TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 39
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 8
Community News Pages 9-14
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
February 1, 2025
Officials: Beware Fake Texts From Toll Companies
From Pain To Purpose:
An Officer’s Fight For Change After Sexual Assault
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – No, you don’t owe money to EZPass or whatever other toll company you got a text about. Officials are warning you to ignore those texts, or report them. The text tells you to pay your tolls by a certain day to avoid a fi ne and risk losing your license. Then it directs you to a bogus website where it records your information and demands payments. Sometimes the sender claims they are from EZPass. Lately, a lot of these spam texts come from “FastTrak.” FasTrak is the company that monitors tolls in California. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority said they first learned of the scam on April 11, 2024. “This scam does not appear to target New Jersey E-ZPass customers. The bogus text messages are being sent to phone numbers in New Jersey area codes regardless of whether the recipients are E-ZPass account holders,” they said. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) noted that they’ve been getting reports about these scams since March of 2024. The details change, but the scam is still the same. They suggest you delete the texts at a minimum. If you’re interested in filing a complaint, you can visit ic3.gov, and fill out information on that site. You must include the phone number that sent you the text. Also let IC3 know what website they wanted you to go to. If you have already clicked on the link they provided or if you have given them any
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – As a sergeant with the Ocean County Sheriff ’s Office, Shannon Dugan has heard her share of harrowing stories during her time assigned to the courthouse. But nothing could have prepared her for the trauma she suffered herself. Now, a survivor of sexual assault, Dugan is transforming her experience into a powerful platform for change, advocating for safer environments in places where people should feel most secure. Dugan’s ordeal began in April 2016 during a work Photo by Stephanie Faughnan trip to St. Louis, Missouri. Ocean County Sheriff ’s Offi cer Sergeant Shannon Dugan as she She stayed at the Hyatt appeared in a recent interview to discuss her plans to help others Regency, where a hotel as a result of her own sexual assault by a hotel security guard. security guard used a The incident left Dugan reelsaid. “If I didn’t go to the police master key to enter her ing, but the aftermath, the hanthat day, he could have continroom and assault her as dling of the case by the hotel, ued. People think they’re safe in she slept. The man, David and the discovery of negligent hotels, but they’re not always.” Allen White, instead of facing a criminal trial, hiring practices by Hyatt would pleaded guilty to sexual ultimately fuel her determina- Holding Hyatt Accountable Dugan agreed to an interview abuse and burglary and tion to seek justice. “I came forward because someon the condition that she would is now a registered sex thing has to change,” Dugan (Officer’s - See Page 4) offender.
(Fake Texts - See Page 6)
C L J B N C
Photo courtesy Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione is sworn in by former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno as her husband Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione holds the Bible.
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Ocean County Deputy Commissioner Director Frank Sadeghi led the board for a second time at its January 15 meeting, stepping in for Director Jack Kelly. Clerk of the Board Michelle I. Gunther announced Kelly’s absence was due to personal reasons. This is Sadeghi’s second year as a commissioner, albeit his first elected
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position. Director Jack Kelly and Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines are seasoned members of the board. All five members, including newly elected Commissioners Robert Arace and Jennifer Bacchione, are Republicans. Sadeghi was somewhat reserved at public meetings during his first year, although he became a familiar face at various events throughout the county (Commissioners - See Page 5)
Photo courtesy Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace is sworn in by Manchester Business Administrator (and former Ocean County Clerk) Carl Block as his wife Deanna holds the Bible.
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