short),&…
Police & Fire
Trio Killed In Parkway Crash Mourned By Loved Ones
Condolences were pouring in Tuesday, Aug. 8 for the three victims killed in last weekend's crash on the Garden State Parkway. Sabrina Kontos, 24, of Ocean Grove, Dion Bullock, 27, of Asbury Park, and Omar Williams, 28, of Eatontown, all died in the 9:50 p.m. accident in Port Republic (Atlantic County) Sunday, Aug. 6, New Jersey State Police said. The car, driven by Kontos, struck the rear of a Toyota then left the southbound lanes of the highway and struck a tree near milepost 44.6, police said. A GoFundMe campaign for Williams' family had raised nearly $1,000 as of Wednesday, Aug. 9. Th…
Police & Fire
3 Killed In Crash On Garden State Parkway
Three people were killed in a crash when their car left the Garden State Parkway and struck a tree, authorities said. The crash occurred at 9:52 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 6 on the southbound lanes of the highway near milepost 44.6 in Port Republic in Atlantic County, according to New Jersey State Police. A Kia struck the rear of a Toyota, causing the Kia to lose control and run off the road and hit a tree, State Police said. The Kia's driver, Sabrina Kontos, 24, of Ocean Grove, and two passengers were killed in the crash: Dion Bullock, 27, of Asbury Park, and Omar Williams, 28, of Eatontown. The…
News
$1B Netflix Production Studio Replacing Long Vacant NJ Property
A Jersey Shore property that has sat vacant for more than a decade will soon be transformed into a nearly $1 billion Netflix production studio. The entertainment company plans on committing $848 million in capital investments to develop the facility on the more than than 292-acre site on the former Fort Monmouth campus in Monmouth County. The "economic engine" is estimated to create more than 1,500 permanent production jobs and more than 3,500 construction-related jobs, Netflix and Gov. Phil Murphy said. Located adjacent to Route 35 in Eatontown and Oceanport, the facility will be split i…
Police & Fire
NJ Residents Can Adopt Puppy Envigo Beagles Saved From Horrific Breeding Facility
The Envigo beagles are on to the next chapter of their lives: The good part. Five male puppies — among the 4,000 dogs rescued from a mass breading facility in Virginia — have been brought to the Monmouth County SPCA for adoption. The beagles were bred to be sold to laboratories for animal experimentation and kept in horrific conditions. The transfer will take place in stages over the next 60 days, and the dogs will be up for adoption via MCSPCA & other shelters & rescues. The puppies were undergoing medical and behavioral assessment at the MCSPCA. Due to the overwhelming interest i…
Obituaries
Beloved Jersey Shore Mom Of 6 Dies After ‘Long And Hard’ COVID Battle, 35
Beloved Jersey Shore mother of six Catherine ‘Ren’ Olivia Freeman died on Saturday, Feb. 12 after a “long and hard” COVID-19 battle. She was 35. Freeman grew up in Brick Township, went to Brookdale Community College, and later moved to Tinton Falls, where she lived at the time of her death, according to her social media page. Freeman was remembered as an incredible and creative soul who loved deeply and touched many lives. “She is and will forever be a poet, wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, friend, rebel, artist, singer, teacher, leader, activist, joker, miracle,” reads her obituary.…
Weather
NOR'
Easter
: New Jersey Towns With The Least & Most Snow
New Jerseyans on Saturday afternoon began digging out of the second snowstorm this month. Some had a only few inches to shovel away -- others, feet. Here's a look at snow totals (in inches) from across the state, according to the National Weather Service. Wayne: 3.3 Asbury: 3.5 Verona/Montclair: 4 Hewitt: 5.1 Chatham: 6.3 Bergenfield: 6.9 Wood-Ridge: 7.2 North Brunswick: 8.3 Elizabeth: 8.5 Evesham: 10 inches Hammonton: 10 inches Cape May Harbor: 13 Holmdel: 14 Jackson: 14.1 Eatontown: 14.2 Avalon: 15 inches Little Egg Harbor: 18 inches Linwood: 19 inches Bayville: 21 Expect cold and blus…
Traffic
65 Cars Involved In Icy Crashes On Major NJ Roadway
At least 65 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes on a major ice-covered road in Central Jersey, authorities said. The crashes were blamed on black ice which often forms at dawn and dusk, according to the Monmouth County sheriff. The first chain-reaction crash occurred at 6:27 a.m. Wednesday on Route 36 westbound at the Route 18 ramp, according to Eatontown police. Police officers found approximately 15 vehicles involved in that crash. Multiple people were sent to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, police said. Approximately 10 minutes after the first crash, a second m…
News
Jersey Shore Doc Admits Sexual Contact With Drug-Abusing Patient, Cuts Deal With State
A Monmouth County physician is having his license suspended for three years for "inappropriate sexual contact" with a substance-abusing patient for whom he also prescribed addictive drugs, state authorities said. Francis Rienzo, 60, of Sea Girt, is currently "winding down" his private practice as part of an agreement with the state through which he will avoid more serious consequences, they said. Rienzo, who also is the medical director for several treatment centers across New Jersey -- and a staff physician at Jersey Shore Addiction Services and Hackensack Meridian Health in Neptune -- "ad…
News
Former NJ Army Base Could Become New Netflix Studio
A 96-year-old New Jersey Army base could spend its next life as a production hub for Netflix. The streaming company announced it plans on bidding on the 289-acre portion of Fort Monmouth, located in Eatontown and Oceanport -- approximately 50 miles from New York City. The base was where civilian engineer Julius Rosenberg began his espionage career, and was also used by the US to develop radar technology. The Pentagon closed it during military budget cuts in 2011. “America’s first movie studio was in New Jersey, and today it’s home to many talented people working in entertainment,” Netflix…
Police & Fire
Howell Man Accused Of Saving Child Porn Images Gets 5 Years At Central Jersey Treatment Center
A Howell Township man convicted twice of possessing child pornography has been sentenced to a term of five years at a Monmouth County treatment center. Thomas Vilanova, 50, of Howell also was sentenced to parole supervision for life under terms set down Wednesday by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas. Vilanova's sentence will be served at the state's Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Avenel, accorrding to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey. Vilanova was classified as a repetitive and compulsive offender after an evaluation, Linskey sai…
Police & Fire
Ex-Central Jersey Sheriff's Officer Indicted For Recording Sex Assaults Of Unconscious Women
A former Middlesex County Sheriff's Officer was indicted on accusations he videotaped himself sexually assaulting three unconscious women. A Monmouth County grand jury returned a 20-count indictment against Joshua Padilla, 36, for the incidents that spanned three years, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Monday. In February 2019, members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Bureau arrested Padilla, of Eatontown, in relation to an investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Padilla in March admitted trying to have sex …
News
Newest Tesla Dealership Destination: Jersey Shore
A new Tesla dealership is coming soon to a Jersey Shore town, reports say. The electric car manufacturer plans to open its first store in Monmouth County, according to the Asbury Park Press. The newest Tesla dealer will replace the vacated Funtime America on Route 35 in Eatontown. An opening date has not been announced. The project was approved by the Eatontown Zoning Board of Adjustment several months ago, according to news reports. The Eatowntown dealership will have 10 electric vehicle charging stations and a public standalone parking space for charging visitors' vehicles, APP.…
News
Jersey Shore Company Faces $13.7K
Osha
Fine After Employed Couple's COVID Death, Agency Says
The US Department of Labor says it may fine a Central Jersey company up to $13,653 for coronavirus violations in its workplace. On Tuesday, the labor department's Occupational Health and Safety Administration cited a pharmaceutical and, biotech manufacturer from Eatontown. The company failed to protect dozens of employees from COVID-19 at its Monmouth County facility, OSHA said in a news statement. A husband and his wife died after contracting the virus last fall, OSHA said. At least two other workers were hospitalized and at least 30 workers tested positive for COVID, the federal ag…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Driver In Deadly Head-On Crash Was High On Fentanyl, Prosecutor Says
A 30-year-old woman from the Jersey Shore had fentanyl and other drugs in her system at the time of the May 9 crash that killed a 78-year-old woman in Brick Township, authorities announced Monday. Ashley Watkins of Eatontown was heading south on Lanes Mill Road in a 2011 Toyota Camry when she crossed over the center line and struck a 2014 Dodge Caravan at Greenwood Loop head-on around 9:45 a.m., according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The Dodge driver, Terry Penrod, 78, of Brick, suffered a broken leg and taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center whil…
News
Undercover Pedophile Sting: Ex-NJ Sheriff's Deputy Admits Seeking Sex With 14-Year-Old 'Child'
A former Middlesex County sheriff’s deputy admitted trying to have sex with what he thought was a 14-year-old Pennsylvania child who turned out to be an undercover detective, authorities said. Joshua Padilla, 35, of Eatontown, sent photos of his genitals, then asked for similar photos in exchange from what he thought was an underage child, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. Padilla told a state judge in Pennsylvania on Monday that he tried to have sex with the purported youngster. He was arrested by state authorities, instead, with assistance from the Monmouth County, NJ Pros…
News
Jersey Shore Cleaning Service Owner Gets Year And Day In Fed Pen For Stiffing IRS
The owner-operator of a Tinton Falls commercial office cleaning business must spend a plea-bargained year and a day in federal prison for ducking nearly a half-million dollars in taxes, authorities said. John Storz, 54, of Eatontown had told a federal judge in Trenton last summer that he paid employees under the table from more than $1.2 million worth of client checks that he cashed at a check-cashing business. Storz also used the business account of Class A Cleaners to cover personal expenses, such as his mortgage, life insurance, car lease and home utility payments, as well as for persona…
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Central Jersey Man Kidnapped, Sexually Attacked 13-Year-Old Girls
A 27-year-old man from Monmouth County has been arrested for luring and kidnapping two teenage girls, authorities said. Nathan Cohen of Eatontown has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree child luring, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of explicit images of minors and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. Cohen pretended to be a 17-year-old boy to two 13-year-old girls and exchanged sexually explicit images and videos with them, before arranging to me…
Business
Report: GNC Closes Additional 40 New Jersey Stores
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June, GNC has announced closures of an additional 40 stores. The nutritional supplement company had originally planned on closing just 10 stores. According to NJ.com, the following 50 stores have either closed, or will soon: Blackwood, Gloucester Premium Outlets Bridgewater, Bridgewater Commons Cinnaminson, The Shoppes At Cinnaminson Closter, Heidenberg Plaza Delran, Hartford Corners Denville, The Shoppes At Union Hill Denville, Diamond Spring Road Deptford, Deptford Mall East Hanover, Hanover Commons East Rutherford, American Dream Mall E…
News
Ruby Tuesday's Another Victim Of Coronavirus
First bankruptcy, then coronavirus. Ruby Tuesday's is the latest restaurant chain to close more restaurants in New Jersey. The company confirmed it recently closed its restaurants in Toms River and Eatontown. The Toms River restaurant was located at 1311 Route 37 W., off of Route 9. The Eatontown restaurant was located at Monmouth Mall on Route 35. There are now four Ruby Tuesday restaurants remaining in New Jersey: Elizabeth, Mount Laurel, Somerset and at Newark International Airport. In May, Ruby Tuesday closed its Freehold, Neptune and Lakewood restaurants, After filing for bankruptcy…
News
These 11 NJ MVC Centers Are Closed Due To Employee
Covid-
19 Cases
Nearly a dozen New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission centers are closed due to employees who tested positive for COVID-19. The most recent center to close is Newton, which will operate by appointment only until Dec. 14. The Freehold licensing center will reopen Dec. 17, due to an employee who tested positive. Here are the other centers that are closed until further notice: RANDOLPH LICENSING CENTER is closed and will reopen Saturday, Dec. 12 due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19. Road test operations and inspections will remain open. EATONTOWN REGIONAL/ LICENSING CENTER LICENSIN…