TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 22
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Road Safety Changes Made In Downtown Toms River
BREAKING NEWS @
Photos by Chris Lundy jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 6-14
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
Classifieds Pages 25
October 5, 2024
An annex for the Ocean County Justice Complex is being built. By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – Crossing Hooper Avenue to get to Ocean County government buildings can get a bit tricky but now a new traffic signal has been installed to make crossing safer in downtown Toms River. Ocean County Commissioner John P. Kelly, liaison to the Ocean County Department of Engineering, explained that this signal “and the creation of the crosswalk by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office are all part of the steps we are taking
to provide safer access to the Ocean County Courthouse and the Ocean County government buildings that line Hooper Avenue.” “We needed to make these changes to this section of Hooper Avenue to create a safer traveling environment and to accommodate the construction of the new Ocean County Justice Complex annex,” he added. A bar rier has been placed down the center of Hooper Avenue from Washington Street to Madison Avenue to deter people
crossing anywhere except the crosswalk. A new traffic signal located by 119 Hooper Avenue has been installed to stop drivers for pedestrians in the crosswalk. Pedestrians can push a button to change the signal on the sidewalk. Signage has been installed with instructions. “These changes affect both motorists and pedestrians,” Kelly noted. The pedestrian crosswalk over Hooper Avenue which connects the Ocean County Parking Garage to the Ocean County Justice (Road Safety - See Page 4)
Church Plans 17-Bed Homeless Shelter By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Many of the neighborhood people weren’t aware that the Christ Church of Toms River at 415 Washington Street has been used to host a homelessness outreach program since July 2023. However, notification of plans to expand the location to include a 17-bed shelter quickly filled the room at a recent Board of Adjustment hearing. A zoning permit to allow the use of the church hall as an outreach center was approved in July 2023. Since then, homeless individuals
in search of assistance have been visiting the church for various services. The Toms River Housing and Homeless Coalition oversees the Ocean County Housing Resource Center - a collaborative group of faith-based leaders, nonprofits, and government agencies. Since the outreach program began, over 500 individuals have sought assistance. Services at the center range from referrals for housing placements and food pantries, resume help and even showers for the unhoused.
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New Police Chief Chosen By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Lt. Peter Sundack was promoted to chief of police, filling a void in leadership. The previous chief and both captains retired this year, leaving the department without the top brass. Below these positions were seven lieutenants. A senior officer was placed in charge during the interim. Sundack attended the Vest-A-Cop fundraiser as his fi rst official event as chief. He told The Toms River Times “It’s an honor and a privilege to be serving the people of Toms River in an ongoing relationship with the community and with visitors to our town.” “Chief Sundack has demonstrated exceptional (New Chief - See Page 4)
Photo by Chris Lundy Chief Peter Sundack took a break from the festivities of the Vest-A-Cop fundraiser to speak with The Toms River Times.
Nonprofits Funded To Fight Opioid Crisis
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently awarded $200,000 in preliminary four-month contracts to five non-profit organizations working to combat the opioid epidemic. The funds come from legal settlements with drug companies and distributors linked to the national opioid crisis with the first round allocated through the end of 2024. If these programs are extended for two additional years, the non-profits
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could receive a total of $1.2 million. “These awards amount to $600,000 annually,” said Dr. Jamie Busch, Assistant Director of Ocean County Human Services. The contracts began in September and cover an initial four-month period, with the option to renew for two more years.” The Ocean County Opioid Advisory Council (OCOAC) recommended certain non-profits for funding based on their (Opioid Crisis - See Page 7)
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