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‘A Hole That Can Never Be Filled’: Fundraiser Launched For Wife, Two Kids Of NJ Fisherman
Following the sudden death of a New Jersey fisherman off the coast of Long Island, the community has rallied behind his wife and two children.
Sean Smida, 38, of Toms River, died Tuesday, July 21 about 10 miles off the coast of Montauk as part of a fishing expedition, according to authorities.
“Sean was so much more than an incredible fisherman — he was a devoted husband to Krystal and a loving father to Connor and Scarlett,” Smida’s friend, Ray Kerico, wrote in a GoFundMe. “His family was his world, and every moment he spent was dedicated to their happiness and well-being.”
Investigators …
Ben, Casey Affleck's Mother Dies At 83 After Fulfilling Final Wish
Christopher Affleck, the mother of Oscar-winning actors Ben and Casey Affleck, has died at 83 years old, according to her family.
Affleck died on Tuesday, June 2, two days after attending her grandson Atticus' high school graduation, according to her obituary. She had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2025 and was given six months to live.
Her family said seeing Atticus graduate was Affleck's greatest wish after her diagnosis.
"She did so, attending with her family on May 31, 2026," her obituary read. "She died peacefully, in her sleep, two days later."
Born Christin…
Foodborne Illness Outbreak Expands To More States As Hospitalizations Climb
A sprawling foodborne illness investigation has taken another troubling turn as the case count continues to climb.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday, July 24, that a Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce had expanded from five states to nine.
At least 1,947 illnesses and 98 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been recorded.
Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania were added to Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The CDC said the outbreak may not be limited to those states. The true number of illnesses is likely hig…
NJ's Bobby Tarrant Dies Suddenly, 40
A New Jersey family is mourning the unexpected loss of Robert John "Bobby" Tarrant, who died on Tuesday, July 21. He was 40 years old.
A GoFundMe created by Reilley Bonilla had raised more than $10,000 as of Friday, July 24, to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.
He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially riding ATVs and dirt bikes, participating in water sports, and working in construction, according to his obituary on the Synowicki Funeral Home website and the fundraiser. Friends and family said he built lasting memories with those closest to him and was known for his loyalty, ge…
19 Million Eggs Recalled In South: What It Means For Northeast Consumers
A massive food-safety action centered outside the Northeast is raising a closer-to-home question: Could any of it reach local refrigerators?
Midwest Poultry Services voluntarily recalled 1,589,577 dozen eggs, equal to 19,074,924 individual eggs, on Wednesday, July 22, because of possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
The immediate answer for Northeast shoppers is reassuring.
The FDA lists no distribution in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Virginia. The agency has not indicated that the re…
Year's Most Popular Meteor Shower Under Way: Peak Viewing Coming
The wait for summer’s most anticipated sky show is over, but its biggest act is still ahead.
The Perseid meteor shower became active Friday, July 17, and will continue through Monday, Aug. 24, according to the American Meteor Society.
Activity will build toward the peak overnight from Wednesday, Aug. 12, into Thursday, Aug. 13.
This year’s timing could hardly be better. The peak will coincide with a new moon, eliminating lunar glare that might otherwise wash out faint meteors.
The moon will be zero percent full during the peak, the American Meteor Society said.
NASA considers the Perseid…
Your NJ Grocery Bill Just Got A New Layer Of Protection
That grocery price isn't supposed to depend on who you are.
Under a new law signed Thursday, July 23, by Gov. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey shoppers can no longer be charged different prices for the same groceries and other necessities based on their personal data
Known as surveillance pricing, the practice uses artificial intelligence and consumer data, including online activity, location, and purchase history, to charge different shoppers different prices for the exact same products based on what an algorithm predicts they're willing or able to pay, often without their knowledge, accord…
NJ Siblings Killed In Boat Crash Laid To Rest
Two New Jersey siblings killed in a weekend boating crash are being laid to rest.
Mya Golabek, 9, and Sigmund Golabek, 7, of Forked River have been identified as the two victims killed in a boat crash in Barnegat Bay on Sunday, July 19, as first reported by NJ Advance Media. Their obituaries (Mya's and Sugmund's) were shared by the Riggs Funeral Home
At 9:09 p.m., Tidewater Custom 280, a 30-foot vessel, struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker, causing two children to be ejected into the water, according to Charles Marchan, a spokesman for New Jersey State Police.
The children w…
Man Assaulted Woman, Stole Her Jewelry At Red Roof Inn: Secaucus PD
A 39-yearold Bordentown man was arrested and charged after he robbed a woman at a Red Roof Inn, authorities announced Thursday, July 23.
At 5:32 a.m., on Monday, June 6, officers responded to the hotel at 15 Meadowlands Pkwy after a man, Freddie Mendenhall forced his way into a woman's room, assaulted her and stole her cash and jewelry, Secaucus Police said. Mendenhall then fled the scene, police said.
An investigation identified Mendenhall as the subject and determined he specifically targeted the woman, police said. He was arrested at his home in Bordentown, police said.
Mendenhall is ch…
Dangerous Headrests Spark Huge Recall Of Popular Child Car Seats
Nearly 60,000 Evenflo child car seats are being recalled because the headrest can shift during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Evenflo Company issued the recall for 59,661 Reo by Revolve360 child seats, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report submitted on Wednesday, July 22. The recall affects the Danvers, Chelsea, Brookline, Lenox, Holden, and Nantucket models.
The headrest may shift in certain rear-facing or forward-facing positions during a crash. The problem means the child seats don't comply with federal safety standards for child restraint systems,…
Megachurch Pastor Sent Explicit Images To Teen He Met While Preaching: Police
A nationally known Virginia megachurch pastor who has preached across the United States is accused of sending explicit images to a Pennsylvania teenager he met while preaching at the boy's church, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Kenneth Kevin Baldwin, 46, of Alexandria, Virginia, was charged with two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor, one felony count of corruption of minors, three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, and six misdemeanor counts of open lewdness, state police announced Thursday, July 23.
The investigation began May 2, 2026, after the York…