SOUTHERN OCEAN Times
The
Vol. 10 - No. 44
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Students With Multiple Disabilities Shine In The Spotlight
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 9-13
–Photos by Stephanie Faughnan Sixth graders took on supporting roles to help the stars of the show deliver a moving performance.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
Classifieds Pages 22
By Stephanie Faughnan STAFFORD – The Stafford Township Arts Center lit up with a remarkable show presented by local students with multiple disabilities. Their performance included a heartwarming showcase of inclusivity and support – a resounding success in every way. The stars of the show were students in grades 3-6 who regularly attend Stafford Schools in self-contained classroom settings. However, supporting roles for the “In the Spotlight” appearances featured another group of special kids. A selection of sixthgrade students from Stafford Intermediate School attended as many as ten rehearsals to assist their peers. They worked diligently behind the scenes, practicing routines and dressing in black attire to serve as “stagehands” during the actual show. The audience included the performers’ families (Shine - See Page 4)
Teen Entrepreneurs Impress Judges In ‘Sink or Swim’ Competition
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – Local teens took a deep dive into showcasing their entrepreneurial skills at Ocean County College’s third annual “Sink or Swim” competition. Hosted by the college’s Entrepreneur Club, participants presented and sold their innovative ideas to a panel of judges inspired by the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”
As the event’s master of ceremonies, Professor Chris D. Bottomley introduced the aspiring business moguls as they hit the center stage to demonstrate their design skills and creativity. The competitors also presented business plans as they advocated for funding and support of their projects. A total of nine teams participated in the competition, which included students
from Jackson Memorial High School, Manchester Township High School, Point Pleasant High School, and Toms River High School North. Each brought their own unique ideas and approaches to the table. Several projects focused on using mobile apps or online platforms to support products related to health, (Competition - See Page 18)
May 6, 2023
Prescribed Burns Helped Contain Recent Wildfires
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – Authorities believe prescribed burns helped limit the damage caused by wildfires that tore through the area last month. In at least one instance, proactive measures saved residents from reliving an old nightmare. “The Log Swamp Wildfire in Little Egg Harbor occurred on April 15,” shared Trevor Raynor, Assistant Division Fire Warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. “It burned 1,607 acres and was contained by the following day.” Raynor credited the quick containment of the fire to prescribed burns conducted in the area on February 26 and February 27. The wildfire was burning with a south wind and ran into the prescribed burn block, which stopped it in its tracks. (Wildfires - See Page 5)
25 Homeless Permanently Housed This Winter
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Just Believe Inc. shared their statistics for the 2022-2023 season when they care for the homeless during the winter months, including helping 25 of them find permanent housing. Just Believe is a nonprof it that r uns the Code Blue shelter in Riverwood Park, which opens it s doors on nights when temperatures approach freezing. They were open 81 nights, according to CEO Paul Hulse. Although the park is i n Toms R iver, the
unhoused population comes from all over Ocean County. They had 147 different people stay for a total of 1,620 nights. But it’s not just about shelter for one night, it’s about finding out what issues they are having so that they can be referred to organizations that help. For example, there were 75 referrals for various services. There were 35 people who applied for Section 8 vouchers. Eleven people found temporary housing. A rental car was secured for one guest.
(Homeless - See Page 4)
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