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Ocean County, NJ

25 NJ Landlords Who Considered Tenants' Criminal History Facing Fines, AG Says 25 NJ Landlords Who Considered Tenants' Criminal History Facing Fines, AG Says
25 NJ Landlords Who Considered Tenants' Criminal History Facing Fines, AG Says Twenty-five landlords are facing fines after state officials said they violated state laws by considering potential tenants' criminal histories. According to NJ Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR), the notices of violation allege that the housing providers violated the law by, among other things, asking criminal history-related questions on housing applications that are prohibited by the law. The Notices of Violation announced Monday, Sept. 16 were served on housing providers located in 15 municipalities across Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, C…
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators An illegal and abandoned campfire started a massive wildfire that burned for three days in Ocean County, authorities said. Investigators determined the wildfire was accidentally started by "an unknown person(s) improperly extinguishing a campfire," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The roughly 189-acre wildfire burned near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. In its final update, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the wildfire was 100 percent contained a…
Smoke Diminshes As Crews Begin Containing Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood (UPDATE) Smoke Diminshes As Crews Begin Containing Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood (UPDATE)
Smoke Diminshes As Crews Begin Containing Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood (Update) Smoke has diminished as a massive wildfire burned for a second day in Ocean County, officials said. The fire was first spotted at the Cedar Bridge fire tower at 4:44 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in an update. The roughly 189-acre wildfire was burning near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. Conditions have improved after "erratic fire behavior" caused problems for the first firefighters at the scene. "Fire crews continue to secure and reinforce containment lines by mopping up hot …
Crews Battle 150-Acre Wildfire Across Ocean County (DEVELOPING) Crews Battle 150-Acre Wildfire Across Ocean County (DEVELOPING)
Crews Battle 150-Acre Wildfire Across Ocean County (Developing) Firefighters were battling a massive wildfire in Ocean County that broke out late Monday, Sept. 9, officials said. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire was burning near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. The NJFFS first posted on Twitter about the wildfire at 7:30 p.m. Monday. As of Tuesday morning, the fire had been 20 percent contained to 150 acres, after spreading near Northern Boulevard in the Barnegat Pines neighborhood of Berkeley. "When firefighters arrived on scene initial attack efforts were unsuccessful due to erratic…
Sidewalk Pedestrian Airlifted After Being Struck By Man With History Of Careless Driving In NJ Sidewalk Pedestrian Airlifted After Being Struck By Man With History Of Careless Driving In NJ
Sidewalk Pedestrian Airlifted After Being Struck By Man With History Of Careless Driving In NJ A woman was flown to the hospital after a careless driver drove onto the sidewalk and struck her while she was walking her dog in an Ocean County town on Friday, Sept. 6, police said. Eugenio Carta of Berkeley Township was operating a 1999 Buick Sedan when he drove off the roadway, struck the victim walking her dog on the sidewalk, then came to rest after hitting a tree around 3 p.m. at the intersection on Doral Drive at Cohansey Drive, local police said. The woman suffered a head injury from the crash and was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center where she was in critical but stable con…
Jersey Shore Boater Struck By Propeller, Sucked Under Water: Police Jersey Shore Boater Struck By Propeller, Sucked Under Water: Police
Jersey Shore Boater Struck By Propeller, Sucked Under Water: Police A 59-year-old boater was hospitalized after being struck by the propeller of a boat after being ejected from his own and sucked under water in Ocean County over Labor Day Weekend, police said. The Neshanic Station man was heading east on Manahawkin Bay in Long Beach on a personal watercraft when his boat was struck by a 28-foot vessel heading north around 4:35 p.m., New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan said. The boater was ejected from his boat upon impact and sucked underwater by the other vessel’s propulsion. The propellers of the vessel then struck the man, who was hospitali…
Jersey Shore Man Who Had 157 Cats At Home Indicted, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Man Who Had 157 Cats At Home Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Man Who Had 157 Cats At Home Indicted, Prosecutors Say A Brick Township man was indicted after more than 150 cats were found in his home, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 56-year-old Jeffrey Finlay on Wednesday, Aug. 28 for 149 counts of animal cruelty, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Finlay called Brick police to help remove the animals from his house on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Officers found about 157 cats and three dogs at the Mantoloking Road home. It took crews about 24 hours for the pets to be removed and brought to county animal facilities for treatment. Finlay was first charge…
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…
NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say
NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts high school was accused of molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger, 56, of Neptune City, was charged on Monday, Aug. 12 with two counts each of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy at Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS). The academy had 240 students as of September 2023 and offers high schoolers opportunities to take dual-credit co…
Tracking Hurricane Debby, Severe Storms Expected To Slam Northeast This Week Tracking Hurricane Debby, Severe Storms Expected To Slam Northeast This Week
Tracking Hurricane Debby, Severe Storms Expected To Slam Northeast This Week The Northeast is in for a wild week of weather. AccuWeather forecasters say episodes of drenching rain and heavy winds are working their way across the country and are expected to arrive in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland on Tuesday, Aug. 6. AccuWeather The above AccuWeather map shows which part of the region will be most impacted by the storms arriving Tuesday afternoon and lasting into the evening. Those include the Pennsylvania-Maryland border, South Jersey, and the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas. Tuesday will be sunny and hot with a high of 90 before storms roll in,…
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.…
Watch Treadmill Abuse Dad Christopher Gregor Learn His Fate For Causing 6-Year-Old Son's Death Watch Treadmill Abuse Dad Christopher Gregor Learn His Fate For Causing 6-Year-Old Son's Death
Watch Treadmill Abuse Dad Christopher Gregor Learn His Fate For Causing 6-Year-Old Son's Death Presiding Judge Guy P. Ryan did not mince his words in delivering Christopher Gregor's sentence Friday, Aug. 2. "What Corey received that day was abuse of the most egregious sort and doesn't square with the defendant's statements today," said Ryan from an Ocean County courtroom in footage shared by Court TV. What he was referring to was the series of videos, obtained by Court TV, that show 32-year-old Gregor forcing 6-year-old Corey Micciolo to sprint for extended periods of time even after falling, again and again. Corey died on April 2, 2021. A post-mortem exam showed he had suffered in…
Popular Jersey Shore Bakery Closing One Location, Moving To Another Popular Jersey Shore Bakery Closing One Location, Moving To Another
Popular Jersey Shore Bakery Closing One Location, Moving To Another After 25 years, a popular Ocean County bakery is closing doors of one shop and moving to another. Colonial Bakery in Lavallette announced its Grand Central Avenue location will be closing as the landlord will not be renewing the lease after the summer, the bakery announced on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Colonial Bakery (@colonialbakery) "Despite this setback, a new second location will be opening summer 2025!" the family-owned bakery said, located at the corner of Route 35 north and Joseph Street. Colonial…
Jersey Shore Man Admits Shooting Atlantic City Victim: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Admits Shooting Atlantic City Victim: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man Admits Shooting Atlantic City Victim: Prosecutor A 27-year-old man from Ocean County has admitted to a shooting in Atlantic City, authorities said. Louis Stokes, of Barnegat, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree hindering apprehension on Thursday, July 25, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Shortly before midnight on Oct. 14, 2022, the Atlantic City Police Department responded to Sewell Avenue in Atlantic City where they located a gunshot victim. The victim had been shot once in the leg and …
Man Sentenced For 'Hate-Filled' Rampage That Injured Five Orthodox Jews In South Jersey: Feds Man Sentenced For 'Hate-Filled' Rampage That Injured Five Orthodox Jews In South Jersey: Feds
Man Sentenced For 'Hate-Filled' Rampage That Injured Five Orthodox Jews In South Jersey: Feds A Manchester Township man will spend decades in prison after a series of antisemitic attacks in Ocean County that injured five Orthodox Jewish men, authorities said. Dion Marsh, 29, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 23 to 40 years in prison, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. He previously pleaded guilty to five counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and one count of carjacking on Thursday, Feb. 1. Marsh admitted to injuring five victims because they're Jewish, attempting to kill four …
Scrap Metal Company VP, 24, Killed In Jersey Shore Weekend Crash Scrap Metal Company VP, 24, Killed In Jersey Shore Weekend Crash
Scrap Metal Company VP, 24, Killed In Jersey Shore Weekend Crash The vice president of a scrap metal company died in a crash in Ocean County, authorities said. Kevin Scoda, 24, of Edison, was killed in the crash on Route 72, the Stafford Township Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday, July 23. Officers responded to the scene near milepost 24.5 at around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. Investigators said Scoda's 2023 Chevrolet Corvette collided with a 2018 Subaru while traveling east on Route 72. Scoda's sports car went off the road, crashed into a utility pole, and caught fire. "Unidentified citizens" were able to get Scoda out o…
South Jersey Backyard Pond Builder Diagnosed With Cancer Days After Wedding: Fundraiser South Jersey Backyard Pond Builder Diagnosed With Cancer Days After Wedding: Fundraiser
South Jersey Backyard Pond Builder Diagnosed With Cancer Days After Wedding: Fundraiser A family was rallying to support an Ocean County man who learned he had cancer just days after getting married, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page said Gennaro Balletta was diagnosed with stage-four Hodgkin lymphoma in June. His diagnosis came about a week after he married his wife Ashley on Saturday, June 8. Balletta found out he had cancer after he and Ashley worked multiple jobs for two years to save money for "their perfect day." "This diagnosis has turned their entire world upside down and suddenly put their dreams and plans on hold," wrote Hailey…
NJ Father Released From Jail After Two-Month-Old's Hot Car Death NJ Father Released From Jail After Two-Month-Old's Hot Car Death
NJ Father Released From Jail After Two-Month-Old's Hot Car Death A Jackson Township man was released from jail a day after his eight-week-old daughter died from being in a hot vehicle, authorities said. Avraham Chaitovsky, 28, was no longer held at the Ocean County Jail after a detention hearing on Tuesday, July 16. He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the baby's death on Monday, July 15. Lakewood police responded to a report of a child in cardiac arrest on New Egypt Road at around 1:45 p.m. Hatzolah Medical Services paramedics tried to save the two-month-old but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Investi…
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors A former Wall Township High School teacher was facing more charges after she was accused of sexually assaulting a second student, authorities said. Julie Rizzitello, 36, of Brick Township, was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree witness tampering, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, July 17.  She was previously charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree witness tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Investigators said they found e…
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…
Fireball Traveling 34,000 MPH Over NYC Caused Loud Boom Heard Across Tristate: NASA Fireball Traveling 34,000 MPH Over NYC Caused Loud Boom Heard Across Tristate: NASA
Fireball Traveling 34,000 MPH Over NYC Caused Loud Boom Heard Across Tristate: NASA The mysterious boom heard and felt across the tristate area may have been caused by a meteor passing through the area, NASA says. Locals reported hearing thunder-like booms and rattling just after 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 16.  The USGS ruled out earthquakes, and residents across the tri-state reported witnessing fireballs to the American Meteor Society. After hours of anticipating, NASA confirmed a "daylight fireball" over New York City at 11:17 a.m. Reports filed on the American Meteor Society website permitted "a very crude determination of the trajectory of the meteor," …
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…
Water Restrictions Issued Across These Jersey Shore Counties Water Restrictions Issued Across These Jersey Shore Counties
Water Restrictions Issued Across These Jersey Shore Counties Customers in two counties were asked to conserve water as crews made emergency repairs at a treatment plant, officials said. New Jersey American Water issued a mandatory outdoor water conservation restriction for customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties, the company said in a news release on Sunday, July 14. The order was expected to last for 48 hours. The company said crews will fix a 36-inch valve at its Jumping Brook Water Treatment Plant in Neptune. "Increased summer demands" were also cited as a reason for the restrictions. The order applies to customers in the fol…
$1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Unclaimed More Than Three Months After NJ's Record Jackpot $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Unclaimed More Than Three Months After NJ's Record Jackpot
$1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Unclaimed More Than Three Months After NJ's Record Jackpot The winner of a Mega Millions ticket purchased in New Jersey hasn't claimed the $1.13 billion prize more than three months after the record-setting jackpot, officials said. The winning ticket was sold at the ShopRite Wine & Spirits on Route 66 in Neptune for the drawing on Tuesday, Mar. 26. The New Jersey Lottery said the prize remained unclaimed in a news release on Monday, July 8.  The jackpot was the largest lottery prize ever in the Garden State. It's also the fifth-largest in Mega Millions history and the ninth-largest ever in the U.S. The winning numbers were …
Cops ID Suspect In 25-Year-Old Manchester Mom's Murder Cops ID Suspect In 25-Year-Old Manchester Mom's Murder
Cops ID Suspect In 25-Year-Old Manchester Mom's Murder Police were looking for a Manchester Township man accused of killing a mother from Seaside Heights, authorities said. Maxwell Johnston, 35, was wanted for murder and several other charges, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, July 3. He was identified as the suspect in the shooting death of 25-year-old Gabriella Caroleo on Thursday, June 27. Manchester police responded to a report of a gunshot victim near the intersection of Ridgeway and Hope Chapel roads at around 4:55 p.m. Officers found Caroleo with a wound to her stomach…
NJ State Trooper Tried To Pay Girl For Sex, Asked For Sexual Pictures: Prosecutors NJ State Trooper Tried To Pay Girl For Sex, Asked For Sexual Pictures: Prosecutors
NJ State Trooper Tried To Pay Girl For Sex, Asked For Sexual Pictures: Prosecutors A state trooper was accused of trying to pay for sex from someone he believed was a teen girl and asking for sexual pictures, authorities said. Shane Dempsey, 31, of Brick Township, was arrested in Ewing on Monday, July 1, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. Investigators said Dempsey contacted an undercover detective on the social media app Whisper earlier in 2024.  Prosecutors said Dempsey asked for "sexually explicit images" from the detective, who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He also said he would pay money for a sex act fro…
Victim Of Ocean County Shooting, 25, Was 'Vibrant' Mom Survived By Young Son, Obituary Says Victim Of Ocean County Shooting, 25, Was 'Vibrant' Mom Survived By Young Son, Obituary Says
Victim Of Ocean County Shooting, 25, Was 'Vibrant' Mom Survived By Young Son, Obituary Says Shock and sadness spread following the shooting death of a Gabriella Caroleo, a 25-year-old Ocean County resident. Gabriella was identified by a GoFundMe campaign as the victim of the Thursday, June, 27 Manchester shooting. Among those left mourning her loss is her son, Calvin Brodie Jr., who is 3 years old. "Gabriella has left us all way to soon," reads the campaign launched by Matthew Souders. "She was taken from us on June 27th in the horrific shooting in Manchester. The family is so heartbroken over this tragic loss." "We are raising money for Gabriella’s funeral so we all can say our…
Spa Owner Arrested After Prostitution Suspected At Two Jersey Shore Massage Parlors Spa Owner Arrested After Prostitution Suspected At Two Jersey Shore Massage Parlors
Spa Owner Arrested After Prostitution Suspected At Two Jersey Shore Massage Parlors An Egg Harbor Township woman was accused of owning two spas in Ocean County that engaged in prostitution, authorities said. Kani Peng, 53, was charged with promoting prostitution, maintaining a nuisance, financial facilitation, and engaging in prostitution. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, along with the police chiefs in Barnegat and Stafford townships, announced her arrest in a joint news release on Thursday, June 27. The investigation focused on Rainbow Spa on North Main Street in Barnegat and Bay Spa on East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin between October 2023 and June.…
Lightning Strike Confirmed Cause Of Death For 59-Year-Old 'Cowboy Hero' On NJ Beach Lightning Strike Confirmed Cause Of Death For 59-Year-Old 'Cowboy Hero' On NJ Beach
Lightning Strike Confirmed Cause Of Death For 59-Year-Old 'Cowboy Hero' On NJ Beach A Toms River man died from a lightning strike on an Ocean County beach, authorities said. A Seaside Park Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Daily Voice that 59-year-old Patrick Dispoto's cause of death was accidental and caused by a lightning strike. He was found unconscious on the beach near J Street at around 7:38 p.m. on Sunday, June 23. Police said Dispoto had no visible signs of injuries. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Dispoto's girlfriend Ruth said he tried to warn a group of children on the beach about the thunderstorm aft…
Mom Stabs Baby, Toddler Dead In Lakewood: Prosecutor Mom Stabs Baby, Toddler Dead In Lakewood: Prosecutor
Mom Stabs Baby, Toddler Dead In Lakewood: Prosecutor A woman in Lakewood has been charged with two counts or murder and weapons offenses in the deaths of her two children, authorities announced. Naomi Elkins, 27, is believed to have stabbed a 1- and 3-year-old child, who were found in cardiac arrest by responders at a home on Shenandoah Drive around 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Paramedics from Hatzolah Medical Services were performing lifesaving efforts when police arrived and the children were pronounced dead at the scene. Elkins was arrested at the scene and lodged in the county jail p…
'Cowboy Hero' Dies After Lightning Strike While Warning Kids On NJ Beach About Storm: Reports 'Cowboy Hero' Dies After Lightning Strike While Warning Kids On NJ Beach About Storm: Reports
'Cowboy Hero' Dies After Lightning Strike While Warning Kids On NJ Beach About Storm: Reports A Toms River man died after a reported lightning strike on an Ocean County beach, authorities said. Patrick Dispoto, 59, was found unconscious on the beach near J Street at around 7:38 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, a Seaside Park Police Department spokesperson told Daily Voice. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said Dispoto had no visible signs of injuries. There were also no witnesses so investigators haven't confirmed if his death was caused by lightning or "another medical issue." Dispoto's girlfriend Ruth said he tried to warn a group of children on the b…