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Wednesday, may 1

Chris Spiker

Reporter

cspiker@dailyvoice.com

Chris Spiker's Contributions

Police & Fire

Somers Point Couple Admits To Using Teen Son In Marijuana, Mushroom 'Business': Prosecutors A Somers Point couple admitted to using their teen son to sell marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms through an unlicensed business promoted on Facebook, authorities said. Donna Shiffer, 40, pleaded guilty to several charges on Tuesday, Apr. 30, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. Her boyfriend, 39-year-old John Garman, also pleaded guilty on Monday, Mar. 18. Investigators began looking into Garman's marijuana "delivery service" called Garmans Goods in March 2023. The business was advertised on Facebook and Garman placed jars of marijuana in public places throughou…

by Chris Spiker

05/01/2024

Business

Seaside Saloon: Country Music-Themed Bar Opening In Wildwood If you're heading to the beach in Wildwood this summer, you might want to pack some cowboy boots along with your sandals. A country music-themed bar called Wildwood's Honky Tonk Saloon will open on Friday, May 10. The bar in the Boardwalk Mall announced its grand opening weekend plans in a Facebook post on Monday, Apr. 29. Nashville recording artist Brian McConnell will perform at the saloon at 7 p.m. on the opening night. Country musician Sam Stinson will play two sets at 1 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. The saloon's followers said they're excited to finally visit the bar once it opens. …

by Chris Spiker

05/01/2024

Police & Fire

Newark Teen Stole Vehicle In Brick Township, More Suspects Wanted: Police A teen from Newark was accused of stealing a vehicle in Ocean County, authorities said. Fazon Farrington, 19, was charged on Monday, Apr. 29 with theft of movable property and burglary. The Brick Township Police Department announced the charges in a news release on Tuesday, Apr. 30. A vehicle was stolen on Princeton Avenue on Tuesday, Mar. 5. Kearny police and the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force also helped in the investigation. Farrington was also facing charges in a string of burglaries on Long Island. He was arrested in that case on Thursday, Mar. 14. Nassau County p…

by Chris Spiker

05/01/2024

Obituaries

Freehold Mom Who Enjoyed Beauty Vlogging Killed In Crash, 25: 'Your Energy Was Unmatched' Family and friends were mourning a Monmouth County mother who was killed in an early morning crash. A spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Amani Gilliam, 25, of Freehold, was the woman who died in a crash in Manalapan on Thursday, Apr. 25. It happened near the intersection of Route 9 and Ryan Road just before 4:30 a.m. Manalapan police found a 2017 Nissan Sentra driven by Gilliam and a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by an unidentified man. Gilliam was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Gilliam enjoyed posting video blogs f…

by Chris Spiker

05/01/2024

Police & Fire

Toddler Rescued After Walking Alone Across Busy Berkeley Township Road: Police A toddler who walked alone across a busy Ocean County road was rescued by good Samaritans, authorities said. Berkeley Township police received calls about the toddler walking across Route 9 near Morris Boulevard at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 30, the department said in a news release. The child was only wearing a diaper. Officers responded and found the toddler with good Samaritans in the parking lot of Diesel's Subs. The child's grandmother arrived shortly afterward and the two were reunited. Police followed them back to the grandmother's home. Investigators said the toddler left the …

by Chris Spiker

04/30/2024

News

Repairs To Beach's Erosion 'Hot Spot' Approved In Avalon A Cape May County borough has approved a plan to fix erosion-damaged parts of the beach in time for the summer. Avalon is expected to begin a sand back passing project on or around Monday, May 13, the borough said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Apr. 30. Crews will move about 55,000 cubic yards of sand to beaches in Avalon's north end that suffered erosion during winter storms. Sand will be scraped from a "borrow area" between 32nd and 40th streets north. That sand will be placed on the beach between ninth and 15th streets north. Tenth through 12th streets north is considered an "erosional …

by Chris Spiker

04/30/2024

News

Co-Owner Of Exotic Snack Website, 33, Killed In Absecon Crash Friends and loved ones are remembering a 33-year-old Passaic County resident who was killed in a crash in Atlantic County. Craig Doka of Oak Ridge was found dead in a vehicle that was on fire off Route 30 in Absecon on Sunday, Apr. 28, according to the Absecon Police Department. He was 33 years old. Doka was a co-owner of the website Order Exotic Snacks, which specializes in selling international foods and beverages. He had been posting videos of himself trying some of the exotic treats from all over the world. View this post on Instagram …

by Chris Spiker

04/30/2024

News

Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge A beloved lion has died after spending a decade in the care of an Ocean County animal refuge. Simba died "after a very long and full life" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the Lacey Township sanctuary announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Apr. 30. He was brought to the park with three other big cats in 2014. Popcorn Park said Simba was among several animals that needed care after their owner in Alabama became sick and could no longer help them. "Simba was very personable and when we'd walk by he'd always get up to greet us," Popcorn Park executive director John Bergmann said in a sta…

by Chris Spiker

04/30/2024

Business

Closed Linwood Pizzeria Returning In Ocean City With 'Some Insane Upgrades' A recently shuttered Jersey Shore pizza shop is getting a second chance at serving slices a few miles down the coast. Bakeria 1010 will reopen at 955 Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, owner Mike Fitzick posted on Instagram on Friday, Apr. 19. The pizzeria was located in The Exchange on New Road in Linwood and closed in February 2023. Fitzick, who also goes by the nickname "The Pizza Jew," said he's excited to revive the restaurant from a "pile of ashes." "The new venue will be in a local spot, yet slightly seasonal as well," wrote Fitzick. "Expect all your old favorites and clearly so…

by Chris Spiker

04/30/2024

Police & Fire

Cape May Court House Man Distributed Child Pornography On Twitter: Prosecutors A Middle Township man was accused of distributing child pornography on social media, authorities said. Xavier Figueroa Jr., 20, of Cape May Court House, was charged with second-degree manufacturing child pornography, second-degree distributing child pornography, and third-degree possession of child pornography. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced the charges in a news release on Monday, Apr. 29. A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said someone later identified as Figueroa was sharing child sexual abuse material on Twitter. Hom…

by Chris Spiker

04/30/2024

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