Parkway rest stop gas station attendant robbed at gunpoint, police say

WALL — An unidentified gunman stole $3,000 in cash Saturday night from a gas station in a Garden State Parkway rest area near Exit 98, police said. The incident happened at 10:22 p.m. at the Sunoco gas station, said Sgt. First Class Gregory Williams, a State Police spokesman. Williams said the man took out a gun,… Read the rest of this entry »

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As FEMA deadline nears, push is on to reach fraud victims | Di Ionno

Since March, when FEMA announced it would reopen claims for Sandy victims who believed they were short-changed by flood insurance carriers, there has been a concerted effort to get people on board. Meetings have been held in town halls, churches, backyards and banquet rooms. Information sessions have been hosted by politicians, law firms, nonprofits and private… Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon: Addiction is akin to slow motion suicide

“It is tragic that the best advice one might give an addict begging for treatment is to get arrested.”

By Declan O’Scanlon

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

There are many issues and challenges we face as a society that are ripe for spirited political debate.  Addiction isn’t one of them. Governor Christie’s position that we must treat addiction as something other than a crime is exactly correct.  Addiction – whether you buy the disease designation or not – is for some people a virtually irresistible, destructive force that compels the addict’s cooperation in his own destruction.  That concept can be a difficult one to reconcile for those who have had the good fortune not to have battled addiction – their own or a family member’s. Unfortunately, that pool of lucky people is dwindling as the heroin epidemic continues to voraciously march through our streets and schools.  Alcohol, while not the substance of the moment, continues its incessant march.

There is room for debate about exactly what addiction is.  Cancer is unquestionably a disease – seeming to have a mind of its own and an unrelenting mission no matter the intentions or actions of its victims.  Addiction, in many ways, is much more complicated.  It is a condition whose progression depends on the direct, intentional participation of the afflicted.  The fact that the addicted are complicit in their own destruction is both frustrating and confusing for all involved. It is easy for caregivers and loved ones to be sympathetic to cancer victims.  Addiction is as likely to elicit anger, blame and scorn as sympathy.

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Former Asbury Park Mayor Considering Gubernatorial Run

Ed Johnson photo via facebook

Former Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson is “seriously thinking about” running for governor in 2017, according to a report on PolitickerNJ.

“I know a little about raising cities from the dead, and I know about staring down Hurricane Sandy,” said Johnson, who runs his own private consulting firm. “There are no greater troubled waters than our state right now. Whether it’s Democratic or Republican it just keeps going.Everything I’ve done, people said ‘you can’t do that,’ and we did it. People now say the state is too far gone, too broken, it can’t be fixed. I think it can be. I’m not saying I’ve made a final decision. It would be a wildcat, barn-burner election, no question, but the people must regain control of this state.”

Johnson stared down Hurricane Sandy by hosting New Jersey Democratic leaders at a pre-election rally on October 28, 2012.    Senator Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, then mayor of Newark, former Governor Dick Codey, Congressman Frank Pallone and state Senator Barbara Buono joined Johnson and Monmouth Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal in a rally for Menendez and President Obama while the rest of New Jersey was preparing for the worst and  praying to be spared by the troubled waters of Sandy.

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Neptune Man In Critical Condition After Home Invasion Shooting

300 Monmouth Ave, Neptune

A Neptune Township man is in critical condition this afternoon after being shot during an invasion of his Monmouth Ave home after 3 am this morning, according to a statement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Neptune police responded to a 911 call at 3:35 a.m., reporting a home invasion with shots fired at 300 Monmouth Avenue, in the township. Police arrived and quickly confirmed the single family residence had been forcibly entered and that shots had been fired within the residence. Inside the residence police located a male victim who had been shot. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

A joint investigation was launched by the Neptune Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. No arrests have been made, and the incident remains under investigation.

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Vietnam Vets to be honored at Middletown Picnic Sunday, Sept 13

photo via facebook

Middletown Township is hosting a Welcome Home Picnic on Sunday, September 13th from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179 to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War.

The post is located at 460 Route 36 in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Admission is free. The picnic is hosted by the Middletown Veterans Affairs Committee. The event is rain or shine.

This special event is part of a nationwide commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Middletown Township is a partner in the Defense Department’s Commemorative Partner Program. The program is designed to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring Vietnam veterans and their families. For more information about this nationwide commemoration visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.

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6 shots fired at Keansburg home, police say

KEANSBURG — Police are investigating a shooting in the borough Sunday night in which six shots were fired at a two-family home, police said. The incident happened at around 11:30 p.m. at a home near the intersection of Highland and Center avenues, police said in a Facebook post. Chief James Pigott told NJ Advance Media that… Read the rest of this entry »

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Middletown Launches New Website

Middletown Township launched its new website this morning.  The site, which works well on mobile devices as well as desktop/laptop computers, is sure to win even more accolades than the Township’s previous award winning site which set the standard for municipal governments communicating with residents and businesses.

Check it out. 

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Sheriff’s Office on high alert for 9-11 anniversary

Monmouth County Sheriff’s Patrol At Seastreak’s Highlands Terminal. file photo

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is on heightened alert for the 14th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorists attacks, according to a statement issued by Sheriff Shaun Golden.

“September 11th is a day of remembrance and reflection for our country,” Golden. “As always, our Law Enforcement Division will be working closely with local law enforcement agencies to take whatever steps are required to ensure the safety and security of the people who live and work in Monmouth County, as well as those who may be visiting.”

In addition to their routine security checks, sheriff’s officers will be assisting local police patrols at ferry terminals and transportation hubs.

K-9 teams will be sweeping ferry terminals and train stations, as well as major 9/11 remembrance observances, as requested. Sheriff’s Marine #1 will be out patrolling the waterways and conducting homeland security checks throughout the day.

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The Arnone Report: Locals’ summer follows a great season, Hire locally for county work

By Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder

Freeholder Tom Arone

I can’t believe I am saying this, but summer has slipped away before our eyes. While the calendar does not officially declare autumn until September 23, the unofficial end of the season is Labor Day, when our beaches officially close, lifeguard towers are put away and the school doors open.  As most of us locals know, some of the best beach and park days are still ahead of us, as September and October provide us with the perfect weather to continue to enjoy these gems we are lucky enough to call home.

The 2015 summer tourism season went extremely well, as we were blessed with great weather – modest temperatures and very little rain; in addition both the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays provided us with an extra two weeks of the season.

I am extremely happy to hear that most beach towns are providing initial reports that badge sales were up over last year, with some reporting the 2015 season as a record year.  Asbury Park has already reported that beach badge sales were up 21% over last year and Belmar has already exceeded their final total number from 2014. Spring Lake officials have reported that beaches have been crowded all season and the shops on 3^rd Avenue are doing record business.  Long Branch not only reported record crowds at Ocean Fest, but has continued to experience a packed beach and boardwalk all summer, with all Pier Village shops and restaurants doing very well.

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