The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 12 - No. 7
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Special Needs Families Have Record-Breaking Day On The Bay
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
Classifieds Page 22
Photo courtesy Stacey Fahringer of Photography by Stacey All smiles for those who enjoyed a boat ride courtesy of Barnegat’s Day on the Bay. By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT – The local serene waters of the Barnegat Bay recently came alive with joy recently as individuals with special needs and their families experienced the thrill of a boat ride, many for the fi rst time. Smiles and laughter fi lled the air as 323 participants embarked on an unforgettable nautical adventure, leaving worries onshore and embracing the freedom of the open water.
The event, known as Barnegat’s Day on the Bay, saw pontoon boats, speedboats, and even a cigarette boat gliding through the bay, each carrying passengers who were nothing short of thrilled. The sight of children and adults alike beaming with excitement as they took the helm, some even getting a chance to steer, was a heartwarming reminder of the simple joys that many take for granted.
August 17, 2024
Hospital Announces $31M Expansion
By Stephanie Faughnan MANAHAWKIN – In response to a surge in permanent residents in southern Ocean County, Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center (SOMC) has launched a $31 million expansion project to enhance its medical facilities. Michele Morrison, MPH, BSHA, RN, president and chief hospital executive at Southern Ocean Medical Center, emphasized the critical role of the expansion in addressing the community’s evolving needs. “When completed in approximately 30 months, we will be able to provide greater access to comprehensive care to better accommodate the growing population in Southern Ocean County while keeping future growth in mind,” she said. The expansion will add two new operating rooms to the existing facility and significantly enlarge the current operating room space by 8,400 square feet. Once complete, the total new surgical space will measure 21,000 square feet. In addition to constructing new operating rooms, the hospital will renovate 13,000 square feet of existing space. The entire project is focused on the oldest part of the hospital building. To improve patient flow, the hospital will also build a new pre- and post-procedure area. Furthermore, the Sterile Processing Department, responsible for sterilizing surgical equipment, will be expanded to support the increased surgical capacity.
(Families - See Page 4)
(Expansion - See Page 5)
Olympic Track Chairman Recalls Local Roots
By Chris Christopher MANCHESTER – Andrew Valmon is Mr. Olympics. The former Manchester Township High School standout blazed to gold medals in Seoul, South Korea, in 1988 and Barcelona, Spain, in 1992 as a member of Team USA’s Photo courtesy Andrew Valmon men’s 4x400-meter relay quartet. Andrew Valmon (right) celebrates his And in 2012, he coached Team USA to gold medal. 29 medals - nine gold, 13 silver and seven
bronze - at the London Olympics. It was the second highest medal count in Olympics history. These days, the 1983 graduate was busy busy busy at the Paris Olympics - as Team USA’s men’s track and field chairman. Valmon is the first gold medalist in history to return to the Olympic Games as head coach of the USA men’s team. “Once an Olympian - always an Olympi-
an,” Valmon said. “Never former.” Running a 44.4 split on the leadoff leg in Barcelona, Valmon powered his team to the world record in 2:55.74 - a mark set in 1968. “I gave us a strong lead,” he said. “I was honored, prepared and excited to run. I was a veteran who was reliable on that leg. I was absolutely happy to (Olympic - See Page 6)
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