TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 1
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Trial Underway In Murder Case
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
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Photos by Asbury Park Press Christopher Gregor, back, seen here with his attorney Mario Gallucci, pleaded “Not Guilty” to abusing and murdering his child.
Government Page 9
By Stephanie Faughnan T OM S R I V E R Breanna Micciolo re-
Community News
turned her 6-year-old son Corey Micciolo to his father’s home in Barnegat on April 2,
Breanna Micciolo looks at evidence she is asked to identify by the prosecution
2021, at 9:03 a.m. At 3:48 p.m. that same day, Corey’s father, Christopher Gregor, carried Corey’s li mp body i nto t he emergency room at Southern Ocean Medical Center. Just over an hour later, at 5:03 p.m., Corey Micciolo was pronounced dead. Corey’s passing resulted in an investigation and two separate criminal counts filed
Since 2018, hundreds of the state’s school districts have faced cuts under S-2, the name of a bill that redirected aid away f rom some schools toward others. Certain schools were considered “overfunded.” Jackson schools, part of Sauickie’s 12th Legislative District and
just one of 16 school districts he represents, have lost $22.4 million in aid, leading to cuts of 214 positions, sports teams, AP classes and electives. T he d ist r ict wa s forced to take a $10 million loan from the state, and pay a state monitor, to close budget gaps. The district
Pages 10-15
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
By Bob Vosseller TRENTON – Noting the devasting effects of the S-2 state aid formula, lawmakers hope their new bill would help restore some of the funding cut from local school districts. Assemblymen Alex Sa u ick ie a n d Pa u l Kanitra stated that a bill they introduced
would appropr iate $210.1 million to schools that previously received supplemental stabilization aid for their 2023-24 budgets. Supplemental stabilization aid was onetime f u nding given to schools that were hit hard by S-2 and needed help to continue operating.
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against Gregor – endangering the welfare of a child in relation to a March 20, 2021 incident; and murder in relation to the boy’s April 2, 2021 death. Gregor pleaded “Not Guilty” to both counts and rejected a 30-year plea deal. One piece of evidence has stood out above the rest - a video captured by a surveillance camera in the gym at the Atlantic Heights apartment complex. As Corey stepped ont o t he t r e a d m i l l on Ma rch 20, 2021 and set its speed, he is seen r un ning for several minutes. His father is off i n the distance talking on his cell phone and using weight machines. Gregor later increase s t h e t r e a d m i l l’s speed, causing Corey to fall several times. Each time Corey falls, (Trial - See Page 4)
needs $30 million to close its budget gap for the 2024-25 school year, but was informed April 10 that no districts will be allowed to seek loans. “Students in my district have faced overcrowded classrooms and cuts to academic (Funding Bill See Page 5)
May 11, 2024
County Agrees To Negotiate Animal Shelter Control
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Some members of the Ocean County Health Department said that the Toms River Animal Shelter was going to be shut down, so they will enter into negotiations to take over operations of it. The issue has been a heated one in town, as residents have fought for it to remain open and continue to be run by the town. While Mayor Daniel Rodrick has said continually that the shelter was not shutting down, board of health members had a different take on it. “We did not seek this out,” Board of Health member Senator Robert Singer said. “Toms River came to us” and said they were going to close the shelter so the county decided to take it on. “Basically, they’re going to close the facility,” said Board Chair John “Jack” Mallon. On the Board of Health’s agenda was a resolution that would allow them to enter into negotiations with Toms River for taking the shelter over. Board of Health member Maurice “Mo” Hill made a motion to table
the resolution. He said it should go to a referendum so residents can vote on it. No members of the Board seconded his motion so it didn’t go anywhere. The shelter was built in 2014 and Toms River is still paying off the bonds on the building – similar to a homeowner still paying their mortgage, he said. Finances A resident had left $1 million in their will to the shelter, and residents have asked what will happen to that money. Mallon said his understanding is that the money has to be used for the care of animals in that Toms River shelter. Toms River Business Administrator Jonathan Salonis spoke before the Board of Health saying that there is no funding for the shelter in the budget. “Quite frankly, the township should not be in the business of running a shelter,” he said. The Toms River Times reached out to Mayor Rodrick after Board of Health members said that Toms River asked them to take over the (Animal Shelter See Page 5)
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