Saving lives, saving herself: A mom’s quest to stop Monmouth County’s teen suicide cluster

Saving lives, saving herself: A mom’s quest to stop Monmouth County’s teen suicide cluster (via NJ.com)

Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger It began with a letter to a local newspaper. Lisa Schenke, devastated by the suicide of her 18-year-old son, wrote in unflinching detail about his struggles with depression and substance abuse. She appealed to teens to avoid…

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Mumps Closes D’Jais For The Weekend

D’Jais, the popular Belmar bar suspected of being ground zero for a Monmouth County mumps outbreak, is closing voluntarily for the weekend to clean and sanitize what might be left on the virus, according to a statement by the Monmouth County Health Department.

With the exception of one pre-school aged child, all of the individuals are adults. The median age of the individuals under investigation is 27. Most of the individuals have either been patrons or employees of D’Jais Bar and Grill in Belmar.

“The staff and management and ownership of D’Jais have all been very cooperative and most helpful in advancing this investigation,” said Monmouth County Administrator Teri O’Connor. “Additionally, the Borough of Belmar continues to assist as we work our way through this public health issue.”

D’Jais has voluntarily closed its doors to patrons for the coming weekend. D’Jais has received and carried out cleaning and sanitizing recommendations from the Health Department.

The Health Department has confirmed one case of mumps. 26 other cases of patients with mumps-like symptoms are under investigation.

The Health Department asks that anyone with symptoms of the swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite to seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.

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Mumps Outbreak Traced To D’Jais in Belmar

UPDATE, 9/6/13 D’Jais is closed voluntarily for the weekend

The Monmouth County Health Department is investigating 22 cases probable cases of mumps in the county, 15 of which have come forward since yesterday, according to a statement issued by County Public Health Coordinator Michael Meddis.

“Since yesterday, an additional 15 individuals with mumps-like symptoms have come forward,” County public health coordinator Michael Meddis said. “The medical professionals advised these individuals to be on bed rest, increase their fluid intake and take steps to reduce their fever.”

 

Twenty-one of the individuals are adults and most of them have been either a patron at or an employee of D’Jais in Belmar in the last several weeks. The one youth is of pre-school age.

 

Individuals in Monmouth County are from Asbury Park, Belmar, Farmingdale, Howell (4), Keyport, Long Branch (3), Neptune City, Tinton Falls and Wall. Individuals who reported hometowns from outside the county are from the New Jersey towns of Woodbridge, Saddle Brook, Ogdensburg, Emerson, Lawrenceville, Point Pleasant (2) and Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

 

The Monmouth County Health Department asks that if you are experiencing the swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite you should seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.

 

Meddis added that the investigation is continuing as new cases are presented and to determine the source of transmission and identify close personal contacts.

 

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 6-8, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, Sept. 8

• Feast of San Gennaro at the Jersey Shore (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Park Oyster Fest – MORE INFO

• NY Yankees vs. Red Sox via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• September Smashfest at Wall Speedway – MORE INFO

• Joe Bastianich w/ Victor Rallo Cooking at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• SkimBash Competition (Sea Bright) – MORE INFO

• Blacksmith Demonstration (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Enjoy Sunday in NYC via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank Street Fair – MORE INFO

• Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon at Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Belmar Jr. Pro Surfing Competition – MORE INFO

• Houston Person & Quartet (Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• VFW Indoor Flea Market (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Games Galore! (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Wild Edibles & Medicine Walk (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Canoeing on Marlu Lake (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Walk for All Ages (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Music Man Rich Marzec (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Railroaders Weekend at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• Mya’s Run for the Gold (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO

• Open Ceramics (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Sportsman Drag Racing at Raceway Park – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, Sept. 13: Tri-State Theatre Festival (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

Saturday, Sept. 14: Manasquan Fall Arts & Crafts Fair – MORE INFO

Sunday, Sept. 15: NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Oct. 5: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Oct 12: Ocean Grove Fall Harvest Festival & Craft Show – MORE INFO

Oct. 19: Belmar Fall Town-Wide Yard Sale – MORE INFO

Oct. 26: NJ Symphony Orchestra at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at monmouthcountylife@gmail.com.

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Sheriff Golden: Stay Safe, Don’t Drink And Drive This Weekend

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is urging drivers to be alert and stay sober throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend. Along with backyard barbeques and holiday parties, there will be an increase of travelers on the roadways during the extended weekend. Law enforcement will remain vigilant to keep roadways safe and free of drunk drivers.

“We want everyone to enjoy the last weekend of the summer, but, if you are going to drink, don’t drive, it’s as simple as that,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Law enforcement will be out in full force and on the lookout for drunk drivers.”

In an effort to avoid presenting a danger to oneself or others it’s important to follow these safety tips:

• Before going out, designate a driver who will not consume any alcohol the entire night.

• DO NOT DRIVE if you are impaired. Call a cab, a sober friend or family member. If you don’t have a ride stay where you are.

• If you see someone about to get behind the wheel or on a motorcycle after they have been drinking, take their keys and find them a ride with someone who is sober.

• Under no circumstances should adults provide alcohol to a minor or allow anyone under 21 to consume alcohol while at their home.

In New Jersey, an individual is considered over the legal limit if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2011, there were 193 alcohol impaired driving fatalities in New Jersey, of that 16 occurred in Monmouth County.

“Any fatality on our roads is one too many,” said Sheriff Golden. “Enforcing the law and educating the public about the dangers of drinking and driving is the key to keeping our roadways safer.”

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this Labor Day Weekend

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Sunday, Sept. 1

• BBQ & Craft Beer Festival at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Garden State Wine Festival at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• St. Benedict’s Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• NY Yankees vs. Orioles via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Last Blast of Summer at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• The B Street Band (Sea Bright) – MORE INFO

• Free “Spectacular Fireworks” at Keansburg Amusement Park – MORE INFO

• NJFC Flapjack Fundraiser (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO

• Labor Day Regatta (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Labor Day Weekend Sale at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Presentation: Exciting New Products from Microsoft (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Fireworks on the Beach (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Pat Guadagno (Monmouth Beach) – MORE INFO

• Cove Trail Hike (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Holiday Express Sunset Clambake (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – MORE INFO

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Freeholders Raise Awareness For Pediatric Cancer and Suicide Prevention

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

By Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

            The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders believes it is imperative to get the word out in an effort to raise awareness on two critical issues we face right here in our county.

            First is the growing problem of pediatric cancer. Because of this rising epidemic, Freeholder Serena DiMaso along with the support of The Board of Chosen Freeholders, Sheriff Shaun Golden and families of pediatric cancer victims in Monmouth County joined together at the last Freeholder’s meeting to proclaim September “Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.” Moreover, Monmouth County has the third highest rate of cancer in the state, and it is time to figure out why. The month of September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which was created to bring attention to the caregivers, charities and groups, who spotlight the importance of the need for research and awareness to aid in finding cures for pediatric cancer. As part of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders as well as the communities within will “go gold”, placing gold ribbons and wearing gold clothing to recognize the need for more research in the area of pediatric oncology. We must do everything we can to promote the awareness and research of this disease that is taking the lives of our children. Our hearts go out to the families affected by cancer, and we sincerely hope that by declaring September as “Go Gold Month”, we can start to raise awareness right here in Monmouth. County.

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Shooting Epidemic In Asbury Park, Community Resignation Setting In

Monmouth County Needs Regional Law Enforcement

There were three shootings in Asbury Park this afternoon, according to a report at NJ.com.

The shooting happened around noon on Mattison Avenue, near Langford Street, Detective Lt. David DeSane said. As of around 2 p.m., DeSane said he did not know the extent of the injuries.

Two people in the area, who asked not to be identified, said they heard four or five shots, but did not know what happened.

AsburyParkSun photo

In the triCityNews last week, publisher Dan Jacobson said there have been four fatal shootings in the city, population 16,132, so far this year.

In their award winning series, Gripped by violence, published last October, four days before Superstorm Sandy, the Asbury Park Press said there had been an average of one shooting per week in Asbury Park through October 25, 2012 and that the city was second only to Camden in terms of violent crimes in New Jersey.  That’s right, Asbury Park is more dangerous than Newark, Trenton and Jersey City, where there were also three shootings today.

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Middletown Woman Is Off To Germany In Pursuit Of Hoops Stardom

Jennifer Mocanu, 23, of the Belford section of Middletown, departs for Germany on Sunday to embark on her new career as a professional basketball player. She is slated to be the starting shooting guard of TSV Krofdorf-Gleiberg of the FIBA when their season starts next weekend.

A 2008 graduate of Middletown High School North where she was a 4 year letter winner, senior MVP and leading scorer, Mocanu’s hoops magic continued in college where she was an NCAA Division 3 star at the College of Mount. St. Vincent in Riverdale, NY for two seasons and two seasons with Mount St. Mary College Knights in Newburgh, NY.  She led the Knights to two NCAA Division 3 tournament appearances.

In her senior year at Mount Saint Mary’s, Jen led her team to the regular season championship and was named Player of the Year of the Skyline Conference where she was the league’s top scorer.   She scored 1501 points in her collegiate career.

After graduation with a degree in Psychology, Mocanu enrolled at Monmouth University to pursue a Masters in Sociology.  But she soon realized that sociology wasn’t what she thought it was, more importantly, that she wasn’t done with basketball.

Rebuffed by a players’ agent because she hadn’t played competitively in over six months, Jen was undeterred.  She enrolled in a FIBA professional scouting tournament in Germany last spring where she was offered a one year contract by Coach Viktor Kramer on the second day of the three day tournament.

Contract in hand, Mocanu returned to New Jersey for the summer where she kept in shape working out at the Community YMCA and working as a bartender at Chilangos in Highlands.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, August 23-25, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, August 25

• Dawn Patrol at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Wings of Freedom Tour (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Baroque Treasures: Handel & Bach (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• NY Mets vs. Tigers via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Saving Kitty at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• You’re Good Man, Charlie Brown by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• The Voodudes (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Arts & Crafts Show at the Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• 5k Challenge for CHHANGE (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• All Things Birds Field Trip on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Pier Village Sidewalk Sale (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth Park Kid’s Club (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Summer Showdown Contest & Art Sale (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Blueberries! (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Dropkick Murphys at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Holmdel Sports Memorabilia Show – MORE INFO

• Search for Mushrooms (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Feed the Turtles (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Mark DiIonno Lecture, “The Last Newspaper Man” (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Jose Loo in Concert (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, August 30: St. Benedict’s Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

Saturday, August 31: Garden State Wine Festival at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Sunday, Sept. 1: BBQ & Craft Beer Festival at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Sept. 7: Asbury Park Oyster Fest – MORE INFO

Sept. 14: Fall Crafters’ Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Sept. 21: Ocean Grove British Car Show – MORE INFO

Sept. 28: Beer on the Pier (Belmar) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at monmouthcountylife@gmail.com

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