The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 31 - No. 10
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Game On For New ESports Room
Town Budget Sees Tax Increase
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Community News Pages 10-16
Photos by Bob Vosseller Manchester Township High School students who are part of the Esports team enjoy playing in the new Esports Room that opened recently at the township high school. By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – There was a time when students could get in
trouble for playing video games in school. Times have changed and this activity is now
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 20
Inside The Law Page 25
Classifieds Page 28
Manchester Township High School students (from left) Angie Tayeb, Elijah Lang, and Pablo Lopez gather during the recent ESports Room ribbon cutting.
appreciated as a means of building student camaraderie, unity and providing a potential career path. Students, administrators and teachers came together for a recent ribbon cutting at the township high school’s new ESpor t s Tea m room which included a $5,000 donation for gaming equipment costs from Black Rocket and Mor ris Hills High School. Black Rocket representatives were pres-
ent at the event where attendees also got to watch a live online exhibition match between M T HS a nd Mor r is Hills High School. “We are an education tech ad company for kids. We have a variety of classes related to game design, coding, and VR (virtual reality),” Black Rocket Director of Technology Mike Jubina said. Black Rocket, which creates and launches curriculum focused on
experienced the night of a lifetime at their very own prom. Dressed to the nines in glamorous gowns and dapper suits, the children - most of whom are medically fragile and non-verbal - shined with excitement as music pulsed through the air and the beat of joy took over the room. “Let’s get those strollers rocking!” called out one staff member, sparking a (Dance - See Page 23)
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By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – The average homeowner will see a $108 tax increase for a house valued at $366,000 now that the 2025 budget has passed. Business Administrator Carl Block stressed that this year’s budget will mean a decrease for some taxpayers and an increase for others based on the value of their homes. The township recently underwent a revaluation. Mayor Joseph Hankins made the first budget presentation of his tenure. It was followed by two comments from the public before the Township Council unanimously adopted the budget. Hankin’s presentation explained that local revenues collected are licenses, fees and permits, court fees, interest earned, cable franchise fees, and payment for hosting the landfill. The mayor also noted that state aid this year was lower than last year because the state budget did not include additional municipal relief as it did last year. The mayor noted that state aid to the municipality is certified in March and has been flat (Budget - See Page 5)
Police Parade Celebrates Local Boy
(ESports - See Page 4)
Dance Floor Lights Up For Special Prom
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – The glitter balls were spinning. The disco lights swirled purple and blue. And while some danced on their feet, others grooved from their chairs - because nothing was going to stop this crowd from getting their boogie on. Sixteen young residents at Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Long Term Care Center in Toms River
June 7, 2025
Photo by Chris Lundy Jax and Charlotte Fuge help with K9 Mellow’s show, joined by loved ones and Sangria, the Ocean County Sheriff ’s Department horse.
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Recreational therapist Marissa Farnkoph connects with one of the young prom goers as they dance to the music.
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By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – There was a line of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances driving up Route 9 one morning. It wasn’t an emergency. It was a parade. But what was the special occasion? Jaxon Fuge’s birthday. The boy is obsessed with wanting to be a police (Parade - See Page 5)
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