The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 11 - No. 47
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
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JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Tax Hike Possible Despite School Funding Help
By Stephanie Faughnan LACEY – The local school district received promises of a lifeline with newly passed legislation. After facing significant budget cuts due to reduced state aid, the Governor signed two bills offering both fi nancial relief and difficult choices for the district.
Many local districts lost millions in funding due to a change in the way the state gives out aid. The two new bills offer a two-pronged approach to address school funding shortfalls. The fi rst bill (A-4161) establishes a Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program within the Department of Education. This program
allocates grants to qualifying districts experiencing state aid reductions. The grants would equal 45% of their lost state aid for the 2024-2025 school year, with a total of $44.7 million allocated to support the program. Second, the legislation provides flexibility (Tax Hike - See Page 4)
High School Production Nominated Murder Trial: What For Rising Star Awards Jury Has Heard,
And Hasn’t Heard
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-15
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
Classifieds Page 22
May 25, 2024
Photo by Pinelands Regional Pinelands Sophomore Kali Tucker nominated as Outstanding Lead Actress.
By Stephanie Faughnan LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Under the Sea and on the stage, Pinelands Regional High School continues to make waves. Their production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” has garnered a whopping three nominations at the prestigious Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards. Considered the Tony Awards of New Jersey high school musicals, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards celebrate excellence in student productions for the 29th year running. This year, Pinelands dove head-
first into the competition against male-Identified Supporting cades, expressed his excitement 116 schools with a chance to Role: Summer Hudak’s villain- about the nominations. Although shine under the spotlight. Pinelands has received recognious turn as Ursula. Pinelands’ nominations showHonorable Mention for Out- tion from the Paper Mill in the case the dedication and tal- standing Hair and Makeup past, this year comes with three ent pou r ing out awards at once. of t hei r t heater “This is our first “I’ve always related to Ariel, She program. Here’s a lead actress nomjust has a very playful spirit and is breakdown of their ination,” Miller very sweet and bubbly. I feel like said. “We’ve had achievements: my personality is built the same.” nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a a feature actor, Kali Tucker Female-Identified a supporting acLeading Role: Sophomore Kali Achievements: The creative team tress, and costuming, along with Tucker for her portrayal of Ariel. brought the characters to life. a few other nods along the way. Honorable Mention for OutChuck Miller, the school’s Our supporting actress got an (Awards - See Page 6) standing Performer in a Fe- drama director for nearly two de-
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – As both the prosecution and defense present their cases in the state’s trial against Christopher Gregor for the endangerment and murder of his six-yearold child, one crucial voice is all too silent: that of the young victim, Corey Micciolo. Much of what Corey allegedly said before his death has been excluded from the jury as hearsay evidence. A single, accidental video taken by Corey’s mother, Breanna Micciolo, on the morning of her son’s death, barely captures Corey’s voice. In the video, Corey can be heard questioning his mother as she hands him a piece of paper to give to his father, the last time she would see him alive. Breanna explained to her son that the paper needed to be given to his father because “he’s your other parent, so it’s his right to see it because you went to the doctor.” A pediatrician formerly associated with Ivy Pediatrics in Toms River first testified outside the presence of the jury about her evaluation of Corey on April 1, 2021, the day before he died. Dr. Nancy Deacon was advised that she could not read her notes to the jury regarding Corey’s explanation of his injuries as the court ruled them as hearsay evidence. Two Barnegat police officers also testified about their welfare check on Corey at his mother’s request. Officer Daniel Dugan said that the father and son appeared to have a good relationship and that the child was not in distress. He noticed Corey’s bruises and began to recount how the little boy said he (Trial - See Page 5)
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