The BERKELEY Times Vol. 30 - No. 45
CincO De Mayo BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 6
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News
Inside The Law Page 15
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Local Nonprofit Helps Fire Victims
In This Week’s Edition
Page 14
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Grant Received For Culvert Project
By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – The Jones Road fire garnered national attention. Firefighting companies and relief agencies came from all over. For one responder, it was much closer to home. Four years ago Mark Haug created the nonprofit Hold On, I’m Coming. He loads a trailer with supplies and drives to areas that Photos courtesy Mark Haug have been hit hard by a natural disaster. He’s been Firefighters enjoy refreshment to Florida, Vermont, and during a break from front lines. several states in between to serve people in need. This time, it was was one part just a quick trip south. of it. The truly Haug said he went down to Waretown the inspiring part morning of April 23. The Red Cross was was how evalready on scene and didn’t want him at the eryone came staging area, which worked out, because he together after Snacks and other supplies are was able to find displaced residents who Sandy to help in the trailer to give out to those in need. also didn’t get to the staging area. e a ch ot he r. He headquartered at the ShopRite in Strangers lifted each other up, and that’s Waretown, and saw about 150-200 people what he wants to do now. who came to him for help. He offered toiHis trailer is loaded up so he can just go as letries, drinks, coffee, and ice. There were soon as possible. He stays until long-term snacks and he went through about 100 hot relief efforts get situated. He’ll provide dogs. Some people just came to charge immediate needs and then they’ll provide their phones at his station; he provides dif- next level care. ferent types of cords if people need them. Not everyone who stopped by needed help. It’s part of paying it back. Haug’s Ocean Some came to donate. Those people he sent Gate home was destroyed in Superstorm on to the staging area since he knew they’d Sandy. That event formed the inspiration to be on site longer. do this now. Well, not exactly. The disaster (Local Nonprofit- See Page 4)
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - A fast-moving wildfire that erupted in the Pine Barrens on April 22 has become New Jersey’s largest wildfire in nearly two decades. The blaze, officially called the Jones Road Wildfire, scorched more than 15,300 acres and took more than a full week to fully contain. The fire began in Waretown near the intersection of Jones Road and Bryant Road, an unpaved area often
used by off-road vehicles. When it was spotted by a fire tower at 9:45 a.m., it was just five acres and quickly spread to 12,000 acres just an hour later. “The expectation is that the number of acres will grow in a place that is unpopulated and that is more open wilderness,” said Shawn M. LaTourette, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at a press conference within a day after the start (Wildfire - See Page 5)
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By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The township received a $2,892,223 grant to fix culverts at Holiday City. “This is a big grant for us and we’re happy to receive it, that’s for sure,” Mayor John Bacchione said at a recent Township Council meeting. Officials and residents have discussed problems with the culverts in the retirement communities. The goal is to be able to better control the water levels. Township workers have cleaned the lakes in the past, officials said. However, fixing the culverts would solve most of the problems. When water stagnates, there’s a decrease in the health of the lake – and the animals and plants that need clean water. Instead, you get bugs and sand bars. The Township Council also went out for bids for companies to do the work. There were two grants inserted into the budget at a recent Township Council meeting. One was the Intergovernmental Agreement for Stormwater Improvement Construction Projects, which was for the culverts. The other was a Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security grant in the amount of $41,478.40. New Stop Signs The intersection of Trenton Avenue South and Elizabeth (Grant - See Page 4)
Wildfire Renews Call For Disaster Preparedness
Photo courtesy DEP Firefighters battle the Jones Road Wildfire. By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - The massive wildfire burning deep in southern Ocean County offered some reminders for local residents. Life at the Jersey Shore isn’t just about sun and sand - it’s also about preparing for the real danger of forest fires. The Jones Road Wildfire, first spotted at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower, scorched 15,300 acres in the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area. By evening, the fire had crossed both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9, forcing about 5,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey townships to evacuate. Several outbuildings, one commercial building, and multiple vehicles were destroyed. (Disaster Prep - See Page 17)
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