TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 3
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Government Page 8
Community News Pages 10-16
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Inside The Law Page 20
May 25, 2024
World Bee Day Celebrates New Laws Pollinators Of Every Stripe Won’t Balance By Stephanie Faughnan School Budget TOMS RIVER - The
In This Week’s Edition
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World Bee Celebration, hosted by Bee Shore Honey, LLC and Save Barnegat Bay, created a hive of activity as local experts, beekeepers, and environmental enthusiasts gathered to celebrate and highlight the crucial role of pollinators. While bees were the main buzz, the event also spotlighted bats, emphasizing their significant contributions alongside bees in the local ecosystem. A Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) student from Island Heights championed the cause of bats as unsung pollinator superheroes. Eleanora Church’s project for her Girl Scout Gold Award focuses on building bat houses and educating the community on the vital role bats play. “There are over 500
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Attendees had a chance to suit up and avoid stings as they got a close look at bees in their natural habitat. different types of flowers that rely on bats as one of their major pollinators,” Eleanor shared. “They can also eat approximately 3,000 mosquitos in just one night.” With the assistance of two other Girl Scouts, Eleanor helped two young children build their own bat houses. She also addressed the threats bats
face from white nose syndrome and habitat loss due to development. Building Homes For Busy Bees Bats weren’t the only ones to get new homes at the event, which featured stations showcasing many experts involved in the New Jersey State Beekeeping Association
NFL’s Tyreek Hill Teaches Kids To Follow In His Footsteps
Photo courtesy Tom Naclerio The kids ran drills and practiced against each other all day.
By Chris Christopher JACKSON - A mega star, a superstar, a superduper star captivated 225 athletes and numerous fans at Adventure Crossing USA. Tyreek Hill, a one-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs and an eight-
time Pro Bowler in his first eight seasons in the NFL, led the Tyreek Hill Youth Football and Speed Camp 2024 on Mother’s Day. The five-time firstteam All-Pro and onetime second-team AllPro selection has caught (Tyreek Hill See Page 9)
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and its Ocean County Chapter. Graceanne Taylor, an Environmental Educator from Save Barnegat Bay, led an engaging activity: crafting bee houses from simple materials like bamboo and twine. Taylor instructed participants to place the bee houses in spots exposed (Bee Day - See Page 4)
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Two bills were passed – literally at the last minute – that will make up for some of the budget crunch that the school district is facing, but officials have said that there is still too much that could be lost without more state aid. At the center of the problem is that several years ago, a bill called S-2 cut school aid year over year to a number of local districts. The other side is that districts are not allowed to raise taxes more than 2%. This has left a gap between what it takes to run a district and the two main forms of revenue – taxes and state aid - coming in to pay those bills. District officials said that the gap for next school year is $26.5 million. The state sets a
number that they term “adequacy” which generally speaking means what the district needs to be spending to provide an education. Toms River Regional Schools is $91 million lower than that. Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills that potentially help the district and many like it, but don’t solve the entire problem. The first bill (A-4161) establishes a Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program. Districts can apply for grants equal to 45% of how much of their aid was cut for the 20242025 school year. Districts across New Jersey will compete for a pool of $44.7 million. This bill also allows certain districts to request permission to (School Budget See Page 5
This Month In History: Local Library Merges With County System By J. Mark Mutter TOMS RIVER - It’s often been said that history has a way of repeating itself, and that’s certainly what is happening in Toms River today. We’ve probably all heard about the recent controversy over the
county taking over the Township Animal Shelter. A citizens’ petition drive has been submitted to overturn that decision - forcing repeal of the ordinance authorizing it, or submitting it to the voters in a referendum question. This isn’t the first
time in our histor y that a similar township-county merger of services has raised such a firestorm. Back in the 1970s, there was another, similar controversy, but it wasn’t about animals. It was all about books. Here’s the story. (History - See Page 21)
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