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Monmouth County, NJ

Historic Freehold Raceway To Permanently Close At End Of 2024 Historic Freehold Raceway To Permanently Close At End Of 2024
Historic Freehold Raceway To Permanently Close At End Of 2024 Freehold Raceway, the oldest racetrack in the U.S., will close after two centuries of competitions and Monmouth County history, officials said. Freehold Raceway will hold its final live races and simulcast operations on Saturday, Dec. 28, the half-mile track said in a news release. Harness racing has been held since the 1830s at the Park Avenue facility in the borough. Employees and affected stakeholders were notified of the closing on Thursday, Sept. 19. "This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical importance of Freehold Raceway to the local community an…
OceanFirst Bank Agrees To $15M Settlement For Redlining In Central Jersey, Feds Say OceanFirst Bank Agrees To $15M Settlement For Redlining In Central Jersey, Feds Say
OceanFirst Bank Agrees To $15M Settlement For Redlining In Central Jersey, Feds Say A Jersey Shore bank will pay more than $15 million in a settlement for racially discriminatory lending practices known as redlining, authorities said. OceanFirst Bank agreed to the settlement to resolve the accusations that date back to 2018, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. The Toms River-based bank was accused of redlining in predominantly non-white neighborhoods in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. The $15 million settlement came after the Department of Justice launched its Combating Redlining Initiative in October 2021, aiming to s…
Corrections Officer Arrested In Viral Video Capturing Atlantic City Casino Assault Corrections Officer Arrested In Viral Video Capturing Atlantic City Casino Assault
Corrections Officer Arrested In Viral Video Capturing Atlantic City Casino Assault A Monmouth County corrections officer was arrested after a fight caught on video at an Atlantic City casino's shopping mall, authorities said. Keila Diaz, 47, of Freehold, has been suspended without pay, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Daily Voice on Wednesday, Sept. 18. She and 35-year-old Damian Pineyro of Hazlet were arrested in the brawl on Sunday, Sept. 15. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said Diaz, who graduated from the county's police academy in 2014, is "expected to be held fully accountable for her actions." "This type of behavi…
Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say A former Monmouth County gymnastics was indicted after being accused of sexually abusing three teenage gymnasts, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 56-year-old Sasha Raught of Manchester Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, Sept. 16. He was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and three counts of second-degree sexual assault in June 2023. Investigators said the first two teens were sexually assaulted when Raught coached at Shrewsbury Gymnastics in the early to mid-1990s. The third teen was abused in 2008 when R…
Couple Knocked Woman Unconscious During Brawl At Atlantic City Casino's Mall: Police Couple Knocked Woman Unconscious During Brawl At Atlantic City Casino's Mall: Police
Couple Knocked Woman Unconscious During Brawl At Atlantic City Casino's Mall: Police A Monmouth County man and woman were accused of assaulting another couple at an Atlantic City casino's shopping mall, authorities said. Damian Pineyro, 35, of Hazlet, and Keila Diaz, 47, of Freehold, were arrested on Sunday, Sept. 15, the Atlantic City Police Department said in a news release. Officers responded to a large fight at The Quarter at Tropicana at around 2:56 a.m. Investigators said Pineyro and Diaz began harassing a man and woman "for an unknown reason." The victims tried to leave the area but Pineyro punched the woman in her face. Pineyro then started assaulting the man …
Video Shows Arrest Of DUI Driver Who Rammed Luxury Car Into NJ Utility Pole, Fled Video Shows Arrest Of DUI Driver Who Rammed Luxury Car Into NJ Utility Pole, Fled
Video Shows Arrest Of DUI Driver Who Rammed Luxury Car Into NJ Utility Pole, Fled Newly released bodycam footage shows a July 2024 arrest of a DUI driver with a history of traffic offenses who fled the scene of a crash in Monmouth County. Transparency Bodycam published footage of the crash on July 22, involving a white 2017 Mercedes GLE that had struck a pole on Mitchell Place near Oakes Road in Little Silver. The driver was identified by Little Silver police as 42-year-old Melissa Diller, of Middletown, according to records published by The Mounmouth Journal. The footage from Officer Andrew White's body-worn camera shows him finding the SUV at the scene with airbag dep…
Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road Sentenced: Prosecutors Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road Sentenced: Prosecutors
Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road Sentenced: Prosecutors A Forked River man will spend more than four decades in prison after he was convicted of strangling his wife to death and leaving her body on the side of a Monmouth County road, authorities said. Jeremy Cruz, 53, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, Apr. 24. Investigators said a driver saw 51-year-old Dawn Cruz with severe injuries on Colonial Avenue near the intersection with Asbury Avenue in Ocean Township …
Jersey Shore Pulmonologist Accused Of Sexually Abusing Child Surrenders Medical License: AG Jersey Shore Pulmonologist Accused Of Sexually Abusing Child Surrenders Medical License: AG
Jersey Shore Pulmonologist Accused Of Sexually Abusing Child Surrenders Medical License: AG A Wall Township doctor agreed to give up his license after he was indicted and accused of sexually abusing a child for more than a decade, authorities said. Cornelius Gallagher voluntarily released his medical license through a temporary court order on Monday, Sept. 9, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Thursday, Sept. 12.  According to the Andreozzi and Foote law firm, Gallagher was a pulmonologist for Shore Pulmonary. He also was previously associated with Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, and Ocean…
Just Tap It In... Extras Wanted For 'Happy Gilmore 2' Filming On Jersey Shore Just Tap It In... Extras Wanted For 'Happy Gilmore 2' Filming On Jersey Shore
Just Tap It In... Extras Wanted For 'Happy Gilmore 2' Filming On Jersey Shore You could be seen alongside Happy Gilmore or Shooter McGavin when the golf comedy's highly anticipated sequel films in Monmouth County! "Happy Gilmore 2" is looking for extras for scenes recorded in Atlantic Highlands, according to a listing on Backstage. Scenes will be shot on Monday, Sept. 16. The film's crew said it wants men 18 and older to play 1990s golf tournament fans. Extras shouldn't have "super modern hairstyles" and should wear nondescript golfing or casual clothing. The non-Screen Actors Guild background rate pays $176 for 10 hours. The sequel to Adam Sandler's 1996…
Two Firefighters Injured, Three Boats Destroyed In Jersey Shore Marina Explosion (UPDATE) Two Firefighters Injured, Three Boats Destroyed In Jersey Shore Marina Explosion (UPDATE)
Two Firefighters Injured, Three Boats Destroyed In Jersey Shore Marina Explosion (Update) Two firefighters were injured and three boats were destroyed after an explosion at a marina in Keyport, officials said. The first call for the fire at Brown's Point Marina came in just after 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said. One firefighter was brought to a hospital with minor injuries and released, while the other was treated at the scene. At approximately 15:31 on 9/9/24, the department was requested into Keyport for the Rapid Intervention Team to respond... Posted by Morganville Fire Department on Tuesday, September 10,…
Three Boats Catch Fire After Explosion At Jersey Shore Marina (DEVELOPING) Three Boats Catch Fire After Explosion At Jersey Shore Marina (DEVELOPING)
Three Boats Catch Fire After Explosion At Jersey Shore Marina (Developing) Crews were responding to three boats on fire after an explosion at a marina in Keyport, officials said. The fire broke out at Brown's Point Marina on Monday, Sept. 9, Keyport's emergency management office said in a Facebook post at 3:53 p.m. Residents were asked to avoid the area near the West Front Street facility. Keyport police said officers first received a call about the fire at around 2:50 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard, New York City Fire Department (FDNY), the New Jersey State Police's marine unit, and firefighters from other Monmouth County communities were…
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals A New Jersey fugitive wanted in a deadly train station shooting and a home invasion was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania, authorities said. U.S. Marshals took 19-year-old Damian Bass into custody, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 6. Bass' last known address was in Fanwood. Bass was charged with first-degree murder and two weapons offenses. He was accused of shooting and killing 43-year-old James Hailey of Newark. Marshals from Brooklyn, NY, and Scranton captured Bass in Chestnuthill Township, PA, on Thursday, Sept. 5. "We s…
South Jersey Man Who Killed Ex-GF With Machete In Front Of 3-Year-Old Indicted: Prosecutors South Jersey Man Who Killed Ex-GF With Machete In Front Of 3-Year-Old Indicted: Prosecutors
South Jersey Man Who Killed Ex-GF With Machete In Front Of 3-Year-Old Indicted: Prosecutors A Wall Township man has been indicted after he was accused of killing his ex-girlfriend with a machete in front of one of her children, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 24-year-old Alex Williams for first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (machete), and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the indictment in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Williams was accused of killing 29-year-old Br…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County youth soccer coach accused of molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to others was given more charges, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 32-year-old Ryan Gunsauls of Union Beach on 30 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 14. He was previously arrested in the case in Hazlet on Friday, May 11.  Investigators said one boy told police earlier in May that Gunsauls had been sending him "sexually explicit materials" and asking for them on social media. Eight more victims bet…
Towns With The Most Rainfall In New Jersey Towns With The Most Rainfall In New Jersey
Towns With The Most Rainfall In New Jersey The National Weather Service has released the rainfall totals from the Tuesday, Aug. 6 storm. Residents across the Northeast woke up Wednesday, Aug. 7 to several inches of water — in some places, feet. Here are the towns that got the most amount of rain: Bergen County: Ridgewood 5.79 inches   Bogota 5.60 inches Oakland 3.86 inches Leonia 3.81 inches Lyndhurst 3.77 inches Hillsdale 3.56 inches Hasbrouck Heights 3.42 inches Hackensack 2.9…
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,…
Four Jersey Shore Men Charged After Selling Ghost Guns To FBI Informant: Feds Four Jersey Shore Men Charged After Selling Ghost Guns To FBI Informant: Feds
Four Jersey Shore Men Charged After Selling Ghost Guns To FBI Informant: Feds Four Ocean County men were accused of using a 3D printer to sell ghost guns to an FBI informant, authorities said. The men facing charges in the case are James Hyres, 38, of Toms River; Dennis McMickle, 35, of Brick Township; James Opalenik, 51, of Ocean Gate; and Edward Trost III, 36, of Toms River. New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced the charges in a news release on Monday, July 29. According to the criminal complaint, the four men were part of a gun-trafficking conspiracy throughout Ocean County in April and May 2024. Hyres created the ghost guns by using seve…
Monmouth University Lockdown Order Lifted After Email Made Bomb, Shooting Threats Monmouth University Lockdown Order Lifted After Email Made Bomb, Shooting Threats
Monmouth University Lockdown Order Lifted After Email Made Bomb, Shooting Threats A lockdown order was lifted at Monmouth University after students were asked to shelter in place for several hours as investigators looked into a threat on campus, officials said. The university posted on Facebook about the main campus lockdown at 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, as university police and other first responders checked various buildings. West Long Branch's emergency management office said there were no safety concerns outside university property in a Facebook post at 7:20 a.m. Monmouth president Dr. Patrick Leahy posted an update on the university's website after students were…
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…
Fishermen Rescue NYC Man Treading Water Off NJ Coast For Hours Overnight, Police Say Fishermen Rescue NYC Man Treading Water Off NJ Coast For Hours Overnight, Police Say
Fishermen Rescue NYC Man Treading Water Off NJ Coast For Hours Overnight, Police Say A man was rescued off the coast of Monmouth County after he was caught by the tide in New York City, authorities said. Middletown police received a call about a man who had been pulled from the water at around 9 a.m. on Monday, July 15, the department said in a news release. A commercial fisherman and his son spotted him about two miles off the coast of Sandy Hook. The fishermen got the man on their boat and brought him to Monmouth Cove Marina in Port Monmouth. Police spoke with him and he was identified as 34-year-old Pete Ordane of New York City. Ordane told poli…
$28M Estate Is NJ's Most Expensive Listing — And Perfect Fit For Movie Star $28M Estate Is NJ's Most Expensive Listing — And Perfect Fit For Movie Star
$28M Estate Is NJ's Most Expensive Listing — And Perfect Fit For Movie Star A home fit for a movie star is on the market in New Jersey. The sprawling 25,000-square-foot estate spanning 160 acres in Monmouth County is listed at $28 million, making it the most expensive listing in the Garden State. The property at 318-322 Route 537 in Colts Neck is located approximately seven miles from the $1 billion Netflix production studios coming to the former Fort Monmouth campus. The home's proximity to the new Netflix studios make it the perfect abode for a Hollywood star, according to listing agents Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon of Compass. Last year, the township wa…
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…
Expectant Mom With Six Flags Great Adventure Love Story Shamika Bodino Dies At 32 Expectant Mom With Six Flags Great Adventure Love Story Shamika Bodino Dies At 32
Expectant Mom With Six Flags Great Adventure Love Story Shamika Bodino Dies At 32 Shamika Bodino, a 32-year-old mom from Monmouth County, died at home on Wednesday, July 3, according to her obituary on the Clayton Funeral Home site. Shamika, of Freehold and formerly Toms River and Manchester, earned her master's degree in social work and went on to work as a foster care support clinician at the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, according to her obituary. She met her husband, Zac, in the summer of 2016 while working at Six Flags Great Adventure, her obituary says. The two fell in love and welcomed their first daughter, Faith. They were expecting the other in Dece…
JACKPOT: $1.9M+ Lotto Ticket Purchased At Jersey Shore Supermarket JACKPOT: $1.9M+ Lotto Ticket Purchased At Jersey Shore Supermarket
Jackpot: $1.9M+ Lotto Ticket Purchased At Jersey Shore Supermarket A lottery ticket worth more than $1.9 million was sold at a Monmouth County supermarket, officials said. The $1,930,093 winner matched all five numbers in the Jersey Cash 5 drawing on Friday, July 5, the New Jersey Lottery said in a news release on Monday, July 8. The ticket was purchased at the ShopRite on Route 35 in Belmar. The winning numbers were: 09, 19, 21, 38 and 40. The XTRA number was: 05 and the Bullseye number was 40. The NJ Lottery also announced on Monday that the winner of the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot hadn't claimed their state-record prize yet. Tha…
$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 …
Details Released In Pre-Holiday Wreck That Jammed Garden State Parkway For Miles Details Released In Pre-Holiday Wreck That Jammed Garden State Parkway For Miles
Details Released In Pre-Holiday Wreck That Jammed Garden State Parkway For Miles Details have been released in a crash that caused serious delays along the Garden State Parkway on one of the busiest travel times of the year. Just before 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, a Honda SUV driven by a 62-year-old Jackson man was heading south in the local lanes while a Toyota SUV driven by a 20-year-old Montville man were both heading south in the express lanes, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. Near milepost 115.9, the Honda veered off the roadway to the left, crossing the grass median between the local and express lanes, Lebron said. The Honda then crossed the expr…
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…
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says A special education teacher in Monmouth County was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, of Jackson Township, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced her arrest in a news release on Saturday, June 29.  Prosecutors said Havemann-Niedrach is a teacher at Freehold Intermediate School and according to her LinkedIn profile, she teaches special education in the borough's district. He…
17 Arrested, Six Wanted In Massive NJ Fentanyl Mill, Drug-Dealing Operation: Prosecutors 17 Arrested, Six Wanted In Massive NJ Fentanyl Mill, Drug-Dealing Operation: Prosecutors
17 Arrested, Six Wanted In Massive NJ Fentanyl Mill, Drug-Dealing Operation: Prosecutors Seventeen people were arrested and six more were wanted in a large drug-dealing operation throughout Monmouth County, authorities said. An eight-month investigation seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs that were funneled from Passaic and Somerset counties, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, June 24. "The arrests and seizures being announced today mark the end result of a herculean investigative effort involving innumerable moving parts, all seamlessly coordinated with the help of more than two dozen other law enforcement agencies,…
Amazon Fresh Opening Second NJ Grocery Store In Former Toys 'R' Us Building Amazon Fresh Opening Second NJ Grocery Store In Former Toys 'R' Us Building
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…
Killer Who Aimed To 'Flood Streets' Of Trenton With Heroin Gets 17-Year Minimum In Fed Pen Killer Who Aimed To 'Flood Streets' Of Trenton With Heroin Gets 17-Year Minimum In Fed Pen
Killer Who Aimed To 'Flood Streets' Of Trenton With Heroin Gets 17-Year Minimum In Fed Pen 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Jerome “Righteous" Roberts will have to see his 70th birthday before he can taste freedom again. A convicted killer who aimed to "flood the streets" of Trenton with a "motherlode" of heroin, Roberts, 53, was sentenced this week to what will be a minimum of 17 years in federal prison for his role in a drug ring that once dominated the capital city. Federal jurors had convicted Roberts, of Delran, of drug conspiracy following a three-week trial in Trenton in October 2021. U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner, in turn, sentenced the Bloods gang leader to a 245-month prison sentence t…